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SGPC takes control of land at Bhai Rupa
clash at golden temple |
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Police bust supply chain of drug cartels
Private bus operators threaten to go off road from next month
Paddy sowing begins today; farmers still scouting for migrant labourers
Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal takes to social media
Vigilance committees set up
Badal likely to reshuffle portfolios
Akali leader sells Takht land for
Rs 3 crore
Damanvir, Gaba get more time to appear before ED
Anil Joshi heckled by safai workers in Jalandhar
Fulfil poll promises: Bajwa to Badal
Two kids among 7 drown in three mishaps in Ropar
Dhindsa meets Jaitley, demands
Rs 5,000 crore non-Plan grant
Chandigarh building collapse
Missing youth: BJP leaders join protest against cops
Villagers seek common land auction on nominal rates
Drinking water scarce in Batala town
Farmers threaten protest if canals not filled to capacity in region
Students protest, demand
PU affiliation for college
Nod to Rs 59-lakh loan for weaker sections
Kohar raids Patiala transport office
SC commission notice to state
Ludhiana minor raped, killed;
paedophile on the prowl?
5 of notorious gang held, arms seized
Two held with poppy husk
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SGPC takes control of land at Bhai Rupa
Bhai Rupa (Bathinda), June 9 A clash had occurred between the village residents and SGPC activists on May 7. Since then, the village was under a strict vigil. The SGPC general secretary, Kewal Singh, the SGPC task force and SGPC members from Bathinda and Mansa districts reached the village in 40-60 vehicles at 10 am. They headed for the disputed site and started ploughing the land with 12 tractors. Over 1,000 policemen from seven districts of the Bathinda zone were deployed in the village. Sources claimed Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka was seen with the SGPC team on the outskirts of the village in the morning. They said Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC president, remained in touch with the SGPC members on the phone for a minute-to-minute report. Talking to The Tribune, Makkar said a section of village residents had floated a fake organisation and staked claim over the land. But the Supreme Court had decided in SGPC's favour. Rajwinder Singh Raja, president of Bhai Roop Chand Langar Sewa Society, alleged that the SGPC had forcibly encroached on the land. He claimed the land, donated by Bhai Roop Chand in 1688, belonged to the society. SGPC task force members brandish weapons Bathinda: Many an eyebrow has been raised over the manner in which at least 300 members of the SGPC task force took over the 161 acres of land at Bhai Rupa village, brandishing arms. They carried .315 bore guns, lathis and swords. Many had their faces concealed. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP, said he was not at the site. When told The Tribune had pictures on the armed SGPC members, he said nobody but the police could carry weapons and he would ask two SP-rank officials to get to the bottom of the matter. Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg said he had sought a report. – Jupinderjit Singh Controversy over 161 acres of land May 7: SGPC staff holds auction of this disputed land; opposing the auction, Bhai Roop Chand Langar Sewa Society members clash with SGPC member, three injured May 8: The police register a case against 16 village residents. But none arrested May 11: Alleging police inaction, SGPC members of Bathinda and Mansa district submit their resignation to SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar May 12: SAD announces support for SGPC, Chief Minister holds meeting with SGPC members May 20: Police arrest five society members and seal Bhai Rupa village. The residents decide to gather on May 23 May 23: Phul court stays the arrest of the accused June 6: Police arrest four persons; angry village residents protest outside the district court complex June 9: SGPC takes control of the land amid tension
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clash at golden temple
Amritsar, June 9 Aulakh’s statement has come as a setback for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which had blamed Mann for the incident. It had occurred after the religious ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Operation Bluestar. The police have arrested one more person in the case. They had booked 28 persons — 22 have been arrested — on charges ranging from assault to attempt to murder. Giving almost a clean chit to Mann, the Police Commissioner said the arrested persons belonged to different radical groups and had no direct link with Mann’s party. “Till date, there is no proof against Mann that can substantiate his involvement in triggering the clash. Not all but a few could be his supporters. We have arrested 22 persons while search is on to nab the remaining six,” he said. A three-member SAD (Amritsar) delegation also called on the Police Commissioner today. Producing “documentary proof”, including a few pictures, they apprised the police about the alleged involvement of the SGPC task force in the clash. The delegation comprised SAD (Amritsar) office secretary Harbir Singh Sandhu, general secretary Jaskaran Singh and Jarnail Singh Sakhira. Submitting a memorandum to the Police Commissioner, they demanded that those arrested should be freed as they “were not directly involved in the clash”. Sandhu alleged that Golden Temple manager Partap Singh, who was complainant in the case, was himself involved in the clash. “We have enough evidence which shows Partap along with his supporters attacking people with swords,” he said. “Besides him, we have urged the Police Commissioner to initiate action against SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar, secretary Dalmegh Singh and additional secretary Daljit Singh Bedi, who were responsible for creating a ruckus that led to the clash,” he said. Mann had yesterday blamed the SGPC task force for the incident and for “denigrating” the sanctity of the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. He had demanded a cross-FIR against the SGPC task force members. Arrested youths shifted to Faridkot jail Faridkot: Three days after 21 youths (one more was held on Monday) were arrested by the Amritsar police for the clash at Akal Takht, they were on Monday shifted to the Faridkot Central Jail. Simranjit Singh Mann, SAD (Amritsar) president, reached Faridkot to met these youths. 22 of 28 held
Ostracise him, demands Bitta
Jalandhar, June 9 Speaking to the media here today, Bitta demanded that Akal Takht should ostracise from the Panth all those behind the attack to send out a strong message. He alleged they had brought a bad name to the community and revived the memories of the dark days of terrorism. The former Indian Youth Congress chief also blamed the central intelligence agencies for their failure to pre-empt the occurrence of the incident on the 30th anniversary of the Operation Bluestar. He demanded that the SGPC task force be empowered to thwart any such attempt in the future.
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Police bust supply chain of drug cartels
Chandigarh, June 9 The accused are Surinder Kumar of Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), Ajit Singh of Jaitowali (Jalandhar), Canada-based Varinder Singh Sandhu of Abohar, Gurjit Singh of Rasoolpur (Tarn Taran) and Harjinder Singh of Bollian (Amritsar). The chain of one cartel busted by the Jalandhar police started from “Bagga Chairman” of Lahore and culminated at “Anaten” of Sri Lanka (based in Delhi), with several Afghanis in various links. The police seized 23 kg of heroin and uncovered several interstate and international drug trafficking routes during the operation. Gaurav Yadav, IGP, Counter Intelligence, said the smugglers had been leading an affluent lifestyle, possessing luxury cars, single digit cellphone numbers, besides having huge immovable property. Yadav said the Jalandhar Rural police had exposed three different heroin supply lines and arrested five drug smugglers. The contraband was meant for transportation to metropolitan cities outside Punjab. UP-based smuggler Surinder Kumar was arrested with 1.75 kg of heroin. The police also claimed to have cracked another synthetic drug trafficking racket with the arrest of NRI Varinder Singh Sandhu and his associate Bikramjit Singh from Patiala. The police claimed Sandhu was the lynchpin of an international drug trafficking racket which supplied synthetic drug ICE (M-amphetamine) and its precursor chemicals such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and ketamine to international markets. Women molested during anti-drug drive
Mansa: A woman was allegedly thrashed and molested by policemen at Narendrapura village in the district. The victim alleged Gurmukh Singh, Station House Officer, Jagjit Singh, Assistant Sub Inspector, and other policemen forcibly entered her house and molested her while she was alone at home. The villagers held a protest against the police action. They have lodged a complaint with the Mansa SSP, demanding stringent action against the policemen. Satnam Singh, village sarpanch, said: “The police do not take action against influential drug suppliers and are busy counting numbers by arresting drug addicts. The accused policemen molested the woman when she opposed their move to search her house. Nothing objectionable was found from the house.” Bhupinder Singh Khattra, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mansa, said: “A member of her family, Harbhajan SIngh Bhikha, is a drug supplier. He has been booked in three cases of the NDPS Act. The police just searched the house. The woman is lying.” 'Big fish' in police net
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Private bus operators threaten to go off road from next month
Chandigarh, June 9 Addressing a press conference here today, president of the Punjab Motor Union Avtar Henry said in case the government did not initiate corrective measures, majority of the private bus operators in the state would be forced to wind up their business. Henry said there had been an increase of Rs 10.36 per litre in the diesel prices since 2013; the chasis cost had gone up from Rs 1.14 lakh in 2013 to Rs 1.54 lakh; the cost of insurance went up from Rs 48,000 to more than Rs 66,000; the "adda" fee went up from Rs 460 to Rs 680; toll tax had been hiked from Rs 765 to Rs 835; while the motor vehicle tax had gone up from Rs 2.75 per km to Rs 3 per km. He said lakhs of daily passengers would be affected due to the strike by private entrepreneurs who ran around 2,600 ordinary and 5,500 mini buses in the state. When asked about allegations of state benefits being extended to buses being run by the Badal family, working president of the union Jagdish Sahni said, "We don't have any information on financial condition of their (Badals) buses." The union demanded that the private operators should be allowed to run buses on the same frequency as the state transport department. The union leaders said the motor vehicle tax should be reduced from Rs 3 per km to Rs 2 per km; bus fares should be increased from 83 paise per km to 93 paise per km; VAT on diesel should be decreased; "adda" fee should be charged at the first stage only instead of being charged at all major stops; toll collection should be stopped because they pay motor vehicle tax; and bus fare for the first stage should be fixed at Rs 10 because of non-availability of coins with conductors. Voices against Badal firms
While main speakers at the press conference, including president Avtar Henry and working president Jagdish Sahni, chose to avoid naming anyone, private transporters of the Malwa region alleged unfair control by companies owned by the Chief Minister. Kuldeep Singh Dhillon, president of the Barnala unit, said, "Certain bus companies, including Orbit, Jujhar and Dabwali, are given preferential timings to run their services. This affects small transporters." Harinder Kanech, president of the Khanna unit, said, "Under the current system, buses belonging to specific groups were given special timings during peak traffic hours to help them pick up more passengers on long routes. Small companies were allocated long routes during odd traffic hours."
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Paddy sowing begins today; farmers still scouting for migrant labourers
Rajpura/Patiala, June 9 Farmers say they have been trying to attract farm labourers by offering them free mobile connectivity, food and shelter, besides good wages. However, contrabands, which used to be a major bait for wooing migrants earlier, are now off the list due to the recent police crackdown on drug addicts and peddlers. Farmers in the state depend on migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to sow and harvest around 26 lakh hectares here. But, with the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, people of those states have now started getting regular work in their villages so they do not want to move out. "My brother and his family are now happy with the work that they are getting in their village and they were not interested in coming here," said Pirthi Pal, a labourer from Uttar Pradesh who was surrounded by anxious farmers at the Rajpura railway station. "I will surely demand some hike in wages as compared to what I earned last season," he said as he got busy negotiating with farmers to strike deal for himself and six members of his family. Moreover, the sowing of paddy may be delayed in some areas, if the government promise of eight-hour power supply for tubewells is not met. "I will wait for a week before I start with paddy sowing to see if the power is available. In case regular power supply is not available, I will start sowing paddy only around the month-end when the monsoon is expected to hit the region. Arranging paddy labourers is another big worry for me," said Karamjit Singh, a farmer from Daftriwal village. PSPCL's appeal to farmers
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Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal takes to social media
Chandigarh, June 9 Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has already invited suggestions from Facebook users on the Food Processing Ministry that she heads. Sukhbir’s query on the Facebook today was: “I wish to know if anyone has used the police 181 helpline and if it has been effective”. Earlier in the day, he had met the state police chief and other senior police officials. Sukhbir was told that 90 per cent complaints registered through the helpline had been dealt with and that 37,295 complaints had been received of which 34,764 had been disposed of. The response to Sukhbir’s query, posted late in the evening, was a mixed bag. While some praised the initiative, others made stinging comments. Angshu Loha remarked: “Changa Kaam Kittha Sukhbir Paji ( you have done a good work).” Harpreet Makkar responded: “I called them once regarding an accident case and they came there after two hours, when we all had already left.” Jatinder Singh observed: “Administration wich corruption dur karo ji (Remove corruption in the administation).” Rohit Arora posted: “Ya it’s helpful.” Sivia Rajdeep’s comment was: “50/50 but much corruption in the PP.” Guri Dhanoa’s comment was stinging: “Sir koi fayda nhi, help nhi kardi apni police, loka no ma behn di gal bina nhi bolde officer, haan jo new munde aye ne oh kuch thk ne.( Sir, there is no use. Our police do not help people. Police officers use abusive language for people. But new recruits are a better lot).” Some said they were not aware of any such helpline. It is evident that corruption in the police is an issue that bothers the people a lot. Sukhbir is Home Minister and the Punjab Police is under him. The Facebook comments may be an eye-opener for him. Yesterday, Sukbir had sought suggestions on measures the state government should take to change the citizens’ life. He received nasty comments.
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Vigilance committees set up
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 9 Deputy Commissioner Arun Sekhri said the committees had been constituted under Section 13(1) of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The DVC would have the District Magistrate as its chairman and nine other members. Mirpur ex-sarpanch Harchand Singh, Gurwinder Singh Bassi Pathana, ex-MC Prem Singh, Hari Chand Mittal Amloh, Barinder Singh Bhamarsi, Pritam Singh Malko Majra, Bhari ex-sarpanch Ranjit Kaur, Gurmeet Singh Bassi Pathana and Assistant District Manager, Punjab Schedule Caste Land Development and Finance Corporation, Fatehgarh Sahib, would be its members. The Fatehgarh Sahib Subdivision Vigilance Committee would have Fatehgarh Sahib SDM Puja Sayal Grewal as its Chairman. Tarkhan Majra ex-sarpanch Ajaib Singh, Vaishakhi Ram Talania, Sanipur ex-sarpanch Mohinder Singh, Sirhind ex-MC Ashok Sood, Nambardar Ranjit Singh, Sneh Lata Sirhind, BDPOs of Sirhind and Khera, Tehsildar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Lakhvir Singh Sondha, president of the Arhtiya Association would be its members. The Amloh Subdivision Vigilance Committee would have SDM Rajdip Kaur as its Chairman while Harbans Singh Raipur Chobdar, Sakinder Singh Rangheri Kalan, Jasbir Singh Noorpura, Gurpreet Singh Kanjari, Satvinder Singh Badeenpur, Tehsildar, Amloh, Labour Inspector Mandi Gobindgarh, Jatinder Singh Bhanwari, Jaswinder Kaur Mehmoodpur and manager SBP, Amloh branch, would be its members. Bassi Pathana SDM Sukhdev Singh Mahal would head the Bassi Pathana Subdivision Vigilance Committee. The panel would have nambardar Balwant Singh, Labh Singh, Rampur Kaleran sarpanch Amarjit Kaur, Kalondi ex-sarpanch Kuldip Malhotra, Citizen Club President Jyoti Malhotra, BDPOs of Khera and Bassi Pathana, chairperson of the local panchyat samiti Satnam Kaur, Bassi Pathana Tehsildar and District Lead Bank Manager, Bassi Pathana would be its members. For the Khamanon Subdivision, SDM Anand Sagar Sharma would be the Chairman of the panel, while Jarnail Singh Suhawi, Seetal Singh Mohan Majra, Gurmeet Singh Nanowal, Avtar Singh, Chairman, Block Samiti, Khamanon, Subedar Ujjagar Singh Bhari, Didar Singh, Gurdev Singh Sanghol, Baljit Kaur, Vice Chairman, Nagar Panchayat, Tehsildar, and Manager, SBP, Khamano branch, would be its members. About the panels
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Badal likely to reshuffle portfolios
Chandigarh, June 9 As of now, the CM holds all major departments such as Power, Agriculture, Cooperatives, Personnel, General Administration, Vigilance, Law, Justice and Jails, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Science, Technology and Environment, Defence Welfare, Welfare of Pensioners, Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Museums and Printing and Stationery. The CM may allot some portfolios held by him to senior ministers. The departments held by Sarwan Singh Phillaur, who recently resigned from the Cabinet, are likely to be given to Sohan Singh Thandal. Tota Singh may get Agriculture or Education. He has held both departments before. Maluka is likely to be given power. Education may be allotted to Dr Daljit Singh Cheema. Sources say the BJP high command is evaluating the performance of its ministers in Punjab and may replace some of them. This, they say, would be done only after the party appoints a new president. Among those being considered for the post are JP Nadda, OP Mathur and Amit Shah.
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Akali leader sells Takht land for
Rs 3 crore
Ropar, June 9 Three kanals have allegedly been sold fraudulently for Rs 3 crore. The actual cost of the land is more than Rs 5 crore, say sources. The Akali leader allegedly sold the property to a prominent Sikh dera in Haryana. The SGPC learnt about this only when construction on the land began last week. The possible involvement of revenue officers posted at Anandpur Sahib is being examined. The sources said that former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, during the early eighties, had handed nine kanals near Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib to Baba Harnam Singh (Delhiwale) for kar sewa. The latter handed over the land to Baba Balkar Singh for running an academy for the wards of 1984 riot victims. The SGPC, in its complaint, said that it had now learnt that a portion of the land had been sold by a resident of Bhaini village in Nurpur Bedi. “The land is owned by the SGPC. Hence, the sale is illegal. We have started legal proceedings against the suspect," said SGPC president Avtar Singh
Makkar.
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Damanvir, Gaba get more time to appear before ED
Jalandhar, June 9 Damanvir, son of former Jails Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Gaba's associate, too has sought an extension. He was to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on June 13, official sources said. The officials have granted extension to both of them and will now issue fresh summons. Meanwhile, the text of a diary found by Income Tax sleuths during a raid at Gaba's residence is illegible because of over-writing, say sources. The Enforcement Directorate officials suspect that some names may have been struck off. They are looking into the matter. The I-T officials had initially refused to share the data recovered from Gaba's premises with the Enforcement Directorate. It later submitted the details on June 4 for verification if there had been violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
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Anil Joshi heckled by safai workers in Jalandhar
Jalandhar, June 9 Led by federation chief Chandan Grewal, the members raised slogans against the state government and abused Joshi. This continued for almost an hour. With the Circuit House swelling with federation activists, Joshi, BJP legislator KD Bhandari, Mayor Sunil Jyoti and Jalandhar BJP president Subhash Sood made a hasty exit. But as Joshi sat in his car, the federation member’s gheraoed the vehicle. As Joshi stepped out, he was abused by activists in the presence of the security personnel. Chanting slogans such as “Badal Government chor hai, Anil Joshi chor hai,” the federation leaders threatened that they would not allow the waste treatment project to be inaugurated tomorrow. “To give undue benefit to a private company, the government is playing with the future of the safai sewaks. It is a do or die battle for us,” said the leaders. Grewal said the safai karamchari’s would be on strike tomorrow. He asked the government to review its decision. Later, the Federation leaders held talks with Joshi, but there was no outcome. Minister blames police for illegal mining Jalandhar: Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi on Monday accused the state police of failing to check illegal mining in the state. The minister said this in reaction to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal's statement wherein he had said the Mining Department was under the BJP when the latter was quizzed on the issue. Joshi said illegal mining was rampant because environment clearance had not been given by the Centre. "It is up to the police authorities to keep a check on all illegal activities, including unauthorised mining, in the state," he said. When asked if he is trying to put the blame on Sukhbir since has the charge of the Home Department, Joshi said: "I have given my reply. Chori rokna police da kam hai. (It is the duty of the police to stop thefts)." — TNS
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Fulfil poll promises: Bajwa to Badal
Chandigarh, June 9 To begin with, Bajwa said, the state government should fix the MSP for paddy on the basis of the recommendations made by the Swaminathan Committee from the forthcoming paddy season. “PM Narendra Modi and Badal had issues advertisements before the elections promising MSP for foodgrain as per the Swaminathan report,” he said. Bajwa said the MS Swaminathan Committee had recommended that the farmers be ensured at least 50 per cent profit over and above the cost of production for all the crops for which the MSP was fixed by the government at the Centre. “Badal had all along been assuring the farming community that it will be implemented once the NDA comes to power. Badal must give priority to this promise and get the MSP announced at least for paddy,” he said.
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Two kids among 7 drown in three mishaps in Ropar
Ropar, June 9 Vivek Sharma alias Vicky of Ropar and his friends Balwidner Singh and Karamjit Singh, both of Railon Khurd village, died when their car fell into the Bhakra canal late last night. The incident came to light in the morning when a truck driver noticed a broken power pole and a car bumper lying on canal bank near Roul Majra village. The trio were property dealers and were reportedly returning from Nuhon village (located near a cement factory) when the mishap occurred around 10 pm. While Vivek and Balwinder’s bodies were traced 1 km away from the car, that of Karamjit was yet to be traced, the police said. In another incident, the bodies of Ranjit Singh and his cousins Monu and Happy, residents of Ganura village, were recovered from the Swan at Harsa Bela village near Nangal. They had been missing for the past two days. The trio had left their houses to fetch fodder. A tipper driver, Surjit Singh of Samundrian village near Nurpur Bedi, died after his vehicle fell into the Swan near Nangran village. Hit by truck, 3 killed
Khanna: Three persons, including a child, were hit by a truck here this evening. The deceased have been identified as Aanchal (27), her daughter Vanika (3) and Vijay Sharma (30). The latter worked with a private firm. Aanchal’s sister-in-law Sakhshi and one more person, Bhupinder, were injured. All the victims were residents of Nai Abadi. Sources said the incomplete highway that passes through the city had caused several accidents. When contacted, the Khanna SSP said the truck driver had been nabbed. A case had been registered and further investigation was on.
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Dhindsa meets Jaitley, demands
Rs 5,000 crore non-Plan grant
New Delhi, June 9 The grant was among several issues raised by Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa at the meeting of state finance ministers with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for pre-Budget consultations. Dhindsa said he also raised the issue of debt restructuring and reimbursement of Rs 2,700 crore that had been paid by Punjab as special term loan related to militancy years. He also demanded that the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) should be extended up to Amritsar as it would help improve trade relations with Pakistan. On the industrial front, Punjab has sought at par treatment with the neighbouring hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which were getting incentives for setting up industry. Dhindsa argued that there was no justification for Himachal getting these incentives when the hill state had a high per capita income and the share of industry in state GDP was higher than Punjab. The Punjab Finance Minister said the Centre-sponsored schemes should have a fixed share of the state at 25-30 per cent and it should not keep varying. He also sought higher interest subvention for farm credit to 4 per cent. At the meeting, Jaitley said the Centre and the states must complement each other in managing economy and fiscal policy, which was the essence of cooperative federalism. “In doing so, we must act like a team, he said. The Finance Minister emphasised the need to address regional disparities through evenness in growth. While maintaining the imperative of growth, fiscal discipline could not be compromised with, he said. He emphasised the need for the states to address supply bottlenecks to manage inflation. He reiterated the commitment to allow greater autonomy to states in scheme implementation.
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Chandigarh building collapse
Dabwali Dhab (Malout), June 9 His colleagues, who had come from Chandigarh to his native village Dabwali Dhab near Malout, said he was a courageous man. "He loved accepting challenges and that's why he joined the Fire Department in 2007. Having finished his MA from Chandigarh, he was about to become a fire officer," Parveen Kumar, a fireman at Chandigarh, said. He further said, "Amandeep was on a ladder while he was dousing the flames on the first floor of the building. But, suddenly there was an explosion that killed him." His younger brother Gurpreet Singh is a constable posted at the District Police Lines, Muktsar. Amandeep was OSD to Chief Minister Gurcharan Singh's cousin. Pargat Singh, the deceased's cousin, said, "We had got worried after watching the news of a building catching fire in Chandigarh on TV. We called him and found out that he had passed away." A pall of gloom descended on the village as soon as the news reached here. Eight officials of the Fire Department had also come from Chandigarh to attend the funeral. Among those who attended the funeral were Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh, SGPC member Dayal Singh Kolianwali, chairman Lambi panchayat samiti Gurbakhshish Singh
Middukhera.
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Missing youth: BJP leaders join protest against cops
Faridkot, June 9 Gayatri Sharma, district president, BJP Faridkot said the police were clueless about the whereabouts of Manoj Kumar. He was allegedly kidnapped on May 25. She demanded that the police took prompt action. The police, however, said the case was complex and difficult to crack. They said it wasn’t a simple kidnapping case as a huge amount of money was stolen from three ATMs in Jaitu, Bargari and Jaitu towns soon after Manoj went missing. A senior officer said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was already working to solve the case. They said the thefts raised suspicion on the youth’s involvement in the crime. However, the residents alleged the police was not doing its job properly. Local resident Gurdit Singh Sekhon said the police had failed to find four youths, including a girl, who went missing under mysterious circumstances in the last three months.
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Villagers seek common land auction on nominal rates
Sangrur, June 9 They also took out a march in the city, raising slogans in support of their demand. The protesters tried to enter the DC’s office building to stage a dharna. Sanjiv Mintoo, union president, said their agitation would continue till the auction of Namol village’s panchayat land was not held as per the financial capacity of the
Dalits.
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Drinking water scarce in Batala town
Batala, June 9 Though people are having a harrowing time, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Lovejit Kaur, who is also the MC administrator, claimed she had not received a single complaint. “If I receive any complaint, I will immediately take action. There will be no compromise on providing drinking water to the residents,” she said. The 2012 Census stated that nearly a quarter of the 1,58,404 number of persons living under the jurisdiction of the council did not have access to drinking water. Sources revealed that in the early 80s the state Water Supply and Sewerage Department had chalked out an elaborate plan to ensure that residents had access to potable water. The department then constructed seven water tanks across the town. Some of these are located at the bus stand, Qila Mandi, Bhandari Gate, Faizpura, Shanti Nagar and Dharampura Colony. However, four of these seven tanks have not been functional for the last several years. An official claimed the council did not have motor pumps that were powerful enough to fill water in these tanks. The lack of manpower has also compounded matters for the residents. Though there are 17 tube wells in the city, residents of Chakri Bazaar, Purrian Mohalla, Orhi Chowk and Multani Mohalla often complain about the taps running dry. A senior officer of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board said the Union Government had approved a special grant of Rs 23 crore to improve the water supply and sewerage system of the town. “An amount of Rs 12.65 crore has already been released. With the money, 12 new tube wells will be installed at Sunder Nagar, Shukarpura, Kutbi Nangal, Gaunspura, New Model town, Chander Nagar and Malavi di Kothi before March 31 next year,” he said. Rajinder Trehan, an industrialist, said politicians should focus on providing basic amenities to local residents rather than demand that the council be upgraded to a corporation. Shoddy planning
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Farmers threaten protest if canals not filled to capacity in region
Abohar, June 9 Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (KSS) spokesman Subhash Sehgal said 16,300 cusecs of water was released from Harike barrage today. This was 2,000 cusecs less than the sanctioned discharge of 18,300 cusecs. Sehgal said if the Indira Gandhi canal, Gang (Bikaner) canal, Abohar branch canal, and others were not filled to their capacity, there would be no water available at the tail-end of the sub-canals in the region. Sehgal threatened a stir if the farmers faced shortage of water.
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Students protest, demand
PU affiliation for college
Fazilka, June 9 Parmjit Singh Dhaban, former national vice president, AISF, said under the RTI Act, they found that the university had not yet granted affiliation to the college. “Students resent being kept in the dark over the issue,” he said. Jalalabad Sub-Divisional Magistrate said the formalities had been completed and the college would soon get the affiliation.
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Nod to Rs 59-lakh loan for weaker sections
Nawanshahr, June 9 Paul said an amount of Rs 59 lakh would be advanced to the beneficiaries. "The Punjab SC Land Development and Finance Corporation will release Rs 37 lakh to 18 beneficiaries. Rs 36 lakh will be disbursed among 17 loanees under the direct-credit scheme while Rs 1 lakh will be given to dependents of sanitary workers." "The Punjab Backward Class Land Development and Finance Corporation will disburse Rs 22 lakh among 15 beneficiaries. Rs 9 lakh will to be given to six persons under the credit scheme for backward classes, Rs 8 lakh to four persons from minority communities and Rs 5 lakh to persons under the direct-loan scheme," he said. The effort
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Kohar raids Patiala transport office
Patiala, June 9 Taking note of the careless attitude of DTO office staff towards their duties, the minister ordered a departmental action against all erring officials. "This is a public dealing office and such an approach of the staff will not be tolerated. All officials should be present in the office from 9 am to 5 pm so that nobody has to suffer due to unnecessary delay in the office work," he said. Later, Kohar also inspected the office of the smart card company on the premises of the DTO office. Four out of total eight employees were found absent from duty. Even those present were without identity cards. "I will continue to make surprise visits to these offices to have direct feedback from the stakeholders," the minister said.
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SC commission notice to state
Chandigarh, June 9 The state government will have to submit a reply to the commission’s notice by tomorrow. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes had complained to the commission that the rules with regard to reservation in jobs for SCs were violated while making selection of
ADOs. Candidates have also complained that the Welfare Department had failed to protect interests of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes.
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Ludhiana minor raped, killed;
paedophile on the prowl?
Ludhiana, June 9 This is the third such incident in the last six months in Ludhiana. Senior policemen, including Commissioner RK Jaiswal, arrived at the spot and started an investigation. The police have sounded an alert in the area. The girl’s parents, who had lodged a complaint, were called to the site to identify the girl. As the body had been mauled by dogs, the girl was identified from the clothes she was wearing on the day she went missing, an investigation official said. Jaiswal said, “We are investigating the case from all angles and working on various theories. It will be cracked soon.” The body was handed over to the girl’s parents after a postmortem. Available information suggests that the victim left her house on the evening of June 6 to hand over snacks to her father Shri Chand, who works in a factory located near the house. She reportedly went missing while returning home. It is suspected that she was raped and killed the same night and her body was dumped in the vacant plot. The police have registered a kidnapping, rape and murder case against unidentified persons. The victim was the eldest among four siblings. The victim’s mother, Munni Devi, was inconsolable. Police scan CCTV footage
Third incident in six months
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5 of notorious gang held, arms seized
Sangrur, June 9 Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur, said those arrested had been identified as Ramesh Kumar alias Pappu, Balkar Singh alias Bugga, Jaspal Singh alias Leelu, Baljit Singh alias Laddi, and Dharminder Singh. He said at least 15 criminal cases had already been registered against them at different police stations. He said the accused had links with the gangs of Kala Dhanaula, Khan Duggan and Giani Sangherra. The SSP said the police had seized four pistols, a revolver, 14 cartridges and a car from their possession. These criminals were active in Sangrur and Barnala districts. A case under Sections 399, 402 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54, 59 of the Arms Act had been registered against them at Dhuri police station, he added. — TNS
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Two held with poppy husk
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 9 The accused have been identified as Kuldeep Singh of Kullarmajra near Kurukshetra and Prince Kumar of Wada Kalalda in Haryana. Mullepur police station in charge Kuljeet Singh said a police team had earlier arrested Amarjit Singh of Nawanshahr with 5 kg of poppy husk. He had revealed that he had brought the contraband from a dhaba at Pipli town near Kurukshetra. He said a police party raided the dhaba and seized 1.40 kg of poppy husk from there and arrested Kuldeep Singh and Prince Kumar.
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Chandigarh, June 9
Rajpura/Patiala, June 9
Agitated over the SAD-BJP Government's move to inaugurate the Solid Waste Treatment Project tomorrow with the assistance of a private company that will go door to door to lift garbage, members of the Punjab Safai Mazdoor Federation barged in the Circuit House where Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi was addressing
mediapersons.
Ropar, June 9
New Delhi, June 9
Faridkot, June 9
Fazilka, June 9
Patiala, June 9
