|
|
|
|
|
Finally, govt summons report from Faridkot admn on missing persons
State ill-equipped to provide emergency healthcare
Govt to focus on revenue growth
Boost services sector to cut
reliance on industry: Expert
|
|
|
Ashwani: Congress, SAD must sink differences for state’s sake
Shandil panel submits report on LS poll losses
BJP opposes curtailing of municipal councils' powers
Congress MLAs want House session extended
4 months on, work on ROB yet to begin
Work on PGI satellite centre to start soon
Chandumajra’s pet project to beautify choe hangs fire
Staff faltering on RTS to be fined
Rs 10,000
Chawla, CPS Sidhu protest felling of trees
Anti-drug efforts to reflect in ACRs of IAS, PCS officers
13 years on, injured kabaddi player gets financial assistance
Abohar residents protest water shortage
Delay in development of PUDA locality sparks stir
GND varsity student drowns in Ravi waters
Minister’s aide trying to usurp my land: NRI
New serai to come up at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Medical college staff block traffic for 2 hrs
Capt seeks plan to tackle weak monsoon
CBI asked to probe PIMS’s foreign funds
Coal on way, will improve
power scenario, says Dy CM
IAF all-women cycle expedition leaves for Leh
Chief Justice Kaul transferred to Chennai
Booked for raping daughter
DEO suspended for embezzling funds
Dairy dept
inspector held taking Rs 8,000 bribe
|
Finally, govt summons report from Faridkot admn on missing persons
Faridkot, July 14 The collection of this information would help the police analyse the pattern in which all the victims went missing and find out the cause of their disappearance, said a senior official. He confirmed having received directions from the government. The parents of some missing children have been staging a dharna in front of the city police station for the last over a month seeking to know the whereabouts of their children having gone untraceable mysteriously. On July 12, the residents of Faridkot and adjoining villages observed a complete shutdown to register their protest against the police and the government for its allegedly apathetic attitude. The parents of several missing children assembled in Faridkot when an action committee, formed by several civil society groups, gave a call for bandh to stir the police into action. HS Phoolka, an Aam Aadmi Party leader who contested a case filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (social outfit) in the Supreme Court about the missing children, said,” I will raise the issue of the missing children of Faridkot before the apex court.” Phoolka said it was the duty of the state government to provide protection to its citizens and trace those who had gone missing. “The children are not vanishing in air. They are being trafficked for all illegal purposes, including bonded labour and drug peddling. But the government is least bothered,” he said. In Punjab, 675 children had gone missing in 2011, 736 in 2012 and 690 in 2013. Social activists alleged that it was a tip of the iceberg as a large number of children were being trafficked from other states to Punjab, said Phoolka. He said in a case filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, the Supreme Court had given a landmark judgment but the Punjab Government was “not concerned at all”. He alleged Punjab had not even framed guidelines following elaborate directions from the Supreme Court.
|
|
State ill-equipped to provide emergency healthcare
Moga, July 14 As per an audit report available with The Tribune, the State Blood Transfusion Council did not fulfil the objectives of the National Blood Policy. The monitoring and quality assurance mechanism was also inadequate. The human blood is vital in any healthcare delivery system. The National Blood Policy, 2007 stipulates a comprehensive, efficient and a total quality management approach within a nationwide system to ensure easy access to adequate and safe blood supply. The State Drugs Controller and Central Drugs Standards Controlling Organisation grant licence to operate blood banks after conducting a joint inspection on the availability of prescribed infrastructure and manpower. The licence is valid for five years. With only 29 blood banks operating with licences, 67 need to apply for licence renewal. At least 3 blood banks continued to function for 3 to 11 years without renewing licence and 17 were closed due to insufficient infrastructure. The data collected from 24 blood banks revealed that in 22 blood banks, the prescribed equipment was not available and the equipment did not function properly in 11. The equipment at the blood banks in Ludhiana, Barnala and Banga civil hospitals was not calibrated and Bathinda Civil Hospital did not provide any information on the matter. Thus, the quality of the blood distributed by these banks could not be ensured. The records also revealed that the blood bank at Moga Civil Hospital operated without a medical officer for years. Of the 11 lakh blood units collected in the state from 2010 to 2013, 56,617 units were discarded due to improper storage. The National Blood Policy, 2007 states that the availability of blood components should be ensured through a network of blood banks by creating an adequate number of Blood Component Separation Units (BCSU). Such facilities are required for the blood to be separated into its constituent components - red cells, platelets and plasma for use. The report stated that only 36 blood banks had this facility. The checking of 24 blood banks showed that only 37 per cent of the blood units were separated into blood components. This was well below the World Health Organisation recommendations that the ratio of use of blood components and whole blood should be 90:10, since limited categories of clinical intervention required whole blood. State fails to implement National Blood Policy *
Separate cadre for medical, paramedical staff not created * Corpus fund for research in transfusion medicine not set up *
Rules for registration of nursing homes for blood bank not enacted * Computer-based information/management system of blood supply during disasters not set up *
Quality Assurance Manager not deputed at 23 blood banks * Vigilance cell under State Licensing Authority not created Other shortcomings *
An audit report revealed that of the 11 lakh blood units collected in the state from 2010 to 2013, 56,617 units were discarded due to improper storage *
It stated that only 36 blood banks had the facility to separate blood into red cells, platelets and plasma for medical use
|
||
|
Govt to focus on revenue growth
Chandigarh, July 14 Having failed to get any concrete help from the Modi government at the Centre and cautious not to further antagonise urban voters, state Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa will have to walk the tightrope to ensure a steady cash inflow even as he exhausts options to curtail expenditure. Punjab had hoped to get some relief from the NDA government of which the SAD is a key constituent. But with the maiden Budget of the Modi government last week having failed to address Punjab's concerns, the state is once again staring at a bleak financial situation. Punjab had expected a debt waiver, funds for diversification in agriculture and strengthening irrigation channels and removal of regional anomalies in tax concessions. Dhindsa had met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley four times to seek concessions for the state. He now says that the state will get relief next year. The state government has already lowered its revenue targets for the current finscal year. Having failed to meet its targets for VAT and stamp duty collection in 2013-14, it will be treading cautiously on projecting growth targets in the Budget 2014-2015. The government is targeting a 15 per cent growth in VAT collections as against 20 per cent last year. In stamp duty collections, the government aims to achieve a growth of 10 per cent against that of 15 per cent in 2013-14. The Finance Minister told The Tribune that he was focussing on revenue generation as he could not compress the expenditure any further. “Over the past two years, we have cut down administrative expenses. Our revenue growth had remained steady at 17 per cent-19 per cent in the past few years. But this year, it plunged to 8 per cent-9 per cent. My focus will be on re-energising the state economy and ensuring a growth in revenue receipts,” he said. Dhindsa said we would introduce a separate budget for agriculture from the next financial year. Meanwhile, the Punjab Cabinet has accorded its approval for the Budget proposals for 2013-14. The Cabinet, that met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, also gave its approval to raising the commutation limit for pensioners from 20 to 30 per cent and the Punjab Advocates Welfare Funding Act. Pragmatic approach *
The state government has lowered its revenue targets for the current fiscal year *
It will be cautious on projecting growth targets in the Budget 2014-2015 * The government is targeting a 15% growth in VAT collections as against 20% last year *
In case of stamp duty collection, the government aims to achieve a growth of 10% against that of 15% in 2013-14
|
||
|
Boost services sector to cut
reliance on industry: Expert
Chandigarh, July 14 Rather than relying on the manufacturing sector, Punjab should go in for this high return value industry. But for this industry to emerge and set base here, the state will have to create the ecosystem for the industry to grow and prosper. These views were expressed by Richard Rekhy, chief executive officer of international consultancy KPMG, during an interview with The Tribune here this evening. KPMG is a knowledge partner of the Punjab Government in its ambitious Progressive Punjab Investment programme and has been instrumental in promoting the state as an attractive investment destination. Rekhy was in the town to participate in an analysis session of Budget 2014 at CII Northern region. He said Punjab should follow the example of Japan. "Japan too had less land available for the manufacturing sector, but it evolved and became a world power by developing its services sector. I have suggested that the state government first create silos and shift all food grains lying in mandis there. “Since the wheat mandis are located on prime land in the state, the space could be utilised for setting up agro industry. Punjab should also capitalise on its huge resource of NRIs. It receives amongst the highest foreign remittances, but the money is not invested in Punjab. In fact, it gets invested in other states. The government needs to woo the NRI investors and ensure that their investments are ploughed in the state," he said. The KPMG CEO was all praise for the Punjab Government and said it was aggressively pursuing investors. "I have given the Deputy Chief Minister examples of Gurgaon in Haryana and Noida in UP, which with their well deserved services sectors are instrumental in giving a fillip to the economies of their states," he said. Besides education and health care, Rekhy also suggested that the state government should promote tourism in cities like Amritsar, which in turn would boost the hotel industry, retail and the real estate sectors there. Rekhy said with the eastern freight corridor getting extended up to Amritsar, the government could build industrial clusters around it. He also suggested that the government should privatise all industrial estates or areas in the state, which would help promote more industrial growth.
|
||
Ashwani: Congress, SAD must sink differences for state’s sake
Chandigarh, July 14 Criticising the General Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Ashwani Kumar alleged the budget was a disregard to Punjab and despite having a friendly government in Delhi, the Akalis had failed to secure any benefit for the state. He said the fundamental aspirations of Punjab, be it the issue of potable drinking water or the need to strengthen the industrial infrastructure of the state and development of backward regions like Gurdaspur and Ferozepur, had been ignored. Ashwani Kumar alleged the Akalis had seen the bitter reality that their so-called friendly government at the Centre had not given them anything. “And they can’t indulge in their favourite pastime of blaming everything on the Union Government now. But this politics will not bring fruitful results to the state. Only coming together of rival parties for the interest of the state can help in development,” he stressed. Speaking to The Tribune, he said the politics of acrimony should be shunned immediately and the rival political parties should come together for the betterment of the state. Referring to the division among the Congress leaders in the state, the three-time MP said the party was down but not out: “Ours is still the principal opposition party in the state and all leaders are unitedly fighting against the politics of vendetta unleashed by the SAD-BJP government.” Hinting at major structural changes in the state Congress, the MP, who is also a member of the party’s co-ordination committee in Rajya Sabha, said the party needed to be rejuvenated. He said he was hopeful that the Congress high command may soon take suitable steps in that direction. “The AK Antony committee report is likely to bring in major changes at all levels in the party’s structure in the state,” he said. On his expectations from the Punjab Budget, to be presented later this week, the MP claimed the tall claims of being a power-surplus state had been falsified by the regular power cuts. “Besides providing relief to the state residents on the power front, the budget should aim at giving relief to the urban middle class and the farmer community by bringing some imaginative measures and solutions.” He said the property tax needed to be done away with but at the same time the government should concentrate on finding ways to increase revenue.
|
||
|
Shandil panel submits report on LS poll losses
New Delhi, July 14 Talking to The Tribune, he said, “The committee’s report on reasons behind the party’s dismal performance in the state has been received. We will assess the reasons and submit our feedback to the Congress president who is looking at every state.” The report was submitted today by panel chairman and Himachal minister Dhanil Ram Shandil, who met various Punjab leaders to assess fall in the party’s performance from the 2009 Lok Sabha poll when it won eight seats to 2014 when it got just three. The Shandil committee, sources said, had specifically looked at MLAs in whose areas the Congress Lok Sabha candidates had performed poorly. Several MLAs had failed to mobilise voters and workers in their segments during the Lok Sabha election campaign this year. The party’s central leadership had hinted at strong action against such MLAs and asked the Shandil committee to look at this aspect. Ahmed said, “We had made it clear to MLAs that their future role would be judged by the performance of our Lok Sabha candidates in their assembly segments. Let us see what the Shandil panel has said on these issues.” The panel findings are likely to offer a perfect backdrop for tomorrow’s meetings, which Shakeel Ahmed will attend in Chandigarh. In the morning he will meet Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) office-bearers along with state party chief Partap Singh Bajwa, whose leadership continues to be questioned by several state leaders. In the evening, Ahmed will interact with party MLAs at a dinner meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) at Punjab Bhavan. “Individual MLAs will have an occasion to discuss state party affairs at this meeting,” Congress sources said. Asked why two separate meetings of the PPCC and CLP had been scheduled in a single day, Congress sources blamed political one-upmanship as the reason. PPCC president Bajwa and Punjab CLP leader Sunil Jakhar are reportedly not at the best of terms these days with the latter having routinely challenged Bajwa’s leadership and his role in Punjab’s poll debacle. “Issues of disunity will have to be sorted out at the earliest and tomorrow these are bound to figure apart from issues on which we would take on the Akali-BJP government,” Congress sources said. On the meeting’s agenda, Shakeel Ahmed said, “We plan to launch an agitation against the incumbent government in the state. Targeting drug menace will be our top priority. We will discuss other issues tomorrow and then chalk out a plan to voice people's problems”
|
||
|
BJP opposes curtailing of municipal councils' powers
Sangrur, July 14 Secretary of the Punjab unit of the party Jatinder Kalra said this act of the government amounted to centralisation of municipal powers, while it wanted more powers from the Centre for itself in the name of more rights for the states. Talking to The Tribune here today, Kalra, who is also a former municipal councillor, said through a notification, the state government had handed over powers relating to transfer of clerical cadre employees of municipal councils to the Director, Local Government, Punjab. Earlier, the transfer of these employees was the right of municipal councils, as these were their appointing authorities. Such decisions were also "constitutionally wrong" as the 73rd and the 74th amendments of the Constitution emphasised on giving more powers to local bodies. The state government was working against the spirit of those amendments. He asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to curtail powers of the municipal councils in larger interests of the people. The state government was also going to hand over the work of street-lighting and solid waste management to private firms by inviting tenders for the purpose, he said. It’s wrong Such decisions are constitutionally wrong as the 73rd and the 74th amendments of the Constitution emphasise on giving more powers to local bodies. The state government is working against the spirit of those
amendments. Jatinder Kalra, bjp state unit secy
|
||
|
Congress MLAs want House session extended
Chandigarh, July 14 A delegation of Congress MLAs led by Jakhar met Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal in this regard. Jakhar said his party was keen to raise issues of public importance such as drugs, power cuts, rates of sand and gravel, the meagre hike in the MSP for paddy, non-payment of scholarship SC students, the deteriorating law and order and corruption on the floor of the House. Jakhar said that under the rules of business, the minimal period for which the House should meet in a year is 40 days. "However, now the House meets for only 18 days in a year. Because of the shrinking duration, most MLAs do not get a chance to put forth their viewpoint. Each MLA should be given at least 10 minutes to speak about the problems in his or her constituency," Jakhar said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said the government was prepared to discuss any issue that the Opposition raised in the House. “We will not run away from discussing the agenda cleared by the Business Advisory Committee that meets tomorrow,” he said. Speaker Atwal said the Congress MLAs should have approached him earlier so that he had enough time to consider the issue. Jakhar said if the government could not extend the session, it should reserve two hours each day of the session to allow the Opposition to raise important issues. PPCC to meet today Chandigarh: The Pradesh Congress will meet at the Congress Bhawan on Monday to chalk out a strategy for the Budget session. Partap Singh Bajwa, PPCC chief, said the meeting would be attended by AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed and secretary Harish Chaudhary. It would discuss the impact of the Union Budget on Punjab, the “shoddy” anti-drug drive in the state, the grim power supply and the Chief Minister's admission that bureaucrats were busy collecting money.
|
|
4 months on, work on ROB yet to begin
Muktsar, July 14 Neither the railways has so far given permission to use their land on lease to the state government for the construction of this ROB nor the Municipal Council has demolished shops coming in the way of the proposed bridge. As of now, only the foundation stone laid on February 28 is standing tall. As per the estimate of the PWD (B&R) officials, an amount of Rs 24.31 crore was decided to be spent on this ROB by the state government, which would provide major relief to the commuters from traffic snarls and long wait at railway crossings. The people now say that the foundation stone was laid before the code of conduct for the General Elections only to garner urban votes. “We even favoured the ruling alliance in the election (SAD-BJP leader Sher Singh Ghubaya has won) but the overbridge is still a dream,” said some residents. A group of social activists who had raised the demand of this ROB also said the government adopted dilly-dallying approach towards this bridge, otherwise the work would have started by now. Bhushan Kumar, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Muktsar, said, “We have taken possession of all shops from their occupants, which have to be demolished. The process of demolition will start next week.” Ashok Goyal, Superintending Engineer, PWD (B&R), Faridkot, said, “Our Chief Engineer has written a number of times to the railway authorities seeking permission to use their land on lease for the construction of the ROB, but to no avail. Now, we have decided to send our executive engineer to meet the railway officials personally and take up this matter. We are hopeful to get the permission shortly.” He said some buildings of the railways would also need to be demolished for the ROB and the department had agreed to pay for it to the railways.
|
|
|
Work on PGI satellite centre to start soon
Sangrur, July 14 The team members met project engineer of Nice Project Private Limited Gani Khan. The satellite centre is coming up
on 25 acres. During a meeting with Gani Khan, Kalra got technical
information about drawings and design of the satellite centre. The boundary wall, an OPD wing and a guest house would be constructed in the first phase of the project. It would cost around Rs 26
crore. The total cost of the PGI Satellite Centre would be about Rs 450 crore. Kalra said the work on the first phase of the centre would start next week. The OPD would be set up in a steel-structured
air-conditioned building that would be ready in
six months. Ultrasound, ECG, X-ray and other test facilities would be available at the OPD, he added. Kalra was accompanied by BJP district general secretary SL Chawla and party leaders Hardev Singh, Ram Singh and Manjit Singh
Haripura.
|
|
|
Chandumajra’s pet project to beautify choe hangs fire
Fatehgarh Sahib, July 14 The estimated cost of the dream project of Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra was around Rs 2 crore. Chandumajra had promised to undertake this project during the 2012 Assembly elections. Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation Department, Sohan Singh Thandal announced a grant of Rs 46 lakh for the project at the time of laying its foundation stone on June 10, 2013. The 5,800-foot-long stretch of the choe passing through Fatehgarh Sahib was to be beautified in three phases. A sum of Rs 46 lakh was to be spent in the first phase, covering 2,500 feet stretch from Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Polytechnic College to Fatehgarh Sahib. The second phase would cover the area up to Dashnami Akhara. It would involve an expenditure of Rs 1.25 crore. There was also a proposal to ply boats in the choe to attract tourists. Gurvinder Singh, a local resident, said dirty water was released into the choe. This led to foul smell in the area. The result: Despite spending huge funds on the choe beautification people do not go near it due to foul smell. MLA Kuljeet Singh Nagra said the project was the brainchild of SAD candidate and the same had been hanging fire due to non-availability of funds. Chadumajra said he had demanded Rs 70 lakh from the state government for the completion of the second phase of the project. Another Rs 50 lakh would be needed to develop the area as a tourist spot, he added. He said notices were being sent to the people who released dirty water into the
choe. The project * During the 2012 Assembly elections, Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra promised to undertake beautification of the Sirhind choe * The 5,800-foot-long stretch of the choe passing through Fatehgarh Sahib was to be beautified in three phases at a cost of around Rs 2 crore * Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation Department, Sohan Singh Thandal announced a grant of Rs 46 lakh for the first phase of the project on June 10, 2013.
|
|
|
Staff faltering on RTS to be fined
Rs 10,000
Chandigarh, July 14 In a bid to further strengthen the Right to Service Commission, the Punjab Government has amended certain sections of the Punjab Right to Service (RTS) Act, 2011, to impose the fine. Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of the RTS Commission said the notification in this regard had been issued and now, this Act might be called the Punjab Right to Service (Amendment) Act, 2014. He said this Act had conferred duty on the Punjab Right to Service Commission to take suo motu notice of failure to deliver service in accordance with the deadline fixed by the government and can refer such cases to 2nd Appellate Authority or pass such orders, as may be appropriate. With the amendment in Section 17 of the Act, the commission now has conferred the power to impose the penalty up to Rs 10,000 on designated officer or any other official involved in the process of providing services under the Act, he said.
|
|
|
Chawla, CPS Sidhu protest felling of trees
Amritsar, July 14 Chawla said there was a “conspiracy” to deprive the city of its precious green cover. She said that ancient trees were being axed and ornamental palm trees being planted instead. She pointed out that a number of trees were axed on Court Road last week on orders “from the top”. Dr Sidhu said the “mindless” axing of trees could not be allowed. She said there was a need to mobilise public support and launch a movement against it. Representatives of various NGOs took part in the protest.
|
|
|
Anti-drug efforts to reflect in ACRs of IAS, PCS officers
Patiala, July 14 The aim is to give impetus to the state government’s drive against drugs and to involve more senior functionaries for this cause. The Patiala division comprises five districts of Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Barnala and Fatehgarh Sahib. Pannu has mentioned that the ACRs would now carry the details of various steps taken by these officers for the success of the drive against drugs and the deputy commissioners would have to report both the good and bad functioning of their subordinates. The Divisional Commissioner also made it clear in his letter that he would himself mention the same in the case of the ACRs of deputy commissioners. He also instructed them to submit a daily progress report of the action taken by the district administration in this regard. Pannu said the initiative would not only help tackle the problem of drugs in a better way but also make these officers more accountable. Novel initiative The Patiala Divisional Commissioner has issued a letter to the deputy commissioners of five districts under his jurisdiction to reward the staff for their efforts
|
|
|
13 years on, injured kabaddi player gets financial assistance
Faridkot, July 14 Jaspreet Kaur, who once stopped the raiders with her vice-like grip, has been on a wheelchair for 13 years. She got injured on November 25, 2001. Her team won the National Kabbadi Championship in Patiala that year. Daughter of a former Army man, who died seven year ago, Jaspreet lives with her mother and a widowed sister in Kila Nau village of Faridkot. “After I got injured that day in the playground, people began dissuading their children from playing kabaddi. I think it is a beautiful game and it should not suffer,” Jaspreet said. Mohammad Tayyab, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, said Jaspreet had demanded some financial assistance to purchase artificial limbs. He said his office had already sent a proposal to the Chief Minister, seeking a government job for
Jaspreet.
|
|
|
Abohar residents protest water shortage
Abohar, July 14 The protesters said the water shortage was addressed in 2002 when the Municipal Council linked their colonies with a water supply line on Seetogunno Road. However, they once again face an acute water shortage since the BJP-run council has allowed connections to the water line in Basant Nagari, Dharam Nagari and Sunder Nagari. They complained that though the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the authorities to remove all such connections and ensure adequate water supply to Panjpeer Colony, no action was taken. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdish Bishnoi said the illegal water connections would be removed soon. — OC
|
|
|
Delay in development of PUDA locality sparks stir
Abohar, July 14 In a memorandum submitted through the Sub-Divisional administration, Mahesh Bhalotia and other members of the PUDA Plot Holders Association said the enclave had been carved out in 2011. The plot holders were assured of multifaceted development within a year. But, they alleged that the plots had not been handed over; electricity works not completed; water supply and sewerage not set up; green belt not developed; and the roads were in a poor state.
|
|
|
GND varsity student drowns in Ravi waters
Dera Baba Nanak, July 14 The victim has been identified as Pragun Aggarwal of Basant Avenue, Amritsar. Batala SSP Bikram Pal Singh Bhatti said Pragun and his friend Aditya were standing on a pontoon bridge when Pragun slipped into the river. Aditya, who too jumped into the river to save his friend, was rescued by soldiers of the Bihar Regiment. Pragun's body was found this morning. The SSP said he had issued instructions that policemen be stationed at sensitive points along the river. Tarn Taran: Two persons are feared to have been drowned in the Rasulpur canal, 6 km from here. The police have started rescue operations. Jobandeep Singh (24) of Naushehra Pannuan and Balkar Singh (50) of Aladinpur village had gone to bathe in the canal. Yadwinder Singh, SHO, said because of non-availability of divers, the police could not act immediately. Nine persons were drowned in the Beas near Mundapind village last October. The administration has not completed the probe into the matter.
|
|
|
Minister’s aide trying to usurp my land: NRI
Chandigarh/Moga, July 14 Having fought a legal battle to wrest control of his land for almost five years, Sidhu says he is disgusted with the system here. "I fought a long legal battle to win possession of my land, after it was fraudulently sold twice. But now it seems that the opposite party has influenced the local police owing to his proximity to Agriculture Minister Tota Singh. Though the police have not evicted me from my land, they are advising me not to allow my tenant to cultivate the land," he said. The minister denied the charge. "About three weeks ago, the panchayats of Chuhar Chak, Duneke, Malleana and a couple of other villages told me that having sold his property, NRI Nirmal Singh was trying to get back its possession by fraudulent means. “Nirmal sold the disputed property, on power of attorney, to his cousin Swaran Singh of Patto Hira Singh village. I asked the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter. Since, Swaran Singh is in jail in a murder case, the civil authorities could not get to the root of the problem. I did not ask the police to intervene in the issue,” he said. Sidhu purchased the land in 2003 and before he went to Canada in 2009, he prepared a power of attorney in the name of his relatives Swaran Singh and Balbir Singh. "In 2010, I got to know that Swaran Singh had forged another power of attorney and sold almost four acres to Mohinder Singh and his wife, residents of Lalton Kalan. I learnt that Swaran Singh had connived with local Akali leader Kuldip Singh to sell the land. I fought a long legal battle to get my land back," he said. In June this year, his tenant called him and told him that there was an attempt to grab his land. "I flew back to India. Since then, I have been making rounds of the police department, district administration offices and the NRI Affairs Department, but to little avail. The police tell me they apprehend violence in case I allow the tenant to cultivate the land and that it will impose Section 145 of the CrPC,” he said. Gursharan Singh Sandhu, SSP, said: "The police cannot interfere in such disputes. Our duty is to maintain law and order and we have already taken precautionary measures for the purpose." Tota Singh refutes allegation Nirmal sold the disputed property to his cousin Swaran Singh of Patto Hira Singh village. I asked the DC to look into the matter. Since Swaran Singh is in jail in a murder case, the authorities could not get to the root of the problem. I did not ask the police to intervene in the matter
— Tota Singh, agriculture minister
|
|
|
New serai to come up at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Anandpur Sahib, July 14 Today, the "kar sewa" was inaugurated by Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh and head granthi of Golden Temple Giani Jagtar Singh. Others who participated in the "kar sewa" included SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, general secretary SS Bhaur, SGPC members Amarjit Singh Chawla and Rajinder Singh Mehta and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib manager Sukhwinder Singh Grewal. The Sant Samaj was represented by Nihang Baba Gurdev Singh Shaheedi Bagh wale, Baba Avtar Singh (Baba Bidhichand wale), Baba Labh Singh and Baba Ranjit Singh. Makkar said initially 350 rooms would be constructed in the five-storey building. While majority of rooms would be air-conditioned, non-air-conditioned rooms and a dormitory would also be part of the serai, he said. Talking to mediapersons over the consent to Haryana Sikh Gurdwaras (Management) Bill, 2014, by Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia, Makkar alleged Pahadia was acting at the instance of the Congress. Makkar said he met Pahadia this morning on the issue and he assured him that it being a religious issue, he would forward the case to the Union Home Ministry. The accommodation *
The serai will have 500 rooms * Initially, 350 rooms will be constructed in the five-storey building *
Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale will do the "kar seva".
|
|
|
Medical college staff block traffic for 2 hrs
Patiala, July 14 Accusing hospital Chief Executive Officer of bias, the staff members demanded that the hospital management should change the CEO. They also demanded change in hospital timings from 9 am to 4 pm, no interference in the working of various departments, release of pending increments of nursing staff, hike in salaries, no house rent deductions, retaining experienced staff, timely promotions, proper issuance of appointment letters to employees, timely release of salary slips, providing congenial environment for work and implementation of government policies.
Their demands
*
Chief Executive Officer of the hospital is biased, change him
* Change in hospital timings from 9 am to 4 pm *
Release pending increments of nursing staff.
|
|
|
Capt seeks plan to tackle weak monsoon
Amritsar, July 14 He urged the government to order a girdawri in time to assess losses to the farmers so that they could be adequately compensated. He said it was high time the government introduced a crop insurance scheme since the matter had been pending for a long time. In a press note issued here today, Amarinder said there had been a deficit monsoon so far. He said huge area across the state, particularly along the border belts like Amritsar, was facing drought-like conditions and it was the responsibility of the government to draw up a plan to provide relief. The former Chief Minister said with the state government having "friendly relations" with the Centre, there should be no problem in getting a contingency plan approved and funded on time. "Earlier they (the Akalis) had the standard excuse of accusing the Centre of non-cooperation. Now with the NDA in power, they must not have any problem," he said.
|
|
|
CBI asked to probe PIMS’s foreign funds
Bathinda, july 14 More than 24 other NGOs in country too are under the CBI scanner for violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The PIMS in Jalandhar is run by the Rakhra family under the private, public partnership mode. The society is accused of having received foreign funds without the permission of the Union Government, say sources. Rakhra claimed that details of the foreign funds had been submitted to the investigating team. He said he was thinking of giving up his membership of the society. The registration of seven NGOs in Punjab has been reportedly cancelled for violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. Reliable sources say these NGOs received funds from abroad totalling Rs 295 crore during April 1, 2011 and June 2013, Rs 87.23 crore in 2010-11, Rs 102.57 crore in 2011-12 and Rs 105.55 crore in 2012-13. Sources said as per a survey, in the past three years, the non-government organisations (NGOs) in India have received as much as Rs 33,357 crore from foreign countries. Under the scanner *
The PIMS in Jalandhar is run by the Rakhra family under the private, public partnership mode *
The society is accused of having received foreign funds without the permission of the Union Government *
The registration of seven NGOs in Punjab has been cancelled for violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act *
These NGOs received foreign funds totalling ~295 crore during April 1, 2011 and June 2013, ~87.23 crore in 2010-11, ~102.57 crore in 2011-12 and ~105.55 crore in 2012-13
|
|
|
Coal on way, will improve
power scenario, says Dy CM
Chandigarh, July 14 The Deputy CM, who took stock of the situation with senior officials upon his return from Delhi where he met Union Coal Minister Piyush Goyal, was told that power generation at the Rajpura thermal plant was likely to be increased in the next two days as four rakes of coal were expected to arrive by tomorrow. An official spokesperson said Power Secretary Anirudh Tewari told Sukhbir that the state was also hopeful that the Centre would commence coal supply to the Talwandi Sabo thermal plant or provide it an ad hoc supply of 3 lakh tonnes to enable it to resume operations. The Ministry of Coal has also agreed to a proposal to allow tapering coal linkage of up to 2.4 million tonne for one year to the Goindwal Sahib thermal power plant which has been synchronised on oil and is lying idle for the want of coal.
|
|
|
IAF all-women cycle expedition leaves for Leh
Chandigarh, July 14 Christened Kshitij-se-Pare, the expedition will cover a distance of 1,500 km through one of the most treacherous terrain at altitudes above 12,000 feet with temperatures falling below freezing point and unpredictable weather. The nine-member team is being led by Wing Commander Bhavna Mehra. The expedition will provide women officers an opportunity to nurture a spirit of adventure and camaraderie. The expedition is planned to be completed in 29 days.
|
|
Chief Justice Kaul transferred to Chennai
Chandigarh, July 14 Available information suggests July 22 will be Chief Justice Kaul’s last day in office here. Four days later, (July 26), he is scheduled to be administered oath as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Chief Justice Kaul is the first Judge in about a decade to be transferred out. The last Judge to be transferred out was Chief Justice Binod Kumar Roy. He was sent to the Guwahati High Court in February 2005. Six Chief Justices after him either went to the Supreme Court or retired from the High Court. Chief Justice DK Jain, Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur, Chief Ranjan Gogoi and Chief Justice AK Sikri were elevated as Supreme Court Judges while Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal retired from the High Court here. It is believed that Justice KL Manjunath of the Karnataka High Court was to replace Chief Justice Kaul. But his transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court is expected to be delayed. Indications are that he may first be transferred to the High Court as a Judge and then elevated later. Describing his stay in the city as “satisfactory”, Chief Justice Kaul said that his effort during his short stint here was to fill vacancies of High Court Judges to bring down pendency. As a part of the initiative, 16 names had been sent for consideration. But the problem remained unresolved not only due to retirement of judges during the period, but also because of an increase in the filing of cases.
Next Acting CJ
*n Justice Ashutosh Mohunta is all set to be elevated as Acting Chief Justice
*
The development comes less than a month after his return to the Punjab and Haryana High Court *
He is expected to assume charge on July 22 after Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul's transfer to Chennai.
|
|
Booked for raping daughter
Muktsar, July 14 The complaint lodged by the 19-year-old victim stated that her mother was aware of the sexual assault, but chose to keep mum. The victim is the eldest child. The police have also booked the victim’s mother for abetting in the crime. The girl alleged her father first molested her in 2007 and then raped her in 2009 until her wedding. The girl gathered the courage to report the matter to the police after her husband suporrted her. The accused have been identified as Pappu Ram and Razia. The police said the girl was taken to the Civil Hospital for a medical examination and the report was awaited. The accused are yet to be arrested. A woman Assistant Sub-Inspector is investigating the matter.
|
|
|
DEO suspended for embezzling funds
Jalandhar, July 14 The suspension orders issued by the office of the Education Secretary today said the DEO would be under suspension with immediate effect. Clerk Bir Meherban, working at the DEO office, Jalandhar, has also been suspended. An inquiry into the charges of fund embezzlement has been going on against the DEO for the past over two weeks. SSP, Vigilance Bureau, Jalandhar, Roopinder Singh said, "We had complaints of fund embezzlement against the DEO. These have been sent to the Chandigarh Vigilance headquarters for further inquiry." IGP, Vigilance Bureau-1, Chandigarh, Amardeep Singh Rai, said, “It is true that an inquiry against Kuldeep Sharma was referred to us. But due to technical issues, it has been referred back to the Education Department. That department is better acquainted with the technicalities as regards various schemes concerned with it. Once they establish criminality in accusations against the DEO, a case shall formally be registered by us." Senior vigilance officials said there were accusations of fund embezzlement against Kuldip under four-five schemes. Circle Education Officer, Jalandhar, Hukam Chand said he had received orders for the DEO’s suspension and he had been asked to send a report to the Education Department. Education Secretary Anjali Bhawra, when approached, refused to speak much on Deputy DEO Harinder Pal confirmed that Kuldip had deposited some money with the DEO (Primary) some time back during his ongoing inquiry. DEO (Primary) Anil Awasthi was unavailable for comments. District Education Officer, Jalandhar, Harinder Pal remained tight-lipped on the status of the inquiry. Patiala: Following reports of corruption at the Information Collection Centre, Moonak, Excise and Taxation Commissioner Anurag Verma has placed Gurjeet Singh, Excise and Taxation Inspector under suspension. A reference has been made to the government to take action against Excise and Taxation Officer Amar Nath for supervisory lapses. A constable has also been suspended. Verma said he had sent excise officials to Jhaner village to meet complainants in a graft case. Complainants Comrade Labh Singh, Jang Singh and Kuldip Singh said they usually brought "khal" from Haryana and deposited 5 per cent entry tax at the Information Collection Centre. On the intervening night of July 9 and 10, they brought "khal" valued around Rs 60,000, but the staff at the Information Collection Centre (ICC) asked them to deposit Rs 40,000 as entry tax. After bargaining, Gurjeet Singh, Excise and Taxation Inspector, and Darshan Singh, Constable, asked them to pay a bribe of Rs 20,000. They assured them that their vehicle would be allowed to cross the Information Collection Centre without the payment of entry tax. "They paid Rs 14,000 on the spot and promised to pay Rs 6,000 subsequently. The next day, Constable Darshan Singh reached their house to collect the balance amount," Verma said. The order *
DEO Kuldeep Sharma placed under suspension with immediate effect * A clerk at the DEO office, Jalandhar, has also been suspended *
An inquiry into embezzlement charges had been going on against the DEO for the past 2 weeks
|
|
|
Dairy dept
inspector held taking Rs 8,000 bribe
Moga, July 14 Sadhu Singh, a farmer of Thathi Bhai village, had complained to the Vigilance Bureau that Chinder Singh allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 from him for clearing his application. Though Sadhu Singh had already set up his dairy farm by purchasing 20 cows over the past couple of years, Chinder reportedly told him to apply for a loan as per the government policy for purchase of cows. When the farmer refused to pay the bribe, the inspector agreed to do the job for Rs 8,000. When Sadhu Singh paid the amount to Chinder today, Vigilance Bureau officials allegedly nabbed him on the spot and also recovered the bribe amount. A criminal case under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the inspector.
|
|
| 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 | |
As Punjab tries to re-invent itself as an industrial economy, the services sector is the way to go. The state can turn around its economy by following the Japan model and attracting the services industry, especially in the sectors such as education, healthcare, information technology and research and development.
Chandigarh, July 14
Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab Shakeel Ahmed today said the report of the Shandil Committee on poll losses had been submitted to the Congress high command.
Talking to The Tribune, he said, “The committee’s report on reasons behind the party’s dismal performance in the state has been received. 
Urging the SAD-BJP Government to extend the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Budget session, Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar today said here were several issues that his party wanted to raise and discuss.
The project to beautify Sirhind choe near the historical Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara so as to convert it into a tourist spot is still a distant dream. The project was initiated around a year ago.
The BJP vice-president, Laxmi Kanta Chawla, and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu today held a demonstration against the “indiscriminate" axing of trees in the city on the pretext of carrying out development works.
About 13 years after a promising sportswoman suffered from a serious spinal injury during the National Kabaddi Championship, the state government has provided her Rs 35,000 so she could buy artificial limbs for herself.
