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over separate gurdwara panel for haryana
SAD communal or secular, asks Manpreet
SAD, BJP wrangle over key posts in Gurdaspur
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Waterlogging: Rs 1,800 cr for canal re-lining
Illegal liquor vends dot Muktsar dist
Power staff attacked in Abohar
Badal trying to flare up issue: Bajwa
Deficient rainfall: State to miss target on maize cultivation
Early basmati variety hits market
BSF proposes to widen main gate at Wagah
Badal village stadium to be ready by August-end
Thefts in schools
Voting for HSGPC
Villagers ‘detain’ policemen for thrashing youth
Patiala Land scam
Tight security for Amritsar bandh today
Sewerage project in Sangrur hangs fire
Transfers of 12 jail dept officials under scanner
Sewerage not laid, Khamano residents allege vendetta
Projects in Gurdaspur fail to take off
CM for more funds to govt medical colleges
Recovery of AMMO
R’sthan farmers fume as water diverted to Pak
Staff protest jail term for SDM
Couple among 3 held with
Rs 2.6-crore heroin
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row over separate gurdwara panel for haryana
Chandigarh, July 20 This time, however, the crisis in the SGPC has hit the Akali Dal like never before. The inevitable splitting of the SGPC with Haryana Vidhan Sabha passing the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act, 2014, last week has led to a crisis within the Akali Dal. The party which had tried to break free of its Panthic image by including members from other religions is once again going back to its old agenda. Though the SAD leaders maintain that any political party was free to dabble in religious affairs and could continue to protect religious bodies, the poor show by the Akali Dal in the recent Lok Sabha polls and its rising unpopularity, especially in urban areas, was now forcing the “think tank” within the party to once again re-invent the party as a protector of Sikhs. Akalis also find themselves isolated on the issue of creation of a separate gurdwara management body in Haryana and have failed to find much support from either the Sikhs within the country, or from the community members abroad. Rather, the demand for having independent gurdwara management bodies (independent of the SGPC) in other states has been getting louder. The decision to hold the World Sikh Conference at Manji Hall in Darbar Sahib on July 27, on the issue of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC), is being viewed as an attempt to polarise the Sikhs, and thus regain the lost political ground. Though the head office of the Akali Dal had always been in the holy city of Amritsar, a few years ago, it was shifted to Chandigarh. By calling the Vishal Panthic Ikath at Amritsar, where only a few functions like the election of SAD president are now held, the Akali Dal is definitely according greater significance to the July 27 meet. Though sources say the NDA government (of which the Akali Dal is a constituent) has assured the Akali leadership of finding a solution to the crisis within a week, the party rank and file is gearing up for the July 22 meet of SGPC leaders from across the country in Chandigarh and for the World Sikh Conference at Darbar Sahib in Amritsar on July 27. Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president, has called the move of the Haryana government as an assault on the Sikhs and a challenge to their religion, “which will be answered suitably”. “We have decided to fight against the Congress government for trying to create a chasm in the Sikh community. We will go by whatever the sangat says during the World Sikh Conference on July 27,” he says. Interestingly, this also means that in case the crisis remains unresolved till July 27, the party would have to make changes in the government too. Though Akali leaders remained tight-lipped on whether the Chief Minister would step down and lead the agitation, Badal himself told the core committee members of his party here yesterday that he would “lead the agitation from the front”. Sources say that he could step down as he would not like to be seen as a Chief Minister “on protest”. With Sukhbir and other young leaders having no experience of the SAD’s “morcha-style” agitations, the onus of dealing with this development has fallen on senior leaders like Badal. To ensure continuance of governance, SAD chief patron Badal has no choice but to steer the Akali-style “morchas” and by default pass on the task of running the affairs of the state to his son and deputy Sukhbir Badal. In a dilemma Situation worrisome, says Dal Khalsa Amritsar: Expressing concern over the controversy surrounding a separate gurdwara panel for Haryana, the Dal Khalsa on Sunday said the matter if aggravated would severely damage the interests of the Sikh community. Kanwar Pal Singh, party spokesperson, addressing party activists at a local gurdwara, termed the emerging situation as dangerous and volatile. He said the brewing confrontation if allowed to escalate would have serious implications in Punjab and elsewhere. Taking exception to the SAD's proposed plan to launch a "morcha" on the issue, he alleged Akalis had abdicated the path of struggle and compromised the Panthic interests for personal gains. He slammed both the warring factions for paving the way for interference of both the BJP and the Congress in the affairs of the Sikhs.
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SAD communal or secular, asks Manpreet
In a statement, Manpreet said Badal must clarify the SAD’s stand before launching protest against the Sikhs of Haryana. He said the SAD was allegedly following two constitutions. “As a secular party, the Akali Dal is not supposed to indulge in religion-based politics, as per the Election Commission guidelines. But the SAD has been violating norms by opposing the formation of a separate Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Committee, which is a religious matter,” he said. Manpreet alleged the SAD had been claiming that it had shed its Panthic agenda, and was only pursuing development, “but that the latest turn of events spoke otherwise”. “What is all the more contentious is that it is for the first time that the Akali Dal will be launching an agitation against the Sikhs themselves, though in the neighbouring state. The decision defies logic and is highly reprehensible,” he said. Manpreet also flayed the Narendra Modi government for impinging upon the federal spirit of the constitution by asking the Haryana Governor to withdraw his consent to the Haryana gurdwara Bill, which he had already signed. “This has never happened in the history of independent India,” he said.
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SAD, BJP wrangle over key posts in Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur, July 20 The BJP had earlier this week staged a protest in front of the ADC’s office when the party was denied the post of vice-chairman of the zila parishad. Under an agreement between both the parties, the chairman’s post had to go to the SAD while that of vice-chairman to the BJP. Following the protest, local Akali leaders had asked Dinkar Gupta, ADGP (Security), to withdraw security given to Neelam Mahant, a senior BJP leader and chairperson of the District Planning Board. The matter was then taken up by state BJP chief Kamal Sharma. Neelam Mahant did not participate in today's protest rally. She said: “I am a loyal party worker but now as chairperson of the planning board, I am a part of the government. I cannot participate in any anti-government protest.” A senior BJP leader said the decision of the district leaders to organise a protest against the SAD had the approval of national party leaders. Romesh Sharma, district BJP president, said they were seeking MC president’s post as out of 22 wards, the party had been allotted 17 wards. “Likewise, improvement trust chairman's post, which is held by the SAD, should be given to us as our party works for the development of the urban areas in the city. We are also being denied market committee chairman's post,” he said. District SAD leaders said there had been an agreement with the top BJP leadership about the sharing of posts. “Status quo should be maintained. The district leaders are unnecessarily raising a hue and cry over an issue which has already been decided by their senior leaders,” said an Akali leader. Rift wide open
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Waterlogging: Rs 1,800 cr for canal re-lining
Badal (Muktsar), July 20 The teams of experts that recently visited the waterlogged areas had mentioned in its fact-finding reports that the seepage from these twin canals was a major cause of waterlogging in the southwestern part of the state. The team was led by Member, Planning Commission of India, Dr Mihir Shah; Chairman, National Rainfed Area Authority, Dr JS Samra, and Chief Minister’s Technical Advisor, Lt Gen (retd) BS Dhaliwal. “Nearly 95 km of each canal from Faridkot to Lohgarh headworks will be relined at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. The project has been approved by the Central Government, Punjab and Rajasthan governments and Central Water Commission,” said Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary, Irrigation Department, while holding a high-level meeting at Badal village here today. He said the Central Government, Punjab and Rajasthan governments would contribute money to the project. “Tenders will soon be called from companies of international repute for the project. It will be completed in four years, as the work will be executed for two months every year. Once the canals are relined, the problem waterlogging will be permanently addressed,” said Pannu. The two canals have single brick lining. He further said the government had already ordered a third party to audit the project right from its tendering to its completion. Amarjit Singh Dullat, Chief Engineer, Canals, said the capacity of Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind Feeder canals was 18,500 and 2,700 cusecs, respectively, with seepage of 700 and 300 cusecs.” “With the relining of these canals, the farmers will get more water for their crops as the seepage will be reduced by up to 1,000 cusecs,” he further said. Gurdev Singh, Chief Engineer, Drainage Department, said the state government had this year cleaned 150 drains. He said it took Rs 125 crore to clean the nearly 1,000-km long drains. “For the first time, since the Chand Bhan drain was constructed in 1961, it has been cleaned at a cost of Rs 16 crore,” he said. A high-level team of officials from Chandigarh, accompanied by Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh also visited some villages and appealed the farmers to give their land so that new drains could be constructed. The Irrigation Department officials said that more than 80,000 hectare of agricultural land was affected by waterlogging in the state. Pannu also directed the officials accompanying him to recheck the efficiency of sub-surface drainage system and tie-up with the executing agencies to get 0.5m contour level sheets for the construction of new drains. The initiative may bring relief to farmers
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Illegal liquor vends dot Muktsar dist
Muktsar, July 20 The illegal vends are doing brisk business on the village link roads as there is hardly any check on these establishments. During a recent visit to Gidderbaha villages, a number of such vends were found open on the outskirts. The villagers have been blaming the officials of the Excise and Taxation Department saying “some senior politicians have share in the liquor trade, so the officials were unable to take any action”. The vends have also displayed huge hoardings promoting liquor brands, which too is against the law. Even the liquor vend owner in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s native village Badal has put up a huge hoarding on the road leading to the palatial residence of the Punjab’s first political family. Not just villages, the situation is almost similar in towns. During night hours, people can be found drinking on roadsides or outside small eateries. It also sometimes creates problems for women to move freely. Balwinder Singh, Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO), Muktsar, said, “Nobody has earlier brought this issue to my notice. We will definitely conduct raids to penalise those selling liquor from any illegal vend.” He said he had recently received some information about illegal vends in Muktsar, following which a raid was conducted. “Two such vends were found and challans were issued,” he said. PK Malhotra, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Muktsar, said, “I have go to Chandigarh to attend a meeting.” Political link?
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Power staff attacked in Abohar
Abohar, July 20 Sources said electricity supply to a dozen villages had been disrupted as the controlling box of the power grid station in Seetogunno, 21 km from Abohar, had exploded on Saturday evening. A team led by JE Hardeep Singh was dispatched to attend to the fault. They replaced the box and flashed an “OK” report. However, residents in Bhagsar, Dutaranwali, Khairpura and Sardarpura villages, under the open wildlife sanctuary area, said the report was “false” as the supply remained paralysed. The team reportedly spotted that a motor line had been illegally connected with the main transmission wire at the main crossing in Seetogunno village and blamed it for the fault. As some residents reportedly gheraoed the team, SDE Vijay Aneja was sent to rescue them. When the officials were returning to Abohar in a private car, over a dozen people intercepted their car about 10 pm, pelted stones on it, pulled the officials out and thrashed them, officials alleged. On receiving phone calls, more officials reached there and got the victims admitted to Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital. A case under Sections 337, 341, 353, 379, 427, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC has been registered. Some of the miscreants have been identified as Sandeep Bhadoo, Vinod Bhadoo, Dharam Pal and Pawan Kumar. The trigger Residents were reportedly irked over the disruption of electricity supply to a dozen villages after the controlling box of the power grid station in Seetogunno, 21 km from Abohar, exploded on Saturday evening.
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Badal trying to flare up issue: Bajwa
Chandigarh, July 20 In a statement here, Bajwa lashed out at Badal for trying to exploit Sikh sentiments in Punjab. Bajwa alleged the Chief Minister was doing this to divert attention as his government had totally failed to meet the aspirations of the people. He said the Badal government was known for “non-performance and brazen corruption”. He said Badal was allegedly trying to play with the sentiments of the people, especially the Sikh community, by announcing an agitation against the recent move by the Haryana government to set up the HSGPC. "Badal has always used Sikh politics to further interests of his own and that of his family through such agitations. It is the common Sikhs who have been making sacrifices and going to jails," Bajwa said. The Haryana Assembly on Friday passed the Haryana Sikh Gurdwaras (Management) Bill, 2014, that got the assent of the Haryana Governor on Monday. — IANS
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Deficient rainfall: State to miss target on maize cultivation
Ropar, July 20 Under its flagship programme of crop diversification, the state government has decided to increase area under maize to over 5 lakh hectares in the next 3-5 years. Sources said the farmers in the Majha and Doaba regions were advised to take up maize cultivation instead of paddy. However, they were again showing preference for basmati this year as it fetched a good price last year. However, farmers in the kandi (sub-mountainous) area, comprising parts of Hoshiarpur, Ropar and Gurdaspur districts, could not sow this crop as these areas were mainly dependent on rain for irrigation. At present, maize is sown in 1.5 hectares and the plan is to increase this area by 20,000 hectares this year. According to the Meteorological Department, the state received 69.9 mm of rainfall till June 1 against normal rainfall of 154.4mm till that date. Barring Muktsar district, which received 2 per cent more than normal rainfall, the remaining 21 districts recorded deficient (20 to 59 per cent less) or scant rainfall (60 to 99 per cent less) from June 1 to July 19. Barnala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Amritsar were the most affected districts. Barnala and Sangrur received 81 per cent less than normal rainfall till July 19. The deficiency was 75 per cent and 70 per cent in case of Fatehgarh and Amritsar, respectively. Director in charge, Indian Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, Suridner Pal, however, said there were indications of strengthening of the monsoon. Central and North India were likely to receive good rainfall on July 23 and 24. There were indications of improved rainfall till August 15, he added. Plan hit
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Early basmati variety hits market
Fazilka, July 20 Baldev Singh, a farmer of Jaitsar segment of adjoining Srigangangar district, brought his produce here today. The market opened with a higher price as compared to previous year. The paddy was sold at Rs 3,001 per quintal. The fresh arrival of 1509 variety was sold at Rs 2,400 per quintal last year. Farmers from adjoining Srigangangar and Hanumagarsh districts are also bringing basmati to the Fazilka market. Market Committee Superintendent Roshan Lal Sharma said the arrival of 1509 variety was likely to pick up over the next few days. Experts said 1509 variety was considered a little inferior to super fine variety 1121, but it proved profitable for farmers as its high yield ensured high returns.
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BSF proposes to widen main gate at Wagah
Amritsar, July 20 Thousands of visitors, including foreigners, arrive here to witness the flag-lowering ceremony. The gate on the Indian side creates hindrance in the proper viewing of the ceremony. "Currently, the gate is around 30-foot-wide. We want it to be widened by another 10 feet," said MF Farooqui, DIG, BSF, Amritsar sector. A proposal in that regard had been forwarded to the Director General, BSF, he said. "We have also proposed that a sliding gate be put up here as it would be much easier to open and shut it as compared to the existing gate. The sliding gate will also take less space," he said. "We are likely to get the nod for the project soon," he added. Pakistan already has a sliding iron gate on its side. He said the work on the commencement of expansion of visitors' gallery at the joint check post was likely to start by October. For a better view
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Badal village stadium to be ready by August-end
Badal (Muktsar), July 20 He said it would be ready by the end of August. "The stadium, which is being built on 12 acres, will cost around Rs 10 crore. It will accommodate around 10,000 spectators. A special synthetic track is being laid in the stadium. It will have football, volleyball and basketball grounds," Pannu said. He said a new AstroTurf would also be laid for hockey. "The department is also upgrading the existing shooting range situated at the Dasmesh College for Girls here. The range has produced many international-level shooters. It is the need of hour to upgrade it from manual to electronic shooting range," he said. The government would soon build stadiums in 1,233 villages at a cost of around Rs 13 crore. Sportspersons, however, said the government had a biased approach in undertaking these projects. It was spending Rs 10 crore in Badal village alone while earmarking almost a similar amount for 1,233 villages. The Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Muktsar should also be renovated, they said. The facility
The row Sportspersons accuse the government of being biased. While ~10 crore is being spent on the stadium coming up at Badal village alone, while ~13 crore has been earmarked for stadiums in 1,233 villages.
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Thefts in schools
Faridkot, July 20 Without realising the effort involved in the exercise, the police have asked the teachers to shift all computers to someone’s house in the village in the evening and bring these back in the morning everyday. The school authorities have been told if the directions are not followed, they will be held responsible for thefts. Government schools in the area are witnessing a spate of burglaries. Over 20 such incidents have taken place in the recent past. Thieves are mainly targeting expensive items like computers and information and communication technology devices. Earlier, the police were reluctant to register FIRs in such cases, but after the Education Department raised the matter with the police authorities, the cases were registered. The Faridkot police received five theft complaints from various schools last week. The Director General School Education (DGSE) and Project Director, Punjab Edusat Society, had also warned all school heads to be vigilant to check such incidents. The school authorities maintained since there were no guards, they were unable to check thefts. Prem Chawla, senior vice-president, Punjab Teachers Union, said it was not practical to shift the entire computer peripheral twice a day. Paramjit Singh, Station House Officer, Kotkapura Sadar, said the police had given two options to the schools—either appoint guards or shift the expensive material to a safe place everyday.
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Voting for HSGPC
Ludhiana, July 20 “In the Bill, the Sehajdhari Sikhs have been included in the definition, but they have been deprived of the voting rights that they have been exercising since 1944 as per the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925,” he claimed. “Now the statement of Haryana Chief Minister that the state is waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict in the case is baseless as it is the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925, not the HSGM Act 2014, which has been challenged,” he said, adding if they were denied the voting rights, the party would move the High Court.
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Villagers ‘detain’ policemen for thrashing youth
Barnala, July 20 The villagers alleged the policemen entered a wrong house in the search of an alleged murder accused and thrashed an innocent youth. Sources said the police team also reportedly misbehaved with women when the latter tried to intervene. On hearing the youth’s cries, fellow villagers reached the spot and detained the policemen inside the house. The policemen reportedly accepted their “mistake” and told the villagers about the raid. A team of police officials from Barnala also reached the spot. Harpal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Barnala, however, denied that the policemen were detained by villagers. He said the officials went there to arrest a murder accused, but entered a wrong house due to a similar gate. The matter was resolved amicably, the DSP added.
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Patiala Land scam
Patiala, July 20 The accused named in the FIR had allegedly marked 6,000 sq yards of government land in the city as a private property to facilitate its sale. Vigilance Bureau officials claim Ravdeep, who had been declared a proclaimed offender (PO), was instrumental in the transfer of the land and his arrest was vital in terms of knowing the modus operandi of all accused who connived to sell government land. Harpreet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance, said: “Ravdeep’s interrogation is important. He had held the ‘power of attorney’ of the land. We need to know how he managed to get the deal executed.” The Vigilance today produced the accused in a local court, which sent him to one-day police remand. “We are sure to come out with more details. We will question him about the role of former DC Garg in the case. We are awaiting Centre’s approval for prosecuting Garg. We are sure that with the fresh turn of events, we will be able to put up a strong case against all accused,” he added.
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Tight security for Amritsar bandh today
Amritsar, July 20 Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh held a detailed meeting to overview the security arrangements. Around 600 policemen have been called from various companies, including Punjab Armed Police, Indian Reserve Battalion and Rapid Action Force. The protesters have been alleging that various organisations involved in providing ‘langar’ to the pilgrims on way to the Amarnath shrine suffered extensive damage and financial losses due to the clashes. Alleging inaction by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the protesters said some ‘langar’ organisers had suffered injuries in the incident. They threatened to intensify their stir if the government failed to take action against the guilty. Protest held against attack on shrine
Sangrur: The members of a particular community protested here today against the pelting of stones on a shrine in Phagwara yesterday. The shrine was reportedly attacked by a community protesting the clashes at Baltal base camp. The protesters gathered at Sirhindi Gate in Malerkotla and staged a dharna. They demanded arrest of the guilty and adequate protection to the community members and their religious places.
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Sewerage project in Sangrur hangs fire
Sangrur, July 20 The stone of the project was laid by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on February 28, but the Central Government failed to release funds for the project. The stone was laid in a hurry, just five to six days before the election code of conduct came into force. The total cost of this project is Rs 78.33 crore, of which Rs 46.58 crore will be provided by the Union Ministry of Urban Development, Rs 25.93 crore by the local municipal council and Rs 5.82 crore by the state government. Sources said the state government had sent a detailed project report to the Central Government for augmentation and extension of a sewerage scheme under the integrated development scheme for small and medium towns. They said the state-level sanction committee on February 11, 2014 held a meeting and cleared the sewerage scheme and the sewage treatment plant project for Sangrur. Earlier, the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) for technical appraisal too had cleared the project. SK Ranga, Executive Engineer, PWSSB, Sangrur, said they were waiting for the Union Ministry for Urban Development to release the funds. Financial crunch
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Transfers of 12 jail dept officials under scanner
Patiala, July 20 Sources confirmed that on July 15, Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary, Jails Department, issued the orders to transfer and to give new postings to 12 jail officials, all Deputy Superintendents of jail. A copy of the orders is in possession of The Tribune. A source said, “The orders were issued with the consent of the Jails Minister, but the office of the Additional Director-General of Police, Prisons, was not taken into confidence. There was chaos in the jails as the incumbent officials were not ready to leave their place of posting so as to make way for the newly posted officials.” A senior Jail Department official said that many of these new officers were given plum postings as Deputy Superintendent. He said these officers were already under the scanner for allegedly creating a rift among jail inmates and for allowing the free movement of drugs. He said the transfer of a couple of reputed officers too led to the unrest among the officials. The official list issued by Sanjay Kumar on July 15 shows how some junior on pay scale officials were posted at gazetted posts when only regular Deputy Superintendents were eligible for these. One of the affected officers said, “We have been fighting hard to tackle the drug menace. The new transfer orders have not rewarded the hard working officers. This will definitely affect the morale of the officials.” Another officer said they had to work hard to set up drug de-addiction centres inside jails, and the new transfer orders would mean they would once again have to start from scratch. Sanjay Kumar could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. Jail Minister Sohan Singh Thandal said he would look into the matter.
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Sewerage not laid, Khamano residents allege vendetta
Fatehgarh Sahib, July 20 Sources said the Central Government had sanctioned around Rs 6 crore and the PWSSB had to complete the project. However, the cluster of houses in a particular locality was allegedly left out on the directions of the ruling party leaders. The residents had alleged that the senior leaders in the area were unhappy with them as they had voted in favour of the joint candidates of the Congress and the PPP during the gram panchayat and block samiti elections. Annoyed, the leaders of the ruling party shifted the funds to some other locality, the residents alleged. The MC authorities laid the water pipes till Prachin Shiv Mandir in Ward No. 4, but ignored their area, the residents alleged. Sant Kumar, a resident, in his complaint filed in the Permanent Lok Adalat, alleged that the municipal council under pressure from political leaders had not laid the water pipes and issued water connections. They further alleged that despite several representations to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and municipal council executive officer, the water pipes were not laid in their area. Lok Adalat chairman PD Goel issued summons to the chairman and executive engineer, PWSSB, to file their reply in this regard. Sarbjit Singh, PWSSB SDO, assured the court that grievance of the complainant would be addressed before August 2. The court has now directed the PWSSB to file a compliance report on August 2, the next date of hearing. The matter at hand
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Projects in Gurdaspur fail to take off
Gurdaspur, July 20 In November 2009, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal laid the stone of the Dhanoa Pattan bridge on the Beas ahead of the Kahnuwan assembly by-elections. For the last five years the work on the bridge has been going on at a snail’s pace. Once the bridge is operational, the distance between Gurdaspur and Dasuya Sugar Mill will decrease by nearly 20 km. This will immensely benefit sugarcane farmers. Moreover, residents will have to travel less to reach Hoshiarpur, Mukerian and Chandigarh. In 2007, when BJP’s Bishambar Dass became the MLA of Bhoa, he laid the stone of the new bus stand at Taragarh. However, seven years down the line, the project is yet to take off. In 2005, the stone of a sewerage project was laid in Qadian by Jasbir Singh Dimpa, the then chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. However, residents claim only 20 per cent of the work has been completed. In Gurdaspur city, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had laid the stone of a new bus stand near the Tibri Road bypass about two years ago. However, officials claim that due to bad planning the new bus stand cannot be constructed. On April 20, 1995, the stone of the 204 MW Shahpur Kandi Dam, near Pathankot, was laid by the then PM PV Narasimha Rao. At present, only 10 per cent of the work is complete. Those delayed
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CM for more funds to govt medical colleges
Chandigarh, July 20 Expressing concern over the current state of affairs of government medical institutions in view of poor maintenance and dilapidated infrastructure, Dr Badwe suggested that the government should give a free hand to the administration of these institutions to utilise funds on its own as per need. Dr Badwe apprised the Chief Minister of the present status of the upcoming cancer hospital in Sangrur where about 60 per cent of the construction had been completed. He said the hospital would be made operational by December. On the upcoming Rs 450-crore Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital at Mullanpur, the construction would be completed within 28 months.
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Recovery of AMMO
Faridkot, July 20 The police and Army have been working on various theories. Sources said what was more baffling for the authorities was the recovery of the identity card. The card, with a photo, is shown as a “Karachi Cantt Entry Pass”. It is made in the name of S Singh. It also bears a round stamp of the ISI. As the credibility of this card is doubtable, on the basis of the photo, the police identified the youth, who is from Mani Singh Wala of Faridkot. Though the youth admitted it was his photo and name on the card, he denied any link with the case. The police have now handed over the investigation in this case to the CIA staff,
Faridkot.
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R’sthan farmers fume as water diverted to Pak
Abohar, July 20 The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) had warned of an agitation in Abohar sub-division saying that sub-canals in Balluana segment were being supplied water on a rotational basis. Irrigation Department officials said it had to be done due to Some progressive farmers from Sriganganagar led by Gang Canal Regulation Committee member Labh Singh last evening visited Harike barrage and Hussainiwala headworks. They said 4,000 cusecs of water was released downstream to cover 10-km distance to Hussainiwala headworks. The authorities had devised a measure to allow the diversion of water from RD 468 of the Ferozepur feeder canal to Gang (Bikaner) canal. Water is controlled and stored in old Bikaner canal. Since the intake last evening was recorded as 649.50 ft against the control level of 648 ft, about 1.5 ft water now overflows to Pakistan. Kisan Sangharsh Samiti spokesman Subhash Sehgal said, “Punjab was releasing 1,900 cusecs against the sanctioned share of 2,450 cusecs in the Gang canal whereas about 4,000 cusecs of surplus water was diverted to West Punjab province, probably to please the ruling politicians there who have close ties with their counterparts in the Indian Punjab.” Sriganganagar, he said, is known as the “Punjab of Rajasthan” but politicians in Punjab are unhappy with us since we cry over the failure of the government in checking contamination of water. Intriguingly, the overflowing water to Pakistan was not recorded in books, he rued.
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Staff protest jail term for SDM
Ludhiana, July 20 Ram Singh was posted as Tehsildar in Faridkot in 2004, when the criminal case was registered. They had burnt down 13 houses of poor Dalit families in Tehna village of Faridkot. Kanwar Narinder Singh, tehsildar and president, Punjab Revenue Officer Association, said, “We have constituted a committee of revenue officers. The committee will try to arrange a meeting with the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The committee will acquaint the Chief Justice about the facts related to the case and about the problems being faced by revenue officers in the state. Ram Singh acted as per the law. He should be reinstated.” He said it was decided that if Ram Singh was not reinstated, all the revenue officers would go on a strike on July 28. The association has appealed to the PCS Officers Association, Kanungo Association, Punjab and Patwar Union Punjab to support them. The case
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Couple among 3 held with
Rs 2.6-crore heroin
In the first incident, the police arrested Avtar Singh Rinku and his wife Jaspreet Kaur, residents of local Gali Bagi Wali, after seizing 270 gm heroin from them. The duo were on a moped (PB18H 2965). The third accused, Mandeep Singh of Kajikot Road area, was arrested with 260 gm heroin. The trio have been booked under the NDPS Act.
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Badal (Muktsar), July 20
Muktsar, July 20
Abohar, July 20
Amritsar, July 20
Amritsar, July 20
Sangrur, July 20
The announcement of the byelections for the Patiala and Talwandi Sabo Assembly seats on August 21 has put the Akali Dal in a dilemma. On one hand, the party is looking at organising "morchas" on the HSGPC issue while on the other it now faces two elections. The party cannot afford to ignore either of these issues..
Chandigarh, July 20
Tarn Taran, July 20