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Sukhbir says Congress stand on debt misleading
Fund crunch: PSIDC plans to mortgage premises
Drugs: Court seeks details on extradition of offenders
PSPCL staff protest attack on colleagues in Abohar
SAD a secular party: Valtoha
Punjab frontier to get hi-tech sensors
highlights of the day
Cops: Warring’s car wasn't used in drug trade
Anti-protester Bill may get nod today
Two abducted Gujarati girls found, teacher held
assembly bypoll
Scramble for Cong ticket to intensify
Patiala MC functioning may cost
SAD-BJP dear
Working hard to rescue Sikhs in Iraq: Govt
DGSE, DPI found absent during check
No relief for agro corporation staff chargesheeted post-retirement
State rapped for making welfare schemes on paper
Amritsar bandh passes off peacefully
Central team explores reopening Hussainiwala
Shopkeepers hold bandh in Lehragaga
Bathinda running
Muktsar, literally
Faridkot man held in ammo recovery case
Search for missing R’sthan youth intensified, was to leave for US
Ex-sarpanch among 8 held for forgery
HC orders retrial in
Nabha murder case
Akali leader held for bid to grab Brig’s plot
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Govt takes sting out of Oppn’s drug attack
Chandigarh, July 21 By appearing as much “victim” as Congress MLA from Gidderbaha Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, whose name has been dragged into a drug racket in Mansa, the government, led by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, said a solution should be found on how to ensure that an accused in a drug smuggling case did not blatantly name any politician. For a change, there was unanimity in the House that mudslinging should be avoided when any politician’s name was taken casually by any accused. But later, while talking to mediapersons, Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar and Congress MLAs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Lal Singh and four other MLAs, stood by Warring and said that an independent inquiry be conducted in the case. They dubbed it as an alleged conspiracy by the government to silence the Opposition. “Since he was vocal against the government policies and the involvement of politicians in illicit drug trade, he has been targeted. Mansa SSP BS Khattra is known to be close to the Badals and he could not have named Warring without the tacit knowledge of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal,” they claimed. The Congress, which had planned to take on the government on the drug issue in the Assembly session, had even staged a walkout on the government’s unpreparedness to answer the Opposition on the drug issue. It had even demanded a “white paper” on how the Governor was dealing with the problem. But today, the party was left disarmed as both Sukhbir and Majithia assured the House that there was no vindictiveness in Warring’s name cropping up in the police investigations. Badal assured the Opposition that he had already asked the Punjab Director General of Police to give him a report on the issue. Majithia, on the other hand, said he hoped that at least now the Opposition would realise his pain, when his name was being dragged in the drug controversy. “I am the biggest sufferer of this (when any accused names a politician and steers public perception against politicians). And even after being exonerated by a double bench of the High Court, you (Opposition) have been naming me as an accused. None of the five Central Government agencies have found any evidence to support these allegations,” he said. n The House saw emotions running high as both Warring (accused by the Mansa police of having received money from a drug smuggler for his election campaign) and Majithia (who has been named by alleged druglord Jagdish Bhola) presented their side. Warring almost in tears
Majithia too clears his stand
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Sukhbir says Congress stand on debt misleading
Chandigarh, July 21 Speaking on the concluding day debate on the Budget today, Sukhbir claimed the effective debt on the state was just Rs 6,000 crore. He said of Rs 67,000 crore debt, as stated by Congress MLA Lal Singh, Rs 48,000 crore was the food credit limit and Rs 11,000 crore was productive debt incurred by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for raising its infrastructure. Sukhbir said the state’s debt was growing at a much slower rate than those of states such as Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. “In fact, we have managed to reduce the debt to GSDP ratio from 46 per cent to 31 per cent in the past seven years,” he said. As Sukhbir was making his speech, Congress MLA Charanjit Singh Channi got up, complaining that the government was trying to silence the voice of the Opposition by asking a private TV channel to air only those parts of proceedings where the government functionaries spoke. When the Speaker refused to entertain his contention, Channi walked out of the House, raising slogans against the government and the private TV channel. He was followed by another Congrsss MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra, who too raised slogans against the government and walked out. Earlier, leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar termed the Budget as directionless and lacking any vision. He said even the integrity of the Budget was at stake. He pointed out that the state of economy was so bad that the state had remained in overdraft for 49 days and had availed ways and means advances for 120 days. He said most of the schemes highlighted in the Budget were central schemes. He said there was no provision for the state governments’ much touted Ludhiana metro project or for construction of houses for the poor under the Chief Minister Awaas Yojana. Concluding the debate, Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said he was pained that his Budget proposals had been trashed by the Opposition, although it very clearly showed how over the years he had tried to go for fiscal consolidation. “We have effectively managed to reduce revenue and fiscal deficit as percentage of GSDP. We have never defaulted on payment of salaries, revised pay scales or other committed expenditure. The growth rate is more than the national average,” he claimed. Dhindsa rejected the Opposition charge that the budget figures were fudged and said there was always a difference in the Budget estimates, revised estimates and actual figures. Conceding to the demand by several MLAs, including Manoranjan Kalia and KD Bhandari, the Finance Minister agreed to include Jalandhar along with Amritsar and Ludhiana in the safe city project. He also announced an additional grant of Rs 50 crore for the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation for industrial promotion.
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Fund crunch: PSIDC plans to mortgage premises
Chandigarh, July 21 The PSIDC in a recent note on its deteriorating financial health has told the government that the land and building would be mortgaged for creating security in favour of debenture trustees to raise funds through private placement of bonds. The corporation has pegged the amount to be raised by mortgaging Udyog Bhawan at Rs 200 crore. The seven-storey building is spread over one acre of land. Though the Punjab Government has been selling/mortgaging its properties, the move to mortgage PSIDC office building which is its prime asset has surprised corporation officials. They said despite being facing financial crisis, the PSIDC had not been making efforts to recover Rs 2,091 crore loans extended to select influential industrialists. Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal admitted that the corporation’s financial crisis was due to the non-recovery of loans. The defaulters include Abhishek Industries, whose promoter Rajinder Gupta is vice-chairman of the Punjab State Planning Board. His son Abhishek Gupta is one of the three directors of the company, which owes Rs 109 crore to the PSIDC. Rajinder Gupta said he was not aware of any recovery notice by the PSIDC. He said if there was any recovery due from them, they were ready to pay, but corporation officials should first reconcile the accounts. Other major defaulters include RK Garg of Indian Acrylics (Rs 147 crore), his brother VK Garg of Alpha Drugs (Rs 27 crore) and HS Cheema of Cheema Spintex (Rs 103 crore). As per official records, the cumulative loss of the PSIDC as on March 31, 2014 is Rs 660 crore. Its total liability against the previous floating of bonds is Rs 200 crore. The records show that the corporation had been making efforts to recover money through its one time settlement policy, but it failed to yield desired results allegedly due to proximity of industrialists with the ruling party leaders. Sources said the corporation was finding it difficult to meet its commitments of payment of interest and principle on bonds, salary of its employees and other statutory legal liabilities. The corporation had also defaulted on the redemption of bonds and interest thereon. It has received notices for invoking government guarantee by some bondholders and in some cases, the guarantee has been invoked. Several bondholders have even written numerous letters for the recovery of their dues to the Governor and the Chief Minister. Complaints have also been made to Securities Exchange Board of India and the Reserve Bank of India. PSIDC officials had recently met Finance Minister Parminder Dhindsa, but after failing to get adequate response, the corporation decided to raise money by mortgaging its assets. Mittal said the recovery of loans would be done after categorisation of industries. Closed units would fall in category one, the second category would consist of loss-making units and the third category would comprise profitable units. “After this categorisation, we will pursue for the recovery of corporation dues from industrialists,” he added. Industrialists owe crores to corporation
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Drugs: Court seeks details on extradition of offenders
Chandigarh, July 21 As the matter came up for resumed hearing, a status report was filed in sealed cover, which was returned to Punjab Advocate-General after perusal. Setting four-week deadline for the filing of the affidavit, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Ajay Tewari also directed the handing over of an advance copy to Navkiran Singh, counsel for petitioner-organisation Lawyers for Human Right International. The Bench also gave a day’s time to the Punjab Police to take necessary action for protection for Assistant Director of Jalandhar Enforcement Directorate Niranjan Singh. The direction came after senior counsel representing the Enforcement Directorate told the court that that police protection, though sought, had not been provided to Niranjan Singh. The case will now come up for further hearing on September 15. As the case come up for resumed hearing, the Punjab Government found itself up against the wall for its inability to convince the Bench on action taken against drug addicts and smugglers. The Bench was told that around 10,000 persons had been arrested for their alleged involvement in drug-related cases. But, the government found itself fumbling on the issue of providing information on the number of cases registered against drug addicts and smugglers. Demanding probe by the Central Bureau of Instigation into the case, Navkiran Singh contended before the Bench that the office-bearers of political parties were also involved in the drug racket. The Punjab Government had earlier told the High Court that 58 persons had been arrested in the international drug racket case. The state government had also claimed the registration of seven FIRs. The Bench was also told that the Chandigarh unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau had seized approximately 51.49 kg of contraband. The counsel for the Union of India Onkar Singh Batalvi had told the court that beginning this year, 11.61 kg of Hashish, often known as "hash", was seized. Another 39.88 kg of heroin was taken hold of.
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PSPCL staff protest attack on colleagues in Abohar
Abohar, July 21 They protested the delay in the arrest of the accused, saying none of the officials or technical workers would go to the 11-KV feeders in Seetogunno, where their colleagues were attacked. They said no fault would be attended to unless requisite staff, official vehicle and security cover was provided. The protesters claimed that an attempt to draw electricity for other purposes was being made on a transmission line earmarked for free tube well power supply connection, which had resulted in a major fault.
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SAD a secular party: Valtoha
Mohali, July 21 “SAD is a secular party and there is no doubt about it”, he said. Valtoha said the party had originated from the “Sikh
lehar” and protecting the interests of the community was its prime duty. “It is but also true that we will support any religion in the same way against any wrongdoing,” he said. Lashing out at the Congress for forming a separate SGPC in Haryana, he alleged the Congress was playing politics on the matter, but it would face defeat in the coming Haryana Assembly elections.
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Punjab frontier to get hi-tech sensors
Jalandhar, July 21 The sensors will be buried at strategic places along the 553-km-long international border that has 179 border outposts (BOPs). The system will help the BSF save its cadre from endangering their lives unnecessarily. Sources in the BSF said the special board headed by a DIG-level officer had given the final nod to the project. In the coming few months, the force might go ahead with the procurement of sophisticated security devices. A Gurgaon-based company conducted trials of ground sensors in December 2013 and April 2014. Following the final demonstration in April this year, the BSF board headed by DIG MF Farooqui expressed satisfaction over the working of these security devices. The board recently gave the final node to the project. These sensors can sense the presence of human beings, metallic objects like weapons, vehicles, besides catching any minute disturbance along the border. DIG, BSF, Punjab Frontier, MF Farooqui said, "Yes, the BSF board is satisfied with the final demonstration on ground sensors and it has already given the nod to install these along the border. Once these devices are installed, the Punjab border will become the first border in India to have these sophisticated devices." A special control room will be set up to monitor alerts originating from these ground sensors. Based on these alerts, BSF jawans would reach the suspected locations to tackle the situation, the DIG said. The BSF board has suggested some modifications to the tested sensors. These sensors are battery-operated, but the BSF has asked the company to make them electricity-operated so that the frequent changing of batteries could be avoided. The BSF has seized 249 kg of herion this year so far. The total seizure last year was around 322 kg. Several intruder and smugglers were also intercepted by the BSF at the border.
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highlights of the day
‘Where are funds for Dalits?’
Several MLAs both from the ruling party and the Opposition claimed though Dalits constituted 32 per cent of the total voters in Punjab, the budgetary allocation for schemes meant for them was low. SR Kler of the SAD, Charanjit Singh Channi and Raj Kumar Verka of the Congress raised the issue, with Verka asking the Deputy CM: “Itna to bata do Badal ji, ki achhe din kab aayenge?” Dhindsa said the budgetary allocation for Dalits had been rising. He said Rs 696 crore had been reserved for them last year and even in the plan schemes, the utilisation was over 72 per cent under these schemes.
Hydro project for Patalpuri Sahib
Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh raised a question during the Question Hour regarding low water level at Patalpuri Sahib near Kiratpur Sahib due to which mortal remains of deceased (which are immersed there) keep floating. Irrigation Minister Sharanjit SinGh Dhillon accepted that water level was low and said a micro hydro project at Anandpur Sahib hydro channel by PEDA was being worked out to meet the shortage of water.
CM down with toothache
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal remained absent from the House yet again today. Officials said he had a toothache because of which he was unable to attend today's proceedings.
Fiery Sukhbir takes on Oppn
While trying to trash Opposition charges against his government, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal was heard saying repeatedly: “Je jhooth bolna hai tan limit rakho.” The person who got this response was Congrsss MLA Ashwani Sekhri who had said BHEL had sanctioned a power project for Batala but the state government was not approving it.
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Cops: Warring’s car wasn't used in drug trade
Mansa, July 21 Gurlal was arrested with 500 gm heroin, 1 kg intoxicated powder and an Innova car from Sirsa in Haryana two days ago. He had claimed that he had used Warring’s vehicle, raising eyebrows over the MLA’s involvement in the case. The accused, according to the police, has also admitted to having given Rs 2 lakh during the elections and another Rs 2 lakh after the elections to Warring. However, the police are yet to get any call details that could trace the outgoing and incoming calls of both Gurlal and the MLA. Mansa SSP Bhupinder Singh Khattra said, “We are investigating into various angles to dig out the truth. The accused had named the MLA and Congress worker Manjit Singh Phulewala, who is now in jail in a murder case. He revealed that he used Warring’s vehicle during the elections along with Manjit Singh Phulewala but did not transport drugs in Warring’s car.”
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Anti-protester Bill may get nod today
Chandigarh, July 21 The popular mode of protests by farmers, employee organisations, unemployed persons and other aggrieved persons has been rail roko agitation and chakka jams. Even various political parties, including the SAD, have been using such tactics to lodge a protest. There are certain sections in the new Bill which are vague and prone to be misused. There is a provision to constitute a competent authority to assess the loss or damage to property. But who will be members of the competent authority has not been made clear in the Bill. Secondly, there is a provision of punishment up to three years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh under Section 4 of this Bill and in case the damage is caused by fire or explosive substance, the jail term can go up to five years. No person arrested under this proposed law will be released on bail unless the prosecution is given an opportunity to oppose the bail application. Prosecution can get the bail delayed by not availing the opportunity to oppose the bail. How many opportunities the prosecution will be provided has also not be defined in the Bill. Under this Bill, damaging act includes agitation, strike, hartal, dharna, bandh or demonstration, blockade of rail or road traffic. Sometimes thousands of people take part in demonstrations, strikes and bandhs. If outsiders join such demonstrations with the motive to engineer violence, there is no safeguard for the organisers under this Bill.
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Two abducted Gujarati girls found, teacher held
Mansa, July 21 The police have arrested the accused, Harish Chandra of Budhlada town in the district. The police said the girls were allegedly kidnapped by the accused on July 23, 2012 from Rajkot. The accused took the girls to different states before settling in Budhlada where he started working as an English teacher in a private school. The accused, a divorcee, had allegedly lured the girls on the pretext of marriage. He even married one of the girls in a temple in Kalka a few months ago. Sources said the accused knew at least five languages — Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati and Kannad. "The girls have been sent to Nari Niketan in Jalandhar," said Station House Officer of Budhlada. The victims' family has been informed about the development. A case had already been registered against the accused under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC at a police station in Gujarat. The Guajrat police had been tracing the accused for the past two years.
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assembly bypoll
Bathinda, July 21 Information update on mischief mongers in the area is being sent to the Deputy Commissioner and the SP (Sirsa) as part of the directions of the Election Commission. The police have commenced exercise to take in its custody weapons from 2,500 licence-holders before the elections. They have also started pruning the list of proclaimed offenders and history-sheeters involved in criminal activities. Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg said, "The constituency will have 159 polling booths located in 83 buildings. Of these, 128 will be located in rural areas. The constituency has 1,45,054 registered voters." Garg said the Returning Officer (the SDM) and the DSP had been asked to compile a list of polling booths under different categories such as "sensitive", "hyper-sensitive" and "critical" by tomorrow. The information would help the Election Commission decide on deployment of paramilitary forces. The DC had separate meetings with leaders of prominent political parties and liquor vend owners in the constituency. Some videographers said they had not been paid their dues of around Rs 25 lakh for covering the recently held parliamentary elections. The DC said instructions of the Election Commission regarding no announcement or commencement of welfare schemes in case of natural calamities, drought, food, drinking water, digging borewells, agriculture and subsidies to farmers and schemes under MPLAD and MLA funds would not be made in the Talwandi Sabo constituency.
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Scramble for Cong ticket to intensify
Bathinda, July 21 Bhattal will be in Bathinda to participate in a dharna to be staged by Congress workers outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner here. Bhattal's visit is important in the backdrop of infighting among Congress leaders in the district with several of them trying to lay their hands on the party ticket from the segment. Among the front-runners are Harmander Singh Jassi. He is keen on launching his son Sunpreet Jassi in the political arena with this bypoll. Jassi himself won the seat thrice for the party. Former Congress leader Sukhdev Singh Chahal was considered close to Bhattal, but he quit the party to join the People's Party of Punjab (PPP). After PPP chief Manpreet Badal dissolved the organisational structure of the PPP and announced that the party would support Congress candidate from Talwandi Sabo, he quit the PPP. Chahal is also expected to meet Bhattal to revive the old ties.
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Patiala MC functioning may cost
SAD-BJP dear
Patiala, July 21 Both the Aam Admi Party and the Congress had been critical of the corporation’s functioning in the recent past. While the Congress alleges the state government is not bothered about Patiala residents, SAD leaders claim the government has released enough funds for the city. City residents, however, feel poor roads, shortage of drinking water supply and poor garbage collection can hit prospects of the SAD-BJP combine, which is having its second consecutive tenure in the corporation. According to official information, projects worth crores have been left incomplete due to paucity of funds and lack of political will. "Lack of development by the corporation has irked city residents and the SAD-BJP candidate will surely have tough time facing the electorate in city areas this time. The SAD-BJP alliance has been in control of the MC for the past over seven years, but has done nothing significant," claimed city resident Hari Krishan. Mayor Amrinder Bazaz said the work on roads would be completed in a few months. The MC authorities were doing their best with the available resources, he said. Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, who hails from Patiala, said, "The Congress is trying to mislead the people. All important works would be completed in the city soon.”
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Working hard to rescue Sikhs in Iraq: Govt
New Delhi, July 21 "There are 39 Sikhs (still) under captivity in Iraq. They are all from Punjab. We are working day and night to rescue them," Swaraj informed the Upper House during a short-duration debate on the Gaza situation. India has so far rescued 46 nurses from the war-ravaged Gulf country while 40 other nationals have returned from Saudi Arabia, where they were languishing in jails despite having served their full jail terms for protesting against their employers. Family members of the Sikhs, believed to be held hostage by Islamist militants, had earlier met Swaraj and she had told them that the government was taking all steps to evacuate all Indian nationals. — PTI
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DGSE, DPI found absent during check
Chandigarh, July 21 The state government, in a statement, said the inspection was conducted following Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s orders. “The team inspected all administrative branches of both the Directorates. Both DGSE and DPI (Schools) were not present in their offices till 9.24 am,” said the statement. Besides, 160 employees of various levels working in both the Directorates, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and other wings were found absent. — TNS
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Balad Kalan land row
Sangrur, July 21 The protesters, numbering at least 2,500, took out a protest march from the new grain market to the district administrative complex where they held a dharna. They also raised slogans against the state government. Besides cancellation of the panchayat land auction, they demanded release of 41 Dalits who were arrested on June 27 following a clash between police and protesters in Bhawanigarh. They also sought registration of a case against police officials who allegedly cane-charged Dalits in Bhawanigarh. Dalit leaders Gurmukh Singh and Bhupinder Longowal, Tarsem Peter, president, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Shankar Badra, leader, Punjab Students Union, Soma Singh Bharro, adviser, Unemployed Linemen Union, and Bhup Chand Channo, president, Khet Mazdoor Union were present.
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No relief for agro corporation staff chargesheeted post-retirement
Chandigarh, July 21 The significance of the order by Justice Sabina can be gauged from the fact that no less than 14 petitions on the issue by Kulwant Singh and other former employees of the corporation were placed before the Bench for adjudication. Justice Sabina was told that the petitioners were working with the respondent corporation before they retired from service. But chargesheets were issued to the petitioners post-retirement on the allegations of “causing financial loss to the corporation on account of shortage due to damage of wheat etc.” Counsel for the petitioners argued that they could not be issued chargesheets after retirement as the corporation had failed to seek appropriate sanction from the Government of Punjab under the provisions of the Punjab Civil Services Rules. The counsel argued that the chargesheets issued to the petitioners were liable to be set aside, as the petitioners had already retired from service on the date of issuance; and the respondent-corporation was required to seek sanction from the government before issuing the same. The counsel for the respondents-corporation, on the other hand, submitted that petitioners had caused “huge loss to the corporation running into crores of rupees”. He added the power to appoint and punish Class-III and IV employees had been re-delegated to the Additional Managing Director by the corporation Managing Director. As such, the Additional Managing Director was the competent authority to issue the chargesheet and approval from the government was not required. Dismissing the petitions, Justice Sabina took note of financial loss allegedly caused to the corporation by each petitioner due to his alleged negligence, before asserting: “The allegations levelled against the petitioners are serious in nature. As per the certified standing orders in respect of the employees of the corporation, employer means the Managing Director in charge of the corporation or anyone duly authorised by the corporation to act on its behalf….. The petitioners can take up all pleas available to them during the departmental proceedings. However, no ground to quash the impugned chargesheets is made out”.
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State rapped for making welfare schemes on paper
Chandigarh, July 21 The rap came on a petition seeking implementation of the “Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme” for Scheduled Caste students after the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Ajay Tewari was told that payments since 2007-08 were due. Taking up the matter, the Bench asserted: “These claims have neither been accepted, nor rejected. The very objective of such a welfare scheme is made illusionary by not disbursing the funds at the relevant stage of time. If the state government is not interested or incapable of implementing the scheme, it must say so instead of only making the scheme on paper and then not providing funds to the beneficiaries entitled to it”. Before parting with the orders, the Bench also directed the State of Punjab to furnish varsity-wise data for each financial year, elaborating on claims which still remain to be disbursed. “If the claim is still pending that should also be included, so that we can have collective picture of the total pending claims”. For the purpose, the Bench set six weeks deadline. The Association of Volunteers for Students' Rights had earlier told the court that the scheme was to be implemented by the state governments and the Union Territory Administrations on 100 per cent assistance from the Government of India. In the petition against the Union of India and other respondents, it was added the state government was not implementing the scheme, despite receiving Central assistance from the Union government. The State of Punjab, on the other hand, had initially told the court that it had completed the formalities required for release of the fund, but the matter was still pending with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Bench was later told that the Central government had sanctioned Rs 280.81 crore as Central assistance; and the payment of scholarship was to be made in bank accounts of the students and institution through online banking management system. In all, 3.5 lakh students were entitled to the benefit in more than 2,000 institutions. Disposing of the petition on November 20, last year, the Bench had added: “The Central assistance has now been forthcoming and the state government is now in the process of disbursing the amount which shall be so implemented within a time-bound schedule of six weeks. Since the scheme is on yearly basis, both the Central government and the state government must ensure that timely payments under the scheme are made”.
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Amritsar bandh passes off peacefully
Amritsar, July 21 Almost all the commercial establishments as well as the educational institutions were shut while heavy police force was deployed outside mosques and market places. The activists of various Hindu organisations were seen flashing naked swords and other weapons as they ventured out to ensure shutdown of shops and other establishments. Scores of youngsters carrying batons and swords were seen roaming in various markets to force closure of the markets. However, no major incidents of violence were reported as most of the commercial establishments remained close throughout the day. A minor clash between the workers of a petrol pump near Bus Stand and protestors was reported over the closure of the pump. Activists of various organisations gathered outside the mosque near the Hall Gate. However, the large number of police deployed outside the place managed to persuade the protesters to move away from the place.
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Central team explores reopening Hussainiwala
Ferozepur, July 21 Nitika Singla, a BRIEF consultant, said the survey was being conducted on behalf of ICRIER (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) as part of its research on India-Pakistan trade normalisation. The ICRIER had earlier played a key role in various initiatives, including the setting up of the Integrated Check Post in Amritsar, aimed at boosting trade between the two countries. Nitika said another team would visit the border district in the first week of September to hold consultations with various stake holders, including farmers, traders, bankers and industrialists. State BJP chief Kamal Sharma, who also belongs to Ferozepur, interacted with members of the survey team. Sharma said there was a dire need to reopen Hussainiwala-Lahore border for trade and transit. The border was closed after the 1971 India-Pakistan war. “For the last 43 years, the border residents have been demanding that this route be reopened in order to boost the development of the Malwa region of the state,” said Sharma. The initiative
Present scenario
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Shopkeepers hold bandh in Lehragaga
Sangrur, July 21 The protesters staged a dharna at Main Mandir Chowk and later, in front of the city police station. They blamed the police for not taking any action. The dharna was lifted when the police assured the protesters that the accused would be nabbed soon. The family of Rajinder Kumar, a rice miller who had allegedly committed suicide on July 11, in its complaint to the police had held Preet Mohinder responsible for his death. — TNS
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Bathinda running
Muktsar, literally
Muktsar, July 21 Not only the lower-rung officials, policemen, teachers, doctors and executive engineers, but senior officers such as Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Vipul Ujjwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Ramvir Singh, District Development and Panchayat Officer Nawal Kumar, District Sports Officer Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, General Manager, District Industries and Commerce, Gurjant Singh, also daily cover a distance of about 110 km on the Bathinda-Muktsar-Bathinda highway. Besides, there are some officers of Bathinda district who have been given additional charge of Muktsar district. These include Deputy Director Sainik Welfare Commander (retd) Baljinder Singh and District Food & Civil Supplies Controller Parveen Vij. These officers say the situation had risen due to the shortage of government accommodation at the district headquarters here. “It’s not so easy for an officer to stay in a private rented accommodation as house rents have increased sharply. Had government accommodation been provided to officers belonging to other districts, none would have preferred to travel daily from Bathinda,” said an officer, who commutes from Bathinda to Muktsar daily. He said Muktsar and Bathinda were twin districts and there was nothing wrong in commuting every day. However, sources said some of the officers had been allotted government houses in Muktsar, but they were “unwilling” to stay there saying that it was a small town in comparison to Bathinda. The situation has been like this for the past few years, they added. In such a scenario, sometimes public has to face hardships as officers get late by nearly half an hour in reaching their respective offices and the commoners have to wait for them. Muktsar district has very few government houses and some of them are in a poor condition. These get inundated during the monsoon season. The residences of the SDM and the Superintendent of Police (headqaurters) are located in low-lying areas, where garbage is strewn around. Reasons
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Faridkot man held in ammo recovery case
Faridkot, July 21 SS Kahlon, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Faridkot, said Manpreet Singh had hard feelings for Satwant Singh of Mani Singh Wala village as he suspected that the To put Satwant in trouble, Manpreet allegedly hatched a conspiracy. He purchased about 400 gm explosive material, a small monitor, two galvanised pipes and a China-made battery, materials used to make a pipe bomb. Then he allegedly prepared an identity card, which looked like it was prepared in Pakistan. On this card, a photo of Satwant Singh was pasted and his name was mentioned as S Singh. The card was shown as a “Karachi Cantt Entry Pass”. It also bore a round stamp of the ISI, identifying S Singh as an ISI informer. “Manpreet Singh knew about explosives as his father was in the Army,” said the SSP. The police have booked Manpreet under the Explosive Substance Act and Information and Technology Act and also recovered the computer which was used to prepare the fake ID card.
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Search for missing R’sthan youth intensified, was to leave for US
Abohar, July 21 The Superintendent of Police, sources said, reviewed the situation with Additional Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Station House Officers. It has been reported that Gursimran of border village Burjwala in Srikaranpur segment was to board a flight to the US from New Delhi on Saturday morning. His marriage was fixed there and he spoke to his fiancee over phone on July 17, after returning from Jaipur. He had drawn Rs 55,000 from ATMs in Jaipur on July 16 and shopped there. He also drew Rs 15,000 from an ATM at Kauda Chowk in Sriganganagar. Gursimran was seen speaking to drivers at Bhagat Singh Chowk taxi stand on July 17 to hire cab for New Delhi. After 10 pm, his mobile phones were switched off. “The call details have been wetted, nothing was found suspicious,” the police said. “Special investigation teams went through records maintained by local hotels, paying guest houses and dharamshalas but Gursimran's entry was not found anywhere. He had a gold ring, chain, laptop and a bag. So far, his parents have not been contacted by any stranger over phone,” the police said.
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Ex-sarpanch among 8 held for forgery
Abohar, July 21 Investigation officer Harpal Singh said complaints were lodged with some ministers during the “Sarkar aapke dwar” campaign last month and investigations indicated that some sarpanches had been fearlessly allotting prime plots in a fraudulent manner. One of them, Bihari Lal, died few years ago. Most of the plots were allotted on national highway to give commercial benefits to the applicants, investigation suggested. In another case, Mam Kaur (70), her sons Brij Lal and Ram Kumar and daughter Bimla have been arrested for selling Laxman Ram’s land and tampering with revenue records in Gomawali village in Sriganganagar.
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HC orders retrial in
Nabha murder case
Patiala, July 21 The High Court has ordered a retrial of the case by a Patiala court under the supervision of the District and Sessions Judge. The case had remained in the limelight following the gruesome murders. The police had registered a case corruption and negligence against then Nabha SHO Harbhajan Singh (who later retired as DSP). In August 2010, Amritbir informed the police that someone had murdered his father Iqbal Singh, mother Jaswinder Kaur, grandfather Hamir Singh and sister Gurmanvir Kaur. The police had claimed that Amritbir had killed them, but they failed to prove the charge in the court despite recovering the weapon due to alleged negligence by the then SHO. During the course of investigation, the SIT found that the accused policeman had not mentioned about the articles found near the bodies. There was no mention of a blood-stained iron rod lying near the body of Gurmanvir Kaur. The weapon was not sent to the forensic laboratory. A local court of Additional Sessions Judge Vivek Puri had acquitted Amritbir on April 28, 2012.
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Akali leader held for bid to grab Brig’s plot
Mohali, July 21 Two other accused, Mohinder Singh and Aman, have been already arrested while their accomplice Gurdip Singh is still at large. A case under Sections 420, 419, 467, 468, 471 and 120B of the IPC was registered against the accused at the Phase 8 police station. Mohali SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti said Harjinder Singh had been arrested after verification of facts. As per Brigadier Heer, the Mohali police had rounded up Harjinder Singh and other accused on July 5 on the complaint of his friend Jagdeep. “That day, the police let them go after getting a phone call from local Akali leader Amanjot Kaur Ramoowalia,” alleged Heer. “Amanjot never called up the SHO. She can never do this. Congress leaders are trying to defame Amanjot because of political rivalry. Congress leaders are trying to politicise the case,” Amanjot’s father and senior Akali leader BS Ramowalia said. The police said Harjinder’s name had also surfaced in two to three criminal cases. “His name had surfaced in a murder case at Kurali and an attempt to murder case at Balongi,” said the police. His name was, however, cleared in both the cases. Meanwhile, the Congress party came out in support of Brig Heer. Congress leaders Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu alleged that a realtor-politician had been grabbing properties of NRIs in the state. “He has not spared even senior Punjab Police officers, including an IGP rank officer,” they alleged.
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The treasury benches today strategically took the fizz out of the Opposition charge on the government over the illicit drug smuggling under political patronage.
Chandigarh, July 21
Abohar, July 21
Jalandhar, July 21
Bathinda, July 21
Amritsar, July 21
Mohali, July 21
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal today felicitated Balramji Das Tandon (right in pic) on his appointment as Chhattisgarh Governor. At a function organised in the Vidhan Sabha, Atwal said Tandon had been a member of the Punjab Assembly for a long time and the services rendered by him would always be remembered. Recalling various initiatives taken by Tandon as Punjab Minister, the Speaker said he always kept interests of the state in mind while framing policies.
