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Input tax: BJP has its way yet again
State seeks central aid to tackle drought-like situation
7 months after probe indicted
her, ZP official suspended
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Move to shift PSEB office from Abohar to Fazilka draws flak
Akali councillors clash over presidentship in Talwandi
Sabo
Akalis misusing state machinery, says Jassi
SAD, BJP leaders meet to sort out issues
Tough triangular contest on cards
Gurdaspur BJP unit to end 12-day protest today
NRI threatens self-immolation at Badal’s residence
Joginder Kaur Sandhu
50 industrialists threaten to shift business to Haryana
SGPC advertisement sparks outrage
Move to dilute SGPC quota in Hazur Sahib mgmt: Makkar
Western Command chief calls on Badal
Hoshiarpur welcome CWG medalist Chana
3 die, 38 hurt as tempo overturns
Babbar Khalsa militant Chaura convicted under Arms Act
June 6 clash: All 21 accused granted bail
Illegal detention: HC tells cops to file affidavit
100 bags of poppy husk seized, 3 held
Booked for dacoity, farmer leaders on the run
Morinda resident held for duping NRI brothers
Nine arrested for gambling;
Rs 3.6 lakh seized
After attack on docs, phone snatched
School bus driver killed
School bus fired at, none injured
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Input tax: BJP has its way yet again
Chandigarh, July 30
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he had asked the Excise and Taxation Department to hold parleys with various traders' lobbies and then review the amendments in the VAT Act. “We had devised this method of giving input tax credit to plug loopholes and to go in for resource mobilisation without imposing new taxes. When the issue was discussed with BJP ministers and at Cabinet meetings, nobody raised any objection. Except for former BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia, no minister has approached me on the issue,” he said. This is not the first time that the government has dithered on imposing new taxes/making amendments in tax laws that allow for additional resources to be generated. The government had diluted the property tax thrice.The scheme devised for regularising illegal colonies was changed to bring down the fine only to please the BJP. The sin tax (tax on cigarettes) was hiked and later reversed to the original slab last year. Punjab’s fiscal condition is already bad. The state’s revenue deficits are rising because of a slow economic growth. Its committed liabilities are growing. With the government continuing to cater to vote bank politics, the state’s economy continues to falter. Decisions reversed in the past *
The state government had diluted the property tax thrice * The scheme devised for regularising colonies was altered to bring down penalties *
The sin tax (on cigarettes) was hiked and later reversed to the original slab last year *
Punjab's revenue deficits are rising because of a slow economic growth *
Its committed liabilities are growing; the state's economy continues to falter
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State seeks central aid to tackle drought-like situation
Chandigarh, July 30 The rain deficit in Punjab so far has been 58 per cent. However, the state has a sound canal irrigation system to protect its crops. But it will have to make heavy investment on buying additional power to operate tube wells and farmers will have to spend money on diesel to operate pump sets. Punjab has already spent more than Rs 1,500 crore on purchasing additional power. Also, the state farmers have spent about Rs 700 crore on diesel to operate pump sets. They have also spent money on reinstalling tube wellsowing to the falling water table.While the Centre insists that Punjab should declare a drought-like situation if it wants assistance, technically this cannot be done. Financial Commissioner (Development) Suresh Kumar said: “We have already submitted a contingency plan for the drought-like situation in the state. We have given details on the additional expenditure incurred by the state as well as the farmers to save crops.” The officer said that he had written a demi -official letter to the Union Agriculture Ministry in this regard. When Punjab faced a similar situation in 2009, it was given about Rs 800 crore by the Centre. However, this time it wants a higher grant.
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7 months after probe indicted
her, ZP official suspended
Muktsar, July 30 She was indicted by a probe seven months ago. There are allegations of misappropriation of money during the purchase of stationery items. On September 24, 2012, local resident Amrik Singh had lodged a complaint with then Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Paramjit Singh alleging that MGNREGA funds were misappropriated while purchasing stationery items. The Deputy Commissioner had marked an inquiry to then ADC (G) NS Bath. A private firm from Panchkula in Haryana too had sent a complaint, alleging that the superintendent purchased stationery items in excess. Bath in his inquiry report had mentioned that the total money paid was more than the material received. Besides, stationery worth Rs 12.9 lakh was purchased without the approval of the officer concerned. Later, another inquiry was marked to then ADC (D) Fazilka, Amit Kumar, who had also held the staff of Zila Parishad guilty of misappropriation of funds. The report was submitted to Joint Development Commissioner BS Multani around seven months ago, but no action was taken. Those held guilty continued to hold their posts during this period. Sources said Balvir Kaur had even admitted her offence during the inquiry. “The stationery was printed in excess of demand. I have committed a mistake. I will bring back the stationery from various blocks and submit it to the government department,” she had stated to inquiry officer Bath. The name of a senior officer and some more officials of the Zila Parishad too had surfaced in this scam, but no action has been taken against them. The case *
Balvir Kaur, Superintendent, Zila Parishad, Muktsar, was indicted seven months ago in a probe *
She had allegedly misappropriated money during the purchase of stationery items
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Move to shift PSEB office from Abohar to Fazilka draws flak
Abohar, July 30 Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar said the government had not been able to open offices of all the departments even as Fazilka was upgraded as a district three years ago. The staff and pensioners of the government-aided private schools have to go to Ferozepur, 120 km from here, to submit files for grants and pension at the District Education office. There could be no compulsion other than political in shifting the PSEB regional office from here to Fazilka, he said. “I will write to the Education Minister and meet him at Chandigarh to get the “wrong” orders reversed, he said. Abohar had the largest number of privately managed schools, numbering about 200, across the undivided Ferozepur district. Therefore, the PSEB had opened a sub-depot here to provide books under various welfare schemes aimed at improving the literacy rate among wards of Dalit families more than a decade ago. Since the scheme was later extended to other categories to check dropouts and attract more kids to government-run rural schools, the sub-depot was upgraded as regional office. The PSEB had been accepting admission forms for examinations, supplied question papers, mark sheets besides delivering text books. The authorities suddenly decided to shift the regional office-cum-sale depot to Fazilka, arguing that the new district headquarters needed it. PSEB chairperson Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal said the process for shifting the office has been put on hold but to get the decision reversed, Health Minister Surjit Jyani and a Lok Sabha member should give in writing and get the letter endorsed by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh
Badal. Border villages to suffer most The move has been widely opposed by the sub-divisional unit of the Recognised Affiliated Schools Association and Private Affiliated Schools Association. Students and teachers from remote villages situated near the inter-state border will have to cover 140 km (to and fro) to get even a small work done, they said
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Akali councillors clash over presidentship in Talwandi
Sabo
Bathinda, July 30 A section of SAD councillors had revolted against present council president Gurtinder Rimpy Mann and demanded that he be replaced. The brawl took place following heated arguments during a meeting called by council president today. The meeting was called after a no confidence motion was moved through a resolution by 10 of the total 13 councillors. They had submitted an application to the Executive Officer (EO) and the Deputy Commissioner on July 3. The council officials had given a few days time to the president to prove his majority in the house and the next date of meeting was set on July 14. In view of the imposition of the election code of conduct, the meeting was further delayed and was fixed for July 30. Three of the councillors unanimously decided that they would act as a president for a year turn by turn, but will not continue under the present presidentship. In view of the ugly turn, SAD candidate Jeet Mohinder Sidhu intervened and called up all the 13 candidates and pacified them. “The matter is resolved now as those who revolted have passed a resolution against the president. We will act as per the rules,” claimed Jeet Mohinder. He said that the matter now stood resolved as all the 13 councilors had unanimously decided to support the SAD in the by-elections. “If the president fails to prove his majority, he would have to leave,” he said. The council president, Gurtinder Singh, however, lamented that today’s meeting, in which the no confidence motion was to be passed, could have been delayed in view of the already volatile situation. “The meeting was not delayed at the behest of a senior SAD leader. The clash could have been averted and the same meeting should have been convened after the elections. The councillors at the behest of the leader have settled scores with me,” the president said. He alleged that five councilors were allured with huge amounts of money to create rift. SSP Gurpreet Bhullar said that no action had been taken in this regard so far as the matter seemed to have been resolved. “But we have kept a close watch on the developments and extra security force has been deployed in Talwandi Sabo,” he added.
The issue *
A section of SAD councillors had revolted against present council president Gurtinder Rimpy Mann and demanded that he be replaced *
The brawl took place following heated arguments during a meeting called by council president today *
The meeting was called after a no confidence motion was moved through a resolution by 10 of the total 13 councillors
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Akalis misusing state machinery, says Jassi
Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), July 30 He also visited the major religious places in Bathinda district, including Dera Rumi Wala. He paid obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib along with People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Badal. Jassi said there was a dire need to tackle the increasing number of cancer cases in Talwandi Sabo, particularly in Jajjal and Giana villages. On the diminishing role of the Congress in the state, he said, “The Congress is a major party and it will be a strong Opposition.” He said Talwandi Sabo - the land of Gurus - was hit by drug menace and unemployment. “I was an MLA from 1992 to 2002 and the works which I could not initiate are still lying in a shambles,” he claimed. Jassi also said the Congress party president along with the other leaders would visit Talwandi Sabo on August 2 to start their fight against drug trafficking. On the role of voters from Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa in Talwandi, he said, “I will not segregate between dera voters and others and will seek support from all sections of the society.”
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SAD, BJP leaders meet to sort out issues
Patiala, July 30 The SAD wants the BJP leadership to ensure that its leaders in Patiala work at the grassroots level to ensure the victory of its candidate. The local BJP unit says it has received instructions to back the SAD candidate but point out that the local SAD unit should ensure that its cadre remains united. "The BJP workers were snubbed by SAD leaders when they staked their claim to the Patiala seat.This has left a bad taste," said BJP's Patiala president Anil Bajaj. "Though I am trying to ensure that all BJP leaders remain united, the SAD leaders should also work hard for a win", he said. Terming such differences as "trivial", Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema, who has been appointed campaign coordinator, pointed out that all district BJP leaders had participated in the coordination meeting today. Former SAD minister Surjit Singh Kohli said the BJP held the key to a victory in Patiala given the party's support base in this segment. Rajinder Singh Pawar today filed his nomination papers for the Patiala byelection scheduled for August 1. Returning officer-cum-SDM Gurpal Singh Chahal said that Rajinder Singh had filed his papers as an Independent. He said the last date for filing nominations was August 2. Poll plan *
SAD to depute local leaders at every Patiala booth * Those performing well in their booths to be awarded *
Those with a poor performance to be reprimanded * Each house inside the walled city to be covered on foot *
No big rallies, focus to remain on house-to-house meetings.
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Tough triangular contest on cards
Patiala, July 30 Garnering votes on the issues of development will be a tough task for the ruling party candidate, Bhagwan Dass Juneja. The old walled city comprises a major part of the segment which is ridden with poor civic amenities. Though the segment has traditionally been a Congress stronghold, party candidate and former Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur will face a tough challenge since she has no major project to her credit during her three terms as Patiala MP. She is likely to seek votes by lashing out at the Akali-BJP government and by striking a chord with locals. However, since her husband and Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh is likely to campaign for her from August 9 onwards, she is sure to gain from it. Meanwhile, things do not look too smooth for Aam Admi Party candidate Harjit Singh Adalatiwala, a turncoat who joined AAP just a few months ago after remaining associated with the SAD for more than three decades. There is resentment among a number of senior party leaders against his candidature. Political observers believe going will not be easy for Adalatiwala despite the fact that AAP candidate Dr Dharamvira Gandhi had got 35,676 votes as compared to the Congress’ 43,238 in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year. “Facing people and asking for votes by criticising the party with which he remained associated with for three decades will surely be a tough task,” they said. SAD’s Juneja faces given a strong anti-incumbency wave against the ruling alliance. During the recent Lok Sabha election, the SAD fared poorly in this segment bagging just 16,342 votes. Juneja will also face problems because of his son being a municipal councillor. The local residents are not happy over the functioning of the Municipal Corporation which has failed to complete even a single project in the city for the past many years. Reality check *
SAD: Garnering votes on the issues of development will be a tough task for party candidate Bhagwan Dass Juneja. Besides, there is a strong anti-incumbency against the ruling alliance *
Congress: Party candidate Preneet Kaur will face a tough challenge since she has no major project to her credit during her three terms as Patiala MP *
AAP: Party nominee Harjit Singh Adalatiwala joined AAP only a few months ago after remaining associated with the SAD for more than three decades. *
There is resentment among a number of senior party leaders against his candidature
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Gurdaspur BJP unit to end 12-day protest today
Gurdaspur, July 30 The party rank and file will be lifting its 12-day dharna tomorrow in the presence of senior leaders. From day one itself, the leaders found little or no support from Khanna. Sources claim that the district leadership is upset over the MP’s decision to appoint his loyalists as halqa in charges (area chiefs) in all the nine Assembly seats that form a part of the Gurdaspur Parliamentary constituency. The MP was in the constituency on July 20, the day the dharna began but he refused to take part in the proceedings. Ramesh Sharma, Gurdaspur BJP president, said, “We met the CM yesterday in the presence of senior leaders such as former minister Tikshan Sood and BJP Majha in charge Rakesh Rathour. He assured us that a Gurdaspur BJP leader would be given the vice-chairmanship of either a board or a corporation. The name of the board or corporation will be decided after deliberations that would be held between state BJP president Kamal Sharma and the district leadership. The CM also assured to look into our demands of giving the chairmanships of the Improvement Trust and the Market Committee to BJP men,” said Sharma. The leaders also questioned the CM as to how the SAD had wrested the vice-chairmanship of the district zila parishad, which according to an agreement between the alliance partners invariably had to go to a BJP leader.
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NRI threatens self-immolation at Badal’s residence
Chandigarh, July 30 Joginder Kaur Sandhu, claiming to be an NRI from France and originally hailing from Kotla Naudh Singh village in Hoshiarpur district, has alleged that 14 "false" police cases were registered against her in the past 10 years at the "behest of Ludhiana land mafia". The Punjab Police has, however, refuted her contention asserting that it had not been indulging in any vendetta against Joginder Kaur. "There is no police vendetta of any kind against Joginder Kaur Sandhu. She has allegedly been taking money from people on the promise of sending them abroad," said IG (NRI Wing) Gurpreet Deo. Joginder Kaur Sandhu presented a report issued by the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate to buttress her allegations. The report indicated that she was aquitted in seven of the nine cases and one was quashed by a court. The Punjab Police, however, has refused to give any clean chit to her alleging that she had been "indulging in shady travel agent kind of dealings and frauds". "The powerful land mafia of Ludhiana, led by a financier having a strong nexus with some Punjab Police officials, including a woman DSP and an SHO, has been trying to usurp my residential property since 2004 by embroiling me in false cases. I am tired of taking rounds to the offices of the CM, the Deputy CM and the courts. But, I have not got any justice over the past 10 years. Now, I have got tired. If I am not accorded justice by the government within 15 days, I will immolate myself in front of the Chandigarh residence of the Chief Minister on August 15," she said. Joginder Kaur alleged the police officials concerned had implicated her in a "false" case that took place while she was away to France to meet her family. She said when the "false" cases registered against her in Ludhiana started falling in the court, the land mafia got her "falsely implicated" at Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Jalandhar, Mukatsar and Jagadhari. "I was booked in one such case on the basis of a complaint of one Kamaljit Kaur of Jalandhar. Later on, that woman withdrew the complaint against me and gave an affidavit that she had nothing to do with me and had never given her passport to me. This is the height of highhandedness on part of the police to torment a woman to such an extent," she said. Gurpreet Deo, however, countered the allegations of Joginder Kaur Sandhu saying the Punjab Police had never resorted to any kind of "vendetta" against her. "Prima facie Joginder Kaur Sandhu was involved in some shady deals particularly, related to travel agency business. We had probed her case and her allegations were not found to be true. How can someone pursue vendetta for over 10 years and how can someone be so powerful to get someone booked in so many false cases, particularly in other states? There are courts. The system is not so hopeless," he said.
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50 industrialists threaten to shift business to Haryana
Chandigarh, July 30 Claiming that they are on the verge of bankruptcy, the owners of these units have demanded an early solution to their problems. In city to participate in the sangat darshan programme of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, these industrialists said many of them were now being hounded by banks that had advanced them huge loans when these units were up and running. President of Punjab Pyro Industries Association Satpal Gupta said all pyrolysis units in the state were shut for the past two years. "Our units were sealed as the Pollution Control Board wanted a definite plan for effluent discharged from our units. Over the past two years, we have been shuttling between the offices the Pollution Control Board and the Secretary, Science and Technology. Both have failed to devise a policy and are not allowing us to operate our units," he rued. Hakamdin, another unit owner from Khanna, said when the pyrolysis plants started operations in Punjab, the pollution board had issued no guidelines in that regard. Initially, the unit owners were allowed to begin commercial production, but the permission was withdrawn later on. The units are shut since then," he said Three committees were formed by the government to look into the issue, but there had been no results, he said. "We are now looking at buying land together in Haryana and set up business there," he said. The industrialists later met the Deputy Chief Minister at the sangat darshan, who asked the Special Principal Secretary to find a solution to the problem. Over 200 complainants from all over the state attended the sangat darshan programme. They had to wait for over three hours, as the Deputy Chief Minister was late for the programme. Most of the complaints dealt with the Police Department.
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JE stages dharna against 3 colleagues
Faridkot, July 30 After removing his shirt, protesting Junior Engineer (JE) Jaswinder Singh sat on dharna in front of the SDO office, Jaitu, demanding removal of the three employees in the department for collecting money from consumers under the garb of checking power theft. "This act of these three employees is tarnishing the image of all employees in the department, so I will continue the dharna until they are removed and an inquiry is ordered against them," he said. The JE's dharna caught PSPCL officials in an awkward situation. Senior officers of the corporation and civil officers rushed to Jaitu to prevail upon Jaswinder Singh to end his dharna. As Jaswinder Singh did not relent, the Superintending Engineer and the Executive Engineer, PSPCL, Faridkot, informed the Chief Engineer, PSPCL, about the situation in the evening. Taking stock of the situation, the Chief Engineer ordered the transfer of the "erring employees". A departmental inquiry has also been ordered into the allegation against them, said Tirlochan Singh Brar, Executive Engineer, Kotkapura circle. Jaswinder Singh has ended the dharna, Brar said.
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SGPC advertisement sparks outrage
Amritsar, July 30 Talking to The Tribune, former Takht Shri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh said: “It is for the first time that I have seen an advertisement asking the Sikhs to follow an Akal Takht edict. This indicates that something is wrong and the Sikhs are not willing to accept the edict. Efforts should be made for course correction.” Former SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta said he was surprised to read the advertisement. “Respect for Akal Takht comes from within and no external pressure can help. The SGPC must understand that allegiance can’t be bought through advertisement campaigns. What they have done is uncalled for,” he said. The move had downgraded the status of Akal Takht, he said. Hitting out at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he said that those ruling the SGPC should ask themselves if they had obeyed the edict issued by then Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh on December 31, 1998. He also asked as to why the SGPC did not follow the Akal Takht edict announced on March 29, 2000, directing that guidelines be framed for the appointment, tenure and removal of Takht Jathedars. He alleged that Badal had defied Akal Takht edicts on various occasions. Former Guru Nanak Dev University Vice Chancellor Dr SP Singh said: “Religion is supreme while politics is secondary. These days it seems the other way round. The advertisement projects the Akal Takht Jathedar’s viewpoint on the HSGMC row as an edict. This is wrong.” He claimed that the SGPC credibility too had eroded as it was being used as an election tool ahead of the byelections in Punjab. The SGPC member from Mohali, Bhai Hardeep Singh, blamed political leaders at the helm of affairs for the current state of Sikh institutions such as Akal Takht and the SGPC. Gurpreet Singh, executive member, Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, said it was time that the role and jurisdiction of the Akal Takht Jathedar was clearly defined. Dal Khalsa chief HS Dhami said it was astonishing that the SGPC had to run an advertisement to enforce an edict. “We had never seen the SGPC resorting to such a practice. This shows that the Jathedar’s authority has been diluted.” Different voices It is for the first time that I have seen an advertisement asking the Sikhs to follow an Akal Takht
edict. Giani Kewal Singh The SGPC must understand that allegiance can't be bought through advertisement campaigns. Respect for Akal Takht comes from within and no external pressure can
help. Manjit Singh Calcutta The advertisement projects the Akal Takht Jathedar's stand on the HSGMC row as an
edict. Dr SP Singh, former vc It is time that the role and jurisdiction of the Akal Takht Jathedar is clearly defined. We had never seen the SGPC indulging in such
practices. Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha It is astonishing that the SGPC has had to run an advertisement to enforce an edict. This shows that the Jathedar's authority has been
diluted. HS Dhami, dal khalsa
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Move to dilute SGPC quota in Hazur Sahib mgmt: Makkar
Amritsar, July 30 As per a release issued here today, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar alleged the Congress-led government in Maharashtra was conspiring to make an amendment in the Shri Hazur Sahib Board Act to strike down the quota of members nominated by the SGPC in the holy shrine's management board. He condemned the alleged move of the Maharashtra Government while stating that the SGPC had contributed immensely in the upkeep of Takht Shri Hazur Sahib. He warned the Congress against resorting to any such move. Makkar hit out at a Rajasthan-based university for allegedly asking a baptised Sikh to take off his "kirpan" before appearing for an entrance test. He said the university's move had hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs. He asked the authorities to make proper arrangements for facilitating the entrance test for the aspirant, Jagwinder Singh, or the SGPC would initiate legal proceedings against it.
We have learnt that a Rajasthan university asked a baptised Sikh to take off his 'kirpan' before appearing for an entrance test. The university's move has hurt the
Sikhs. Avtar Singh Makkar, sgpc president
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Western Command chief calls on Badal
Chandigarh, July 30 Lt Gen Campose stressed that a large number of skilled workers in terms of ex-servicemen were available to the state and they should be employed by the state government. Pointing out that the state had recently appointed retired military officers, Badal highlighted the need for a joint venture between the state and the Army to motivate youth to join the Army. He also proposed a joint skill development centre to further hone the skills of the youth of the state.
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Hoshiarpur welcome CWG medalist Chana
Hoshiarpur, July 30 A victory procession was organised by the Sports Department. The procession started from Shaheed Udham Singh Park, Model Town, and culminated at the Indoor Stadium, Civil Lines, where Chana was welcomed by judokas and other sportspersons. Chana and his coach Surinder Singh Sodhi were garlanded by people and bouquets were offered to them. After it, they travelled in an open jeep. Standing in the jeep, Chana waved to his fans who had gathered on both sides of the road to welcome him. Navjot Chana won the silver medal in 60 kg category of judo in ongoing Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Chana used to practise at the Indoor Stadium, Hoshiarpur. Talking to mediapersons Chana said, "Indian players are very good, but they can do even better if world-class training facilities and coaches are made available to them. My target was to win the gold medal, but a couple of mistakes dragged me to the second position. The Glasgow outing has added to my experience and now I want to win a gold medal in the Asian Games".
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Athlete Navjeet returns to rousing reception
Amritsar, July 30 Her family members, friends, teachers and fellow students danced to 'dhol' beats as the country's young athlete reached the college campus. Earlier, she was given a rousing welcome at the railway station by Railways employees. Her father JS Dhillon is employed with the Indian Railways. Navjeet, who recorded 56.44 m discus throw in the world event to bag the honour for India, owed her success to the family, especially her father who trained her at tender age. On missing the second position by just 30 cm, she said perhaps she could not sustain her killing instinct till the last moment. She, however, said she was contented with her performance.
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3 die, 38 hurt as tempo overturns
Ropar, July 30 The deceased have been identified as Harpreet (13), Pappu (10) and Gurpreet Singh (35). The seriously injured, Balbir Singh, Mohan Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Kamaljit Kaur and Swarnjeet Kaur (1) have been referred to
PGI, Chandigarh. The others have been admitted to government hospitals of Ropar and Chamkaur Sahib. Driver Lakhbir Singh said the mishap occurred as the steering wheel of the tempo had stopped functioning.
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Babbar Khalsa militant Chaura convicted under Arms Act
Chandigarh, July 30 Chaura was arrested last year in Amritsar by the Punjab police after he remained absconded for several years in cases against him. He had been declared a proclaimed offender. The UT police had registered a case under the Arms Act against Chaura after seizing a pistol and five cartridges near the boundary wall of the Burail jail on basis of his disclosure. Chaura was the mastermind in the January 2004 Burail jailbreak in which Babbar Khalsa International terrorists Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora along with their two accomplices Jagtar Singh Tara and Devi Singh had escaped after digging a tunnel. The case was registered against Chaura following his arrest in connection with the jailbreak when he got the weapon recovered. The police had said that Chaura had told them that he had brought the weapon to give it to Hawara as soon as he escaped from the jail on January 21, 2004. Chaura was later granted bail in 2005. He had stopped appearing before the court and was declared proclaimed offender in October 2011.
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June 6 clash: All 21 accused granted bail
Amritsar, July 30 Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said they were granted bail as no weapon was recovered from their possession. Also, nobody had sustained serious injuries in the clash. A four-member SGPC panel constituted to investigate the clash had last month recommended clemency for those arrested in the case. At least 12 persons, including six SGPC employees, were injured.
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Illegal detention: HC tells cops to file affidavit
Chandigarh, July 30 Digging deep into the case, Justice Gupta has asked for the antecedents of the “detainee” and the identity of the officer concerned, who called him. Justice Gupta has also asked the Punjab Government to file an affidavit on the matter by an officer not below the rank of Additional Director-General of Police. The case pertains to Malkana village of Bathinda district. “Certain issues require clarification. It has been submitted that Gursewak Singh was found roaming around under suspicious circumstances near the security zone of the Chief Minister. He was, thus, called to the police station for questioning on the directions of a senior officer. “In the report, neither the designation of the officer nor antecedents of Gursewak Singh have been disclosed. The state counsel prays for some time to seek instructions and file additional affidavit. Let affidavit of an officer not below the rank of Additional DGP be filed,” Justice Gupta directed. The orders came on a petition by Baldev Singh against the Punjab Government and other respondents through counsel Sarvesh Kumar Gupta after the warrant officer appointed by the high court submitted his report.
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100 bags of poppy husk seized, 3 held
Moga, July 30 They police took into its custody all four vehicles. Three smugglers were arrested, while one managed to flee. DSP(D) Hardip Singh Randhawa and CIA Staff in charge Inspector Prem Singh were on routine checking of police patrolling parties and check points on the Moga-Ferozepur national highway when a Scorpio car coming on high speed from the Ferozepur side was intercepted. Ten bags of poppy husk were found in the car (PB-08-CG-3350) and the driver of the car was taken into custody. He was identified as Gurmukh Singh of Daulewala, the village infamous as a drugs hub. During on-the-spot interrogation, Gurmukh said two trucks loaded with poppy husk were also coming behind him. In a swift action, the police set up special check points to intercept the trucks, said a police officer. After a few minutes, two trucks (RJ-13-GB-1327 and RJ-04-G-1761) and a Swift car (PB-06-X-6446) were seen coming via a link road. The police intercepted the vehicles and seized 85 bags of poppy husk from the trucks and five bags from the car. One of the truck drivers identified as Surjit Singh of Malout managed to flee. Gurcharan Singh of Korewala village, driver of the second truck, and Sarbjit Singh of Daulewala village, driver of the Swift car, were arrested. A .32 bore revolver was also seized from their possession. Separate criminal cases have been registered under the NDPS Act.
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Booked for dacoity, farmer leaders on the run
Pringni (Tarn Taran), July 30 Paramjit Kaur of Kirriyan village is living in constant fear too. Four male members of her family were involved in a group clash over a piece of land on June 6. They are behind bars. Two more male members of her family are on the run. Paramjit now tills the fields and performs household chores. Like Paramjit, several women of 15 nearby villages are victims of police high-handedness. Their men, all acitivists of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee, are on the run. Rajwant Kaur Pannu, wife of jailed kisan leader Kanwalpreet Pannu, helped regroup several women after their houses were allegedly ransacked by the police. They were not allowed to sow paddy. The trouble began on June 7 when a group of farmers took away wheat bags belonging to commission agents Jaspreet Singh and Manbir Singh. The farmers claim they took away 350 bags. But the commission agents accuse them of “robbing” at least 900 wheat bags. They claim the wheat bags belonged to PUNSUP. Rajwant Kaur says Harpal Singh and Group owed Rs 3.62 lakh to Gulzar Singh of Pringni. The latter sought the help of the Sangharsh Committee and the local police to settle the matter. When a meeting with the commission agents failed, the police told the farmers to take away their wheat bags, Rajwant claims. A large number of farmers, some of them armed, took away the wheat bags. A video-recording of the incident shows policemen walking amidst the mob. The police at first booked three farmers for “stealing” wheat. Later, they were booked for dacoity. A case was also registered against more than 100 unidentified persons. Since them the police has been carrying out raids to nab the offenders. Till date, 20 persons have been arrested, Kanwalpreet Pannu being one of them. Pannu is lodged in the Faridkot jail while the others are in the Amritsar jail. Sympathisers of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee claim that Ranjit Singh of Pringni confronted the police while they were taking away some youths from the Patti courts complex. He was bundled into a van and thrashed even as his father pleaded for mercy. Ranjit said he was repeatedly hit on the head. But commission agents Jaspreet Singh and Manbir Singh claim that they are the victims, “The farmers’ organisation have in the past taken away money from other agents through pressure tactics. We resisted them and they took away the wheat bags. PUNSUP was yet to pay us money. We have lost Rs 8 lakh, We did not owe money to Gulzar Singh,” they said. Devinderjit Singh, DSP, Patti, denied that the police had asked the farmers to take away the wheat bags. He blamed the farmers for disturbing peace every now and then and “blackmailing” people. He admitted some policemen were present at the grain market when the farmers were taking away wheat bags. “But being few in number they could not confront the offenders,” he said. The conflict *
Harpal Singh and Group owed Rs 3.62 lakh to Gulzar Singh of Pringni * The latter sought the help of the Sangharsh Committee and the local police to settle the matter *
When a meeting with the commission agents failed, the police told the farmers to take away their wheat bags
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Morinda resident held for duping NRI brothers
Ropar, July 30 The police said Kuldeep Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib and an accomplice of Chhinder was at large. The police said Sukhwinder Singh of Chalaki village now living in Italy had lodged a complaint that Chhinder Singh had usurped the 40 kanal and 6 marla land belonging to him and his two brothers. The complainant said the land was bought by his father Surijit Singh from Chhinder Singh in 2002 and 2004. Chhinder was a relative and his father allowed him to cultivate on the land on a contract basis, he said. Surjit died in 2011 and the land was transferred in the name of his three sons Balwinder Singh, Dharminder Singh and complainant Sukhwinder Singh all settled in Italy. A year later when Sukhwinder demanded money against the contract from Chhinder, he denied claiming that he was the owner of land.
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Nine arrested for gambling;
Rs 3.6 lakh seized
Fazilka, July 30 Police sources said on a tip-off, a police party led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Amrajit Singh raided the first floor of a liquor vend in Waan Bazaar and seized about Rs 3.60 lakh from their possession. The accused are Parmod Kumar, Amit Kumar and Deepak Kumar of Jalalabad town and Amit Kumar, Rajnish Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Suresh Kumar and Joginder Singh of Fazilka town. They have been booked under Sections 13/3/67 of the Gambling Act.
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After attack on docs, phone snatched
Abohar, July 30 Dr Rupali Narang was on a scooter with her mother and responding to a phone call when the incident happened. Congress councillors today met senior police officers and submitted a memorandum on increasing criminal activities. — OC
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Abohar, July 30 Sriganganagar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajinder Dhidharia said Balkar Singh had parked the mini-bus before going to pick students after school when the tractor-trailer reportedly hit and dragged the bus to about 15 ft, killing Balkar on the spot. The driver and another occupant of the tractor-trailer fled leaving behind the vehicle that had overturned following the mishap. It has been seized and a case has been registered. — OC
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School bus fired at, none injured
Batala, July 30 Batala SSP Bikram Pal Singh Bhatti said it was a case of personal enmity between the accused and the bus driver, Tarsem Singh. “We have formed teams to identify and apprehend the criminals,” he added. The bus was going from village Jourian Kalan to Ramdas to drop students. The SSP said one of the accused, who had come in an Indica car, opened fire at the bus but the bullet ricocheted off the front glass after breaking it into pieces. — TNS
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The ongoing tussle between two factions of SAD councilors today took an ugly turn, when they got into heated arguments and started pelting stones at each other. The police had to resort to
lathi-charge and fire tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd. Several members of the mob were carrying sticks, iron rods and sharp-edged weapons. Around six people got injured in the incident.
Congress candidate Harminder Jassi today launched his campaign for the Talwandi Sabo bypoll after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. He accused the state government of misusing administrative machinery to help the SAD candidate win the
byelections.
Chandigarh, July 30
The owners of over 50 pyrolysis (furnace oil, carbon black, steel wire) units in Punjab, which have been lying closed for almost two years now, have threatened move their business to Haryana alleging that the Punjab Government had failed to make its policy transparent and industry-friendly.
On the eve of his trip to New Delhi, where he will take over as Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Philip
Campose, Western Army Commander, called on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today. They discussed issues pertaining to the welfare of ex-servicemen and opportunities for the youth to join the Army.
Ranjit Singh of Pringni village was allegedly beaten up by the police while in “illegal” detention two weeks ago. He has difficulty working in his fields. Gurmeet Kaur of the same village is alone in her house with a toddler. Her husband Major Singh, a farmers’ leader, has been behind bars since June 7 on the charge of looting 1,000 wheat bags from the Patti grain market.
After the BJP raised a banner of revolt and supported the trading community in Punjab, the state government yesterday decided to roll back the input tax credit only on the actual sales and has once again agreed to give input tax credit on all stocks that a trader shows in his account books. With this, the state government will lose Rs 400 crore per annum. This amount was initially meant to be used for giving VAT refunds to traders.
Raps Rajasthan university