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2 land Acts to be amended
GST: State wants revenue protected for 5 yrs
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Farmers block highway, seek canal water supply
All pensioners in state to come under EBT
shoe-hurling incident at issru village
Bikram sent to 14-day
judicial remand
Leaders make last-ditch efforts to woo voters
Not a penny spent on Patiala, claims Preneet
Will work selflessly for city residents: Juneja
Leave segments after campaign ends: EC to leaders
Kejri an anarchist, SAD-BJP alliance directionless: Capt
SAD, BJP will fight 2017 poll together: Dy CM
For drug-free state, vote for AAP: Kejriwal
Bharti Foundation adopts Ludhiana dist
Govt fails to admit 260 meritorious girls in residential schools
Red-tape: Grant not reaching cancer patients
Bathinda villagers fume over ‘fake’ blue cards
Jobless youths in border villages get rickshaws
Beneficiaries to get money through banks
Protest against move to seal hotels around Golden Temple
DSGMC chief denies misuse of gurdwara panel funds
Manjit Singh (GK), dsgmc president
Rs 1-crore SGPC aid for Saharanpur riot-hit
Home Secy told to look into row over Punjabi film
MLA’s proposal to change Batala’s name sparks controversy
Heliport project near CM’s village in limbo
High Court turns down drug-seller’s petition
Buses collide head-on, woman killed
Gang of extortionists busted; 3 arrested
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2 land Acts to be amended
Chandigarh, August 18 The state government is keen on amending the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953, and the PEPSU Tenancy and Agricultural Land Rules, 1958, and abolishing the system of fixing the lease amount/rent at one-third of the value of the crops produced by the lessee. Besides bringing more transparency in the system of leasing out farm land, the amendments will also help the government ensure higher minimum support price (MSP) for various crops. The MSP for crops is fixed by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), based on (amongst other things) the rent charged by landowners from their tenants. Under the two Acts so far, a landowner can claim one-third of the total value of the produce as rent/lease for a year. Officials, however, maintain that the lease amount/rent that the landowner gets is actually much higher than one-third of the value of the crop to be produced. The system of giving agricultural land on lease works on trust and the landowners generally do not allow a change in girdawri of the land in favour of the cultivator/lessee whenever it is leased out. The first instalment of the lease amount is given at the time the land is leased out and the second is paid after the cultivation of the first crop. Officials said the two Acts were being so amended that the lease amount, instead of being fixed at one-third the value of crops, would be based on the prevailing market rent. The market rate will be determined by a special committee to be set up, comprising experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Bharti Kisan Union president Balbir Singh Rajewal said the move would go a long way in improving the farm economy. "Since the value of crops is determined at Rs 20,000 per acre per annum for wheat and Rs 20,000 per acre per annum for paddy (a total of Rs 40,000 per annum), the lease amount a landowner can claim is Rs 13,000 per acre. However, the present market rate is around Rs 40,000 per acre. There is a difference of around Rs 27,000 per acre, which is actually a loss to the cultivator/lessee as he will get the minimum support price for the crop based on the lease amount of Rs 13,000 per acre, rather than the lease amount that he actually pays," he said. Empowering farmers *
Besides bringing more transparency in the system of leasing out farm land, the amendments will also help the government ensure higher minimum support price for crops *
The MSP for crops is fixed by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) based on (amongst other things) the rent charged by landowners from their tenants *
Higher rent will lead to increase in MSP of crops.
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GST: State wants revenue protected for 5 yrs
Chandigarh, August 18 With the levying of the GST, Central Sales Tax (CST) and VAT, which are levied at the state level, would be done away on all goods except specifically mentioned in the GST legal framework. Certain provisions of the GST are being strongly opposed by states such as Tamil Nadu Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said: “We have made our position clear to the Centre. We support the new tax structure, but want to protect our revenue.” “By revenue protection we mean whatever we collect by way of VAT etc for the next five years will include annual average increase in tax collection,” he said. Dhindsa said the Centre had been told to allow the state to collect taxes on foodgrain procured for the central pool. Such taxes are in the range of 12 per cent (excluding arhtiyas’ commission) and include market fee, rural development fund, VAT and infrastructure cess. Revenue from such taxes and levies is in the range of Rs 5,000 crore per annum and only a part of it goes to the consolidation fund and the remaining is retained by the Mandi Board and the state government. The government also charges surcharge and cess on certain items, which it wants to retain. The state has been insisting that these levies and purchase tax should be allowed to be retained by it by making a provision in the GST rules and regulations. There is an issue regarding taxing petroleum products. Punjab figures among the states where tax on such products is the highest. The state wants that it should continue to levy tax on these products. But the Centre has included these in the GST list. “We have discussed this issue with the Centre. The petroleum products may be kept in the zero GST category and states are likely to be given freedom to levy tax on these products,” said Dhindsa. Several states have sought power to levy tax on tobacco products in addition to the GST levied by the Centre. The Centre has proposed the formation of a GST council. States such as Tamil Nadu are opposed to such a provision because it “has overriding powers which are against the spirit of federal structure and encroach upon the powers of the states with regard to the taxation”. Punjab also wants that there should be a mandatory provision to transfer the money collected as the GST by the Centre and that the states should not be left on its (Centre’s) mercy in this regard. What is GST? Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive tax levy on manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services at a national level. Through a tax credit mechanism, this tax will be collected on value-added goods and services at each stage of sale or purchase in the supply chain. Its implication The implementation of GST will lead to the abolition of taxes such as octroi, CST, state-level sales tax, entry tax, stamp duty, turnover tax, tax on electricity, taxes on transportation of goods and services, thus avoiding multiple layers of taxation that exist in the country State’s wishlist *
Punjab has sought an assurance from the Centre to protect its revenue for the next five financial years *
The Centre has been told to allow the state to collect taxes on foodgrain procured for the central pool *
The state has demanded it should be allowed to charge certain levies and cess on several items, including petroleum products
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Farmers block highway, seek canal water supply
Abohar, August 18 This despite the fact that the authorities had claimed that the water level at the Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh had improved and was higher than that in the same period last year. The protesters blocked traffic on the Abohar-Fazilka stretch of the national highway near Ghallu village about 10 am. A large number of police personnel were rushed to the spot. Irrigation officials, led by Executive Engineer (XEN) Ramesh Gupta, too reached there but the protesters refused to talk, saying they had not lent ear to their complaints during the past seven years. Several sarpanches, former sarpanches, including Ravinder (Ramkot), Wazir Chand (Ghallu), Mangal Ram (Khippanwali), Prem Kumar (Khuikhera), Harbhagwan Dass (Kaboolshah Khubban), Bhala Ram (Bodiwala Peetha) and Gurvinder Singh, were part of the agitation. Scores of women raised slogans while breaking pitchers during the protest. A progressive farmer, Ajit Jyani of Katehra village, said some politically influential farmers had been stealing water. This was reported to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal thrice in the past one year and he had promised to check the anomaly but nothing had been done, he said. The sarpanches said the SAD-BJP Government was biased against Abohar, Balluana and Fazilka segments as far as development and irrigation was concerned. They said in other segments electricity was supplied for six hours to run tube wells, but in their area, they only got two hours of uninterrupted supply every day. The water reservoirs frequently dried up in the absence of canal water and they could not afford to arrange water through tankers, they said. The protesters rued that neither the officials concerned nor elected representatives had tried to redress their grievances. Irrigation officials said canals in the region could not be cleaned for the past three years as funds were awaited. Moreover, deficit rain had increased the demand for canal water, they added. The protesters agreed to defer the stir in the afternoon when senior officials from the district headquarters assured that the sub-canals would be run on rotational basis and the Punjab State Power Supply Corporation Ltd would be told to make uninterrupted electricity supply for tube wells. About the protest *
The protesters blocked traffic on the Abohar-Fazilka stretch of the national highway near Ghallu village *
Irrigation officials, led by Executive Engineer (XEN) Ramesh Gupta, too reached there but the protesters refused to talk, saying they had not lent ear to their complaints during the past seven years Officials’ version Irrigation officials said canals in the region could not be cleaned for the past three years as funds were awaited. Moreover, deficit rain had increased the demand for canal water.
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shoe-hurling incident at issru village
Ludhiana, August 18 Mann asked the police to produce the video-recording. “There is no such video. The police has concocted a story to project Bikram, Mahinderpal Singh and Harvinder Singh Hindi as hardened criminals. Everyone knows that they did not intend to harm the CM. It was a symbolic protest against rampant corruption in government departments and the rising prices of essential commodities. But the police has slapped criminal charges against Bikram and his friends,” said Mann. The Sangrur MP said that AAP would provide legal support to Bikram and others so that they could be released soon. “I have spoken to Bikram’s wife and assured her that AAP will fight the cases of all persons who have been illegally booked,” he said. ‘You are reaping what you sowed’
AAP must act against Mann: SAD
Vendors face the heat Chandigarh: Vendors on the Sirhind-Chandigarh road are a harassed lot. With VVIPs often using this road, the police want them to shift business elsewhere. A vendor selling corncob said: “We have been removed from the site at least seven times after the shoe-hurling incident. We earn about Rs 200 everyday. Now, our livelihood is under threat,” said a vendor. — TNS
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Bikram sent to 14-day
judicial remand
Khanna August 18 Gurinder Singh Dhillon, DIG, Ludhiana Range, said Bikram’s
interrogation report was being studied. Bikram was first detained under
Sections 107 and 151 and sent to the Central jail, Ludhiana. On Sunday, another
criminal case was registered against him under Sections 332, 353, 355 and 186
of the IPC. He was sent to police remand for a day. Bikram’s wife Nisha
flayed police “high-handedness”. She alleged that she had been misled by the police and not allowed to meet her husband. She claimed she had visited the Ludhiana Jail yesterday only to be told told her husband had been taken to Khanna. So, she returned home to look after her younger son, who was ill. Nisha
said she was not given proper information about her husband’s whereabouts and
she kept moving between Patiala and Nabha. She said she would file the bail
papers for Bikram’s release as soon as possible.
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Leaders make last-ditch efforts to woo voters
Patiala, August 18 Accompanied by around 10 supporters, Adaltiwala discusses with joggers as to how the main political parties have failed to provide even basic facilities such clean drinking water, sewerage, sanitation and good roads to the city residents. He then takes a small break and heads home to have the breakfast. He then returns for door-to-door campaigning in the Ragho Majra and Dhiru Ki Majri. In the afternoon, he reaches Top Khana Morh and Adalat Bazaar and meets shopkeepers listening to their grievances and promising to solve their problems on priority, if elected. He then heads to meet Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and AAP’s think tank Yogendra Yadav, who is in the city to hold a road show in his support. They start their road show from Chhoti Baradari and then travel to Fountain Chowk, phatak No 22, Bhupindra road, Nabha road, Sigliggar Colony, Baazigar Colony, Krishna Colony, Kartar Nagar and the road show finally culminates at Bharat
Nagar.
Not a penny spent on Patiala, claims Preneet
Patiala, August 18
Addressing an impressive gathering inside the walled city, considered to be the pocket-borough of the royal family from the past over a decade-and-a-half, Preneet often strikes a chord with the people. “My family has been here for you through thick and thin, so please take that into consideration before going to vote,” she says. The next instant, she launches a sharp attack on the ruling SAD. “Why has it taken the Akalis seven-and-a-half years to address the issue of development?” she asks. The Royal family member ensures that she mixes aggression with a personal touch, while addressing workers, many of whom she has known for over two decades. During the day, local shopkeeper Gurdeep Singh tells the Congress candidate how their whole street gets clogged up after light showers. Preneet accuses the Badal government of ignoring the royal city out of vendetta. Accompanied by party leaders, Laal Singh and her son Raninder Singh, Preneet says that after her persistent efforts the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had sanctioned Rs 150 crore to upgrade the facilities at the Rajindra Hospital. “Not a single penny has been spent on the hospital,” she said.
Will work selflessly for city residents: Juneja
Patiala, August 18
“I will ensure to work for each and every individual in Patiala and would ensure that grants are not a hindrance for the development of Patiala, which has seen no development work as its Member Parliament Preneet Kaur took no interest, while Captain Amarinder as its MLA never raised any issue touching Patiala (Urban)”, claims Juneja, while addressing a meeting Ablowal. Considered to be an introvert and soft spoken, Bhagwan Dass Juneja tells the gathering in Anardana Chowk, “Preneet Kaur should first tell the people of the state that what would she do if she wins the election this time” and how her win could benefit the city? Attending another meeting, while seeking votes from the shopkeepers in the AC market area Juneja said that Preneet Kaur has remained a minister in the union cabinet and also remained Member Parliament for 15 years when she had discretionary grant with her and support of the Congress led UPA government. When some local residents tell him about the increasing traffic and poor drainage, he assures them that he has already discussed these issues with the Deputy CM.
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Leave segments after campaign ends: EC to leaders
Chandigarh, August 18 State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Singh today said the civil and police administrations of both Patiala and Bathinda districts had been directed to ensure that all functionaries left their constituency immediately after the campaign period was over. However, the elected MP of poll going assembly constituency should not be asked to leave his or her constituency during the election to legislative assembly, even if he/she is not an elector of the poll going constituency. However, such MP would not be allowed to carry out any campaign in the constituency after the campaign period is over, i.e. 48 hours before the time of close of poll. The CEO further said that under section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, after the closure of campaign period, no campaign can take place within the constituency. He further said the presence of political functionaries/party workers/procession functionaries/campaign functionaries, etc. who have been brought from outside the constituency and are not voters of the constituency, should not continue to remain present in the constituency. He said their continued presence after the end of campaigning might undermine the atmosphere for a free and a fair poll. He said that the election and the police administrations had also been directed to check community halls, etc., where such people are usually housed.
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Kejri an anarchist, SAD-BJP alliance directionless: Capt
Patiala, August 18 Addressing party workers, former Chief Minister (CM) Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who canvassed for Preneet Kaur, said the AAP effect had worn off and the Congress was sure to bounce back in 2017. She also denied there were any fissures within the party. Earlier, campaigning for his wife and Congress candidate from Patiala Urban Preneet Kaur, Capt Amarinder said Kejriwal had outlived his political life. “Kejriwal and his AAP lost the deposit in almost all the seats it contested across the country. The people have realised that he and his party did not have any agenda except for staging dharnas and levelling baseless allegations,” he said. Referring to the allegations AAP leader levelled against him yesterday, Capt Amarinder said Kejriwal was a compulsive and a habitual liar, who had to spend some time in Tihar Jail for his defamatory utterances. Capt said his dual character was reflected when he first tried to show his bravado by refusing to submit a bail bond and preferred to go to jail. Then Kejriwal soon pleaded for bail in the same court after spending some time in Tihar Jail, he said. Former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, while speaking to National Students Union of India (NSUI) workers in Patiala, said AAP had failed to spell out its policy. It was merely spreading anarchy by staging dharnas. Replying to a query on fissures in the state Congress, Bhattal said there were disagreements, but no factionalism. “I received a call from Preneet Kaur and here I am,” she said. Later, Preneet Kaur said this by-election was going to be a game-changer in Punjab politics as it would set the tone for 2017 assembly elections. “The Akalis have realised that people are disillusioned with them and that is why they are trying everything to woo them. They will lose as they haven’t worked for the people all these years,” she said. Meanwhile, the Congress accused Akali Dal candidate Bhagwan Dass Juneja of attempting to grab land, belonging to Prachin Shiv Mandir, Shivala Gujratian in the city. “Juneja is no social servant. He is calling himself that to hide his shady background,” alleged former Finance Minister Surinder Singla. Singla, MLAs Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and Dr Raj Kumar Verka alleged that Juneja was accused by the Prachin Shiv Mandir, Shivala Gujratian Prabandhak Committee of having attempted to grab its land. The government instead of taking action against Juneja, gave him the party ticket, they added. Juneja has denied all the allegations.
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SAD, BJP will fight 2017 poll together: Dy CM
Patiala, August 18 Talking to the media at the Patiala Media Club, Sukhbir said he nursed no ambition to be Chief Minister at this junctrure. “My father is performing the job well,” he said in reply to a query. On allegations of a “friendly match” between him and Capt Amarinder Singh, he said if that was so, he and the CM would not have canvassed in Patiala. On the reported fissures in the alliance, Sukhbir said “it was all a media creation.” Accusing the Patiala Congress leaders of ignoring the city, Sukhbir said former Congress MP Preneet Kaur had failed to get central funds for developing Patiala. On Amarinder’s allegations that the Punjab government had siphoned central funds meant for Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital and the Patiala Development Authority, the Deputy CM said that Amarinder was lying. “The truth is that the UPA government did not give a penny for the medical college,” he said. “Even though the state has limited funds, we have spent about Rs 100 crore on Patiala city, of which Rs 50 crore has been spent on the Rajindra Hospital,” he added.
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For drug-free state, vote for AAP: Kejriwal
Talwandi Sabo, August 18 “Do not refuse the money that Akali Dal and the Congress workers offer you. But vote for AAP,” he said. “The common man is fed up with both the Congress and the Akali Dal. Drugs are available in every nook and corner of the state. These have ruined many families and widowed many women,” he said. Kejriwal asked the audience in Jiwan Singhwala village of Talwandi Sabo constituency as to who was running the drug network in the state. The audience chanted the name of state Cabinet Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia. “To vote for Akali Dal means to ruin your family, to widow your wives, and to ruin your children’s future.” Kejriwal said. Kejriwal highlighted AAP’s superior performance during its 49 days in government in Delhi. “In these 49 days, we reduced corruption. The police, the Nagar Nigam and the Transport Department in Delhi stopped taking bribe and people started getting free medicines in government hospitals,” he said. The AAP convener further said he spent only Rs 3 lakh in the election to defeat Sheila Dikshit. “I won the election as the people stood by me,” he said. “We don’t have money and man power, but we have honesty and truthfulness. This is not Baljinder Kaur’s election but yours,” he said. Later, Kejriwal asked the every person in the gathering to each take an oath to motivate at least 10 voters to vote for AAP in the polls. Kejriwal began his road show at 10 am at Bhagi Bander village and then visited Natth, Chathewala, Jiwan Singh, Mahinangal, Bangi Kalan, Bangi Nihal Singhwala, Bangi Rugu, Bangi Deepa, Pakka Kalan, Baga, and Rama Mandi villages of Talwanid Sabo constituency of Bathinda district. The by-polls will be held on August 21.
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Bharti Foundation adopts Ludhiana dist
Ludhiana, August 18 It said it would spend up to Rs 100 crore on constructing toilets while reaching out to every rural household lacking such facilities in the district, over the next three years. The initiative will help end the practice of open defecation, that has dire consequences on public health, and reduce the number of deaths caused by preventable diseases like diarrhoea and hepatitis. The foundation will also improve sanitation facilities in government schools in rural Ludhiana by building toilets for girls where no such facility exists. The lack of proper sanitation facilities, particularly for girls in rural schools, has been an important factor for the high dropout rate among students. A majority of government schools in villages have toilets but these are reserved for the staff members. DEO, Ludhiana, says... Paramjeet Kaur, DEO, (Secondary), Ludhiana, said: "During inspection of government schools, we observed that most schools in the district have separate toilets for boys and girls. The condition of toilets is good in most schools. We receive grants under centrally sponsored schemes such as the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan to construct toilets for girl and boys. It is good if a corporate house is lending a helping hand for the cause"
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Govt fails to admit 260 meritorious girls in residential schools
Muktsar, August 18 Further, these meritorious girls have now been told to get admissions in government/aided/affiliated/associated schools of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), as per a fresh circular issued by the PSEB on August 12. The circular, in possession of The Tribune, reads, “Due to some reasons, 260 girl students who had got above 80 per cent marks could not get admission in the residential schools. For them, the Board has fixed August 30 as last date for taking admission in other schools.” Terming it as a cruel joke on these girls, some local teachers said over four months have passed since the new academic session began but the state government was telling the left out students now to get admission somewhere else. “As many as 22 girls awaiting admission in residential schools are from Mukstar district. Many of them had not even got provisional admission in any other school. If they get admission somewhere else now, how will they be able to keep up with other students. The session for Class XI began in April,” said Pawan Kumar, a government teacher, who is the district president of the Democratic Employees’ Front. He added, “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should find out some way to fulfill his promise to give admission to all meritorious students in residential schools.” Jaswinder Singh, a leader of government employees, said, “The meritorious students had filled the admission forms in the first week of June and the list was declared on July 29 but names of as many as 260 girls were not in it. When the state government had collected the admission forms, it should have at that time calculated the total number of seats available and the number of aspirants.” They further informed that the basic problem coming before the authorities concerned was about the shortage of hostel accommodation for girls. The accommodation is available for 1,800 girls in six residential schools, having the capacity to accommodate 300 girls in each hostel. On the other hand, as the number of meritorious boys is lesser than that of girls, all the eligible boys have been given admission in these schools, they added. Under the Society for Promotion of Education for Poor and Meritorious Students of Punjab, the state government had decided to provide quality education to meritorious students and help them prepare for competitive exams. For this purpose, special residential schools were opened in Bathinda, Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar, Amritsar and
Patiala.
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Red-tape: Grant not reaching cancer patients
Faridkot, August 18 Sources attribute this underutilisation of the fund to the cumbersome process involved in the sanctioning of the grant to the needy. Cancer patients visiting the hospital have to complete a number of formalities, including approval of claim by a panel of doctors, before they could claim a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh each. The amount is not given to the patients in cash, even if they had already spent more than that on their treatment. The grant is made available to the beneficiaries in the form of free medicines. In many cases, patients lose the battle of life before the authorities allow them "free treatment" at the hospital. The number of cancer patients who enrolled at the hospital over the past three years (from May 2011 to June 2014) was around 3,000. The state government released around Rs 165 crore for the treatment of 14,612 cancer patients across the state during that period. The relief fund covers the cost of treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh and the facility is available only from the date when the patient's application is approved. The cost of treatment incurred before the approval of application cannot be set off against the grant. "Many patients die before their cases are approved for free treatment worth Rs 1.5
lakh. No reimbursement is made available to the affected families in such cases even if they had already incurred more expenditure on the treatment of their patients. According to the rules, the hospital authorities can only provide free medicines to the patients," said Gurpreet Singh
Chandbaja, RTI activist from Faridkot and president of the Bhai Kanahia Cancer Roko Sewa Society. "The government releases the funds in advance for the treatment of cancer patients so that there is no problem to the patients. We also complete the procedure to allow free treatment to the patients as fast as possible," said Dr JP Singh, Medical Superintendent of the hospital. The reason *
Every cancer patient admitted to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital,
Faridkot, can get free treatment worth Rs 1.5 lakh * Many patients cannot benefit as the sanctioning of grant involves a cumbersome process and the grant does not cover the expenses already incurred.
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Bathinda villagers fume over ‘fake’ blue cards
Bathinda, August 18 These villages fall in the Maur segment and are a part of the Bathinda parliamentary constituency represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The district has 1.99 lakh beneficiaries, the highest in Punjab. Under the blue card scheme, families are given wheat and pulses by the state government. Sukhjit Singh and Charanjit Singh of Raikahana village said 40 families had been affected. "When we presented the cards to the depot holders, they told us that our names did not figure on the approved lists sent by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies to them." The cards did not have the signatures of any official or the requisite official stamp. The cards were fake, they were told. Thirty families of Mandi Kalan village also alleged that their cards were bogus. The blue cards carry pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Kairon, but the official endorsements were missing, they said. Food Supplies Officer Vikas said he had brought the matter to the notice of senior officers.
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Jobless youths in border villages get rickshaws
Ferozepur, August 18 Deputy Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said that the eco-friendly rickshaws, purchased at a cost of Rs 11,000 each, were given away to jobless persons on Independence Day. “A rickshaw-puller has to daily pay a rent of Rs 30 to the owner. This amounts to Rs 900 per month. We have provided new rickshaws to these persons at a modest interest of 4 per cent per annum,” the Deputy Commissioner said. He said each beneficiary would pay Rs 10 per day to the bank for the next three years and subsequently he would become rickshaw owner. As many as 31 nationalised and private banks had agreed to provide soft loans for the project as per the Reserve Bank of India guidelines. The Deputy Commissioner said efforts were afoot to identify more unemployed youths who could be provided soft loans to start their own ventures in villages. “We have provided loans for self-employment to more than 100 youths so far,” he said. He said the district administration was encouraging self-help groups to adopt vocations like handicraft, bee-keeping and
fisheries for which marketing centres were being opened in every block of the district. Emphasis was being laid on skill development for which private partners were being roped in, the Deputy Commissioner said.
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Beneficiaries to get money through banks
Chandigarh, August 18 Sources said EBT would help eliminate the problem of fake beneficiaries especially under the old-age pension scheme. The scheme has already been started in Ludhiana, Muktsar, Mansa, Bathinda, Patiala and Faridkot. “Under the system, each pensioner is required to give his biometrics to the bank. This condition helps weed out fake pensioners. When EBT was introduced in six districts, as much as 10 per cent and 6 per cent of the pensioners (presumably fake) did not turn up in Ludhiana and Mansa,” officials said.
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Protest against move to seal hotels around Golden Temple
Amritsar, August 18 They said they would not resume business until the government assured them of “safety”. Consequently, hundreds of pilgrims had to shift to hotels located near the local bus stand and the railway station. The hotel owners organised a march from near Sarai Guru Ram Das Chowk to the Jallianwala Bagh and later submitted a memorandum to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during his visit to the Golden Temple. More than 12 hotels, guest houses and inns, including the SGPC-run Sri Guru Gobind Singh NRI Serai, were served a 72-hour notice by the municipal Town Planning Department to close operations. The action came on the recommendation of the special investigating team (SIT) which is to submit a report in the High Court on August 22. Crux of the matter *
Local resident Sarbjit Singh Verka had challenged the functioning of illegal hotels in the vicinity of the Golden Temple *
On HC order, a SIT was formed to look into the matter * The SIT identified 21 hotels/guest houses/inns which it said seldom complied with building bylaws *
The DC had asked the MC to initiate action against 15 such units
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DSGMC chief denies misuse of gurdwara panel funds
New Delhi, August 18 Speaking in connection with allegations levelled by former DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna, he said, "As the president of the committee, I am serving the community. I have made foreign tours on my own expenses. I visited the foreign countries to work out community issues of turban and other difficulties faced by the community members there." In a six-page reply to Sarna, Manjit said the public service done by the DSGMC during the natural calamity in Uttarakhand last year was commendable. The Army and the local administration had appreciated the work done by the Delhi gurdwara committee. "The allegation that I travelled in a helicopter during that period has no basis," he said. "After taking over as the DSGMC president, I never used gurdwara funds for any personal work," he said. "The record of gurdwara committee expenditure is open. It is published every month in Sis Ganj Magazine published by the DSGMC," he said. After losing the gurdwara committee election in 2013, Sarna did not give complete documents of the controversial Guru Harkrishan Hospital located on the premises of the Bala Sahib Gurdwara, near Sarai Kale Khan, on the Ring Road, he said. Commenting on Manjit Singh's letter, Sarna said, "I am preparing a reply and will release it to the media in a day or two." Talking about Bala Sahib Hospital Trust, he said, "I have handed over all records of the hospital. I am still a member of the hospital trust. Manjit Singh is president. He should call a meeting of the trust and discuss the issue. He can also discuss it with the chairman of the trust."
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Rs 1-crore SGPC aid for Saharanpur riot-hit
Amritsar, August 18 According to a press note issued here, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said an SGPC team had visited Saharanpur to take stock of the losses sustained by the community there. A delegation of Sikhs from Saharanpur also met him and gave a detailed account of the plight of the community members there, he said. The SGPC also urged the Uttar Pradesh Government to act tough with the perpetrators of violence against Sikhs.
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Home Secy told to look into row over Punjabi film
Chandigarh, August 18 On being told that the Congress was opposing the release of the film, Badal said: “ I have not seen the film.” The Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) has sought a ban on the film, saying it “glorifies” Indira Gandhi’s assassins In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, PYC president Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary had warned that if permission for the film’s screening was not withdrawn, PYC activists would stage protests across the state. The movie is set to be released on August 22. The SAD-BJP government had in the recent past banned Punjabi film “Sadda Haq”. In April 2013, the CM had justified the ban on the plea that the state government was committed to maintain peace and harmony. Earlier in August 2011, the Punjab government had imposed a ban on Prakash Jha’s controversial Hindi film ‘Aarakshan’ fearing that some scenes and dialogues could trigger trouble. — PTI
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MLA’s proposal to change Batala’s name sparks controversy
Batala, August 18 Sikh intelligentsia and other organisations are against the move. However, Sekhri is unfazed. He said the town’s identity would not be compromised if its name is prefixed with the name Guru Nanak Dev’s wife. “The new name will symbolise cultural heritage and will boost religious tourism as the tenth Guru was married here. Two of Punjab’s most famous gurdwaras —- Kandh Sahib and Sat Kartarian —- are located in the city,” he said. However, his opponents claimed that the MLA was raking up the issue for political gains. “He remained a Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the Capt Amarinder Singh government for five years from 2002 to 2007. Why did he not take up the issue then when his party was in power? Why is he so adamant on getting the name changed now?” questioned Harinder Singh, a former councillor of the local ward number 18. A retired principal, Harbans Singh, president, Senior Citizens Forum, said the MLA was playing vote-bank politics. “After the delimitation exercise, nearly 90 villages have been added to the Batala Vidhan Sabha seat. A majority of these villages are dominated by the Jat Sikh community. Once the name is changed to Mata Sulakhni Nagar
Batala, Sekhri will be in a position to claim this vote bank” he claimed. Others said instead of embarking on the “irrelevant” name-changing exercise, the MLA should concentrate on developmental issues. “The change of the name can not drive economic growth. Politicians fix their eyes on anything that enables them to “From the pre-Partition days, Batala has maintained a prominent place on the industrial map of the country. We fear that we may loose our identity once the name changes,” said another businessman. Batala halqa in charge and senior SAD leader LS Lodhinangal refrained from commenting on
the issue.
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Heliport project near CM’s village in limbo
Muktsar, August 18 The proposed project was to come up on a huge chunk of land. It had got the no objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence on August 28, 2012 for five years and a number of state government departments in one go. The Congress had then demanded that the project be scrapped since it put extra burden on
the state exchequer. The heliport would reportedly have helped Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, land their helicopters closer to home. At present, there is a helipad for these VVIPs at Kaljharani village (nearly 4 km from Badal) on Bathinda-Badal road in Bathinda district. However, recent information received from the state’s Civil Aviation Department under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, revealed that no action had been taken on the project in the last two years. Difference between heliport and helipad A heliport is much safer than a helipad, but it requires more land. The facility of night landing is also available at a heliport. More than one chopper can easily land at a heliport.
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High Court turns down drug-seller’s petition
Chandigarh, August 18 Justice MMS Bedi has turned down a “habitual” drug seller’s plea, observing that he could not be permitted to take advantage of a court irregularity in not deciding in time the prosecution’s plea seeking more time to present the challan. The judgment in Kaka Singh’s case is significant as the prosecution has to present the challan or the final investigation report to the court within 180 days or else seek extension in time. Failure to present the challan within the stipulated period gives the accused an “indefeasible right” to get bail in the absence of extension in time granted by the court. Kaka Singh was booked on the allegation of being “habitual in selling intoxicating pills to college students”. The stipulated period of 180 days was to expire on September 24, 2013. But, the prosecution sought extension on September 21 as a forensic report was awaited. The petitioner moved an application for bail on September 24, 2013. The application for extension of time was allowed on September 27, 2013, while the bail plea filed on expiry of 180 days was dismissed on October 9, 2013, on the presentation of challan. Justice Bedi asserted: “The petitioner seems to have acquired an indefeasible right to be released on bail…, as the statue confers a right upon him to be released after expiry of 180 days. But it is not out of place to observe that as abundant caution, the prosecution to prevent the release of accused had filed an application on September 21, 2013…. Had that application been decided by a verbal order, the petitioner would not have got an opportunity to seek the advantage of default of the prosecution agency in presentation of challan by moving an application….” “The petitioner is accused of being habitual of selling intoxicating pills to college-going students…. the most heinous crime in society. Granting bail to the petitioner for the fault of the court in delaying the adjudication of application under Section 36 A (4) does not appeal to the conscious of this court….” Dismissing the petition, Justice Bedi reiterated directions in the Hardeep Singh case that courts should expeditiously decide extension pleas prior to the expiry of 180 days.
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Buses collide head-on, woman killed
Mohali, August 18 According to the police, the woman, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, died on the spot. Four injured have been admitted to the Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh, and one to the Civil Hospital, Kurali, for treatment. Others were sent back to their homes after giving them the required medical aid. Those admitted to the GMSH, Sector 16, Chandigarh, are: Banjit Kumar of Pathankot and Pargat Singh of Dulanangal village (both bus drivers), Pardeep Kumar of Chandigarh, Rajinder of Phagwara. Pawandeep of Nawanshahr is admitted to the Civil Hospital, Kurali. Gurwinder Singh, conductor of Punbus that was going from Chandigarh to Jalandhar, said the deceased woman had aboard the bus from Chandigarh and was going to Phagwara. She was sitting behind the driver's seat, he added. "We did not get anything from her bag that could help ascertain her identity," the police said. "The condition of the injured is out of danger," said ASI Kirpal Singh, investigating officer in the case. "Three more persons, Tejinder Singh, Sarabjit Kaur and Balbir Singh, were referred to various hospitals in Chandigarh. But we could not locate them. It seems they have gone to their houses or to some private hospitals," he said. The accident occurred around 9 am. Pargat Singh, who was driving the Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation bus (PB10CS 1558) from Jalandhar to Chandigarh, said the accident occurred while trying to save a three-wheeler. Banjit Kumar, driver of the Punbus (PR32G 8650), said, "I do not know what happened. I only noticed that a bus travelling on high speed came in front of our bus all of a sudden and hit it." On complaint of Banjit Kumar, a case has been registered against Pargat Singh at the Kurali police station under Sections 304A, 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the
IPC.
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Gang of extortionists busted; 3 arrested
Fazilka, August 18 Of the seven accused booked, two women and a man have been arrested. They are Sarbjit Singh, Jasbir Kaur and Parmjit Kaur. The police have also recovered Rs 1.30 lakh from their possession. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Fazilka, Swapan Sharma said young women members of the gang used to call affluent persons and lure them to meet in hotels or houses. Later, the men in the group used to blackmail them. He said the gang members had been operating in Malwa region for about one and a half years. In a recent incident, they had trapped two employees of the Revenue Department posted at Talwandi Sabo.
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Hundreds of farmers today held a protest against the non-availability of canal water for irrigation and drinking purposes in
Abohar. This despite the fact that the authorities had claimed that the water level at the Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh had improved and was higher than that in the same period last year.
Bikram, who had hurled a shoe at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a
function in Issru village, was sent to judicial custody for 14 days. He was
presented in the court on expiry of his one-day police remand amid tight
security.
Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh today lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, saying he acted like “a frustrated anarchist”. He also said the SAD-BJP alliance did not have any vision.
Claiming that all was well between the SAD and the BJP, Deputy CMr Sukhbir Singh Badal today said thta come what may, “we will together contest the 2017 Assembly poll and all other subsequent elections”. Blaming the earlier Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for lack of development works in Punjab, he said that funds for development would no more be a problem under the new NDA government.
The Bharti Foundation has decided to adopt Ludhiana District, the home district of its founders, for a rural sanitation programme.The development arm of Bharti Enterprises, the foundation today announced its initiative ‘Satya Bharti Abhiyan’.
It said it would spend up to Rs 100 crore on constructing toilets while reaching out to every rural household lacking such facilities in the district, over the next three years.
New Delhi, August 18
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The state plans to amend the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953, and the PEPSU Tenancy and Agricultural Land Rules, 1958
Chandigarh: Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh today reminded Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that the SGPC had honoured Jarnail Singh after he hurled a shoe at then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. “You are reaping what you sowed,” he remarked. Amarinder Singh asked Badal not to be harsh on Dhanaula resident Bikram for throwing a shoe at him. “While I condemn any such incident, at the same time I want you to be considerate as you often compare yourself with Maharaja Ranjit Singh and not to be so harsh on the youth. “You cannot offer reward and jobs to one person and subject another to rigorous torture and third- degree interrogation besides slapping harsh non-bailable charges on him for a similar thing,” Amarinder Singh pointed out. — TNS
Chandigarh:
Maheshinder Singh Grewal, SAD general secretary, today urged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to take action against its Sangrur MP, Bhagwant Mann, who, he said, was behind the “extremely provocative and vulgar act” at the Issru conference in Ludhiana on Independence Day. In a statement, Grewal said it was becoming increasingly clear that those involved in the conspiracy to disrupt the conference had been in touch with Mann. “By associating himself with acts aimed at disturbing law and order in Punjab, the MP has proven that he can stoop to any level to degrade his political opponents. Now it is for the AAP high command to take cognisance of this act and take appropriate action against Mann,” the SAD leader said. He said the people of Punjab had understood the “diabolical” nature of AAP and would put the party in its place in the byelections. — TNS
