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5 dists have 47% share in state’s economy
Govt turns blind eye to officials flouting service rules
Cabinet meets today, VAT on paper board may be cut
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Augmented water supply withdrawn, Bathinda villagers cry foul
Jakhar flays BJP for not reducing tariff
Preneet wins but no victory celebrations
Baljinder Kaur after counting
Aam Aadmi candidates lose security
Poll outcome setback for Congress, says CM
‘Oust Bajwa’ clamour to get louder
Water pollution: Tribunal reprimands
Centre, state
3 suffocated to death in Ludhiana factory fire
Plea against SGPC auditor’s reinstatement withdrawn
SMO questions shopkeeper
Army holds pension adalat for former servicemen
2 months after cleanup, Muktsar drain clogs
NRI’s death: Inmates want jail officials booked
Sikh bodies defer stir as sewadar apologises
Police verifying case against SGPC member
Khaira flays Modi govt over sugar import duty hike
Harminder Singh Sidhu
Pumps used to dump sewage into Sutlej removed
Villagers allege illegal felling of trees
Teachers demand exemption from TET
Leaders express grief at death
Ashutosh Maharaj
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5 dists have 47% share in state’s economy
Chandigarh, August 25 The economic activity signifies establishment of industries, shops, workshops, manufacturing units, handicraft units and other units engaged in production, trading, marketing, packaging, loading, unloading and other related activities that generate wealth. Released today by Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, the economic census was conducted by the Department of Planning, Economic and Statistical Organisation. Punjab is the first state to complete and release the census after 2005. At 47.3 per cent, the five districts of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala and Sangrur have a major share in the state’s economy activity. With a share of 10.2 per cent, Ropar, Pathankot, Barnala, Nawanshahr and Mansa districts are at the bottom in this sector. Ludhiana (14.1 per cent), Jalandhar (9 per cent) and Amritsar (8.9 per cent) top the district-wise list. “The most interesting fact that has come to light is that the number of economic establishments in rural areas is more than that of the urban areas,” said Mohan Lal Sharma, economic adviser to the state government. Of the 15,12,208 establishments in Punjab, 8,18,727 are in rural areas. Because of high level of activity, Ludhiana generates 19.1 per cent of the total employment in the state, followed by Jalandhar (9.2 per cent), Amritsar (8 per cent) and Sangrur (8.2 per cent). Mansa’s share is only 1.5 per cent, the lowest in the state. It is preceded by Pathankot (1.8 per cent), Nawanshahr 1.9 per cent and Ropar 2.1 per cent. The gender representation too is skewed. Of the 35.62 lakh workers functioning in such establishments, 29.13 lakh (81.79 per cent) are male and 16.49 lakh (18.21 per cent) are female. There are 1.88 lakh establishments (12.46 per cent) which work without any fixed structure. These include road side tea stalls, fruit and vegetable vendors, rickshaw-pullers, barbers working under trees and other vendors (rehriwalas). There are 4.29 lakh establishments that function from residential areas. The economic activity in the private sector is the main source of employment in the state and its growth rate since 2005 is near 41 per cent. Share in growth *
Ludhiana: 14.1% * Jalandhar: 9% * Amritsar: 8.9% Rural-urban ration *
Of the 15,12,208 economic establishments, in Punjab, 8,18,727 are in rural areas Top job generators *
Ludhiana: 19.1% * Jalandhar: 9.2% * Amritsar: 8% * Sangrur: 8.2% Gender ratio *
Of the 35.62 lakh workers in economic establishments, 29.13 lakh (81.79%) are male
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Govt turns blind eye to officials flouting service rules
Chandigarh, August 25 Parampal Kaur Sidhu, daughter-in law of Rural Development Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, an officer with the Panchayat Department, is among those to have an immigrant visa for Canada. Satinder Kumar, a senior assistant in the Treasury Department at Ludhiana, while getting his leave extended, submitted an affidavit to the department that was attested by an oath commissioner in Toronto, Canada. It read: “ I’m a permanent resident of Canada and my PR ID number is 5457-9115.” Efforts to contact him proved futile. As many as122 scientists from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, are among those gainfully employed abroad. Among them are 22 professors, 38 assistant professors, 24 assistant rice breeders and three assistant economists. The Department of Horticulture has seen an exodus of 14 officers and an assistant director. Twentytwo scientists from GADVASU, including 10 professors, 11 assistant professors and a doctor, are abroad at a time when the state is hard-pressed for trained professionals for the diversification scheme. As many as 66 officers with the Animal Husbandry Department regularly go abroad. Copies of visas of 20 officers – Deputy Directors and veterinary officers - are in the department records. Punjab Police sources said six IPS and 50 PPS officers have PR status with their families settled abroad. In the Education Department, 236 employees have availed of the five-year leave scheme. Among them are 53 science teachers, 22 Punjabi teachers, 36 maths teachers and 14 English lecturers, In the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, 104 employees have gone abroad. In the Cooperatives Department, 11 inspectors and two assistant registrars have used the scheme to settle abroad. The only time when action was taken against such employees was in May 2013 when the services of 187 teachers were terminated by then DG (School Education) Kahan Singh Pannu under a Supreme Court ruling (AIR 1974, SC 1890) in which the court had clearly ruled that “ long, unauthorised absence may reasonably give rise to the inference that such service is intended to be abandoned by the employee, being a case of abandonment of service, no notice/inquiry is required.” Vikas Partap, Secretary, Personnel, said they had issued instructions that no officer should apply or seek immigration to any country as long he is in government service. “Therefore, there is no question of issuing an NOC to a government employee who wishes to migrate abroad. Any officer violating the instructions will face punitive action,” he said. “The five-year leave policy has, no doubt, been misused. The CM has taken serious note of this malpractice,” said the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. Parampal Kaur Sidhu, District Development and Panchayat Officer, said she had got immigrant visa for Canada in 2003. “At that time, there were no rules barring an employee to immigrate abroad. I have not violated any service rules,” she maintained.
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Cabinet meets today, VAT on paper board may be cut
Chandigarh, August 25 The Cabinet will also decide on giving nod to the slashing of Value Added Tax (VAT) on paper board from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. This will help the local paper board manufacturing industry to flourish and become more competitive. The Cabinet will also be approving the administrative reports of various state government departments in its meeting tomorrow. It is learnt that the government will propose before the Council of Ministers, who will meet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal, to ratify the state’s excise policy for the current year in the city of Amritsar and in Mandi
Gobindgarh. While in Amritsar the Excise Department wants that the number of groups
(licencing units) that can sell liquor be increased to five (from three last year), there is a proposal for the merger of a small group (catering to rural areas) with two city-based groups in Mandi
Gobindgarh. The idea is to break the monopolisation in the liquor business in Amritsar and prevent any smuggling of liquor from jurisdiction of one group to the other in Mandi Gobindgarh. Sources say that though the liquor policy for 2013-14 had taken the first step towards breaking the monopoly in the liquor trade in Amritsar by increasing the number of groups from one to three, this year they may increase it to five. The state government is eyeing Rs 4,671 crore in excise collections, and the number of licencing units across the state had been increased from 350 last year to 600 now. The Cabinet also proposes to look into the demand for reducing CST on paper board from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. This is being done as the state gets paper board worth Rs 500 crore from outside and the consuming industry had been demanding that the CST be brought down.
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Augmented water supply withdrawn, Bathinda villagers cry foul
Bathinda, August 25 Three days before the byelection, an illegal water connection was given to augment water supply to the fields in the village. In the days when hot weather and truant rainfall was worrying farmers, local leaders of the ruling alliance saw an opportunity to woo the villagers by promising them augmented water supply. The illegal connection was thus given three days before the elections. But a day after the election, the water supply was snapped. A complaint pertaining to the violation of code of conduct was registered with the district administration. Basant Garg, Deputy Commissioner, said: “We had received a complaint regarding an illegal connection water connection. We had marked the complaint to the Irrigation Department. After looking into the matter, the officials concluded that unidentified persons had damaged the minor and a case was registered. It is now for the police to follow up the matter.” Meanwhile, the villagers claimed that they have been cheated. “Politicians make hollow promises before the elections only to retract later. The ruling alliance cashed in on our problem to get votes,” said Ranjit Singh, a villager.
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Jakhar flays BJP for not reducing tariff
Abohar, August 25 He said tariff was raised by the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) in September 2009 with effect from April 2009. The BJP had then reportedly threatened to withdraw from the government, but succumbed to its greed for power. At a high-level meeting held in New Delhi, the SAD-BJP had agreed to restore the old tariff on January 6, 2010, Jakhar claimed. He said the BJP’s studied silence over the additional burden amounting to Rs 594 crore due to the increased tariff showed it was fooling the people.
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For SAD’s Sidhu, it’s fourth win in a row
Talwandi Sabo, August 25 Baljinder Kaur of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) was a distant third with just 13,899 votes. She lost her security deposit as did rebel AAP candidate Balkar Sidhu, who secured 6,305 votes. Among the other defeated candidates were Makhan Singh Premi (389 votes), Balwinder Singh (218 votes) and Bharpur Singh (447 votes). As many as 580 voters opted for the NOTA (none of the above) option. This was Sidhu’s fourth victory in a row. His supporters celebrated the occasion with ‘Holi’ colours, dancing to the beat of the dhol as Sidhu came out of the counting centre at 12 noon. Sidhu won for the first time in 2002 as an Independent by a thin margin of 237 votes. Before that he had lost to Jassi in1997. He had contested on the Shiromani Akali Dal ticket. In 2007, contesting on the Congress ticket, Sidhu won by about 4,200 votes. He retained the seat in 2012, defeating the SAD candidate by 9,000 votes. Sidhu polled 6,445 against 2,634 by Jassi and 1,219 by Balwinder Kaur in the first round. By the fourth round, the margin had increased to 16,051 votes and to 30,045 in the seventh round. Disheartened, at around 10.15 am, Congress candidate Harminder Singh Jassi walked out of the counting centre. Aam Aadmi Party candidate Baljinder Kaur left soon after at about 11 am. Significantly, the Congress lost by a margin of more than 5,000 votes in its stronghold of Rama Mandi. A total of 1,18,166 votes were cast at 159 polling stations. Independent candidate and former AAP activist Balkar Sidhu went incommunicado after the results. Talwandi Sabo results Total votes cast: 1,18,166 Jeet Mohinder Singh (SAD): 71,747 HS Jassi (Congress): 25,105 Baljinder Kaur (AAP): 13,899 Balkar Sidhu (Ind): 6,305 Candidatespeak It is significant that the SAD has won the seat after 29 years. Instead of crying foul, Jassi and Baljinder Kaur should accept the public 'fatwa' and prepare for the next innings, if any. — Jeet Mohinder Sidhu, Akali Dal It is significant that the SAD has won the seat after 29 years. Instead of crying foul, Jassi and Baljinder Kaur should accept the public 'fatwa' and prepare for the next innings, if any. Jeet Mohinder Sidhu, Akali Dal It was all stage-managed. We made several complaints to poll officials against the SAD, but in vain. I will quit politics if the police proves that my gunman had fired from his pistol at Rama Mandi. — Harminder Singh Jassi, Congress It is strange that the polling percentage went up by almost 20 per cent in the last one hour of polling. I will not go back to teaching. The poll results have only strengthened my resolve to work for my party and the people of the
state. — Baljinder Kaur, Aam Aadmi Party
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Preneet wins but no victory celebrations
Patiala, August 25 Preneet bagged 52,967 votes, the SAD-BJP candidate 29,685 votes and AAP’s Harjit Singh Adaltiwala 5,724 votes. The Congress decided not to celebrate the victory because of the death of Gurpal Juneja, SAD candidate’s son, late last night. The Congress vote share increased from 43 per cent in the recent Lok Sabha poll to 59 per cent during the byelection. However, its vote share has shrunk when compared to the last three Assembly elections. While the party had got 74 per cent votes in 2002 Assembly elections, 65 per cent votes in 2007 and 69 per cent in 2012, its percentage had fallen to 43 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections because of the emergence of AAP, which had a vote share of 35 per cent. But within months, AAP’s vote share has dived to 6 per cent. On the other hand, the SAD-BJP alliance has succeeded in more than doubling its vote share. Preneet Kaur said attributed her victory to the people’s faith in her and her family. “The victory is the result of collective hard work by all leaders and workers who worked round the clock,” she said. To a query, she said she would have the parliamentary elections if her husband, Capt Amarinder Singh, had been able to campaign for her then. “This election has exploded the myths about the Aam Aadmi Party. The people have understood that AAP has neither any agenda nor any programme, except for spreading anarchy”. She claimed that the people were losing faith in the Akalis, notwithstanding the Talwandi Sabo result. “Everybody knows what they did there. AAP too has been decimated,” she remarked. How they fared Preneet Kaur (Congress): 52,967 Bhagwan Dass Juneja (SAD-BJP): 29,685 HS Adaltiwala (AAP): 5,724 Vote percentage (tentative) Elections Congress SAD-BJP AAP 2014 (Bypoll) 59% 33% 6% 2014 Lok Sabha 43% 16% 33% 2012 Assembly 69% 24% NA 2007 Assembly 65% 30% NA 2002 Assembly 74% 20% NA 1997 Assembly 36% 53% NA
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AAP blames money and muscle power for
defeat
Patiala, August 25 Though AAP leaders have alleged that their supporters were threatened and that the two rival parties used money power, it is a fact that fielding an “outsider” to contest the seat proved disastrous for the party. Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi came out in support of party candidate Harjit Singh Adaltiwala, but said “there is lot to introspect”. “Introspection is necessary as Adaltiwala could not even save his security deposit as we had got more than 35,000 votes from this segment in the parliamentary elections,” he said. Adaltiwala’s Akali background had been a booster as he had a clean political career, he said. He alleged party volunteers were threatened which affected their vote share. “Both Congress and SAD-BJP spent crores to purchase votes whereas we have fought our election within the prescribed limit of Rs 20 lakh. But we still need to do some introspection to find out as to where we lacked,” he added. Adaltiwala admitted that the result was unexpected as a large number of voters had “pledged support to the party”. He said: “We will sit together and try to find out our shortcomings so that we can make a strong comeback in 2017.” Observers said political scenario in Patiala seemed to have changed once again post-parliamentary elections. Despite a high profile campaign by AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leaders Yogendra Yadav, Manish Sisodia and Manish Singh, the party has failed miserably. A party insider said: “There are various factors behind the party’s debacle. These included performance of the party at the national level in the Lok Sabha elections and dissolving of district units of Punjab ahead of the byelections that had lead to disappointment among AAP workers.” Sources said the announcement of Adaltiwala’s candidature had created fissures within the party. Many senior party leaders, including Dr Balbir Singh and Kundan Gogia, had distanced themselves from the party, they said.
Need to be better organised: Bhagwant Sangrur: The AAP Member of Parliament from Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann, today alleged that “intimidation” of voters by the ruling alliance and AAP’s inability to ensure its workers were present at all polling booths had resulted in the defeat of its candidates. He was talking to mediapersons here after visiting the local Civil Hospital’s Emergency wing. The MP said that AAP had sought a repoll at several booths in Talwandi Sabo but to no avail. He said the AAP would contest all future elections with its full mighth by deputing workers up to the booth level. — TNS Will perform better in 2017: Phoolka Our party will always give ticket to clean and deserving candidates. We respect the people's mandate. The ruling alliance resorted to booth-capturing and hooliganism. We are sure to increase our vote share in the 2017 Assembly elections.— HS Phoolka , senior Aam Aadmi party leader
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Aam Aadmi candidates lose security
Bathinda, August 25 The AAP candidate for the Patiala-Urban seat, HS Adaltiwala, could get only 5,724 votes. His security deposit was forfeited. Dharamvira Gandhi, AAP Member of Parliament, had polled 37,676 votes in the Patiala-Urban segment. In Talwandi Sabo, AAP stood divided after singer Balkar Sidhu’s candidature was cancelled. The singer is known to be close to Members of Parliament Bhagwant Mann (Sangrur) and Prof Sadhu Singh (Faridkot). Balkar Sidhu turned a rebel and contested the seat as an Independent. He secured 6,305 votes. AAP leader HS Phoolka said: "Our party will always give ticket to clean and deserving candidates. The ruling alliance resorted to booth-capturing and hooliganism. We are sure to increase our vote share in the 2017 Assembly elections."
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Poll outcome setback for Congress, says CM
Chandigarh, August 25 He said the results were a “major setback” for the Congress. He said the SAD-BJP not only won the Talwandi Sabo seat, but also managed to increase its vote share in Patiala. Badal said: “The results showed that the Congress is on its way out. The victory of SAD candidate in Talwandi Sabo by a record margin of 46,642 votes and an improved vote share in Patiala is a proof of the faith of people in the policies and programmes of the SAD-BJP government.” Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said: “The Aam Aadmi Party had relied on sensationalism and false claims during its election campaign. It has been completely rejected by people in both the seats.” He said: “We were sure that AAP would be decimated as the party had adopted a disruptive agenda. We have proved ourselves right.” Claiming that the byelection result is a verdict in favour of the “pro-people, transparent and effective governance” by the SAD-BJP government, Sukhbir said: “Bajwa has lost his credibility as a politician after the humiliating defeat of the Congress in Talwandi Sabo,” he said.
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Ignored, ex-DGP Gill ‘joins’ BJP
Moga/Kathua, August 25 A rebel Congress leader of Jammu, Lal Singh, a two-time MP and a friend of Gill, reportedly persuaded him to join the BJP. Lal Singh also joined the BJP today. Both names were announced on the stage as the new BJP members. Amit Shah welcomed the leaders into the party fold by garlanding them. But soon after the function, when The Tribune talked to Gill, the former DGP hesitated in admitting that he joined the
BJP. “I am in the Akali Dal. It is one and the same thing because both parties are alliance partners. I have not left the SAD. I was invited by Lal Singh to the function as he wanted to honour me,” Gill said. It may be mentioned that Gill joined the Indian Police Services in the Jammu and Kashmir cadre and served on various positions in the counter insurgency wing before coming to Punjab on deputation in 2009. The U-turn * Former DGP and SAD leader Paramdip Singh Gill joined the BJP in the presence of party's national president Amit Shah at Kathua in J&K * But soon after the function, the former DGP 'denied' having joined the saffron party * Sources say Gill was feeling ignored by the SAD leadership as he has not been offered any post
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‘Oust Bajwa’ clamour to get louder
Chandigarh, August 25 Many in the state Congress perceive the party’s defeat as Bajwa’s personal defeat. This is likely to give a fillip to the “oust Bajwa” clamour in the party. On the other hand, his bête noire and Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Capt Amarinder Singh, has emerged stronger by ensuring a victory for his wife Preneet Kaur. Already under fire after the Congress’ failure to cash in on the strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the ruling alliance during the Lok Sabha elections, Bajwa has now seen another defeat. While the Congress has managed to retain the Patiala-Urban seat, it has lost the Talwandi Sabo seat. Sources in the Congress claim that the demand for a leadership change in Punjab is bound to grow louder. “As Capt Amarinder Singh was asked to quit after the party lost the Assembly elections and the Moga and Dasuya byelections under his leadership, Bajwa too must be asked to go now,” said a Congress leader. Since Bajwa did not campaign in Patiala and the show was entirely run by Amarinder Singh, Bajwa cannot claim credit for winning that seat. Bajwa took a calculated risk in deciding to focus on Talwandi Sabo. It was believed that the strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the Akalis, resentment among the local Akalis against Jeet Mohinder Sidhu who had switched loyalty from the Congress to the SAD and the presence of the Aam Aadmi Party could swing things in favour of the Congress. But with these calculations going awry, Bajwa will now find it difficult to explain a string of defeats.
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Water pollution: Tribunal reprimands
Centre, state
Abohar, August 25 The petitioners, Hanumangarh Zila Parishad chairperson Shobha Doodi and vice chairperson Shabnam Godara said that only the Punjab State Pollution Control Board had filed its reply, while the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment, Punjab Health and Industries Departments had failed to do so. The PIL was filed in May this year with the National Green Tribunal
(NGT), seeking a check on the supply of highly contaminated canal water from Punjab to
Rajasthan. The PIL had listed Punjab Government, heads of its Health and Industries Departments and Union Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MoEF) as parties/defendants. The petitioners claimed they had visited several places in Punjab on May 5 and were astonished over the state government’s neglect in the matter. The petitioners said the Punjab Government had failed to check the discharge of chemical waste from Jalandhar and Ludhiana-based industries in the Sutlej and the
Beas. They said toxic chemicals were being allowed to flow through the Sirhind Feeder into the Indira Gandhi Canal, the Rajasthan Feeder, the Ferozepur Feeder and the Gang
(Bikaner) Canal that originated from Harike Barrage in Punjab. The Bhakra canal system feeds
Hanumangarh, Sangria and Peelibanga. Water released in the 650-km long Indira Gandhi Canal is also consumed by millions of people in
Sriganganagar, Churu, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Barmer districts. They alleged that the Punjab Government was under political pressure to not take action against the erring industries. The Tribunal had directed the respondents to file detailed replies on July 20, but all of them sought more time. Even then only one of them submitted a reply today. Flouting norms *
They said toxic chemicals were being dumped into the Sirhind Feeder, the Indira Gandhi Canal, the Rajasthan Feeder, the Ferozepur Feeder and the Gang
(Bikaner) Canal that originated from Harike Barrage in Punjab * These canals supply water to
Hanumangarh, Sangria, Peelibanga, Sriganganagar, Churu, Bikaner,
Nagaur, Jodhpur and Barmer districts.
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3 suffocated to death in Ludhiana factory fire
Ludhiana, August 25 The victims could not escape from the factory as its owner had reportedly locked the main gate from outside. The deceased have been identified as Sunder Lal (42) of Kali Sarak, Raju (32) of Shivpuri and Suraj (35) of Ghumar Mandi. The owner, Surinder Singh Sethi of Upkar Nagar, has been arrested. The trio had arrived for work around 7 am. After letting them in, the owner locked the factory and returned home. Monu Kumar, who lives in the factory’s vicinity, said the incident came to light at 7:20 am when he spotted smoke emitting from the unit. He said he heard the workers screaming for help. The area residents tried but they could not break open the gate due to the flames. Monu informed the Fire Department at 7.30 am, but the rescue operation started only around 8:20 am. At 9 am, the fire fighters managed to enter the three-storey factory, located in a narrow street. The trio had died by then. Their bodies were found lying on the staircase of the first floor. “They must have tried to escape to the roof of the factory, but the connecting door too was locked. They did not suffer much burns and probably were asphyxiated,” said the fire fighter who pulled out the bodies. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amrik Singh Pawar said that the factory owner had been booked under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC. He said a shot-circuit was suspected to be the reason behind the fire. Sethi, who manufactures winter garments for children, said fearing theft, he locked the workers from outside and returned to his house. No sooner Sethi had reached his house, he was informed about the incident. He rushed to the factory only to find the premises engulfed in flames. No fire fighting arrangements were in place at the unit. Fatal hours 7 am: The three workers arrived at the factory; the owner lets them in and locks the main gate of the unit from outside 7:20 am: A neighbour spots smoke emitting from the factory; he also hears the workers crying for help; the area residents fail to break into the factory due to the flames 7.30 am: The neighbour informs the Fire Department 8:20 am: The fire-fighters reach the spot 9 am: The fire-fighters enter the three-storey factory, only to find the trio dead
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Plea against SGPC auditor’s reinstatement withdrawn
Amritsar, August 25 The commission had thrice put off the hearing, asking the petitioner to furnish the documents required to make the plea admissible. Sirsa said he had attached a copy of the SGPC executive order, terminating Kohli’s services, but could not get the copy of his reinstatement order. He said he would soon get all the documents and file a fresh plea. The petition was filed last month seeking the dismissal of Kohli, who is reportedly close to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. In his petition, Sirsa had also sought the dismissal of SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh for allegedly violating the norms. He claimed Kohli was sacked on July 16 following the orders of the SGPC executive, but he was reinstated within a day on Makkar’s order. He contended that Makkar had no power to overturn the decision taken by the SGPC executive committee. Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has slammed the SGPC executive committee, including Makkar, for taking a U-turn on Kohli’s reinstatement. Party spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said the committee, in a resolution adopted on July 11, had terminated Kohli’s services, but re-inducted him within 24 hours “under pressure from the Badals”. Quoting the contents of the resolution, he said the SGPC fired Kohli citing various reasons, including his failure to perform his duty with fairness and seriousness, ignoring orders of the president and executive and unnecessarily interfering in the administrative affairs of the institution, besides the negative coverage in the media because of his appointment. He wondered whether the executive had cleared him of all these accusations before reinstating him.
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SMO questions shopkeeper
Hoshiarpur, August 25 Dr Sandeep Kharbanda, Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Bhunga, along with a team of officials questioned the junk shop owner and checked a medical store. Kharbanda questioned the junk dealer with regard to the biomedical waste found yesterday outside his shop. The investigation team also visited a medical store on Tanda Road and checked its records and stocks. Dr Kharbanda said, “Since improper disposal of biomedical waste is a very serious thing, those found guilty will be punished. It will take a couple of more days to investigate the matter and then I will send the report to higher authorities”.
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Army holds pension adalat for former servicemen
Ferozepur, August 25 Besides senior Army officials of the division, representatives of Principal Controller of Defence Account (pension) Allahabad, Chief Manager from State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and other officials were also present at the adalat. They tried to guide and resolve issues pertaining to pension awards of Army personnel and dependents. Most of the cases related to pension were sorted out on the spot. General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division assured the ex-servicemen and the women, who had gathered on the occasion, that the division would extend all support to them. A medical camp was also organised and medicines were provided free of cost.
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2 months after cleanup, Muktsar drain clogs
Muktsar, August 25 Nearly five to seven feet tall wild grass has grown in these drains. Villagers say the wild grass grew rapidly as the drain wasn’t cleaned properly. Farmers in the area alleged funds had been misappropriated and demanded a probe. “The private contractors hired to do the clean-up did not do the job properly. The authorities claim the drain had not been cleaned since 1961,” said a farmer of Bhullar village. Gurdhyan Singh, member of the Bhullar village panchayat, too blamed the contractors for shoddy work. A visit to Kauni village nearby revealed the situation was worse there. “This is also a division of the Chand Bhan drain, but it has not been cleaned for the last 40 years,” said Ravinder Singh of Kauni village. Similarly, Dhulkot village sarpanch Surjit Singh said Chand Bhan drain passing through their village was clogged up. Drainage Department Superintending Engineer SL Sidhu said, “The 30-km Chand Bhan drain was cleaned about two months ago, but wild grass could have come up in areas. The grass grows up within 20 days.” About the clogged-up drains linked to Chand Bhan drain, another senior official of the department said drains with little utility were not cleaned.
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NRI’s death: Inmates want jail officials booked
Gurdaspur, August 25 On August 19, the Gurdaspur District and Sessions Judge had passed an order following an application by Prabhjot's counsel Karanjit Singh that the NRI should be sent to some good hospital for treatment keeping in view his serious medical condition. The jail officials did not act on the application for more than 72 hours claiming that the Batala police did not provide security guards to accompany Prabhjot to an Amritsar hospital. The Jail Superintendent cited rules that said they could move out Prabhjot for treatment only after they got security personnel from the Batala police. The NRI was move out of jail on August 22 when they got guards. "The jail officials erred despite the fact that the District and Sessions Judge passed an order on August 19, asking the authorities to take Prabhjot to an Amritsar hospital," said the inmates in a signed statement. Batala SSP Manminder Singh said, "The jail officials are trying to cover up their misdeeds. The Batala police has a posse of five guards permanently posted at the jail, specifically for the purpose of escorting inmates whenever they have to travel outside the prison." The prisoners said Prabhjot Singh was with them for the past nine months. "He was taken ill on August 13 following which he was taken to the jail hospital. Since the facilities at the hospital are not up to the mark, his condition kept on deteriorating with every passing day. Despite the District and Sessions Judge's instructions to move him out on August 19, the jail officials did not follow the order. We asked Assistant Superintendent Johar Singh to shift Prabhjot, but he said he was unable to do so as all major decisions are to be taken by the Jail Superintendent. We also staged a protest in front of the Jail Superintendent's office, but to no avail," jail inmates said. Their allegations were refuted by DK Sidhu. He claimed the authorities did their best to save Prabhjot Singh. "No protest was ever held in front of my office by the inmates. They are telling lies and their allegations are baseless and illogical," he said. Court orders not followed? *
They said the jail officials did not move despite the fact that the District and Sessions Judge had told them to take Prabhjot to an Amritsar hospital on August 19 *
Jail Superintendent DK Sidhu, however, claimed the inmates were telling lies and their allegations were baseless and illogical. Another jail inmate dead Daniel of Mission Compound who was serving a sentence in connection with an NDPS case died in the Civil Hospital on Monday morning. "Daniel started vomiting blood at the dead of night following which we shifted him to the Civil Hospital where he breathed his last. Since this was an emergency case, we did not wait for the police guard to arrive. We sent Daniel to the Civil Hospital in our own van. He was accompanied by jail guards," said Jail Superintendent DK
Sidhu.
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Dalits begin dharna at DC’s office
Sangrur, August 25 They are demanding implementation of administration’s proposal relating to cultivation rights of Balad Kalan panchayat land (reserved for SCs), and cancellation of cases against 41 Dalits. Protesting under the banner of Zamin Prapati Sanghrash Committee, the Dalits have come well prepared with bags of grocery items, utensils, LPG cylinders to prepare food for themselves. Dalit leaders announced that their dharna would remain continue till their demands were met. They claimed the administration had proposed at a meeting on August 8 that existing bidders of the panchayat land of Balad Kalan would pay 60 per cent of the auction amount for kharif season while the remaining amount would be paid by agitating Dalits for cultivating land jointly during the rabi season. They alleged the administration had backtracked from the proposal. Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann visited the dharna site and assured the agitators that he would take up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner.
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Sikh bodies defer stir as sewadar apologises
Abohar, August 25 Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh chief sewadar Tejinderpal Singh Timma said Gursahib Singh alias Happy, sewadar at the gurdwara in the complex, apologised for running the gurdwara in the complex that also houses a peer’s mazaars at a meeting in Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh. Akal Takht representative Bharpur Singh and Gurdwara Damdama Sahib representative Jagtar Singh also attended the
meeting. Gursahib Singh tendered an unconditional apology for violating the directions of Akal
Takht. — OC
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Police verifying case against SGPC member
Khamano August 25 SSP Gurmeet Singh Chauhan said a political tussle was on in the area and they had registered cases as per allegations and counter-allegations levelled by both groups. No arrest had been made in connection with these cases so far, he added. Anyone found guilty would not be spared, he added. The SGPC member and his family members, including his wife and two sons, were booked under Sections 452, 354, 506 and 323 of the IPC in connection with a case. Kulwinder Kaur had alleged that SGPC member Avtar Singh Ria came to her house around 7 pm and tried to molest her. Ria said there was a rivalry between the two families. His driver was beaten up by the opposite group and when he and his wife tried to save the driver, they were also manhandled and attacked. He said an Akali Dal leader of his village was behind the episode.
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Khaira flays Modi govt over sugar import duty hike
Chandigarh, August 25 "This step is clearly aimed at helping the powerful sugar lobby of Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA)," he said in a statement issued here today. "Corporate houses headed by Ambani, Adani, Birlas and other sugar barons funded the BJP election campaign by providing around Rs 15,000-20,000 crore. The decision to hike import duty by 10 per cent has brought to the fore the hidden agenda of Modi to allow maximum profits to around 1,100 sugar mills of the country owned by the powerful business-political class. This step will discourage import of cheap sugar from countries like China, Brazil etc. so that the sugar lobby can benefit at the cost of the common man. This step is bound to increase the sugar prices by Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kg," he said. "The BJP rode to power on the promise of curbing inflation. It often criticised the UPA government for rising prices, but this step of the Modi-led government is bound to add to inflation," he said. The Modi government, Khaira alleged, had also failed to issue guidelines to sugar mill owners to clear around Rs 9,000-crore arrears payable to cane growers before hiking the import duty.
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Coloniser’s wife attempts suicide
Mohali, August 25 She has been shifted to Max hospital where her condition is stated to be stable. Krispy is the wife of coloniser Davinder Singh Gill, who has been facing cases of cheating, fraud and rape and is under arrest these days. The Panchkula police arrested him a few days ago. The Mohali police brought him here on production warrant for interrogation last week. According to Surinder Kaur, mother of Krispy Khaira, her daughter attempted suicide because she was receiving threats from policemen. "She was under stress that led her to take the step," she said. Surinder Kaur and her kin reached the Mohali SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti's office to meet him in connection with the case. Surinder Kaur added that Krispy took sleeping pills in the midnight. "We came to know about it around 3.15 am when my second daughter Renuka, who lives in New Zealand, called her (Krispy) up but did not get any reply. She then called up Krispy's friend, who was sleeping in other room. She asked her to go to Krispy's room," Surinder Kaur said. Krispy was taken to the Max hospital immediately, she added. Krispy's relative Mandeep Singh said they had the recording of threat calls made by the police officer to Krispy two-three days ago. Krispy also wrote a suicide note mentioning reasons behind taking this step, relatives claimed. "Krispy has made a molestation complaint against IG Cheema to the Mohali police. We want action against Cheema," Surinder Kaur said. Mohali SSP Bhatti said an inquiry into the Krispy's complaint was on. "We have recorded her (Krispy) statements. Now, we will record statements of all persons against whom she has levelled allegations. After that, we will take action as per law," SSP Bhatti said. Mohali SP (D) GS Grewal was conducting the inquiry, he said. The Mohali police could not record Kripsy's statement at the hospital today as the doctors declared her unfit to give any statement.
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Another Punjabi youth shot in Manila
Jagraon, August 25 The incident came to light last week when the family members received a call from Manila informing them that Harminder had been shot by some unidentified persons. Karam Singh, a cousin of the victim, said Harminder had gone to the Philippines seven years ago. The family members of the youth alleged Harminder had been detained illegally for the last few years by Gurdev Singh, president of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Manila. “Harminder’s passport and other documents were in possession of Gurdev Singh who had been exploiting him. Gurdev had demanded money from us to send Harminder back to India. In June, we gave Rs 2.5 lakh to Gurdev’s son Karamjit Singh, but despite this Harminder was not released. Gurdev later demanded Rs 3 lakh more and threatened to kill my son,” said Pritam Singh, victim’s father. Senior Akali leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia visited the victim’s family. He assured his parents of cooperation to bring the body to India as soon as possible. He said: “I will visit Gurdev Singh’s native village Baude in Moga district tomorrow and take up the matter with the panchayat.” He said he would meet the Philippines High Commissioner in India to demand an impartial and speedy investigation into the incident.
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tribune impact
Ropar, August 25 When the Punjab Pollution Control Board officials reached the spot in the morning to assess the situation, employees of the thermal plant had already removed the pumps. Plant deputy chief engineer (civil) Niranjan Singh said no sewage would be thrown into river henceforth. Arrangements would be made to pump the sewage to the sewage-treatment plants set up on the complex, he added.
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Villagers allege illegal felling of trees
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 25 The villagers, led by Mullanpur
(Kheri) panchayat member Gurmail Singh, today lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. They said the panchayat chopped off trees and sold earth from panchayati land
(Khasra No 286) Gair Mumkin pond without seeking any approval from the Panchayat Department.
Gurmail Singh said trees of peeple, bareta, nasura, dok etc. were felled using JCB machines. The panchayat members did not even inform him about their decision despite the fact that he represented the area in which the village pond fell from where earth was dug. The panchayat did not even invite tenders for the job, thus causing loss to the state
exchequer. BDPO Baljinder Singh Grewal confirmed that an inquiry was being conducted into the issue.
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Teachers demand exemption from TET
Fazilka, August 25 “Teachers, who have already been working with the Education Department, should not have to take the TET,” said union leader Madan Lal. They also sought that they be given salary at par with regular ETT teachers. The teachers in a memorandum presented to Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka, alleged that several candidates cheated during the TET examination conducted in Fazilka yesterday and demanded a probe. District Education Officer Sandeep Dhuria said a high-level committee were satisfied with the set-up at an inspection of various examination centres yesterday.
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Leaders express grief at death
Patiala, August 25 In a condolence message, Badal prayed to the Almighty to grant strength to the bereaved family. AAm AAdmi candidate HS Adaltiwala and party MP Dharamvira Gandhi expressed shock and sorrow at the death. Sukhbir, Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Education Minister DS Cheema and Preneet Kaur were among those present at the funeral. Former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder also expressed grief at the death.
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How long can body be kept in freezer, asks HC
Chandigarh, August 25 As a petition filed by his “son” Dalip Kumar Jha for handing over his father’s body for performing the last rites came up for hearing, Justice K Kannan gave the state two days time to file its reply. Justice Kannan verbally questioned the state on how the body could be allowed to stay in a freezer and for how long. Also seeking directions for the post-mortem examination of his father’s body, Jha’s counsel SP Soi had earlier made it clear that he suspected Ashutosh Maharaj was poisoned in an attempt to grab and usurp his movable and immovable assets. Claiming to be the only son of the deceased spiritual guru, he also claimed on the petitioner’s behalf that in February, the principal secretary, Government of Bihar, had written to the principal secretary (Home), Punjab, to arrange for the dispatch of the mortal remains to Bihar, but action was not taken on the communication. In one of the PILs, “disciple” Mohinder Pal Singh and a co-petitioner had earlier alleged that the “managers” were keeping the body in freezer to gain time for misappropriating the properties. They also expressed apprehension regarding misappropriation of property worth Rs 1,000 crore by the “managers”. Their counsel added that the prime concern of the petitioners was Rs 300 crore lying in the Dera. On April 4, the Punjab Police had ruled out before the High Court the possibility of his unnatural death. In its report, the police had added that the Maharaj was clinically dead. The High Court had, on the previous date of hearing, asked Punjab Advocate-General to clarify the State’s stand on the issue of initiating inquest proceedings in the case of Ashutosh Maharaja’s mysterious death. The High Court had directed Advocate-General Ashok Aggarwal to file the state government’s reply on the need for carrying out inquest proceedings. The purpose behind preparing an inquest report under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is to look into, and draw up, a report on the apparent cause of death. Impasse may end *
The High Court has sougth a reply from the state in two days * The orders came on a petition filed by his "son" Dalip Kumar Jha for handing over the body to him for the last rites *
At stake is the Maharaj's property worth Rs 1,000 cr * An amount of Rs 300 crore was reportedly lying in the Dera
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Loan not paid, Dalit locked in cage
Amritsar, August 25 In his complaint to commission vice-chairman Raj Kumar Verka, Sahib stated that his brother Harpal Singh had borrowed Rs 35,000 from a farmer, Sharwan Singh. As Sharwan died two months ago, his family pressurised Harpal to return the money. As Harpal could not arrange the amount, Sahib took it upon himself to repay the loan by August 20. He, however, failed to keep his word. On August 24, Sharwan’s sons Navdeep Singh and Navpreet Singh allegedly summoned him to their house, beat him up and locked him inside a cage. Sahib said he was rescued after three hours by the police. He alleged the police coerced him against lodging a complaint or else a false case of possession of narcotics would be slapped on him. Sub-Inspector Manjit Singh, posted at Jhabal police station, said, “Charanjit Kaur, a family member of the victim, lodged a complaint that Nirmal Singh (Sharwan’s neighbour) took away Sahib from his house and locked him inside the cage.” He said a case was registered against Nirmal yesterday itself even as the two parties had reached a compromise. Verka has issued a notice to the Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police and the Inspector General, Border Range, to appear before the commission tomorrow along with the action-taken report. Girl kidnapped, sold Abohar: A Dalit girl was allegedly kidnapped from her native village Daulatpura by two youths. The duo allegedly exploited her sexually and later sold her to a differently abled man in a village near Rampura Phul. The victim, who managed to escape from the man’s custody, has lodged a complaint against a woman in her neighbourbood who lured her and handed her to the youths.
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conducted by the state government has revealed that there is a huge imbalance in the non-farming economic activity in the private sector in various parts of Punjab.
Congress candidate Preneet Kaur won the Patiala (Urban) seat, defeating her nearest rival Bhagwan Dass Juneja (SAD) with a comfortable margin of 23,282 votes. All other six candidates in the fray, including AAP’s Harjit Adaltiwala, lost their security deposit.
Three craftsmen were asphyxiated after a factory caught fire at Ganesh Nagar in Shiv Puri area here today.
The victims could not escape from the factory as its owner had reportedly locked the main gate from outside.
The Golden Arrow Division of the Indian Army today organised a mega pension adalat for ex-servicemen, retired Army personnel and “Veer Naris” (war widows). Hundreds of people from Moga, Muktsar and Ferozepur districts participated in the event held by the Army in order to reach out to veteran soldiers and their families.
A number of drains in the district are clogged up even though the state government had spent a huge amount of money on cleaning these. For instance, the Irrigation Department spent nearly Rs 18 crore to clean Chand Bhan drain two months ago, but it is still clogged up. Several other drains linked to it are also blocked.
Patiala, August 25
* The petitioners said the Punjab Government had failed to check the discharge of chemical waste from Jalandhar and Ludhiana-based industries into the Sutlej and the Beas 
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Forty jail inmates who shared the barrack with NRI Prabhjot Singh said he was sick since August 13, but the jail authorities did not take timely action to save his life