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Prime Minister’s teacher’s day address
Small houses may be exempted soon
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Canal breach floods 12 villages in Mansa
AAP expels two leaders
Phoolka writes to NHRC, seeks probe
Left parties protest against property protection Act
State has ignored MC staff: Jakhar
3 years on, SGPC House in a
limbo
Farmers seek separate agri budget
Safai sewaks foil admn’s attempt to lift garbage
Loan not paid, bank attaches Singla’s assets
Sarup Chand Singla, CPS
PSPCL mulls importing coal worth
Rs 1,100 cr
Agreement on cards to end Balad Kalan land controversy
UK may reveal names of Kalianwala Khu martyrs
Students protest against pvt bus operators
61 teachers found absent
Don't extend internship: IMA
In a spin over Punjabi words, candidate moves High Court
Suspend services of Amritsar SSP, orders HC
Delhi HC vacates stay on PTU admissions
Lok Adalat attaches bank account of PSPCL XEN
Chetan Mittal is Asst Solicitor-General
IG Cheema booked for molestation
Forest guard, 2 others booked for theft
5 agents again in Nawanshahr police custody
Five booked for raping 3 of a family
Firing at Gogaji Peer fair leaves one dead, 6 hurt
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Prime Minister’s teacher’s day address
Chandigarh, September 2 Sarvesh Kaushal, Chief Secretary, Punjab, in a letter to all Deputy Commissioners has directed them to ensure that all private and government schools in their districts tune in when the PM is speaking. While most schools are struggling for basic amenities such as potable water and uninterrupted power supply, they are now finding it difficult to hold the event on their own by outsourcing equipment like projectors, television, radio and generator sets and for the refreshments to be served to the students. Most are unable to bear the cost from their meagre parent-teacher association (PTA) fund. The move is resented by a lot of teachers who feel their “special day” (Teacher’s Day) had been hijacked. At many places, students appear disinterested and in some, especially in border areas, lack of viewing facilities may hamper the plans. None to be excused Jalandhar: “None of the schools have got a hall that can accommodate all the students. As education under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is free up till Class VIII, we receive little amount in our PTA fund. We cannot make arrangements at multiple levels to enable the students to view the PM’s speech,” said a principal of a Kapurthala school. Another principal of a government school in Bajwa Kalan in Jalandhar said: “We can’t rely on our edusat system as it goes down after 2 pm almost everyday. The picture gets distorted and is not fit for viewing. We have informed the higher officials about it, but to no avail.” KK Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, said no school could excuse itself. “We have directed all schools, including those coming under the primary wing, to participate in the event. However, those with infrastructure or administrative issues may approach us,” he said. While students are happy that the state government has changed the school timings for the Teacher’s Day (from 12 noon to 5 pm), most teachers are disappointed. They feel that their ‘special day’ has been hijacked by the Prime Minister. Teachers resentful Amritsar: The Punjab Education Department’s directions to government schools to make adequate arrangements for the live telecast of the Prime Minister’s speech has caused widespread resentment among teachers. As many as 1,213 government schools and 40 aided schools are gearing up for the live telecast of the speech. Though the PM would deliver the speech at 3 pm, the teachers have been asked to report at schools much earlier. Those posted in rural areas say it will be difficult for them to secure a cable/DTH connection. Schools with a large number of schools will have to make arrangements for projectors. Interestingly, while the nation is gearing up for the PM’s speech on the Teacher’s Day, many primary and middle school students in the district don’t even know who the country’s Prime Minister is. District Education Officer (Secondary) Satinderbir Singh said all 419 middle and senior secondary schools had been directed to make appropriate arrangements for the PM’s speech. All 212 senior secondary schools had LCDs and TV sets under the edusat programme while 40 aided schools had computer labs, he said. The school managements and panchayats of 200-odd middle schools, which did not have any such provision, had been asked to make arrangements for the same. Radio sets will do too Gurdaspur:
All the grandiose plans of the state government could hit a roadblock as far as schools in the border areas of Dera Baba Nanak, Ghalari, Ghanian Ke Bangar, Dorangla, Ramdas and Dinanagar in Gurdaspur district are concerned. Here the administration is facing the twin problems of erratic electricity supply and cable connections. “I have asked both the district education officers (primary and secondary) and the ADC (development), under whose jurisdiction schools run by zila parishads come, to ensure that if there is no cable connection, radio sets be placed in the school premises. After all, the speech is also being broadcast,” said the DC. A majority of the 92,509 students enrolled in the 1,608 schools in the district are looking forward to the PM’s speech. “In our country, there is a disconnect. People who formulate policies are at one place, those who implement these are at another and the schemes implemented are meant for people who are at a different place. The PM is trying to connect with the students,” said a middle school teacher at Bariar village. At a meeting this morning, which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dr Abhinav Trikha, instructions were given to school principals to provide TV sets in their schools. Parents not pleased Faridkot: While the state Education Department is making efforts to enthuse teachers to ensure that the PM’s speech is heard by most students, the move has left the teachers cribbing. Reason: extended work hours on September 5 and arranging for TV sets, projectors and generators. While the teachers will report in their schools at 8 am and leave at 5 pm, the students have been asked to reach the school after 12 noon. “No leniency will be shown in following the directions from the Educationd Department,” said SS Gill, DEO, Faridkot. In Ferozepur, the students have to be in school at 11 am. Teachers have been told that they will not be allowed leave on that day. The DEO has asked all school heads to email photographs of the school assembly at 4.30 pm. While the department wants teachers to persuade the parents to ensure their wards attend the programme, many have decided not to send their wards to school on September 5. Last month, the department had issued directions to all government schools to celebrate ‘Sanskrit Week’.
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Small houses may be exempted soon
Chandigarh, September 2 It was the committee's second meeting. The next would be held on September 9. “Today’s meeting was held in a positive atmosphere,” said a senior BJP leader. “We have said that there is no need to tax all properties. Besides vacant properties, houses up to 5 marla should be exempted from the tax. The procedure to levy property tax and its realisation should be simplified,” said the BJP leader. Another important issue discussed was fixing collector rates. The BJP leaders urged for a uniform policy. With a fall in the price of properties across the state, the DCs should be asked to slash the property rates, they said. “Reviewing policies is a part of the democratic process and should be a regular feature in states like Punjab,” said a committee member. The issue to be taken up at the next meeting is VAT refund. The BJP wants it time-bound. Excise and Taxationofficials would be asked to formulate a policy in this regard. Also, tax officials would be asked to tighten the screws on big VAT evaders. The high prices of sand and gravel too would be discussed at the next meeting. “We want the people to get sand and gravel at affordable rates and all private parties playing mischief be dealt with sternly,” said a BJP leader. Except for Akali leader RS Brahmpura, all other members of the committee attended the meeting.
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Canal breach floods 12 villages in Mansa
Mansa, September 2 Multiple breaches took place in Uddak branch as the district administration and the Irrigation Department allegedly failed to act on time. As a result, the gushing water damaged a number of houses in Sardulgarh sub-division. Water also entered the Talwandi Sabo Power Plant in Mansa. At least 12 villages and thousands of acres of agricultural land have been affected with waterlogging. Villagers alleged the Irrigation Department failed to check the flow of rain water which led to breaches in Uddak and Musa branches. They alleged the Uddak branch had not been cleaned for the past one year whereas it had to be cleaned every six months. At least 12 houses were demolished in Jherianwali village, eight in Raipur, seven in Chappianwali and four in Beerewala village. Villagers led by District Congress Committee president Bikram Singh Mofar today initiated efforts to plug the breaches. Mofar said the affected villagers should be given a compensation of Rs 50,000 as their crops had been destroyed. He said the villagers whose houses had been demolished should be given Rs 5 lakh each. Parveen Kumar Thind, Deputy Commissioner, Mansa, said: “It is difficult to assess the loss as of now. We are inquiring as to how multiple breaches occurred in the branch. The work to plug these has been initiated.” DS Dhaliwal, Executive Engineer, feigned ignorance about the breaches saying, “There was no breach anywhere. It is rain water that affected the villages.” When told that the Deputy Commissioner has confirmed the development, he said: “We had checked the flow of water where the breach had taken place.”
Administration blamed *
Heavy rainfall lashed the district on Monday * Several breaches are reported to have occurred in Uddak and Musa branches *
Talwandi Sabo power plant premises flooded * Villagers allege the irrigation officials have failed to act in time *
At least 12 villages and thousands of acres of agricultural land affected with waterlogging *
Gushing water damages a number of houses in four villages of Sardulgarh subdivision in Mansa district Special girdawari ordered Chandigarh: Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has ordered special girdawari of the villages in Mansa district where the cotton crop was damaged due to heavy rain. He has directed the officials to submit the report at the earliest. The worst affected villages were Jherianwali, Raipur and Tandian villages in Sardulgarh sub-division and Bhainibagha, Sadda Singh Wala, Khokhar Khurd, Karamgarh, Autanwali, Talwandi Aklia, Banawali and Peron in Mansa sub-division. A power substation at Raipur village was also damaged. The minister has directed PSPCL to repair the substation at the earliest. Showers cheer cotton growers Fazilka: Incessant rainfall since Monday evening has brought cheer to paddy and cotton growers of the district. Farmers with land at the tail-end of the non-perennial canal system in the district, who had been facing a near-drought situation, are now relieved. They had been demonstrating against the state government, seeking better irrigation facilities. “The rain comes as a boon for the cotton crop as tube well water is not considered good for the crop. We had feared heavy losses, but it’s not so bad anymore,” said Sushil Kumar of Mohammad Pira village. — OC
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AAP expels two leaders
Patiala, September 2 Patiala Member of Parliament Dr Dharamvira Gandhi had highlighted the “poor” conduct of these leaders during the Patiala-Urban byelection. A three-member disciplinary committee headed by Dr Daljeet Singh, with Hardeep Singh Kingra and Gulshan Singh as members, decided to expel Gogia and Aulakh who were earlier sent a show-cause notice. A press note issued by AAP claimed that the two had confessed they had participated in a protest while party convener Arvind Kejriwal was in the city on August 17 to campaign for party candidate HS Adaltiwala. Gogia said the expulsion has come as no surprise to him. He alleged the party had started started functioning in an arbitrary manner. “We will meet party founder member Shanti Bhushan and highlight our problems. Senior party leaders have started working in a dictatorial manner. They have become khas aadmi now,” he said. Aulakh claimed that anybody who dared to raise his voice against “selected leaders” was thrown out of the party.
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Phoolka writes to NHRC, seeks probe
Ludhiana, September 2 He said it was an attempt by the Akali government to “terrorise the unemployed youth and muffle the voice of people of Punjab”. In his letter to the NHRC Chairman, Phoolka said Bikram was arrested by the Khanna police on August 15 under Sections 101 and 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code. “Both these offences are bailable. When the accused was ready to furnish the bail bond, he should have been released. But the police kept him in custody the whole night and the next day registered another case against him under Sections 332, 353, 355, 506 and 186 of the IPC,” he alleged.
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Left parties protest against property protection Act
Sangrur, September 2 Terming the Act as a "black law", the protesters raised slogans against state government, demanding its withdrawal without any delay. They also protested against government's alleged "anti-people" policies. Addressing the rally, leaders of Left parties said by passing such a "black law", the SAD-BJP government had curbed the right of the people to protest against its "anti-people" and "anti-poor" policies. Under the garb of this Act, state government could send any person to jail by registering "false cases" against them, they said. The protesters took out a protest march in the city and later staged a dharna at the DC office. They warned the government that they would not tolerate the "anti-people" Act at any cost. They said if the government failed to withdraw the Act, they would be forced to launch a massive campaign against it.
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State has ignored MC staff: Jakhar
Abohar, September 2 Jakhar said that successive Local Bodies Ministers Manoranjan Kalia and Madan Mohan Mittal of BJP had in 2007 and 2011 did not keep their promise of improving the service conditions for Sanitation Department employees in the municipal councils. “The state government is fooling the people by promising to build smart cities, whereas they have failed to keep the existing cities clean,” he said. Jakhar said that the fresh rain in the region had deteriorated the conditions in the city. The staff in the government and private hospitals had confirmed that diseases were spreading rapidly.
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3 years on, SGPC House in a
limbo
Amritsar, September 2 At present, the SGPC executive committee of 2010 is managing the day-to-day affairs of the premiere Sikh body as per the directions of the Supreme Court, which is hearing the case. Even the annual budget for the last three years could not be presented and approved in the SGPC General House and was passed by the executive committee. As such, there is disappointment in the new members who were elected in 2011. Bhai Manjeet Singh, first-time member, said, “We urge the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing of the case as we have already lost more than half the term. All the new members were excited that they will get an opportunity to serve the community. But the legal tangle has dashed our hopes.” Similarly, another SGPC member, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, said, “Now that the NDA government has been formed at the Centre, the Akali Dal should urge it to remove the procedural anomaly and get the Act, barring the Sehajdharis from voting in the SGPC elections, framed.” She said this would pave the way for the constitution of the new SGPC House for which elections and co-option of members took place three years ago. The SGPC elections were held on September 18, 2011, which was followed by co-option of 15 members on December 5, 2011. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s December 20, 2011, verdict quashing the 2003 notification barring Sehajdharis from voting plunged the new House into a crisis. The SGPC challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court. Hearing the petition on March 30, 2012, the apex court allowed the old SGPC executive (elected in November 2010) to manage gurdwaras and institutions under the SGPC till further orders. The court also stated that the House elected in September 2011 without Sehajdhari Sikhs’ participation could not be allowed to hold its first meeting and elect office-bearers in the light of the High Court verdict restoring the voting rights of Sehajdharis. The apex court admitted the SGPC plea challenging the High Court verdict in October last year. Mumbai resident presents ‘Chaur Sahib’ Amritsar: Surjeet Kaur, a resident of Mumbai, on Tuesday presented a ‘Chaur Sahib’ made of gold and embellished with diamonds at the Golden Temple here. The ‘Chaur Sahib’ is made of around 433 grams of 22 carat gold and has diamonds worth Rs 3.48 lakh. Its cost stands at Rs 16.97 lakh. Giani Jagtar Singh, head granthi of the Golden Temple, received the ‘Chaur Sahib’ from her and presented her a ‘siropa’. This is not the first time that she has mad such a precious offering at the holy shrine. She had earlier offered silver doors as well as the engravings in gold, ‘Dhan Dhan Ramdas Gur Jin Sereya Tine Sawareya’, atop Darshani Deodhi at the Golden Temple. — TNS Controversy over voting rights Sept 1, 2011: The Centre withdraws the 2003 notification barring Sehajdharis from voting rights in the SGPC poll Sept 2: The Centre backtracks stating it had no intention to withdraw the notification Sept 16: The Supreme Court says the outcome of the SGPC poll will be subject to the High Court verdict Sept 18: The SGPC elections held; the SAD sweeps the poll Dec 5: Co-option of 15 members to the SGPC House takes place Dec 20: The High Court quashes the 2003 notification barring the Sehajdharis from voting in the SGPC elections. The SGPC moves the apex court March 30, 2012: The Supreme Court authorises the SGPC executive of 2010 to manage the daily affairs till further orders Oct 4, 2013: The apex court admits SGPC’s plea against the High Court’s judgment restoring the Sehajdhari Sikhs’ right to vote
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Women barred from ‘kirtan’
Amritsar, September
2 Sirsa, in a statement, said these women had been reciting ‘Gurbani’ at the historic shrine for decades now. He alleged that a granthi posted at the gurdwara was creating problems for the women. He said not all women coloured their hair and even if some of them did, they could be persuaded not to do so. However, they could not be alienated from
gurdwaras, he said. Sirsa appealed to SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to allow these women to continue with ‘kirtan’ at the gurdwara while also seeking the transfer of the
granthi. He also sought action against the SGPC officials who were behind the move.
Darbar Sahib manager Partap Singh, who also looks after the affairs of Gurdwara Santokhsar Sahib, said these women were warned a month ago not to colour their hair, but they didn’t pay any heed.
SGPC secretary Roop Singh said as per ‘rehat maryada’ (code of conduct), those dyeing their hair could not be allowed to perform ‘kirtan’ at historic
gurdwaras. — TNS
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Farmers seek separate agri budget
Chandigarh, September 2 The federation leaders had gathered for a three-day conference, which concluded here today. The speakers said, “It is ironic that only 2 per cent of the country’s budget is earmarked for the agriculture sector, which sustained 70 per cent of the total population.” Prem Singh Nanwa, newly elected president of the union, alleged that the focus of the NDA Government, like the previous UPA regime, was on giving maximum benefits to multinational companies. Nanwa alleged that the farm sector had been completely neglected. The federation has urged for distribution of the surplus declared land among landless people. It sought proper insurance policy for the farm sector and adequate compensation for farmers who had to spend additional money on diesel and other inputs to save the paddy crop in view of deficient rainfall. The union also passed a resolution seeking return of 533 acres of land near Rajpura to farmers. The land was acquired to set up an industrial cluster in 1994, but was lying unused. The federation urged all the farmer organisations to come on a single platform to seek fulfillment of various demands. It said small and marginal farmers had been facing crisis in most parts of the country as agriculture had become non-viable. More than 200 delegates from various parts of the country participated in the conference. While Prem Singh (Punjab) was elected president, RP Tewari (Rajasthan), S Raja Dass (Kerala) and Bhupindra Reddy (Telangana) were elected vice-presidents. VK Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh) was elected general secretary and Zora Singh (Punjab) was made the federation cashier.
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Safai sewaks foil admn’s attempt to lift garbage
Hoshiarpur, September 2 When JC
Sabharwal, MC Commissioner, Anand Sagar Sharma, Sub-divisional Magistrate
(SDM), Ramesh Kumar, Executive Officer of the MC, members of a local NGO along with police personnel, began lifting garbage from Jalandhar Road, safai sewaks protested.
Kewal Lal Heer, Ravinder Kumar, president of Safai Karamchari Union and Yashpal had a heated argument with the police personnel present on the
spot. Kewal Lal Heer, president of Hoshiarpur MC Employees Union said, “The administration tried to sabotage our strike. Any further attempt to do so will only strengthen our resolve.” He said the state level leaders would meet the Chief Minister this evening and that they would end the strike if they get a concrete assurance.
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Loan not paid, bank attaches Singla’s assets
Bhatinda, September 2 The bank had extended a cash credit limit to Mohali-based M/s Zantra Traders Private Limited and had declared the firm as a defaulter when it failed to clear its debts amounting to Rs 6.91 crore. Apart from Singla, there are two directors of the company — Paramjit Singh Brar and Mandeep Singh Bhullar. The company had been issued a notice by the bank about the possession of the pledged properties on August 26 on account of default. Bank Manager Sudhir Kumar said that they had taken the properties into possession and they would be auctioning them soon to recover their dues. Sources said the firm had been issued a final notice on May 5 to return their dues within 60 days, but they could not do so. The bank has alerted the people not to buy these properties since they were pledged with them. The guarantors include Singla’s elder brother GL Singla, nephew Rakesh Singla, business associate Inderjit Singh Brar and Pritpal Singh. The properties include a 300 sq yard house on Bibiwala Road (cost Rs 1.04 crore), a vacant plot opposite Giani Zail Singh College (cost Rs 2.44 crore) and a 79 sq yard house on the Barnala bypass (cost Rs 3.43 crore). Efforts to contact Singla proved futile till late in the evening. In the red *
Sarup Chand Singla and his partners have defaulted to pay a loan of Rs
4 crore * The Corporation Bank had extended cash credit limit to Mohali-based M/s Zantra Traders Private Limited *
The firm failed to clear its debts of Rs 6.91
crore.
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PSPCL mulls importing coal worth
Rs 1,100 cr
Patiala, September 2 It has been proposed that 12 lakh tonnes of coal with a gross calorific value of 6,300 costing Rs 9,300 per metric tonne be purchased. “This means the PSPCL will spend Rs 1,100 crore on buying the coal. This will entail an additional burden of Rs 500 crore on the consumers,” said senior officials. There are chances of the proposal being challenged. The power corporation needs the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission’s nod to implement the proposal. “It will take four or five months for the proposal to take shape,” said sources. With more rainfall expected in the next two days, the power corporation expects the peak power demand in the state to come down considerably, according to a senior official posted at a thermal unit. “This means our decision to buy power from outside and save our coal stock was correct,” the official said. When contacted, PSPCL’s chief managing director KD Chaudhri said they were sure that sufficient power would be available in the coming months.” But we need to have enough stock to meet any situation,” he explained. He said against 12 rakes received yesterday, only eight had been used. Coal crisis *
Panem has reportedly supplied only 33 per cent of the 17.5 lakh tonnes of coal during the first quarter *
Imported coal costs 50 paise to 60 paise more per unit of electricity generated *
Already running into losses, the PSPCL had recently increased power tariff to improve its fiscal state *
The government has so far not taken any action against Panem for defaulting on coal supply *
Its dispute with the PSPCL over payments and coal price is yet to be solved *
In August, 251 rakes of coal against the required 300 reached the 3 thermal plants *
A rake is a goods train comprising 59 wagons
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Agreement on cards to end Balad Kalan land controversy
Sangrur, September 2 All seven members of the committee of the agitating Dalits have already signed the document. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sangrur, Gurpreet Singh Dhindsa said two Dalit farmers had reportedly gone to Rajasthan while one had gone to meet his relatives. They would return by September 3 evening. "They have been called to Sangrur on September 4 to sign the compromise papers," he added. As per the compromise, Zamin Prapaty Sanghrash Committee (ZPSC) leader Mukesh Malaud said, the panchayat land (reserved for SCs) would be handed over to Sri Guru Ravidas and Baba Jiwan Singh Welfare Society, Balad Kalan, for rabi season. Seven agitating Dalits had signed the document of compromise on behalf of the society. Malaud said the land was being cultivated during the kharif season by those who got it on lease in the auction on June 27. The agitating Dalits would cultivate it during the rabi season, he said. Both sides would pay 50 per cent share of the total amount of annual auction of the land, he added. Malaud said in case the three persons did not sign the compromise papers on September 4, they would be forced to announce their agitation programme for future. The compromise *
During the kharif season, the land is being cultivated by those who got it on lease in the auction on June 27 *
The agitating Dalits will cultivate it during the rabi season * Both sides will pay 50 per cent of the annual auction amount for the land.
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UK may reveal names of Kalianwala Khu martyrs
Amritsar, September 2 Sarkaria said a UK-based individual with roots in Punjab had written a letter to the British Government in this regard. Responding to his letter, the UK Government said it had directed the ministry concerned to look into the matter and share the names of those who were part of 26 Bengal Native Infantry, claimed Sarkaria. He said they would engrave the names of the martyrs on a 'Burj' to be erected as part of their memorial. The committee members said this letter should silence those who were raising a question mark over them being the martyrs of the 1857 uprising. The mortal remains of the martyrs were dug out by the committee in March this year. The committee has also proposed to set up a museum in Ajnala in the memory of the martyrs.
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Students protest against pvt bus operators
Alleging misbehave by the staff of private buses, a number of students today blocked the Sherpur-Dhuri road at Jahangir village for more than two hours. They raised slogans against private bus operators. They were joined by scores of villagers.
The students alleged musclemen hired by private bus operators had been forcing them to buy tickets even as they had bus passes.
Pardeep Kasba, general secretary, Punjab Students Union, alleged bus operators had been harassing students holding bus passes. He said they had asked the administration to register a case against nine bus operators till September 4, failing which they would intensify their stir Their allegations *
Staff of private buses operators misbehave with students * The musclemen hired by these bus operators force them to buy tickets despite having bus passes.
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61 teachers found absent
Chandigarh, September 2 An official spokesperson said 43 teachers were found absent in Jalandhar circle while 114 were late. In Nabha, four teachers were found absent and 17 arrived late. In Faridkot circle, 14 teachers were found absent and 19 failed to reach in time.
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Don't extend internship: IMA
Hoshiarpur, September 2 The IMA demanded that the plan to increase the duration of the already long professional course be immediately be dropped. It said the government had no right to take such decisions that will impact the career of thousands of budding doctors.
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In a spin over Punjabi words, candidate moves High Court
Chandigarh, September 2 Coming to his rescue, Justice GS Sandhawaliadirected the State of Punjab and other respondents to grant the petitioner the benefit of a mark. As he was earlier short of just one mark, Manmit Singh now stands pass in the state teacher eligibility test, the result of which was declared in June 2013. In his petition, Manmit Singh had said that one of the questions with four options was a) Rotation is the movement of earth on its axis; b) on its orbit; c) around the sun; and d) around the sun in a fixed path. The petitioner claimed the correct answer was option “a”. But he choice option “d” while answering the question in Punjabi. His counsel argued that the answer attempted in Punjabi was not wrong as “ghumdi” meant both rotation and revolution. Taking up the matter, Justice Sandhawalia asserted: “The counsel for the state was not in a position to explain this ambiguity since in Punjabi there would be no equivalent to the word revolution. “He had rightly ticked the option ‘d’, since in Punjabi it would be the correct answer. In such circumstances, it is clear that the petitioner has made out a case for grant of one mark on account of ambiguity regarding the question…. “It is apparent that there is a mistake in the answer key and if the petitioner is given the benefit of this ambiguity, he makes the grade. This court would be failing in its duty if it does not exercise its jurisdiction…. “In such circumstances, the present writ petition is allowed. Accordingly, a writ of mandamus is issued directing the respondents to grant the petitioner the benefit of one mark on account of correct answer of the question in the Punjabi language and declare him pass in the state teacher eligibility test. The needful be done within four weeks….”
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Suspend services of Amritsar SSP, orders HC
Chandigarh, September 2 The directions came on a habeas corpus petition filed by Rajwant Kaur, alleging illegal detention of her husband Karnail Singh. The Tribune was the first to report the matter. As the case came up for resumed hearing, the State of Punjab told the High Court that the services of an assistant sub-inspector had already been placed under suspension. The contention, however, failed to satisfy the court and the hearing was adjourned. After the case came up for resumed hearing, the court was told that department proceedings would be initiated against other officials. Not satisfied, Justice Mann directed that the services of the policemen be suspended before they were sent to the Police Lines. Justice TPS Mann, during a previous hearing, was told that the warrant officer appointed by the High Court had found Karnail Singh at the Amritsar police station. At that time, his detention was not mentioned in the records. Justice Mann was told that SP (Detective) Rajeshwar Singh had reached the police station while the warrant officer was still there and the warrant officer was misbehaved with. Taking a serious view of the matter, Justice Mann had directed the policemen and senior functionaries to remain present in court. The alleged detainee, Karnail Singh, was also asked to come to the court. The Amritsar police had in May this year recovered the body of a Chandigarh-based youth from Gill village on the Amritsar-Mehta road. The victim was identified as 28-year-old Harinder Singh Tinnu, son of a UT police inspector Tarsem Singh Rana. He was a law student at Chandigarh.
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Delhi HC vacates stay on PTU admissions
Jalandhar, September 2 Varsity PRO Rajneesh Sharma confirmed that the stay had been vacated. "It is a positive thing, but a decision on when and how the admissions will be made under the programme is yet to be decided by the higher authorities," he said. The authorities are seemingly still unclear on the impact of the vacation of the stay as there is already a proposal to start another state technical university in Bathinda, which is likely to be vested with the powers to run distance education programmes. On January 22, 2013, the Delhi High Court imposed a stay on admissions to the distance education programmes of the university since it its approval from the Distance Education Council of IGNOU had lapsed. On August 6 last, the MHRD issued a letter of approval from the UGC to the university to continue with the programme. However, the admissions could not be resumed due to the stay. The university has 2,160 distance education centres across the country besides some centres in Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
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Lok Adalat attaches bank account of PSPCL XEN
Ropar, September 2 Gurmail Singh of Bajroor village had alleged that he was not allotted a tubewell connection for which he applied on June 4, 1991. This, despite the fact that he had deposited Rs 79,480 with the corporation following a demand notice, he said. The PSPCL maintained that connection was not allotted to Gurmail because he was not in possession of the land. Moreover, other joint land holders had opposed the granting of tubewell connection, it maintained. The Permanent Lok Adalat heard both parties and then allowed Gurmail's application vide its order dated April 29, 2014. It said the applicant was in joint possession of the land and the conduct of the respondent in refusing to grant connection after 23 years was not proper especially when the applicant had already deposited the demanded amount of Rs 79,480. The PSPCL was directed to release the connection within 30 days from the receipt of copy of the order failing which it would have to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation for harassment, delay and loss of income to the applicant and Rs 5,000 as litigation cost. The respondent did not release the connection within the said period upon which the applicant filed an execution application for compliance of the order. Now, the Permanent Lok Adalat has attached a sum of Rs 1.05 lakh from the account of
XEN, PSPCL, Anandpur Sahib, and directed the bank manager concerned to send the said amount to the
adalat. Shock therapy *
Gurmail Singh of Bajroor village applied for a tubewell connection on June 4, 1991, and deposited Rs 79,480 following a PSPCL demand notice *
As the corporation did not allot him the connection, Gurmail moved the lok adalat which directed the PSPCL to release connection in one month *
The orders were not complied and the adalat has now attached a sum of Rs 1.05 lakh from the account of
XEN, PSPCL, Anandpur Sahib * The amount will be paid to Gurmail Singh
(Rs 1 lakh as compensation and Rs 5,000 as litigation cost).
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Chetan Mittal is Asst Solicitor-General
Chandigarh, September 2 Belonging to a family of lawyers, Mittal was enrolled as an advocate in 1991. After spending initial years of his career at the UT District Courts, he started practising at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He worked as Additional Advocate-General, Punjab twice (2000 to 2001 and 2007 to 2011). He was designated as Senior Advocate in 2008.
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IG Cheema booked for molestation
Mohali, September 2 They were earlier booked for allegedly kidnapping a proclaimed offender, Sumedh Gulati, from the Phase 1 police station. Gulati is a co-accused in a land fraud case along with Gill. Confirming the development, Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti, Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, said Cheema, Ajay Chaudhary and a woman had been booked under Sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 452 (trespass), 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at the Mataur police station. “The case has been registered on the complaint of Krispy Khaira following an inquiry by Superintendent of Police (Detective) GS Grewal,” Bhatti said.
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Forest guard, 2 others booked for theft
Fatehgarh Sahib, September 2 The accused have been identified as forest guard Harjeet Singh, Binder Singh and Raja Singh, both residents of Nalina Khurd village. In a complaint to the police, the Forest Officer said Harjeet and the two other accused chopped off "sheesham" trees and later lodged a false complaint with the department that someone and stolen the trees. An investigation revealed that the accused chopped off the trees and then disposed it of in the market. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 182, 379, 409 and 120-B of the IPC. However, no arrest has been made so far.
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5 agents again in Nawanshahr police custody
Jalandhar, September 2 A Punjab Police head constable and some travel agents had reportedly helped Afghanistan refugees in getting passports by submitting fake documents. The police suspect many more Afghans might have left India on fake passports. Efforts are now on to identify such persons. Agents and the police official were allegedly charging around 1.5 lakh for every passport. They used fake ration cards, voter cards and address proofs for getting these passports made. The fake passport racket was busted in April. The police have arrested 16 persons in this connection so far. Those arrested include five travel agents (Raj Kumar, Ashwani , Ramesh, Manjit Badhan and Makhan Singh), three postmen (Surinderpal, Indresh Kumar, and Dev Raj), Punjab Police Head Constable Tirath Ram, seven Afghans belonging to a family and three others. Afghans were arrested from the Bombay and Kolkata airports while they were leaving for Russia and France on fake passports. Nawanshahr DSP Sarabjit Singh said five agents had been taken on remand again to know how many more passports were issued to Afghans. "Since Head Constable Tirath was the main accused, we are checking the entire record of all police stations, where Tirath remained posted in the past," the DSP said. More accomplices of Tirath were also on the police radar, he added. The police have also written to the Home Affair Department, Delhi, to check if the 130 persons, who got passports after fake verification by Tirath, had left the country or not. "We are still not sure whether those 130 passport holders are in India or not. We have also issued Look Out Circulars (LOC) on these fake passports. The report is awaited," the DSP said. Sources said two Delhi-based travel agents were also under the scanner. They had reportedly served as mediators among Afghans, Nawanshahr-based travel agents and the police official in the case. Getting to the root *
A Punjab Police head constable and some agents helped Afghanistan refugees in getting passports by submitting fake documents *
The police have arrested 16 persons in this connection so far and efforts are on to know how many more passports were issued on fake documents.
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Five booked for raping 3 of a family
Abohar, September 2 The police said all the accused had fled. The victims said the accused threatened them with dire consequences if they lodged a complaint with the police. The accused have been identified as Jaswant Singh, Baljinder Singh, Surinder Singh, Mahabir and Raghubir, a medical practitioner.
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Firing at Gogaji Peer fair leaves one dead, 6 hurt
Abohar, September 2 Eyewitnesses said the miscreants, who appeared to be drunk, started firing their rifles at the fair. When some of the devotees, led by Babu Lal Jat, tried to stop them, Prahlad Singh of Rukhasar village reportedly rammed his vehicle into Babu Lal, preliminary investigation indicated. Deputy Superintendent of Police Prem Singh reached the village and controlled the situation. Prahlad along with six devotees, including Ashok Singh, Narinder Singh and Ram Karan, were admitted to the civil hospital. A case has been registered against Prahlad Singh, Satbir Singh, Madan Singh, Raj Kumar and seven unidentified persons. Raids are on to nab the miscreants. — OC The crime *
Armed persons reportedly opened fire at a fair * When Babu Lal Jat tried to stop them, Prahlad Singh ran him over *
People then nabbed Prahlad and thrashed him
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declaring that viewing Prime Minister’s address to school students on the Teacher’s Day would be ‘voluntary’, the Punjab government has decided to make the event a huge success.
Hundreds of activists of the CPI, the CPM, the CPI ML Liberation and the CPM Punjab
(Pasla) staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here today. They were protesting against the Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act, 2014.
Three years after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections were held, the fate of the new House continues to hang in balance due to legal wrangling over voting rights to Sehajdhari Sikhs. The House has already lost three of its five-year tenure to the controversy.
The Municipal Corporation Employees’ Union leaders today foiled the administration’s attempt to lift garbage from Jalandhar Road. Large piles can be seen dotting the city due to the month-long strike by MC employees.
When JC Sabharwal, MC Commissioner, Anand Sagar Sharma, Sub-divisional Magistrate
(SDM), Ramesh Kumar, Executive Officer of the MC, members of a local NGO along with police personnel, began lifting garbage from Jalandhar Road, safai sewaks protested.
Bhatinda, September 2
