R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

chandigarh
Dr Gill elected MCI member: Dr Gurmej Singh Gill, a renowned surgeon, has been elected member to represent the state in the Medical Council of India for five years. Dr Gill bagged 3,925 votes to win with a huge margin over Dr R Maheshwari who got 783 votes. Every state sends two members to the MCI of whom one is elected. Over 16,000 voters in the state chose the member through postal ballots. The state government nominates the second member.

Hoshiarpur
3 youths killed in mishap: Three youths from Kapurthala were killed when their motorcycle was hit by a four-wheeler. The mishap took place on the Jalandhar road near Singriwala bypass on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Ranjit Singh, Balbir Singh and Sukhminder Singh. They were returning after paying obeisance at a religious place in Himachal Pradesh. A case has been registered against the unidentified driver of the vehicle.

Sangrur
4 booked in dowry case: A 27-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide at her paternal home by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at Beembar village, near Bhawanigarh. On the complaint of deceased Harpreet Kaur's brother Gurpreet Singh, a case has been registered against victim's husband Baljit Singh, father-in-law Sukhdev Singh and sisters-in-law Kaata and Sumanjeet Kaur, all residents of Dadherri village, Fatehgarh Sahib. No one has been arrested so far.

Patwari held for graft: A team of Vigilance Bureau allegedly caught red-handed a Patwari and his private assistant while accepting Rs 10,000 bribe at Khanauri, near Moonak, on Wednesday. Kulwant Singh of Khanauri had complained to Pritipal Singh. Pritipal Singh, DSP, Patwari Bhura Singh was caught taking bribe at the Patwarkhana in Khanauri. He said Bhura Singh then handed over the money to his private assistant Kuldip Singh. Pritpal Singh said the two had been arrested.

HARYANA

Chandigarh
Filing of nominations open on holidays: EC: Chief Electoral Officer Shrikant Walgad has issued clarification regarding filing of nominations for the Assembly elections on holidays falling on September 20, 23 and 25 in the government offices of the state. Walgad said the filing of nominations would start from September 20 and continue till September 27.

Gurgaon
Gurgaon DEO launches helpline: To facilitate Gurgaon voters, District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Shekhar Vidyarthi has started a helpline for each of the four Assembly segments falling in this district. The helpline number for Gurgaon Assembly segment is 0124-2321808, from where any person residing or having a vote in Gurgaon, can enquire about his polling station. The helpline number for Sohna assembly segment is 0124-2225042, for Badshahpur is 0124- 2222040 and for Pataudi assembly segment the helpline number is 0124-2672900.

Sonepat
BJP nominee: Will solve farmers’ issues: Krishna Gahlaut, BJP candidate from Rai, on Wednesday said that if she was elected to the Assembly, one of the priorities would be to redress farmers’ grievances regarding less compensation for their land. Increase of public transport facilities, opening a government women's college, remunerative prices for vegetable produce and employment opportunities for youth would be her other priorities, said told the media near Rai.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Haj flights from Sept 20: Haj flights to Saudi Arabia will resume from September 20 even though the floods have disrupted the annual pilgrimage for residents of the state. Addressing a meeting to review the situation arising from the floods, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said all documents of Haj pilgrims were safe and they needed to reach the airport directly on the revised flight dates announced by the State Haj Committee.

Home Secy briefs Governor: Governor NN Vohra received a detailed briefing on Tuesday morning from Anil Goswami, Union Home Secretary, who has been in the Valley for the past some days to assist and support the state government’s work to fight the flood fury. Earlier, the Governor had been briefed by General Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha.

Sappers donate blankets: Veterans from the Corps of Engineers who live in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar have donated 500 blankets for people affected by the floods in Jammu and Kashmir. The consignment was handed over to the Headquarters, Western Command, Chandimandir, on Wednesday.