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Daduwal detained minutes after his release
Navjot Sidhu’s outburst puts SAD-BJP alliance on trial
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Restive BJP not willing to play second fiddle to SAD
AAP seeks CBI probe into Jamalpur killings
Bajwa rallies behind Vadra, hits out at PM
BSP to expand base in state: Karimpuri
BJP against Kabaddi Cup semifinals in Pak
Clamour for arms licences at CM’s functions led to fee hike
Vehicle dealers want road tax hike withdrawn
Tarn Taran leads in paddy procurement
Stop harassing TET teachers, says Khaira
Despite crisis, no power cuts in Badal village
IMA supports agitating students of Chintpurani Medical College
Rural pharmacists, Class IV staff in a fix
Sans readers, smart cards of no use in Muktsar dist
Trainee officer electrocuted in Kerala
Satbir Singh (20), a trainee naval officer from Hoshiarpur, was electrocuted during training at the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala last evening. Satbir and his three fellow trainees were riding a boat that hit a loading bridge and came in contact with the bridge's high-tension wires.
HC notice on collection by transport body
Dasuya court summons MC ex-president, seven others over shoddy civic works
Bedridden 75-yr-old raped in Tarn Taran
Patwari held for taking Rs 50,000 bribe
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Sriganganagar, today nabbed a patwari, Daya Ram Godara, for allegedly accepting Rs 50,000 as a bribe from a farmer at his official residence in Padampur.
Three killed in accidents
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Daduwal detained minutes after his release
Faridkot, October 9 Daduwal was detained as soon as he stepped out of the Faridkot Central Jail around 6 pm. The police claimed “he was an imminent threat to peace”. A member of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (ad hoc), Daduwal was arrested on August 22 for his alleged involvement in two criminal cases relating to possession of illegal firearms. As Daduwal was to be released today, a large number of his supporters had started gathering outside the jail premises since early morning to receive him. Amid heavy deployment of police, Daduwal’s supporters and family members were kept at a distance of 200 metres from the main jail building. He was released around 6 pm but as he stepped out of the jail, the police against took him into custody. As the main entrance to the jail was blocked by Daduwal’s supporters, the police kept him in preventive custody in a residential flat on the jail premises for the next 40 minutes. The police then produced him before duty magistrate Harjit Singh Sidhu. Daduwal was booked under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The police claimed he was an “imminent danger to the peace or likelihood of breach of peace under Section 107 of the CrPC”. At the time of filing this report, the duty magistrate said the police were preparing reports under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC for the preventive arrest of Daduwal. Sources in the police said the duty magistrate sent Daduwal in judicial custody till October 16 as he failed to furnish bail bonds. Gurmeet Singh, Daduwal’s father-in-law, alleged the police enacted a high drama to stall his release from the jail. “We were apprehensive of Daduwal being arrested in another case after his release. This was the reason why a heavy posse of police was deployed around the jail so that none of his supporters can have an access to him at the time of his release,” he said. “The main aim behind keeping Daduwal in preventive custody till October 16 is to stop him from campaigning against the Akali Dal candidate from Mandi Kallianwali seat in the Haryana Assembly elections,” he said. The elections will be held on October 15. Daduwal, the native village of Baljit Singh, is part of the Kallianwali constituency. Gurmeet claimed his son-in-law had said that he would campaign against the SAD candidate after his release from jail. It’s sad poll strategy: kin "The main aim behind keeping Daduwal in preventive custody till October 16 is to stop him from campaigning against the Akali Dal candidate from Mandi Kallianwali seat in the Haryana Assembly elections. the police enacted a high drama to stall his release from the jail" Gurmeet Singh, Daduwal’s father-in-law Had got bail from HC
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Navjot Sidhu’s outburst puts SAD-BJP alliance on trial
Sources said Sidhu believed that the Badals had played a role in the BJP denying ticket to him for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. They said Sidhu had finally got an opportunity to lash out at the Badals during campaigning in Haryana. In his inimitable style, Sidhu posed questions to the Badals as to why they were supporting the INLD, their alliance partner BJP's rival in Haryana. He used strong words such as "backstabbers" for the SAD leadership though he did not name anybody. Party insiders say Sidhu's outburst must have had the tacit support of the BJP high command. "Sidhu is a well-known personality. The party could have asked him to campaign in any part of the state, but it deliberately picked him to canvass in constituencies where the Badals are aggressively campaigning for the INLD," observed a senior BJP leader. For the past several months, there has been a cold war between the SAD and the BJP on various issues. Union Finance Minster Arun Jaitely's letter regarding fiscal affairs of the state and BJP leader Shanta Kumar's observations on the matter is enough to indicate that there is something amiss between the alliance partners. Sidhu's utterances are likely to have an impact on the SAD-BJP ties in the state. It may encourage more BJP leaders to take on the SAD on various issues. After coming to power at the Centre, the BJP is not willing to play second fiddle to the SAD. It is steadily becoming more assertive. It even forced the state government to dilute the property tax. The Aam Aadmi Party today said the BJP and the SAD should clarify their stand on Sidhu's remarks during campaigning in Haryana. Suchha Singh Chhotepur, state AAP convener, said a senior leader accusing the SAD of running a mafia in Punjab was a serious matter. He wondered why the BJP was not withdrawing support to the SAD-led government when its leaders were opening levelling allegations against the Akali leadership.
Fissures to the fore
Now, SAD calls Sidhu a ‘back-stabber’ Chandigarh: Stung by BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s criticism, the SAD on Thursday hit back, saying it was the former MP who had “back-stabbed” the BJP and his mentor Union minister Arun Jaitley by refusing to campaign for him in Amritsar. Sidhu had reportedly called SAD leaders “back-stabbers” while campaigning for the BJP in Dabwali on Wednesday. The SAD general secretary and party core committee member, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, said: “Instead of resorting to cheap theatrics, the former MP should explain why he had stabbed his mentor (Arun Jaitly) in the back when the latter needed him the most.” Grewal claimed that the SAD had always stood by its friends and allies and that is why it was contesting the Assembly elections in league with the INLD in Haryana. “Sidhu is a new entrant into politics. But he should know that the SAD has been an INLD ally since the time of Chaudhary Devi Lal. We are only upholding that tradition,” Grewal said. He advised Sidhu to maintain decorum and not reduce political speeches to a “comedy circus” show.
— TNS
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Restive BJP not willing to play second fiddle to SAD
Chandigarh, October 9 The BJP ministers will be taking up the issue of power subsidy to the agriculture sector by cross- subsidising industry and other commercial consumers. The issue of more synchronised ministries for BJP ministers will also be taken up with the SAD. The party is likely to demand that investment promotion department be again handed over to the Industry Ministry, solid waste management be brought under the Local Bodies Ministry and the urban development authorities be brought under the Local Bodies Department. The party has already set the tone with senior BJP leader and in charge of Punjab affairs Shanta Kumar arguing that the state government cannot favour one section of the population at the cost of other sections (referring to cross-subsidy on industry in order to give power subsidy to agriculturalists). A BJP minister told The Tribune that they would be raising the power subsidy issue “more aggressively” with the high-powered committee on resource mobilisation. The BJP had remained subdued in matters of governance after the party’s tally in the 2012 Assembly elections was reduced to 12 from 19 in the 2007 Assembly elections. The party had contested 23 seats. In the second term of the SAD-BJP government, the number of BJP ministers was reduced to four. Investment promotion was taken away from the Industry Department after the department was given to the BJP. Lately, solid waste management was made a separate department. It no longer comes under the Local Bodies Department. The BJP ministers feel that almost all important departments are now in the hands of Akali ministers. With their ministries bifurcated, the important departments have again been taken away by the Akalis. The party, emboldened by the massive mandate in the Lok Sabha elections and hoping for a stellar performance in Haryana and Maharashtra, seems no longer in a mood to humour the SAD. Though the BJP is unlikely to walk out of the government, it will certainly be more assertive to ensure the SAD yields to its wishes.
Getting assertive
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Maqboolpura in drug mess as de-addiction centre closed
Amritsar, October 9 Rampant drug addiction has claimed many lives in Maqboolpura over the last 15 years. Talking to The Tribune, Master Ajit Singh, who has been spearheading a campaign against drugs in the locality, said: “Even as the centre was a temporary arrangement, it had proved beneficial for the local residents. The centre was catering to 262 patients who used to visit it for medicines and counselling.” He said the centre was operating from a single room provided by a private hospital in the area. Master Ajit said it was not only benefiting people in Maqboolpura but also drawing patients from nearby villages located on the Mehta road and the Jalandhar road. Ajit Singh said the centre was started in January last year, but was shut after eight months apparently due to shortage of staff and medicines. “The patients were getting medicines free of cost. However, now they have no option now but to visit Swami Vivekananda De-addiction Centre at the Government Medical College premises where they have to pay for their treatment. They also have to shell out money for commuting to the centre. Consequently, only those who can afford to go there are continuing with the treatment while others have returned to drugs,” he added. Dr PD Garg of Swami Vivekananda De-addiction Centre said they intended to reopen the centre at Maqboolpura, but the final decision was yet to be taken. He said they had tried to run a mobile de-addiction centre at the locality, but could not sustain it for long due to certain issues. He said they were providing certain medicines at Maqboolpura centre free of cost and the same was true at Swami Vivekananda
centre.
Infamous locality
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AAP seeks CBI probe into Jamalpur killings
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 9 Presiding over a party meeting here today, Chhotepur said the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) concerned should be dismissed from service. “Going soft on the guilty police officials will mean adding insult to injury of the parents of the victims. By merely suspending the SSP, the government has tried to save him,” he said. Chhotepur blamed the politicisation of the police for the increasing crime in the state. “How can one expect law and order when police officers have to take orders from Akali leaders?” he said. The AAP state convener also said that the party’s organisational structure would be completed in all the districts of Punjab by this month-end as the screening of workers was underway. He said positions in the party would be given after gathering information about the character of the leaders. On Punjab civic body poll, he said AAP could form an alliance with like-minded parties. He claimed the financial condition of the state could improve if the government put a cap on the expenditure of its ministers. Harinder Singh Khalsa, AAP parliamentarian, targeted the government for its failure to get an economic package sanctioned by the Centre. He also spoke against giving licences to set up new distilleries in Punjab. “This policy of the ruling Akali Dal smacks of hypocrisy and double
standards. On the one hand, the government has launched a campaign against drugs and on the other it is setting up new distilleries!” he said.
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Moga man in M’rashtra poll fray
Moga, October 9 Since Shiv Sena candidate Rajul Patel had to bow out from the contest as he did not complete the nomination procedure, Khosa is taking it easy this time. Talking to The Tribune, he said, "I am getting very good response from the people. After the rejection of Shiv Sena nominee's papers, I do not think there is any big challenge for me." Twenty-four candidates had filed nominations for the Versova seat, of which 10 are out of the race due to rejection and withdrawal of nomination papers. Of the remaining 14, Baldev Khosa of the Congress, Manish Dhuri of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Narendra Verma of the Nationalist Congress Party and Dr Bharati Lavekar of the BJP are the major contenders in the fray. Apart from going door to door and holding "nukkar sabhas", Khosa has also taken the election advertising a step further by booking advertisement slots in cinemas and FM radio channels. With cinemas packed to capacity during the festive season, the veteran film actor was sure to attract people's attention, said Harinder Singh Bobby, his poll campaign manager. In 2009, Khosla defeated Shailesh Phanse of the Shiv Sena-BJP combine by more than 14,000 votes. He has earned reputation of an "honest" politician in Mumbai. Khosa left his native village in his 20s in 1967 to try his luck in the film industry. He became a successful actor, but later on he landed in politics. Some of his popular Punjabi films include "Mahi Munda" and "Put Jattan De". He himself produced film "Put Jattan De" and also played the hero in the film. He also acted in more than 30 Hindi films. He was a confidant of the late Sunil Dutt, a Hindi film star, and entered politics along with him for the first time in 1984 when Dutt was elected to the Lok Sabha. Baldev Khosa was fielded from the Amboli constituency to contest the Assembly elections in February 1985. He emerged victorious.
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Bajwa rallies behind Vadra, hits out at PM
Bajwa was
referring to the clean chit given to the Robert Vadra-DLF land deal by the
Election Commission. “Before the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi had
promised that if voted to power, his government will teach Pakistan a lesson.
Now, he has gone silent all of a sudden. He owes an explanation to the
nation,” he said. The Congress leader said repeated attacks on Vadra was an
“outcome of frustration” as Modi had “failed miserably” in living up to
the expectations of the people. The Election Commission had yesterday made it
clear that there appeared to be no violation of the code of conduct by the
Haryana Government in clearing the land deal between Vadra and real estate
major DLF. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had denied any
wrongdoing the same day when the case came to light and had even challenged the
BJP to go to the poll panel. “It has become a habit with the BJP leaders to
lie a hundred times to make anything appear as if it is truth. But this is not
possible in the face of facts in this case. The falling graph of the BJP of
late proves that people are fed up with the party,” he said.
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Mega food park in Fazilka to open in two months
Fazilka, October 9 The food park is being set up at cost of Rs 130 crore on 56 acres of land at Dabwala Kalan village in Jalalabad, a constituency represented by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Harsimrat Kaur said: “The Centre will grant subsidies and other facilities for setting up processing units to promote agriculture in Punjab.” She said farmers would get better returns after the coming up of the food park. Even the crop residue would be utilised in a better manner, she said. She distributed sewing machines and certificates among 300 women who completed training at centres set up in Arniwala under the “Nanhi Chhan” campaign. She said there were 75 such sewing centres where women were trained and provided sewing machines free of cost. Manish Chawla, Deputy Inspector General, Ferozepur Range, Manjit Singh Brar, Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka, and Swapan Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka, were present at the function.
About the park
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BSP to expand base in state: Karimpuri
Jalandhar, October 9 Parkash Bharti, Punjab party affairs in charge, called upon the rank and file to strengthen the organisational set up in order to emerge a strong force in the 2017 Assembly elections. He asked the party cadre to work as a cohesive unit. “The real tribute to Kanshi Ram will be to make sure that the BSP forms the next government in Punjab,” he told the gathering. The state BSP has seen intense infighting in the recent past. From 5.7 per cent vote share during the 2009 General Election, the BSP’s poll percentage in Punjab declined to 1.9 per cent in the 2014 parliamentary poll. Now, the party is trying to rejuvenate its cadre. Karimpuri said the party should try to expand its base. It should not only focus on Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, but also labourers and the farming community. “The key to success is to establish a rapport with all sections and communities,” he told his supporters. He said the BSP would constitute new wings to consolidate the party set up. On the killing of two Dalit brothers in Jamalpur, he said: “The BSP will organise a protest march in Ludhiana on October 17.” He also demanded action against those who had driven Dr Supriya to suicide. Phagwara: Activists of Ambedekar Sena, Punjab, held a protest march in the town on Thursday. They sought justice for the family of Dr Supriya who reportedly committed suicide at DMC, Ludhiana. The protesters demanded the arrest of those who had driven Dr Supriya to suicide.The protest march started from the Sugar Mills Chowk and ended at the SDM’s office. The protesters submitted a memorandum to Phagwara SDM Keshav Hingonia. They threatened to intensify th e stir if the “culprits” were not put behind bars.
— Ashok Kaura
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BJP against Kabaddi Cup semifinals in Pak
Patiala, October 9 Sources in the Sports Department said the new dates for the World Cup had been finalised. The tourney would now be held from December 6-20 with the semifinals being played in Pakistan. The winners in the men’ category would get Rs 2 crore and those in the women’s team Rs 1 crore. Talking to The Tribune, state BJP president Kamal Sharma said the SAD must “rethink” on Pakistan’s participation. “ In the prevailing circumstances, with intense shelling on the borders, It will not be a good idea to hold the event in Pakistan. It will be better if Pakistan is kept out,” Sharma said. Disagreeing with him, Education Minister DS Cheema said that no sports events should be interrupted despite the political situation. On August 30, the Deputy CM, while finalising the schedule for the World Kabaddi Cup (November 29 to December), had announced that the semifinals would be played in the Punjab province of Pakistan. However, the dates have now been rescheduled. Men’s teams from Pakistan, Argentina, the US, the UK, Scotland, Canada, Spain, Kenya and Denmark will be participating in the tourney. In the women’s category, teams from India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Kenya, the UK, Malaysia, Denmark and Mexico will participate. When contacted, the Director, Sports, Tejinder Dhaliwal, said the Deputy Chief Minister would take the final decision whether or not to invite the Pakistan teams.Efforts to contact Sukhbir proved futile. His personal staff said he was in Haryana to canvass for SAD and INLD candidates in view of the assembly elections there.
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AAP comes to rescue of sacked employees
Chandigarh, October 9 The company has four manufacturing units at Lalru. Ravinder Jain, company managing director, was not available for comment. Addressing a press conference, Dr Gandhi, who was accompanied by Amrik Singh (SAD), Jasmer Singh Rabna (SAD), Kuljeet Singh Randhawa (Congress), Satish Sharma (BSP), Bant Singh Brar (CPI), and representatives of the sacked employees, said the company had shown the door to the employees, who had put in 10 to 15 years of service, for asking for their rights. He said the company, delisted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for poor standards in 2011 and 2012, had recruited new workers while trained employees were being sacked. “I took up the issue with the Punjab Governor, the Chief Minister, the Deputy CM and the local MLA for an amicable solution to the problem, but to no avail,” claimed Dr Gandhi. The issue would now be raised with the WHO, he said. The leaders alleged that the company started harassing the employees after they demanded a hike in salaries and promotion after 15 years in service. They threatened to block the factory’s main gate on October 18 if the management failed to reinstate the sacked employees by then.
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Clamour for arms licences at CM’s functions led to fee hike
Gurdaspur, October 9 Every DC is the ex-officio chairperson of the Sukhmani Societies running the Suwidha centres that provide essential services to citizens under one roof. Among these services is issuance and renewal of arms licences. A senior official, who was actively associated with the Sangat Darshan programmes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, said that the demand for arms licences outweighed the demand for funds for development works at these functions. He said to run and maintain the offices of deputy commissioners, the state government had formed District Operating and Maintenance Society. The contract for various arms licences was handled by this society. The forms, in turn, were given to the Suwidha centres. “This means that officials detemine the rates of forms in such a way as to cover the cost of employees’’’’ salaries, telephone bills, electricity bills, internet bills and the maintenance of CCTV cameras at the Suwidha centres. A letter from the state government to all DCs dated April 26, 2013, states: “It has been represented by various stake-holders that there is no uniformity in rates being charged by various Suwidha centres managed by Sukhmani Societies in various districts. In this regard, a committee of DCs has recommended uniform rates for both facilitation charges. And charges for forms too should be uniform in the state.” The letter also states: “It is up to theSukhmani Societies to take a decision considering the prime objective of providing better and transparent services to citizens and local conditions, including financial position of a particular Sukhmani Society,”
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Vehicle dealers want road tax hike withdrawn
Ajwinder Singh, president, Hoshiarpur Car Dealers’ Association, said the move had hit their business as many customers had shelved their plan to buy a new vehicle in view of a hike in the road tax. He said: “There was no reason for a sudden and unreasonable hike in the road tax and VAT on diesel. Both the decisions would have an adverse impact on our festival season sales.” Another dealer AN Sharma said the decision had put dealers in a tight spot. “A number of customers had bought cars during recent holidays. They had paid the registration fee to dealers who were yet to punch their registration. Now, there is a dilemma as to who will bear the added cost,” he said. Naresh Chadda, another dealer, said: “The hike is unjustified and unreasonable. The government is hell bent on ruining the festival mood in the state by burdening people with higher taxes.” Two-wheeler dealer Dinesh Kaushal said: “Road tax hike is unjustified as motorists are already paying high toll tax while commuting between cities.”
Agencies in a spot A number of customers had bought cars and two-wheelers during the recent holidays. They had paid road tax to the dealers who could not get the registration done due to holidays. Now, there is a dilemma as to who will bear the added cost.
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Tarn Taran leads in paddy procurement
Chandigarh, October 9 The government agencies have procured 2,90,678 tonnes (79.2 per cent) till date whereas the share of the private traders is 76,219 tonnes (20.8 per cent). Pungrain has procured 87,750 tonnes (30.2 per cent), Markfed 71,562 tonnes (24.6 per cent), Punsup 62,018 tonnes (21.3 per cent), PSWC 23,288 tonnes (8 per cent) and PAFC 27,966 tonnes (9.6 per cent). The Union Government agency FCI has been able to procure 18,094 tonnes (6.2 per cent). The Punjab Government claimed that Tarn Taran district with 51,925 tonnes of procurement was leading in the operations whereas Jalandhar with 47,973 tonnes stood second. Faridkot district with 39,800 tonnes of procurement is ranked at the third position.
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Stop harassing TET teachers, says Khaira
Chandigarh, October 9 He alleged it was a matter of shame that thousands of aspirants were running from pillar to post despite qualifying the TET test. “The government had released an ad hoc merit list on June 9 on its website. But the selected candidates are yet to get appointment letters,” he said. The teachers were thus left with no option but to sit on dharnas, block traffic and perch atop water tanks to lodge their protest, he said. "If the government was sincere, it could have given employment to 4,901 aspirants by adjusting them against 13,034 vacancies occured on account of transfer of teachers from zila parishads to the Education Department. But the Badals forced the unemployed teachers to come out on streets,” alleged Khaira.
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Despite crisis, no power cuts in Badal village
Muktsar, October 9 Residents of Badal village are a privileged lot. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal holds the power portfolio. Said Durga Singh, a resident of Badal village: “The village has not witnessed any But residents of nearby Mann village have not been that lucky. When contacted, officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) feigned ignorance about the matter. Sources in the Power Department said that the Civil Hospital at Badal village alone was entitled to a 24-hour power supply. The 132 KV power grid at Badal village is being upgraded.
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IMA supports agitating students of Chintpurani Medical College
Hoshiarpur, October 9 As per MCI rules, the degrees of these students would not be recognised by the organisation. They would have to pass
their final examination from any of the medical colleges recognised by
the MCI to get valid degrees, they said. The state government is not relocating these students to any recognised medical college in the state in spite of the fact that the Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, to which this college is affiliated, had recommended to shift these students to other colleges vide its letter dated August 28. The VC said there was no infrastructure worth the name at Chintpurani medical college and students could not be properly trained there. It is the duty of the state government to save the career of these students. The government gave permission to start this college vide a memo (2/88/2010-2HB-III/1416) dated February 15, 2011. The permission was accorded under with a condition that if the applicant failed to create infrastructure as per MCI norms, the government would take over the responsibility of the students already admitted to the college. They said, "The college has failed to develop infrastructure as per the MCI norms and hence has not been given permission to admit new batches for the past three years. Now, the state government must honour its commitment of saving the career of these students. Any delay on this count will be detrimental to the proper training and studies of these students."
College has mandatory approval: Chairman Chandigarh: Chairman of Chintpurni Medical College Swaran Salaria on Thursday claimed they had all mandatory permissions needed to run a medical college. "Classes were being held in the college and anybody can verify it," he said. Certain vested interests, including some politicians, were backing a section of students to create a trouble in the college, he alleged. "I am prepared to meet agitating students at any place and remove their apprehensions and misgivings," said Salaria while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh. He said he was prepared to show all relevant documents regarding approvals granted to the college by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and Baba Farid University Medical University of Health Sciences. He said the college infrastructure was one of the best in the country and they were prepared for inspection by any authority. Some people had gone to the Punjab and Haryana High Court with a plea to get their wards shifted to some other medical college, but the petition was rejected. —
TNS
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Rural pharmacists, Class IV staff in a fix
Patiala, October 9 These employees have been working on contract for the past over eight years despite repeated assurances by the government that their services will be regularised. At present, these employees come under respective zila parishads. The government is now planning to bring rural medical officers under the Health Department. However, there is still no clarity on the status of rural pharmacists and Class IV employees. State convener of the committee Ram Singh Allowal said despite years of service, the pharmacists were getting only Rs 7,000 per month. As per applicable norms, their grade pay should be Rs 10,300-34,800-4200, which means their initial pay should be Rs 16,290, he said. Similar was the case with Class IV employees. They were paid Rs 3,000 per month instead of at least Rs 10,000, he added. "The government is appointing new pharmacists at drug de-addiction centres on contract basis for Rs 15,000 per month, which is much higher than what we are getting after years of service," he said. "In May 2011, the government brought us under zila parishads. Since then, it has been extending our contract every year. We are about to complete three years now, but there is still no talk about regularising our services. Our contract will end on November 30 and if the government shifts our RMOs, what will be our status?" he said. No one to hear
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Sans readers, smart cards of no use in Muktsar dist
Muktsar, October 9 In such a scenario, smart cards are proving to be futile as the basic purpose behind issuing these remains defeated. As of now, neither can the record of a driver’s offences be read from the card nor can the entries about new traffic violations be made, much to the mockery of the system. Officials in the district transport office said they had been smart cards since June 2011, but due to the callous approach of the authorities concerned, the system had been sheer wastage of money. They said smart cards need a hand-held card reader to read data saved in the micro chip about the driver and the vehicle’s record. Ankush Kumar, a social activist, said, “This is
very surprising that the authorities concerned are unable to read or store any information in the smart cards after its issuance. Why did they start issuing these in such a hurry, if they are yet to procure card readers?” Hardeep Singh, District Transport Officer, Muktsar, said, “As of now, we do not have any smart card reader, but these devices will be procured soon. The matter is in the notice of the higher-ups.” He expressed ignorance about the delay in procuring the card readers, saying he had recently joined here. The system of smart cards was started to check tampering of data.
Not such a smart move after all
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MP Bhagwant Mann flays producers using unfair means
Abohar, October 9 The police had recently exposed the nexus between Muktsar-based film producers and three persons assigned the job of loading ATMs. Mann said no Punjabi film cost less than Rs 4 crore and if the use of such unfair means is not checked firmly, the industry of regional language movies would collapse.
The background
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Finally, work on rebuilding road begins in Abohar
Abohar, October 9 They said the “seven-year neglect” by the authorities towards development works in their area seemed to have been over. Councillor Ganpat Ram and social activist Neeraj Godara said the road had been constructed in 2006 but was completely damaged due to sewage overflowing from drains and rain water. Residents had held protests several times, following which Congress Legislative Party Leader Sunil Jakhar on September 15 listed the issue in the charter of demands presented to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his first public durbar in the past seven years here. The Punjab Mandi Board has been assigned the task of reconstructing the road now. Jakhar said with regard to promises made by the Chief Minister here last month, tenders have been called for the renovation of Nehru Park, setting up of streetlights and construction of roads to link the Shivpuri and Subhash Nagar cremation grounds with the interior township. The works will cost about Rs 1.27 crore. He said the Municipal Council has been told to speed up the estimate report for major repair work on other main roads in the sub-divisional town.
Damaged by sewage and rain water
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Hailstorm damages cotton, guar crops
Abohar, October 9 The hailstorm had lashed Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Sadulshehar, Suratgarh, Nohar, Raziasar, Mirzewala, Kikkarwali, Netewala, Daulatpura and other segments. Mahabir Kaswan of 22AG village said the
losses could be up to 25 per cent. Ajinder Singh Dhindsa of Chak 20GG said cotton and guar fruit might turn black in colour even if the plants survived. Mukesh Pareek of Nohar said undeterred by the damage hail can cause, people were seen collecting it in bowls for about
15 minutes, the sizes ranging from that of a ‘ber’ to a lemon. “We were awaiting compensation for the damages suffered in the first
week of September but were hit again by unexpected storm and rain,” Sukhdev Singh of Chak 27MSD said. Senior agriculture scientist ML Joshi said farmers who had started sowing mustard on October 5 might have to stop the exercise.
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Trainee officer electrocuted in Kerala
All four trainees were electrocuted. They were taken to a nearby hospital but Satbir died on the way. The deceased's mother, Mandeep Kaur, said they were informed about the death late last night. She said her son had called home on Tuesday. He was expected to return home in December after completing his training. Satbir’s father Surinder Singh, a retired police official, was inconsolable.
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HC notice on collection by transport body
Chandigarh, October 9 The petition filed in public interest alleged the society was collecting money from consumers, but not crediting the amount to the consolidated fund of the state. It was further alleged that the amount was being spent without accountability to state legislature. The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal fixed December 22 as the next date of hearing on a PIL filed by Kawaljit Singh, a taxi driver from Batala. He alleged the State Transport Department notified the setting up of the society in 2011. Later, it ordered collection of user charges for services under the Motor Vehicles Act.
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Dasuya court summons MC ex-president, seven others over shoddy civic works
Hoshiarpur, October 9 The case pertains to substandard construction works and excess payments made for various development works to the contractors concerned. The contractors were accused doing the works below the specified measurements in 2010. The court of Akbar Khan, JMIC, Dasuya, has summoned former MC president Ravinder Singh, the then MC EO Tejinder Singh, the then MC accountant Madan Singh, sectional officers Bhupinder Singh and Varinder Kumnar Mahendru, government contractor Varinder Mohan Kaul, Kotli Jattan Co-op L and C Society Limited through Anil Sharma, Bajwara Co-op L and C Society Limited through Ishant Sharma. The complainants — former BJP block president Kailash Bassi, former General Secretary Krishan Gopal and Pradeep Chaoudhary – said this in Hoshiarpur today while showing copies of the court’s order. In their complaint to the Director, Local Bodies, and the Chief Minister, they had alleged that MC officials had gotten a nullah constructed at ward numbers 9 and 10 in Dasuya at a cost of Rs 23.22 lakh; interlocking tile flooring laid at Kirpal Colony, ward number 7, at a cost of Rs 16.80 lakh; and a street and a drain reconstructed at a cost of Rs 12.50 lakh — for which substandard material was allegedly used. There was also complaint with regard to the payment of Rs 5 lakh even as the work concerned was not executed. The Tribune had highlighted these discrepancies on May 26, 2010, and December 17, 2010.
The case The case pertains to substandard construction works and excess payments made for various development works to the contractors concerned in Dasuya town in 2010. The contractors were accused executing the works below the specified measurements
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Bedridden 75-yr-old raped in Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran, October 9 Residing in Margindpur, the accused entered the victim’s house when she was alone. Sahib was reportedly caught red-handed by the victim’s sister, living nearby, when she came to the house to provide her (the victim) food. The accused escaped after committing the crime. In another incident, Jaswinder Singh of Patti town, 25 km from here, and two other persons have been booked in a gang rape case. The trio entered the girl’s house when he family members were not there. They allegedly bundled her into a car and took her to a farmhouse on the outskirts of the town. The victim used to work as a farm hand in Jaswinder’s fields. None of the accused in either of the cases has been arrested yet.
3 booked for fraud
Three New Delhi-based fake travel agents allegedly defrauded several residents of the area of Rs 80 lakh on the pretext of providing them Australian citizenship. The accused have been identified as brothers Vijay Chopra and Ajay Kumar and Aman Kaushik. One of the fraud victims, Harwinder Singh, alleged the accused neither could send them to Australia nor returned their money.
Crime most foul
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Patwari held for taking Rs 50,000 bribe
Abohar, October 9 The money was part of a Rs 3-lakh deal reportedly struck to transfer the ownership of land. The complainant, Jaswinder Singh of Chak 5LNP village, had complained to the bureau that the patwari had demanded Rs 3 lakh to facilitate transfer of 10 bigha agriculture land situated in Chak 37RB village. A court had on July 2 decided the dispute over the land in Jaswinder Singh’s favour after 14 years. He had moved an application for the transfer of ownership rights before the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) who marked it to tehsildar. The tehsildar referred the same to Godara. The complainant alleged he had been visiting the patwari’s office for 25 days, but Godara demanded Rs 3 lakh to do the job. The bureau laid a trap and nabbed the official red-handed. The officials also recovered the chemically treated currency from the patwari’s residence. — OC The complaint
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Two killed as car rams into stationary truck
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 9 They were taken to the Civil Hospital from where doctors referred them to the PGI, Chandigarh. Their condition was stated to be critical. Mullepur police station in charge Kuljeet Singh said the accident occurred around 7 am. The car (PB 10 DWU 9009) coming from Patiala side was on way to Katala village in Ludhana district. As soon as it reached Rurki village, it suddenly rammed into a truck (PB 10 EH 7016) wrongly parked on the roadside. Both passengers sitting in the front seats of the car were killed on the spot. The truck driver tried to flee from the spot but was arrested. A case has been registered against him. Amarjit Singh's relative Balvir Singh of Patiala, who reached the accident site, said the victims were returning home after visiting a hospital in Ajmer in connection with the medical check-up of Mandeep Singh.
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Abohar, October 9 Dalip Kumar of Purani Abadi, Sriganganagar, was killed and his pillion-riding friends Suraj Bhan and Chandan Kumar were critically injured when the motorcycle which they were riding reportedly collided with a truck near Bhojasar village. They were on the way to a pilgrimage site. Ram Pratap (18) was killed when a pick-up van reportedly hit the two-wheeler he was riding on near Purbasar village. — OC
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Chandigarh, October 9
Chandigarh, October 9
oshiarpur, October 9
Hoshiarpur, October 9