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Police commemoration day celebrated in state
Demand for ‘last pay drawn’ as pension
Emotions run high as kin of cops killed during militancy don khaki
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State BJP backs Longowal accord
To ask govt to step up drive against drugs
SAD ally to seek power redistribution
Panchayats oppose auditing of accounts by private firms
Badal govt letting farmers down, alleges Jakhar
Despite HC order, MC fails to remove encroachments
attack on sirhind mc office
Not paid, Class IV staff protest in Fazilka
Arrested for graft, excise supdt was due for promotion
Minor girls rescued
Langah ready for probe into land deals
Will seek higher MSP, says Badal
Ferozepur tops in paddy procurement
Basmati prices start to look up
Muktsar Cong activists freed
Govt ignoring Komagata Maru martyrs: Canada-based NGO
Ferozepur PGI centre hangs fire
Border farmers protest poor water supply
Govt officials attacked during demolition drive
Three killed in mishaps
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Police commemoration day celebrated in state
Jalandhar, October 21 Saini was here to attend the Police Commemoration Day function at Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex. He said the bureau would ensure time-bound investigations into criminal cases. Talking to the media after paying tributes to the police martyrs, the DGP said, “Once this separate division starts functioning, investigation in sensitive cases, including crime against women, will be completed early.” He said the Punjab Police had created a history of gallantry by successfully facing various challenges. “Our force has set precedence not only in the country, but also internationally by weeding out terrorism. Many police personnel sacrificed their lives during the dark period that lasted for a decade,” he said. He called upon the officials of the department to perform their duty towards the families of the martyrs. On drugs, Saini said the state had been freed of the menace. He said the crackdown on peddlers and addicts had brought about the desired results. Fatehgarh Sahib: The district administration observed the day with a function at the Police Lines here. Deputy Commissioner Arun Sekhri paid tributes to 16 martyrs. He said the contribution of the martyrs was unparalleled. Gurmeet Singh Chauhan, SSP, said around 650 police personnel sacrificed their lives on duty across the country this year. District and Sessions Judge Sanjeev Berry, Superintendent of Police Balwant Singh, SDM (Amloh) Sukhwinder Singh, SDM (Bassi Pathana) Sukhdev Singh Mahal were also present. Fazilka: Deputy Commissioner Manjit Singh Brar, Senior Superintendent of Police Swapan Sharma, Additional District and Session Judge JPS Khurmi and other officials laid wreath on the photographs of the police martyrs, including Gurnam Singh, Santokh Singh, Karnail Singh, Rattan Lal, Harbans Singh, Iqbal Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Bulla Singh, Harnam Singh, Rulia Singh and Mangat Ram. The family members of the martyrs were honoured on the occasion. Ferozepur: Deputy Inspector General Munish Chawla, Deputy Commissioner DPS Kharbanda, District and Sessions Judge Vivek Puri and SSP Sukhwant Singh Gill were among the civil and police officials who paid tributes to the martyrs. Chawla said 43 policemen belonging to the border district had laid down their lives during militancy. He said two DIGs, three SSPs, four SPs, 12 DSPs, 32 inspectors, 61 sub-inspectors, 111 ASIs, 268 head constables, 817 constables, 294 home guard and 180 special police officers had attained martyrdom during terrorism. Senior police officials also listened to the grievances of the family members of the retired policemen and those who had lost their lives.
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Demand for ‘last pay drawn’ as pension
Ropar, October 21 The association district president, Mohinderpal Singh Bajwa, claimed the facility was withdrawn by the state government through a notification on March 26. Bajwa, who was speaking during the Police Commemoration Day function at the Police Lines here today, said the government had in 1998 decided to disburse ‘last drawn pay’ as pension to widows. He said the government should also announce relief for the families of those police officials who had been jailed for their involvement in encounters. The families of such officials have been deprived of pension benefits. Deputy Inspector General RK Jaiswal honoured the families of 42 martyred police personnel. — TNS
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Emotions run high as kin of cops killed during militancy don khaki
Jalandhar, October 21 Tears rolled down their cheeks as they saw their newly recruited wards donning the khaki. Their husbands or family heads had laid down their lives to protect the dignity of the uniform three decades ago. Of the 584 fresh recruits, 200 were those who had lost their father or the head of their family. Sixty of the 200 constables were in their mother’s womb when their father or the head or their family was martyred. The women said though the scars of the dark days were hard to heal, the government move to recruits their wards had come as a relief. Nineteen-year-old Parveen Kumari, who has been recruited in Punjab Home Guards, was not even born when she lost her grandfather, the only breadwinner of their family. “My grandfather Bakhshish Singh was killed by terrorists in 1990. I feel honoured to have got a chance to serve the state,” she said. Parveen’s mother Amanjit Kaur said she had waited to see her child don the khaki ever since she lost her father. “I didn’t want my father’s sacrifice to go waste. My daughter will carry forward the tradition,” said Amanjit, her voice choking with emotions. A newly recruit, Desa Singh of Patti in Taran Taran, said, “I was only one year old when my father was killed by terrorists near Chabbal in 1990.” A new recruit, Desa Singh of Patti in Tarn Taran, said, “I was only a year old when my father was killed by terrorists near Chabbal in 1990.” Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini said, “We have to serve the nation the way the martyrs did.”
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State BJP backs Longowal accord
Chandigarh, October 21 “We are for transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. But we want an amicable solution to the river waters dispute. There is no issue that can’t be resolved through talks,” Sharma said. Clearly indicating that the party will not play second fiddle to the Akalis ahead of the municipal elections, he said the BJP wielded greater influence than the SAD in category A and B cities while the Akalis had their vote bank in small towns. Sharma said the BJP supported the Rajiv-Longowal accord signed in 1985. Akali stalwarts Parkash Singh Badal and the late Gurcharan Singh Tohra had at first rejected the accord that called for sharing of river waters and the transfer of Hindi-speaking areas to Haryana, but later supported it. It is for the first time that the BJP is in power in Punjab, Haryana and the Centre. Hence, the party’s stance on contentious issues is significant. Sharma, who was flanked by Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi and adviser to the CM Tikshan Sud, seemed upbeat. To a query on seat-sharing for the municipal elections, he said: “ District-level leaders of the two parties are already discussing the issue. The party heads will meet later and take the final decision. Post-delimitation, the number of wards in each municipal body has increased. We have a greater presence in category A and B cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Abohar and Fazilka. The Akalis have a presence in Bathinda and small towns.” On former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu’s outburst, he said it was Sidhu’s personal opinion. Sidhu had accused the SAD-led state government of looting the people of the state. Orders rescinded Ahead of the elections to the state’s municipal bodies, BJP Minister for Local Bodies Anil Joshi today announced the withdrawal of a notification regarding transfer of employees. He said the decision was causing hardship to Class III and Class IV employees. He also said the order to deduct the salary of agitating employees for the strike period had been withdrawn after a meeting with a delegation of employees.
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To ask govt to step up drive against drugs
Chandigarh, October 21 The state BJP chief said his party wanted the drug menace in the state to be eliminated and would ask the Chief Minister to step up efforts to take on the drug mafia. “We want effective police officials to tackle the issue. The campaign against drugs seems to be waning. We will raise this issue at the next SAD-BJP meeting after Diwali,” he said. Other issues on the BJP agenda include regularising illegal colonies. Though a decision in this regard was taken long ago, legal formalities are yet to be completed. The BJP wants officials to be told that these should be expedited. It wants the process to be completed before the municipal elections. The BJP wants the decision not to levy VAT on marriage palaces implemented in letter and spirit. Also, the issue of VAT refund is yet to be sorted out. Owing to the delay in refund, the BJP had to face angry voters in urban areas. The BJP wants a time-bound and transparent refund system.
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SAD ally to seek power redistribution
Chandigarh, October 21 It certainly wants its ministers be given charge of important portfolios. Sources say the party is eyeing Investment Promotion, Housing, Excise and Taxation and Home. These departments are under Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. The state BJP had to eat humble pie after the strength of its MLAs dwindled from 19 in the 2007-12 Vidhan Sabha to 12 in the current Vidhan Sabha. The SAD had allotted the Industries Department to the BJP, but it bifurcated it, keeping Investment Promotion with itself. The Housing Department was retained by the Akalis with the BJP getting the Local Bodies Department. Some months ago, the government took away the Solid Waste Management Department from the Local Bodies Department. It announced the Solid Waste Management Authority. Sources in the BJP said the party’s central leadership had conveyed to the SAD leaders its dislike for concentration of power in a few hands and the resultant poor governance. They pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attacked dynastic politics while campaigning in Haryana. “The Akalis will have to demonstrate that they take the BJP seriously by ensuring the party is an equal partner in governance. As it is, the incumbent BJP leadership is of the view that the era of alliances is over. Nothing stops the BJP from going it alone in Punjab. “It could, perhaps, script a win similar to the one in Haryana,” said a senior BJP minister, requesting anonymity. State Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, when contacted, said the party’s central leadership wanted powers between the alliance partners redistributed in the interest of good governance. Striking a balance
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Panchayats oppose auditing of accounts by private firms
Patiala, October 21 They entered into an altercation with the police when stopped from blocking the highway. The protesters lifted the dharna after Patiala Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam and Senior Superintendent of Police HS Mann pacified them and accepted a memorandum of their demands. Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Sikander Singh Maluka had recently stated that a chartered accountant (CA) would be given the audit work of villages falling under two blocks. Over 54 CAs had already been engaged, he said. Funds received under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act would also be audited and action would be taken against anyone found guilty of misappropriation of funds. The government has also decided to install display boards in villages regarding the grants sanctioned to ensure that funds were not misused by government officials or village heads. However, sarpanches rue that the move would lead to corruption in villages because the auditors would create troubles for them. Senior vice-president of the union said the government was putting unnecessary pressure on the panchayats. "The government is encroaching on the rights given to the panchayats. Giving the contract of auditing of development works to private firms was an insult to the elected representatives". Sarpanches Sukhjeet Singh Rathian and Deedar Singh Reetkheri said if the government did not withdraw its decision, they would soon initiate a "jail bharo andolan" and halt trains to oppose the move.
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Badal govt letting farmers down, alleges Jakhar
Abohar, October 21 On the sidelines, Jakhar slammed the state and Central governments for letting farmers and businessmen down. “The narma cotton that fetched Rs 5,200 per quintal last year was sold for Rs 3,983 in the local grain market and the Cotton Corporation of India offered an MSP He further said the government agencies Pungrain and Markfed were purchasing paddy, but commission agents and farmers were not paid on time. The state government should pursue crop diversification schemes and utilise funds earmarked by the Center, he added. Jakhar was accompanied by party councillors Vimal Thatai, Sanjeev Chahar, Baldev Singh Kalsi, Madan Lal Doda, Ram Avtar Singh, Ganpat Ram, Narinder Verma and Mohan
Lal.
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Despite HC order, MC fails to remove encroachments
Batala, October 21 Batala district BJP president Suresh Bhatia claimed that he had met Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manminder Singh to tackle the menace 10 days ago. However, he alleged no action had been taken. Batala traffic in charge TP Singh said several people had been challaned for wrong parking. But this hasn’t made travelling easier for commuters on the congested roads. “Encroachments on some vital arteries like the City Road, GT Road, Dera Road and Samadh Road have led to unmanageable traffic snarls throughout the day,” said Iqbal Saimi, a businessman. A few months ago, the Municipal Council had undertaken an anti-encroachment drive in view of the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, the matter has again got worse with 50-feet wide roads narrowed to 15 feet. Senior MC official officials refused to take the blame. “We regularly clear the streets and have clearly demarcated stretches of roads meant for public use. The traffic jams are not because of encroachments, but due to haphazard parking of vehicles. It is the duty of the policemen to challan people parking their vehicles in no-parking zones,” said an official seeking anonymity.
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attack on sirhind mc office
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 21 Dharmender Bhanda, president, Municipal Employees Union, said the council had carried out a drive to demolish illegal structures in the town on directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He said following this, chairman of the Ravidas Prachar Committee Lachman Dass along with 30-40 persons armed with sharp weapons ransacked the MC office. Bhanda said the police had arrested only eight persons. He said they would continue their strike till all accused were arrested. The police, meanwhile, have booked more than 30 persons. The accused have been booked under Sections 307, 452, 353, 186, 506, 148, 149 and 427
of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984. Those arrested are Lachman Dass Jatti, Parambir Singh, Amanpreet Singh, Lakhbir Singh, Amarjit Singh, Hardeep Singh, Kedar Nath and Sukhjit Singh. They have been sent to judicial custody till November 4. They had led members of the Ramdasia community during a protest against an anti-encroachment drive by the municipal council in Sirhind yesterday. They entered the MC office carrying swords and lathis and ransacked the premises. They raised slogans against the MC and the police and damaged furniture, computers and smashed window panes.
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Not paid, Class IV staff protest in Fazilka
Fazilka, October 21 The demonstration was held at the local Canal Colony. The protesters raised slogans against the state government. Harbans Singh, general secretary of the union, alleged the employees had neither been paid salaries nor any festival allowance. "We are forced to observe a black Diwali," he said. Other demands of the employees include end of contract system and outsourcing of work.
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Arrested for graft, excise supdt was due for promotion
Ludhiana, October 21 Honoured for seizing 700 gold biscuits in 1991 and scores of others achievements, Dhaliwal enjoyed a clean record till yesterday when he was caught by the Vigilance Bureau. Sources said Dhaliwal was busy making a collage of his achievements for decorating them in his office. The residents living in Dhaliwal’s neighbourhood in BRS Nagar were shocked to learn about the arrest. “We have never heard that Dhaliwal asked for any gratification or bribe. You could find him roaming on his old scooter during the evening. He was living a modest life well within his means. Both his children are well settled abroad. There appears to be no reason why he would indulge in blackmailing and bribery,” said a neighbour. The superintendent was today presented before the court and sent to one-day police remand. From glory to taint
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Minor girls rescued
Jalandhar, October 21 Gautam Lama, Assistant Sub-Inspector from Darjeeling, said the girls had been lured into coming to Punjab by 20-year-old ‘Priyanka’, a resident of Darjeeling. “The girls were hired to shower petals at NRI weddings. They were offered Rs 400 to Rs 500 for a night,” said Lama. The Darjeeling police tracked the phone calls of one of the girls who was in touch with her family in Gorubathan. They zeroed in on Model House, Jalandhar. On Monday, they met ACP Somnath who sent them to the Division 8 police station. Owing to the state-level Police Commemoration Day function at Jalandhar, the local police could not be of much assistance to their counterparts from West Bengal. Paramjit Singh, ADCP-City I, said the Darjeeling police had not made any request in writing.
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Langah ready for probe into land deals
Gurdaspur, October 21 Langah said he would be submitting an affidavit to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, clarifying his position. “I demand a high-level inquiry into all land deals registered in the past 10 years in Ropar and Mohali districts,” Langah said. Gurbachan Singh had claimed that he had the requisite land documents with him. Langah said he had never questioned the authenticity of the documents. “I and my son do not own an inch of land near Chandigarh. The allegations are baseless,” said the halqa in charge of Dera Baba Nanak Assembly constituency. Langah’s son Sonu is member of the Gurdaspur Zila Parishad. Gurbachan had alleged that Karoran municipal councillor Sham Sudhir Sud of Kansal village, Garja Singh of Karoran village and Gaganjit Singh of Chandigarh were also involved in the land grab. Langah said he was not acquainted with any of these persons. Langah said one of his friends, a retired Army officer, was the owner of a piece of land adjacent to Gurbachan's land. “I often visit my friend’s land. My security vehicles are parked near Gurbachan’s land. Does that mean I am encroaching his land,” asked
Langah.
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Will seek higher MSP, says Badal
Tarn Taran, October 21 Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Badal said due to escalating cost of farming inputs and the excessive centralisation of policies by the Union Government, agriculture was no longer a profitable venture.
Badal said the ongoing agrarian crisis in the country could jeopardise the food security of the nation if timely action was not taken by the Centre. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Virsa Singh Valtoha also spoke on the occasion. — OC
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Ferozepur tops in paddy procurement
Chandigarh October 21 Jalandhar and Kapurthala remained on the second and third positions, respectively, with the total procurement of 3,31,353 tonnes and 3,23,852 tonnes. Stating this here today, a government spokesman said 35,38,662 tonnes of paddy had been procured in all 1,806 purchase centres set up across the state till last evening.
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Basmati prices start to look up
Chandigarh, October 21 The price fetched by paddy (basmati variety) today touched a high of Rs 3,100 per quintal. Growers of basmati variety (PUSA 1121) today fetched the highest price of this season in Khanna while the 1509 variety fetched Rs 2,750. The price is much lower than last year’s Rs 4,300 a quintal. The prices in the international market too have not been that encouraging this year. Officials in the Punjab Government, who are monitoring the prices on a regular basis, said that by opening the market for outside millers, exporters and even the local traders, the farmers are getting much higher price than what they had anticipated at the beginning of the crop marketing season. Over the past one-and-a-half months, the price of Indian basmati has fallen from Rs 8,500 per quintal to Rs 6,100 per quintal in the international market. Earlier this month, the state government reduced the rural development fund (RDF) and market fee on millers from outside the state and traders — from 2 per cent to 1 per cent each. Since last year, Punjab millers do not have to pay any market fee and RDF on purchase of basmati varieties. By lowering the taxes on millers from outside Punjab, the government managed to open the market and create a competition, which led to farmers getting better than expected price. Time to reap profits Growers of basmati variety (PUSA 1121) on Tuesday fetched the highest price,
Rs 3,100 per quintal, of this season while the 1509 variety fetched
Rs 2,750
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Muktsar Cong activists freed
Muktsar, October 21 Though several Congress activists, who had furnished bail bonds, got bail last night, Zira and 46 others were yet to be released. They had refused to provide the bonds. However, after negotiating with the police, the remaining activists upon signing the bonds were released. — TNS
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Govt ignoring Komagata Maru martyrs: Canada-based NGO
Jalandhar, October 21 Foundation president Harbhajan Singh Gill said the government had not been doing much to pay tributes to martyrs of the Komagata Maru incident. "We have been trying to contact the Punjab Government to insist them to organise a programme in the state," he said. Gill said though the Canadian government had informally apologised for the incident, efforts were being made to seek a formal apology. He said they would ask the Punjab as well as the Union Government to add a chapter on the Komagata Maru incident in school or university syllabus. He said a play on the incident was being prepared in collaboration with Punjabi University's theatre department. It would be showcased in India and abroad. A documentary film would also be made, he added.
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Ferozepur PGI centre hangs fire
Ferozepur, October 21 Earlier, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had given his consent for the transfer of 16 acres near Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to set up the centre. However, only ten acres were transferred to the Health Ministry due to delay on the part of PUDA, officials said. Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had agreed to set up the satellite centre of PGIMER, Chandigarh, and a 100-bed hospital. It had asked the state government to provide suitable land. Parminder Singh Pinki, MLA, said had the government provided the land on time, the project would have been completed by now. During their visit last year, the PGI officials had emphasised the need to set up healthcare facilities in the region. The PGI team had also studied the morbidity and mortality rates in the district. The PGI officials said the centre would be linked to the PGI, Chandigarh, for referral, training and consultation purposes. The PGI officials had also said round-the-clock Emergency services would also be provided at the centre. Sources said an initial investment of around Rs 200 crore was likely to be made on the project. State BJP chief Kamal Sharma said he would take up the matter with the CM.
The project
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Border farmers protest poor water supply
Abohar, October 21 The farmers alleged they had been supplied barely 50 per cent of the allocated water through the Panjawa minor for the past six months. They alleged this had affected the yield of crops. The farmers alleged they had not been supplied with potable water. The SDO explained that tenders for removing silt from the sub canal would be passed on October 28 and work might begin on November 1. The farmers warned they would block the highway if supply was not restored by November 15. — OC
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Govt officials attacked during demolition drive
Abohar, October 21 Sources said Development Officer Bharat Bhushan had been directed by the Deputy Director of the department to initiate the proceedings. The team was escorted by a six-member police team, led by Assistant Sub Inspector Om Parkash. On facing resistance from the residents, extra police force was sent to the site. The police then controlled the situation and arrested Mohan Lal, his brother Chuni Lal and Kailash Sharma. The police also booked Manoj Jat, his brother Manish, mother Krishna Devi, Raj Kumar, Gurbachan Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Raja Ram.
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Three killed in mishaps
Abohar, October 21 Ram has been shifted to a super specialty hospital. The bodies will be taken to the victims’ native village Chanderpur Chhapra (Bihar) for cremation. Sources said Neeraj (29) was posted at Military
Station, Lalgarh near Sriganganagar. Another Army man Ravi Shanker Tripathi (34) was killed as a tank reportedly slipped into a trench during an Army exercise in Mahajan field range last evening. The body has been taken to his native village Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh.
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Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini today said the Bureau of Investigation had been formed and it would start functioning in two weeks.
It was a tearful reunion at the Police Commemoration Day function here today as the widows of the police personnel martyred during militancy gathered to receive honour.
Enthused by its electoral victories in Haryana and Maharashtra, state BJP chief Kamal Sharma today said the party wanted Chandigarh to be transferred to Punjab. It also wanted an amicable solution to the river waters dispute with the neighbouring state. He was talking to a group of mediapersons here.
Members of panchayats and rural development officials today staged a massive protest in
Rajpura. They were opposing the government's move to get panchayat accounts audited and reviewed by private auditing firms. They blocked the
Delhi-Amritsar national highway for about an hour demanding withdrawal of the decision.
Following family tradition, Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar today walked through the town and greeted local residents in the festive season. His father Bal Ram Jakhar first greeted people during the occasion after winning Vidhan Sabha elections in 1972. CLP Leader’s elder brother Sajjan Kumar Jakhar also followed in his father’s footsteps when Bal Ram Jakhar entered Parliament in 1980.
Batala, October 21
On a call given by the Class IV Government Employees' Union, Punjab, activists of the union led by district president Gian Singh burnt an effigy of state Finance Minister to protest non-payment of their salaries.
The demonstration was held at the local Canal Colony. The protesters raised slogans against the state government.
Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation, a Canada-based NGO, has condemned the state government for not organising any state-sponsored event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Komagata Maru incident.
Foundation president Harbhajan Singh Gill said the government had not been doing much to pay tributes to martyrs of the Komagata Maru
incident
Maintaining its lead, Ferozepur district tops the state in paddy procurement with 4,22,069 tonnes till date.
The government agencies procured 34,24,136 tonnes (96.8 per cent) and the private agencies procured 1,14,526 tonnes (3.2 percent). Pungrain maintained its lead among the government agencies by procuring the maximum of 10,03,484 tonnes of paddy from grain markets in the state whereas Markfed procured 8,13,561 tonnes, Punsup 7,59,546 tonnes, PSWC 3,35,815 tonnes, PAFC 3,62,958 tonnes. The Central Government agency, FCI, has procured 1,48,762 tonnes of paddy so far, he added.
The entry of traders and rice millers from outside Punjab has proved a boon for basmati growers.