|
|
|
|
|
Canal breach floods 250 acres,
farmers seek compensation
Procurement steady, but payments on hold
|
|
|
No evidence, but abducted youths alive: Sushma
Despite tall claims, drug control bureau not notified
Gurmeet Kaur with her husband and child.
Cong shows the door to 6 rebels
BJP leaders told to focus on rural areas
BJP has insulted riot victims, alleges Bhattal
Senior officers in soup for causing losses to state
The Punjab Government has shifted four IAS and six PCS officers. Sarvesh Kaushal, Chief Secretary, has been given additional charge of Principal Secretary, Governance Reforms.
Be punctual or face action, teachers told
5 yrs on, police clueless on Rs 40-lakh GPO dacoity
The Post Office, Jalandhar. Photo: Sarabjit Singh
Mohali, Zirakpur, Banur to have gas distribution network
241 dengue cases reported so far
PU makes changes in semester system
Put stubble to better use, farmers told
ABVP chief hurt in clash
Pension for construction workers up
CPI farmers’ wing opposes unbundling of FCI
'84 riots: Sikhs seek Obama's help to get justice
HC allows petition for quashing FIR against movie ‘Ram Leela’
Cong leader among 3 jailed for forgery
Gurdaspur police nab kidnappers after long chase
|
Canal breach floods 250 acres,
farmers seek compensation
Mansa, November 4 Farmers allege officials of the district administration and the Irrigation Department have failed to regulate the flow of water in the canal which is leading to such incidents. Those who had recently sown wheat in their fields have suffered a loss of Rs 4,000 per acre. Some farmers in Kera Bhaika village have suffered a loss of Rs 50,000 each as their paddy crop was submerged. They were yet to harvest their paddy crop. Sources said the administration had failed to get the canals cleaned under MNREGA. They said Mansa deputy commissioner and executive engineer were blaming each other for the incident. BKU (Ugraha) leader Iqbal Singh Phaphde Bhaike said: "Farmers will now have to sow wheat crop again for which they will have to wait for a month. The government should provide a compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre to the affected farmers while those who lost their paddy crop should be given Rs 50,000. Action should be taken against irrigation officials.” Dalbir Singh Dhaliwal, Executive Engineer, Irrigation, said: "The flow of water has been curtailed. Canals have not been cleaned for the past one year. We have written to the district administration several times and demanded Rs 1 crore for the purpose”.
|
|
Procurement steady, but payments on hold
Chandigarh, November 4 “Government agencies have procured 97,93,318 tonnes so far, which is more than 98 per cent of the total procurement. Private traders have procured 1,74,617 tonnes”, said DS Grewal, Secretary, Food and Supplies. Claiming that the procurement process was going on smoothly without any hitch, he said in the past five days, various government agencies and others had procured more than 21 lakh tonnes of paddy. He emphasised there was no question of suspending procurement. A senior official with the Food and Supplies Department admitted there were problems regarding payment to farmers. He claimed that payments for 68 per cent of the paddy had been made. “As the Central Government has not yet cleared the file regarding the release of balance amount of the cash credit limit (CCL), payments to commission agents and farmers have been delayed,” he explained. He said the Joint Secretary of the department concerned had sent the file to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for releasing the CCL’s second installment of Rs 10,000 crore. The file was expected to be cleared any time. “As soon as we get the money, payment to farmers will be made in the shortest possible period,” he said. The Punjab Government gets the cash credit limit sanctioned from a consortium of banks through the RBI in order to make payment to farmers in lieu of the foodgrain procured from them. However, in case of Punjab and Haryana, the file goes to the Union Finance Minister for clearance before money is released to these states. “Other states do not send the file to the Finance Ministry because the liability to return the money is on the state concerned and not the Centre,” explained the officer. Sources said the BJP-led Modi government at the Centre had brought in new officers at various levels. Some of them did not have the experience to handle big issues such as foodgrain procurement, storage and related matters. “We procure foodgrain for the Centre. Hence, to provide money for the same is the Union Government’s duty,” said a senior officer from Punjab.
|
|||
|
No evidence, but abducted youths alive: Sushma
New Delhi, November 4 Swaraj along with Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Manjit Singh GK, Delhi MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa and former Union Minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia met the families of the abducted youths here. Briefing the media after the meeting, the External Affairs Minister said, "Our sources have not been able to give proof, but they repeatedly assure that the boys are alive in captivity, and are being made to work by militants." The Minister also added a word of caution: “But I am saying this on the basis of what I am told. I have no direct or phone contact, but there is no reason to disbelieve the sources.” She assured the families that the Union Government was taking all steps to ensure their safe return. This was the fifth meeting between the families and the government functionaries since the youths were abducted. The last telephone contact was made on June 15. Sushma said the families so far had not put undue pressure on the government, but their demand for evidence that the boys were alive was genuine. About efforts from her own side, she referred to her meetings with foreign minister of countries in West Asia: “We have tried all sources of help. We have assured the families that we will appoint an additional coordinator to seek the release of the abducted youth. The ministry has already stationed a mid-ranked officer in West Asia who is coordinating various inputs.” Harsimrat said the Centre was moving with extreme caution. She said the affected families feared that if they disclosed the names, the Indian security forces may attempt an operation to rescue them. "They are worried and since a few US nationals have been killed by ISIS, their worry is natural," she said.
|
|||
|
Despite tall claims, drug control bureau not notified
Patiala, November 4 The measure, announced when the government launched a crackdown on peddlers and addicts, was aimed at tackling the drug menace. In June, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had announced to launch anti-drug operations. He had claimed the narcotics control bureau would have four field units at Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Sources said as a formal notification was yet to be issued, the bureau had no statutory powers, leave aside tackling drug menace or conducting combing operations. “The bureau has turned out to be a toothless tiger whose officers are only collecting data or holding meetings called by other agencies,” a senior officer said. He said the government formed it when there was lot of media pressure following the disclosures in the druglord Jagdish Singh Bhola case. A top police officer, once associated with drug-related cases, said the bureau had no staff to work in the fields. He said it only had an Inspector General-rank officer at the top and a few PPS officers under him. He said the bureau did not have an office or vehicles for operation. “In case there is any operation that needs to be carried out against the drug smugglers or there is major information against a cartel, the bureau will have to solely depend on the district police from registering an FIR to making any arrest,” the officer said. Sukhbir had said the bureau would have Director-cum-Inspector General Ishwar Singh along with two Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officers, one looking after headquarters, training and de-addiction programmes and the other to supervise field units. The bureau was also supposed to have district units. But at present, these are without work. “The bureau will be fully strengthened with deployment of sufficient manpower and other resources like transportation and communication systems and the Director of the bureau will report directly to the state Director General of Police (DGP),” Sukhbir had said. The bureau does report to the DGP, but only with paper work and data collected from various agencies and recoveries made by them. Even recently during a meeting in Patiala headed by Principal Secretary (Home) Jagpal Singh, Ishwar Singh was part of the discussions to help provide legal remedy to hundreds of drug addicts lodged in various state prisons. Jagpal Singh said the matter could not be discussed with the media and only the Chief Minister would be apprised about the notification issue. “I have nothing off-hand available to comment but you can contact me later in the evening on this issue,” he said. However, he did not respond to phone calls later in the evening.
|
|||
|
Muktsar, November 4 The baby was born on November 1 through caesarean section and weighs 2.8 kg. "Gurmeet Kaur had multiple health problems like diabetes and hypertension. The surgery was performed without any complication. They will be discharged today as the baby has started taking breastfeed," said the doctor who performed the surgery. "We had tried the IVF procedure earlier as well, but could not succeed," said Gurmeet Kaur, whose husband is a marginal farmer. — TNS
|
|||
Cong shows the door to 6 rebels
Chandigarh, November 4 The committee expelled Dewan after taking the AICC general secretary and party’s Punjab affairs in charge, Dr Shakeel Ahmed, into confidence. A defiant Dewan said: “Committee chairman Gopal Krishan Chatrath is acting as Partap Bajwa’s steno.” Congress leaders Gurkanwal Kaur and Jaswant Singh Phapharke are the other two members on the disciplinary committee. When contacted, Gurkanwal Kaur said Dewan, Palwinder Singh Taggar, president, block Congress committee, Atma Nagar-1, Ludhiana, Baljinder Singh (Bunty), president, block Congress committee, Ludhiana West-I, Satwinder Jawaddi, president, block Congress committee, Ludhiana West-11, Vinod Bhatla, president, block Congress committee, and Gursimran Singh Mand had been expelled from the party. Chatrath said these leaders had levelled unsubstantiated allegations against the party president. “They launched an oust-Bajwa drive and were issued show-cause notices. They went to Delhi, held press conferences and launched a tirade against the PPCC president. They also burnt his effigies,” he said. The committee members called it a “stage-managed conspiracy to harm the party’s image in connivance with certain anti-Congress forces”. Dewan said he did not recognise Bajwa as PPCC president. “The DAC has no right to remove or expel an elected PPCC member. “I was removed as block Congress chief without any reason while I was in England. I was not allowed any hearing. We will be meeting the national discipline committee chairman, AK Antony,” he said.
|
|||
|
BJP leaders told to focus on rural areas
Chandigarh, November 4 The committee members decided to use the municipal elections next month to demonstrate the party’s strength and to step up efforts to increase its presence in rural areas. Most members said the performance of the SAD-led government had been poor. They strongly advocated that the BJP should contest the next Assembly elections on its own, as it had done in Haryana and Maharashtra. Several members criticised the Akalis for having “sidelined” the BJP for the past eight years. Sources said some members suggested that the BJP should pull out of the government so that the state BJP could reap the benefit of the ‘Modi wave’. But with party leaders focusing on the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, the suggestion did not get much support. Katheria asked core committee members, legislators and ministers to keep in touch with the voters for a good showing in the municipal elections and to enrol more members to force the SAD to give the party a greater role in governance as well as more seats during the 2017 Assembly elections. Sources claimed the BJP ministers were asked to take more people-oriented decisions and to assert themselves in matters of governance. The committee expressed alarm at the state government being increasingly criticised for bad governance. The members spoke about Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s defeat from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, withdrawal of security to former MP Navjot Sidhu and SAD’s alliance with the INLD in Haryana. They expressed anguish at SAD leaders not taking along BJP leaders for meetings with Union Ministers. Katheria is scheduled to meet district presidents and heads of different units tomorrow.
|
|||
|
BJP has insulted riot victims, alleges Bhattal
Chandigarh, November 4 She said after a show-cause notice was issued to the BJP by the Election Commission of India on its announcement in this regard, the party had taken a U-turn. It had told the Election Commission that it had not made any such announcement. Bhattal called this a cruel joke on the riot victims. “The BJP should apologise to the victims. As announced, the party should award compensation to the affected families on a priority basis,” she said. “Justice for the families too should be ensured. There is a need to restore the victims' faith in the administration and this can be done by providing them justice,” Bhattal added.
|
|
Senior officers in soup for causing losses to state
The officers are Chander Gaind (IAS), presently posted Special Secretary, Higher Education; Vinod Kumar Setia, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Baba Bakala; Parmjit Singh, SDM, Kapurthala; Manmohan Singh Kang, SDM, Gurdaspur and Jasbir Singh, Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar. An audit conducted at the District Transport Office, Ludhiana, found that Gaind caused a loss of Rs 26.81 lakh to the government due to his alleged failure to recover taxes. Setia, during his posting in Amritsar and other districts from April 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009, caused a loss of Rs 85.39 lakh to the state exchequer. Parmjit, when posted in Amritsar and Ludhiana, is being blamed for a loss of Rs 87.09 lakh. Kang, posted in Amritsar and other districts, allegedly caused a loss of Rs 82.89 lakh. A government spokesperson said in Jasbir’s case, the audit pointed out that he allegedly caused a financial loss of Rs 82.89
lakh.
|
||
|
Chandigarh, November 4 Among the other postings are: Sumer Singh Gurjar, Secretary, Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights; Ashwani Kumar, State Transport Commissioner, and Additional Special Secretary, Transport; Rahul Tiwari, additional charge of Director, Information and Public Relations; Daljit Singh, Special Secretary, Agriculture; Dr Amarpal Singh, CEO, PEDA; Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar; Amit Talwar, Additional MD, PUNSUP; Amaninder Kaur, GM (Personnel and Admin); and Harshuinderpal Singh Brar, AMD, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation. — TNS
|
||
|
Be punctual or face action, teachers told
The department has already initiated action of censuring and stopping increments of more than 50 teachers found absent during surprise raids conducted under the direct supervision of Education Minister Daljit Cheema. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has ordered that punctuality should be ensured in all offices. DPI Kamal Garg said, "All heads concerned have been alerted. Casual attitude towards duty will invite censure and stopping of increments so as to set example for others. The staff found absent, during earlier raids, will face strict action under the services rules." A letter marked to all Block and District Education Officers seeks schools to maintain daily attendance records. Fifty-eight teachers were found missing from duty in Jalandhar, Faridkot and Nabha (Patiala) circles during surprise raids in August. In a raid at the Civil Secretariat, the Chief Secretary found at least 55 employees, including four under secretaries, reporting late on duty. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had announced that biometric attendance devices would be installed at all public offices across the state to ensure punctuality. A school principal said a system for ensuring punctuality already existed under the current system whereby each school had to put teachers on special duty to ensure punctuality under the direct supervision of DEOs. "However, we cannot be very rigid in schools because teachers often have to travel out for jobs like bank drafts, small purchases etc," he added.
|
||
|
Farmers in state take to protected cultivation in polyhouses
Sangrur, November 4 A polyhouse protects flowers and vegetables from chill and direct sunlight, thus increasing the yield. At present, there are 16 polyhouses in the district. These are spread on 1,000 to 4,000 sq m in Bhogiwal, Langrian, Sandaur, Meemsa, Benra, Badrukhan, Sangrur, Lakhewal and Gobindgarh Jejian areas. These polyhouses came up around two years ago. Four new polyhouses, including two at Kanjhla village, are under construction. Farmers grow flowers (gerbera etc) and vegetables ((red, yellow and green capsicum, tomato, seedless cucumber etc) on raised beds in these polyhouses. Rajinder Kumar recently constructed a polyhouse on 4,000 sq m near Badrukhan village. He has been growing coloured capsicum there. This was a profitable business, he said. A farmer could earn lakhs more from one acre in a year as compared to paddy and wheat crops, he said. He was now planning to construct another polyhouse to increase his income, he added. Horticulture Officer Dr Hardeep Singh said one could construct a polyhouse using ultraviolet sheets of 200 micron on 4,000 sq m by spending around Rs 34 lakh. Fifty per cent subsidy was given in such cases by the Horticulture Department, Punjab, under the National Horticulture
Mission.
|
||
|
5 yrs on, police clueless on Rs 40-lakh GPO dacoity
Jalandhar, November 4 As the Jalandhar Commissionerate is yet to make any headway in the case, the postal department still looks on. The department serves two reminders on the city police every month for updates regarding the investigation, but without any response. After the GPO robbery, the Jalandhar police saw change of several police chiefs, but no official has been able to script any concrete progress in the investigation. On December 10, 2012, the officer investigating the case put up an untraced report before the then Police Commissioner, Gaurav Yadav, to seek permission for closing the case. The permission was denied and the then ACP (Central) was directed to speed up the investigation, a GPO official said showing a copy of the police request to close the case. Senior Superintendent of Police BN Nanajagi confirmed that the police had once filed an untraceable report with the Police Commissioner but that was not accepted. "We will not accept untraceable report because dacoity involves Rs 40 lakh—a huge amount. Serious efforts need to be made to trace the culprits," SSP Nanajagi added. ASP GPO Kailash said, "Every month, our head office in Chandigarh seeks updates on investigation. They have given us instructions to keep reminding the police about the loss." Nothing concrete had been done so far. The police need to speed up the investigation, he added. Police Commissioner Yurinder Singh Hayer had recently ordered review of old cases, including big robberies and thefts, and appointed ADCP (Crime) J Elanchezhian as the nodal officer. The ADCP (Crime) had also said that all cases of robberies and thefts were being inquired into.
|
||
|
Mohali, Zirakpur, Banur to have gas distribution network
Chandigarh, November 4 The MoU was inked in the presence of Minister of Industries and Commerce Madan Mohan Mittal by PSIDC Managing Director Raminder Singh and Indian Oil Corporation General Manager (Gas) RK Tiku. Tiku briefed the minister about the scope of the MoU and the plans of the Indian Oil Corporation for investment in Punjab. He also gave details about various initiatives taken by the Indian Oil Corporation for creating gas-related infrastructure in the country. IOAGPL, a joint venture of Indian Oil, has already begun work on development of city gas distribution network in Mohali, Zirakpur Banur and Dera Bassi. The project envisages an investment of over Rs 200 crore in Punjab over the next 3 to 5 years. The GIGL, another joint venture of the Indian Oil, was constructing around 2,350 km-long Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline. Over 460 km of that gas pipeline would be laid in Punjab at an investment of over Rs 1,200 crore. Mittal said special attention needed to be paid to the energy sector for industrial development in the state. He assured full support of the state government for all activities envisaged in the memorandum of understanding. Others present on this occasion included Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce, Avtar Singh Hit, Chairman, PSIDC, Rajesh Aggarwal, Vice-Chairman, PSIDC, Yogesh Kumar Goel, Additional Managing Director, PSIDC, and PK Das, Executive Director, Punjab State Office, Indian Oil Corporation.
|
||
|
241 dengue cases reported so far
Chandigarh, November 4 The department has already sensitised doctors on how to tackle the occurrence of dengue. Larvae surveillance activities have also been enhanced with close coordination of the district and town administrations across the state. Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani said compared to 2,514 dengue cases last year, 241 had been reported this year. “The decline in cases can be attributed to effective preventive measures,” he said. Jyani said the diagnostic tests of suspected cases in laboratories of government hospitals would be done free of cost with sophisticated ‘NSI Antigen’ and ‘Elisa’ kits. Blood samples would also be collected free of cost. He also directed all officers to reinforce their efforts for dengue control. Special dengue wards at every district and sub- divisional levels have been covered with mosquito nets. “Special teams of doctors have been constituted so that each department engaged in this task is reviewed separately from time to time. They will also have to ensure follow-ups to keep places as clean as possible. We have also urged elected representatives to actively participate in public awareness activities in their respective areas,” said Jyani. The Minister said spraying of insecticides had been started in places where even a single case of dengue had been reported. Jyani said breeding checkers had been deployed in 40 towns for checking and destroying breeding habitats. Besides, insecticides for prevention and control of mosquito breeding had already been procured and would be distributed to all the districts shortly, he said.
|
||
|
PU makes changes in semester system
Chandigarh, November 4 The authorities have decided that the candidate would have to complete his graduation in three years which comprises six semesters and if in two semesters, 50 per cent of the papers are not cleared then the candidate will be disqualified for the third semester. The committee members also reviewed the compartment policy. As per the new policy, if any candidate gets compartment in a paper which also comprises a practical exam, he or she will not have to re-appear in the practical and the credits will remain the same. It has also been decided that 10 days should be given to the student for migration as the process had been made online.
|
||
|
Put stubble to better use, farmers told
Talwandi Sabo, November 4 Claiming that the farmers in the state burn about 200 lakh tonnes of paddy stubble every year, he said the farmers also killed useful soil micro-organisms in the process. He said the stubble could be used in on-site conservation of genetic resources in plant or animal species. He said the farmers should sow wheat amidst paddy stubble using happy seeder. The paddy straw would decompose and add organic matter and nutrients to the soil. The straw collected could also be used as fuel in renewable energy plants, he said, adding that the state had installed seven such plants. Besides, stubble could also be used in preparing cardboard and animal bedding material, he added.
|
||
|
Car explodes after illegal gas filling in Abohar
Abohar, November 4 Panic stricken residents of Jain Nagar informed the Municipal Council fire station and the police about the incident. The fire fighting staff found four LPG cylinders engulfed in fire. They prevented a bigger mishap by throwing the cylinders in a water tank. Volunteers of the Green Social Welfare Force, an NGO, also joined the firefighting exercise. The residents complained that the illegal practice of using subsidised LPG cylinders to refill car kits had been going on in the area for a long time. They alleged such activities by car garages and automobile workshops near the subdivisional police housing complex and Jain Nagar could lead to a bigger mishap some day. The police have started investigating the matter. Officials said they would summon the owner of the garage for questioning.
|
||
|
ABVP chief hurt in clash
Amloh, November 4 He was rushed to the Civil Hospital where doctors referred him to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Taranjit was reportedly attacked by a group of students waiting outside his hostel. As other students rushed to his rescue, the attackers fled. District BJP president Rakesh Gupta, Bharatiya Yuva Morcha president Gagandeep Jain, district vice-president Rajpal Garg, Amloh division president Vinod Mittal and councillor Rakesh Garg, have urged the district administration to take action against the guilty. The investigating officer, Station House Officer Avtar Singh, said they had recorded the statements of the injured students.
|
||
|
Pension for construction workers up
Chandigarh, November 4 The decision was taken by the Punjab Construction Workers Welfare Board and Labour Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat. The pension given to the registered beneficiaries earlier stood at minimum Rs 4,000 and maximum Rs 10,000 per annum. It has now been increased to Rs 5000 and Rs 20,000 a year. The beneficiaries who earlier used to get leave travel compensation (LTC) of Rs 2,000 every four years could now enjoy the after facility every two years. They could also avail this facility for the purpose of going to their hometown, a government spokesperson said. In case of death of a beneficiary or being totally disabled, the beneficiary or his family used to get an amount of Rs 1 lakh. "Now, it has been increased to Rs 2 lakh in case of accidental death and Rs 1.5 lakh in case of natural death or total disability,” he said. — TNS
|
||
|
CPI farmers’ wing opposes unbundling of FCI
Chandigarh, November 4 Sabha general secretary Atul Kumar Anjaan said the sabha would organise seminars on the importance of the Planning Commission. It would launch “jail bharo” in the state capitals to seek pension for farmers, farmworkers and artisans after 60. Rejecting the MSP announced for wheat and paddy, he said the Centre had gone back on its promise regarding the issue. Punjab Kisan Sabha general Secretay Bhupinder Samber opposed the unbundling of the FCI. He warned that this would lead to the abolition of the MSP system. “It is a step towards privatising the food sector,” it
added.
|
||
'84 riots: Sikhs seek Obama's help to get justice
Washington, November 4 "Only 30 persons have been convicted for these crimes, with the police and prosecutorial authorities failing to bring government and party officials allegedly involved to justice," a number of Sikh American organisations said in a letter to the US President yesterday. "Given the important role that India is poised to play, and is increasingly seeking, in setting international policy—potentially as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council—we urge you to address impunity for the 1984 premeditated violence in your engagement with India," the letter said. Written jointly by Ensaaf, Human Rights Watch and the Sikh Coalition, the letter urges the Obama administration to strengthen its engagement with India on the need to provide justice to the victims and survivors. The letter further says "organised massacres" followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. — PTI
|
|
HC allows petition for quashing FIR against movie ‘Ram Leela’
Chandigarh, November 4 The high court had already stayed the arrest of Bhansali, along with Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. The order by Justice MMS Bedi came almost a year after the Punjab Police told the high court that it had gathered "sufficient" evidence for the arrest of the three. The police claimed the investigation in the matter was under progress and that the petition filed by Padukone and others was "premature". The police was collecting evidence against the trio and statements of the three were to be recorded. Advocate RS Rai has been arguing on petitioners' behalf that a complaint in the matter was forwarded by Lalit Kumar on September 25, 2013, and an FIR was registered the very next day, whereas the producer-director of the movie applied to the Central Board of Film Certification subsequently. The censor board granted approval on November 1, 2013, after deleting some scenes from the movie. It was strange that the Jalandhar police registered the FIR without even ascertaining the facts before the movie could be released or even granted a certificate by the censor board. Lalit Kumar's grievance was that the movie's title, its trailers and photographs were highly objectionable and these offended the religious sentiments of those believing in Hindu mythology. He alleged the story was contrary to the title, as it had nothing to do with Lord Rama's life.
|
|
|
Cong leader among 3 jailed for forgery
Ropar, November 4 Haripal and patwari Jarnail Singh had given false details to help Sarika procure a Scheduled Caste certificate even as she belonged to the Jain community. The case dates back to 2002 when Sarika got elected from ward no. 11 of Morinda as a councillor by defeating Gurdev
Kaur. Gurdev Kaur challenged Sarika’s election alleging that she belonged to the Jain community. She had married Haripal who belonged to the SC community. After an inquiry, Sarkia’s election was set aside. Later, Gurdev Kaur lodged a case of forgery against Sarika and her husband. A local court today convicted
Sarika, Haripal and Jarnail Singh for forging documents to procure the SC certificate. They have also been slapped a fine of Rs 9,000 each.
|
|
Gurdaspur police nab kidnappers after long chase
Gurdaspur, November 4 The SSP was informed that the kidnappers had entered Gurdaspur district and a police party comprising senior officers, including SP (Detective) JS Kainth, DSP (City) Gurbinder Singh Sangha and SHOs of neighbouring police stations, was chasing their vehicle (CH 04F 4545). The SSP asked the CIA police station in charge to join in. As the kidnappers reached a village near Dhariwal, they tried to make their way through a maze of traffic. But their speeding SUV (Endeavour) overturned. Panic-stricken, they opened fire at the police, stopped a youth riding a motor cycle and fled. They were eventually cornered at Salimpur Afghana village. Two of them hid in the nearby cane fields while the other two made their way into the village. The police cordoned the village and launched a manhunt. With the cooperation of village residents, the youths hiding in the cane fields were nabbed. Minutes later, their accomplices were arrested too. The SSP said the kidnappers had been arrested and a case filed against them. The motive behind the crime is still unclear. The kidnappers, all hailing from Gurdaspur district, have been identified as Gurvinder Singh, Janak Raj, Robert Masih and Ranbir Singh. A gun and Rs 70,000 in cash were recovered from them.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
New Delhi, November 4
Jalandhar, November 4
Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal (pic) announced the bureau in June. He said it would have four field units at Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Sources said as a formal notification was yet to be issued, the bureau had no statutory powers, leave aside tackling drug menace or conducting combing operations.
Chandigarh, November 4
Bathinda, November 4