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200 new courses from next session: Smriti
Sidhu says time ripe for people’s rule
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Govt gifts old warbird to Army unit
HC lays down principles for retrenchment of staff
Manpreet tells Badals to follow Khattar on austerity
Hospitals ill-equipped to treat cancer in Muktsar
Faulty pricing index makes you shell out 60 paisa more on fuel
NRI chips in for solar power plant at primary school
Sukhbir asks Modi to clear ’84 relief
Dam scrap to fetch Rs 100 crore
Rajindra Lake throws up more surprises
Amarinder defends AFSPA in J&K
Free screening of ‘Chaar Sahibzaade’ in Lambi
Subsidised wheat seed for farmers
Women participate in “Mela Dhiyan Da” at Jakhepal village in Sangrur district on Sunday. Tribune photo
German expert offers help to cancer patients
Robbers’ gang busted,
arms seized
Murder accused attempts suicide at police station
Cops seize phones during raid at jail
Drunken man shoots wife, attempts suicide
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200 new courses from next session: Smriti
Amritsar, November 16 “We are planning to provide online tutorial service for students, who can directly learn from top billed educators from IITs and IIMs. The service will bring in students from across the country right at the doorstep of the best teachers in the country,” she said. She was here to address the national convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP’s student wing, which concluded today. The Minister said the recently launched initiatives like Unnat Bharat, credit-transfer system or Skill Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth (SAMVAY) and Know Your College portal would help re-design the education system in the country. She presented mountaineer Arunima Sinha, who became the first Indian amputee to climb Mount Everest, with Yashwant Rao Kelkar youth icon award along with a cash reward of Rs 50,000. Irani said Arunima had proved that with dedication, focus and will power, nothing was impossible. “She has become an inspiration not only for the women of the country, but also for youngsters who dream of achieving big in life,” she said. She also announced to make Arunima the brand ambassador of the Swacch Bharat movement in Uttar Pradesh. She called upon the ABVP activists to dedicate two hours in a week to the clean India movement. “The initiatives were launched on the National Education Day and convey our efforts to improve the quality of education and bring in transparency. Both the schemes will prove progressive in changing the course of education system in the country,” she said. Supporting the resolution passed by the ABVP council on the issue of drug addiction, she said the social menace had to be tackled with individual responsibility and joint commitment. She also touched upon the issue of female foeticide and called upon young women to stand united against this crime. “I met a woman from Punjab on a TV show, who confessed to me that she wanted to kill her three-day-old daughter because of family pressure. But despite her attempt, the infant survived, which was a miracle. And that day she too decided to fight for her daughter’s life,” she said.
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Sidhu says time ripe for people’s rule
Ludhiana, November 16 Time has come to end their rule.” He was speaking at the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra programme in Ludhiana today. Taking a dig at the state government’s slogan “Raj nahi sewa”, Sidhu alleged it was 90 per cent commercial gains (mewa) and 10 per cent service (sewa). In Punjab, politics had been turned into a commercial venture, said the BJP leader. “We have to raise our voice against this. I am often told to speak cautiously. But I am not afraid of speaking the truth,” he said. In his characteristic style, Sidhu said: “Coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave die but once. He said all must take a pledge to root out corruption.” Sidhu said he had heard about threats to his life, but he would not bow to any pressure. Taking recourse to poetry and invoking history and mythology, the former MP said time had come to “fight a battle for the truth”. “Lord Krishna, in the Mahabharata, supported the righteous. Now, the people of Punjab should stand for the truth.” Using exhortations like “pagri sambhal jatta”, Sidhu said “rashtriya dharma” was most important. The best way to repay one’s debt to one’s land is by supporting the just and the righteous. Initially, Sidhu spoke in Hindi. Later, he switched to Punjabi. Some people in the gathering reportedly raised slogans referring to Sidhu as the “next Chief Minister of Punjab”.
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Bibi Jagir wants BJP to restrain Sidhus
Patiala, November 16 Jagir Kaur was responding to Navjot Kaur's statement that Punjab's development was only possible if the BJP snapped ties with the Akali Dal. "The Sidhu couple has friction between themselves as well as the party's top brass. They are deliberately making comments on the SAD-BJP ties to create confusion among the people, but the coalition is as strong as ever," said Jagir Kaur. She was in the city today to launch the membership drive of the Istri Akali Dal. She said it was up to the BJP high command to ensure that the Sidhu couple abstained from making such comments. "The Akali Dal has nothing to do with it and will not react. We are just doing our duty to ensure that the state is run with full conviction and devotion," she said. She said the Istri Akal Dal would concentrate on enrolling new members to strengthen the organisation that would spread awareness about the welfare programmes of the state government among the masses and make the elected representatives aware of the people's grievances.
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Chandigarh integral part of Punjab: CM
Tarn Taran, November 16 “The Modi government must do justice by handing over Chandigarh to Punjab. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has always safeguarded the interests of the state and will continue to do so,” the Chief Minister said. To a query, he said the SAD-BJP alliance was necessary for ensuring progress, peace and communal harmony in the state. Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister said that imparting training to the youth in various skills was a must to make them self-reliant. “The state government is laying special emphasis on opening a network of technical centres for the purpose ,” he said. He lauded the Chief Khalsa Diwan for serving “humanity with utmost zeal and commitment.” He urged the management to take the necessary steps to provide free and quality education to bright students belonging to poor families. The Chief Minister released a souvenir to mark the occasion and felicitated eminent Sikh personalities from various walks of life. President of the Chief Khalsa Diwan Charanjit Singh Chadha welcomed the Chief Minister. Earlier, Badal inaugurated CKD Institute of Management and Technology. He said the institute would help provide world-class education to students belonging from border areas. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Education Minister DS Cheema, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harmeet Singh Sandhu, chairman of the district planning committee, Tarn Taran, Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, former MP Rajmohinder Singh Majitha and his special principal secretary AK Sharma. Centre must cut drug supply line, says Badal Phagwara: Addressing a gathering here on Sunday, Chief Minister Parkash singh Badal said the only way to tackle the drug menace was to cut the drug supply line within the country and also abroad. Appealing to all political parties not to politicise the issue, he sought their cooperation in uprooting the problem. “As unemployment is the biggest reason for the youth turning to drugs, several skill centres are being set up in the state,” he said. The Chief Minister was all praise for Sri Ram Naumi Utsav Committee and its president and Chief Editor of the Hind Samachar group of newspapers. He honoured eminent persons and NGOs on the occasion. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Ajit Singh Kohar and Chunni Lal Bhagat, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries KD Bhandari and Som Parkash, MLA Pargat Singh, former Minister Master Mohan Lal, Markfed chairman Jarnail Singh Wahid and Deputy Commissioner DS Mangat. — Ashok Kaura
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Two killed, two injured in Talwandi Sabo shootout
Talwandi Sabo, November 16 The police identified the deceased as Nachhattar Singh (48) and Balveer Beera (35), both residents of Talwandi Sabo. While Beera was declared “brought dead” by doctors at the Bathinda Civil Hospital, Nachhattar Singh was killed on the spot. One of the grievously injured persons was identified as Angrez Singh. The police have registered a case against nine persons and arrested their three accomplices. Jasvir Singh, a relative of deceased Nachhattar Singh, said the rival group had earlier kidnapped Nachhattar’s son Pargat Singh and a case was registered against one of the key accused, Manpreet Manna, with the Bathinda Civil Lines police station. “Manna was putting pressure on Pargat Singh to reach a compromise. Furious at his refusal to do so, Manna, along with eight others, opened fire and killed Pargat Singh’s father and his friend Beera,” he said. The police said Manna was wanted in numerous streetfights and brawls.
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Govt gifts old warbird to Army unit
The Bell 47-G3 helicopter, bearing serial number BZ544, was the last of the four Bell helicopters procured by the Indian Air Force in 1954. These machines were used extensively for operations and were also pressed into service during the 1962 Indo-China war. Army Aviation pilots flew the Bell 47 for the first time during helicopter conversion training in 1971. Army Aviation veterans Col Madan Thadani and Col Ravi Datta, who had flown the helicopter during the first conversion course as part of the erstwhile Air Observation Post, were also present at the unveiling ceremony. Somewhat resembling the Cheetah helicopters that continue to fly with the armed forces, the Bell 47 first flew in 1945 with about 8,000 variants for civilian and military users being built for a large number of countries. About 30 years ago, the Punjab Government bought the helicopter for imparting technical training to students at the
Punjab Aircraft Maintenance Engineering College at Patiala. With piston engine aircraft no longer in vogue, the helicopter had been lying in a relatively good condition in a government hangar in Patiala. The Army got to know about its existence recently and requested the state government for installing it at its training establishment.
Vintage wings
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HC lays down principles for retrenchment of staff
Chandigarh, November 16 Among other things, the High Court has made it clear that reinstatement cannot be denied solely on the ground that appointments made by public bodies were not in accordance with the relevant statutory recruitment rules. The Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta, Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Kuldip Singh has ruled: “Keeping in view the recognised power of the Industrial Tribunal to direct reinstatement on account of the violation of Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the same cannot be denied solely on the ground that appointments were made by public bodies against public posts and were not in accordance with the relevant statutory recruitment rules”. Section 25-F of the Act deals with conditions precedent to retrenchment of workmen. The Bench also held: “The settled position of law, as has been sought to be addressed by this court, is that the provisions of Section 25-F being mandatory and on account of violation of the same, the retrenchment would be void ab initio as if it was never in operation and, therefore, the employee would be deemed to be continuing in service”. The ruling came after Municipal Council, Dinanagar, moved the High Court against the Presiding Officer of Gurdaspur Labour Court and another respondent. The matter was placed before the Full Bench after a reference was made by a Division Bench vide order dated January 21. It was, rather, constituted to decide “the vexed question as to whether persons appointed on public posts without following proper procedure would be entitled for reinstatement in view of the violation of the provisions of Section 25-F of the Act. Speaking for the Bench, Justice Sandhawalia added that the right of reinstatement, however, was not automatic. “While directing reinstatement, the Labour Court will have to take into consideration various aspects as to the nature of appointment, the availability of a post, the availability of work, whether the appointment was per se rules and the statutory provisions, the length of service and the delay in raising the industrial dispute before any award of reinstatement could follow in cases of persons appointed on a short-term basis and as daily wagers and who had not worked for long period but solely on the strength of having completed 240 days, would not per se be entitled for reinstatement as such, even though the retrenchment was void”. The Bench further added that the retrenchment being void would, however, not entitle the workman as such to qualify or claim a right for regularisation. By an order of reinstatement, permanency could be granted to the employee. “The employer would have a right to further terminate him in accordance with law by complying with the mandatory provisions and the employee having any grievance against such a termination could challenge the same in accordance with law”. Before parting, the Bench added: “We do not subscribe to the view that the public authorities could claim total immunity and protection from the provisions of Sections 25-F and 25-B of the Act by taking resort to and shielding themselves on account of the fact that the posts were not filled up in accordance with the relevant statutory recruitment rules and, therefore, per se the workman could not claim reinstatement”
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local body poll
Abohar, November 16 As many 367 candidates are contesting the polls in 50 wards in Sriganganagar and 224 in 45 wards in Hanumangarh. Even as ruling BJP visibly appeared more confident about the
results, rebels have thrown a tough challenge in some wards. The Congress has suffered a major jolt as its candidate Rajneesh Behal withdrew papers in ward number 28. The BJP has fielded Ajay Chandak here, who now faces saffron party rebel and heavyweight Mahesh Gupta. Ajay is being tipped to become the chairman, if elected as councillor. However, Minister of State Surinderpal Singh said elected councillors will be free to elect anyone as chairperson. Until evening, a large number of supporters were found campaigning in different wards.
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Manpreet tells Badals to follow Khattar on austerity
Chandigarh, November 16 “If Khattar can travel to Delhi by Shatabdi Express, there is no reason why Punjab leaders should go to nearby places such as Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala in helicopters, when the state is virtually bankrupt. There have been examples when the Chief Minister travelled to even Mohali from his residence by air. A state like Punjab cannot sustain such ostentatious lifestyle. It is the rulers who have to set the example,” he said in a statement released here.
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Hospitals ill-equipped to treat cancer in Muktsar
Muktsar, November 16 Moreover, the district does not even have a private empanelled hospital for cancer treatment. People have to go to Faridkot or Bathinda to undergo screening tests such as a CT scan or an MRI scan. Around 1,100 people have died due to cancer in the district in the last 10 years. “Doctors say cancer is curable, if detected early. But the number of patients is rising fast as the civil hospitals lack diagnostic facilities,” said Gagan Deep, whose close relative died of liver cancer recently. Dr Narinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, said, “The post of histopathologist is lying vacant in the district for a long time. In such circumstances, doctors refer suspected cases to Faridkot or Bathinda.” “The major cause of cancer in the district is the intensive use of pesticides,” said Dr Vikram Asija, district epidemiologist. Cancer has even claimed the lives of the powerful. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal lost his wife Surinder Kaur Badal to cancer in 2011 and former Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar’s son Kanwarjit Singh Brar died of the disease. In Majha, there are 64.7 patients for every 1 lakh people; 88.1 in Doaba; and 108.9 in Malwa, says a report released by the state government.
Basic facilities lacking
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Faulty pricing index makes you shell out 60 paisa more on fuel
The extra charges are on account of fuel transportation cost from Panipat in Haryana even as the oil is coming from Bathinda. Ironically, filling stations situated next to the Bathinda refinery too have been paying extra money due to the faulty yardstick. Sources said it too was strange that even if the oil was supplied through pipeline to many places, the pricing was being determined by calculating rail freight. The Bathinda refinery is catering to needs of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and other northern states since 2012 with 9 million tonnes of annual production. Another official of an oil company said, “The Bathinda refinery is producing far more oil than that consumed in Punjab. It is illogical that Panipat is being taken as the base while the oil is being supplied from a refinery within the state. The reduction in prices will benefit the consumers, filling station owners as well as the government.” The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the Union Government is yet to clear the proposal of changing the base station of price. A PPAC official said the proposal was likely to be sent to the Union Petroleum Ministry. Monty Sehgal, member of petrol pumps dealers association, said they had been raising the issue time and again, but “political will seems to be missing to address it”. “The final rate of the fuel is calculated as per the pricing starting from the primary base, which is Panipat for the region. The secondary base is the district. The calculation suggests up to 60 paisa per litre can be saved if Bathinda is made the base,” he said. Sehgal said Punjab should press for changing the yardstick. A government official said the government may actually earn more VAT with reduction of prices. “The reduced prices will encourage sale along the Haryana border and, thus, generate more revenue. As of now the consumers, especially long-route truckers, prefer Haryana filling stations over Punjab,” he said.
Costly supply
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NRI chips in for solar power plant at primary school
Sangrur, November 16 Under an NRI scheme of the state government, NRI Rajinder Singh contributed for 25 per cent of the total cost of setting up the plant, while the state paid the rest of the amount. Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) prepared an estimate of the project and stated the cost to be around Rs 7.50
lakh. Deputy Commissioner Arshdeep Singh Thind said Rajinder had already deposited his share of Rs 1,87,500 with the administration. Thind said other NRIs were welcome to chip in for other projects. Paramjit Singh, Deputy Economic and Statistical Adviser, Sangrur, said Commissioner, NRI Affairs, Punjab, would approve the project and release Rs 5,62,500 for the solar power project.
A noble deed Under an NRI scheme of the state, Rajinder Singh paid for 25% of the total cost of setting up the plant
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Sukhbir asks Modi to clear ’84 relief
Chandigarh, November 16 A government spokesperson said Sukhbir pointed out that a lot of ground had to be covered to ensure justice to the victims. The letter stated that the announcement of compensation was treated as the first concrete and meaningful step to apply balm on the community's wounds 30 years after the pogrom. The Deputy Chief Minister said the recent developments had given the impression that the Centre was yet to take a decision on awarding Rs 5 lakh each as compensation to the victims, as announced on October 30, and that the move appeared to be at proposal stage only. "I would like to draw your attention to the confusion created amongst the Sikh community members on this issue. You would recall that immense goodwill had been generated for the NDA government after the announcement that the Centre would award compensation to the massacre victims," he wrote. The spokesperson said Sukhbir also highlighted the need for comprehensive justice on the issue and stressed that exemplary punishment should be awarded to those responsible for the riots. He said an inquiry commission led by a Supreme Court judge should be formed to go into the conspiracy behind the killings and old cases should be reopened. He also demanded registration of FIRs in cases where these were not registered due to official apathy.
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Dam scrap to fetch Rs 100 crore
Chandigarh, November 16 Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister said that while inspecting various works, he noticed that heavy machineries and equipmen bought by the department in1982, 1996 and 2001 had turned into scrap because of non-use during the past 20 years. Heavy earth-moving machinery was bought by the state when the dam was being constructed. He said he formed a disposal committee headed by the superintending engineer. The committee had identified 331 pieces and five plants for e-auction. Dhillon said the department was determined to streamline the process of procurement and disposal of machinery. Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary, Irrigation, said the proceeds of the auction would be deposited in the government treasury. The construction of Ranjit Sagar Dam began in 1985 and the project was completed and commissioned in 2001. Heavy earthmoving, hydraulic and mechanical equipment were purchased for raising the dam.
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Rajindra Lake throws up more surprises
Patiala, November 16 Worried, the municipal authorities have written to the Patiala Deputy Commissioner to ask local Wildlife officials to shift the rare acquatic species to a safe habitat. The ancient lake has been partly dry for the past almost two decades. It was earlier connected with the Bhakra Main Line. Workers at the lake site claim to have spotted rare snake species, many of these more than 6 feet long. Patiala Mayor Amrinder Bazaz said he had written to the Patiala Deputy Commissioner and Wildlife officials to ensure that the rare species were preserved. “Some workers claim to have spotted more turtles and hundreds of water snakes. The lake’s water level is dismally low. It could be dangerous to remove these species from what has been their natural habitat for several decades,” he said. Former Divisional Forest Officer Karamjit Singh Jattana said: “The turtles recovered from the lake could be sent for DNA testing to ascertain their age and gender." Wildlife expert Jaskaran Sandhu said the experts should act fast lest ignorant workers ruined the natural habitat.
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School hostels in Fazilka villages in a shambles
Abohar(Kundal), November 16 In contrast, school hostels constructed in nearby Kundal and Dharampura villages in Fazilka, built three years ago, are in a shambles. These hostels, each costing more than Rs 50 lakh, were built under Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme as part of the Centre’s Rashtriya Madhyamik Shikhsha Abhiyan . These unclaimed properties, renovated at least twice at a cost of more than Rs 10 lakh, are being renovated yet again, all for nothing. Village residents, schools, panchayats and the local MLA see little possibility of any student shifting to these hostels. In Kundal village, the school walls have collapsed. There are some signs of patch work. The walls of the school at Dharampura are being repainted and the doors changed. The girls hostel, located outside the populated area, has no boundary wall. Gurtej Singh Ghurhiana, MLA, said: “ The matter is serious. We will look into the details and take corrective action.” Talking to The Tribune, Deputy Commissioner Manjit Singh Brar said the building in Kundal had been damaged by heavy rains in 2011 and then again this summer. “The hostel building is being repaired and will be handed over to the school shortly. The Dharampura village panchayat has objected to the building being handed over to the school, saying it is outside inhabitated area. We will meet tomorrow. We may consider using the building for other other purpose,” he said. Sukhbir Bal, District Education Officer of Fazilka, said: “The schools have refused to take possession of these buildings because they are unsafe, as of now”. A senior teacher at Dharampura said: “Some girl students, who were shown the school hostel, refused to shift there.”
Picture of neglect
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Amarinder defends AFSPA in J&K
In a press statement, he said the Congress would oppose any move to review the legislationt. “Our soldiers are fighting a difficult war. They need some legal protection. Mistakes by soldiers are firmly dealt with. It is not that the law is being abused or misused,” he said. He mentioned the recent court-martial of five soldiers in this regard. Action was initiated against these soldiers after they were found guilty of staging a fake encounter. About his book, "Honour and Fidelity", he said it was a tribute to over 70,000 Indian soldiers who were killed and over 70,000 others who were injured during World War I. "Not much was known about the Indian soldiers’ contribution to the war. I wanted to document their contribution," he said. Amarinder Singh said India’s support to Great Britain had a positive impact with the British government promising greater autonomy to India.
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On dharna for missing brother, teacher loses job
Faridkot, November 16 Neetu Kapoor alleged the action was taken as she had accused a senior BJP leader of kidnapping her younger brother Manoj Kumar, who has been missing since May 25. She alleged after all pressure tactics to end her protest dharna failed, she was removed from the post at Government Polytechnic College in Moga on the directions of the BJP leader. Neetu was working on a contractual basis as a teacher of English in the Applied Sciences Department of the college. She alleged the college management removed her without assigning any reason. For the last many days she was being harassed in the college on flimsy grounds, she alleged. Suresh Kumar, vice-principal of the college, denied the allegations. He said the contractual teachers were appointed as per need and they were relieved when their services were not required. Neetu alleged: "The police has been harassing students who were taking tuitions from me ever since I started protest in front of the police station." Rakesh Rani, Neetu's mother, said: "The police did not arrest the accused in the case as he is close to a senior BJP leader." After Neetu approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, accusing the police of shielding the accused and failing to trace her brother, the High Court issued directions to the Faridkot police to solve the case before November 25 or hand over the probe to some other investigation agency.
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Free screening of ‘Chaar Sahibzaade’ in Lambi
Lambi (Muktsar), November 16 Lambi is the constituency of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. This constituency had given Harsimrat the crucial lead of 34,300 votes in the last Lok Sabha elections. During her Sangat Darshan at Mann village yesterday, Harsimrat directed Jaskiran Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, to chalk out a plan to show the movie to all residents in groups. "It will not be possible to take all residents to cinema halls for the movie. Mobile vans with huge screens will be arranged to screen the movie for residents," she said. "Chaar Sahibzaade" is a 3D animation movie based on the life and sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh's four sons — Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. Harsimrat said: "The screening of the movie will promote communal harmony and brotherhood. I was really inspired after seeing the movie." She said all movies and documentaries aimed at bringing social reforms should be shown to the public. The personal staff of the Union Minister also discussed the issue of getting copyrights of the movie so that the administration does not have any legal issues.
Movie declared tax-free Chandigarh: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Sunday sanctioned tax-free status for Punjabi movie "Chaar Sahibzaade" based on the life and sacrifice of four sons of Guru Gobind Singh. He said the move aimed at educating the younger generation regarding the unparalleled and supreme sacrifice of four sons of the tenth Sikh Guru.
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Sampla did not have enough money to pursue higher studies, say kin
Jalandhar, November 16 While people only know that he was a plumber in the Gulf and had toiled there for 11 long years, his family today shared that even though Sampla was a bright student at Government School, Kukar village, near here, he did not have money to pursue his studies further. He had scored cent per cent marks in Class X in mathematics. His wife Sudesh Sampla said her husband would give tuitions to his own classmates till class X to fund his education expenses. "Due to the poor economic condition of the family, he chose to work as an unskilled labourer in the Gulf for nine years. He continued working there for another two years even after our marriage. Our son was more than a year old when he first saw him," she recollected. "When he returned, he opened a paint shop at Sofi village where we stayed till four years ago. We had to sell some household items to start the business. In 1997, he decided to fight village elections against the wishes of the family. The next five years might have helped him make a beginning in politics, but it brought us under financial stress again," she said. The minister's 25-year-old law graduate son, Sahil said: "My paternal uncle Ravi Sampla came to our rescue. He took VRS from his bank job, 15 years ahead of his retirement to bail us out of the financial situation. He opened a hardware shop for which we all worked. We are now distributors of two top firms. The shop helped us grow. We bought this house in the city four years ago".
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Subsidised wheat seed for farmers
Moga, November 16 The seed was being distributed by National Seeds Corporation, Punseed, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and other allied agencies through cooperative societies, he said. Tota Singh said a maximum of two quintals of subsidised wheat seed would be given to each farmer. The seed of wheat varieties notified in the last 10 years and gram varieties in the last 15 years were the ones allowed by National Seeds Corporation for distribution. The minister said Rs 12,000 crore would be provided as short-term crop loans to the farmers through cooperative banks and societies. "We have made adequate arrangements for the supply of 6.5 lakh tonnes of urea and nearly 2.70 lakh tonnes of DAP fertilisers," the minister said. Tota Singh has asked the farmers to use only certified wheat seed. The seed should be treated before sowing so as to minimise germination losses. National Seeds Corporation has taken some proactive measures this rabi season to promote oilseeds and pulses to give a push to crop diversification and save the depleting underground water.
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Sunam village celebrates ‘Mela Dhiyan Da’
Jakhepal, November 16 The festival was organised at Government Primary School by young girls of Jakhepal village who have formed an organisation "Awaz-e-Jag Janani" (voice of the women). The organisation had invited 2,440 daughters (married in 418 villages) of Jakhepal village. Around 1,400 women turned up at the event. The participants shared their childhood memories, life's experiences and their family life with each other. Many of them were overwhelmed after meeting their old friends. They attributed the moment to the young girls who organised the event. Navdeep Kaur Jakhepal, one of the organisers, said they had not invited any VIP as it was purely a social event. Shinder Kaur (55), married in Mojowal village (near Sunam), said she along with 12 other women all belonging to Jakhepal village had come to attend the festival. She said it was a memorable moment for them as they met their old friends after 20-25 years. Another elderly woman Surjit Kaur (85) of Lakhmirwala village in Sangrur district was delighted to meet her friends after a gap of
50 years. Several cultural events, including folk songs, bhangra, giddha, poems, tappe and ghorian, giving the message of women empowerment were presented. A lecture on women empowerment was also delivered by Gurseem Kaur of Jakhepal village.
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German expert offers help to cancer patients
Faridkot, November 16 She said she would perform laboratory tests on patients of cancer and autism at Baba Farid Centre for Special Children, Faridkot, to study the presence of heavy metals in their bloodstream. Dr Blaurock-Busch claimed a latest study of Punjab's cancer patients indicated that exposure to heavy metals might have played a role in the development of cancer. "While we have found unusually high levels of toxins in the hair and nails of cancer patients, we also found abnormally high toxins in the samples of healthy people living in the same environment," she said. A German study indicated that excessive metal exposure was a danger to people of all ages, causing neurological damage and diseases like cancer, she said. Dr Amar Singh Azad, a pediatrician who is assisting Dr Busch, said the manifestation of toxicity in Punjab was visible in the increasing prevalence of cancer, genetic mutation, hormonal disruption, reproductive health disorders, declining immunity, autoimmune disorders and allergies.
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Robbers’ gang busted,
arms seized
Tarn Taran, November 16 They were arrested during a raid by the police at an abandoned site at Rasulpur village, 5 km from here. Sources said the police reportedly seized one .9 MM pistol with eight cartridges, one .315 bore pistol with seven cartridges and more than 1 kg of narcotic powder. They were booked under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC; 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act; and 22, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act. In another incident, the Patti police have registered a case under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act against 29 persons for allegedly indulging in cross-border smuggling. Those booked included Mehal Singh, Dharminder Singh, Ranjod Singh, Gurjant Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Hardayal Singh, Des Raj, Dilbag Singh, Gurjant Singh, Baljit Singh, Ashok, Buta Singh, Narinder Kumar, Surjit Singh, Amolak Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Amandip Singh, Pagga Singh and Niku. Gurwinder Singh, Station House Officer, Patti, said the accused were involved in smuggling of drugs, arms and fake currency. No one has been arrested so far. Further investigations are on, he said.
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Murder accused attempts suicide at police station
Batala, November 16 "A team of senior officers has been deputed to probe the matter.
A case under Section 309 of the IPC has been registered against the accused, Kuldeep Singh," he said. He was taken to the Batala Sub-Divisional Hospital where his condition was stated to be stable. Talking to the media, the accused alleged the sarpanch of his native Gujjarpura village, Kulwant Singh, had implicated him in a false murder case in connivance with the police. "We are looking into all angles. If it is a case of political vendetta, action will be taken against the erring officials," the SSP added. Jaswant Singh, Station House Officer, said Kuldeep and his two aides were booked on September 16 for allegedly trying to kill a fellow villager, Ranjeet Singh. He said all three had absconded after the registration of the case. Kuldeep surrendered in the court on
November 13 which sent him to police remand, he said. Case file
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Cops seize phones during raid at jail
Ferozepur, November 16 Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sukhwant Singh Sill said the raid was carried out by Superintendent of Police (SP), Detective, along with two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and revenue officials. Security had been tightened during the raid and nobody was allowed to enter or leave the jail premises. The SSP said two mobile phones were recovered from outside the barracks. He said the two SIM cards recovered belonged to jail inmates, Satpal Singh of Mammu Kheda village, Fazilka and Jagbir Kaur of Sabrana village, Makhu. Both were booked under sections 88 IPC and 52-A Prisons Act (1894).
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Drunken man shoots wife, attempts suicide
Mansa, November 16 “Buta shot his wife in her ribs with a .12 bore gun. He then shot himself in the face. Both were referred to the PGI, but Malkiyat died on the way. Buta is undergoing treatment,” said the police. A case has been registered against Buta under the IPC and the Arms Act on the complaint of Buta’s uncle Teja Singh. “Investigation is underway and the accused will be
arrested after being released from the hospital,” said Station House Officer, Bareta.
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Popular outrage against the killings
The protesters were pacified by senior police officials who claimed to have arrested three attackers and promised to nab the others at the earliest
Chandigarh, November 16
Chandigarh, November 16
Chandigarh, November 16