Sukhbir Singh Badal : 2011 to be year of fructification

Chandigarh : Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said 2011 would herald the fructification of the infrastructure projects as well as administrative reforms in the state. In a statement here, the Deputy Chief Minister said the coming year would showcase the development projects initiated by the government during the past four years so that people of the state could enjoy the fruits of development and governance reforms. Expressing personal satisfaction over achievement of milestone mission of initiating governance reforms in all departments, Sukhbir said he would be the happiest person over the completion of total computerisation of land records that could not be completed by any government during last 63 years. He said that till date 79 Fard Kenders had been fully computerised and by March 31 next year land records in all 154 Fard Kenders would be put on web. The Deputy Chief Minister said that establishment of Outreach Centres at each Police Station, Suwidha Centres in Urban Areas, 154 computerised Fard Kenders at the sub-tehsil level, 3116 E-Grams at village level, public friendly amendments in archaic Revenue Acts besides computerisation of DTO offices was set to change the perception of public regarding working of government offices. Sukhbir said that the year 2011 would witness the completion of the Rs 20,000 crore Bathinda Refinery besides dedication of five thermal plants with a combined cost of Rs 62,000 crore that would put Punjab on a higher pedestal of growth besides opening new vistas of employment for the Punjabi youth. He said this year would also witness linking of every important city with 4/6 lane roads besides completion of 33 ROBs / RUBs initiated at the cost of Rs. 7073 crore. Promising to continue the development agenda for the state of Punjab, the Deputy Chief Minister said that he believed in focusing on development rather than on petty politics of destructive thinking, regressive opposition to every development project and hoped that the SAD BJP government would be successful in making every Punjabi living in Punjab or abroad as a equal partner in over all development of the State.

Parkash Singh Badal : Will raise issue of subdivision for Morinda

Morinda : A day after promising division status to Ropar within next 15 days, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal asserted to raise the matter of according sub-division status to Morinda in the next cabinet meeting here today. Making the announcement, Badal said apart from raising the issue for sub-division status, augmentation work on roads, sewerage and drinking water supply in the city would also be undertaken. Badal also distributed Rs 2.85 crore grant to 40 village panchayats and Morinda as residents gathered to redress their grievances on the spot. “Morinda will be given a facelift soon. Better facilities, in terms of better water supply, sewerage system and efficient road network at a cost of Rs. 30 crore would be provided to the town. Work on these components will be complete by November next year and also sub-tehsil complex at Morinda will be constructed,” he asserted. Badal said the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) was given the responsibility to carry out sewer, drinking water and other development works in Morinda city. He called the GMADA officials and asked them to get these works completed as soon as possible without compromising on quality. He also instructed his adviser Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema and deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar to visit village Saheri. The village belongs to one Gangu Brahman, who was an advisor to Guru Gobind Singh. Area residents appraised Badal that the house of Gangu Brahman was in shambles. Residents demanded that Gangu’s house should be declared a historic monument. ADC (development) Sukhminder Pal Singh Mrar is scheduled to visit the village on December 3. During the Sangat Darshan at Gharuan, Badal distributed grants of Rs 2.50 crore to 35 villages of the area. He also distributed cheques of Rs 1.65 lakh to the beneficiaries of the shagan scheme. A separate grant of Rs 30 lakh was given for laying drains of Gharuan village. An announcement regarding upgrading the primary health centre to community health centre was also made.

Now, rains send potato prices soaring

Sirhind : Sporadic rains have halted the harvesting of potato crop. Shortage of potato in the market has led to an increase in its price to almost double, from Rs 250 per quintal, now potatoes are being sold at a price of Rs 400 per quintal. Farmers had begun harvesting the early sown varieties of potatoes in mid-December. This harvesting will continue till end of February. However,the rains have halted potato harvesting. Potatoes are harvested using tractors, which do not move in waterlogged fields. “As potatoe supply in markets has stopped, its prices are likely to increase in the next few days. Farmers, who have already harvested their crop, are making profits by selling it at an increased price of Rs 400 or more for every 100 kilogram,” said farmer, Jaspal Singh from Rajpura. Manjit Singh, a potato grower from Fatehgarh Sahib said he had deployed labourers to drain out water from fields so the potato crop could be saved. “Potatoes will perish and may become disease-prone if water is not drained out of the fields,” he said. Farmers are praying for the rains to stop. Increased rainfall will spell havoc for potato growers and damage the recently sown wheat crop. “Rain has been useful in lifting thick blanket of fog, which is good for wheat, potato, and other crops and vegetables”, said Ripudaman, another farmer at Amloh. Potato growers said the crops got respite from tella (aphid infestation) after the rain. Rainwater has washed away tella that attack potatoes when temperature decreases in fog. While Fatehgarh Sahib recorded a maximum rainfall of 28 mm, Bassi Pathania block recorded 15 mm, Amloh and Khamano recorded 12 mm each. Department officials said area under potato cultivation in Fatehgarh Sahib was 5100 hectare and horticulture department gave four-quintal different medicines, on subsidy, to farmers to get rid of fungal disease attack on potatoes. Agriculture department officer, Jaswinder Singh said rain, during these days were good for wheat, vegetables and sugarcane but water should not accumulate for longer in the fields. Water logging tends to invite diseases, which harms the crop.

New technique to remove kidney stones

Ludhiana : Two children in the age group of 4-6 were operated upon for kidney stones by Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, professor, urology and head transplant, DMCH, recently. Percutaneous technique (key hole) was used by the doctor. Earlier, the removal of kidney stones in children required open surgery, but now with the availability of technological innovations and expertise, these stones can be removed through key-hole surgery. According to Dr Aulakh, in children its is difficult to visualise the kidney system, as it is difficult to put dye into the kidney through retrogradic technique. Hence, ultrasound is done and a needle puncture is made in the kidney through which a guide wire is placed in the kidney system. After placing the wire, a 0.5mm tract is made. Through this tract, stones are removed with the help of a special camera. In children, stones are usually found in the bladder. Symptoms of kidney stones are pain in belly or back, blood in the urine (hematuria) and nausea or vomiting. However, some children, do not show symptoms. These are silent stones which can cause long-term damage to the kidney. Dr Aulakh said children who have had kidney stones in the past, had the highest risk of developing a stone in future. Similarly, not drinking enough water or other fluids could also be a major risk factor. Other risk factors were diets that included a small amount of carbohydrates called ketogenic diets and congenital (from birth) abnormalities in kidneys, ureters or bladder.

MC to lodge FIR against encroachers

Ludhiana : Gearing up to check the mushrooming of encroachments where these had already been removed, the Municipal Corporation (MC) authorities have decided to lodge an FIR against those who encroached on land even after the illegal structures had been cleared by the civic body. This decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the encroachment monitoring committee comprising Senior Town Planner (STP) Balkar Singh Brar, Assistant Town Planners (ATP) of all four zones and non-official members. The efficacy of the civic body in dealing with encroachments came in for criticism. They said they would lodge FIRs against such people, for which recommendation must come from committees constituted under Zonal Commissioners. In another significant decision, Senior Town Planner Balkar Singh Brar asked the Municipla Corporation to remove the alleged encroachment by the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) on 2,500 sq metres of land after the verification of facts. The non-official members also criticised the tehbazaari branch for not being able to check the growth of temporary encroachments. Inaction by the Municipal Corporation against building bylaw violators was also raised and criticised by the members of the committee. The Municipal Corporation officials faced a difficult time in replying to the queries of the non-official members. Most of their responses were reportedly not satisfactory.

Sporadic rain raises minimum temp

Ludhiana : With the region being lashed by intermittent light to moderate showers along with icy winds sweeping it during the past 12 hours, the minimum temperature rose to 8.5 degrees Celsius from 1.5 degrees two days ago. However, the weather in the city remains the coldest with Patiala and Amritsar registering higher temperatures.According to weather experts the minimum and maximum temperatures almost invariably increase. Surinder Pal, director of the meteorological department, Chandigarh, told the Ludhiana Tribune the minimum temperature in Ludhiana had today increased to 8.5 degrees C after the rains. “In Patiala the minimum temperature recorded was 8.7 degrees and in Amritsar it went up to 10.2 degrees. In the next 24 hours light and moderate thundershowers are expected in the region", he added. The intermittent rain, which began at about 1:30 am Wednesday night, disrupted normal life in the city with most residents preferring to stay indoors. Revellers are crossing their fingers over rain playing spoilsport with their New Year bashes. Nidhi Garg, a college student, said her family and friends had planned to have a “rocking time” at a club. “However if there is rain our plans for dancing in the open will go for a toss,” she added. Meanwhile, the tea stall vendors were having a field day as their sales had doubled. Chhotu Ram, a tea vendor with his stall near Bhadaur House, said he used to make about 100-150 cups of tea every day but due to the cold weather his sales had more than doubled. "Shopkeepers, rickshaw pullers and auto rickshaw drivers keep on sipping tea to beat the chill", he remarked. Due to the rain smog has been reduced in the city.

Majithia urges youth to work unitedly

Sahnewal : “The youth of the state should rise to the occasion and contribute positively towards making Punjab a fit example to be quoted by the neighbouring states”. These words were uttered by Bikram Majithia, patron of the Youth Akali Dal, while addressing the youth Akali leaders and workers at Jifco resorts here today. Addressing a gathering in Sahnewal, the patron of the Youth Akali Dal, congratulated Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, in charge, Sahnewal Assembly Constituency, on organising such a huge rally at a small town like Sahnewal. Accusing the Congress government and lauding the achievements of the Akali-BJP combine at the same time, he said, “It was a period of retarded growth for Punjab during the rule of Capt Amarinder Singh”. Blaming the Congress, he said, “While the Opposition generally sits and views the things from a high pedestal, it is the alliance that believes in reaching out to the common man.” He added that Parkash Singh Badal had left no stone unturned to make Punjab the most prosperous state. Majithia said not a single unit had been added to power generation in the state during the Congress regime. “But we have ensured a 24-hour supply to all houses, tubewells and industry.”

He said there had been practically no sphere left unattended and untouched by the government. “If one compares the 15-year rule of the Congress government at the time when it was the same government both at the state as well at the Centre with our three-and-a-half year time period, one will be able to make out the difference.”  He rued that the Centre had always meted out a step-motherly treatment to Punjab. Criticising the Congress-led UPA government, he said the government at the Centre, with its lopsided economic policies, had made the life of poor people a hell, as they were forced to live in a state of utter penury. As a patron of the Youth Akali Dal, he exhorted the youth to make the party strong so that the Akali government could eradicate social evils like drugs, dowry and female foeticide. He asked them to channelise their energies in a proper direction and work for the common good and general welfare. He said Bathinda refinery should not be closed at any cost and no such strategy of the Opposition, which could prove detrimental for the public health, should be allowed to see light of the day. Majithia said the SAD with the support of all Punjabis would scuttle the design and conspiracy of PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh to pledge the panchayati and farmers’ land to Ambanis.

Majithia announced that he would request the party president to give 33 per cent representation to the youth in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections. He said Sukhbir Singh Badal had already given due representation to the youth in Lok Sabha, zila parishads and municipal committees. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, in charge, Sahnewal Assembly constituency, said once the sewerage, water supply, street lighting and road construction projects were accomplished, the town would bear an entirely new look. “It is the sincere effort of the government to provide people of the town with all such basic amenities of which they have been sadly deprived of by the Congress government,” he added. Darshan Singh Shivalik, in charge, Gill constituency, said the development which had taken place in the constituency had been stupendous and people could clearly differentiate between the non-functional governance of the Congress and the target-oriented regime of the Akali Dal. Manpreet Singh Ayali, chairman, zila parishad, Santa Singh Umedpuri, president, District Akali Dal, Tarsem Singh Bhinder, councillor, municipal corporation, Ludhiana, Suirnder Singh Grewal, media in charge, Youth Akali Dal, Sharanjit Singh Garcha, member, zila parishad, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary, Akali Dal Ludhiana, Rupinder Singh Benipal, Inder Mohan Singh Kadian, Jagjiwan Singh Kheernia, Pupinder Singh Grewal, senior Akali leader, Ajmer Singh Dhillon, chairman, Milk Plant and Pawan Kumar Tinku were among those who were present.

40 liters adulterated milk seized at Verka

Ludhiana : About 40 litres of adulterated milk was seized by security guards manning the main gate of the Verka milk plant on the Ferozepore road while a vehicle driver tried to whisk away with the milk adulterated with water here today. Verka authorities have, however, discontinued the contract of the transporter. Manager (Procurement), Verka, Jaswant Singh Kang, said the tempo (PB 10 BU 3055) on route no. 6 brought about 40 liters of adulterated milk on the premises today. After checking the quality of the milk, the driver was asked to throw it in the dumping bin. But the driver kept the 40-liter can again in his tempo. The security guards stopped the vehicle and seized the adulterated milk, which was dumped by authorities later on. “It is otherwise a routine affair. We get the milk in bulk from about 800 nearby villages. The supply comes from various collection centres both in the morning and the evening. More than 60 vehicles drivers have been given the job of bringing the milk to Verka. During the entire exercise, we do get adulterated milk. After testing milk everyday, the unfit milk is drained.

Fortis Hospital holds awareness programme

Amritsar : A medical team of Forits Escorts Hospital, in collaboration with ML Memorial College today, held an awareness programme at Muddal village, wherein they spread awareness against the social evil of female feticide. Dr Gaurav Thukral, deputy medical superintendent of the hospital, while speaking on the occasion, said, “The gender ratio in India, far from stabilising or self-correcting, has been dropping continuously for years, standing now (as per the last census) at 927 girls per 1,000 boys. One out of five girls dies before attaining the age of five.” The medical team also examined the women and children to mark the occasion and educated them about various health concerns. Dr Praveen Thukral, principal of the college, pointed out that the impact of not recognising the rights of the girl child is detrimental to all forms of society’s progress, both socially and economically. There is an increase in the dropout rate of girls in the education system, violence against women and girls, as well as the serious economic deprivation of women and girls’ access to services, skills and information which could have enabled them to lead just and healthy lives, he added. He said the school, along with the hospital, has adopted the village under the Nanhi Chhaan Programme, under which plants were also distributed to girl students of the school, in order to spread awareness regarding skewed sex ratio and various environmental issues concerning the society.

Customers cry foul as two post offices closed

Amritsar : Customers of the Department of Posts alleged inconvenience as two of its branches were closed recently.The department shut down its branches at Kot Ralia Ram and at Rani Ka Bazar recently. This led to resentment among the customers as they now have to walk down an extra mile, negotiate with traffic snarls and brave long queues to receive the same old services. A senior citizen Naresh Johar, while slamming the department, said private courier companies were working towards providing services at the doorsteps of customers. The government department, however, is squandering away the advantage that it has in the form of infrastructure in every nook and corner of the city. Amandeep Kaur, a housewife, said there were numerous advantages of the Rani Ka Bagh post office due to its strategic location. Since the area was mainly residential, with ample wide roads, it was easy to walk down to the post office. The residents of the area now have to negotiate traffic snarls to reach the busy Court Road to reach the General Post Office (GPO). Long queues and parking problems are other great handicaps which discourage customers from enjoying smooth services. When contacted, Superintendent Post Office (HQ) MS Negi said as per the department rules issued about three years ago, all the offices situated within a distance of two km from each other were to be closed. He said both the closed branches fell under this category. He agreed that there was no economic problem as both the branches were doing good business. When asked about the serpentine queues which will ensue at the GPO, he said ample arrangements of opening more windows had been made to meet the increased rush of customers. He said the Department of Posts had closed two branches at Islamabad and Naraingarh, under the same revised plan last year. He said keeping in view the convenience of customers, the branches were being closed gradually.

Govt planning to sell public land, says Amarinder Singh

Ropar : State Congress president Amarinder Singh today alleged that the SAD-BJP Government had decided to sell public land to meet its financial needs.Talking to reporters here, the former Chief Minister warned the state government against selling the public land. “The state government has decided to sell its land and has made the Punjab State Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) the nodal agency for this,” he said. “All land is being transferred to the PIDB to enable it to sell it apparently to meet financial needs of the state government,” he added. He alleged that earlier too, the government had sold its rest houses in the state and now it had decided to sell the public land. “This land belongs to the people of Punjab and the state government has no right to sell it,” Amarinder Singh said. The Punjab Government had earlier decided to sell land under the Optimal Utilisation of Vacant Government Land Scheme to raise financial resources. On farmers’ protest in Rajpura, where land was being acquired for an IT park, the state Congress president said they should be paid the prevailing market rate.

Ambala gang supplying beggars at Jor Mela

Fatehgarh Sahib : An organised gang of beggars is trying to cash in on the Jor Mela to make money and have left bleeding beggars at the mercy of devotees visiting Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara.The three-day mela, organised to observe the martyrdom day of younger sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh, began today. Several devotees from all over the world will pay obeisance at the gurdwara. SP (headquarters) J S Sidhu said a gang of robbers was dropped by a contractor at various points in the mela. “We are verifying the facts. Cops have been deployed to trace people who drop beggars here,” said the SP. He said there were around 15 beggars identified and action would soon be initiated in this regard soon. “We have seen the vehicle dropping these beggars on roads leading to the gurdwara. They all were bleeding and were draped in white bandages,” said Jai Kishan, a resident of Bassi Pathana. People were seen offering Rs 5 to Rs 50 to these beggars. Most of them are in a pathetic condition and have been left out in the cold. Sources in the police said this was an organised gang, which came from Ambala during the mela every year. “Packed in vehicles from the railway stations, these beggars are dropped at various crowded locations and are picked up at night. The contractor, who collects money, has demarcated various areas for these beggars. If someone tries to dislocate these beggars, the contractor in-charge intervenes,” said a police official at the mela.

Though none of the beggars disclosed their identities but they said around 18 beggars, suffering from different ailments were brought here by a contractor from the railway station. In the evening, beggars “on duty” divide the money collected with contractors. “I collect Rs 200 to Rs 500 or more in a day at market places. But at the mela, I have already collected Rs 250 by afternoon. As the pilgrims keep pouring in, the collections increase,” said a beggar, who identified herself as Pawa. She said the beggars were rushed back to the railway station at night to come back again next morning. Another beggar, Jaggu, said he had been begging with his ailing son. The beggar said they visited the mela every year and came from Kurukshetra. Sources said some of these beggars were not suffering from any illness but scratched themselves to evoke sympathy. Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ranbir Singh Khattra could not be contacted for comments.

Das Gupta : PM morally responsible for 2G Scam

Ludhiana : Prominent CPI leader and member of the Lok Sabha Gurudas Das Gupta has heldPrime Minister Manmohan Singh “morally responsible” for the 2G spectrum scam, involving some Rs 1,76,000 crore but stopped short of asking for his resignation directly. He said the Prime Minister ought to own moral responsibility for the loss caused to the exchequer and it was for him to decided whether to resign or not. Talking to mediapersons here today, Das Gupta, who was in the city to attend a state convention of the All-India Trade Union Congress, made it clear that the opposition parties would accept nothing short of a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to expose the 2G spectrum scandal in its entirety, while alleging that it was not only the DMK, to which the sacked Communications Minister A Raja belonged, which had pocketed the loot but certain Congress leaders had also shared the booty.

To a pointed question that Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was already looking into the alleged irregularities, Das Gupta said the PAC was not fully competent for this task. On complete disruption of proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament during the winter session, he said the adamant attitude of the UPA government had led to a logjam, which further went on to prove that the ruling coalition cared little for the opposition, which is a dangerous trend for a democratic set-up. Taking the Congress-led coalition government to task for its failure to curb prices of essential commodities, he termed the government as “worthless”. "Prices keep soaring, inflation is at its peak, while the government continues to promise effective remedial steps, which, unfortunately, are nowhere to be seen." The CPI leader asserted that the phenomenon of a persistent rise in prices was the handiwork of traders, hoarders and corporates, who are holding the people to ransom while the government keeps looking on helplessly. Going a step further, he charged senior government functionaries with colluding with the lobby of producers of essential items and deliberately closing their eyes to the misery and plight of the common man.

Benipal's office burgled, intruder breaks CCTV, damages LCD screen

Ludhiana : A year and a half after tehsildar-cum-subregistrar (central) Maj Gurjinder Singh Benipal was allegedly stripped and assaulted by an Akali leader, his office, which doubles up as his home, in Gill village was burgled yesterday at around midnight. The intruder broke a close circuit TV camera and damaged a 20-inch LCD television screen installed in his office. Except a camera, used for clicking pictures of people getting their revenue documents registered in the office, nothing was found missing. However, the suspect, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, was caught on the CCTV camera. The incident came to light when employees arrived at the tehsildar’s office and found the locks broken and immediately informed Benipal. The youth even trespassed into Benipal’s office located on the first floor and reportedly ransacked revenue related documents. According to assistant police commissioner Narinder Rubby, the suspect struck at midnight and was caught by by the CCTV camera. He said the burglar first broke the lock and entered the computer room. “He was draped in a blanket and had covered his face well. Soon after entering the office he climbed a chair and broke the CCTV after removing his blanket. It was then that suspect was caught on camera”, he added.

Rubby stated it was a futile burglary attempt as the suspect failed to get hold of anything. Even the broken CCTV camera was found at the premises. “”It appears the thief broke into the tehsildar office, hoping he would get hold of some cash, but failed to find anything and left the scene,” he added. While the police filed a case of theft, Benipal suspected “foul play”. “Had the youth entered the office with a motive to steal something he wouldn’t have left a 20-inch LCD TV screen behind. He just hit it with something and damaged it. Nothing else was stolen. We’ll however have to check revenue records for the past two years to ascertain whether some documents have been stolen or not”, he said. Today’s incident has yet again laid bare the vulnerability of government offices. It has also come to the fore that the watchman was employed at the land record office. Meanwhile, the police has launched a hunt to nab the suspect.

'Extortionist' cop evades arrest

Moga : Former in charge of the local CIA Staff, Satnam Singh, who was booked by the local police on charges of corruption, extortion, illegal detention and torture, is still evading arrest and allegedly creating pressure on senior officials in the Police Department to evade arrest. He is also allegedly taking the help of senior leaders of the ruling SAD and close relatives of Paramdeep Singh Gill, DGP of the state, who also hails from this town. The controversial cop, who does not have a good track record in service, is said to enjoy the sympathy of a lobby of some senior police officials who patronised his “misdeeds” because if he is arrested and interrogated, he could reveal a widespread network of corruption allegedly prevailing in the Moga police with the help of political leadership. The police had registered an FIR against him under Sections 323, 342, 385, IPC, and Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, on Thursday following directions of the high court. As many as 16 local chemists, who furnished affidavits levelling allegations of corruption against him, have alleged that a few senior police officials may try to save him to save their skin; otherwise, he could land them in trouble.

The ‘victims’ of this cop, from whom he took lakhs of rupees as bribe, met here yesterday and decided to file a petition in the high court, in which they will demand handing over the investigation of his case to the CBI.Even after one year of his suspension, the Police Department has so far not completed the inquiry regarding allegations of corruption levelled against him by local chemists. The police had raided his house on Friday morning but it seemed just a formality. Sources in the police said that someone from the local police informed the cop prior to the raid, due to which he fled before the police reached his house. The local chemists had alleged that the cop under the patronage of some senior police officials had devised a method of “recovery of a mysterious powder” to register criminal cases against them. Threatening to slap cases under the NDPS Act, he used to collect lakhs of rupees from them. Interestingly, in many laboratory test reports of the “mysterious powder” conducted by the state forensic laboratory, nothing serious was found except the composition of certain chemicals used in drugs, which were normally sold to patients on the prescription of doctors.

ASI apologises for mistake

Tarn Taran : Hundreds of farmers gheraoed a police party of Powercom police station, Verka, at the Amritsar bypass here today and got a farmer, who was mistakenly taken into custody by the police party, released. According to information, the farmer who was gotten released, has been identified as Daljit Singh of Bhaini Mattuan village, 18 km from here. Daljit Singh was mistakenly taken into custody by the Powercom police, Verka. Whereas, Kulwant Singh, another farmer of the same village, was to be arrested. The Powercom authorities had imposed a fine of Rs 1.30 lakh on Kulwant Singh for not paying the bill. As he did not pay the fine, the Powercom issued arrest warrants against Kulwant Singh. The police party in place of Kulwant Singh took Daljit into its custody. As soon as leaders of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee got the information in this regards they immediately gathered and moved towards the police party. The farmers met the police party at the local Amritsar bypass and they gheraoed the police party and raised slogans against the police. When Bhupinder Singh, ASI, in charge of the police party, came to known about the blunder, he apologised from the farmers and released Daljit Singh.

NGO publishes booklet on environment

Amritsar : The Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) has come out with a small booklet titled “Pollution Primer”. Authored by Dr Bhajan Singh Lark, a retired professor of chemistry at the Guru Nanak Dev University, the booklet is divided into 10 chapters, which covers aspects of pollution in a lucid question and answer format and helps acquire crisp information in a quick form. There are around 450 questions on environment, earth, air pollution, ozone layer depletion, global warming, water pollution, population, forests and deforestation and noise pollution. The book advises youngsters on harvesting rainwater, preserving drinking water, reducing usage of plastic bags, blowing pressure horn, harnessing solar energy and preserving trees. Mr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, the AVM president, said that an Environment Awareness Test would be held for the students under the aegis of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, and certificates would be given to the successful candidates.

Ajnala can not do without daily fix

Amritsar : Rise in the number of drug addicts in the last couple of years in Ajnala subdivision of Amritsar district and failure of law enforcing authorities to check the menace is irking village elders. “The easy availability of smack in the area is a matter of concern,“ Desa Singh, an elderly farmer, said while interacting with health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla during a function at the village health centre on Wednesday. He brought up the issue on the growing addiction of youth to smack when Chawla asked the women present whether their husbands harassed them when they objected to their drinking habits. “Drug addiction is more dangerous than liquor,“ said sarpanch Kartar Singh. Mincing no words, Desa Singh said that the government probably lacked the will power to come down on drug smugglers and peddlers. He alleged that certain leaders themselves were involved in the drug business. “If the government and officials want, they can effectively tackle this menace that is ruining our youth,“ he said with the health minister all ears. Desa Singh revealed that he had taken up this issue with senior officials. All he got from them were assurances but the situation has remained the same and the number of addicts is on the rise. The health minister told the village residents that she had been highlighting this issue at various platforms and opposed the increasing number of liquor vends in the state. She heaved a sign of relief when sarpanch Kartar Singh told her that there was just one liquor vend in this village, the largest in Ajnala subdivision, with a population of around 10,000. The sarpanch also told her that as of now there were only four drug addicts in the village but the number could grow if the government failed to provide employment to the educated youth. “The residents here prefer brewing their own liquor than going to the village vend,“ the sarpanch said rather proudly. “Bibiji, your government has given us liberty while, during the Congress rule, the henchmen of the contractor who owned the liquor vends in the area used to worry us,“ he told the minister.

Unholy nexus in the Holy city

Amritsar : Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s dream of building Amritsar as the most modern city with green spaces all around the periphery lies shattered. Concrete monoliths are dotting the city’s landscape today. All this is thanks to the land sharks, coupled with unimaginative vision of the Town Planning Department, Municipal Corporation and Improvement Trust authorities. The Maharaja wanted to pay his tribute to Guru Ram Dass, founder of the city, by ensuring smooth and planned development of the city by providing adequate infrastructure all around. Unfortunately, the land mafia is slowly but surely erasing the not-so-distant memories of the famous green boulevard of the city. It is changing the land use of the major thoroughfares, including the Mall Road. Old trees that carry ‘heritage value’ are being axed to pave way for concrete jungles. People, unmindful of the consequences, have started investing in real estate for speculative purposes by taking huge loans from banks. Giving thrust to the rampant colonisation, recently Chief Minister Amarinder Singh came to Amritsar to lay the foundation of a private real estate. He, however, chose to ignore the inauguration of the high-tech bus stand. The most disturbing factor is that the lush green fields, including famous orchards on Amritsar-Jalandhar, Rajasansi, Majitha and bypass roads, have been converted into new residential and commercial colonies, much to the chagrin of environmentalists who rue the wanton destruction of green patches. All this has given a boost to private builders and colonisers to come up with all conceivable new colonies in and around Amritsar, enticing NRIs and local residents with tall promises of providing ‘world class infrastructure’.

Hundreds of such colonies, both legal and illegal, have sprung up in the periphery of the city. Majority of them are being promoted by land sharks, who have a nexus with politicians and top bureaucrats. Many Delhi- based builders, too, have joined the fray to promote the colonies. Majority of these new colonies are being promoted by ruling party functionaries, throwing to the winds all bylaws and site plans.The whole thing works out quite simply. A farmer sells his fertile land on Amritsar-Jalandhar road for Rs 10 lakh per acre only. But an influential coloniser prepares attractive drawings of the ‘dream colony’ on costly, glazed paper to attract the NRIs, and sells the land for Rs 6000 per square yard! A large chunk of black money has been invested into the real estate by many senior politicians, top bureaucrats who have virtually purchased benami properties in the periphery of the city. All this is in stark contract to the builders from Delhi who have offered infrastructure with broad roads, green spaces, round the clock power and water supplies, besides offering security to residents. The nexus between politicians and bureaucrats who have high stakes in the real estate has ensured illegal sewerage and water supply facilities in the newly-developed unauthorised colonies in various parts of the city. Shockingly, the government has been losing huge revenue due to ‘benami transactions’ through the ‘power of attorneys’. With the lopsided and ill-planned growth of the city, freedom fighters and stalwarts who have been the pillars of Amritsar’s rich historical tradition are likely to pass into oblivion. Our leaders have no time to install the statue of Master Tara Singh, a great Sikh leader, which has been gathering dust in Delhi for the last about four years. Similar treatment has been given to other freedom fighters belonging to Amritsar. There has been an alleged disregard of norms and bylaws in the sale of prime government lands that could not have been sold without proper auction.

The Improvement Trust seems to have forgotten that it is a ‘custodian’ of the public property and enjoys no rights to abdicate its responsibilities and also it has no right to hand over the land arbitrarily. Interestingly, the Shiromani Akali Dal supremo, who had promised to run his government on the pattern of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s government, had turned a blind eye to the rampant encroachments on way to Harmandar Sahib, say observers. So much so, the widening of the road from Jallianwala Bagh to the Golden Temple by giving huge compensation worth crores to the owners had served little purpose, as the powers-to-be at that time allowed shops to open up opposite Jallianwala Bagh. (This led to frequent traffic bottlenecks.) Many ‘non-historical’ and ‘unauthorised’ shrines also sprung up in the periphery of Harmandar Sahib allegedly to safeguard the interests of shopkeepers, say observers. Intriguingly, the Badal government “allowed” the unauthorised construction during its five-year term. However, the ‘beautification of the surroundings of Harmandar Sahib’, an ambitious project of the Central government, could not be completed during the Badal regime. Interestingly, the Congress MLA, Mr Birdevinder Singh, has raised his voice against the land mafia operating in the Holy City. He has provided enough evidence on the floor of the Punjab Assembly about the nexus between land sharks, politicians and bureaucrats. Apart from embarrassing his own government, he provided enough ammunition to the Opposition Akali Dal /BJP to start a war of words, leading to adjournment of the House. But observers say that while cornering the ruling Congress, the SAD/ BJP “forgot its own apathetic attitude” towards the planned development of the city.

Stick to your seat, Capt warns MLAs

Bathinda : Snubbing MLAs seeking to change their constituencies for the next polls on their own, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday sounded a warning, telling them to stick to their respective seats. In an exclusive telephonic conversation with Hindustan Times, Capt Singh said the party would consider sitting MLAs' candidature on the basis of their performance in their constituency, and no legislator would be allowed to interfere in other constituencies. The decision on ticket allocation would rest with All-India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi. Taking note of certain MLAs announcing their candidature from other constituencies of their own accord, Capt Singh said this was for the high command to decide. “The party will take action against MLAs who try to create confusion on the ticket,“ he warned. Some MLAs have been trying to shift to other constituencies fearing defeat in their own segments owing to dissatisfaction among the voters.Capt Singh said only in cases of de-reservation or reservation of an assembly seat following delimitation would the party consider such a move, that too keeping in mind people's sentiments. The final decision, again, will be of the party high command. Talwandi Sabo MLA Jeet Mohinder Sidhu recently announced his decision to contest from the newly created Maur assembly segment (instead of Talwandi Sabo), without prior approval from the party. He had made the declaration at a gathering of supporters at Dhadhe village in Maur segment. He won from Talwandi Sabo as an independent candidate in the 2002 Vidhan Sabha election and later joined the Congress. He got the Congress ticket in 2007, and won for the second time.

Channi extends support to Congress

Chandigarh : Independent legislator from Chamkaur Sahib Charanjit Singh Channi extended support to the Congress along with a large number of his supporters at a function held at Punjab Congress Bhawan here today under the chairmanship of Pradesh Congress president Amarinder Singh. The occasion also saw Shinghara Ram, two-time MLA from Garhshankar, and Gurkirat Singh Thuhi, a close associate of the late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, joining the Congress. Talking to reporters Channi said he had extended support to the Congress as he believed in the policies of the party as well as the steadfast leadership of Amarinder Singh. Thuhi said there was a sense of neglect among the SAD rank and file, particularly the supporters of the late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, and they would be joining the Congress soon. The PCC President said everyone who had extended support or joined the Congress today had done so unconditionally.“Everybody is welcome to join the Congress unconditionally as long as he or she subscribes to the party’s policies and principles,” he said. His aide and Dhuri Congress leader Gurjeet Singh Jawanda said more Akali leaders would be joining the Congress in the near future. To a question whether Channi, who is the sitting MLA from Chamkaur Sahib, had been assured the party ticket, Amarinder Singh said it was too early to say and it had always been the prerogative of the party high command to nominate candidates for the elections. The PCC president clarified that no meeting was convened or conducted by Congress President Sonia Gandhi in connection with the economic situation in the state in New Delhi. He said the Congress President met the Punjab Congress delegates like those from other states for a photo session only after the conclusion of the 83rd plenary session of the party.

State to provide burial space to minorities

Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the government would provide land for burial grounds to the Christian and Muslim communities in all towns and villages in the state. Presiding over a state-level function before Christmas, Badal said the government would provide land for burial grounds to both communities either from panchayat land or, in the case of unavailability, even purchase land for this social cause. The Chief Minister asked Chairman of the Punjab State Minorities Commission Munawar Masih, who earlier presented a memorandum of demands on behalf of the Christian community to him, to provide a list of such towns and villages to the state government where there were no cemeteries to enable the government to take prompt action in this regard. The Chief Minister also announced to allot a suitable site of 4 kanals for the construction of a church and a community hall at Mohali and directed the Chief Administrator, GMADA, to initiate the requisite formalities for the allotment of the plot to the Christian community. Felicitating Punjabis on the auspicious occasion, Badal said the gospel of peace, love, amity and compassion preached by Jesus Christ was as relevant today as was in his time. The Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP government was committed to the welfare of the downtrodden and oppressed sections of society and many initiatives had been taken by it in this regard. The setting up of the Punjab State Minorities Commission was also a step in this direction to safeguard the rights of the minority communities. Among the speakers were Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah, Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Bishop of the Jalandhar Church Anil Kuto, Father Prema Nand, member of the Minority Commission Abdul Shakur Mangat, Father Thomas and Pastor SS Sadiq from Ambala.

Doordarshan to upgrade infrastructure in border areas

Amritsar : To counter propaganda from the Pakistani side, Doordarshan has decided to upgrade its infrastructure, especially in the border areas. AK Maheshwari, Chief Engineer (North Zone) at a press conference here today said Doordarshan would install high-power transmitters in border villages besides starting digital transmission services.He was here to participate at a two-day conference of heads of the engineering department of various areas under the North Zone. He said high-power transmitters would produce strong signals that would not only help in transmitting strong and clear signals in border areas but also weaken signals of Paksitani television channels. “Doordarshan will also start high definition digital transmission soon,” he said.  

Jatha leaves for Pakistan Temples

Amritsar : A 52-member Hindu jatha, led by the present incumbent of Shadani Darbar, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Yudhishtir Lal, today crossed over to Pakistan to pay obeisance at various temples situated in the Sindh province. During its 10-day visit, the jatha will visit Hayat Pitafi, Jarwar Mathelo, Adalpur, Khanpur Maher, Ghotki, Sukkur Deharki, Mirpur Mathelo and Lahore before returning to their native country on January 3. Talking to TNS, Yudhishtir Lal said the jatha was organised to mark the 302th birth anniversary of Sant Shadaram, the founder of Shadani Darbar sect. Some of the devotees were upset due to the denial of visa to several persons. However, playing down the issue, Yudhister Lal said the remaining would be granted visa within a couple of days while some of them could not reach Amritsar due to cold weather. “This is not a big issue. The remaining devotees will get visa within a couple of days,” he claimed. He added that due to disturbed conditions in Pakistan, people refrained from visiting there. It is learnt that nearly 80 persons had applied for visa, of which 52 persons were granted the same. Surinder Billa, president of the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena, urged the Pakistan and Indian Governments to issue visa to devotees liberally irrespective of their religious faiths as per the protocol between both governments.

Jor Mela turns into political arena

Faehgarh Sahib : The three-day Jor Mela starting from December 26 at Fatehgarh Sahib has merely turned into an arena for political parties trying to wrestle it out in public. With newly-appointed PPCC chief Captain Amrinder Singh expected to make an appearance at the political conferences of Jor Mela after four years, splinter groups like the SAD (A) are also trying to make their presence felt, the event will have a different colour. Senior leaders of various political parties, including the Congress, the SAD (B), the SAD (A) and others have been camping the historical city for past few days to oversee preparations at their respective pavilions. Jor Mela is organised every year to pay obeisance to younger sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive in Fatehgarh Sahib.
While the venue of the SAD (B) remains the same this time at a prime location in front of Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara, the Congress has shifted its pavilion due to waterlogging following heavy rains. Earlier, the stage of the Congress was setup in front of district courts now it will be installed near Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara.“This year we have paid a rent of Rs 80,000 as compared to the last year’s Rs 50,000 for two-acre land. We will setup a tent on the land to address people,” said former Congress MLA Harbans Lal. He said, “The location of their party stage is better this time as it is near to Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara and many people are likely to listen to the speech of the PPCC president, who will address people on Jor Mela after a gap of four years.” He said the land had been taken on rent from Rouza Sharif. 

YEARENDER Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee & Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Controversies to the fore

Amritsar : The SGPC and Akal Takht hogged the limelight in 2010 due to one or the other controversy be it the ex-communication of the former Jathedar of Akal Takht in January or a row over the Nanakshahi calendar. The year began on a stormy note with Akal Takht ex-communicating Prof Darshan Singh, former Akal Takht Jathedar, from the Sikh Panth for his controversial Rochester gurdwara (USA) discourse. It was for the first time that a former Jathedar of Akal Takht had been ex-communicated. Controversies continued to dog the Nanakshahi calendar in 2010 too. A row erupted over the observance of the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh announced that the day be observed on December 10 instead of November 24 as the event fell within the two days of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 21. However, the DSGMC, led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, went ahead and observed the event in Delhi gurdwaras on November 24. Even some of the SGPC gurdwaras did the same. Now, Akal Takht and the SGPC have urged the Sikhs to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on January 11 and not on January 5. Akal Takht came face to face with another Jathedar this year - Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh - over the controversy that the latter had sparked off over the Raagmala issue. The Jathedar of Akal Takht barred him from attending a meeting of Sikh clergy till he gave his clarification on the matter in writing. Giani Iqbal Singh was conspicuous by his absence at the meeting of the Sikh high priests on December 15.

The year also witnessed confrontation between the SGPC and the HSGPC over the control of gurdwaras in neighbouring Haryana. HSGPC chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda had threatened to take over “sewa” in key gurdwaras while the SGPC said they were prepared to thwart any such bid. The showdown came to an end with the arrest of Jhinda and his supporters while they were staging a dharna near Gurdwara Chhevi Patshahi in Kurukshetra.  The last year of the decade gave a big jolt to the Sikhs as after generating a lot of enthusiasm among them US President Barack Obama skipped Amritsar from his itinerary during his maiden India visit.

The Sikh community, which was hoping that Obama’s visit would help it overcome problems it is facing due to mistaken identity and security barriers, was deeply disappointed. The SGPC and Akal Takht made it clear that Obama could cover his head with anything except a military hat. In November, Avtar Singh was re-elected president of the SGPC for the sixth successive term. He was elected SGPC president for the first time in 2005 and is the second incumbent to occupy the top seat of the Sikh religious body for the maximum number of terms after the late Gurcharan Singh Tohra, who had remained its head for 27 terms. As the year draws to close, the SGPC is busy fighting for the issue of Sikh identity in countries like France and America . Already facing a tough time in France, where wearing a turban has been banned in schools, Sikhs received another setback when India’ s envoy to UN Hardeep Puri had to undergo turban frisking by the authorities at a US airport. The SGPC not only announced to roll out a global Sikh identity campaign to make foreigners aware of the seperate identity of the Sikhs but also staged a dharna outside the US Embassy in New Delhi to lodge its protest over the issue. 

Tackling Bio-Medical Waste, Pollution Control board to hold camps for pvt hospitals

Ludhiana : Responding to a wake up call given by the Central Pollution Control Board for the strict implementation of the bio-medical waste (management and handling) rules in the state, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has scheduled special camps to grant and renew authorisation to private hospitals and nursing homes. The PPCB, in its advertisement dated December 17 in a section of the media, had categorically mentioned that some of the hospitals/ healthcare facilities were operating without a valid authorisation as required under the rules, which is punishable under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It further reads that the PPCB in order to give the last chance to the erring hospitals/healthcare facilities was organising special camps for an on-the-spot processing and grant of authorisation applications. The special camps for authorisation will be held on December 23 at Patiala, Ludhiana, Khanna, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda, Sangrur, Faridkot, Hoshairpur, Mandi Gobindgarh, and Mohali. The regional offices of the PPCB will grant new authorisation to private hospitals and renew the expired authorisations under bio-medical waste (management and handling) rules. The hospitals have also been asked to come with all documents, including a valid agreement with the common bio-medical waste treatment facility; self-declaration of bed capacity; a demand draft according to the prescribed fee as per the bed capacity, partnership/proprietor certificate/list of directors and annual report containing the details of the generation of bio- medical waste. Interestingly, the PPCB was oblivious to the violations of the BMW rules for years, as no action had been initiated against the government or private healthcare facilities. The rules were implemented in 1998.

Dayal seeks resignation of Transport Minister

Jalandhar : Seeking the resignation of the state Transport Minister, Master Mohan Lal, CPI leader Joginder Dayal alleged today that the minister had failed to protect the interest of the people on the issue of bus fares and was dancing to the tune of private transporters. Alleging that the Punjab Government had surrendered to private transporters on the issue of increasing bus fares, Dayal said the minister had already made it clear that big transporters were calling the shots in the Transport Department and hence he was left with no moral authority to continue as a minister. Dayal said big private transporters had “hijacked” the department following which Punjab Roadways and the PRTC were suffering losses. “In connivance with senior officials of the department, influential private transporters have grabbed peak rush hour slots in the timetable to ply buses on all main routes,” said Dayal, adding that the minister should make it public that how many times the timetable regarding main routes had been altered in the past four years. Urging the government to withdraw the hike in bus fares, Dayal said tax on all luxury buses should be increased from the existing 50 paise per km to Rs 2.25 paise per km, which was charged from ordinary buses.

Ex-MLA opposes Channi's induction into Congress

Chandigarh : The proposed entry into the Congress of Independent legislator from Chamkaur Sahib and till recently Manpreet Badal supporter, Charanjit Singh Channi, is being challenged by a faction led by former legislator from the same constituency Bhag Singh who has even appealed to the Congress high command in this regard. Addressing newsmen here, Bhag Singh said Channi was a candidate for the Congress ticket in 2007 and when he did not get it, he contested the seat as an Independent. Bhag Singh said instead of returning to the Congress fold after the elections, Channi chose to extend support to the SAD. Asserting that the Congress should not encourage such opportunism, the former legislator appealed to the PPCC president not to induct Channi into the party.

Cong draws up plan to hold series of rallies

Chandigarh : After losing time in intra-party squabbling, the Congress has decided to catapult itself into election mode. Charged after the encouragement received at the All-India Congress Committee plenary session, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh has announced his programme as a run-up to the poll. In a strategy devised by Amarinder Singh himself, the Congress does not want to be caught unawares just in case reports of the possibility of relatively early elections in the state come true. He has told his party leaders that it would be most appropriate to start a series of rallies, road shows, etc while the rival the SAD-BJP leadership has preferred to take a sabbatical due to the cold winter. Beginning tomorrow, the Congress campaign will start from Sangrur in the Malwa region, where the Congress is planning a big rally. After Sangrur, over the fortnight the Congress will hold rallies in Tarn Taran on December 24, a political conference at the Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib on December 27 , another rally at Mohali on January 9 and a political function during the Maghi Mela at Muktsar on January 14 . Sources in the party said all programmes had been meticulously planned with a senior leader from the PPCC coordinating the arrangements, under the leadership of a local leader at all places where the rallies and road shows will be held. The PCC sources disclosed that the party this time had tried to spread out the programmes uniformly in Malwa, Majha and Doaba. A close aide of Amarinder Singh told The Tribune that the PPCC president had personally drawn up the party programme for the next few weeks.His aim was to create a uniform impact everywhere. The mass contact programme of the Congress, scheduled after the constitution of the PCC and the District Congress Committees, was delayed earlier due to the reshuffle in the AICC. The changes in Delhi are expected to lead to a change of general secretaries in charge, etc. Amarinder Singh has now decided to go ahead with his programme by assigning duties to the local leaders. But at the same time he has made it clear that assigning duties pertaining to the arrangements for party programmes should not be construed as a guarantee of appointment to particular posts. The possibility of early elections has gained ground after Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal gave a hint to this effect as also in the backdrop of reports that the Election Commission of India may advance the Punjab elections.

Incubator death case, 23 months gone, no action against guilty

Patiala : Almost 23 months after the tragic incident that charred six infants to death at the Phototherapy Unit at Government Rajindra Hospital in 2009, the Punjab Government is yet to take any action against the guilty despite two inquiries, which proved to be a mere eyewash. Despite assurance in this regard by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the guilty staffers are continuing at plum posts inside the hospital. While initially the government had ordered a judicial probe into the episode after the Medical Education Minister had resigned over the issue, the Home Department later ordered a criminal probe by the Police Department. The minister concerned, Tikshan Sud had later withdrawn his resignation. Sources confirmed that the criminal inquiry into the whole incident that resulted in the death of six infants on January 31, 2009, is almost complete with the inquiry conducted by a SP rank officer submitting the findings to Patiala SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill almost a couple of months back. An FIR is yet to be registered.

Speaking on the case SP (Operation) SS Boparai said he had visited the hospital and the findings were with the SSP. “Prima facie it appears to be particular mistakes in individual capacity and we are pressing to recommend a case under Section 304-A of the IPC,” said Boparai, who completed the inquiry. Earlier, the government had already received a report submitted by former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge KC Gupta, who was appointed as a one-man inquiry committee by the Punjab CM. In his report KC Gupta had recommended to chargesheet four government employees, including two doctors and one-fourth class employee that included Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital then Principal Jaswinder Pal Kaur Shergill and the head of Pediatrics Department Dr KK Lochan, who is still the head.

Punjab Industries Dept seeks stake in Mohali IT project

Mohali : The Punjab Industries Department has sought partnership in the information technology (IT) project of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The project is being set up on 1,800 acres of land next to the upcoming international airport. “Since the project will have 40 per cent industrial component, it will be beneficial for the Industries Department to participate in the project as similar projects are being planned in Ropar, Rajpura and other parts of the state,” principle secretary Industries SS Channy wrote in a communiqué to the secretary of the Housing and Urban Development, Dr SS Sandhu. Sources in the housing department said the proposal of the Industries Department would be taken up in the next meeting of the board of members of GMADA. Participating in the project will mean that the Industries Department will have to partner in acquiring 1,800 acres of land. The land is expected to cost around Rs 2,700 crore. GMADA Chief Administrator VP Singh said any decision on the request of the Industries Department would be taken at the highest level. Incidentally, GMADA is set to notify the Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act as part of the land acquisition proceedings. The expected land acquisition rate is expected to be around Rs 1.50 crore, as has been in case of Aerocity. “ By all terms, it will be the largest acquisition in Chandigarh’s periphery in the last decade,” pointed out a GMADA official.

The sources said it was due to the overwhelming response of the Aerocity project, located perpendicular to the proposed IT city, that the Industries Department was keen on tapping the industrial component. This was primarily due to its strategic location near the upcoming international airport. Unlike phase 1 and phase 2 of the Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park of the UT Administration, Manimajra, that offered around 350 acres of land, the integrated IT park would offer plots of varying sizes in 1,800 acres of land. Apart from the IT component, the city would offer limited residential and commercial components.

Meter shifting turns violent; 3 hurt

Bathinda : The situation at Neor village of Rampura Phul subdivision of Bathinda became tense on Tuesday evening when the villagers and workers of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ugrahan, who were opposing the shifting of electricity meters from inside the houses to outside in the village, were allegedly lathicharged. Around 30 people were reportedly injured in the incident, including two workers of the electricity department and two police personnel, including SHO Gurpreet Singh, who have been admitted to the Bathinda and Rampura Phul civil hospitals. Following opposition by the local villagers and the BKU leaders against the move of the electricity board to shift the meters, a heavy police force was deployed in the village since morning. “But the situation became volatile when a few officials of the electricity department forcibly tried to shift the meter at a house. The villagers opposed this and the police lathicharged them, leaving a number of BKU workers and villagers injured. Police also fired a few shots in the air,“ alleged BKU Ugrahan district president Shingara Singh Mann. However, the police and the administration denied that the police undertook the lathicharge or fired in the air. Rampura Phul SDM Uma Shankar, who was present at the spot, said it was the BKU workers who attacked the electricity employees and the police while they were peacefully replacing the meters. “To remove the BKU leaders from the spot, minimal police force was used,“ he said. The SDM alleged that it was the BKU leaders who made the situation volatile. SP Headquarters Amarjeet Singh Sandhu said a few government vehicles, including the vehicle of the SDM and the DSP, have been damaged in stone-pelting by the villagers and BKU leaders. Eyewitnesses said even women were not spared by the male police personnel. Kamalpreet Kaur, a villager, said, “We were beaten up by the police mercilessly in our houses despite the fact that no member of our family was present. The police have also arrested my sister-in-law from our house,“ she alleged. Meanwhile, the police have rounded up 20 BKU workers and villagers. The village was tense till the filing of this report.

Heavy police force has been deployed in the village.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar to make foreigners aware of Sikh tenets, To print literature in their languages, open mission abroad

Amritsar : Ahead of its protest outside the US Embassy over the turban frisking issue on Thursday, the SGPC today decided to make foreigners aware of the Sikhism by facilitating literature in different foreign languages apart from raising the issue with the UNO and all embassies in New Delhi. Talking to the media after a SGPC executive meeting, SGPC president Avtar Singh said: “The turban frisking incident involving India’s envoy to UN Hardeep Puri has forced us to adopt a fresh approach to address our concerns over the issue. Therefore, we have decided to provide a detailed information about the Sikh identity, history, culture and five Ks (kesh, kangha, kada, kirpan and kachcha) to foreigners in their country and in their own language. We will come out with literature in languages like French, German, Spanish etc. We will also send brochures about the Sikh identity to the UN Secretary-General and all embassies in New Delhi.” He added that they would also send a memorandum to the UN Secretary-General and heads of the state of different countries. In another significant move, he said the SGPC would set up Sikh missions in different countries, adding that it would also go a long way in clearing confusion over the Sikh identity. He said a high-level panel comprising Sikh intellectuals would be formed to make efforts for spreading the religion abroad. The panel would take care of the working of the missions. The SGPC president said they had made up their mind to acquire a piece of prime land in Washington to set up a Sikh mission there. In yet another important move, he said they would acquire 2.5 acres being offered by Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte at North Carolina in the US for setting up the printing facility for Guru Granth Sahib. It will be the first such facility outside India. Earlier, the SGPC used to transport ‘birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib through chartered flights from the country. The SGPC chief said their delegation, which is at present on a visit to the US and Canada, had physically verified the land being offered in Washington and North Carolina, and they would set the ball rolling for their acquisition as per the US norms once the delegation returned to India. On a query, he denied that there had been any delay on the part of the SGPC in taking measures to make people aware of the turban issue post-9/11. “In fact, it was due to our efforts that murderous attack on Sikhs had stopped,” he claimed. He renewed his call to all Sikh organisations to reach New Delhi on December 23 for a protest outside the US Embassy. He justified the protest stating that they simply wanted to convey their message and they would do it peacefully. “Had our letters to the PM over the issue made any impact, we would not have resorted to this step,” he added.

Maruti's fully made in India car to hit roads by 2010

New Delhi, Dec 20 (PTI) The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India's ''completely made in India car'' will hit the roads by 2012 and the company is likely to finalise the design within the next six months. According to people in the know of the project for the car, the company will finalise the design, engine size and how to position it in the market within the next six months. "It is likely that the made in India car will be positioned along with MSI''s its best selling model Alto," a source said. Internally MSI has set 2012 as the launch target, the source added. At present MSI still depends on parent Suzuki for its future model design and development programme. It is, however, spending around Rs 1,500 crore over the next 3-4 years at its R&D centre at Rohtak - Suzuki's only such significant centre outside Japan -- to scale up its vehicle development programme and become self reliant. When contacted an MSI spokesperson said,"For customers'' benefit, product development and technological innovation are continuous processes at MSI. We do not comment on future models and plans." The ''Made in India'' car has been developed keeping in mind rival Hyundai Motors India''s small car that is also likely to be unveiled in early 2012. Hyundai is also designing and developing the car keeping in mind the Indian market. Hyundai''s small car is expected to be positioned below the company''s existing flagship model, Santro, and operate in the segment that the Alto from Maruti Suzuki is in. Alto is currently the highest selling car model in India, with average sales of over 20,000 units per month, and is priced between Rs 2.29 lakh and Rs 3.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Now onions at a price that'll make you cry, The must-have vegetable for most households is being sold for Rs. 70 per kg

Chandigarh : The sharp hike in prices of onions is literally making the common man cry. For the past 20 days, the price of the vegetable has been rising steadily, and it is now retailing across most cities in North India at anything between Rs 60 and Rs 70 per kg! Till a week ago, onion -- the quintessential ingredient in most curries -- was retailing at Rs 28-Rs 30 a kg. Just two days back the prices took a jump and onions are now being sold at Rs 60-Rs 70 a kg. Even the wholesale price of onions jumped from Rs 10-Rs 15 per kg last week to the current Rs 35-Rs 45 per kg. In Delhi, onion was retailing at Rs 60-Rs 65 per kg on Monday, whereas in Chandigarh it was retailing at Rs 65-Rs 70 per kg today. In Ludhiana, onions were available at Rs 60 per kg. Vegetable traders in Delhi and Chandigarh, which are the terminal points for the crop before it is dispatched to other places across North India, say the supply of onions has come down by almost 50 per cent due to the untimely rains in October and November in the onion-producing states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Rajendra Sharma, general secretary of the Potato and Onion Merchants Association, Azadpur, Delhi, told TNS that only 80 tempos (each carrying 9 tonnes) and 20 truckloads of onions (each truck carrying 15 tonnes) arrived at the Azadpur market today from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat. “This is almost 50 per cent short of the usual inflow of the crop, thus creating a supply constraint and hike in prices,” he said. According to the information available with The Tribune, about 2,000-2,200 sacks (each sack containing 55 kg) of onions arrive in Chandigarh daily. This is not just meant for the local market, but also for the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh. Tej Pal, an onion trader here, said: “Most of the crop is coming from Alwar in Rajasthan, and because of the supply constraint, the prices have soared in the Azadpur mandi in Delhi, from where the wholesellers in the city get their supply.” Other than onion, the prices of garlic too have shot up phenomenally. From Rs 60-Rs 70 a kg last week, garlic was retailing at Rs 200-Rs 230 a kg in various cities of North India today.

Rape of School student, HC upholds 10-year sentence for 4 teachers

Chandigarh : Just over 16 years after her own teachers raped a Class X student, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the 10-year sentence awarded to them. Justice Jitendra Chauhan of the high court refused to place reliance on the “compromise” made under “duress” to uphold the sentence. A student of government high school at Madhopur, the victim was raped after she was enrolled for a sports meet, even though she was not into games. The accused teachers ---Balbir Singh, Amarjit Singh, Ranjit Singh and Mohan Lal Verma --- were booked on November 2, 1994. The victim had alleged the sister of an accused forced her into a room at her residence. The victim added she passed out soon after Ranjit Singh raped her. At the time of the incident, Balbir Singh, Amarjit Singh and Mohan Lal were present. Going into the background, the victim had alleged the accused compelled her to go to Fatehgarh Sahib for a sports meet, along with 15-16 other girls, on October 24, 1994. There, Balbir Singh threatened her and forced her to take a lift from Mohan Lal on a scooter. She was later made to sit on Ranjit Singh’s cycle. The accused asked her to accompany him to his sister’s house; and was pushed inside a room by Jasbir Kaur before bolting the door from outside. She has been let off by the High Court. Justice Chauhan ruled: “The appellant in the instant case are the teachers and the victim is their student…. The state of mind of prosecutrix can well be imagined, having been raped by her own teachers, who are otherwise in our social set-up put on a pedestal, which accords them an even higher status, respect and position than which is attached to one’s own parents. Justice Chauhan added: It is made out the victim comes from the poorest strata of society. The appellants are well placed and, therefore, the change in the statement of the victim and her mother was certainly made under duress, which is very evident and which subsequently resulted in some sort of a compromise between the parties. “I have no hesitation in recording the fact the alleged compromise is a manifestation of subjugation on account of unequal placement at social and economic pedestal. The testimony of prosecution was consistent till the time her father was alive”.

Education Dept. fails to appoint teachers

Jalandhar : The state Education Department has failed to appoint scores of lecturers and master- cadre teachers, whose counselling had taken place about six months ago. Counselling for over 3,500 posts of teachers of science, mathematics, humanities and the languages stream was conducted by the department in July. In the advertisement published in the newspapers on July 10, it was promised that it would take not more than six months to issue appointment letters to the eligible candidates. However, the aspiring candidates are still being kept in the dark by the department as it has failed to make even a single such appointment even after the expiry of the six-month deadline. Sources said counselling was done to fill 513 and 3,638 vacant posts of lecturer and master cadre in the government secondary schools in the state. “We are uncertain about our future. Apprehension prevails among the candidates that the proposal to recruit teachers would ultimately meet a dead end,” said a candidate, who appeared for the counselling.

This despite the appalling standards of education in the rural areas as thousands of posts of lecturer and master-cadre teacher are lying vacant in the state. Sadhu Singh Randhawa, Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI), Elementary, who heads the selection committee (Male) constituted by the department for the recruitment process, said the appointments had not been made as there was a dearth of eligible candidates even after counselling. “We did not find the required number of eligible candidates in about 11 categories after counselling was held in July. We had again invited a few more candidates of these categories to submit their documents. The scrutiny of documents is going on and the appointments will be done in the coming weeks,” said Randhawa.