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May 24,2013 09:21:05

Comedian Kapil turns producer___ Actor-comedian Kapil Sharma marks his debut as a producer with TV show Comedy Nights With Kapil. Adding to the madness, he will be seen donning multiple avatars, that of an actor, scriptwriter and producer in his production debut. Known for his strong comic timing as well as his ability to find humour in any situation, he will present a distinctive take on everyday life in a fresh way. The show is likely to hit the small screen in June on Colors. At the same time, the 32-year-old will be seen exhibiting his dancing skills on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, which is also going on air next month.

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In the News

PCS Uma Shankar gets the additional charge of Bathinda Dev. Authority
Punjab vigilance raids office of Tehsildar Derabassi and arrest three employees
PHRC calls for report about sickness of jail inmates in Faridkot jail
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu removed from inquiry officers panel
Punjab okays Rs 800 crore plan to provide potable water to all villages: Sukhbir
Punjab strengthens governance reforms directorate
Haryana vigilance books Patwari for taking bribe
Punjab govt sets up three help lines to curb illegal mining
INLD launches campaign in election bound Municipal Corporations
No respite from heat wave in North India
Rich tributes paid to Bibi Badal on her second death anniversary
Indian Catholic School Bans Turban and Excludes Sikh Students
Haryana notifies Non-Bioderagdable Garbage Amendment Act, 2013
Punjab govt signs MoU to ensure overall development of rural students
Punjab to fill 3% backlog in direct recruitment/promotions of physically handicapped
Sukhbir welcomes assurance of Australian PM terms it victory of SAD
Poor railway planning compels commuters to travel on roofs on Fazilka-Ferozepur rail track
US : Highway bridge collapsed into Skagit River north of Seattle
CBI probe sought into fake encounter in Punjab
Sangrur teacher gets life term for rape
16,000 Wakf Board properties are illegally occupied in Punjab
Australia may allow Sikhs to wear turban at work places
Bhullar suffers from severe depression with psychotic symptoms: Medical Board
Confrontation between Maluka & Pannu comes to the fore,Maluka meets CM
Pb. IAS officers Tejvir Singh, Vikas Partap & D.K. Tiwari empanelled as Joint Secys. GOI
Hard Kaur used derogatory language against Sikh ethos
Shashi Kant Sharma takes over as CAG of India
UPSC declares result of Written Part of Geologists' Examination 2012
Union Cabinet approved Special Recruitment Drive to fill up the backlog reserved vacancies of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs.
Special Class Raiway Apprentices Examination 2013- Result of Written Examination Declared
Manmohan lays foundation stone of Defence University at Gurgaon
Sonia Gandhi, Nooyi among 10 most powerful women globally
GOI empanels 49 IAS of 1994 batch as Joint Secys.
Congress shielding culprits who attacked on Akali workers: SAD
Badal seeks technical support from WB for drinking water
Amritsar rural police recovers 10kgs of opium worth Rs. 8 Lac, arrests one
Maluka dismisses Shindo Sahni DEO Gurdaspur
'Right to Service' achieves new milestones-delivers 89 lakh services
Process on for recruiting 60 senior residents in the medical colleges of Punjab
World Bank Team assures Badal to ensure potable water in Urban Sectors
Poor railway planning compels commuters to travel on roofs on Fazilka-Ferozepur rail track

CA Bathinda Development Authority IAS Amar Partap Virk on leave PCS Uma Shankar gets the additional charge of Bathinda Dev. Authority

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): Uma Shankar, PCS commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bathinda will hold the charge of post of Chief Administrator, Bathinda Development Authority in addition to his present assignment during leave period of Amar Partap Singh Virk, IAS.This was disclosed here today by a spokesman of Punjab Government. (JL/jR)....

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): Uma Shankar, PCS commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bathinda will hold the charge of post of Chief Administrator, Bathinda Development Authority in addition to his present assignment during leave period of Amar Partap Singh Virk, IAS.This was disclosed here today by a spokesman of Punjab Government.

(JL/jR)

Punjab Human Rights Panel takes suo motu notice of news item PHRC calls for report about sickness of jail inmates in Faridkot jail

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Human Rights Commission while taking suo motu notice of new item appearing in leading daily under the caption "Faridkot Jail Wich 70% Kaidi Bimar", called for report regarding the sickness of jail inmates in Faridkot Jail from DGP (Prisons) Punjab Chandigarh by 8.8.2013, an official spokesman of the Commission said. (JL/jR)....

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Human Rights Commission while taking suo motu notice of new item appearing in leading daily under the caption "Faridkot Jail Wich 70% Kaidi Bimar", called for report regarding the sickness of jail inmates in Faridkot Jail from DGP (Prisons) Punjab Chandigarh by 8.8.2013, an official spokesman of the Commission said.

(JL/jR)

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Committees announced Punjab Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal nominates 13 legislative committees of Punjab Vidhan Sabha

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Punjab Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal nominates 13 legislative committees of Punjab Vidhan Sabha

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OPN PDF for members list..

By Gagandeep Singh Sohal
Chandiagrh, May 24 : Punjab Assembly speaker S Charan jit Singh Atwal has nominated 13 legislative committees of Punjab Vidhan Sabha . The lists of Chairpersons and the memebrs are as under:

Public Accounts Committee : Chairman Ashwani Sekhri

Public Undertaking Committee : Chairman S Iqbal Singh Jhoonda

Estimates Committee : Chairman Justice Nirmal Singh

Welfare Committee : Chairman Harpreet Singh

Committee on Local Bodies : Chairman Prem Mittal

Government Assurance Committee : Chairman Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema

Committee on Subordinate Legislation : Chairman Gurtej Singh Ghuriana

Petition Committee : Chairman Darshan Singh Shivalik

House Committee : Chairman Dinesh Singh, Ex-offcio

Paper Laid Committee : Chairman Sadhu Singh Dharmsot

Library Committee : Chairman Manjit Singh Miyanwind

Questions and References Committee : Chairman Manoranjan Kalia

Privileges Committee : Chairman Hari Singh Zira

Account Committee
Mr. Ashwani Sekhri, Chairman, Mr. Harpreet Singh, Mr. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mr. Manjit Singh Miyawind, Mrs. Vaninder kaur Loomba, Mr. S.R. Kaler, Mr. Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Mrs. Charanjit Kaur Bajwa, Mrs. Karan Kaur Brar, Mr. Arvind Khanna and Mr. Simarjeet Singh Bains.
Publice Undertaking Committee
Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhundan, Chairman, Mr. Joginder Paul Jain, Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr. Deep Malhotra, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mrs. Sukhjit Kaur Sahi, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bains, Mr. Randeep Signh Nabha, Mr. Rakesh Pandey, Mr. Prem Mittal, Gurkirat Singh, Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki and Mr. Brahm Mahindra.
Estimates Committee
Mr. Justice Nirmal Singh, Chairman, Mr. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Mr. Joginder Singh Jindu, Mr. Pargat Singh, Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mr. Tota Singh, Mr. Maheshinder Singh, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Mr. Sukhjinder Singh, Mr. Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Mr. Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Mr. Amrinder Singh Raja Waring and Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa.
Welfare Committee
Mr. Harpreet Singh, Chairman, Mr. Justice Nirmal Singh, Mr. Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mr. Baljit Signh Jalal Usma, Mr. S.R. Kaler, Mr. Joginder Singh Jindu, Mrs. Seema Kumari, Mr. Tarlochan Singh, Mr. Chatin Singh, Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary, Mr. Hardyal Singh Kamboj, Mr. Ajaib Signh Bhatti and Mr. Joginder Singh Panjgarian.
Committee on Local Bodies
Mr. Prem Mittal, Chairman, Mr. Deep Malhotra, Mr. Joginder Singh Jindu, Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Mr. Pargat Singh, Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillion, Mr. Harpreet Singh, Mr. Amrinder Singh Raja Waring, Mrs. Karan Kaur Brar, Dr. Raj Kumar Verka, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Mrs. Charanjit Kaur Bajwa and Mr. Balwinder Singh Bains.
Government Assurance Committee
Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Chairman, Mr. Manjit Singh Miyawind, Mr. Hari Singh Zira, Mr. Darshan Singh Kotfatta, Mr. Pargat Singh, Mr. Maheshinder Singh, Mr. Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan, Mr. Chatin Singh, Captain Amrinder Singh, Mr. Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Mr. Gurcharan Singh Raikot, Mr. Ashwani Sekhri and Joginder Singh Panjgarian.
Committee on Subordinate Legislation
Mr. Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, Chairman, Mr. Darshan Singh Kotfatta, Mr. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Mrs. Harpreet Kaur, Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillion, Mrs. Vaninder Kaur Loomba, Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Mr. Lal Singh, Mr. Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Mr. Jagmohan Singh Kang, Mr. Kuljeet Singh Nagra and Advocate General.
Petition Committee
Mr. Darshan Singh Shivalik, Chairman, Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillion, Mrs. Sukhjit Kaur Sahi, Mr.s Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mrs. Rajwinder Kaur, Mr. Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, Mrs. Seema Kumari, Mr. Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Mrs. Harchand Kaur, Mr. Kewal Singh Dhillion, Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr. Kuljeet Singh Nagra and Mr. Simarjeet Singh Bains.
House Committee
Mr. Dinesh Singh, Ex-offcio Chairman, Mr. S.R. Kaler, Mr. Baljit Signh Jalal usma, Mr. Darshan Signh Shivalik, Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Mr. Navtej Singh Cheema, Mr. Sadhu Singh Dharmsot, Mr. Mahommad Sadique and Mr. Tarlochan Singh.
Paper Laid Committee
Mr. Sadhu Signh Dharmsot, Chairman, Mr. Joginder Paul Jain, Mr. Baljeet Singh Jalal Usma, Mrs. Rajwinder Kaur, Mrs. Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpura, Mr. Rajneesh Kumar, Mr. Gurkirat Singh, Mr. O.P. Soni, Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki and Mr. Amrik Singh.
Library Committee
Mr. Manjit Singh Miyawind, Chairman, Mr. Darshan Singh Kotfatta, Mrs. Seema Kumari, Mrs. Sukhjit Kaur Sahi, Mr. Chatin Singh, Mr. Sangat Singh Gilziya, Mr. Mahommad Sadique, Mr. Rana Gurjeet Singh and Mrs. Guriqbal Kaur.
Questions and References Committee
Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Chairman, Mr. Joginder Paul Jain, Mr. Tota Singh, Mr. Surinder Singh Bhullewal Ratha, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr. Surinder Kumar Dawar, Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi, Mr. Sham Sunder Arora and Mr. Rajneesh Kumar.
Privileges Committee
Mr. Hari Singh Zira, Chairman, (Consequent upon the resignation given by Justice Nirmal Singh, MLA as Chairman), Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhundan, Mr. Deep Malhotra, Mr. Maheshinder Singh, Mr. Justice Nirmal Singh, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Mrs. Harchand Kaur, Mr. Navtej Singh Cheema, Mr. Amrik Singh, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Ramanjeet Singh Siki. The full details is attached in PDF file.

Sandhu makes request to Punjab Govt. Surinderjit Singh Sandhu removed from inquiry officers panel

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab government today removed Mr. Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, IAS (Retd.) from the panel of inquiry officers with immediate effect.

An official spokesman said that Sandhu, Kothi No.33, E-block, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar has filed a request to remove himself from the inquiry panel and while considering his request the Punjab government has ordered to take back the name of Mr. Sandhu from Inquiry panel.

(JL/jR)....

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Deputy CM inaugurates Rs. 37 crore sewerage treatment plant at Bathinda Punjab okays Rs 800 crore plan to provide potable water to all villages: Sukhbir

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Punjab okays Rs 800 crore plan to provide potable water to all villages: Sukhbir

ENLARGE

Bathinda, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Government today okayed an ambitious plan of Rs. 800 crore to provide potable water to remaining 1300 villages in the state and after completion of this plan in next two years, all villages of the Punjab would have potable water facility.

Speaking to media persons after inaugurating Rs. 37 crore sewerage treatment plant here, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab said that Punjab Government was targeting to provide sewerage treatment plants in all cities by the year 2016 and treated water would be used for irrigation of adjoining farm lands. Mr. Badal regretted that Congress government during last 65 years could not provide a single treatment plant in any city and people were suffering due to massive pollution caused by disposal of untreated sewerage in most unscientific manner. He said that Punjab Government has evolved a massive urban renewal plan under which all cities would have underground sewerage, sewerage treatment plants, door to door solid waste collection, solid waste disposal plants, metered drinking water facility besides upgradation of internal roads of the cities. He said that a separate plan has also been finalized for scientific disposal of rain water besides rain water harvesting keeping in view depleting underground water table.

Promising to provide underground sewerage to all villages having more than 5000 population, Mr. Badal said that all these villages would have state-of-the-art underground sewerage system that would be completed within next three years. Describing the vote for SAD-BJP as vote for continue accelerated development, Mr. Badal said that outcry of Congress regarding misuse of official machinery in Zila Parishad polls was sign of frustration as there base has been totally eroded in the state. Mr. Badal said that people have put their stamp of approval on the development agenda of SAD-BJP and it was vote against negative politics being played by Congress and its associates.

The sewerage treatment plant constructed on 8 acres piece of land has a capacity of 52 million liters per day. Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Mr. Sarup Chand Singla, CPS, Mr. Baljit Singh Beer Behman, Mayor and other dignitaries.

(JL/jR)

Would be functional 24x7 Punjab govt sets up three help lines to curb illegal mining

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Government, in order to curb the practice of illegal mining from the state, has constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) besides setting up three help lines so as to enable the citizen to report the case of illegal mining immediately.
Divulging this here today, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that the SIT comprising of Nirmal Singh Dhillon, I.G., Bathind Range as Chairperson, whereas Indermohan Singh, SSP, Roper and Mr. Vishav Bandhu, Joint Director, Industries have been made the members of this team.
He further said that three dedicated help lines have been set up, which would be functional 24x7. The help line set up for the Chairperson of SIT is, telephone number 0164-2240180 and FAX number 0164-2219501, two other help lines are telephone number 97794-64099 & FAX number 01881-228874 (SSP, Roper) and telephone number 0172-2701226 (Director, Mining).

34 posts sanctioned for directorate Punjab strengthens governance reforms directorate

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Government has initiated a massive exercise to strengthen Governance Reforms Department to give a big push to governance reforms and given its nod to recruit 34 highly trained professionals on varied posts.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that out of the total 34 posts, 31 posts would be filled on regular basis and remaining three on contractual. Divulging the details, he said that 2 System Manager, 4 Assistant Managers, 3 Technical Assistant and 22 District Technical Co-coordinators would be on regular posts, whereas 3 posts of Research Officers to be filled on contractual basis.
The Spokesperson further said that the candidates could apply online only for which they could log on to department's websitedgr.applyforexam.com. He said that the applications through any other mean would not be accepted. Online registration of applications would be started on May 28, 2013 and last date for submission of application is June 28, 2013.

Caught while taking bribe of Rs 4000 Haryana vigilance books Patwari for taking bribe

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): Haryana State Vigilance Bureau has caught Sukram Pal, Patwari red handed while accepting an illegal gratification of Rs.4000 from Sunil Kumar s/o Mr.Ram Chander in lieu of Intkal of plot.
While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Bureau said that a case has been registered against them under Prevention of Corruption Act, at the Bureau's police station, Rohtak. Further investigation of the case is in progress, he added. ....

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Abhay Chautala organizes meetings in Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal and Panipat INLD launches campaign in election bound Municipal Corporations

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

INLD launches campaign in election bound Municipal Corporations

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Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): INLD has started a wide elections campaign for the upcoming municipal corporation elections.
The senior party leader and MLA from Ellnabad, Chaudhary Abhay Singh Chautala along with other Party leaders has organized the meetings of party workers in Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal and Panipat on Friday. In these meetings, party workers were advised to work hard to make the INLD candidates success and also assigned the election duties to the party workers.
Senior INLD Leader said that Congress does not have courage to contest in the existing circumstances of state and that is the reason why congress is not contesting the municipal elections on its own party symbol and has lost its appeal. Chaudhary Abhay Singh Chautala who was strongly welcomed by the party workers, said, "INLD will get victory in the elections of all the seven municipal corporations and INLD candidates will be elected as Mayor in all the corporations. We always listen to the problems of public and try to solve them."He further said, "CBI is like a puppet in the hands of Congress and the government is misusing the CBI for its own benefits. The public is losing its faith in the government and no one is safe in the state as the crime is increasing day by day."
INLD leader said, "Hooda Government is pawns in the hands of property dealers. Congress leaders are roaming freely after doing scams worth crores of rupees and INLD leaders who are innocent are envolved in false cases." During these meetings, candidates of local Municipal Corporations also met Chaudhary Abhay Singh Chautala. He further said that once the INLD came into power and INLD candidates be elected as a mayor in the upcoming elections, the property tax will be abolished, basic facilities to be provided to the people and fourth class employees will be given regular appointment by creating new posts. He said, "Repair of all roads in urban limits and construction of new roads will be the priority of INLD and ensured the safety of people's life and property. Not a single culprit will be spared.
In the meeting held in Panchkula, MLA Pradeep Chaudhary said that our contestants are working hard and will win with overwhelming votes. In the occasion, District in-charge and Ex MLA Lila Ram Gujjar, MLA Phool Singh Kheri, Ex MLA Bhagi Ram, Ex MLA Pawan Diwan, District president Urban Manoj Aggarwal, District president Rural Dina Nath Sharma, District spokesmen SP Arora, Hardeep Mehta, INLD contestants from all the wards, Dilbaag Nain, Ex chairman Umesh Sood, Inderjeet Braich, Ravinder Bataur and other party leaders were also present. In the meeting held in Ambala, District president Balvinder Punia, Onkar Singh, BD Dhalia, MLA Rajbir Brara, Rameshwar Dayal, Pirthi Singh Nambardaar, Ex minister Balbir Saini, Charanjeet Singh, Ex MLA Nishan Singh, Kuldip Singh Multani, Balwant Sadora, District Spokesmen Surender Tittoo Ghai and senior leaders were present. In Yamunanagar, MLA Bishanlal Saini, Urban president Rajinder Bajaj, Ex DGP MS Malik, MLA Dilbag Singh, Mohd Iliyas, Ex MLA Ishwar Singh Plaka, Ramjilal, shri Badrudin and other party leaders alongwith INLD contestants were present in the meeting.
In Karnal, Ex Agriculture Minister Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, MLA Narinder Sangwan, Dr. Ashok Kashyap, Mamu Ram Gondar, Kali Ram Patwari, Ex MLA Rajinder Bisla, Kailash Bhagat, Makhan Singh, district president Jasveer Rana, Satpal Gupta, District Sposkesmen Harpal Rod, Ramkumar Aebla, party leaders and contestants were also present. In Panipat, INLD Leader Ashok Sherwal, MLA Krishan Panwar, Ex Speaker Satbir Kadiyan, MLA Parminder Dhull, Telu Ram Jogi, Surinder Dahia, Suresh Mittal, Ramphal Kundu, Surender Rod and other party leaders and contestants were also present.

Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana under grip of high temprature No respite from heat wave in North India

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

No respite from heat wave in North India

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): Northern states of Punjab and Haryana continue to sizzle on Friday as well, after recording the hottest day in 10 years in May on Thursday.
North India and parts of West India are reeling under an intense heat wave due to the absence of western disturbances, coupled with strong and hot westerly winds. Apart from Delhi, among the states recording high temperatures include Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to hover around 46 degrees Celsius on Friday, a day after Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 45.7 degrees - six degrees above normal.
The minimum temperature recorded at Safdarjung was also five degrees above average at 31.5 degree Celsius. As per the Met department, heat wave is expected to intensify further today.
The Met department has forecast a thunder storm in Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring areas tomorrow, which could bring down day-time temperatures in the plains, including Delhi, by about two degree Celsius. Next week, heat wave is expected to continue but the intensity will come down, said IMD officials.

Badal strikes emotional chord with people Rich tributes paid to Bibi Badal on her second death anniversary

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Rich tributes paid to Bibi Badal on her second death anniversary

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Expresses gratitude to residents of Malout for rallying behind them
Malout (Sri Muktsar Sahib), May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): Eminent personalities from all the walks of life today paid floral tributes to late Bibi Surinder Kaur Badal on her second death anniversary in a function organized here at Gurudwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
In a function organized by MLA Malout Harpreet Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal along with the senior leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was also present.
Striking an emotional chord with the gathering, the Chief Minister in his address, said that late Bibi Surinder Kaur Badal had a special affection with the residents of Malout area due to which she played a vanguard role in the all-round development of this area, till her last breath. Expressing gratitude to the people of Malout for showering love and respect to the Badal family especially to late Bibi Badal, he said that they would ever remain indebted to the people of the area for this noble gesture.
Badal said that Malout has a special place in his heart and no stone would be left unturned for developing it as a model city. Thanking the people of the area for rallying solidly behind the Badal family in all sorts of situation even in the most tiring circumstances, the Chief Minister said that they would continue to serve the constituency with full zeal and dedication to cherish the aspirations of people of Malout besides realizing the unfulfilled dreams of late Bibi Surinder Kaur Badal .
Paying homage to late Bibi Badal, Cabinet Minister Mr. Anil Joshi said that owing to her extraordinary qualities of humanism and dedication towards service of people, she would ever remain a source of inspiration for the coming generations. He said that late Bibi Badal's initiative of assembly wise Langar Sewa at Sri Harmandir Sahib was a true service towards humanity.
On the occasion MLA Malout Harpreet Singh said that late Bibi Badal shared a strong bond with the people of the area adding that under her leadership Malout has witnessed unprecedented development. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included MLA Mr. Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema, SGPC Member Jathedar Dayal Singh Kolianwali and Zila Parishad Member Mrs. Abneet Kaur.

40 Sikh students from classes for wearing the turban last week Indian Catholic School Bans Turban and Excludes Sikh Students

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Indian Catholic School Bans Turban and Excludes Sikh Students

ENLARGE

Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, 24 May (babuhahi.com bureau): A 107 year old Catholic school in Jammu and Kashmir banned the turban and excluded some 40 Sikh students from classes for wearing the turban last week.
The St Joseph's Higher Secondary School in Baramulla, 50 km from the State Capital, Srinagar, which has about 300 Sikh students, imposed the ban saying that the turban is against the school's uniform code. UNITED SIKHS wrote on Tuesday to the principal of the school, Fr Sebastian Nagathunkal and to Rt. Rev. Peter Celestine, the Bishop of the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar that runs the school, asking them to reverse the ban immediately as it infringes the students' right to education and religious freedom. The school principal has now agreed to meet the parents on Sunday; however, there is no indication if he will reverse the ban unconditionally.
The Baramulla Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and parents of students requested UNITED SIKHS for assistance after the school principal refused to meet them. The affected students who were made to stand under the sun as punishment for wearing the turban, have been turning up at school wearing their turbans, accompanied by their parents. Sikh students at St Joseph's school who were excluded from class for wearing their turban. "We have also written to the Education Minister of Jammu and Kashmir asking him to intervene to ensure that the ban is reversed unconditionally and without delay. There should be no reason to negotiate with parents as the school is wrong in the first place to impose the ban," said Mejindarpal Kaur, International Legal Director of UNITED SIKHS.
"We fail to understand why the wearing of turbans by Sikh students is unacceptable to the principal. Schools are a place of learning which requires discipline and the wearing of the turban will enhance and not hinder a Sikh student's discipline. We hope the School will resolve the issue without delay and support the principle of "Unity in Diversity" that is being preached all over India', said Gurpreet Singh, Director of UNITED SIKHS- India. Sikh students wearing turbans at the St Joseph's school, as shown in old photos in the school's souvenir magazine
"The Chairpersons of the National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Minorities have both been notified about this ban so that this issue is considered at a national level. We cannot have a school in India banning the turban ever again, either out of ignorance or wilfully," he added. "Upon meeting with Principal of St Joseph School Baramulla when I asked why a ban has been imposed on Sikh students he was unable to give any reason, and gave his verdict School won't allow students with turban, we the youth of the Kashmir valley condemn this act and we will fight for our rights," said 25 year old Kulbeer Singh, a former student of St Joseph's and a social activist.
You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS' advocacy for the right to wear the turban at http://unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-13-03-2013-00.html

Haryana Darbar Haryana notifies Non-Bioderagdable Garbage Amendment Act, 2013

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Chandigarh May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Haryana Government has notified the Haryana Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Amendment Act, 2013.
While giving this information here today, an official spokesman said that the Act aims to regulate manufacturing, sale, distribution, stock, usage, transport and disposal of non-biodegradable material and prohibition of throwing and depositing of non-biodegradable material garbage in public drains, sewerage, roads and places open to public view in the State.
He said that as per the amendment the non-biodegradable material means the material which cannot be decomposed or degraded by action of micro-organisms, sunlight or other natural actions and includes goods made or manufactured from polythene, nylon or other plastic substances such as Poly Vinyl Chloride (P.V.C), Poly-Propylene and Poly-Styrene and includes such other materials as specified by the State Government by notification from time to time. The spokesman said that the State government might impose restriction or prohibition on the usage, sale, stock, distribution transport of things made of non-biodegradable material which is contrary to the norms, as the State Government specify.
Apart from this, the government might impose requirements on manufactures, distributors and other persons who produce or handle commodities with respect to the type, size, labeling and composition of packaging material keeping in view, use and disposal including standards or norms for material degradability and recyclability, he added.
He said that under the Act, any person empowered by the State Government would have a right of entry and inspection at all reasonable times with such assistance as it considers necessary, any place for the purpose of performing any of the functions entrusted to him by the State Government or for the purpose of determining whether directions served under this Act was being or has been complied with or for the purpose of examining any record, register, document or any other material object or for conducting a search of any building in which has reason to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is being or is about to be committed and for seizing such records, register, document or other material object if has reasons to believe that it might furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act.

Badal reiterates commitment to ensure quality education to the students Punjab govt signs MoU to ensure overall development of rural students

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Premier self development program to be launched in Muktsar sahib & Bathinda
Program to enable students to compete globally
Badal (Sri Muktsar Sahib), May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): In order to ensure the all round development of the rural students in the state, the Punjab Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an organization International Award for Young people to initiate a premier self development program in the Government schools. The DPI (Schools) Mr. Kamal Kumar Garg and representative of the International Award for Young People Mr. Bivujit Mukhoty inked the MoU here today in the presence of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. Expressing happiness over the MoU the Chief Minister said that this was a leap forward towards state government's commitment to provide quality education to the students especially of the rural areas besides ensuring their overall personality development.
Badal said that in the first phase this program would be started as a Pilot project in two districts of Sri Muktsar Sahib and Bathinda, under which the organization would select 20 students each from the fourteen schools (seven schools from each districts) of these two districts. He said that these students within the age group of 14 to 25 years would be imparted training in community service, skill development, physical recreation, adventurous journey and residential recreation so as to groom their personality for competing globally. Mr. Badal said that the main aim of this program was to build the confidence of the students through motivating and training them in these fields. The Chief Minister said that this program would go a long way not only in the personality development of the students but also in providing sustainable livelihood to them in the future. Mr. Badal said that in the current scenario the main thrust of the state government was to impart quality education to the students so that they could be capable of facing the competition across the world. He hoped that this program would not only play an important role in fulfilling the aspirations of the state government but would also help the students by opening new vistas of academic and professional training for them in the future.
The Chief Minister said that the Government schools across the state were already fully equipped with the requisite infra structure needed for implementing this program adding that the state government would extend fulsome support and co-operation to the organization for making this program a huge success. He said that after the successful accomplishment of this program in these two districts its ambit would be extended to the other districts of the state also. Mr. Badal further said that in order to facilitate the students the number of schools in every district would also be increased accordingly.

Depts told to act within stipulated time Punjab to fill 3% backlog in direct recruitment/promotions of physically handicapped

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Government has decided to fill the 3 per cent backlog of physically handicapped in direct recruitment and promotions. Directions in this regard, have been issued to all the departments to fill the backlog in the stipulated time period and reports back to the government.
Stating this here today, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is personally concerned to fill the backlog.
He said that written directions have been issued by the Social Security Department, Punjab wherein it has been asked to all the departments to strictly comply with the orders. He further said that the state government has accorded 3 per cent quota in the year May 2, 1997 to physically handicapped for the direct recruitment in group A, B, C and D, whereas 3 per cent quota to these employees in promotions has been accorded in the year March 6, 2011.

Allowing turbans to Sikhs in work places of Australia Sukhbir welcomes assurance of Australian PM terms it victory of SAD

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Sukhbir welcomes assurance of Australian PM terms it victory of SAD

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Sukhbir urges PM to take up issue with French Govt.
By Gagandeep Sohal
Chandigarh, May 24 : Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister today welcomed the assurance of Australian Prime Minister Mrs. Julia Gillard to the Sikh community for allowing them to wear turban at work places and while driving motorbikes in Australia. He said that repeated efforts of Shiromani Akali Dal that has been pursuing this issue in Australia has started showing positive results. In a statement issued here Mr. Badal said the assurance of Australian Prime Minister was a good sign for the struggle of Shiromani Akali Dal and whole Sikh community for getting their rights of wearing turban in government offices and other working places on foreign lands. Mr. Badal said that this was a positive move of Australian Government for strengthening relations with Sikh community that has been contributing in the economic development of Australia. Asking Union Government to put pressure on French Government also for allowing wearing of turban there same like United States of America, Canada and England, Mr. Badal said that Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh should impress upon French President to get the ban on wearing turbans in French schools lifted. Mr. Badal said that it was amazing that such "discriminatory rules and laws should exist in a country like France which has been the torch-bearer of freedom of conscience as well as of liberal and democratic ethos to large parts of world. These laws give the misleading impression that the Government of the Republic of France is either unaware of or callous towards not only the sacred tenets and practices of the Sikh faith but also the proud liberal legacy and history of their own great nation. Mr. Badal said that "the turban is not just a symbol of cultural faith for the Sikhs but is an inalienable part of the Sikh identity as ordained by our Gurus. Apart from being a holy and unique symbol of the Sikh faith, the turban is also an eternal reminder of the unshakable commitment of the Sikhs to the mission given to them by the Gurus - to stand out with courage against tyranny and to protect the downtrodden against injustice of any kind." The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the Sikhs all over the world were deeply aggrieved over the way the Government of the Republic of France has been dealing with the issue. He asked the Prime Minster to convey "the warm feelings of cordiality in the hearts of all Sikhs for the people of France, who we strongly believe understand and respect the anguish of the Sikh over the issue."

Railway introduces new routes by diverting coaches from crowded route Poor railway planning compels commuters to travel on roofs on Fazilka-Ferozepur rail track

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

Poor railway planning compels commuters to travel on roofs on Fazilka-Ferozepur rail track

ENLARGE

By Harish Monga Dido
The commuters on Fazilka-Ferozepur track, for the last three months, have been compelled to travel on the roofs of the trains to join their duties and other works because of the reason that the coaches on this route has been reduced from 7 to 4 coaches. Deaths due to various incidents in railways while trespassing on the tracks, felling from carriages, hit with the trackside poles while hanging out of over crowded trains, electrocuted by power cables are common. But the railway has failed to fulfill its claim that the passengers on trains in India will no longer be allowed to travel on the roof of the trains to end dangerous and often deadly commuters. No doubt, in Mumbai, brave commuters can often be spotted on top of carriages, sitting cross-legged just a foot from electric wires. Introduction of 67 express and 26 passengers trains during the 2013-14 budget and starting the new trains by diverting the coaches from the crowded routes, looks to be please the politicians While talking to one of the passenger, Hunny, he said, "Earlier there used to be seven coaches and there was no problem in traveling to the commuters." He further said, the Daily Commuters Association has also brought to the notice of DRM, Northern Railway, Ferozepur Division but he has shown his inability to restore to its original status of 7 coaches, in view of the fact the same stands diverted to the new trains on Hoshiarpur track, introduced in the division without getting any extra coaches. Hunny, who himself is a daily passenger on this route, shared that in this scorching heat, traveling with full packed coaches and on the roof, in this way, is not free from any untoward incident, at any time and surely to lose life. DRM Ferozepur could not be contacted as his mobile was not reachable. However, one of the responsible officer of the railways on anonymity shared that railway should not have introduced new trains before making the arrangements for the coaches. In reply to the question, he said in affirmative, as to whether reducing the coaches on the crowded route is not playing with the lives of people?

Ferozepur:Two arrested with two tractor-trolleys filled with sand Seven booked for illegal mining from the fields in five cases in Ferozepur

(News posted on: 24 May 2013)

By Harish Monga Dido
Ferozepur : The Ferozepur and Zira police have booked seven persons under section 379 IPC and Mining and Mineral Act in five different cases on account of illegal mining from the fields despite ban by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Giving the details, Narcotic Control Cell ASI Malkit Singh said, two persons namely Manna of Jhoke Hari Har and Sahib Singh of Baja Marad were arrested from near Baz Chowk with two tractor-trolleys filled with sand. On the basis of complaint lodged by District Mining Officer, Ferozepur, a case has also been registered against Bagicha Singh, resident of village Ali Ke for illegal mining and registered case against Jalandhar Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Swaran Singh and Darshan Singh of village Chabba.

No Records Found.

King Cobra Beer Launched in Punjab & Haryana

I-5 highway bridge collapse near Mount Vernon in Washington state of USA Highway bridge collapsed into Skagit River north of Seattle

May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): As per media reports being received from Washington,The major highway bridge linking Seattle with Canada and the rest of the Pacific Northwest region collapsed Thursday evening. Reports suggest dumping of at least a handful of vehicles and people into a river, there were no immediate reports of deaths.
The four-lane Interstate 5 bridge � more than half a century old � collapsed about halfway between Seattle and Vancouver.....

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Highway bridge collapsed into Skagit River north of Seattle

ENLARGE

High Court issues notice of motion to DIG, CBI, Punjab govt CBI probe sought into fake encounter in Punjab

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Chandigarh, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab and Haryana high court has issued notice of motion to Punjab's deputy inspector general (DIG) of police Paramraj Singh Umranangal in a case of alleged fake encounter.

Taking up a petition for the central bureau of investigation (CBI) inquiry against Umranangal on a charge of killing a Gurdaspur man, Sukhpal Singh, in place of a terrorist Gurnam Singh Bandala in 1994, the Punjab and Haryana high court also issued notice of motion to the Punjab government and the CBI.

Umranangal is posted as DIG (border range), Punjab. The petition by Sukhpal's widow, Dalbir Kaur, and father, Jagir Singh, came up for hearing in the court of justice Rajiv Narain Raina. The petitioners submitted that in 2007, after much struggle by them, the-then state director general of police (DGP), NPS Aulakh, had ordered investigation into this encounter but six years on, its outcome was still awaited.

The petitioners stated through their counsel, R Kartikeya, that in January, they had approached the state human rights commission, at which the DGP had been directed to dispose of the complaint in accordance with law. However, nothing has been done till date.

The petitioners stated that on August 13, 1994, some policemen had picked up Sukhpal Singh from his village, Kala Afghana in Gurdaspur district, in a Maruti car on the pretext that the Majitha police required to speak with him in connection with some investigation. The man never returned. Later, newspapers reported that terrorist Gurnam Singh Bandala "Neela Tara" had been killed in an encounter with a Ropar police team led by (the-then) deputy superintendent of police Paramraj Singh Umranangal.

In 2007, there were more news reports that Bandala, supposedly killed in encounter, had been caught alive. After that, the petitioners kept approaching various state authorities with no fruitful outcome.

Raped a class-8 student at his house in December last year Sangrur teacher gets life term for rape

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Sangrur, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): The additional sessions court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a teacher, Gurjant Singh (50), to rigorous life imprisonment for raping his 14-year-old student.

A fine of Rs 10,000 was also slapped on the convict.
Pronouncing the judgment, additional sessions judge Tejwinder Singh said that a pious and sacred relationship has been ravished, trust betrayed and social values impaired. Gurjant, a mathematics teacher at Government Senior Secondary School, Namole village, in Sunam subdivision of Sangrur district, was arrested on February 14 on the charge of raping a Class-8 student.

Gurjant, who lives in the same village, called the girl to his house on the pretext of evaluating her notebook on December 31, 2012, and raped her. On February 8, he tried to molest her on the campus. However, some students saw him and informed other teachers, who called her parents.

The case was initially registered under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code. Now, charges have been added under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

Besides Central & state government, Army also has illegal possession 16,000 Wakf Board properties are illegally occupied in Punjab

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

16,000 Wakf Board properties are illegally occupied in Punjab

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 24 (Courtsey Daily Post, By Rajya Deep) Of the total 34,237 properties belonging to the �toothless' Punjab Wakf Board, nearly 16,000 are reportedly under the illegal possession of either private persons or the Central and state governments' wings, including Army and Post Office.

According to the board officials, the matter �f concern is that rather than performing their duty to curb the menace, the state police are themselves accused of the same crime.
Punjab Police's training centre, Jahan Khelan in Hoshiarpur district, is also partially located on an �illegally' possessed land of Roza, a property that otherwise belongs to the Punjab Wakf Board. Further, there are total of 636 private conies across the state developed illegally upon the chunks belonging to the board.

Not only the private persons or the government wings, politicians in the state have also become so fearless that at Islamabad area near Durga Gali in Amritsar, the Congress has even opened its party office over the Punjab Wakf Board's land. According to the state-wide detail collected by the field staff of the board, 10,864 properties of the board are under the illegal possession of private persons. Besides private encroachers, the Central and state governments are also in illegal possession of 26 and 235 properties, respectively.

Further, there are 35 properties of the board, which are under the alleged encroachment of semi government offices, 11 are under the illegal possession of municipalities and 198 are under the illegal custody of Gram Panchayats, across the state.

The data also shows of 1391 Gurdwaras, 144 temples and one church erected over the properties belonging to the Punajb Wakf Board. Besides, there are five chunks of land which are under the possession of different improvement trusts in the state.

Surprisingly, finding the board and its officials �lacking the zeal to curb the irregularity,' there are 70 properties, now identified to have been sold illegally by the custodians. More shocking is that three properties have been detected to be illegally sold by tehsildars (revenue officers) themselves. Besides the high number of properties under illegal possession, there are nearly 1,300 other properties which are stuck into litigations.

Going by the details, it has been learnt that in Hoshiarpur district, the Central government is accused of running a post office at Tarangli under Mukerian tehsil over a land of mosque. Then in Amritsar a mosque has been illegally possessed by the Indian Army near Hamidpura. Further, in Kaka Kandiala village in Amritsar, a property of the board has been covered under the national highway.

A large number of schools in Punjab being run under the state government are also learnt to be illegally situated over the board's land. In Amritsar, there was a �Yateem Khana' (orphanage) belonging to the board but it was gradually encroached upon by the state government.

The circle-wise detail of the board reveals that the maximum encroachments by private people were made in its Amritsar circle (1456), followed by the Dasuya-Mukerian circle (1140) and Gurdaspur (894). In the classification, it is declared that maximum properties under the Central government's illegal possession are also in Amritsar (10), followed by Dasuya-Mukerian (seven).

The state government has also allegedly encroached upon the maximum properties in Amritsar (58), followed by Hoshiarpur and Dasuya-Mukerian circles (16 each). In Sangrur circle, there are 12 properties in the illegal possession of the state government. Then the highest number of Gurdwaras located on the Wakf Board's lands, actually converted from Muslim religious places, also points at Amritsar with the figure standing at 187. Then, Zira and Ferozepur circles of the board also have big number of such controversial religious properties.

It has also been learnt that there are a number of government establishments, including the circuit houses, mini-secretariats and police lines, which are situated on the land acquired from the board but in lieu of that the board treasury could hardly get anything. According to the report, there is one property Wakf Haji Ratan in Bathinda which is so huge that it has been encroached upon by more than 1400 persons.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard gives assurance to look into the matter Australia may allow Sikhs to wear turban at work places

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Australia may allow Sikhs to wear turban at work places

ENLARGE

Sydney, May 24 (babushahi.com bureau): Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday promised to look into allowing Sikhs to wear turbans at work places and also while riding a motorcycle.

"We will work with your community to help make the necessary changes requested on cultural and religious grounds," Gillard assured Australian Sikh Association members in a closed door meeting at a Gurdwara in Glenwood, a suburb of Sydney.

The Association members also asked her to look into allowing Sikhs to wear their six-inch sword into government departments on official functions and to introduce a school policy differentiating Sikh children from other religion.

Gurdwara Trustee spokesman Balvinder Singh Chahal said countries like Britain and Canada had already allowed Sikh civil engineers and workers to wear their turbans instead of hard hats at work sites and while riding motor cycles.

Death row convict has to be physically & mentally fit before execution Bhullar suffers from severe depression with psychotic symptoms: Medical Board

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Bhullar suffers from severe depression with psychotic symptoms: Medical Board

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 24 (Courtsey Indian Express): A medical board, constituted by the Delhi government to ascertain the condition of death row convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, has come to the conclusion that he suffers from severe depression with psychotic symptoms and suicidal tendencies.

The jail manual states that a death row convict has to be declared physically and mentally fit before execution.

The medical board was formed after the Supreme Court rejected Bhullar's petition to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment.

Bhullar was awarded capital punishment in 2001 after being convicted in the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case. His wife Navneet Kaur, who has been waging a legal battle to get the sentence commuted, has repeatedly underlined that he is a psychiatric patient who has already suffered because of the delay in deciding his mercy petition.

Sources in the Home department told that the report of the medical board had been forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna for further action.

"The medical board found that he suffered from a psychiatric disorder with suicidal implications. They basically confirmed what he was being treated for at the Institute for Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) where Bhullar has been admitted since December 2010," a Home official said.

According to the jail manual, a death row convict has to be declared physically and mentally fit before the sentence is carried out.

"The Tihar Jail manual clearly states that no sick person or someone suffering from a serious illness is to be hanged. It is up to the recommendation of the government. It has to take a decision based on the medical board's report," a Tihar Jail official said. He added that the decision to hang a convict declared sick would be the discretion of the government.

Punjab Reeling under heat wave Punjab Middlle /High/Higher Sec.School timings changed : New timings :8 AM to 12:15PM

Chandigarh,May 23(babushahi.com bureau):Due to scorching heat wave in Punjab, the Education Department has announced to change the timings of Middle/ High and Higher secodary Schools in the State. According to the new schedule the High School will function from 8 AM to 12:15 PM....

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Chandigarh,May 23(babushahi.com bureau):Due to scorching heat wave in Punjab, the Education Department has announced to change the timings of Middle/ High and Higher secodary Schools in the State. According to the new schedule the High School will function from 8 AM to 12:15 PM

Tussle with Maluka:Rumours of transfer of PB IAS K S Pannu, but no decision till Thursday Open confrontation between Maluka and Pannu:Maluka met Badal

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Open confrontation between Maluka and Pannu:Maluka met Badal

ENLARGE

By Gagandeep Singh Sohal

Chandigarh, May 23 : Repeating the history of open confrontation between Former Educational Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan and then D.G. Krishan Kumar, the growing tussle between present E.M. Sikandar Singh Maluka and D.G.S.E. Kahan Singh Pannu is coming to the fore if the difference of opinion on various issues between the two is believed. The Educational Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka who was in a fix on the issue of supply of books to schools with vulgar comments has made an attempt to target D.G. Kahan Singh Pannu indirectly in a statement issued for assigning an enquiry to the Secretary education in the whole episode. Indirectly, the statement referred that the books were supplied to schools under the order of the D.G.S.E. narrating further that the books had a vulgar material besides the sub standard quality of books. The statement had said that Educational Minister has taken a serious note of the fact that the D.G. School Education office had sent the supply of books to schools without checking the material and contents in the books. Besides this, the Educational Minister had also dissolved recruitment cells in the D.G. office allegedly taking note of irregularities found in the recruitment of 222 Head Teachers under National Sarv Sikhaya Abhiayan.

Meanwhile, Pannu has also been barred from issuing any statement to the Press. The official circles reveal that Kahan Singh Pannu who is known for his uprightness and decision making competence has brought revolutionary changes in the education system, which brought him good name and popularity.

Meanwhile, Sikandar Singh Maluka Education Minister today met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and is learnt to have clarified his position on the whole issue. The Secretariat and Education Department was also rife with rumours about the transfer of Mr. Pannu from the D.G.s post. But so far no orders were issued by the Punjab Govt. about transfer of Pannu with no truth in gossips.

(JL/JR)

New turn to Sadda Haq Controversy Balwant Singh Rajoana calls 'Sadda Haq' unreal

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Balwant Singh Rajoana calls 'Sadda Haq' unreal

ENLARGE

by Anjali Singh Deswal

Patiala, May 23(babushahi.com bureau):Balwant Singh Rajoana, death-row convict, has termed �Saada Haq' as a tool for causing injure to Jagtar Singh Hawara's court case.

The film has been made by Dinesh Sood and Kuljinder Singh Sidhu and they have stated on their social networking page that the movie has been inspired by true events. They stated it very clearly that the movie is not a copy of the happening. The argument by Rajoana is baseless.

Rajoana stated that Sadda Haq's story was unreal and it was an attempt to lionize Hawara. Hawara is Rajoana's co-accused in Beant Singh's assassination case. He is presently lodged in Central Jail in Patiala. In a shocking revelation, Rajoana stated that Hawara was not present in Chandigarh when the bomb blast happened on August 31 in 1995 that led to Beant Singh's death.

The court sentence has been challenged by Hawara and he is presently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail. He was the deputy chief of militant organization Babbar Khalsa International.
The movie has been welcomed by Punjabis across the seven seas but it might not be so for some.

During the anti-insurgency in Punjab, there were violations of the human rights and this was the root cause of Beant Singh's death.

It seems that Rajoana is making every possible attempt to nag Hawara so that he accepts his involvement in the assassination case, which presently he is denying. In case, Hawara accepts his involvement then it will cause harm not only to him but also others who are being suspected to be involved in the case.

Sood and Sidhu made it clear that the goal of presenting the truth has been achieved successfully and this exactly was the intention. Any argument on this is not required, they added.

Hard Kaur may invite trouble on her lewd remarks during performance Bollywood singer Hard Kaur used derogatory language against Sikh ethos

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Bollywood singer Hard Kaur used derogatory language against Sikh ethos

ENLARGE

By Gagangdeep Sohal

Chandigarh, May 23 : The Bollywood singer Hard Kaur while giving performance in Chandigarh Hotel J.W. Marriot last night has invited trouble by passing derogatory remarks against Sikh Gurus and calling names to Sikh youth. Though belonged to a Sikh family, she has forgotten her past and used un-Parliamentary language on the stage.

The trouble arouse when a Sikh youth requested her to sing a song "Singh is King". Instead of taking positive gesture to the request, Hard Kaur used vulgar language addressing the youth and passed comments against Sikh ethos. She crossed limits, when she also referred Sri Guru Gobind Singh comparing with a guard (Darban) at the main entrance in the Sikh dress. With these comments, some participants in the function commented that she might be under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants.

(JL/jR)

President of India administers oath of office to Shashi Kant Sharma Shashi Kant Sharma takes over as CAG of India

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Shashi Kant Sharma takes over as CAG of India

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): At a ceremony held on May 23, 2013 in the Durbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Shri Shashi Kant Sharma was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India by the President of India. Shashi Kant Sharma will have a tenure upto 24th September, 2017.
Later, Shashi Kant Sharma assumed the office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India here today. He belongs to the 1976 batch of Indian Administrative Service (Bihar Cadre). Sharma was welcomed in the office by the Deputy CAG Shri Shankar Narayan on behalf of the Indian Audit & Accounts Department.

Shashi Kant Sharma has wide experience in the fields of Public Administration, Financial Services and Infrastructure Development. He was serving as Defence Secretary from July 2011 before joining this constitutional post. Prior to this, he has served as Secretary Department of Financial Services in the Ministry of Finance and as Secretary Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. He has also worked as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, as Joint Secretary in Ministry of Defence, as Principal Commissioner, Delhi Development Authority and also as Director in Ministry of Human Resources Development.

At the State level, Shri Sharma served as District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner in the districts of Patna, Singhbhum, Palamau and Bhagalpur. He has also worked as Labour Commissioner, Managing Director of Bokaro Industrial Area Development Authority and as Secretary in the Departments of Road Construction, Urban Development, Industrial Development and Excise in the Government of Bihar. Shri Sharma did his M.Sc. in Administrative Science and Development Problems, University of York, U.K. and M.A. in Political Science from Agra University.

(JL/jR)

Dilli Darbar UPSC declares result of Written Part of Geologists' Examination 2012

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

UPSC declares result of Written Part of Geologists' Examination 2012

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The written result of the Geologists' Examination, 2012 has been declared by the Commission and the same is available on the Commission's website, http://www.upsc.gov.in. It is informed that all the written qualified candidates are required to fill up and submit the Detailed Application Form (DAF) ONLINE followed by sending of ink signed copy of the printout of DAF along with their photographs and all relevant documents to the Commission. The DAF shall be available on the Commission's website from 01.06.2013 to 17.06.2013 till 11.59 P.M. Important Instructions for filling up and submitting the ONLINE DAF are also available on the website along with the Rules of Geologists' Examination, 2012 . The last date for the receipt of printed copy of DAF (ink signed) along with relevant documents is 01.07.2013. In the event of non-receipt of ink signed copy of DAF, the candidature will be cancelled without any further notice. The candidates are also required to bring a printed copy of the DAF duly signed (by the candidate) along with original documents and a photocopy each thereof at the time of interview. The candidates must also check before hand their certificates in accordance with the important instructions available on the website of the Commission with regard to the
certificates that are required to be produced at the time of Interview.

The candidates will be solely responsible for not producing sufficient proof in support of his/her age, date of birth, educational qualification, caste (SC/ST/OBC) and physical disability status. The candidates shall be informed for their Personality Test, (likely to be held in the month of August, 2013) through e-mail followed by speed post. The details of Personality Test shall also be available on the Commission's website in due course.

(Jl/jR)

Dilli Darbar : Review of the Special Recruitment Drive Union Cabinet approved Special Recruitment Drive to fill up the backlog reserved vacancies of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs.

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Union Cabinet today approved the Special Recruitment Drive launched to fill up the backlog in reserved vacancies of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The achievement of the drive was reviewed in July, 2011 by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions as there was a large backlog of vacancies which were yet to be filled. The drive was re-launched to fill up the remaining identified backlog vacancies by the end of the financial year i.e. 31.03.2012. All Ministries/Departments were requested to make concerted efforts to ensure that the remaining backlog reserved vacancies of SCs, STs and OBCs were filled up by 31st March, 2012.

The achievement of the Special Recruitment Drive on its conclusion on 31st March, 2012, as reported by various Ministries/Departments is as follows:

(i) A total of 75,522 backlog vacancies were identified. Of these, 44,427 were in the direct recruitment quota and 31,095 in the promotion quota.
(ii) Of the 44,427 backlog vacancies in the direct recruitment quota, 28,588 have been filled up so far. The success rate in direct recruitment quota is therefore 64.35 percent .
(iii) Out of 31,095 backlog vacancies in the promotion quota, there are 11,347 vacancies (SC 4,239 & ST 7,106) for which eligible candidates are not available even in the extended zone of consideration. Therefore, it has not been found possible to fill up these vacancies. Out of the remaining 19,748 vacancies in the promotion quota, 19,446 vacancies have been filled up so far. After excluding the vacancies for which candidates are not available, achievement of the drive in respect of the promotion quota is 98.47 percent.

(Jl/JR)

Dilli Darbar : Interviews of candidates who have qualified for the Personality Test likely to be held in the month of July, 2013 Special Class Raiway Apprentices Examination 2013- Result of Written Examination Declared

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): On the basis of the result of the written part of the Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination, 2013 held by the U.P.S.C. in January, 2013, the candidates with the under mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Interview/Personality Test.

The candidature of these candidates is Provisional subject to their being found eligible in all respects. The candidates would be required to produce the original certificates in support of their claims relating to age, educational qualifications, community, physical disability etc. at the time of the Personality Test. They are, therefore, advised to keep the said certificates ready and check before hand the requirement of certificates in accordance with the important instructions available on the website of the Commission before appearance in the PT boards.

In accordance with the Rules of examination, all these candidates are required to fill up the Detailed Application Form (D.A.F.), which is available on the Commission's Website http://www.upsc.gov.in and submit the same ONLINE. The DAF will be available on the website of the Commission up to 06.06.2013 till 11.59 PM. Important instructions regarding filling up of the DAF and submitting the same ONLINE to the Commission are also available on the website. The candidates who have been declared successful have to first get themselves registered on the relevant page of the website before filling up the ONLINE Detailed Application Form. The qualified candidates are further advised to refer to the Rules of the Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination, 2013 published in the gazette of India, dated 13.10.2012, which are also available on the website of the Commission.

After submitting the DAF duly filled in ONLINE, the candidates are required to take out a printout of the finally submitted DAF separately and will have to send the printed copy of the DAF, duly signed by the candidates, along with all relevant documents, to the Under Secretary (SCRA), Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069, so as to reach the Commission's Office latest by 10.06.2013. The envelope containing the printout of the DAF submitted ONLINE should be superscribed "DAF for Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination, 2013". It can also be delivered at UPSC by hand till 10.06.2013 (5.00 P.M.). In the event of non-receipt of ink singed copy of the DAF, the candidature will be cancelled without any further notice.
The candidates are also required to bring the printed copy of the DAF duly signed (by the candidate) along with original documents and a photocopy each thereof at the time of Interview. The instructions for filling up DAF available on the Website along with the Rules of the Special Class Railway Apprentices' Examination, 2013, must be read carefully with regard to the certificates that are to be produced at the time of Interview. The candidate will be solely responsible for not producing sufficient valid proof in support of his/her age, date of birth, educational qualifications, caste (SC/ST/OBC) and Physically disability status.

Interviews of candidates who have qualified for the Personality Test are likely to be held in the month of July, 2013. The exact date of interview will, however, be intimated to the candidates through Interview Letter/e-mail. Roll Number-wise Interview Schedule will also be made available on Commission's Website in due course. No request for change in the date and time of Personality Test intimated to the candidates will be entertained under any circumstances. The mark-sheets of candidates who have not qualified, will be put on the Commission's Website within 15 days from the date of publication of the final result (after conducting Personality Test) and will remain available on the Website for a period of 60 days.

The candidates can access the marks-sheets after keying in their Roll Numbers and date of birth. The printed/hard copies of the marks-sheet would, however, be issued by UPSC to candidates based on specific request accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Candidates desirous of obtaining printed/hard copies of the marks sheets should make the request within thirty days of the display of the marks on the Commission's Website, beyond which such requests would not be entertained.

(Jl/jR)

Dilli Darbar : Govt working to make def acquisitions transparent: PM Manmohan lays foundation stone of Defence University at Gurgaon

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Manmohan lays foundation stone of Defence University at Gurgaon

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Against the backdrop of scams such as the VVIP chopper scandal, PM Manmohan Singh said the Govt was working towards making defence acquisitions transparent and less vulnerable to unethical practices.
The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of Indian National Defence University in Gurgaon on Thursday.

He said the Government is taking steps to indigenize defence procurement and stimulate the development of the domestic defence industry. "We have also been guided by the objective of making our defence acquisition transparent, smooth, efficient and less vulnerable to unethical practices. We will continue to seek the highest standards of probity in defence acquisition," Singh said in Gurgaon on Thursday.

The Prime Minister said the Government is conscious of the fact that adequate defence preparedness is critically dependent on sound defence acquisition policies. "We have paid close attention to this and have continually reformed those policies to ensure that our armed forces have the best equipment," he said.

In the recent past, a number of scams have taken place in the defence ministry including the VVIP chopper scandal in which it is alleged that kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore were paid to swing the deal in favour of Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland.

The Defence Ministry has banned a number of firms including foreign vendors from doing business with India after they were found violating their integrity pact with the Government.

(Jl/jR)

Dilli Darbar : Rationalisation of Centrally sponsored schemes GoM approve merging of 147 central schemes to 70

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

GoM approve merging of 147 central schemes to 70

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): A Group of Ministers, GoM, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, on Thursday approved merging of 147 Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) into 70 across various sectors for efficient implementation and monitoring in the 12th Five Year Plan. The GoM decisions are in line with the recommendations of the Chaturvedi committee, which had suggested bringing down CSS to 59 from 147 to avoid overlap.

It has approved setting up of a flexi-funds system in each scheme, under which state governments can use 10 per cent of the Budget allocated for Centrally Sponsored Schemes within the broader framework of the flagship programme.

For better utilisation of funds under the central schemes, the panel of ministers approved transferring of funds from the centre to the state consolidated funds and not directly to the implementing agencies.The panel has also approved setting up of state specific guidelines in each central sponsored scheme

(Jl/jR)

Sonia ranked ninth while Nooyi is at the 10th place in the global list of world's 100 most powerful women Sonia Gandhi, Nooyi among 10 most powerful women globally

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Sonia Gandhi, Nooyi among 10 most powerful women globally

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Congress President Sonia Gandhi and India-born PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi figure among the top 10 in the global list of most powerful women compiled by Forbes magazine for 2013.
Gandhi is ranked ninth while Nooyi is at the 10th place in the global list of world's 100 most powerful women.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel tops the list for the third consecutive year, followed by Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Melinda Gates of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US First lady Michelle Obama and philanthropist Hillary Clinton.

Private sector lender ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar is ranked 65th and Biocon Founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has secured the 85th spot in the global list. Cisco Systems Chief Technology and Strategy Officer India-born Padmasree Warrior is ranked 57th.

According to Forbes, this year's list represents influential women in politics, business, media, entertainment, technology and non-profits -- ranking them by money, media presence and impact. The list features nine heads of state who run nations with a combined GDP of USD 11.8 trillion including the Merkel, while 24 corporate CEOs on the list lead firms with USD 893 billion in revenues. Germany's Merkel has made it to the list eight times in the past ten years and has been ranked first seven times.

From the entertainment and media segment, Oprah Winfrey bagged 13th spot, pop singer Beyonce at 17th place and actors Angelina Jolie and Sofia Vergara 37th and 38th respectively. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg (6th), Christine IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde (7th), Aung San Suu Kyi (29th) and Queen Elizabeth II (40th) are among others who made it to the list.

(JL/jR)

Dilli Darbar : Punjab IAS officers Tejvir Singh, Vikas Partap and D.K. Tiwari figure in the list GOI empanels 49 IAS of 1994 batch as Joint Secys. (PDF file attached)

	New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Govt. of India has empanelled 49 IAS officers of 1994 batch for appointment to the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent at the centre (Initial). Three Punjab IAS officers Tejvir Singh, Vikas Partap and D.K. Tiwari figure in the list. (PDF file attached) (Jl/JR)....

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

GOI empanels 49 IAS of 1994 batch as Joint Secys. (PDF file attached)

ENLARGE

New Delhi, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Govt. of India has empanelled 49 IAS officers of 1994 batch for appointment to the posts of Joint Secretary or equivalent at the centre (Initial). Three Punjab IAS officers Tejvir Singh, Vikas Partap and D.K. Tiwari figure in the list. (PDF file attached)

(Jl/JR)

Attack on SAD workers in Lambi SAD accuses Congress to shield the culprits of violent attack on Akali workers : Cheema

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

SAD accuses Congress to shield the culprits of violent attack on Akali workers : Cheema

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Shiromani Akali Dal lashed out at the Congress party for its efforts to shield the culprits of the unprecedented attack on SAD workers in Village Manna in Lambi constituency and said that the violators of law cannot be let off without punishment.

Reacting to the statement of the Congress party, the SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that it was shameful that instead of admitting the guilt, the Congress party has openly come out to support the culprits of violence. It is a glaring example of intimidation of due process of law. He said that the attack on the akalis was part of a well planned conspiracy in which petrol and other combustible items were arranged in advance. The Congress workers not only burnt the vehicles but even went to the residence of the SAD candidate in the same village situated far away from the polling booth and tried to set it on fire. Had the fire brigade not reached in time, the whole house would have been burnt to ashes.

Coming down heavily on the Congress leaders, Dr. Cheema asked them to come clean and be honest to make public the names of real perpetrators of the crime. He further said that everybody knows that six vehicles were burnt in this deadly attack in full day light by Congress workers in the presence of media. "When the crime was committed by Congress workers why should there be any case against the Akali workers who are victims of the crime and suffered heavily due to violence ?", asked Dr. Cheema.

He advised the Congress party that instead of issuing misleading, derogatory and false statements the Congress should admit the reality and produce the culprits before the police so that justice is done to the SAD workers.

(Jl/jR)

Says, Violators of law cannot be let off without punishment Congress shielding culprits who attacked on Akali workers: SAD

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Congress shielding culprits who attacked on Akali workers: SAD

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Shiromani Akali Dal lashed out at the Congress party for its efforts to shield the culprits of the unprecedented attack on SAD workers in Village Manna in Lambi constituency and said that the violators of law cannot be let off without punishment.

Reacting to the statement of the Congress party, the SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that it was shameful that instead of admitting the guilt, the Congress party has openly come out to support the culprits of violence. It is a glaring example of intimidation of due process of law. He said that the attack on the akalis was part of a well planned conspiracy in which petrol and other combustible items were arranged in advance. The Congress workers not only burnt the vehicles but even went to the residence of the SAD candidate in the same village situated far away from the polling booth and tried to set it on fire. Had the fire brigade not reached in time, the whole house would have been burnt to ashes.

Coming down heavily on the Congress leaders, Dr. Cheema asked them to come clean and be honest to make public the names of real perpetrators of the crime.
He further said that everybody knows that six vehicles were burnt in this deadly attack in full day light by Congress workers in the presence of media. "When the crime was committed by Congress workers why should there be any case against the Akali workers who are victims of the crime and suffered heavily due to violence ?", asked Dr. Cheema.
He advised the Congress party that instead of issuing misleading, derogatory and false statements the Congress should admit the reality and produce the culprits before the police so that justice is done to the SAD workers.

Michael assures all support and cooperation Badal seeks technical support from WB for drinking water

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Badal seeks technical support from WB for drinking water

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): In a bid to ensure quality drinking water supply in urban areas, the Punjab government today envisaged World Bank's technical support and guidance for the execution of its ambitious program to provide surface based 24x7 safe potable water to 28.13 lakh inhabitants in the cities of Ludhiana and Amritsar.

Raising this issue with the visiting WB team led by its Operation Advisor, Country Management Unit India Mr. Michael Haney, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal impressed upon him to help the state in ensuring quality drinking water not only in the rural areas but all the habitations of the state through WB's vast experience and expertise during marathon discussions in a meeting here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon. Michael was accompanied by Senior Water & Sanitation Specialist WB and Task Team leader of the WB aided Punjab Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Project Mr. Srinivasa Rao Podipireddy.
Mr. Michael told the Chief Minister that WB rendered non-lending technical assistance to the government of India, state governments and public sector undertakings to pursue their development projects in various sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, irrigation, transport and social protection etc. Mr. Michael urged the Chief Minister to send a comprehensive proposal seeking non-lending technical assistance from WB to the Department of Economic Affairs Ministry of Finance, GoI for urban supply water project in Ludhiana and Amritsar.
The Chief Minister asked the WB team to replicate the
surface based water supply scheme in other municipal corporation cities of Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Moga, Pathankot, Mohali and Phagwara to ensure uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water later on.

Badal reiterated surface source based water supply had become all the more important and significant in view of poor quality of ground water coupled with its depleting level. He cited an example of Ludhiana where the water table had gone down 450 to 500 feet alarmingly. Badal also envisaged technical support from WB for the rejuvenation of canal network as the canals were running presently to 25 to 30% below their normal capacity.

Mr. Michael informed the Chief Minister that he would soon depute their technical team to visit Punjab to study the issues in urban drinking water supply in unison with the senior officers of the Local Government, Water Supply & Sanitation and Irrigation departments.

Michael appreciated the efforts of state government especially at the behest of Chief Minister who was taking personal interest in ensuring timely implementation of public health schemes in rural and urban sectors with the assistance of WB and assured of all support and cooperation on behalf of WB in state's development mission in future
too.

Taking part in the deliberations, the Principal Secretary
Water Supply & Sanitation Mr. Suresh Kumar said that the WB had
already initiated Rs.200 crore project to provide sewerage system in
100 villages on pilot basis. He said that the state government had
posed another project to the WB of Rs.1200-1500 crore for laying sewer
in 1000 villages, which was pending with GoI for its nod. He pointed
out the major thrust of the WB-II stage project would be on the
village sanitation as the clean and safe drinking water supply was the
focus of its stage-I project.

Crusade against Narcotics supply continues Amritsar rural police recovers 10kgs of opium worth Rs. 8 Lac, arrests one

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Amritsar, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Continuing its concerted efforts to check smuggling of narcotic substances, the Amritsar (Rural) police today recovered 10 Kgs of opium worth Rs. 8 lac by arresting one Rajinder Kumar @ Bagga s/o Hans Raj r/o village Lakhuwal.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Manmohan Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, said that SI Sanjeev Kumar, Incharge Narcotic Cell made this recovery from the accused in the presence of Sh. Jugraj Singh, DSP/D Amritsar Rural. He informed that an FIR No. 46 dated May 23, 2013 u/s 18/61/85 NDPS Act has been registered at Police station Ramdas and further investigation was in progress.

He informed that during the preliminary investigation, it has been revealed that Haryana police had already recovered 4 Kgs of Opium from his possession in Panipat around two decades back. He had undergone for an imprisonment for 11 years in the Bhiwani, Ambala and Amritsar Jails after his conviction in the above said case. After his release from Amritsar jail in 2007 and he again started the smuggling of opium and up till now he had successfully smuggled its four consignments from Rajasthan to Punjab.

The District Police Chief pointed out that now he had brought 10 Kg. of opium from Rajasthan through his black coloured Indica car no. DL-3C-AC 5452 and was in touch with his committed contacts in various truck unions for the supply of this contraband. He expressed more revelations from the arrested smuggler.

(JL/jR)

Embezzlement of Sarv Sikhsha Abhiyan Funds Maluka dismisses Shindo Sahni DEO Gurdaspur

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Maluka dismisses Shindo Sahni DEO Gurdaspur

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka today dismissed Shindo Sahni, District Education Officer Gurdaspur with immediate effect for financial embezzlement in the funds.

Maluka said this officer has been found fully entangled in the financial bungling in the funds of Sarv Sikhsha Abhiyan which was allocated for the purchase of school uniforms of the students. He said that the embezzlement to the tune of Rs. 2.02 crore has been committed out of the total allocation of Rs. 4.89 crore for the purchase of the uniforms to 1.22 lac school children.

He said that define the government instructions the purchase was done at the district level through the private companies instead of at the school level. He said that the uniforms either not reached the schools or wherever uniforms were sent these were less than the quantity. The Minister further said that after enquiry Shindo Sahni, District Education Officer Gurdaspur found guilty of the financial embezzlement.

(Jl/jR)

Punjab to start a special campaign to aware masses about RTS 'Right to Service' achieves new milestones-delivers 89 lakh services

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

'Right to Service' achieves new milestones-delivers 89 lakh services

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Right to Service Act 2011, implemented by Punjab Government has set new milestones in the efficiency, transparency and hassle free delivery of services to the citizens across the state by providing more than 89 lakh services to the citizens in a time bound manner.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that the RTS has registered a massive success by fulfilling its main aim to provide hassle free public services besides eliminating corruption in Government offices and also making erring officers accountable for unnecessary delay in work.

Giving the details about the services, Spokesman said that till March 2013, Punjab Government has received 91,19,475 applications, out of which 89,27,473 has been disposed of within the stipulated time frame. He further said that 33053 applications remain pending due to the incomplete documents submitted by the applicants, which was only 0.36 % of the total applications. He added that 612 appeals has been filed before the 1st appellate authority, out of which 568 were disposed off and 5 officials have been penalized after the hearing of complaints.

District Ludhiana has bagged the top position in service delivery, by providing 12.83% services out of the total delivered services, followed by Ropar District with 7.24% service delivery, he added. After that Amritsar has provided 6.98 % services whereas district Patiala 6.80%.

He said that amongst the departments, Revenue department has taken a lead by providing 38.15 % services, out of the all services delivered which mainly included certified copies of all documents, attestation of Un-contested mutations and registration of all kind of documents. Besides that 17.10% services has been given by Transport department. The spokesman further said that Punjab Government has decided to start a special campaign to aware the people about the services given under RTS, which would enroll the students of all government educational institutions.

(JL/jR)

Treasury computerisation complete success in Punjab Punjab becomes first state to disburse online payments successfully : Dhindsa

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Punjab becomes first state to disburse online payments successfully : Dhindsa

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The computerization of entire treasury offices in Punjab ensuring all Government Payments online proved a grand success with Punjab becoming first successful state in the country to disburse more than Rs. 3218 crore to more than 7 lakh beneficiaries in one month by online system.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister, Punjab said that crediting online payments was successfully running in the whole state. He said that through this recently implemented system of online payments to various departments, authorities besides salaries of government officials/employees, Punjab has credited more than Rs. 3218 crore in a short span of one and half month. He said that Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) has been monitoring the system of online payments from its inception on 1st April, 2013 and Punjab has become the country's first state to start this programme. He said that all government payments from 1st April, 2013 were being deposited directly in the bank accounts of concerned departments and authorities. He said more than 7 lakh people were directly benefitted with this scheme.

The Finance Minister further said that E-Payment system was implemented in all Government Offices/Departments, whose transactions were done through treasury offices. He added that Punjab government's next mission is to set up Cyber Treasuries. He said that 21 Treasury Offices in the state has implemented the E-payment system while besides these offices all 74 sub treasuries were running this system in the state.

(JL/jR)

Joshi to hand over regularisation letters Punjab regularizes services of 138 Craft Instructors

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Punjab regularizes services of 138 Craft Instructors

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Punjab today ordered regularization of 138 craft instructors working on contract basis in different Industrial Educational Institutions across the state, who had completed 3 years in the service.

Anil Joshi Technical Education & Industrial Education Minister, Punjab today said that department recruited 145 craft instructors in the year 2010 on merit basis and 138 out of them who completed 3 years of their service satisfactorily have been regularized. He added that remaining contract craft instructors those who complete 3 years of service in June, 2013 would also be regularized. He added that regularized employees have been regularized as per Punjab Government orders dated 18 th May, 2010.

Technical Education Minister Mr. Anil Joshi said that he would hand over letters to the regularised craft instructors on 25th May at Guru Nanak Auditorium, Amritsar.

(JL/jR)

Initiative for meeting the shortage of Doctors in Punjab Medical Colleges Process on for recruiting 60 senior residents in the medical colleges of Punjab

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Process on for recruiting 60 senior residents in the medical colleges of Punjab

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab government has initiated the process for the recruitment of the senior residents in the medical colleges of the state. Only the PCMS doctor would be eligible for these posts. Total 60 posts of Senior Residents are to be filled.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the Punjab government has taken this decision viewing the problems and difficulties being faced by the patients and the students. He said that eligible candidates could apply only through proper channel. The last date to apply for the post is June, 14, 2013.For detailed terms and conditions one could visit the official website of the departmentwww.punjabmedicaleducation.org. Spokesperson further said that the application could reach the O/o Director Medical Education and Research, SCO No 87, sector 40-C, Chandigarh.

(Jl/jR)

Punjab CM seeks technical support from WB for quality drinking water World Bank Team assures Badal to ensure potable water in Urban Sectors

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): In a bid to ensure quality drinking water supply in urban areas, the Punjab government today envisaged World Bank's technical support and guidance for the execution of its ambitious program to provide surface based 24x7 safe potable water to 28.13 lakh inhabitants in the cities of Ludhiana and Amritsar.

Raising this issue with the visiting WB team led by its Operation Advisor, Country Management Unit India Mr. Michael Haney, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal impressed upon him to help the state in ensuring quality drinking water not only in the rural areas but all the habitations of the state through WB's vast experience and expertise during marathon discussions in a meeting here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon. Mr. Michael was accompanied by Senior Water & Sanitation Specialist WB and Task Team leader of the WB aided Punjab Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Project Mr. Srinivasa Rao Podipireddy.

Michael told the Chief Minister that WB rendered non-lending technical assistance to the government of India, state governments and public sector undertakings to pursue their development projects in various sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, irrigation, transport and social protection etc. Mr. Michael urged the Chief Minister to send a comprehensive proposal seeking non-lending technical assistance from WB to the Department of Economic Affairs Ministry of Finance, GoI for urban supply water project in Ludhiana and Amritsar.

The Chief Minister asked the WB team to replicate the surface based water supply scheme in other municipal corporation cities of Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Moga, Pathankot, Mohali and Phagwara to ensure uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water later on. Mr. Badal reiterated surface source based water supply had become all the more important and significant in view of poor quality of ground water coupled with its depleting level. He cited an example of Ludhiana where the water table had gone down 450 to 500 feet alarmingly. Mr. Badal also envisaged technical support from WB for the rejuvenation of canal network as the canals were running presently to 25 to 30% below their normal capacity.

Michael informed the Chief Minister that he would soon depute their technical team to visit Punjab to study the issues in urban drinking water supply in unison with the senior officers of the Local Government, Water Supply & Sanitation and Irrigation departments. Mr. Michael appreciated the efforts of state government especially at the behest of Chief Minister who was taking personal interest in ensuring timely implementation of public health schemes in rural and urban sectors with the assistance of WB and assured of all support and cooperation on behalf of WB in state's development mission in future
too.

Taking part in the deliberations, the Principal Secretary Water Supply & Sanitation Mr. Suresh Kumar said that the WB had already initiated Rs.200 crore project to provide sewerage system in 100 villages on pilot basis. He said that the state government had
posed another project to the WB of Rs.1200-1500 crore for laying sewer in 1000 villages, which was pending with GoI for its nod. He pointed out the major thrust of the WB-II stage project would be on the village sanitation as the clean and safe drinking water supply was the focus of its stage-I project.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Local Govt. Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.SK Sandhu, Mayor Amritsar Mr. Bakshi Ram Arora, Mayor Ludhiana Mr. Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, Advisor on Local Govt. Maj. Gen. (Retd.) VK Bhatt, Secretary Local Government Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Ludhiana Mr. Rakesh Verma and Program Director WB Project Punjab Mr. DS Cheema.

(JL/jR)

"Last ditch desperate 'foto-op' to remind the country of its existence" UPA's performance chart just a post-mortem report: Sukhbir

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

UPA's performance chart just a post-mortem report: Sukhbir

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Punjab Deputy Chief Minster and Shiromani Akali Dal president Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today dismissed the so-called performance chart issued by the UPA on four years of its current tenure and nine years of its total life as "a post-mortem report and a listless obituary. " Everybody knows that that the UPA has been lying in a mortuary for many years now. They are trying to hide the mortal state of the Congress and the UPA , and cover up the causes of mortality under the camouflage of this foto-op which has proved to be a desperate but failed publicity gimmick " .

Badal said that the report-card tamasha was also just a last ditch attempt by the outgoing UPA regime to assure the people of the country that they still had at least a semblance of a government. But the people have already decided that they need a government at the center and they are waiting for the elections, which could come any moment now "said Mr. Sukhbir Singh in a statement here.

The Deputy CM said that the very fact that the Congress-led UPA needed to stage this kinder-garden stage show of putting small clips on the children's lapels as medals is proof that they know that this was just a farewell function. Badal said that no amount of festooning or balloons and bugles will cover the real pathetic state of the government at the center. "It's a government on the way out but it leaves behind it a legacy of a country shamed by daylight rapes, murders and robberies everywhere including the national capital. The countrymen find it hard to walk with their head high because of the shameless series of scams, corruption in high places and an open patronization of the criminal and lumpen elements."

The SAD president observed that the out-going government at the center would be remembered for how it sank the country into dark depths ." An economy in dole-drums, unprecedented poverty and illiteracy, shocking price rise and inflation, alarming rate of unemployment, total anarchy in most parts of the of the country � these are the subjects in which the UPA claims to have passed out with distinction."

The Deputy CM that the people were surprised at the "farewell drum-beatings " of the UPA at that function. " The leadership of any other government with such dismal and humiliating record would have been hiding its head in disgrace. But it is amazing how the Congress big-wigs and the UPA dignitaries felt no embarrassment in the realization of how the people must be viewing their pathetic efforts at publicizing their performance," said Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Lashing out at the Congress led UPA government for being neck deep in corruption, the Deputy Chief Minister said that due to rampant corruption the Union government has today became a synonym of the scams and scandals. He this government would be remembered as the most corrupt government in the annals of history as the leaders of UPA government had illegally accumulated more than five thousand crore Rupees through the scams like 2G, CWG, Adarsh society and the coalgate. The Deputy Chief Minister said that like East India Company the Congress leaders sitting at coveted positions were plundering the tax payer's money by indulging in corrupt practices and stashing it in the foreign banks.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that not only this but Union government has miserably failed to check the internal well as external aggression due to which threat was looming large on the sovereignty of the nation. He said that there was complete chaotic situation in the country as owing to the lapses in security of the borders on the one hand many precious lives were being lost in terrorist attacks across the country and on the other hand the menace of Naxalism was also spreading its wing in the country. The Deputy Chief Minister said that even the recent Chinese intrusion in the territory of the country had posed serious question mark on the security of our country. But instead of combating these problems the UPA leaders were busy enjoying the fruits of power much to the dismay of the countrymen, he added.

"The fact of the matter is that the leadership of the Congress led-UPA govt. knew better than anybody else that they had nothing to celebrate and everything to be embarrassed about. The country plummeted to its lowest depths on all development parameters, like unprecedented illiteracy and poverty, alarming rate of unemployment, unbearable price-rise and inflation, the Deputy Chief Minster said

(Jl/jR)

Jatts in Golmaal steps on New Pedestal of Comedy Non-stop laughter punches at Jatts in Golmaal

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Non-stop laughter punches at Jatts in Golmaal

ENLARGE

By Gagandeep Sohal

Jalandhar, May 23 : Packed with laughter punches, tickling comedy and guffaws, the premiere show of Punjabi movie Jatts in Golmaal, which will release in cinemas tomorrow, was held here today.

At the show, besides movie's producer, Hero Aaryaa Babbar and other dignitaries were present.

The movie deals with the "phoren-dream" psyche of Punjabi who want to go abroad � by hook or by crook. Laced with the perfect entertainment masala, Jatts in Golmaal prick the conscience of those who have lost their life's investments in the bid to hit foreign shores. The hilarious comedy gives message to the future "pawns" from staying away from the merchants of such dreams, who sap people off their assets.

A production of the HM Music banner Jatts in Golmaal's director and producers have done complete justice with the theme leaving no stone unturned.

A spectator can easily see the team work that oozes out from the screen as the movie talks about immigration business and the greed ailing it.

The movie is story of protagonist who wants to fly to Canada at any cost. The events that follow will not only leave audience in the peel of laughter, but will force them to think about the problem of illegal immigration that has taken deep roots in Punjabi society.

Film's don Binoo Dhillon suffers from a cardiac problem and doctor suggests him to under heart replacement. But since all members of gang are either alcoholic or take drugs, none of them can "donate" heart to Binoo.

Film's hero Arya Babbar needs money to go abroad and he agrees to sell his heart to Binoo, though he is unaware of what would become of him after he has given away his heart. What ensues is a riot of laughter to save Arya's heart and his life.

Punjabi comedian Jaswinder Bhalla is seen in the movie in an important and entertaining role and ends up carving a different place for himself in the audience's heart. Lead actress Sameksha comes as a waft of fresh air carrying the naughty and lively part of her movie on her slender shoulders.

Veena Malik's item number Shabbo de Chaubare, sung by Sunidhi Chauhan, sets new era of item numbers in Punjabi cinema.

Kshitij Chaudhary has directed the movie, while music is by PTC Filmfare Award director Jatinder Shah.

The assistant director of movie is R Raja. Movie's story, screenplay and dialogues are by famous story-writer Nharesh Kathuria. The lyrics are by Raj Kakra, Beet Baljit and Kumar.

Manmohan Singh Jandu, Harveen Singh, Harpreet Singh and Jasvir Singh have produced the film, while Lovely Group and Ranvir Singh Atwal are the co-producers.

Mika, Sukhwinder Singh, Roshan Prince, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rajbir hillon and others have sung the songs. Besides these actors, Arya Babbar, Sameksha Singh, Binoo Dhillon, Gurpreet Ghuggi, B N Sharma, Karamjit Anmol, Sardar Sohi and Harpreet Johal have enacted in the movie.

Srinivasan, 46, currently principal deputy solicitor general of US 21 lawmakers back Chandigarh-born as top US judge

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

21 lawmakers back Chandigarh-born as top US judge

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Washington, May 23: Ahead of an expected Senate vote on the nomination of Chandigarh-born Indian-American legal luminary Srikanth 'Sri' Srinivasan to a top US court, 21 lawmakers have penned their support for him.

Srinivasan, 46, currently principal deputy solicitor general of the US last week won unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee for his nomination as a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the American capital.

"Sri Srinivasan would be an outstanding judge for the Court of Appeals," wrote the lawmakers, including Ami Bera, the lone Indian-American House member, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

If confirmed by the full Senate, which appears all but certain given unanimous support for him in the judicial panel, Srinivasan, who last August succeeded another Indian American, Neal Kumar Katyal, in his current job would the first South Asian judge on the powerful appeals court, often called the nation's second-highest court.

"He has worked in the US Solicitor General's office three times - for both Republican and Democratic administrations - and argued 24 cases before the Supreme Court," the lawmakers wrote.

"As members of Congress, we value the importance of having diversity on the court. Representation of Indian Americans within our judicial system is overdue," they added.

Srinivasan was born in Chandigarh and grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. He received his BA with honours and distinction in 1989 from Stanford University and his JD with distinction in 1995 from Stanford Law School, where he was elected to Order of the Coif and served as an editor of the Stanford Law Review.

He also holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, which he received along with his JD in 1995.

He received the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering US National Security in 2003 and the Office of the Secretary of Defence Award for Excellence in 2005. IANS

Alleges registering false cases against 150 Congressmen Punjab Cong slams Badal for unleashing reign of terror in Lambi

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Punjab Cong slams Badal for unleashing reign of terror in Lambi

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Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Punjab Congress flays the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for unleashing a reign of terror in Lambi, by registering false one sided criminal case against 150 Congressmen, by twisting the facts of broaddaylight booth capturing by Akali goons at V. Mann, on 19-05-13.

In a statement issued here today party's former MLA Sukhpal Khaira, said that it is a matter of shame and disgust that the CM has unleashed a reign of terror and is indulging in political vendetta, on the voters of his own Lambi constituency. As we are aware, major newspapers and electronic media had reported booth capturing and violence in V. Mann on the polling day.

As per confirmed reports, a gang of 100-150 Akali goons led by Pawanpreet Singh alias Bobby Badal a close relative of the CM, Avtar Singh Vanwala ex-OSD Dy. CM and Tajinder Singh Midhukhera, had captured the polling station at V. Mann. They forcibly threw out the polling staff, Congress polling agents and resorted to large scale rigging in favour of the SAD candidate.

Reacting to booth capturing by Akali �Goondas', large number of Congress supporters who had gathered outside the polling booth started demonstrating both peacefully and violently. Meanwhile, the Akali �Goondas' led by Bobby Badal fired many rounds to disperse the crowd gathered outside. Sensing trouble the local police reached the spot and rescued the Akali goons and their leaders and whisked them away.
The whole episode of booth capturing and rigging and subsequent violence rocked the entire nation through the media, instead of acting fairly against both the fueding parties, the police on the directions of the CM has registered a totally false, frivolous and concocted FIR No. 65 dated 19.05.13, PS Lambi, against 25 known Congress workers of the village and 100 unknown persons. The said one sided FIR has been registered to intimidate, threaten and coerce Congressmen who dared to fight elections against the Akali Dal. Having kept a provision of 100 unknown persons in the FIR, the police are now picking and choosing important Congress leaders to falsely implicate them in the case.

What is surprising, alarming and condemnable is the gross one sided action of the police, no Akali �Goonda' who indulged in booth capturing or firing and beating up polling staff has been named in the case, even though their photos appeared in all newspapers. How were the Akali leaders carrying weapons on the day of polling is also beyond any sane logic. The whole concocted episode of one sided false case, smacks of political vendetta and terrorism unleashed by the CM and his power drunken arrogant son.

The PPCC President S. Bajwa will shortly visit the vendetta affected families at village Mann. In the meanwhile, all Akali �Goondas' including Bobby Badal and Avtar Vanwala be booked in a cross case for criminal offenses and arrested without any further delay. Since the Congress party has no faith in the Punjab Police, an independent Judicial inquiry be ordered into the incident for justice. The police is also warned against terrorizing Congress workers of V. Mann and it is regrettable that the village has been turned into a police fortress with people fleeing their houses fearing torture at the hands of police.

Increased from Rs 3,000 crore in 2005-06, Haryana's annual outlay plan touches Rs 27072 cr

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Annual Plan outlay of Haryana has touched to a new high of Rs 27,072 crore for 2013-14 as compared to Rs 16125 crore of Punjab.

It was merely Rs 3,000 crore in 2005-06, thus representing an increase of more than 900 times during the last eight years in Haryana.

In 2005, the Annual Plan outlay of Punjab was more than Haryana which was Rs 3,550 crore as compared to Rs 3,000 allotted to Haryana at that time.

Stating this today, Member of Parliament, Deepender Singh Hooda said that according to the report released by the Planning Commission, Haryana has the highest per capita expenditure in Plan budget at Rs 10,027 for 2012-13, while Punjab has per capita expenditure of Rs 4,099 and Gujarat Rs 8,300 for the same period.

Congratulating the hardworking people of the state forthis significant achievement, the young MP said that Haryana had carved a niche for itself in the present decade in terms ofdevelopment. The state has done exemplary work in different fields during the last eight years.

Deepender Hooda said that when the NDA Government was formed at the Centre and INLD in the state in 1999, the Annual Plan outlay of Haryana was Rs 2,150 crore and Rs 3,021 crore in Punjab. This amount during the INLD regime in 2005 was Rs 3,000 crore in Haryana and Rs 3,550 crore for Punjab. Now, the Annual Plan outlay of Haryana has reached to Rs.27072 crore during last eight years whereas the same has reached to Rs 16125 crore in Punjab for 2013-14.

During the INLD regime in 2000-01, the per capita expenditure of planned outlay in Haryana was Rs 930 Rs 1530 in Gujarat and Rs 1010 in Punjab. The same was Rs 2270, Rs 1540 and Rs 1430 in Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana in 2006-07. After formation of the Congress Government at the centre and state, the per capita expenditure of its plan budget in year 2012-13 reached to Rs 10,027 in Haryana, Rs 8,300 in Gujarat and Rs.4099 in Punjab.

Referring to the data comparison of NDA and UPAGovernments, Hooda said that the UPA Government was marching ahead with a vision of development and has taken it as a mission to serve the masses during the last nine years. Under the able guidance of the UPA Chairperson, Mr Sonia Gandhi, and leadership of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the country had significantly progressed despite the economic slowdown. Similarly, Haryana Government had eliminated terror and corruption and created education and employment opportunities for the youth, the MP added.

Kamalpur Mothanwala midnight attack Kapurthala police nabs four culprits including a woman for midnight attack

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Kapurthala police nabs four culprits including a woman for midnight attack

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Kapurthala, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The District Kapurthala police has successfully sorted out the case of a midnight attack by unidentified assailants in village Kamalpur Mothanwala on the intervening night of May 12 & 13 leaving behind 16 members of two families injured besides taking away their valuables by nabbing four culprits including their woman accomplice.

Disclosing this here today, Inderbir Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police said that after getting vital clues, a special search operation was launched in temporary shelters ( Jhuggis) set up along with the major roads in the district . He said that when a police party led by Mr. Harpreet Singh, SHO, Sultanpur Lodhi was searching such temporary shelters on RCF road, four persons including a woman tried to ran away but the police party nabbed them immediately. During the search of their hut a bag containing two pass books and two identity cards belonging to the members of victim families recovered. He said that the names of arrested culprits were Munim s/o Khabid, Ashiq s/o Nam Hasan, Raju @ Magic @ Usman @ Pappu s/o Faujdin and Zareena @ Dilshana w/o Faujdin and they all were residents of such temporary shelters in Dhariwal town of district Gurdaspur.

The District Police Chief further informed that during the initial interrogation, they admitted to have take part in the above said crime and disclosed the names of their 6 more accomplices namely Khusneed s/o Chappru, Lukman @ Chharu s/o Rajinder, Kulwinder @Gurdeep f/o Khushneed, Ila s/o Gaida, Aaftab s/o Kauru and Raju @ Vijay s/o Nahar Singh r/o Lohian Khas ( Jalandhar). He said that Police parties have been dispatched to nab the remaining culprits. He expressed confidence that during further interrogation there would be more revelations as they seemed to be habitual criminals. Mr. Mandeep Singh Gill, DSP, Sultanpur Lodhi was also present during the media briefing.

It may be mentioned here that an FIR no. 104 dated May 13th , 2013 was registered in Police station Sultanpur Lodhi on the statement of Pawan Kumar s/o Maksudan Sahni r/o Kamalpur Mothanwala.

Amritsar Rural Police register NDPS Act One arrested with 10kg opium in Amritsar

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

One arrested with 10kg opium in Amritsar

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Amritsar, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Continuing its concerted efforts to check smuggling of narcotic substances, the Amritsar (Rural) police today recovered 10 Kgs of opium worth Rs. 8 lac by arresting one Rajinder Kumar @ Bagga s/o Hans Raj r/o village Lakhuwal.

Disclosing this here today Manmohan Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, said that SI Sanjeev Kumar, Incharge Narcotic Cell made this recovery from the accused in the presence of Sh. Jugraj Singh, DSP/D Amritsar Rural. He informed that an FIR No. 46 dated May 23, 2013 u/s 18/61/85 NDPS Act has been registered at Police station Ramdas and further investigation was in progress.

He informed that during the preliminary investigation, it has been revealed that Haryana police had already recovered 4 Kgs of Opium from his possession in Panipat around two decades back. He had undergone for an imprisonment for 11 years in the Bhiwani, Ambala and Amritsar Jails after his conviction in the above said case. After his release from Amritsar jail in 2007 and he again started the smuggling of opium and up till now he had successfully smuggled its four consignments from Rajasthan to Punjab.

The District Police Chief pointed out that now he had brought 10 Kg. of opium from Rajasthan through his black coloured Indica car no. DL-3C-AC 5452 and was in touch with his committed contacts in various truck unions for the supply of this contraband. He expressed more revelations from the arrested smuggler.

Chautala shifted to Medanta hospital for treatment Warm welcome to Chautala outside hospital in Delhi

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Warm welcome to Chautala outside hospital in Delhi

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Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): thousands of his supporters today gathered outside the Ram Manohar Lohiya hospital in New Delhi to get a glimpse of their leader and former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, who has been granted interim bail by the Delhi high court for a surgery.

Since January this year Chautala was lodged in the jail after he was awarded ten years imprisonment in the JBT teachers recruitment scam. On Tuesday Chautala was granted interim bail of six weeks on the health ground with instruction to not to leave NCR.
Thousands of his supporters and INLD workers gathered outside the hospital when he came out to go to the Medanta hospital in Gurgaon for his treatment.

Concern over Increasing link between smuggling counterfeiting and crime FICCI-CASCADE organises seminar for consumer awareness

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

FICCI-CASCADE organises seminar for consumer awareness

ENLARGE

Sminar on Curbing Counterfeiting & Smuggling�An Imperative for Indian Economy

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): With the agenda to spread large scale consumer awareness against the menace of smuggling and counterfeit products, FICCI-CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organized a seminar in Chandigarh on �Curbing Counterfeiting and Smuggling�An Imperative for Indian Economy'. The seminar discussed the role of media in increasing awareness on the subject. Besides focusing on the losses to the government and industry, the seminar also highlighted growing link between smuggling and counterfeit activities and organized crime.

The seminar was inaugurated by His Excellency, Shri Shivraj Patil, Punjab and Administrator U.T, Chandigarh. Mr. Rajinder Gupta, Chairman FICCI Advisory Council (Northern States & Chairman Trident Group) welcomed the delegates.

The seminar brought out the fact that Tobacco sector continues to account for the highest revenue to tax percentage loss to the government at over 60% and Punjab is no exception. The state of Punjab is one of the fastest growing markets for illegal / tax-evaded cigarettes in the country. These locally manufactured tax-evaded cigarettes have over 15% share of the total cigarette market and are continuously growing in the state of Punjab. These cigarettes are particularly popular amongst youth as they are available at a significantly lower price than the legal cigarettes. It is an alarmingly large and well-organized business: with some of India's largest manufacturers of illegal cigarettes (based inside and outside the State), supply over 20 million illegal / tax-evaded cigarettes in the state every month. Consequently, the government suffers revenue loss of over Rs. 75 crore annually. Illegal cigarettes are sold in the market at one fifth the price of legal product. The loss of revenue to the Government because of the illegal cigarettes trade is staggering, but, the cost to the health of smokers of illegal cigarettes is incalculable. Illegal cigarettes pose major health hazards to smokers because of the inferior manufacturing processes and the low quality of tobacco with high levels of tar & nicotine used for such products. One can well imagine quality of such illegal products which are sold at such low rates.

High taxation on cigarettes in India is the key reason for the large and growing market of illegal / tax-evaded cigarettes. Despite accounting for only 15% share of total tobacco consumption, cigarettes generate over 75% of the tax revenue from tobacco. According to the Euromonitor report on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, India is the fastest growing and is already world's fifth largest market for illicit cigarettes. As per Euromonitor, Illicit cigarettes accounts for 18% of Industry volume in India & it has grown by 2 billion sticks in just 1 years (2011 - 2012).

With special focus on Chandigarh the seminar highlighted the problems faced by the state due to the Grey / Illicit market, causing huge losses to the state ex-chequer. The seminar highlighted problems faced by local traders due to counterfeiting. According to the FICCI study on "Socio-economic Impact of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Tax evasion in seven key Industry Sectors" the estimated annual Tax loss to government in the year 2012 is estimated at Rs. 26, 190 crores. The study further estimates an annual sales loss to industry at a whopping Rs. 1,00,000 crores.

The key sectors which were included in the study were Auto Components, Alcohol, Computer Hardware, FMCG (Personal Goods), FMCG (Packaged Goods), Mobile Phones and Tobacco. The highest loss to industry in terms of revenue is from FMCG (Packaged Goods) at

Rs. 20,378 crores (23.4%), FMCG (Personal Goods) at Rs. 15,035 crores (25.9%), Auto Components at Rs. 9,198 crores (29.6%), Mobile Phones at Rs, 9,042 crores (20.8%) and Tobacco at Rs. 8,965 crores (15.7%). The maximum tax loss on account of smuggled and counterfeit products to the government is from the Tobacco Sector at Rs. 6, 240 crores followed by FMCG (Packaged food) at Rs. 5,660 crores and FMCG (Personal Goods) at Rs. 4,646 crores. The study also reconfirms government estimates of 5% of medicines in the market being fake that have a direct impact on the health and safety of consumers.

Crime branch of Mumbai Police issues summons IPL Spot Fixing:CSK CEO told to appear for questioning

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

IPL Spot Fixing:CSK CEO told to appear for questioning

ENLARGE

Chennai, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): : Crime branch of Mumbai Police on Thursday afternoon issued summons to Chennai Super Kings �principal' Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of team owner and BCCI chief N Srinivasan, to appear for questioning in the spot-fixing scandal.

Four personnel from Mumbai police crime branch delivered the letter, which was received by the house staff of Meiyappan, who, sources say, could reach Chennai tomorrow (Friday) or the day after (Saturday).

After issuing the summons, the four-member Mumbai crime branch team left for Mumbai.

Meiyappan has not been accused in the case. For now, the police are expected to focus on his cellphone call records.

Earlier on the day, the Mumbai Police team reached residence of Meiyappan in central Chennai to question him in the connection with betting case.

PM laid foundation stone of National Defence University India faces security challenges due to difficult neighborhood: PM

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

India faces security challenges due to difficult neighborhood: PM

ENLARGE

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today laid the foundation stone of country's first Indian National Defence University (INDU) at village Binola in Gurgaon district of Haryana.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that India faces a wide spectrum of security challenges, as it lives in a difficult neighborhood. There is a pronounced change in Asia, where multiple security challenges on account of intersection of fragile states, internal conflicts, proliferation of arms and terrorist groups are existing. Besides this, we must also be cautious of our strategic opportunities. Although, India's security has never been so strong as it is today, yet it is imperative that our defence professionals remain abreast of the complex environment we face. Therefore, we must ensure that our thinkers and policymakers understand the complexities of the situation, the regional and global trends along with new and emerging technologies and developments in defence capabilities and strategies. It is with this point of view that the Committee headed by late Dr. K. Subrahmanyam proposed the establishment of the National Defence University to educate and adequately prepare national security leaders to look at security challenges holistically.

Dr Manmohan Singh thanked the Haryana Chief Minister Hooda for his generous support for the project of University and in particular for providing land in Gurgaon.
Haryana Chief Minister, Hooda thanked the Prime Minister and Government of India for choosing Haryana as the venue of the prestigious Indian National Defence University. Setting up of the Defence University is a tribute to all soldiers of our country, he said. Hooda said that there is an urgent need today, more than ever before, for creating awareness about the security concerns as well as challenges confronting the country. Defence University will be educating the leaders on matters of security and multi-disciplinary strategy. Hooda assured of all possible help and cooperation from Haryana Government for this University.

Hooda said that during past eight years, Haryana has made remarkable progress in almost every field. Today, it is number one state in per capita investment and also number one state in per capita income among bigger states. The credit of such an unprecedented progress goes to the able guidance of the Prime Minister and blessings of UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi, he said.
Hooda appreciated the gesture of the people of the two villages, Binola and Bilaspur for giving land for this prestigious University and announced Rs one crore each for the development of the two villages.

Defence Minister, A. K. Antony said that laying of foundation of stone of Defence University shows the priority that the government attaches to the national security. He said that INDU will promote and nurture intellectual strength to our security concerns and cater to our needs of Defence Technology and Management. The University will be of international level and will be ready by 2018-19.
The need of having a National Defence University had been felt since long. Subrahmanyam committee prepared its blue print. About 200 acres of land for this was provided by the Haryana Government.

The four existing Defence Institutions- National Defence College, New Delhi, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune are proposed to be brought under the ambit of the Indian National Defence University. Initially, four colleges related to Defence Studies, Defence Technology, Defence Management and Distance Learning to be set up in the University complex in Gurgaon.

More than Rs 3218 cr paid through e-payment in just one & half month Punjab becomes first state to disburse online payments

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Punjab becomes first state to disburse online payments

ENLARGE

7 lac plus benefited from online payments

FIM system running successfully in all 21 treasury offices

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The computerization of entire treasury offices in Punjab ensuring all Government Payments online proved a grand success with Punjab becoming first successful state in the country to disburse more than Rs. 3218 crore to more than 7 lakh beneficiaries in one month by online system.

Disclosing this here today Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister, Punjab said that crediting online payments was successfully running in the whole state. He said that through this recently implemented system of online payments to various departments, authorities besides salaries of government officials/employees, Punjab has credited more than Rs. 3218 crore in a short span of one and half month. He said that Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) has been monitoring the system of online payments from its inception on 1st April, 2013 and Punjab has become the country's first state to start this programme. He said that all government payments from 1st April, 2013 were being deposited directly in the bank accounts of concerned departments and authorities. He said more than 7 lakh people were directly benefitted with this scheme.

The Finance Minister further said that E-Payment system was implemented in all Government Offices/Departments, whose transactions were done through treasury offices. He added that Punjab government's next mission is to set up Cyber Treasuries.
He said that 21 Treasury Offices in the state has implemented the E-payment system while besides these offices all 74 sub treasuries were running this system in the state.

Tenders from the Advertising Agencies have been invited PRTC buses to be painted with new advertisements

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

PRTC buses to be painted with new advertisements

ENLARGE

Chandigarh May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): The Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation has initiated the process of painting new advertisements on its buses in the state.

The tenders from the Advertising Agencies have been invited and the Tender Form would be released on June 13 , the same could be received till June 14.

Stating this here today a spokesman of the PRTC said that the corporation has been constantly trying to generate profit so that it could be self reliant. Besides providing comfortable transport facilities to the public in Punjab, the PRTC has now initiated a novel system of painting its 1000 buses with new and catchy advertisements of public interest. As many as 923 ordinary buses, 69 H.V.A.C Buses, 2 Integral Coach Buses and 10 Rear Engine semi Low Floor buses (Bathinda Bus Service) would be covered under this new scheme.

All those buses either owned by PRTC or buses hired on the basis of per kilometer would be included, he said. He further said that PRTC Patiala buses ply not only within Punjab but also the neighboring states.

Drug de-addiction centres to be strengthened Entire system in Punjab's jails to be computerized: Phillaur

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Entire system in Punjab's jails to be computerized: Phillaur

ENLARGE

Chandigarh April 23 (babushahi.com bureau): In order to provide better facilities to the prisoners lodged in various jails of Punjab as well as to reduce security violations, the Punjab government would computerize the entire system right from the visitor entry to the frisking.

Stating this here today, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Jail Minister Punjab said that the superintendents of jails have been directed to ensure the arrangements for providing essential items through a computerized system so that economies of scale with quality assurance and without risk of security breach. He also said that the government was working out a strategy to seek security personnel from other states/central Para-military forces on a reciprocal basis for the outer ring of the jail premises so as to reduce inter-mingling and fraternizing of security personnel with convicts. For the security of the inner ring, the Minister said that about 700 trained ex-servicemen would be deployed by Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (PESCO) at an estimated cost of Rs. 8 crore per year.

Taking serious note of the entry of drugs and mobiles in the jails, Mr. Phillaur said that the jail authorities have been asked to keep a vigil on the visitors and search them thoroughly so that the bringing of prohibited items could be checked there and then. Modern equipment like X-ray machines, scanners and effective measures like sniffer dogs would be ensured to monitor the visitors entering the jail premises. The jail authorities have also been asked to follow the jail manual stringently before allowing the visitors. District Magistrates have also been asked to
inspect the record of visitors in every jail and assess them from the point of
view of checking discrepancies and unauthorized access.
Referring to the issue of the recent deaths of the prisoners in some jails, the Minister said that after monitoring the entire situation more closely it was found
that many of these individuals were drug addicts and had overdosed on drugs
shortly prior to death. The Government had recently launched an intensive state- wide campaign against drug peddlers. Some of the people recently arrested under the NDPS Act were also drug addicts.

The Jails Minister opined that when arrested, they were already suffering from physical and psychosomatic ailments caused by prolonged abuse of intoxicants. Many of them suffered from serious
and untreated ailments also. After arrest, en route to or from court appearances, they tended to consume a heavy dose of drugs procured illegally through contact with family members and sympathizers. This caused a sudden shock to the system, resulting in deterioration of health and rapid death.

The Minister has also directed the Superintendents of Jails to ensure immediate assessment of the medical condition of a person upon arrest. Any person, particularly, a drug addict
found to be suffering from a serious medical condition warranting urgent
medical care would be admitted to hospital first for stabilization before being lodged in prison.

The central jails have functional drug de-addiction centers which were all being used to treat addicted inmates .Their capacity would be enhanced with more staff and the addition of support services like psychiatric care and counseling services. The prison drug de-addiction centre facilities would be used completely so that jail inmates could be de-addicted through scientific methods.

Medical College-Hosptials having drug de-addiction centers would also admit such prisoners for immediate treatment. A fresh batch of training of medical officers under the expert guidance of senior doctors of PGIMER has already been initiated. More doctors would undergo specialized training to offer special de-addiction services in all jails, said the Minister.

Since quite a few inmates are addicted to drugs in some way or other, the New Jail at Nabha with a capacity of 500 inmates would be equipped as a �drug de-addiction prison' where addicts from jails in Faridkot, Ferozepur, Mansa, Bhatinda, etc. would be admitted for specialized drug de-addiction, detoxification, counseling, motivation and rehabilitation care. This will go a long way in improving the mental and physical condition of these prisoners so that they could lead a productive and healthy life even while in jail, said Mr. Phillaur.

Punjab govt and PUDA submits affidavit in HC Punjab govt to ban use of underground water in construction

(News posted on: 23 May, 2013)

Chandigarh, May 23 (babushahi.com bureau): Punjab Government and PUDA both file affidavits in High Court stating that underground water shall not be allowed to be used for construction work; Only surface water, or treated water from the nearby Sewage Treatment Plant shall be allowed to be used for construction work: Water meters shall be installed on borewells/tubewells within one month.

During the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by Advocate H.C. Arora, seeking appropriate directions to the State of Punjab to ensure strict implementation of various notifications issued by Central Ground Water Authority, prohibiting extraction of underground water for construction work in as many as 46 Blocks in Punjab, before a Division Bench of the High Court comprising ACJ Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, Vinod Kumar Bhalla, Special Secretary, Local Government department, Punjab, and Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Chief Administrator, PUDA filed their respective affidavits.

In his affidavit filed by Vinod Kumar Bhalla, it has been stated that the Local Government Department has issued instructions on May 20th to all the Urban Local Bodies that (i) Within Municipal areas, the underground water from the bore/tubewell will be used for drinking and domestic purposes only; (ii) Underground water shall not be used for construction purpose, and alternative sources such as surface water sources or treated water from nearby Sewerage Treatment Plant shall be used for construction purpose." He has also assured that "water meters shall ne installed on all borewells/tubewells to monitor the quantity of water extracted so as to ensure that extracted water is being used only for drinking and domestic purposes. This exercise shall be completed within one month." The duty to ensure compliance of these instructions by the urban local bodies shall be of the concerned Deputy Commissioners and in case of Municipal Corporations, the Commissioners of such Municipal Corporations shall ensure implementation of these directives.

In its separate affidavit, PUDA has, apart from reiterating the directive issued by the State Government, as above, stated that "Rain Water Harvesting shall be provided in all "Mega Housing Projects". Besides, "Sewage Treatment Plant" shall also be provided in all Mega Projects of 10 acres and above. Such Mega Projects shall re-cycle the treated water for irrigation, and surplus water so generated shall be utilized for beautification. Promoters and allottees shall not be allowed to utilize underground water in notified areas for construction work. Giving the area-wise details regarding steps taken by PUDA for enforcing the directions issued by the HC, PUDA's affidavit states that tubewell installed in Park Avenue, Budhlada, and 3 tubewells installed in certain colonies of Amritsar have been got stopped. Action has been initiated for ensuring the installation of water meters on the tubewells meant for drinking purpose falling in PUDA areas or the areas notified by the Central Ground Water Authority.

As stated in the PIL, there are atleast 46 Blocks in Punjab, which have been declared �notified areas" by the CGWA during the last few years, where the underground water has depleted to a dangerous level, but the directions issued by the CGWA against utilizing of underground water for construction work have not been implemented by the concerned DCs in Punjab, who are the Competent authorities for their respective districts.

During last hearing of this PIL, the HC had, in a very terse order, directed the Chief Secretary, Punjab to ensure, within seven days, that all directions issued by the High Court in its order dated April 25th, and various notifications/ orders issued by Central Ground Water Authority, as well as the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests are strictly complied with, and the status report showing compliance thereof be submitted before the High Court on May 23th. The High Court had further directed that in case compliance of aforesaid directions is not made before the next date, the Chief Administrator, PUDA and Secretary, Local Bodies Department, Punjab Government shall remain personally present in the High Court on May 23rd.