Chandigarh, April 28, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today cautioned the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh against what he described as “a serious conflagration of social disorder, anarchy and economic crisis” in the event of Wealth Tax being levied on agriculture lands in the country.

In a letter spelling out “the  details of the ruinous decision in this regard, “Badal requested the Prime Minister’s personal, immediate and effective intervention to ensure that agriculture lands is not brought under the ambit of Wealth Tax Act.

Badal has also made similar request to the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and other Union Ministries directly or indirectly related to this issue.

Simultaneously, the Chief Minister today unleashed a broad-based nation-wide initiative to build a “political and social” consensus against imposition of wealth tax on agriculture lands.

Badal today wrote separate letters to leaders of all national and regional political parties, including their Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose this move in and outside the Parliament.

The Chief Minster has also written separately to Chief Ministers of all states in the country urging his counterparts  to oppose the imposition of this tax as it would sound “a death knell of the already beleaguered peasantry and of others dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture. This would also lead to widespread economic devastation of and unrest among agriculture labour and trade, business and industry establishments and persons directly or indirectly linked to agriculture.”

Giving details of the “comprehensive and unprecedented initiative launched by Badal, Chief Minister’s Advisor on National Affairs Harcharan Bains told newspersons here this afternoon that there has been an overwhelming response cutting across political spectrum to the CM’s efforts. Bains said that there is a growing realisation among the leaders approached so far by Badal about that wealth tax on agriculture would affect not only farmers but a whole range of economic activity.

Badal has pointed out to political parties and leaders that the impact of this decision would be felt also in small and medium traders dealing with retail of farm produce such as atta, grain, pulses or vegetable or manufacturers of agriculture implements, tools, and machinery. Further, this would also seriously impact producers and retailers of fertilisers, pesticides and other items used as agricultural inputs.

Bains likened Badal’s pro-active initiative on the issue to the historic initiative against Emergency in June 1975.” The issue has implications which are as serious, if not more, as those of the imposition of internal Emergency by Late Indira Gandhi, said the CM’s Advisor.

The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also the President of the SAD, are awaiting a response to their request for personal audience with the Prime Minister on this issue. They are likely to meet the PM on April 30 or May 1, though no date has yet been finalised.

In his separate letters to the PM and other leaders and Chief Ministers, Badal has highlighted the real and potential dangers of Wealth Tax on agriculture. “Such would be the debilitating impact of the wealth tax on agriculture that it would even hit banking activities in a big way as neither farming nor any of its direct or indirect subsidiary economic activities would be able to survive. No farmer would even want to retain agriculture as it would be totally unsustainable under unbearable impact of the wealth tax burden. This in fact would mean “end of agriculture and therefore of food production,” Badal has told national and regional political leaders with whom he has been interacting telephonically over the past three to four days.  

Badal described the imposition of this tax as a ‘an extremely dangerous step’. He has pointed out that every farmer would have to pay wealth tax in the range of Rs. 30,000 to 70,000 per acre annually whereas the annual agriculture production of the farmer was far much less than this tax.

This would lead to alarming discontent and unrest across the country. He said Centre should reconsider its impending implications of law and order situation as it could provide a breeding ground for Naxalism and put the national security in peril. The Chief Minister was also likely to call on the BJP National President Rajnath Singh, President of Janta Dal United and Convener of NDA Sharad Yadav, President of Samajvadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav besides Janta Dal Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and several leaders of the regional and national political parties to enlist their support of the farmers cause thereby mounting pressure on the ruling UPA government at Centre to shelve this dangerous move without any further delay.

It may be recalled that the core committee of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) under the Chairmanship of Party President Sukhbir Singh Badal in an emergency meeting on April 25 had passed a resolution for convening a special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha on May 3. The Core Committee also decided that the party and its alliance partner the Bhartiya Janata Party would hold statewide Dharnas at district headquarters from11 am to 1 pm on May 2. All ministers, senior leaders, MPs, MLAs, Zila and Circle Jathedars of the SAD and other office bearers of both parties will lead thousands of workers and farmers at the dharnas, added Bains. 

Kapurthara, April 29, 2013: The President of India conferred medals on a large number military personnel at an impressive ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on April 27.

Air Marshal Anil Chopra PVSM AVSM VM VSM, a student of Sainik School Kapurthala, was awarded the ParamVashisht Seva Medal.

The Air Officer, who is a Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor, has had a distinguished career and was among the first batch of Indian Air Force pilots trained on Mirage 2000 aircraft in France. He has held major Command and staff appointments.

Coming from a family of achievers, his father, Ranbir Chopra was the captain of Indian basketball team in first Asian games.  Kapurthala was one among the first group of Sainik Schools in the country established in 1961. The students of class of 1968 from the school have really excelled themselves with four of them having reached four-star status which is a difficult to break record. The other being Lt Gen Gurdeep Singh, Lt Gen AvinashSoneja, and Lt Gen DS Thakur, an official information said.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, April 29, 2013:The Special Judge for CBI cases, Visakhapatnam has convicted  Akella Venkata Subramanya Sastry, the then Income Tax Officer, Eluru, West Godavari District (Andhra Pradesh) U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1) (e) of P.C Act 1988 in Disproportionate Assets case and sentenced him to undergo five years rigorous imprisonment with fine of Rs.10,000. The Special Judge ordered to confiscate the properties of accused to the tune of Rs.45,84,161 which had already been attached by the court, to the State after the appeal time is over.      

The investigation revealed that the accused  A. V. S. Sastry, the then Income Tax Officer, Eluru, West Godavari District was in possession of movable and immovable properties disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of about Rs.48.65 lakh.

The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Chandigarh, April 30, 2013: Rajesh Bagha, Chairman Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission today urged the Union Government to act at the highest level to bring back the Sarabjit singh to India for better treatment.

In a letter to the Prime Minister of India Rajesh Bagha said that the condition of Sarabjit singh, who belongs to the scheduled caste category, is very critical. He said that the matter should be considered at the human grounds and the Union Government should ensure the return of Sarabjit singh to India. He Pressed upon the Prime Minister personally take up the matter with his counterpart in Pakistan and get the sentence of Sarabjit singh be pardoned.

Jalandhar, April 30, 2013: Air Commodore Manvendra Singh was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

Air Cmde Manavendra Singh AVSM VrC VSM was born on 13 December, 1962 at Hoshiarpur in Punjab.  After initial schooling at Ludhiana, he joined the National Defence Academy and graduated with the 61 Course.  He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 29 December, 1982 as a Helicopter Pilot.

In a distinguished career spanning over twenty eight years, the Air Officer has flown a wide variety of trainer aircraft and helicopters.  He has nearly 7000 hours of flying in various challenging sectors like the Siachen, the Eastern sector, the UP Hills and the Western desert.  He is Qualified Flying Instructor with vast instructional experience.

During his long career, the Air Officer has held numerous important appointments at different Headquarters.  He was Station Commander of 39 Wing and later served in HQ IDS as Director C412 AF.  He was the Commander of the IAF Peacekeeping Contingent in Bukavu, Congo during 2009-10.  He has been Principal Director, Intelligence at Air HQ, prior to his present appointment as the Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Race Course, New Delhi.  He is an alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College (USA) and Army War College, Mhow.  A decorated air warrior, he was awarded Vir Chakra in 1990 for undertaking operational flying missions in Siachen, Vishisht Seva Medal in 1999 for distinguished service of a high order.  In recognition of his meritorious services to the IAF, he has been appointed as Commodore Commandant of 115 HU, a unit that he had commanded earlier.

He is married to Ambika Singh and they are blessed with two sons.  Elder son Abhijit Singh is working as a Marketing Executive in an Aviation Company and the younger son Siddharth Singh is a helicopter pilot in the IAF.  The Air Officer is fond of reading music and golf.

New Delhi, April 30, 2013: Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called on the Nationalist Congress Party President and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to enlist his unstinted support to mobilise the public opinion against the Government of India (GoI) for rolling back the draconian Wealth Tax forthwith.

The Chief Minister called Pawar at his office in the Parliament House this morning and solicited whole hearted support and co-operation to persuade the GoI to immediately withdraw the wealth tax on agriculture without any further delay otherwise it could lead to an uncontrollable situation of nationwide social unrest, anarchy and resentment especially amongst the farmers and several other stakeholders directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture profession including farm labour, small and marginal traders and Arthiyaas.

Badal pointed that nearly 70% of the Agricultural land in Punjab would come under the ambit of this senseless act which was hell bent upon to crush the agrarian economy of the country in general and especially that of Punjab in particular thereby putting the national food security in quandary. He urged the NCP Chief to bail out the peasantry in this hour of crisis by mounting pressure on the Centre to withdraw this tax imposed on Agricultural land as it would have far reaching implications of leading the entire nation to the brink of economic disaster.

The Chief Minister apprised Pawar that Raja Chelliah committee on Tax reforms had recommended to levy wealth tax on non-productive assets adding that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who was the then Union Finance Minister in 1992, in his budget speech had underlined that Wealth Tax should be levied on individuals, Hindu Undivided Families and all companies only in respect of non-productive assets such residential houses including farm houses and urban land, jewellery, bullion, motor cars, planes, boats and yachts which were used for commercial purposes. 

Appreciating the concern of Badal to abolish the Wealth Tax the Union Agriculture Minister told him that he would certainly look into the matter to ensure justice to the farming community and other related stakeholders in the larger national interest.      

Earlier the Chief Minister also called the CPM leader Basu Deb Acharya, Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut and Anant Geete and Telugu Desam Leader Nageshwar Rao to garner their support over this issue. Badal urged these leaders to vehemently oppose this ill-conceived and unwarranted move of the Union government to impose wealth tax on agriculture land.  He was confident of positive outcome of these meetings with various leaders of national and regional parties, which would go a long way in protecting the rights of the farming community.

All these leaders offered fulsome support and co-operation to Badal for this national cause.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Gaggandip Singh Brar and Resident Commissioner K Sivaprasad

Ferozepur, May 1, 2013: Despite the fact that Pakistan refused to own Kasab involved IN 26/11 attack and did not eve claim his dead body but they have taken the revenge by brutal attack on Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Pakistan.  No doubt the relations between these two countries are better but Indians still have human values and its best example is when 16-year-old young Sidhra, who crossed over to Indian Territory, safely to Pakistan Rangers.

As per the information, on Tuesday morning at about 7 AM, the BSF sleuths saw one young girl crossing the Indian Territory near the BOP Rana, Pillar No.223 in Fazilka Sector.  The young girl had crossed about 100 meters in Indian Territory when she was arrested and during the preliminary investigation, she disclosed her name as Sidhra daughter of Sirag Mian of villge Chilli Sau, District Kasur, Pakistan. She further disclosed the reason of a dispute with her father. 

After thorough verification and cross-checking with the Pakistan Rangers, the girl was handed over the Pakistan Rangers as a gesture of good-will.

Ferozepur, May 1, 2013: Expressing deep concern over the anti-India activities of  Pakistan and China, the Anti Crime and Social Services Organistion (ACSSO) in its meeting, held under the leadership of T. P. Bakshi, National President, demanded that India should initiate strong step to stop the same.

He said, “In 1962 China attacked India despite saying Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai.  Similarly, Pakistan also with two time defeat, is not refraining from doing something undesirable. Every citizen of India is concerned about the anti-India activities of Pakistan and China but our government is only concerned with its existence.”

He further said, “No doubt Pakistan has not awarded the death sentence to Sarabjit Singh but has managed the brutal attack on him in the Kot Lakhpat Jail. Even the China has also entered the India Territory.  Since both Pakistan and China are not desisting from their anti-India activities, the Indian Government must take a strong step to curb it.”

Giving a warning to the government, the leaders of the ACSSO, to take immediate action to stop the anti-India activities otherwise the orgnaisation will start its own campaign for which the responsibility will be that of the government. 

On this occasion, Ashok Goyal, Shamsher Singh, Harpreet Singh, Vinod Gakhar, Dinesh Monga, Amrik Singh, Kuldip Singh and others were present.

New Delhi, April 30, 2013: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has assured the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of satisfactory solution of his demand for abolition of Wealth Tax on Agriculture lands within the urban periphery of Municipal limits.

Talking to the media persons here today, the Chief Minister informed that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh called him up late last evening assuring of satisfactory solution to his demand for rolling back of Wealth Tax on Agriculture land around the Urban areas. Responding positively to Badal’s request the Prime Minister apprised the former that he had already received a letter from him seeking latter’s personal intervention to roll back the wealth tax. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had written a detailed DO letter to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, all Members of Parliament besides Chief Minister’s of all the states across the country to evolve a consensus for the immediate withdrawal of Wealth Tax on Agriculture land. Apart from this the Chief Minister was also meeting the senior leaders of national and regional parties to mobilize a public opinion against the imposition of the Wealth tax to prevail upon the GoI to abolish it immediately.

However the Chief Minister unequivocally stated that Shiromani Akali Dal would firmly oppose the imposition of wealth tax and continue its endeavor till its logical conclusion thereby safeguarding the interests of the farmers. 

Ludhiana, April 30, 2013: Strongly protesting against the members of Uttariya Railway Mazdoor Union (URMU) who allegedly attacked their five members at Ferozepur railway station on a few days ago, significant number of members of the Northern Railway Men's Union (NRMU) stopped a goods train near the railway station here on Tuesday.
They were demanding adequate action against the members of URMU. They shouted slogans against the railway authorities, seeking immediate police action against the alleged assailants.
As a result of this protest, Katihar-Amritsar Express remained stationed at the local railway station for more than sixty minutes. The passengers were seen worries at the railway station.
Besides, the Shatabdi express also had to be stationed at Dhandari railway station for several minutes. Another trains affected included Shane Punjab at other railway stations.
However, the rail traffic was resumed after about 60 minutes of the protest at around 11 am today.
According to available information, the injured NRMU members namely Daljeet Singh (divisional secretary), Avtar Singh, Anil Kumar, Som Nath and Parminder Singh are undergoing treatment at CMCH, Ludhiana. These members had gone to Ferozepur to submit the ballot boxes after the conclusion of elections for the Railway Union on Saturday when they were allegedly attacked by URMU members.
The URMU members have denied these allegations, claiming that their four members were beaten up by the NRMU members who were undergoing treatment in a hospital in Amritsar.
As a mark of the novel protest, hair cutting of one of the protestors was done while sitting on protest dharna on the rail track.
Tight security arrangements were made at the venue of the protest. Protestors were also seen arguing with the police personnel.

Different views of protest being staged by NRMU men on the rail tracks at Ludhiana on Tuesday.

City Air News photos: Mandeep Kumar Verma

Ludhiana, May 2, 2013: Superstar philanthropist Salman Khan kept a “distance” from people during his visit to this industrial city here on Thursday.

Neither he interacted with the media persons nor he `mix-up’ with the city residents. His bodyguards kept away his fans, media persons and others at a “distance” from him. Perhaps they were right because they were supposed to give complete security cover to Salman.

It is a hard fact that Salman was not supposed to interact with the media persons, as interaction with the media persons was not included in his schedule. A day before (Wednesday), the local media was informed in an email message, stating “Salman Khan is launching the Being Human Store at Silver Arc Mall on May 2, 2013 at 12 noon. Media Invites have already been mailed to all of you. The officials of Being Human are only allowing a photo opportunity with Salman Khan at the store”.

Salman was supposed to launch ‘Being Human’ store at Silver Arc Mall, Ludhiana. And he did it.

Despite the fact that Salman is not supposed to meet the media, the local media persons were hopeful that they would get a chance to interact with the Bollywood Superstar. But, they were seen frustrated when they did not get a chance to interact with Salman.

Though Salman’s fans were not allowed to reach near to him by his bodyguards yet they were happy that they got a chance to see Salman “behind” the silver screen. The Salman’s crazy fans were seen shouting on seeing him. Salman too was seen waiving his hands in the air.

Salman was wearing jean, shirt and sunglasses.

Tight security arrangements were made in and around the venue.

Related Copy: http://www.cityairnews.com/content/salman-khan-and-mandhana-industries-launch-%E2%80%98being-human%E2%80%99-clothing-store-ludhiana-and

Salman Khan alongwith others at the launch of ‘Being Human’ store at Elante Mall, Chandigarh on Thursday.

Salman Khan at Ludhiana on Thursday.

City Air News photo: AJAY/Ludhiana.

Bhikhiwind (Amritsar), May 3, 2013: Rahul Gandhi AICC Vice President accompanied by Partap Singh Bajwa President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today paid tributes to Sarabjeet Singh who succumbed to a brutal  attack in Pakistan jail here at his cremation in native village.

Rahul Gandhi stayed with the aggrieved family for about half an hour and offered condolences to Dalbir Kaur sister of Sarabjeet Singh. He assured full support to the family.

Bajwa said that martyrdom of Sarabjeet Singh would not go waste.  He said that demise of Sarabjeet Singh had jolted the whole nation. He consoled the sister, wife and daughters of Sarabjeet Singh. He said that Pakistan had violated human rights.

Others who attended the last rites of Sarabjeet Singh included Gulchain Singh Charak member working committee AICC, Harish Chaudhary  secretary in charge Punjab, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, Vijayinder Singla MP, O. P. Soni vice president PPCC and Raj Kumar Verka vice chairman SC commission.

Bajwa a statement also appealed to SAD-BJP government not to politicise the sacrifice of Sarabjeet Singh. PPCC thanked the Congress high command and UPA government for extending support to the family of Sarabjeet Singh and for making continues efforts to secure his release. Dalbir Kaur sister of Sarabjeet Singh was in constant touch with the UPA government and she was facilitated at every step in her efforts to seek release of her brother.

PPCC president said UPA government was seeking release of Sarabjeet Singh on humanitarian grounds. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was assured by the former President Pervez Musharraf during their meeting in New York in 2005, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that he would look at the question of clemency to Sarabjeet Singh in a humanitarian way.  The matter was also taken up with the Pakistan President during his visit to India in March 2008.

Bajwa said that High Commission of India, Islamabad also assisted his sister Smt. Dalbir Kaur, his wife and two daughters during their visit to Pakistan from April 23-29, 2008. On April 24, 2008, the Government of Pakistan allowed the family to meet Sarabjeet Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore. His sister again visited Pakistan in June 2011, the High Commission interceded with the Pakistan authorities for arranging her meeting with Sarabjeet Singh in the jail.

He further said that following the reports about alleged poisoning and mental torture of Sarabjeet Singh by officials in Kot Lakhpat Jail, the High Commission of India, Islamabad again requested the Government of Pakistan for special consular access for Sarabjeet Singh.

Bajwa said that on April 26 Indian Mission started receiving reports of an attack on Sarabjeet Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail (Lahore). "Our Mission immediately contacted the Pakistan MoFA and demanded immediate consular access. The two-man consular team has remained stationed in Lahore since April 26", he added.

Bajwa said that Pakistan initially agreed to grant only two family members visas. On intervention by External affairs ministry, Pakistani high commission in New Delhi was finally prevailed upon to grant visas to all 4 members of the family who had expressed desire to travel to Pakistan.

Bajwa said that it was unfortunate that Sarabjeet Singh was attacked when center government was expecting his release from Pakistan jail. He said that lawyer of Sarabjeet Singh reportedly filed another mercy petition with President of Pakistan on May 29, 2012. The decision of the President of Pakistan on these petitions was still pending.

Jalandhar, May 3, 2013:    The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai has  convicted   R. Lakshmi Narasimhan, then  Assistant Manager of  Indian Overseas Bank, Mylapore Branch ,Chennai to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for seven years with a fine of Rs 3 crore.   His brother R.Gurumurthy  and his father N. Radhakrishnan (private persons ) have been sentenced to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 20,000 each.

CBI registered a case against R Lakshmi Narasimhan   former Assistant Manager of  Indian Overseas Bank,  Mylapore branch, Chennai, and his brothers  R. Suriyanarayanan and R. Gurumurthy and  his father N. Radhakrishnan based on the allegations that during the  period 1989 to 1991 , the said accused persons along with then Senior Manager of Indian Overseas Bank, Mylapore (since deceased ) and a private person  (since deceased) entered into criminal conspiracy to cheat  Indian Overseas Bank, Mylapore Branch. Infurtherance to the conspiracy, R.Lakshmi Narasimhan then Assistant Manager and other former Senior Manager dishonestly and fraudulently, abused their official position and allowed the overdraft facilities,  packing credit, open cash credit etc., facilities to the firms floated by Suriyanarayana,  R Gurunmurthy and N Radhakrishnan,  respectively. These were sanctioned without the approval of the higher authorities and without any security. A loss of about Rs. 33.27 lakh was caused to Indian Overseas Bank, Mylapore branch.

After the investigation of the case, CBI filed a charge sheet against R. Lakshmi Narasimhan;  R. Suriyanarayanan; R. Gurumurthy  and N. Radhakrishnan  under sections 120-B r/w 420 IPC 13(2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act 1988.

During the course of trial R Suriyanarayana expired and charges against him were abated.

On completion of the trial,  the Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai, convicted  Shri. R.Lakshmi Narasimhan, R.Gurumurthy  and  N Radhakrishnan.

Bhikiwind (Tarn Taran), May 3, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Union government to make concerted efforts for ensuring the early release of all the innocent Indian prisoners languishing in the foreign jails especially in Pakistan.

Talking to the media persons after attending the funeral of Sarabjit Singh, who was brutally killed in Pakistan jail, the Chief Minister said that the Government of India (GoI) should exploit all the diplomatic channels to ensure the early release of innocent Indian prisoners so that they could meet their families. He said that the Union government must raise this issue on the international forums and with the concerned countries so that these innocent prisoners could return back safely to their motherland.

Badal also said that it was the duty of the Union government to bring the innocent prisoners back to home besides ensuring their safety in the foreign jails by raising these issues at the appropriate level.  

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the death of Sarabjit Singh, the Chief Minister said that he was a true national martyr adding that the state government would take every step for ensuring the well being of Sarabjit Singh’s family. Reiterating that the country must know the exact cause of Sarabjit’s death must, he said that the Union government must build up international pressure to get the causes of his martyrdom investigated by an impartial International agency. Exhorting the people to remain calm in this hour of grief and crisis, he said though the sentiments of the countrymen have been hurt by the merciless killing of Mr Sarabjit Singh but the need of the hour was to maintain communal harmony and peace in the country. 

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister categorically said that the state government was committed for ensuring the safety and security of the Pakistani prisoners lodged in the Punjab jails adding that he had asked the Director General of Police (DGP) Jails to beef up the security of such prisoners for avoiding any untoward incident. He said that the state government was duty bound to protect these prisoners in Punjab jails.

Earlier the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Revenue and Information and Public Relation Minister Bikram Singh Majithia laid wreath on the body of Sarabjit Singh and paid homage to the departed soul. Apart from these several Cabinet Ministers, SAD-BJP leaders and MLAs also attended the cremation to pay last respect to the departed soul. 

Jalandhar, May 4, 2013: An overwhelming response was received from the youths of Punjab  during the ongoing Army open recruitment rally, which is being organised by Army Recruiting Office, Jalandhar under the aegis of HQ Recruiting Zone (Punjab and J&K) at Dogra Ground with effect from May 2 to 6.

Colonel Atul Bisht, Officiating Deputy Director General (Recruiting) Punjab and J&K, HQ Recruiting Zone, Jalandhar Cantt was the Chief on the occasion, today.  

While briefing about the Recruiting Rally Col Atul Bisht, told that 3000 candidates were appeared on May 2, 7000 candidates on May 3, and 3000 candidates were appeared for the recruitment rally on May 4. He said Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT) would almost be completed whereas the  Medical Examination for the successful candidates will continue upto 06 May 2013.  Common Entrance Exam (CEE) of successful candidates would be held at Dogra Ground itself on May 26.  In this rally, 13000 candidates were reported.

Col Atul Bisht further told that basically, this Recruitment Rally is meant for four districts namely Jalandhr, Kapurthala, Hoshirapur and Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar for Soldier general Duty (GD).  In addition to the above, this Recruitment Rally was also open for all districts of Punjab for Soldier technical, Soldier Nursing Assistance and Soldier Clerk/Store Keeper technical.

The officer stressed that, there is an overwhelming response from Hoshiarpur district.  Response from other three districts namely Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar is also improved as compared to the previous rallies conducted.

He conveyed his sincere gratitude to Punjab State Government, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Commissioner of Police and all other departments of civil administration for providing an excellent support in terms of Crowd and Traffic Control, maintaining the Law and Order and Medical support for this Army Recruiting event.  He further added that they are also obliged to entire Print and Electronic Media for creating an awareness amongst the target population of Punjab about the employment avenues which the army provides for the benefit of unemployed and highly motivated youth of Punjab.

Chandigarh, May 4, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today took a series of decision to beef up the security of Pakistani prisoners lodged in the different jails across the state.

Presiding over a high-level meeting of jails department here at his official residence today, in the backdrop of the unfortunate attack on a Pakistani prisoner in Jammu, the Chief Minister directed the officers that foolproof arrangements should be made for the security of 50 Pakistani prisoners lodged in Punjab’s jails. He said that these jails must be well secured and special measures should be taken to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals.

Badal directed the officers to keep a strict vigil in the jails where Pakistani prisoners have been lodged.

On the issue of supply of drugs inside the jails, which has led to death of some prisoners, the Chief Minister while expressing serious concern over it asked the concerned departments to take immediate corrective actions in this regard. He asked the officers to ensure immediate assessment of the medical condition of a person upon his arrest adding that any person, particularly, a drug addict found to be suffering from a serious medical ailment and warranting urgent medical care should be admitted to hospital for stabilisation before being lodged in prison. 

Badal also asked the Jail department to boost up the capacity of the central jails having functional drug de-addiction centres, which were being used to treat addicted inmates, by recruiting more staff and upgradation of services like psychiatric care and counselling services.

In order to upgrade the security in jails for checking the supply of drugs in them, the Chief Minister also directed the Department to bring a proposal for installingmodern equipment like X-ray machines and scanners besides using sniffer dogs to monitor the visitors entering the jail premises. 

Likewise, Badal also directed the department 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 fraternising of security personnel with convicts. In order to step up the security in the inner ring, he directed that 700 trained ex-servicemen would be deployed by Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (PESCO) at an estimated cost of Rs. 8 crore per year.

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Jails Minister, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Principal Secretary (Home) DS Bains, Principal Secretary (Health) Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary (Defence Services Welfare)-cum-Chairman PESCO, Vishwajit Khanna, Secretary (Home),  Raji Shrivastava, ADGP(PAP) GS Sahota, ADGP (Prisons) RP Meena and IG (Prisons) Jagjit Singh.

Chandigarh, May 5, 2013: The Science Express - Biodiversity Special (SEBS) exhibition train reached at Ambala Railway Station today, where it will remain till 7th May.

The science exhibition on train was inaugurated by Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, Punjab Art Council and former Mayor of Chandigarh.

The inaugural function was presided over by Chander Mohan, Advisor, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Paramjit Singh, Director, Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (RCED) Chandigarh was the Special Guest at the function.

More than 50,000 students are expected to visit the exhibition.  

SEBS is an innovative and unique science exhibition focusing on biodiversity and climate change, mounted on a specially designed 16 coach AC train. It is a unique collaborative initiative of Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

The current phase was flagged off by Minister of Railways Pawan Bansal. The SEBS will now travel to 62 locations across India till 28 October 2013. This train has covered over 86,000 km across the country during its previous five phases, with over 87.50 lakh visitors at its 274 halts and in 1000 exhibition days. Science Express is now the largest, longest and most visited mobile science exhibition in India.

According to Chander Mohan, out of 16 coaches eight are solely dedicated to showcasing the myriad biodiversity spread across the bio- geographical zones of India. These include Trans- Himalaya and the Himalayas, the Gangetic Plain, North East India, the desert and semi- Arid Zone, the western Ghat, the Deccan Peninsula, the Coasts and the island. Rest of the coaches have exhibition on climate change, green technology, energy conversation, kids zone and science lab.

Ludhiana, May 5, 2013: Activists of Danga Peerat Welfare Society Punjab and Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) staged a massive protest here on Sunday, against the acquittal of Sajjan Kumar. They sat on the Amritsar – New Delhi railway track, resulting to which the rail traffic was interrupted on this railway track for about four hours from 5-30 am to 9-30 am.

As a result of this protest, Howrah Amritsar mail, Andaman Express (Jammu – Chennai) and a goods train was affected. They were seeking execution of Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. Protestors were included men, women and kids.

Protestors were not only shouting slogans against Tytler and Sajjan Kumar but also against AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi.

After the start of the protest, the SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar also joined the protest, which was called off at around 9-30 am.

A prayer for seeking justice was done before culminating the protest.

On the occasion, the Danga Peerat Welfare Society Punjab president Surjit Singh urged the Chief Justice of Supreme Court to constitute a special investigation team to hold fair investigation. He also sought that hearing of cases, related to anti-Sikh riots be conducted in Fast Track Courts. 

The railway authorities had to station the Shatabadi Express at Phagwara railway station and Garibrath Express at Phillaur railway station due to the four-hours-long protest at Ludhiana today.

Dharamsala, May 6, 2013: The Gaggal Airport of Dharamsala will again start its routine work from May 15 when the Air India passenger flight will land here at 11.15 am to connect the city with Delhi. This shall be the first routine air service to any air field of Himachal since Kingfisher (the only operator to all the three air ports of Himachal ) discontinued its operations in the state before it was grounded in October last year.

The Air India  Website shows that it is starting its regular daily flights between Dharamsala –Delhi from 15th of this month. The flight No AI 9813 shall takeoff from Delhi daily at 9.45 AM and shall land at Dharamshala at 11.15 Am. The flight no AI 9814 shall take off from Dharamsala at 11.35 am to reach Delhi at 13.05 pm

The news is a boost to the cricket fans Delhi-Dharamsala flights resuming , just a day before the Indian Premier League (IPL) match of May 16 between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab , being played at Dharamsala.
Urban development minister said that it is all because of the hard work done in this regard by CM Vir Bhadra Singh. He said efforts are being made to resume flights in other air ports of the state.

"It's of course good news. Now we are expecting the arrival of good number of fans for both the matches," HPCA president Anurag Thakur, a member of the Lok Sabha.

Tibetan government in exile at Dharamsala also welcomed the news.