Chandigarh, July 8, 2013: The Punjab Government came to the rescue of Avtar Singh who was deeply wounded in Uttarakhand floods today discharged from PGI after his total recovery.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Avtar Singh of village Rurky Kham district SAS Nagar was badly wounded in the natural calamity struck Uttarakhand. He said that Avtar singh was on religious tour to Hemkunt Sahib when the furious flood hit the hill state. Avtar singh got fractured his arm and leg in the calamity. He said that the family of Avtar singh contacted the Punjab Government for help. The Punjab Government immediately jump into action and got the wounded Avtar singh admitted in the PGI.

He further said that the Punjab Government borne the total expenditure on the treatment of Avtar singh where he was admitted since twenty days. He totally recovered his injuries and today reached home hale and hearty.

Ferozepur, July 8, 2013: In 21st century, despite changed circumstances, the facilities with latest technology are available to the common man now but the visually challenged are still compelled to live in the old government system, said Anil Gupta, General Secretary, Welfare Association for Visually Challenged Employees, Punjab.

He further said, “The Aadhar Card is a 12 digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India.  While the government is pressing for enrollment for Aadhaar cards, the visually challenged person are being denied for the same in the city on the plea that their eyes cannot be scanned in the system”.

Gupta said, this issue has cropped up while preparation of Aadhaar card is going in various colonies of Ferozepur when the blinds have been sent back blankly without getting their data, finger prints and scanning of eyes. 

Giving this information, Anil Gupta, General Secretary, Welfare Association for Visually Challenged Employees, Punjab, said the launch of Unique Identity Number is a landmark decision in India’s history. It itself speaks of its utility as an all-purpose identity. The UID number is a proof of identity, in addition to documents such as PAN card, driving licence, etc. For the poor migrants who are harassed at every step, from police verification to distribution of rations, the card will be a means of empowerment.

He further said, the visually challenged persons are being denied of this right on the plea that their eye balls cannot be scanned in the system. 

He appealed to the concerned authorities to review the system so that blind persons could also avail of this facility for identification purposes at various levels.

It is pertinent to mention here that the National Federation of the Blinds (NFB), Punjab North West Committee is already fighting for their demands for the implementation of reservation policy of one per cent for the posts in government institutions, universities, boards, corporations and private institutions and about a month back, a deputation of visually challenged organised a road march from Faridkot to Ferozepur to present a memorandum to the district administration and local political leaders.

Now by denying the right for enrollment for Aadhaar Card, it will be discrimination with the community.

Talking to this correspondent, Anil Gupta said, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) should immediately review the discrepancy and come out with the solution so that the blinds could also avail of this facility. 

The matter was also taken up with the UIDAI at Delhi but the Chairman could not be contacted for the clarification on this point. However, the matter was brought to the notice of Madam Kumar Alok Deputy Director General, IT Technology and Procurement Division on phone, who confirmed to sort out the issue as there is a provision in the system and the staff may not be aware of the same.

Chandigarh, July 8, 2013: The Punjab government would equip its Disaster Management Authority to face any challenge or eventuality arising out of natural calamity in future.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with the officers/officials deployed in the Uttarakhand for carrying out relief and rescue operations here at Chief Minister’s Residence this evening.

The Chief Minister said the department of Disaster Management would soon procure the latest equipment such as high lifts, boats and life saving jackets to rescue the victims trapped in various calamities/disasters like earthquakes, floods and fire etc,. He asked the department to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment to save the precious lives of the people adding Badal said there would be no paucity of the funds for this good cause. The Chief Minister also desired to immediately initiate effective steps for the up-gradation and strengthening of the fire brigade services across the state and directed the Local Government Department to procure the new fire tenders equipped with the latest gadgets so as to prepare our fire personnel to take up any challenge or face any unforeseen eventuality in the wake natural disaster valiantly.

Badal highly appreciated the collective efforts made by the civil and police officers/officials besides the medical teams including the doctors and paramedics in saving the lives of the people apart from providing them succor in this hour of crisis. He also lauded the exemplary role of pilots in evacuating the people stranded at various pilgrimages in Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gobind Ghat.

Meanwhile,, the officers/officials present in the meeting shared their traumatic experiences and narrated the hardships faced them while undertaking the relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand valley. They also stressed the need to impart training in the field of mountaineering to the members of the disaster management teams so as to enable them to carry rescue and relief operations far more effectively.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar besides the DGSE KS Pannu, MD Punjab State Cooperative Bank Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and DIG Khubi Ram, who were deployed by the state government in Uttarakhand for the execution of relief and rescue operations.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 9, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Managing Director of Hyderabad-based private company and its Auditors u/s 120-B r/w 420, 468 & 471 IPC based on the complaint from Canara Bank in connection with the fraud perpetrated at its Prime Corporate Branch, Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh).

The sources alleged that in the FIR, during the period 2009-2011, the accused persons entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat Canara Bank, Secunderabad Branch. In furtherance of the conspiracy, the accused had availed Open Cash Credit limit with periodical enhancements and multiple Short Term Corporate loans aggregating about Rs.1230 crores from Canara Bank, thereby availing excessive bank finance without adequate drawing power by allegedly submitting false and fabricated financial statements and by suppressing the borrowings taken from other banks. It is also alleged that the accused utilised the Short Term Corporate loans for the purposes other than for which it were sanctioned by fraudulently diverting the proceeds of various credit facilities. They did not repay the credit limits and also the investments aggregating Rs.20 crores made by the bank in Non Convertible Debentures of the company. It is further alleged that the company had submitted false & fabricated balance sheets concealing its actual borrowings from Canara Bank and other banks and had also alienated the security hypothecated / mortgaged to Canara Bank. The total loss allegedly caused to Canara Bank is to the extent of about Rs.357.77 crores as on September 8, 2012.

Searches were conducted at the office premises of private firm at Hyderabad and the residential premises of the accused persons.

Further investigation is continuing.

Dharamsala, July 9, 2013: Congress workers and the leaders of the area are extremely overjoyed by the Himani Chamunda Rope Way clearance by the government.

Dr Swatantra Mahajan, Spokesperson District Kangra Congress Committee, Ram Saroop Sharma, Director General Industrial Corporation, Randhir Shekhri,  ex-President MC, Dharamsala, Subhash Nehria,  ex-Vice President, MC, Dharamsala, Ashok Pathania, Member MC, Dharamsala, Daya Sagar and many other leaders said by giving approval for ropeway at Himani Chamunda in Kangra District, the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has fulfilled another long pending demand of people of Kangra particularly Dharamsala Constituency and also fulfilled the promise made in the election manifesto of Congress.

This rope way which can take one upto the Snow range within minutes, will definitely encourage pilgrimage to Himami Chamunda and will create job opportunities to youth of the area. After commissioning of the project, the senior citizens will also be able to visit the high altitude Himami Chamunda temple.

CM Himachal, Virbhadra Singh  gave his nod to construct Himani Chamunda ropeway project in Kangra district in a high-level meeting of HP Infrastructure Development Board (HPIBD) on Monday . According to CM, this ropeway would help pilgrims to visit the famous Himani Chamunda temple, which was not connected by road yet. He said this ropeway would be constructed with a cost of about Rs 200 crore and would be of six km length, with a carrying capacity of about 1000-1200 persons per hour each way. The ropeway's boarding terminal would be near Chamunda temple and there would be a mid-station. He said the one-side travel time would be about 20 minutes.

A waiting hall and parking facilities for about 500 vehicles besides other basic amenities would be provided at the Chamunda terminal, while restaurant, children's park and cottages with overnight accommodation would be provided in the mid-terminal whereas an open air restaurant would be constructed at the upper terminal with all basic amenities.

HP Government cleared that before going in for this alternate ropeway transport systems, all important aspects like sufficient place for de-boarding of the produce, storing capacity, marketing yard and adequate parking facilities should be taken into consideration and be integrated with this project

The Himachal Government has already approved a tunnel linking Holi (Bharmour) to Himami Chamunda, this will reduce distance to Bharmour by more than 125kms.  The public of Kangra district is thankful to Virbhadra Singh and Sudhir Sharma Urban Development Minister, for the approval of ropeway to Himami Chamunda.

Leh, July 9, 2013: Ladakh observed complete bandh yesterday. Even all the schools remained closed. The call of Ladakh Bandh was given by Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) to protest against the serial bomb blasts at Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya. The bandh was observed throughout length and breadth of whole of Leh district and Zanskar region. Not a single vehicle was seen plying on the roads and all the Monasteries also remained closed.
The tragic incident resulted into complete standstill of Leh city where all the business establishments including shops and restaurants remained closed on Sunday followed by a total bandh for on Monday. Thousands of people thronged into Chowkhang Vihara, the LBA Complex in Leh to attend a meeting held to condemn the barbaric act of anti-social elements in Bodh Gaya.
Dr Tondup Tsewang Chhospa, President, LBA said, “The people of Ladakh particularly the Buddhist community strongly condemn the most cowardice, inhuman and brutal act of the culprits, who are not only enemies of mankind but enemies to the very peaceful existence of the world.”
Prominent Buddhist leaders including leaders of political parties strongly condemned the bomb blasts and demanded immediate action by the state and central government to nab the culprits and bring them to book under law. The meeting followed by a candle march by thousands of people.  
A mammoth rally was taken out from the Chokhang Vihara Leh headed by the LBA Youth Wing and Women’s Wing. All Ladakh Monasteries Association, Travel & Trade Association besides monks, nuns, Councillors, Panchayat members and the Muslim Youth Co-ordination Committee members took part in the rally. It culminated into a public meeting at the historical Polo Ground. The meeting was also attended by Skyabsje Khanpo Rinpoche, Kushok Toldan Rinpochey, presidents of Anjuman Moin Ul Islam and Anjuman Imamia.
Prominent speakers at the meeting included Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Thupstan Chhewang, former MP, Tsewang Thinles, Vice President, LBA and Rinchen Namgyal, President, LBA Youth Wing.

Dharamsala experienced heavy rain today. Even people also witnessed a magnificent view of rainbow after rain at McLeodganj Valley on Tuesday (see the photograph). This rainbow become a point of attraction for locals and tourists from India and abroad. Children were seen the most crazy ones.

It was on July 7, that after heavy rain in the Kangra and Sirmaur districts a Met official had stated that more showers could aggravate the situation in the state as most of the rivers and their tributaries are in spate. The official had added that heavy to very heavy rainfall /Thundershowers would also occur in the next week too. Even a government spokesperson had told on that particular day that the water levels in the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers have increased abnormally due to continuous rainfall. But the rivers are still flowing below the danger mark. The deputy commissioners of the districts of Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Shimla and Simour had warned the public to remain away from the riverbanks, and to keep an eye on the extra water release from the reservoirs.

A man protects his child from the rain at Dharamsala on Tuesday .

City Air News photo: Shyam Sharma

New Delhi/Gurgaon, July 9, 2013: Gurgaon people have contributed Rs 5 lakh 1 thousand in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the relief work going on in Uttarakhand.

A draft of this amount was presented today in New Delhi to the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda by the senior Deputy Mayor Yash Pal Batra.

On this occasion, he was accompanied by Councillors  Sashi Dua and  Dalip Sahni, Member of Grievance Committee  Ravinder Jain, Vice President of District Congress Gurgaon,  Satbir Singh Saini, Vaid Kishan Lal,  Om Prakash Manocha,  Subhash Kharbanda,  Sudhir,  Subhash Manchanda and others.

A candle March was taken out on 30th June in Gurgaon and an appeal was made to the people to contribute for the help of flood affected people of Uttarakhand.

New Delhi, July 10, 2013: Gross direct tax collection during April-June of the F.Y. 2013-14 is up by 11.52 percent at Rs. 1,23,993 crore as against Rs. 1,11,183 crore in the same period last year. While gross collection of Corporate taxes has shown an increase of 7.82 percent (Rs. 76,115 crore as against Rs. 70,594 crore last year), gross collection of Personal income tax is up by 18.53 percent (Rs.46,903 crore as against Rs.39,569 crore last year). Net direct tax collection is up by 6.44 percent and stands at Rs.89,705 crore, as compared to Rs. 84,274 crore in the same period in the last fiscal.

The collection of Securities Transaction Tax (STT) stands at Rs. 926 Crores. The Wealth Tax has posted a growth of 50.00 percent (Rs.48 crore against Rs.32 crore last year).

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 10, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Branch Manager, Allahabad Bank, Daulatpur Branch, District Gonda (U.P.) alongwith a tout (private person) for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.7,000 from the complainant.

A case was registered against Branch Manager, Allahabad Bank, Daulatpur Branch, District Gonda for demanding a bribe of Rs.7,000 @ 10% from the complainant for issuing him a Kisan Credit Card having a limit of Rs.70,000. CBI laid a trap and arrested both the accused while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs.7,000 from the complainant.

In another separate case, CBI has arrested a Branch Manager of Union Bank of India Nayagaon Branch (Madhya Pradesh) for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs. 31,000 from the complainant.

CBI registered a case on a complaint U/s 7 of PC Act, 1988 against the Branch Manager, Union Bank of India, Nayagaon Branch(Madhya Pradesh) on the allegation of demand of bribe of Rs. 38,000 @ Rs. 1,000/- per loan case / beneficiary for disbursing the remaining installments of sanctioned loans under Chief Minister Awas Yojna to 38 beneficiaries of Village Bamori. The accused had earlier obtained part bribe amount of Rs. 7,000/-  from the complainant and he had threatened the complainant that if the remaining bribe amount of Rs. 31,000 is not paid to him, remaining installments of sanctioned loans will not be paid to any beneficiaries.

According to the sources, CBI laid a trap and the accused was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.31,000 from the complainant.

The investigation is continuing.

SAS Nagar/Chandigarh, July 10, 2013: In a benevolent gesture, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today flagged off the first consignment of relief material including 100 tonne of rice, 20 tonne of atta, 18 tonne sugar, 75 tonne milk powder besides 15000 blankets and 14000 woolen clothes in 24 trucks for the flood victims in Uttarakhand.

Talking to the mediapersons on the sidelines of the flagging ceremony here at Dusshera ground, Badal said that he had recently called on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna to ascertain their requirement of relief material for the flood victims in this hour of crisis.  Badal said that the state government was committed to provide succor to the people of Uttarakhand, who had been rendered homeless due to recent flash floods in the valley thereby keeping alive the traditions of Punjab’s bonhomie to help the needy in difficult times. 

Badal reiterated that the state government would further dispatch consignments of 1000 tonne of rice, 500 tonne of atta, 80 tonne of sugar besides 10000 blankets and woolen clothes each, as and when required by the Uttarakhand government due to lack of adequate storage facility there.   He said that the state government had already announced a grant of Rs.10 crore for the reconstruction of Sri Kedarnath Temple and the damaged infrastructure at Gobindghat. 

Describing the devastating flash floods in Uttarakhand as national tragedy, the Chief Minister expressed his complete solidarity with the people of Uttarakhand adding he said that the Punjab government has deputed several senior Civil and Police officers/officials besides deploying a fleet of nearly 300 buses/ small vehicles for the timely evacuation of people standard in the valley.  He highly appreciated the superb work done in carrying out relief and rehabilitation operations by the teams sent from Punjab.  The Chief Minister further said that he would soon call on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to hand over the state’s contribution towards the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Replying to a query regarding the missing persons from Punjab in Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said that Bahuguna had given us a list of 26 persons who had gone missing, when he called on him at Dehradun last week adding that efforts were afoot to trace those persons/establish their whereabouts with the help of Uttarakhand government. 

It may be recalled that the convoy of 24 trucks which left for Uttarakhand were escorted by two police vehicles besides two officials of Food & Civil Supplies department, who would hand over the atta and rice to the concerned authorities at Rishikesh and other items at Dehradun. 

Referring to the power scenario in the state, Badal said that with the allocation of major coal block to the state, we were optimistic that most of the units of upcoming thermal plants across the state would become operational and the civil work on 1320 MW Mukerian thermal plant to be executed by the PSPCL would also begin soon.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Food & Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Karion and his Principal Secretary SK Sandhu.  Others who were present on the occasion included Financial Commissioner Revenue NS Kang, Principal Secretary Coordination Mr. Sanjay Kumar besides the senior officers of civil and police administration of Mohali district.

Chandigarh, July 10, 2013: The Punjab Language and Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka have pressed upon the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to personally intervene in the devastating move of Delhi University (DU) to undermine the status of Punjabi language.

In a press statement issued here today, Maluka said that the recent move of the DU has unveiled the brewing resentment among the large Punjabi Diaspora residing across the globe, who have decided to come out on the street to restore the dignity and grandeur of the Punjabi language. He said that on one hand the different countries are recognizing the Punjabi language by granting it an official language status, whereas on the other hand the Punjabi language is being degraded in its own country.

He said that the Punjabi community would not tolerate such an insulting move against its mother-tongue. He said that earlier the Punjabi language was being taught as a compulsory subject in 15 colleges. Now, as per the new diktat, the DU has decided to allow only three affiliated colleges to teach Punjabi, the second language in the Capital, as a main subject to under-graduate students under its recently introduced four-year undergraduate program.

Maluka said that the Punjabi community to launch a massive agitation campaign in the national capital to press upon the UPA government for restoring the erstwhile status of the Punjabi language in Delhi University and its affiliated colleges.

‘World Population Day’ is an annual event observed on 11th July every year since 1989 and seeks to raise awareness of issues relating to population.

Population Trends – India

In terms of population India is the second largest in the world, next to China. As per Census 2011, India has a population of 1,211 million and this number is almost equal to the combined population of USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan. India accounts for 2.4 percent of the world’s surface area and sustains 17.5 percent of the world population. In India, population has increased from 238 million in 1901 to 1,211 million in 2011. During this period of 110 years the population of India has multiplied five times. The first – half of the 20th century saw an increase by one and a half times from 238 million in 1901 to 361 million in 1951. The later period has recorded a phenomenal increase (more than three-fold) in population from 361 million in 1951 to 1,211 million in 2011.

The absolute increase in India’s population was relatively small in the first half of the 20th century as both the birth rate and mortality rate were very high. During 1941-51, India had a birth rate of 39.9 and death rate of 27.4 per 1,000 persons. In the post independence period there has been a sharp decline in mortality while birth rate has been falling gradually. During 1951-2001, population in India saw an increase of 667 million which was nearly three times the increase recorded during the preceding 50 years. The birth rate declined from 41.7 per 1000 during 1951-61 to 25.8 per 1000 in 2000; the corresponding decline in mortality rate was 22.8 to 8.5 per 1000. During 2001-2011, the population of India increased from 1029 million to 1,211 million exhibiting an increment of 182 million at a growth rate of 17.7 percent. During this decade the birth rate in India has declined from 25.4 in 2001 to 22.1 per 1000 in 2010 and the corresponding decline in mortality rate is from 8.4 to 7.2. At this rate of population increase, India is likely to be the most populous country by 2028.

Population Trends – Punjab

The pace of population increase in Punjab is comparatively slower in Punjab. During the period of 110 years from 1901-2011, population of Punjab has recorded about four-fold increase from 75 lacs in 1901 to 277 lacs in 2011. Population in Punjab grew by 16 lacs during 1901-51 and by 152 lacs during 1951-2001. The decade 2001-11 has added another 34 lacs at a decadal growth rate of 13.9 per cent which is the lowest ever since 1961 after independence. In 1901, Punjab had a population of 75 lacs and comprised 3.2 per cent of country’s total population. In these 110 years, the population of Punjab has increased to 277 lacs and its share in total population of India is 2.3 per cent. During 2001-10, birth rate in Punjab has declined from 21.2 per 1000 in 2001 to 16.6 per 1000 in 2010 by 4.6 points; the decline in birth rate at national level during this period is of 3.3 points, from 25.4 to 22.1 per 1000. The mortality rate in 2010 in India (7.2 per 1000) and Punjab (7 per 1000) is nearly the same.

Release of Primary Census Abstract (PCA) 2011 – Punjab

Today, on World Population Day - 2013, Smt. Seema Jain, IAS, Joint-Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and Director Census, Punjab released the publication ‘Primary Census Abstract (PCA) - Data Highlights’ of Punjab giving final data of Census 2011.PCA gives data on Population by sex, Child population in age group 0-6 years, Scheduled Caste population, Literates and illiterates, Workers and Non-workers and Industrial category of workers into four broad categories viz; Cultivators, Agricultural labourers, Household Industry Workers and Other Workers at the level of village and ward is now available for use by the user agencies. Shesaid that the use of technology in data processing has helped in placing the data in public domain on full count basis in record time. As a result of innovative use of technology and processes for data processing, the time taken for release of final census data has been considerably reduced.

HIGHLIGHTS – PUNJAB

Distribution and Growth

Highlighting some of the salient features of the data, Smt. Seema Jain said Punjab ranks 15th in terms of population and accounts for 2.3 percent of total population of India. Ludhiana with a population of 34.99 lacs is the most populous district and 12.6 per cent of the state’s total population is residing in this district. Barnala, with a population of 5.96 lacs, is the least populous district in the state. Distribution pattern in terms of regions shows that 59.93 percent of the population is concentrated in Malwa, 21.30 percent in Majha and 18.77 percent in Doaba. During 2001-2011, the decadal population growth rate of 13.9 per cent is lower than that of the 20.1 per cent recorded during 1991-2001.  The growth rate is the highest in SAS Nagar district at 33.2 per cent and the lowest in SBS Nagar district at 4.2 per cent.

Urbanisation

Punjab is experiencing rapid urbanization. The increase in urban population at 25.9 per cent is more than thrice the increase of rural population by 7.8 per cent.  Punjab is relatively more urbanised having 37.5 per cent of its population as urban.  Urban component of population in the state has increased from 33.9 percent in 2001 to 37.5 percent in 2011. All the districts in Punjab have recorded an increase in percentage of urban population and the increase is most significant in SAS Nagar by 16.5 percentage points, from 38.3 percent in 2001 to 54.8 percent in 2011. In the State, Ludhiana is the most urbanised district with 59.2 percent of its population residing in urban areas. SAS Nagar, Amritsar, Jalandhar districts are also predominantly urban having more than one-half of their population as urban.

Urban population in Punjab is distributed over 217 towns/Urban agglomerations (UAs). Out of total towns, 143 have statutory status and 74 are census towns. In Census,  towns are classified as Class I (100,000 and above), Class II (50,000-99,999), Class III (20,000-49,999), Class IV (10,000-19,999), Class V (5,000-9,999) and Class VI (Below 5,000). There are 16 Class I cities/UAs are in Punjab and together they account for 57.2 percent of the total urban population in the state. Ludhiana M.Corp. and Amritsar UA are two million + cities in the State and contain 26.7 percent of the total urban population.

Sex Ratio

Punjab has a sex ratio of 895 compared to 876 in 2001 which is a gain by 19 points. All the districts have registered an increase in sex ratio, except Bathinda which recorded a marginal decline of two points from 870 to 868. Child sex ratio in Punjab shows an increase from 798 to 846 (48 points) during 2001-2011. It, however, is the second lowest among states/UTs. The proportion of child population to total population is now 11.1% whereas it was 13.0% in 2001.

Scheduled Caste Population

In Punjab, the percentage of scheduled castes population in total population is 31.9 per cent and this percentage is the highest among States/UTs in the country. Punjab accounts for 4.4 per cent of the total scheduled caste population in India. During this decade, two more castes namely, Mochi and Mahatam, Rai Sikh castes have been notified as scheduled castes in Punjab.

Literacy

The literacy rate in Punjab is 75.8% in 2011 which is an increase from 69.7% in 2001. Male literacy rate is 80.4 per cent and female literacy rate is 70.7 per cent. During the last decade, female literacy rate has increased by 7.3 percentage points (Rural, 8.0 percentage points and Urban, 4.7 percentage points) and male-female literacy gap has reduced from 11.8 points in 2001 to 9.7 points in 2011.

Workers

Work Participation Rate (WPR) of 35.7 per cent in 2011 in Punjab is lower than 37.5 per cent in 2001. Male WPR has increased from 53.6 percent in 2001 to 55.2 percent in 2011 and female WPR has decreased from 19.1percent to 13.9 per cent.  In Census 2011, out of total workers, the share of ‘Other’ workers is the largest at 59.9 lacs i.e. 60.5% of total workers.  19.3 lacs are cultivators, 15.9 lacs are agricultural labourers and 3.9 lacs are household industry workers. There has been a decline in percentage of workers engaged in agricultural sector from 38.9% in 2001 to 35.5% in 2011. Amongst the total workers in Punjab the largest proportion of workers is engaged in ‘Other’ work i.e. 60.5% and this percentage is the second highest among major states in the country, next only to Kerala which is 80.5%.

Jalandhar, July 10, 2013: Lt Gen Philip Campose, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command arrived here for his maiden visit at the Vajra Corps Headquarters on Wednesday. 

The Army Commander was received by Lt Gen AK Bakshi, General Officer commanding, Vajra Corps.  The Army Commander during his maiden visit to Jalandhar, was briefed on operational preparedness of the ‘Vajra Warriors-The Defenders of Punjab’.

During the visit besides being updated on operational preparedness by the Vajra Corps Commander, the Army Commander interacted with Formation Commanders and Staff of the Vajra Team.  He expressed his satisfaction on the state of operational readiness.  Keeping in view the criticality of defending heartland of the Country, Army Commander emphasized on requirement of maintaining the highest state of operational preparedness and discipline.  He exhorted all ranks towards value based leadership, as per the legacy of the Indian Army.  Army Commander highlighted requirements of regular seamless interactions with veterans to imbibe their rich ethos and required care for them.  The Army Commander deeply appreciated efforts of the Vajra Corps, “The Defenders of Punjab” to provide quality recreational facilities to all ranks in the station leading to appreciable administrative satisfaction.

Chandigarh, July 10, 2013: The Gujarat chief minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi is being promoted as having highest number of followers on Twitter (18,61,742). However the reality is that he is misleading the nation by manipulating Twitter, as 61% of his followers were found fake in a sample survey today.

The false followers are being created by a cyber team working for Modi having more than 150 employees. This is another mode of corruption being carried out by political parties and their leaders to woo and misguide voters. Among other leaders of BJP, Sushma Swaraj, who otherwise has a clean image, is also having 54% fake followers. This is shocking!

A sample survey conducted by SpecttrumNews.com today revealed that not only Modi, but his close rival on Twitter, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is also having around 33% fake followers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and J&K chief minister OmarAbdulla are having hardly 10% fake followers. The Specttrum survey found 28% fake followers in AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s account. 

It was a big news recently when few TV channels and newspapers claimed that Modi has been leading the show on Twitter and has left Tharoor behind, who boasts of 18,29,962 followers. It was being interpreted as this will increase the chances of Modi’s victory in the 2014 general election. Even the media houses did not bother to check the authenticity of the followers. 

But, sadly the whole ‘achievement’ revolves around manipulation of this micro-blogging social media website. SpecttrumNews.com did a random online survey of latest 100 followers of each of the above leaders’ Twitter handles. The fake followers have not tweeted even once and they have zero followers. Clearly, such false accounts were made just to follow these leaders to boost the followers count. This is just like buying voters in real life in cash or kind.

Modi joined Twitter in 2009 and in 2010, had one lakh followers. In November 2011, he had four lakh followers. A year later, on 27 October 2012, he touched the one million mark. His followers on Twitter increased exponentially after that. Modi tweeted to thank all his followers as “These are not mere numbers but it signifies your love and affection. Heartfelt thanks to all.”   

However, all the love and affection Modi is overwhelmed with is not all genuine. He has appointed a team to manage his social media accounts and troll his critics on Twitter. Many top Tweeters, including senior journalists and writers, often complain about these trolls and get disturbed now and then.

Narvijay Yadav, Editor, Specttrum News said, “People buy or create false followers to increase their influence. Celebrities do this frequently. However, misleading people by such tricks is equal to a crime, when the person in question is going to play important role in the future of the country. Anybody can check the above trend anytime by just pressing the followers’ button of Modi, Tharoor, Sushma or anybody else to check the authenticity of the followers.”

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 11, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against Branch Manager (In-charge Satellite Office); Assistant Branch Manager and three Assistant Administrative Officers, all of Satellite Office, LIC, Sanwer,  District Indore and seven LIC Agents  U/s 120-B r/w 420 of IPC and Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 on the allegations that Branch Manager,  Assistant Branch Manager and three Assistant Administrative Officers while posted at Satellite Office, LIC of India, Sanwer, District Indore indulged in criminal conspiracy with seven Agents of LIC of India, In furtherance of said criminal conspiracy and common intention, they cheated the LIC of India by way of issuing 281 Life Insurance Policies worth of about Rs.1.21 crores and  obtaining third party squelches from agents and paying an amount of Rs. 2.45 lacs to aforesaid Agents towards commission against these polices.

According to CBI spokesperson, these third party cheques were dishonored later on and premium amounts were not realized in LIC Bank A/c. After dishonor of third party cheques, accused LIC Officials did not take necessary cheque dishonor action against the agents. As such the accused officials and agents cheated the LIC and caused wrongful loss to LIC and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves.

The searches were conducted by the CBI sleuths at the office and residential premises of accused public servants and private persons at 10 places in Indore and Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). Incriminating documents recovered during the search are under scrutiny

The CBI registered case by name against:  A.K.Mishra, Branch Manager Incharge Satellite Office, LIC, Sanwer,District- Indore; (ii) Pradeep Kumar Pande, Assistant Branch Manager, Satellite office, LIC, Sanwer, District- Indore;(iii) P. K. Ingle, Assistant Administrative Officer at Satellite Office, LIC,Sanwer,  Distt- Indore;(iv)   N. Kirtikar, Assistant Administrative Officer at Satellite Office, LIC, Sanwer, Distt- Indore;(v)  O. P. Khowal,  Assistant Administrative Officer at Satellite Office, LIC, Sanwer,Distt- Indore;(vi) Rajesh Rathore,  Agent;(vii) Lakhan Rathore, Agent;(viii Ritesh Jaiswal, Agent;(ix) Nand Kishore Jaiswal, Agent;(x) Sanjay Patel, Agent(xi) Priyanka Jaiswal, Agent;(xii) Rakesh Rawat, Agent.

Further investigation is continuing in the matter.

Ferozepur, July 12, 2013:  The recent new train started between Banihal and Quazigund in Kashmir, at a cost of Rs.1,672 crore, falling under the Ferozepur Rail Division has become popular among the Kashmiris as the people of the area are showing their keen interest to see the 11.2 KMs longest tunnel of the country.

The 17.7 rail link from Banihal in Jammu to Quazigund (Kashmir) a project of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah Rail Link (USBRL) having the longest tunnel in the country, is a part of the UPA’s flagship and eventually linking Kashmir to the rest of India. The train was inaugurated on June 25, by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also present.

As per the sources, there is too much rush on the ticket windows to get the ticket on this route and people are not refraining themselves from traveling on the roofs of the train. The running of two trains on this route is being felt short of compartments, keeping in view the rush on this route.  The people are interested to enjoy the natural beauty of the valley while boarding the train.  The railway authorities are finding it difficult to control the situation at the railway station.

According to the railway officials, with the increase in the passengers on this route, the income as compared to the last few days have increased from Rs.1.5 lakhs to Rs.3 lakhs which is a record business in the railways.

DRM Northern Railway Division, Ferozepur Naresh Chander Goyal has also admitted that there is no doubt that trains between Banihal and Quazigund has become popular because of falling of longest tunnel of the country on this route.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 12, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Coimbatore  has convicted N. Gopalsamy, then Income Tax Officer and  C.U. Ashokan, Income Tax Inspector, Tirupur  and sentenced them to undergo  two years Rigorous Imprisonment in a bribery case.

A case was registered by CBI on September 11, 2008 against. C. U. Ashokan and  N. Gopalsamy, the then Inspector of Income Tax and Income Tax Officer respectively of Income Tax, Tirupur, based on the complaint  alleging that  C. U. Ashokan and  N. Gopalsamy had abused their official position and demanded  illegal gratification of Rs. 25,000 each from the Complainant  for not taking action on a Tax Evasion Petition/ complaint against her.

Meanwhile, subsequently, a  trap was laid by CBI sleuths  and both the accused were caught red handed while demanding  and accepting  the bribe of Rs. 25,000  each  from the relative of the complainant.

After completion of investigation, a charge sheet was filed against C. U. Ashokan and N. Gopalsamy before the court of Special judge for  CBI Cases, Coimbatore u/s. 7 and sec 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

On completion of trial, the Special Judge for CBI Cases convicted both the accused.

Ludhiana, July 12, 2013: BSNL Employees Union Ludhiana held a massive day-long dharna infront of the GMT office BSNL here, opposing the closure of telegram services with effect from July 15 this year.

The call for dharna was given by the Central Head Quarter of BSNL Employees Union.

Balbir Singh, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU Punjab while addressing the gathering said that the BSNL Management took a decision to close the Telegram Services w.e.f. July 15 this year without consulting the recognised unions. The plea of the BSNL Management that the department is incurring heavy losses due to continuation of these services, is far from truth as the telegraph offices have already been converted into Customer Service Centers. In the Customer Service Centers in addition to Telegram services telephone/mobile bills, Bill deposit, Telephone/Mobile booking, Duplicate bill issue facilities are being provided. The BSNL management has taken this decision in hasty manner and without consulting the stake holders. No doubt they entered the age of High speed Internet and 4G services. But still telegraph Services are being used by the public and government departments. Moreover the telegram services still continuing in the developed countries such as Canada, Germany, France, Russia. He strongly condemned the government move to close the telegram services.

S.P. Singh, Circle Secretary and Pritam Chand District Secretary, National Federation of Telecom BSNL Employees fully supported the agitation launched by BSNL Employees Union all over the country. While addressing they said that the move of the government to close the Telegram services is unfortunate as the rural masses still depends upon the telegram services.

Balwinder Singh, District Secretary, BSNLEU Ludhiana said that the telegram is the only legal document accepted in court of law as documentary proof. Email, Fax, SMS or any other means of communication are not accepted as a valid proof. Daily working of medical representatives is based on telegram services only. Defence services are still using this facility. So this service is and social obligation also. So it should not be closed, he further said that their protest will continue.

Others spoke included Budh Singh, Circle Treasurer, Paramjit Singh District President, Avtar Singh Jhande , Rajeev Sharma, Assistant District Secretary BSNLEU Ludhiana Amarjit Chander, Jaswant Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Surinder Singh, Amrik Singh, Sudesh Joshi, Atul Sharma, Gurpreet Singh, Chaman Lal, Prem Singh, Satpal and Madan Lal.