Chandigarh, July 12, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today hailed the refusal of the Supreme Court to stay proceedings on framing of charges on murder and rioting against Congress leader Jadish Tytler, one of the key men believed to have orchestrated the bloodiest massacre in free India’s history.

In a statement here, the Chief Minister said, “It  is  only just, right and fair that the apex court has taken note of the criminal 30-year long  delay in the delivery of justice and relief  to the victims of the of the 1984 massacre of innocent Sikhs and punishment to the  goons and their patrons in high positions of power at that time. If the government of the day has any conscience, it should read the message in the observation of the apex court highlighting the three decade long wait for justice. For these three decades, the guilty have not only been roaming the streets of Delhi proudly but have even been elevated to the highest portals of power.  It is already past high time that the Congress heeded the call from the highest seat of judicial authority in the country.”

The Shiromani Akali Dal president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was even more direct and severe on the Congress-led UPA government on the issue. In his reaction, Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “The SC refusal to stay proceedings against Tytler and its observations on the delay in brining the guilty to book are a resounding slap on face of those who have been misusing positions of power in the UPA to shield the guilty. What worse damnation of a government’s deliberate attempts to shield the guilty can there be than that the highest court of the land should express deep anguish over and disapproval of the willful delay in punishing those responsible for the massacre of innocent Sikhs in November 1984.

The Deputy CM said that the  Congress-led UPA government lacks the moral courage to  move against the guilty as the entire tragedy was scripted and enacted the instance of the most powerful people in the Congress at that time. The Congress should heed the SC warning and stop rubbing salt into the wounds of the innocent victims by protecting the guilty through misuse of authority. The massacre remains the darkest blot on the conscience of the nation, but does the Congress have a conscience, he asked. The answer is a positive ‘no’,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Jalandhar, July 13, 2013: A Veer Nari meet was organised by the Vajra Corps for wives of martyred soldiers at Jalandhar Cantt on Saturday.  

Seventy Veer Naris attended the meet from various districts of Punjab.  Shardha Bakshi, President, Vajra Family Welfare Organisation, welcomed the Veer Naris and interacted with them with the singular aim of reaching out to resolve various issues bothering them.  She personally interacted with each of them to know about their well –being.  The Veer Naris were updated by officers wives who acted as counselors about welfare schemes undertaken by the Central and Punjab government and the Army for them.  They were also felicitated during the ceremony.  The forum also highlighted important guidelines issued from time to time by the Army Head Quarters on aspects of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Canteen Stores Department (CSD) facilities, Medical Benefits, Schemes on Placement of wards/widows of martyrs and Assured Decent last Rites Scheme.

Remembering the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers who laid down their lives fighting for the honour of the motherland, the Vajra Corps made a sincere endeavour to reach out to the families of these martyred soldiers and extend a helping hand.  The gathering was also addressed by Col (Retd) HP Singh, President Zila Sainik Board.  The function received a handsome response vis-a-vis the grievance, banking, placement, pension and utility cells which were established for the duration of the meet with establishments such as the state Bank of India, Vishal Mega Mart, Titan Eye Care and various others extending a helping hand for this noble cause.  The Veer Naris were presented with shawls, induction cookers, sewing machines, walkers, bags and other gift items.

During the election campaigns, it has been observed in the past that handling of media by any political party had always been a key weapon in mobilising public sentiments.  Since the people have a very short memory, this is the reason that political parties always look for burning issues which could hit the rival party in grabbing the votes. 

Making Narendera Modi, Chief Minister Gujarat as in-charge of Election Campaign is a step taking in this context.  All the major political parties are thinking to train its spokespersons.

In fact, the political campaign is an organised effort which seeks to motivate the decision making process within a particular group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided. In modern politics, the most high profile political campaigns are focused on candidates for head of state or head of government, often a President or Prime Minister.

The involvement of youths, having 35 per cent representation, are being associated, with specific stress on social media that has emerged as a key medium of information for the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate. More-so, the social media is now being termed as 5th strong pillar for survival of democracy.

As per the sources, Congress has planned, two days workshop, in the third week of this month, to sensitise its spokespersons from within Delhi and outside units about putting them wiser about the stand of the party on issues in the election campaign, with special reference to social media.

It is believed that handling the election campaign in the media during the 2014 elections, stated to be a tough competition. But it is also remains a very tricky job as with the slip of the tongue or misinterpretation of the spoken word, a strong advantage could go to the opposite party. More-so, it becomes difficult to control the situation if once the spoken words are on public domain, the spokespersons are likely to be instructed to be on air time on television for a very limited period. The social media is being attached as one of the major election campaign tool and the election campaign in-charge would give tips on how to respond to issues on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

In such start by the Congress, the trainers would be trained by among others by AICC media chairman Ajay Maken, MPs Priya Dutt and Deepender Hooda.

Chandigarh, July 13, 2013:The Punjab Government reserved 1 seat in various courses in admissions for Kashmiri migrants.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the state government after considering the guidelines issued by All India Council for Technical Education and Ministry of Human Resources development has reserved one seat in each Engineering/MBA/MCA/M-Pharma/B-Pharma/Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Punjabi University, Engineering Colleges and Polytechnic Colleges of the state for admission of Kashmiri Migrants for the academic session 2013-2014.

He said that the counseling of the candidates would be held on August 2, 2013 in the committee room of Directorate of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab, plot No.1, Sector 36-A Chandigarh. The last date of submission of complete application July 26, 2013 positively. The other details about courses and guidelines for admission and prescribed Performa are available on the directorate’s website www.dtepunjab.gov.in.

Chandigarh, July 13, 2013: The Punjab Legal Services Authority, today, organised a Colloquium on Mediation in the Chandigarh Judicial Academy, Chandigarh which was inaugurated by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Patron-in-Chief, Punjab Legal Services Authority.

Justice A.K. Sikri, Judge, Supreme Court of India, graced the occasion.

The purpose of the Mediation Colloquium was a step   towards the reduction in the huge pendency of cases by sensitising both the Bench and the Bar, where, Mediation Centers have already been functioning.  In all, 150 Judicial Officers and 250 Advocates, from 12 Districts and various Sub-Divisions were sensitised as to how effectively to resort to Alternative Dispute Redressal through Mediation and so as to reduce the burden on the courts. It may be recounted that this was the first ever such exercise undertaken at this large scale to impress upon the Advocates to utilise their skills as Mediators and also the Judicial Officers so as to help effectively to reduce the backlog of cases and to assist the fresh litigation wherever the same can be nipped in the bud in the form of resolving pre-litigation cases through amicable settlement.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice A.K. Sikri, Judge, Supreme Court of India, shared meaningful illustrations and impressed upon the need to adopt this noble forum of disputes redressal as a sacred duty.

Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court highlighted the benefits of Alternative Dispute Redressal Mechanism and especially the Mediation in an impressive manner and strictly directing the Judicial Officers across the State to compulsorily invoke provisions pertaining to ideas in each and every case, as their pious duty.

Justice Jasbir Singh, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Punjab Legal Services Authority, Justice S.K. Mittal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority and Justice Hemant Gupta, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh also shared their valuable views regarding the efficacy of ADR System and impressed upon the Advocates to contribute their skills in this  Mediation process in the larger public interest of the entire  Nation.

The Colloquium was consisting of two Sessions , Chaired by Justice K. Kannan, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court.   Asha Menon, Member Secretary, National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, J.P. Singh, Senior Advocate, Delhi High Court, Sudhanshu Batra and Dr. Sudhir Jain, Judge In-charge, Delhi Mediation Centre (all the Panelists) apprised the delegates about the mechanism of Mediation Process and effective implementation thereof through reconciliation/mediation.  The significant Colloquium was also attended by a large number of Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court and other dignitaries.  This Colloquium was unique exercise and first of its kind to sensitize the Advocates towards their pious duty of contributing towards mechanism.  This Colloquium  evoked a very good response from  the delegates  and is being considered  to be very significant in more than one way,  as it is now not hidden fact that the mantra of arresting  huge pendency of cases  lies  in ADR  System,  which also  includes Mediation.

The Colloquium ended with a vote of thanks.

Dharamsala, July 14, 2013: An earthquake of mild intensity hits in and around Kangra district late on Saturday night.

The tremors occurred at 11.20 pm. It lasted four to five seconds. As per the available information, the intensity of earthquake with epicentre at Kangra was 4.5 on the Richter scale.

Residents of Dharamsala, Palampur, Jwalamukhi and surrounding areas felt tremors. However, no loss of life or property was reported.

INITIATIVES and achievements in education sector in Gujarat
Perhaps this will be for the first time that any of the state units of BJP is going to en-cash extreme popularity of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the party sources, BJP's Andhra Pradesh unit hashas decided to collect a registration fee of Rs 5 per person to attend a public meeting to be addressed by its election campaign committee chief and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad on August 11.
The proposed public meeting will be addressed by Modi in the Lal Bahadur Stadium in central Hyderabad. And it is expected that the turnout of the party men will be around 1 lakh. As such, the party is hoping to en-cash Rs. 5 lakh from the propose public meeting of Modi.
The party sources told that the objective of collecting “nominal” sum of rupees is to encourage seriousness and commitment. They believed that only serious and committed party men would turn up to listen to Modi at the public meeting. They added the collected amount would be contributed towards the Uttarakhand relief fund.
Sources further told that the registration process for the public meeting had already begin and it would continue till August 10.
Meanwhile, another report released by the party gives details of initiatives and achievements in education sector under the chief ministership of Narendra Modi in Gujarat. The report reads;
•    Female literacy increased from 58% in 2001 to 71% in 2011 (Census figures)
•    Enrolment – from 75.07% in 2003-04 to 99.25% in 2012-13
•    For Boys, Drop out rate from standard 1 to 5- from 20.46% in 2001-02 to 2.05% in 2011-12
•    For Girls, Drop out rate from standard 1 to 7- from 20.53% in 2011-02 to 2.08% in 2011-12
•    Dropout  rate from standard I to VII – from 37.22 in 2001-02 to 7.08% in 2012-13
•    For girls, drop out rate standard I to VII -– from 35.28 in 2001-02 to 7.37% in 2012-13
•    Universities – from  11 in 2001 to 42 in 2011, including specialised universities like Raksha Shakti, Forensic, Children University, Sports university, Indian Institute of Teachers’ education
•    Colleges – 442 (2001) to 1762 (2011)
•    Engineering & Management seats–22,535 (2001) to 123,592 (2011)
•    ITIs – from 275 in 2001 to 1054 in 2011, including on PPP basis
•    Primary Pupil/Teacher ratio – decreased from 42 to 31 (2001 to 2011)
•    Primary School Teachers –from 1.95 in 2001 to 2.60 lakhs in 2011
Initiatives :
•    Kanya Kelavani Rath Yatra & Shaala Praveshotsav : A  three-3 day long annual campaign for enrolling children to school where the CM himself, his cabinet colleagues and senior bureaucrats cover  all 18,000 villages of Gujarat in scorching heat of June. A similar campaign also held separately for urban areas.
•    Gunotsav – being held since 2009, for qualitative improvement. The assessment is conducted for all children of classes 2-7 of 33,922 primary schools. Firstly a self evaluation is done by the teachers themselves and in the second phase, evaluation is done through a three day campaign by ministers and senior government officials of Gujarat. 25% of schools in each block (taluka) are assessed personally by senior Government bureaucrats and Class 1 and 2 officers.
•    Specialized efforts :
SCOPE: for training in soft skills
eMPOWER: for training youth in computers in flexible modules
iCREATE:for promoting innovations and incubating entrepreneurship
Land Allocation for Educational Purposes:
Provisions & Practice
1.    There is a well established provision and liberal practice of giving land for Educational Purposes-which is as follows:
Type of Use     Rural & Municipal Areas     Major Cities/ Municipal Corporations
Bal Mandir (School for small Kids)     Free land upto 200 Square meters     Land upto 200 Square meters at 50% market price
Other Schools     •    Admissible land/ upto 600 square meters –Free
•    If more needed-then at 25% of market price     Admissible land  at 50% of market price
Play Ground    •    Free upto 2.00 Acres-on long term lease
•    At 25% market price if more required    •    Free upto 1.00 Acre-on long term lease
•    At 50% market price if more required
Polytechnic/Diploma & Higher Educational Institutes (Degree)     •    At 50% of market price as per admissioble norms
•    if more required, at 75% market price    •    At 50% of market price as per admissioble norms
•    if more required, at 75% market price
2.    It can be seen from the above table that there is a liberal policy and practice for land allocation.
3.    In last ten years, there is four- fold increase in the number of Colleges: 442 in 2001 to 1762 in 2011- This cannot happen without land allocation
4.    In last ten years, there is four-fold increase in the number of Universities: 11 in 2001 to 42 in 2011- This cannot happen without land allocation
5.    To liberalize the land allocation further, Government of Gujarat (the State Assembly) passed the Gujarat Tenancy & Agricultural Lands Laws (Amendment Bill) in 2011 to do away with the need of prior approval for purchase of land for Charitable purposes including education and health. The Bill is pending before GOI for Presidential Assent since 20-4-2011.
6.    This Bill is useful in freeing the educational institutions from old land laws/red tape.”
(The author is a Jalandhar-based freelance journalist.)

Chandigarh, July 15, 2013: A deputation of `Netraheen Sangeet Vidyalya’s Trustee met Shivraj V. Patil, Governor, Punjab, and submitted a copy of memorandum.

According to the Vidyalya’s secretary Ranjodh Singh, the delegation comprised among others of Bhai Gurmej Singh.

The memorandum reads; “We request you that we have our Trust (Guru Gobind Singh Social Welfare & Charitable Sangeet Vidya Trust) in Anandpur Sahib which is running an orphanage for blind and needy children. This trust is known as Netraheen Sangeet Vidyalya. This Vidyalya is working from last 25 years for under-privileged children  and helping them to learning and make honest living.”

It further reads that on 20th September, 2012 hundreds of people with  daggers attacked on the Vidyalya. They damaged Vidyalya building and abuse Vidyalya staff and students. They forcibly occupied the school complex.

The memorandum further reads this Vidayala was running since 1986 with the help of Charitable Institutions and donors. This place was  donated by Pujari Harnam Singh  Hazoor Sahib to Sant Mohan Singh Bhindrian. Sant Mohan Singh further donated the land to Vidyalya and the trust constructed hostel and classroom for 100 inmates. They were forcibly thrown out, and later on March 27-28 this year, when the Trustee took local protection and sought help from police, they were brutally attacked and false cases were implicated on them. Since then, the Trustee and the blinds are fighting tooth and nail to get back the Institution, but to no avail. It’s a sheer human right violation of poor and needy blind physically handicapped children. This Vidyalya was really a need for the children even this place was taken care by these children.

“We have approached the local administration and the State Government, but no action has been taken so far”, the signatories to the memorandum said, adding, “We humbly request you to listen to our grievances and give patience hearing to us and help us in this hour of crisis.”

Signatories to the memorandum included Bhai Gumej Singh, Bhai Joginder Singh, Bhai Sajan Singh, Bhai Ranjodh Singh, Bhai Savinder Singh, Bhai Paramjit Singh and Bhai Anokh Singh.           

Ranjodh Singh told that the delegation requested to the Punjab Governor for immediate action and restoration custody of the Vidyalya to the Trustees.

Chandigarh, July 16, 2013: Punjab Governments has chalked out a plan to attract unemployed Youth towards allied sectors for job opportunities. Punjab Dairy Development has decided to start awareness campaign for Goat and Pig Farming and other such areas in all the districts of the state.

Disclosing this here today, Gulzar Sing Ranike said that the department is going to start a programme to train Milk Producers about the new technique to increase milk production.

He said that for 45 day professional training would be given to make milk producers to make them friendly with the new techniques in the field of Dairy Farming. He added that under this training programme farmers would also be trained about production of various milk products.

Minister said that last year training to 21, 812 farmers for one day block level, 5745 educated unemployed youth 15 day and 1208 Dairy Farmers 45 day training was given by the department.

Minster said that committed to bring white revolution in the state and to attract more and more farmers towards dairy farming 25% financial aid is being provided to General Category and 33 % to SC category to purchase milk producing animals. he added that subsidy is also being provided for setting up units for preparing Milk products.

He said that last year Rs 9 Crore was distributed as financial aid under this scheme and this year target of Rs 20 crore has been fixed for this purpose.

Minister said that Punjab is included in list of 14 states which are chosen under National Dairy plan programme for doubling milk production and for implementation of this programme Rs. 6. 73 Crore has been released. He said that semen bank at Nabha would be renewed under this programme.

Minister said that department at present is providing 85 % Cows and 45 % buffalos for fabricated pregnancy service to animal nourishers and this would be increased in the coming year to produce better breeds.

Ranike said that Punjab produces 9 % of total production of Milk in the country and milk availability in Punjab is 961 grams per person which is highest in the country. He added that being an allied sector of Farming Dairy farming is capable of uplifting the economic face of Rural Areas as its contributing 5.9 % in total domestic production of the country.

Chandigarh, July 16, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal urged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh seeking his personal intervention to direct the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government Of India (GoI), to review the program of Solar Pump for Agriculture and restore the subsidy component to the original 80% with a 10% contribution by the state and the balance 10% by the beneficiary.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Badal apprised him that during the period 2000-01 to 2003-04, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI was providing subsidy for solar water pumps up to 80% of the total cost and Punjab then achieved the highest target by installing 1850 solar pumps. However, since 2004-05, the GoI has reduced the subsidy for solar pumps to 30% of the installation cost and the farmer has to meet the balance 70% cost, which was very high.

The Chief Minister further informed Dr. Manmohan Singh that Punjab had more than a million agriculture pump sets and the power requirement for this sector was almost 25% of the total consumption in Punjab. The decentralized generation and utilization of solar energy in the agriculture sector for water pumping was the best option to promote the use of renewable energy which has long term benefits in terms of energy utilization and sustainable development. The average size of an agriculture pump set in Punjab required about 5 KW capacity Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) array and the farmer would have the option to use DC motors or the existing AC motor by adding inverter.

Badal further pointed out that the farmer could also meet partial load of the farm house when there was no demand for irrigation. The approximate cost for this system was Rs.4.5 lac and with the present level of 30% subsidy, the farmer was unable to meet the balance 70% cost, which was more than Rs. 3 lac and hence it was not a viable preposition and discouraged him its installation. He also mentioned that the optimum utilisation of solar energy would not only boost the usage of renewable but also lead to far more efficient use of precious ground water adding he said this program had huge potential through which the solar energy could be harnessed in a decentralised manner for powering agricultural pumps.

It may be recalled that Badal had already taken up this issue with the Union New Renewable Energy Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, when the latter called on the Chief Minister few days back.

Ludhiana, July 16, 2013: The people in the disaster affected areas around Uttarkashi are reeling under severe health problems and they require long term planning for a comprehensive health care.

This was the impression gathered by 8 members medical relief team by the joint efforts of  Indian Doctors For Peace & Development (IDPD), IMA Ludhiana, Punjab Medical Representatives Association and Whole Sale Chemists Association which went to several interior villages and gave medicines to the needy.

They climbed on difficult terrains for several kilometers carrying medicines and crossed on man pulled trolleys over the overflowing raging Ganges to reach inaccessible areas. In addition to holding camps to examine the patients, they visited serious patients in their home and gave preventive and curative treatment including intravenous infusions.

Large no of population particularly women and children were found to be anaemic and poorly nourished. The infectious diseases particularly abdominal, skin and chest were rampant. Women folk, because they have to bear most of the workload including carrying fodder fuel in form of wood, on their back were found to be having backache and other degenerative problems.

The female doctors in the team Dr Neelam Sandhu and Dr Rachana Bawa said that women and children were more affected by anaemia and other diseases of poor nourishment. In addition women had lot many Gynaecological disorders.

Dr. S. K. Prabhakar, a psychiatrist in the team found that the large no of population in the affected area were suffering from anxiety, post traumatic stress disorders. He gave them psychological counseling and encouraged them to move forward.

Dr. Shakil-Ur-Rehman, a paediatrician found underdevelopment among the children.

Dr. Arun Mitra, General Secretary, IDPD and former president IMA Ludhiana, who led the team said that there is need for a continuity of work on the health care. People have to be given basic health education to improve their hygiene and surroundings and their nutritional status needs to be improved to strengthen immunity. Efforts have to be made for gender equality particularly for the nutritional status of women. The team further expressed feelings from their observation and information that the collateral damage could have been much less if effective steps would have been taken earlier to avoid damage to the ecosystem and environment by the administration and the people. They also demanded long term planning to preserve ecology by preventing deforestation and adopting development strategy keeping the environment into consideration to avoid any such disaster in future.

The team members were anguished at that some political parties, instead of taking it as a humanitarian cause were using it for their political ends.

The team had left on July 7 and stayed in the region for almost a week. On their way back they had to wait for 9 hours on the road due to landslides. The medical relief team got logistic support from the Uttarkashi district health authorities, police and several social activists.

Ludhiana, July 16, 2013: Acting swiftly, the Punjab police has nabbed five out of seven kidnappers of Manish Bharara S/o Harminder Pal, an Industrialist and   resident of Ludhiana, who  alongwith his driver namely Hem Lal were abducted few days ago.

Disclosing this here today, Paramjit Singh Gill, Commissioner, Ludhiana revealed that as the safety of the kidnapped persons was more important, so it was decided that no hasty action would be done which may otherwise jeopardise the safety of the victim.

The Police Commissioner revealed that important operational clues were found during the course of investigation and the entire state machinery under the guidance of Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh, Commissioner of Police Ludhiana and Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna swung into action immediately after safe return of the kidnapped persons, namely Manish and Hem Lal and nabbed the main master mind Guru Arpan Chauhan s/o Surinder Pal Chauhan and subsequently nabbed five out of seven accused persons who had figured in the case so far.

He disclosed that the crime was planned by 7 persons namely ;Guru Arpan Chauhan s/o Surinder Pal Chauhan, Deepali Bassi d/o Mahinder Partap Bassi, Tonny s/o Suresh Kumar,  Sonu Chourasia s/o Ram Dass, Himmat Singh @ Pappu s/o Gurmeil Singh, Amit Kumar s/o Faqir Chand and  Sahil Kumar about two months ago and they did the recce of the factory premises several times on main GT Road Doraha. They abducted Manish and his driver Hem Lal as per their plan. Among these 5 have been arrested and Amit and Sahil are still at large.

He further informed that during the course of investigation it came to the knowledge of police that two of the accused namely Amit and Sahil may escape from Punjab. All the adjoining states of Punjab were alerted alongwith details of accused persons and their vehicle number. A special police team headed by Inspector Harpal Singh, SHO Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, was sent to Hamirpur in liaison with Himachal Pradesh Police to nab the accused along with photographs of accused persons and their vehicle number. The police party managed to nab the vehicle (Alto Car). However, the two accused managed to escape. Further investigation is going on to nab these culprits.

Gill said that the police has recovered  3 pistols 32 bore, one duplicate AK-47, 24 cartridges of 32 bore, 54 cartridges 32 bore alive , 4 police uniforms, 5 Samsung Mobile Sets, 9 mobile Sims, one Hand cuff , one Walkie-Talkie Set, one Swift Car, one I20 car, one motor bike and 130 gm gold jewellery.                                                         

The arrested accused in police custody.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 16, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Saket Courts, New Delhi has convicted Murari Lal, then SP, CBI and sentenced him to undergo four years simple imprisonment with total fine of Rs.5 lakh 20 thousand in a bribery case.   
A case was registered by CBI on August 12, 1999 U/s 120 B IPC r/w sec 7, 8 & 9 of Prevention of Corruption Act, against Murari Lal, the then SP, CBI; then Deputy SP and others on the allegation that the accused persons were acting as middlemen between suspects / accused persons of some cases under investigation in CBI and the concerned Investigating Officers/ Law Officers, with a criminal conspiracy to subvert investigation of such cases by influencing the IO / Law Officers in favour of the accused persons. In the process, the accused had allegedly accepted huge amounts as illegal gratification for such IOs/ Legal Officers and for themselves.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet  against Murari Lal, the then SP, CBI and the then Deputy SP, U/s 120 B IPC r/w sec 8 & 9 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.  The then Deputy SP died during trial and the proceedings against him  were abated.
The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 18, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has  registered a Case  U/s.13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of PC Act 1988 against  a Senior Commandant, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Ranchi for possession of alleged disproportionate Assets to the extent of about Rs. 1.48 crores.

It is also alleged that in the year 2006-07, he had purchased a residential apartment measuring 1400 sq.ft in the joint name of self and wife in Defence Colony, New Delhi and  also constructed a three stored  house  at Ashok Nagar, Ranchi.   All the assets were allegedly acquired during his short service career.

Searches are being conducted today  at the residential premises of the officer at Ashok Nagar, Ranchi ; Defence Colony, New Delhi and Dumka, (Jharkhand).

Further investigation is continuing.

Jalandhar, July 19, 2013: 6th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee of Raising, on October 1 this year. The Battalion was raised by Lt Col (Brig Retd) PK Nandgopal, MVC at Meerut on October 1, 1963.  Immediately on its raising, the unit played a major role in thwarting the Pakistani juggernaut in the Chhamb Sector in 1965. Having suffered heavy causalities while denting the Pakistani offensive, the Battalion regrouped immediately and was tasked with the recapture of Kalidhar Feature. The daring assault on the feature and the successful completion of the task, against all odds, earned the Battalion the Battle Honour of ‘KALIDHAR’.

The Battalion, after having earned glory in 1965 and 1971 wars, subsequently contributed immensely in combating insurgency in J&K. The unit was awarded with the prestigious J&K Governors’ Silver Salver and Unit Citations by the GOC- in-C Northern Command and Chief  of Army  Staff  in 1997 & 1998 respectively. Considering the excellent operational record, the Battalion was nominated to  serve

under the UN flag in United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to with commendable efforts it the unit was awarded with Unit Citations from the Force Commander.

To commemorate the invaluable sacrifices made by, Officers, JCOs and OR of the Battalion, in the service of nation, in last 50 years; the Battalion has undertaken a “Reach Out Programme” to attend to the concerns of all its Ex servicemen.  The arduous task of contacting each one of the 2760 ex servicemen and the war widows commenced with multiple Junior Commissioned Officer led teams, reaching out to the ex servicemen and their families at various villages in Punjab, with effect from Mar 2013. On having collated the problems being faced by them and listened to their concerns, efforts were undertaken to settle the issues by approaching the concerned authorities. The “Reach Out Programme” will culminate in an “Ex Servicemen Contact Meet” to be held, by the Battalion, at Firozepur, Jalandhar and Pathankot on July 20, July 22 and July 24, respectively, and adopting deserving old aged ex-servicemen by the Battalion. During the meet, all ex-servicemen will also be educated on various benefits and assistance available through the state and central governments. Pamphlets in Punjabi published by the Sikh Light Infantry Regimental Centre on “Post Retirement and Death Benefits” have also been distributed to increase awareness amongst ex-servicemen.

New Delhi/Jalandhar July 19, 2013: The Special Judge, CBI Cases, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi has convicted  K.K.Verma, then Assistant Manager (Vigilance), Food Corporation of India(FCI), New Delhi U/s 12 of PC Act 1988 and sentenced him to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.50,000.
A case was registered by the CBI on 13.09.2001 against  K. K. Verma, Assistant Manager (Vigilance), Food Corporation of India (FCI), New Delhi based on a complaint of CBI official U/s 12 of PC Act, 1988. It was alleged that  K.K.Verma was offering Rs. 1 lakh as bribe to him to prepare the report in a complaint against  K K Verma in such a manner so that the matter gets referred to FCI. He was offering to pay Rs.50,000 as advance and the balance when the matter was referred to FCI.
CBI laid a trap on September 13, 2001 and K K Verma, Assistant Manager (Vigilance) was caught while offering and giving bribe amount of Rs.50,000.
After conducting investigation of this case, chargesheet was filed on October 7, 2002 against the alleged accused K K Verma for the offences punishable U/s 12 of PC Act, 1988.
The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.
The Court has also applauded the role of CBI official now posted as Inspector of Police, CBI, ACB, Delhi, observing that instead of yielding to temptation, he lodged complaint and stood firm during his testimony in the court resulting in conviction of the accused. The Court has recommended suitable reward for CBI Inspector.

Jalandhar/Ferozepur, July 21, 2013: 6th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry organised a Contact Programme for Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naris today at Ferozpur location.

About 250 ESM including 50 Veer Naris of unit attended the programme. Everybody praised the efforts being undertaken by 6 Sikh LI (Kalidhar) unit to reach out to all its ESM and Veer Naris.

The ESM also shared their experiences of 1965 and 1971 battles.

In the end, the invitation for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations on October 1, 2013 was extended to all.

Tea and snacks were catered for everybody.

Next ESM and Veer Naris contact programme will be conducted at Jalandhar on July 22, 2013.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 21, 2013: Teachings of Buddha are very much relevant even today and can promote world peace.
This was stated by the Member of Minorities Commission Namgyal Shanu, at a function in New Delhi today.  The function was organised in the National Museum at Janpath, New Delhi on the eve of Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Day by the society of Friends In Dhamma and National Museum. This day is celebrated on Aashadh Purnima. On this day Lord Buddha had given his first sermon to monks at Sarnath in Varanasi. Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a Lion Capital at this place and after independence, India adapted Lion Capital at Sarnath as its national emblem.
Condemning the recent bomb blasts at Baudh Gaya Mandir some days back, Shanu said that there should be fool proof security arrangements for the Mandir and its management should be entrusted to Baudh Societies. Minorities Commission will talk to Central Government and Bihar government in this connection, he said. He also emphasised that Pali language should not be removed from the Civil Services exams conducted by UPSC.

The Chairman of Buddhist Society of India Professor P.G. Jyotikar, Director of Dharmawar Buddhist Monk Training Institute, Pondichery, Bhante Sumedho and other Buddhist scholars said that the country can progress by following the teachings of Lord Buddha. They also said that the incidents like the blasts in Dant Mandir in Sri Lanka and in Baudh Gaya Mandir are a blot on humanity.
On this occasion, prayer was held for world peace.  

Chandigarh, July 22, 2013: Dr. Tondup Tsewang, President, Ladakh Buddhist Association, Leh has sent a memorandum to Pranab Mukherjee President of India, regarding firing, brutal beating, lathi-charge and atrocity by police in Zanskar.

The memorandum reads that the people of Zanskar have been repeatedly subjected to communal favouritism, prejudice, negligence and deception by the District Administration in providing a fair, equal and unbiased treatment to the Buddhist community. A responsive administration is expected to fairly and spontaneously redress the grievances of the aggrieved society irrespective of any religious background but sadly it has been maintaining a deafening silence on a highly contentious issue like religious tolerance. Whereas the Buddhist communities are always peace loving, non-violent and strives for communal amity and tolerance unless their religious sentiments are hurt.

This time again, curfew has been clamped in Padum town of Zanskar Sub-Division of Kargil District in the Ladakh region after a Buddhist girl was kidnapped. On the protest of the local Buddhist community, the administration managed to trace the girl at Srinagar, Kashmir but instead of handing over the girl to the family and relatives, she was kept in police custody initially at Kargil town and later after great pursuation, was taken to Padum Zanskar. Soon after arrival at Padum, the girl ought to be handed over to the family and relatives but instead was once again kept in police custody at Padum Zanskar. Had the administration handed over the girl in the first instant, such a repulsive situation would have been avoided.

Members of the family and relatives of the girl were not allowed to meet the girl which led to an ugly situation. The whole episode seems to be a pre-planned conspiracy of few anti-social elements in connivance with the state police.

Further, the memorandum stated that some youths, in connivance with the police, beat up the Buddhists, entered innocent Buddhist houses and ransacked dozens of them, dragged women, children and Monks out of their houses for the whole day and is still continuing in Padum and adjoining areas. Restaurants, hotels and shops were damaged and a huge prayer wheel has been irreparably damaged.  When the local Buddhist people protested against this sacrilege, police resorted to lathi charge and fired upon the peaceful demonstrators causing injury to a Buddhist youth who has been evacuated to Kargil instantly.

It was apparent and understandable that these belligerent police people and the anti social miscreants, had much more malevolent and malicious intentions of igniting communal disturbance. The local authorities and the state government are shielding such anti social elements and igniting situation to such an extent leading to the present surcharged atmosphere. Instead of taking effective measures to control the situation, it is igniting fire and adding fuel to the mob violence.  Mischievous sections jump into the fray to grind their own axe in connivance with the state police.

Till late last night (July 20, 2013), the girl was not handed over to the Buddhist family and is still in police custody and curfew is still clamped in the Padum town.

In the above unfortunate situation, the J&K Government in particular and the central government in general, is called upon to intervene in the matter forthwith to immediately hand over the girl to her family/relatives so that the situation is calmed down amicably before it gets out of control and engulfs the whole of Ladakh region.

The Ladakh Buddhist Association therefore, demands a high level probe by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India into the incident and punish the erring police personnel who are bent upon creating communal disturbance and disturb the peace and tranquility of the region. We also demand the immediate deployment of Army in Zanskar region in place of the local police for protection of the lives of the peace loving Buddhist people.

“At this crucial juncture, it is our earnest and most sincere appeal to your Excellency to intervene personally and direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate a high level probe into the unfortunate incident and find out the real facts and underlying causes and punish the erring officials so that peace prevails in the region”, the memorandum further reads. 

The copies of the memorandum have also been sent among others to the Prime Minister, Chairperson UPA and Union Minister of Home Affairs.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, July 22, 2013 : The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Ranchi (Jharkhand) has convicted  Suresh Prasad, the then Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Manika Branch,  in a bribery case and sentenced him to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.3,000. A private person Rasool Milan was also sentenced to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment in this case.

CBI had registered a case on October 12, 2004 U/s 7 of PC Act, 1988 against the accused on the allegations that he had demanded Rs.1,500 from the complainant as illegal gratification for sanctioning a loan of Rs. 25,000 under Swarn Jayanti Gram Swa Rojgar Yojona in his favour.

After investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet on 29.01.2005 U/s 120-B and 7 and Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988.

 The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.