Jalandhar, January 15, 2013: The Additional Session Judge, Delhi has convicted accused Imran Abdulla Syed and sentenced him to undergo ten years Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 11 lakh in a case for possession and circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes.

This case was registered in CBI on August 30, 2010 consequent to the seizure of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) of the face value of Rs.11.21 lakhs from accused Imran Abdulla Syed who arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi from Karachi (Pakistan). The seized FICNs were allegedly claimed to be received from a Pakistani National.

After completion of the investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet on December 21, 2010 under section 120-B r/w Sec. 489-B and 489-C of IPC against accused Imran Abdulla Syed and other accused, a Pakistani National, in the Designated Court at Delhi.

The Trial Court found the accused Abdulla Syed guilty and convicted him.

The other accused is absconding.

Jalandhar, January 15, 2015:The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an absconding accused (private person) resident of Lucknow in a case relating to cheating the Central Bank of India New Delhi and causing loss of about Rs. 1.40 crores.

A case was registered by CBI on a complaint received from the Central Bank of India, New Delhi. It was alleged that the accused persons entered into criminal conspiracy with each other along with officials of Central Bank of India, Patel Nagar Branch, New Delhi and cheated the Bank to the tune of about Rs.1.40 crore by obtaining overdraft limit during the period 1998-99 against 3498 number of stolen and forged Kisan Vikas Patras worth about Rs.1,99,55,000 purportedly issued from Armapur Post Office, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh).

After investigation, a chargesheet was filed against 13 accused persons including then Branch manager and Assistant Manager both of Central Bank of India Patel Nagar Branch, New Delhi ; a Chartered Accountant ; Proprietors/M.D of private firms and other private persons before the Special Judge, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. All the accused are facing the trial, except one private person of Lucknow who was absconding. The absconding accused did not join the prosecution even after issuance of arrest warrants and process of proclamation u/s 82 and 83 of Code of Criminal Procedure. He was declared Proclaimed Offender by the Court on January 18, 2002. With persistent effort, the CBI could reach his whereabouts and ultimately the absconding accused was arrested.

The arrested accused was produced before the Special Judge for CBI cases, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi and was remanded to Judicial Custody.

Ludhiana, January 15, 2013:Vodafone India, one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers, today announced the release of ‘Footprints II’, the second edition of its Sustainability Report by Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Communications and IT.

Marten Pieters, MD & CEO, Vodafone India, presented the first copy of the report to the Minister reinforcing sustainability as the key cornerstone of Vodafone’s business strategy and commitment to India.

Releasing the report at New Delhi, Sibal said, “Telecom sector is an important catalyst for societal transformation and nation building. Time has come that the notion of ‘shared value’ becomes the mainstream thinking of the corporate sector and companies take the lead in connecting business success with social development. I am delighted that Vodafone India has taken the lead towards creating a sustainable future. Such initiatives reinforce their commitment to India, which I am sure will further strengthen going forward.”

Elaborating on Vodafone India’s strategy,Marten Pieters, Managing Director & CEO, Vodafone India, said, “At Vodafone, sustainability is a journey and not an objective.  We believe what is good for society is also good for business. I am happy to present ‘Footprints II’, our second Sustainability Report, to share the progress that we made in this endeavour across its various dimensions. We would like to be seen asthe most respected and successful telecommunications company in India making meaningful contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.”

‘Footprints II’ is the second volume of the sustainability report which encapsulates the various initiatives undertaken by Vodafone India. The report chronicles Vodafone India’s initiatives in five categories- Pursuits, People, Products, Processes and Partnerships, with specific initiatives in each area highlighted.

Highlights of ‘Footprints II’

Pursuits– Our pursuits reflect the extent to which sustainable development practices have been embedded in the way we do things. From waste management, to green buildings, from efficient data centres to green networks, we are taking sustainability to the next level through our initiatives.

Key initiatives-ReSolve, Fast Forward, Green Building and Networks

People– (People are at the center of Vodafone’s sustainability strategy. We invest in their training and development and strive to build a safe and conducive work environment for them. We see our people as ambassadors of our values, and empower them to make a difference.

Key initiatives- Health Safety and Wellbeing, Streamlining HR function, Talent Management

Products– We constantly endeavour to utilise our technology and expertise to develop products that can contribute to the businesses becoming more sustainable as well as to the development of the society. Whether it is smart metering or asset tracking for the enterprises or education, banking and rural entrepreneurship or digital inclusion of individuals, we strive to make our products a means of empowerment.

Key initiatives - M2M Solutions, m-Education (Adult learning programme), m-Health (e-Mamta)

Processes– Whether it is empowering our talent pool, collaborating to enhance our supply chain, or protecting customers from breach of security, we firmly believe that institutionalising effective processes and implementing them is essential to sustain any positive measure. In this section, we talk about processes that ensure smooth running of our operations, thereby making a difference to the value generated for our internal and external stakeholders.

Key initiatives - Reducing e-Waste footprint, Fraud Risk and Security, Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Efficient Supply Chain

Partnerships –Collaborating with our vendors and suppliers to design feasible, cost effective solutions, to associating with the non-governmental associations, we always believe in fostering sustainable partnerships. This stems from our belief that ‘what one can do well, two can do better’.

Key initiatives - World of Difference, Railway helpline

Vodafone India is a member of the Vodafone Group and commenced operations in 1994 when its predecessor Hutchison Telecom acquired the cellular license for Mumbai. The company has operations across the country serving around 150 million customers. Vodafone India has firmly established a strong position within the Vodafone Group too, making it the largest subscriber base globally. This journey is a strong testimony of Vodafone’s success in a highly competitive and price sensitive market.

Vodafone India in its long-term commitment to India has been providing innovative, customer friendly and reliable products and services by continuously differentiating itself with a strong brand, best quality network, unique distribution and great customer service. The company received the award for the Value services -Rural Innovation category for its Low Balance Services at the Telecom Awards by a leading business daily. At the India Retail Forum 2012, the company received the ‘Best Modern Retailer award’ in the mobile and telecom category. The company has been recognized as one of the ‘Best Employer of Choice’ in telecom sector by ‘Great Places to Work’ and in another survey conducted by Nielsen; Vodafone India was the only telecom player in the Top 10 ‘Most Exciting Youth Brands’ in India. Vodafone Business Services has been awarded the “Best Enterprise Service Provider” at the Frost & Sullivan Awards for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012. On the technology front, the company has also won the iCMG Enterprise & IT Infrastructure Global Excellence Award for its Business Intelligence (BI) transformation project.

 At Vodafone, sustainability is an integral part of the company’s mission and strategy, shaping the conduct of business every day. Since 2011, in line with its Group philosophy, Vodafone India became the first telecom operator in India to release an annual Corporate Sustainability Report for India – Footprints. Vodafone India was awarded the ‘Green Telecom Company of the Year’ at the Telecom Leadership Awards 2012 by a renowned media group recently and has also been awarded the prestigious “Golden Peacock Award” for corporate social responsibility for 2012.

Vodafone Group is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies with over 407 million customers as on September 30, 2012. Vodafone currently has equity interests in over 30 countries across five continents and more than 40 partner networks worldwide.

Jalandhar, January 16, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Rohini, Delhi has today convicted Om Prakash Chautala, the then CM, Haryana; his son Ajay Singh Chautala, then Member of Parliament (MP); Vidya Dhar, IAS, then OSD to CM of Haryana; Sher Singh Badshami, the then Political Advisor to the CM, Haryana; Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, the then Director, Primary Education, Haryana and 50 other then officials of Education Department of Haryana in a case relating to irregularities in appointment of JBT Teachers in Haryana.

Pursuant to the directions of Supreme Court dated November 25, 2003 in Writ Petition Crl No. 93 of 2003 relating to matter of Sanjiv Kumar V/s State of Haryana on the allegation of irregularities in appointment of Junior Basic Trained Teachers by the Government of Haryana in the year 1999-2000, CBI had registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE). On the basis of findings in the said Preliminary Enquiry, a regular case was registered on 24.05.2004 u/s 120B r/w 420, 467, 468 and 471 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 against the then officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister Haryana; then Political Advisor to CM, Haryana; then Chairpersons and Members of the District level Selection Committee constituted for the posts of JBT teachers in the Districts of  Ambala, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Mahindergarh, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak, Rewari, Sirsa, Sonepat and Yamunanagar; and other persons.

Investigation by the CBI established that the appointments of 3,032 teachers were made on the basis a fraudulently prepared Second Set of Interview Lists prepared at the behest of the then CM; his son, who was the then Member of Parliament; the then OSD to the CM; the then Political Advisor to CM; the then Director, Primary Education and others. Original set of List of Interview Marks of the candidates on basis of which appointments ought to have been made were also revealed during investigation.

After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge Sheet on June 6, 2008 against the then OSD to CM of Haryana; the then Political advisor to the Chief Minister, Haryana; the then Director Primary Education, Haryana; the then CM, Haryana; then Member of Parliament and 57 other then officials of Haryana, u/s 120B r/w 420, 467, 468, 471 of IPC and Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988.

Cognizance on the Charge Sheet was taken on 16.07.2008. Charges were framed on July 23, 2011 against 61 accused persons by the Special Judge, CBI Cases, Rohini. One retired official of Education Department, Haryana was discharged. Defence evidence concluded on August 4, 2012. Final Arguments concluded on December 17, 2012. During trial, 6 accused persons, all retired officials of Education Department, Haryana were expired. The CBI produced 68 witnesses during trial.

The Court is expected to pronounce the sentence next week.

Jalandhar/New Delhi, January 16, 2013: Haryana Government today urged the Central Government  to consider the possibility of release of funds to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in one annual installment instead of the present two installments so as to make the size of release substantial for each Panchayati Raj Institution.

The  Finance Minister, Harmohinder Singh Chattha who was speaking at the pre-budget consultations meeting of Finance Ministers of states and Union Territories presided over by Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram  in New Delhi today also suggested some measures to further improve the coverage and implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

He said that keeping in view the increase in cost of raw materials, the limit of allocation for material component, including for semi skilled and skilled wages and transportation costs, should be enhanced to atleast 50 per cent. Similarly, for better implementation of the scheme, personnel or technical support needs to be strengthened, particularly at the level of Gram Panchayats. 

Therefore, the limit of the administrative expenditure should be increased from the present six per cent to 10 per cent. Use of limited specified machinery such as Road Rollers  for compaction of earth in case of rural connectivity may be considered to be allowed for ensuring durability of the assets, with the condition that the machinery should not displace manual labour, h said. He added payments of wages under MGNREGS for own labour in construction of houses under the Indira Aawas Yojana (IAY) may be considered to facilitate availability of additional amounts to meet the rising costs.  The banks should adopt more liberal approach in granting loans under IAY.

He said that the districts of Mewat, Jhajjar and Rewari being socially, economically and literacy-wise backward in Haryana, they might also be covered under Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF) Scheme, in addition to Sirsa and Mohindergarh districts in 2013-14. Also, the normative cost for construction of each Anganwadi Centre should be revised from Rs. 4.50 lakh to Rs. 8.50 lakh per Anganwadi Centre. 

Further, he said the credit flow to minority communities is steadily increasing in the state as depicted by the outstanding advances of Rs. 6,161.11 crore to 4,91,981 beneficiaries at the end of September 2012 as compared to
Rs. 5,142.93 crore to 3,63,498 beneficiaries, thereby registering a growth of 20 per cent in the amount.

However, in the Mewat district with a predominant Muslim population, the banks need to step up financing since the number of accounts is virtually static over the last one year, he sought.

Further, he said similarly in the second minority district of Sirsa, the outstanding advances to minority communities have reduced by 12 per cent at the end of September 2012, as compared to September 2011.

He also urged  that National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC), National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSCFDC), National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) should be   asked to relax the norm of the recovery of term loan to 70 per cent from existing 100 per cent as such a recovery is practically not feasible.

He said Haryana has always been a front runner in introducing tax reforms and the state whole heartedly supports and appreciates the initiative taken by the Government of India and Empowered Committee for introduction of GST. However, being a net producing state, Haryana will incur huge revenue loss on account of zero rating of CST under the GST dispensation and accordingly, under the GST regime, state should be compensated by the Union Government on long-term basis. Further, more transparency is needed in the entire process of processing of compensation claims that will be filed by the states and for that purpose there should be an independent body comprising of representatives from various states working in close coordination with the Empowered Committee.

He said the issue of CST compensation is more important for our State because the proportion of CST revenue vis-a-vis the total tax revenue of the state is very high for Haryana being a net producing state. Last year, the state had suffered a loss of Rs. 3,100 crore on account of reduction in the rate of CST from four per cent to two per cent and for the current year, the loss would be to the tune of Rs. 3,500-3,600 crore. Such a loss will have a crippling effect on the state finances unless the state is compensated for the loss in respect of the previous financial year as well as the current financial year. Though a subcommittee has been constituted to look into the CST compensation issues, yet he said that he would emphasise that the aforementioned calculation error can be and should be rectified ahead of the common issues that the states are raising.

He said that the Government of India has recently initiated a scheme for the financial restructuring of distribution power utilities   to generate confidence in the financial institutions to restructure the short-term liabilities of these utilities. This restructuring has put a tremendous financial stress on state governments. The Government of India should increase its contribution to the restructuring cost. The consumers face the prospects of rising power tariff on account of higher input costs of coal, railway freight charges and payment of fixed costs on idle capacity owing to short supply of coal.

He said that as the Government of India is about to launch PMGSY-II under  which the cost sharing is proposed to be taken up on 50:50 basis between the state government and the Central Government, instead the PMGSY II be implemented on 25:75 cost sharing basis between the state and the Central Government.

The criteria for allotment of funds under the scheme “Central Road Fund” was based on 60 per cent  Fuel Consumption and 40 per cent  geographical area till the year 2009-10, when it was revised to 30 per cent fuel consumption and 70 per cent  geographical area. As a result, the allocation for Haryana reduced from Rs. 87 crore to Rs. 57 crore. Since Haryana is contributing a sizeable amount because of its high fuel consumption, the old criteria should be restored, he said.

Jalandhar/New Delhi, January 16, 2013: Sugarcane growing farmers of Haryana have thanked the Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for increasing the sugarcane price by Rs.45 per quintal.

Thousands of sugarcane farmers today gathered at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi and expresssed their gratitude towards the Chief Minister for increase in sugarcane price.

As mark of respect towards Chief Minister, Hooda, some farmers offered Pagri, some offered sugarcanes, some garlanded him, some offered Saropa and some offered bouquets.

Nafe Singh from Karnal district put a band of Kisan Masiha around his neck. Farmers from Gohana Sugar Mill respected him with big garland. Asandh Sugar Mill farmers offered Pagri. Different Khaps also felicitated Hooda. These farmers had come from different parts of the state, including Panipat, Karnal, Samalkha, Palwal, Kandela and Yamuna Nagar.

Overwhelmed with the honour bestowed on him, Hooda thanked the farmers and said that this capability of taking such decisions has been given to him by the farmers. With your support and blessings of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the Congress government in Haryana has increased the price of sugarcane by Rs.159 per quintal during past over seven years, which is a record, whereas the increase  during six years of previous Chautala government, was only Rs. 7 per quintal.

Hooda said that increasing the rate by Rs. 45 per quintal in one stroke is not a small thing. The rate of diesel in Haryana is also less, whereas the price of urea and rate of electricity in Uttar Pradesh is much higher. A number of decisions have been taken in the interest of farmers earlier also by his government, like reducing the interest rate from 11 per cent to 4 per cent on crop loans, waiving off Rs.445 crore of interest on loans of about 4 lakh farmers and abolishing the humiliating terms for farmers on not returning the loan money.

Hooda said that first of all he is son of a farmer. A farmer has to work very hard and you should be proud of being a farmer. His government will always be taking farmer friendly decisions, he said.

Among others, MP Naveen Jindal, CPS Jaiveer Singh, MLAs Anand Singh Dangi, Srikrishan Hooda, Dharam Singh Chhokar, Zile Ram Sharma and Shankutla Khatak, Political Advisor to CM Prof. Virender and Media Advisor Shiv Bhattia, a number of Ex-MLAs, Kisan leaders and large number of sugarcane growing farmers were present.

Ludhiana, January 17, 2013: A great resentment prevails among Trustees of All-India Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust and others over the attitude of the Ludhiana Administration towards the martyr Sukhdev Thapar's ancestral house at Naughara Mohalla in Ludhiana.

To lodge their protest, the Trustees and others led by Ashok Thapar, staged a strong protest by observing black day outside the martyr’s house on January 16.

Protestors were bearing black ribbons on their mouths as a mark of protest. They said the state government had taken over the possession of the house on January 16 last year and since then the house was locked. As a result, those who visit to see the martyr’s house, have to return with a great disappointment as it is locked.  Thapar told the media persons that they had renovated the house a few years ago. Now, the building of the house was getting damaged due to locking of the house for the last one year, he rued.

Among others, Sandeep Thapar, Roshan Lal, Suresh Luthra, Satish Budhiraja, Ashok Bhandari, Tribhuvan Thapar, Deepak Puri, Ramesh Shukla, Vishal Shukla and Som Nath Grover were present.

Jalandhar, January 17, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Deputy Director (Scientist), Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Pariyavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 7 lakh from a Consultant of a Bhubaneswar-based private firm. The said Consultant was also arrested for offering the bribe to the Deputy Director.

A case was registered U/s 120-B of IPC, 7 and 12 of PC Act against a Deputy Director, Department of Environment & Forest, Pariyavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, New Delhi and two private persons (Consultants of Bhubaneswar-based private firm). It was alleged that the Consultant of Bhubaneswar(Odisha) based private firm has offered illegal gratification of Rs. 7 lakh to Deputy Director of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Govt of India) on behalf of another private firm based at Sundargarh (Odisha) and others on January 16, 2013 near his office located at CGO Complex, New Delhi for obtaining environmental clearance.

CBI laid a trap and the Deputy Director, M/o Environment and Forests was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 7 lakh from the Consultant of a private firm on January 16, 2013 near Adhchini, Mehrauli, New Delhi. It is alleged that the bribe money of   Rs. 7 lakh was being paid by the Consultant of private firm to the Deputy Director for the issuance of environmental clearance in respect of mining project of private firm based at Sundergarh(Odisha). This matter was scheduled for consideration for clearance by the Reconstituted Expert Appraisal Committee (Non Coal Mining) today. The Consultant of private firm was also caught red handed while handing over the bribe to Deputy Director.

Searches were conducted at three places at the office and residential premises of Deputy Director located at New Delhi, Gurgaon and Rohtak.  Office and residential premises of the Consultant based at Bhubaneswar were also searched. Cash amounting to more than Rs. 1 crore besides several incriminating documents relating to movable and immovable properties were recovered from the residential premises of Deputy Director. Several incriminating documents have also been recovered from the premises of the Consultant of a private firm. Searches are still continuing.

Both the arrested accused persons are being produced today before the Special Judge for CBI Cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi.

Ludhiana, January 17, 2013: Bollywood Actor Om Puri has expressed deep concern over the killing of two Indian soldiers at the Line of control (LoC) by Pakistan troops.

In an interaction with the media persons here today, he said it was a “saddened” incident.

He was addressing the media persons in connection with a Punjabi play “Teri Amrita”, which is being presented by LSS here tomorrow. The play is being acted and directed by Om Puri. Besides, Bollywood Actress Divya Dutta is to act in the play.

On being asked, Om Puri told that the relations were getting improved between the two nations. Talks between the two nations were on, even there was a move to simplify visa for Pak Nationals to India, he revealed.

He feared that the incident of killing of two Indian soldiers at the LoC seemed to be an act of those devil forces in Pakistan that did not want that the relations between the two nations should improve.

Further, he said the incident seemed to be an act of those forces in Pakistan which hatred India.

Jalandhar, January 18, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Nagpur has convicted Surender Kumar Gupta, then Chief Manager, Central Bank of India, Nagpur and sentenced him to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine of Rs.12,000/- U/s 7 of PC Act, 1988 and U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988.

CBI had registered a case against Surender Kumar Gupta, Chief Manager, Central Bank of India, Nagpur (On deputation to DRT, Nagpur as Recovery Officer) on the basis of a complaint alleging that he had demanded a bribe of Rs.25,000 for issuing possession warrant for taking the flat purchased by complainant in public auction held by DRT, Nagpur on June 11, 2007. After registration of the case, a trap was laid and Surender Kumar Gupta was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs. 5,000 from the complainant.

After investigation, CBI had filed the chargesheet on June 6, 2008. The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Jalandhar, January 18, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against the then Zonal Head; the then Chief Manager (Business Head), both of Zonal office UCO Bank, Indore (Madhya Pradesh); a private firm based at Jaitpura, Dist- Dhar (M.P) and five other private persons in the Court of Special Judge for CBI Cases, Indore for cheating & causing an alleged loss of about Rs. 250 lakhs.

A case was registered on 31/01/2012 against the then Zonal Head, UCO Bank, Indore(M.P); the then AGM and the then Senior Manager both working in UCO Bank, New Palasia Branch, Indore(M.P); Empanelled lawyer of the Bank; Proprietor of a private firm of Jaitpura, Dist- Dhar (M.P) and other private persons U/s 120-B, 420, 467, 468, 471 of IPC and section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988. It was alleged  that the then  Zonal Head, UCO Bank, Indore; the then AGM & the then Senior Manager both working in New Palasia Branch, UCO Bank, Indore and Empanelled lawyer of the Bank entered into criminal conspiracy with Proprietor of private firm and other private persons and cheated the New Palasia Branch/Sanyogitaganj Branch, UCO Bank Indore (M.P) to the tune of about Rs 250 lakhs by way of facilitating availment of Cash Credit limit on fraudulent and dishonest submission of forged title deeds of diverted land mortgaged in the bank as collateral securities etc

The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.  Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.

Jalandhar, January 21, 2013: The ACMM, Hyderabad has convicted Sri M. Ranga Rao, Managing Director of  M/s Jai Kisan Seeds India Ltd., Hyderabad and sentenced him to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment with total five of Rs. 60,000 for causing loss of about Rs.82.72 lakhto State Bank of Hyderabad. 

The investigation revealed  that during the period 1997 and 1998, the accused Sri M. Ranga Rao, MD of M/s Jai Kisan Seeds (India) Ltd., had cheated State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), Somajiguda, Overseas Branch, Hyderabad and sanctioned credit limits to the extent of Rs.80 lakhs (cash credit of Rs.35 lakhs, MCT of Rs.10 lakhs and LC of Rs.35 lakhs) on the basis of forged documents as a token of creating an equitable mortgage and misutilised  the said loan. A loss of about Rs.82,72,158 was caused to the bank.

Dharamshala, January 22, 2013: Himachal Vidhan Sabha Speaker B. B. L. Butail called on Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar  in New Delhi, on Tuesday.

Butail discussed the parliamentary  procedures and rules
with the  Lok Sabha Speaker and  further stressed the need to strengthen parliamentary democracy by maintaining the decorum and dignity of the house .

Butail told the Lok Sabha Speaker about the high tradition of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha ,which has resulted in utilisation of maximum time for the parliamentary work  and harmonious relation between all political leaders irrespective of party affiliation.  

Meira Kumar appreciated the traditions of the Himachal Vidhan Sabha and stressed the need to maintain it for healthy and fruitful discussions in the House.

Jalandhar, January 22, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Rohini, Delhi has today sentenced 55 accused in a case relating to irregularities in appointment of JBT Teachers in Haryana.

Om Prakash Chautala, the then CM, Haryana; his son Ajay Singh Chautala, then Member of Parliament (MP); Vidya Dhar, IAS, then OSD to CM of Haryana; Sher Singh Badshami, the then Political Advisor to the CM, Haryana; Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, the then Director, Primary Education, Haryana; Madan Lal Kalra, the then District Primary Education Officer, Kurukshetra; Durga Dutt Pradhan, the then Principal Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Narnaul; Bani Singh, the then Principal Govt. Senior Secondary School, Mahendergarh; Daya Saini, the then Assistant Director Primary Education, Chandigarh and Ram Singh, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Panipat, all ten accused to undergo ten years Rigorous Imprisonment.

Pushkar Mal Verma, the then District Primary Education Officer, Narnaul to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment

The remaining 44 accused persons to undergo four years Imprisonment, namely Prem Bahl, the then District Primary Education Officer, Ambala; Shashi Malhotra the then Principal Govt. Senior Secondary School, Baldev Nagar, Ambala City; Krishna Gupta the then Block Education Officer, Ambala; Brahma Nand the then District Primary Education Officer, Bhiwani; Vinod Kumari, the then Principal Govt. Senior Secondary School, Bhiwani; Maman Chand, the then Block Education Officer, Bhiwani; Sawan Lal, the then Block Education Officer, Bhiwani; Kanta Sharma, the then District Primary Education Officer, Fatehabad; Phool Khurana, the then Block Education Officer, Fatehabad; Harbans Lal, the then District Primary Education Officer, Faridabad; Ram Saran Kukreja, the then District Primary Education Officer, Faridabad; Chand Singh Verma,  the then District Primary Education Officer, Gurgaon; Yogesh Kumar Sharma, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Gurgaon; Abhilash Kaur, the then Block Education Officer, Gurgaon; Sher Singh, the then District Primary Education Officer, Jhajjar; Anar Singh, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Jhajjar; Kailash Kaushik, the then Principal Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Jhajjar; Ajit Singh Sangwan, the then District Primary Education Officer, Jind; Ram Kaur, the then Sub-Divisional Education Officer, Jind; Mahavir Singh Lathar, the then Block Education Officer, Jind; Narain Singh Ruhil, the then District Education Officer, Karnal; Krishan Lal Narang, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Karnala; Usha Rani, the then Block Education Officer, Karnal; Veer Bhan Mehta, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Kurukshetra; Dilbagh Singh, the then District Primary Education Officer, Kaithal; Ram Kumar, the then Block Education Officer, Kaithal; Sheesh Pal Singh, the then District Primary Education Officer, Panchkula; Rekha Sharma, the then Senior Lecturer, DIET, Panchkula; Raksha Jindal, the then Principal Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Panchkula; Jeet Ram Khokhar, the then District Primary Education Officer, Rohtak; Nirmal Devi, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Rohtak; Amar Singh, the then Principal Govt. Senior Secondary School, Hissar; Sudha Sachdeva, the then District Primary Education Officer, Rewari; Darshan Dayal Verma, the then District Primary Education Officer, Rewari; Saroj Sharma, the then Deputy District Primary Education Officer, Rewari; Tulsi Ram Bihagra, the then Block Education Officer, Rewari;Om Prakash Tiwari, the then Deputy District Education Officer, Sirsa; Bihari Lal, the then Block Education Officer, Sirsa;  Rajender Singh Dahiya, the then District Primary Education Officer, Sonepat; Dalip Singh, the then Principal Govt Senior Secondary School, Sonepat; Rajender Pal Singh, the then District Primary Education Officer, Yamuna Nagar; Sarwan Kumar Chawla, the then Deputy District Primary Education Officer, Yamuna Nagar; Urmil Sharma, the then Block Education Officer, Yamuna Nagar  and Joginder Lal, the then Block Education Officer, Yamuna Nagar.

CBI had registered a Preliminary Enquiry(PE) on the directions of Supreme Court dated 25.11.2003 in Writ Petition Crl No. 93 of 2003 relating to matter of Sanjiv Kumar V/s State of Haryana on the allegation of irregularities in appointment of Junior Basic Trained Teachers by the Government of Haryana in the year 1999-2000. On the basis of findings in the said Preliminary Enquiry, a regular case was registered on 24.05.2004 u/s 120B r/w 420, 467, 468 & 471 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 against the then officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister Haryana; then Political Advisor to CM, Haryana; then Chairpersons and Members of the District level Selection Committee constituted for the posts of JBT teachers in the Districts of Ambala, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Mahindergarh, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak, Rewari, Sirsa, Sonepat & Yamunanagar ; and other persons.

Investigation by the CBI established that the appointments of 3,032 teachers were made on the basis a fraudulently prepared Second Set of Interview Lists prepared at the behest of the then CM; his son, who was the then Member of Parliament; the then OSD to the CM; the then Political Advisor to CM; the then Director, Primary Education and others. Original set of List of Interview Marks of the candidates on basis of which appointments ought to have been made were also revealed during investigation.

After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge Sheet on 06.06.2008 against the then OSD to CM of Haryana; the then Political advisor to the Chief Minister, Haryana; the then Director Primary Education, Haryana; the then CM, Haryana; then Member of Parliament and 57 other then officials of Haryana, u/s 120B r/w 420, 467, 468, 471 of IPC & Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988.

Cognizance on the Charge Sheet was taken on 16.07.2008. Charges were framed on 23.07.2011 against 61 accused persons by the Special Judge, CBI Cases, Rohini. One retired official of Education Department, Haryana was discharged. Defence evidence concluded on 04.08.2012. Final Arguments concluded on 17.12.2012. During trial, 6 accused persons, all retired officials of Education Department, Haryana were expired. The CBI produced 68 witnesses during trial.

The Trial Court convicted 55 accused persons on 16.01.2013 and pronounced the sentence today.

Jalandhar, January 23, 2013: The Sikh Regimental Centre, Ramgarh Cantt is conducting a rally for re-enrolment of ex-servicemen into Defence Services Corps at Ramgarh Cantt (Jharkhand) with effect from February 4.

Candidates should report to the Sikh Regimental Centre, Ramgarh Cantt on February 3.

The ex-servicemen appearing for re-enrolment into DSC should be in medical category SHAPE-1 and character should be very good/exemplary. 

Age of the candidate should be below 48 years and gap between discharge from former service and re-enrolment may be 5 years or less.  

Candidates should not have more than one red ink entry during last five years of service and not more than two red ink entries during entire service.

The medical examination of the candidates will be held from  February 4. 

Dharamsala, January 23, 2013: Himachal Speaker BBL Butail met the Union Railway Minister Pawan Bansal in Delhi on Wednesday and requested to expedite the railway projects of the state to provide better transportation facilities to the local residents as well as tourists visiting the state. 

Himachal Speaker requested the railway minister to provide adequate budgetary provisions for various railway projects of the state in the coming railway budget.

He requested for conversion of Jogindernagar-Pathankot railway line as broad gauge keeping in view of the heavy passenger load on this line and also requested for timely completion of the Una-Nangal-Talwara railway line by providing adequate budget and manpower in the next railway budget. He also requested for construction of Dehradun-Poanta Sahib-Kala Amb-Chandigarh railway line and Chandigarh-Baddi railway line to facilitate the movement of goods from industrial areas of the state. 

Himachal Speaker requested the Railway Minister to ensure timely completion of all railway projects being commissioned in the state and strengthen the railway network in the state.

New Delhi, January 24, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today calls on Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jayanti Natarajan to seek help in providing external funding for Rs. 771.52 crore ‘Punjab Biodiversity and Natural Resources Conservation Project’ through a suitable international funding Agency.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said Badal apprised Natarajan that this comprehensive project would ensure protection, conservation and development of forests, wildlife and natural resources in a holistic manner coupled with livelihoods generation for poverty alleviation in forest fringe areas. He also informed that this project would be implemented throughout the state in 8 years in a phased manner.

Demanding the enhancement in the Annual Plan of Operations of the state under PUNCAMPA from Rs. 75 crore for the year 2012-13 to  Rs. 100 crore for the next year, Badal said that the state government had already launched an ambitious “Greening Punjab Mission” under which, it was envisaged to increase the forest and tree cover from the existing level of 7% to 15% of the Geographical area of the State in the next 8 years and State Government had planned to plant approximately 5 crore saplings annually for the next 7-8 years in the State. He further said that a separate fund designated as “Greening Punjab Fund” had also been established for this purpose and all Boards, Corporations and other Government agencies of the state had been authorised to contribute to this fund. He demanded to release the balance amount of Rs. 56 crore under CAMPA project for 2012-13.

Demanding the Inclusion of agro-forestry in state CAMPA and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes like SFDA, Badal asked the Union Minister to review the CAMPA and SFDA guidelines and also permit the inclusion of Agro-Forestry/Farm Forestry activities under their respective ambits for the benefit of forest deficient States like Punjab which have a vast potential in the field of Agro-Forestry.

For the setting up of Hi-tech modern Nurseries and a State Forest Research and Educational Institute, Badal asked the Ministry to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 40 crore and Rs. 25 Crore respectively in Punjab besides a Special Grant of Rs.108 crore   to eradicate the menace LANTANA weed from the areas of Kandi belt and Rs. 3.5 crore for establishing Herbal Gardens and Nurseries in the state. 

Jalandhar, January 24, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Silvassa has convicted Gulab Ramubhai Rohit, then Assistant Excise Inspector, Union Territory of Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Silvassa and  sentenced him to undergo three years rigorous imprisonment with total fine of Rs.15,000 in a bribery case.

The other co-accused of this case, namely Ganesh Bhalekar, owner of M/s Vishal Times & Electronics, Silvassa and Raju Shankar Barde, Junior Assistant of M/s KEI Industries Ltd., Silvassa were also sentenced to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of Rs.5,000 each.

The case was registered by CBI against Gulab Ramubhai Rohit on March 9, 2009 U/s 7 of PC Act, 1988 on a complaint. The complainant had alleged that the accused public servant had demanded bribe for showing favour to him in a matter.

A chargesheet was filed on August 29, 2009 U/s 7,12 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 in the Court of Special Judge for CBI Cases, Silvassa against Gulab Ramubhai Rohit, Ganesh Bhalekar, and Raju Shankar Barde. The Trial Court found the three accused persons guilty and convicted them.

In an another case, the Special Judge for CBI Cases, Nagpur has convicted Manisha Hedaoo, the then Junior Engineer, CPWD,  Maintenance Office, NCD-I/III, Katol Road, Nagpur to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of Rs.11,000 in a bribery case.

CBI had registered a case against Manisha Hedaoo, Junior Engineer, CPWD, Maintenance Office, NCD-I/III, Katol Road, Nagpur on the basis of a complaint alleging that Manisha Hedaoo had demanded a bribe of Rs.1,500 as a reward for clearing the bill of Rs.18,000.

After registration of the case, Manisha Hedaoo was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs.1,500 from the complainant.

After investigation, CBI had filed the chargesheet on May 27, 2009. The Court found the accused guilty and convicted her.

Jalandhar, January 25, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Mumbai has convicted Leeladhar Bangera, the then Income Tax Officer, Ward No.10, Piramal Chambers, Mumbai and sentenced him to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of  Rs. 35,000 in a bribery case.

CBI had registered a  case against Shri Leeladhar Bangera, Income Tax Officer (ITO) Ward No. 10, Piramal Chambers, Mumbai  U/s 7 and 13(2) r/w 13(1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 on the allegation that he had demanded a bribe of Rs. 75,000  from the complainant for settling the matter of penalty imposed on the complainant U/s 271(B) of Income Tax Act. The accused was arrested for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 75,000 from the complainant.

After investigation, a charge sheet was filed on June 28, 2010 in the Court of Special Judge for CBI Cases, Mumbai against Leeladhar Bangera.

The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.