Ferozepur, August 4, 2013: Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), has invited all like-minded organizations and people to reach Delhi on August 8, 2013, at Jantar Mantar on the eve of ‘Quit India Day’ to register protest asking BRAI, GMO, Monsanto to Quit India by joining hands in solidarity and vowed to fight this invasion of Genetically Modified (GM) crops and its proponents like Monsanto, the American Multinational seed corporation, into India’s food and farming, said Umendra Dutt, Executive Director, Kheti Virasat Mission.

KVM executive director Umendra Dutt said poisonous matter gets dissolved in water of the wetlands due to excessive chemical farming carried out in the area. The impact of poison in the fields is catastrophic for many species of native and exotic birds, which used to visit the area. The agro-chemicals are not only responsible for a number of diseases but also make environment harmful for the humans."

Divulging the information, KVM Executive Director said, “Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) is a non-profit & conscious civil-society organization, which works to address the destruction caused by the Green Revolution's chemical and hybrid agriculture, promoting sustainable, ecological farming practices as well as the conservation and regeneration of natural water resources, to re-establish the traditional wisdom and practices related to water”

He further said, “It also works for awareness of environmental health issues and Eco-sustainable rural development. KVM has organized innumerable activities since beginning this work, including an ongoing series of awareness camps and seminars, as well as hundreds of workshops, surveys, and campaigns”.

It is pertinent to mention that the UPA government has taken the initiative for formulation of controversial, incomplete law on Earth Day on April 22, when it presented the anti-farmer Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill in the Parliament and we all know that the Bill is already being opposed.

Umendra Dutt further said, “Our efforts are attached with the agriculture and  food and your freedom and we all must be remembering that in 2009-10, we all have stopped the entry of BT Cotton. “We have to give a clear message to the elected government that neither we will not tolerate the unsafe GM food nor will accept the foreign hand on the issue of food nor farmers and we all should be ready to make people aware of the factual position”, he said.

Dharamsala, August 4, 2013: Dharamshala in Himachal had the highest rain fall on Saturday afternoon to night. It recorded 132 mm of rain in around 8 hours. The next nearest was  Dharampur in Solan District with 31mm, Bangana Recorded 15, Shimla-10, Mandi-8, Solan-6, Bharmaur and Gaggal (Dharamsala Airport )-3 mm each.

The Meteorological Department of Himachal Pradesh said that  the rainy season is heavy in the state due to the axis of monsoon trough at mean sea level passes through Ganganagar, Churu, Gwalior, Varanasi, Gaya, Bankura & thence southeastwards to east central Bay of Bengal. Monsoon was normal in the state during last 24 hours. Precipitation occurred at few places in Himachal Pradesh with very heavy rainfall in the district of Kangra during last 24 hours. 

A cyclonic circulation extending upto 2.1 Kms above sea level lies over southeast Rajasthan and neighbourhood can bring more rain to the area.

Department said, “Heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places over the state on 5th and 6th August 2013.”

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 5, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI cases, Silvassa has convicted Jyoti Patel, the then Sub Inspector of Police Outpost Pipariya, Silvassa (Dadra & Nagar Haveli) and sentenced her to undergo three years rigorous imprisonment with fine of Rs.12,000 in a bribery case. One Private Person S. Thirumalai was also convicted and sentenced to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 2,000.

The CBI had registered case against Jyoti Patel and  S. Thirumalai Kumaran (a private person) Under Sections, 120-B of the Indian Penal  Code(IPC) read with  Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act Act, 1988 and Section 13(2) read with  13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 on the allegation that the accused entered in criminal conspiracy with private person and demanded an illegal gratification of Rs.2,000 from the complainant for not arresting him in a FIR (No.146/10 dt.10/6/2010) registered against him in the Police Station Silvassa.

A charge-sheet was filed on December 15, 2010 in the court of Special Judge for CBI cases, Silvassa against Jyoti Patel and S. Thirumalai Kumaran.

The Trial Court found both the accused guilty and convicted them.

Chandigarh, August 5, 2013: A meeting of the PCS (EB) was convened to discuss the issue of suspension of UP Cadre IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal. It is gathered from the news reports and social media video that Officer has exhibited extra-ordinary courage while taking on the sand mafia in her jurisdiction. The officer (originally Punjab Cadre officer) has completed her field training in Punjab and has served as Assistant Commissioner (Under Training) in SAS Nagar. Her work was appreciated by her colleagues as well as senior officers. It appears that officer is being targeted for not bowing to the illegal demands of the political bosses.

The PCS officers’ Association expresses its solidarity with the officer and appeals to other State Civil Services Associations as well as IAS officers Associations to stand behind the officer who has refused to buckle down under political pressure and upheld the dignity becoming of an officer.

Chandigarh, August 5, 2013: Considering the performance of its youngest first time MP from Punjab Ravneet Singh Bittu in Parliament, the Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today appointed him a whip of the Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha.

Immediately upon receiving a letter to this effect from  Kamal Nath, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Ravneet Singh met Sonia Gandhi and sought her blessings. While thanking the leadership for reposing faith in him by giving this important assignment Bittu said, he would endeavour to meet their expectations. Later, Punjab Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa accompanied by all the senior Parliamentarians from Punjab congratulated him. 

Sources close to the congress leadership reasoned that as a first time Member Parliament Ravneet Singh Bittu has been foremost in drawing the attention of the Union Government towards the burning issues concerning the State of Punjab. On the one hand, he has been consistently highlighting the failures of the ruling Akali-BJP state government in the august house, on the other, having raised around 400 questions from different ministries on various issues of public importance, he had underlined that his heart lies with the common man, which is precisely the reason why the high command has chose him for this vital role. 

It is pertinent to mention here that the UPA Government by taking all the allies along is trying hard to pass majority of the pending bills in this monsoon session itself, as such the importance of ensuring the attendance of its own members has been entrusted to this young turk from Punjab can very well be understood.

New Delhi, August 5, 2013: Senior BJP Leader and MP Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi today took strong exception to the statement of Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma appearing in a Hindi daily today in which he has blamed the opposition parties particularly the BJP for frightening the foreign investors which the minister says has resulted in very negligible or rather no turnout of global investors in India. Taking a dig at Sharma, Dr. Joshi said that it is not the BJP or opposition parties but the unsound economic policies of the government and failure of providing any congenial atmosphere free from corruption is the root cause for no investment till today even after lofty claims made by Sharma and UPA Government. It is the inefficiency in the functioning of the government and lack of firmness of policies which is responsible for repelling the investors and not the statements from the opposition parties.

Dr. Joshi further warned Sharma to desist himself such tactics of transferring his own failures to the opposition parties and should not make a total handover of the vibrant Indian Bazars to the hands of global retailers.

Senior BJP leader said that stability in economic growth and economic policies of the government coupled with strong currency of the country attracts foreign investment and unfortunately on both these counts, the government has miserably failed. Rampant corruption and gross nepotism in the administrative system under the control UPA Government has tarnished the image of the country at international level. Passing buck on BJP and opposition parties is nothing but a cover up exercise by Sharma. The government, if interested in attracting investment should first come out clean with regard to scams in various ministries and assure of a transparent system and sound policies. May he ask the Commerce Minister to explain why Indian businessmen are moving out of India, he said. The BJP is not threatening them. The fact of the matter is that due to unsound fiscal policies and the rampant corruption the UPA government itself has become the biggest threat to the investment environment.

He also said that the issue involves livelihood of more than 5 crore business establishments and crores of people in the country who are dependent upon retail trade for their livelihood and the BJP will leave no stone unturned in protecting their fundamental right of economic justice and right to trade guaranteed by the Constitution of India. It would be proper on the part of Anand Sharma to remove his FDI dominated spectacles and try to understand the ground realities of Indian retail trade.

Sangrur, August 5, 2013: Squarely blaming the Congress for the crisis faced by the Punjabi farmers in Gujarat, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that despite of the fact that the then Congress government had issued a circular regarding it way back in 1973, its leaders were now shamelessly shedding ‘crocodile tears’ on the issue.

Talking to the media persons here after administering oath to the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs of Sangrur district there today, the Chief Minister categorically said that ever since the inception Congress have always remained anti-farmers in general and anti-Punjab in particular. He said that in 1973 a Congress government of Gujarat had issued a circular that if any agriculturist from outside Gujarat purchases agricultural land in that state, he was declared a non-agriculturist. Badal said that the decision to freeze agricultural lands of Punjabi farmers was totally based on this circular issued by the Congress government but ironically instead of making any effort to save the farmers of Gujarat, the Congress leadership was making hoarse cry over this matter.

The Chief Minister said that it was on record that only Congress could formulate such anti-farmers laws whereas the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has always fought vehemently for safeguarding the interests of the farmers. Citing the example of Wealth Tax, he said that owing to the crusade of SAD against this barbaric tax imposed by the Congress led UPA government; the Centre was forced to roll it back. He in the context of Gujarat farmers also the SAD would fight the political and legal for preserving the interest of Punjabi farmers of Gujarat from the forefront.

Earlier addressing the mammoth gathering during the function, the Chief Minister slammed the Congress led UPA government for ruing the farmers of the state. He said that the Punjabi farmers through their sheer hard work had played a vanguard role in making the country self reliant in food production but the wrong policies of the centre government have now brought them on crossroads.  Mr. Badal said that due to massive hike in agriculture inputs and lack of remunerative MSP, farming was no longer a profitable venture. 

The Chief Minister said that though the framers of the state had over exploited their precious resources to feed the nation but the Union government has made them difficult to survive. He said that as now the centre has dragged its feet from purchasing the paddy in future so diversification was the need of the hour. However he said that instead of bailing the farmers out of this mess by crop diversification through a package of Rs 5100 crore as demanded by the state government, the Union government has allocated a minuscule amount of Rs 200 crore, which was a cruel joke with the Punjabi farmers. He said that though on its part the state government was encouraging the farmers to adopt crop diversification but by denying the MSP to Maize and Price support mechanism to Basmati, the Union government was scuttling the efforts of Punjab government.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government was laying special thrust on ensuring clean and green Punjab especially in the rural areas for which a major program has been embarked at cost of Rs 400 crore for cleaning of Ponds in the villages. Likewise he said that keeping in view the health and hygiene of people in the rural areas the state government was mulling to shift the sites of dumping the garbage and cow dung from the interior of the villages to specially earmarked vacant Panchayst lands. Badal said that the decision to this would be taken soon in the upcoming meeting of the Cabinet schedule to take place this week.

The Chief Minister said that in order to provide 70 litres potable drinking waste to every resident of village per day the Government has also initiated a major project under which RO systems were being installed in the villages. Likewise he said that efforts were afoot to provide basic civic amenities to the villages at par with the urban areas. He reiterated that the state government was committed to check the trend of migration of population from the villages to cities.

The Chief Minister also said that special thrust was being laid by the state government to impart world class education to the meritorious rural students. He said that six special schools were being opened across the state at the cost of Rs 150 crore to provide world class education to the bright rural students after matriculation. Likewise he said that the all the students studying in government schools but securing more than 80% marks in matriculation would also be entitled for Dr Hargobind Khurana post matric scholarship scheme under which Rs 30000 per annum would be given to them by the state government.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Cabinet Ministers Surjit Singh Rakhra, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Babu Parkash Chand Garg, Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas and Farzana Aalam and Chairman Punjab Waqf Board Mohammed Izhar Aalam.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 5, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai, has convicted  K.R Velu, then Deputy Commissioner Customs & Central Excise, Chennai in a disproportionate assets case and sentenced him to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 25,000.

A case was registered on 07.08.2002 against  K.R Velu, then Deputy Commissioner of Customs & Central Excise, Chennai; his wife and his daughters on the allegation that K R Velu while working as Customs & Central Excise had abused his official position and acquired assets disproportionate to his known source of income.

The investigation by the CBI sleuths, revealed that during the check period from 01.01.1986 to 09.08.2002,  K R Velu, had allegedly acquired assets both movable & immovable to the tune of Rs.75,65,964/-(approx)  in his name & in the names of his wife & daughters, and incurred an expenditure of Rs.26,65,304/- as against his total income of Rs.49,26,516. K R Velu had fraudulently & dishonestly opened savings bank account in name of his father in Corporation Bank Mylapore Branch, Chennai in August 2000 by forging the signature of his father in the bank application forms & vouchers and opened Fixed Deposits in the name of his father, while his father expired in 1998 itself.

Investigation also revealed that K. R Velu had allegedly opened & operated savings accounts and Fixed Deposit in various fictitious names. The disproportionate assets held by him against his known sources of income was calculated to about Rs.53,04,752 which was 107 %.

CBI filed charge sheet against  K.R Velu; his wife and his daughters U/s 120 B IPC r/w sec 13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of PC Act, 1988; U/s 467, 468 and 471 IPC, and specific offences under 193 IPC.

On completion of the trial, the Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai, convicted K R Velu, and acquitted his wife & daughters.

Ferozepur, August 6, 2013: The long awaited Ferozepur-Delhi Intercity Express will start running from August 9 via Bathinda, Jakhal and Rohtak.

The news has brought cheers among the business class especially who had been fighting for the sanction of this train apart from the existing Punjab Mail, Janta Express and another train which plies between Ferozepur-Delhi, keeping in view the rush on this route, due to military base at Ferozepur, a town just on the Indo-Pak border.

As per the sources, the new train Number 14626 will start from Ferozepur at 4.30 am and will reach Delhi Sarai Rohilla station at 11.45 am via Faridkot, Kotkapura, Bathinda, Mansa, Jakhal, Narwana, Jind and Rohtak. 

On its return journey, it will begin its run at 6.45 am and reach Ferozepur at 2.45 pm. The new train will have 5 sleepers, 6 general coaches besides two brake vans.

The Intercity Express has been sanctioned between Ferozpeur-Delhi in lieu of demand of Shatabdi train.

Bajwa pleads case of Gujarat Sikhs before Sonia, PM, complains against Modi

New Delhi/Chandigarh, August 6, 2013: On a request by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today asked the Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal to extend complete legal support in the Supreme Court to Sikh farmers from Punjab and Haryana who are facing eviction from their land in Kutch area of Gujarat.

Bajwa accompanied by Congress MPs from Punjab and Haryana led the deputation of Sikh farmers from Gujarat to meet the AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh and brought to their notice the discrimination done to them by BJP government led by Narender Modi. While Mrs. Sonia Gandhi assured support by Congress to the farmers facing displacement, the Prime Minister assured that their case would be contested by best lawyers in the Supreme Court. The case would come up before the apex court on August 27.

Bajwa informed the Prime Minister that post the 1965 war with Pakistan, the former Prime Minister late Lal Bahadur Shahstri had invited Sikh farmers from Punjab to make the land cultivable and help guarding the country's borders. Many farmers had purchased land in Kutch area and permanently settled there. Now after over 40 years, the Gujarat Chief Minister had ordered them to sell their lands and go back to Punjab. On October 22, 2010 the district collector of Kutch district declared the land owners prima facie outsiders under the "flawed interpretation" of Bombay Tenancy and Agriculture land (Vidarba region and Kutch area) Act 1958. The collector also had frozen their land records.

Bajwa informed the Prime Minister that the full bench of three judges of Gujarat High Court had dismissed the orders of Gujarat Government but instead of implementing the order the Narender Modi decided to file SLP in the Supreme Court against the High Court orders.

PPCC president said that decision of Narender Modi Government demonstrated his anti-minority and anti-farmer mind set and demolishes his bogus claims of development. He said that Mr. Narender Modi was trying to create artificial boundaries and dividing countrymen on grounds of religion, geography and culture. He said that action of Modi was danger to unity and integrity of the country.

The Congress MPs who joined the delegation included, Preneet Kaur Union Minister of state for External Affairs, Union Minister of state for Health & Family Welfare Santosh Chaudhary, Mohinder Singh Kay Pee former PPCC President, Sukhdev Singh Libra, Vijay Inder Singla, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Deepender Singh Hooda.

MEANWHILE, another report from New/Delhi Chandigarh said-

PPCC President Partap Singh Bajwa today thanked AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for giving patient hearing to the Sikh farmers from Gujarat and lashed out at Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Gujarat counterpart Narender Modi for misleading the people on the issue of displacement of Sikh farmers from Kutch area of Gujarat.

He said that Badal was making false statements that Modi had assured him that Sikh farmers would not be displaced. A statement purported to have been issued by office of Modi has stated that Sikh farmers were under no pressure to evict from Gujarat. "Badal and Modi have teamed up to cover up their blunders", he stated.

Bajwa asked both Badal and Modi if they were so inclined to help the Sikh farmers Gujarat Government withdraw its SLP from the Supreme Court and ensure justice to farmers. He said that that SAD and BJP were alliance partners in Punjab and in the NDA, it is astonishing to see that BJP pay no heed to Badal's pleas of justice with Sikh farmers.

Bajwa said the Gujarat Sikhs had approached Badal in 2010 and during last three years he never bothered to talk to Modi on the issue even though both of them are in continuing in power in respective states. He said that Badal had met Modi on June 23 last at Pathankot where latter addressed a BJP rally. Badal had showered praises on Modi and exhibited his love for the cows he had brought from Gujarat. He however didn't take up case of Sikh farmers. He wake up from his sleep only after Congress party raised the issue following frustrated farmers approached Congress party for help.

PPCC President said that Badal, as he claimed, had written a letter to Modi in 2010 following a deputation of Sikh farmers met him in Chandigarh, to look into the grievances of farmers. What could be more embarrassing for the man of stature of Badal that Modi did not even acknowledged his letter.

Bajwa said that the model of Governance and development presented by Badal and Modi has flopped and they are surviving on PR exercise. Modi is busy projecting himself as Prime Ministerial candidate and Badal has a only interest of promoting his son and family business.  They have no capacity to meet the challenges and deliver to public, he added.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 6,2013 :  Harmohinder Singh Chatha, Finance Minister (Pehowa Assembly in District Kurukshetra); Venod Sharma, MLA (Ambala City Assembly in District Ambala); Randeep Singh Surjewala, PWD Minister (Kaithal Assembly in District Kaithal); Ram Kishan Gujjar, CPS (Naraingarh Assembly in District Ambala); Anil Dhantori, MLA & Chairman, Haryana Bureau of Public Enterprises (Shahbad Assembly in District Kurukshetra);  Smt. Sumita Singh, MLA & Chairperson, Haryana Warehousing Corporation (Karnal Assembly in District Karnal); Devinder Kumar Bansal, MLA (Panchkula Assembly in District Panchkula); Zile Ram Sharma, MLA (Assandh Assembly in District Karnal);  Dharam Singh Chhoker, MLA (Samalkha Assembly in District Panipat) and O.P. Jain, MLA (Panipat-II Assembly in District Panipat) have issued the following joint statement to the press today. the statements reads:

“Since 2005, two successive governments of Indian National Congress have written a new history of inclusive and all round development in the State of Haryana.  State has progressed by leaps and bounds under the able stewardship of Haryana Chief Minister, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda.  This new paradigm of development has propelled the State on a unique trajectory of ‘peace, progress and prosperity’ taking the State to number one position on many important parameters of ‘agricultural and industrial growth’ besides outstanding ‘social indices’. 

In recent times, certain opposition parties and some vested interests in the Party are unfortunately attempting to divide the State on the parochial grounds of regionalism.  Those talking about discrimination with Northern region of Haryana are clearly  ill-informed and neither they have their ear to the ground nor their finger on the pulse of the people. These leaders are presenting half-baked truths and viewing progress with a jaundiced eye only to earn and bask in their moments under the spotlight.  These moments are fleeting but the half-truths damage the place of rare prestige and envy earned by State of Haryana as a leader of States in Indian Union. 

We must say that in public life, it is easier to be critical than correct. Congress government of Haryana and Chief Minister, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda have been more than judicious in allocating big-ticket projects to every district in an effort to build up Haryana and take it to newer dizzying heights over last eight years – a feat which seemed unattainable till the Congress government came into power in March/April, 2005. This unprecedented progress has been many times lauded even by those who have now turned around and are sounding critical.  Even opposition has accepted the fact of unprecedented development having taken place across the State. 

Results of the two Parliamentary elections of 2004 and 2009, two Assembly elections of 2005 and 2009 and many by-elections to State Assembly, of Zila Parishad/Panchayat Samiti and Panchayat elections, of Municipal Council/Municipal Committee elections and more recently elections to the seven Municipal Corporations are a witness to the stamp of approval by people of Haryana on the path of progress undertaken by Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda. No region of the State has been disappointed and every demand has been met with a flush of funds and an eye on progress.

We strongly refute the reported allegations of discrimination against the Northern Haryana which is apparent from the numerous developmental works announced and carried out during Congress regime.  It is important to enumerate a few initiatives as under:-

 (1)       DEVELOPMENTAL FUNDS SPENT BY INLD GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS GOVERNMENT IN HARYANA.

(2)       SOME OF THE PROMINENT BIG TICKET DEVELOPMENTAL WORKS UNDERTAKEN IN VARIOUS NORTHERN HARYANA DISTRICTS ENUMERATED ABOVE ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

(a)       AMBALA DISTRICT

(i)        Execution of the Dadupur-Shahbad-Nalvi Irrigation Project, first phase of which has been completed at a cost of Rs.267 crore and second phase is in progress. This Project was in pipeline for last 20 years.

(ii)       Work on Sewerage and Canal Based Drinking Water facility in Ambala City and three Water Treatment Plants are in progress at a cost of Rs.255 crore.  Canal Based Drinking Water project completed in Ambala Cantt. Constituency at a cost of Rs.33 crore.

 (iii)     Four-laning of Panchkula-Saha-Yamuna Nagar is being undertaken presently at a cost of Rs.1,800 crore.

 (iv)      Mini Secretariat and Judicial Complex have been completed in Naraingarh at a cost of Rs.10 crore.

(v)      9 new Sub Stations have been set up in the district, presently capacity of 15Sub     Stations have been increased and 104 kms long lines have been laid. An amount    of Rs 124.20 crore have been spent on it.  

 (b)       KARNAL DISTRICT

 (i)        Kalpana Chawla Medical College is being set up at a cost of Rs.650 crore.

       (ii)       A Rs.100 crore Sugar Mill has been set up by HAFED at Village Phaphrana.

 (iii)     A Modern Agro Mall is being set up by HSAMB in Karnal at a cost of Rs.25 crore.

 (iv)      A Centre of Excellence for Vegetables has been set up as an Indo-Israil Project at Gharaunda. 

(v)       Karnal Airport is being upgraded as a full commercial Airport.

 (vi)      A modern Agro Mall have been set up in Karnal at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

 (vii)    34 new Sub Stations have been set up in district Karnal, presently capacity of 44 sub Stations have been increased and 394 kms long  lines have been laid. An     amount of Rs 306.68 crore have been spent on it.  

  (c)       KURUKSHETRA DISTRICT

 (i)        A planetarium has been constructed to commemorate the memory of Astronaut Kalpana Chawla.

 (ii)       An International Institution of Design is being set up at Kurukshetra on the pattern of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

 (iii)     An Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied  Nutrition has been opened at Jyotisar.

(iv)      23 new Sub Stations have been set up in district Kurukshetra, presently capacity of 24 Sub Stations have been increased and 359 kms long  lines have been laid. An amount of Rs 256.9 crore have been spent on it.

 (d)       KAITHAL DISTRICT

 (i)        A new Indira Gandhi Multispecialty Hospital has been constructed at Kaithal.

 (ii)       A State of Arts Guru Gobind Singh Government Polytechnic has been constructed at Guhla-Cheeka.

(iii)     Two 220 KV Sub Stations have been constructed at Bata in Kalayat and Pundri.

 (iv)      First Government College of the District namely Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Government College has been constructed at Kaithal.

 (v)       An International level Driver Training Institute has been constructed at Garhi Padla, Kaithal.

 (vi)      40 new Sub Stations have been set up in district Kaithal, presently capacity of 39 Sub Stations have been increased and 408 kms long  lines have been laid. An amount of Rs 265 crore have been spent on it.

 (e)       PANIPAT DISTRICT

(i)        Elevated Highway has been constructed at Panipat at a cost of Rs.475 crore.

 (ii)       Annual capacity of Panipat Refindery has been doubled to 120 lakh ton at a cost of Rs.4,300 crore.

(iii)     An eight-storeyed building of Secretariat as also a new Judicial Complex have been constructed at a cost of Rs.44 crore.

 (iv)      A new Government Polytechnic at Jatal and Desh Bandhu Gupta Government College at Panipat are under construction at a cost of Rs.26 crore. A new Government College at Bhapoli has been constructed at a cost of Rs.14 crore.

 (v)       Six-laning of 82 KM of NH 71-A from Panipat to Rohtak is under progress at a cost of Rs.980 crore.  60% work is complete.

 (vi)      14 new Sub Stations have been set up in district Panipat, presently capacity of 31 Sub Stations have been increased and 181 kms long  lines have been laid. An amount of Rs 184.58 crore have been spent on it.

 (f)        PANCHKULA DISTRICT

 (i)        Zirakpur-Panchkula-Pinjore stretch of National Highway No.22 i.e. ‘Himalayan Expressway’ has been four-laned at a cost of Rs.412 crore.

 (ii)       Department of Irrigation has constructed ‘Kaushalaya Dam’ at a cost of Rs.207.91 crore.  This demand has been pending for last 40 years.

 (iii)     National Institute of Fashion Technology is being set up at Pinjore.

 (v)       General Hospital of Panchkula has been upgraded at a cost of Rs.59.62 crore.

 (vi)      Presently capacity    of 24 Sub Stations have been increased and 6 kms long           lines have been laid in district Panchkula. An amount of Rs 28.53 crore have             been spent on it.

(vii)    A new IT Park have been set up in Panchkula.

  (g)       YAMUNA NAGAR DISTRICT

 (i)        A 600 MW Ch. Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant has been set up at Yamuna Nagar. Government has approved setting up of another unit of 650 MW at the same place.

 (ii)       Panchkula-Yamuna Nagar National Highway is being four-laned at a cost of Rs.1,800 crore.  Works has been just started.

 (iii)     Two new Bus Stands have been constructed at Chhachhrauli and Sadhaura.

 (iv)      A new Trauma Centre has been constructed for Yamuna Nagar City.

 (v)       4 new Sub Stations have been set up in district Yamunanagar, presently capacity of 15 Sub Stations have been increased and 142 kms long  lines have been laid.          An amount of Rs119.18 crore have been spent on it.

 These are but a few examples and can be multiplied. We would advise the Leaders of Opposition Parties as also all Congress leaders to shed their myopic vision and contribute towards progress of State by working alongside in its growth and prosperity.”

Gidderbaha (Sri Muktsar Sahib), August 7, 2013: Describing the turban as an integral part of the ‘Sikh Identity’, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Union Government must mount pressure on national governments of foreign countries to stop the practice of removal of turban on name of ‘Security Check’ at International Airports.

Talking to the media persons here on the sidelines of the Sangat Drashan programme in Gidderbaha Assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Manjit Singh GK was asked to remove his turban during frisking at an international airport in Rome (Italy). He said that removal of turban on the name of security check in the foreign countries was a direct assault on the Sikh Identity and thus badly tormented their psyche adding that this grave disrespect to the Sikh Identity consciousness in any form was not at all tolerable. Badal said that in order to check this practice the Ministry of foreign affairs through its embassies in various countries must convey the respective national governments that they must accord due respect to the Turban by desisting from such practices, which hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. “I will soon take up this matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Foreign Affairs Minister for an immediate action” he added.

Expressing deep concern over the killing of five Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army after crossing LoC in Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that this reflected that the Union government has failed on all the fronts in the country, due to which it has lost its moral right to remain in Power. He reiterated that Union government has miserably failed in preserving the internal and external security of the country as a result of which the sovereignty of the country was under constant threat. He said that on the one hand countries like China and Pakistan have been repeatedly transgressing border treaties by indulging in such shameful activities and on the other hand the internal situation in country was highly volatile due to the problems like Naxalism, Terrorism and others.     

Earlier, addressing the gathering of village Peori, Daula, Bharu, Buttar Bakhua, Kot Bhai, Rukhala, Madheer and Hussanar, the Chief Minister slammed the PPP leader and former Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal for becoming a tool in the hands of the Congress party for weakening the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He categorically said that he had handed over his political legacy to Manpreet Singh Badal but unfortunately he stabbed the SAD to fulfill his political ambitions. However he said that the people of Punjab have given befitting reply to Manpreet for his treachery due to which he was now seeking refuge in the Congress party for brightening his political prospects.

The Chief Minister pointed out that by joining hands with Congress, Manpreet Singh Badal has proved he hardly has any ideological commitment. Badal also exhorted all the Akali workers and leaders who had joined the PPP alongwith Manpreet Singh Badal to come back to the party fold. Manpreet had neither fulfilled the commitment made with his mother party nor with the masses made at the sacred land of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth, so it was the high time that all those who had left SAD at his behest must come back to party fold, he added.

Terming Gidderbaha as a sacred land for him, the Chief Minister said that ever since the inception of his political career people of this assembly segment has showered a lot of love and respect to him, due to which he has high regards for them. Reiterating his commitment to further give impetus to the overall development of this constituency, Badal said that each and every problem of this area would be solved by the state government.

Honouring 122 Akali workers and their kin who were lodged in jails with him during the various Akali agitations, the Chief Minister said that it was a dream come true for him as he had always aspired to felicitate these ‘heroes’ who had made supreme sacrifices for constituting the Akali governments in the state. Badal also said that he had asked the leaders to collect the data of all such leaders who had faced hardships in jail so that a pictorial Directory of these leaders could be compiled for inspiring the future generations about their rich legacy. He said the SAD was in power today just because of the struggle of these leaders due to it was their moral duty to honor them.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Lok Sabha MP from Faridkot Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan, senior Akali leaders Hardeep Singh Dimpi Dhillon, Sant Singh Brar, Member SGPC Jathedar Navtej Singh Kauni, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Paramjeet Singh.       

Also one official of DDA and an owner & partner, both of a private firm in a bribery case of Rs.30 lakh

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 7, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested three officials of Municipal Corporation of Delhi and one official of Delhi Development Authority while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.30 lac from the Owner of Gurgaon-based private firm. The owner and partner, both of the said firm have also been arrested while offering the bribe to public servants.

It was alleged that these officials of MCD were taking the bribe amount on behalf of a Superintendent Engineer; Executive Engineer; Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer, all of the MCD for granting regularization in an improper manner for a Banquet Hall at Wazirpur Industrial Area, New Delhi.

The CBI got information that the accused officials of Municipal Corporation of Delhi had called the owner of Gurgaon based private firm to a location in Pitampura, Delhi for a part payment of Rs.30 lakh out of Rs. 50 lakh for which the deal was allegedly struck between the parties for grant of regularization to the Banquet Hall. The CBI laid a trap and arrested the accused persons along with bribe money.

Searches were conducted today at 15 places. During the search at the house of a Junior Engineer of MCD, an amount of Rs. 40 lakh (Approx.) has been recovered. Similarly, the search at the residence of one of the arrested accused of MCD, cash amounting to Rs. 30 lakhs and jewellery has been recovered.  The searches are continuing.

Further investigation is in progress. 

Army and Himachal Pradesh police personnel alongwith local people evacuate the residents of Tihra Lines village near Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) on Wednesday.
The area was hit by a massive land slide today morning.
Debris of the quarters that were swept away in a major landslide in Tihra lines near Dharamsala Town while few houses were left teetering on edge of the cliff. Entire hillock caved in on Wednesday causing damages to the house of local residents.
Residents of Tihra lines village alongwith their belongings took shelter in a transit camp set up by Indian Army.  
Even there was an elderly patient in the transit camp set up by Indian Army.
Text and Photos: Shyam Sharma/Dharamsala

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 8, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case Under Sections 120-B r/w 420, 467,468,471 & 477-A of IPC & Section 13(2) r/w 13 (1)(d) of PC Act 1998 against Senior Deputy Director (Medical Admn.), Corporate Social Responsibility, Bokaro Steel Limited (a Public Sector Undertaking) Bokaro (Jharkhand); An Assistant General Manager and Senior Pharmacist, both of Local Purchase Cell, BSL, Bokaro.

The accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy with Partners of Bokaro based private firm and with unknown others during 2008-2009. In pursuance of the said criminal conspiracy, the accused cheated the Bokaro Steel Limited by way of making payment of fake & fraudulent medicine bills worth Rs.23.73 lakh (approx) to a private firm against local purchase made for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) medical camps in different parts of the States of Jharkhand & Bihar in 2008-2009.  

Searches were conducted at the 7 residential premises and 3 office premises of accused located at Bokaro. Several incriminating documents recovered during searches are under scrutiny.

Further investigation is continuing.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 8, 2013:The Central Bureau of Investigation has today arrested two persons of District - Bijanour & Moradabad (U.P) for allegedly smuggling and trafficking of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) worth Rs.3,99,000 at Lucknow Railway Station. The seized FICNs are in the denomination of Rs.1000 and Rs. 500.

A case has been registered U/s 120-B r/w Section 489-B, 489-C of IPC.

The arrested accused are being produced today in the Designated Court at Lucknow (U.P). 

Ludhiana, August 9, 2013: An Army recruitment rally has been going on at the Dholewal Military Complex here.
The rally had started on August 5.
It will continue till August 13.
The Director, Recruitment, Col MS Mahar told the media persons here on Thursday that so far about 11,000 candidates have taken part in the rally. Of them, about 5,000 have cleared the physical fitness test, he added.
Brig Udai Yadav, Deputy Director General, Recruitment (Punjab and J&K), said the candidates are being screened for their physical fitness and medical status. He added successful candidates would have to undergo a written test. And the selected candidates would be inducted into the Army.
Further, Yadav said the ongoing recruitment process is computerised and transparent.
 

New Delhi, August 8, 2013: Questioning the soft approach of government towards harassment of Sikhs in foreign lands, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member Parliament, gave a notice for suspension of Question Hour over the issue, on the fourth day of Monsoon Session of Parliament, here today.

Speaking on the Notice she said, time and again, incidents of harassment of Sikhs worldover she began by saying, “thousands of the Sikhs in their everyday life have to bear the brunt of hate crimes because of their mistaken identity due to their attire.  In Wisconsin when some Sikhs were peacefully praying in their temples, people came inside, butchered them and killed them.  Repeatedly, in countries like France they are humiliated, their children are not allowed to study in Government schools or a country like Italy again-and-again humiliates them at every airport of theirs in Italy.”

Decrying the removal of turban of Manjit Singh GK, Chief of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee at Rome Airport, Badal said that it is the third incident at Italian Airport during last one year. Quoting the stark examples of ill-treatment meted out to Sikhs at Italian Airport, she said that earlier, it happened with Sardar Amritinder Singh, Coach of Golfer Jeev Milkha Singh who was asked by the airport security staff at Milan to remove his turban not just once on his arrival at Milan Airport but shockingly at the time of his departure too. Similarly, it happened to a Sikh senior commander with Jet Airways Capt Dhupia when he was asked to take off his turban during security check for his Flight 141 to Delhi from the Milan airport and now it has happened with the President of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee who was not only asked to remove his turban but was also detained at the airport for nearly 24 hours on his refusal to do so.

Describing the turban as an integral part of the ‘Sikh Identity’, the Member Parliament said that the Union Government must mount pressure on governments of foreign countries to stop the practice of removal of turban on name of ‘Security Check’ at International Airports. She said that removal of turban on the name of security check in the foreign countries was a direct assault on the Sikh Identity and thus badly tormented their psyche. Adding on she said that the grave disrespect to the Sikh Identity consciousness in any form was intolerable.

Condemning centre for failure in safeguarding the interests of Sikh community Badal said that in order to check this practice the Ministry of foreign affairs through its embassies in various countries must ensure the respective national governments that they must accord due respect to the Turban by desisting from such practices, which hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs.

She said that as per international law, turban cannot be removed but the security officials at airports in Italy time and again do not let a Sikh take off unless his turban is removed. Highlighting the importance of turban for Sikhs, she said that unlike other head coverings it is an inextricable part of the Sikh identity and is worn by Sikhs at all times. Turban is not a part of the attire but it is an integral part of being a Sikh; Turban is part of our being, said she.  “You may take off my head but not my turban” has been the reaction of Sikhs who were subjected to the tyrannical rules and they happily gave supreme sacrifices than to give up their turban, she added.

When would the government ensure that right of the Sikhs to enjoy religious freedom set forth as per the European Convention on Human Rights, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, asked Harsimrat?

Condemning any type of discrimination be that to Sikhs or those belonging to any other religion, Member Parliament sought strong diplomatic action.

CBI files chargesheet against then minister of Haryana; his private personal assistant and then CPS

New Delhi/Jalandhar, August 9, 2013: The Central Bureau Of Investigation has filed a charge sheet against an MLA of Panipat who was also then Minister of Transport, Tourism, Civil Aviation & Hospitality Departments of Haryana Government ; his private Personal Assistant and  another MLA of Assand, District Karnal who was also the then Chief Parliamentary Secretary, of Public Health, Industrial Training Institute & Printing Press, Government of Haryana, in the court of Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI, Panchkula (Haryana) in a case relating to unnatural death of Karam Singh Ex Sarpanch of village Kambopura, District Karnal (Haryana).

A case was registered by CBI on 25.9.2012 on the order dated 30.8.2012 of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, Chandigarh passed in Civil Writ Petition No. 23980 (O&M) of 2011 filed by the son of  Karam Singh (deceased) , directing the CBI to take up investigation of case FIR No.439 dated 07.06.2011 of PS Civil Lines, Karnal relating to the alleged murder of  Karam Singh, an Ex-Sarpanch & father of the petitioner, against an MLA, Assand, Karnal,(Haryana) & the then Chief Parliamentary Secretary, of Public Health, Industrial Training Institute, Printing Press, Government of Haryana and another MLA & the then Minister of Transport, Tourism, Civil Aviation, Hospitality Departments of Government of Haryana.

The allegations were that accused MLA of Assand District Karnal had taken Rs.4.95 lacs from deceased Karam Singh for the recruitment of a candidate, resident of Village Chhot, District Kaithal as constable in Haryana Government. Another accused MLA of Panipat had allegedly taken Rs.4.5 lacs for the recruitment of a candidate, resident of Village Madlauda, District Panipat as Clerk in HSSC, Haryana and Rs.3 lacs as advance for the recruitment of the son of the deceased as conductor in Haryana Roadways from Karam Singh(deceased) through his private PA. When the government jobs in respect of the said candidates could not be materialised, Karam Singh requested both the MLAs for the return of money, but the accused persons refused to return the same. Shri Karam Singh made his all out efforts to get the money refunded from them but the accused persons started harassing and threatened him. On 7.6.2011, Karam Singh was found in serious condition near Christian Cemetery in Karnal. He was admitted in Trauma Centre, Government Hospital, Karnal, where the doctors declared him dead on the same day.

After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet U/s 306 IPC for abetment to suicide in the court of Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI cases, Panchkula, (Haryana) against three accused persons on 8.8.2013.

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.

Amritsar, August 9, 2013: The Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) men led by Vikramjit Singh Chaudhry today stopped the Lahore bound Delhi-Lahore bus for a short span here today.

The agitators staging protest against the killing of five Indian Soldiers by Pakistan Army in Poonch area (Jammu & Kashmir) in the recent past.

This bus service is being played under the very high security along with the pilot escort vehicles right from the starting point Delhi, Haryana and Punjab up to Attari Indo-Pak Border, was stopped by the PYC leaders and workers for a few minutes. On getting the information, heavy police force arrived there and cleared passage for the “Sada-e-Sarhad” bus service on the Amritsar-Attari road.