New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 19, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has today arrested MLA of Karnataka in an ongoing investigation relating to alleged illegalities in the export of iron ore from the Belakiri Port.

According to the CBI Spokesperson, a case was registered by the CBI on the orders of the  Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil), No. 562/2009 and connected matters, in which CBI has been directed to investigate the illegalities committed by various persons in the matter of export of iron ore from the Belekeri Port against the then DCF, Bellary;, the then Deputy Director of Mines & Geology Dept., Hospet ; a private firm and others  under sections 120-B, 420, 379, 411 & 447 of IPC; u/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of  PC Act 1988;  u/s 21 r/w 4(1), 4(1)(A) & 23 of MMDR Act-1957 and u/s 24 of Karnataka Forest Act 1963

The allegations in brief  as per the FIR were that, a private firm has  exported about 9.86 lakh MT of iron ore through Belekeri Port between 01.01.2009 & 31.05.2010 and that out of the 9.86 lakh MT of iron ore, a substantial Portion was prima facie seen to be mined illegally in forest areas of Bellary and other places of Karnataka. 

The same was allegedly transported to Belekeri port without the valid permits issued by the departments of Mines & Geology and the Department of Forest and also without payment of the required Royalty and Forest Development Tax. It has been  further alleged that this was done in connivance and in conspiracy with the then DCF, Bellary & his subordinates, the then Dy. Director, Mines & Geology Department, Hospet and his subordinates, the Mining Lease Holders, Stockyardists, traders, transporters, unregistered dealers, stevedores and other public servants of various departments. The accused persons thus, caused a wrongful loss to the Government of Karnataka and corresponding gain to themselves.

During the custodial interrogation of some accused persons in the case, it has been revealed that MLA had allegedly negotiated with other accused persons, not only for the purchase of iron ore material, but also dispute regarding the quality of iron ore supplied.

The arrested MLA will be produced before the Special Judge for CBI cases Bangalore on 20.09.2013.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 19, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Tis Hazari Courts, New Delhi has today convicted Rasheed Masood, the then Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare; Gurdial Singh, then Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan, New Delhi (IPS, Retired); Amal Kumar Roy, then Secretary to Chief Minister, Tripura(IAS, Retired) and nine other private persons i.e Geeta Banik; Bipul Kanti Rakshit; Sonia; Sachidanand Dwivedi; Kumari Kirti; Hemant Saluja; Giti Puri; Roopa Ghosh and Udai Shankar Sharma   for offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and criminal misconduct in a case relating to fraudulently making nomination letters in favour of students acquainted/ known to them for obtaining admissions to MBBS/ BDS Courses in various colleges.

CBI had registered the case on the directions of Guwahati High Court, Agartala Bench, Agartala passed vide Order 1.2.1996 in Civil Misc. Case No.53 of 1996. It was alleged that the public servants misused their official position on behalf of the Government of India and Tripura to fraudulently making nomination letters in favour of students acquainted/ known to them for obtaining admissions to MBBS/ BDS Courses in various colleges situated all over India during the period 1989-1990. These public servants were not authorized to nominate any students for any MBBS/ BDS admissions. The students who benefitted from these fraudulent nominations were also ineligible for admissions—they were neither in the merit list as per the Entrance Examination nor were they permanent residents of Tripura.

Investigation was conducted in different parts of the country, including Delhi, Tripura, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Pondicherry. More than one hundred witnesses and voluminous records were seized to build up the case against the accused persons. 

After thorough investigation, CBI filed chargesheets against 12 accused persons U/s 120-B of IPC r/w Sec. 420, 468 and 471 of IPC and U/s 13 (2) r/w Sec. 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The Trial Court found the twelve accused persons guilty & convicted them and adjourned the matter to 1stt October, 2013, for awarding sentences to the accused.

Jalandhar, September 20, 2013: Air Marshal SS Soman, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command accompanied with his wife Rashmi Soman President Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional) (AFWWA (R) Western Air Command (WAC), IAF visited Air Force Station, Adampur from September 19 to 20. 

They were received by Air Commodore SK Mohlah, Air Officer Commanding AF Station Adampur and Nandhana S Mohlah, President AFWWA(L) AF Station Adampur.   On arrival. AOC-in-C visited different working places and interacted with the personnel including civilian employees of the station. In his address he exhorted to the personnel to feel pride of their uniform.     President Rashmi Soman AFWWA(R) attended various functions hosted for her at the station.
Air Marshal SS Soman is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune. He was commissioned in the Flying Branch in Dec 1976 and has more than 3400 hours of flying on fighter aircraft.    His field assignments include Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron, Chief Flying Instructor at the Flying Instructors School, Chief Operations Officer at Air Force Station Srinagar during Op Parakram and Air Officer Commanding Pathankot. He has also served in a number of staff appointments that include Director Operations (Air Defence), Dir Intelligence, Dir Operations (Joint Planning), Principal Director Operations (Space), Principal Director Flight Safety at Air HQ. His senior assignments include Air Defence Commander at HQ Western Air Command (WAC) and as Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ WAC and HQ South Western Air Command.
Air Marshal SS Soman is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and has graduated from Air War College, USA.    He has served as Asst Def Advisor at the High Commission of India, Dhaka. The Air Marshal was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1999 and 2009 respectively.    He is married and has two children. His hobbies include reading and music. He is a keen golfer.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 20, 2013: A massive Chetana Rally is being organised by Goswami Samaj at Talkatora Stadium,  New Delhi on September 21 at 11 AM.

The Rally is being organised to create awakening among the Goswami Samaj throughout the country for reservation in OBC category in government services and due representation in the political scenario of the country.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 20, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has closed the preliminary inquiry against the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and his family members for possession of alleged Disproportionate Assets.

A Preliminary Inquiry was registered by CBI on March 5, 2007 against the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, his son, daughter-in-law and others in pursuant to the order dated March 1, 2007 of Supreme Court of India in a Writ Petition (Civil) No. 633/05 filed in November, 2005. The suspects of the PE filed Review Petitions against the said orders of the Supreme Court.

Since the suspects did not join the enquiry at the initial stage, the PE was concluded in 2007 itself, without taking into account the defence of the suspects, computing combined DA of the four suspects including daughter-in-law to the tune of Rs. 2,63,06,498 (approx). However, the final outcome of the PE remained pending due to litigations and pendency of said Review Petitions.

The Supreme Court decided the Review Petitions and other Misc. Petitions vide its order dated 13.12.2012. The Apex Court ordered that the income, assets and expenditure pertaining to daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister should be excluded from those of her other family members. This order necessitated re-assessment of the evidence collected during the inquiry, and have a fresh look upon the same, in accordance with the orders of Honorable Supreme Court.

During the further inquiry, a large number of persons, including the suspects, have been examined and numerous documents were collected. Careful examination of documents, statements of witnesses and the version of the suspects during the course of further inquiry, has not brought out sufficient evidence supporting the allegation of possession of any disproportionate assets, jointly or individually against the former Chief Minister of UP and his family members.

During the further inquiry, conducted from December, 2012 inwards in the light of the Supreme Court orders, each and every item brought out in the earlier findings of CBI has been thoroughly re-examined and re-assessed. Care has also been taken to probe every single item finding mention in the writ petition. After exploring each possible avenue, CBI has closed the PE against the former CM and his family members, on account of grossly insufficient evidence.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 21,2013 : The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case under section 120-B,420, 468,471 IPC and 13 (2) r/w 13(1) d of PC Act against Deputy Chief Security Officer, All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), New Delhi; Managing Director of a Private Company based at Delhi and others, on allegations relating to irregularities and cheating in the tender for providing security services at AIIMS, involving a loss of around Rs. 1 crore to government exchequer.
Searches were conducted today at four places i.e. house & office of Deputy Chief Security Officer at AIIMS complex and at the house and office of MD of Private Company at Janakpuri, New Delhi. During the searches, incriminating documents relating to the allegations in the FIR of the case have been recovered.
Further investigation is continuing.

Chandigarh, September 21, 2013: Partap Singh Bajwa, President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today in a communication to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh demanded an inquiry by CBI into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for Sikh migrants of 1984 riots by certain ruling Shiromani Akali Dal leaders of Punjab.
In a letter written to Prime Minister, Bajwa said that the Ludhiana Sikh Migrants Welfare Board representing these victims has brought to his notice large scale bungling and misappropriation of these funds on the basis of fake identity cards issued at the behest of some ruling party leaders who enjoyed the patronage of the present SAD-BJP government.
He wrote, “I am constrained to bring to your kind notice a case of extreme hardship, disappointment and misery inflicted on nearly 22,000 Sikh migrants of 84 riots who settled in Punjab after migrating from all over the country. In this connection I point out your kind attention to a circular (No.  U.13018/46/2005-Delhi-I (NC)) issued by Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India dated 6th January, 2006”.
He added that the above circular, inter alia, provided that these 22,000 families being victim of riots would be paid rehabilitation grants at Rs.2 lakh per family. It was further decided that the state government concerned (in this case Punjab) would provide red colour Identity Card to the victims after verification and on that basis give the grants to them and would then seek reimbursement from the Government of India.
Bajwa noted that on a petition by the Ludhiana Sikh Migrants Welfare Board even the High Court has intervened and at their behest a vigilance inquiry was conducted by the Punjab Government which concluded that fake Identity Cards were indeed issued to distribute rehabilitation allowance of rupees Rs. 2 lakh each. The vigilance inquiries were surprisingly dropped on flimsy and unconvincing grounds of shortage of staff.
“In brief huge amount of the grant given by Govt. of India, meant for genuine riots victims has been squandered away by ruling party politicians in connivance with state government. The matter was adjudicated in High Court Punjab & Haryana and has been in major newspapers from the last several years. In spite of all this state government has not succeeded in bringing the guilty to books and ensure that this money goes to the genuine beneficiaries”, Bajwa informed the PM.
PPCC president said that under the circumstances it is earnestly requested that the matter may be handed over to the CBI for investigation since the funds involved are of Government of India. These gestures of the government will build-up lots of goodwill among these people and will also expose the corrupt politicians and officers of the present government in Punjab.  This will go a long way in the rehabilitation of these riot victims.

Chandigarh, September 22, 2013: Former Punjab Chief Minister and permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee Capt Amarinder Singh today demanded a high level probe into the allegations against former Chief of Army Staff General (rtd) VK Singh.
The former Chief Minister also asked the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to clarify his stand on the issue as there have been other allegations against Gen VK Singh that he tried to scuttle the appointment of the current Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh just because he belonged to a particular community.
Capt Amarinder said, the nature of allegations against the former Army chief was quite serious including the one that he tried to destabilise an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.
He had a dig at the self proclaimed supporters of Gen Singh that he was being made a victim of the political vendetta. “Nobody can be immune to law of land”, he asserted while adding, just because someone is trying to make an excuse that he was being made a victim of political vendetta he cannot escape the inquiry.
He said, instead of accusing others of political vendetta, those trying to support the ex-Army Chief should introspect as they were actually themselves politicizing it. “When nothing wrong has been done why should anyone be scared of an inquiry”, Capt Amarinder asked.
He asked Badal to clarify his stand on the issue since he (Badal) has been supporting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who has been patronising Gen VK Singh.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 22, 2013: All India Goswami Samaj has demanded uniform reservation in the OBC category in Government services in all States in the country.
While pledging for getting due representation in the political scenario of the country, Goswami Samaj decided to extend support to those political parties, who will  promise to fulfill their demands in the coming elections.
All the prominent speakers at the massive Chetana Rally at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi expressed concern over the negligible representation in the politics and said that now, the time has come that Goswami Samaj should actively participate in the politics and put up their demands to the political parties in a effective manner.
The Chetana Rally was inaugurated by Mahant Narayan Giri, Ghaziabad and Swami Muktanand Puri Ji Maharaj, Alwar by lighting the traditional lamp and urged the Goswami Samaj to work hard for bringing social and political awareness among the society.       
The main coordinator of the rally,  Sanjay Goswami stressed the need for making concrete efforts for increasing the representation of Goswami Samaj in the politics. He asked the Goswami Samaj to extend support for those political parties, who will make promise to fulfill their demands.
Vishnu Goswami demanded uniform reservation in the OBC category in Government services in all States in the country. He said that the Samaj would mount pressure on various political parties to fulfill their demands.
A large number of members of Goswami Samaj thronged in the Talkatora Stadium, which converted the Chetana Rally into a historic rally. All the elderly members were felicitated on the occasion.

Jalandhar, September 23, 2013: The Army Recruiting Office  Jalandhar Cantt will be organising an Army recruitment rally for the categories of Soldier General Duty, Soldier Technical trades, Soldier Nursing Assistant and Clerks/Store Keeper Technical for candidates belonging to the districts of Kapurthala, Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur with effect from October 4to 10  this year at Guru Nanak Stadium, Kapurthala.
Candidates belonging to the districts of Kapurthala, Sahid Bhagat Singh Nagar and Jalandhar will be screened on 04 Oct 2013, whereas the candidates hailing from Hoshiarpur will be screened on 05 Oct 2013.  Screening for Soldier Technical category, Soldier Nursing Assistant and Clerks/Store Keeper Technical for the candidates of all castes belonging to Punjab will be held on 06 Oct 2013.
For the category of Soldier General Duty, candidate should be between 17 ½ to 21 years of  age ie born between 04 Oct 1992 to 04 Apr 1996. Height minimum 170 Cms (166 Cms for Kandi Area). The candidate should have passed 10th with 45% marks in aggregate and 33 % in each subject.
For the category of Soldier Clerk/Store Keeper Technical (SKT), candidate should be between 17 ½  to 23 years of  age ie born between 04 Oct 1990 to      04 Apr 1996. Height 162 Cms and weight 50 Kgs. The candidate should have passed 12th class with  40 % in each subject and 50 % in aggregate.
For the category of soldier Technical, soldier technical (Aviation) and soldier nursing assistant the candidate should be between 17 ½  to 23 years of age ie born between 04 Oct 1990 to 04 Apr 1996.  Height minimum 170 Cms (166 Cms for Kandi Area). The candidate should have passed 12th class in Science with English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry (except for soldier nursing assistant for whom, the candidates must have passed 12th class with Biology as one of the subjects.
The candidate should bring 12 copies of latest passport size photographs,  whereas Sikh candidates are required to bring  12 copies of their photographs with turban and 12 copies without turban. In addition, candidate should also bring their original copies of documents such as education certificate, residence certificate, Caste certificate, Religion certificate, Character certificate, no claim and unmarried candidate certificate, relationship certificate for sons of Serviceman/Ex-Serviceman. Kandi area certificate by Kandi area candidates etc.
It is to inform that Recruitment into Army is a free service. Candidates should not pay bribe to anyone for recruitment as it is based purely on individual merit.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 23, 2013: Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda has expressed concern over the manner in which social networking sites are spreading messages with communal overtones on incidents through video clippings.
Speaking at the meeting of National Integration Council in New Delhi today, Hooda said that social networking sites such as Facebook, MMS and Twitter are propagating messages instigating communal feelings. He urged the Central Government to control such social networking sites under the present legal framework.
Hooda called upon the States and the Centre to reaffirm collective resolve to combat communalism and anti-national activities, so as to protect the vision and legacy of inclusive peace, justice and prosperity, which the founding fathers of our nation gave to us.
Referring to the situation in Haryana, Hooda said that the State enjoys an atmosphere of complete harmony and peace. Recently some mischievous persons had tried to create communal tension in Gurgaon and Rewari districts by instigating issues connected with transportation of cows, but with immediate and decisive response, the situation was brought under control quickly by the District Administration and Police. He said that the State Government is alert, sensitive and resolute and will never let communal forces disturb the State’s march towards inclusive and equitable economic growth for all.
Regarding the measures taken to tackle crime against members belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs),  Hooda said that Haryana Government attaches the highest importance to matters concerning welfare and protection of the weaker sections, including effective implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Government wants the members of SCs/STs to feel secure and live with dignity. In cases of crimes against members of SCs/STs, the FIRs are promptly registered. Investigation of all offences related to atrocities against SCs/STs are being conducted by officers of the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and charge-sheets are being filed in the competent courts of law within prescribed time limits. Some officers including the district SPs and Range IGPs have been directed to personally supervise cases of crimes against SCs/STs. The police force is being regularly sensitized towards crimes against SCs/STs by way of well structured training programmes being run in Haryana Police Academy and recruit training centres.
Hooda said that the proper follow up of reports of complaints of atrocities against SCs/STs received from various sources including the National Commission for SCs/STs is done. An SC/ST Protection Cell has been established in the Police Headquarters under the charge of Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Haryana for monitoring all complaints or cases of atrocities against members of SCs/STs. The Home Secretary and the Social Welfare Secretary to the State Government, Director of Prosecution, the officer-in-charge of Prosecution and the Director-General of Police review the position of all investigations done by the Investigating Officers.
Hooda said that Commissioners of Police and District Superintendent of Police have been directed to ensure action at personal level, as and when any information is received about any possible flash point, which may lead to communal tension. Peace committees have been formed for consolidating confidence in the communities. Whenever there are festivals, melas or religious occasions, timely alert messages are issued to the field formations from CID Headquarters for helping in maintenance of peace and law & order situation.
Hooda expressed firm resolve of the state government to meet the challenges of communalism and social divisiveness and to ensure a peaceful and socially harmonious environment for all. “We stand committed to combat communalism and all anti-national activities and fully support all initiatives of the Central Government in this regard,” Hooda said.  
 

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 24, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case U/s 302 of IPC relating to alleged murder of Neeraj Bhadana Medico Student of a University in Moradabad on the request of Uttar Pradesh government and further notification from Govt. of India.
The case was earlier registered by State Police vide crime (No. 206/2013) of PS Pak Bada, District Moradabad(U.P) U/s 302 of IPC .  It was alleged that Neeraj Bhadana, a medico student of MBBS (first year) of a University in Moradabad was found dead on July 6 this year on the ground opposite her hostel veranda.

 The parents of the deceased were informed at 8.30 PM on July 6 this year about her sickness and at 12.30 midnight about her death when they were on way to Moradabad. The case was lodged on the basis of a complaint from the father of the deceased alleging that the dead body of Neeraj Bhadana had nail scratch marks on the face, neck, hand and upper body and marks of beating on the legs and waist.
CBI has taken over the investigation of the case.
Further investigation is in progress.

New Delhi, September 23, 2013: Punjab today urged the National Integration Council (NIC) to address the failure of the system to punish those guilty of the 1984 massacre of innocent Sikhs, asserting the greatest confidence building measure is to ensure justice in the aftermath of communal violence.
Representing Punjab in 16th NIC meeting held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Punjab Information & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today pointed out that the failure to punish those guilty of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in the national capital and rewarding killers with high offices was not the best way to promote peace, harmony and national integration. He said that the failure of the system to deliver justice even after 30 long years has caused deep resentment and led to a dangerous alienation. He said that such issues needed to be addressed with utmost seriousness by the National Integration Council which by its very definition was the perfect forum to bring about the emotional integration of our people by assuaging their hurt sentiments. Underlining the need to create an atmosphere in which people have faith in the sincerity, sensitivity and impartiality of the political leaders, Majithia emphasised the need of sagacious leadership and an effective police force. Besides this, the political leadership also has to rise above narrow vote bank politics and to be representative of all communities and guard against alignment with sectarian forces, he added.
Majithia also highlighted the aspect that Punjab has the proud to be one of the few states, where no communal or caste riots have taken place after the post partition trauma of 1947. He said that in the last two years hundreds of people have been killed in communal clashes and thousands injured in almost 20 States, no incident of communal violence had been recorded in Punjab.
Stressing that this atmosphere of peace and communal harmony had not come the State’s way by sheer chance, the senior Minister who was representing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the occasion, said that only 10 days back the Punjab Police had unearthed a cross border plot to target prominent Hindu leaders of the state. “This speaks for the constant vigil being kept by us to ensure communal harmony is maintained at all costs.”
The Minister said that sincerity, sensitivity and impartiality of political leaders went a long way in building public morale and confidence. He said Punjab was a blessed State in having in Chief Minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, who was committed that if Punjab was to go forward all sections of society has to be taken along. “Badal Sahab’s Sangat Darshan programmes themselves are his way of staying connected with the hearts and minds of Punjabis”.
Presenting the NCRB statistics, Majithia said that Punjab accounts for only 1.33 per cent of the total incidents of crime against women reported in the country. Reiterating the SAD-BJP government’s top priority of safety and security of women, Mr. Majithia informed that 181 police help line with dedicated desks for Women operated 24 x 7 by skilled and sympathetic women counsellors, formation of Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) in each district, increased representation of women in the Punjab Police with ongoing recruitment process for 500 women Sub Inspectors , recruitment of 3224 women constables recruited in the last four years, setting up of 20 fast track courts have been set up in the State to ensure quick trial of crimes against women, were the initiatives of our government.
He also pointed out that Punjab has the highest percentage (32 % ) of scheduled caste population the government guided by the principle of a welfare State and  the firm resolve of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal provides a number of social welfare measures including “Atta Daal”, old age pensions and “shagun” to the under privileged sections of society.  Besides this, the establishment of 17 special courts to hold trials registered under the SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989 and establishment of a SC and Weaker Section Cell in the office of the ADGP Crime were other initiatives of Punjab government. He also informed that in case of the incidents and rate of crime committed against SCs during 2012 as National Crimes Record Bureau, Punjab accounts for only 0.21 per cent reported incidents in the country.
The Public Relations Minister also said that the social media has a tremendous capacity to play a positive role , the government must encourage the citizens, specially the youth to use the social media for promoting national integration and tackling hate propaganda.
Recalling the unparalleled sacrifice of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh and number of other great freedom fighter from Punjab, Majithia said that why do we find no Indians in India? We only find Hindus or Muslims, Sikhs or Christians, Brahmins or Dalits, upper castes or lower castes?
Majithia said that he was quite hopeful that just like the rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi enthused the nation to rise, change the law and ensure better security for women, the Muzzafarnagar incident would become a catalyst for  communal harmony, peace and all round development of the country in future.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 24, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested two officials of Customs, Marine & Preventive Wing, Mumbai for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.10,000 from the complainant for releasing the consignment of mobile phone.

A case was registered by the CBI against two officials who were working as Hawaldars of Customs, Marine & Preventive wing, Mumbai on the allegations that during 25-26 August 2013, the accused detained a parcel of the complainant and demanded Rs.50,000 as bribe from him for releasing the same. The complainant was not having money at that time so the accused released the parcel of the complainant on the assurance that the complainant would pay Rs. 10,000 monthly (Hafta) bribe to him.

A trap was laid by CBI and both the accused were arrested.

Searches were conducted at the residential premises of both the accused persons and incriminating documents relating to investments made by the   alleged accused persons were recovered.

Both the arrested accused were produced before the Competent court and were remanded to police custody upto September 30 this year.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 24,2013: The Special Judge, CBI, Guwahati (Assam) has convicted Kabin Chandra Kalita, the then Cashier, Punjab National Bank, Extension Counter, NIRD, Khanapara (Guwahati) and sentenced him to undergo three years imprisonment with fine of Rs. 25,000 U/s. 409 IPC and Section 13(2) R/w 13(1)(c) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.   

This case was registered on 29.06.2004. On completion of investigation, CBI filed a Charge Sheet on 20.12.2006 against the accused Kabin Chandra Kalita U/s. 409 & 477A IPC and Section 13(2) R/w 13(1)(c) of Prevention of Corruption Act., 1988 for misappropriation of an amount of Rs. 11,39,700/-(approx). The accused manipulated the various deposits of the customers of bank in respect of various accounts during period 1999-2003 and misappropriated the same.

The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Chandigarh, September 24, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today assured the Punjabi farmers settled in Gujarat that he would soon take up the issue with the Ministry of Railways, Government of India (GoI) for extending the existing Jammu Tawi- Ahmedabad Express Train to Kutch in Gujarat to enable them to frequently visit Punjab, in a hassle free manner.

Interacting with a high powered 50 member delegation from Kutch region of Gujarat led by its President Jugraj Singh that specially called on Badal for expressing their gratitude for recently taking up their case of displacement vigorously with his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was duty bound to safeguard their interests. He further assured the delegation that SAD-BJP government would be ever ready to take up any issue related to the welfare of Punjabi farmers settled in Gujarat at the highest forum in view of their enormous contribution in the overall development of Gujarat thereby converting the barren land into lush green fields through their sweat and toil.

Responding to another issue raised by the delegation related to the waiving off the condition of freezing the land records, the Chief Minister said that he had already taken up this matter with Modi, who in turn has assured him that this would also be amicably resolved to the satisfaction of Punjabi farmers. It may be recalled that out of 784 farmers whose land records have been freezed due to pending appeal in the Apex Court, 153 belong to Punjab. He aptly realised their genuine hardships in wake of the freeze of land records which was a major impediment in way of seeking co-operative loans, water connections besides bank loans for other purposes.

The delegation also invited the Chief Minister to visit the holy Sikh shrine Gurdwara Sri Nanak Durbar at Kot Lakhpat in Kutch district, the historical place associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev who stayed here while going and coming back from Mecca (Saudi Arabia) during his Udaasi. The delegation apprised Badal that a religious congregation was held here on December 25 every year and requested him to participate in it, which was celebrated by the local Sikhs besides several devotees from various part of the country and abroad.  The delegation informed that the holy shrine has also been duly recognised by the UNESCO and thus demanded that keeping in view its historical importance efforts should be intensified to acquaint the people about its centuries old heritage and religious sanctity. Replying to this issue, the Chief Minister told the delegation that he would soon take up this matter with the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) to initiate requisite steps in this regard.

The Chief Minister also assured the delegation that he would soon urge the SGPC to open a school there in Kutch region to enable the children of Punjabi farmers to learn Punjabi- their mother tongue. The delegation highly appreciated Badal's gesture and promised to donate a suitable site for the school at a central place so that it could cater to the needs of Punjabi families living nearby.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary SK Sandhu and Special Principal Secretary Gaggandip Singh Brar.

The prominent members of delegation included Jugraj Singh, Udham Singh, Ranjit Singh, Kewal Singh and Dharam Singh.

Jalandhar, September 25, 2013: Air Marshal SS Soman, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command visited Air Force Station Halwara on September 24-25.  
Air Marshal SS Soman and Rashmi Soman President Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional) (AFWWA-R) were received by Air Commodore RGK Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Halwara and his wife Dr (Mrs) Suneeta Kapoor President AFWWA (Local).   
The Air Marshal was presented a guard of honour before being introduced to the key appointments of the station.  This was followed by the wreath laying ceremony at the Station War Memorial. The Air Marshal visited the squadrons and important installations in Air Force Station Halwara.
Later in the day he interacted with the air warriors of the base.
Air Marshal SS Soman is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Pune. He was commissioned in the Flying Branch in Dec 1976 and has more than 3400 hours of flying on fighter aircraft. His field assignments include Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron, Chief Flying Instructor at the Flying Instructor’s School, Chief Operations Officer of a premier Air Force Station during Op Parakram and Air Officer Commanding of a fighter base. His senior assignments include Air Defence Commander and Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Western Air Command and at HQ South Western Air Command.   As Senior Air Staff Officer HQ SWAC, he coordinated the planning and conduct of Exercise Iron Fist in Pokharan.
He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College and has graduated from Air War College, USA.   He has served as Assistant Defence Adviser at the High Commission of India, Dhaka. The Air Marshal was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 1999 and 2009, respectively.
Rashmi Soman President AFWWA (R) Western Air Command has several years of teaching experience across various schools at IAF bases. She was the Vice Principal at the India International School in Dhaka for three years. She has also taught English language for a year to a group of International spouses at an US Air Force base.   She has worked for more than a decade in the field of Education and Career Counseling and has travelled extensively to participate in the training workshops.
She was the Secretary of Dhaka Indian Women’s Association (DIWA), wherein various social & welfare activities for women of Indian origin were conducted.   She was instrumental in conducting various cultural programmes exhibiting and enhancing Indian culture amongst the international community.   Soman visited ‘Umeed Vidya Kiran’, Pre- Nursery School and ‘Umeed Asha Kiran’ school for special children, all of which are a part of welfare activities run by Dr Suneeta Kapoor President AFWWA (Local). She also visited 9 Air Force Hospital to inquire about the welfare of patients.   
An AFWWA meeting was organised where Rashmi Soman interacted with the ‘Sanginis’ (the spouses of Air Warriors).

Dharamsala, September 25, 2013: Dr Lobsang Sangay, Prime Minister (Sikyong) of Exiled Tibetan Government in India said here, “The Central Tibetan Administration is making efforts to resolve the problems faced by Tibetan nurses in view of the recent circular issued by Indian Nursing Council (INC)”.
He said that the circular, which stated that nurses of foreign nationalities cannot practice in India, has created a lot of apprehension among Tibetans studying nursing and midwifery in India.
Sikyong said here on Wednesday, that there has been a misunderstanding, The original circular from INC states that “Foreign Nationals (including Nepali, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese and Tibetan Refugees) having valid certificate of Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife in their own Country as on date of admission; they can be admitted for higher nursing education in India. However, they will not be registered to practice in India. Even no temporary registration will be provided to them during their study period or upon completion under any circumstances, what so ever.”
Sikyong Dr Sangay clarified that the circular says foreign nationals having valid certificates from countries other than India are barred from working. But, Tibetans having studied and earned certificates from institutions in India, are not barred from practicing in India, he said.
He said, “The Bureau Office in New Delhi had also approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the matter.”

Jalandhar, September 26, 2013: A group of 15 students from remote villages of Nubra valley in Western Ladakh region of J & K visited headquarters Vajra Corps today as part of an educational cum motivational tour under operation Sadbhavana, where,   the students met  Lt Gen AK Bakshi, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps.   The General Officer interacted with children.
The civilian population in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir needs to be integrated into the national mainstream, as the region is virtually cut off from rest of the country, both culturally and geographically.   Therefore, it is important that the Army undertakes certain projects to link the region with the rest of country, to show the people of Ladakh the unity and diversity of our nation.
Further to this aim of involving the people of Ladakh in the national mainstream, the tour is being organized to Chandigarh, New Delhi, Agra, Lucknow and Amritsar.    The aim of the tour is to ensure that these students can witness the rich cultural heritage of our country and are also abreast with the latest developments of country in fields of science and technology.   The students are very fortunate as they are having an opportunity to interact with the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.   The students will also visit places of national heritage such as the Qutab Minar, Jantar Mantar, Lotus Temple, Jama masjid and India gate during their visit to Delhi.
The team at Chandigarh met the Principal Secretary of state, Punjab and visit Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake and various shopping malls in Chandigarh and will also visit the Virasat-e-khalsa at Anandpur Sahib.
The trip will also provide most of the students with their first opportunity of a train journey and  aware of their country’s heritage and also motivate them to form part of the national mainstream by excelling in their studies.  It will also provide them with various fun experiences such as visiting shopping malls and seeing the streets of Delhi and movie in multiplex hall.
The team will also visit Agra and witness the wonder of the world Tajmahal and move to Lucknow where they will meet Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and also see imam Bada,  Rasidency, Parivartan Sthal, Bhool Bhulaiya and movie in a Multiplex.
The tour was flagged off from Diskit, Nubra valley by Commander of Siachen Brigade, where all the civilian and army official witnessed the function.
 

Ludhiana, September 26, 2013: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari has sought the early start of the Amritsar-Lal Kuan (Uttarakhand) train via Chandigarh which has already been approved by the Railway Ministry.
Tewari said, the rail will provide a long awaited important rail link between people of Punjab and the Punjabis settled in the Terai region of Uttarakhand. He said, he had been told that the train was to start from July but has been delayed so far.
The Minister also sought the stoppage of the train at Bazpur railway station which is an important halt. Under the current schedule there is no halt of the train at the Bazpur railway station.
Besides, he also suggested that the train be named suitably so that people know about the places and routes on which it is operating.
Currently its name is Amritsar-Lal Kuan. He said, it needs to be specific and clear.
He thanked the railway ministry for providing such an important link between people of Punjab and the Terai region of Uttarakhand