Patiala News - Patiala

Services Of Approximately 29 Government School Teachers Expelled

According to the reports, the services of approximately twenty nine teachers were terminated since they were absent for a very long time. The DGSE (director general of school education) said that the services of the teachers were terminated because their absence was unauthorized and this resulted into the loss of studies and precious time in students. Moreover, they also have spoiled the disciplined atmosphere of the school.

The teachers were absent from schools since 2003. Last month, 39 government school teachers were dismissed by the DGSE for their unauthorized absence from schools.

According to the records, these teachers were absent from the year of 2003 and therefore, the DGSE dismissed these school teachers for their unauthorized absents.

While talking to the Hindustan times, Pannu also confirmed that these teachers were given the time of one month in order to give their response that why shouldn’t they dismissed for their absence. However, when no reply came from the teachers’ side they were bound to take action and therefore these teachers were dismissed from their duties.

The DGSE also added that according to the regulations of the supreme court in such type of unauthorized absents the teachers are supposed to be terminated and no inquiry or prior notice in this aspect must be entertained.

Additionally, Barjinder Singh who is in charge of a government school said that it is a good opportunity  for  the youngsters to get the government jobs since the  post will  be now for the new teachers.

Out of these twenty nine teachers, thirteen were from Ludhiana, four of them were from Sangrur, Gurdaspur and Patiala districts.

Punjabi Varsity Pupils Seek Fee Hike Rollback In Patiala

With the Punjabi University increasing the cost of prospectus and charges for forms like that for re-appearing in exams, students of Punjabi University have formed a joint action committee to protest the fee hike.

They met various officials of the university, seeking rollback in the hike. They threatened a protesting dharna against the university authorities.

Talking to media people, Jagjit Singh Panjoli and Gagandeep Diva said that the university had increased the prospectus charge from Rs 700 to Rs 900, re-appear fee from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500, correction fee from Rs 250 to 350 and other form fee from Rs 100 to Rs 200 without intimating the students about this in advance, saying this would hit their pockets hard. The university authorities feel it is totally unjustified on part of the students to protest the “meager” hike as the university had not increased the fee at all in the past three years.

A University professor said that what the university is charging is very less as compared to other varsities in Punjab. It has not increased the fee at all in the past three years, while the expenditure has been climbing due to pay scale revision and release of DA and other incentives. In fact, this hike does not affect the students at all but some political groups are deliberately making an issue out of it.

Dr Pawan Kumar Singla, controller of examinations, said that the cost of conducting the exam has been increasing by 20 to 25 per cent each year. I feel increasing the fee by 10 per cent that too after more than three years, should not really matter to the students, keeping in mind the liabilities we have and the facilities we are providing.

Treatment At Patiala Hospital An Ordeal For Cancer Patients

The Punjab Government claims to be spending crores on the treatment of needy cancer patients throughout the state. Such claims fall flat in the face of the ground reality.

Cancer patients and their attendants at the Government Rajindra Hospital here are being made to slog for days just for getting their routine injections and medicines on one pretext or another.

Despite their best efforts, there is no guarantee whether they would be given free medicines, because of which, many patients are compelled to purchase all medicines with money from their own pockets.

Speaking to The Tribune, a resident of Kheri Barna village near Dakala, whose wife is suffering from breast cancer and is a registered patient at the hospital, said after waiting for medicines from the hospital for more than 10 days, he purchased all injections from chemist shops outside for the medical treatment to start.

He said that despite visiting the office of the Medical Superintendent and doctors concerned several times, his wife’s file has not yet been approved for free treatment under the Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Scheme. He could not get any free medicines for his wife from the hospital.
He further stated that when he spoke to one of the doctors about it, he said he could go to Amritsar or Faridkot for treatment. But since he could not afford to take her that far, he somehow managed to collect money and purchased injections from chemist shops outside. Finally, the treatment started. Now, he has been asked to visit the hospital with the second kit after a few days.

Patients coming from far-off places like Patran and Sangrur often have to visit the hospital just to get medicines that cost hardly Rs 3 per tablet, but since these are not available in the market, they are not left with any option but to spend manifold on travelling.

And they get the medicines for 10 days at a time. After that, the tedious procedure for issuance of medicines has to be undergone all over again.

A retired employee of the hospital, whose sister is suffering from breast cancer and is, getting her treatment done here, said the procedure for getting medicines sanctioned was very complex and caused extreme inconvenience to patients.

She said that Tamoxifen is prescribed for treatment of breast cancer and most of the times; this medicine is not even available in the market. She visited almost all the chemist shops in Patiala and found a substitute for it so that the treatment could be continued. People come here from remote villages and these medicines are not available in towns near their place of residence. They come here all the way only to be disappointed.

An 86-year-old man from Patran said this was his third visit to the hospital for medicines and the hospital staff had asked him to come there again since the Medical Superintendent was not available for sanctioning medicines.

Sources said the Medical Superintendent was the only sanctioning authority for medicines and without his signatures; the medicines could not be supplied.

He added that the Medical Superintendent is busy in the Out Patient Department and operation theatre on four working days out of five in the week. Hence, the patients are left with no choice but to return without medicines in case they visit the hospital on other days. Nobody else has been given the additional charge to enable needy patients to receive medicines,

He added that the Head of the Pathology Department Dr MS Bal said the department was only concerned with the investigations and prescribing medicines. He has nothing to do as far as issuing medicines is concerned as it is done by senior authorities,

Meanwhile, Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr VK Sharda refuted all allegations, saying the hospital currently has 150 to 200 registered cancer patients and they are being issued medicines and injections on a timely basis.

Punjabi University Expecting Good Impression From The Wild Birds In Patiala

Now, there will be no more slipping into the girls’ hostel in the coming academic year in the Punjabi University. The University has installed the finger impression recording machines which will keep the records of ins and outs of the girl’s hostel in Patiala.

This is one of its first kinds which are installed in the girl’s hostel, there are two major reasons behind installing these equipments, one the girls stay in the hostel and second for their security. According to the reports the university has spent approximately four lakhs rupees on these equipments.

The dean of the student welfare further added that it will also be very helpful in the attendance process since there are many students who mark proxy for their absent friends which should be checked.

However, the student union does not look in the mood to support these equipments. The representative of the student union met to the dean and other officials and said that these equipments were used in the offices to avoid absents of the employees. Moreover, it is important to try it on the employees rather than trying it on the students. This was told by Sumeet Shammi who is the representative of All India student federation.

In addition to this the Beant Singh who is the Secretary of Punjab student Union questioned about the security of the girl who are living as a paying guests due to shortage of space in the hostel. He also added that why only the girls should give their finger impressions.

The university also asked the students to discuss the hike in the fees on 25 June. However, the university has increased the fees of the students without intimating them. According to new prospectus the charges has been enhanced from Rs. 700 to Rs. 900. Reappear fees have been increased to Rs. 1250 to 1500 and the correction fees is increased up to Rs. 350.

Government Working Against The Provisions Of The Companies Act In Patiala

The PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited) accused the policies of the government by saying that they are working against the policies of the PSPCL by providing the subsidy of 405 crore to the agricultural sector. Moreover it has also asked the government to roll back its policies.

According to the reports due to the policies of the government the PSPCL has failed declare the dividend for the companies act. Although, after almost a decade the PSPCL was able to gain a profit of Rs 200 crore.

However, if we take a overall look the PSPCL was able to accumulate an amount of Rs. 1700 crore since the time when the electricity board of Punjab was divided into two parts.

HS choudhary who is the financial advisor in PSPCL sent a letter to the power secretary and he mentioned that the government was not able to pay the amount of Rs. 405.73 crore according to the companies act. Moreover, the companies also were not able to accumulate the loss in these three years.

Here the important fact is that this adjustment iof the subsidy for the agriculture is not braking the companies act  but is also a threat to power regulations according to which the government is supposed to pay the amount tp the company.

Power engineers, under the banner of the PSEB Engineers Association, have also opposed adjustment of the subsidy amount in Patiala. In the last financial year, the government had made a book adjustment of Rs. 952 crore for return of equity. Power engineers have also challenged the practice before the power regulator saying when the PSPCL is in losses, there should be no return of equity.

In addition to this the power engineers are also protesting against the government under the banner of PSEB association of engineers for the policies of the government. However, in last financial year government also made the book adjustments of Rs. 952 crore for the returns of equity. Therefore, the power engineers raised their protest under the banner of association and said that the protests will be carried out and there should be no return of equity since the PSPCL is running from losses.

According to the position of PSCL which is explained above here is the declarations dividend as per the companies. However, the PSPCL is running from continuous loss in the last four years which is quite evident from the figures given below –

How  the PSPCL has failed since 2010
Year                              Rs. (in crore)
2010-11 (loss)                    1,639
2011-12 (loss)                     333
2012-13 (predictable profit)   200
total loss                 1,772

Police Goes Soft On Patiala ASI Caught Red-Handed For Graft

The Patiala police has failed to arrest Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Narpinder Singh, posted as in charge, Rampur police post, who was caught red-handed for allegedly accepting a bribe for settling an NDPS case against a smuggler.

Besides the ASI, two head constables were also allegedly involved in the case. The police claims to have recovered the bribe money from a drawer in the in charge’s room. A case has been registered against the ASI at the Sadar police station, Samana. No action has been initiated against the two head constables.

Sources said two senior police officers were trying to shield the accused ASI. They said on June 16, the ASI had conducted a raid and arrested an accused with 5,100 psychotropic tablets. On his information, he raided the house of alleged smuggler Aman Mittal, who offered him to pay Rs 2.20 lakh to settle the case, they said, adding Mittal gave Rs 50,000 to the ASI on the spot and another Rs 70,000 at the police station.

The ASI later allowed him to call his associates to the police post with the rest of the money to settle the matter without an FIR.

A police officer said that later, Mittal’s friends came to meet him. The two head constables robbed them of Rs 30,000 at gunpoint. They also fired in the air to scare the visitors.

A senior police officer said that when the Patiala SSP learnt about the case, he ordered suspension of the ASI and registration of a case against him.

Interestingly, even as the CIA staff recovered the money, they let off the ASI after questioning him.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police HS Mann said that he can arrest him anytime. The case is strong against him as the bribe money has been recovered. His involvement in earlier cases will also be verified.

Mann added that he will not spare the other two policemen who had fired in the air. He was not aware of it earlier.

Power Engineers To Intensify Stir In Patiala

After a two-day strike by non-gazetted employees of the Power State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), now the engineers have decided to intensify their agitation against the alleged indifferent attitude of the management towards their long pending demands.

PSEB Engineers’ Association president Baldev Singh Sran said on June 21, engineers working with the PSPCL and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) would keep their mobile phones switched off from 11 am to 1.30 pm. He said the agitation would be further intensified and the engineers would hold dharnas every week starting from Patiala on July 3, followed by a state-level dharna in front of the PSPCL head office in Patiala on August 21.

Sanjeev Sood, association general secretary, said that while the engineers are working to avoid any interruption in power supply, the PSPCL has not made any efforts to rationalize the workload norms of engineers, who are working under stressful conditions, particularly those responsible for maintaining grid sub-stations. He said that the PSPCL management had also failed to strengthen the coal management organization.

The management of coal was critical since there was a huge gap between its demand and supply, he said, adding with the coming up of new thermal plants, the demand would go up further.

Punjabi University Is Struggling To Pay The Salaries

The Punjabi university in the state of Patiala was started with the objective of enhancing the cause of Punjabi art and literature which has evolved as one of the most reputed institutes in the region. It is multi faceted as well as multi facilitated educational institutes which is well equipped with approximately fifty five research and technical institutes. Moreover, it also has approximately 221 colleges affiliated to it.

However, it is also important to keep in mind that the financial situation of the university is going through crisis. The university is not able to pay the salaries of its employees in Patiala.

The university has no deducted the payment of the employees in the last month. In addition to this the university has also not reported the deductions in their GPF account since October 2012. However, it made its last traction in the month of March in 2013.

Though, there are a number of factors which can be considered as the reason behind this situation but the decreasing share of the government in the shares and developments in the infrastructure without any type of financial support can be considered the main reasons behind the sinking situation.

According to the records the total budget of this university in 2011-12 was approximately Rs. 264 crore, in 2012 it was Rs. 290 crore and in 2013 it is expected to be approximately Rs. 360 crore.

The university open heartedly opened eight new colleges with the different departments however, it must be noted that the Punjab government has not made any significant contribution in this development.

Moreover, the application for various professional courses has been increasing day by day but there are only a few students who are applying for the other courses for which the university spend crore of rupees such as Sikh studies, tourist management and diploma course in health and fitness.

Therefore, we can say that the setting up of the new colleges is ruining the financial status of the university. Talking, to tribune, Punjabi University registrar AS Chawla told those 15 years ago, Punjab Government used to give 76 %of total budget however now it is reduced to about 22%.

PSPCL Employees Continue On Strike In Patiala

Thousands of state electricity corporation employees observed strike for the second consecutive day, while the management threatened disciplinary action. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employees are gathered under the banner of the PSEB employees’ joint forum, which comprises various worker unions.

The PSPCL chairman and managing director, KD Chaudhri said that the employees participating in unjustified strike will face disciplinary proceedings, which will result in break in their service and the deduction of salary on the principle of ‘no work, no pay’.  In spite of the strike, the power supply is normal throughout the state, Chaudhri said. He regretted any inconvenience faced by the consumers because of incomplete official work. Not buckling under the management’s pressure, the employees responded to the worker unions’ call for massive statewide protests and boycotted office. The clerical and technical wing employees struck work on the second consecutive day.

Employee leaders Karamchand Bhardwaj, Jagtar Singh Uppal, Surinder Pehalwan, Harbhajan Singh and others charged the management with being anti-employee and pro-privatization. They accused it of lowering the staff strength, making irrational transfers, not releasing the arrears recommended by the pay commission, not revising pay scales, and not making new requirement in the PSPCL.

The protestor claimed that nearly 80% of the PSPCL staff was on strike and the protest could prolong. The forum leading the protest will meet on Sunday to plan further agitation.

Aircraft Engineering College In The Financial Trouble In Patiala

The money which was supposed to give the wings to many students of the Aircraft engineering college has once again to fail to do its task.

It is quite evident that the Punjab aircraft and maintenance college is only the government institute of its specialty which was built in the north region. However, the important fact in this aspect is that it was not able to do any type of admissions since 2008. It is considered as the failure of Punjab government to provide the sufficient aid to the college and therefore it has forced t put the locks on the gates of this institute.

In 2008, the students of the college were generally trained on a lighter jet however after the approval of the DGCA (director general of civil aviation) it was important for the every engineering student to train on the heavy jet. In addition to this if the batch was not able to meet the conditions; they will lose the approval from to admit any new batch in Patiala.

It was built in 1981 under scheme of grant in aid of Punjab government and the college got approval in the year of 1983. In addition to this it also got a license for the piston engine and airframe. Therefore, it became the first college in north India to give the diploma of aeronautical engineering and aircraft maintenance. However, at that time the college already got approval from the AICTE (All-India Council for Technical Education).

Bedsides this it is also important to note that the college has given one of the best engineers on the national and international level. And these engineers are now taking handsome salaries while the college is in now financial crisis. The superintendent also added that they even made the proposals to the local aviation authorities however no help came from that side also.

The equipments which cost crore of rupees which were donated by Indian Air force are only dust since they are unused and the government is not taking any type of action to save the thirty two year old institute. However, the college has also approached DGCA for carrying on the admissions.

Jagmeet Brar Wants Capt Amarinder, Other Stalwarts To Contest LS Polls In Patiala

The Lok Sabha MP and senior leader of Punjab congress Jagmeet Singh Brar appealed for the party leadership to the state on Wednesday. He appealed to put their best foot for the coming polls of parliament along with asking the party stalwarts for contesting the elections to inflict the defeat of the Akali Dal and BJP combined.

While talking to media, the Brar also said that the former minister and the PPCC (Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee) head Capt Amarinder Singh must be asked for contesting from the Bathinda parliamentary against SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, since she is the wife of the chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Likewise, the former minister as well as the PPCC head Rajinder Kaur Bhattal must put up for the Sangrur constituency, while presenting PPCC chief in addition to sitting MP of Gurdaspur Partap Singh Bajwa must be asked for seeking the re-election from his constituency. Moreover, he also wanted that the minister of state for the external affairs to seek re-election for the constituency of the Patiala, while the similar stalwarts should be put from the other constituencies. The Brar also quoted that he was also ready for contesting against the Harsimrat Kaur Badal in the constituency of Bathinda.

Brar started briefing to the ,media by saying thanks to the president of AICC (All India Congress Committee) Sonia Gandhi, P.M Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Vice president Rahul Gandhi for the work they have done in the span of thirty two years. He also said that the youth has also played a significant role in the past thirty two years. In addition to this he also expressed his happiness about his classmate being elected as the head of PPCC. However, he also apologized to him because he was not able to attend the coronation ceremony since he was abroad at that time.

Ex-Serviceman Shoots Dead Mother, Daughter In Patiala

An ex-serviceman today allegedly shot dead his mother and 17-year-old daughter in Chhahar village, about 10 km from Dirba. He also shot at himself and was admitted to Sunam Civil Hospital, from where he was later shifted to Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.

Sewa Singh Malhi, DSP, Dirba, said ex-serviceman Rai (42) shot the two with his .32 bore revolver.

An ex-serviceman is reported to have killed his mother and daughter on Wednesday morning at Chahar village near Dirba in Sangrur district. Rai Singh, 42, who had retired from the army, allegedly also attempted to commit suicide after killing his mother, Amarjit Kaur, and daughter, Veerpal Kaur (17). A case under Sections 302 (murder) and 309 (suicide attempt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against Rai on the statements of his wife, Gurjeet Kaur. The deputy superintendent of police Sewa Singh said that the incident happened around 9.30am when Rai had altercation with his children during breakfast.

The police said Rai had taken out his licensed 0.32-bore revolver from his room during the argument and fired three shots at his mother and one at his daughter. The DSP said that he then tried to shoot himself in the head but survived.

Post retirement, Rai had also served in Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) for three years and taken premature retirement. His wife told the police that Rai had been in depression after losing huge money in some business, and would often quarrel with his children and wife for no reason.

The retired soldier had two daughters and a son. During the shooting, the members of his family ran helter-skelter to save their lives. The three who took bullets were taken to a local hospital, and from there, referred to Government Rajindra hospital in Patiala. Two didn’t survive, while Rai’s is stated to be out of danger, as the bullet did no damage to his brain.

Gurbani Disrespect: Angs Were Torn In The Sukhasan Room In Patiala

The Skikh24 discovered that the Gurbani was disrespected by an individual in the Sukhasan room. According to the reports which has not been yet confirmed said that the an individual went into the Sukhasan room of Gurudwara sahib which was located near the Guru Tegh Bahudar colony and started tearing the pages (angs) of Guru Granth Sahib.

The Head of the Gurudwara sahib, Granthi Kawaldeep Singh quoted that he was the first one who saw that person tearing the angs fro the Guru Granth sahib. According to bim whatever be the intentions of that individual, it was a serious crime and therefore he reported to the comitte members of the Gurudwara sahib. After that Gurudwara sahib reported to piolice about this matter.

The police says that this crime was done when the arguments was exchanged between the members of committee and no one noticed the suspect entering the sukhasan room. According to their reports the gurudwara hasd recently elected a new party which was the reason why no one could pay attention on the suspect.

However, the police are making several efforts on their end to catch the suspect in Patiala and other regions. In addition to this they have registered the case under section 295 A o the complaint of head granthi and Secreatary of Gurudwara sahib.

High Technology Radar Once Again Failed To Forecast Monsoon In Patiala

The Doppler radar which is Patiala once again was not able to predict the early arrival of the monsoons once again. It is the second time when the Doppler radar has failed to predict the monsoons and the rain came to the people as a surprise once again. The Doppler radar is a hi tech machinery which is used to predict the monsoons in advance.

The geography teacher Preeti Verma who is a teacher in the local school was also not able to find out how this hi tech machinery was not even able to predict the monsoons since it is a very unusual thing.

The chief scientist JR Prasad who is posted in Patiala said that monitors of the Doppler radar can only tell about the arrival of the monsoons after recording of certain amount of rain in any region. However, the Doppler radar was able to movement of the clouds were recorded. He further added that they were not in the position to declare that this movement in the clouds was monsoon or something else. It is the job of IMD (Indian Meteorological Department). However, the people could be warned to prepare for such type of rainfall by the movement of clouds.

The IMD in 2011 replaced all its old radars with a new hi tech Doppler radars which were supposed to give the correct prediction of weather in basically three states i.e., Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. However, they have failed to do so in two successive years.

In addition to this Prasad added that the movement of the clouds cannot be used for the prediction of the monsoon. The main reason behind this is that the Doppler radars shows it prediction only after recording some specific amount of rain and without this it is not possible to predict the monsoons in advance.

According to the Tarun Singh who is monitoring the weather in last few years said that the cloud bursting or the thunder storms can also b e predicted in advance however, it is important that the readings should be accurate and precisely noted. Moreover, if the rain always comes with such a surprise then we will be stuck in a chaos and various water related problems.

Confusion of last year

In the last years, the radars were not helpful in predicting the early monsoons as well and the monsoons were termed as the pre monsoon showers. However, after sometime the met centers reported that the monsoons have arrived and it was actually the monsoons in Patiala whereas some other areas were still supposed to wait.

According to the reports Doppler radar of the monsoons of last year, the monsoons was supposed to come in mid July however, they reached far before the predicted time.

What is a Doppler radar?

The Doppler radar basically works on principle of the Doppler Effect in order to produce the data regarding distant objects. The microwave signal is sent out for the target and after that frequency of object is judged with the help of its motion which is further analyzed.

Forum Demands To Stay On The Execution Of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar In Patiala

All India equality unit of Punjab has demanded the permanent execution of Devinder Singh Pal Bhullar since he was involved in the car bombing in Delhi on grounds that he is mentally unfit.

Dr DS Bhullar, who is the Senior State Vice President in the forum, also said that there was no requirement to re-examining Bhullar medical board since it has been declared that Bhullar was suffering from the severe depression plus he was also mentally unfit. The Bhullar also said that Delhi government verdict to have him re-examined illustrated that they doubted integrity as well as the credibility of medical board in which he was recently examined in Patiala.

Dr Gurmeet Singh, who is a state president in the forum, added that fact that the Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar has been admitted in Institute of the Human Behavior and the Allied Sciences for two years has proved that Bhullar was chronic patient of the depression with many suicidal tendencies.

Cops Refusing FIRs Over Jurisdiction To Face Music In Patiala

From now on, policemen who do not register a First Information Report (FIR) on the grounds of territorial jurisdiction, will be prosecuted. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the state police to register an FIR even when police personnel receive a complaint about a crime committed outside the jurisdiction of their police station.

If the officer concerned declines to register the FIR, citing jurisdiction limitation, he/she could be prosecuted or face departmental action.

This is a welcome decision for the victims who have often had to run from pillar to post to get an FIR registered owing to a conflict over jurisdiction of the police stations.

A senior IPS officer said the delay over determining jurisdiction and consequently registering the FIR often helped the criminals get away.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in its letter further states that if at the time of registration of FIR, it becomes apparent that the crime was committed outside the jurisdiction of the police station, the police should be appropriately instructed to register a “zero” FIR, and ensure that the FIR is transferred to the police station concerned under Section 170 of the CrPC.”

It says that failure to register an FIR on the receipt of information about the cognizable offence will invite prosecution of the police officer under Section 166-A of the IPC or he will face departmental action or both.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police HS Mann said the instructions had been forwarded to all officers.

Brar Wants Captain, Bhattal To Contest LS Polls In Patiala

Days after being dropped from the Congress Working Committee (CWC), senior party leader Jagmeet Singh Brar on Wednesday said there was an urgent need for the state unit to introspect and field its stalwart leaders to take on the SAD-BJP alliance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Brar said that the former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh is the most suitable stalwart to contest from Bathinda against Akali MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Similarly, PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa can take on revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who is being projected by the Akalis as undisputed leader of the Majha region. And Rajinder Kaur Bhattal can take on SAD general secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa in Sangrur,

Addressing a press conference here, Brar said his only objective to have Congress veterans in the Lok Sabbha fray was to decimate the Badals, who were thinking of ruling Punjab for 25 years by stifling and suppressing democracy in the state.

Brar added that he thinks people who held important positions in the state government as well as in the party set-up are the only ones who can defeat the Akalis in the Lok Sabha polls. Unknown entities would not be able to withstand the muscle and money power the Badals use to win polls. He said that is ready to contest from Bathinda against Harsimrat in case the party so desires.

Brar began his press briefing by thanking Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allowing him to serve the party for nearly 32 years in various capacities.

Brar said that all three of them now wanted him to make use of his political experience to infuse fresh blood and life into the party cadres in Punjab which have been largely demoralized by successive defeats in the assembly polls and also in the by-elections, adding that during his career he had contested nine elections in Punjab but won only two.

He said that he had lost most of his elections because he had to take on the Badals. He doesn’t regret it because in 1999, he had defeated Sukhbir Badal from the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat when he was a union minister in the NDA government and his father was the CM.

When told that he has been given no official post to serve the party in Punjab, Brar said office or no office; he would continue to work hard for galvanizing the party cadres in the state. “Brar said that he hopes they give him some office, but even without it he will work for the party.

On his coordination with Bajwa, Brar said not many knew that both of them were classmates for eight years at Punjab Public School, Nabha
Jagmeet Singh Brar is in favor of an alliance with People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) president Manpreet Singh Badal in the Lok Sabha polls. When asked if Manpreet could also contest from Bathinda as a joint candidate of the Congress and the PPP, Brar said it would not be a bad choice.

Brar also expressed his desire to fight the assembly polls and said in case the party agreed he would like to contest from the Muktsar segment, which is his hometown.

Role Of UGC Functionaries Under Scanner In Patiala

The Patiala Police is investigating the role of various officials in the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, after the grants were released to some of the colleges which did not meet the eligibility criteria for applying for these.

The police are probing a larger nexus where in the aided colleges; the authorities have connived with the UGC officials to usurp certain grants.

Five months ago, the Rajpura city police officials had registered a case against Sanjeev Kalia, the former Principal of Patel Memorial National College, Rajpura, and his associate, Gaurav Trivedi, son of a former IPS officer, for misusing grants released by UGC.

Last week, the police also arrested one of the accused, Gaurav, who is now in police remand.  The police said that his arrest is crucial as he knows how the UGC funds were funneled into a private account which was opened by Sanjeev.

Gaurav has admitted that he took around Rs 54 lakh from Sanjay for his personal use and later returned the same. The key accused Sanjeev is still absconding.

As per the preliminary police investigations (a copy of which is available with The Tribune), Santee had sought two grants of Rs 45 lakh in November 2010 and of Rs 54 lakh in January 2012 even though the college could not have applied for both the grants as it does not have a College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) status, which is a must for such UGC grants.

Bhupinder Khatra, the Rajpura Superintendent of Police (SP), said that UGC could not have released the funds to this college as it did not meet the eligibility criteria. He also said that now they are probing the role of those UGC officials who were involved in the fraud.

Earlier in a separate letter written to the college in November, Charan Dass, Under Secretary (Vigilance), UGC, had said that the college had acted in connivance with certain UGC officials to siphon off funds. Meanwhile, all efforts to contact UGC officials were futile.

The UGC, however, has initiated a probe into the matter after the Patiala police approached the former for assistance in the case.

Hardyal Singh Mann, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said that UGC has assured them of carrying out a probe into the case.

Rain Helpful For Plantation; Forest Section Swings Into Action In Patiala

With the rains approaching the Forest department has come into action as both the soil and air have ample moisture for a healthy plantation. The department is all set with a blueprint of the plantation of 11.5 lakh saplings which is double the amount of what was achieved last year. With less than even a month in hand and just seventy seven field staff, the department is working hard.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Patiala, Satendra Kumar Sagar has said that with the approaching pre monsoon, the conditions of the forest have becom even more favorable for the plantation. Previously when the mercury soared up to forty five degrees Celsius, transpiration in plants and trees also increased which made them long for more water and care. With a heavy shower, the water content and moisture have also increased in the soil and this will save 60 to 70 percent of diesel as well as the consumption of the water tankers.

Sagar also said that the department in the past one year had prepared thirty five lakh saplings at its seventeen nurseries. He said that the plantation will be done in 6 forests and along the route under the Green Punjab Scheme where 165 hectares of land will be covered under the national association for women’s action in development(NAWAD) seven hundred hectares of land will be covered, and 175 hectares under the Punjab forestry watershed development scheme.

The DFO said that the department had also planted 40,000 certified poplar cuttings, which would benefit the farmers in the following year.

He added that the department had dug pits by March 31 and now only saplings had to be planted.
Under the drive, trees like Sheesham, Burma Dhak, Arjun, Neem, Jamun and Peepal would be planted.

PSPCL Staff To Observe 2 Day Stir In Patiala

As the talks with the Power secretary regarding the demand for a higher grade pay and arrears of the pay commission, failed, almost  half of the strength of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will be observing a two day strike from mid-night. However, some respite is being observed to PSPCL as the Council of the Junior Engineers has decided to withdraw the strike and has also agreed to oversee the operation of power distribution.

The PSPCL has approximately 55,000 employees on the rolls and except the power engineers and junior engineers, most of the staff, including technical and clerical staff, would go on strike and hold rallies outside the PSPCL offices in the entire state.

Power Secretary Anirudh Tiwari, along with the senior PSPCL officials, held several rounds of discussion with the employees’ union, but failed to break the ice over the grade pay issue and immediate release of pay commission arrears.

In separate talks, he, however, managed to convince the junior engineers that the government would implement their demand of correction or grade pay and time-bound promotions at the earliest, following which the JE Council withdrew the strike.

Karamchand Bhardwaj, a leader of the Employees’ Joint Forum, said nearly 35,000 employees of the PSPCL would observe strike and hold rallies against the government.

Meanwhile, the PSPCL management has asked the officials in field to ensure all possible steps to maintain regular power supply in areas.