SAD seeks inquiry into attack on its leaders

Chandigarh, November 15

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has condemned the "attack" on senior party leaders at the executive committee meeting of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in Delhi and described it as "part of a conspiracy to keep possession of Delhi gurdwaras illegally with the patronage of the Congress-led Shiela Dikshit government.

Ludhiana most polluted this Divali

Patiala, November 15

Notwithstanding the awareness drive for celebrating Divali in an eco-friendly manner, the air pollution level recorded on the occasion witnessed an increase as compared to the previous year.



Trade ties between two Punjabs to scale next level

Chandigarh, November 15

Economics may well be the new binding factor between the two Punjabs, separated by the Line of Control (LoC). The recent high profile visit of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal to Punjab in Pakistan could well open the floodgates for better economic cooperation between the two sides.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal along with Harsimrat Kaur and traders at the Attari Wagah joint check post. A Tribune file photo



Child mortality: Punjab among six states expected to achieve target

New Delhi, November 15

Only six states in the country, including Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, are likely to achieve the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) on reducing child mortality by 2015, says an official report.

Panel to crack the whip on child labour

Gurdaspur, November 15

The newly formed Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (PSCPCR) has decided to crack the whip on people employing children in their manufacturing units.The commission will conduct raids on institutions employing children from December 1.











Cong misleading people on FDI, says Harsimrat

Bathinda, November 15

Local MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said the Congress is misleading the people on the issue of FDI in the retail sector. Harsimrat accused the Congress of taking decisions arbitrarily and not consulting opposition parties in crucial matters.



COMMUNITY



Metrology office remains shut six days a week!

Muktsar, November 15

The Legal Metrology Department's office in the district remains closed for six days a week. Its functioning even for a day too remains uncertain. The department is responsible for checking weighing instruments of traders, digital balances, road weigh bridges, liquid fuel dispensers, petrol/diesel dispensers, CNG/LPG dispensers, rail weigh bridges and storage tanks.

The closed Legal Metrology Department office in Muktsar. A Tribune photograph

Need to protect Neeli Ravi, say experts

Ludhiana, November 15

The purest form of Neeli Ravi, one of the best breeds of buffalo, is available in good numbers in the neighbouring country of Pakistan. Though in certain districts in Punjab, the breed is available, a lot needs to be done for its conservation as its pure form is fast becoming a rarity.

Lasara drain damaging ecology: NGO

Bathinda, November 15

The issue of the pollution of Lasara drain came to the fore again with a non-government organization (NGO), Association for Democratic Rights (AFDR), demanding the immediate suspension of the permission given to two distilleries, set up within a radius of 2 km, near village Machhana, on the ground that it will create environmental hazards in the area.





Show of strength

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (centre), general secretary, SAD, with Congress workers who joined the ruling party in Chandigarh on Thursday.  Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Pak singer says artists are born, not made

Bathinda, November 15

Singers are artists and not wrestlers who have to sweat it out in a competitive field, said the celebrated Pakistani singer Arif Lohar, while interacting with TNS here today. On a brief visit to the city, Arif spoke about the present music scenario in India, the love and penchant that the audience in Pakistan has for Indian music and the need to make visa norms for artists from across the border a little easier.

Mittal asks police not to cooperate with Dr Navjot

Chandigarh, November 15

The public spat between state Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal and his BJP colleague and Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Health) Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu is set to worsen with Mittal making it clear that her post was administrative in nature and that she did not enjoy any powers under the Constitution.



Editorial: Stink operation

Door-to-door cancer survey in Punjab from December 1

Sangrur, November 15

As part of the statewide mass awareness campaign on cancer, a district-level workshop on awareness and symptom-based early detection of cancer cases was organised at the district administrative complex here today.





2 lakh houses in Punjab powerless

Ludhiana, Nov 15

As many as 1,83,906 households in Punjab celebrated yet another Divali without electricity. Out of a total 54,09,699 households surveyed by the Census Officials, nearly 1,83,906 families had no access to electricity.

In the dark: A number of homes in Punjab celebrated this Divali with no power. A Tribune photograph

Ludhiana tops paddy procurement

Chandigarh, November 15

Despite the drought-like conditions with the state registering deficient rainfall, Punjab has procured 127 lakh tonnes of paddy against a total procurement of 119 lakh tonnes recorded last season. The state government has set up more than 1,770 procurement centres.

Bitter truth about sweets

Faridkot, November 15

The steep rise in silver prices this season has had an adverse impact on sweets with makers taking to aluminum coating containing the toxic cadmium. The analysis of samples of 1,248 products collected in October and November (till Divali) revealed that these contained chemicals and synthetic material.



COURTS

False Case: Police in the dock

Chandigarh, November 15

The Punjab Police is in the dock. Taking cognisnce of a petition alleging implication of a Kapurthala youth in a false case as his mother had complained against the police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the constitution of a special investigative team.

Delhi court issues notice to Patiala Jail Supdt

New Delhi, November 15

The Patiala Jail Superintendent has been ordered by a Delhi court to explain his repeated failure to produce before it a couple, wanted for trial here in a cheating and forgery case but who had been earlier remanded in police custody.

Landscaping policy

GMADA told to resolve issue within 3 months

Chandigarh, November 15

Greater Mohali Area Development Authority is allegedly violating its own policy on landscaping of road berms in Mohali. It is constructing the kerbs and berms along the roadside adjoining corner plots and houses against its own decision.



CRIME

Two killed in road mishaps

Moga, November 15

At least five persons were killed in different incidents during the past 24 hours in the district. Two of these were killed in road mishap. Darshan Singh was crushed to death under two tractors at Mallianwala village in the district. The police had registered a case of negligent driving against Sarbjit Singh and Gurdeep Singh.

4 held with Rs 1.5 lakh fake currency

Patiala, November 15

Patiala police arrested 4 members of an inter-state gang today and foiled their attempt to circulate fake Indian currency worth Rs 1.5 lakh to various parts of north India. Investigations are on to nab the others.

The four held for running the racket in Rajpura on Thursday. (Right) SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill shows the fake currency notes. Tribune photos

One killed, 2 hurt in accident

Tarn Taran, November 15

One youth was killed and two others were injured in a road accident near Piddi village, eight kilometers from here in early hours today. The deceased has been identified as Gurpreet Singh (18). The injured were Fateh Singh (19) and Gurinder Singh (20). All three were residents of Marhana village.

Ill-treated by wife, youth commits suicide

Tarn Taran, November 15

Loverose Singh (25), a youth of Kaler village (Bagrian), 10 kms from Tarn Taran, committed suicide as he was allegedly maltreated by his wife and in-laws. He consumed poison at his village last late evening.







