ਸ਼ੰਘਾਈ, 17 ਅਗਸਤ (ਏਜੰਸੀ)-ਚੀਨ ਦੀ ਇਕ ਅਦਾਲਤ ਨੇ ਇਕ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਕਲੈਂਡ (ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ) ਵਿਖੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਇਕ ਟੈਕਸੀ ਡਰਾਈਵਰ ਦੇ ਕਤਲ ਦੇ ਦੋਸ਼ 'ਚ 15 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਕੈਦ ਦੀ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਸੁਣਾਈ ਹੈ। ਅਜਿਹਾ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਦੇਸ਼ 'ਚ ਕੀਤੇ ਅਪਰਾਧ ਦੀ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਚੀਨ 'ਚ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ। 24 ਸਾਲਾ ਐਕਸੀਓ ਜ਼ੈਨ ਨੇ ਜਨਵਰੀ 2010 'ਚ ਨਿਊਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ ਵਿਖੇ 39 ਸਾਲਾ ਹਿਰੇਨ ਮੋਹਿਨੀ (ਭਾਰਤੀ) ਦਾ ਕਤਲ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਚੀਨ ਭੱਜਣ 'ਚ ਸਫਲ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਉਸਨੂੰ ਚੀਨ 'ਚ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਸੁਣਾਈ ਗਈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ 'ਚ ਹਵਾਲਗੀ ਸੰਧੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ।
August 17, 2011
Indian couple in UK alleges caste discrimination
The UK society has learned to its dismay this week that there is a darker side to the Indian connection that surpasses the stories of holidays in Kerala, tigers, Bollywood and joyful investors prepared to pour buckets of money into ailing British companies.
In the first-ever case of its kind, a young Indian-origin couple has testified before an employment tribunal in Birmingham about how they were allegedly discriminated against on caste grounds before they resigned or were dismissed from their jobs.
Their former employers, Heer Manak, a group of mostly Indian-origin solicitors based in the city of Coventry, are understood to regard the allegations as outrageous.
Whatever the final outcome of the employment tribunal hearing, there is no denying the dented image of India as a progressive society where all are deemed equal, regardless of race, religion, gender or any personal factor.
Amardeep Begraj, 33-year-old Sikh Jat woman, told the tribunal that her employers tried to discourage her from marrying the love of her life, Vijay, a practice manager at the same company because he was a Dalit.
In her testimony, Amardeep is quoted as telling how one of her senior colleagues warned of future difficulties. “He said…I should reconsider the step I was taking of marrying Vijay because he belonged to a different caste. People of Vijay’s caste were different creatures. Marriage would be very different from dating.”
Even worse was the reaction on her wedding day when one of her colleagues “raised a toast to Jat girls going down the drain.” Amardeep resigned from her job earlier this year. Vijay was dismissed last year after working for the solicitors for seven years.
There was worse to come for the couple. After a British newspaper highlighted their case in a story entitled “Forbidden Love”, their car windscreen was smashed.
Those responsible for the vandalism seem to have got hold of their identities even though the newspaper article made sure their names were changed for their own protection.
Although Amardeep and Vijay’s lives may have been blighted, the publicity given to their case could benefit others suffering in the future from similar alleged discrimination.
Under the current British law, employers are specifically banned from discriminating on grounds of race, sex, religion and sexuality. If Home Secretary Theresa May has her way, caste discrimination could now be added to the list.
In the first-ever case of its kind, a young Indian-origin couple has testified before an employment tribunal in Birmingham about how they were allegedly discriminated against on caste grounds before they resigned or were dismissed from their jobs.
Their former employers, Heer Manak, a group of mostly Indian-origin solicitors based in the city of Coventry, are understood to regard the allegations as outrageous.
Whatever the final outcome of the employment tribunal hearing, there is no denying the dented image of India as a progressive society where all are deemed equal, regardless of race, religion, gender or any personal factor.
Amardeep Begraj, 33-year-old Sikh Jat woman, told the tribunal that her employers tried to discourage her from marrying the love of her life, Vijay, a practice manager at the same company because he was a Dalit.
In her testimony, Amardeep is quoted as telling how one of her senior colleagues warned of future difficulties. “He said…I should reconsider the step I was taking of marrying Vijay because he belonged to a different caste. People of Vijay’s caste were different creatures. Marriage would be very different from dating.”
Even worse was the reaction on her wedding day when one of her colleagues “raised a toast to Jat girls going down the drain.” Amardeep resigned from her job earlier this year. Vijay was dismissed last year after working for the solicitors for seven years.
There was worse to come for the couple. After a British newspaper highlighted their case in a story entitled “Forbidden Love”, their car windscreen was smashed.
Those responsible for the vandalism seem to have got hold of their identities even though the newspaper article made sure their names were changed for their own protection.
Although Amardeep and Vijay’s lives may have been blighted, the publicity given to their case could benefit others suffering in the future from similar alleged discrimination.
Under the current British law, employers are specifically banned from discriminating on grounds of race, sex, religion and sexuality. If Home Secretary Theresa May has her way, caste discrimination could now be added to the list.
14 advocates granted bail in 'Assault on Naib Court Case'
Chandigarh, August 16
More than three months after a Chandigarh Police constable posted as naib court in the district courts was assaulted in a courtroom by a group of lawyers, a local court today granted bail to 14 advocates. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) SK Sharma today granted bail to the advocates after they furnished bail bonds of Rs 50,000 each.
The incident took place on May 14 when constable Ram Karan, who was posted in the court of JMIC Parinder Singh Gill as naib court, was attacked by a group of advocates.
The court granted bail to advocates Ashok Chauhan, Ajay Sood, Harinder Singh Thakur, Malkit Singh Jandiala, Baljeet Singh, Munish Dewan, Gagan Aggarwal, Jagtar Singh, Satinder Singh, Munish Chaudhary, Satinder Basia, Gaurav Kathuria, Parminder Singh and Vipin Negi.
The advocates had allegedly assaulted the naib court to avenge an earlier assault by him on an advocate. Though an FIR was registered, the police failed to arrest a single advocate.
On July 1, the UT Police had filed a chargesheet under various sections of the IPC for rioting, causing hurt, obstructing public servant from performing official duty and criminal intimidation. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had also ordered a fact-finding inquiry into the incident and the Registrar (Vigilance) had indicted the advocates.
More than three months after a Chandigarh Police constable posted as naib court in the district courts was assaulted in a courtroom by a group of lawyers, a local court today granted bail to 14 advocates. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) SK Sharma today granted bail to the advocates after they furnished bail bonds of Rs 50,000 each.
The incident took place on May 14 when constable Ram Karan, who was posted in the court of JMIC Parinder Singh Gill as naib court, was attacked by a group of advocates.
The court granted bail to advocates Ashok Chauhan, Ajay Sood, Harinder Singh Thakur, Malkit Singh Jandiala, Baljeet Singh, Munish Dewan, Gagan Aggarwal, Jagtar Singh, Satinder Singh, Munish Chaudhary, Satinder Basia, Gaurav Kathuria, Parminder Singh and Vipin Negi.
The advocates had allegedly assaulted the naib court to avenge an earlier assault by him on an advocate. Though an FIR was registered, the police failed to arrest a single advocate.
On July 1, the UT Police had filed a chargesheet under various sections of the IPC for rioting, causing hurt, obstructing public servant from performing official duty and criminal intimidation. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had also ordered a fact-finding inquiry into the incident and the Registrar (Vigilance) had indicted the advocates.
Immigration Fraud - Dreams of scores shattered
Chandigarh, August 16
Three friends from Shutrana village in Patiala had dreamt of flying to greener pastures abroad since childhood. Gurbhej Singh, Jagdeep Singh and Sandeep Singh approached Healthyway Immigration in June 2009, which promised them a student visa and easy migration to the UK in just two months. The company took Rs 1.02 lakh from each of them.
Their dreams, however, shattered following police cases against the consultancy firm. These are only three among scores of persons in the region who have been duped by the firm. The UT police has seized 120 forged bank documents during raids at Healthyway Immigration in Sector 42 in the last few days.
“Company agents first took Rs 42,000 from each of us as initial fee. They charged another Rs 50,000 claiming they would arrange fixed deposits in our name or even loan letters to show we have a financial banking worth at least Rs 10 lakh each as per the visa requirement,” said Gurbhej Singh.
“My visa was rejected in March 2010 and the company told me to apply again and that it will take care of all the formalities. It is only when we demanded a complete refund that we came to know about the fraud,” he said. It has been two years and all three of them have lost vital years, besides their parents’ hard-earned money.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Balwinder Singh also lost Rs 1.30 lakh to the company. He lost his father, who worked as a peon in Panjab University, some years ago. His mother toils hard to meet the daily family expenses. Hailing from Hoshiarpur, Balwinder is now reeling under heavy debt as his family lost all its savings seeking migration for him.
The bulk of 120 fake loan letters recovered belong to the Oriental Bank of Commerce branch in Rajpura. When the police verified the documents from the bank, all of them were found to be fake.
The British embassy has now barred them from visiting the UK for the next 10 years.
DSP Ashish Kapoor said the fake loan letters were the reason for the rejection of a large number of visas.
Three friends from Shutrana village in Patiala had dreamt of flying to greener pastures abroad since childhood. Gurbhej Singh, Jagdeep Singh and Sandeep Singh approached Healthyway Immigration in June 2009, which promised them a student visa and easy migration to the UK in just two months. The company took Rs 1.02 lakh from each of them.
Their dreams, however, shattered following police cases against the consultancy firm. These are only three among scores of persons in the region who have been duped by the firm. The UT police has seized 120 forged bank documents during raids at Healthyway Immigration in Sector 42 in the last few days.
“Company agents first took Rs 42,000 from each of us as initial fee. They charged another Rs 50,000 claiming they would arrange fixed deposits in our name or even loan letters to show we have a financial banking worth at least Rs 10 lakh each as per the visa requirement,” said Gurbhej Singh.
“My visa was rejected in March 2010 and the company told me to apply again and that it will take care of all the formalities. It is only when we demanded a complete refund that we came to know about the fraud,” he said. It has been two years and all three of them have lost vital years, besides their parents’ hard-earned money.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Balwinder Singh also lost Rs 1.30 lakh to the company. He lost his father, who worked as a peon in Panjab University, some years ago. His mother toils hard to meet the daily family expenses. Hailing from Hoshiarpur, Balwinder is now reeling under heavy debt as his family lost all its savings seeking migration for him.
“I paid Rs 1.3 lakh to the company in March this year. They told me everything will be taken care of by them,” he said.
Investigating officers said company agents provided fake bank loan letters to their clients to be put before the embassy while applying for visa. As gullible students hailing from remote districts of Punjab fell in their net, company owners laughed all the way to the bank even as scores of visa applications were rejected. The bulk of 120 fake loan letters recovered belong to the Oriental Bank of Commerce branch in Rajpura. When the police verified the documents from the bank, all of them were found to be fake.
The British embassy has now barred them from visiting the UK for the next 10 years.
DSP Ashish Kapoor said the fake loan letters were the reason for the rejection of a large number of visas.
Healthyway director surrenders in court
Three fresh cases against immigration firm
Chandigarh, August 16Amit Kakkar, Director of Healthyway Immigration in Sector 42, surrendered before the court today in a case of cheating registered against him in which a large number of clients have been duped of huge sums of money on the pretext of sending them abroad.
Meanwhile, the UT police has registered three more cases against the owner of Healthyway Immigration, taking the tally of cases to seven in the last three days.
Fresh cases were registered today on the complaint of Malkit Singh of Sangrur, Sandeep Kumar of Jalandhar and Gaurav Thakur of Pathankot.
The company had taken Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 1.25 lakh, respectively, from them.
Kakkar has 28 franchises in Punjab, eight in Haryana, two in Himachal and one in Jaipur. The police of these states have been informed about the cases.
The police has also booked Ravi Kakkar, an associate of Amit Kakkar, for threatening Heena of Sector 20 with dire consequences on August 15.
The police said Heena, who had deposited money for visa, was demanding the money back from Ravi. The case was registered at the Sector 36 police station.
Clients come together
As many as 60 clients of Healthyway Immigration gathered outside the Sector 42 office of the immigration firm and staged a protest. They alleged that they had been duped by the company which had taken huge sums of money from them for sending them abroad. Earlier case
The Punjab Police had registered a criminal case against Healthyway company in August last year for submitting a fake bank document to the UK embassy to obtain a student visa for a Mohali student.Amit Kakkar, Director of Healthyway Immigration in Sector 42, surrendered before the court today in a case of cheating registered against him in which a large number of clients have been duped of huge sums of money on the pretext of sending them abroad.
Meanwhile, the UT police has registered three more cases against the owner of Healthyway Immigration, taking the tally of cases to seven in the last three days.
Fresh cases were registered today on the complaint of Malkit Singh of Sangrur, Sandeep Kumar of Jalandhar and Gaurav Thakur of Pathankot.
The company had taken Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 70,000 and Rs 1.25 lakh, respectively, from them.
Kakkar has 28 franchises in Punjab, eight in Haryana, two in Himachal and one in Jaipur. The police of these states have been informed about the cases.
The police has also booked Ravi Kakkar, an associate of Amit Kakkar, for threatening Heena of Sector 20 with dire consequences on August 15.
The police said Heena, who had deposited money for visa, was demanding the money back from Ravi. The case was registered at the Sector 36 police station.
Ludhiana Bar Association president in contempt loop
HC issues notice for interfering in court proceedings
Chandigarh, August 16
Ludhiana District Bar Association president Ashok Mittal is in contempt loop for allegedly interfering with the court proceedings.
Prima facie holding that his conduct amounted to criminal contempt, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to Mittal. He has been asked to show cause why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him.
The notice by the Bench of Justice Satish Kumar Mittal and Justice Arvind Kumar came after a copy of a communication by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Amrinder Pal Singh to Ludhiana District and Sessions Judge was forwarded to the high court.
In his letter dated August 10, the Magistrate asserted that during the hearing of a court case at about 2.45 pm the same day, Mittal “came forward and interfered in the court proceedings”.
The Magistrate asserted the case in which Mittal was a counsel too was pending before the court. After he was asked to wait for some time, Mittal used unparliamentary language and started misbehaving and shouting in the court.
He became “furious and arrogant and gave fist blows on the dais” when the court tried to pacify him. He sat down on the arm of the stenographer’s chair and challenged the court to take any action against him. Mittal went up to the extent of saying he was not bothered about any action, as he was "already facing contempt proceedings in the high court”, the Magistrate added.
The communication further added Mittal also raised slogans outside the court room and pasted a notice on the court’s door calling for a boycott. In all, the proceedings remained disrupted for half an hour due to his “behaviour and conduct”.
Taking up the matter, the Bench observed: “We have perused the letter dated August 10 by Amrinder Pal Singh, JMIC, addressed to the Ludhiana District and Sessions Judge, which has been forwarded to this court.
“After going through the contents of the letter, we are prima facie of the view that the alleged conduct of Ashok Mittal, advocate and president, District Bar Association, Ludhiana, amounts to criminal contempt as defined in Section 2 (c) (iii) of the Contempt of Court Act”. The suo motu case will now come up for further hearing on August 23.
Chandigarh, August 16
Ludhiana District Bar Association president Ashok Mittal is in contempt loop for allegedly interfering with the court proceedings.
Prima facie holding that his conduct amounted to criminal contempt, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to Mittal. He has been asked to show cause why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him.
The notice by the Bench of Justice Satish Kumar Mittal and Justice Arvind Kumar came after a copy of a communication by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Amrinder Pal Singh to Ludhiana District and Sessions Judge was forwarded to the high court.
In his letter dated August 10, the Magistrate asserted that during the hearing of a court case at about 2.45 pm the same day, Mittal “came forward and interfered in the court proceedings”.
The Magistrate asserted the case in which Mittal was a counsel too was pending before the court. After he was asked to wait for some time, Mittal used unparliamentary language and started misbehaving and shouting in the court.
He became “furious and arrogant and gave fist blows on the dais” when the court tried to pacify him. He sat down on the arm of the stenographer’s chair and challenged the court to take any action against him. Mittal went up to the extent of saying he was not bothered about any action, as he was "already facing contempt proceedings in the high court”, the Magistrate added.
The communication further added Mittal also raised slogans outside the court room and pasted a notice on the court’s door calling for a boycott. In all, the proceedings remained disrupted for half an hour due to his “behaviour and conduct”.
Taking up the matter, the Bench observed: “We have perused the letter dated August 10 by Amrinder Pal Singh, JMIC, addressed to the Ludhiana District and Sessions Judge, which has been forwarded to this court.
“After going through the contents of the letter, we are prima facie of the view that the alleged conduct of Ashok Mittal, advocate and president, District Bar Association, Ludhiana, amounts to criminal contempt as defined in Section 2 (c) (iii) of the Contempt of Court Act”. The suo motu case will now come up for further hearing on August 23.
ETOs oppose new rules for PCS nominations
Chandigarh, August 16
Opposing certain rules framed by the state government for nomination of various officials to the PCS (Executive) cadre, the Excise and Taxation Officers’ (ETOs) Association has appealed to Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal to look into the matter.
At least 35 officials are to be nominated to the PCS cadre from the departments of Excise and Taxation, Revenue and Development besides ministerial services.
Owing to the paucity of PCS officials for conducting the assembly elections, the government is eager to fill all the vacant slots at the earliest with the approval of the Punjab Public Service Commission.
Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal, president of the association, said since the inception of rules in 1976, nominations to the PCS was made only from among the eligible ETOs. However, the government had amended rules to also include Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioners (AETCs) for the PCS nominations.
Dhaliwal urged the Chief Secretary to look into the matter, saying no nomination would be possible from among the ETOs under the new rules because the nominations would be considered on the basis of seniority and all slots would go to the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioners.
Opposing certain rules framed by the state government for nomination of various officials to the PCS (Executive) cadre, the Excise and Taxation Officers’ (ETOs) Association has appealed to Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal to look into the matter.
At least 35 officials are to be nominated to the PCS cadre from the departments of Excise and Taxation, Revenue and Development besides ministerial services.
Owing to the paucity of PCS officials for conducting the assembly elections, the government is eager to fill all the vacant slots at the earliest with the approval of the Punjab Public Service Commission.
Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal, president of the association, said since the inception of rules in 1976, nominations to the PCS was made only from among the eligible ETOs. However, the government had amended rules to also include Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioners (AETCs) for the PCS nominations.
Dhaliwal urged the Chief Secretary to look into the matter, saying no nomination would be possible from among the ETOs under the new rules because the nominations would be considered on the basis of seniority and all slots would go to the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioners.
Five officials are to be nominated from among the AETCs and ETOs to the PCS and remaining from other departments. For each slot, three names are to be considered. That means, names of 15 AETCs would be considered for nomination, leaving the ETOs high and dry. Already, there were 42 AETCs on the rolls of the government.
The association said if at this stage the rules could not be altered, the government should fix a quota for the PCS on the basis of the strength of the AETC and ETO cadres.NRI acquitted in murder case
Chandigarh, August 16
In a major embarrassment for the Punjab Police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has not only acquitted an NRI and another accused in a murder case, but also directed the State of Punjab to pay a compensation of Rs 8 lakh to the two. The State has also been asked to act on the inquiry report, which found the two innocent. For the purpose, the State has been given six months. The case pertains to Patiala area.
According to the prosecution, Amrik Singh and his accomplice had hired a taxi from Delhi to Fatehgarh Sahib. Subsequently, the driver and another person were murdered.
Taking up the matter, the trial court had awarded life term to the accused. Before overturning the order, the Bench of Justice S.S. Saron and Justice Jora Singh went through the inquiry report prepared by a Senior Superintendent of Police and endorsed by an Additional Director-General of Police.
Acquitting the two, the Bench ordered Rs 3 lakh compensation to Amrik Singh and remaining Rs 5 lakh for the other accused.
In a major embarrassment for the Punjab Police, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has not only acquitted an NRI and another accused in a murder case, but also directed the State of Punjab to pay a compensation of Rs 8 lakh to the two. The State has also been asked to act on the inquiry report, which found the two innocent. For the purpose, the State has been given six months. The case pertains to Patiala area.
According to the prosecution, Amrik Singh and his accomplice had hired a taxi from Delhi to Fatehgarh Sahib. Subsequently, the driver and another person were murdered.
Taking up the matter, the trial court had awarded life term to the accused. Before overturning the order, the Bench of Justice S.S. Saron and Justice Jora Singh went through the inquiry report prepared by a Senior Superintendent of Police and endorsed by an Additional Director-General of Police.
Acquitting the two, the Bench ordered Rs 3 lakh compensation to Amrik Singh and remaining Rs 5 lakh for the other accused.
No pressure to fix SGPC election in haste, HC told
Chandigarh, August 16
The date for holding the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections has neither been fixed in haste nor under pressure, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard today.
As a petition seeking stay on the elections came up for hearing, a reply by the Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections was placed before the High Court. It said the Centre had accorded its approval for holding the elections in accordance with the rules. The full Bench of Justice M.M. Kumar, Justice Alok Singh and Justice Gurdev Singh has already made it clear that the election result would be subject to the outcome of the petition. The petition has been filed by the National President of Sehajdhari Sikh Federation Dr Paramjeet Singh Ranu.
He has asserted that already a writ petition has been filed challenging the notification dated October 8, 2003, “vide which voting rights of the Sehajdhari Sikhs have been taken away in a totally illegal and arbitrary manner”.
Without waiting for the High Court decision, a proposal has been submitted to the State of Punjab for holding election to the SGPC General House.
Need for federal structure: Badal
Says states reduced to beggars, have to approach Central Govt even for petty needs
Later, Badal gave away state awards to 37 personalities for their meritorious services in various spheres.
He also felicitated the freedom fighters and their families. After hoisting the national flag, Badal took the salute from the contingents of PAP, Punjab Police and Police Band, besides inspecting the parade. Braving rainfall, schoolchildren showcased their “gatka” skills and presented a colourful programme.
Principal Secretary Darbara Singh Guru, DGP PS Gill, MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, Amritsar Police Commissioner RP Mittal, Divisional Commissioner Anurag Verma, DC Rajat Aggarwal and Mayor Shwait Malik were also present.
Meanwhile, activists of Technical Services Union (TSU) led by their circle chief Baghel Singh were detained while they were proceeding to stage protest in support of their demands outside the state-level function venue. They were later let off by the police.
Fazilka: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 India-Pakistan war at the memorial at border Asafwala village, 7 km from here, yesterday.
Sukhbir laid a wreath at the memorial where mass cremation of 82 jawans of the 4 Jat Regiment was done after the ceasefire of the 1971 war. The Deputy CM was here to unfurl the Tricolour at the first district-level Independence Day function in the newly formed Fazilka district. Badal also visited the War Museum raised inside the War Memorial Complex. “Displaying the photographs of martyrs is a real tribute to them as the coming generations will be acquainted with our rich culture and the legacy of sacrifice for the country’s safety,” said Badal. He directed Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg to prepare a comprehensive plan for carrying out pending developmental works and further beautification of the memorial complex. Army jawans sounded the last post by reversing their arms.
Tarn Taran: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Ranjit Singh Brahampura unfurled the national flag at a district-level function here. The Minister highlighted various developmental schemes of the state government and paid tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives during the country’s freedom struggle. Freedom fighters and other personalities of various fields were also honoured on the occasion. As many as 30 sewing machines and seven tricycles were given to the needy.
Amritsar, August 16
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has emphasised on the need to adopt federal structure in India on the lines of the USA and to ensure equal distribution of revenue resources between the Centre and the states for proper development of the latter.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has emphasised on the need to adopt federal structure in India on the lines of the USA and to ensure equal distribution of revenue resources between the Centre and the states for proper development of the latter.
Addressing a gathering after unfurling the Tricolour at the state-level Independence Day function here yesterday, Badal blamed the “prejudiced policies” of the Centre for various ills afflicting the society and said the states had to “approach the Union Government like a beggar even for their small requirements”. He said, “We have failed to build India of our freedom fighters’ dreams as even after 64 years of Independence we could not provide basic amenities to our people. As per a survey, 70 per cent of our population is surviving on a meagre Rs 20 a day.”
Badal said Punjabis had played a significant role in the freedom struggle of the country despite the fact that they constituted only 2.5 per cent of the country’s population. “The Punjabis have not only made sacrifices to uphold our freedom in various wars with the neighbouring countries but also contributed 60 per cent of the foodgrain to the Central pool to make our country self-sufficient in food production.” The CM also dwelt on the achievements of the SAD-BJP regime. He said they have opened seven new universities and 17 new degree colleges, besides recruiting 54,000 teachers. He said they also upgraded health centres and hospitals by equipping them with latest medical equipment. Later, Badal gave away state awards to 37 personalities for their meritorious services in various spheres.
He also felicitated the freedom fighters and their families. After hoisting the national flag, Badal took the salute from the contingents of PAP, Punjab Police and Police Band, besides inspecting the parade. Braving rainfall, schoolchildren showcased their “gatka” skills and presented a colourful programme.
Principal Secretary Darbara Singh Guru, DGP PS Gill, MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, Amritsar Police Commissioner RP Mittal, Divisional Commissioner Anurag Verma, DC Rajat Aggarwal and Mayor Shwait Malik were also present.
Meanwhile, activists of Technical Services Union (TSU) led by their circle chief Baghel Singh were detained while they were proceeding to stage protest in support of their demands outside the state-level function venue. They were later let off by the police.
Fazilka: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal paid tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 India-Pakistan war at the memorial at border Asafwala village, 7 km from here, yesterday.
Sukhbir laid a wreath at the memorial where mass cremation of 82 jawans of the 4 Jat Regiment was done after the ceasefire of the 1971 war. The Deputy CM was here to unfurl the Tricolour at the first district-level Independence Day function in the newly formed Fazilka district. Badal also visited the War Museum raised inside the War Memorial Complex. “Displaying the photographs of martyrs is a real tribute to them as the coming generations will be acquainted with our rich culture and the legacy of sacrifice for the country’s safety,” said Badal. He directed Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg to prepare a comprehensive plan for carrying out pending developmental works and further beautification of the memorial complex. Army jawans sounded the last post by reversing their arms.
Tarn Taran: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Ranjit Singh Brahampura unfurled the national flag at a district-level function here. The Minister highlighted various developmental schemes of the state government and paid tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives during the country’s freedom struggle. Freedom fighters and other personalities of various fields were also honoured on the occasion. As many as 30 sewing machines and seven tricycles were given to the needy.
Malerkotla: The Independence Day function was held at Dr Jakir Hussain Sports Stadium where Malerkotla SDM Bhupinder Mohan Singh unfurled the national flag. A cultural programme was organised by the students of various schools. Students and prominent citizens were also honoured.
Dr Soi awarded
Chandigarh: Dr Kamaljit Soi was awarded at the state-level Independence day function in Amritsar for showing exemplary bravery and courage in saving the lives of 11 persons seriously injured in a road accident near Ludhiana last year. Dr Soi single-handedly extricated the injured from the damaged vehicles, put some in his own vehicle and the rest in an ambulance and rushed them to the CMC, Ludhiana. Dr Soi not only donated blood but also arranged for more than 50 units of blood for the victims. Dr Soi has done his doctorate in “Road Safety - Accident Prevention.” His concept of creation of “no-fatality zones” has been well accepted by international and Indian experts in the field of road safety.ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਪਟਿਆਲਾ ਨਾਲ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਦੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਵਿਦਿਅਕ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ ਕਾਇਮ
ਸਰੀ, 17 ਅਗਸਤ (ਗੁਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਧਾਲੀਵਾਲ)-ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਪਟਿਆਲਾ ਦੇ ਉੱਪ-ਕੁਲਪਤੀ ਡਾ: ਜਸਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਫੇਰੀ ਮੌਕੇ ਕੁਆਂਟਲਨ ਟੈਕਨੀਕਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਵਿਦਿਅਕ ਖੇਤਰ 'ਚ ਸਾਂਝ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦੇ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਅਧੀਨ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਮਿਲਣੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ। ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ 'ਚ ਮੀਤ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਡਾ: ਐਨ. ਲੋਵਾਕ ਨੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਮੁੱਖ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਆਂਟਲਨ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਦੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਪਿਛੋਕੜ ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ। ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਸਥਿਤ ਉਕਤ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਦੇ ਚਾਂਸਲਰ ਸ: ਅਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੱਬਰ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੰਸਥਾ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਂਝ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਪੂਰਨ ਰੂਪ 'ਚ ਵਚਨਬੱਧ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਦੇ ਆਗੂਆਂ ਨੇ ਉਪ-ਕੁਲਪਤੀ ਡਾ: ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਅਤੇ ਫੁੱਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਗੁਲਦਸਤਾ ਭੇਟ ਕੀਤਾ। ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਮਿਲਣੀ ਮੌਕੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਦੇ ਰਜਿਸਟਰਾਰ ਡਾ: ਏ. ਐਸ. ਚਾਵਲਾ, ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ 'ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਰਣਬੀਰ ਕੌਰ ਜੌਹਲ, ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਆਫ ਬ੍ਰਿਟਿਸ਼ ਕੋਲੰਬੀਆ ਦੇ ਸੈਨੇਟਰ ਡਾ: ਬਿੱਕਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਲਾਲੀ, ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸੁਨੀਲ ਭਟਨਾਗਰ ਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਸ਼ਖ਼ਸੀਅਤਾਂ ਸ਼ਾਮਿਲ ਸਨ।
ਰਾਜ ਸਭਾ 'ਚ ਜਸਟਿਸ ਸੇਨ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ
ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ, 17 ਅਗਸਤ (ਏਜੰਸੀ) -ਕੋਲਕਾਤਾ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਜੱਜ ਸੋਮਿਤਰਾ ਸੇਨ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਰਾਜ ਸਭਾ 'ਚ ਅੱਜ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ ਦੀ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ। ਮਾਰਕਸੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੇ ਨੇਤਾ ਸੀਤਾਰਾਮ ਯੇਚੁਰੀ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੁਰਵਿਹਾਰ ਦਾ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਪਾਏ ਜਾਣ 'ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਦ ਤੋਂ ਹਟਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ ਦੀ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤੀ। ਫੰਡਾਂ ਦੀ ਦੁਰਵਰਤੋਂ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਤੱਥਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਗਲਤ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਦੇਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਸੇਨ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਰਾਜ ਸਭਾ ਵਿਚ ਇਹ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਕਿਸੇ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਜੱਜ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ ਦੀ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਅੱਜ ਸੀਤਾਰਾਮ ਯੇਚੁਰੀ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਉਸ ਨਾਜ਼ੁਕ ਸਮੇਂ 'ਤੇ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ ਜਦ ਸਾਰਾ ਦੇਸ਼ ਭ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟਾਚਾਰ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਦੇ 'ਤੇ ਚਰਚਾ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਸੇਨ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਜੱਜ ਬਣ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਅਤੇ ਹਰਿਆਣਾ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਚੀਫ਼ ਜਸਟਿਸ ਵੀ. ਰਾਮਾਸਵਾਮੀ ਲੋਕ ਸਭਾ ਵਿਚ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ ਦੀ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਦਾ ਸਾਹਮਣਾ ਕਰ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ। ਅੱਜ ਸੇਨ ਕਾਲੇ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਪਾਈ ਰਾਜ ਸਭਾ ਦੇ ਪਰਵੇਸ਼ ਦੀ ਦਹਿਲੀਜ਼ 'ਤੇ ਚੇਅਰਮੈਨ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਖੜ੍ਹੇ ਸਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪੰਜ ਵਕੀਲ ਵੀ ਸਨ। ਜਸਟਿਸ ਸੇਨ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਚਾਅ ਵਿਚ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਸਾਬਿਤ ਕਰ ਦੇਵਾਂਗਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਗਲਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਾਂ। ਯੇਚੁਰੀ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸੇਨ ਨੇ ਜੱਜ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੇ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਦਾ ਅਪਮਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸੇਨ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਬਹੁਤ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਦੋਸ਼ ਹਨ। ਰਾਜ ਸਭਾ ਵਿਚ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ ਦੀ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਮਾਮਲਾ ਲੋਕ ਸਭਾ ਅੱਗੇ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ। ਸੇਨ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬਚਾਅ: ਕੋਲਕਾਤਾ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਜੱਜ ਸੋਮਿਤਰਾ ਸੇਨ ਨੇ ਅੱਜ ਫੰਡਾਂ ਦੀ ਦੁਰਵਰਤੋਂ ਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਦੋਸ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਕਾਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਜੱਜ ਦੇ ਅਹੁਦੇ 'ਤੇ ਵਤੀਰਾ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਸਵਾਲਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਿਹਾ। ਜਸਟਿਸ ਸੇਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਕੋਲਕਾਤਾ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਚੀਫ਼ ਜਸਟਿਸ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਖੇ ਪੱਤਰ 'ਤੇ ਇਹ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਪੱਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਦੇ ਨਤੀਜੇ 'ਤੇ ਪਹੁੰਚਣ ਲਈ ਜਾਂਚ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ। ਪੱਤਰ ਦੇ ਅਖੀਰ ਵਿਚ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਜਸਟਿਸ ਸੇਨ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਕੋਈ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਇਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਾਈ ਗਈ। ਸੇਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉੱਚ-ਅਹੁਦੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗਲਤ ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਿਆ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਇਨਸਾਫ ਮੰਗਣ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ। ਜੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮਹਾਂਦੋਸ਼ ਲਗਾਉਗੇ ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਬੇਇਨਸਾਫੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਭਾ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਵਿਚ ਸਹੀ ਤੱਥਾਂ ਦੇ ਆਧਾਰ 'ਤੇ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦਾ ਸਵਾਲ ਹੈ। ਜਸਟਿਸ ਸੇਨ 'ਤੇ 1990 ਦੇ ਦਹਾਕੇ ਵਿਚ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ 24 ਲੱਖ ਰੁਪਏ ਦੇ ਗਬਨ ਦਾ ਦੋਸ਼ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਉਹ ਵਕੀਲ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਕਲਕੱਤਾ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਿਸੀਵਰ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ।
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