No SIM sale sans identity proof: DCP

Ambala, November 30
The Ambala police has decided to take action against shopkeepers selling mobile phone SIM cards without getting valid identity proofs from customers. Shashank Anand, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), yesterday passed orders under Section 144 of the CrPC.

It was now mandatory for all retailers and dealers in the district engaged in the sale of mobile phone connections and SIM cards to submit daily sales reports with complete details to the nearest police station.

Anand further said it had been found that some retailers had sold mobile phone connections without ascertaining valid identities of subscribers, which posed serious danger to the security of the nation.

Any person found guilty of violation of the orders would be liable to be punished under Section 188 of the IPC and FIRs would be registered against such shopkeepers.

Canada’s first turbaned mountie is here

Mohali, November 30
Sergeant Baltej Singh Dhillon, who had changed the face of Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police when he became its first-ever turbaned mountie in 1990, attended the inaugural function of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur war memorial at Chappar Chiri village today.

Dhillon had come on the invitation of the Punjab Chief Minister. He was presently heading the criminal intelligence wing at the provincial intelligence centre.Interacting with mediapersons, Dhillon said there was no shortcut to hard work. “My father toiled in Malaysia before we migrated to Canada for better prospects,” he said.

Hookah bars banned in Panchkula district

Panchkula, November 30
Hookah bars have been banned in Panchkula. Recently a team from the office of the state drug controller lifted samples of tobacco molasses containing nicotine from these bars and issued notices under Section 15-B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Nicotine is a prohibited drug under the Act.

Invoking Section 144 of the CrPC, Deputy Commissioner of Police Maneesh Chaudhary said hookah bars were serving tobacco molasses containing nicotine, which was injurious to health, especially of college students and the youth.

Taking the health hazards of tobacco and nicotine into account, the operation of hookah bars was prohibited in the entire district with immediate effect.

The orders have been sent to Assistant Commissioners of Police, police stations and health authorities for strict compliance. All subdivisional magistrates, tehsildars, block development and panchayat officers, the Haryana Roadways general manager and other officers of the district administration have been asked to enforce these orders in their respective areas. During the last couple of weeks, offcials of the state drug controller department took samples of tobacco molasses being served in the bars to clients.

The report of chemical analysis of these samples confirmed that these tobacco molasses contained nicotine. Following this, four of the hookah bars had been directed to shut their business. No record of sale and purchase were maintained.

Justice Kumar to head NRI commission

Chandigarh, November 29

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today approved the constitution of Punjab State Commission for NRIs and appointed Justice Arvind Kumar (retd) as its chairman.

A Punjab Government spokesman said the Chief Minister also approved the appointment of Jagtar Singh of Hoshiarpur as the commission’s member. He said Badal also approved the appointment of Makhan Singh of Ferozepur as a member of the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minster also appointed Sampuran Singh and Hardeep Singh, both Fazilka residents, as members of the Board of Directors, Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation. 

Punjabi folk singer Kuldeep Manak passes away

LUDHIANA: Legendary Punjabi folk singerKuldeep Manak died at here on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. The last rites would be performed at his birthplace and native villageJalal in Bathinda on Friday. 

Manak had celebrated his 62nd birthday on November 15. His illustrious career in music began when the 17-year-old was chosen to sing alongside famed vocalist Seema in 1968. This proved to be his lucky break and he went on to forge a successful career in the music industry. He is credited for popularising the traditional Punjabi songs called kaliyan. His hits songs include "Tere Tilley Ton", "Chheti Kar Sarwan Bachcha" and "Garh Mughlane Dian Naaran". 

"Kuldeep Manak was a strong pillar of Punjabi music industry, and to me, a father figure. Whatever I am today is all because of him. His demise has left a void in our lives," said Jazzy B, who visited the singer's residence in Housing Board Colony near Rajguru Nagar soon after the news of Manak's death spread. Among others present there along with Manak's fans were Punjabi singers Surinder Chinda, Daljeet Dosanjhand Ranjeet Mani. 

"His death is a great loss to the Punjabi music industry," said Punjabi Sahitya Academy presidentGurbhajan Singh Gill. Dosanjh added, "He will continue to be an inspiration for all Punjabi singers." 

Manak is survived by his wife and two children - son Yuhdhvir and daughter Shakti. Yudhvir had been following his father's footsteps but his progress was stunted after he suffered a brain hemorrhage.