Patiala News - Patiala
April 25th, 2013
Regular bus commuters have a reason to rejoice especially those of Malwa area as Pepsu Road Transport Company is all set to append 200 new buses in its fleet in 2013.
As per PRTC Managing Director, Mr. DPS Kharbanda, the company will take loan worth Rs 40 crore from HUDCO at low interest rates and the work in this regard will start soon.
Mr. DPS Kharbanda has assisted PRTC to regain strength after suffering hefty losses in the past.
After the addition of these 200 new buses, PRTC will become owner of 1200 buses.
He said that PRTC will become second biggest transport after Punjab Roadways.
In addition, PRTC will sell out 75 buses, which are out of order.
Mr. DPS Kharbanda said authorities have decided to add more buses in the fleet and this year they would include 200 new buses for various routes in the state.
April 25th, 2013
“I knew I would win”, said Ankush Sharma as he points towards the most especial accomplishment of his life.
Smiling at the golden trophy bearing his name, the champion of Sur Sirtaj has a steady ray of buoyancy surrounding him. But there is no air of selfishness, its just delight that overwhelms this new singing sensation of Ludhiana.
Ankush Sharma, a Dugri occupant, is doing masters in Physics from Punjabi University, Patiala.
Out of hoards of challengers who had taken part in the singing reality show “Sur Sirtaj”, Ankush carved his niche into the finals and bagged the prize.
Ankush said that although he was quite sure about his triumph, he was a little nervous. And when they announced his name, he couldn’t have been more grateful to his mom, dad and to Almighty.
“There are times in life when you are so near to achievement that you are too afraid to take a step ahead. But when you lastly confront it, serenity surrounds you and you hug victory with humility”, he said.
“I was the best among boys in the rivalry. And this isn’t overconfidence,” he quipped.
“Everyone in my family practices a different profession and even though my mother and my sister have beautiful voices, they rarely sing,” he said.
Ready to finally enter the big screen and try his hands at reality shows such as Indian Idol, he said he was very clear about his objectives since the very beginning.
April 24th, 2013
Elements of the Fatehgarh Police nabbed two suspects in a checkpoint here after they were found carrying suspected illegal substances.
Police reports identified the suspects as Gagandeep Singh Ladi and Jagtar Singh Jagga.
According to S. Hardial Singh Mann, SSP Fatehgarh Sahib stated that Gagandeep got detained near railway lines. He had 8 kg of opium in the bag he was carrying.
Mr. Mann added that ASI Balvir Singh, Fatehgarh Sahib along with HC S. Harbhajan Singh and other officials arrested Jagga near Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engg College when they were on patrol.
He added that Jagtar had 2000 illegal tables with him.
Police is now preparing the necessary documents prior to the filing appropriate criminal charges against the suspects.
April 24th, 2013
The day media highlighted how patients were not obtaining benefits of the Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh plan, Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal declared, “Very shortly, Punjab would commence the procedure for direct payment of relief to sufferers.”
The media people had exposed in the edition dated April 19 how hospitals take full amount from sufferers even when the plan involves benefits of Rs. 1.5 lakh maximum per patient for those who have no insurance cover or are not administrative employees.
“It is very sad that relief meant for the patients is misused by some private hospitals,” Badal stated, when inquired about the exposé, and claimed that rules had already been forwarded to the section concerned.
Now, Brahm Mahindra, the All India Congress Committee associate, stated that the higher authorities must looki into the said matter in order to check whether the funds released for Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh plan are used properly or not.
Mahindra said that he talked to the state’s health minister in this regard.
He also said that till 14 March 2013, around 6924 people had received the benefit. The administration had released around INR 75,13,41,233 under the plan.
Mahindra also said that a report also came in that the amount released had not reached to the cancer patients.
He urged the administration to look into the matter.
He added up that the procedure to get fund needs to be simple and the amount should be increased to 5 lakh from 1.5 lakh.
April 24th, 2013
Patiala, Punjab: It is discovered that pupils of Punjabi University Patiala held a march in the University campus on Tuesday to oppose the alleged death sentence of Sikh political inmate Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar.
Prof. Bhullar is confronting imminent warning of capital punishment in the nation as the Supreme Court of India had authorized his death sentence on April 12, 2013.
As per reports, pupils from different sections of the university got assembled close to Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha Library and took out a march past in different sections of the University campus. At the end of the march, the pupils visiited Campus’ Gurudwara Sahib.
Pupils of Punjabi University had carried out a signature drive and the signatures were forwarded to the President of India during 2009-10 when a constitutional appraisal appeal was pending before the President of India. However in the year 2011, the President cleared the capital punishment of Prof. Bhullar as all the requests and petitions were disregarded by the Indian state.
Pupils were of the vision that Prof. Bhullar was being executed because of political causes.
“There is no lawful basis behind his sentence. Just go the library and read the verdict of Justice M. B. Shah from Legal referencing sector, you will discover that there was no proof against this human being (Bhullar)â€, said a third year law students.
“Even the public prosecutor is saying that it was ‘most inappropriate’ and ‘judicial error’ for the Supreme Court of India to verify death sentence in Prof. Bhullar’s case, then on what basis the govt. seems committed to hang himâ€, he added.
“Prof. Sahib, was sentenced to death just because that he was Sikh†said Gurpartap Singh. “This is a political slaughter and it has nothing to do with the commandment†he added.
Pupils asked for the release of Prof. Bhullar.
April 24th, 2013
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal wished the people of Punjab especially the Jain society on the auspicious time of Mahavir Jayanti.
In a message Badal called upon the diverse segments of the culture to follow the technique of life and educations of Lord Mahavira, who spread the principles of simple living and high thinking to attain the main objective of salvation to the civilization.
The CM stated that the message of Lord Mahavira for worldwide brotherhood, love and harmony was still applicable in the current materialistic culture.
The Chief Minister asked the individuals to go after the path shown by Lord Mahavir ji to commemorate this favorable occasion in harmony and with spiritual fervour to further reinforce the worldly and social bonds of our civilization.
April 24th, 2013
Punjab, on April 22, claimed to have become the primary state in the nation to introduce mobile women commando teams with the aim to control crime against females and accelerate police reaction in such cases.
Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also possesses the home portfolio, flagged off here the female commando teams for all business towns and big cities.
Sukhbir stated that the female teams would cover all cities comprising Patiala, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Sangarur, Mohali and others by the next 3 month period.
“This proposal has been required considering the growing crime against females across the nation. We have given rigorous training to female commandos so that they can cope with any possible event,” said Badal.
He added that the pilot project of Women Armed Special Protection Squads (WASPS) launched last week in Bathinda Zone had got an encouraging response from women.
“Women are increasingly turning self-assured to approach female commandos to report events of ‘eve teasing’ and other crimes against females and witnessing the victory of this pilot project, it is being replicated all through Punjab,” he said.
Badal also stated that the mobile teams would be positioned at women colleges, educational institutions, co-ed colleges, girls hostels, working women hostels, active markets, shopping malls, theaters and other sensitive points to make sure safety for women and girls.
April 24th, 2013
Several physicians, under the placard of the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) union, on April 23 protested outside the office of the Patiala Civil Surgeon, asking for pay uniformity with physicians, enrolled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The physicians asked that the most recent eligibility standard of having worked for six years in rustic regions for admission to postgraduate courses be rolled back.
They also necessitated that more physicians be hired for the positions of specialists and Emergency Medical Officers (EMOs) at each hospital.
While talking to the gathering, Dr Hardeep Singh, state president of the association, damned the Punjab administration for not paying attention to their demands.
Dr Hardeep added that the lack of manpower in health services had lowered the confidence of the physicians. Singh added that their protest would continue until their 21 demands got fulfilled.
April 24th, 2013
Punjab’s ex Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh expressed deep sorrow over the demise of senior Congress head and ex health minister Ramesh Chander Dogra.
Mr. Ramesh Chander Dogra expired after a prolonged illness.
In a sympathy note, Capt Amarinder stated, late Shri Dogra had been a good pal and a long time associate.
He stated that he had lost a special buddy.
Sharing his sorrow with Dogra family, Capt Amarinder said, he stood by them in this hour of pain as late Shri Dogra’s demise had resulted into a void that will be hard to be met.
April 23rd, 2013
After discussing with the New Mayor, the Corporation Commissioner on Monday announced a big reshuffle.
The commissioner said that the step has been taken with the purpose to increase the efficiency of corporation officers.
After a meeting between Corporation Commissioner Gurlavleen Singh Sidhu and the new Patiala Mayor Amrinder Singh Bajaj, the officers working in the Corporation for many years have been given internal transfers.
As per the information, SDO Shyam Lal Gupta will look after the work of SDO headquarter and state officer.
Besides, many other people have also been shifted and given new duties.
April 23rd, 2013
It is easy to miss the tall, thin, tough female runner in the crowd of jocks warming-up on the practice ground of the National Institute of Sport (NIS) Patiala. However, Ashwini Akkunji excels when she tames the curve approaching the final 100 metres leaving fellow runners in her slipstream.
In the direction of the finish Akkunji lets up, catches her breath and slumps on to a mat for a sip of water. A 20-minute chilling sitting accompanies before the evening practice gets finished off.
On the eve of the seventeenth National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships as jocks plan towards a heavier work-load agenda for the period ahead, the 25-year-old is getting ready to take first few cautious steps towards a return. A training plan that was tack together during October is steadily gaining steam.
The Guangzhou Asian Games double gold medallist (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay), who was consequently banished for a period of 2 years together with the other associates of the women’s relay quartet accompanying a steroid abuse, will be entitled to battle again from the initial week of July. But despite her 5-hour training schedule accompanied religiously over the last 7 month period, she is far from race fit.
April 23rd, 2013
Nabha: A pall of gloom descended in a region near Ludhiana as the news of demise of the 30-year-old Sarbjeet Singh reached here.
On Monday (April 22), Sarbjeet lost his life following a bike accident, which took place on the Nabha-Malerkotla road near village Kulara.
Reports said that Singh’s bike got collided with the unknown vehicle and died.
The Sadar Police Nabha have taken the dead body in custody for post mortem, and filed a case against the unknown vehicle proprietor.
The police officials have also started the further investigations in this regard.
April 23rd, 2013
The star cast of the forthcoming and highly anticipated Punjabi flick ‘Lucky Di Unlucky Story’ visited Patiala on Monday (April 22).
The cast also visited Play Ways High School, Patiala (near Lahori-gate).
In a hotel here, the team said that it is a comic thriller that deals with common subjects in a side-splitting way.
While talking about the film Gippy, stated, “It’s a comic thriller, which deals with common issues in a hilarious way. We did substantial research work before commencing the film project.”
The film has singer-actor Gippy Grewal along with Surveen Chawla playing the lead characters in the film.
The film also features versatile actor Binnu Dhillon, comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi, multi talented actor Jaswinder Bhalla and Karamjeet Anmol.
Whilst ‘Lucky Di Unlucky Story’ is directed by Sameep Kang, the music for the flick is given by Jatinder Shah.
They said the forthcoming film is about a man who always tells the reality that puts him in problem always.
The main objective of the visit was to endorse the film in the city.
As per reports, Binnu Dhillon and Gurpreet Ghuggi will be shown playing married men, whilst Gippy dons the character of a bachelor.
April 23rd, 2013
As per latest reports, a White color designer car (no. PB49A-4995) was stolen on Saturday night.
The car was parked along with other vehicles outside Vatika Marriage Palace situated at Rajpura Road, Patiala.
The Police Station Urban Estate has registered a case for the theft of the car by unknown persons.
The report added that the car belonged to Mr. Arun Verma, the resident of Tejbagh colony, Patiala.
Mr. Verma told police officials that there was no security arrangement for the vehicles parked outside the marriage palace.
He added that there was no light outside the palace. Even, there was no CCTV camera, watchman for the security of vehicles parked.
It should be remembered that SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill had ordered all the marriage palace owners to arrange proper parking systems along with CCTV cameras.
But, the marriage palace owners had not taken this thing seriously.
The report added that during the last month, a new Verna car got stolen outside a marriage palace situated at Sirhind road.
April 23rd, 2013
As per latest reports, an elderly couple was drugged by their servant Hari, who then ran off with their costly items after ransacking their residence in Ghuman Nagar, Patiala.
The 61-year-old Vijay K Singal, a retired engineer-in-chief of the former Punjab State Electricity Board and his life partner the 56-year-old Veena Singal (56) get admitted to a private hospital accompanying severe poisoning.
While the female is safe, the husband is still in a serious condition.
The pair was found unconscious by their maid on Sunday. They were taken to a private city hospital where they are still to get back complete consciousness.
Mr. Kulwant Singh, Station House Officer, Tripuri, stated that based on complaint filed by the pair’s relatives, a Daily Dairy Report had been lodged.
April 23rd, 2013
Patiala: Chamar Mahan Sabha, while welcoming the note served by the education division to 473 private educational institutions charged of breaching the Right to Education Act by not giving admission to pupils belonged to economically weaker segments, has asked for that the authorities should also take action against the educational institutions that were not following the regulations.
Mr. Paramjit Singh Kainth, sabha president stated, “The sabha suspects that the notifications are simply aimed at misguiding the feebler segments. Mere warnings won’t do. What we wish is solid action.”
“Some newspapers in recent times issued reports citing education minister Sikander Singh Maluka as stating that 473 private educational institutions which were breaching the RTE Act would confront closure. But no action has been taken up to now. The RTE Act has not been enforced during the last two-and-a-half years. We fear the minister made this declaration to cover up for the administration’s incapability to make private schools fall in order,” he said.
A sabha representative stated that the state administration had forwarded a notice during November 2010 on the Right to Education Act, but since then the majority of private educational institutions had shown little preference to admit kids from economically weaker segments, comprising scheduled castes and other backward classes.
“Parliament, after noticing that kids from weaker sections were refused the right to education across the nation, had passed the Children’s Free and Compulsory Right to Education Act in 2009. But even two-and-a-half years after notifying the Act, the Punjab government has failed to implement it.
The managements of private educational institutions are making all sorts of excuses to escape their job. Why is the administration not taking action against them?” added Mr. Kainth.
April 22nd, 2013
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal stated that the Punjab administration will roll out an online VAT (value-added tax) refund system for traders as well as businessmen.
While talking at a gathering with industry delegacy from Ludhiana, Sukhbir stated that the working of state excise and taxation section would become more transparent.
Sukhbir Singh Badal added that the businessmen would be divided into 3 sections for payment of tax repayment to them.
Class-A businessmen will be entitled for an automatic fast track value-added tax refund. For class -B, the refund will be offered in minimum possible time whilst for class-C, certain checks would be integrated for giving tax refunds, he added.
Badal also preferred the industry’s hint of enforcing payment tax on a few sections with a promise of certain amount of tax payment to the state exchequer.
He claimed that Punjab would become the first state, which would have most all-encompassing interactive portal that would annihilate submission of paper-based tax returns.
Asking the state industry to declare their income, he said that he could consider waiver of 80% of books and records maintained by them.
Badal guaranteed that the industry delegacy that he would have a relook at the demand “for making electricity duty vatable“.
April 22nd, 2013
Wheat procurement in the state of Punjab hit 43.26 lakh tonne in the continuing rabi marketing period. The figure includes wheat produced in cities comprising Patiala, Rajpura, Ludhiana, Barnala, Sangarur and all other Punjab cities.
As per reports, out of the total 43.26 lakh tonne, the state administrative procurement agencies bought 43.05 lakh tonne whilst private dealers purchased 21,728 tonnes of wheat.
Among agencies, Pungrain bought 7.66 lakh tonne, Markfed procured 9.66 lakh tonne and FCI lifted 7.52 lakh tonne.
The state is making plans to procure 140 lakh tonne in the ongoing period.
April 22nd, 2013
As per latest reports, a person lost his life and 11 others got major injuries in two separate road accidents.
The report stated that a car bowled over on the Sangrur-Patiala road next to a public school.
The 35-year-old Gurpreet Singh, a local occupant, died whereas five individuals, comprising a newly married pair, got injured.
They were immediately taken to a private hospital.
In another road mishap, around 6 individuals got injuries when a private bus overturned allegedly because of a technological error near Longowal village.
The bus was going to Sunam from Barnala. Four victims were taken to Longowal hospital whilst one was admitted to the Sangrur Civil Hospital.
April 22nd, 2013
A case against a fraud travel agent has been lodged in Samana Police Station.
The police officials have started the probe after registering the FIR against the fraud person.
Mr. Surjan Singh son of Sukhdev Singh told police that Istpreet Singh, Amaninder Singh residents of 254, Harinder Nagar took 8 lakh 5 thousand rupees for sending his son to the Unites States.
He also said that his son is still in India and the fraudsters have not give n their money back as well.
A case has been filed in this regard and the police have started the investigation.
