Punjab could be next Florida, says US citrus expert Chandigarh, September 13 One of world’s leading experts on citrus fruits, Dr James Keithly, believes Punjab can match Florida (USA) and Brazil, if not outdo these two major orange and other citrus fruit growing centres, in terms of quality and quantity of the citrus produce.                                                                                                                  Dr James Keithly

 

Securing the dignity of women Chandigarh, September 13 Come September 29 and Lehra Gaga in Sangrur will have the first taste of self-reliance. After long last, the suicide capital of Punjab will have a chance to turn its destiny around, thanks to the interest Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) has shown in the well-being of the traumatised belt as well as the state.                                                                                  Ms Snehlata Kumar

Copter was placed at govt disposal a month ago
Chandigarh, September 13
The AS-365 Dauphin helicopter carrying the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, which crash-landed yesterday was placed at the disposal of the Punjab Government just about a month ago.

• Editorial: Safe flying

Polytechnic staff threaten stir Amritsar, September 13 The Punjab Government's decision of forming societies to run government polytechnic institutions will be a disastrous step in the interest of the institutions, said Gurbakhsish Singh, president of the Punjab Polytechnic Staff Association. Mr Gurbakhsish Singh, president of the Punjab Polytechnic Association, and other office-bearers at a press conference in Amritsar on Wednesday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

Ex-MLA booked on ‘flimsy’ ground
Ludhiana, September 13
In a shocking case of police negligence that smells of political victimisation, a former Health Minister during the SAD-BJP regime has been booked on the basis of a certain order of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes. However, the commission order has not said anything against the leader.

POLITICS

Cabinet to discuss quota for Mazhbi Sikhs
Chandigarh, September 13
The last session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha starts tomorrow while the Punjab Council of Ministers will also be meeting tomorrow morning. Among other issues, the Council of Ministers will take up the matter of providing reservation to Mazhbi Sikhs and various Bills that are to be put up during the session.

COMMUNITY

Takht takes serious view of anand karaj violation
Amritsar, September 13
The Akal Takht, Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, has taken serious view of the violation of ‘anand karaj’ maryada by some Sikh missionaries at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, New Delhi, some days ago.

Baby girl found abandoned
Patiala, September 13
An unidentified three-day- old baby girl was found abandoned near Phulkian Enclave, a posh area located near the Mini Secretariat here today. The infant was found by Mr Davinder Kumar, proprietor of Sneh Medical. After closing the shop, Mr Davinder Kumar was going towards his house when he and some other persons heard the wailing of the child lying between two walls.

55 get letters of appointment
Mohali, September 13
Letters of appointment were given to 55 persons on compassionate grounds by an official of the Education Department at a camp held on the premises of the Punjab School Education Board here today.

Phase-II of Ropar bypass okayed
Ropar, September 13
The apex committee of the Punjab Government has sanctioned the construction of the second phase of the Ropar bypass. The bypass will link the Bella road to Nawanshahr and reduce the inflow of traffic passing through the city, said the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Alok Shekhar, here today. Two bridges, one over the Sutlej and the other over the Bist Doab canal, would also be constructed.

Christians condemn attack on school
Hoshiarpur, September 13
The members of Christian community of Hoshiarpur district unitedly condemned the attack on Loretto Convent School, Lucknow, on last Sunday evening.

500 examined at medical camp
Abohar, September 13 Nearly 500 patients were today examined by a team of doctors led by Ms Pragati Grover at a one-day camp held at Killianwali village by the IFFCO Kisan Sewa Trust.

Clean chit to colas criticised
Chandigarh, September 13
The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has condemned the statement of the Punjab Health Minister, Mr Surinder Singla, in favour of soft drinks. The “clean chit” given by Mr Singla is simply ludicrous, said the BJP in a statement here today. This was contrary to the fact that the pesticide content found during tests in Punjab was still higher than the acceptable limits.

COURTS

Mr Justice Bedi to take over next week
Chandigarh, September 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Acting Chief Justice Mr Justice H.S. Bedi is expected to take over as Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court next week.

Capt’s counsel questions authenticity of cassette
Chandigarh, September 13
The counsel for Chief Minister, Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, today asserted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the audio cassette containing the alleged offer made by the Chief Minister’s Media Advisor, Mr B.I.S. Chahal, to the petitioner in the petition challenging Capt Amarinder’s election to the Vidhan Sabha was doctored and ante-dated.

AGRICULTURE

Supply of low quality seeds to be probed
Ropar, September 13
Taking note of the farmers’ complaint about the supply of low quality seeds of maize by the Markfed in Nangal and Nurpurbedi areas that yield no crop production, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Alok Shekhar, directed the Chief Agricultural Officer to conduct an inquiry and submit its report.

CRIME

SHO ‘manhandles’ father
Sangrur, September 13
Mr Baldev Singh, father of Mr Harmeek Singh, SHO, Moonak, police station, today alleged that Mr Harmeek and his wife manhandled him here when he demanded some money from the amount of Rs 1.92 lakh given to them by him about a month ago. He said he had also been beaten up. Mr Harmeek has, however, refuted the allegation.

Robbers kill aged woman
Moga, September 13
An aged woman was killed by some unknown robbers at her house at Jalalabad East falling under Dharamkot police station.

EDUCATION

Students protest assault on leader
Barnala, September 13
Members of the Punjab Radical Students Union (PRSU) held a rally here yesterday to lodge their protest against the assault on the president of the state unit, Mr Sanjeev Mintoo, by Himmatpura transporters.

 

PTU introduces four courses Chandigarh, September 13 The 26th Academic Council meeting of the Punjab Technical University held at the Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajpura, today decided to introduce four new courses with 440 new seats. Directors and principals of various colleges affiliated to PTU at the 26th Academic Council Meeting of Punjab Technical University held at Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajpura, on Wednesday.