Jalandhar, October 7
The incident pertaining to the high-handedness of an SDM, who had not been paying his dues and tried to take revenge from a JE of the PSEB who snapped his power supply, seems to be just a tip of the iceberg. Top officials of the district residing at Baradari have literally thrown norms to the wind, taking full advantage of their position.

An SP, posted in Jalandhar and residing in Baradari for the past four years, does not have an electricity meter at his residence for the past one year. He has been using a “kundi” connection.

The officer has not just been stealing electricity but has also been defaulting an electricity bill to the tune of Rs 19,900. At one point of time he agreed to make payment in instalments but later he stopped making payment. After the payment was stopped, the meter was removed.

Even when the SP was posted in another district two years back, he and his family continued to reside in the same bungalow.

PSEB officials said they were helpless in this regard as whenever employees were sent to his home, his gunmen sent them back. The officials said the SP had installed four ACs and the quantum of power stolen by him since the meter was removed could not even be evaluated.

The officials said they had now proposed that the meters of all bungalows be put outside so that these could be easily checked.

The SP could not be contacted as the incoming call facility of his mobile had been withdrawn. Even the SSP could not be contacted.

Kapurthala, October 7
The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Raminder Singh, has sent the report to the Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Mr K.K. Bhatnagar, about the reported transfer of state government’s “muafi” land on the Kanjali road here worth several crores in the name of cultivators allegedly in connivance with Revenue Department officials.

While the Deputy Commissioner could not be contacted, sources said the report was sent to Mr Bhatnagar yesterday. Earlier, Mr Bhatnagar had sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner.

The land was changed through a mutation about 22 years ago. The scam came to the notice of the district administration when a private coloniser started building a residential colony on the land after getting temporary approval from the Punjab Urban and Development Authority.

So much so, the coloniser had raised a boundary wall around 10 acres, demarcated the plots and started road construction. However, the administration stopped the construction. 

Amritsar, October 7
Unit members of Punjabi film “Mannat” last night arrived here to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple for the success of the film.

Actors Jimmy Shergill and Kulraj Randhawa, Director Gurbir Singh Grewal, Deep Dhillon and brand Director Anuradha Kohli were among those present in the city.

Talking to The Tribune, Grewal said the main story of the film highlighted the life of an Army officer who falls in love with a village girl.

Produced under the banner of BAG Films Limited, the film’s script and screenplay is by Grewal and dialogues by Surinder Bath, while cinematography by Harmeet Singh. The film has six musical numbers and the music is by Jaidev Kumar. The film music has a mix of Sufi and Punjabi and has singer like Shafquat Ali Khan, Rani Randeep, Alka Yagnik, Feroz Khan, Arvinder Singh and Simarjit Kumar. Babu Singh Mann has written lyrics of the film.

Amritsar, October 7
Mr Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, a Congress leader and former Chairman, Improvement Trust, Batala, is likely to join the SAD tomorrow.

According to information, Mr Lodhinangal has decided to join the SAD on the invitation of Mr Badal.

The move of Mr Lodhinangal could prove a setback for the Congress as this could upset its calculations in three Assembly constituencies of Gurdaspur district in the Assembly elections.

Mr Lodhinangal had resigned from the post of Chairman of the Improvement Trust on September 30 and subsequently the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee expelled him from the primary membership of the party for six years.

Earlier, he had severed his ties with the SAD and joined the Congress along with 82 sarpanches and hundreds of supporters in 1999. 

Hoshiarpur, October 7
Despite constituting special teams, the police has failed to trace the case involving killing of four persons at a liquor vend at Adda Tahli, near Dholbaha, in November.

As per eyewitnesses, two masked men entered the liquor vend and gunned down four persons and left one critically injured.

In the inquiry the police found that the bullets used in the crime were fired from an AK-47. Police officials did not rule out the involvement of terrorists in the incident.

However, sources said the police was also probing into the possibility of involvement of gunmen of some VIP. Many VIPs have their farmhouses in the Dholbaha area.

The SSP Hoshiarpur, Mr R.N. Dhoke, when contacted, said till date nothing substantiate has come out of the inquiry.

Amritsar, October 7
For encouraging youths to take part in sports and shun drugs, the first Bhagat Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament commenced at Khalsa College here today.

In the inaugural day, two matches — first between Western Blue and Minarth Cricket Association and second between Vishal Cricket Club and Amritsar Bar Association — was played. — OC

Jalandhar, October 7
The 55th All-India Police Games will be held at PAP Complex here from October 9 to 13.

Twenty-seven teams will participate in boxing, gymnastics, judo, weightlifting and wrestling.

The DGP, Mr S.S. Virk, will open the games.