B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

Abohar rape case takes new turn
Abohar, October 1
Having been given enough time to elude arrests, the main accused in the village schoolgirl rape case has now produced a certificate to assert that he had married the victim after the incident. The certificate issued carries the seal of Government of India registration number by the Arya Samaj Fort based at Golnandi, Ummaid Chowk and Jodhpur.

Moga millers fail to deliver rice worth Rs 120 cr
Moga, October 1
Various mills of the district are yet to deliver 44,597 tonnes of rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) against the paddy procured last year even as fresh paddy has started arriving in the market. The extended milling period expired on September 30. Initial estimates suggest the rice is valued around Rs 120 crore, which has probably been siphoned off by the 50-odd rice mills.

Abohar rape case takes new turn

Abohar, October 1
Having been given enough time to elude arrests, the main accused in the village schoolgirl rape case has now produced a certificate to assert that he had married the victim after the incident. The certificate issued carries the seal of Government of India registration number by the Arya Samaj Fort based at Golnandi, Ummaid Chowk and Jodhpur.

It testifies that the marriage of the principal accused Kuldeep Kumar of Daulatpura village was solemnised by Ummaid Singh Purohit with the girl on September 13. Her age has been referred to as 18 years and that of Kuldeep as 21 years.

The girl studying in a village institution had reportedly alleged that Kuldeep Kumar allegedly raped her in a hotel with the help and connivance of Raja of Shergarh village and another friend.

Initially, the date of birth of the girl was reportedly quoted as April 1, 1997 to ascertain that she was a minor. This has now triggered a row. — OC

Moga millers fail to deliver rice worth Rs 120 cr
Kulwinder Sandhu/TNS

Moga, October 1
Various mills of the district are yet to deliver 44,597 tonnes of rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) against the paddy procured last year even as fresh paddy has started arriving in the market. The extended milling period expired on September 30. Initial estimates suggest the rice is valued around Rs 120 crore, which has probably been siphoned off by the 50-odd rice mills.

No legal action has been initiated against the defaulting mills yet. Instead, their owners have reportedly been lobbying to get fresh paddy for milling during the current season.

An official in the FCI said 17,973 tonnes of paddy allotted by the Punjab Agro-Food Corporation (PAFC) to various rice mills was pending for delivery to the central pool from the last year’s crop. Other Punjab agencies, including Markfed (10,973 tonnes), 
Punsup (7,023 tonnes), Punjab Warehousing Corporation (6,849 tonnes) and Pungrain (1,819 tonnes) also have rice pending for delivery to the central pool. There are over 300 rice mills in the district and most of the defaulting mills are located in Dharamkot, Nihalsinghwala and Baghapurana sub-divisions.