120 bonded labourers rescued
Phillaur, December 10
It was search for livelihood that brought them to Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh, all the way from Chhattisgarh. But with expectations having fallen flat, they broke free from the shackles of bonded
labour.
Book minister, says Sarpanch
Gurbuxpura (Dhuri), December 10
Mr Charanjit Singh, Sarpanch of Gurbaxpura village, situated 23 km from Dhuri near Sherpur, today demanded the registration of a case against Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Minister for Social Security, Punjab and his gunmen for allegedly abducting him in a Gypsy from Kanjhla village after beating him up at the residence of the minister the previous day.
‘Galiara’ scheme comes to a halt
Amritsar, December 10
The “galiara yojna” was the brainchild of the Central Government to develop a green belt around the Golden Temple by clearing shops or any other structure which could create a hurdle in the way of the security forces. The Army had to face a lot of problems while entering the SGPC premises for flushing out militants.
Mohindra now dons ‘pagri’ to woo Sikhs
Patiala, December 10
First it was a spate of appearances at small religious functions, including
jagarans, culminating in a massive ‘jagaran’ organised at the Rajpura Colony grounds in which singer Lakhbir Singh Lakha was the star attraction.
Cong determined to oppose POTO
Amritsar, December 10
Senior Congress leader and party spokesman Ashwani Kumar today said that the party would oppose POTO in all its versions. Addressing a press conference here Mr Kumar added that the BJP was trying to through see the Bill and the Congress would not let it happen.
Cong rally against ‘bogus’ voters in Lambi
Bathinda, December 10
The issue of registration of bogus voters and deletion of the names of genuine voters in this region during correction of voter lists took a new turn today when hundreds of Congress workers held a rally and blocked traffic near Lambi, the home constituency of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Cong men disturb party rally
Phillaur, December 10
A Congress rally was organised here in favour of Mr Santokh Singh today. Despite attempts by Congressmen to disturb the rally, senior Congress leaders continued speeches amid slogan shouting. Dr Kewal Krishan, PPCC vice-president, Mr Darshan Singh, Mr Umrao Singh, Mr Amarjit Singh Samra, and Mr Santokh Singh were among the speakers who condemned the SAD-BJP government for anti-Punjab and anti dalit policies.
Cong decries delay in display of voter list
Gurdaspur, December
10
Mr Sukhjinder Singh, general secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, alleged today that the Dera Baba Nanak SDM, who is the Returning Officer for Fatehgarh Churian constituency, had not displayed the final voter list in front of his office even though the Election Commission had issued directions that it be displayed by December
7.
SHSAD meeting on Dec 16
Chandigarh, December 10
The Sarb-Hind Shiromani Akali Dal General Secretary, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, in a statement today reiterated that all political parties, barring the SAD-BJP and the Congress, were welcome to join the Panthic
Morcha.
Hospital taps run dry
Bathinda, December 10
The Government Hospital of Nathana village is not getting water supply for the past four days. In the absence of any other source of water in the hospital, its functioning has been badly affected and patients as well as staff members are facing inconvenience.
192 villages get grant of 4.7 cr
Amloh, December 10
Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, today held a ‘sangat darshan’ at which the main demands of residents remained unmet.
Work on the sewerage system, for which the Finance Minister had himself laid the foundation stone, on June 20, 1998, remains incomplete.
Rs 460 cr disbursed among orphans, widows
Chandigarh, December 10
As a welfare measure, the Punjab Government has disbursed Rs 460 crore among handicapped persons, orphans, widows, destitute women and old aged persons. This was stated by Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Social Security and Development of Women and Children Minister.
SGPC executive to meet on Dec 25
Amritsar, December 10
Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, President, SGPC, said here today that the executive of the committee would meet at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran, Patiala, on December 25. The meeting will discuss issues like the framing of rules for the appointment and removal of high priests.
Virinder Yaadgari Mela held
Phagwara, December 10
The Punjab Government was committed to its struggle against “cultural pollution” and stop vulgarity in stage shows, as well as in television satellite channels, Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister Swarana Ram has said.
Arhtiyas hold rally over
paddy payment
Bathinda, December 10
Members of the Kacha Arhtiya Association today held a rally in the city in protest against the failure of the authorities to make payments to them for the paddy procured this season.
Members of the Kacha Arhtiya Association, Rampura Phul, raise slogans in Bathinda on Monday in protest against the non-payment of dues for paddy procured this season.
— Tribune photo Kulbir Beera |
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Arhtiyas threaten stir
Patiala, December 10
The District Arhtiya Association, Patiala, has threatened to close down mandis all over the district and gherao government officials in case paddy payments are not cleared within the next three
days. This was disclosed by the president of the association, Mr Subash Banga, here today.
Dry spell worries farmers
Pathankot, December 10
The farmers of Dhar Kalan area are worried about the prolonged dry spell because of which they have not been able to sow wheat.
The farmers fear that if the dry spell continues, they may face a drought-like situation.
Suicide: mother alleges police harassment
Hoshiarpur, December 10
Ruby Satinder of Bahadurpur Chowk, Bhagwan Dass Road, died after consuming a poisonous substance here today. She said her son along with a local Shiv Sena leader had met the local SSP and made a complaint against some police officials, on which inquiry was being held by the CIA staff. The police officials were harassing him to take back his complaint.
ETT candidates stage dharna
Bathinda, December 10
Fortyfive ETT candidates selected as teachers by the Punjab Government recently staged dharna today in front of the DEO’s office in protest against the failure of the district authorities to issue them appointment letters.
Teachers’ dharna on December 16
Bathinda, December 10
The district unit of the Unemployed Teachers’ Front Punjab, has decided to hold a dharna in front of the residence of Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for
Science and Technology, Punjab, on December 16 in protest against the indifferent attitude, of the state government towards B.Ed graduates.

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