COMMUNITY

SGPC to discuss Giani Iqbal issue on Jan 31

Amritsar, January 28 The SGPC has decided to convene an emergency meeting here on January 31 to discuss the demand of Sikh scholars to summon Giani Iqbal Singh , Jathedar of Patna Sahib, at Akal Takht for challenging the supremacy of Akal Takht and rejecting the Sikh Maryada and the Nanakashi Calendar. Sikh intellectuals Suba Singh (left) and Kharak Singh (right) address mediapersons in the SGPC complex in Amritsar on Monday. — Photo by Vishal Kumar

WSIC backs Patna Takht chief
Chandigarh, January 28
The World Sikh Intellectual Council (WSIC) today came out with a statement in defence of the suspended Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh. The council members said Akal Takht had in the past issued hukamnamas (religious edicts) that were implemented by Giani Iqbal Singh and he had done nothing on his own. 

Tribune Impact
Govt to give Rs 1.5 cr for disputes panel building
Chandigarh, January 28
The principal secretary, Finance, has agreed to release Rs 1.5 crore to the Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for erecting a building on the land allotted to it in 1998.

Now, lodge your own FIR
Take a form and fill in the complaint....But false reporting is an offence
Amritsar, January 28
Taking a lead in the region, the Amritsar police has launched “Lodge your own FIR” facility for the benefit of the general public.

Rajasthani child still missing
Jalandhar, January 28
While Prahlad and his wife Kanya have lost their son Lokesh, they are now worried about the fate of his cousin Amariya (7) as the district police has failed to find his whereabouts even after a month of registration of a DDR.

Highway Patrol
Pharmacists oppose move
Sangrur, January 28
The Punjab state Pharmacists’Association has condemned the state government for reportedly making a proposal to depute pharmacists on highway patrol duty with police parties.

A tormenting reminder of infidelity

Amritsar, January 28 The theatrical allegory of the play “The Suit” directed by renowned director Neelam Maansingh was staged here this evening at Punjab Naatshala. Written by South African writer Can Themba, the play captures domestic bliss of a married couple with a considerate husband who slides out of the bed quietly as not to wake his wife till he has prepared her morning tea.

A scene from the play, “The Suit” staged in Amritsar on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Bhagwant Mann trains guns on trigger-happy ‘baratis’

Chandigarh, January 28 Noted comedian and TV personality Bhagwant Mann has turned serious. In the backdrop of the death of an assistant cameraman following a gunshot during a marriage in Kharar recently, Mann today fired a salvo at the trigger-happy ‘baratis’, who he alleged were playing with the lives of people in inebriated condition during marriages and other social functions.

Bhagwant Mann addresses mediapersons at the Press Club in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

COURTS

High Court
Entrust probes to impartial officers, Punjab told
Chandigarh, January 28
After the failure of a Punjab police officer to conduct murder case investigations in a fair manner, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the state government to initiate "effective steps" to ensure that probe in all criminal cases is entrusted to impartial officers.

Jain, Sinha to probe Virk case
Chandigarh, January 28
Less than a fortnight of Justice H.S Bhalla of the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering a fresh probe into the case against Punjab’s former Director-General of Police S.S Virk, the Punjab government today appointed Ropar SSP Praveen Kumar Sinha as the inquiry officer.

Amarinder allowed to visit Dubai 
Ludhiana, January 28
The Sessions Court here today allowed City Centre project scam accused former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to visit Dubai for two weeks on his plea that he wanted to explore investment opportunities in real estate there.

EDUCATION

Varsity Scene
Setting up of Guru Teg Bahadur Chair: Pbi varsity seeks UGC’s help
Patiala, January 28
Punjabi University today decided to provide academic direction to the process of national building in India by integrating tradition and modernity, strengthening Centre-periphery relations in our federal polity and undertaking research aimed at removing obstacles liable to impede national integration.

Senator ‘objected to nominations by VC’
Amritsar, January 28
M.M. Singh Cheema, third-time Senator of Guru Nanak Dev University, has objected to the circulated minutes of the last Senate meeting held on October 31, 2007, which gave the impression that he was in favour of nomination authorising the vice-chancellor to nominate three members from the Senate to Syndicate regarding which he had already written a letter to the vice-chancellor.

PAU dept counsels village girls to join classes
Ludhiana, January 28
Concerned about the declining number of girls, particularly from villages, the Home Science Department of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has launched an operation to reach village girls in the state, at their homes and persuade them to join classes from the forthcoming session.