Abohar
Jakhar flays state govt: While addressing a meeting on Wednesday night during the Lohri celebrations, the local legislator, Sunil Jakhar, expressed concern over the recent spurt in the incidents in the sub-divisional town. Jakhar claimed that the previous Congress led government had sanctioned Rs 30 crore project for expansion of the new waterworks on the Hanumangarh road to ensure supply of potable water but the present alliance government has abandoned the same. 

REC CHD win cricket tourney: The REC Chandigarh had won during the IFFCO Cup Twenty-20 National Cricket tournament on Day-14 here on Thursday. The District Youth Congress, president, Sandeep Jakhar inaugurated the Pool-D match.Batting first, JJS XI Chandigarh could score 107 only. Inderjit contributed 23 but Vicky of the REC dispatched three prime players to the pavilion amidst moral support by hundreds of cricket fans, who thronged the Nehru Stadium. In reply, Pawan of the REC Chandigarh enthralled the gathering by a fine knock and scored 55 resulting in a win at the loss of one wicket only. 

BATHINDA
Skill training institute: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday called upon the industrial and construction sector to initiate joint ventures with the state government to set up skill development training centres, which would prepare semi-literate youth for gainful employment. Badal was inaugurating the Construction Skill Training Institute, which had been set up at a cost of Rs 8 crore in Abulkhurana village, near Lambi, in Muktsar district in joint collaboration with the Punjab government and Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T). 

Badminton championship: Seventeen-year-old Bimant emerged as champion in the boys’ category at the District Badminton championship that concluded here recently. Meanwhile, Sunil was runner-up in the same category. In the girls’ event, Navdeep Kaur retained her title while Ishleen stood second. The District Badminton Association gave Yonex racquets to the winners and runners-up. — DC Rahul Tewari giving away prizes to the winners of badminton tournament in Bathinda. A Tribune photograph

Quiz contest on Jan 22: The Punjabi University Guru Kashi College, Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), is going to conduct an Inter-college Quiz Contest on January 22. Principal of the College Dr MS Sidhu said on Thursday it was the first time that a multimedia based and onstage quiz would be organised on the college campus. Event coordinator Dr Anand Bansal said the questions would be based on general awareness. 

Man falls in canal, dies: A 60-year-old man lost his life when the car he was driving fell into a canal distributary near Khialiwala village. Volunteers of the Sahara Jan Seva pulled him out. He was declared brought dead at the Civil Hospital here. The Nehianwala police has identified the deceased as Baldev Singh of Nehianwala. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained. 

Withdrawal of case sought: Various teacher organisations on Tuesday demanded the cancellation of case registered by the Muktsar police against president of the Maths Teachers' Association, Punjab, Jaswinder Singh Jhabelwali and others for extending support to the agitating ETT teachers. 

Farmers’ meet: The district unit of the BKU (Lakhowal) will hold a conference here on February 3 to discuss farmers’ demands. Union’s state chief Ajmer Singh Lakhowal will address the event.

Chandigarh
Eight spl secretaries promoted: The Punjab Government on Thursday ordered the promotion of eight special secretaries to the rank of secretary. Those promoted are V. K. Sharma, Vikas Pratap, Alok Shekhar, D. K. Tewari, J. M. Balamurgan, Tejveer Singh, Dr Arvinder Singh and D. S. Grewal. A release here said three of the promoted officers — Alok Shekhar, J. M. Balamurgan and Tejveer Singh--- who were on central deputation had been given proforma promotion. They would get the benefit of promotion on actual basis after rejoining the state cadre on their return or completion of central deputation. 

Jalandhar
KMV organises extension lecture: The department of Punjabi of the local Kanya Maha Vidyalaya held an extension lecture on ‘Main Te Meri Rachna’. Renowned Punjabi writer Dr. Atamjit was the key speaker on the occasion. The learned speaker spoke in detail about his book ‘Tatti Tavi Da Sach’ which was recently awarded with the Sahitya Academy Award. An interaction session was also held, during which students clarified their doubts.