To pay or not to pay for dope test

Bathinda: AAP MLA from Maur Assembly constituency Jagdev Singh Kamalu was among the first few legislators to undergo a dope test, but he found himself in a spot after it came to light that he didn’t pay the fee for the test at the Civil Hospital here. The hospital officials said they had no clarity on whether to charge an MLA for the test. “We had a word with the MLA, who told us that he would pay the fee once we clarified on the issue,” said an official, seeking anonymity. However, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal’s brother-in-law Jaijeet Singh Johal took to social media to hit out at the MLA. He said in an FB post, “AAP MLAs preach themselves to be holier than thou, but refuse to pay Civil Hospital money! Shame.” He asked Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira to advise his MLAs to pay for the test.

Cabinet Minister at receiving end

Amritsar: Cabinet Minister OP Soni, who arrived at the local Civil Hospital for a dope test on Saturday, was confronted by a recovering drug addict, who complained about the quality of treatment being provided to him at the hospital. He asked the minister to ensure correct and speedy treatment to addicts. Soni directed the health officials to look into the matter. Later, while talking to the media, the addict criticised the state government for failing to stop the drug trade.

Booze party lands officials in soup

Ferozepur: A booze party on the premises of the excise and taxation office here has landed several of its senior officials in trouble. During a sting operation, they were allegedly found consuming liquor after office hours. The video of the incident went viral on social media, following which the erring officials were not only chargesheeted, but also shifted to the department headquarters in Patiala. As soon as mediapersons got wind of the party, they reached the office. Caught drinking, many of the officials left in a huff, leaving their mobile phones behind.

Of immigrants and their rights

Jalandhar: Brampton-based legal luminary Deepinder Loomba’s new book ‘The Real Turbanators’ promises to be a handbook for new immigrants to Canada. It narrates the struggle of a man who leaves a job with the oil industry in Africa and migrates to Canada in the hope of providing a better life to his children. However, he gets a shock when his academic qualifications are ignored and he is subjected to veiled racism. The book tells immigrants how to keep exploiters at bay and live respectably. “I wanted to apprise new immigrants of their rights,” says Loomba.

Crusaders or villains?

Chandigarh: Several Congress ministers and MLAs are furious over being painted as villains in view of the spate of drug-related deaths in the state. What raised their hackles was a rally against drug abuse in Faridkot, organised by Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia. A minister underlined the irony by observing that those depicted by the Congress as villains in the drug trade had donned the mantle of crusaders.

B’day greetings, day in advance

Muktsar: SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who turns 56 on Monday, started getting birthday greetings from party workers a day in advance. Youth Akali Dal (YAD) workers presented a bouquet to him at his residence on Sunday. Ranjodh Singh Lambi, senior vice-president of YAD’s Malwa zone-1, said, “We were anticipating that he may leave for New Delhi on Sunday itself. Also, since former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s aunt will be cremated on Monday, there may not be any birthday celebrations that day.”