Lucky mascot

Muktsar: Not once or twice, ADC (D) Harinder Singh Sra has proved lucky for the Rural Development Department thrice as he bags the national award for good performance. Sra, who worked hard and secured the national award twice in a row for Mansa Zila Parishad in 2012-13 and 2013-14, has again got this award for 2018-19. The Muktsar Zila Parishad will now get the cash prize of Rs 50 lakh from the Centre. Sra gives the credit to the entire team for this success.

Saluting martyrs

Abohar: Usha (21) of Wahabwala village, who was appreciated by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for her paintings relating to awareness on the Covid pandemic, has now paid tributes to the soldiers from Punjab, who died fighting Chinese troops at Galwan valley in Ladakh recently. Usha has made portraits of the martyrs – Mandeep Singh, Satnam Singh, Gurtej Singh and Gurbinder Singh. She praised the state government for raising the financial assistance to the martyrs’ families from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Playing whistleblower

Batala: SAD MLA Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal’s crusade against corruption may have hit a road block following the Covid scare, but he is now back. A fortnight ago, the legislator had released a video clip wherein a senior PWD official was reportedly seen taking a bribe. He has again announced to “expose” more officials. The MLA is being helped by the contractors, who allegedly suffered at the hands of erring PWD officials. “Many officers are openly demanding huge sums to allot works. Irked over it, a contractor made videos of a corrupt official using a micro camera,” alleged a contractor. Lodhinangal says he will hold a press conference before June 23.

Still out of bounds

Amritsar: The Bihar Police have failed to serve on the notice to the Congress MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu for the fourth consecutive day. Sub-Inspectors Javed Ahmad and Janardhan Ram have been camping outside his residence. A case was registered against Sidhu at Barsoi police station for violating the Model Code of Conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. While campaigning for Congress candidate Tariq Anwar in Katihar district, Sidhu had allegedly delivered a provocative appeal on April 16, 2019. “The notice is yet not accepted by Sidhu. We have been told by his staff that he is not in the city are not telling more about his whereabouts. We just need his signatures, but Sidhu is not cooperating,” said Ram.