No PPCC reshuffle on cards: Kumari

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday ruled out an impending reshuffle of the PPCC amid reports that an overhaul was expected after the declaration of the Assembly election results in five states. "There is no plan of a reshuffle of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. PPCC president Sunil Jakhar is doing a great job for the party and working to cement the organisation. The party is happy with his services and there is no talk of his replacement," AICC incharge for Punjab Asha Kumari said. She said the appointment of chairpersons of Punjab's boards and corporations would be done after the conclusion of the panchayat elections in the state. TNS

Why rail line not extended: Akali MP

New Delhi: Shiromani Akali Dal MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said in the Lok Sabha on Thursday that despite a public declaration made at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, to extend the Jaijon-Jalandhar rail route to Amritsar, the same had not been done. He pointed out that a revamp of the Amritsar railway station had already been completed. Chandumajra said two new railway lines - Rahon to Khanna via Samrala and another from Mohali to Rajpura - should be constructed. TNS

Under Rs 5 lakh debt, farmer ends life

Bathinda: A debt-ridden farmer from Udat Bhagat Ram village in Mansa district committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence on Wednesday. The farmer, Jaswant Singh, had a debt of Rs 5 lakh. BKU Ekta Ugrahan leader Malkit Singh said Jaswant owed Rs 4 lakh to the State Bank of India, apart from Rs 1 lakh to commission agents. He is survived by his wife and 15-year-old son. His wife Jaspreet Kaur said he owned four acres and had sold a part of it to repay debt. TNS

Three booked for axing trees

Barnala: Four months after the axing of 150 trees from the panchayat land of Cheema village, the police on Wednesday registered a case against three persons. “Harmale Singh, Rup Singh and Jagsir Singh had encroached upon the panchayat land and when we removed their encroachments four months ago, they axed 150 trees on the land,” said Gurwinder Singh, former sarpanch of the village. TNS

350-kg poppy husk seized, 3 held

Phagwara: The police on Thursday busted an interstate gang of drug smugglers with the arrest of three and recovered 350 kg of poppy husk. Amrik Singh Chahal, DSP, said 14 bags of poppy husk were kept in a truck in which onions were being brought from Madhya Pradesh. He said the police laid a naka near Phillaur and apprehended a truck going to Ludhiana. The smugglers were identified as Raghbir Singh and Hardip Singh of Moga and Nishan Singh of Dhuri village. OC