After dropping two ministers from the region – Pawan Bansal (Railways) and Ashwani Kumar (Law ) Congress picked Dalit leader Santosh Chaudhary and elevated her as minister.

MUMBAI:

When contacted, an aide of the actor refused to respond on the issue. “We are not commenting,” the aide said when asked about reports that SRK was expecting a baby boy through surrogacy.

A senior Maharashtra government official said that they had asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to verify reports following a demand for an inquiry by an NGO and Indian Radiological and Imaging Association.

“The civic body officials are the appropriate authority for implementation of the Pre-Conception Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act in the municipal corporation areas,” the official said.

Meanwhile, doctors from the health department of the BMC visited the actor’s residence ‘Mannat’ in suburban Bandra to inquire but had to return as SRK was not at home.

“Our officials went to his residence. They were told by Shah Rukh’s business manager that the actor has not made any statement on expecting a baby boy through surrogacy,” said Dr Arun Bamne, executive health officer of the civic body’s health department.

The PCPNDT Act provides for the prohibition of sex selection in the country before or after conception.

It regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques, like ultrasound and amniocentesis by allowing them their use only to detect genetic abnormalities, metabolic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, certain congenital malformations and sex linked disorders.

Media reports had claimed that SRK, 47, and his wife Gauri Khan were expecting a baby boy through surrogacy. SRK and Gauri have son Aryan and daughter Suhana.

New Delhi:

Mallikarjun Kharge was made the Railways Minister as eight more were inducted with veterans Sis Ram Ola and Oscar Fernandes making a comeback.

List of new ministers:

CABINET MINISTERS

- Sis Ram Ola gets Labour and Employment portfolio

- Oscar Fernandes gets Road and Highways Ministry

-Dr Girija Vyas gets Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry

- Dr Kavuru Sambasiva Rao gets Textiles Ministry

MINISTERS OF STATE

- Dr EM Sudarsana Natchiappan gets Commerce and Industries Ministry

- Among new Ministers of State, Manikrao Gavit gets Social Justice and Empowerment

- Santosh Chowdhury gets Health and Family Welfare

- JD Seelam becomes Ministers of State Finance.

Dehradun/Shimla:

It has been raining for over 48 hours and among the worst hit districts are Uttarkashi, Tehri, Haridwar and Dehradun in Uttarakhand. Telecom lines are down and the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been put on high alert.

Around 57,000 pilgrims have been stuck in different parts of the state, mostly along the Char Dham route while the Hemkund pilgrimage has also been put on hold. Seven people went missing and a chopper and four vehicles were swept away as heavy rains continue to lash the state, Disaster Management authorities said said.

Rudraprayag bore the brunt of the disaster accounting for 20 casualties, they said adding two persons each were killed in Chamoli, Tehri and Uttarkashi districts, three in Dehradun and one in Almora. A large number of structures including shrines, hotels, rest houses, commercial and residential buildings collapsed like a pack of cards in Rudraparayag district.

Seventy-three houses were totally damaged in Rudraprayag, 60 in Pithoragarh, 19 in Uttarkashi, 10 in Dehradun and one each in Tehri and Bageshwar. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who took information from District Magistrates on the extent of damage caused by the flashfloods through video conferencing, expressed grief at the loss of lives in the calamity describing it as a “huge” one.

Rescue operations were going on on a war-footing with the help of ITBP, BSF and the Army but bad weather was proving a hindrance, he said. Chardham and Mansarovar pilgrimages, suspended following torrential rains, would be resumed as soon as the weather improves, Bahuguna said.

In Himachal Pradesh, a high alert was sounded and army assistance was sought for rescue operations in the tribal border district of Kinnaur as incessant rains and snow wreaked havoc in the region, killing 10 people and damaging property worth crores of rupees. Five members of a family, including three children, were buried alive when boulders fell on their house while five others were killed in landslides in three other places.

Kinnaur district was cut off from the state from Tapri onwards as most of the approach roads and Hindustan-Tibet National highway was blocked at several places due landslides and about 1,700 people were stranded. Over 700 people, including Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who was campaigning in the area for Mandi Lok Sabha by-poll slated for June 23, were stranded in the Sangla valley and assistance of army has been sought for rescue operations and airlifting them, state Chief Secretary S Roy said.

“The Election Commission has given permission for evacuation of the chief minister by a state chopper but it could not land due to bad weather and returned,” he said. About 25 foreigners and a Doordarshan team were also stranded in Kinnaur district.

The disaster management cell of the army has been informed and it has already started preparations for launching the rescue operations in coordination with IAF and Army.

Arriving almost a fortnight in advance than its usual date, the southwest monsoon brought heavy rains in several parts of Haryana, particularly Yamunanagar district, where normal life was paralysed. Fifty-two people were rescued by the Army and NDRF as several parts were flooded after Yamuna river’s level rose alarmingly, prompting the authorities to sound an alert.

One hundred and fifty residents of the village Shergarh Tapu and 42 of Chandrao in district Karnal, who were also stranded due to floods, were also successfully got evacuated, officials said. Heavy showers in the national capital for the second consecutive day caused water-logging and traffic chaos in various parts.

“In politics, there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends. We will decide as the situation evolves,” he told reporters at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was replying to a question whether Congress looks at JD(U) as a future ally against the backdrop of the split in the NDA and would reach out to it. He said that Nitish Kumar was a secular leader.

“I cannot speculate on that or what happens in the future. We need support of all right-minded parties. In parliament, we look for their support,” Singh said when asked whether Congress would seek JD(U)’s support.

Singh refused to comment on the elevation of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in the BJP and the resignation issue of L K Advani. ”This is an internal matter of the BJP,” he said. On the Federal Front mooted by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, he said “I can’t see the Federal Front posing a real challenge to the UPA. When the chips are down, the UPA will give a good account,” Singh said.

Singh indicated his readiness to make way for Rahul Gandhi if the UPA wins the LS elections next year. “I have always said, as far as I am concerned, I would be very happy to see Rahul step into my shoes. I always believe we will have a third go at the elections as the UPA and people will again repose their faith in us,” Manmohan Singh told reporters.

The PM gave this reply when asked he would make way for Rahul Gandhi if UPA-III comes to power. The PM’s statement is significant as he had on earlier two occasions virtually not ruled out himself being in the race for the top post again if the UPA wins a hat trick. Describing Gandhi as a “natural leader”, Singh said he would be very happy to see the young leader “step into his shoes”.

“Rahul Gandhi is a natural leader of the Congress. I hope he will be lead the UPA. I always said that Rahul is fit enough and has the right qualities of a leader,” Singh told journalists after eight new faces were inducted into his council of ministers at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The PM brushed aside a query on whether Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi posed a challenge with a twitch to the eyebrow.

The decision to summon former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to Akal takht was taken during a meeting of five Sikh head priests here.

However, the date on which Sarna has to appear before Akal Takht will be decided at the next meeting of head priests to be held soon. Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh chaired the meeting on the Akal Takht premises. The Sikh head priests have asked Sarna to give clarification in person before them at Akal Takht as to why he hurt the feelings of the community by approaching the Court of law.

Clergy felt that Sarna has willfully committed “blasphemous act” against the Sikh community by moving in the court of law to stop the construction of memorial being made in the memory of Sikhs who lost lives during November 1984 anti Sikh riots in Delhi. Sarna had recently moved High Court with the logic that the proposed memorial should not be allowed to be constructed inside Gurdwara Rakabganj as announced by DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Sanjay Kumar, IAS has been posted as Principal Secretary, Coordination and in addition Principal Secretary, Printing and Stationary, Mr. Manashvi Kumar, IAS, posted as Chief Executive Officer, PEDA and in addition Special Secretary, Science Technology and Environment, Special Secretary,            Non- Conventional Energy,  Special Secretary, Power and in addition Director, Mining, Mr. Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, IAS posted as Deputy Commissioner Tarn Taran, Mr. Gurlovleen Singh Sidhu, IAS posted as Special Secretary, School Education, Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, IAS posted as Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Patiala.

The spokesman further said that in PCS officers Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon has been posted as Director, sports and Youth Services in addition Special Secretary Local Government and Mr. Vinay Bublani posted as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, Chief Executive Officer, Jung-E-Azadi Memorial Foundation, Jalandhar and in addition Chief Administrator, Jalandhar Development Authority, Jalandhar and in addition Chairman Improvement Trust, Jalandhar.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the chief Minister also directed the state government to take immediate necessary measures to ensuring the safe home coming of the Sikh pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims had been trapped as Sri Hemkund Sahib had been cut off from rest of the state due to bad weather followed by floods. The spokesperson informed that the Chief Secretary Punjab Mr. Rakesh Singh and MLA Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema were in continues touch with Uttrakhand government. The Punjab government was providing all type of assistance to the Uttrakhand where rescue operation was going on at war footing, added the spokesperson.

IAF’s helicopters such as Mi17, Mi17 V5 and ALH carried out missions to airlift men, equipment, relief material medical aid and rescued 21 persons stranded in Nakur area, Saharanpur district which included 6 children and 22 persons from Indri Sub division of Karnal district .

The IAF has its aircraft on standby at Ambala, Sarsawa, Bareilley, Gorakhpur and Agra for prompt missions towards providing continuous humanitarian aid to the flood affected regions and is in constant touch with the district authorities for coordinating missions.

This auction process would take place in 19 districts of the state under Punjab Mineral rules-2013. This E- auction would be held from first July to third July for total 115 mines.

According to official spokesman e-auction in Faridkot for 11 mines, Moga for 3 mines, Barnala for 2 mines, Sangrur for 4 mines, Ferozpur for 18 mines and Mansa for 2 mines would be held on first July. On second July auction for 3 mines in SBS Nagar,  7 in Jalandhar, 3 in Bathinda, 8 in Roopnagar, 2 in Hoshiarpur, 6 in Fazilka, 2 in Ajitgarh and 7 in Amritsar would be held. Official spokesperson said that auction in Tarn Taran for 2 mines, Gurdaspur for 14, Ludhiana for 12 mines, Pathankot for 7 mines and Kapurthala for 2 mines would be held on third July.

The spokesman said that detailed information regarding E-auction could be downloaded from official website www.pbindustries.gov.in and anyone could avail this information from concerned General Manager cum Mining Official at district Industrial Centre. He said that interested bidders could register at Punjab government’s official website www.etender.punjabgovt.gov.in.

Disclosing this Mr. Ravinder Singh, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board said that the Chief Minister Punjab was weekly monitoring the progress of this project and Punjab Pollution Control Board was taking all steps to complete this project within timeline. He said that to control domestic pollution, 45 towns located on /near the banks of these rivers have been selected for the installation of Sewage Treatments Plants to stop the discharge of untreated effluent into these Rivers.

He said that the work in 37 the towns of river Satluj and Beas has already been started and some of the Sewage Treatments Plants have already been commissioned and are in operation. He added that 19 Sewage Treatments Plants in various cities have already been installed, in the State.

The Chairman said that in order to stop the discharge of treated domestic sewage from these STPs into Rivers, the Department of Soil Conservation and Irrigation have prepared irrigation schemes at the cost of Rs. 333.90 crores to utilize the treated effluent for irrigation in the command area available.

He said that in some of the cities, like Anandpur Sahib, this project has already been implemented and whole of the treated effluent from the city is being utilized for irrigation purposes in nearby fields. Thus, no effluent from this city is being discharged into river Sutlej now

Mr. Ravinder Singh said that for the control of industrial pollution in these rivers all the industries located on the catchment area of River Sutlej have been persuaded successfully to install their individual treatment plants.

He added that Punjab Pollution Control Board was receiving major complaints against two major industries of Naya Nangal i.e. M/s NFL & PACL who were discharging effluents directly in the river Sutlej that was adversely affecting the fish population. He said that they had been persuaded to change over to ZLD technology, resulting in no discharge of trade effluent from these industries into river Sutlej after that no incident of fish killing due to discharge of industrial effluents in river Sutlej is reported in last two years.

Mr. Singh said that Treatment plants have been provided for industrial and domestic effluent of GGSTP (Thermal Plant Ropar) and authorities are successfully persuaded to re-utilize treated effluents within plant and for plantation purposes.

Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister informed that Manjeet Singh, Adesh Gupta, both Executive Engineers, Kimat Lal, Sub Divisional Engineer and Nishu Bansal, Junior Engineer have been suspended. He said that these officers have been suspended since a panel of a RUB inaugurated at Bathinda in September last year, which was constructed under the supervision of these official  has collapsed due to heavy rain.

Mr. Dhillon said that falling of the panel shows dereliction in performance of their duty, which would not be tolerated at any cost. He said that during suspension period the suspended officers will remain attach with the office of Chief Engineer (HQ) at Patiala.

In a statement issued here today, Capt Amarinder said, he felt honoured and privileged for having been inducted as a permanent invitee into the CWC with members including Ms Gandhi herself, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Congress Vice President Mr Rahul Gandhi and others.

The former Chief Minister said, he will ensure to come up to the expectations of the Congress President and the Vice President both of whom have always reposed so much faith and confidence in him.

Sudden rains in Delhi led to water-logging and traffic snarls. The MeT office said the seasonal rains lashed the capital almost two weeks ahead of its scheduled arrival on June 29.

Last year the monsoon was delayed by eight days. It had reached Delhi ahead of schedule in 2011 (June 26), but arrived late in 2010 (July five).

While the earliest arrival of monsoon in last 30 years in the capital was recorded in 2008 (June 15), the most delayed arrival occurred in 1987 (July 26).

The weather office said 645.7 mm of rains is considered as normal for the capital during monsoon. It said monsoon was making rapid progress and will cover the entire country before the scheduled date of July 15.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country will receive 101 per cent of the long-term average rainfall in July and 96 per cent in August. For the country as a whole, monsoon has recorded an excess of 28 per cent since its onset over Kerala on June 1.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who was considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and had been criticised for this by BJP leaders from Bihar, lashed out at the estranged ally, saying JD(U) has declared BJP secular or communal depending on its convenience.

He also took a dig at JD(U) for its reservations on Narendra Modi saying, “Some people are unhappy that a person who does not belong to a dynasty, who is the son of a poor father who sold tea is rising.”

“When Nitish Kumar met BJP President Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley he was assured that whenever a decision on the Prime Ministerial candidate is chosen, he will be consulted.

Even when Narendra Modi was anointed as Election Campaign Committee head, JD(U) said it is an internal matter of BJP. What happened in the last four days to change this?” Sushil Modi said.

He announced that BJP will organise a Bihar bandh on June 18 to protest against the “betrayal” of the JD(U). He said JD(U) has betrayed the people of Bihar as they had voted for the NDA in the state.

Referring to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leader said the person who is being called communal by JD(U) today will become secular after the 2014 election results.

Sushil Modi said Nitish Kumar should have stepped down from the post of Chief Minister as he was chosen for the post by the NDA and not just JD(U).

BJP has always followed “coalition dharma”, he maintained, adding that in the past there were several occasions when the alliance could have broken but BJP made all efforts to ensure its continuance.

Nitish has recommended to the Governor removal of BJP ministers from the government.

New Delhi:

“LK Advani tells Rajnath Singh that undue haste at Goa in Narendra Modi’s anointment has led to the disintegration of a 17-year-old alliance,” sources said.

The 17-year-old BJP-JD(U) association ended on Sunday. The decision was taken at a Janata Dal United meet, which was called at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s residence in Patna. “We are not responsible for taking this step, have been forced to take this step. The BJP could not see the writing on the wall and were blaming us instead. Saw the alliance drifting away from the founding principles,” announced Nitish.

All senior JD(U) leaders, including party president Sharad Yadav, attended the meeting.

Over the last few months, Nitish Kumar had given enough hints that elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was not acceptable to him. And ever since Modi was appointed as the BJP’s campaign committee chief at the recently concluded National Executive in Goa, the Bihar Chief Minister had openly expressed his opposition to the decision.

Talking to the media persons at the residence of Chairman of MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid here today, the Chief Minister said that an anti-Congress wave was prevailing across the country as the people were fed from its anti-people policies. He said that none of the countrymen would ever vote for the Congress party which has made the life of every section of the society miserable by rampant corruption and exorbitant Price rise. Therefore Mr. Badal said that every vote against the Congress party would pave way for the formation of the NDA government, as it was the only viable alternative before the people.

Terming the recent appointment of Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as the Head of the campaign committee of the BJP, an internal matter of the party, the Chief Minister categorically said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was committed to support the BJP in every situation. He said that neither the BJP nor the SAD has ever interfered in each other’s internal matter, which has further cemented the alliance between the both the parties. When asked to comment on the ongoing rift between Janta Dal (U) and BJP besides its implications on the prospects of NDA, Mr. Badal said that Bihar Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar was a very wise politician and was at liberty to express his opinion freely.

Replying to another query regarding the coming Panchayat Elections in the state, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to ensure free and fair Panchayats polls in the state for strengthening the democracy at the grass root level. He said that as the Congress has been time and again rejected by the wise voters of the state, so they were making a hoarse cry regarding the use of the official machinery by the state government whereas it was on record that every election held during the SAD-BJP regime were not only fair but had also remained largely peaceful.

Later on addressing the mammoth gathering during a function organized by the Shri Brahmin Sabha Punjab to mark the birth anniversary of the Bhagwan Parshuram Ji, the Chief Ministerexhorted the people to imbibe the ideals propagated by Bhagwan Parshuram ji, so that justice and equality could be ensured in the society.  Paying rich tributes to Lord Parshuram Ji, he said thatBhagwan Parshuram ji stood for protecting the basic tenets of religion, truth, universal love, compassion and righteousness adding that the life and philosophy of Bhagwan Parshuram ji teaches us that irrespective of our caste, religion and profession, we should fight injustice with all our might

Addressing a news conference with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in Patna, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav also announced his resignation as NDA convener. Since there was divergence of opinion on basic issues, we decided to part ways, Sharad Yadav said justifying the party’s decision to end the alliance.

“We cannot compromise with our basic principles. We are not worried about the consequences. As long as the alliance was Bihar-centric, there was no problem. But we had no alternative now. We are not responsible. We were forced to take this decision,” Nitish Kumar said.

“The BJP is going through a new phase. As long as there was no external interference in the Bihar alliance, it ran smoothly. Problems began whenever there was external interference,” Kumar said without taking the name of Modi even once in the half-an-hour news conference but made several barbs aimed at him.

The Bihar chief minister has announced that he will seek a vote of confidence on the floor of assembly on June 19. Nitish Kumar also announced that he had recommended the removal of 11 BJP ministers from his government to the governor, as they had refused to attend to their duties.

I can’t see how BJP ministers can stay within the ministry and can’t work, Nitish Kumar said, adding, despite several requests, the BJP ministers refused to return to work. When they did not attend the cabinet meeting on Sunday, we decided to seek a trust vote on the floor, the Bihar chief minister said.

Reacting to JD(U)’s decision, the BJP said there will be no compromise on decision to elevate Narendra Modi. ​”Whatever decision has been taken on Narendra Modi, we will not go back at any cost, whether the NDA alliance breaks once or 10 times,” BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in Kanpur.

Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma told mediapersons that a rally would be held at Madhopur near the statue of Dr Mukherjee on that day to commemorate his sacrifice and pay tributes to him.

Asked about the ongoing controversy triggered due to resignation of party stalwart Lal Krishan Advani after Mr Modi was elevated as head of the party’s campaign committee,Mr Sharma declined to comment saying the matter had since been over and settled with the withdrawal of Mr Advani’s resignation.

On the construction of a memorial in the memory of more than 25,000 innocent people killed during the black era of militancy in Punjab, Mr Sharma said he was not against the construction of such a memorial where the people would go and pay tributes to the martyrs.

Musharraf, 69, was indicted during a hearing of the case held at his farmhouse in Chak Shahzad yesterday by anti-terrorism court Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi. He was indicted under provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Pakistan Panel Code. After the charges against him were read out, Musharraf refused to accept them and pleaded not guilty. He filed an application for his acquittal due to lack of evidence. The judge then summoned 23 prosecution witnesses for the next hearing on June 21.

Officials said the trial of Musharraf had formally begun with his indictment. The proceedings are being held at Musharraf’s farmhouse, declared a sub-jail by authorities, for security reasons. The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has said it will target Musharraf for ordering operations against militants during his regime. The case over the detention of the judges is based on an FIR filed against Musharraf in August 2009. The FIR itself is based on a complaint by a lawyer named Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam Ghumman. Ghumman had asked police to initiate proceedings against Musharraf for detaining over 60 judges, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, after imposing emergency on November 3, 2007.

The case is one of three against Musharraf in courts within Pakistan. He has also been charged for the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto and the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation in 2006. The case is being heard by the anti-terrorism court even though Ghumman announced last month that he would not pursue his complaint. Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March after nearly four years in self-imposed exile to contest the general election. However, he was arrested shortly after his arrival and a court barred him from contesting polls for the rest of his life.

His wife has been identified as Mumbai-based Bushra, 23. The suspect returned to the UAE saying that he had surrendered as he believed in the UAE’s judicial system, Al Mansouri told the newspaper. He said that the CID arrested the accomplice in the crime, identified as Ali, immediately after the crime and Ali told police that Popere murdered his wife after he took her monthly salary and her annual leave salary. According to the report, the husband used to bring his friend home every night and they used to consume alcohol together. The husband’s behaviour used to upset the woman who tried several times to stop him from doing so. During the course of interrogation, the accomplice confessed to helping the husband dispose of the body. The woman’s body was found on the Dubai-Al Ain border and post-mortem reports revealed that she was strangled and the murder took place at mid-day on March 11.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Badal was presiding over a high level meeting with the Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of the three Universities and the senior officers of the Education department at Chief Minister’s residence late last evening. The Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka besides the Vice Chancellors Dr. Jaspal Singh of Punjabi University, Dr. Ajaib Singh Brar of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar’ and Prof. Arun Kumar Grover of Panjab University Chandigarh were present in the meeting.

On the occasion, Mr. Badal asked the Universities to adopt a uniform pattern of Semester System, Curriculum and Choice based credit system along with similar admission procedures in all the varsities that would facilitate the students in case they migrate from one University to another. He also asked the VCs for completely adopting on-line admission and fee deposit system to avoid undue harassment to the students seeking admission in particular college or university.

With a view to bring a revolution in the higher education, Mr. Badal directed the Principal Secretary Higher Education to chalk out a comprehensive plan in coordination with all the Universities for imparting free higher education including hostel and other facilities for the intelligent but poor students of the state with rural background.

Expressing concern over the acute shortage of Human Resource Bank, Mr. Badal said that to ensure overall development, growth and prosperity in Punjab, their government had made concerted efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure but it would be redundant until we improve our human resource development through imparting quality education to our youth at school, college and university levels especially to the students of the poor section of the society. Mr. Badal asked the VCs to prepare a list of all the interested retired professors in various subjects and circulate it to all the Colleges so that they could utilize their expertise optimally as gust faculty.

To boost the skill development activities in the state, Mr. Badal said, “Skill development through vocational training is the only solution that would enrich our ‘Human Resource Bank’ on one hand and tackle the issue of unemployment on the other”. He further directed all the Vice Chancellors to identify the key areas to enabled our youth for getting successful employment after the completion of their vocational training.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister approved to setup ‘Community Colleges’ in the state to impart skill-oriented education of Diploma level with multiple futuristic opportunities for preserving and upgrading traditional skills. He also approved the proposal to setup four such Colleges on Pilot bases under this unique program at Govt. Mohindra College Patiala, SDC Govt. College Ludhiana, Mehar Chand Polytechnic Jalandhar and Govt. Polytechnic College Bathinda from this new session to be started in July.

All the Vice Chancellors assured Mr. Badal that they would soon chalk out all the modalities in accordance with the Higher Education Department to make Community College System flexible so that the interested students could be further adjusted in regular degree courses as per their abilities after the completion of diploma training courses.

New Delhi:

The 49-year-old leader was earlier Minister of State for Home Affairs and was later given independent charge of Sports and Youth Affairs.

Maken was elevated to the Cabinet rank in October last year.

Congress sources said that he could either be made Delhi Congress chief or an AICC General Secretary. A senior Congress leader said he could even be made the Chief Minister of Delhi ahead of the assembly elections later this year.

Maken’s possible elevation as Delhi PCC chief could lead to his indirect projection as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. Incumbent Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has been at the helm of affairs for the past 15 years, setting a record of sorts in independent India for a woman to be chief minister for three consecutive terms.

Current Delhi PCC chief JP Agarwal is not on the best of terms with Dikshit. Maken was a one-time protege of Dikshit but had later fallen apart. Sometime back, there was talk of Dikshit being made a minister at the Centre.

William is now likely to be encouraged to make his debut mission to India soon after the birth of his baby next month. Researchers have uncovered the details of his lineage via a doomed relationship of William’s Indian great-great-great-great-great grandmother. Eliza Kewark was housekeeper to Prince William’s great grandfather Theodore Forbes (1788-1820), a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company in the port town of Surat in Gujarat. Eliza’s mtDNA was passed on by her daughters and granddaughters directly in an unbroken line to Princess Diana and then on to Prince William and Prince Harry.

Eliza is claimed to have been Armenian, possibly because her surname is rather like the Armenian name Kevork and letters from her to Forbes have been found which contain Armenian script. This in turn suggests a degree of Armenian cultural heritage and the possibility that her father may have been of Armenian descent. “But we believe that all the evidence we have gathered shows that her genetic heritage through her motherline is Indian,” BritainsDNA, a DNA ancestry testing company, said in a release.

“Princes William and Harry carry Eliza Kewark’s markers but will not pass this Indian mtDNA onto their children, as mtDNA is only passed from mother to child,” it added. Jim Wilson, a genetics expert at the University of Edinburgh and BritainsDNA who carried out the tests, said that Eliza’s descendants had an incredibly rare type of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), inherited only from a mother. It has so far been recorded in only 14 other people, 13 Indian and one Nepalese. The revelation explains why the Scottish father of Eliza’s children suddenly deserted her and sent their daughter, Katherine, to Britain at the age of 6.

The hike, which is effective from midnight tonight, is excluding local sales tax or VAT and actual increase for consumers will be higher. Petrol price in Delhi was hiked by Rs 2.40 a litre to Rs 66.39 from Rs 63.99 previously. This is the second increase in rates this month. Oil firms had from June 1 hiked prices by 75 paisa, excluding VAT. However unlike last time, there will be no change in price of diesel. In Mumbai, petrol price has been increased by Rs 2.52 to Rs 74.60 while in Kolkata rates went up from Rs 71.29 to Rs 73.79 per litre.

In Chennai, prices were hiked by Rs 2.54 to Rs 69.39. “Since last price change, the slide in Rupee (against the US dollar) has continued and the USD-INR Exchange rate has deteriorated from Rs 55.32 to Rs 57.08 per USD,” said Indian Oil Corp, the nation’s largest oil firm. IOC said international petrol prices have also hardened during this period. “The combined impact of both these factors, mainly depreciation of the rupee, has warranted the increase in petrol prices by Rs 2 per litre (excluding VAT),” it said in a statement. The June 1 increase in petrol price was the first in three months. The previous hike was on March 1, which was followed by rates being cut four times on falling global oil prices.

Dang was 86. His wife Vimla, who was also a CPI women’s wing leader, pre-deceased him about five years ago. Dang, who was a fire-brand leader of the student movement during British rule, became the General Secretary of the All India Students Federation in 1945. Both he and his wife had remained underground during British rule. He led several struggles of various sections of the people, including peasants and workers, and was elected four times to Punjab Assembly from Amritsar. He was also Food Minister of the state in 1967. At the height of terrorism in Punjab in 1980s, Dang was vocal and active against the forces of secession. It was he who had then given the slogan — ‘Na Hindurashtra, na Khalistan, jug jug jiye Hindustan’ (neither a Hindu state, nor a separate Khalistan, long live India).

According to Dang himself, one of the most memorable experiences in his life was supporting the 1946 Naval Mutiny, in which cadre of the Royal Indian Navy rose in rebellion and took control of a large number of British warships after tearing down the Union Jack. The revolt had spread to 74 ships, 20 fleets and 22 units of the Navy along the Indian coastline and abroad. It involved Mumbai, Kolkata, Karachi, Chennai, Cochin, as also Singapore and as far as Europe. CPI sources said the last rites of Dang would be performed here tomorrow.

Arshi expresses shock over Dang’s demise:

 Senior CPI leader and ex-MLA Hardev Singh Arshi has expressed shock over Satpal Dang’s demise. He said that Punjab had suffered tremendous loss with the demise of Dang.

Arshi said that it was very unfortunate that corrupt crop of leaders were replacing the dedicated and upright leader like Dang.

In a condolence message the chief Minister recalled the outstanding services of Mr. Satpal Dang who played a pro-active role to uplift oppressed and downtrodden sections of the society.

Mr. Badal described Mr. Dang as distinguished leader with a rare qualities of humility, intellect and dedications for the welfare of poor. Mr. Satpal Dang always championed the cause for strengthening national integration, brotherhood communal harmony and peace in the state.

Meanwhile the Deputy Chief Minster Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also expressed shocks at the demise of Veteran leftist leader and shared brief with the bereaved family.

Revenue & Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia also condoled the demise of former Veteran CPI leader and Ex- MLA from Amritsar Mr. Dang.

They prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give courage to the members of the bereaved family, friends and relatives to bear this irreparable loss.

Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sursh Arora, Chief Director-cum-DGP Vigilance Bureau Punjab said that Bureau has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere in the State. In this direction, the Vigilance Bureau caught Pawan Kumar, Assistant Engineer Panchayats Department posted at Block Budhlada district Mansa, demanding and accepting bribe from the complainant Ranjit Singh Sarpanch of village Kulrian, block Budhlada, district Mansa.

He added that the complainant approached the Bureau and alleged that Assistant Engineer was demanding a bribe of Rs. 10,000 to issue utilization certificate regarding development grant issued to gram panchayats. After finding the veracity of facts a vigilance team from Vigilance Bureau laid a trap and the accused was nabbed red handed in the presence of two government officials as witnesses. The tainted money was recovered from him. In this regard a vigilance case u/s 7, 13 (1) read with 13 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 at Vigilance Bureau Police Station Bathinda and further investigation was under progress.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of posts for the new session divisions at Pathankot and Barnala along with the requisite staff to ensure speedy dispensation of justice to the residents of these districts.

The Cabinet also decided to amend the Punjab Minister’s Travelling Allowance Rules 1953 and the Chief Parliamentary Secretary/ Parliamentary Secretary Travelling Allowance Rules 2006 to enhance the mileage from Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kilometer on the usage of their private vehicles in lieu of official cars.

The Cabinet also gave approval for amending the Punjab Mechanical Vehicles (Bridges and Roads Tolls) Act 1998 to rationalize the levy and collection of toll.

To avoid mis-utilization of the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoner’s (Temporary Release), Rules 1963 the Cabinet has decided to amend Sub Rule (3) of Rule 3 in the Act by enhancing the amount of surety bond from Rs 20000 to minimum Rs 50000 and maximum of Rs 2 lakh.

From the earlier house tax of 15% of the Annual Rental Value for the Commercial Rented Property, the rates have been drastically reduced to 10% and for Rental  Residential Property Tax rates have been brought down from earlier 10% to 7.5% annually .

Similarly, for non- rented Commercial Property the rates have been reduced from earlier 15% to 3% of the Annual Value.  For self occupied houses upto  50 Sq. Yards  a consolidated Rs. 50 per year would be charged and  for  houses between 50 to 100 Sq. Yards the annual consolidated tax of  Rs.150/- would be charged.

For self occupied house having area between 100 to 500 square yards, the property tax @ 0.5% of the Annual Value and for Self Occupied Residential above 500 square yards, a tax @ 1% of the Annual Value would be charged. For vacant plots and un-utilized buildings and plots the Property tax would be @ 0.20% of the Annual Value.

Besides, all religious institutions, Gau Shallas, Care Centre for Stray Animals and Charitable Institutions besides Freedom Fighters and people  living  below the poverty line have been totally  exempted from property tax.

Still more, widows and the differently abled persons have been given a rebate  upto Rs.5000/- from Property Tax. Meaning thereby that if a widow/differentally abled person was to pay Rs.6000/-  as Property Tax, she/he would be liable to pay only  Rs.1000/- after rebate of Rs.5000/-.  To promote education in the state, all educational Institutions which were not  even covered under Charitable  Institutions have now been provided 50% rebate  on the Property Tax .

In order to give further impetus to the all-round and inclusive development of the state, the Cabinet also gave nod to the amendment in the Land Pooling Policy to enable the land owners to become partners in development process. Under this amendment a fixed sum of the value of land would be ensured to the land owners.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this morning.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that this would be a big relief to about 5000 colonies and 2 lakh individuals plot holders/ building owners’ across the state.The policy focuses on bringing all the unauthorized colonies/ buildings into the planning framework and to regularize the development, which would further facilitate the smooth implementation of the master plans across the state to ensure the entire urban development in a holistic manner. Apart from this, another aim of the policy was to provide the basic civic amenities to the residents of these areas and improve the circulation pattern of the streets/ roads thereby checking the trend of haphazard growth. The said policy would stipulate provisions to compound offences made under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act 1995, the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act 1995, the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976, the Punjab Town Improvement Act 1922 and the Punjab Municipal Act 1911.

The policy would be applicable for a period of one year i.e. from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 in the entire state. Only those unapproved colonies or the buildings constructed before the April 1, 2013 would be considered under this policy.  This would be one time opportunity given by the Government to the colonizers and plot holders to get their offence compounded and regularized and to improve the amenities in these areas. This entire process would be completed by March 31, 2014. After the scrutiny of applications the Colonizers/ plot owners would be issued regularization certificates. But any colony constructed over the land belonging to state/ Central government/ public undertakings/ Panchayat lands/ Waqf Board/ Land under Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) and others would not be covered under this policy.

Under this policy the plot owners were required to submit applications to the Chief Administrator of the concerned authority for outside the Municipal limits areas and to the Commissioner/ Regional Deputy Director of Local Government for areas within the Municipal limits within 60 days from the date of the notification of this policy.

The colonizers were required to pay composition fee for compounding their offences, under this policy. The fee would vary from area to area for the colonies developed before and after August 2007. The approximate rates of composition fee vary from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per acre. Similarly the individual plot/ building owners could come forward for regularization of their plots/ buildings by paying regularization charges which vary from Rs 50 per to Rs 500 per square yard. The money so collected would be used for providing basic amenities in these colonies.

If any colonizer does not apply within 60 days then legal proceedings through registration of FIR would be initiated. Similarly for these colonies if the individual plot/ building owners do not apply under this scheme then the registration of their plots would be ceased and Power, Water Supply, Sewerage connections would be disconnected. 25% of the composition fee and regularisation charges were required to be deposited with the application and remaining 25% in three equal six monthly instalments. 10% discount would be given to those applicants who deposited the fee and charges lump sump.

Disclosing this here today the Punjab Non Conventional Energy Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that projects of total capacity 250MW would be allocated very shortly to the 27 companies whose financial bids have been opened yesterday under the Reverse Tariff based bidding carried out by PEDA for the 300MW Solar PV Power Projects competitive bidding. He informed that major companies like Lanco Solar, Punj Loyd, Asopus, Azure would set up large capacity solar power projects ranging from 10 to 30MW. Besides this, the smaller companies / young entrepreneurs have also being allocated a total capacity of 50MW projects in the range of 1-4MW capacities per project, he added.

Mr. Majithia further said that the tariff quoted for these projects ranges from Rs. 7.20 to Rs. 8.71 for smaller category of 1 to 4 MW capacity projects and Rs. 7.56 to Rs. 8.74 for higher projects of capacity ranging from 5.30MW. These project developers would be facilitated and provided every possible help by PEDA and long term Power Purchase Agreement for 25 years would be signed with PSPCL at the tariff quoted by the companies. He categorically said that these projects would be completed and commissioned by December 31, 2014. Mr. Majithia revealed that these projects would bring joint investment of Rs. 2000 crore and were estimated to contribute 375 million units of Green Power to the state grid besides providing direct employment to 500 persons.

He said that the State has major potential in the area of Solar and Biomass Power generation and the State Government was fully committed to promote and develop these green power generation sources and technologies. He said that the State had already declared a new NRSE Policy-2012 to provide major incentives for setting up Renewable Energy Projects. Under the new policy Solar Power Generation target has been fixed at 1000MW. Second phase of project allocations would be taken up towards the end of current year. He informed that the State government has also chalked out an ambitious plan for Rooftop PV programme for generation of power from the setting up of PV projects on the rooftops in government buildings, private, institutional, commercial and residential buildings. The concept of sale of power from the rooftops, the utility and net metering programmes would be launched very soon. Besides this, the State would also provide all incentives for setting up of manufacturing units of Renewable Energy equipment and devices to various developers/ companies.

Dr. H.S. Randhawa, Deputy Director Sports & Head said that these trails would be conducted for the players in the age group of 14 to 21 years under the supervision of SAI Handball Coach, Mr. Baldeep Singh Sohi. He advised the players to bring all the original academic and sports certificates including matriculation and two passport size photographs.

He said that the selected players would be provided a stipend of Rs. 6,000/- per trainee per year alongwith a competition exposure @ Rs. 2,000/- per trainee per year. He said that each trainee would get Rs. 4,000/- per annum as sports kit allowance followed by an insurance coverage upto Rs. 150/- per annum as prescribed by the Sports Authority of India.

Dr. Randhawa said that SAI also provide Rs. 5000/- per player to the University for the purchase of equipment and development of infrastructure maximum Rs. 1 lakhs.

Boparai, who was elected Vice-President of the Journalism School by the students, led the student body of 372 graduates from around the world who completed their master’s degrees from Columbia. The ceremony for the 259^th year of the University included 18 of Columbia University’s institutions including the renowned Columbia Business School, Law School, School of International and Public Affairs among others, and was led by the University President Lee Bollinger. “I believe no generation has faced a world with more promise than yours right now,” said Bollinger to the sea of students in sky blue gowns and caps filling the Columbia University campus in New York.

Soon after graduation, Boparai was selected to be part of a delegation of journalists and lawyers from all over the US to go on a fellowship to Germany and Poland. The group, which also included students from Harvard, Yale and Columbia University’s Law and Journalism Programs, studied the Holocaust and modern professional ethics. Earlier this year Boparai was a part of a Columbia University delegation to Italy to cover the inauguration of Pope Francis from Rome.

Boparai’s Master’s thesis on the marijuana legalization debate in the US was published in GlobalPost and in the different state news outlets in the US, gathering widespread acclaim. “Journalism gives us the opportunity to do so much social good and keep the ruling powers in check which no other profession can. I feel elated to have the chance to combine my careers in journalism and medicine to improve the lives of as many people worldwide as possible,” said Harman, adding that he was proud to represent Amritsar and Punjab at Columbia and USA.

Boparai was also selected by the news organization GlobalPost to report on global childhood mortality for which he will be travelling to India in July. Harman finished his MBBS with distinction from Govt. Medical College Amritsar and is the son of Nishan-e-Khalsa and State Awardee Dr. RPS Boparai, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon of Amritsar.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Mandeep Singh IAS has been posted as  Secretary Forest and Wild Life and also continue to hold the charge of Commissioner Gurudwara Election Commission, Punjab Chandigarh

The spokesman further said that Mr. Balwinder Singh IAS has been posted as Special Secretary, School Education. Likewise, Ms. Ritu Aggarwal IAS has been posted as Special Secretary General Administration relieving Smt. Bhawna Garg of this additional charge.

This was disclosed by the President of Pak-Indo Friendship Association and Legal Consulate Ministry of Interior Government of Pakistan Mr. Arif Chaudhry, who called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here late last evening at the latter’s residence. Mr. Arif invited the Chief Minister to Pakistan to grace the occasion for which schedule would be finalized as per convenience of Mr. Badal.

Appreciating the benevolent gesture of Pakistan Government as well as the concerted efforts of the association, Mr. Badal said that he had always championed the cause for further strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan through opening the Hussainiwal and Fazilka border that would give far more impetus to boost trade & business activity in the sub-continent. He also mentioned that SAD-BJP government had successfully created a peaceful atmosphere in which the Industrial and Commercial activities were flourishing in the state. The communal harmony, amity and brotherhood amongst people of different religions were at par excellence in Punjab, said Mr. Badal. He hoped that with the formation of the new government in Pakistan the bilateral relations would further improve and new business and cultural exchange avenues would be worked out through promoting people to people contact programmers.

Mr. Arif also apprised the Chief Minister that Pak-Indo Friendship Association was jointly founded in 2003 foster a sense of friendship and amity amongst the people of both the Countries. He recalled the Association’s initiative to arrange a visit of India Lawyers’ deputation to Pak Jails for a meeting with Late Mr. Sarabjit Singh. He further said that forum would also ensure to sort out all the issues related to the Welfare of Sikhs living at Panja Sahibe besides the development of Punja Sahib in a planned manner.

Mr. Arif was accompanied by Indian Counterpart and President Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Senior Advocate Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu and Advocate Narinder Kumar Suneja. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu was also present on the occasion.

The Indian government has recently blamed Pakistan for seeking to revive Sikh militant separatism — i.e, the ‘Khalistan’ movement — in India, thereby renewing New Delhi’s fears that even in a new era of democracy in Pakistan, Islamabad continues to support independence movements designed to destabilize the country.

Specifically, the home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde accused Pakistan’s formidable intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of training Sikh youths within Pakistan’s borders to carry out terror attacks on Indian soil.

“There has been some significant development on the Sikh militancy front,” Shinde said in a speech to state chief ministers in New Delhi for an annual conference on internal security. “Its commanders based in Pakistan are under pressure from ISI to further ISI’s terror plans not only in Punjab but also in other parts of the country. He also alleged Sikh youths based in Europe and the U.S. are also being recruited by Pakistan to commit terror attacks against India.

“Sikh youths are being trained in ISI facilities in Pakistan. Interdictions and interrogations have revealed use of jailed cadres, unemployed youth, criminals and smugglers by Pak-based Sikh terror groups for facilitating terror attacks.” Shinde did not provide specific details to support his charges, aside from referencing reports of interrogations by security services and alleged seizures of large caches of weapons and ammunition along India’s western borders near Pakistan.

The Indian government has also criticized elements of the US government which they claim support Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab.

The Times of India reported that New Delhi officials have warned the administration of President Barack Obama that the American Sikh Congressional Caucus — a Sikh advocacy group that comprises some 30 US Congressmen — may be inadvertently seeking to resuscitate the Khalistani campaign.

Indian government officials are particularly aggrieved that Frank Pallone, a Democrat congressman from New Jersey, is also a member of the Sikh, Caucus, since he is viewed as a longtime friend and supporter of India.

The Sikh Caucus was formed in late April by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Calif.), a Chinese-American lawmaker.

At the launch of the caucus, Chu said in a statement: “More than a decade after 9/11, too many Sikhs across America face discrimination, bullying, and even bias-motivated violence from misguided individuals associating them with the terrorist attacks. This caucus will be the voice for American Sikhs in the House of Representatives, working across the aisle to address the unique challenges that this community faces.”

However, while conceding that Sikhs have some legitimate grievances, Indian officials insisted that Khalistan is not one of them. They also point out that the Sikh Caucus – according to the Times of India — is linked and supported by an associate of Khalid Awan, a Pakistan-Canadian was convicted for providing material support and resources to an armed Sikh separatist organization in Punjab called Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and other related terrorism charges. Awan is now serving 14 years in a U.S jail

The Times reported that a trial revealed that Awan was involved in recruiting hundreds of members for the KCF and helped to finance the organization.

The KCF, which is not designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department, is nonetheless suspected of having killed a number of people in Punjab including the 1995 murder of Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

However, the movement for an independent Sikh homeland, Khalistan, has sputtered in recent years. The movement peaked during the 1970s and early-to-mid 1980s — culminating in the June 1984 attack by Indian security forces of the Golden Temple in Amritsar (the holiest site of Sikhism) to root out armed militants led by religious leader and separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. That maneuver, known as “Operation Blue Star,” triggered massive enmity among Sikhs worldwide, leading to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in the autumn of 1984. In the wake of her death, thousands of Sikhs were murdered across India. The following summer Sikh nationalists based in Canada blew up an Air India flight near the coast of Ireland, killing more than 300 people.

However, by the mid-1990s, the Khalistan movement appeared to have splintered and eventually faded away.

Now, in 2013, if Shinde is worried about the rise of Sikh militancy, such fears are likely groundless.

Jonah Blank, Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation and an expert on South Asian affairs, said he was unaware of any ongoing support provided by Pakistan to any militant Sikh movement.

“Most allegations of such support date to the 1980s, rather than the present,” he told IB Times.

“Historically, there have been allegations of Pakistani support to the Khalistan movement in India … but such allegations became less frequent as the insurgency in Punjab waned during the early/mid 1990s.”

Moreover, Pakistan has so many internal problems, including having their hands full with Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants in their own country and Afghanistan, that it would seem unlikely they would expend money and resources to revive a dying movement next door in India.

Ironically, like the largely defunct Irish Republican Army, which advocated for the unity of Ireland and the removal of British troops from Ulster, the Khalistan movement appears to have more support in the Sikh Diaspora in Britain, US and Canada rather than in Punjab itself.

“The Khalistan movement today appears to be stronger among some exile communities than in Punjab itself, where it now has very little support indeed,” Blank noted.

“Support for the separatist movement was widespread [in Punjab and other parts of India] in the 1980s, especially following the desecration of the Golden Temple in Operation Blue Star.  But that was a long time ago — today’s [Sikh] youth (the likeliest recruiting pool for militants) weren’t even born then.  Anybody with first-hand recollection of Blue Star is now approaching middle-age.

Blank also noted that, given that Punjab is one of the wealthiest provinces in India and that the current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is himself a Sikh, most Sikhs have chosen to use the peaceful political process to address their grievances do against the Indian government.

He added that the Khalistan movement has no real currency, within India or the United States.

(Courtesy: International Business Times)

Announcing the schedule of the Panchayat Election Mr. S.S. Brar, State Election Commissioner, and Punjab said that Polling would be held on July 3, 2013. He said that the nomination process would take place on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22^nd of June, 2013.  The scrutiny of the candidates would take place on 24^th of June, 2013. He further said that the candidates could withdraw their nominations on the 25^th of June.  The polling and counting of voting in over 19000 booths would be held on 3^rd of July, 2013.

Mr. Brar said that all necessary arrangements had already been made in this regard. The code of conduct would come into effect from the 19^th of June till the 4^th of June.

The two constables, Harbans Singh and Gurmit Singh, were in the pilot vehicle ahead of the minister’s car.

They fell out of the vehicle as the driver, whose visibility was limited because of heavy rain, suddenly applied the brakes on seeing a power cable lying on the Ambala-Delhi highway.

Police said the constables fell on the other side of the road, and were crushed by an SUV plying on that side of the road.

The two constables were rushed to the Sonipat civil hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Minister Maluka was on his way to New Delhi to attend a meeting when the accident took place Thursday morning. The bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem examination.

Dua’s layer sits at the back of the cornea, which previously had only five known layers. Dua and his colleagues discovered the new body part by injecting air into the corneas of eyes that had been donated for research and using an electron microscope to scan each separated layer.

The researchers now believe that a tear in Dua’s layer is the cause of corneal hydrops, a disorder that leads to fluid buildup in the cornea. According to Dua, knowledge of the new layer could dramatically improve outcomes for patients undergoing corneal grafts and transplants.

“This is a major discovery that will mean that ophthalmology textbooks will literally need to be re-written,” Dua says. “From a clinical perspective, there are many diseases that affect the back of the cornea which clinicians across the world are already beginning to relate to the presence, absence or tear in this layer.”