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CHANDIGARH: Punjab recorded over 48% voting in the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections on Sunday, with more than 9,000 candidates in the fray. However, the polls were marred by isolated incidents of stone-pelting, scuffles, and complaints of booth capturing, prompting the State Election Commission (SEC) to order repolls at four polling booths. The SEC announced repolls at Chahiyan in Gurdaspur, Babania and Madhir in Muktsar, and Chananwal in Barnala after reports that presiding officers allegedly absconded with ballot papers and instances of booth capturing. The repoll is scheduled for Tuesday. Clashes were reported in Tarn Tarans Kazi Kot village, where workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) pelted stones at each other. Similar incidents occurred in Ferozepurs Betu Kadim village. Meanwhile, polling agents of Congress, SAD, and BJP lodged complaints with the Gidderbaha police, accusing AAP leader Sunny Dhillon and others of booth capturing. Dhillon denied the allegations, saying he was only touring villages to meet party workers and did not enter any polling booths. Polling was also cancelled in Khurmanian and Khasa villages of Amritsar due to a printing error on ballot papers. While the AAP candidates name was correct, the election symbol was wrongly printed in Khasa. Congress leaders raised concerns over administrative lapses and alleged intimidation. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accused the AAP of replicating Manish Sisodias Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed tactics in Punjab, claiming that pressure, manipulation, and misuse of administration had discouraged voter participation. He highlighted errors in ballot issuance in six villages of Kahnuwan Zone No. 9, which delayed polling by nearly two hours. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged gross electoral malpractices by the ruling party, claiming that AAP workers, supported by police and administration, resorted to booth capturing at several locations, surpassing even the BJPs record of vote chori. SAD leaders Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler echoed these allegations, claiming that AAP colluded with the SEC and Punjab Police to steal the elections. They demanded a judicial probe into SEC functioning and its immediate removal, citing violence and attacks on opposition workers at multiple locations, including Qazikot in Tarn Taran, Talwandi Dasondha Singh in Majitha, Naushehra Majasingh in Batala, Kingra in Malout, Madhir and Babania in Gidderbaha, and Dharamkot. Rejecting the allegations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann lauded the administration for conducting free, fair, and transparent polls. He accused the opposition, particularly SAD, of attempting to use gangsters to disrupt the electoral process. Mann said more than 2,400 opposition candidates contested the polls, indicating no misuse of official machinery, and blamed the opposition for indulging in cheap tactics out of frustration over defeats. Polling boycotts were reported in five villagesKotli, Bhedpuri, Dodhra, Sehajpur Kalan, and Sehajpur Khurd, of Samana assembly segment in Patiala, where villagers protested being included in Patran block instead of Samana. The elections cover 347 zones of 22 zila parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 panchayat samitis across the state.
Rau mans mobile, ATM prove Deewar to save him from bullet
3rd T20I: Pitched Ball In Right Areas, Tried To Get As Much Help From The Wicket, Says Arshdeep
Arshdeep Singh: Indias left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh credited his success in the third T20I against South Africa to sticking to the basics and exploiting helpful conditions in Dharamsala Arshdeep took 2-13 in his four overs to set the base for a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday and took home the Player of the Match award. Nothing changed. I just pitched the ball in the right areas and tried to get as much help from the wicket. There was some help in the wicket, the conditions were cold as well, so there was enough swing and seam. I just tried to keep it simple, hit the right areas, and got the reward, said Arshdeep at the conclusion of the game. He also talked about being pleased to bounce back after an off day in New Chandigarh. When I walked onto the ground, everyone was telling me this is also your home ground. So the first thing I told them was, no, this is not my home ground - so that felt better. After that, just sticking to the basics, doing the basics right, and trusting my skill set. When you play at this level, there are some days when you wont execute the things you want to do. It was one off day (last game), so it feels nice to do this (bowl well in this game). Asked about the discussion on taking review against Reeza Hendricks, Arshdeep said, It was Surya bhai who wanted to get some suspense in there. The moment it hit the pad, I knew it was out. When I got the approval from Jitesh as well, we knew we were going for the review. He just wanted to wait, chat for a bit, and then take it. Quizzed on the Dewald Brevis review, which didnt happen, Arshdeep said, As a bowler, you want to take every review possible (and burst into laughter). I felt it hit the pad twice, so that was the confusion. Next time, Ill take care of that. Wrist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who returned with figures of 2-11 and became the second fastest Indian to 50 mens T20I wickets, admitted the cold conditions were a challenge but praised the teams preparation. I actually wasnt aware of the milestone, so thank you for telling me. It was doing a bit early on when the fast bowlers were bowling, there was some seam movement. But overall, the conditions were very tough. Ive never played at a ground this cold, so I did find it quite challenging. No, not at all. This (chilly weather) can never happen in Chennai. Wrist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who returned with figures of 2-11 and became the second fastest Indian to 50 mens T20I wickets, admitted the cold conditions were a challenge but praised the teams preparation. I actually wasnt aware of the milestone, so thank you for telling me. It was doing a bit early on when the fast bowlers were bowling, there was some seam movement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Asked about his mantra of success, Chakaravarthy said, I was just trying to stick to my strengths. Today, the ball was skidding more than turning, so my focus was on skidding the ball on to the batter rather than trying to force too much turn. It feels really good (second fastest to 50 T20I wickets). As long as Im playing for India and contributing with wickets, Ill always feel good. Article Source: IANS
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Chd tops natl energy conservation awards
Man in Nihang robes shot at near Patiala
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3rd T20I: Not Out Of Form, But Definitely Out Of Runs, Says Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav: India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted he is searching for runs to flow from his bat, but insisted he remains confident in being back to his pristine touch and breaking a lean patch. In Indias seven-wicket win over South Africa at the HPCA Stadium on Sunday, Suryakumar fell for 12, just before the hosts completed the chase with 25 balls to spare and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The thing is, Ive been batting beautifully in the nets. Im trying everything thats in my control and when the game comes, when the runs have to come, theyll definitely come. But yes, Im looking for runs, not out of form, but definitely out of runs, said Suryakumar in the post-match presentation ceremony. Asked about the teams turnaround after a 51-run defeat in New Chandigarh, Suryakumar stressed on the importance of returning to fundamentals in preparation for Sundays clash. I think this sport teaches you a lot of things. How you come back into the series is more important and we did the same thing we wanted to go back to basics, do the same things we were doing in Cuttack, and the results were on our side. See, there was a lot of learning from the game we played in Chandigarh. Asked about the teams turnaround after a 51-run defeat in New Chandigarh, Suryakumar stressed on the importance of returning to fundamentals in preparation for Sundays clash. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A win in Lucknow on Wednesday will give India the series win. I think well enjoy it tonight. Well enjoy the win tonight. Well sit down tomorrow when we reach Lucknow and then see what happened in this game and talk about that, concluded Suryakumar. Article Source: IANS
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Teacher couple killed in road accident; wife was headed for election duty
Foggy conditions in Punjab and Haryana
3rd T20I: Bumrah Returns Home Due To Personal Reasons, Update On Availability Awaited
T20 World Cup: India will be without ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the third T20I against South Africa at the HPCA Stadium, as he has returned home due to personal reasons. The BCCI said an update on his availability for the remaining two matches in Lucknow and Ahmedabad will be provided in due course. Jasprit Bumrah has gone back home for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the game. An update on him joining the squad for the remaining matches will be provided in due course, said the BCCI in its statement. Apart from Bumrah, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel misses out due to being unwell. Axar Patel is unavailable for the third T20I due to illness, further said the BCCI. In place of the duo, seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav have been drafted into the playing eleven for Sundays clash. India will feel the absence of Bumrah, who picked two wickets in the T20I series opener in Cuttack but went wicketless while conceding 45 runs in the second match in New Chandigarh. Axar, meanwhile, contributed 23 and 21 in the first two matches and was even promoted to number three during the 214-run chase in New Chandigarh, a gamble which didnt pay off for India, the reigning Mens T20 World Cup champions. Apart from Bumrah, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel misses out due to being unwell. Axar Patel is unavailable for the third T20I due to illness, further said the BCCI. In place of the duo, seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav have been drafted into the playing eleven for Sundays clash. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa, meanwhile, also have three changes to their playing eleven: Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje and Tristan Stubbs included in place of David Miller, George Linde and Litho Sipamla. With no specialist spinner, South Africa will bank on Aiden Markram, Donovan Ferreira and Dewald Brevis to shoulder the spin bowling duties. Article Source: IANS
Digital arrest case: Cyber crime police arrest third accused in Chandigarh
Chandigarh cyber police have arrested a cyber criminal in a high-value fake digital arrest case. This brings the total number of accused apprehended to three. The arrested individual, Mahendra Kumar Nayak, a resident of Churu, Rajasthan, was a direct beneficiary of the Rs 15 lakh fraud. He admitted to providing his bank account to other fraudsters for a commission.
Two Indian-origin youths from Punjab shot dead in targeted attack in Canada
CHANDIGARH: In a targeted attack, two Indian-origin youths from Punjab were shot dead in southeast Edmonton, Canada, by unidentified assailants. The deceased have been identified as Gurdeep Singh from Bareh village and Ranbir Singh from Uddat Saidewala village near Budhlada in Mansa, Punjab. According to information received by Gurdeeps family from his friend Arshdeep, the two were on their way to celebrate a friends birthday when they were allegedly fired upon in the early hours of Friday. Both youths had moved to Canada separately in pursuit of better career opportunities. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said it believes the incident was a targeted attack and has launched an investigation. In a statement, the EPS said it is investigating the suspicious deaths of two adult men in southeast Edmonton. Officers attempted life-saving measures until emergency medical services arrived, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. On Friday, December 12, 2025, at approximately 1:43 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunshots in the area of 32 Street and 26 Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two males believed to be in their 20s suffering from gunshot wounds. EPS officers attempted lifesaving measures until EMS arrived and assumed care. Sadly, both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The EPS Homicide Section has taken over the investigation. Autopsies are scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the statement read. The statement further noted, Police are looking for a dark-coloured SUV that may have been in the area at the time of the shooting. Investigators are asking anyone in the area of Silverberry Road and 23 Avenue, as well as 34 Street and 29 Street, who may have dash camera or security footage from approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, to 2:30 a.m. on December 12, 2025, to contact police immediately. Police believe this to be a targeted event. The investigation is ongoing.
Punjab road tragedy: Teacher couple die as car plunges into drain due to dense fog
An English teacher, Jaskaran Singh Bhullar, and his wife, Kanmaljit Kaur, tragically died in a road accident on Sunday morning. While driving to drop his wife for election duty, their car fell into a drain near Sangatpura village in Moga district. Police suspect fog as the cause of the accident, leaving the teacher fraternity in shock.
Canada shooting: 2 Punjabi youths killed while heading to party; families mourn
Two young Punjabi students, Gurdeep Singh (27) and Ranveer Singh (18), were tragically shot and killed in Edmonton, Canada, while en route to a party. The victims, both from Mansa district, were reportedly shot while in their car. Canadian police are investigating the incident and have apprehended several Punjabi youths.
All India DAD volleyball tournament 2025 concludes in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: The All India Defence Accounts Department (DAD) Volleyball Tournament2025 concluded in Bengaluru with the mens and womens final matches held at the Dravid Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence. The tournament was organised under the aegis of the Defence Accounts Sports Control Board (DASCB) and hosted by the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA), Bengaluru. The mens final witnessed an intense and high-quality contest, with PCDA (Army), Chandigarh emerging as champions. PCDA (Army), Jaipur finished as runners-up. The womens final was equally engaging, with PCDA (Officers), Pune clinching the championship title, while CGDA (Headquarters), Delhi secured the runner-up position. The closing ceremony was held at the Chopra Auditorium, ASC Centre, Bengaluru. K V R Murthi, Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts, and Maj Gen V T Mathew, AVSM, YSM, GOC, K&K Sub Area, graced the occasion as chief guests.
Chandigarh Diary: Kangana gives BJP rally in Himachal a miss
The BJP MP from Mandi and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut recently skipped a massive party rally held at the Zorawar Stadium in Dharamshala, targeting the Congress governments three-year rule of corruption, lies, and administrative collapse. While all the other party MPs, such as Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj, Indu Goswami, and Sikandar Kumar, attended the event, Kangana was conspicuous by her absence. Also present were thousands of BJP supporters from across the state and party leaders, including state president Rajeev Bindal, state in-charge Shrikant Sharma, co-incharge Sanjay Tandon, leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, former Union minister Anurag Thakur, and former state president Suresh Kashyap. Kanganas absence generated far more attention. Korean womans Punjabi chat with Mann CM Bhagwant Mann was in for a pleasant surprise when a Korean woman, whom he met while heading a delegation to South Korea, spoke to him in fluent Punjabi. A video of Mann interacting with the woman is going viral on social media. The woman with folded hands introduced herself in Punjabi, saying, I am Simran Kaur, a daughter-in-law from Punjab. By the way, my real name is (Korean name). I am Korean Punjabi, my husband is a Punjabi. Then her husband said, It has been 20 years since our wedding. An impressed Mann asked who taught her Punjabi, to which she proudly replied, My in-laws. Sikhs should have 3-4 children: Jathedar Akal Takht acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has urged Sikhs to have at least three to four children, as their population is in decline. In a video that has gone viral, he can be heard saying that producing one child is not a wise policy, The population of all the communities has swelled, but we (Sikhs) have not been able to match the growth. We should have at least 3 or 4 children in a family. This is not a conservative approach. We should think in this direction, he said in the presence of Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale.
Mann compares Rahul Gandhi to Navjot Sidhu: They both want PM, CM post before performing
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Centre to reconstitute state-level panels for green clearances
No parking on roadsides, footpaths near dist sectt
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PU 73rd convocation: 75% of graduating students women
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Over 267 vehicles with tampered plates seized
Chd to get 6 new community centres
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Nursing institutes body seeks extension of admission dates in Punjab till Dec 31
Trader found murdered in Nawanshahr; woman among 5 held
PWD minister honoured with World Book of Records Certificate of Excellence
3rd T20I: If You Are Mentally Strong, You Can Do Well At Any Number, Says Tilak Varma
The HPCA Stadium: Ahead of the third T20I against South Africa, Indias left-handed batter Tilak Varma said being mentally strong allows a batter to succeed at any position in the batting order. Indias batting flexibility left everyone puzzled when Axar Patel was sent out to bat at number three in a chase of 214 in New Chandigarh. But Axar struggled to get rhythm and fell for a run-a-ball 21, as India fell short by 51 runs. Amidst the likes of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav not getting big runs, Tilak gave India something to cheer by making a 34-ball 62. Everyone is flexible except openers. Everyone is flexible and open to bat anywhere. I am up for batting at 3, 4, 5, 6, or anywhere. Where the team prefers for me to bat, I am up for it. Everyone knows that they are flexible in every batting order. If you are mentally strong, you can do well in any number, said Tilak in the pre-match press conference. Asked about the Indian teams decision to send Axar at three ahead of recognised batters, including himself, Tilak said, It depends. As you can see, Axar Patel has already done the same thing in the World Cup, and he has done well in that position as well. It keeps happening in one odd game. It depends on the situation. In a tactical situation, if the team feels that it is the best in that situation, then anyone goes ahead, keeping in mind the teams interests. Ups and downs happen, but the same player has done that in the World Cup as well. I am ready to bat anywhere for the team, and I will always try to do my best for the team. The other players are doing the same, and as I said, everything is flexible, and we are making the decisions that we feel will benefit the team. The HPCA Stadium has shown a trend of producing high-scoring pitches, and Tilak felt batting first or chasing wont matter much at the venue. I have played previously here in the Under-19 series for India. After that, I am coming here now, and we are just going to watch the wicket. I think there will be a high-scoring wicket here. We will play with a positive intent, he said. In the first two matches, the one who bats first has won. Because the weather is cold everywhere, there is a little bit of seam and swing for the bowlers. So I think there is not much difference in batting first and second. Unfortunately, we collapsed in the last game, but we will play with the same intent. Whatever we have been doing in the last 15-20 matches, we will play with the same intent and get good results. So, I would say, it won't matter much if it's the first or second batting because the match starts at 7 pm and that is the time when dew starts to form, he added. In the first two matches, the one who bats first has won. Because the weather is cold everywhere, there is a little bit of seam and swing for the bowlers. So I think there is not much difference in batting first and second. Unfortunately, we collapsed in the last game, but we will play with the same intent. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There was a due in ODIs as well, and we have mentally prepared for it in practice. We don't have the toss result in our hands, but we are mentally preparing for the dew. We have practised before, and the ball does get a little wet. But we have prepared for whatever we can get in the game during the practice. Article Source: IANS
Men in Blue bracefor stern test against the confident Proteas
South Africa will look to repeat the template that proved successful in the previous encounter at New Chandigarh
Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Singh Sidhu are alike, want to be PM, CM before performing: Punjab CM Mann
CHANDIGARH: Taking a dig at his political rivals, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday remarked that both senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu are alike as they want to be elected Prime Minister and Chief Minister respectively without first doing something for the people. Addressing a press conference here, Mann said, They have the same problem, both want to become Prime Minister and Chief Minister before performing. Rahul Gandhi says make me Prime Minister, I will do something for the people. But people ask him, first do something, then we will make you the Prime Minister. It is the same with Navjot Sidhu. He says make me the CM, I will do something for Punjab. People ask him to do something for Punjab, then they will make him the chief minister. Without naming Sidhu, CM Mann asked, One of them is saying he should be the CM otherwise he will continue to work for television. I was also on TV, have I done a favour to Punjab by quitting? Mann went on to say that when Sidhu was a minister in the Congress government in Punjab, he could have done something for the welfare of the people if he had undertaken the responsibilities of his department. As local bodies minister, Sidhu could have addressed issues such as cleanliness, sewerage, street lighting and road conditions in cities and could have changed the face of cities, he said. Later, Sidhu was given charge of the power department. He accused the then CM Amarinder Singh of not allowing him to work. He should have prepared a proposal to give 600 units of free electricity to the public the way we did it, said Mann and added had then CM Amarinder rejected it, Sidhu could have projected himself as someone who wanted to provide free power. If Amarinder accepted it, Sidhu would have been a hero. If he rejected it, Sidhu would still have been a hero. It was a win-win situation, he said. Mann also referred to Amarinder's claim that Sidhu did not sign files of his department for nearly six months. Sidhu did not take responsibility of his ministry or the portfolio he was given. I have signed 12,500 files as I start signing files at 7.30 AM. These are the same officers, they bring a small truck to carry files signed by me, he said. Manns remarks came in the backdrop of the recent statement by former Congress MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who criticized the Congress leadership in Punjab. She had alleged a suitcase full of Rs 500 crore has to be given to become the chief minister in Punjab. She had said that her husband would return to active politics if the Congress declares him as the partys chief ministerial face in Punjab. She had further said they do not have money to give to any party but can transform Punjab into a golden state. She was later suspended by the Punjab Congress. Mann added that the 'Rs 500 crore' disclosure by Navjot Kaur had made everyone happy except Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Channi was happy that he paid Rs 350 crore to become the CM, and he was able to save Rs 150 crore. The figure quoted by Navjot Kaur has made Rahul happy as he thinks the price tag has gone up. Warring, Randhawa and Bajwa are now unhappy as they feel the price has gone up and they have to find a way to try a shot, he added. Sidhu has not been active in the Congress for long and did not campaign in last years Lok Sabha elections. He made a comeback to cricket commentary during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season and launched his YouTube channel in April to share insights on cricket, lifestyle and other topics.
After India lost the second T20I game against South Africa in New Chandigarh, former Indian cricketer has raised some important questions over Suryakumar Yadav's batting performance in the format in recent times.
Punjab local body polls: CM Mann slams Congress, SAD for accusing AAP-govt of 'high-handedness'
CHANDIGARH: A day ahead of the local body polls in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday slammed the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for accusing AAP government of high-handedness. He accused the parties of ellyaching after sensing defeat in the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Targeting the Congress and SAD, Mann said they have accepted their defeat in the polls. They're aware that the people are not with them. That is why they have started alleging that AAP looted votes. Why can't they introspect? he quizzed. Mann further alleged that rival parties were forming alliances at the grassroots to counter AAPs influence. At many places, these rival parties are supporting common candidates against AAP. But the public will vote for AAP, the only party with credibility that delivers on promises, he said. We are seeking votes based on our works. But, they (opposition) are crying that their papers were snatched, he said. CM Mann hit out at former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, saying he made an irresponsible statement. Earlier, Channi had alleged that the AAP government in the state had printed fake ballot papers for the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections on December 14. Both the Congress and Akali Dal have accepted their defeat in the rural polls, but are accusing the AAP government of high-handedness against opposition candidates, Mann claimed. He added, The man who was CM for 111 days is making irresponsible statements that 100 pre-printed ballot papers are being used in each constituency. He has sensed defeat and is making such baseless allegations. It would do him good if he concentrated on arranging for the money to get the chief ministership or two deputy chief minister berths. He highlighted his government's work in the state -- 600 units of free electricity, availability of water for irrigation until the last mile, improved road connectivity, opening of mohalla clinics, and closure of 17 toll plazas. The public is impressed by our work on upgrading school infrastructure, setting up aam aadmi clinics, constructing 43,000 km of roads, ensuring water reaches the tail ends of irrigation channels, and promoting canal irrigation over tubewells, Mann said. Giving details of the zila parishad and panchayat samiti polls, Mann said out of 2,833 zones of block samitis, 340 AAP candidates, three Congress nominees and eight Independent candidates have been elected unopposed. If the ruling party was misusing official machinery, why would there be 2,433 Congress and 1,814 Akali candidates contesting Panchayat Samiti polls? If the Congress and independent candidates were elected unopposed, then wasn't there any high-handedness in these seats? Mann asked. He said, AAP has fielded candidates in all 347 Zila Parishad seats. Congress could contest only 331 seats, Akalis 298, and BJP 215. In Panchayat Samiti polls, AAP fielded candidates in 2,771 seats, Congress on 2,433, Akalis on 1,814, BJP on 1,127, and BSP on 195. Prospective candidates believe Congress is in political doldrums after prominent leaders failed to secure wins for their kin in various bypolls. A total of 1,396 candidates are contesting the Zila Parishad polls and nomination papers of these candidates were also accepted, he said.
Cash-strapped Punjab government hopes to generate Rs 3000 crore by selling land under OUVGL Scheme
CHANDIGARH: The cash-strapped AAP-led Punjab government, whose outstanding debt touched Rs 3.98 lakh crore till October this year, hopes to generate Rs 3,000 crore through monetisation. It has identified parcels of unused land to be developed and sold under the three-decade-old Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) Scheme to fulfil its pre-poll promise of providing a Rs 1,100 per month honorarium to all women in the state. With only 14 months left for the Assembly elections, the move is aimed at tiding over the financial crisis. Most of these lands belong to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). Employees and officers of the corporation have now decided to launch a protest movement against the sale of power sector land and assets, saying it will severely compromise future expansion of critical infrastructure such as substations, transmission corridors and power projects. Sources said a meeting of the empowered committee of the OUVGL, headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, was held on Thursday, during which the development costs and net revenue expected from disposing of several land pockets in Patiala, Bathinda, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar were discussed. It is estimated that Rs 2,789 crore could be generated from the sale of these land parcels belonging to PSPCL, the Health Department, the Transport Department, MARKFED, the Punjab Mandi Board, the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board. Of the Rs 3,000 crore the state hopes to generate from the sale of these assets, the maximum revenue of Rs 2,219.58 crore is expected to come from six PSPCL properties in Patiala, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Jalandhar that are being considered for disposal. These properties are proposed to be transferred to urban development authorities. The meeting also reviewed progress in retrieving land from various departments for transfer to these authorities, sources said. Discussions were also held on transferring a 57.82-acre site in Mullanpur Garibdas village in Mohali from the Forest Department to the urban development authority. The land was first transferred to PUDA in March 2004, but in October 2010 the empowered committee of PUDA approved its transfer to the Forest Department as it fell under a green belt where a nature park was later developed after compensatory afforestation. About 19 acres of the land were left untouched as they were encroached upon. As the land is not classified as forest land and was only used for compensatory afforestation, the government believes it can now be used for other activities. In lieu of this, compensatory afforestation would be carried out on a parcel of government land in Ludhiana, sources said. Meanwhile, officers and employees from various unions and associations of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited held a meeting. After detailed deliberations, all unions unanimously resolved to launch a joint protest movement against the sale of power sector land and assets. They expressed deep concern that the sale of valuable land would severely compromise future expansion of critical infrastructure such as substations, transmission corridors and power projects. The unions demanded that the government immediately withdraw the proposal and warned that any attempt to harm or compromise power sector assets would trigger immediate and statewide protests.
Three Indo-Canadian truck drivers arrested after tow-truck shootout in Brampton
CHANDIGARH: Three Indian-origin Punjabi truck drivers have been arrested by Canadian police following a shootout between two rival tow-truck groups in Brampton, Ontario. A search is underway for a fourth suspect. Releasing video footage of the incident, Peel Regional Police said they had arrested three men from Caledon in connection with a tow-truck-related shooting in Brampton and were seeking one remaining suspect. The shooting occurred at around 10.45 pm local time on 7 October in a parking lot near the intersection of McVean Drive and Castlemore Road. Firearms were discharged during the incident, and one individual sustained minor physical injuries. Police said the gunshots were fired during an altercation between two separate groups. In a statement, Peel Regional Police said: Following a lengthy investigation, investigators identified three individuals associated with one of the involved groups. On 20 November, police executed a search warrant at a residence in Caledon. As a result, investigators located and arrested the following suspects. Manjot Bhatti (26) was charged with intentionally discharging a firearm recklessly, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, careless storage of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, knowledge of unauthorised possession of a firearm, and being an occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm. He was held pending a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and has since been released on bail. Navjot Bhatti (27) and Amanjot Bhatti (22) were charged with being occupants of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm. Both were released on undertakings with conditions and are required to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify individuals from the other group involved, particularly the outstanding suspect who is believed to have discharged a firearm, as shown in released images. The suspect is described as a South Asian male wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and white running shoes.
A 17-year-old boy, nephew of former Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural, was fatally stabbed in Jalandhar. The victim, Vikas Angural, was attacked by a man identified as Kalu and accomplices. The former MLA alleges the main accused is a drug peddler, highlighting the area's drug problem. Police are investigating the incident.
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