Polling was held in Ajnala constituency on Feb. 23. Due to certain malpractices observed by the Election Commission team, a re-poll was held on March 1 while the counting took place on March 2 covering 15,220 voters. The main fight is between SAD candidate Amar Pal Singh Bonny and Congress candidate Harpartap Singh.
Farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh will hold a march on March 16 towards the Parliament against the Union Government for fixing low Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for wheat. The central government has fixed Rs. 630 per quintal while as per Punjab Agricultural University the MSP should be Rs. 780 per quintal. The Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) has requested the Central Govt. to link the MSP with the whole sale price index.
The foundation of Stage 2 of the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant was laid by Capt. Amarinder Singh, CM of Punjab on Feb. 28 at Lehra Mohabbat. The first stage of the plant was completed on March 3, 1994 and the Stage 2 was to start immediately. However, due to paucity of funds, change in government and the policies of the Punjab State Electricity Board led to delay in the execution of the project. It will be executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd and an expenditure of Rs. 1,800 crore will be incurred on it.
Mr. Qadri, the 19th descendant of Sain Mian Mir who had laid the foundation of the historic Golden Temple, came to India to participate in the kirtan darbar organised at Ferozepur from Feb. 26. He was accompanied by Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Khan, the ninth descendant of Nabi Khan and Bhai Lal, a descendant of Bhai Mardana. Mr. Qadri brought with him a necklace presented to his forefathers by Sikh Guru Arjun Dev ji and Mata Ganga and a hukumnama written by Guru Gobind Singh ji. The Shiromani GurdwarParbandhak Committee has refused to give permission to Mr. Qadri to sing religious hymns in the sanctum sanctorium of the Golden Temple.
Jaundice outbreak hits Pathankot! About 50 cases have been reported in the Civil Hospital and many more in the private hospitals. The recent spell of rains has contaminated the drinking water. Remedial measures are being taken by the Municipal Committee and health staff in this regard.
Border Security Force delegates led by Paramjit Singh, BSF DIG - Gurdaspur, went to Pakistan on Feb. 23. The main purpose was to discuss issues relating to cross-border smuggling and infiltration and problems relating to farmers living on Indo-Pak borders.
Delegates of the Pakistan - India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy visited India through Wagah Border to participate in the four day seventh Joint Convention of the Forum organised in New Delhi from Feb. 25. The Forum has been established to create a friendly relationship between both the countries to reduce tensions and to maintain friendly relations. The delegates visited the Golden Temple also.
An Indo-Pak International Trade Fair is to be held in Amritsar in April. Around three hundred exhibitors will participate in it. Such Trade Fairs will be held alternatively in India and Pakistan to strengthen the friendship and business ties between both countries.
DPI (Secondary) Sangrur cleared the medical reimbursement bill of the pensioners by allocating Rs. 14.11 lakh. The bill has been submitted to the District Treasury Office. It will prove to be beneficial for the payment of debt taken for their medical treatment. DPI (Secondary) has released additional Rs. 1.25 crore for Sangrur district along with the said amount.
The Indian National Confederation of the Challenged was constituted at Fatehgarh Sahib on the concluding day of the All India Disabled Conference on Feb. 27. The delegates raised demands in relation to the formulation of a national policy for the disabled, employment opportunities and educational facilities for the victims.
Punjab Football icon Kultar Singh, who was afflicted with bone cancer, died on Feb. 28 at Kharar Achhrowal village, Hoshiarpur district. He had started his career with Leaders Club in 1971 and then joined the JCT Mills in 1976. In 1985, he started playing for Punjab State Electricity Board. Later, he migrated to Canada and recently returned to India.
