18052026-JTR-01.qxd 5/17/2026 11:06 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune BTECH GRAD FINDS ‘SAKOON’, PURPOSE IN ORGANIC FARMING ENSURE FAIR ED PROBES & PREVENT MISUSE OF POWER ADITI RAO HYDARI’S WOW FACTOR WORKS @CANNES A BTech graduate in mechanical engineering, Jobandeep never felt drawn to the corporate lifestyle. P2 Keep law above political influence, governance must remain accountable & transparent.P3 The actress wore a lime-green creation by Tony Ward Couture for the red carpet. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 40°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.18 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:29 AM » MONDAY | 18 MAY 2026 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Row over CM photo on ration kits ahead of civic body polls Opposition alleges poll code violation, seeks EC intervention Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service INBRIEF HC TO HEAR EKTA’S PETITION TODAY Phagwara: The Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear on Monday a petition filed by film and television serial producer Ekta Kapoor in connection with a case registered against her and others by the Nakodar police in 2013. It is listed before a bench headed by Justice Sumeet Goel Ekta, her mother Shobha Kapoor and four members of her team involved in production of serial 'Pavitra Rishta' and the Zee TV owner had been booked by the police for hurting religious sentiments of Valmiki community. The case was lodged after Rauni Gill, president of the Bhartiya Valmiki Sarav Dharam Samaj and resident of Shankar had complained to the police that the August 5, 2013, episode of the serial had made derogatory references to Maharishi Valmiki which hurt religious sentiments of the community. The case was registered on August 16, 2013, and petition was filed in 2014. OC 2 ARRESTED FOR SNATCHING CASH Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested two miscreants on the charge of snatching cash. The accused have been identified as Gurwindar Singh, alias Jita of Sangatpur village and Sukhvindar of Kot Badal Khan village. Lakhveer Singh of Ramewal village complained to the police that the accused waylaid him and his wife on May 15 evening, attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and snatched Rs 3,500 and threatened him with dire consequences. OC FIVE BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Nakodar Sadar police have booked five villagers on the charge of assaulting a man. The accused have been identified as Vishal, Suraj, Nandu and Ghuda, all resident of Talwandi Bharo village, and Viki of Saham village. Tirath Kumar of Baupur Dona village complained to the police that the accused attacked him and seriously injured him on May 5. OC THREE ‘DRUG PEDDLERS’ HELD Phagwara: The police have arrested two persons on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. Investigating officers said 52 tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Rosi of Shankar village and Gurpret of Malarri village. The Shahkot police arrested drug peddler Sukhwindar Singh of Pati Haveli Malsian village with tablets. oc THEFT ACCUSED PO ARRESTED Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) absconding since last year. The accused has been identified as Harpreet Singh of Pachhanrrian village. The accused is wanted in the case of theft registered in 2020 and was declared PO in 2025. oc Jalandhar, May 17 Ahead of the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections in Punjab scheduled for May 26, a fresh political controversy has erupted over the branding on food packets and bags proposed to be distributed to ration card beneficiaries under the ‘Meri Rasoi Scheme’. The Opposition has alleged that the food packets and distribution bags prominently carry the photo of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with publicity material, highlighting five government welfare schemes, terming it a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). According to Opposition leaders, the bags mention flagship schemes such as the ‘Meri Rasoi Scheme’, ‘Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojana’, free electricity, government schools providing “global-level education” and the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana’. They alleged that publicising government schemes through material meant for public distribution during the election period amounts to misuse of official machinery and violates election norms. Aditya Bhatara, BJP candidate from Ward No 6 in Nakodar, said, “There is a complete law and order failure in Punjab. Instead of resolving public issues, the government is Ahead of the MC polls in Punjab, political row erupted over CM branding on food packets and bags set to be distributed under ‘Meri Rasoi Scheme.’ A TRIBUNE PHOTO resorting to unfair tactics during the enforcement of the poll code. The Election Commission, Punjab, should take cognisance of the matter to ensure free and fair elections.” He further alleged that along with kits, the AAP government is also getting forms from women voters filled under the proposed ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’, under which financial assistance ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per month has been promised. “If the government is committed to welfare schemes, it should carry out such exercises after the elections,” he added. Baldev Singh Khera Phillaur, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former MLA from Phillaur, said, “When Bhagwant Mann became Chief Minister in 2022, he had stated that instead of distributing free ration, his government would provide jobs to the Punjabis. Now, the government appears to have taken a complete U-turn.” Khera added, “This appears to be an attempt to gain political mileage during the election period. At the same time, opposing the distribution of these kits may create an impression that we are against ration for the poor. We will approach state Election Commision.” Bikram Singh Majithia, in a recent post on X, also took a dig at the Chief Minister, alleging that the CM’s branding now extends to “haldi, namak, mirch masale, sarson da tel and chaipatti.” A senior official in the district Food and Civil Supplies Department, Jalandhar, confirmed that nearly 7,000 kits had already been received and their distribution would begin next week as no directions had been issued to halt the process in poll-bound areas. In Jalandhar district, elections will be held in five Municipal Councils which are Adampur, Kartarpur, Nakodar, Nurmahal and Phillaur and two Nagar Panchayats, Lohian Khas and Mehatpur. 839 nomination papers filed in Jalandhar and Kapurthala Tribune News Service Delay in MC poll may inconvenience Hoshiarpur people Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi Jalandhar, May 17 As many as 839 nomination papers have been filed by candidates in Jalandhar and Kapurthala for the civic body elections. While 452 nominations were filed for the five Municipal Councils and two Nagar Panchayats of Jalandhar district, 387 nomination papers were filed in the MC, Kapurthala, and Municipal Council, Sultanpur Lodhi. In Jalandhar on Saturday, the last say of nominations, 49 papers were received for 13 wards of the Municipal Council, Adampur, 38 for 15 wards of Municipal Council, Kartarpur, 35 for 17 wards of Municipal Council, Nakodar, 58 for 13 wards of Municipal Council, Nurmahal, and 42 for 15 wards of Municipal Council, Phillaur. Similarly, 52 nominations were received for 13 wards of Nagar Panchayat, Lohian Khas, and 56 nominations were received for 13 wards of Nagar Panchayat, Mehatpur. Meanwhile at Kapurthala, 387 nominations (305 for 50 wards of Municipal Corporation, Kapurthala and 82 for 13 wards of Sultanpur Lodhi Municipal Council) were filed. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on May 18 in Jalandhar and candidates can withdraw their papers till 3 pm on May 19. Voting will be held on May 26 and counting of votes will be held on May 29. Hoshiarpur, May 17 The delay in the municipal elections of Hoshiarpur and Sham Churasi is likely to create inconvenience for residents, particularly in matters related to official documentation and public services. However, opposition leaders have welcomed the move, stating that the delay was in line with their demands. Political observers believe that while the delay may provide more preparation time to opposition parties, residents are expected to bear the brunt of the administrative vacuum in the absence of elected representatives. For years, municipal councillors have remained among the most approachable public representatives for residents. The verification of documents required for passports, affidavits, certificates and other official purposes was often carried out through councillors. In many cases, the councillors even visited the homes of beneficiaries to sign and stamp important documents, making the process easier for senior citizens and economically weaker families. With no elected municipal councillors in office during this period, citizens are facing difficulties in getting various documents verified and attested. In the absence of councillors, residents will now have to depend on gazetted officers for attestations and verification work, which many people consider more difficult and time- consuming. Locals fear that routine documentation work may become cumbersome. The delay has also intensified political discussions in the district. Sham Churasi is considered politically significant as it is the hometown of former Local Bodies Minister Dr Navjot, while the Hoshiarpur MC has long remained a political battleground for leaders, including former Congress minister Sunder Sham Arora, former BJP minister Tikshan Sood and AAP MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa. Arora said he had complained to the Election Commission alleging that the opposition leaders were not being provided signed official maps of the proposed ward delimitation. He alleged that ruling party leaders were preparing their own unofficial maps while authentic delimitation documents were not being shared with other stakeholders. Arora welcomed the Election Commission’s intervention and said official ward maps along with voter lists are now expected to be provided before the election process moves ahead. He expressed hope that the Hoshiarpur Municipal Corporation elections could now be held by the end of June. The BJP had approached the Municipal Commissioner, DC and the State Election Commission seeking clarification on whether the voter lists were being prepared according to the officially notified ward boundaries or the maps prepared by the MC. 5 held for robbery in Farmers halt toll ops at Ladowal over land compensation Jalandhar village BKU-Dakonda leaders warn if NHAI fails to release payments, agitation will be intensified Our Correspondent Phagwara, May 17 A youth was robbed of his motorcycle at gunpoint by five assailants near village Shekha in Jalandhar district, following which the Nurmahal police arrested the accused and recovered the stolen motorcycle along with a toy pistol and iron rods allegedly used in the crime. SHO Labh Singh said complainant Akashdeep of Jandiala had lodged a complaint with the police. According to the complainant, on the evening of May 15, around 6:30 pm, he was travelling on his motorcycle (PB 08 DM 0654) from village Bhandala towards village Shekha. As soon as he reached Shekha, five persons inter- cepted him. The police said three accused were riding a motorcycle while two others were standing on the roadside. The accused allegedly threatened Akashdeep by showing him a toy pistol and iron rods before snatching his motorcycle. After committing the robbery, the accused fled towards Litra village. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police launched an investigation and arrested the accused Akash Gill of Mohalla Munara, Nakodar; Lovepreet of Mohalla Guru Nanakpura, Nakodar; Amritpal of Patti Purewal, Shankar; Gagandeep of Patti Takhar, Shankar; and Gurpreet Singh of Chak Mughlani. — OC Phillaur, May 17 Farmers affiliated with the BKU-Dakonda on Sunday staged a protest at the Ladowal toll plaza, considered one of the costliest toll plazas in Punjab, and suspended toll operations for nearly half an hour while raising slogans against the Centre over pending compensation for land acquired for the JammuKatra highway project. The protesters alleged that although their land had already been acquired and construction work on several stretches of the highway had been completed, many affected farmers had either received partial payments or no compensation at all. Dur- ing the protest, farmers parked their vehicles across toll lanes, disrupting traffic movement and toll collection for around 30 minutes. As soon as information about the protest reached the administration, police and civil officials rushed to the spot. SDM Kuldeep Singh also reached the toll plaza and held talks with farmer representatives in an attempt to defuse the situation. Following assurances from the administration, the farmers temporarily called off the protest but warned that the toll plaza would again be shut indefinitely if their demands were not addressed by the Centre. Speaking during the protest, BKU Dakonda leader Jagrup Singh Hasanpur said the farmers had approached the administration nearly 45 days ago regarding the issue of pending compensation. He stated that farmers, whose land fell under the JammuKatra road project, had handed over the possession of their land in good faith after assurances from the authorities. However, he alleged that many farmers were yet to receive full payment for their land. Some farmers had received only half the amount, some even less, while several others had not been paid anything during the past two years. He further claimed that when farmers approached government offices regarding the issue, officials cited delays in fund release from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The farmer leader warned that if the NHAI failed to release the pending payments, they would intensify their agitation and gherao toll plazas. He also alleged that in certain cases, farmers had received notices from the government, asking them to return compensation amounts already credited to their accounts. He said the farmers had lost their agricultural land but were still deprived of adequate compensation needed to purchase new land or sustain their livelihoods. Jagrup added that despite continuous dialogue with administrative officials, compensation was not being released. He further claimed that government funds meant for several village panchayats had also been withheld, affecting development works in rural areas. The farmers have demanded a written assurance from the government, specifying a timeline for releasing the pending compensation. Meanwhile, SDM Kuldeep Singh said the administration had received a list of 54 farmers whose payments were pending. He stated that the names of 20 farmers had already been forwarded to the NHAI, while directions had been issued to expedite payments to the remaining farmers as well. He added that compensation of nearly Rs 30 crore had already been released since February 20. Cancellation of 55 lecturer posts sparks ire among teachers Staff, pensioners Union calls it major announces stir setback, flags staff Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 17 Teachers in Jalandhar voiced concern over the government’s decision to cancel the recruitment process for 55 backlog lecturers under the School Education Department, calling the move a major setback for unemployed teaching aspirants. The posts, advertised in 2021 under the Ghar Ghar Rozgar Yojana for the border area, included lecturer posts in biology, chemistry, commerce, economics, geography, Hindi, English, physics and mathematics. A teacher union said sever- al candidates had been waiting for the recruitment process to conclude for nearly five years and had invested significant time and resources in preparation. They alleged that cancelling the process at this stage has created uncertainty among qualified candidates and raised questions over the government’s recruitment policies. The Education Recruitment Directorate, Punjab, issued a public notice on May 14, stating that the advertisement issued on August 24, 2021, along with a subsequent public notice increasing the number of posts from 32 to 55, had been crunch withdrawn following directions from the Directorate of School Education (Secondary), Punjab. Vikramdev Singh, state president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said, “This is not the first time when the AAP-led state government has withdrawn teachers’ vacancies. Earlier also, vacancies for nearly 350 teachers have rolled back. He further noted that government schools across Punjab are grappling with a c m y b severe staff shortage, yet no fresh vacancies have been advertised. He added that the posts now being withdrawn were originally announced during the previous government’s tenure. Notably, around 40 per cent of students are enrolled in Classes VIII and XII, which are meant to be taught by the lecturer cadre. However, these classes are currently being handled by master cadre teachers. The government, they said, has been relying only on promotions to fill lecturer posts. As per rules, 75 per cent of these posts should be filled through promotions and the remaining 25 per cent through direct recruitment, but not a single recruitment has been made since the present government came to power. Karnail Singh Phillaur, district president of the Government Teachers Union, said, “The government keeps withdrawing the vacancies without releasing any new one. As much as 70 per cent posts of principal are vacant where there is a huge shortage of headmasters, ETT, master and lecture cadres teachers. Additionally, nearly 4,500 teachers across Punjab are retiring every year with no new recruitment in place.” Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 17 The Punjab Employees and Pensioners’ Joint Front comprising several major employee and pensioner organisations in the state announced a series agitations against the government over long-pending demands related to employees and pensioners. A massive convention was held at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall in Jalandhar which later turned into a large rally. Following the convention, participants marched from Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall to the Press Club and back to BMC Chowk, raising slogans against “anti-employee policies” of the government. Employees and pensioners from across Punjab participated enthusiastically in the protest. Leaders said the growing participation and anger among employees and pensioners indicated that their votes could play a decisive role in the upcoming Assembly elections. The leaders alleged that the state government was suppressing democratic protests through the use of force, including baton charges and tear gas.