08052022-TTC-01.qxd 5/8/2022 1:58 AM Page 1 123 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 6 NO. 126 | 24 PAGES | ~6.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 DEAFLYMPICS: ABHINAV WINS GOLD IN 10M AIR PISTOL EVENT SPORT /thetribunechd SIA RAIDS 19 SITES OVER MISUSE OF SIMS FOR TERROR J&K IT’S BEEN CHALLENGING JOURNEYFOR‘VACCINE WOMEN’ SPECTRUM MUST DEVELOP HYBRID SYSTEM OF EDUCATION: PM BACK PAGE sunday | 8 may 2022 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com No coercive action against BJP leader till May 10: HC Late-night order after Bagga seeks stay on arrest warrant by Mohali court Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Must keep pace with China: Rajnath to BRO Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 Keeping in mind the rapid pace of construction by the Chinese on their side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called upon the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to use technology to create infrastructure at a faster pace. “The Chinese presence has increased in the northern sector recently. Due to their proficiency in construction in mountainous areas, they manage to reach different places very quickly. The BRO must continue to focus on increasing its capabilities with full use of technology,” Rajnath Singh said. He was speaking at an event to mark the 63rd Raising Day of the BRO. The BRO will spend Rs 3,500 crore this fiscal. chandigarh, May 7 In a reprieve for Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, the Punjab and Haryana High Court late Saturday night directed that no coercive step be initiated against him after he sought a stay on the arrest warrant issued by a Mohali court earlier in the day. Taking up the matter during a special hearing just before midnight, Justice Anoop Chitkara made it clear that the order would remain in operation at least till May 10 — the date fixed by the HC for hearing Bagga’s petition for quashing the FIR against him. In his application filed through counsel Gautam Dutt and Anil Mehta late Saturday evening, Bagga sought a stay on the arrest warrant on 12 counts. He submitted that the registration of the FIR was to wreak vengeance through politically motivated criminal investigation by using the state machinery for political gain. Contending that the only allegation against him was BJP MP Tejasvi Surya with Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (R) and his father at their New Delhi residence on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO DELHI COPS TO PROVIDE PRESERVE FOOTAGE OF SECURITY TO BJP LEADER CCTVS: PUNJAB IN HC With BJP leader Tajinder Bagga expressing fear over his safety, the Delhi Police on Saturday said they would make necessary security arrangements for him. “Bagga expressed apprehension over his safety. We will make necessary arrangements,” an official said. that he had made a statement during political debates on the electronic media (April 30), he said a perusal of the CBI raids Amargarh AAP MLA over ~40 cr loan ‘fraud’; ~16L, papers seized Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 The CBI today conducted raids on three premises linked to Amargarh AAP MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra in Sangrur in a case of alleged Rs 40 crore bank loan fraud. CBI spokesperson RC Joshi said Rs 16.57 lakh, 88 foreign currency notes, some property and bank papers and incriminating documents were seized. Sources said the CBI also seized 94 blank cheques bearing signatures of differ- POLITICAL VENDETTA The BJP is misusing agencies to target us. I’ve done nothing wrong andhavenorolein my family’s business which is headed by my brother. ❝ Jaswant S Gajjan Majra, AMARGARH MLA ent persons along with copies of Aadhaar cards. The case was registered against the MLA, Tara Corporation Ltd (renamed as Malaudh Agro Ltd) based at Gaunspura, Malerkotla, and others on the complaint of Bank of India, Ludhiana branch. Joshi said Majra was one of the directors of the company. His brothers Balwant Singh and Kulwant Singh and nephew Tejinder Singh, all directors and guarantors, were also booked, the official said, adding another firm Tara Health Foods Ltd was also named in the FIR. continued on page 7 IN BRIEF NEET PG not put off, will be held on May 21: Govt NEW DELHI: The Health Ministry has said the NEET PG exam will be held on May 21, as scheduled. It termed as "fake" a notice that said the exam has been rescheduled to July 9. TNS MHA launches portal for retired CAPF personnel NEW DELHI: The government has launched “CAPF Punarvaas” portal to help personnel belonging to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) seeking re-employment after retirement. TNS Burqa in public places: Taliban to women LPG PRICE UP AGAIN Afghan women to wear head-to-toe burqa in public. PTI ~50 Two tourists washed away in Parbati river in Kullu ~190 per cylinder rise in price since April last year NEW DELHI: Two tourists, including a girl, were washed away in the Parbati river near the Choj bridge at Kasol in Kullu. INSIDE 14.2-kg cylinder now costs ~999.50 in Delhi & Mumbai NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers on Saturday ordered all per cylinder hike in cooking gas price Amidst claims and counterclaims on informing the Delhi Police about Bagga’s arrest, the State of Punjab on Saturday moved the Punjab and Haryana HC seeking the preservation of CCTV footage of the police stations in Delhi and in Kurukshetra district. FIR would reveal that no case had been made out in “respect of the Sections invoked in the FIR”. Land ceiling for tourism units in Himachal goes Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, May 7 In a surprise move, the HP Government on Saturday exempted tourism units from the ceiling on land-holding under the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972. A notification in this regard was issued by the Industries Department. The move, even though being flaunted as one that would bring mega investment in the tourism sector, has raised eyebrows. There have been several instances when land bought for hotels was not used for the stated purpose. In some cases, hotels were converted into real estate projects, but no legal action was initiated by successive governments. The hospitality sector can now purchase land beyond 150 bighas for resorts, spas and even golf courses. “As provided in Clause 7.1 of the HP Tourism Policy 2019, the government is pleased to declare tourism units as ‘industrial undertakings’ for the purpose of exemption in the land ceiling limit...,” the notification read. “Due diligence will be taken at the time of grant of certificate for a tourism unit,” RD Dhiman, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, said. No SIM, tablets to Haryana pupils of no use Parveen Arora FACILITY SOON: DEPT Tribune News Service Karnal, May 7 The Haryana Education Department distributed tablets among students of Class X and XII two days ago, but failed to provide SIM cards for accessing the Internet. Besides, students were not given any training on operating the gadget. Rajpal, District Education ■ No training given to Class X and XII students, most of them can’t operate tablets ■ Officials say documents sent to company to issue SIM cards ■ Students will get training to access educational software Officer, said they had so far distributed around 1,800 tablets in six schools of Kar- nal, Nilokheri, Indri, Gharaunda, Nissing and Assandh blocks. “I have Today’s issue is of 24 pages, including four-page Jalandhar Tribune. asked the company concerned to provide SIM cards at the earliest so that the device can be made functional. While teachers have been given training, assistance will be provided to the students soon,” he said. A teacher of Government Senior Secondary School, Nilokheri, said the tablets were distributed on May 5, continued on page 7 “The alleged incident/statement took place in Delhi. But the complainant, in utter disregard of the principles of law, got the FIR registered in Mohali where the Aam Aadmi Party, to which the complainant belongs, just came to power,” Bagga’s plea read. Senior counsel RS Rai argued on Bagga’s behalf that he was wrongly implicated in the FIR at the instance of AAP members to settle a score. No recovery was to be effected from the petitioner and his custodial interrogation was not required. The warrant against Bagga was issued on the basis of an application moved by the Punjab Police’s local cyber cell for alleged provocative statements and criminal intimidation. Judicial Magistrate Ravtesh Inderjit Singh, in an order to the Mohali police, said, “Whereas Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga stands charged with an offence punishable under Section 153-A, 505, 505 (2) and 506 of the IPC, you are hereby directed to arrest and produce him before me.” The next date of hearing continued on page 7 Full strength: SC gets 2 new judges Tribune News Service NEW APPOINTMENTS New Delhi, May 7 The government today notified the appointment of Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Gujarat High Court judge Justice JB Pardiwala as judges of the Supreme Court. With these appointments, the working strength of the Supreme Court will reach 34, which is its sanctioned strength. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, had recommended their names for elevation to the top court earlier this week. The newly ■ Gauhati HC Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia ■ Gujarat HC judge Justice JB Pardiwala appointed judges are expected to take oath on Monday, sources said. Justice Pardiwala is likely to become the CJI having tenure of almost three years, if the line of succession is not disturbed. Six judges, including CJI NV Ramana and his successor Justice UU Lalit, are due to retire later this year. Born on August 10, 1960, Justice Dhulia joined the Bar at the Allahabad High Court in 1986 and shifted to his home state Uttarakhand on its formation in 2000. He was the first Chief Standing Counsel in the Uttarakhand HC and was later an Additional Advocate General for Uttarakhand. He was designated a Senior Advocate in 2004. He was elevated as a judge of Uttarakhand HC in November 2008 continued on page 7 Health Council rejects WHO data Resolution: Claims on excess Covid deaths ‘flawed assumption’ Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 7 Two days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 47 lakh Covid deaths in India, 10 times higher than officially reported, the country’s top health policy making body on Saturday rejected excess death projections and expressed disappointment at the WHO modelling. The Central Council of Health and Family Welfare DISTRESSING Deeply disappointed and distressed by the WHO’s modelling-based exorbitant estimates of excess Covid mortality. ❝ Council of Health & Family Welfare (CCHFQ), comprising the Union Health Minister as chairperson and state health ministers as members, today passed a resolution saying “the council was deeply dis- appointed and distressed by the WHO’s modelling-based exorbitant estimates of excess mortality during the pandemic”. It said the WHO estimates had been drawn based on “flawed mathematical assumptions and were unacceptable in view of the fact that India counts deaths due to all causes systematically through a transparent and legal process”. The WHO estimates put the global death toll associated continued on page 7