ZIRAKPUR-DERA BASSI BELT TO BE DEVELOPED AS URBAN CONGLOMERATE ZIRAKPUR DECEMBER 18:

The Zirakpur and Dera Bassi belt as most modern urban satellite towns was on the final stages of discussion and Punjab Government was contemplating to attract international real estate players in this area disclosing Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab while laying the foundation stone of 3.5 km long 6 lane Ring Road in Zirakpur to divert Delhi- Mohali traffic away from the Zirakpur. Badal said that he has envisioned this plan to facelift the total region and the focus was on planned growth of total area. He said that GMADA was also finalizing the contours of sectoral grid of this whole area and he has already ordered for planned development of inter sector roads. Announcing a Rs 80 crore new International Sports Stadium at Nabha Sahib, Badal said that focus of the Punjab Government was nurturing the sports talent at the ground level besides providing them expert coaching from international coaches. Announcing tri-nation (India, Pakistan and Iran) traditional wrestling championship, said that after ensuring Kabaddi a global recognition, the Punjab Government was also focusing on other traditional games like hockey and wrestling. Earlier, N.K. Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and local MLA thanked Mr. Badal for sanctioning multi crore development projects for the area.

SUKBIR GIVES FINAL TOUCHES TO THE MASTER PLAN OF ZIRAKPUR, DERA BASSI AND LALRU

Chandigarh, September 6 The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave final touch to master plans of Zirakpur, Dera Bassi and Lalru and asked the Urban Development and Town and Country Planning authorities to help GAMADA to convert the Zirakpur in sectors. During inspecting the project works of Mohali district, the deputy CM said the illegal construction in Zirakpur could not be tolerated. He asked the MLA Dera Bassi NK Sharma to convert the Zirakpur in sectors in coordination with concerned departments. Badal asked him (Sharma) to develop the Dera Bassi, Zirakpur and Lalru. Developing the Zirakpur modern town, Sukhbir told MLA Dera Bassi to upgrade the Zirakpur and provide proper basic amenities like road, sewerage and water supply. He also asked Sharma to plan a design to provide more green belts, stadiums and other entertainment things for Zirakpur and tabled in front of state govt. To develop a Industrial Hub in Lalru, Badal asked the MLA to make a plan to provide better facilities to upcoming industries.

AMARINDER HAS ADMITTED HIS POLITICAL FAILURE-SAD

Chandigarh, September 2 : The Shiromani Akali Dal today ridiculed the statement of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh on rebel Congressmen helping the SAD-BJP government and said that defeats struck Capt. Amarinder Singh was so paranoid of SAD-BJP combine that he sees SAD hand everywhere. Reacting to the statement of the Punjab Congress Chief, the party Joint Secretary and Treasurer Mr. NK Sharma in a statement released from party head office here today, said that it is fact that Capt. Amarinder Singh has failed to carry along his party with him and he was trying to deflect his failure to SAD to save his ‘Captaincy’ of the party. He said that he was so paranoid of SAD that he was hallucinating about presence of ruling party even in his dreams. He said that Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh has virtually accepted his political failure by calling various political parties to come to his rescue as his own party men have already deserted him. Mr. Sharma said that Capt. Amarinder Singh has now himself realized that he is a rejected leader of masses who was given a humiliating defeat by the people at the hands of SAD-BJP combine and now his own partymen have rejected his leadership. Thus he is now forced to seek crutches from other parties to make him stand in Punjab politics. Ridiculing the statement of the Congress leader on Congress rebels helping government, Mr. Sharma reminded Capt. Amarinder Singh that elections are over since long and he should come out of election mode now. He said that in no way leaders of the opposition party can help the government. Questioning the dubious silence of Capt. Amarinder Singh on JNRUM guidelines and arm twisting tactics of the Centre that forced Punjab to levy property and other taxes, Mr. Sharma said that instead of protesting against Punjab government, he should organize dharna before 10 Janpath that was eroding the financial sovereignty of states. He said that Capt. should apologize to the people of Punjab that he failed to convince the Congress led UPA government for removing these anti people taxing mandates to the states. He said that he should speak against the Centre government who has created a record of sorts by usurping the public money with series of scams unearthed by CAG and other bodies. Suggesting the Congress leader to accept the ground realities, Mr. Sharma said that Capt. Amarinder Singh should work for the welfare of the people instead of working as a puppet of the Centre to harm the interest of the states.

Rs 2.94 crore will spend on drainage system says Sharma

Zirakpur, Sept 2 The development of the newly included villages in Zirakpur Municipal Council will be done on priorities. This was stated by MLA Dera Bassi NK Sharma while laying the foundation stone of developments in Singhpura village here today. Talking to mediapersons, NK Sharma said that Rs 1.20 crore would be spent on development at the village. The roads of Singhpura village have been recarpeted and streetlights had installed in the area. He said to solve the problem of water logging on Zirakpur-Patiala highway near Lucky dhaba and surrounding areas, Rs 2.94 crore would be spent. Describing the drainage system, Sharma said with the help of this drainage system, the rain water would be directly throw in ghaggar near Bhankarpur village.

Zirakpur becoming a hotbed of gambling

Alkesh Sharma, TNN MOHALI: Zirakpur, which is considered a gateway to the city and to Himachal and is in close proximity to both the railway station and the airport, is gradually becoming a safe haven for gamblers, who head for it from places as far as Amritsar, Jalandhar and even Delhi. The mushrooming of many low-budget hotels in Zirakpur is also providing a secure refuge for gamblers, who indulge in "satta" on cricket and football and are even involved in online betting. Three days ago, police had arrested ten high-profile gamblers from a Zirakpur hotel, Nest, and had recovered around a dozen mobile phones -- that were being used in conducting their 'business' -- and around Rs. 3.50 lakh from their possession. Earlier too, police had arrested gamblers from a Zirakpur hotel during the IPL season. "Working on a tip-off, we laid a trap and arrested 10 persons on Sunday. They are from different towns of Punjab including Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala. They are all high-profile businessmen working in various fields including real-estate, besides agriculturists. Some even own petrol pumps. We recovered around Rs. 3.50 lakh cash from their possession," said Trilochan Singh, station house officer of Zirakpur, around 10km from Chandigarh. He added, "Earlier also we have arrested many gamblers, who were indulging in betting on cricket and playing "satta." Though it is a bailable offence, we are keeping a tab on the activities of the accused and have also put their phones under surveillance." A few weeks ago, Chandigarh police had busted an inter-state gang of gamblers, who were running this illegal business from Zirakpur. "Gamblers from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are using Zirakpur as a meeting point. They don't mind driving four to five hours to reach here. They remain in touch with each other through e-mails and then rent easily available hotel rooms here to run their activities," said a senior police official of Mohali.

Were obstructing natural flow of Baltana choe in Mohali

Pipelines removed following High Court's intervention Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 29 Pipelines reportedly affecting the natural flow of Baltana choe in Mohali have been removed following the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s intervention. But a petition filed in public interest for directions to the State of Punjab and its functionaries to stop “unauthorised construction” in the area earmarked for the natural choe has failed to find favour with the High Court. The petition filed by the Sahara Welfare Society, was disposed of by a Division Bench after it was informed that “the alleged choe, if any, existed on private land”. The directions by the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain are significant as they have now paved a way for the resumption of construction activity in the area. Only on May 22, the Mohali Deputy Commissioner was directed to inspect the disputed site at Baltana village. He was also asked to ensure that no unauthorised or illegal construction was raised in the choe. Builders were also restrained from raising any construction. Pursuant to the High Court's directions, the Deputy Commissioner visited the spot and submitted a report on August 2. After going through the report the same day, the High Court asked the Deputy Commissioner “to get demarcation done of the natural nullah starting from the railway line up to Shagun Hotel”. He was also asked to remove unauthorised constructions that had come up on public land. “It should also be ensured that nobody is allowed to throw dirty water in the nullah, without permission and meeting the sitting norms laid down by the Punjab Pollution Control Board,” the High Court ordered. As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Deputy Commissioner filed an affidavit saying Dera Bassi tehsildar, who was directed to demarcate Baltana choe, found that it was not marked on the revenue map. Moreover, the land on which it flowed belonged to “private persons”. He also found that up to 95 per cent area was already constructed and demarcation was not possible under such conditions. The Deputy Commissioner also informed the Bench that he had directed the Dera Bassi Sub Divisional Magistrate and Patiala Executive Engineer (drainage) to remove RCC pipes from the Baltana choe as per the High Court's directions. In his report, a Sub Divisional Officer submitted that the entire length of RCC pipes laid near Aastha Royal Homes, Baltana, had been removed. The Bench concluded: “In view of the report of the revenue authorities, it is not feasible to proceed further in the matter because in the absence of demarcation of the area. In this view of the matter, the writ petition is disposed of”.

NK SHARMA APPOINTED SAD TREASURER

Chandigarh, Sept 1 The President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal today appointed SAD Joint Secretary NK Sharma as treasurer of the party. Disclosing this in a statement released from the party head office here today, the party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that NK Sharma is MLA of Dera Bassi and presently serving as Chief Parliamentary Secretary Industry and Commerce. He said that Sharma is a dedicated leader of the party who had successfully accomplished every task given to him by the party President Sukhbir Singh Badal and now he has been promoted as treasurer of the party. The residents of the Zirakpur today congratulated NK Sharma for becoming treasurer of SAD. Jagtar Singh MC ward number 12 along with presidents of the ward 12 gave bouquet to Sharma at his office.