Punjab

The political game in Pakistan’s Punjab Province is taking a new turn, with neither the PPP nor the PML-N willing to compromise or budge on their respective stances.

The Nation quotes political observers as saying that the distance between PPP Governor Salman Taseer and PML-N Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is widening with the passage of time and warns that a direct confrontation between them may create a new problem, especially for the province and for the country in general.

After the success of ace shooter Abhinav Bindra in Beijing Olympics more than 1600 shooters are taking part in the 18th All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship being held in Punjab state.

The championship holds a great significance for the shooters who wish to qualify for the National Shooting Championships.

The shooting championship, which started on December 7 at Punjab Armed Police (PAP) shooting range Jalandhar, under the aegis of the National Rifle Association and Punjab Rifle Shooting Association, will conclude on December 16.

A temple dedicated to the Sun God and having a number of old idols here, is close to losing its grandeur because of continued official apathy.

Located in Turkpatti Village, the Sun Temple is about 18 kilometres from Kushinagar. It was built by the local villagers after a huge and exquisitively carved idol of Surya (the Sun God) made of black stone,was discovered while tilling a piece of land.

The temple has idols belonging to the 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th centuries and is visited by villagers and tourists with deep respect and revernce.

Being one of the oldest towns in Punjab, Bathinda today steadily emerging as the State’s modern industrial city.

Bathinda City today boasts of having Asia''s biggest railway junction and one of the biggest food-grain and cotton markets in India.

Major developments plans have been put in place since last year.

The government plans to set-up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for textile, a domestic airport, an air-conditioned bus terminal-cum-commercial complex, a flying academy and a cricket stadium.

An eight-member Central medical team reviewed the sudden spurt of dengue cases in Punjab on Tuesday.

Punjab has reported at least 3000 cases of dengue fever of which 2000 are from Ludhiana District alone.

About 15 persons are reported to have died of the fever so far.

A team of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) that conducted surveillance drive in the city said although the district is taking measures to check the growth of dengue cases in the city, they would provide all possible help wherever required.

Diwali, the festival of light, brings excitement to our mundane lives. And clearly visible is Punjab’s consumption oriented culture and the desire to spend without restraint during the festive season.

Besides myriad lights and dazzling fireworks, the markets are offering discounts and schemes along with a host of attractions to the shoppers.

Punjab has emerged as one of the favourite investment destinations of the country, following connectivity to other places and other advantages.

To attract more investors to the State, the Punjab government has asked the Centre to prepare a blueprint, which factors in the natural potential of the state.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry recently conducted a survey with Konard Adenaeur Foundation on `State Level Reforms – Increasing Investment in Punjab’.

The report has suggested reorganization of State’s infrastructure.

Popular for his jibes on political opponents, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu of the Bharatiya Janta Party on Wednesday hailed Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi''s visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

"Rahul Gandhi is a leader of the Congress Party. It felt nice that he visited the Sri Amritsar Sahib. I welcome this gesture. This place, in philosophy, always seeks "Sarbat Da Bhala" (welfare of all). He paid obeisance and bowed before the almighty here. It felt good. I wish him all the best," said Sidhu, a Member of Parliament from Amritsar .

Militants in tribal areas in the NWFP have firmly set up their network in the Punjab province and young boys were being recruited from there, warned NWFP Governor Owais Ghani.

He said that Punjab was fast turning into a hotbed for terrorists.

Chandigarh, Sept 15 (ANI): A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the custodial interrogation of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in connection with a graft case registered by the State’s Vigilance Bureau.

Justices Adarsh Goel and Ajay Tewari also issued notices to the Punjab Assembly through its Secretary and directed him to file the reply on or before October 31.

Last week, the Bench had reserved its judgment on Singh''s plea seeking a stay in the case and on his expulsion from the Punjab Legislative Assembly.