Latest news with #Satnam
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
With both arms lost at work, monthly pension proving elusive for Satnam
A tragic incident that occurred on August 28, 2024, in Phase 8, Mohali, continues to haunt not only Satnam Singh but anyone who hears about it. Speaking to The Indian Express, Satnam, 29, shared that he was working as a lineman under a contractor for the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The accident happened while he was repairing a power line on a pole. After completing the repair, as he was climbing down, he was suddenly electrocuted and fell. When he regained consciousness, he was in a hospital with one of his arms already amputated. A few days later, his condition worsened and he was admitted to the PGIMER, where doctors informed him that the second arm would also need to be amputated. 'Since that day, my life has come to a complete standstill. I've lost the ability to work. The only thing I constantly see is my elderly mother, who once depended on me. I used to support her and run the household, but now I'm forced to rely on her, even for survival. I feel like a burden,' Satnam said with tears in his eyes. Struggling for pension The 29-year-old was hopeful of receiving a monthly pension of Rs 14,000 through the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) — a benefit for differently-abled workers. But for more than nine months, he has been stuck in a bureaucratic maze of forms, medical board approvals, and paperwork. Each visit to a government office brings a new excuse or delay. 'It feels like my life is now trapped in files… and I've become a burden on my aged mother,' he added. Satnam said that he has been informed that his final medical examination has been approved and that within a week, his documents will be ready, and his pension will begin. What the ESIC pension rules say A minimum of six months of ESIC contribution is mandatory; in cases of permanent disability, 100 per cent of the last drawn salary is provided as pension. A medical board must verify and certify the disability, and salary for the period of medical leave is also covered under ESIC. When contacted regarding this case, ESIC Director Pankaj Vohra confirmed that he had personally sent a team to assist Satnam and ensure his documents were completed. He also said the team informed him that a partial payment had already been made to Satnam, and the pension would begin within the next couple of days. PSPCL union president Lakkha Singh said the union had to struggle extensively to get the authorities to respond to Satnam's case. He also pointed out that the power department does not recruit linemen directly anymore, which leads to untrained workers being sent up electric poles by contractors, often at the risk of their lives. Lakkha added that a lineman recently lost his life due to electrocution in Zirakpur. He emphasised that the only real solution is for the electricity board to resume direct recruitment to ensure proper training and safety for all workers.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Illegal medical store of ‘drug peddler' razed
In a continued crackdown on drug-related activities, the Ludhiana police commissionerate on Tuesday demolished an illegally constructed medical store in the Daba area that was allegedly being used as a front for narcotics distribution. According to police, the store was operated by a known drug peddler Satnam Singh alias Lovely, a resident of New Sunder Nagar, Lohara. Police said that Satnam has been booked in at least five criminal cases, including multiple offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Though previously arrested, he is currently out on bail. According to investigators, Satnam misused the medical store to supply drugs to local addicts while maintaining the façade of a legitimate pharmacy. The structure had been built without proper authorization, making it subject to demolition under municipal and criminal provisions. A team led by deputy commissioner of police (Investigation) Harpal Singh, with assistance from the Ludhiana municipal corporation, carried out the demolition. 'The premises had become a hub for drug distribution in the locality. We are taking strict action against such illegal activities and properties that facilitate drug trade,' said DCP Harpal Singh. This latest demolition follows a similar action on May 5, when authorities razed the illegally constructed house of Lakhan, a convicted drug trafficker, in Transport Nagar. Lakhan is currently lodged in jail.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
4 held with heroin, cash & weapons in Mohali
Mohali: Four peddlers were arrested with 211gm of heroin, Rs 8.10 lakh in drug money, two pistols and 16 live cartridges and two cars Monday. Police produced them before the local court and obtained a four-day remand for further interrogation. The accused were identified as Satnam Singh alias Nikku, 24, from Phase 1, Suraj, 22, from Sohana, Sukhwinder Singh, 35, from Nakodar, and Suhail, 33, from Balongi. Charges under the Arms Act, NDPS Act, and relevant BNS sections have been pressed against them. SSP (Mohali) Deepak Pareek SSP said, "During preliminary investigation, it was found that two suspects, Satnam Singh and Suhail, have a past record of criminal cases. Satnam was booked under the Arms Act at City Kharar police station, while Suhail has multiple cases, including attempt to murder, at Sohana PS in Mohali." The SSP said the crime branch was tipped off about Satnam, Suraj and Sukhwinder carrying illegal weapons in a car and planning a major crime. Acting on this information, police set up a checkpoint near the Mauli Baidwan village and apprehended the suspects. A .32 bore pistol, a magazine, five live cartridges and 211gm of heroin were seized from them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Take control of your bills with our solar panel kits SaverSuns Undo Further investigation revealed that Satnam obtained the heroin from Suhail. Based on this information, the police named Suhail in the case, raided his location, and arrested him too. One more .32 bore pistol with six cartridges, five cartridges of a .30 bore pistol, and Rs 8.10 lakh in drug money were seized from him. Ten more grams of heroin was found in his car. The police are investigating the source of the heroin and to whom it was to be delivered. They are also questioning the suspects about the illegal weapons and their associates.
