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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt employees adamant on ‘flag march' over ‘failed' OPS promise
Government staff from over 50 departments in Punjab will take out protest march in bypoll-bound Ludhiana West on Thursday demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for more than 2 lakh employees recruited after the implementation of the National Pension Scheme (NPS) on January 1, 2004. The protest, named flag march, has been called by Purani Pension Bahali Sangharsh Committee (PPBSC) and the Central Provident Fund Employees Union (CPFEU) 'to expose the unfulfilled promises of the AAP government, even after more than three years in power'. Sukhjeet Singh, convenor of the Punjab unit of CPFEU, said, 'Before coming to power, AAP had assured NPS employees that OPS would be restored within six months of forming the government. However, even after three-and-a-half years, the employees have received nothing beyond an incomplete notification'. PPBSC convener Jasvir Singh Talwara accused the government of spending crores of rupees on 'hollow advertising' campaigns, while failing to allocate funds for restoring OPS. 'This has led to widespread anger and resentment among more than two lakh government employees in the state,' he said, adding that extensive preparations have been made to bring this issue to the public's attention through the march. Sources said that senior officials as well the ruling party leaders have allegedly advised employees not to gather in large numbers in the poll-bound constituency. Talwara, however, asked, 'When political parties can organise roadshows, why can't we protest against the false promises made by the government? We are being approached by authorities not to bring in more than five vehicles. Our appeal to the voters of Ludhiana West is to vote for anyone but the AAP. It is time to teach this arrogant government a lesson.' The Ludhiana West bypoll was necessitated following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi Bassi. The candidates in fray included Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora (AAP), Bharat Bhushan Ashu (Congress), Parupkar Singh Ghuman (Shiromani Akali Dal), and Jiwan Gupta (Bharatiya Janata Party). Talwara said, 'The AAP already has 93 MLAs in 117-member Assembly. Winning one more seat will not change much for them, but a loss on this seat will send a strong message that they must take employee, farmer, industry, and public issues seriously.' Ajitpal Singh Jassowal, a PPBSC member, said they are mobilising a large number of vehicles and cadres, with duties assigned at the block level. 'During the march, employees will also distribute posters highlighting the AAP government's betrayal and breach of trust. These are meant to educate voters and encourage them to make an informed choice,' he said. The AAP had promised the implementation of OPS in its 2022 Punjab election manifesto. Later, ahead of the Himachal Pradesh elections in October 2022, employee unions in Punjab threatened to protest at the Ridge in Shimla to expose the non-implementation of OPS by the AAP government in Punjab. To pacify the protesters, the Punjab government had then announced that the OPS will be implemented soon. A formal notification followed on November 18, 2022, shortly before Punjab employee unions planned a four-day protest in Gujarat, also a poll-bound state then, to expose the AAP's inaction. Both protests were postponed after this, but as of now, OPS still has not been implemented. 'Unlike Himachal Pradesh, where OPS was implemented after the Congress government came to power in December 2022, Punjab continues to 'study the possibilities',' said Talwara. 'Now, they are asking us to switch to the unified pension scheme, but our demand is for full implementation of OPS.' Sukhjeet explained the technical differences between the two pension schemes. 'Under OPS, employees used to contribute to the General Provident Fund (GPF) up to 50 per cent of their salary, with a minimum of Rs 2,000 per month. This money was retained by the state government, and the scheme provided a fixed, lifelong monthly pension — 50 per cent of the last drawn salary—adjusted for inflation through dearness allowance (DA).'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Police probe insider angle in 15L robbery in Chachu Majra
Mohali: Five days after a robbery of approximately Rs 15 lakh was reported in Chachu Majra village, the local police remain puzzled by a series of unanswered questions and have yet to formally register a case. Police sources suggest the possibility of insider involvement, as the sequence of events has raised several suspicions. The robbery allegedly took place at the residence of Thakur Singh, who had reportedly kept the cash at home after selling land in 2024. During the incident, Thakur Singh and his son, Sukhjeet Singh, were rendered unconscious with a sedative, while his daughter was left unharmed. The robbers reportedly fled with the entire sum of Rs 15 lakh. The police sources said they are particularly intrigued by the fact that the robbers seemed to know exactly where the money was kept and targeted only the father and son. "Why was the daughter spared if the robbers had come prepared with sedatives? And how did they know the cash hadn't been deposited in a bank after the land sale and its exact placement?" a police officer asked. Another point of concern is the delayed reporting. The police sources said, the family approached authorities only the next afternoon, raising doubts about the sequence and nature of events. "If a robbery of this magnitude took place, why wasn't it reported immediately?" the officer added. Investigators are also curious about how the robbers managed to enter the house without alerting the family or neighbours. "There were no signs of forced entry — no doors or locks were broken. This raises the possibility that the robbers either had keys or were let in by someone from the inside," the source noted. Adding to the mystery is the behaviour of the daughter during the incident. "If the robbers already knew where the money was, why did they ask her about it instead of simply taking it? And why wasn't she subdued like the others?" the officer asked. While no official FIR has been registered yet, police say they are investigating the case from all possible angles and are confident that a breakthrough will come soon. A senior police officer stated, "We are looking into every detail and questioning the household. The facts will come out soon, and we will ensure justice is delivered."
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Faridkot police's initiative: Community-driven anti-drug initiative shows promising results
The Faridkot police administration has introduced a series of groundbreaking measures aimed at curbing the rising menace of substance abuse in the district. The initiative, which involves a combination of digital surveillance, community participation and transparent policing, is gaining widespread support and showing promising results in the battle against drug trafficking. Among the key components of the drive is the digital 'thikri pehra', a modern take on the traditional community watch system. This initiative, which involves the installation of night-vision CCTV cameras and sound recording devices, has been adopted by villages like Dhilwan, where 30 surveillance cameras have been set up with plans to install 20 more. The cameras have already proven effective in tracking criminal activities, such as the recent capture of youths involved in assault and the seizure of weapons. Faridkot police have also introduced a confidential ecosystem at the district police headquarters, where citizens can anonymously report information about drug suspects. Envelopes are provided at the SSP office for individuals to drop in tips, which are then opened by SSP Pragya Jain herself, ensuring confidentiality and immediate action. As of mid-May, the police have registered 198 drug-related cases, with 21% of them directly stemming from tips received from the public through the Safe Punjab helpline. These inputs have led to the arrest of 427 criminals, including 22 major drug smugglers and 380 peddlers since March. Community leaders play key role The police have roped in 1,353 community leaders, who are working through local committees to raise awareness and support the fight against drug abuse. The collaborative approach between the police and community members has been instrumental in making significant strides. One example is the village of Dhilwan, where local youth helped in installation of CCTV cameras procured at a cost of ₹8 lakh from government funds, said chairperson of the Faridkot district planning committee Sukhjeet Singh. In addition to tackling drug trafficking, Faridkot's police have also been proactive in addressing the issue of illegal de-addiction centres. A total of seven unlicenced centres have been shut down, the highest number in the state. Support for addicts While the crackdown on drug suppliers and traffickers is in full force, the Faridkot police have emphasised a compassionate approach to those struggling with addiction. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Pragya Jain, who is also a qualified ayurvedic practitioner, has made it a priority to treat addicts with care and medical attention. Two constables who fell victim to substance abuse themselves have been supported through de-addiction programmes and allowed to return to duty after completing their treatment. Rising success of OOAT clinics The ongoing efforts have led to an increase in the number of people seeking treatment at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics. Official data reveals a jump in outpatient numbers from 21,683 in February to 26,010 in April, signalling that more individuals are opting for de-addiction support. Public and civil society support The initiative has garnered praise from various quarters, including members of the civil society, professionals, and residents. Praveen Kala, president of the Sahara Service Society, noted that the recent arrest of notorious drug supplier Aman Arora, who had long evaded police action, has significantly improved the police's credibility and reduced local crime such as chain-snatching and vehicle thefts. Former sarpanch Gurtej Singh echoed these sentiments, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated efforts, as seen in the packed de-addiction centres and increasing attendance at OOAT clinics. Director general of police Gaurav Yadav, during his visit to Faridkot in April, praised the district's efforts, stating that Faridkot has emerged as the most efficient in implementing community participation in the state's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. SSP Pragya Jain said: 'We have a zero-tolerance policy against anyone involved in the drug business. However, we also ensure that those who are addicted are treated with the compassion and medical support they need to overcome their addiction.'
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: 20-gm heroin seized, 1 held
A drug peddler possessing 20-gram heroin has been arrested, the police said on Monday. The suspect has been identified as Sukhjeet Singh, a resident of Sandhwa Kotkapura village in Faridkot district. He was residing as a paying guest in Sector 91, Mohali. DSP (City 2) Harsimran Singh Bal said Sukhjeet was caught at a checkpoint by a police team, led by inspector Jashanpreet Singh, station house officer (SHO) of the Aero City police station. The DSP further mentioned that the accused was presented in court that sent him to one-day police remand. During interrogation, the accused revealed that he procured the drugs from an acquaintance in Ferozepur and sold them to his customers in Mohali, the police said. A case under Section 21 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the IT City police station.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Thousands join parade through Leicester to mark Sikh festival
Thousands of people marched through the centre of Leicester on Sunday to mark the Sikh festival of 10,000 people were thought to have visited for the three-hour Nagar Kirtan procession from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, on Holy Bones, through the centre of the city and celebrated earlier in the month, marks the founding of the Sikh community, known as Khalsa, in flags and food play key parts in marking the community celebration. Gurdwara congregation member Sukhjeet Singh said: "It's a chance for the whole of Leicester congregation to get together and show unity and love, give our flowers and our devotion together."He added: "It's also a chance for the wider community to participate, they're seeing what our religion is about and why we celebrate it."And the food and the festive spirit, it just spreads throughout the whole of Leicester."
