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PSPCL Workers Plan Mass Leave Protest Due to Unmet Demands

Background of the Issue

In Punjab, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) manages electricity generation and distribution.

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PSPCL Workers Plan Mass Leave Protest Due to Unmet Demands

PSPCL workers plan mass leave protest after failed talks between the power minister and employee unions, raising concerns over possible electricity disruptions in Punjab, including cities like Mohali and Chandigarh. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), responsible for power generation and distribution, faces growing unrest among its workforce.

From August 11 to 13, electricity workers across the state will take mass leave and stage protests outside power offices. This move could cause serious interruptions in supply, affecting daily life for thousands of residents. The unions have also planned demonstrations at district headquarters on August 15, coinciding with Independence Day, to amplify their demands.

Several major unions are leading this protest, including the PSEB Employees Joint Forum, Bijli Mulazim Ekta Manch Punjab, Association of Junior Engineers, Grid Sub-Station Employees Union, Powercom/Transco Pensioner Union Etka Punjab, and the Pensioner Welfare Federation of Powercom and Transco. These groups represent both current employees and pensioners, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction within the sector.

The unions are pushing for urgent action on multiple issues. Key demands include the release of 13% pending dearness allowance, restoration of the old pension scheme, correction of pay and pension anomalies, and the regularisation of contract staff. They are also calling for recruitment to nearly 50,000 vacant posts, stressing the severe manpower shortage in the sector.

Beyond these demands, workers are also troubled by other pressing concerns. They cite the absence of compensation for families of employees who die on duty, lack of free medical care for injured workers, and unfair implementation of central pay scales. These issues add to their frustration and sense of neglect.

Additionally, unions accuse the government of quietly moving toward privatization. This fear of policy shifts has intensified the anger of workers, who believe their rights and future security are being overlooked.

Punjab has faced electricity crises before, most recently in 2021, when widespread outages exposed the fragility of the sector. Many residents worry that without immediate action, history could repeat itself during this new wave of protests.

The outcome of this confrontation will be critical. If the government engages meaningfully with workers, it could avert large-scale disruption. However, failure to address the concerns might lead to a breakdown in services, directly affecting people across Punjab.

In conclusion, PSPCL workers plan mass leave protest as a way to press for long-standing demands and resist perceived neglect. While residents brace for possible blackouts, there is hope that dialogue and fair solutions will soon resolve the crisis for both workers and the public.

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Pinjore Man Found Guilty of Killing Stepdaughters

A 70-year-old man from Pinjore, Haryana, was found guilty of murdering his two stepdaughters.

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Pinjore Man Found Guilty of Killing Stepdaughters
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A 70-year-old Pinjore man found guilty of murdering his two stepdaughters nearly six years after the crime shocked the community. Additional Sessions Judge Bikramjit Aroura delivered the verdict and will announce the sentence on Friday.

The man, originally from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, lived in a village in Pinjore at the time of the murders. The case began when his wife went to the police and shared her story of hardship and life with him.

She first married in 1996 and had five children, three daughters and two sons. After her first husband died in 2006, she married the accused in 2007. They lived in Uttar Pradesh until 2016, where she worked as a laborer while he ran a vegetable shop from home.

As years passed, the children grew older. The two eldest daughters, aged 22 and 18, worked at a company in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. Their 20-year-old brother found work in Mumbai. The youngest daughter, aged 16, stayed at home, while the youngest son studied. The mother worked at a PVC pipe warehouse in Gorakhnath.

The tragic day came on May 12, 2019. The mother and her youngest son went to their native village and returned two days later. That evening, around 7 pm, the accused asked for rice. When his wife stepped out to buy gutka, he brutally attacked his daughters.

The 18-year-old lay dead in the hallway with a deep neck wound. Her elder sister, aged 22, lay inside the room with multiple stab injuries. The mother screamed for help, neighbors rushed in, and the accused escaped.

Later, the youngest daughter revealed that her stepfather had tried to molest her. When her elder sisters confronted him, he grew violent and killed them with a knife. She saved herself by hiding in the bathroom.

Police filed an FIR under Section 302 of the IPC and Section 12 of the POCSO Act. They soon arrested the man and recovered the knife along with his bloodstained clothes. Prosecutors formally filed charges in October 2019, and the trial finally brought him to justice.

This case shows the urgent need to protect women and children from violence. Families in Punjab and Haryana face social and economic struggles, and crimes like this expose deeper issues of safety and security.

As the sentencing approaches, the people of Pinjore watch closely. They want justice for the victims to not only punish the guilty but also send a strong warning that society will not tolerate such crimes. In the end, the case of the Pinjore man found guilty reminds everyone of their duty to safeguard women and children everywhere.

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Punjab Vigilance Attaches Properties of Dismissed Officer Linked

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau recently took action against Rachna Singla, a former officer, by attaching eight of his properties.

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Punjab Vigilance Attaches Properties of Dismissed Officer Linked
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The punjab vigilance attaches properties of dismissed officer Rachna Singla as part of a wider investigation into the 2020-21 grain tender scam. Officials revealed that eight of his properties were attached and his bank accounts frozen, marking a significant step in the ongoing fight against corruption in Punjab.

The scam took place during the Congress government’s tenure and revolved around allotting foodgrain tenders for labor, cartage, and transport in Ludhiana. Along with Singla, former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu was named in the case. However, Ashu later received relief from the high court.

The attached properties show Singla’s heavy investments in real estate. These include five shops at “The Celebration Bazar” on GT Road in Khanna, a Chandigarh flat, an office space in International Trade Tower at Mullanpur, and a commercial site in the Lake Commercial Project at SAS Nagar. Authorities also froze a bank balance of Rs 1.08 crore linked to rental income from these properties.

Investigators noted that Singla’s family also benefited financially. Swaraj and Siddharth Singla, his relatives, earned Rs 14.32 lakh and Rs 16.25 lakh in rental returns. These links reveal a deeper financial web tied to questionable sources of income.

On September 15, a Punjab court ordered that Singla and his legal heirs cannot sell, transfer, or mortgage these properties during the inquiry. This ensures that evidence and assets remain secure. The Vigilance Bureau stressed that the step was necessary to prevent tampering with the investigation.

The Bureau had already filed multiple FIRs against Singla, charging him with conspiracy, corruption, and embezzlement. Allegations suggested he collected far more wealth than his known sources of income could justify. Reports also show that Singla and his wife, residents of Rajguru Nagar in Ludhiana, are evading arrest. The court has declared them proclaimed offenders, making them fugitives in the eyes of law enforcement.

The case points to a wider issue of corruption during the previous government. Several officials are under the scanner for financial misconduct and misuse of power. This scandal has further raised public demand for accountability and transparency.

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau continues to track the grain tender scam. Officials say that more arrests and asset seizures may follow as the investigation progresses. They aim to uncover the full chain of corruption and bring everyone involved to justice.

Citizens in Punjab see this case as a test of the government’s commitment to clean governance. By acting strongly, the Bureau hopes not only to punish the guilty but also to send a warning to others who may misuse public resources.

In conclusion, the punjab vigilance attaches properties of dismissed officer Rachna Singla highlights how strong action against corruption can protect democracy. These steps show that the fight for honesty and fairness in governance remains active in Punjab.

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Police Seize Large Stockpile of Firecrackers Near Phagwara

In a big operation late Thursday night, the SBS Nagar police took a large amount of firecrackers from a poultry farm in Mehli village, near Phagwara.

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Police Seize Large Stockpile of Firecrackers Near Phagwara
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In a big late-night raid, police seize large stockpile of firecrackers from a poultry farm in Mehli village near Phagwara. The SBS Nagar police carried out the operation on Thursday, just before the festive season when illegal firecracker sales usually rise. Officers arrested three men linked to the case.

The raid happened under the leadership of Nawanshahr SSP Mehtab Singh. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav announced the success and praised the team for acting quickly before major festivals like Dasehra. He said that such timely actions stop large amounts of unsafe explosives from reaching the public.

The police acted on specific intelligence about illegal activities. After getting the tip, they raided the poultry farm in Mehli village under Behram Police Station. Investigators believe the farm was used to make and store illegal firecrackers. This highlights the rising issue of unsafe firecracker operations across Punjab.

DGP Yadav confirmed that the police recovered about 3,850 kg of explosive materials. These included 400 kg of potash in eight bags, 1,050 kg of packed firecrackers in seventy boxes, 1,600 kg of fire-base crackers in one hundred boxes, and 800 kg of grounded coal in forty bags. Officers noted that the value of these items runs into lakhs of rupees, showing the massive scale of the trade.

The authorities sealed the poultry farm and took the seized items for forensic and legal checks. SSP Mehtab Singh said investigators want to know whether the explosives were made at the farm or brought from another state. He also noted that the arrested men came from Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, pointing to a possible cross-border smuggling network.

With Dasehra close, the police stressed the dangers of such illegal activity. Firecrackers made without safety rules often cause accidents, injuries, and deaths. Community safety, therefore, depends on strict actions like these raids. Officials added that the Punjab government will keep taking strong steps to stop illegal firecracker supply before festivals.

Local authorities also urged people to celebrate responsibly. They reminded everyone that buying or using illegal firecrackers breaks the law and endangers lives. Safe celebrations depend on legal fireworks and basic safety measures.

As investigations continue, the police aim to trace the supply chain and catch others involved. Their effort reflects a broader push to make sure Punjab celebrates festivals with joy but without risks.

In conclusion, this major raid where police seize large stockpile of firecrackers shows how strong enforcement protects public safety. With awareness, strict monitoring, and community support, festivals can remain safe and full of happiness.

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