HP invites applications for Medha Protsahan Scheme
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Higher Education Department has invited applications from meritorious students preparing for competitive exams under ‘Medha Protsahan’ scheme, Director, Higher Education Department Amarjeet Kumar Sharma, said here. These applications have been invited from candidates taking coaching from institutions identified by Higher Education Department within the state or other states preparing for CLAT/ NEET/IIT/ AIIMS/ AFMC/NDA etc. and UPSC/SSC/Banking and Insurance, Railways etc. entrance exam. Under this scheme the selected candidates would be provided with maximum financial assistance of rupees one lakh only once in life time. The candidates can utilize this financial assistance for institution fees, books etc. while preparing for competitive exams. The last date for applying under this scheme has been extended to January 15.
2 Haryana men caught with heroin in Himachal
Hamirpur: Two Haryana residents have been caught with heroin and charas in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, police said on Saturday. Prem Maurya and Bablu were arrested after recovery of 39 gram heroin and 71 gram charas from their possession when the police raided their rented accommodation in Anu Kalan area in Hamirpur after a tip-off. A case under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act had been registered against them and further investigation was on.
SAD siding with murderers: Cong MP Bittu
Ludhiana: Congress MP from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the SAD of “siding with murderers” after the party decided to urge the Centre to commute the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for killing former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.
The Congress MP, who is the grandson of the slain leader, lashed out at SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, saying the decision has “exposed his real face”. He said the Akalis have stood with the murderers and it has shown their real mentality among peace-loving Punjabis. He also flayed the SAD chief for visiting the house of Rajoana’s sister Kamaldeep Kaur. “Thousands of people lost their lives during the dark days of terrorism in the state and the Akalis stand in the favour of perpetrators of these crimes. It exposes their real face. It clearly shows that the Akalis led by Sukhbir supported such people, which is sad,” Bittu said. He said the former CM attained martyrdom safeguarding the rights of Punjabis and for maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state.
Nafe Singh Rathi appointed Haryana INLD chief
Chandigarh: The Indian National Lok Dal has appointed former legislator Nafe Singh Rathi as the party’s Haryana unit chief. He will succeed Birbal Das Dhalia, who, senior party leader Abhay Singh Chautala said, has been elevated as the Indian National Lok Dal’s (INLD) national president. “Rathi, a two-time MLA, has been appointed as the new chief of state (Haryana) unit of INLD on the advice of party supremo Om Prakash Chautala after his consultations with senior party members,” Abhay Chautala said. Rathi is a former MLA from Bahadurgarh assembly constituency. The INLD slumped to its worst-ever performance in the October 2019 Haryana Assembly polls. Barring Chautala, who retained his Ellenabad seat in Sirsa district, all its candidates had to bite the dust.
Himachal CM calls on his U’khand counterpart
Shimla: Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur called on Chief Minister of Uttarakhand TS Rawat at Dehradun on Saturday and discussed various issues of mutual interest of both the States, a statement issued here said. BJP President Uttarakhand and Member of Parliament Ajay Bhatt, Vice Chairman HP State Civil Supplies Corporation Baldev Tomar, Political Adviser to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, OSD Shishu Dharma were present on the occasion among others.
Punjab CM releases Govt’s Diary, Calendar
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday released the Punjab Government’s Diary and Calendar for the year 2020. The new year calendar is dedicated to the Khulle Darshan-Didar of Sri Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar, in-charge Congress affairs for Punjab Asha Kumari, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, DGP Dinkar Gupta and Secretary Information and Public Relations, Punjab Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.