Four tourists killed, three injured in Himachal
Shimla: Four tourists were killed and three others injured when their vehicle fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Monday. The accident took place near the Ghiagi area on Banjar-Jalori-Jot road, Police said. The three injured passengers -- two women and a man -- were admitted to a hospital, and identities of the deceased tourists have not been ascertained yet, they said. The vehicle, an SUV, involved in the accident was bearing a Delhi registration number, police said.
Punjab Transport minister finds irregularities at Bathinda RTA office after surprise check
Chandigarh: Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Monday found various irregularities in permits and bus timetables while conducting a surprise check at the office of the Regional Transport Authority in Bathinda. He directed Principal Secretary (transport) Vikas Garg to investigate the matter and report him within a week. The minister said reports of irregularities in the RTA office were being received for several days. There were irregularities in the bus timetable prepared by the office and many permits were reportedly issued illegally, he said. ''Some genuine bus operators were not given permits and many were not given due space in the timetable,'' Bhullar said. ''Reports of occupation of the RTA office by private bus operators also came true when employees of New Deep, Orbit and other private bus operators were found sitting there during the surprise check,'' he said. Bhullar instructed the office staff to rectify the shortcomings immediately otherwise strict action will be taken against them. The minister also reviewed the functioning of the Bathinda bus stand taking stock of sanitation, potable water and other facilities. He also spoke to the passengers about the problems they faced at the bus stand.
Marginal drop in maximum temperatures in Haryana, Punjab; heat wave persists
Chandigarh: Maximum temperatures in Haryana and Punjab dropped marginally on Monday, even as they remained well above normal. In Haryana's Gurugram, the mercury came down to 44.7 degrees Celsius from 48.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, according to the meteorological department. Hisar recorded a high of 42.8 degrees Celsius, down from 47.3 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Sirsa's maximum temperature dropped to 41.8 degrees Celsius from 47.2 degrees Celsius a day ago. Rohtak recorded a maximum temperature of 43.3 degrees Celsius, Bhiwani 42.7 degrees Celsius, Ambala 41.7 degrees Celsius and Kurukshetra 41.7 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a high of 42.6 degrees Celsius, down four notches from Sunday. The mercury settled at 41.7 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana, 42.1 degrees Celsius in Patiala, 41.8 degrees Celsius in Jalandhar and 41.4 degrees Celsius in Mohali. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a high of 41 degrees Celsius.
Gang of interstate two-wheelers thieves busted, 22 motorcycles recovered
Chandigarh: Haryana Police on Monday busted a gang of inter-state bike lifters in Ambala district and recovered 22 stolen motorcycles from their possession. Two accused were arrested in this connection. A Haryana Police spokesperson informed that the gang was active in Ambala and Punjab and the bikes recovered from the possession of the miscreants were stolen from Ambala and the areas of Punjab adjoining Ambala like Lalru, Derabassi, Mohali, Handesara etc. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they had stolen 28 motorcycles from different places in Ambala and Punjab areas. Of which 22 bikes have been recovered. With their arrest, at least nine cases of bike thefts in Ambala were solved and in further probe, more of their aides could be arrested. The police team based on inputs has arrested the accused identified as Thakur Kapoor, a resident of Durga Nagar Ambala presently living in Baldevnagar and Gurpreet Singh aka Guri of village Mandaur.
PSPCL imposes fine Rs 88 lacs to 584 consumers for theft & other violations
Patiala: Punjab state power corporation limited has launched a campaign against the menace of theft of electricity in the state and on May 13 and 14, raids were conducted at different locations by various squads of enforcement wing of PSPCL. A Spokesman said that enforcement squads have checked 3035 electricity connections relating to high losses feeders in different areas of the state during the last two days. Out of which 120 power theft cases and 464 other irregularities and violations were detected. The total amount of Rs.88.18 lacs has been charged. During the checking of Dera Sarhala near Jentipur under Udoke sub-division (Amritsar), it was found that the entire load of 29.278 kW was running directly bypassing the meter through a cable from 25 kVA transformer installed outside the camp. The consumer has been fined Rs 5.12 lacs for power theft. The connections of 124 houses in the colony of P.A.P. Complex Jalandhar, were checked. Out of which 23 were found stealing electricity. The amount of Rs.6.23 lacs has been charged under the Electricity Act 2003.
Rain, thunderstorm likely in Himachal Pradesh for next three days
Shimla: Thunderstorms and rain along with light hailstorms are expected to be seen in parts of Himachal Pradesh from Monday to Wednesday, bringing a respite from the prevailing heat spell. Rain and snowfall is likely in higher altitude areas of the state, the Meteorological department said in Shimla on Monday. Due to fresh Western Disturbance in mid-troposphere levels with its axis at 5.8 km above sea level, light to moderate thunderstorm or rainfall is expected, it said.