Briefly region

Cong MP wants to contest HP polls

Dharamsala:Chandresh Kumari,the CongressLok Sabha MP from Jodhpur,Thursday expressed her desire to contest from Dharamsala in the upcoming Himachal Assembly elections,slated to be held by this year end.”Though I am the MP from my paternal side Jodhpur,my heart remains with the people of my in-laws side of Dharamsala. “The party ticket shall be given by the party president Sonia Gandhi,and I have applied for the same as everybody has a right to ask for ticket,” Kumari told reporters here.When asked why she shifted to Jodhpur after a defeat in Assembly elections from Dharmsala in 2007,Kumari said that she had obeyed the high command,which wanted her to fight MP seat from Jodhpur.

Phillaur given additional charges

Chandigarh:On the advice of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil on Thursday allotted portfolios of Animal Husbandry,Fisheries,Dairy Development and Welfare of SC/BC to Cabinet Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur in addition to the portfolios of Tourism,Cultural Affairs and Jails already held by him,according to a CMO spokesperson.

Six trains to stop at Lakhanmajra

Rohtak:After raising a demand for a train-halt at their village,the residents of Lakhanmajra,Rohtak,on Thursday succeeded in getting their demand fulfilled. As many as three Delhi-bound trains and three trains to Jind,Ferozepur and Jakhal will now stop at Lakhanmajra station.

Haryana cracks whip on illegal clinics

Chandigarh:In its ongoing endeavour to check declining sex-ratio,the Haryana government has so far inspected over 14,576 clinics out of which the licences of 346 clinics has been suspended or cancelled and 30 persons including 24 doctors have been convicted for violation of PNDT Act. As many as 203 ultrasound machines have also been seized in addition to 82 court cases pending in lower courts and 41 in Punjab and Haryana High Court against those who violated the Act.

Fresh guidelines for VAT issued

Chandigarh:The Haryana government issued fresh guidelines regarding the treatment of Value Added Tax (VAT) accruing to the state on purchases and rate contracts processed through the Directorate of Supplies and Disposals. “As per revised guidelines,the benefit of 50 per cent VAT revenue discount,from the composite price bid,will be allowed only to those bidders who have set up their sales office in Haryana,before or at the time of submission of bids,” said a spokesperson of the Industries and Commerce Department.

SC/ST to get 5% marks relaxation in exams

Chandigarh:The Haryana government has decided to give relaxation of five per cent marks in qualifying examinations for appointment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to various teaching posts in all its technical education institutes.

Terrorist outfits getting active: ADGP

Amritsar:Highlighting information being received of terrorist outfits becoming active to vitiate the atmosphere in the state,Punjab Additional Director General of Police (law and order) S K Sharma on Thursday asked all police chiefs in Border Range Amritsar to keep an eye on elements associated with terrorist activities and persons receiving money from abroad through Hawala or other channels.