One held for graft
Roopnagar: The vigilance department has arrested Chander Mohan Kakkar, a steno at the district transport office (DTO) for allegedly accepting a gratification of Rs 500 from Baldev Singh of Chandigarh. According to the DSP (vigilance) Malwinder Singh Sidhu, the accused had sought the confiscated amount from Baldev Singh for returning the registration documents and route permit of his cab. The accused had also assured Baldev Singh of minimising the offense.

VSAT links
Chandigarh: Punjab Markfed has decided to link all its district offices and major plants with head office through satellite using VSAT to bring efficiency in communication. An official spokesman said here today that this system provides service for direct communication from both sides. It would be used for voice, fax and data communication (through online computers). He said that four districts of Patiala, Ludhiana, Moga and Jalandhar have already been linked and communication on VSAT was operative. Remaining districts were expected to become operational by April.

Medical teaching boycott
Amritsar: The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association has threatened to indefinitely boycott teaching in all medical and dental colleges from March 29. This was disclosed by Manohar Singh, president and B. S. Dhillon, state general secretary, in a joint press release issued here today. They said they had taken a strong exception to the alleged vindictive attitude of the government in which 10 senior medical and dental teachers were either allegedly suspended or transferred to far off places without any valid reason.

Mandi board chief
Chandigarh: Mal Singh Ghuman today took over as the chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal were present on the occasion. After assuming charge, the new chairman presided over a meeting of the Board. He stated that mechanisation of mandis would be his priority and he would ensure farmers get their due.

World theatre day
Patiala: The Rashtriya Jyoti Kala Manch will organise a function on March 27 at A.C. National Model School, Zirakpur, on the World Theatre Day. Rakesh Thakur, director of the Manch, said here today that the Manch will present a play Aag Lagee Mahilan Noon penned by Kulwant Walia. Amrit Bir Singh Gulati, social worker, will preside over the function where as Narinder Sharma will be the chief guest.

Smuggler held
Gurdaspur: The Pathankot Sadar Police have arrested Tarlok Singh, a resident of Goindwal, who was allegedly involved in the smuggling of ``ganja'' worth Rs one crore.Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police Varinder Kumar said here today that on a tip-off, a police party, led by SHO Sadar Pathankot, Prem Kumar, arrested the accused during a raid conducted on his hideout in Pathankot area yesterday. Kumar said that the accused had smuggled ``ganja'' from Mazbat, in Assam, to Dewria, in Uttar Pradesh, in January.