Udham Singh Nagar: Badal speaks
to other parties
CHANDIGARH, Aug 8 — The Akalis are satisfied with the support they are getting on the vexed issue of Udham Singh Nagar district from different political parties. Meanwhile, at an Akali conference in Baba Bakala, SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra has demanded that Mrs Sonia Gandhi should clarify the Congress stand on the issue.

Punjab, Haryana unhappy over support price
CHANDIGARH, Aug 8 — Punjab and Haryana are unhappy over the minimum support price of paddy announced by the Centre.

People's commission holds "court"
CHANDIGARH, Aug 8 — A people's commission on human rights violations in Punjab began its three-day "court" in the convention hall of the gurdwara in Sector 34 here.
PU Regional Centre inaugurated
MUKTSAR, Aug 8 — Filling of posts of teachers in rural areas is high on the agenda of the Punjab Government, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while inaugurating the Regional Centre of Panjab University here today.
MLA advocates 'kundi' connections
MUKTSAR, Aug 8 — The state Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal faced some embarrassing moment here today when the local Akali MLA, Mr Harnirpal Singh flayed the functioning of different government departments in his (Mr Badal's) presence.
College teachers' stir from Aug 11
JALANDHAR, Aug 8 — The secretariat of the All-India Federation of University and College teachers Organisations reiterated its resolve to go ahead with its proposed nation-wide indefinite strike from August 11
Bias against Cong nominees alleged
GURDASPUR, Aug 8 — Mr Khushhal Bahl, senior Congress activist and former minister, talking to newspersons said here today that the elections of directors of the local Primary Agriculture Development Limited, slated for August 13, were a farce. He also alleged discrimination against Congress nominees.

Udham Singh Nagar: Badal speaks
to other parties
By Gobind Thukral
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 8 — The Akalis are satisfied with the kind of support they are getting on the vexed issue of Udham Singh Nagar district from different political parties, including those that constitute the 13-party coalition government at the Centre.

The Punjab Chief Minister and Akali Dal President , Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has spoken to a number of leaders after the Political Affairs Committee of the Akali Dal threatened to walk out of the coalition government. He is in touch with most of the leaders, it is learnt.

Mr Badal will shortly write to these leaders explaining in detail why the Akalis and certain other parties want to keep Udham Singh Nagar district out of the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal. Mr Badal when he visits Delhi on August 10 and 11 will once again impress upon the BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the reasons for the vehement opposition of the Akali Dal. He will also meet other leaders. The only party, Mr Badal, as he explained , would not like to meet is the Congress. "That party has no principles and no commitment and we have seen enough of it", he has said. Others are not untouchable to talk to on this issue, senior Akali leaders here said.

Samajwadi Party leader, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, who along with the CPM General Secretary , Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet, and former Union Social Minister, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, had been taking the same line, has now come out with more strong support. He is demanding that both Hardwar and Udham Singh Nagar, districts should be kept out of the proposed state of Uttaranchal. He has even threatened an agitation.

His stand would be helpful to the cause of the Akalis as his party would not vote for the Bill as has been approved by the Union Cabinet and sent to the President. The Bill has to come to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. A section of the BJP is also opposed to the inclusion of Hardwar district in the proposed hill state. In fact, most political parties in that holy district of Hardwar are unanimous on this issue. The Akalis here see some common cause.

"If tomorrow the district of Hardwar is excluded , we would have a greater reason to press for the exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar district", Akali Dal General Secretary and Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh here said. He stressed that the Akali stand would be finally vindicated.

There is another area from where the Akalis have got support. Trinamul Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee has received a memorandum from a large number of Bengali settlers of Udham Singh Nagar district asking her to oppose the inclusion of that district in the proposed new state. She is also likely to support the Akali demand. She said that at least 20 per cent population of that district was of Bengali origin and did not want to be part of the hill state. And, the government should reconsider it.

"You would see slowly and steadily many other leaders siding with us. After all the Samata Party leader and Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes is demanding huge compensation in case of the creation of a separate state of Vananchal consisting of Jharkhand area which consists of the rich mine belt. So it is not that easy as is being made out", Capt Kanwaljit Singh added.

Meanwhile, a large number of farmers from Udham Singh Nagar district have met Mr Badal here and thanked him for the total support he has lent.

Sonia must clarify Cong stand: Tohra
From H.S. Bhanwer
Tribune News Service

BABA BAKALA, (Amritsar) Aug 8 — Senior Akali leaders have reiterated that if Udham Singh Nagar district of UP was not excluded from the proposed Uttaranchal state the party would withdraw support from the Atal Behari Vajpayee government at the Centre.

Addressing a well-attended Akali conference on the occasion of the annual 'Rakhar punya' fair here today. The SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and the Cooperation Minister, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura said that the party would not budge from its stand.

Mr Tohra said that if the Shiromani Akali Dal's demand was not met it would not hesitate to recall its two ministers and withdraw support. He said Punjabi farmers had converted the marshy forest land into fertile farmland and contributed to the foodgrain pool. The party would not allow them to be forced to migrate from the area through its merger with the proposed hill state. He said 1947 would not be allowed to be repeated.

Saying the Congress had been misleading the people on this sensitive issue, both Mr Tohra and Mr Brahmpura asked the Congress leadership to clarify its stand on the Udham Singh Nagar district. If the Congress is sincere on this issue, Mr Tohra said, Mrs Sonia Gandhi should direct the Congress leaders of Uttar Pradesh to oppose the inclusion of this district in Uttaranchal when the bill would be discussed in the assembly of that state after the assent of the president.

Mr Brahmpura, however, expressed the hope that the BJP leadership would appreciate the Akali stand and the matter would be resolved amicably.

Interestingly, the Chief Minister and SAD supremo, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who presided over the conference, did not touch on this emotive issue in his 35-minute speech.

Mr Badal instead announced that the irrigation system in the state would be overhauled at an estimated cost of Rs 200 to 300 crore and the canal and distributaries network would be improved, especially in the Majha region which has been trailing behind in terms of irrigation facilities. He has already asked the authorities concerned to prepare a plan for improving the irrigation network.

Pointing out that agriculture production had reached its saturation point in Punjab, the Chief Minister pleaded for diversification of crops and a switch to horticulture cash crops, dairy farming etc.

He said educated youth should opt for self-employment instead of hankering after white collar jobs. They should study and join the 'Padhri Kalan' experiment.

Mr Badal announced all-round development of this historic town under a master plan. He announced Rs two crore grant for this purpose. He also sanctioned Rs five lakh for renovation of the nearby government college building at Sathiala.

The Chief Minister also announced that Bhindi Saidan, a backward village in Ajnala sub-division would be developed as a model village.

Punjab, Haryana unhappy over support price
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 8 — Punjab and Haryana, major paddy producing states in this part of the country are unhappy over the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy announced by the Central Government.

Accepting the recommendations of the Commission on the Agriculture Costs and Prices, the Union Cabinet which met last evening approved Rs 440 per quintal MSP for common varieties and Rs 470 for fine and superfine varieties.

The increase announced in the MSP is only Rs 25 more per quintal than the MSP of paddy last year. The MSP for common varieties of paddy was Rs 415 per quintal and for fine and superfine Rs 445 per quintal, last year.

While approving the MSP for paddy, the Union Government ignored the Punjab Government's plea for making upward revision in the MSP recommended by the Commission. In a letter sent to the Central Government, the Punjab Government had rejected the MSP recommended by the Commission and sought a price of Rs 500 per quintal for common and Rs 550 for fine and superfine varieties of paddy. Haryana had also sought MSP of paddy about Rs 550 per quintal, it is learnt.

However, the MSP of paddy fixed by the Central Government is far below the MSP sought by both the states. Though no official comment was available with regard to MSP of paddy from the Punjab Government but informed official sources said that this issue would figure at the meeting of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, with the Prime Minister at Delhi on August 10 and 11.

Mr Badal is schedule to visit Delhi on August 10 and 11 to discuss several issues pertaining to paddy with the Central Government. The Punjab Government wanted the early commencement of the procurement of the paddy in the state as it was expecting the arrival of about 20 lakh tonnes of paddy in various markets in September.

Normally procurement of paddy starts on October 1 but the state government may press the Union Government to start it from September 15 this year. There is another issue of determining the yield of rice from certain varieties of paddy.

The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, when contacted in this connection said that he was awaiting official intimation from the Union Government with regard to paddy's MSP. He said that after receiving the intimation, a meeting of the officials concerned would be called to discuss the price issue.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Union has strongly reacted to the MSP of paddy fixed by the Union Government. Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, general secretary of the union, said that his organisation had sought a price of Rs 750 per quintal. He said that the MSP announced by the Union Government was unacceptable to farmers.

Likewise, the Kisan wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has also rejected the MSP of Paddy. Mr Satnam Singh Behru, President of the wing, in a signed statement issued here today said that the anti-farmer policies of the BJP led Government in the Centre had started surfacing.

Previous Central Government used to make an increase between Rs 40 to Rs 95 per quintal but the BJP led Government had increased the price only Rs 25 per quintal. He has sought a price Rs 750 per quintal.

Mr Behru said that he had got the information that the new MSP would be implemented from October 1 while farmers would start bringing paddy to mandis in September. He said that when there would be no enforcement of MSP in September, private traders would exploit farmers and make them to sell the paddy at a low price. He has urged the Central Government to clarify that from which date MSP would be enforced.

Rural job scheme focal point, says Badal

The following are the excerpts from an interview that Mr Parkash Singh Badal gave to Punjabi Tribune Editor Gurbachan Singh Bhullar. The tete-a-tete at the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence was free and frank. His replies, including those to a few none-too-pleasant questions, were honest and straightforward.

Q: You have been the Chief Minister for almost a year and a half now. Are you satisfied with the performance of your government.
A: To a great extent I am satisfied. The government we had inherited was weak on every front whether economic or development. There were no resources. And to add to it there was a Rs 8,400 crore debt. The Congress made no effort to tackle the debt. Our first achievement was we got it waived. Congressmen have seldom taken up any Punjab issue with the Centre. We have ensured the establishment of an international airport. The issue had been pending since the Morarji Desai regime. The most important is the power sector. We have pumped in a lot of money. The Thein Dam and the Lehra Mohabbat project are almost complete. The Thein Dam will be ready in four to five months. Only a tunnel is left to be built.

Q: You must be getting public feedback from your personal and official sources. Are people happy with your government's performance.
A: One and a half years is not a long period. Backwardness dates back to 50 years. Punjab's villages and towns are still without clean drinking water. Had the Congress solved one problem in a year or five years or even in a decade, something would have been achieved. Issues we have taken up are already showing results. Public satisfaction is our satisfaction.

Q: The Akali Dal's coalition with the BJP rests entirely on your shoulders since you are acceptable to all sections. People consider the Akali Dal a representative of the villages and the BJP of the cities.
A: No, this is not correct. Fifty to 60 per cent municipal committees have Akalis as presidents. Many Hindu brethren have won on the Akali Dal ticket. The coalition is quite natural. It is the need of Punjab. For 40 years I have seen the Congress follow the old formula of 'divide and rule'. They tried to build up Hindu-Sikh confrontation, but failed. They tried to divide kisans and Dalits. Our policy is to 'unite and rule'.

Q: Life in villages is very tough . For days there is no power supply. Sewerage is almost non-existent.
A: The demand for electricity is continuously growing and we are trying hard to augment the supply. Lack of clean drinking water and lack of sewerage are major problems. The need is to activate panchayats. It is for panchayats to take up village-level problems like setting up public toilets. The government alone can't do much. I have seen many families in villages having one-room accommodation. Sons and daughters and cattle share the same room. Poverty in itself is a big problem. To solve it big efforts and large resources are required. It has to be tackled at the national level.

Q: Rural economy is in bad shape. Agriculture yields little profit. Land-holdings have shrunk. Machines have created unemployment. Indebtedness is rising. Farmers are forced to commit suicide. How do you propose to solve these problems.
A: Rural economic reforms and measures to make agriculture profitable are required. Cash-generating crops should be grown. A 10-acre farm of a man with four sons will get divided into four pieces of two and a half acres which become unviable. Seventy per cent of our people do farming. In the developed countries only 5 to 10 per cent people do farming. Farmers need to be given alternative work.

Q: In villages there are literate, semi-literate or illiterate unemployed. What plans do you have for them.
A: On an experimental basis we are opening training centres at Kaljharani village in Malwa, Padhri in Majha and in one village of Doaba to provide training and employment in the fields of dairy farming, weaving, electronics etc. Bank loans will be available. Later such centres will be opened in each district, block and village. This will slowly reduce unemployment.

Q: Farmers don't get quality seeds. Their produce languishes in mandis. The FCI insists on entering the mandis to purchase paddy only in October, instead of September as you say. That too to buy 30 per cent of paddy. Do you have any solution to these problems.
A: Most of the agriculture-related issues are decided by the Centre. Prices of agriculture produce are fixed by the Centre. Buying and transportation is done by them. I am going to Delhi on August 10 to suggest that if the Centre gives reasonable rent, farmers of loss-making small holdings can set up godowns or platforms to store foodgrains.

Q: Godowns in Punjab are already overflowing with foodgrains procured last year. Against a capacity of 72 lakh tonnes, 70 lakh tonnes of foodgrains is already stored.
A: Only today I have taken up this issue on the telephone. The Centre has assured us that foodgrains will be shifted from the Punjab godowns very soon.

Q: With a Punjabi, Sukhbir Singh Badal, as Minister of State for Industry at the Centre, what is being done for the development of industry, specially agro-based.
A: Expectations are high and we will fulfil them. Many of the existing units are agriculture-based like textiles. Cotton is no longer sent outside Punjab to centres like Ahmedabad and Bombay for cloth making. We have textile mills in the state.

Q: How do you encourage Punjabis settled abroad to invest in the state.
A: Punjabis abroad are settled with their families. It is difficult to make investments unless they return. But I keep persuading them. China's economy has benefited considerably from investments made by Chinese abroad. Israel too has been largely developed by Israelis abroad. Punjabis too can set up factories or open hospitals in their home state.

Q: The industrial town of Goindwal Sahib has not developed as expected.
A: We pay great attention to the development of Goindwal Sahib. We offer all help to the private sector. But industrialists too look for Chandigarh or Ludhiana. They come to me, talk about opening some school, college or hospital and then ask for a plot near Mohali or Chandigarh.

Q: There is an impression that bureaucracy is beyond control. Bureaucrats don't care for anybody other than the Chief Minister.
A: I am thinking of taking the government to the grassroots. I have told the DCs, SSPs and other district-level officials to work for four days in their offices and spend two days in an assembly constituency along with the MLA of the area, SGPC members and leaders of other political parties. They should listen to public grievances and solve their problems. There should be no gap between Chandigarh and people in the districts.

Q: What about the gap between Delhi and Chandigarh.
A: There is a big gap. It should not be there. I have a nice experience with Gujral Sahib. In one sitting we placed 15 demands before him. These were discussed and cleared then and there. Demands related to waiving the loan, international airport, science city, four-laning of roads, certain railway overbridges etc. I have suggested to Mr Vajpayee to have at least once in a year free and frank discussions with each Chief Minister so that various demands are taken up, problems are solved and development takes place.

Q: Congressmen have now united and rallied round Mr Amarinder Singh to confront your government.
A: He is a raja-maharaja, used to an easy life. Born and brought up in palaces. Only those at ease with dust and dirt can engage in politics, not those who look for an 'AC' when it's hot. Congressmen's unity is short-lived. For five-seven months even a mother-in-law addresses her daughter-in-law as "daughter, daughter" (Laughs) . It is only later the reality comes up. He is one of us only.

Q: That's dangerous. "Ghar da bheti..."
A: He is a simpleton, does not know any "bhet".

Q: One of your election promises was to jail all corrupt ministers. Haven't you found any.
A: See, we have passed the Lok Pal Bill. All corruption cases are being handed over to the Lok Pal. All proceedings are in camera. We can't comment on the cases. When the results are out, you will see.

Q: There are reports about Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra having differences with you. How far are these true.
A: To tell you the truth, don't mind, these newspapers sometimes create problems. (Laughs). What stories they cook up! Some have a knack for it. First, it was reported that I wanted to make my son the Chief Minister. When something comes out in newspapers, people believe it. One newspaper has written that I am going abroad, handing over the post of Chief Minister to my wife. There is no truth in such reports.

Q: Regarding Tohra, there can't be smoke without a fire.
A: Both of us, see, have emerged after a prolonged struggle. There are others too. A great responsibility of development of Punjab rests on us. We are collectively trying to meet the challenge. Tohraji is doing a good job. I am also trying my best.

Q: What are your plans and your dreams for Punjab?
A: I have many dreams about Punjab and Punjabis. There are focal points. There is a pension scheme. A rural employment scheme. Repairing old roads and building new ones. Buildings for schools. Teachers too in all village schools. Doctors and veterinary doctors for villages. Drinking water. To take the government to the doorstep of the common man. Secretaries and heads of various departments too should spend three-four days in districts to understand the working of sections under them. I have decided to call a meeting of traders and industrialists on the first of every month. One meeting on agriculture related issues. Similarly, a meeting with employees. One on general administration. I shall myself evaluate the outcome of such meetings. If this works, it will be quite an achievement.

People's commission holds "court"
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 8 — A people's commission on human rights violations in Punjab began its three-day "court" in the convention hall of the gurdwara in Sector 34 here.

This commission has been set up by 20-odd organisations and political outfits engaged in work related to the preservation and protection of civil liberties and human rights. Earlier, these organisations had decided to form an "umbrella" in the name of the Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in Punjab.

The commission comprises Justice D.S. Tewatia (a former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court) — chairman; with Justice H. Suresh (a retired Judge of the Maharashtra High Court), and Justice Jaspal Singh (a former Judge of the Delhi High Court) — as members.

This commission, as Justice Kuldip Singh told TNS, would not, perhaps, been formed had the Punjab Government responded in a positive manner to the suggestion of the committee on disappearances to set up "a truth commission" to investigate "genesis" of the Punjab problem. The SAD-BJP Government, however, responded by saying that let the past be "buried and forgotten", he added.

Despite a lapse of over six months with no tangible response received from the government, the committee decided to set up the people’s commission.

Braving heat and humidity a large number of aggrieved people came from all over the state to put before the commission tales of "torture and disappearances". On the first day today the commission was apprised of the "background" and the dark phase through which Punjab had just begun to emerge but in the process seemed to have forgotten the sufferings of those who lost their sons and brothers, breadwinners and fathers. Victims included both passive and active "harbourers", who were doubly unblessed: hounded by the police and militants.

The opening statement was made by the Supreme Court advocate, Ms Indira Jai Singh. In a nutshell, she mentioned even the terms of reference of the commission, which, inter alia, are:

The commission will examine the complaints of illegal abductions, custodial torture, enforced disappearances, summary executions and en masse illegal cremations and to give its findings on:

(1) Whether from 1979 to 1997 the agencies of the state carried out and tolerated, directly or indirectly, any of the above atrocities and, thereby, committed violation of human rights as guaranteed under the Constitution and various international covenants and declarations; (2) Whether the state agencies, individuals have prima facie committed any offence under the law of the land or international law; (3) The commission will further suggest the remedies available to the victims of the atrocities, including their entitlement to compensation from the state and its agencies.

While the past will cast its shadow on the present during the next two days, there will be none from the other side (government or representatives of any of the state agencies to counter or to at least give the other side of the picture). Therefore, the moot question before the commission, according to independent observers raised during intermission (lunch break), was "how far and how successfully the commission will arrive at the ‘truth’."

The historical backgrounder presented by Ms Indira Jai Singh gave a succinct description of what has happened in the past. In fact one of the member, Justice Jaspal Singh, raised the issue of some cases being "sub judice". Later, an agreed answer was found.

While the morning session was primarily an introductory one, with speakers like Mr Amar Singh Chahal, Mr Ranjan Lakhanpal, Mr Ashok Aggarwal and Justice A.S. Bains, delineating on the "incidents and happenings" in the past and how not much had been achieved even when courts were approached to seek justice.

In the afternoon session, the "rules" of the people's commission were discussed and approved with minor changes in the listed 16 articles. The individual cases being registered separately will be heard tomorrow. The commission observed that the speakers in the morning session should confine to "general" presentation of the cause and cases.

Prominent persons attending the commission proceedings included Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, Mr Jasbir Singh Rode, Justice Kuldip Singh of the World Sikh Council, lawyers, human rights activists, journalists and of course the simple village people whose tales of woes have gone unheard all these years.

According to Mrs Baljit Kaur, a human rights activist, the "court" will provide an opportunity to the "hurt" people to pour their heart out and give them an opportunity for a catharsis. The aim, she said, was not "witch-hunting" as was being wrongly interpreted or to be "vindictive". But to "unearth" the "truth", supported by documentary evidence — written, video and audio to show how much suffering the people had undergone and borne.

The commission report will expedite pending cases in courts.

Step to boost rural education
PU Regional Centre inaugurated
From Sanjeev S. Bariana
Tribune News Service

MUKTSAR, Aug 8 — Filling of posts of teachers in rural areas is high on the agenda of the Punjab Government, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while inaugurating the Regional Centre of Panjab University here today,

A meeting in this regard had been held with Education Minister Tota Singh recently, he said. Talking to TNS later, the Education Minister said a proposal regarding the filling of the posts had been drafted.

The Chief Minister said a "big amount" had been kept in the Budget to be spent on developing infrastructure in primary and high schools. The development of a country could be gauged by the state of its education system. Unfortunately, results in this regard had been far from satisfactory in India over the past 50 years, he lamented.

The Regional Centre was the major step towards uplifting rural education. It had the potential of being developed in to a full-fledged university. Apart from routine courses, the centre would provide specialised coaching to students of the area to help them prepare for competitive examinations .

The Chief Minister said the new building for the regional centre would come up shortly.

Mr Badal said "I can say with confidence that 80 per cent of the problem of water logging in the area has been solved. Waterlogging had a devastating effect on agriculture and industrial development in the area."

He said more than 70 per cent population in our country was dependent on agriculture for livelihood but land resources were limited. Export-oriented industry in Muktsar would be a major step towards providing alternative sources of living to the people, the Chief Minister explained.

Mr Tota Singh talking to TNS, said the amount to be spent on the primary and upkeep of high school buildings had been increased from Rs 11 crore to Rs 20 crore. This would benefit 2,000 schools instead of 559 during the previous financial year.

Prof M.M. Puri Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, said the Regional Centre would provide quality education.

Dr B.S. Dhillon, Director, Regional Centre, proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, Dean College Development Council, said the makeshift centre had 14 rooms, a hall and a library. The main centre was proposed to be set up in approximately 100 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore.

Prof S.K. Thapar Deputy Director of the centre, said in the first session postgraduate courses in English, Economics, Punjabi and Political Science would be offered. A total of 81 students had already been admitted. The centre would also offer courses in LLB (three years) and Postgraduate Diploma in computer and application.

Among others present on the occasion were Dr Paramjit Singh, Registrar, Mr M.G. Sharma, Finance and Development Officer, and Mrs K. Pannu, a Syndic.

Prof G.S. Gosal, project adviser said, seats were still vacant for Political Science, Punjabi and English courses.

MLA advocates 'kundi' connections
Tribune News Service

MUKTSAR, Aug 8 — The state Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal faced some embarrassing moment here today when the local Akali MLA, Mr Harnirpal Singh flayed the functioning of different government departments in his (Mr Badal's) presence.

While delivering the welcome speech for Mr Badal on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the industrial focal point here, Mr Harnirpal Singh criticised the functioning of the local civil hospital and the local Punjab State Electricity Board management.

The MLA alleged that about ten days ago the wife of the District Forest Officer, Mr Parveen Kumar died when she was not given proper treatment at the local civil hospital. He said if the wife of a senior officer was not given proper treatment the plight of the common man would be much worse.

He also charged the authorities with registration of false medico-legal cases and said the doctors would issue fake medico-legal reports even before a violent quarrel took place.

The Chief Minister was also subjected to major embarrassment some minutes later, when Mr Harnirpal Singh, in his speech, favoured "kundi connections". He advised farmers who had deposited the required money for taking power connection from the PSEB and had not been given a connection so far, to draw power from "kundi connections" for their tubewells.

The MLA alleged that despite the announcement made by the state government that power connection in this water-logged area would be given on a priority basis the PSEB authorities were not giving connections to even those farmers who had deposited the required money for the connections and had spent Rs 50,000 on an average for digging wells.

Mr Badal, while addressing the gathering, did not touch on any point raised by the local MLA in his speech. Mr Badal also dodged media-men by not addressing a press conference despite inviting newsmen for it.

College teachers' stir from Aug 11
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Aug 8 — The secretariat of the All-India Federation of University and College teachers Organisations (AIFUCTO) reiterated its resolve to go ahead with its proposed nation-wide indefinite strike from August 11 as the Union Minister of Human Resource Developments, Dr M.M. Joshi refused dialogue on the basis of the recommendations of the UGC made in December last year. The 8-member deputation of the apex body met Dr Joshi on August 6 in New Delhi.

Stating this Dr V.K. Tewari, national secretary, AIFUCTO said that the indifferent attitude of the government had compelled the teachers to go ahead with the decision to strike work. The AIFUCTO secretariat had rejected most of the clauses in the notification issued on July 27 by the HRD ministry as being blatantly against teachers as the government had merely struck to conversion scales for teachers with the exception for professors.

Dr Tiwari said that the AIFUCTO rejected the government contention that the scales were almost on par with UGC recommendations. He said that since a third promotion had been denied. Nearly two lakh teachers would be adversely affected and would stagnate without any financial benefits.

Rejection of a career advancement scheme would similarly make thousands of readers retire as readers.

Also, with the inclusion of many anti-teacher provisions, like professorship only in autonomous colleges, the notification had sealed the fate of the teachers as well as of higher education.

Meanwhile the state executive committee of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU) will meet here on August 9 at DAV college to finalise its strategy for strict implementation of the AIFUCTO call.

Bias against Cong nominees alleged
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Aug 8 — Mr Khushhal Bahl, senior Congress activist and former minister, talking to newspersons said here today that the elections of directors of the local Primary Agriculture Development Limited, slated for August 13, were a farce. He also alleged discrimination against Congress nominees.

Mr Bahl said the nomination papers of the Congress nominees from zone numbers 1,3,4, and 6 had been rejected on flimsy grounds. The Congress nominees whose papers were rejected yesterday include Mr Hardip Singh, president of the Block Congress Committee (Rural), and Mr Bhupinder Singh, member of the local Block Samiti

Meanwhile, Mr Jagtar Singh, Mr Hardyal Singh and Mr Baldev Singh Tajpuri have been declared elected as directors from zone numbers 1,4 and 6, respectively. The date for elections to zone number 3, where the papers of all nominees have been rejected, will be announced later.

ADC's order to lift garbage
From Our Correspondent

ROPAR, Aug 8 — The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Mr Khushi Ram, yesterday ordered the lifting of garbage within two days from Nurrie Colony, near here, where gastro-enteritis had claimed 10 lives.

He gave these instructions to the District Development and Panchayat Officer at a meeting which was called to review the work done by various departments in the colony.

He appealed to residents not to drink water from hand pumps installed in the colony.

He said the BDPO, Ropar, had been appointed Nodal Officer for maintaining liaison between various departments.

The Executive Engineer, Public Health, said two water taps had been installed in the colony for supplying drinking water.

Chawla's plea to Kuldip Singh
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 8 — Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, BJP MLA, has asked Mr Kuldip Singh, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, to hold a "people's commission'' here to listen to the atrocities committed by militants on hapless persons during the days of militancy in Punjab.

In a hard-hitting statement issued here yesterday Mrs Chawla alleged that the retired judge had sympathy for those who had committed crimes in the past and had turned a blind eye towards the victims of terrorism.

Councillors withdraw resignations
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Aug 8 — All six councillors of the local municipal council who had revolted against the municipal president a few days back by resigning from different sub-committees constituted by the president, have withdrawn their resignations after a closed-door meeting with Mr Nusret Khan, Sports Minister, Punjab, at the local PWD Rest House this morning. Mr Azmat Ali Khan, president, Mr Mohammed Tuffail, ex-chairman, Market Committee, Malerkotla, and Mr Avtar Sing Madevi, general secretary, district Akali Dal (B), were also present in the meeting.

The six municipal councillors namely Mr Kawal Jindal, Mohammed Aslam, Mrs Sabri Gill, Mr Arshad Dali, Mr Mohammed Rashid and Mr Mohammed Halim in a written statement have shown full faith in the presidentship of Mr Khan.

'Muslims part of Indian civilisation'
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Aug 8 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, urged Pakistan to stop the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Muslims of the state believed that Kashmir was an internal part of India.

Speaking at the PAP complex here after the passing out ceremony of 811 recruits, he said due to the nefarious designs of Pakistan, innumerable lives had been lost in Jammu and Kashmir.

Reiterating that the 20 crore Muslim population in the country was living under no religious constraint or discrimination, he said the Muslims living in the country formed part of the Indian culture and civilisation.

He lauded the role of the Jammu and Kashmir police in combating terrorism in the state and thanked the Punjab police for training the recruits from Jammu and Kashmir.

Paddy procurement likely from Sept 1
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, Aug 8 — Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Madan Mohan Mittal will meet Union Agriculture Minister Surjit Singh Barnala in Delhi on August 10 in connection with paddy procurement policies.

Stating this here today after addressing district level meetings at Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, he said he had directed officials and government agencies to make arrangements for purchasing paddy from September 1.

He said he had also instructed PSEB officials to provide power connections to arhtias in mandis on a priority basis.

Police gets closed circuit TV vans
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Aug 8 — The Punjab DGP, Mr P.C. Dogra, said here today that the police in the state was keeping a strict vigil on the borders against infiltration by militants.

Briefing the media at the PAP complex, Mr Dogra suggested that the setting up of a common platform of the police of the adjoining states, to counter insurgency, should be looked into.

Later, he flagged off six closed circuit (CC) TV vans which will facilitate the police to keep a close vigil on rallies and public gatherings. With the launching of these closed circuit TV vans the modernisation of the Punjab police force had began, he said.

Theatre festival concludes
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Aug 8 — A 10-show theatre festival 'India-50 launched by the National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), has concluded here successfully.

During the fortnight a Punjabi musical play 'Ahimsa Parmo Dharma' a social satire, was staged at Khanna, Rajpura, Bahadurgarh, Tohra and Bhadson, Mandi Gobindgarh, Panjoli Kalan, Latore, Bhawanigarh and Bald Kalan.

Prominent among the 25-member team of artistes were Sunita Sabharwal and Pran Sabharwal, Gopal Sharma, Rakesh Thakur, Vikas Sabharwal, Parminder Ram, Reeta Paras, Nimmi, Bajinder Singh, Rammi Mittal and a musician's group led by Nirmal Nimma. The set was designed by Mr Sampan, an architect.

With this the NTAS completes its international theatre campaign 'India-50', launched in Ottawa, Canada, in August last year following the fifth World Punjabi Conference held at Milwaukee, USA.

Cultural function on I-day
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 8 — A cultural programme would be presented by renowned folk singers and artistes of Punjab under the leadership of Hans Raj Hans at the state-level Independence Day function at Guru Nanak Stadium here.

This was stated by Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, who chaired a meeting of folk singers and artistes here today to chalk out details of the programme.

Among the artistes who attended the meeting were Surinder Chhinda. Kuldeep Manak, Jaswant Sandila, Ranjit Mani, Jaswinder Bhalla, Ajay Deol, Kuldeep Paras, Bhajna Amli, Sukhwant Sukhi, Gulshan Komel, Karnail Gill, Ranjit Kaur, Ravinder Grewal and Pali Detwalia.

Mr Goel said arrangements for the state-level celebrations were complete.

PPCC to hold rally today
From Our Correspondent

ABOHAR, Aug 8 — Former PPCC president and outgoing member of the Rajya Sabha Virendra Kataria said here yesterday that the PPCC president, Mr Amarinder Singh, would start a campaign to dislodge the SAD-BJP government in the state after paying obeisance at Shaheedsmark at Hussainiwala, near Ferozepore, tomorrow.

The Congress would organise a rally at the Grain Market at Ferozepore to observe the anniversary of the Quit India movement. Since the SAD-led state government had failed to solve problems of the people and had burdened them with taxes, it should quit, he said.

Talking to newspersons at his residence, Mr Kataria welcomed the formation of the new executive committee of the PPCC.

While appreciating the due representation to the district in the appointment of PPCC office-bearers, he said Congress workers should shun differences and join the rally.

He urged the railway board to restart the Fazilka-Rewari train, which had been suspended and extend it to Delhi. He also said Abohar and Fazilka should be linked by rail.

He said film star and MP Shabana Azmi would inaugurate a three-day cultural festival here in September.

Sessions Court inaugurated
From Our Correspondent

NAWANSHAHR, Aug 8 — Mr Justice H.S. Brar, Punjab and Haryana High Court, inaugurated the Additional District and Sessions Court at the Judicial Courts Complex here yesterday.

Mr Justice Brar said quick and cheap justice should be provided to the people. Free legal aid was being given to the poor, he added.

Mr Justice J.P. Gupta, District and Sessions Judge, Jalandhar, presided over the function. He said Mr Harbans Lal had been appointed Additional District and Sessions Judge here.