Monday, August 10, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, August 10, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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'Notices'
issued to Badal
to seek funds to save Ghaggar Panic
after blast in cantonment area |
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SAD
misleading people on Udham Singh Nagar issue, says
Amarinder |
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Tardy tree felling holds up
four-laning BKU
to launch statewide stir |
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'Notices' issued to police officials CHANDIGARH, Aug 9 — The People's Commission on human rights violations in Punjab took up 21 cases on the second-day of its holding of the "court" in Sector 32 gurdwara here today. The lawyers, who presented the cases pertaining to illegal abductions and killing in false police encounters, were asked by the three-member commission, headed by Justice D.S. Tewati, to ensure all cases had proper evidence and affidavits etc to authenticate the narrations. By the end of the day, the commission issued "notices" to 10-odd Punjab Police officials, who had figured in the cases presented. The "summoned" officials are required to file their replies before the commission by the first week of October. The next sitting of the commission is scheduled to be held at Ludhiana on October 23 for three days. Throughout the day people from villages carrying papers in plastic covers and cloth-bags continued to register their tales of woes. But were at times they disappointed because for want of proper papers the registration was not entertained. Activists were seen informing the anguished parents and relatives how to proceed about the complaints and cases they wished to bring to the notice of the commission. At one stage Justice Jaspal Singh, a member of the commission (Justice H. Suresh is the third member), wanted to know from a lawyer as to what action the high court had taken on a particular case he was presenting before the commission. Unable to give a proper reply, the commission said the lawyers must come up with proper record to give correct picture of where a particular case stands in the court's scrutiny. According to observers, it
remains to be seen how many of the police officers, who
receive notices from the commission, actually respond by
submitting their replies. One of the intended or expected
purposes of the commission is said to arrive at the
"truth" as to what went wrong, where and why in
Punjab and how such happenings and sordid incidents can
be avoided in future. |
Badal to seek funds to save
Ghaggar GHANAUR (Patiala), Aug 9 — The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said here today that he would during his meeting with the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other central leaders in New Delhi tomorrow seek maximum funds for canalisation of Ghaggar to save several districts in the state from the fury of floods every year. Addressing a public meeting on the occasion of the Quit India Day, Mr Badal said that he also had discussed the matter of building a dam on Ghaggar with Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal. Mr Badal underlined the need to make agriculture a profitable business by promoting vocations like dairy farming, bee-keeping, poultry, fishery and other small scale industries. The state government had also launched a new scheme to set up rural employment centres at village level. One such centre had already been set up in Amritsar. Under this scheme, children would be counselled trained and encouraged to set up units for which marketing would also be done by the government agencies. As the Chief Minister began his speech, a group of discharged teachers, including women, raised banners and shouted slogans against the Punjab government and demanded that they be taken back in service. The Chief Minister counselled them to keep them cool as they were wrongly venting their anger against the present government while it was the previous Congress government which was responsible for their plight. Mr Badal came down heavily on the Congress, which he alleged had ignored Punjab's interests for about five decades when it was in power. Punjab had lagged behind in the field of industrialisation as also in the grant of other development projects. The Congress had done nothing to safeguard Punjab's interests in the matter of river waters and the left out Punjabi speaking areas, he alleged. Referring to the local demands listed by Ghanaur MLA Ajaib Singh Mukhmail Pura. Mr Badal said that these would be taken care of by the respective departments. Mr Badal laid the foundation stone of a new industrial training institute and a college. He assured a grant of Rs five lakh for the college. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister said the Akali Dal had launched the historic Kapuri Morcha from near Ghanaur. He appealed to the Chief Minister to do his best for the development of this area which was essentially an Akali stronghold. Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP speaking on the occasion said that the Akali Dal would strive to have a committee set up with representatives of farmers as members to fix the support prices of foodgrains. He said the Akali Dal was the true champion of the causes of the Punjabis. Prominent among others who
spoke on the occasion included Punjab Civil Supplies
Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Public Health Minister Raja
Narinder Singh, Public Works Minister Harmel Singh,
Printing and Stationery Minister Surjit Singh Kohli,
Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and chairman of
the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Jasdev
Singh Sandhu. |
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Move to replace Bhattal NEW DELHI, Aug 9 — After her resignation as the PPCC chief, the removal of Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as the leader of the Legislature Congress Party (LCP) seems to be on the cards. Mrs Bhattal, who had stepped down after the dismal performance of the party in the byelections in June this year, was allowed to retain the post of LCP Leader. The Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, had appointed Mr Amarinder Singh as the new PPCC chief. He has since announced the reconstitution of the committee. Party sources said here that the central leadership had agreed to change Mrs Bhattal and had asked her to step down.It was understood that Mrs Bhattal had sought more time since she was scheduled to go abroad. She was said to have pleaded that since most of her engagements abroad were on the basis of her being the leader of the Opposition, she should be allowed to continue till her return. However, the AICC general secretary, Mrs Meira Kumar, refused to either confirm or deny that a directive had been issued by the party high command to Mrs Bhattal asking her to relinquish the post of LCP leader. That Mrs Bhattal had
fallen out of favour in the new set-up became evident
when her supporters did not find any place in the new PCC
set-up.Mrs Bhattal, has, however, been made a permanent
invitee. |
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Panic after blast in cantonment
area AMRITSAR, Aug 9 — A powerful blast which ripped through the building of the State Bank of India, divisional headquarter army, near Panthers division late yesterday evening caused panic in the areas near the cantonment. The site is at a walking distance from Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Though the senior Army officials have categorically denied that it was an accidental blast in the cantonment. They confirmed that a big portion of the bank building was damaged, due to a powerful explosion, Mr K.C. Pahwa, branch manager of the bank, in his report to the police said that the building was damaged due to some explosion. However, there was no loss of life. Mr Pahwa said that it was not an attempt of theft as the entire record and chest of the bank was intact. District police chief, Gurdev Singh Sahota told the Tribune that the matter was being investigated. He said that before a probe the police could not jump to a conclusion. He added that Mr S.S. Brar, SP (city) had been deputed as inquiry officer. When contacted Col. S.K. Bhardwaj of the Panthers Division denied that the damage to the bank building was result of the accidental blast with in the cantonment area. He, however, admitted that it was a blast. He said that he was the first person to inform civil authorities about the blast. Some Army officials who did not want to be identified claimed that it might be a desperate attempt of some terrorists to create panic. The blast had created a
big hole in the wall of the bank building. The iron bars
were seen blown up and there were cracks everywhere in
the damaged portion. So much so the urinal pots, doors of
the bank building were also blown up in the blast. |
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SAD misleading people on Udham
Singh Nagar issue, says Amarinder FEROZEPORE, Aug 9 — The PPCC president, Capt Amarinder Singh, alleged here today that the SAD (Badal) was misleading people on the Udham Singh Nagar district issue. Talking to newspersons, he said Akali Dal could have taken some bold step if it was sincere on the issue. In fact, the SAD (B) wanted to derive political benefit, he said. Capt Amarinder Singh was here to address a function organised by the DCC in connection with "Quit India Movement" day. He said the so-called ultimatum given by the SAD to the BJP-led government at the Centre was mere a "drama" and nothing else. He said that increase in power hike had adversely hit the industrial sector in the state. A majority of steel industries in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Mandi Gobindgarh were on the verge of closure. The economy of small and marginal farmers had deteriorated and frustrated farmers were committing suicides. The state government should set up a commission to find out the reasons, he said. He alleged that the law and order in the state was not under control and if the Badal government was unable to control the situation, he should step down and give a change to the Congress. He denied that there was any factionalism in the party. He said that while preparing the list of office-bearers of the PPCC, he had not considered any group. He said he would run the
PPCC in a decentralised manner and every Congressman
would be held accountable for his work. |
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Ramoowalia's plea to Badal on US Nagar PHAGWARA, Aug 9 — Former Union Minister, all-India President, Punjabi Bhalai Manch and an MP Balwant Singh Ramoowalia today asked the Shiromani Akali Dal to make time-bound its support to the BJP-led government at the Centre on the issue of Udham Singh Nagar lest Akalis soft pedalling should complicate the matter further in case President referred it to the UP Vidhan Sabha. Talking to reporters here, Mr Ramoowalia said, SAD chief and Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal should ask PM Atal Behari Vajpayee to write immediately a letter to the President conveying his Cabinet's intention for rescinding its decision to include Udham Singh Nagar in Uttranchal. In case Cabinet does not rescin its decision by August 18, then the SAD should recall both its ministers in the Vajpayee government and withdraw support to the Centre, advised Mr Ramoowalia. Why can't the Akalis show guts like AIADMK chief Miss Jayalalitha who had given ultimatum to the Vajpayee government on issue of the Cauveri water notification, wondered the Ramoowalia. Actually Akalis were never sincere on the Udham Singh Nagar issue but had been dragged into it by me, continued Mr Ramoowalia. Mr Badal now followed Manch agenda, quipped Mr Ramoowalia. When I raised the issue, Mr Badal called me a Congress agent, now Mr Badal himself had borrowed my agenda and should clarify as to whose agent he had become now, asked Mr Ramoowalia. He also supported the
demand of retaining Hardwar in UP. The Manch delegation
would visit Hardwar to express solidarity with people,
continued Mr Ramoowalia. The Manch would also join August
16 rasta roko by the CPI, the CPM, the BSP in Punjab and
support the strike of taxi and truck operators on August
22, declared Mr Ramoowalia. He later addressed the
Manch's district rally organised here by Mr N.K. Chopra,
District General Secretary of the Manch. Mr Avtar Singh
Mulanpuri, Manch chief spokesman was also with Mr
Ramoowalia. |
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Tardy tree felling holds up
four-laning CHANDIGARH: But for the slippage in the felling of trees, four-laning work on the Punjab portion of National Highway No 1 would have been much faster and not so much behind schedule. A drive on the national highway from Shambu to the Sirhind area shows that work has now slowed down on account of rains. The Forest Department had to remove 8,000 trees to help speed up the four-laning work along the nearly 40-km stretch to be built at a cost of over Rs 150 crore. While most of these trees have been felled, only a few hundred now remain to be cut. A World Bank mission has also reviewed the progress of the work being done on the national highway and has held discussions with the officials of the Punjab Public Works Department, Ministry of Surface Transport, supervision consultants and contractors for speeding up the work. Nearly 91 per cent of the contract time for work from 212.2 km to 228.0 km has already elapsed. However, progress has been 62 per cent as against the target of 97 per cent. The contractor expects to complete the work (except the Ghaggar bridge) by March 1999, and the Ghaggar bridge by September 1999. As regards the work on NH I from the 228 km point to 252.25 km; which also began in March 1995 along with the other part of the road, 75 per cent of the progress has been achieved against the target of 95 per cent. Mr P. Ram, the then Administrative Secretary, PWD (B & R), Punjab, had asked the Forest Department not to delay the removal of trees any further to avoid any more delay in the schedule. His department, he says, had already decided not to let contractors take it easy on the four-laning work to handle the growing volume of traffic. Mr Ram says his government had also decided to give top priority to the growing demand for four-laning of the Ambala-Chandigarh portion of National Highway No 22 in view of the heavy traffic coming from Delhi and Punjab to Chandigarh, the joint capital of two states. This 45 km-stretch of the national highway also serves Himachal Pradesh in a very big way as there is no alternate route to Delhi for the hill state. As a result of traffic needs of the three states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh itself, the stretch has almost become a death-trap. While the Union Government has accepted in principle the Punjab government's request for four-laning of the Ambala-Chandigarh portion of the NH-22 at the earliest, it has not yet decided how this would be done. As a first step, the Centre has appointed project coordinating consultants to undertake engineering studies of the project. The studies will take nearly 18 months and by this time the central government would have taken a final decision on the mode to be adopted for the four-laning. While one suggestion is that the work should be undertaken by the central government out of its own budget, the Punjab government has also suggested that the work be given to private contractors on a BOT (build, operate and transfer) basis. This would ensure quicker widening of the road as Mr Ram has suggested that instead of laying an entirely new track, efforts should be made to raise, strengthen and widen the road substantially so that the project can be completed at the earliest, possibly in less than two years. This way the four-laning would cost nearly Rs 2 crore per km. Already, he says, tenders are being floated on a BOT basis for four-laning of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana, Ludhiana-Moga, Patiala-Sirhind and Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur roads and for construction of five bridges — Machhiwara, Rahon and Sidhwan Bet (on the Sutlej), Mukerian, Nushera Pattan (on the Beas) and Banial bridge (on the Ravi) linking Jammu and Kashmir with Gurdaspur. If the experiment of entrusting the four-laning work of the Ambala-Chandigarh road is successful, similar measures may be adopted for four-laning of the Chandigarh-Ropar, Ropar-Kiratpur Sahib and Chandigarh-Rajpura roads. The state government is also keen to widen and strengthen the Chandigarh-Patiala-Sangrur-Barnala-Tapa-Bathinda, a nearly 200 km stretch of NH 64 which links it to NH 15 for Malout and Dabwali. Special attention is also being paid to plan district roads. The department has already repaired 2,100 km of district roads by June 30, as against a target of 4500 km by the end of the year. The remaining work, he says, would be completed by November 30. The repair work would cost Rs 72 crore, of which Rs 32 crore has already been spent. All bad patches would also be covered during this repair work. Besides, 34,000 km of link
roads have been repaired at a cost of Rs 150 crore, he
states. Efforts are being made to clear the backlog of
plan roads by the end of the year. However, the backlog
of repairing link roads would take another two years to
be completed. The backlog was due to financial
constraints. |
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BKU to launch statewide stir AMRITSAR, Aug 9 — Coinciding with the Independence day August 15, thousand of BKU (Mann) activists would pay obeisance at the Akal Takht and perform 'ardas' (prayer) to seek strength before launching a statewide agitation for getting the demands of the farmers conceded. Talking to The Tribune here today national president of the BKU (Mann) and Rajya Sabha member, Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann, said that it was a matter of great concern that the farmers of this prosperous state had resorted to suicides due to alleged callous attitude of the central government and the state of Sikh clergy had assured him all possible support for the welfare of the farmers. This is for the first time that the farmers from all parts of the state would throng the Akal Takht for seeking blessings and strength. Giving details Mr Mann said that the plight of the farmers was miserable in view of the alleged indifferent attitude of the central government and respective state governments. Hundreds of farmers had committed suicide. Mr Mann said that price of agricultural inputs had increased manifold and the price of the agricultural outputs were not linked with the price index. The condition of the cotton growers was miserable who had been suffering loss to the extent of more than Rs 1000 crore each in the past five years. Agriculture was subjected to a very heavy negative product specific aggregate measurement of support (AMS) of Rs 19000 crore and nonproduct AMS was nearly Rs 1800 crore for power to agriculture sector. Mr Mann added that the Minister for Power answering a question in the Rajya Sabha had stated that during the base period (1986-88) the average product specific AMS was estimated at Rs 4581 crore. Hence the total AMS was estimated Rs 4581 crore. Mr Mann said that the central government had admitted that the farmers of the country had suffered a loss to hundreds of crores due to big gap between applied administrative price. External reference price on as many as 17 items including cotton, rice, wheat, maize and gram etc. Mr Mann said that the
farmers would perform "ardas" (prayer) at the
Takht for their purification and enlightenment as they
had been ignorant about their rights and exploitation at
all levels in the past due to variety of reasons
including callous attitude of the central and state
governments towards the demands of the farmers. |
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Punjab Government policies
anti-student: SFI ABOHAR, Aug. 9 —The Students Federation of India (SFI) has condemned the state government for its anti-students policies. Addressing a rally, here yesterday, Mr Baljinder Rishi, president of the state unit of the SFI blamed the SAD-led government for making education costly. He alleged it was under a deep-rooted conspiracy to completely privatise education. The rally was organised on the call given by a Joint Students Front , a subdivisional unit of the SFI. Mr Rishi said colleges and schools had been allowed to increase admission and tuition fees by 100 per cent. Private colleges and schools were allegedly collecting heavy " donations" from students for admission to certain professional courses. The universities were indulging in an "open lot" of the students on the pretext of "self-sufficiency drive". Neither the state government nor the Union Government was prepared to listen to the genuine grievances of the students whose parents could not afford the steep rise in the cost of education. Mr Rishi expressed concern over the alleged deterioration in the environment of education institutions. He regretted that even after tragic incidents no government or institution had taken serious steps to check ragging of girls in educational institutions. In some cases, students were allegedly molested, he alleged. No law had been amended to increase the quantum of punishment for the culprits. This clearly showed that bad elements enjoyed the protection from ruling parties and influential authorities. The district secretary of the SFI, Mr Hargobind, alleged that girl students were daily maltreated by staff members of private bus operators . Boy students were beaten up when they tried to insist on availing the facilities provided by the government regarding concessional travel. For long students had not been given scholarships. The government had not bothered to fill vacancies of teachers and heads of schools. This was why the results of annual exams were generally poor in government schools. The rally gave a call to
the students to unite for a decisive struggle. |
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College teachers to go on strike JALANDHAR, Aug 9 — The state executive committee of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) which met here today at DAV College decided to implement fully the AIFUCTO call for total ceasework for indefinite period from August 11. The meeting was chaired by
Prof S.S. Hundal, union president. The teachers would not perform any duty connected with teaching, examination, admission or any other work. The PCCTU would also hold
joint rallies with the four university teachers’
associations and Government College Teachers’
Association (GCTA) at Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala,
Amritsar besides other district headquarters. The union would strongly oppose the denigration of the statutory body, the UGC, and its proposals by the HRD Ministry. In another resolution the union executive decried the Punjab government as no salary grants had been released since March and the gazette notification on pension and gratuity scheme had been delayed for no logical reason. The PCCTU urged the
federation of Principals’ Association to support the
struggle of teachers. |
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Nepalese woman strangled JALANDHAR, Aug 9 (UNI) — A young Nepalese woman was strangled to death allegedly by her husband at the Makhdoompura locality of the city today. The police said the body of Dil Main, also called Kali, has been taken to the local civil hospital for inquest. Jog Bahadur, the husband of the victim, had been detained for questioning. The couple were married for five years, and had no children. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old girl, who left home at Sant Nagar in Basti Sheikh of the city along with a 17-year-old boy of Bhargava camp on Friday, died of suspected poisoning in the civil hospital here last evening. Mamta was taken out by
Ashok Kumar on the pretext of buying medicine for her as
she had been keeping ill, but they did not return. The
police yesterday learnt that she was admitted to the
civil hospital at Dasuya from where she was shifted to
the local civil hospital. |
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PSSF to meet Badal AMRITSAR, Aug 9 — A meeting between the Punjab State Services Federation (PSSF) and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will be held on August 12 at Chandigarh. The PSSF chief Mr Charnjit Singh Walia, who is also the vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) said that it was a matter of concern that the work culture in the government departments was missing. Mr Walia said that he would urge the Chief Minister to remove anomalies in pay scales and take measures to check corruption. The federation would
prevail upon the state government to implement promotion
schemes for government employees, he added. |
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DC visits bet area villages HOSHIARPUR, Aug 9 — Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, along with Mr H.S. Dhaliwal, Executive Engineer, drainage division, Mr J.M. Bala Murgan, SDM (Civil), Mukerian, and Mr Arunesh Shaker, MLA, yesterday visited more than 24 villages along the Beas in the bet area of Mukerian subdivision in Hoshiarpur district. They checked protection bandhs constructed by the Drainage Department along the Beas in Haller Janardhan, Kohlian, Kalota, Taggar, Himmatpur, Dhanoya and Nai Chak villages. They also met people to know their views about the quality of the work. Mr Sidhu assured the
people of taking further steps to save their cultivable
land and "abadis from floods |
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Sodhi denies rift in party PHAGWARA, Aug 9 — Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, president, Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party and an MP today asserted that there was no difference in party and its ministerial representatives in the Punjab government. He was answering reporters' queries about the rift in organisational and ministerial wings of the Punjab BJP. When reminded that he himself had expressed contrary views earlier, Mr Sodhi quipped it was their family affair and others should not be concerned unduly about it. Mr Sodhi skirted all SAD-related queries. When pressed for comments upon August 6 SAD threat to withdraw support to the BJP-led coalition at the Centre in case Udham Singh Nagar was included in Uttranachal, Mr Daya Singh said that it was an internal matter between the Centre and the SAD. He also refused to say anything as yet to another question as to whether the SAD's decision would have any backlash on Punjab ruling partners alliance. On differences in the
state BJP, Mr Sodhi warned he would not hesitate in
initiating strict action against those who indulged in
indiscipline but added that all other amicable means
would first be exhausted. Detailing several steps to
strengthen party further, Mr Sodhi disclosed that state
general secretaries would alternatively sit in party
office for five days in a week & also tour Punjab for
broadbasing organisation. I myself would have meetings
with workers by touring state for three days,
constituency for two days, staying at Chandigarh and
Amritsar for one day each and visiting other areas for
remaining day of the week, added Mr Sodhi. He had come
here to preside over party function to honour panches and
sarpanches. |
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Independence Day run flagged off AMRITSAR, Aug 9 — An Independence Day run was flagged off from here today by Maj Gen Avtar Singh as part of the ongoing "Operation Sahyog" and golden jubilee celebrations of the country's Independence. Over 1,500 persons, including 300 women, and an equal number of children participated in the event. A spectacular display of Army bands followed by prize distribution by Mr Avtar Singh, VSM, General Officer Commanding (Panther Division) provided a grand finale to the event. Gurdaspur: More than 1000 ex-servicemen and widows of ex-servicemen participated in a rally organised by 96th Army Brigade at Station Headquarters at Tibri Cantt on Sunday as part of Operation Sahyog, Brig A.K. Singh, the Commandant presided over the rally. Jalandhar: The cantonment military hospital organised an eye camp from July 29 to August 8 as part of "Operation Sahyog". Lieut-Gen K. Davar, General Officer Commanding of the Vajra Corps, distributed spectacles free of cost to the needy. Over 500 patients were treated and about 18 were operated upon. An inter-school patriotic song competition was also organised by the Vajra Corps at Army School, on Friday. Mrs Vidya Vikram Gunjikar,
wife of Major General V.L. Gunjikar, gave away the prizes
to the winners. |
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Sonia may visit Amritsar AMRITSAR, Aug 9 — Congress President Sonia Gandhi is likely to visit Amritsar in the first week of September, the newly appointed general secretary of the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee, Dr Raj Kumar, said here today. Dr Kumar said the Punjab
Congress would soon launch an awareness drive to educate
people about the total failure of the BJP-led government
at the Centre and the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab. |
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JD launches public awakening
campaign LUDHIANA, Aug 9 — The Punjab Janata Dal launched a public awakening campaign today. The Janata Dal held a rally at Clock Tower Chowk, which was led by Mr Harish Khanna, convener of the state Janata Dal. Addressing the rally, Mr
Khanna criticised the policies of the state and union
governments which had given rise to inflation. Corruption
was rampant and cases of police excesses were increasing.
All welfare schemes launched by this government were not
being implemented because coffers of the state were
empty. He alleged the policies of the union government on
Udham Singh Nagar, transfer of Chandigarh and the waiving
of the Rs 8500 crore loan were detrimental to the
interests of Punjab. |
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Kanwaljit
assures Karamchari Dal PATIALA, Aug 9 — A delegation of the Punjab State Karamchari Dal under the presidentship of Mr Hari Singh Tohra, met the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh regarding their-long: pending demands. In a statement here yesterday. Leaders of the dal claimed that the Finance Minister had assured them that the Pay Anomalies Committee would submit its report before October 15. The state government
assured the delegation that the services of daily wages
staff would be regularised. Leaders of the dal also
claimed that the State Government had constituted a
committee headed by the Joint Secretary (Finance) to look
into the matter of anomalies in pension. |
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Delay hits naib tehsildar
examinees CHANDIGARH, Aug 9 — Hundreds of aspirants for the post of Naib Tehsildar were put to a lot of inconvenience today following a two-hour delay in the conduct of examination at different centres set up by the Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board in the city. According to candidates, who appeared for the exam at the Shishu Niketan School centre in Sector 22, the scheduled time for the examination was from 12 noon to 3 p.m. But the exam was delayed for more than two hours without assigning any reason by the authorities. One of the candidates said they were surprised when they were told to come around 1.30 p.m. by invigilators. However, they did not explain the cause for the delay, he added. Another student, who had come from Ferozepore said the delay had generated a lot of resentment among candidates who had come from far-off places as they would not be able to return in the absence of night bus service. Mr Manpreet, a candidate,
who had appeared at the centre set up in Sector 36 Guru
Nanak Public School said earlier too aspirants like him
had to waste a lot of money on travel as the board
authorities had postponed the exam. |
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A refreshing change for
animals PATIALA: Signs of nervousness, amazement and confusion appeared on the face of a young black buck, which had so far spent life in a small enclosure at one of the deer parks in the state, and today suddenly found itself on a stretch of green land at Bhunerheri wild life sanctuary, 12 km from Patiala. Slowly, it got over these moments of fear and hesitation and realised that there was no cage to contain it. Off it went galloping and soon disappeared behind a growth of wild shrubs in the natural environs of the sanctuary. This black buck-- the state animal of Punjab coming under the endangered species category — is one of the several released by wild life officials of the state during the past 15 months in the first phase of the translocation of such animals from unnatural conditions at a deer park or mini zoo to the Bhunerhari sanctuary. The translocation project began in March last year. As many as 29 black bucks from deer parks in Patiala, Bathinda and the mini zoo at Sangrur were released into the sanctuary. In September 15 sambhars from these deer parks were shifted to the sanctuary that marked the end of the first phase. After studying the acclimatisation and breeding progress of these animals for 15 months, the department began the second phase of shifting more black bucks, 15 sambhars and hog deer. "The results of translocation were very encouraging," said Mr P.C. Atyalia, who is in charge of the project and also of the local deer park. The census conducted by the wild life officials showed an upward trend, indicating that breeding had taken place. There was also not a single case of mortality. Buoyed by this success the department is now proceeding ahead with the shifting. The need for this translocation project, was attributed to a number of reasons. The first was that the concept behind the setting up of a zoo was entertainment and amusement rather than education of the masses about animals and conservation of endangered species. But today, zoos have become repositories of animals on the verge of extinction. Translocation of these animals from the zoo to the natural habitat is an important function of the Wild Life Department, hence the need for such a project. Second, he pointed out, many animals had over the years become surplus giving rise to problems like funds for feeding these animals and less space in the zoos. Thirdly, many animals in zoos died due to inbreeding. As most of the animals kept in enclosures belonged to one family, animals born after inbreeding had the minimum resistant power against diseases and thus died early. As the animals would be brought from various zoos and deer parks, the problem of inbreeding would end naturally, he said. The Bhunerheri sanctuary was selected for the project after three-year study ( 1994 to 1996) about the environment and the sanctuary. After 1996 the sanctuary was further conditioned for the survival of animal species like black buck, sambhar, hog deer, bark deer and blue bull or neelgai. Fencing was done on 600 acres of land, one fodder farm and some ponds were also created. The Napier grass variety was sown. Mr Atyalia also claimed that this was the first translocation project to have achieved such a success. The project was not without problems. The threat of stray dogs sneaking into the enclosure always loomed large. "We have killed stray dogs as much as possible", he observed but the wild life officials posted at the sanctuary have to be always on their guard. Further pressure of deras and villages around the sanctuary was also a major irritant. The people cut trees and grass to feed their pets or for kitchen purposes. To keep the villagers away from the sanctuary the state government had given solar cookers and solar street lights. However, the threat of poaching was still there, he pointed out. To discourage poaching incidents, they had recorded the names of the persons who possess arms licences. The recording of their name would possibly act as a deterrent to them. From living in cages or
enclosures ranging from 5 ft by 10 ft or 10 ft by 20 feet
enclosures, life in a 600-acre area would be welcome step
for these animals. |
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