Wednesday, August 12, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, August 12, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Khalsa
birth fest to be of national level Homoeopathic
body members sore |
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 SMO’s arrest sought Amarinder
opposes Hooda's stand on river waters issue |
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Telecom services hit by
strike SAD
to protect 'Punjabi interests' Dam
employees resent 'arbitrary' cut in arrears |
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| GND varsity extends date Terrorist held Instructions to blood banks |
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Car thieves' gang busted Liquor smugglers' gang busted Milkmen's strike on August 17 |
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Khalsa birth fest to be of
national level PATIALA, Aug 11 — Celebrations to commemorate the 300 years of the birth of 'Khalsa Panth', initiated by the Shiromani Akali Dal and so far, confined mainly to the Punjab state, now have gone national. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resource Development announced at a press conference at N.I.S. guest house here today that the central government had decided to celebrate the 300th centenary of the Khalsa Panth at the national level. He announced that seminars, discussions and cultural programmes exhibiting and highlighting the teachings and sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus and the contribution made by the Sikh community towards nation's independence as well as in the national building would be propagated in these celebrations. While the Shiromani Akali Dal, which had been demanding such recognition of Sikhs at the national level, has received a shot in the arm with this announcement. All is not going to be well with the Dal regarding the controversial Udham Singh Nagar issue. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party was in no mood to amend the draft of the bill regarding the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in the proposed state of Uttaranchal, a move vehemently opposed by the Shiromani Akali Dal, Punjab. "There are only one lakh Punjabis out of the total 11 lakh population of Udham Singh Nagar" Dr Joshi said adding that the demand of one lakh Punjabi population could not be given precedence over to the wishes of the remaining population. Further he said that senior Akali Dal member and Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Barnala was also party to this decision of the government. Dr Joshi also said that the fear of Punjabis about the reduction of their land holdings in the proposed Uttaranchal state was not correct as the Centre had included a clause in the Bill protecting the land holding right. However, when asked the utility of such a clause as it could be revoked by the state government of Uttaranchal when it came into being, Dr Joshi said, "this would not happen as the Bharatiya Janata Party would form the government in Uttaranchal and it would protect the rights of the Punjabi population". Dr Joshi declined to answer any further query on the issue. When asked about the BJP government's stand on the nationwide agitation launched by the teachers from today, Dr Joshi said that the government had announced the scales of pay after a lot of discussion. The teaching community is launching a baseless agitation as now they would be drawing more salaries than the 'IAS' officers. "We have reduced the promotion time and also added new increments for those teachers holding a Ph.D. or M.Phil degree", the minister said. The government has also decided to introduce the posts of professor in the autonomous colleges in the country thus fulfilling a longstanding demand of the teaching community, the minister said. The HRD Minister also announced that all scientists of Indian origin settled abroad and facing hardships from the foreign governments due to the nuclear tests by India, would be given complete protection by the Government of India. "We would give total aid to any Indian scientist told to leave a foreign country due to the respective nation's stand against the Indian nuclear tests. We would provide them with jobs and funds if they are engaged in research activity" the Minister told. Giving figures, he said that so far only the USA had told Indian scientists to leave their land. One of the seven such scientists told to leave the USA had already returned. The Minister stated, adding that no other country had so far, followed this exercise of the United States of America. As per the plans regarding the celebration of the 300 years of the birth of Khalsa Panth, Dr Joshi announced that reputed international organisation "UNESCO" would participate in the celebrations at the national level. The programmes like seminars discussion and cultural functions enlightening the country men about the Sikh community would be organised throughout the country in coming months. He also said that the final function regarding the 50 years of Indian independence would be held on August 15 at New Delhi. After the Prime Minister's speech, a special session of Parliament would be convened at 11.30 a.m. which would be presided over by the President of the country. On the occasion a 31-minute film showing the achievement of the country in the field of science and technology would be shown in Parliament and telecast live in the country. A rally of youths would be
held in the evening at the Raj Path. The focus would be
on India's identity in Asia. This would be exhibited by a
number of cultural troupes participating in the rally.
International teams from Singapore, Thailand, Korea and
Sri Lanka would also participate, the minister announced.
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Hanky-panky in rest house
auction alleged BATHINDA, Aug 11 — Residents of Dialpura Mirja village of this district have alleged that canal rest house of the village has been sold to a person very "close" to a state minister by the authorities concerned. In a written complaint made to the Chief Secretary, Punjab and Deputy Commissioner, the residents alleged that about four acres of land with 60 trees and building of the rest house had been sold for Rs 13, 51,000 only. They alleged that state Irrigation Department authorities had played a trick to keep them away from the open auction of the canal rest house held on July 27. They alleged that the state Irrigation Department first fixed the venue of auction at the local Irrigation Department office. However, one day before the auction, it was announced on the public address system of village gurdwara that the auction would be held in the village itself. The auction, however, was held at the local Irrigation Department office. They alleged that this was done by the authorities concerned to keep them away from participating in the auction so that the authorities concerned could follow the ‘diktats’ of the state minister and favour his kin. They further alleged had a proper auction been held, the rest house would have fetched more than Rs 20 lakh. The villagers also offered to buy the rest house for more the price it got in the auction. They alleged that when the auction was being held, the son of Mr Sikander Singh Malooka, state Irrigation Minister, was sitting on the dais. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted said that he had been looking into the matter and had sought comments of the Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department. Mr G.S. Sidhu, Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department, when contacted said that auction was held according to rules. He said that the canal rest house had fetched Rs 13,52,000 against its reserve price of Rs 12,64,000 fixed by a committee of experts. He said that there were only 29 trees in the canal rest house and price of all these trees was evaluated by experts of Forest Department. The price of building was computed by the experts of PWD department. He said that there was no underhand deal in the auction. He admitted that the son of state irrigation minister, Mr Malooka was present on the dais when the auction was being held and added that Mr Malooka's son had come for routine work in the irrigation office. The villagers have
demanded that the auction of the canal rest house be held
again. They alleged that irrigation department officials
in connivance with the state Minister had caused a loss
of lakh of rupees to the Punjab government. |
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SMO’s arrest sought NAWANSHAHR, Aug 11 —A number of organisations under the aegis of the Dharmik Utsav Committee, organised a protest here today against the alleged inaction of the local police to arrest Dr Mohinder Pal, SMO, ESI, Hoshiarpur. Dr Mohinder Pal had allegedly got published posters in which he challenged the divine powers of Hindu deities. The agitated mob blocked the traffic, got most of the shops and business establishment closed and held a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Dr Ashwani Kumar Dhir, Mr Ramesh Chopra and Mr Manoj Pathak observed a fast to press the administration to arrest Dr Mohinder Pal. Yesterday evening, the mob also blocked traffic at the Chandigarh chowk here till midnight. A meeting of district administration, was also held here today to resolve the issue. The members of the action committee accused the police and the administration of working under "political pressure". Mr Surinder Singh Sodhi, SSP, said that a case had been registered under sections 295 and 120 against Dr Mohinder Pal and the owners of a press, who had printed the objectionable posters. While three persons of the press had been taken into custody. Dr Mohinder Pal was still at large. Dr Roshan Sunkaria, Deputy Commissioner, said that the Secretary, Health Department, had been approached to take action against the doctor. He assured the agitators
that the administration would try to resolve the issue
soon. |
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Homoeopathic body members sore PATIALA, Aug 11 — The eight elected members of the Punjab State Council of Homoeopathic System of Medicine have decried the non-notification of their election by the Punjab Government, even though more than two months have passed since the elections took place. These members elected by nearly 6000 registered homoeopaths are a resented lot because normally the government notifies their election within a week of the declaration of results. One of the elected members, Dr K.C. Batish, in a communication to the Chief Minister, Punjab, and the Minister for Medical Education and Research demanded the immediate notification of the election of the homoeopaths. It also demanded that the Chairperson of the 11-member council should be elected by the majority and not appointed by the government as has been the practice earlier. Dr Batish told that eight members of the homoeopathic council are elected democratically while the remaining three are nominated by the government. As per the earlier practice, the Chairman had always been the nominated member, Dr Batish said. This policy is now being opposed by the newly elected members. They contend that as per the laws of council the consent of only three members of the council is required to pass an order. Under this condition the existence of elected members remain only on paper. Further with a nominated member being the chairperson, the government exercised full control over the council. Dr Batish said that due to the delay in notification and appointment of nominated members, the homoeopathic education is suffering. In the absence of the supervision of the council, many mistakes have committed in the setting of question papers for the different year students of BHMS. Even the results have not been declared so far delaying the next year's admission process, he said. The government had so far not taken any measure to improve the lot of homoeopathic doctors in the state. No new homoeopathic dispensary has been opened after 1985 even though the then governments had announced a plan to set up 20 homoeopathic dispensaries in the state each year, he said. Dr Batish urged the Chief
Minister to take interest in redressing the grievances of
the homoeopathic doctors in the state. |
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GND varsity extends date AMRITSAR, Aug 11 — Guru Nanak Dev University has extended the date for admission to M.A. and M. Phil, (religious studies) up to August 17. The candidates who have passed B.A. with Punjabi, history, religious studies, sociology, and philosophy with 45 per cent marks are eligible for M.A. (religious studies). The step seems to have
been taken in view of strike by university and college
teachers. |
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Car thieves' gang busted GURDASPUR, Aug 11 — The police today arrested Deepak Kumar Narang, Inderjit Singh, both of Amritsar, and Ashok Kumar Mishra of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, all members of a gang indulging in theft of cars. Two Maruti vans and three Maruti cars were recovered from their possession. The DIG, Border Range, told newsmen here today that vehicles were stolen from cities in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and disposed of in the far flung areas of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Deepak Kumar who is the Kingpin of the gang lives in Amritsar and is engaged in sale and purchase business of cars. An expert in preparing fake papers of vehicles, he would often alter its engines and chassis numbers before selling the vehicle. The gang has been active for last several years and members of this gang have been arrested previously by the police of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts. As many as 35 vehicles were recovered from this gang in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts in 1993 and 15 vehicles were recovered by the Gurdaspur police in March 1998. However, after their release from jail on bail the gang members would again indulge in lifting of vehicles. The police said Deepak was
also involved in an attempted murder and looting of a
temple in Darang in Himachal Pradesh in 1993. |
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Telecom services hit by strike SANGRUR, Aug 11 — Telecom services in the district were completely paralysed following strike by members of all telecom unions including the Telecom Engineer Services Association, the Junior Telecom Officers Association, the All-India Employees Telecom Union Class III, the Namdhri group and the line staff. The strike is in protest against the alleged dictatorial and rude behaviour of Mr Joginder Mohan, Deputy General Manager Telecom here. The strike entered its second day today. Striking union members sat on a dharna outside the office of the General Manager Telecom here today and shouted slogans against Mr Joginder Mohan. The members are demanding his immediate transfer from here. Mr Bhan Singh Bhaura, a
former MP addressing the gathering regretted that the
telecom authorities had not taken any action despite the
complete paralysing of telecom services in the district. |
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Terrorist held CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — The Punjab police chief, Mr P.C. Dogra, said here today that the Kapurthala district police had arrested a terrorist, Jagir Singh alias Zira, of the Khalistan Commando Force who was a proclaimed offender since 1991. Mr Dogra said that after
killing Mr Baldev Singh, a home guard jawan, Jagir Singh
reached Germany through Moscow. He was deported from
Germany on July 30 last. |
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SAD to protect 'Punjabi
interests' CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, today reiterated that if the Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh was not excluded from the proposed Uttranchal state, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would withdraw its support to the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre. The senior Akali leader, who was speaking at a leadership training camp 'organised by the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Boparai), at the Sector 19 gurdwara here today, said there was no question of shifting from the stand as the SAD was committed to protect the rights of Punjabis, living in and outside the state. While criticising certain political parties, who had maintained that the Akali Dal had no business interfering in the matters of other states, he said that the SAD would continue to raise its voice against any injustice meted out to the Punjabis. While asserting that the Akali Dal was firm on its decision regarding withdrawal of support, the Punjab minister said in a lighter vein? "Don't think that we are like Ms Jayalalitha to backtrack from the stand once taken. Moreover our decision is based on certain principles. However, he advised the federation to modify its resolutions passed today in which the federation had asked that the SAD should straightway sever its ties with the BJP in case the party's demand for exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar was not conceded. "We do not believe in issuing threats, though we have always been in the forefront to guard the interests of the people", said Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Earlier, the federation
leadership expressed its full faith in the leadership of
the SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and steps taken
by him to strengthen Hindu-Sikh unity. In another
resolution, the federation demanded removal of
unemployment through setting up of large industries in
the state. |
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Amarinder opposes Hooda's stand CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee have locked horns over the river waters issue. The issue of sharing river waters has been creating bad blood between Punjab and Haryana for the past several years. Reacting sharply to the statement made by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President of the HPCC, seeking implementation of the interim report of the Eradi Tribunal with regard to the Ravi-Beas waters, Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the PPCC, said here today that neither the report of the Eradi Tribunal nor any other adjudication regarding the river waters was acceptable to the Punjab Congress. "Punjab has no surplus river waters and there is no question of reopening this issue in the light of this", said Capt Amarinder Singh, taking note of Mr Hooda's statement. When pointed out that there was a provision in the Rajiv-Longowal Accord to construct and complete the SYL canal within a specific period, Capt Amarinder Singh said the clause pertaining to river waters was rejected by the late Punjab Chief Minister and President of the PPCC, Mr Beant Singh. "I endorse the stand taken by Mr Beant Singh with regard to the river waters issue", Capt Amarinder Singh added. Several Punjab districts, including Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot and Sangrur were at the tail ends of the canal system and these did not get enough water for irrigation, Capt Amarinder Singh said. When Punjab had no water to irrigate its own areas, how it could spare water for other states? he asked. Talking to mediapersons yesterday, Mr Hooda, had stated that if the Centre could decide to implement the interim report of the Cauvery Tribunal why could it not implement the interim report of the Eradi Tribunal on sharing the Ravi-Beas waters among the five northern states. When asked about Mrs Sonia Gandhi's visit to Amritsar, Capt Amarinder Singh said that Mrs Gandhi had herself directed him to plan her visit to the Golden Temple. "Mrs Sonia Gandhi is very keen to pay obeisance at Darbar Sahib and she has told me accordingly", Capt Amarinder Singh added. The visit would be before November as after that she would be busy in campaigning for the Vidhan Sabha elections in Rajasthan and other states. Although Capt Amarinder Singh made it clear that he as well as the Punjab unit of his party was totally against the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar district in the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal, he was unable to say what stand Mrs Sonia Gandhi and the All-India Congress Committee had taken in this regard. Capt Amarinder Singh said that the All-India Congress Committee would take the stand when the Bill on Uttaranchal was moved in Parliament. He said that a committee under the leadership of Mr Sharad Pawar had been set up to formulate the party's stand with regard to Udham Singh Nagar district. Capt Amarinder Singh said that he had decided to raise party cadres in the rural areas. Every village in Punjab would have party cadres who would be issued identity cards bearing a photograph of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and other details. He said that the need to raise the party cadres had been felt as Akali activists were bullying Congress workers in the countryside. "I will no longer tolerate such bullying by Akali workers and leaders", he added. It is for the first time that the party had decided to raise party cadres. Capt Amarinder Singh said that by October 31 all Block Congress Committees would be revamped, village committees formed and district Congress committee reorganised, wherever necessary. Vice-Presidents of the PPCC had been delegated powers to carry out this job and each vice-president would look after the functioning of the party in two to three districts. All office-bearers had been clearly told to show performance, otherwise they would have to quit. He said that office-bearers had been appointed on the basis of their standing in the party and in the field and not on the basis of groupism. He said that he was not
aware about changing Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as Leader
of the Congress Legislature Party. |
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Dam employees resent
'arbitrary' cut in arrears GURDASPUR, Aug 11 — Resentment prevails among more than 7000 employees retrenched from other projects and absorbed in Ranjit Sagar Dam for arbitrary cut in their arrears. Mr Gian Chand Loomba, president, INTUC Ranjit Sagar Dam said that the cut from dam employees arrears varies from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1.75 lakhs. Mr Loomba said that 285 employees who had retired from service do not get any gratuity or pension from the dam authorities because there were huge arrears in their names due to arbitrary cuts imposed by the management of the dam. Mr Loomba added that it was decided in 1981 that Ranjit Sagar Dam employees who had joined after retrenchment from other projects would be entitled to one increment for two years of service with maximum benefit of 7 increments. But the decision was not implemented till August 1987 when the employees resorted to go-slow. He said that the employees had been getting the salaries as per orders in 1987 for the past 11 years. According to orders on March 13, 1996 service of work-charged employees were regularised. A committee of five persons was constituted which submitted its report on November 22, 1996 that the work-charged employees should be covered under orders in 1987. Mr Loomba said that new pay scales were introduced in April, 98 and the salaries of the employees were reduced, because the finance department imposed cuts on the plea that the increments as per the orders of 1981 should have been given from 1981 and not 1987 because increments in 1981 were far lower than in 1987. However an agreement was
arrived at between the management and RSD employees at
the intervention of Mohan Lal Forest Minister on June 1,
1998 on which the management agreed not to impose cut in
salaries and pay 25 per cent of arrears of new scales of
defaulter cases but in vain. |
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Liquor smugglers' gang busted JALANDHAR, Aug 11 (PTI) — The police today busted a liquor smuggling racket here after getting information from a truck driver who was nabbed earlier by the excise staff. Senior Superintendent of Police P.S. Gill said the excise staff, along with a police party, caught a truck carrying 636 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at Hutra village under Bhogpur police station in Jalandhar district. The driver of the truck led the police party to a godown at Sofi village police station where 3500 more bottles were seized. A case under the Punjab
Excise Act has been registered. |
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Administration instructions to blood banks JALANDHAR, Aug 11 (PTI) — The district administration today directed that only the government-approved blood banks would be eligible to supply blood to hospitals and dispensaries. Deputy Commissioner Som Parkash, who met the district and sub-divisional level officials of the Health Department today, said instructions had been issued to strictly implement the orders regulating the supply of blood. The District Civil Surgeon
had been directed to make arrangements for testing of
blood at hospitals, dispensaries and blood banks, he said
in a statement here. |
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Milkmen's strike on August 17 PHILLAUR, Aug 11 — All milkmen in the state will observe strike in support of their demands on August 17. Mr Gurdev Singh Fauji, president of the Dodhi Union, Punjab, said here yesterday that a state-level demonstration would be organised at Chandigarh. The milkmen are opposing the setting up of a Punjab dairy development corporation. |
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Three arrested in double-murder
case AMRITSAR, Aug 11 — The police has arrested Bhagwant Singh and Lakhbir Singh, residents of Farakipur village under Bhikhiwind police station, and Buta Singh of Padhri Kalan village in connection with a double murder committed in Maharashtra about one and a half months ago. According to the district police chief, Mr Gurdev Singh Sahota, the accused who strangled the driver and the conductor of a truck and threw their bodies into a drain, had been arrested under Sections 379, 411, 468 and 471 of the IPC. The accused had taken the truck by using a fake number-plate. In another case, the
police has arrested Ranjit Singh and Sukhdev Singh,
residents of Sarghra village, for looting Kashmir Kaur, a
teacher posted at Thande, at her farmhouse. |
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