Thursday, August 20, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Thursday, August 20, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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War of
letters among jathedars Punjab
changes plot allotment policy Medical
education panel submits report |
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Paddy
buying to start on September 15 |
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Butterfly
park abandoned YC
workers stage dharna Oil
leakage from wagons Bungling
alleged in pension Students
block traffic Police
allowed to quiz Hawara, Tara Tubewell
corporation staff rally over malpractices |
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War of letters among jathedars AMRITSAR, Aug 19 — A "war of letters" of sorts has started among Jathedars of Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib and Kesgarh Sahib which may 'force' the SGPC to intervene. It is pertinent to mention here that Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Damdama Sahib, had not attended the last meeting convened by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, allegedly due to their differences with Bhai Ranjit Singh. Though all the Sikh high priests have denied having differences, however, this is an open secret that differences do persist. In his strongly worded letter, sent by Giani Kewal Singh to Bhai Ranjit Singh the former alleged that he was pained to see that element of distrust persisted among the high priests which was a matter of grave concern, particularly when Sikhs were set to celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of the Khalsa Panth. The letter further says that instead of guiding the Sikh community "our actions have caused 'suspicion' in the minds of Sikh masses". He urged Akal Takht chief to solve all internal matters by holding a meeting. Giani Kewal Singh also alleged that instead of 'consensus' among the high priests the issues were being decided at Akal Takht by a 'majority' view. Giani Kewal Singh in his letter alleged that Bhai Ranjit Singh had made the issue of the World Sikh Council a personal one which caused immense pain to him (Bhai Kewal Singh). He said when Prof Manjit Singh had already resigned from the chairmanship of the council then using harsh language for seeking clarification on the issue of accounts of the council from Prof Manjit Singh did not behove Akal Takht chief. The letter of Giani Kewal Singh further says that the tradition of seeking opinion of the 'Dharam Parchar Committee', before referring any case to Akal Takht for the final judgement has virtually stopped. In his reply letter, Bhai Ranjit Singh had reportedly said that anything against the Sikh traditions could not be taken up at Akal Takht. He further replied that he could not 'ignore' any violation of Sikh traditions under the pretext that Sikhs were celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of the Khalsa. He also reportedly ruled out the possibility of seeking the opinion of any committee, including the Dharam Parchar Committee, before issuing a "hukamnama" as such a step might delay the process. On his alleged "harsh letter" written to Prof Manjit Singh for seeking accounts of the World Sikh Council, Bhai Ranjit Singh justified it. He said it was the duty of Prof Manjit Singh to submit accounts of the council immediately after the resignation. The letter of Bhai Ranjit Singh also sought fixing the responsibility in this matter. On the point of 'democratic principles' while taking decisions at Akal Takht the letter of Bhai Ranjit Singh said: "Give me a single instance when decisions were taken at Akal Takht in the presence of all Takht jathedars during their tenure (Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh). Bhai Ranjit Singh said he
had never imposed his decision on any jathedar. Any
jathedar could register his dissent note in the case of a
difference of opinion. |
Notice to unionist for exposing 5
crore waiver BATHINDA, Aug 19 — The issue of writing-off a Rs 5 crore loan of a private unit here by the management of the State Bank of Patiala has taken a new turn with the bank seeking an explanation from a leader of its employees union, allegedly for supplying information regarding the write off to the media. Sources said that the State Bank of Patiala management had asked Mr M.M. Behal, General Secretary, State Bank of Patiala Staff Union (Punjab) to explain the supplying of information to the media without prior permission. A few months ago, the State Bank of Patiala Staff Union (Punjab) in a letter to the Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha alleged that the management of the bank had taken an anti-bank step by writing off a Rs 5 cr loan to M/s Chatter Extraction Limited. The union had also demanded a CBI probe into the matter. Sources said that instead of taking action against the bank officials involved in the write off the management was out to punish employees who had exposed the decision. Mr J.K. Jain, Assistant
Manager of the bank when contacted on the phone said that
he had sought an explanation from Mr Behal at the
directions of higher bank authorities. He said that the
suit regarding recovery of the loan amount from Chatter
Extractions Limited was pending in a tribunal at Jaipur
and a bank official had been deputed for taking care of
loan-recovery cases. He said the Credit Appraisal
Department (CAD) of the bank was looking into the write
off and would determine who was responsible. |
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Punjab changes plot allotment
policy CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — A new policy for the allotment of developed plots or land in the existing or upcoming industrial focal points, growth centres and industrial estates in Punjab is now on the anvil. This will replace the earlier policy, which was notified on June 1, 1996, it is learnt. What has necessitated the change in policy is the realisation that influential people who managed to get plot or land allotted and procured the letter of intent (LoI) did not actually put up any unit. Instead, that the land was sold off at a premium. This resulted in industrial development failing to take off at the desired rate. The nodal agency for this was the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC), which had developed infrastructure for the promotion of industry on at least 21 sites. These sites involved over 4,360 acres and around 8,200 plots of varying sizes: 250 sq yards to three acres. Besides these sites, the state proposes to develop at least two growth centres, spread over 400 acres, located at Bathinda and Pathankot under a centrally sponsored scheme. Even as the old sites remain undeveloped or partially developed the PSIEC proposes to develop at least 21 "new" focal points in the next five years. The process for acquisition of land has begun. Under the new "notification" proposed to be issued shortly, the reservation criteria is as follows: allotment under "off-the-shelf" scheme — all land above two acres, 30 per cent of plots of 2,500 sq. yds and above and up to two acres; and 15 per cent plots from 1,000 sq. yds but less than 2,500 sq. yds. The reservation for NRIs and export-oriented industry is 10 per cent; for Scheduled Castes 20 per cent; backward classes 5 per cent and ex-servicemen or war widows 5 per cent. In case sufficient applications are not forthcoming in any of these categories, the same will be converted into "general" category and treated as unreserved. Applications are to be submitted either to the PSIEC or development agency concerned, which will undertake the secretarial work: scrutiny of applications, placing proposals before respective sub-groups committees and complete the processing of applications within four months for allotment. The earnest money to be submitted along with application will be 10 per cent of the cost of plot. Each application will have to pass the following parameters: viability of project, whether project is in "thrust" area, impact on environment, technology involved, export obligation, value addition, scope of employment, import substitution, financial resourcefulness and qualification, experience and general suitability. The decision of the allotment committees will be final and no appeal shall lie against it. When letter of intent is delivered, the holder will deposit additional 30 per cent of the plot cost within 30 days and complete related formalities within 12 months from the date of issue of LoI. Some provision for extension in time is there. Special extension will involve payment at the rate of 2.5 per cent of the cost of the plot. The LoI holder will be required to deposit the balance 60 per cent cost in five equal half-yearly instalments along with applicable interest etc. If a LOI holder fails to complete the stipulated formalities his earnest money and extension fee, if any, shall be forfeited and the amount over and above, thereof, shall be refunded with no interest on that amount. Under the "off-the-shelf" scheme earnest money to be submitted along with the application will be 20 per cent of the cost of plot or Rs 39 lakh, whichever is less. The eligible criteria for this allotment for individuals and companies is as follows: For plot size of 1,000 sq yds minimum fixed capital investment should be Rs 75 lakh with minimum employment for 20 persons. For other plots the requirements are as follows: for 2,500 sq yds: Rs 125 lakh, 50 jobs; for 3,750 sq yds: Rs 2 crore; and 75 minimum jobs; for 5,000 sq yds: Rs 2.50 crore and 100 jobs, for 7,500 sq yds: Rs 3.50 crore and 150 jobs and for 10,000 sq yds Rs 5 crore and 200 minimum employment. Once LOI is received the
applicant shall deposit 80 per cent of the remaining
amount (cost of plot) in lump sum within 60 days. |
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Medical education panel submits
report CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — The committee on improving medical education and hospital services today submitted its report to the Punjab Minister of Medical Education and Research, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal. The presentation was done by the convener, Dr (Ms) Sudesh Khanna, Principal, Government Medical College, Amritsar. The report, inter alia, has recommended that the retirement age of medical teachers should be enhanced to 65 years from 60 at present. The Medical Council of India recommendation, however, is that medical teachers after 60 will not be examiners or head of institutions or departments. To increase financial resources, the committee has suggested mobilisation of funds through hike in fees charged from students, reservation of 15 per cent seats for non-resident Indians, levy of charges on patient care (who can pay) etc. The principals should be given more financial and administrative powers. The same should be applicable to medical superintendents of hospitals concerned. The budget allocation of the medical colleges and hospitals should be enhanced, the report says. The teaching staff should be paid handsome salaries and private practice should be permitted to all clinical teachers after working hours. They should be given share from private patients' earnings in hospitals as in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Clinicians doing investigative procedures should also be given share out of the private patients' earnings. The teachers not practising must get handsome special allowance. This step can prevent brain drain and also put an end to unethical practices, the report states. Each medical college should have "medical education" unit and designation of teaching posts should be "uniform" and according to Medical Council recommendations: lecturer, reader, professor and son on. Promotions should be done by a screening committee consisting of experts and the selection of teachers should be done on "merit" by a committee of experts from outside the state. The report says equipment is imperative in each department. Therefore, all emergency departments must have cardiac monitors, defibrillators, ventilators and other gadgets, including emergency medicines required for efficient and prompt handling of emergencies. For that liberal annual grant as well as lump sum of Rs 15 crore to each college should be given. Library should be equipped
with medlar, Nicnet and Internet. Accepting the report,
Mr Grewal said there would be no further committee to
examine the report. Recommendations not involving
financial implications would be implemented right away.
In fact, the recommendations would be implemented in toto
in stages. "We accept the report in principle"
he added. The committee has found fault with the recruitment of teachers and wants experts from outside the state on selection committees. New teachers must undergo short-term training in "education science and technology. All teachers must attend important conferences at least once a year. Giving facts and figures,
the committee has recommended that there should be a
three fold rise in the budget allocation since 80 per
cent to 90 per cent was consumed towards salaries. |
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Paddy buying to start on
September 15 LUDHIANA, Aug 19 — Procurement of fresh paddy by official procurement agencies will commence in Punjab from September 15. A decision in this regard is understood- to have been conveyed by the Government of India to the FCI and government procurement agencies in Punjab. Paddy procurement operations began on September 22 last year. The date on which the official procurement agencies enter the grain-markets to purchase paddy has eluded an agreement between the Punjab Government and the procurement agencies. While the procurement agencies have been insisting that the procurement operations should not begin earlier than October 1, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has been emphasising that the procurement should start from September 1 so that the farmers do not face any hardships in disposing of their produce. Official agencies have been pointing out that paddy brought to the grainmarkets by the farmers before October 1 generally fails to meet the specifications laid down by the Government of India with regard to the moisture content etc. This is what happened even last year when large quantities of paddy which did not meet the prescribed specifications were purchased by the procurement agencies under pressure from Punjab ministers. More than 6.57 lakh MT of paddy is still lying unmilled with the FCI because the rice millers have refused to mill it so far. The FCI is now trying to arrange the milling of this paddy on the basis of actual weight. The Government of India has apparently tried to settle the issue by getting September 15 as the date to begin procurement operations. Another problem facing the FCI is the storage. The total storage capacity with the FCI in Punjab is of the order of 72 lakh MT. Of this, 65 lakh MT is already occupied by last year's paddy. The evacuation of grain from Punjab to other states by the Railways has been very slow this year. According to the estimates
of the Punjab Agriculture Department, the state is likely
to produce 138 lakh MT of paddy this year. The market
arrivals this year are expected to be around 120 lakh MT.
Most of it will be procured by the FCI and the state
government procurement agencies. With little space
available for storage of fresh paddy, the authorities are
at their wits end as to how to resolve the problem. They
are drawing up plans to store the procured paddy in the
open. |
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Butterfly park abandoned PATIALA, Aug 19 — Launched 11 years ago, the project of setting up a butterfly-inn at Deer Park here, still remains a distant dream. Conceived by a group of persons including an internationally acclaimed lepidoptorist (expert of butterflies) and the Environment Society of Patiala and the state Wildlife Department way back in 1987, the project was abandoned some time later even though some portion of the proposed vivarium-cum-glass house for exhibiting the butterflies was constructed at the park. All later efforts to re-start the project failed to take off, thanks to the differences between the persons and organisations, who had initiated the project in the first place. The vivarium-cum-glass house constructed for the purpose and in a dilapidated condition now, stands as mute testimony to the well publicised project. Even today advertisement boards carrying the invitation "Welcome to Butterfly Inn Deer Park Patiala" are seen along the roads leading to the park. The bill boards, the decayed building and the inauguration stone is till there but there is no trace of any butterfly, in or near it. The visitors are curtly told that this is not a season of the butterflies hence the empty building. A scrutiny of the documents of the project and a talk to a number of concerned officials revealed that some time before 1987, a group of persons obsessed with butterflies (also called ‘the floating flower without stem’ by its ardent lovers, came together and formed a society called the Environment Society of Patiala, for raising funds to construct a butterfly inn at Deer Park Patiala. The society was formed under the then Deputy Commissioner of the district, Dr N.S. Narang, an expert in butterflies along with, Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, presently, Director North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala and the officials of the Wildlife and Forest Department of the district and the state. Land for the project was requisitioned from the Deer Park authorities here who were supporting the project as it may attract tourists to the park. The construction work of the project started on February 10, 1987. According to Dr N.S. Narang, butterflies with over 14,000 species in the country were once abundant in Punjab but gradually due to environment degradation the number became scarcer. The number of species of butterflies had decreased from 100 to 57 in only four years. There was the urgent need to conserve the beautiful creation of nature as well as to increase the population of the butterflies. Besides, the butterflies
have a number of beneficial roles in the ambit of
environment. It promotes forest growth by performing the
role of pollination agents (next only to bees). Thus
helping in maintaining ecological balance. It is the most
fascinating and ornamental creatures of nature and
enhance the aesthetic beauty of forest. It has immense
commercial and scientific value evident from the large
scale smuggling of its body parts. |
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YC workers stage dharna FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 19 — Youth Congress workers staged a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today in protest against price rise and the failure of the central and state governments on all fronts. Addressing the workers, Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa, president, Punjab Youth Congress, demanded that the Chief Minister should clarify his stand on the People's Commission which was working without any legal or constitutional status. He said the youth Congress would oppose the commission. He said the government had failed on all fronts and there was an apprehension that terrorism might stage a comeback. He said yesterday's
killings in Chamba showed that the law and order
situation in the country was at its lowest ebb. Speaking on the occasion,
Dr Harbans Lal, MLA, criticised the state government for
not abolishing octroi in spite of its election promise.
He demanded that the increase in the power tariff and bus
fares should be withdrawn. |
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Oil leakage from wagons LEHRA MOHOBBAT (Bathinda), Aug 19 — Heavy fuel oil (HFO) needed for the boiler of the second unit of the Guru Hargobind thermal plant (GHTP) leaked from five of 66 goods train wagons while being transported to the plant from Mumbai on August 17. Mr Harvinder Singh Sidhu, working president, Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant Employees Union, in a press note, alleged that the PSEB had suffered a loss of lakhs of rupees due to the leakage. He said that the plant management had given the contract for unloading the wagons to untrained persons which led to the leakage. Mr T.L. Paika, Chief Engineer, GHTP, when contacted said that only one wagon was received empty. He said the plant had not suffered any loss as Hindustan Petroleum Company which was the supplier of the oil was responsible for the loss. He said that there was no need for holding any inquiry into the incident. Regarding the jamming of
the turbine a few days ago, he said that engineers from
the BHEL, Hardwar, were in the process of rectifying the
fault. |
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Bungling alleged in pension AMRITSAR, Aug 19 — Mr Surinder Kumar Billa, president of the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena has demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Department of Social Welfare in the disbursement of old-age pension. In a press note issued
here today, Mr Billa alleged that the Chief Minister had
promised to grant pension to women above the age of 60.
However, instead of giving pension to the genuine
persons, the department officials were indulging with
malpractices. |
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Students block traffic JALANDHAR, Aug 19 — Students of the DAV Institute of Physiotherapy today blocked traffic in protest against the "failure" of the college management to take action against a teacher for his "unbecoming" conduct with girl students. The students who have been observing a strike since August 11 also staged a dharna in front of the college and submitted a memorandum each to the Deputy Commissioner, the Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University and the college management. The students said that
they had complained to the college principal about two
months ago in this regard, but no action was taken
against the teacher. While the students were
demanding the dismissal of the teacher, the management
had decided not to give him and extention, said Mr Jain. |
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Police allowed to quiz Hawara,
Tara CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — The Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today allowed the request of the Chandigarh Police to interrogate Jagtar Singh Hawara and Jagtar Singh Tara in connection with the Burail jail blow-up conspiracy case. Mr Bedi directed the police to interrogate Hawara and Tara in the presence of the Jail Superintendent. Hawara and Tara are undertrials in the ongoing Beant Singh assassination case. The Chandigarh Administration had issued a notification, banning taking them outside the jail premises. Earlier the Chandigarh Police had moved an application in the court of Mr A.K. Bishnoi, Judicial Magistrate, for seeking the permission of the court for the interrogation of Hawara and Tara. Mr Bishnoi had directed
the police to move their application before the court
concerned. |
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Tubewell corporation staff CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — Members of the Punjab State Tubewell Corporation Employees Welfare Union today held a rally to protest against the alleged malpractices indulged in by certain officers, leading to the losses incurred by the corporation over a period of time. The protesters assembled in front of their office in Sector 26 and raised slogans against the authorities.Besides this they also wanted the acceptance of their long pending demands. Mr Om Parkash, president of the union said that the authorities should release the balance 50 per cent of their arrears which was pending on account of the revised salaries from April. Other demands raised at the rally included promotion to all eligible employees, release of seniority lists, providing house building funds to the tune of Rs 50 lakh for the years 1997-98 as per the decision of the board of the corporation besides rescinding the orders for the abolition of the log books for all the projects undertaken by corporation. The main thrust of the
speeches by other leaders was however the accumulation of
assets by certain officers disproportionate to their
known sources of income and scandals in the corporation,
totalling over Rs 250 crore. |
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Plea to cancel transfers CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 — The Class IV Government Employees Union, Punjab, has urged the Punjab Government to cancel the transfers of Class IV employees ordered by the Punjab State Agriculture Marketing Board. Mr Sucha Singh Mattu, General Secretary of the union said that as many as 48 transfers had been ordered. He said that employees had held rallies in the past days to get the transfers cancelled. Another rally would be
held on August 20 in which all Class IV employees of the
board would participate and it would be addressed by all
senior leaders of the union. |
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Effigies of Farooq, Pak flag burnt KAPURTHALA, Aug 19 — The Hindu Shiv Sena burnt effigies of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah along with the Pakistani flag here today, while taking out a protest march against growing terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The district president of
Hindu Shiv Sena Jagdish Kataria, submitted a memorandum
to the Deputy Commissioner demanding that no dialogue be
initiated with Pakistan till it gives a commitment to
refrain from supporting militant outfits in J and K. They
also demanded that the Army be given control of the state
so that the minorities could be saved. |
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Punjab to have new subdivision CHANDIGARH, Aug 19 —
The Punjab Council of Ministers today decided to create a
new subdivision with headquarters at Dera Bassi, it is
learnt. The council also decided that in future all new doctors would be recruited only on contractual basis with a provision that they would serve for three years in villages. The Health Department has been asked to frame policy guidelines on this scheme and submit the same to the council within one week. The monthly pension of Army deserters who left in the wake of Operation Bluestar in 1984 has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 and the family pension of the Army deserters who were killed has been raised to Rs 1,500 from Rs 500 per month. The council approved
absorption of the Superintendent of Police, Ms Amrit
Brar, into the Punjab Police. She has been on deputation
from the CRPF. |
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Lala Achint Ram's birth
anniversary TARN TARAN, Aug 19 — The 100th birth anniversary of Lala Achint Ram, father of Vice-President Krishan Kant, was celebrated today at his native village of Kot Mohammad Khan, 18 km from here, in which Suman, wife of the Vice-President participated. Mr R.L. Bhatia, former Foreign Minister, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur, MP, participated in the function. Speakers addressing the
gathering lauded the role of Lala Achint Ram in the
freedom struggle and in the 'Sarvodaya andolan'. Lala
Achint Ram, who represented the Lok Sabha thrice, took
active part in the freedom struggle. The function was
organised by the Servants of India Society. |
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