Thursday, December 3, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Thursday, December 3, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Cong
win not good signal: Takht chief Punjab
for changes in human rights Act Recharging
Amritsar groundwater |
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 Badal reiterates stand on U S Nagar CHANDIGARH, Dec 2 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today reiterated the stand of the Shiromani Akali Dal on retaining Udham Singh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. PAU
'failed' to guide farmers 2
doctors chargesheeted 4
held for trespassing |
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It's
step-motherly treatment, say cops
Congress
to induct youths into PCCs Women
in politics ‘due to their menfolk’ Taxi
owners attack transporters' office
Farmers
face canal water shortage Unauthorised
colonies to get basic amenities Municipal
area divided into 86 units |
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Government ignoring Amritsar, says
Bhai Ranjit AMRITSAR, Dec 2 — Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh has said that Amritsar — the holiest place for the Sikhs, was being ignored by the government while framing programmes for the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa panth. While talking to the press here today, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that all concerned should give due importance to developing the holy city of Amritsar too as the ‘Sikh sangat’ from various parts of the world would visit Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar simultaneously. On the overall development of Anandpur Sahib by the state and central government, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that even hills which had historical importance in Sikh history were being levelled to construct buildings. Hills were mentioned by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh during his last days at Nander Sahib had been levelled. These hills should have been preserved. Similarly a Dewan Hall was constructed at Anandpur Sahib after levelling a hill at the instance of the SGPC and the Gurmat Sagar Trust of Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Keshgarh Sahib. He said the Sikh shrines at Anandpur Sahib were paid little attention in developing Anandpur Sahib. Bhai Ranjit Singh also raised serious objections to the word "eight wonder" for Anandpur Sahib by the state government. Akal Takht chief said that the importance of Anandpur Sahib was due to the blessings of Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh and not because of ‘concrete buildings’. He asked how Taj Majal (which is one of the seven wonders of the world) could be compared with Anandpur Sahib. In another significant development, Bhai Ranjit Singh has written official letters to the Chief Minister, all ministers and MLAs irrespective of party affiliations and SGPC Members for participating in the proposed religious procession to be started from Gurdwara Quila Anandgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib) to Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup (Sirhind) from December 4 to December 6. To a question, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that he did not mind if other jathedars of the takhts, including Bhai Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh too joined the march as it was a religious procession and had no political angle. The Akal Takht chief said that if the Centre government was sincere about celebrating the tercentenary of the Khalsa panth it should release all TADA detenues irrespective of their caste and creed. He said it was a matter of concern that TADA detenues were still languishing in various jails of the country though the draconian act was withdrawn by the government under pressure from various quarters. Bhai Ranjit Singh asked Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Managing Editor, Daily Ajit either to quit the Rajya Sabha or step down as editor as the overlap was against ethics. The Akal Takht chief said
that participation in the proposed Khalsa march from
Quila Anandgarh Sahib on December 4 would exceed
expectations. He said that district wise marches would be
taken out after December 6 and clarified that the
proposed march was not a parallel march to the one
organised by the government on November 22. |
Seminar
on Bhai Vir Singh at GNDU AMRITSAR, Dec 2 — The School of Punjabi Studies of Guru Nanak Dev University will organise a two-day seminar on "Bhai Vir Singh: Life and Writings" in commemoration of the tercentenary birth anniversary of the Khalsa in the senate hall of the university from December 7. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Minister for Higher Education and Languages, Punjab, will be the chief guest and Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, Vice-Chancellor, will preside. Dr Jaswant Singh Neki, a Sikh scholar, will present the keynote address. Dr Bikram Singh Ghuman,
Director of the seminar, said more than 100 scholars from
Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi will
participate in the seminar and 24 research papers will be
presented on various aspects of Bhai Vir Singh's life and
writings. |
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Plea
to reschedule exam dates ROPAR, Dec 2 — To ensure participation of students and teachers in the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in April next year, rescheduling of the proposed examination dates for the middle, matric and plus two classes has been recommended to the state education authorities. It was decided to recommend rescheduling of the dates for these examinations at a high-level meeting here, in which top education authorities, including Mrs Vidyawati, DPI (Schools), Punjab, Mr Jarnail Singh, Controller, Examination, Punjab School Education Board, Mrs Malwinder Kaur Chawla, DEO (S), Ropar, and Mr Tejbir Singh, ADC, Anandpur Sahib, participated. Mr KS Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the meeting. The recommendations say
that the examination for the middle class should be held
from February 10 to 18, for matric from February 20 to
March 6, for plus two from March 10 to 30. |
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Congress
win not good signal: Takht chief TARSIKA (AMRITSAR), Dec 2 — Commenting on the SAD-BJP defeat in the Adampur byelection, Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, said that it was surprising that the alliance lost the election in less than two-and-a-half years of its rule, while the CPM had not allowed the Congress to form a government in West Bengal for the past more than two decades. Bhai Ranjit Singh, who was here to participate in the kirtan darbar at Gurdwara Ber Sahib, near here, said the victory of the Congress in the byelection was not a good signal for the Sikhs. The statement of Bhai Ranjit Singh on the defeat of the SAD-BJP combine is considered significant as he had already announced a parallel 'khalsa march' from Anandgarh (Anandpur Sahib) from December 4. He also did not participate in the inaugural functions of the Khalsa Panth's tercentenary organised on November 22 by the state government. Bhai Ranjit Singh addressed the congregation in the presence of Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Keshgarh Sahib. The Akal Takht chief had banned the entry of Prof Manjit Singh at Akal Takht till the latter submitted the accounts of the World Sikh Council. The Akal Takht chief urged the media, especially Ajit newspaper, not to indulge in 'mud-slinging' of Akal Takht and Sikhism. Referring to a news item published in Ajit, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard had been using 'derogatory' language against him. He justified the killings of 'anti-social elements and other dushats' (bad elements) at the hands of Sikh warriors in the past. While justifying the killing of Baba Gurbachan Singh, Nirankari sect chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that he (Bhai Ranjit Singh) should not be described as a 'murderer' or 'killer', as mentioned in the editorials of a Punjabi daily. Prof Manjit Singh, however, did not touch any controversial issue. His speech was confined to religious topics only. However, both jathedars did not speak to each other. The kirtan darbar was
organised by Baba Sajjan Singh in connection with the
tercentenary celebrations. |
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Punjab
for changes in human rights Act CHANDIGARH, Dec 2 — The Punjab Government has written to the Centre to suitably amend the Protection of Human Rights Act to make possible for the national and state-level Human Rights Commissions to try and adjudicate cases of human rights violations committed 10 years back. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is personally taking up the matter with the Union Home Minister to see that suitable amendment is made in the Act. The State Government had made a commitment, to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on November 11 that it would approach the Union Government to amend the basic Act which provided that excesses committed within one year could be investigated and adjudicated. This was too short a period and hence the relevance of the People's Commission that has been set up in Punjab by several human rights activists. A Chandigarh advocate, Mr Sudershan Goyal, has challenged the formation of the People's Commission which has three well-known retired Judges as members. It had evoked tremendous response from those who have suffered at the hands of the security forces during the long spell of violence in Punjab. At the same time, some people had raised serious doubts about the commission and had asked why was it ignoring the excesses committed by extremists. It is in this context that the Punjab Government came out with a via media. Human right activists and the man behind the People's Commission, Mr Ram Narayan Kumar, while reacting to the government's proposal to amend the parent Act welcomed the move. But he said: "The Chief Minister, Mr Prakash Singh Badal, has joined the ranks of human rights organisations who desire a comprehensive review and amendment of the Act to effectively check human rights abuses in this country. Mr Badal's support would certainly invigorate efforts to build the necessary consensus and the political will in the country, which Parliament can then give a legislative shape. It may nevertheless, be a long arduous haul, and the state legislature, under the present dispensation of provincial jurisdiction, may not be able to do much to help". Mr Kumar suggested: "There is an easier and more conventional way for the Chief Minister to act, if his reflected urge to alleviate agonies of people who have suffered grave human rights abuses in the State, be really genuine. Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act allows the Legislative Assembly of Punjab to appoint a commission into any definite matter of public importance. We urge him to utilise the already available powers of the State Government under the Act to set up a commission to examine all human rights violations that occurred in the State over the last decade and a half." The commission may also be mandated to determine the genesis of the violent turmoil that plagued the State, as also the reasons for the failure of the state agencies in maintaining law and order. "Indeed the government's response was coherent and not meant to scuttle the moves to investigate into the violence and its perpetrators", a senior Akali Minister said. He quoted from the affidavit which said "that the State Government is extremely conscious of its responsibility and obligation to protect and safeguard the Fundamental Rights and human rights of the citizens. Apart from the various rights and remedies available under the Constitution, the Government of India has also enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, under which the National Human Rights Commission as also the Punjab State Human Rights Commission have been set up. Both these commissions examine and investigate complaints relating to violations of human rights as also the negligence on the part of any public servant in preventing such violations. A number of complaints pertaining to Punjab are under considerations before both these commission. "Under Section 36(2)
of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the National
Commission or the State Commission are prohibited from
inquiring into any matter after the expiry of one year
from the date on which the act constituting violation of
human rights is alleged to have been committed. The State
Government is of the opinion that this period needs to be
extended up to 10 years. The government has taken up the
matter with the Centre to get the necessary amendments
made in Section 36(2) of the Act so that complaints
regarding human rights violations of the last ten years
can be taken up by the Punjab State Human Rights
Commission." |
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Recharging
Amritsar groundwater CHANDIGARH, Dec 2 — The water of holy tanks will come to the "rescue" of cities and towns where the groundwater table is dwindling in this part of the country. Experts of the Central Groundwater Board have come out with a proposal to use the outflowing water from holy tanks for "recharging" the groundwater in the cities and towns where the water-table in populated areas is declining constantly. The first such proposal will be executed in the Golden Temple area of Amritsar city. Already, the SGPC authorities have allowed the board authorities to use the out-flowing water of the "sarovar" (holy tank) in the Golden Temple for recharging the ground water in the Golden Temple area. The Manager of the Darbar Sahib in the Golden Temple, Mr Dayal Singh, in a letter written to the board authorities has stated that the SGPC by its resolution No 798 had approved the proposal discussed with it in connection with groundwater recharging. Mr M. Mehta, Regional Director of the board, having its regional office here, told TNS that 0.45 million cubic metre (MCM) of water would be available from the Golden Temple's sarovar and complex area for recharging the groundwater. He said the water would be injected in the earth by installing injection wells. Two such wells would be installed near the "langar" building adjacent to the Golden Temple complex while two wells would be installed beyond Gurdwara Kaulsar. Mr Mehta said that injection wells would be drilled by the Punjab Agriculture Department and the required technical knowhow would be provided by the experts of the board. He said that the board was ready to take up this project and action would start soon. The drilling and other related work would cost Rs 9.75 lakh per year and the life of the injection well was estimated at around 20 years. He said that in the Golden Temple area there were two sarovars Golden Temple sarovar and Kaulsar Sahib sarovar — which were inter-linked. These sarovars get water from the main branch of the Lower Upper Bari Doab canal system. The water of these sarovars was replaced with fresh water. On an average the water from these sarovars were drained out 300 days in a year at the rate of 900 litres per minute (LPM). The drained out water would be used for recharging purpose. Mr Mehta said the sub-soil water level in the Golden Temple area had gone down from nine metres in 1986 to 15 metres by the end of last year. He said the annual decline rate of sub-soil water in old Amritsar town was between 0.40 to 0.50 metres. Mr Mehta said that Punjab and Haryana had a large number of holy places and holy tanks. In almost all important cities such tanks were available. He said that after the ground water recharging at Amritsar the board would work on a similar project in Kurukshetra town. Patiala city has also such a "sarovar" in Dukh Nivaran Gurdwara. He said that he was sure about the success of such projects. In fact, the declining
groundwater table had become a big problem in heavily
populated cities and towns and there was no source
available for recharging the groundwater. He said that it
was perhaps the first time in this country and elsewhere
in the world that water of holy tanks would be used
recharging the groundwater. At most places water from
sarovars flowed out in the drainage system. |
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Badal
reiterates stand on U S Nagar CHANDIGARH, Dec 2 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today reiterated the stand of the Shiromani Akali Dal on retaining Udham Singh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Talking to newsmen after inaugurating the Agro Tech '98 here this morning, the Chief Minister made it clear that the proposed Bill on reorganisation of states will not go to Parliament until the three-member committee submitted its report. So far, the full fledged committee had not met, he added. Mr Badal disclosed that he had a meeting with Mr George Fernandes on the subject in Delhi yesterday. This was his second meeting with the Defence Minister on the Udham Singh Nagar issue. All the delegations and representations will be made to the Defence Minister before the full-fledged committee holds its meeting. Mr Badal, who is also the president of the SAD, said that the US Nagar was not a dead issue as was being projected.There was no change in the stand of the Dal on the issue. Talking about the controversy over the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa, Mr Badal said that there was no difference of opinion involving the Punjab Government, the SAD and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on celebrations. He was referring to the Khalsa march being organised by Sant Samaj. Mr Badal also denied that
he has any differences with the SGPC chief on any issue. |
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PAU
'failed' to guide farmers CHANDIGARH, Dec 2 — Criticising Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) for its "failure" to guide the farmers of the state properly, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) has opposed the move to introduce crop insurance, saying it will not help the farmers. Addressing a seminar on suicides by Punjab farmers and the agrarian crisis in the state at the Department of Sociology here in Panjab University campus today, the secretary of the BKU (Rajewal), Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, said PAU was partly responsible for the miseries being suffered by farmers as it had failed to guide them in spite of repeated crop failures. Nothing was done by it to offer a remedy or to bail out the discouraged farmers, who were forced to take the extreme step owing to burgeoning debts in the wake of repeated crop failures. "Can they answer why they had failed to introduce new seeds capable of more yield during the past 10 years? Has any remedy been suggested by them for reclaiming the entire cotton belt damaged by the use of spurious pesticides?" questioned Mr Rajewal, who alleged that the university authorities had even failed to come out with a solution for the loss of micronutrients of the land due to intensive crop cycle. He further alleged that "rivalry" among different universities had also contributed to the present lot of the farmers. A highly successful 1148 cane variety, which was developed by another university, was systematically discouraged in Punjab and in its place another variety which easily fell prey to "red rot" was promoted, he alleged. During last summer, 80 per cent of bees were killed due to a mysterious disease, he alleged. Mr K. Gopal Aiyyar of the department of Sociology said suicides by farmers were on the rise in Punjab as a result of crop failures, fear of social stigma and inability to repay loans. Eightyfour suicides were committed by farmers in 1997 while 32 farmers ended their lives this year, of which 48 cases were reported in Sangrur. He said a majority of these were young farmers in the age group of 21-30. These farmers had taken loans ranging from Rs 21000 to Rs 50000 from multiple agencies, he added. A number of farmers
committed suicide for fear of being insulted by
commission agents in the presence of their fellow
villagers. Another major reason was that they were not
allowed to sell land for the payment of debts by family
members. Mr K. Gopal Aiyyar said a majority of suicides
had taken place in Lehragaga, Moonak and Barnala belt
where crops were repeatedly damaged from 1993 onwards
owing to floods, low water table and a high expenditure,
said Mr K.Gopal Aiyyar, who claimed to have studied 48
cases of suicide in two districts. |
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Two
doctors chargesheeted PATIALA, Dec 2 — Two leading doctors of the city — Dr Hardip Singh Sohal and Dr Surinder Singh Sandhu — have been chargesheeted under Section 120-B read with Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC in connection with the sensational murder of local psychiatrist Megh Raj Goyal on February 6, 1992. The Additional Judge of the Designated Court, Mr B C Rajput, passed these orders on November 11 last, according to a certified copy of the order made available today. Ordering the immediate chargesheeting of the two doctors, the judge observed that a case under Section 3 (3) of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) was also made out against the accused. While confirming the interim bail granted to the accused in June and July this year, Mr Rajput ruled that the two doctors would not leave the country without the permission of the court and would not try to tamper with the evidence of the prosecution. The prosecution stated that Megh Raj Goel and his wife, Dr Suman Goel, had gained quick popularity after coming back to India from England in 1989, after completing their higher education. They started a psychiatric hospital at Punjabi Bagh in Patiala, affecting the business of Dr Sohal and Dr Sandhu, both friends. The prosecution claimed that the accused were known to a proclaimed offender, Balwinder Singh, alias Fauji, alias Pradhan, and that they hatched a criminal conspiracy to eliminate Goel. Balwinder Singh allegedly fired at Goel on the morning of February 6, 1992, when the latter was going to his clinic with his wife. Goel received grievious injuries and was shifted to Government Rajindra Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. Mr Rajput ruled that proceedings under Section 299 of the Cr P.C. be started against Balwinder Singh, who had already been declared a proclaimed offender. The case had been
registered by the civil lines police station under
Section 307/34 IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act.
Offences under Sections 302, 282, IPC, and Sections 4/5
of the TADA Act were added later. The Punjab and Haryana
High Court had on a petition filed by Dr Suman Goel on
July 9, 1996, entrusted the investigation of the case to
the CBI. |
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Four
arrested for trespassing ABOHAR, Dec 2 — Four residents of Abohar and Fazilka were arrested yesterday when they forcibly attempted to take possession of a cotton factory at Suratgarh in Sriganganagar district, according to a report received here today. The factory was owned by an Abohar-based firm which was facing a financial crisis due to heavy losses in the cotton trade. The firm was in debt to some depositors of Fazilka and of some neighbouring towns in Rajasthan. The cotton factory at Suratgarh was reportedly leased out. A group of persons from Abohar and Fazilka allegedly stormed the factory on Monday, escorted by a police party, led by ASI Wachittar Singh. The attempt was resisted by local traders. There were exchange of blows in which two traders, Mr Satnarain Soni and Mr Sohan Lal Ranka, were injured. They went to the police station at Suratgarh to lodge a complaint. The police allegedly bolted the main gate from inside and thrashed the traders. A complete strike was observed at Suratgarh and the traffic at Peelibanga town was blocked. Civil and police officers went to Suratgarh for negotiations with the traders. SHO Virender Jakhar and ASI Wachittar Singh have been placed under suspension, a senior police officer told mediapersons. A case has been registered under Sections 147,323 and 304, IPC, against the policemen. The four arrested residents, Vivek Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Dr Kapil Trikha, were produced before the SDM, who remanded them in judicial custody. The strike at Peelibanga
and Suratgarh was called off today. |
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It's
step-motherly treatment, say cops FATEHGARH SAHIB: Great resentment prevails among police personnel against the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission. They allege that every pay commission had been giving step-motherly treatment to them. Being a disciplined force they are not allowed to advocate their genuine problem before the pay commission. They apprehend that there may be some move behind the scene to humiliate and demoralise the force. Sources reveal that in 1968, Tehsildars used to have equal status and pay scale with that of the Inspector of Police, the Naib-Tehsildar with Sub-Inspector, the Excise Inspector with Assistant Sub-Inspector and constables with JBT teachers. At present all the status and pay scales have been changed. At present JBT teachers get the pay scale of Assistant Sub-Inspectors i.e. Rs.4550-7220 (Rs.5480-8925) after eight years' service whereas constables get Rs.3120-5160 scale but nothing after eight years' service. Even civil employees get the selection grade after eight years' service. The duty hours of JBT teacher are six hours, civil employees eight hours, whereas constables have to perform much longer hours. The police personnel do not get any festival leave like other employees, whereas during the festival days the other employees enjoy the company of their family members, the police personnel remain on duty far away from their families. Moreover, the allowances given to police personnel are nominal compared to increasing prices. All the allowances earlier fixed by the British rulers are still implemented. For example, at present the constables get Rs. 20 cycle allowance, Rs.25 kit maintenance allowance, Rs.100 ration allowance per month which had not been revised by the 10th Pay Commission. On the other hand the allowances of other civil employees have been revised from time to time. Similarly the chances of promotion are low. Sometimes a constable retires as a constable. They are totally at the mercy of their superiors. In civil service, the promotions are done through selection committees. Now the government referred the parity in pay scale to the anomaly committee highlighting that a constable was getting a lower pay scale than a forest wild life guard, the head constable a lower pay scale than a primary school teacher. A meeting of the committee took place last month attended by the DGP. The chairman of the committee was convinced that police personnel deserve higher pay scales but the committee was yet to submit its report and is expected that they would get better scales. A recently concluded survey indicates that the cause of misbehaviour, particularly by the junior ranked police personnel is mental strain, excessive worry, sleep disorder, erratic work habits. All those factors at times lead to the consumption of alcohol. Professional worry, round-the-clock duty, lack of sufficient financial help, absence of proper food arrangements, absence of merit-based policy regarding posting and transfers, favouritism and corruption and no timely appreciation for good work by the authorities are the factors which lead to the mental agony of police personnel. That is why they use intoxicants and take liquor while under strain. The condition of the police stations, the strength of personnel at police stations, the long duty hours, the working style, are the same as were in use during the British Raj. Police personnel allege that sometimes when they are posted at VIPs' houses, they are provided only one tent outside the kothi, no water and not even fans. It is a difficult job they have to perform and in many places the owners do not allow them to enter the kothi. Has anyone highlighted
their problems and fought for their cause? Don't we have
our parents and children to look after? These are some
questions which need immediate answers. Only then can one
expect better treatment, behaviour, they add. |
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Hospital
in memory of mishap victims KHANNA, Dec 2 — The Punjab Government will build a hospital in momory of the victims of the train disaster, which took place near here on November 26. This was announced here today by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, at a bhog ceremony organised by the residents of the five villages near the site of the accident. The Chief Minister said construction of the hospital building would start as soon as the panchayats concerned had selected a site for it. He also announced the Punjab Government's decision to give a grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the villagers of Kauri, Daudpur Libra, Bhattian and Buha Majra in appreciation of the selfless work put in by them to help the mishap victims. One villager, Jaswant Singh, who had found cash and jewellery worth Rs 5.5 lakh at the accident site and had deposited it with the authorities, would be honoured by the Government of Punjab. The Chief Minister said he would also recommend to the Government of India to suitably honour him for his services. Full compensation would be given to the farmers whose crops were damaged due to traffic chaos at the accident site. Earlier, the SGPC chief,
Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the Finance Minister, Capt
Kanwaljit Singh, and the Congress leaders, Mrs Rajinder
Kaur Bhattal and Mr Birdevinder Singh, paid their homage
to the victims of the train disaster and praised the
selfless service rendered by the villagers. |
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85
pc child deaths due to 'genetic defects' AMRITSAR, Dec 2 — More than 85 per cent child deaths in hospitals are due to genetic defects and 9 per cent due to infectious diseases. This was pointed out by Dr M. Katz, president of the World Alliance of Organisations for Prevention of Birth Defects (WAOPBD), USA, while delivering his plenary address on "A hint of changing approach to the health problems of the third world" on the second day of the fourth international symposium on genetics, health and disease at Guru Nanak Dev University here today. Genetic diseases increased morbidity. Many of the diseases causing life-long afflictions, especially diabetes, hypertension, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, had a genetic basis. It was important that all persons in the reproductive age group should be given proper health care and counselling. Dr K. Sperling of the Institute of Human Genetics, Berlin (Germany), highlighted that "spontaneous chromosomal instability in combination with growth retardation and increased cancer risk is characteristic of human genetic defects or indirectly related to DNA repair processes". Dr Sperling also elaborated on his latest research about new genes for fanconianemia and nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS). In the first session on prenatal diagnosis and new-born screening, Dr G. Szemere from Hungary said although women of advanced age had a higher risk of giving birth to babies with chromosomal aberrations, only about 30 per cent chromosomally abnormal foetuses could be screened by foetal cytogenetic studies due to maternal age, while 70 per cent escaped screening. High maternal age increased the risk of chromosomal disorders in the child. He said 30 per cent chromosomal abnormalities occurred in children borne by women aged 30 or above. He advocated ultrasound for these women to identify any abnormality in foetus. Dr J. Santavy from the Czech Republic described a new technique, pseudo 3D sonography, for better imaging of a foetus. It could help in faster and better diagnosis of skeletal abnormalities and neural tube defects, he claimed. Dr K. Suaumori form Nagoya City University, Japan, reported about a gene he had located which caused a type of muscular dystrophy. He said it was feasible to use molecular diagnostic techniques for identifying the gene prenatally. Dr Menon from All-India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Dr SG Gangal
from Mumbai and Dr Y. Poortman from the Netherlands also
presented research papers. |
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Govt
to set up regional disability centre FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 2 — The Punjab Government will set up a regional institute for the disabled and handicapped to cover all the five northern states. Research work will be carried out here on prevention of disabilities and the cure stated Mr R.L. Kalsia, Director Social Security Women and Child Development while inaugurating the two-day State-level celebrations on the occasion of International disabled and handicapped day at I.T.I. grounds at Bassi Pathana today. He said the Punjab government will implement the Social Security Act 95 in an effective manner. He called upon the handicapped to avail of facilities being provided by the government. The National Handicapped Corporation provides loans for anyone having an income of less than 60,000 on minor rates of interest. He suggested that instead of running after jobs the disabled should set up their own businesses with the help of the government loans. The government has fixed 3 per cent reservation for the disabled in jobs and about 1500 disabled were recruited last year. Of them 200 were blind. He said only Punjab has declared this reservation. He said all pending pension cases of the disabled would be disposed of within this month. Mr Ajit Sailani Chairman, of the Physically Handicapped Association, in his address, criticised the attitude of officials and the staff of various government departments as very rude. He said although the government has issued a notification regarding 50 per cent bus fare concession bus crews hesitate in extending this facility. He demanded that the 3 per cent reservation policy should be strictly implemented. Mr Rajesh Pal Singh Lalli, a senior leader of the association demanded that medical fees not be charged from the disabled while obtaining disability certificates and pensions should be given to the disabled from birth. GURDASPUR: More than 500 students of various schools participated in a pulse polio rally held in the premises of the Local Civil Hospital. Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner presided. Later the Deputy Commissioner flagged off the rally by releasing pigeons and balloons. The rally, displaying banners highlighting the importance of eradication of polio by administering oral drops to children up to 5 years passed through the main roads, particularly through slums. Addressing the rally Dr Ajaib Singh Sandhu Civil Surgeon, said that 2,53,818 children have been identified for administering oral drops on December 6 and January 17. FEROZEPORE: With a
view to awakening the public to the eradication of polio
a massive rally of members of voluntary organisations,
school children and health officials under leadership of
the DC, Mr Gurdev Singh Sidhu was taken out from the
markets here on Tuesday. |
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Congress
to induct youths into PCCs PATIALA, Dec 2 — In a bid to effectively counter the Akali Dal (Badal), the Punjab Congress has decided to bring youth party workers to the fore by giving them representation in the pradesh Congress as well as district Congress committees. Disclosing this here today, pradesh Congress committee president, Capt Amarinder Singh said the strategy had already been put into by appointing five youngsters as presidents of various district Congress committees in the state. He said there was a plan to appoint three more youth leaders as presidents of other district Congress committees. A further expansion of the pradesh Congress, which was likely to be announced soon, would also see more youngsters in the posts of secretaries and organising secretaries. 16 secretaries and four organising secretaries would be appointed to help the vice-presidents and the general secretaries respectively. This was being done as it was felt that vice-presidents, each of whom had 1,500 villages under them, were not able to function smoothly with the help of one secretary and one organising secretary each. Similarly, the general secretaries also needed some help. While listing the youngsters appointed as district committee presidents, Capt Amarinder Singh said 28-year-old Sukhvarinder Singh had been appointed president of the Amritsar DCC, 31-year-old Avtar Singh as president of the Muktsar DCC, 32-year-old Maheshinder Singh as president of the Moga DCC, 40-year-old Mahinder Kaypee as president of the Jalandhar (Urban) DCC and 38-year-old Rakesh Pandey as president of the Ludhiana (Urban) DCC. He claimed that this move had galvanised the party and that the Adampur byelection had seen youth party leaders activity engaging in campaigning. He had already brought the average age of the PPCC down to 45 years after he took over and that endeavours would be made to bring it down further. The pradesh Congress
president said the enthusiastic public response to the
recent public rallies had proved that the people were
responding positively to the decision to appoint youth
leaders as DCC presidents. He, however, said though some
senior Congress leaders had not been given key posts in
the pradesh Congress, the party would benefit from their
experience as they had been appointed in the advisory
committee of the pradesh Congress. |
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Women
in politics ‘due to their menfolk’ CHANDIGARH, Dec2 — On the last day of the seminar on gender relations in Punjab, various papers were presented. While Prof J.S.Grewal talked about female voice in Punjabi Sufi poetry which provided them meaningful existence outside the domestic sphere, Prof Indu Banga's paper dwelt on sati, slave girls, dancing girls and the Mughal princesses. Dr Harish Sharma's paper on "Women and customary law in the 19th century underlined that the right to property excluded the unmarried daughters and widows. Dr Kamool Abbi examined how widows in pre-Independence Punjab had to struggle for self-expression. Ms Urvashi Butalia dwelt on the ways partition affected women on both sides of the border. Dr Kamlesh Mohan examined the web of socialisation process of the girl child while Prof Vidhu Mohan highlighted the 13 indices of feminine status and worth. She, along with Mr P.H.Vaishnav and Mrs Rupan Deol emphasised the need of gender-sensitisation at the school and college levels and prior to and during service. Mrs Bajaj and Prof M.S.Gill pleaded that the reorientation and reconditioning of the mind-set was urgently required. Prof Pam Rajput, speaking on the political participation of women in the post-Independence era, said that most women legislators were into politics because of their menfolk. She added that Punjab did not have any powerful protest movements. Picking up from here, Dr
Belu Maheshwari dwelt on one such protest movement in
Haryana when women mobilised themselves against liquor
vends within the precincts of the villages. |
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Taxi owners attack transporters' office JALANDHAR, Dec 2 (PTI) — A number of taxi owners today attacked the office of a local transporter here after an altercation over the right to haul passengers, the police said. Taxi owners, who were peeved with owners of the local Indo-Canadian Transport over loss of Delhi-bound passenger traffic, were scheduled to hold negotiations with Mr Satwant Singh Deol, Managing Director of the bus company. However, even before the talks could start in right earnest, taxi owners provoked by one of Mr Deol's associates carrying a gun started damaging office property and broke some windowpanes with Mr Deol's friend firing a shot in the air, the police said. Indo-Canadian Transport runs about 15 buses. Transport business circles here said today's scuffle was basically a turf-fight as passengers had started turning increasingly towards the cheaper bus travel. The police said
investigation was on and a case would be registered
later. |
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Farmers
face canal water shortage MOGA, Dec 2 — Resentment prevails among farmers of a large number of villages falling in this district over an acute shortage of canal water when the sowing operations of rabi crops are in full swing. Residents of these villages told mediapersons here today that whereas the farmers were busy in sowing rabi crops, the canal passing through these villages was dry and there was no water available. The villages, which were
facing an acute shortage of canal water, included
Wadaghar, Chhotaghar, Daddhoor, Bhekha and
Jaimalsinghwala. |
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Unauthorised
colonies to get basic amenities PATIALA, Dec 2 — The Municipal Corporation Commissioner Mr Harkesh Singh Sidhu, yesterday said the corporation will provide basic amenities to residents of unauthorised colonies in the city if they deposited development charges of Rs 30 per square yard. Addressing a meeting of the Patiala Colonies Welfare Federation, Mr Sidhu said this was necessary due to paucity of funds and other development projects already being undertaken by the corporaton. The Colonies Welfare
Federation President, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, urged the
Commissioner to expedite development work in outer
colonies. The meeting was chaired by former
Vice-Chancellor, Mr Bhagat Singh. |
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PSEB
employees stage dharna PATIALA, Dec 2 — Employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) staged a dharna in front of board's head office here today on a call given by the Mulazam Sangharsh Committee against the non-acceptance of their demands. The employees criticised the board's wage-formulation committee and alleged that the management was not implementing the revised pay scale even though the Punjab Government had announced it. Mr Charanjit Singh Walia,
President, PSEB Employees Federation, said in a press
note that the main demands of the employees included
cadre-wise scales, promotion after four, nine and 14
years, pay fixation, DA instalment in cash, bonus for all
board employees, 15 per cent house rent for those working
in Patiala, those daily-wages had completed 240 days be
regularised and vacant posts be filled. |
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Telecom
employees hold rally PATIALA, Dec 2 — A joint rally by members of the National Federation of Telecom Employees, the Bharatiya Telecom Employees Federation and the Federation of National Telecom was held here today in front of the head post office as their demands were not accepted by the central government. Mr Nirmal Prashad, coordinator, Post and Telegraph Employees Union, said the pay of regular labourers and daily-wagers would be upgraded and brought on par with lineman. He said other demands of the telecom employees would be settled at the next meeting, as assured by the Department of Telecom. Meanwhile, the proposed
strike by all three major telecom federations from
December 2 had been called off. |
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Students
hold protest rally PATIALA, Dec 2 — The Students Federation of India (SFI), Punjabi University unit, held a rally on the university campus here today in protest against the recent fee hike. Baljinder Rishi, state president of the SFI, while addressing the rally, said the university had doubled the fee and students were not able to pay it. He urged the university authorities to withdraw the fee hike immediately. The federation has
threatened that if the fee hike is not withdrawn, the
agitation will continue. |
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Municipal
area divided into 86 units LUDHIANA, Dec 2 — To help citizens of Ludhiana dealwell with the Municipal Corporation the municipal area has been divided into 86 administrative units. Each of these units will be headed by one inspector. This information was given by Mayor Apinder Singh Grewal. He said at present the citizens have to deal with six inspectors viz building inspector, house tax inspector, licence inspector, water rate inspector, tehbazari inspector and advertisement inspector. In the new system citizens of one administrative unit will have to deal with only one inspector for jobs of building, house tax, water rate, licence, tehbazari and advertisement. Earlier one inspector was
supposed to look after 15,000 to 1.5 lakh households, but
in the new system one inspector would have a jurisdiction
of 1500 to 3000 households. |
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