Monday, December 28, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, December 28, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Badal camp
wooing Tohra supporters Rs 5
lakh for Giani's memorial Amarinder
for 'fiscal emergency' in Punjab |
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Bitta
criticises Brar for 'anti-party' policy IA
hijacker deported to Pakistan Holistic
tourism policy in January 50
lakh for sewer, water supply Hospital
soon for Talwandi Sabo Religious
district status sought for Anandpur Sahib Moga-Jalandhar
road 'full of potholes' |
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Badal
camp wooing Tohra supporters PATIALA, Dec 27 — Attempts are on to wean away supporters of SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra at the grassroots level with Union Minister Sukhbir Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal General-Secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa wooing sarpanches and panches of the Dakala Assembly constituency in a closed-door meeting here yesterday. The Dakala constituency is represented by Mr Harmail Singh Tohra, son-in-law of the SGPC chief who quit his ministerial post along with four others in protest against the alleged humiliation being meted out to the SGPC President. Over 200 sarpanches and panches of the Dakala constituency attended a meeting organised in a house in a plush locality of the city yesterday. They reportedly reposed faith in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. According to sources in the Akali Jatha here, the plan of the Badal camp is to erode the support base of the SGPC chief. They said the Badal camp was in the process of organising more such meetings in other districts to mobilise party workers and local leaders in favour of Mr Badal. A senior officer is said
to have played a key role in organising the meeting.
Speakers at the meeting highlighted the past track record
of the SGPC President in destabilising Akali governments.
They said Mr Tohra was weakening the party in favour of
his personal agenda and that the entire party machinery
should support Mr Badal at this juncture. |
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Rs
5 lakh for Giani's memorial KOTKAPURA, Dec 27 — "I became the Chief Minister of Punjab because of sincere advice given to me time and again by former President late Giani Zail Singh. We were friends and never spoke against each other though we were in different political parties", Mr Parkash Singh Badal said, at a function organised in connection with the fourth death anniversary of Zail Singh here today. Paying tributes to Zail Singh, Mr Badal said he (Zail Singh) was a perfect politician and leaders of all political parties sought his advice. He said all Akali MLAs voted in favour of Zail Singh when he was the Congress candidate for the post of the President in 1982, despite the fact that "I (Badal) have been fighting against the Congress throughout my life." The Chief Minister pointed out that Zail Singh never indulged in personal attack against any politician and rose to the highest position in the country due to his strong political acumen. The only other leader in the world who could compare to him in terms of achievements was Abrahim Lincoln, who rose to the White House from a "mud house". He said today the need of the hour was value-based politics for bringing social transformation and rejuvenating the system to make it responsive to the aspirations and needs of the common man. He announced that the Punjab Government would give Rs 5 lakh to the Giani Zail Singh Memorial Charitable Trust to raise a memorial to Zail Singh. He also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the two panchayats of Sandhwan, the native village of Zail Singh. Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, paying tributes to Zail Singh, said he was the light house of secularism and he had played a significant role in maintaining the unity and integrity of the country. Talking to TNS, she alleged that the SAD-BJP combine government in Punjab had brought the state on the brink of economic disaster due to its wrong policies. Mr Mansa Ram, President, Punjab State Freedom Fighters Committee, and a close associate of Zail Singh, was given a rough treatment by security personnel and was not allowed to go near the stage. Mr Avtar Brar, former Education Minister and Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, also spoke on the occasion. FEROZEPORE (FOC): The G.T. Road, passing through the cantonment area here will be beautified under a scheme and lights will be installed, according to Mr Badal. He was addressing a meeting of district officers at the residence of the Minister of State for Cooperation and Sainik Welfare, Punjab, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, here. MOGA (PTI): Mr Badal refused to comment on the outcome of yesterday's Shaheedi Jor Mela conference at Fatehgarh Sahib, where he along with the SGPC chief, Mr G.S. Tohra, shared a stage, but categorically said there was neither any instability in the state nor any threat to the party due to internal infighting. Talking to reporters here,
he hinted at a Cabinet expansion shortly and denied that
there was any financial crisis in the state. |
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Limb
centre a boon to Barnala BARNALA: The Centre for the Handicapped, a joint venture of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India ( Alimco), Kanpur, and the Barnala Handicapped Rehabilitation Trust (BHRT) has proved to be a boon for many disabled and handicapped persons of the Barnala region, particularly the weaker sections of society. A large number of accident victims in this area have had to suffer as they did not have a facility of where artificial limbs could be provided to mitigate their hardship. The centre, set up at Courts Chowk here, is of a unique type. Dr Sital Kumar, the orthopedic surgeon of this area who is the medical officer of Alimco for this region, said the BHRT would act as the implementing agent of Alimco. Under the Union Welfare Ministry scheme for helping disabled persons, Alimco artificial limbs would be provided to disabled persons belonging to the weaker sections of society free of cost and at subsidised rates keeping in view their monthly income. Disabled persons with a monthly income up to Rs 1200 would be offered the aids free of cost whereas those with monthly incomes ranging from Rs 1201 to Rs 2500 would get it at half its cost. Dr Sital Kumar revealed that the aid kits would cover all types of broken limbs with attention paid to the ankle, knee and hip. Mr Ravinder Ravi, Press Secretary of the Barnala Handicapped Rehabilitation Trust, stated that mitigating the woes of the handicapped and disabled of Barnala belt and other areas would be a three-phase process. First the victims would be examined, then the size of broken limb measured so that an aid of the size could be supplied to patient. In the third phase, the artificial limbs would be provided after proper fabrication. Mr Ravi said the trust had organised a free medical camp for the disabled at the orthopaedic hospital here late last month, which was inaugurated by Mr N S Walia, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Barnala. About 120 handicapped persons hailing from 20 villages took part in the medical camp, where they were examined for various problems in the first phase. Dr Sital Kumar said after
a preliminary checkup of the patients, 95 disabled
persons were found fit for artificial limbs to replace
their upper or lower limbs or callipers. The process of
taking the final measurement of the victims would be
completed this month and in all probability, all the
victims would be offered artificial limbs by Republic
Day. |
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Amarinder for 'fiscal emergency' in
Punjab CHANDIGARH, Dec 27 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress President, Capt Amarinder Singh, has taken cognizance of the frontal attack on the party by the Akalis at Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib yesterday. Reacting to the utterances of the Akali leaders, he said today having failed to run the state in a proper manner, the Badals and Tohras were trying to find alibis elsewhere. He questioned the wisdom of the Akalis who in less than two years because of their own wrong policies had pushed the state to the brink of bankruptcy. Where had all the money gone and why was the state getting into indebtedness by seeking a heavy dose of loans? The Congress party was preparing a memorandum on the financial crisis which it would present to the President of India. An appointment had been sought from Rashtrapati Bhavan for early next month. If the Akalis could not run the government they should step a side and pave the way for those who could do so rather than blaming the Congress for all the ills that afflict the state. "One cannot count on any issue or achievement of Akalis. Where had the money from Punjab Mandi Board and rural development fund, etc gone. Information was that in less than two years the bulk of the money, close to Rs 1,400 crore, has been siphoned off to Faridkot parliamentary constituency alone". Mr Amarinder Singh also spoke on the proposed tercentenary celebrations the Congress is organising. The Senior Vice-President, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, has already met Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, in this connection. Now the 41-member implementation committee constituted for examining the programme drawn up by 11-member committee led by Mr Brar will meet at Patiala on January 3 to give shape to the programme. A 250-odd celebrations committee is also being constituted. All political, social and religious parties and organisations will be invited to participate in the Congress celebrations of the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa, he added. The PPCC president, however, said that Nirankaris could not be associated unless the existing "hukamnama" was lifted. Reiterating his stand on the issue, he said: "As we all march into the 21st century the jathedar should reconsider the religious edict against the Nirankaris in a spirit of forgive and forget. They (Nirankaris) should be brought into the mainstream". Mr Amarinder Singh said it was not yet final when and from where the proposed "Khalsa march" will begin. It had to be sometime in April. The AICC President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, has also been asked to be present in the programmes, which would include seminars, blood donation and eye camps, etc. She, in fact, had written to all PCCs in the country to celebrate the spirit of oneness of humanity in a befitting manner. He, however, could not
explain as to what "financial emergency" meant
and under what law or constitutional provision the
Congress has been demanding imposition of the same in
Punjab, including dismissal of the government. "We
are examining", is all he said. But he did talk of
how he planned to strengthen and broadbase the party
raising a formidable pyramidal organisational structure
to take on the Akalis on their own home turf. |
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Fiscal crisis LUDHIANA, Dec 27 — An important meeting of the Punjab Cabinet subcommittee to suggest measures to tide over the financial crisis and to identify the steps needed to curtail unnecessary administrative expenditure will be held tomorrow. This was stated by the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, while talking to mediapersons here today. The minister said the recommendations made at this meeting would be strictly implemented. He said to implement the Annual Plan of Rs 2,500 crore of the state the government would lay the maximum stress on mobilising investment. He said the government would fulfil its commitment to development and welfare by proper fiscal management. He said there would be no extra burden on the people as investors would get the maximum interest benefit and the government 75 per cent of the investment for development. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said
the government had decided to embark on a two-facet
strategy for development. On the one hand, funds would be
given out of the budget and on the other hand around Rs
5,000 crore would be arranged from private investors and
financial institutions through the infrastructural
development board. |
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Punjab Police roundup CHANDIGARH: Peace has a price tag. If that be so, Punjab continues to pay a heavy price to sustain the hard-earned, fragile peace through maintenance of law and order. Financial pundits continue to raise the din of police expenditure, having risen 15.5 times from Rs 55 crore (1984-85) to Rs 850 crore (1998-99). The growth of police expenditure has remained unchecked even after return of normalcy, it is argued. This unchecked expense has affected funds for development. Can there be development if the law and order is out of order and if peace is in pieces, asks the Director-General of Police, Mr P.C. Dogra. He is aware of a top-heavy police administration just like the sister civil service in the state. A certain amount of financial discipline is also called for. The question is where to begin without compromising on the effectiveness and striking power of the force, which has got used to leading a particular lifestyle and work culture. Time has changed for the better. Will police ways also correspondingly change? The state is saddled with 16 officers in the rank of either DGP or Additional DGPs besides 21 Inspectors-General of Police, 28 DIGs and 193 SPs — a total of 258. For the Punjab Police 1998 has turned out to be a "zero" rate militancy-related crime year. Even general crime (which takes place when peace prevails) has had a nominal occurrence in respect of some categories. Therefore, as Mr Dogra claims, Punjab is one of the most peaceful and low crime states in the country. Summing up the overall performance, Mr Dogra said "neutralisation" of terrorist gangs, raised externally by Pakistan-based Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) outfits or internally by residual elements of different outfits, egged on by released terrorists, led to the arrest of men and recovery of explosives, and weapons. These are an index of the "successes" achieved. The year saw police launch two major offensive operations: "Khoj" and "Pehchan". The former dealt with unearthing the hidden arms and ammunition in different parts of the state while the latter identified the potential elements out to stir up trouble. Quoting recovery statistics the police chief said recovery and confiscation of 170 kg of high explosives (130 kg RDX and 40 kg PETN), besides 85 weapons of different types was no flash in the pan. Highly organised terrorist modules were also detected and their members detained. These include such names as those of BTFK, ISYF, Babbars, Khalistan National Army, Khalra Action Committee, Khalistan Zindabad Force, etc. The nexus between 'Khalistani' and Kashmiri militants on the one hand and between militants of Punjab and mafia gangs in crime-prone states like Uttar Pradesh on the other hand was also x-rayed and action initiated. The Punjab Police was taken to task by the Tihar jail authorities for commenting publicly on what went on inside the jail instead of sharing information in confidence with the Delhi Police to nip the nefarious designs of these lodged inside Tihar. This made the Inspector-General, Mr R.S Gupta, in charge of Tihar jail write a strong protest letter to the Punjab DGP. While talking to TNS, Mr Dogra said major incidents were averted with exchange of information with the Tihar jail authorities. Border districts and Jalandhar police range districts remained "active". The bulk of the police action against terrorists and in terms of recoveries was concentrated there. A total of 82 terrorists were arrested in the state. The launch of Internet websites, e-mail and other technological advancements have cast a shadow on anti-terrorist activities as well. The police is now getting equipped to meet or counter the challenges posed by this media communication explosion, used effectively by terrorist outfits. These have a propaganda value as well. But the police has not yet made a dent to deal with it. The governments, both in Chandigarh and New Delhi, are yet to respond to the police request to exercise some checks on these websites, mobile phones, pager companies, etc. Modernisation, computerisation and introducing a scientific temperament for qualitative and quantitative changes is on the cards. But police sans a human face. Incidents of police "excesses" pour in from different parts of the state. Its action against pro-militant human right activists and advocates has also evoked strong reaction. the police is also up in arms with the setting up of Peoples' Commission by an "umbrella" organisation, Coordination Committee on Disappearances in Punjab, formed by several human rights outfits. The commission during its sitting here and in Punjab sent summons to police officers, which, nevertheless, were ignored. Detecting and neutralising ISI-backed outfits apart, the police is also engaged in exchanging information with neighbouring states, including Jammu & Kashmir to block the arteries supplying all deadly material. On the general crime front, Mr Dogra said gangs such as "Kale kachhewale" were busted with the arrest of 48 members of Pardis tribe in Patiala. Thefts, robberies, dacoities and stolen property cases have shot up. People have lost property worth Rs 16.44 crore. Police recoveries were worth Rs 11.24 crore. The police helped Central agencies in the Malta boat tragedy and some hawala rackets involving Rs 50 lakh busted. There was a breather for the police due to change in the situation. "Sensitisation" courses for different ranks were conducted to give exposure on investigation, stress management and human behaviour. Police invariably drums up terrorist threat perception and claims to possess highly sophisticated equipment for detection of explosives and to provide VIP security. Yet it wastes manpower on security duty with officials (civil and police) and private citizens, who have now acquired a status symbol. Mr Dogra said peace-time crime had gone up in industrial cities, though, incidents of kidnapping for ransom were nil. It was mainly crime against property. Another new activity which engaged attention of police in 1998 pertained to investigating some 140-odd cases of misappropriation of government paddy and rice. The Punjab Police has yet
to mend its ways when dealing with people and play a more
positive role in disciplining not only its own force,
particularly, rash driving by its men, but also to lend a
helping hand in traffic control. Punjab roads are highly
accident prone and totally unsafe. The police image needs
to be brushed up. |
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Bitta
criticises Brar for 'anti-party' policy PATIALA, Dec 27 — The former All-India Youth Congress President, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, said today that the Punjab Pradesh Congress Vice-President, Mr Jagmeet Brar, had gone against the party policy by "wrongly" inviting Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, to the "Degh Tegh Fateh Sarbans Daani Yatra" being organised as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. Addressing a press conference at the residence of the Nagar Sudhar Committee Chairman, Mr Sushil Jain, at Nabha, near here, Mr Bitta said the Congress Vice-President should have discussed the issue at a party forum. The former Youth Congress President said Mr Brar had hurt the sentiments of Congress workers by urging Akal Takht Jathedar to mediate between the Chief Minister, Mr Badal and the SGPC chief, Mr G.S. Tohra and then inviting the Jathedar to the march. "The party had to suffer further humiliation when Akal Takht Jathedar said he had not consented to take part in the proposed march starting on January 17 from Muktsar to Anandpur Sahib", he added. The Congress leader said he was against inviting the Jathedar to the proposed march as tomorrow he may start serving hukamnamas on Congress workers. "We do not want to give the Jathedar any excuse to interfere in the Congress matters", Mr Bitta added. Mr Bitta also called for
making new laws to tackle terrorism in the border states.
He said he would be meeting the Union Home Minister, Mr
L.K. Advani, to urge him to sack the Assam Government
which was holding talks with militants. |
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IA
hijacker deported to Pakistan AMRITSAR, Dec 27 — Satnam Singh, one of the five hijackers of the first Indian Airlines plane to Pakistan in September 1981, is reported to have been deported by the American Government to Pakistan recently after his request for asylum was rejected. According to information received by the spokesman for the Dal Khalsa here Mr Kanwarpal Singh, Satnam Singh who is one of the five 'parmukhs' in the pre-Operation Bluestar period, has been made second vice-chairman of the organisation. The leader of the hijackers, Gajinder Singh, who is reported to be in Pakistan, is the chairman of the organisation whereas Surinder Singh Sekhon is another vice-chairman. Satnam Singh remained in Pakistani jails for about 14 years before he was released along with Gajinder Singh and the other three hijackers in 1995. On his release, he fled to the USA on a fake passport but was arrested at New York airport. He remained under detention for more than three years. Recently he was deported to Pakistan instead of India. Jasbir Singh and Karan Singh of Mandi Gobindgarh and Srinagar, respectively, who were other two hijackers are in Switzerland. They are fighting a legal battle for seeking political asylum there. The immigration authorities of Switzerland have rejected their asylum request on the plea that the fifth hijacker, Tajinder Pal Singh, who had fled to Canada had already been deported to India where he was living a normal life. However, both of them have
obtained stay against their deportation to India and
moved the higher authorities to get asylum there.
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Holistic tourism policy in January JALANDHAR, Dec 27 (PTI) — Union Minister for Tourism Madanlal Khurana has said a holistic policy for tourism will be announced next month covering all aspects of the sector, including infrastructure development and aggressive promotion of tourism in the country as well as among NRIs. The Cabinet was seized of the matter at present and the final policy would cover development of coastal areas and heritage spots, and would promote tourism in hills, he said here last evening. The minister said the policy had been developed in view of the "Visit India Year" which would be celebrated from April 1, 1999, to March 31, 2000. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would be laying the foundation stone of a tourism bhavan here next month, Mr Khurana said. Referring to the Khalsa
tercentenary celebrations, the minister said Rs 5.5 crore
had been earmarked for the Anandpur Sahib tourism centre. |
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50
lakh for sewer, water supply SANGRUR, Dec 27 — The birth anniversary of Udham Singh was celebrated at an impressive function at his native town, Sunam, 15 km from here last evening. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union Minister of State for Industry who presided over the function announced a financial grant of Rs 50 lakh on behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the expansion of sewer and water supply facilities in Sunam. He regretted that industrial development in the state has remained neglected during the Congress rule. Mr Sukhbir Singh claimed that industrial development in the state had been speeded up under the SAD-BJP government. The union minister said urea plant would be soon set up in Sangrur district and an agro-based food processing plant would be set up at a suitable place near Fatehgarh Sahib. Later talking to mediapersons, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, denied that there was any move to instal him as the Punjab Chief Minister. He also declined to comment on the ongoing tussle between Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Among others who addressed
the gathering included Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa,
Secretary General Akali Dal, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla,
Minister for Youth and Pensions and film star Raj Babbar.
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Hospital
soon for Talwandi Sabo TALWANDI SABO, Dec 27 — Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, MP, today announced that construction work on a 50-bed hospital would start her shortly. Inaugurating a medical camp organised by the Health Department and the Sarav Sanjhiwalta Mission, he said land required for the hospital had been transferred to the Punjab Health Department by the SGPC. He appealed to sarpanches, panchayat members and voluntary organisations to make efforts to control the population so that the benefits of development could reach the common man. At the camp more than
1,500 patients were examined by doctors from the Civil
Hospital, Bathinda, and were given medicines free of
cost. |
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Religious district status sought for
Anandpur Sahib ROPAR, Dec 27 — The Chairman of district unit of the Bharat Sewak Samaj, Punjab, Mr Hazoora Singh, has asked the State Government to declare Anandpur Sahib a religious district, within a radius of 5 km instead of a revenue district. He said it was a need of the hour that during the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa, Anandpur Sahib should be provided with this status. He said the Government
should set up a religious-cum-spiritual university and
other religious centres to promote the ideology and
philosophy of mankind and welfare of all.
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Moga-Jalandhar
road 'full of potholes' MOGA, Dec 27 — Resentment prevails among the travelling public of the Moga-Jalandhar route as about 50 km of the road between the cities is in a dilapidated condition, with a large number of potholes. Commuters told mediapersons here yesterday that they were incovenienced due to this and the resultant delaying of buses for hours together. They criticised the officials of the department concerned for not taking any steps to repair the road. Car drivers were annoyed
and wondered why despite the State Government having
sanctioned several crores of rupees for repairing roads,
nothing had so far been done in their area. |
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Dhumal:
preserve heritage JALANDHAR, Dec 27 — Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, has said the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the country was the duty of every citizen. He was addressing music lovers on the second day of the 123rd Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan at Jalandhar last evening. He said no country could maintain its identity by neglecting its pristine cultural glory and traditions. He told organisers that
the Himachal Pradesh Government would approach the
Central Government, along with the Punjab Government, to
provide more financial support to the sammelan. |
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Jassi
nite draws big crowd AMRITSAR, Dec 27 — Times Music, a company of the Times of India Group, organised a Jasbir Singh Jassi nite here last night. Jassi, a former policeman had recently launched his first audio cassette, Dil Le Gayee", presented Punjabi folk numbers during the three-hour show, which drew a big crowd. He regaled the 1,500-strong crowd with latest pop numbers from his album. Talking to news persons
Jassi said during the current concert tour in the state,
he had performed at Chandigarh and Ludhiana and would
perform at Patiala and Jalandhar during this week. |
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Kartar
Singh JD (Urban) chief LUDHIANA, Dec 27 — In a significant development, Mr Kartar Singh, Secretary-General of the Local Janata Dal (Urban), which was dissolved a few days ago, has been appointed President of the dal (urban), replacing Mr Rajindra Dutta. This decision was taken by Mr Jagir Singh Ganesh, Convener of the state Janata Dal, after a meeting of office-bearers and party workers here last evening. Mr Ganesh had taken a serious note of Mr Dutta's decision to dissolve the district committee of the Dal without consulting any senior or committee member. Mr Kartar Singh has now
been authorised to constitute a new committee. |
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CHANDIGARH, Dec 27 (PTI) — CPM General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet tonight described intervention of Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh in the feud between Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief g s tohra as "unfortunate". The tussle between the Akali Dal President and Mr Tohra will breed extremism and communalism and Ranjit Singh should not intervene in the matter, he told PTI here. He deplored Mr Badal for calling the Akali Dal "supreme" and the SGPC an entity within it, and said, "Mr Badal is incorrect in making the statement." By describing the SGPC as a wing of Akali Dal, Mr Badal wanted to make it a secondary body and indirect is trying to breed extremism, he alleged. Mr Surjeet denied he had
met Mr Tohra, and said, "I will not meet Tohra as we
totally differ in ideas." |
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