Tuesday, July 21, 1998
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Tuesday, July 21, 1998 |
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| Fate of Sirhindi Gate uncertain PATIALA, July 20 — The plight of Sirhindi Gate, built in the 18th century, is a reflection of how the heritage of Patiala is slowly vanishing... Hi-tech militancy baffles police CHANDIGARH, July 20 — Effective use of communication technology by different militant outfits has baffled the police and intelligence agencies in the region... Only kin please, we are Akalis BATHINDA, July 20 — Kith and kin of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders of Punjab have been finding special favour from the party leadership for pocketing various political posts... Power rates up in Punjab CHANDIGARH, July 20 — Power rates in Punjab are up by 33 per cent. The new rates will be effective from midnight tonight... Steps taken to regulate traffic, check pollution BATHINDA, July 20 — Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, in a press note issued here today said following a directive of the Punjab and Haryana High Court steps had been taken to regulate traffic and ensure pollution control measures in the district... 'Shaheed Jyoti' for Jallianwala Bagh CHANDIGARH, July 20 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today directed the government officers to arrange suitable land, immediately, for setting up the new terminals and depots by the Indian Oil Corporation at Goharwal-Varpal (Amritsar), Sarna (Gurdaspur) Jarkhar and Urna (Ludhiana)... Mobile traffic squad disbanded PATIALA, July 20 — Members of the range mobile traffic squad set up in all six police ranges of Punjab in December today received the disbanding orders... We won't give up Udham Nagar demand: Tohra 24 IAS officers shifted in Punjab Dang writes to PM about FCI scam Mann leads jatha to Udham Nagar Badal releases book 21 injured in bus accident Order probe into job scheme: CPI Minister visits Dhussi bundh Fresh admissions to MBBS denied |
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Hi-tech militancy baffles police By P. P. S. Gill Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 20 — Effective use of communication technology by different militant outfits has baffled the police and intelligence agencies in the region. These new gadgets are being frequently used from within and outside jails, which have emerged as new centres of militancy in terms of planning, coordination and opening of a dialogue between different shades of criminals and mafia gangs. Militants adhering to different ideologies communicate to re-group, re-arm and resuscitate their respective residual outfits. Reports to this effect are not uncommon. What is, however, common and convenient for the militants are the cell-phones, pagers, e-mail and internet. Since these devices are also found to be in vogue for remote-control blasts, the entry of these is banned in several places. The police information is that at least 300 websites, worldwide, are operative to propagate "Khalistani" ideology; "burning Punjab", sponsored by International Sikh Youth Federation and the Council of Khalistan is an illustrative example of such a website. These are now being sponsored and launched from within the country as well, say police sources. Faced with new challenges in its fight against militant and subversive elements, the police has now sought "simplification of procedures" for retrieved of information from different paging and mobile phone agencies and to bring more transparency in their functioning. The police wants a "code of conduct" to be evolved for internet also. A detailed report on future needs based on emerging scenario was submitted to the Union Home Minister, Mr L. K. Advani, when he visited Punjab on June 20 last. Several issues pertaining to the Department of Home Affairs and Justice are pending with the Centre for sanction and approval. Those proposals and issues pertain to modernisation of the police force, implementation of recommendations made by the 10th Finance Commission in respect of financial needs of Punjab, raising of additional five India Reserve Battalions and a policy on disposal of obsolete, confiscated, seized or recovered firearms and ammunition. Besides jails and use of electronic gadgets for communication the police has observed that neighbouring Nepal has emerged as a major centre for launching ultras into India by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency; Kathmandu, Birganj and Nepalganj are some of the places identified for such clandestine operations. In the north, the porous Jammu and Kashmir border, particularly Hira Nagar, Kathua and R.S. Pura are frequently used by Punjab militants. Reports suggest regrouping of "K-2" (Khalistani and Kashmiri) militants. The Director-General of Police, Mr P.C. Dogra, says despite "operational problems", thinning of BSF from the borders and less availability of PMF (para military forces) companies, a constant vigil was being kept. Attempts to revive militancy persist. He cites the seizures made and persons arrested in the past to substantiate that the threat of militancy loomed large. The propaganda by "pro-Khalistan" groups on the internet was a repeat and a recall of the dark period, including Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple, Amritsar. With little or no support from within the state most of the operations were being planned abroad. Mr Dogra said information had been shared with the Centre on militants' attempts to contact agents of Dawood Ibrahim and U.P. mafia engaged in arms, ammunition and explosives. A major offensive by police against Pakistan's ISI activities was on the anvil.  |
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| Only kin please, we are Akalis From Chander Parkash Tribune News Service BATHINDA, July 20 — Kith and kin of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders of Punjab have been finding special favour from the party leadership for pocketing various political posts. The trend of favouring kith and kin for making their "career" started by SAD supremo Parkash Singh Badal is now percolating through to the lower strata of the Akali leadership. Mr Badal has his son Sukhbir Singh Badal Union State Minister for industries, his nephew Manpreet Singh Badal and son-in-law Adesh Partap Lalli as MLAs and his brothers-in-law Gurpreet Singh and Inderjit Singh as sarpanches of two panchayats after carving out a new panchayat named Bhai Harjoginder Nagar on the eve of the panchayat elections. Toeing the line of the party chief, some senior leaders have also got plum posts for their sons. Mrs Gurpreet Singh Malooka son of Irrigation Minister Sikander Singh Malooka, Mr Balraj Singh Bhunder son of Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, MP and Mr Nirmal Singh Khiala son of Mr Baldev Singh Khiala, MLA, were made directors of the Central Cooperative Bank of Bathinda and Mansa districts. Sons of Mr Malooka and Mr Bhunder were elected unopposed while Mr Nirmal Singh Khiala was elected after defeating his opponent in the recently held cooperative bank elections. Mr Jaspal Singh Dhansukhkhana, who unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly elections from Talwandi Sabo against the official candidate of SAD, has also been made a director as he is considered close to a state minister. This is not for the first time that Mr Badal had "accommodated" his political allies. Earlier, he had made Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa as Rajya Sabha members even though both were defeated in the last Assembly elections. Before their entry to the Rajya Sabha, Mr Bhunder was the Chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board and Mr Dhindsa was the Chairman of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). A senior Akali opposed to the style of functioning of the Chief Minister said this trend indicated that political posts were only for the near and dear ones of the top leaders of the party. |
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| We won't give up Udham Nagar
demand: Tohra Tribune News Service CHAK FATEH SINGH WALA (Bathinda), July 20 — The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, has said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would leave no stone unturned for the exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar from the proposed hill state of Uttranchal in Uttar Pradesh. Talking to newsmen here today, he said SAD was a political party and a representative of the minorities spread all over the country. He said because of this fact, saving the interests of people of Udham Singh Nagar was duty of SAD. Mr Tohra said the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar into the proposed Uttranchal was without any logic. To a question, he said when Punjab was reorganised then the Ambala. Ropar and Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituencies were also reorganised. He asked when it had been done earlier then why the Nainital parliamentary constituency could not be reorganised now by excluding Udham Singh Nagar. Regarding the interference of Local Bodies Minister. Balramji Dass Tandon in the Udham Singh Nagar issue, Mr Tohra said SAD made its own policies and no one should interfere in it. He pointed out that SAD had presented its case on the Udham Singh Nagar issue to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and if the demand of SAD was not met by the BJP leadership then the political affairs committee of SAD would decide the future course of action. He parried questions on the increase in bus fares and proposed 33 per cent hike in the electricity tariff. When asked that how long SAD would continue its unconditional support to the BJP government at the Centre, Mr Tohra said the policy of confrontation did not yield any results. He added by threatening the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre, the AIADMK, chief, Ms Jayalalitha, would get nothing and it would not solve the Cauvery waters dispute. |
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| Fate of Sirhindi Gate uncertain From Jangveer Singh Tribune News Service PATIALA, July 20 — The plight of Sirhindi Gate, built in the 18th century, is a reflection of how the heritage of Patiala is slowly vanishing. The gate was closed for traffic after a portion of its roof collapsed on Friday. The gate being a protected monument, the district administration has taken up the matter with the Department of Archaeology. Deputy Commissioner Viswajit Khanna told TNS that it was for the Archaeology Department to decide what was to be done next. He said if the gate was to be repaired, funds would have to be provided. He said it would be difficult to repair the monument, adding he had told the PWD to vacate the families living near it. Residents and shopkeepers living near the gate want it be declared as a UN heritage building. Talking to TNS, Sanjiv Garg, a Youth Congress leader, who has petitioned to the Deputy Commissioner for the demolition of the structure along with many others, said the gate was one of the main entrances to the walled city and its closure was causing inconvenience to people. He also said that the business of shopkeepers inside the gate was being affected due to the closure. Although demolishing the gate would widen the road and probably create more space for construction of shops, those linked with the heritage of the city feel that the callousness of the authorities in failing to maintain old monuments will lead to their fading into oblivion. Prof Kulwant Singh Grewal of Punjabi University said steps should be taken to restore the gate, which symbolised the route taken by people coming to settle here from Sirhind due to the incentives given by the Patiala Royal House. He said originally there were more than 13 gates in the city but slowly all of them had crumbled. While most had been demolished to widen roads, and to construct shopping complexes, only three were left now. Residents living near the gate, however, complain that efforts had been made to stabilise the structure earlier but it was beyond repair now. They said all its three arches had been strengthened by constructing pillars and giving it support after the plea for demolishing it was stayed by the court at the instance of Capt Amarinder Singh, the pradesh Congress chief. Mr R.G. Verma, a historian, disclosed that most of the gates were constructed during the time of Maharaja Narinder Singh. He said while most of the gates had similar structures, the one built near Modi College was bigger and more ornate. He said though these did not serve any purpose now, these still gave a glimpse of the rich heritage of the city. |
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Power rates up in Punjab |
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| Steps taken to regulate traffic, check
pollution Tribune News Service BATHINDA, July 20 — Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, in a press note issued here today said following a directive of the Punjab and Haryana High Court steps had been taken to regulate traffic and ensure pollution control measures in the district. He said district officials were making arrangements to regulate traffic in accordance with the High Court directive. Mr Upjeet Singh Brar, District Transport Officer (DTO), said vehicles would be challaned for any violation from July 23. LUDHIANA (FOC): On the directions issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Goel, the traffic police and the district transport office challaned 50 vehicles for not having pollution check certificates, 10 persons for driving two-wheelers without helmets and removed about 100 pressure horns from buses and trucks in the district. Mr Goel said the S.P. traffic had already called a meeting of various school principals to ensure the carriage of route-permits, fitness certificates, insurance, five years' driving licence by drivers of school buses and provide parking place inside the institutions. He informed the principals that no school buses would be allowed to ply on the roads if any of the above conditions were not fulfilled. The Transport Department and the traffic police have also been directed to take immediate steps to remove red lights from vehicles of people who were not authorised to use them and to challan vehicles that had black-films. The Deputy Commissioner has also directed the general-managers of Ludhiana depots of the Punjab Roadways and the PRTC to remove the pressure horns and extra lights from buses and to ensure that the buses were fit to ply and had pollution control certificates.. The Deputy Commissioner has also directed the Municipal Corporation, Deputy Director Local Bodies and PWD officials to remove all hoardings, neon signboards, garbage, unauthorised constructions, kiosks within 15 feet from both sides of the roads. The Municipal Corporation has also been directed to mark zebra crossings on roads in front of schools and to provide bus stops for school buses. The DC has also directed the DFSC to take samples of petrol and diesel. Mr Sukhmander Singh, DTO, said special squads had been formed to implement the orders. |
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24 IAS officers
shifted in Punjab |
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| Dang writes to PM about FCI scam Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 20 — In a communication to the Prime Minister, Mr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader, has sought a CBI inquiry into the alleged FCI scam. He alleged that the FCI was defrauded of crores of rupees by means of fictitious bills in the names of 58 ancillary labourers at its Tarn Taran depot showing them falsely as having worked with effect from December 7, 1995. A similar procedure was allegedly followed in other depots. He further alleged that the then Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, had ordered an inquiry into an alleged conspiracy brought to his notice about the embezzlement of lakhs of rupees of the FCI by means of fictitious bills in the names of 58 ancillary labourers. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner had stopped the payment as well as recruitment of such labourers. It was established that but for the intervention of the then Deputy Commissioner an amount of Rs 22.98 lakh would have been embezzled. He said he had urged the Deputy Commissioner to fix the responsibility by ordering a further probe. However, the inquiry could not be ordered as the Deputy Commissioner came under pressure from influential persons, he added. Mr Dang also requested the Prime Minister to issue certain directives to the FCI to follow a normal procedure while recruiting the labourers. |
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| 'Shaheed Jyoti' for Jallianwala Bagh Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 20 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today directed the government officers to arrange suitable land, immediately, for setting up the new terminals and depots by the Indian Oil Corporation at Goharwal-Varpal (Amritsar), Sarna (Gurdaspur) Jarkhar and Urna (Ludhiana). Presiding over a meeting with the IOC team, led by Mr Narinder Singh, executive director, to review the progress of various projects initiated by the IOC he said land acquisition process should be completed under a time-bound programme. These projects involved an investment of Rs 332.73 crore. Discussing the scheme for providing petrol/diesel pumps in 667 focal points in villages, it was stated that pumps were already functioning at 69 focal points. A survey of 490 focal points has been completed out of which 151 locations were found feasible. With the opening of petrol/diesel pumps at those locations, the total number of focal points covered under this scheme will be 220. Mr Narinder Singh, informed the Chief Minister that the IOC was going to construct "Shaheed Jyoti" at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, shortly on the pattern of "Amar Jawan Jyoti" at India Gate, New Delhi. It will be maintained by the IOC "free" of cost. He was requested by Mr Parkash Singh Badal to consider providing similar facility at Anandpur Sahib in view of "Khalsa" tricentenary celebrations. Land will be given free of cost to the IOC by the government for that purpose. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, demanded raising of kerosene quota for Punjab. |
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| Mann leads jatha to Udham Nagar From Our Correspondent FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 20 — A carvan of the Akali Dal (A) workers and leaders led by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, president, left for Udham Singh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh to support the demand of Sikhs settled there against the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttranchal. Before leaving for UP they paid obeisance at Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. Addressing reporters at the Gurudwara, Mr Mann said his party was committed to fight for the cause of the minorities. Whereever the atrocities would be committed against minorities his party would protest. He called upon all Punjabis to march towards Udham Singh Nagar to express solidarity with the Sikhs settled there. He informed that Mr Kanwar Singh Dhami, has been made chairman of the human rights organisation of SAD (A). He would operate from the party office at Amritsar. He said an urgent meeting of all office-bearers of the party had been called at Gurudwara Akal Garh, Ludhiana, on July 28. Justice Kuldip Singh, president, World Sikh Council, would be the chief guest. He would educate party workers about the human rights commission formed under the chairmanship of Justice Tewatia. He said the party would encourage all those people who had been victim of the police atrocities to present their complaints before a camp of the commission being organised from August 8 to 10 at Chandigarh. |
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| Mobile traffic squad disbanded From Our Correspondent PATIALA, July 20 — Members of the range mobile traffic squad set up in all six police ranges of Punjab in December today received the disbanding orders. Sources in the police revealed that the orders issued by the DGP, have been made on the directions of the Punjab Government, which had received a number of complaints against the squad. The nature of the complaints, however, could not be ascertained. Confirming the order, Mr Rajinder Singh, DIG (Patiala Range) said on the directions of the DGP, Punjab, he had circulated the order disbanding the traffic squad, among all police districts in the range. The Patiala range mobile traffic squad consisting of one Inspector and five junior officers were recently awarded Rs 750 each in addition to a commendation certificate class-II for their meritorious work. |
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| Badal releases book Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 20 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today released the Punjabi translation of 'Ras Gangadhar', a medieval age literary masterpiece, at a simple but impressive ceremony in Punjab Bhavan. The book has been published by Punjabi University, Patiala. It has been translated by Dr O.P. Bhardwaj from Sanskrit to Punjabi. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister asked the university to explore the possibility of setting up a "writers home" at a peaceful place ideally suited for creative writings in prose and poetry, The government would extend all possible help in arranging land and infrastructural support for the project which would have "cottages" for writers. Dr O.P. Bhardwaj, said it took him five years to complete the translation of one of the oldest literary works. He urged the university authorities to undertake Punjabi translation of various other creative documents available in other languages. |
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| 21 injured in bus accident From Our Correspondent FEROZEPORE, July 20 — Twentyone passengers, including the driver and conductor, were injured when a bus met with an accident near Sherkhan village, on the Ferozepore-Zira road, today. The injured were admitted to the local Civil Hospital. According to the Civil Surgeon, DrV.K. Bassi eight passengers sustained fractures while others got minor injuries. The bus belonged to the Patti depot of Punjab Roadways. About 60 passengers were travelling in the bus. Massa Singh, the driver said the accident occurred when he tried to save a vehicle coming from the opposite direction after overtaking another vehicle . The bus dashed against the railing of a canal situated near Sherkhan village. |
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| Order probe into job scheme: CPI From Our Correspondent ROPAR, July 20 — District secretary of the CPI and a member of the District Grievances Redressal Committee Lal Bahadur has demanded a CBI probe into the violations of the employment assurance scheme (EAS) launched in the district during the previous financial year. Rs 1.75 crore had been given by the Centre and the state government under the scheme. Mr Lal Bahadur expressed surprise over the implementation of the scheme by the authorities concerned though it was known to them that certain provisions and guidelines of the scheme were being openly violated. The CPI leader said as per the guidelines of the scheme, assured wage employment for 100 days was to be provided to two members of the families living below the poverty line in villages after identifying the families. He alleged that the authorities had failed to identify such families and the work was got done from unidentified labourers. He demanded that an inquiry should be ordered to fix responsibility for getting work done by generating 28,000 man days and payment of Rs 19 lakh as wages to the unidentified labourers. He urged the government to check the muster rolls of the labour to determine that how many eligible labourers were engaged. Mr Lal Bahadur also demanded that though the focal points were not covered under the scheme, but the entire work was being got done at focal points which indicated that money earmarked for the scheme was not being utilised properly. He said despite the fact that there was earmarked percentage of amount for different types of works in the priority list of the scheme, the authorities reportedly issued Rs 1.17 crore to only one agency to construct community centres, shopping complexes and veterinary hospitals at the focal points. |
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| Minister visits Dhussi bundh Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 20 — Due to heavy rain in the catchment areas of the Ravi, the Sutlej and the Beas, the Punjab Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Dr Rattan Singh, visited Dhussi bundh along the Ravi in Ajnala sector here today. He inspected the sensitive areas of border observation post, Ranian complex, B.O.P., Sherpur complex and B.O.P., Darya Mansoor complex, where the river water had been causing erosion due to sudden change of course. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, informed the minister that the district administration had already put the flood control machinery on alert and round-the-clock vigil was being kept over all vulnerable points in the district. Mr P.S. Jawanda, Superintending Engineer of the Drainage Department, informed the minister that there had been the maximum flow of water during the previous years in the Ravi and arrangements had been made to meet greater flow of water. Lieut-Col J.S. Mittra, who was leading the jawans in helping drainage officials, assured full cooperation to the administration. Mr Vir Singh Lopoke, MLA, and Mr Bhupinder Singh, SDM Ajnala, accompanied the minister. |
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| Fresh admissions to MBBS denied From Varinder Walia Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 20 — The Medical Council of India (MCI) has denied sanction for making fresh MBBS admissions to the local Guru Ram Dass Medical College, being run by the SGPC. It is pertinent to mention here that the MCI had given provisional sanction to the college only last year and 50 students were admitted on the basis of PMT during the 1997-98 session. During the current academic year too as many as 50 students have been admitted. According to reliable sources, the college has not fulfilled the requirements, including up-to-date laboratories and filling up various posts, as pointed out by the MCI. This is the main reason for the denial of sanction. It may be mentioned here that the SGPC runs a medical college, a dental college and a charitable hospital. The sources further pointed out that a high-powered team of the MCI had done an inspection of the college last year. On the basis of the inspection, the MCI has sent a communication to the Secretary, Health, Punjab, vide letter number MCI-34(41)/98-medical (XXV)2399, dated May 12, 1998, which highlighted a number of shortcomings in the college. A copy of the letter was also sent to the college authorities here. A third letter reportedly directed the college not to admit fresh students as the college authorities had failed to fulfil the requirements. Dr Surinder Singh Cheema, on Saturday who joined as the new Principal of the college, when contacted by this correspondent at Patiala, claimed that he had spoken to the MCI authorities for doing a re-inspection so that admissions could be made from the current session. He said earlier an inspection had been done when the dental college of the SGPC was housed in the same building. Now there was sufficient space for the laboratories. To another question Dr Cheema said the college authorities had categorically directed him to immediately complete all formalities so that a sanction could be sought from the MCI at the earliest. |
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