Rest house sold for a song
BATHINDA, July 29 — Residents of Dialpura Mirja have alleged that canal rest house of their village was sold off at throwaway price to a person who was "close" to a state minister of Punjab.

Discrimination alleged in traffic challans
BATHINDA, July 29 — There is resentment over the double standards adopted by traffic police personnel while challaning the scooterists without helmets.

Unique job scheme for village youth
CHANDIGARH, July 29 — Punjab has initiated an unique experiment aimed at "integrated" rural development and providing of self-employment to village youth, both boys and girls.

Rest house sold for a song
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, July 29 — Residents of Dialpura Mirja have alleged that canal rest house of their village was sold off at throwaway price to a person who was "close" to a state minister of Punjab.

In a complaint made to the Chief Secretary, Punjab and the Deputy Commissioner, the residents alleged that about four acres of land with 60 full-grown trees and a building of the rest house was sold off for Rs 13,51000, which was much below the market price.

They further alleged that Irrigation Department authorities played mischief to favour the near and dear one of the minister at the public auction.

They alleged that earlier the auction was scheduled to be held at the local Irrigation Department office on July 27. However, one day before the auction, it was announced on the public address system of the village gurdwara that the auction would be held at the village itself.

They further alleged that all this was done to keep them away from the auction so that the rest house could be given to the near and dear one of the minister. When the auction was held at the Irrigation Department office, a son of the state minister was sitting on the dais. The residents said they had offered more price for the rest house than the auction fetched. The rest house had been sold off to a person belonging to Sangrur district.

They demanded that auction should be held again as the Irrigation Department officials, in connivance with the state minister, had caused a loss of lakh of rupees to the Punjab Government by selling off the canal rest house at throwaway price.

Mr G.S. Sidhu, Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department, when contacted on phone, said the minister's son was present when the auction was held.
He, however, said the rest house was sold off at a price which was more than the reserve price of Rs 12,64000. He denied any foul play in the auction.

He said there were only 29 full-grown trees and the Forest Department had assessed their cost.

Discrimination alleged in traffic challans
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, July 29 — There is resentment among citizens of this district over the double standards adopted by traffic police personnel while challaning the scooterists without helmets.

Residents alleged that traffic police personnel were exempting the women riding without helmets on pillion of scooters driven by turbaned persons while the women riding the pillion of a scooter driven by non-turbaned persons were being challaned.

Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, General Secretary, the District Congress Committee, in a press note issued here today, alleged that action of the traffic police personnel would create communal tension in the state.

He alleged that Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal has passed an unwritten order to all district transport officers to challan maximum number of vehicles so that state government could get enough money. He said that the state government should stop playing such 'dangerous' mischief with the people.

Mr Madan Lal Kapoor and Mr R.D. Gupta, president and press secretary respectively the Punjab Pardesh Beopar Mandal in a joint press note alleged that by exempting the Sikh women from the wearing of helmets, the state government had created a wedge among the Sikh women and the women belonging to other religion.

They urged the state government to make those laws which should be applicable to all residents of state and should not be based on caste, creed, religion, region or language.

Mr Upjeet Singh Brar, DTO, Bathinda when contacted said that the judgement of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the regulation of traffic and other safety measures was being implemented in letter and spirit.

On the other hand, the helmet sellers in this district were very having a field day as they were selling helmets on a premium and minting money.

HC stays admissions to PTU
engineering colleges
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 29 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the process of admission to various engineering colleges affiliated to the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar.

This order was handed down by a Division Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Arun B. Saharya and Mr Justice H.S Bedi, on a petition filed by Mr Vivek Jain, one of the applicants for admission. The Bench also issued notice to the university for August 3. The notice was accepted by the university's counsel.

In his petition Mr Jain stated that he had appeared for the combined entrance test conducted by the university. His roll number was 34738. The entrance test result declared by the university showed that he secured 119.50 marks and was placed at 2098 position for admission. He had secured 88 per cent marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics in the plus II examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education.

Mr Jain stated that he did not apply for the first counselling conducted by the university because he was not satisfied with the marks awarded to him. He made a written request to the university on July 21 for giving him details of the marks. He also pointed out certain faults in the preparation of the result. On July 23 the university wrote to him that he had secured 151.50 marks and was ranked 837 in the merit list for admission.

During the intervening period the first counselling period expired. The university did not allow him to join the second counselling on the ground that since he did not appear for the first counselling, he had no right to appear for the second counselling.

He contested the university decision in court on the ground that it was the fault of the university in awarding him lower marks. After the university made the necessary correction in its record, his marks improved from 119.50 to 151.50 and his merit from 2098 to 837. Now he is entitled to first counselling according to his merit as also to admission in the branch of his choice.

3 die of gastroenteritis
From A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 29 — Gastroenteritis has broken out in several localities of Ludhiana, claiming at least three lives and sending dozens of people to hospitals for treatment during the past few days.

This has raised to five the number of deaths reported from various areas of the megacity attributable to water-borne diseases.

The affected localities include Hari Kartar Colony, Cheema Colony, New Hargobindpur and New Shivaji Nagar, situated in the interior of the city. A visit to these colonies this morning showed that no medical help was available to these residents from the government. The patients were going to registered medical practitioners (RMPs) who, in turn, were referring them to private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.

Filth and stench fills the air in most of these areas where overflowing sewage, heaps of garbage, stagnating water and open drains choked with garbage are a common sight. In one street, maggots could be seen crawling in the drains. Residents of the area complained that there is no arrangement for the regular removal of refuse. They said that cases of gastroenteritis had begun to be reported immediately after the monsoon began about a month ago.

A lot of people suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea had been rushed to hospitals. While three deaths had been confirmed, one remained unconfirmed.

Dr D.P. Singh Arora, director of Arora Nursing Home, said he had been treating up to six patients a day suffering from gastroenteritis for the past about one month. In many cases, patients had been admitted to nursing homes. One death had taken place in his clinic.

Certain RMPs of the localities on the condition of anonymity revealed that gastroenteritis had been raging in four colonies in an epidemic form for nearly a month now.

On an average, they are receiving two to three cases each daily which are being referred to hospitals and private nursing homes and clinics for treatment.

In most of the colonies, sewer and drinking water pipes run together. It is clear that sewage is getting mixed with drinking water which is being consumed by the residents of those colonies.

The district health authorities have been caught napping by the outbreak of gastroenteritis in these colonies. The authorities have been concentrating their efforts on Ashok Nagar, Subhash Nagar and New Shakti Nagar around Salem Tabri where two deaths were reported a couple of weeks ago.

Dr G.P. Chander, Civil Surgeon of Ludhiana, expressed ignorance about the cases of gastroenteritis and deaths in these localities. He, however, said that he would investigate and rush medical teams to the affected area.

Unique job scheme for village youth
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 29 — Punjab has initiated an unique experiment aimed at "integrated" rural development and providing of self-employment to village youth, both boys and girls.

As part of a state-wide programme, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has conceived the idea of setting up a chain of "multi-propose agriculture-cum-dairy complex", which will be developed to exploit and use the combined economic and cooperative strength of a group of village youth, while retaining their independence and individuality, in terms of entrepreneurship. The innovative scheme is being first tried at Kal-Jharani in Bathinda district.

It will involve cost-effective use of village panchayat land to "shift" traditional production units to a centralised, developed centre to be operated by a society of villagers with the panchayat providing the necessary functional umbrella and the government backup support.

This project owes its basic planning and philosophy to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who is intent on rural development and employment for rural youth at their door-step. He is keen to provide an "optimal environment for self-employment" with certain common facilities, including infrastructure, training, techniques and other amenities like electricity (including solar power), water, disposal, marketing and the like.

According to the Financial Commissioner (Development), Mr R.N. Gupta, all formalities and modalities for the proposed scheme have been completed. The District Rural Development Agency, Bathinda, has been designated as the nodal agency for execution and implementation. The Deputy Commissioner of the district will act as chairperson of the empowered committee for coordination of the agencies involved. The rural development fund will be used for developing the complex in which Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, is actively involved.

Mr Parkash Singh Badal is keen to have at least one such cost-effective complex in each district. He goes to village Padhri in Ajnala sub-division of Amritsar for a similar project tomorrow; the village falls in the border belt. For the proposed complex, the services of a former Milk Commissioner of Punjab, Dr Gurbhagat Singh Kahlon, have been availed of to give a concrete shape to the idea imported from Israel. Each individual complex, Mr Gupta said, will be "area-and-need specific".

The master plans have been prepared by PAU. Village Kal-Jharani has been surveyed to determine its socio-economic level. The eligibility criteria has been defined. Those keen on dairying will get 10 cross-bred Holstein Freisen cows each and will be enabled to raise the necessary finance. The only condition is that each person taking up a dairying unit must own less than three acres of land for fodder cultivation. Those keen to be involved but have more than three acres can avail of training and other facilities at their respective agricultural land.

In fact, beginning June the Chief Minister and officials drawn from departments concerned have held a series of meetings with people of Kal-Jharani in their "chaupal" to know what exactly they needed to supplement their family income and improve their living standards. As a result of that process, the proposed facilities have been shortlisted. These include, dairying units consisting of 12 units with each having 10 cows. The common facilities will include gobar gas, water shortage, artificial insemination and veterinary and health care. Milking machines will be made available besides fodder-cutting machines.

For women there will be handlooms. For the village as a whole a stadium will be built for common use. There is a provision for "trading and servicing" besides construction of shopping booths for the youth to rent. Public services facilities have been incorporated.

Participating agencies will include Milkfed, cooperative bank, Mandi Board, Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Departments, Punjab Energy Development Agency, Backfinco etc.

Mr Gupta said detailed cost, investment and returns have been worked out for different vocations, which will have full involvement of the panchayat. The necessary funds for Kal-Jharani, Rs 40 lakh, initially, have been released. The complex is expected to be functional in three months.

Discussions with villagers and a survey of entrepreneurs showed Kal-Jharani is a new experiment. If it succeeds, it will signal yet another revolution. There were over 600 households will less than three acres of land, while, over 450 had holdings between 5 and 10 acres. Above ten acres were barely 230 farmers. The landless numbered over 990. Educationwise, under matrics (280) and matriculates (155) were keen to avail of the facilities. Some machinery is available, like tractors, threshers etc.

The milk yield is very low; per cow it ranges from 2 kg per day to 3.1 kg only.

Help develop villages, Badal tells sarpanches
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, July 29 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister Punjab, today administered oath to 1585 sarpanches and 8551 panches of this district elected recently at a function in the grain market in the outskirts of the city. Of 1585 sarpanches took oath 523 were women and 265 Scheduled Caste. The 8551 panches who took oath included 3132 women and 1493 from scheduled caste and 467 belong to backward classes.

Mr Badal exhorted sarpanches and panches to plan out strategy for the development of the panchayats for their tenure of five years. Priorities should be fixed and strictly followed while undertaking development in the villages.

Mr Badal said that 70 per cent of Punjabis lived in villages and were dependent on agriculture. Unless farmers are given their due progress of the villages could not take place.

Mr Badal said that power should move upwards from below. In our country's federal structure all powers rest with the Centre. He said that the Punjab government would share power with panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads. Punjab would continue to fight for greater autonomy for the states so that it could deliver goods, he added.

Mr Badal advised panches and sarpanches to rise above party affiliations and undertake development of the villages. He said the panchayats from where no criminal or civil case was reported continuously for a year those would be awarded.

Mr Badal said that he felt that there was communication gap between the administration and the rural people. To bridge this he said he had directed Deputy Commissioners and SSPs to go to villages along with various district heads twice a week and address their grievances on the spot. He assured the sarpanches and panches that he would ensure periodic presence of state level officers including secretaries of the department in the villages for hearing their grievances and solving them on the spot.

Mr Badal said that all the state level and district level officers had been directed to give due respect to elected representatives of people and involve them in decision making.

Mr Badal said that he would conduct survey of every village to identify the unemployed youth, the unemployed youths thereafter would be given training in vocations of their choice and provided funds to start their vocations. It would be the responsibility of the state to market what they produced.

Mr Badal said that special responsibility fell on the women who form 33 per cent of the elected representatives. We advised them to use their pressure on panchayats to make right use of grants.

Mr Balramji Das Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister for Rural Development of Panchayat, Mr Mohan Lal, Forest Minister, Mr Seva Singh Sekhavan, State Minister for Public Relations, Mr Sucha Singh Langah State Minister for Industries and Mr Vinod Khanna M.P. also spoke.

Sirhind Panchayat Samiti chief
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 29 — Balwinder Singh Cheema of Barkatpur village, took over as the chairman of the Sirhind Panchayat Samiti, at a function held there today.

Punsup chairman S. Kirpal Singh Libra and Deputy Commissioner T.R. Sarangal addressed the gathering.

Kharif 1998-99:Punjab for higher support price
By Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 29 — Rejecting the minimum support price recommended by the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices for paddy, maize and cotton for kharif 1998-99, the Punjab Government has urged the Central Government for upward revision of the prices of these crops.

The commission has recommended a price of Rs 440 per quintal for "common" varieties of paddy and Rs 470 per quintal for "Grade-A" varieties of paddy. Urging the Central Government to reconsider the prices recommended by the commission in case of paddy, the Punjab Government has sought a price Rs 500 per quintal for "common" and Rs 550 for "Grade-A" varieties of paddy.

Informed sources said that the Central Government had sought the Punjab Government's comments on the support prices for various kharif crops recommended by the commission for the coming procurement season.

For cotton Punjab has sought a minimum support price of Rs 2015 per quintal against the commission's recommendation of Rs 1440 per quintal. For maize Punjab has sought a price of Rs 550 per quintal whereas the commission has recommended only Rs 390 per quintal.

Justifying its demand for an upward revision of the minimum support price of various kharif crops, the Punjab Government has reportedly stated that the cost of cultivation, the wholesale price index and input price index had gone up and in view of this the prices of various crops should be fixed as suggested by the Punjab Government.

Last year the minimum support price for common varieties of paddy was Rs 415 per quintal and for "Grade-A" varieties it was Rs 445 per quintal.

The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is going to Delhi on August 10 to discuss the annual plan with the Planning Commission. During his Delhi visit he will also take up the issue of early procurement of paddy and clearing of godowns before the arrival of the new crop. The issue of procurement price will also come up for discussion.

Over 50 lakh tonnes of rice is stacked in godowns in Punjab. These will have to be emptied to make space available for the new crop. Informed sources said that out of the total stock of rice in Punjab godowns, 42.14 lakh tonnes belonged to the FCI, including 29.02 lakh tonnes which was procured after relaxing the specifications.

At present about three lakh tonnes to four lakh tonnes of rice per month was being taken to other states from Punjab. The movement of rice will continue at the same pace till the end of August but in September it is expected to be increased to nine lakh tonnes per month.

Informed sources said that Punjab wanted the FCI to start the procurement of paddy from September 1 this year as paddy was transplanted early and it would start arriving in the markets in the first week of September. Last year procurement of paddy was started on September 22 while normally it begins from October 1.

Police fires in air, repulse mobsters

JALANDHAR, July 29 (UNI) — The police fired into the air here today to repulse an attack by land mafia on people rebuilding a shop which had been demolished illegally at Adarsh Nagar in the city on June 4 last.

While Samata Party state general secretary Arun Sharma Pappu claimed that Inspector Amrik Singh Uppal, of the police division two, fired five rifle shots into the air, police sources said he fired two shots from his service revolver to beat back the mob allegedly led by Mr Tarlok Singh Malhi and Mr Iqbal Singh Chatha, both property dealers.

The police claimed that Mr Mohinder Singh Oberoi and shop owner Santosh Kumari suffered injuries in the attack. He said he himself was beaten with lathis by armed supporters of Mr Malhi and Mr Chatha who, he alleged, openly brandished revolvers and pistols in a bid to browbeat those supervising rebuilding of the shop.

It was reliably learnt that city Municipal Corporation allowed rebuilding of the shop following instructions from higher authorities in Chandigarh. Four days after the demolition, District Magistrate on June 8 had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the demolition and its report, prepared by local bodies Deputy Director Chander Gaind was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner here on June 16 last. Subsequently, it was sent to Chandigarh for taking suitable decision, official sources said.

Mr Yogesh Suri, editor of a local weekly, alleged that one armed supporter of the property dealers placed a revolver on his temple when he tried to rescue Pappu with the help of his police security guard from the clutches of the mob who rained him with lathis.

Aggrieved Santosh Kumari and her old father Lal Chand alongwith their supporters had met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to narrate their grievances on June 10 last after which Mr Badal had instructed the corporation officials to rebuild the shop at its cost and restore it to her.

Mr Pappu said the rebuilding, which was disrupted, had since been resumed and if all went well, the shop would be rebuilt by late tonight.

The police has rounded up three mobsters and allegedly seized a large number of lethal weapons. The police have here been deployed in strength to prevent recurrence of trouble after two DSPs, Mr R.K. Sharma and Mr Nachhattar Singh, visited the site after the attack had been repulsed by Mr Uppal, witnesses said.

Police panel to probe murder of 2 boys
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, July 29 — SSP Paramjit Singh Gill, has set up a team to investigate the murder of two boys found dead in the swimming pool of the local Doaba College here yesterday.

The SSP in a press statement has said that a case of kidnapping and murder has been registered by police station division number three under IPC 364/302.

Mr Madan Gopal, SP (D) will head the team assuring the agitated public the SSP have said that the guilty would not be spared. While the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Om Parkash, alongwith the SSP appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony and help the police in investigating the murder of Vitan and Ravi Deep Singh.

Earlier the police had to resort to firing in the air to disperse the mob which held up traffic including rail traffic for more than two hours yesterday.

While the general secretary of the Youth Congress Mr Tajinder Singh Bittu, said that a fast would be started in front of the Doaba College from Monday if the police failed to nab the culprits.

I have not resigned, says Manjit Singh
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, July 29 — Sikh leadership here is worried over the entry of the police into a gurdwara of a foreign country following scuffle between two groups of Sikhs over the implementation of the "hukmnama" (edict) issued by the Sikh clergy on the partaking of 'langar' (community kitchen) on the floor instead of table and chairs as prevalent in some countries. The situation went from bad to worse when six excommunicated Sikhs who defied the 'hukamnama" including Mr Tara Singh Hayer, Editor, Indo-Canadian Times-a weekly being published from Vancouver said that the excommunication from the 'panth' did not bother them. However, Mr Hayer said that the way they were excommunicated without giving them proper hearing certainly hurt them.

Meanwhile, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib told The Tribune on telephone from his residence at Patiala scotched the rumour that he had offered to resign due to alleged differences with Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht, as published in a section of the press. The press reports had pointed out that a cold war was on between Bhai Ranjit Singh and Prof Manjit Singh over the 'hukmnana' issued on the institution of 'langar'.

However, when asked about the differences with Bhai Ranjit Singh, Prof Manjit Singh said that he would like to keep silent on the issue for some time as everything would be set right with a time.

"I have not resigned", says Prof Manjit Singh. It may be recalled that during his stint as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, five Sikh High priests including Prof Manjit Singh had sent a communication to the foreign Sikhs following differences of opinion over partaking of 'langar' while sitting on a floor or chairs. The Sikh high priests at that time, in their communication had used a soft language that as per Sikh traditions "langar' should be partaken on a floor. The communication had also suggested the Sikhs in Canada and Australia where differences cropped up over the institution of 'langar' not to use the gurdwara premises for scuffles. The sources pointed out that the differences were ironed out at the time amicably. A strong groupism followed the 500-year old tradition of partaking of langar on floor while a few Sikhs continued to use chairs and tables for the 'langar'.

This time, the Sikh clergy has resorted to direct action by issuing "hukamnama" and then excommunicating the six Sikhs for defying the edict. Earlier the six Canadian Sikhs were declared 'tankhayia' (guilty of religious misconduct). The differences over the implementation of the tradition of 'langar' has sharply divided the foreign Sikhs which has caused worry among the local leadership here.

Meanwhile Many Sikh institutions including members of the SGPC had strongly condemned the "rumours' that there were any differences between Bhai Ranjit Singh and Prof Manjit Singh, they said that some anti-Sikh forces were" planting such news about the Sikh high priests as the Sikhs. They said that it was a very serious matter as the Sikh community was celebrating tricentenary of the "Khalsa panth". The signatories to the statement included Mr Jaswinder Singh advocate, member Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Bhai Sukhminder Singh of Sukhmani Sewa Society, Bhai Pyara Singh, Bhai Harpreet Singh of the Gurmat Parchar Society Tarn Taran.

AISSF calls for strike on August 4
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, July 29 — The All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) has given a call for a one-day strike in all universities, colleges, schools, ITIs, polytechnic and other educational institutions of the state on August 4 for keeping Udham Singh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.

The press release of the AISSF issued by its president, Mr Harminder Singh Gill, said that the federation would not allow annexation of Udham Singh Nagar.

The federation urged all its branches in foreign countries to work for the implementation of the "hukamnama" issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, on "langar" (community kitchen). The federation said that it was the duty of every Sikh to implement the "hukamnama" issued by the Sikh clergy.

Mr Gill welcomed the excommunication of the six Canada-based Sikhs who refused to obey the "hukamnama" on "langar".

Mr Gill said that criticism of the "hukamnama" by the general secretary of the CPM, Mr Harkishan Singh Surjit, clearly showed that the excommunicated leaders were not "real" Sikhs but belonged to the Communist Party.

Owners told to shift dairies
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, July 29 — The Mayor, Mr Subhash Sharma, has appealed to the dairy owners to shift their dairies from outside the walled city to the Fatehpur Dairy complex by August 15.

Addressing a meeting of the dairy owners here yesterday, he said that in compliance of the directive of the Punjab and Haryana High Court they would have to shift their dairies from within the city.

Meanwhile, 25 plots were auctioned to the dairy owners in the dairy complex.

Bus fare hike justified
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, July 29 — Mr Manjinder Singh Kang, chairman of the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation and member of the Akali Dal working committee justified the hike in bus fares and power tariff.

Justifying the two hikes in a press conference here today, Mr Kang said the bus fares had not been increased since the past five years, while the private transporters and the Punjab Roadways were running in a loss. Moreover, the Transport Department was short of 1,700 buses due to the phasing out of old buses and money was needed to buy new buses.

On the other hand, the power tariff hike was a direct consequence of the increasing load of industries in the state and the raising of expenses of coal and other equipment for generating electricity. Assailing the Opposition parties, he said first they raked up the terrorists issue failing which they were raising the issue of octroi abolition, bus fares and power tariff not understanding the revenue generated from these hikes would be spent on the development of the state. Reiterating the Akali-BJP government's commitment in bringing peace in the state, he said that terrorism would not be allowed to be revived at any cost.

5 held for attack on cooperative bank officer
From Our Correspondent

ROPAR, July 29 — All five persons allegedly involved in an attack on Mr Kuldip Singh, Deputy Manager of the Ropar Central Cooperative Bank Limited, at the local bus stand on Friday evening, were arrested by the city police yesterday.

According to investigation officer Balwant Singh here today, all the persons namely Gurjinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Manjit Singh, Jagpal Singh and Gurmail Singh were released on bail last evening as the offence is bailable. He said they had been released on surety of Rs 20,000 each and on the condition that they would join the investigations as and when called by the police. A case under sections 147, 149, 323, 341, 504 and 506 of the IPC for allegedly attacking Mr Kuldip Singh was registered.

All employees of 41 branches of the Ropar Central Cooperative Bank, who were on strike since July 25 last, today, resumed duty.

Tourism staff call off protest
From Our Correspondent

ROPAR, July 29 — The month-long protest wearing of black badges and holding of gate meetings by local Punjab Tourism Employees was called off today by the joint action committee of the Punjab Tourism Karamchari Dal and the Punjab Tourism Employees Union here.

Mr Mangal Singh Hundal, co-convener of the joint action committee, said today that the protest was called off following negotiations with the MD of Punjab Tourism Development Corporation. It was also decided to postpone the strike call given by the joint action committee, from August 6 to August 9.

Mr Hundal said the MD had assured them that their demands already had been accepted in principle which included implementation of pay commission report in three months, Rs 5000 as advance to each employee against the pending ad hoc bonus for 1995-96 and 1996-97 and payment of bonus on the pattern of other boards and corporations of the state.

Legal aid council scheme from August 1
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, July 29 — The Punjab Legal Services Authority will launch a legal aid council scheme in Punjab on August 1.
According to a press note issued here yesterday, Mr H.S. Bhalla, District and Session Judge, said the scheme would be inaugurated by the executive chairman of the Punjab Legal Services Authority, Justice H.S. Brar, in this district.

He said one legal aid council would be attached to every subordinate court in the state under the scheme for giving free legal aid to the poor.

A seminar would also be held on the occasion in which sarpanches, panches and prominent residents of the district would participate.

Ministers to attend to complaints
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 29 — Mr Kirpal Singh Bandugar, secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), said here today that two ministers would be available here on all working days to attend to complaints of people and for disposing these of on the spot by taking the complaints with the department concerned.

While one minister would be on duty for this purpose at the official residence of the Punjab Chief Minister, the other would sit in the office of the SAD in MLA Hostel Flat Number 7, Sector 3, according to Mr Kirpal Singh.

He said the ministers concerned had been informed in this connection. The ministers would be available between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Rally by Punjab medical practitioners
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 29 — Members of the Medical Practitioners, Association, Punjab, staged a rally in support of their demands at the Housing Board roundabout here today.

Hundreds of members who had come all over from Punjab raised slogans against the government's apathy towards their demands. A large number of women also took part. The rally, which started at 10 a.m., continued till 4 p.m.

Dr Surjit Singh Gill, president of the association, said the step of giving notices to unregistered doctors was uncalled for and arbitrary as people of the state were being served by them and this step would jeopardise the medical services at the primary level.

The state knows that it could not provide such services to more than 50 per cent of its populace on its own due to lack of infrastructure and personnel, but was rendering hundreds of practitioners jobless.

He urged the government should lift the ban on the registration of doctors of the unani and ayurvedic streams.

Other leaders pointed that the persons who were fully qualified for to work as pharmacists were being recruited as assistants and were being exploited low wages and asked to work for longer hours.

If the government was serious, it should start short training programmes to prepare new persons for primary health care and allow them to practice in addition to those who had been registered in other states.

Panchayats to get more powers
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, July 29 — The Punjab government plans to decentralise more powers to the panchayats. The details of the plan will be announced next week.

Ms Jagir Kaur, Minister for Cultural Affairs and Social Security said this here yesterday while administering the oath of office and secrecy to 1230 sarpanches and panches of 179 panchayats in the district.

She particularly sought the cooperation of women members to resolve the problems of villages. Deputy Commissioner Gurinder Singh Grewal apprised her of various development schemes being launched for the welfare of the youths in the district. Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal also addressed the gathering.

Earlier talking to newsmen, the Cultural Affairs Minister said the Punjab government would grant old-age pension to 5.82 lakh persons during the current financial year in the state. As many as 4.23 lakh persons have been identified in this connection. An amount of Rs 120 crore has been earmarked to implement the scheme. A new policy will be shortly announced to promote tourism. She said the Central Government has granted Rs 6.50 crore to construct a three-star hotel at the historic town of Anandpur Sahib. Its foundation stone will be laid on the eve of the 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Khalsa in the town next year.

Punjabi University results
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, July 29 — The results of the examinations of M.A. economics part-I and II and M.A. history part-II conducted by Punjabi University this year will be declared on July 30, according to a press note of the university here today.

INA Captain dead
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, July 29 — Capt Sant Singh, a member of the Indian National Army and an associate of Netaji Subhas Chander Bose, expired after a brief illness today. He leaves behind his wife, five sons and two daughters.
Capt Sant Singh's cremation will take place tomorrow at the cremation ground in Badungar near here.

Gang of conmen busted
From Our Correspondent

MANSA, July 29 — The Budhlada police has busted a gang of conmen who used to cheat the innocent people, promising them money four times the amount given to them.

Mr Yurinder Singh Hayer, SSP, Mansa, at a press conference here today said that a Harpal Singh, Sankar Singh and Santu Singh had been booked under Sections 420 and 34.

He said that the police had also recovered a Maruti car (DL0-3-4312) from Harbans Singh and Resham Singh and 510 grams of opium from Bhagwan Singh and Bhanu Sut, respectively and cases have been registered against them separately.