Tuesday, November 10, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Tuesday, November 10, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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SGPC
rejects Pak jatha plan Demand
to arrest fertiliser scandal accused The
problems of potato growers Badal
for free treatment to poor |
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 Parliamentary team meets
NFL staff Where
training has gone down the drain |
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5 die in
mishap Police
mobilised for PM's visit
40
tubewells for Dera Bassi subdivision Plan
to extend jail officials’ training |
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SGPC rejects Pak jatha plan AMRITSAR, Nov 9 — The SGPC has rejected the move of the Pakistan Government to constitute a six-member management committee to manage the visits of Sikh pilgrims to Sikh shrines in Pakistan on the occasion of Baisakhi, Guru Nanak's birthday and two other occasions in a year. The SGPC said today that the proposal was mooted by the Pakistan Government and conveyed to the leader of the Sikh jatha, Mr Balbir Singh Naushehra Pannuan, who had led a jatha of pilgrims on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birthday. The proposal suggested formation of a committee with three members each of the SGPC and the Wakf Board of Pakistan. The SGPC clarified that it was not ready to give away its right to manage Sikh pilgrims' visits to Sikh shrines in Pakistan as granted to it under the Sikh Gurdwara Act enacted in 1925. Under it, the SGPC was empowered to safeguard Sikh interests all over the world. SGPC sources suspected a sinister move behind the proposal saying the Pakistan Government planned to hand over the management of jathas to an organisation of Sikh militants operating from foreign countries including USA, UK, Canada and Germany and under the leadership of Mr Ganga Singh Dhillon. Meanwhile, the SGPC has
sought the report of the visit of the jatha from the
party leader Mr Balbir Singh. It is expected to lodge a
strong protest with the Pakistan Government. |
Fertiliser scandal CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The kisan wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has urged the Punjab Vigilance Bureau to arrest all those persons involved in the multi-crore fertiliser scandal whose bail applications were rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A deputation of the kisan wing led by Mr Satnam Singh Behru today met Mr Sarabjit Singh, Additional Director General of Police, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, here. Mr Behru brought to the notices of the ADGP that certain persons involved in the scandal were trying to flee the country and the police should keep a watch on them. He urged the ADGP to involve officials of the Agriculture Department in the investigation by arresting them like other accused persons in this scandal. Mr Behru said that as it was a big scandal in which influential persons, including politicians, were involved. Its investigation should be conducted by police officer of DIG rank. Mr Behru said that the Union Government was giving Rs 340 as subsidy per tonne. A fertiliser unit pocketed crores of rupees of subsidy by showing bogus production in connivance with certain officials of the Agriculture Department. He said that a former
Minister and one MLA were involved in this scandal and
due to this reason efforts were being made to sweep the
scandal under the carpet. He said that he was determined
to pursue this scandal up to the Supreme Court and get
the accused persons convicted. |
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The problems of potato growers CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — While Krishi Bhavan prepares for a review meeting tomorrow to consider problems faced on the availability of onion and potato as well as their seed, a quick look at the field scenario of the two in Punjab shows a discouraging situation. Punjab, TNS learns, is suited to potato. It is, however, not an onion producing state. While potato occupies 50,000 hectares, approximately, the area under onion is about 3,200 hectares. The per hectare yield of the two, however, is almost the same: 20 tonnes. In both cases there are two crop seasons: potato is sown in spring as well as autumn. Onion, primarily, is a rabi crop, though, Punjab is keen to promote kharif onion, which at present is not a commercial proposition. Against 84,000 tonnes rabi onion production expected in April-May, 1999, the kharif yield is expected to be around 7,500 tonnes. Potato is a very sensitive crop. Any fluctuations in the weather, it is spoiled; it simply rots when hit by water. It is the third successive year now that potato in Punjab continues to suffer due to the vagaries of weather. If it was biting frost in 1996-97, it was severe attack of blight, coupled with unseasonal rains (both at the time of sowing and harvesting), in 1997-98, which resulted in loss of crop. For the current year, 30 per cent sown potato crop already stands damaged due to unseasonal rain. This means, as the Director of Horticulture, Mr K S Sandhu, says, against 7.88 lakh tonnes potato production last year in the current year the production will be around 7.25 lakh tonnes. Because of loss of crop "seed" availability is a problem this year. So is the case of fertilisers, both DAP as well as single superphosphate. All this is due to government apathy and indecisiveness on the quantum of subsidy to be given to farmers. When the Additional Secretary, Agriculture, Mr J N L Srivastava, meets the Directors of Horticulture of different states in New Delhi tomorrow, he will be keen to know five things: monthwise expected production and what was it like last year; amount of seed available at present and seed required in future; and invite suggestions how to tide over the onion and potato problems to compress retail prices of the few in months ahead. In Punjab Doaba is the potato bowl, where Jalandhar leads, both in terms of area and number of cold stores. Against 50,000 hectares under the tuber, Jalandhar alone accounts for nearly 20,000 hectares. At least 40 per cent of the 350-odd cold stores are also located in Jalandhar. The main varieties sown in Doaba (Hoshiarpur and parts of Kapurthala also constitute the potato bowl) include Kufri Jyoti, Chandermukhi and Badshah. There are several others, including at least three in the pipeline: Kufri Ashok and Chips Sona-1 and Sona-2. While Punjab Agricultural University has made little or no contribution to potato and onion research, it is the Central Potato Research institute, a subsidiary of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, at Badshahpur near Jalandhar which caters to the seed requirements in respect of potato for Punjab growers besides meeting needs of farmers outside the state. The major potato grower is Uttar Pradesh, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the country's production against a mere 4.5 per cent produced by Punjab, West Bengal and Gujarat are the other two potato-producing states. A good, bumper crop in these states directly affects the potato economy of Punjab. Given the poor showing of potato since 1996-97, it is expected that its retail price will go up in the coming months. Both producers (farmers) as well consumers will suffer. As of now the trade will flourish unless a policy is framed and enforced. Potato sowing is almost complete in Punjab. The normal potato crop season lasts between September and March. Extreme and unpredictable weather plays havoc with potato prospects. Suitable varieties, genetically bred, which will guard potato against blight is needed to be evolved, the available fungicide is ridomil-Mz, which is used in combination with other fungicides. Why cannot the government decide upon the quantum of subsidy to be given on this fungicide and make it available. The same is true of seed potato. Despite crop loss in 1996-97 and 1997-98, which affected seed availability for the current autumn sowing, the CPRI, Jalandhar, supplied 1,200 quintals of potato seed to the state in March, 1997 against that 700 quintals was supplied in March, 1998. It is said Punjab did not deposit money with the institute. Mr Sandhu, however, maintains that the department paid Rs 500 per quintal in January-February and Rs 1,100 per quintal at present. "We have distributed 25,000 quintals to farmers". His thinking is that farmers must be "crop specific" and "renew" the seed available very often and also change the variety. There has also to be "market or crop intelligence" information transmission system. Despite onion and potato being perishable commodities, some "minimum government intervention" is called for. The concept of "Apni mandi" should not be allowed to wither away. The farmers must be enabled to market their produce. The present dismal situation on account of "seed scarcity" coupled with "fertiliser shortage" has hit even the 10 government farms, where potato crop has been spoiled. Referring to onion, TNS was told by Mr Sandhu that emphasis was on promoting kharif onion so that farmers could fetch remunerative price. In this crop sowing begins at the end of June and seedlings are transplanted in the first week of August. Harvesting is on now. The other crop is harvested in April and May. In respect of potato, it has been seen that rotten percentage is high because of untimely rain. Though potato is a 90-day crop, farmers start digging operations after 70 or so days. Those who had sown their potatoes in early September are now digging and despatching the same to Delhi markets. The export is mainly from Hoshiarpur. Thus potato both as
"seed" as well as "ware" (vegetable)
crop is a money spinner as well as a spoilsport for
producers. The retail prices of the two will continue to
haunt the consumers, it is believed. |
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Parliamentary team meets NFL staff NANGAL, Nov 9 — The parliamentary committee for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes visited the National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) unit here to probe allegations of victimisation of employees belonging to these categories. The parliamentary team's visit follows various complaints filed in the SC/ST Commission by the SC/ST NFL Employees Welfare Association. The team comprised 14 MPs led by the Chairman, Mr Kuria Munda, Director, Mr BRKanathia, and its representative from Punjab, Mr SS Libra. The committee members held a meeting with the SC/ST NFL Employees Association. The NFL association members cited several instances of alleged victimisation of SC/ST employees by the factory management. The association alleged that the 45 posts reserved for SC/STs had been put in the open category by the NFL management. These posts had been declared open to facilitate backdoor entry of those favoured by the management, it further alleged. It also alleged that the SC/ST employees in the NFL were being denied promotions and chargesheeted on flimsy grounds. Besides, a clerk belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Mr CL Badon, who shifted here from the Bathinda unit of the NFL, was yet to receive his salary for the past 18 months, the association claimed. It demanded that some SC/STs should be made members of the Welfare Department in the NFL. The NFL General Manager, Mr Ratolia, was, however, not available for comments on the issue. Earlier, the parliamentary
committee also visited Bhakra. |
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Where training has gone down the
drain ZIRA (Ferozepore): "Sarkar ne sanun galicha banaun di training tan de ditti hai par uh sade rozgar layee vi kujh kare" (The government has provided us training in galicha manufacturing, but the government should do something to provide us employment too). These are the words of Gurjit Kaur, Punam and many other trainees who are about to complete six months' training in the "galicha" trade at the training-cum-production centre being run by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in the BDPO building here. Besides the local centre, two more centres — one each at Kotisekhan and Fatehgarh Panjtoor — were started in April in this sub-division. The purpose of opening these centres was to make people, especially those belonging to the SCs, self-dependent. About 50 trainees (women and girls) were enrolled in the three centres. Of them, the Fatehgarh Panjtoor centre is almost 'dead' due to certain reasons. The trainees do not know how to employ their skill after completion of training. They do not have the courage to set up their carpet manufacturing units. There are many reasons for that. Zira sub-division is dominated by rural population. There would be problem of marketing, if the manufacturing unit is set up in or around Zira. The markets for galicha could be found in urban areas alone. When contacted, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mr Bakhtawar Singh, told The Tribune that he was constantly persuading people to set up manufacturing units which required a minimum investment of Rs 1 lakh and use the services of skilled trainees. But, he has not succeeded to locate any willing entrepreneur so far, the main reason being that nobody wants to take a risk by investing in a new enterprise. Regarding the closed
centre at Fatehgarh Panjtoor, the SDM said efforts were
afoot to revive the same. There was a plan to impart
training in handlooms also in the next batch, he added. |
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Badal for free treatment to poor JALANDHAR, Nov 9 — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal appealed to social service organisations NGOs and the medical fraternity to open free medical centres to provide health service to the poor. Addressing the valedictory function of the National Congress on Respiratory Diseases organised by Indian Chest Society here today Mr Badal said that treatment and medicines were getting out of reach of ordinary people and it was society’s collective responsibility to look after their interests. He said the poor were more prone to diseases, especially tuberculosis and HIV infection, because of social factors like poverty and lack of education. Therefore, free medical camps should be organised in slums and poor localities. The Chief Minister said that diseases like TB, AIDS and lung cancer were spreading due to mounting pollution the result of fast industrialisation a rapid increase in traffic and changing work culture. The incidence of asthma in children, lung cancer and TB was also due to smoking tobacco. In a democratic set up, it was very difficult to put a ban on smoking and the use of intoxicants but social organisations and leaders must come forward and launch a movement for bringing about an awakening about its harmful effects. Mr Badal cautioned the people about the warnings of researchers that TB may be an early manifestation of HIV infections. About 70 per cent of individuals affected with HIV usually have one or more respiratory ‘episode.’ He said Jalandhar would emerge as a major centre for scientific studies in north India with the setting up of a science city an institute of medical sciences, a technical university and sports goods industries. Mr Badal urged doctors to make seminars. Symposia and conferences result-oriented. He assured delegates of the government’s full support in giving practical shape to the outcome of deliberations. He also indicated that the government would consider setting up a good chest hospital in Punjab with ultra modern facilities. He honoured distinguished doctors and outstanding workers who contributed for making in conference a success. Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Minister Health and Family Welfare, Punjab speaking on the occasion said that the state government was taking all preventive and curative steps for control of various diseases. Mr Vijay Chopra, Editor-in-Chief, Hind Samachar group of newspapers, speaking on the occasion stressed the need for a more effective strategy for eradication of illiteracy and spreading education to promote health care. The conference passed resolutions through which the Indian Chest Society offered to have a dialogue with health policy planners to chalk out an action plan for prevention and cure of TB, HIV and other respiratory diseases. It was suggested that
tobacco companies not be involved in sponsoring sports
events. The conference also recommended that December 11
be observed as "world asthma day" to improve
awareness and involvement of the public. |
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5 die in mishap SAMANA, Nov 9 — Five
persons — Sikandar Lal, Krishan Chand, Roop Singh,
Harvinder Singh and Rajinder Singh — were killed in
an accident between Maruti car and truck on the
Patiala-Samana road, 2 km from here, today. One person
was seriously injured and has been admitted to Rajindra
Hospital, Patiala. The police has registered a case and
seized the truck. The youths were returning after
offering prayers at Peer Nasupur, 6 km from here.
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40 tubewells for Dera Bassi subdivision PATIALA, Nov 9 — Punjab Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh has said 40 tubewells would be sunk in Dera Bassi subdivision to meet the irrigation needs of the area. Addressing a rural gathering after laying the foundation stone of a bridge on the Tangri river at Sarangpur village on Saturday, Capt Kanwaljit said the government had already earmarked Rs 302 crore to irrigate 30,000 hectares of land in the state in the current financial year. The Finance Minister said the bridge on the Tangri river would be completed within a year and would benefit the people on Khelan, Jodhpur, Sarangpur, Attala and Rajpura besides nearby areas of Haryana. The Finance Minister also
assured that the problem of shortage of electricity in
Lalru would be tackled in a month. He distributed cheques
to 20 panchayats for development works besides Rs 1.77
lakh to 12 persons handicapped during the execution of
agricultural operations. |
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Anandpur Sahib to be made 'eighth
wonder' FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 9 — The birthplace of Khalsa will be developed as the eighth wonder in the world and the Punjab Government has released the required amount for this purpose. This was announced by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, while addressing a largely attended gathering at Machrai Kalan village, 20 km from here, after laying the foundation stone of a focal point here today. He said the Prime Minister would lay the foundation stone of an oil refinery at Bathinda. It would be constructed at a cost of Rs 1600 crore. The refinery would benefit farmers and also other industries such as power, petrochemical small-scale ancillary units. It would generate employment for more than 15000 persons. The Thein Dam would be completed by February, 1999, and a sum of Rs 750 crore would be spent on it this year. He distributed cheques worth Rs 14 lakh as grant for development works to various panchayats. He also inaugurated the 24-hour power supply scheme at Bhadalthua village. Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, MP, announced a Rs 7 lakh grant for the village panchayat. Mr Balwant Singh Sahpur,
MLA, Amloh, Jathedar Hari Singh Virk, Machrai Kalan, Mr
Ran Singh Kalsi, District President of the BJP, and Mr
Tejwant Singh, President of the Municipal Council, Amloh,
also spoke. |
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Plan to extend jail
officials’ training PATIALA, Nov 9 — The Punjab Government proposes to introduce a six-month training course for the jail staff instead of the present three-month course to meet the demands of manning jails in the state. Disclosing this while addressing the 35th batch of Police Jail Training School officers at the central jail here today, Mr G S Gill Inspector General, Jails said that the increase in the training period is in line with the recommendations of the Justice Mullah Commission constituted for improving the conditions of the jails of the country. In the modern concept, jails aren’t places where criminals are locked away but reform houses. The modern motto is to hate the sin rather than the sinner. The best trainee award was
presented to Mr Vikramjit Singh Panthey, who passed out
as assistant superintendent of jails along with five
others. Thirtyseven jail wardens also passed the course. |
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Legal Services Day observed LUDHIANA, Nov 9 — To observe Legal Services Day, 16 Lok Adalats were organised today in Ludhiana district in which 166 cases were presented and out of these 72 were settled. Giving more details, Mr Charanjit Singh Jhava, acting District and Sessions Judge, said that the litigants and the lawyers had extended their full cooperation in disposing off long pending cases and compensation amounting to Rs 7.54 lakh was awarded in motor accident cases. Later, a seminar to create awareness among the people regarding the Lok Adalats was organised on the old court complex. Addressing the seminar Mr
Jhava called upon the people to accord priority to get
their cases settled in Lok Adalats in order to save time
and money. |
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Police mobilised for PM's visit PHULOKHARI (Bathinda). Nov 9 — More than 2000 policemen including senior superintendents of the police (SSP) of six districts have descended here today as part of the security arrangements for Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit here on November 13 for laying the foundation stone of a Rs 16,000 crore oil refinery project. Official sources said that policemen in small groups led by non-gazetted officers (NGOs) and gazetted officers (GOs) had been deployed on various roads, site of the function, the grounds and air route of the Prime Minister to ensure the foolproof security for the VVIPs who will attend the function. Sources said that the PM would land at Bhisiana air force station and fly to the site of the function on a helicopter. After laying the foundation stone, he will address a public rally in which about one lakh persons will participate. Mr Vajpayee will be accompanied by the Union Petroleum Minister and other Cabinet colleagues. Police sources said that Rs 10 lakh sanctioned by the state government for purchasing fuel for police vehicles had not been released so far and police vehicles were not getting an adequate supply of the fuel. A big pandal is being erected here to accommodate more than one lakh people. Akali MLAs and ministers have been holding regular meetings with party workers for mobilising the maximum number of people for the function. Sources said that the oil refinery was being set up as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Punjab Government. Public Investment Board (PIB) of the central government has given clearance for the nine million metric tonne capacity refinery recently while the nod of the Union Cabinet for this mega-project is still awaited. About 1996 acres of land of four villages of this district has been acquired for the refinery in which a thermal plant will also be constructed. On the other hand the
Punjab Government and HPCL have engaged the folk singers
like Gurdas Mann and Sukhi Brar for enthusing the public
to participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony. |
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New
registration scheme launched SANGRUR, Nov 9 — "No delay scheme" for registration of vehicles and for issuing driving licences has been launched by the District Transport Office in the district. According to Mr Tejpartap Singh Phulka, District Transport Officer, driving licences would be issued on the spot within half an hour on every Wednesday in his office provided all relevant documents are in order. Similarly, the registration of vehicles would be done on the spot on Fridays in his office, added Mr Phulka. The "no delay
scheme" has been launched to avoid harassment to the
vehicle owners and driving licence-seekers. |
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Punjab
police transfers CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The following transfers and postings in the Punjab police were ordered today, on administrative grounds, with immediate effect. Mr K.K. Sharma is now posted as Additional DGP (Ops), Mr B.P. Tiwari is ADGP (Security) and Mr S.K.Verma is ADGP (Computer and Wireless), according to the Principal Secretary (Home) Mr Surjit Singh. The other police postings
include Mr Hardial Singh Mann as SP (Vigilance Bureau),
Mr Baljot Singh, AIG (Armament), Mr Baljinder Singh
Grewal as Assistant Commandant, 5th CDO Bn, Bahadurgarh,
Mr Hoshiar Singh SP (D), Hoshiarpur, Mr Surinderpal Singh
SP (Research Cell) and Mr Sohinderpal Singh SP (Ops),
Khanna. |
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Holiday on polling day CHANDIGARH, Nov 9 — The Punjab Government has declared November 25 a holiday to enable the workers employed in the factories situated within Adampur Assembly constituency to exercise their franchise in the Assembly byelection to be held on that day. In a notification the
government has said "no adult workers shall be
required or allowed to work" on the polling day. |
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