Wednesday, November 18, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, November 18, 1998 |
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Illicit
liquor takes 4 lives Malpractices
in paddy procurement exposed Foodgrain
shortfall to be marginal Festival
that damaged a historic garden
Woman
member's endless wait for justice Government
'violating' poll code Collection
of cess put off JD
to support Mann nominee in Adampur
BSF
officers leave for meeting with Pak Rangers Badal
has Congress phobia: Bhinder Shraddha
yatra to mark Khalsa tercentenary Staff
worried about post-project adjustment
Youth
festival for women ISTE
convention from Nov 21 Council
directed to maintain status quo |
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Illicit liquor takes 4 lives JALANDHAR, Nov 17 (PTI) — Four persons died after consuming liquor at a Sadhu's dera at Vajooha Kalan village under Nakodar police station near here, the police said today. Sadhu Haripal of the dera was among the four who died last evening, a day after consuming the poisonous drink while Baldev Singh, who sold the tainted liquor to the victims, consumed some of it himself too and was admitted to hospital. The victim consumed the
liquor on Sunday and registered no immediate ill-effect
but suddenly fell ill yesterday when they were rushed to
a private hospital in nearby Jandiala where all four
died. |
Malpractices in paddy procurement
exposed BATHINDA, Nov 17 — Even as the arrival of paddy in various purchase centres has entered its last phase, the malpractices adopted by officials of government agencies in its procurement have started coming to light. The returning of two trucks loaded with bags of paddy procured from the local purchase centre by the management of Modern Rice Mills, Rajpura, recently has exposed that the procurement staff of Markfed in connivance with commission agents had purchased the paddy much below the standard specification for a "consideration". Markfed sources said two technical employees of Modern Rice Mills, which is being run by Markfed, purchased the paddy which was damaged in lieu of "consideration", thus causing a loss of lakhs of rupees to the organisation. Sources said these two trucks had been sent back to the commission agents concerned by the management of the mill. The two employees were being dealt with for their role in the procurement of paddy. On the other hand, Mr Beant Brar, an inspector of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), had been placed under suspension by the higher authorities when it was found that paddy procured by him from the Jandawal purchase centre was much below the specification. This had caused a great loss to the FCI. Earlier, the FCI authorities had suspended Jatinder Sharma for purchasing substandard paddy in the Dhede procurement centre of this district. Recently, the local vigilance team arrested Harjinder Singh Cheema red-handed while he was taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a commission agent of Bhairupa for extending favours in the procurement exercise. Sources said certain officials associated with the procurement made a fast buck this season by purchasing substandard paddy on the minimum support price in league with commission agents. Some of the officials charged Rs 10 to Rs 50 as their "fee" for each bag of procured paddy. Mr Amarjit Singh, District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC), when contacted said so far in this procurement season, nine licences of commission agents had been suspended. Show-cause notices to two commission agents had been issued. One licence of a rice sheller had been cancelled in this district for not following the norms of paddy procurement. He said so far about 3.23 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured by the government agencies against the target of three lakh metric tonnes for current season. He added that last year 2.96 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured by the government agencies. Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal,
general secretary of the District Congress Committee
(DCC), has demanded a high-level probe into the bunglings
made in the procurement of paddy by officials of
government agencies. |
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Foodgrain shortfall to be marginal CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — A good kharif always brings about stability on the price front. But this is eluding India, a predominantly agriculture country, this year. Despite a bad year for the Punjab and Haryana farmers, the overall shortfall in foodgrains is only 0.61 million tonnes. In fact, agriculture experts are looking forward to a good rabi in order to meet the shortfall caused by the untimely heavy rains during kharif this year. Sowing of wheat and other rabi crops is in full swing, but it is slow in Punjab and Haryana, particularly in wet areas and due to shortage of DAP fertiliser. Agriculture Ministry officials say that the bumper foodgrains target of 203 million tonnes with not be achieved if the rabi production of wheat and other cereals is not 102 million tonnes. The latest estimates with the ministry suggest that the kharif foodgrain output will touch 101.03 million tonnes, a shortfall of 0.61 million tonnes from the target. States like Punjab, Haryana, Kerala have suffered while Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra have gained. Maharashtra too has gained, but in cotton. The country as a whole may suffer a shortfall in coarse cereals also, from the estimated 25.27 million tonnes to 24.67 million tonnes. Kharif rice will decline from 71.94 million tonnes to 70.75 million tonnes. But this is being compensated by a good crop of kharif pulses. It is expected to touch 5.61 million tonnes against 5.43 million tonnes during the last kharif. The Union Ministry had hoped to have a bumper crop this year, 203 million tonnes. But there is again a shortfall. And this may not be totally compensated by a good rabi, but the hopes are high, experts said. The highest record of rabi foodgrains of 94.9 million tonnes was achieved in 1996-97 and that year the country produced 199.32 million tonnes of foodgrains. The growth for the year 1998-99 was earlier estimated to be down by just 1 per cent over the previous year. But heavy south-west rains in October spoiled the show. Yet, the country has a comfortable position and the Food Corporation of India could easily offload stocks of wheat and rice, mostly rotting in its godowns and thereby at depressed prices. But this is somehow not happening in the right manner. Oilseeds production, in which certain states have suffered, is expected to cross last year's mark of 14.15 million tonnes. The production, according to the Joint Secretary, Agriculture, Mr J.N.L. Srivastva, will be around 14.26 million tonnes. A total area of 12.5 million hectares was under oilseeds. This also showed that per hectare production is not up to the world standards. While soyabean output will be higher, groundnut production is expected to be down from the expected 5.73 million tonnes to 5.64 million tonnes. Rains played havoc and Gujarat is the sufferer. The area under soyabean has increased from 13.5 million hectares to 15 million hectares. Cotton too would have
touched a new record, but for the shortfall in Punjab and
Haryana. The country would be producing this golden crop
to the tune of 14.67 million bales of 180 kg each. The
area under cotton has increased to eight million
hectares. What Punjab and Haryana have lost, the
production has been adequately compensated by other
states like Maharashtra, Andhra and Gujarat, besides
Rajasthan. |
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Punjabi unity must: CM UMRANANGAL (Amritsar), Nov 17 — Denouncing the cult of militancy, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief-Minister made an appeal for "complete Punjabi ekta" for lasting peace in the state. Paying tributes to Jathedar Jeewan Singh Umranangal, Akali leader and former minister, at his bhog ceremony in his native village here today, Mr Badal said had the state not witnessed "bad days", Punjab would have made much more progress. For complete "Punjabi ekta", Mr Badal said all parties should work towards this cause, giving up votebank politics. He appealed to the people to reject parties dividing them on a religious and caste basis. Jathedar Umranangal would be remembered by countrymen since he continued to raise his voice against terrorism even after his son was killed, he said. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC president, said the jathedar did a lot for the Akali Dal, the SGPC and the country. He obeyed all directives of the SAD and courted arrest several times. He also participated in the Akali morcha against Emergency. Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, state president of the BJP, said Mr Umranangal fought militancy with vigour at a time when nobody dared to speak against the militants. Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister, Local Government, said Mr Umranangal was a brave man who dared to challenge the militants. On an appeal by Mr Tohra, the Chief Minister declared that the local school would be upgraded to the plus two level and would be named after Jathedar Umranangal. The Chief Minister agreed to raise a befitting memorial for the departed leader. Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala said unmindful of the "dire consequences", Mr Umranangal spoke against those who disturbed peace and tranquility in the state. Cutting across political
affiliations, leaders of all parties, including the
Congress, CPI, CPM, BSP, BJP and the Arya Samaj paid
tributes to Mr Umranangal. Those who spoke on the
occasion were Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Mr Avtar Henry, Mr
Gurmej Singh, Master Jagir Singh, Mr Maninderjit Singh
Bitta, Mr J.S. Dimpa, Mr Jagjit Singh Anand and Dr
Joginder Dayal. |
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Lala remembered DUDHIKE, Nov17(PTI) — Floral tributes were paid to Lala Lajpat Rai on his 71st martyrdom day in his native village here today. A large number of people, including schoolchildren, visited his memorial here. Declamation contests, competition of patriotic songs and recitation of poems were organised on the occasion by the Servants of the People’s Society of India. A 92-year-old freedom fighter was among those present. The Punjab National Bank, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai 103 years ago, launched a "special rural development project" to provide training to rural youth in different spheres, including repair of tractors, and to women in garment making. Deputy General Manager of the PNB R. Nambirajan said under the scheme sponsored by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, students would be given Rs 200 per month during the three-month training period. Launching the project,
Deputy Commissioner of Moga Kulbir Singh Kang said on
completion of training the trainees would be able to set
up their own ventures. |
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Tributes paid to Sarabha LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — Jathedar Tota Singh, Education Minister, Punjab, addressed a well-attended gathering at a function organised to pay homage to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha at his native village, Sarabha, 23 km from here, last evening. The minister said Sarabha was the youngest martyr who laid down his life for his country at the age of 18. He was a source of inspiration to patriots and organised the freedom struggle on a socialist ideology. The minister announced a befitting memorial at the cost of Rs 1.10 crore which would house a library. The first instalment of Rs 10 lakh had already been released for the purpose. Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, also paid tributes to the martyr. Mrs Jagdish Kaur, sister of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, was honoured on the occasion. Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha,
MLA, was also present. |
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Panel
to draw up farm strategies CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — The Central Government has decided to set up a high-level committee to draw up "appropriate agriculture policies and strategies" for Punjab. The committee is being set up in the light of the discussions the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the State Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, had with the members of the Planning Commission in this connection. At the meeting, problems bedevilling the agriculture sector in the state were discussed in detail. Responding to the Central Government's positive response in this regard, the Punjab Government has proposed the terms of reference for the committee to be set up. In a letter sent to the Central Government, the State Government has given the background and brief account of the problems. The committee will examine what has happened to the agriculture sector in Punjab which was known for its green revolution the world over. After achieving substantial gains in productivity of main crops, there is now either stagnation or decline in production. Overuse of chemicals and fertilisers, over-exploitation of underground water, depletion of soil, increase in the incidence of pest attacks and impoverishment of farmers, specially those with small holdings, have been highlighted in various reports especially the reports of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Punjab Agricultural University and certain private organisations. The Punjab Government has stated in its letter that detailed data on specific aspects of agriculture was also available. There was now need to integrate the perspectives generated from such reports and studies to ensure sustainable agriculture development in Punjab consistent with national priorities and international environment , especially in respect of trade. The terms of reference are: — Analyse and evaluate the present status of agriculture and assess and identify the nature of the crisis in agriculture; — Based on this assessment, to prepare a long-time perspective for Punjab agriculture up to 2020; — Formulate appropriate policies and supportive strategies for agriculture in Punjab. — Suggest specific action progra-mmes to implement the policy and strategies covering structural, legal, regulatory, administrative, infrastr-uctural, institutional, technical, R and D, and other areas of concern, relevant to agriculture; and — Indicate specific goals, targets and milestones for action programme, the financial and other resources required to be provided, by diversion of financial resources from existing programmes and schemes or through additional outlays as also resources required to be invested in the public and private sector to boost investment in appropriate areas of agriculture. The committee, which has been requested to be given its report by February, 1999, will also focus on areas like income generation for small farmers, issues of creating avenues of employment, forward linkages, including storage, transport, cold chain infrastructure and market information. The Punjab Government
hopes that the committee will be headed either by a
member of the Planning Commission or some top agriculture
expert. The Punjab Government wants the Vice-Chancellor
of PAU, to be a member of the committed. Other persons,
including the Financial Commissioner Development, the
Director Agriculture, Punjab and experts from other
universities and states could be taken on the committee,
it has been suggested. |
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DAP
shortage worries farmers MANSA, Nov 17 — An acute shortage of DAP fertiliser required for sowing wheat and other rabi crops has virtually made paddy and cotton farmers of Bathinda and this district beggers. They are moving from one shop to shop in grain markets in search for DAP bags. The favourable period for the sowing of wheat ended on November 15 but the farmers are still scrambling for DAP fertiliser. Despite the tall claims of the Punjab Government that there is no shortage of DAP fertiliser, most farmers of these districts have been returning home empty-handed for the past 10 days. Mr Ranjit Singh Dhaliwal of Gobindpura village says: "I need 70 bags of DAP. So far, I have not got a gram of DAP fertiliser. Everyday I return home without DAP. This has been happening for the past 10 days". Similarly, Mr Gurbachan Singh of Gharangna village says he could only get 20 bags of DAP against his requirement of 60 despite the fact that he had been camping in the grain market for the past one week. Braving humiliation at the hands of DAP distributors and rough treatment by the police deployed at the distribution centres, farmers of these district say as elected MLAs and ministers of their respective areas are in Adampur for the assembly byelection, they are unable to take up their complaint with anybody. Agriculture Department sources say against the requirement of 21000 mt of DAP fertiliser in Mansa district, only 12,000 mt of DAP has been given to the farmers so far. Similarly, in Bathinda district only 19000 mt of DAP has been distributed among farmers against the demand for 31,000 mt. "I have been coming here daily for the past six days. To get six bags, I have been spending Rs 50 on food daily. The two bags which I have got so far have cost me Rs 650 against the control price of Rs 415 per bag," says Amritpal Singh of Burj Mehma while standing in a queue at the distribution centre at the grain market here today. Farmers say if the fertiliser in required quantity is not given to them in the next three or four days, the sowing of wheat will be delayed which will affect the yield. According to Gurjan Singh of Bhucho DAP distributors in connivance with commission agents are giving fertiliser to their near and dear ones. He alleges that while a common farmer is being given a bag or two, that too after a seven-day wait, influential farmers are given hundreds of bags without any difficulty. Jasmel Kaur of Behman Diwana says: "I have been coming to the distribution centre for the past two days as my husband was fed up with the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned. I want to buy only six bags and I hope I will get these today". The Agriculture Department
sources say the farmers are facing DAP shortage in these
districts as the sowing of wheat had been advanced. A
senior official on condition of anonymity told TNS that a
major quota DAP for these two districts had been diverted
to Muktsar and Adampur. |
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Fertiliser
sent to state: Barnala JALANDHAR, Nov 17 — The Union Minister for Food and Fertiliser, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, claimed here today that sufficient supply of fertiliser was sent to Punjab. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Barnala said that 3.40 lakh tonnes of DAP against the demand of four lakh tonnes was supplied to the state. Refuting all allegations that farmers were harassed due to non-availability of fertiliser, he said that DAP was distributed through the Markfed and cooperative societies and there was sufficient supply with the private dealers in the state also. Blaming the unprecedented price hike of onions on natural calamities, he said that nearly 50 per cent of the onion crop had been damaged in Nasik because of unseasonal rains. While the country had exported onions till July last, it was importing onions now and distributing nearly 200 tonnes every day through its outlets in Delhi at Rs 10 per kg. Answering a query on the proposed amendment of the Essential Commodities Act in which the imprisonment and fine would be decreased, he said the Bill had been referred to the joint parliamentary committee. He claimed that the prices
of the essential commodities like wheat, rice, sugar and
pulses had remained stable even in the festival season.
The country had imported 98,000 tonnes palmolive while
the demand was 1.50 lakh and 65,000 tonnes had already
been sent to the states for distribution. He skirted to
answer all political questions on the Khalsa celebrations
and other related political issues in the state. |
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Govt 'violating' poll code JALANDHAR, Nov 17 — The party president of the SAD (Amritsar) and SAD (Democratic) have issued an ultimatum to the SAD-BJP Government that the parties would start filling up the SYL canal in December. Alleging harassment by the police during campaigning in Adampur, they said CID personnel were openly seeking votes for the ruling party candidate. Senior police officers of the Dalit community were being promised important postings by the Chief Minister. One such meeting had taken place last week. Incidentally, a senior police officer who was posted out for his political leaning to wards a particular party is alleged to be actively campaigning for the ruling party candidate. The Dalit votebank is 38 per cent in the constituency. The leaders also alleged back-dated cheques were being given to various villages in the constituency. JALANDHAR: The Punjab Congress has alleged that the Election Commission is playing a partial role in the Adampur byelection and not taking action against the ruling party combine for violating the model code of conduct. It has sent a fax message
to Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill in this regard,
citing evidence. |
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Held
for issuing fake challans MALERKOTLA, Nov 17 — The local police has arrested Piara Singh, a local resident, for deceiving the general public by issuing duplicate bank challans. Mr Indermohan Singh, D.S.P. told mediapersons today that the accused would collect challan forms from those visiting the State Bank of Patiala branch here to deposit vehicle tax. After affixing "fake" stamps of the bank on the challans he would return the challan forms to the people. The police arrested Piara Singh red-handed and recovered seven challan forms with duplicate bank stamps on November 7. The police also recovered cash from his possession. The local police also
arrested Jagdish Kumar, a servant of Surjit Singh of
Bhurthala Mander village for allegedly killing Lakhvir
Singh, son of his employer, on the night of October 31. |
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Excise evasion of 2.10 crore
detected CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Officers of the Central Excise Commissionerate, Chandigarh-II, have detected Excise duty evasion worth Rs 2.10 crore by manufacturers of fence fittings and conduit pipes at Jalandhar, Moga and Jaitu. According to a press note issued here today, officers visited two units manufacturing fence fittings at Jalandhar and detected duty evasion of more than Rs 18 lakh. The modus operandi of the units for the evasion of duty was by way of the misuse of Modvat facility as they availed deemed credit of Central Excise at the rate of 12 per cent on the invoices issued by rolling mills on which no Excise duty was paid by the suppliers of inputs. Since the Modvat credit was not available to them, all clearances of fence fittings made by them were without payment of duty or against inadequate balance in their accounts. Similar, modus operandi of duty evasion was adopted by eight units manufacturing conduit pipes in Jaitu and Moga. The amount in this case was Rs 1.92 crore. The show cause notices for
the recovery of the amount are being issued to the units,
the press note added. |
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Collection of cess put off CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — The Punjab Government has directed the State Excise and Taxation Department not to collect the infrastructure cess which was imposed with effect from November 11. In a statement issued here today, the State Government said that the decision with regard to cess was being reviewed in the light of representations received from trade and industry opposing it. In fact, the State Government is under strong pressure from the trade and industry lobby in the state to withdraw the cess. Already, in certain parts
agitation against the levying of cess has started and in
Ludhiana dharnas were held recently. The State Government
had earlier reduced the revised power tariff following
pressure from certain lobbies. |
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Bomb
blast case: 2 photos identified CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — The defence today concluded the cross-examination of Mr Prem Singh, contractor of the parking lot at Patiala, where Balvinder Singh, one of the suspects, had parked his scooter on the day of the bomb blast, before the Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, who held his court at the high-security Burail Jail. He was shown four photographs. He identified two of the photographs of Balwant Singh. The third photograph was of Dilawar Singh, human bomb, which he did not identify. The fourth photograph was of an unidentified person. Later, the court started the examination-in-chief of Amrik Singh, a taxi driver, who had brought two suspects from Patiala to Mohali. His examination-in-chief
was still inconclusive when the court case rose for the
day and adjourned the case to December 2. |
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Festival that damaged a historic
garden PATIALA: For scores of young and old residents of the city who visit the historic Baradari Gardens here for early morning walk and mild exercise, Monday (November 9) began on a dismal note. Instead of finding themselves once again in nature's lap with lush green dewy lawns, pretty flowers, pollution-free air and serene surroundings, these morning walkers found themselves surrounded by garbage, litter, dugged-up lawns, crushed grass, trampled plants and flowers, besides bleeding trees showing injury marks. All this was done as part of the preparations for a three-day Red Cross Festival organised by its hospital welfare section. The festival ended on November 8. Resentment prevails among residents, especially old citizens, over choice of the garden as the venue for the festival. "When there are so many grounds available for such festivals in the city, we do not see any logic behind holding the festival in a historic garden where plants and trees were brought from all over the world and planted," complained Mr Ram Saran Dass Kaura, president of the 'laughing and clapping group', whose members come daily for morning walks here. "Laughing is the best exercise for the lungs while clapping helps to regulate blood circulation in the body. We come here daily to laugh and clap loudly even though we have no reason for such merry-making but, today, in spite of our best efforts we could not laugh. For our heart was weeping at the destruction caused to the garden by the three-day long festival", he spoke bitterly. For the festival, more than 20 stalls offering fun games, spicy food or some other entertainment stuff along with gambling stalls were erected. An artificial village presenting glimpses of rural life was constructed by using bricks with mud cement. Curiously, the village was named "Chak Fateh Singh Wala" which is also the name of the village of Mrs Surinder Kaur, wife of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. She also happened to be the chief guest at the festival. In the same capacity Mrs Badal took a ride on the swing, weaved cotton on the traditional charkha and also drew water from an artificial well constructed in the grounds. A clay tandoor found in villages was also made. It was placed in a large hole dug in the garden. On other side of the lawn a stage was erected for cultural programmes. On the adjoining lawn, a children's park was improvised in which giant rotating wheel, caterpillar train, swinging boats and hammocks were installed. When this correspondent visited the garden, the destruction caused to the plants and the lawn stood out. The grass was crushed, empty tins, polythene bags, paper cups and glasses were stewn all over the place. A large number of holes in the lawn were also seen. In these holes, pipes to support tents and the games in children parks were erected. Nails were hammered on to the trees to support electricity wires used to illuminate the place. The visitors, who come in large numbers to the festival did not care to walk on the cemented or demarcated paths to work on but instead walked all over the place, thus tramping plants. The morning walkers said steps should be taken by the administration to stop the organisation of such festivals at Baradari Gardens. Mr Manmeet S.P. Singh, a Rotarian associated with the Worldwide Fund, said he was greatly pained to see the official vandalism of the city's famous Baradari Gardens. He called it a cruel joke inflicted on residents by the organisers of the festival. They totally disregarded the damage caused to this lively and wonderful bounty of nature. He feared that such festivals at the garden would set a wrong precedent and mar the beauty of the garden. If such exercises are not curbed now, the future of the garden was bleak. The hospital welfare section of the Red Cross Society, however defended its decision to hold the festival in the garden. Mrs Pamila Pawar, president of the section, said she has been told that the festival was always organised at the same venue. She also contested the allegations by claiming that many senior citizens had in fact congratulated her over the successful organisation of the festival which was organised for raising funds for the Red Cross. The money would be used for improving the health facilities in the district's hospitals. Mrs Pawar, who is the wife of Patiala Commissioner RPS Pawar, referring to the destruction of the garden said all the holes would be filled up and gabage removed at the earliest. However, the place still
presents an ugly look with garbage strewn all over.
Labourers at the children's park said it would take
nearly three days for them to dismantle the various
pieces of machinery that served as fun games. |
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Woman member's endless wait for
justice ABOHAR, Nov 17 — Even as Mrs Reshma Bai was declared duly elected as a member of the Panchayat at Dhaba Kukrian village in this subdivision by the presiding officer on June 21, 1998, she was denied the post and was not allowed to take oath, and instead another woman, Mrs Guddi, was administered the oath in her place. Mrs Reshma alleged that justice had been denied to her in spite of her sending a dozen representations to the SDM and the Election Commissioner of Punjab. Mrs Reshma was declared elected in the panchayat election through an entry in form number 9 by the presiding officer but her name was allegedly deleted later to enter the name of another woman. Even the number of votes polled in her favour was changed in the form. Mrs Reshma came to know about this anomaly only when she approached the BDPO at Abohar. She filed a complaint with the SDM who forwarded the same to the ADC (Development), District Returning Officer, for immediate necessary action on July 25, 1998. The BDPO's report submitted on August 3, explained that Mr Jagnandan Lal, a panchayat secretary, had allegedly connived with some other employees to alter the form. The SDM had endorsed the
report of the BDPO on October 22, and recommended
suitable action against the guilty. But no action has
been taken till now and Mrs Reshma's wait for the
restoration of her right continues. |
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BSF officers leave for meeting with Pak Rangers JALANDHAR, Nov 17 (PTI) — The Indian delegation for the high-level meeting at Lahore between Pakistan Rangers and India’s Border Security Force today crossed over to Pakistan from joint border check-post at Wagah in Amritsar. The delegation, headed by A.S. Aulakh, Inspector-General, BSF Jalandhar, includes BSF IG’s based at Jammu, Rajasthan and Gujarat, Jodhpur and senior staff officers of the force in addition to officers of the Survey of India, PWD and Narcotics Control Bureau, an official release here said. The meeting, which began today, would be extended over three days. Both sides would strive to sort out several problems concerning the international border such as illegal crossing, timely repairs and construction of missing or damaged boundary pillars and anti-smuggling measures. Officers from both sides
would also discuss steps to keep a check of exchange of
firing on border to prevent innocent killings. |
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Badal has Congress phobia:
Bhinder GURDASPUR, Nov 17 — Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, said here yesterday that Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister was suffering from Congress phobia. She said Mr Badal was criticising the Congress because he had hardly any achievement during his current 18-month tenure as Chief Minister to talk about. Mrs Bhinder said that pensioners, government employees and the general public were dissatisfied with the performance of the SAD-BJP government. The prices of essential commodities had assumed alarming proportions and it had become difficult for the common man to make both ends meet. She accused the SAD-BJP government of not taking adequate measures to check price rise. Mrs Bhinder said Mr Badal's claim to be farmer-friendly stood exposed in view of difficulties faced by the farmers to get remunerative prices for paddy. Moreover, farmers had not received payment for paddy procured about two months ago. To add to their worries, DAP fertiliser for sowing rabi crops was in short supply. Farmers had to purchase fertilisers in the black market at exorbitant prices. Mrs Bhinder said the concern of the Chief Minister about unemployed youth was an eyewash. On the other hand, unemployment in the state was increasing. She said the economic
health of the state was very poor. She alleged that
pro-BJP traders were evading taxes in collusion with
their ruling partner. |
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Youth festival for women AMRITSAR, Nov 17 — The four-day Guru Nanak Dev University zonal youth festival for women opened here today at the Dasmesh Auditorium of the university. Dr M.L. Ranga, Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, inaugurated the festival by lighting candles. Addressing the audience, Dr Ranga said that they should participate in these festivals with true spirit of art. Such festivals also helped them in their overall personality development and in providing them a forum to display their hidden talent. More than 700 students
drawn from different colleges of Jalandhar, Nawanshahar
and Kapurthala are participating in 32 items of dance,
music, fine art, theatre etc. |
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Shraddha yatra to mark Khalsa
tercentenary LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — A four-day "Deg Tegh Fateh Sarbansdani" shraddha yatra will be organised on January 14, 1999, as part of the first leg of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. This was stated by Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, vice-president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and the convener of the committee set up for the tercentenary celebrations. Mr Brar said the yatra would begin from Muktsar on January 14 and reach Anandpur Sahib on January 17. Mr Brar said that letters and pamphlets would be distributed in 12,000 villages to request people to participate in the yatra. Mr Brar further said that the yatra would be led by Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and the 68 weapons of Guru Hargobind Singh and Guru Gobind Singh, which are in the custody of the Maharaja of Patiala, would be displayed during the yatra. The Congress
vice-president said there were no differences with the
SGPC and the Akali Dal in this matter. He said all the
PCC presidents had been asked to celebrate the
tercentenary of the Khalsa in their states and also
participate in this yatra. |
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JD to support Mann nominee in Adampur JALANDHAR, Nov 17 — The Janata Dal has announced its support to the Akali Dal (Mann) in the Adampur assembly byelection. Disclosing this here
yesterday, Mr Om Prakash Khemkarani, national council
member of the Janata Dal, said that this was a reciprocal
arrangement between the two parties. He said the high
command had confirmed that the Akali Dal (Mann) was
supporting the Janata Dal in the Delhi assembly
elections, and the Janata Dal in Punjab would support the
Dal (Mann) candidate in the Adampur constituency. |
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ISTE
convention from Nov 21 LUDHIANA, Nov 17 — More than 1,000 engineers, scientists and technologists, including 25 Vice-Chancellors and directors of technical universities, are expected to attend the three-day annual convention of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) scheduled to be held at Punjab Agricultural University from November 21 to 23. The main theme of the convention is "environment and development," this was disclosed here yesterday by Dr H.S. Sekhon, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering. Mrs Upinderjit Kaur,
Minister of Technical Education and Industrial Training,
will inaugurate the convention, while Mr Maheshinder
Singh, Minister for Medical Education and Research, will
be the guest of honour. Mr Jessie Singh, CEO, Nanabyte
Software C. Inc, USA, will be the chief guest at the
valedictory ceremony. He is an alumnus of the PAU. |
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Staff worried about post-project
adjustment PATHANKOT, Nov 17 — Resentment prevails among 14,000 employees of the Ranjit Sagar Dam project here because a large number of staff members in the establishment are likely to become surplus after the completion of the project. A meeting in this regard will be held tomorrow with the Deputy Secretary, Irrigation Department . A leader of the Punjab Draughtsman Association, Sahpur Kandi. Mr Hari Singh Purewal and other senior leaders had a meeting with the management of the dam and demanded a list of the surplus staff. Mr Purewal said the list of surplus class II and III and work-charge staff had already been prepared and due to disbanding four divisions and two circles, it had become difficult to adjust the surplus staff. He said in the next few days some more offices may also close down. He urged the Chief Minister to issue Rs 10 crore to the dam projects for ensuring the safety of the costly machinery, setting up of two colonies and many official buildings. He further demanded the
setting up of an establishment to adjust the surplus
engineering staff. |
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Council directed to maintain
status quo CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Ms Seema Dhillon, Additional Civil Judge, Senior Division, Kharar, has directed the Municipal Council of Kharar to maintain the status quo about the construction of drains at Ranjit Colony, ward No. 8, Kharar, till further orders. The Judge delivered this order on a suit filed by Mr Jaswant Singh and Mr Avtar Singh, both residents of Ranjit Colony. The Judge directed that
fresh summons be issued to those respondents who had not
received the earlier summons.
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