Wednesday, October 7, 1998
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Wednesday, October 7, 1998 |
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 Late Beant Singh's daughter, Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur, is congratulated by her mother, Mrs Jaswant Kaur, on her taking over as president of the Punjab Mahila Congress at Punjab Congress Bhavan in Chandigarh on Tuesday. On extreme right is Capt Amarinder Singh, PPCC president. — A Tribune photograph SAD threats hollow, says Bhinder GURDASPUR, Oct 6 — Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister talking to newsmen here today said that threats and ultimatums issued by the SAD leadership to withdraw support on Udham Singh Nagar issue were hollow. Lathi charge on |
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 Cotton growers seek compensation BATHINDA, Oct 6 — The Punjab Young Farmers Federation today urged the state government to conduct a CBI probe into suicide by farmers to "unmask" those responsible for driving them to such an extreme step. Good source of employment ‘Self-employed’ path to ruin PATIALA, Oct 6 — More than 3 years have passed since Kulwinder Singh applied for subsidised loan and has become a pauper as his unit, still awaiting a "work capital" loan from the government, could not start production. |
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Woman
in debt concocts charge Work
on to plug breach in bundh New
Mahila Congress chief takes over Bajrang
Dal plea to ban People's Commission Village
phones dead for months Government
agencies start buying paddy |
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SAD threats hollow, says
Bhinder GURDASPUR, Oct 6 — Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister talking to newsmen here today said that threats and ultimatums issued by the SAD leadership to withdraw support if the BJP lead central government did not exclude Udham Singh Nagar from proposed Uttaranchal state were hollow. Udham Singh Nagar has been 'finally' included in the proposed Uttaranchal state and the Akalis know this for certain. Mrs Bhinder said that the proposed parleys between the Prime Minister and SAD leader at Delhi tomorrow were a formality and a step by the BJP leadership to tone down Akali hardliners. Mr Tohra's statements in the press that the SAD leadership need not go to Delhi to impress their demand in this regard was meaningless because he would accompany Mr Badal to Delhi and follow the directions given to the SAD leadership by their BJP masters at Delhi. Mrs Bhinder chided Mr Surjit Singh Barnala for signing the draft bill to include Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal in the cabinet meeting. She said that the ultimatums and threats being issued by the SAD leadership were only aimed at diverting public opinion from the non-performance of the SAD-BJP Government. She said development activity was at a standstill and even the Chief Minister had admitted that the government was facing a resource crunch. Citing the example of Gurdaspur district, she said the implementation of welfare schemes was far from satisfactory. Not a single Christian girl has been covered under the ‘Shagun scheme,’ so far. She warned that Punjab was not in a position to spare even a drop of water and distribution of river waters should be taken seriously. Mrs Bhinder predicted fall
of the BJP-led coalition at the Centre after the assembly
elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.
Moreover, a whisper campaign has been started by BJP
leaders in political circles at Delhi that the Prime
Minister might recommend dissolution of Parliament in
February to pave the way for mid-term polls. |
Cotton growers seek compensation BATHINDA, Oct 6 — The Punjab Young Farmers Federation (PYFF) today urged the state government to conduct a CBI probe into suicide by farmers to "unmask" those responsible for driving them to such an extreme step. In a press note here today, Mr Amritpal Singh Brar, president, PYFF, said it was unfortunate that farmers of Punjab, who had brought about the green revolution, were in a debt trap. The state government should inquire into the total number of suicide cases in Punjab in the past two years, he said. Mr Brar alleged that Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who claimed himself as the champion of the farmers’ cause, was doing little to mitigate the suffering of the farmers. He said the state government should announce interim compensation for the affected farmers. He urged for stern action against those who had sold spurious pesticides. Mr Brar also felt the state government should take to task the Punjab Agriculture University authorities for failure to warn the farmers against the attack of the American bollworm on the cotton crop. MOGA (FOC): Former president of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Mr Kuldip Singh Sandhu, on Tuesday urged the government to give compensation to the cotton growers in the district who had incurred enormous losses due to inclement weather and waterlogging. Speaking to mediapersons here, he urged the government to take stern action against dealers who had sold spurious insecticides and fertilisers to the farmers. He alleged that certain officials of the Agriculture Department in connivance with dealers had sold spurious medicines to farmers to "make money". He urged the government to
seal the stock of such dealers and suspend the errant
officials. |
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Good source of employment NURPUR BEDI (Ropar): In a remote, semi-hilly and backward area of Ropar district, "baan-making" is not only flourishing as an industry, it has also become a source of employment and prosperity for many yellow-card holder families. As many as 35 groups, consisting of 10 women in each group, have been making "baan" in four blocks — Nurpur Bedi, Anandpur Sahib, Majri and Chamkaur Sahib of the district. Besides, a large number of men have also involved themselves in this business. "Baan" is made on manual and electric machines, but more than 95 per cent people make "baan" on foot-driven machines in this area. They make "baan" from baggar grass and munj which are easily available in the local jungles. It is used in weaving cots and wrapping purposes. In the Nurpur Bedi block, Samundrian village, about 18 km from here, can be described as a home of "baan-makers". In this village, about 40 families are involved in it. In the village is also a group of 10 women who make it. This group was started in 1993 under the development of women and children in rural areas (DWCRA) scheme of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Ropar. According to Mrs Swaran Kaur, additional gram sewika of Nurpur Bedi block, this group functions under a group leader who is one of the group members. The group jointly purchases baggar grass from local contractors, but make "baan" at their respective houses on manual machines. The group purchases 15 to 20 quintals baggar grass at a time which remains always available in rainy season. It is purchased at a cost of about Rs 250 per quintal while "baan" is sold at about Rs 7 per kg in wholesale, leaving a profit of Rs 3 per kg, after deducting amount of waste baggar grass. A women approximately makes 15 kg "baan" daily. In Nurpur Bedi block, 16 women groups all yellow card holders make "baan" in Samundarian, Kherra Kalmot, Gochar, Nalhoti, Rauli, Samerowal, Jhinjri, Karoora, Kangarr, Tibba Nangal, Tibba Taprian, Nodhe Majra, Dhamana, Garhbagha and Singpur villages. According to Mr Raj Kumar Kapoor, Assistant Project Officer of DRDA, Ropar. The women groups are provided Rs 15,000 each as revolving fund for starting "baan" making under the Integrated Rural Development Programme's sub-scheme. The total grant for the schemed is received on 50:50 per cent basis from central and state government. In Samundarian village, besides a group of women, about 30 men also make "baan". They are covered under IRDP scheme of the DRDA. All beneficiaries belong to the Schedule Caste families. Many of them live in kutcha houses. But some of them Bhajna, Sarwan Ram, Mohan Lal and Raj Kumar are happy with "baan" making trade. It is learnt that about
350 units are involved in Nurpur Bedi block alone. |
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Lathi charge on Sena workers SANGRUR, Oct 6 — The police resorted to a mild lathi charge on Shiv Sena workers who were protesting against the Punjab Government for its failure to control the rising prices and corruption in the state. After parading through the main bazars of the town, raising slogans against the Punjab Government, the protesting workers reached the office of the Deputy Commissioner to burn the effigy of the Punjab Government. Addressing a joint press conference, Mr Anirudh Tewari, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr Arpit Shukla, Senior Superintendent of Police, told mediapersons that trouble began when the Sena workers insisted on burning the effigy at the office porch where the car of the Deputy Commissioner was parked. Despite persuasion by the police, the workers remained adamant on their demand and started pelting stones on the police, the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP said. The police resorted to a mild lathi charge to control the mob. Five Sena workers, including the city unit president have been arrested. However Sena sources said
the workers were protesting peacefully when the police
resorted to a lathi charge. |
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CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Mr Gurdarshan Singh, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, who was entrusted with the investigation of the sale of three sugar mills in Punjab, today submitted his final report to Mr Justice Swatantar Kumar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Replying to a question from the court, Mr Gurdarshan Singh said sufficient evidence existed to show the involvement of certain high dignitaries and bureaucrats in this scandal. He told the court that one more officer had been included in the list of suspects. However, he did not name the officer. And when the judge enquired whether there was any material difference between the interim report and the final report, Mr Gurdarshan Singh said there was no material difference between the two reports. He also urged the court that the state government may be directed to revert him to his parent state, U.P. "I had come on deputation to Punjab to look after my mother. Since she has died, I have no interest to stay in Punjab." The judge ordered that the final report be kept in a sealed cover. As for the request of the investigating officer for reverting him to his parent state, he ordered that he would consider his request after the next date of hearing. In his interim report, Mr Gurdarshan Singh had named certain politicians and bureaucrats who were allegedly involved in the sale of the sugar mills. The politicians were Beant Singh, the slain Chief Minister of Punjab; the late Karam Singh Gill, the then Minister of State for Industries; Mr Kewal Krishan, the then Finance Minister; and Mr Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, the then Cooperation Minister. The bureaucrats named were Mr A.S. Chatha, former Chief Secretary, Mr Rajan Kashyap, the then Finance Secretary, Mr K.S. Janjua, the then Cooperation Secretary, Mr I.S. Bindra, the then Secretary of Industries; Mr S.K. Tuteja, and Mr P.S. Bajwa, the then Managing Directors of P.S.I.D.C., Mr D.S. Kalka, the then Managing Director of Sugarfed, and Mr J.S. Maini, former Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. And when a senior police officer who was present in the courtroom asked whether they could process the report, the judge observed that no one could see or comment on the final report. IAS officers' case adjourned The High Court today adjourned to October 13 the case filed by Mr V.K. Khanna, former Chief Secretary of Punjab, contesting the inquiry ordered against him by the state government for entrusting to the C.B.I. cases against three I.A.S. officers of the state. This adjournment was granted by a Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice N.C. Khichi, when counsel for the state told the court that he had not received a copy of the reply filed by Mr Khanna. In his petition, Mr Khanna had alleged that Justice K.S. Tiwana, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who was appointed Inquiry Authority, was acting in a biased manner. He stated that he had reasonable apprehension that he would not get justice at his hands. Mr Khanna added that Justice Tiwana did not allow him to avail of the assistance of Mr R.S. Das, a former I.A.S. officer, a legal practitioner. He told the court that he was denied access to eight vital documents which were necessary for preparing his defence. Moreover, Justice Tiwana insisted on holding the inquiry in camera and did not even allow his P.A. to come to the chamber to render secretarial assistance. In its reply the state government had, however, stated that Mr Khanna should not have any apprehension about the conduct of fair inquiry. The government had appointed a former judge of the High Court. In his reply, Mr Khanna had alleged that Mr Justice Tiwana had close relations with Mr Bikramjit Singh. Besides, both of them were neighbours. The judge ordered Mr
Khanna's counsel to deliver a copy of the replication
filed by his client to the state counsel. |
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‘Self-employed’ path to
ruin PATIALA, Oct 6 — Kulwinder Singh (not his real name) worked as an accountant in a small industrial unit in this district when he read about a government welfare scheme encouraging self-employment by giving subsidised loans through Punjab Khadi Board for setting up small scale and tiny industrial units in the rural areas of Punjab. Today more than 3 years have passed since he applied for the loan, and Kulwinder has become a pauper as his unit still awaiting a "work capital" loan from the government could not start production. He got the two loans one for constructing the building and another for installing machinery after much struggle including an agitation in front of the Punjab Khadi Board office at Chandigarh and is now on the road to another one. His financial reserves have run out and he has to pay back the loan instalments to the Khadi Board, along with interest, in addition to expenses like salary of chowkidars employed for the security of his ‘dream project’ and the electricity bill of the unit. Kulwinder is not the only one to have faced the ordeal. His experience is shared by more than 1500 such Khadi Board karzdars, as they call themselves, from all over the state. These ‘karzdars’ today come to Bhadson village, 30 km from this city, to air their grievances to state Industries Minister Sucha Singh Langaha. Talking to "The Tribune", Subash Chander Sharma, one such ‘karzdar’, acting as a spokesman for the Punjab Khadi Gram Udyog Karzdar Union revealed that he like most of the others had applied for the loan in mid 1995 and spent a fortune on acquiring land and fulfilling formalities of documents for getting the loan. Some ‘karzdars’ had even sold jewellery and ancestral property to avail ‘subsidised loans’ that promised them a batter tomorrow. However, the first jolt to their hopes came early in 1996 when there was a long delay in receipt of the first instalment of loan called the "building loan". As the Punjab Government had passed from the Congress to the SAD-BJP led front, there was even talk that the scheme initiated by the Congress, would be abolished. We resorted to an agitation at Chandigarh in front of the Punjab Khadi Board’s office and managed to get the first cheque in March 1996 with an assurance from the Punjab Government that the next payment would follow soon. However, the next instalment for machinery came in December 1997, and that too after much lobbying and representations to the government. Today the third instalment that of ‘working capital’ that is required to purchase raw material for production is still awaited. The units have in the meanwhile, become white elephants with the machinery gathering dust and rust. "We have to pay the electricity bills which though only rental in nature, seem too much to us. Some who had left their jobs to start the new venture have fallen into debt trap", he stated. He said that they had met senior Punjab ministers several times. Khadi Board officials said that the third instalment of the loan would be given once the Central Khadi Commission, Bombay, releases finance. We cannot take loans from private agencies because then we will get no subsidies and sales tax exemption, he added. State Industries Minister
Sucha Singh Langaha, when questioned on the issue at the
spot, said the scheme was a World Bank- aided one and the
bank had stopped its aid because of objections like
low-rates of recovery on loans by the Khadi Board. He
said loans would be given in a few months as the World
Bank had agreed to lift some of its objections. |
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Panel for boost to vocational
training CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Noted educationist Amrik Singh today suggested the setting up of an "open university" in the larger interest of promoting vocational education and training for both students and teachers. Besides, given the entrepreneurship of the Punjabis the state should set up a "venture fund" to help intending entrepreneurs in honing their skills. Dr Amrik Singh, who headed a committee constituted by the government in March last to suggest ways and means to institutionalise vocational education, submitted the report of the committee to the Chief Minister this evening. In an interview with TNS, Dr Amrik Singh said the recommendations of the report were "pragmatic" in nature. The committee, which visited the existing institutions offering vocational courses, had concentrated on the "demand" and not "supply" aspects. It was for the government to find the necessary funds to implement the recommendations, he added. The committee observed that the syllabus of classes IX and X had to be modified so that every student could learn a particular craft. Considering the fact that 10 per cent to 15 per cent students got admission into professional courses and another 20 to 25 per cent joined colleges, it is the majority, 60 per cent, which had to be catered to through the recommendations in the report. The report outlined the phased manner in which implementation could be done. Dr Amrik Singh was very emphatic on one particular aspect. The directorate proposed for vocational education should comprise of competent people from the "open market". The proposed five-member selection committee should have a maximum of the one government official for selection purposes. The appointments should be on "tenure" basis and on "contract". Industrial houses should be involved. The programme should include "re-training" of the existing teachers, who must also be given an opportunity to learn computers and given incentives. Computer introduction in Punjab, the report said, had only not been "neglected but also mishandled." The committee, Dr Amrik Singh told TNS, did not go into the structure and organisation of education. But what happens to the school system as a whole would strongly influence that thrust in favour of vocationalisation and perhaps, vice versa. The report suggested the
setting up of a state council on vocational education
besides the directorate. The overall physical facilities
were poor and needed to be improved. The same applied to
the equipment and the workshops as a whole, the report
added. |
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Woman in debt concocts charge AMRITSAR, Oct 6 — Amarjit Kaur who had lodged an FIR with the police alleging some unidentified persons had taken away her ornaments and other valuables found herself in the police net when investigations revealed her charges were concocted. According to a press note issued by district police chief, Mr Gurdev Singh Sahota, the woman had lodged the FIR as she was in need of money. She had taken loans from certain parties which were demanding the money back. Hence, she concocted the story. The police has booked her
under Section 182 of the Indian Penal Code. |
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Work on to plug breach in bundh JALANDHAR, Oct 6 — The administration geared up on a war footing to plug a breach in the Dhusi bundh near Islampur village. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Som Parkash who surveyed the area said that 60 to 100 labourers were working around the clock and the administration was keeping a close vigil on the breach. 1000 trees have been felled to strengthen the embankments along with 40,000 sand bags and 10 tons of wiremesh. The Deputy Commissioner said 38 vulnerable places had been fortified and Rs 3.36 crore already been spent during this year. Ongoing work on the bund would cost Rs 10 to Rs 12 lakhs and more funds will be sanctioned if needed. At present 25,000 cusecs
of water is flowing in the Sutlej. This is not above the
danger level. |
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Gill
files plea on compensation CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Former Punjab Director-General of Police K.P.S. Gill today moved an application in the court of the Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, saying that the Supreme Court had stayed the disbursement of the compensation that was to be paid to Mrs Rupan Deol Bajaj, a senior Punjab cadre I.A.S. officer. This application was filed in reply to an application filed earlier by Mrs Bajaj, seeking permission for withdrawing a sum of Rs 2 lakh granted to her by way of compensation for slapping her posterior by Mr Gill. Mr Gill's counsel also stated in the application that the former Director-General of Police had filed an SLP in the Supreme Court against the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, holding him guilty of the charge. Both these applications
will now come up for hearing on November 30. |
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New Mahila Congress chief
takes over CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur, who took over as President of the Punjab Mahila Congress today, gave a call to women and youth to work for improving the image of the country. She said that the image of the country was being tarnished by divisive and communal forces which were operating for the past several years in various parts of the country. She said that Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President of the All-India Congress Committee, had taken very significant steps to strengthen the Congress party in the country. Mrs Sonia Gandhi had directed all state party units of the party to give due representation to women and youth in party activities. She said that she was on a sacred mission of imparting the spirit of sacrifice which the late Mr Beant Singh exhibited by laying down his life for this country. Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur is a
daughter of the Late Mr Beant Singh. Wife of Col Raminder
Singh, Director, Sports, Punjab, Mrs Gurkanwal was a
member of the Social Advisory Board from 1993-95 and also
a member of the State Consumer Forum.A postgraduate in
history and philosophy, Mrs Gurkanwal was active in state
politics when her father was Chief Minister. |
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Truck
owner killed by clients ABOHAR, Oct 6 — Prem Dhawan, a local truck owner was killed by animal 'traders' of Uttar Pradesh near Meerut according to reports received here today. Family sources said the traders loaded animals at Ghallu village here on September 28 in Dhawan's Canter and left for Uttar Pradesh. Near Hapur, the traders requested Dhawan to stop for them to collect money to pay fro freight from a nearby village. On their return three of them sat in the cabin with Dhawan while the fourth joined the cleaner in the rear. On a link road the trader sitting in the rear opened fire on Dhawan who halted the vehicle and jumped out. All the four traders then opened fire. Dhawan and the UP based cleaner Maurya were injured while the traders reportedly fled with Dhawan's vehicle. A scooterist reported the crime to the police six hours after the incident. The police took both injured men to Meerut hospital. As Dhawan's condition was critical he was referred to a Faridabad hospital where he died yesterday. The dead body was cremated late last evening. The Meerut police said the Canter still loaded with animals, was found abandoned. Their was no clue of the culprits. As many as eight local
vehicle owners/drivers have been killed during the past
three years in the same manner. |
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Lawyers
go on strike SANGRUR, Oct 6 — Members of the Sangrur Bar Association today observed a strike to press their demand for shifting the National Agro-Chemical Limited factory from the populated areas of the town, according to Mr Gurtej Singh Grewal, secretary of the association. The association, in resolution, urged the district administration to keep the factory closed till it was shifted to another site. Copies of the resolution
have been sent to the Punjab Governor, the Punjab Chief
Minister the Chief Secretary and the Chief Justice of the
Punjab and Haryana High Court. |
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Yuva
Morcha appointments PHILLAUR, Oct 6 — Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Punjab, president Tarun Chagh reconstituted the morcha and appointed two new vice-presidents, two secretaries and three district presidents. Stating this, here today,
he said Mr Ravinderpaul Singh (Mandi Gobindgarh) and Mr
Paramjit Singh (Patiala) had been appointed
vice-presidents, Dr Gurpreet Singh Johal (Kot Ise Khan)
and Mr Ravi Mahindru (Jalandhar) secretaries, Mr Kamal
Chetli district president (Ludhiana Urban), Mr Barjinder
Khanna, district president (Ludhiana Rural) and Mr Arun
Kumar district president (Ropar) Mr Anil Bajaj had been
appointed member of the state executive of all
state-level office-bearers of the morcha had been
summoned on October 11 at Jalandhar. |
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Punjab
fixes wheat target CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — The Punjab Government has fixed a target to produce 138 lakh tonnes of wheat and to cover 33 lakh hectares of land under this crop during the coming rabi season, according to a press note issued here today. The department of Agriculture has launched a special drive to boost the production of various rabi crops. As a part of the drive, farmers' training camps will be organised and seminars will be held at various places to educate farmers about steps to be taken to increase the production of wheat. Last year wheat production in the state was near 126 lakh tonnes and about 32.25 lakh hectares of land was under this crop. The department has decided to withdraw three major varieties-HD 2329, PBW 226 and PDW 215 from the field and emphasis will be laid to pursuade farmers to sow new high yielding varieties such as PBW 343, WH 542 and Raj 3765. The department will
distribute 25,000 seed mini kits of new promising
varieties to farmers free of cost. Capt A.S. Randhawa,
Director, Agriculture, Punjab, said that about 2.5 lakh
quintals of certified seed would be distributed during
the coming rabi season. Farmers would be told to make
judicious use of fertilisers for wheat and other rabi
crops, Mr Randhawa added. |
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Punjab's
DAG, AAG quit CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Mrs Baljit Kaur Mann and Mr Navdeep Singh, Punjab's Deputy Advocate-General and Assistant Advocate-General respectively, today resigned from their posts. Both of them were appointed after the installation of the Akali Dal-B.J.P. coalition government in the state. In fact both of them had
decided to quit yesterday itself when the Chief
Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, had asked Mr G.S. Grewal, to
resign from the post of Advocate-General. |
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Bajrang Dal plea to ban People's
Commission AMRITSAR, Oct 6 — The Bajrang Dal, Punjab, has sought immediate intervention of the President of India to issue an ordinance to ban the People's Commission formed by Justice Kuldip Singh. In a statement, Mr Sudhir Mahajan, press secretary of the Bajrang Dal, Punjab, said that Justice Kuldip Singh had formed the People's Commission to try innocent persons who had fought against militancy in Punjab. This commission was illegal and no authority in India had any right — legal or otherwise — to hold such courts to try innocent persons. If this commission was not banned, it would be an insult to the judicial system of India. Secondly, this commission would encourage terrorists and militants in India. The Bajrang Dal had
written a letter to the Supreme Court of India, seeking a
ban on the proposed court trial scheduled to be held by
this commission on October 23 at Ludhiana. |
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A
PSEB reply too late BATHINDA, Oct 6 — The replied to the demi-official letter of the leader of the CPI group in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr Hardev Arshi after about one year. Mr Arshi wrote a letter to the then PSEB Chairman, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, on October 10, 1997, regarding the failure and disruption of power supply repeatedly in Mansa district. To his surprise, Mr Arshi received the board's to his DO letter on August 8, 1998. Interestingly, the reply was given by the Superintendent Engineer (SE), Operation Circle, Bathinda, and not by the Chairman. In a letter written to the present PSEB Chairman, Mr S.K. Tuteja, Mr Arshi lamented that if this is the fate of a duly elected representative, the plight of a common man can be well imagined.He said the authorities concerned had violated the government instructions that MLAs and MPs should be replied to promptly. Mr Arshi had demanded that
appropriate action should be taken in this regard by the
PSEB Chairman.
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Centre
has ignored Dalits: Kainth GURDASPUR, Oct 6 — Mr Satnam Singh Kainth, MP & president, Bahujan Samaj Morcha, addressing a public rally here today said that all governments at the Centre so far have raised slogan for eliminating poverty and raising the standard of living of Scheduled Castes, but the net result has been a big zero. Mr Kainth said that the poor and the scheduled had been vote banks of the Congress for more than 45 years. Even the United Front which claimed to be their representative, also failed to improve their lot. Mr Kainth said that the Dalit community gave ample response to Mr Kanshi Ram to guide their destiny. He accused Kanshi Ram of being unprincipled and losing the trust of the Dalit Samaj. He said the BJP should appreciate the aspirations of the SAD, which gave them unconditional support at a time when the party was considered as an untouchable and should exclude Udham Singh Nagar from Uttaranchal. When asked to comment on
repercussion of the BJP losing the assembly elections he
said this will have no affect on the BJP-led government
which would last its full term provided it takes into
confidence all its alliance partners while deciding major
issues.
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Agencies
fleecing farmers:BKU MOGA, Oct 6 — Former president of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Mr Kuldip Singh Sandu today bitterly criticised the attitude of government procuring agencies towards farmers bringing their produce to markets in this district. Talking to newsmen he said farmers in this district were forced to pay rupees three per bag of paddy sold by them and the agencies refused to buy paddy unless they were bribed with this amount. He also said that
representatives of these agencies rejected paddy stocks
on one protect or the other unless their palms were
greased. He urged the government to look into the matter
or farmers would launch an agitation. |
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Procession
marks Gurpurb AMRITSAR, Oct 6 — A
big religious procession was taken out from the Akal
Takht to mark the 494th birthday of Guru Ram Dass —
fourth Sikh guru and founder of Amritsar. The procession
was led by ‘panj pyaras’ (five beloved ones).
Bhai Ranjit Singh, Akal Takht chief, Mr Manjit Singh
Calcutta, Minister for Higher Education, Mr Ranbir Singh
additional secretary SGPC and Mr Dayal Singh manager
Darbar Sahib were among those who participated in the
religious procession. |
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Village phones dead for months MOGA, Oct 6 — Almost all telephones installed in the Mahesari, Daulatpura, Khukharana and Kalianwali villages in the district have been dead for the past several months, despite repeated complaints to the officials concerned. Stating this here today,
former president of the Punjab unit of Bharatiya Kisan
Union, Mr Kuldip Singh Sandhu, said a deputation of the
village panchayats had met the authorities at Ferozepore
but nothing had been done. |
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Govt agencies start buying
paddy KHANNA, Oct 6 — Government agencies finally started procuring paddy today after the intervention of Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal. More than 4,70,000 quintals of paddy arrived in Khanna till today half of arrivals in the same period last year. Arrivals have been very low this year because of the lack of purchases by agencies. Unsold paddy had been lying in the market for several days and due to the rain was getting discoloured with farmers finally selling their produce at far less than the minimum support price. Today Mr Madan Mohan Mittal visited Khanna Mandi along with Akali MLA Bachan Singh Cheema and officials of various procurement agencies. He listened to the problems of farmers and directed the officers to purchase all paddy lying in the mandi. He appealed to sheller owners to allow agencies to unload paddy in their shellers. He directed the SDM
Khanna, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Gill to visit the mandi
regularly. |
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