Friday, October 16, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, October 16, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Centre yet
to reply to Punjab’s request Top
Babbar held in Bihar PSEB
deal kicks up row Ten
expelled from hostel for ragging |
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 Govt ‘encroaching’ on varsity autonomy PATIALA, Oct 15 — The Forum for Education Action and Reform today said by banning appointments in universities, the Punjab Government had reduced the institutions to the level of municipalities. India
can be A
mini-Sivakasi |
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Poor tax
collection in Punjab Application
at this stage ‘premature’ BSP
to contest with Left support Charges
against MC chief being probed SAD
'has failed' to keep poll promises PCMSA
for action against forcible fund collectors Exhibition
inaugurated Cross-examination
of official concludes |
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Centre yet to reply to
Punjab’s request CHANDIGARH, Oct 15 — Repeated requests from the Punjab Government to exempt levy on non-basmati rice meant for export have fallen on deaf ears in Delhi. The state government had made written requests and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, not only repeatedly called his Akali colleague and the Union Food and Supply Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, but personally urged him to help. All that has been of little avail. Mr Badal’s argument has been that the millers would be encouraged to buy more, mill more and export more and thus help the farmers and the State. Also, nearly 10 lakh tonnes of paddy purchased by the state agencies last year is rotting. This paddy is worth Rs 750 crore. "It is all very tragic. We have stocks from last year waiting to be milled and now the fresh arrivals have already created a glut. How will the agencies manage all this and who is the loser?" senior officers here bemoaned. But these simple facts are not being understood by the Food Ministry in Delhi, they said. Sources here also said that the file for the past some days is pending with Mr Barnala only. Reached on the phone, Mr Barnala, however, said this request has other ramifications as this would apply to all the states and the government of India has to look at this from the point of building a buffer for the bad times. He said that this request, however, was being examined. The Punjab Government sources, however, insisted that the Centre's buffer is saturated and at least 30 lakh tonnes of rice is being placed in the open market this year. Meanwhile, the Punjab Food Department has instructed its field staff to see that no paddy grower has to wait for a long time in the mandis. The staff at all levels has been asked to purchase at the possible highest rate all paddy, including that which has got discoloured due to rain. The farmers must be helped to get the highest possible rate is the message. This follows the criticism in the newspapers and the meetings Mr Parkash Singh Badal had held. While the political executive should have taken a decision well in advance about the paddy which had got damaged, even this corrective measures was helping the farmers, reports from the mandis indicated. The field staff too was more cooperative and helpful. But in certain cases like in Khanna, senior officers did harass those who had been openly criticising the government. According to the Food and
Supply Secretary Mr P Ram, who has toured more than 50
mandis, the sudden arrivals and those too of damaged and
discoloured paddy made things a bit difficult. He said
that till yesterday, the millers had purchased 24 lakh
tonnes of paddy and the agencies 27.5 lakh tonnes. Mr P
Ram who expected the total arrivals to be around last
year's level of 98 lakh tonnes assured that the agencies
would see that all the stock was purchased as per the
specifications and the support price. Now more paddy
would be purchased by the agencies. He said that to
handle nearly 100 lakh tonnes of paddy in just three
weeks at best was a monumental task. He admitted that at
some places there might have been some laxity, but by and
large the operation was smooth. |
Paddy
racket unearthed FEROZEPORE, Oct 15 — A scandal regarding replacing of good quality stock of paddy with substandard stock relating to the Food Corporation of India was unearthed recently at Zira. According to the Zira Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mr Bakhtawar Singh, a truck carrying as many as 110 bags of paddy was detained on October 3 when it was on its way from M/s Zimidara Commission Agents to Naraian plinth, a godown of the FCI. He alleged that the bags were filled with substandard paddy which was to be stored in the FCI godowns with in connivance with some shopkeepers dealing in waste and substandard products of foodgrains at Zira. According to an FIR registered at Zira police station on October 7, Mr Basant Singh, an Inspector of the FCI, informed the Zira SHO on October 3 about the change of paddy stocks during transit. On getting information, the Zira SDM was apprised about the whole thing. He got the inquiry conducted by Mr P.S. Miyan, Assistant Manager (QC), Zira, who completed his inquiry report on October 5. According to the report as many as 110 bags filled with IRA variety of paddy of crop were loaded in the truck on the premises of M/s Zimidara Commission Agents of Zira. The weight of each filled bag was 65 kg. The report further revealed that the truck was unloaded at the shop of Ashok Kumar Kathuria, dealing in waste and substandard products of foodgrains at Zira. In place of the unloaded bags, bags filled with substandard paddy were loaded on the same truck there. Later, the truck loaded with bags filled of substandard paddy was taken to Naraian open plinth, a godown of the FCI. "Since bulk procurement of paddy bags is being made by the FCI, chances of such malpractices indulged into earlier can't be ruled out", said the inquiry officer in his report. Mr Miyan, in his two-page report, recommended the registering of a criminal case against Ashok Kumar Kathuria, his three partners and truck drivers. On his recommendations, the Zira police registered a police case against them under Sections 420, 411, 407, 379 and 380 of the IPC and Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. Mr Bakhtawar Singh said two alleged accomplices of Ashok Kumar Kathuria were being interrogated. In view of the seriousness of the matter, the case has been handed over to the CIA staff. According to Mr Nachattar
Singh more arrests are expected in this connection. |
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FCI
Inspector assaulted by farmers BATHINDA, Oct 15 — An Inspector of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Mr Ashwani Kumar, was assaulted by farmers at the Tungwali purchase centre in the district today after he refused to order procurement of paddy which was unclean and discoloured. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, has ordered a probe into the incident and asked the police authorities to register a case against the guilty farmers. This is the second incident of the kind in the district. A few days ago the District Food and Supplies Controller, Mr Amarjit Singh, and the District Manager of the FCI, Mr P.C. Gupta, were gheraoed by farmers at the Phula focal point. They were let go only when the Additional Deputy Commissioner, intervened. Mr Ladhar said as per preliminary investigation, the farmers beat the Inspector after being instigated by a commission agent of Bhuchho Mandi. He said the police too was inquiring into the incident. Meanwhile, Mr D.P. Reddy, Senior Regional Manager (SRM), FCI, who along with officials of different procurement agencies visited four purchase centres, suspended Inspector Kishan Kumar who was found absent. Mr Ladhar said all officials of procurement agencies had been directed to negotiate with rice mill owners so that discoloured paddy could be sold on remunerative prices. He said due to space shortage the paddy procured by Markfed and Punsup was being shifted to Kapurthala district. Tenders in this regard had been finalised. He said the procurement
process had been speeded up and was being supervised by
senior officials. |
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Top Babbar held in Bihar FATEHGARH SAHIB, Oct 15 — The DGP, Mr P.C. Dogra, today claimed that the Punjab police had foiled an attempt of the Babbar Khalsa to revive militancy in the state with the arrest of top Babbar Khalsa activist Gurcharan Singh alias ‘Billa’ a resident of Sidhupur in Jamshedpur district of Bihar by the Fatehgarh Sahib police along with a huge cache of arms and explosives. Addressing a press conference Mr Dogra said the police received information that a group of Babbar Khalsa activists from abroad had entered India to carry out terrorist operations in Punjab in league with old Babbar Khalsa activists released from jail. The DGP said to counter it the police launched operation ‘pehchan’ and operation ‘khoj’ to identify these terrorists who had gone into hiding as part of their strategy. About Gurcharn Singh, Mr Dogra said he was closely associated with kingpin of Burail jail conspiracy under the overall planning of Jagtar Singh Hawara, the assassin of Beant Singh former chief minister. The DGP said, he remained involved in promoting terrorist activities and in harbouring top militants of Punjab under the motivation of Baldev Singh Hawara (since killed). He harboured top terrorists like Jagtar Panjola, Harmit Tochi, Balwinder Jatana, Charajit Channi etc. at Bihar and Calcutta. He also assisted them in transporting weapons and creating infrastructure for strike in and outside Punjab. Mr Dogra said during interrogation Billa confessed that he had received a message from his old accomplices in Burail jail, who had taken shelter with him before arrest. They gave him details about weapons dumped at various places and asked him to strengthen the Babbar Khalsa for operations in and around Chandigarh and for Fatehgarh Sahib. He said two AK 47 rifles, 10 kg of RDX, 17 stick bombs, 15 rockets small, 2 HE-36 grenades, a walkie talkie remote, a revolver, 11 detonators, 150 rounds of assorted bores and five magazines of AK 47 had been recovered. He said the police party which nabbed Gurcharn Singh would be rewarded. Answering a query he said the police would have to be provided with better living and working conditions. Mr Paramraj Singh Dhaliwal, SSP, said that Gurcharn Singh, a close accomplice of Sarabjit Singh Sidhupur who was arrested in August 1998 by the district police, had made short visit to the district with a view to locating a dump of weapons and explosives belonging to Baldev Singh Hawara, which was buried in 1993 out of consignments sent by Babbar Khalsa chief Wadhawa Singh from Pakistan. He said the police on specific information went to Jamshedpur to arrest him. Later the DGP honoured 175 families of those police officials and jawans belonging to the Patiala range, who were killed fighting militants. Mr Dogra asked the police to get inspiration from the families of those who had laid their life fighting militancy. Mr R.S. Gill, IG, Mr P.M.
Dass, DIG, Police Range, Patiala, Iqbal Preet Singh
Sahota, SSP, Barnala, Arpit Shukla, SSP, Sangrur,
Paramraj Singh, SSP, Fatehgarh Sahib and T.R. Sarangal,
Deputy Commissioner also addressed the gathering. |
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News
Analysis CHANDIGARH, Oct 15 — Continuous lack of political will and laxity on the part of government tax collectors is gradually pushing Punjab to a kind of bankruptcy. Excise and sales tax experts believe that the State could be awash with funds if the rulers sincerely backed up the tax collectors who too should show some commitment and shed some corruption. This year the Government estimated that it could earn Rs 1320 crore from excise revenue. There is a going to be a shortfall of at least Rs 120 crore. While some officials assert that this would be due to lifting of prohibition in Haryana, others vehemently say that even the target of Rs 1320 crore was itself below the mark. It could have been Rs 1500 crores at least. Incidently, those who say that Haryana's change to a wet state is the reason, indirectly support the allegation which the Haryana Government has been levelling that smuggling from Punjab was one reason for the failure of prohibition. This year up to July, only Rs 405 crore had been collected under the excise head as against Rs 403 crore in the corresponding period last year. The government had estimated that it would collect Rs 1,515 crore from sales tax against Rs 2,500 crore which it should have targetted. But even this target looks difficult. While political interference is well established from the notes the field staff has been sending, a kind of nexus too has emerged. A good number of department officials cannot escape the blame. While till July end last year, the sales tax collection was Rs 583 crore, it is now Rs 624 crore. Some officials say it is good, but given the leakage and a year wise growth rate, this claim looks a bit hollow. Sales tax officials who have gone to the extent of registering cases with the police, however, assert that they would be able to collect the targetted amount by the end of the day. Take another major tax, the octroi, about which the Akali Dal-BJP coalition government's commitment is to end it. The collections are not even 25 per cent of what these should be, senior Finance Department offices here confide. Punjab's towns and cities can easily increase the octroi collection by three times and change the very face of the cities and towns. One way which the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, is examining is that the entire process of collection and follow up of octroi be computerised. Let there be computers at each octroi post and mobile phones with the staff, he says. These should be linked with one master computer. The entry points to a particular city should be well maintained and all incoming vehicles checked and stock registered on the computers. While this would increase the collection of octroi manifold, it would also increase the collection of sales tax. Simplification of the tax system and its computerisation is one good answer. How the government finally decides is to be seen. A comparison of five northern states as far as the rate of sales tax collection goes, is a telling commentary on the woeful state of affairs in Punjab. Haryana, Himachal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan, all beat Punjab hallow. In 1995-96, Punjab recorded a growth rate of a mere 1.8 per cent against 18.67 per cent in Haryana, 11.66 per cent in Himachal Pradesh, 13.14 per cent in U.P., 21 per cent in Delhi and 18.1 per cent in Rajasthan. The picture in Punjab was a bit better with 3.9 per cent the next year. But as bad as ever in comparison. Among these states Haryana recorded the maximum of 31.05 per cent, Himachal Pradesh had 17.97 per cent, U.P. had 18.30 per cent, Delhi 17.88 per cent and Rajasthan collected 14.2 per cent. In the last financial year, the picture largely remained bad, but Punjab did improve with 9.6 per cent. Haryana had 11.90 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 17.28 per cent. U.P. recorded 11.47 per cent, Delhi 11.88 per cent and Rajasthan 14.2 per cent. In terms of absolute figures, Haryana last year had collected Rs 1560 crore against Punjab's Rs 1253.53 crore. This was despite the fact that Haryana's trade turnover is nowhere near Punjab which is one of the biggest consumers of consumer durables and non-durables. Rajasthan had collected Rs 1826.25 crore, Delhi 2029.80 crore, and Utter Pradesh Rs 3073.57 crore. There is another flip side to the state of finances. Whatever comes to the state's coffers, a good 62 per cent is spent on salaries and pensions of the staff. This year, the never satisfied government employees will take away Rs 3,654 crore as against Rs 3,106 crore last year. There is an increase of Rs 548 crore.
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Govt
‘encroaching’ on varsity autonomy PATIALA, Oct 15 — The Forum for Education Action and Reform (FEAR) today said by banning appointments in universities, the Punjab Government had reduced the institutions to the level of municipalities. In a statement here, association president Dr Amarjeet Singh Dhillon said the forum had noted with concern the letters of Punjab Government dates September 9 and September 22 addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, by which all appointments and promotions had been banned for "assessment of workload". Dr Dhillon said the universities were governed strictly by acts and statutes and the state government did not have the powers to direct the universities to stall the process of recruitment and promotions. The forum felt that by issuing such letters the state government had encroached upon the "autonomy of the universities". He said such letters fell under the 'writ of quo warranto" and had no locus standi in the eyes of law. Dr Dhillon said only once in the history of Punjabi University, since its inception in 1962, such a letter was received from the state government in February, 1975, when Mr K.S. Narang was the Vice-Chancellor. The ban on recruitment was removed in June after four months. Dr Dhillon said the forum felt that the ban imposed by the state government on recruitment and promotions would jeopardise the academic growth of the universities. He said the proper procedure would have been to summon a special meeting of the syndicate of the university and place the government's viewpoint before it. He appealed to the
government to rescind the orders. |
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India can be infotech power: Joshi PATIALA, Oct 15 — The Human Resource Development and Science and Technology Minister, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, today said the government had realised the future of the country lay in mastering information technology and that it had the potential to emerge as a global information technology power. Delivering the convocation address at the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) here, Dr Joshi suggested a three-pronged initiative: Accelerating the setting up of information technology infrastructure; creation of a policy ambience to increase software exports to $ 50 billion by 2008 and extensive use of information technology in all sections of society. Dr Joshi said to achieve this thrust an "operation knowledge" had been suggested under which computers with Internet facility would be installed in all schools, universities and public hospitals. He said besides this it was envisaged to network all centres of higher education to spread distance education and make information technology compulsory in all degree courses. The Union Minister said the country had to become proficient in the use of information technology as it had become imperative for the country to do so keeping in view various restrictions imposed on it. He said, however, the country had risen to the challenge and had developed technology for weather prediction called flosolver as an alternative to the cray computer besides the param-10000 super computer which could perform 100,000 million mathematical operations per second. Giving the director's report, the Institute Director, Dr M.P. Kapoor, said the institute would set up a centre for information super highway. He said the centre would also be a network centre for the campus which currently has 280 nodes and would be extended to 430 nodes in the future. He said Internet connectivity through a vast channel was already being planned at the centre. The Union Minister also advocated the networking of institutions for resources sharing. He said under this technical education could be offered through distance mode of learning and institutional expertise could be utilised through non formal and continuing education programmes for sector professionals. He, however, expressed concern at the quality of research in universities saying that in 1981 Indian research publications were 2.44 per cent of world research publications which had gradually diminished and come down to 1.77 per cent in 1991 and was only 0.1 per cent in 1995-96. Dr Joshi said though many engineering institutes relied fully on the financial support available from Central and state governments it would be unlikely that future governments would be able to meet the enormous funds necessary for engineering institutes. He said there was a broad consensus that all stake holders of higher technical institutes must contribute towards the finances for running them. He said the quantum of resources generated internally must reach 50 per cent of the recurring expenditure in a short period. The Union Minister lauded the role of the institute's Centre for Industrial Liaison Placement and Entrepreneurial Development (CILPED) in organising vocational courses in tractor repair, motor and pump repair, carpentry, plumbing, refrigeration, welding and airconditioning besides construction of low-cost and modular houses. He said the institute was serving the humanity in and around Patiala in this manner and should be emulated by other institutions. He urged young engineers
to apply their minds towards solving the problem of
harvesting of water and management of irrigation. He said
innovations would have to be brought in the agriculture
sector adding that private enterprise could apply itself
to dairy development and food processing industries. |
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PSEB deal kicks up row PATIALA, Oct 15 — The way a Mumbai firm, Emco, has been allegedly favoured by the Punjab State Electricity Board in awarding contracts for six 100 MVA power transformers worth about Rs 2 crore each has raised a controversy. The PSEB Engineers Association has alleged Emco was given an order for four power transformers in 1996 after the poor performance of two transformers ordered in 1994 from the company, which it is said, had never manufactured power transformers of 100 MVA rating earlier. The inability of the company to supply the required quality of goods was proved, when the first 100 MVA, 220/66 KV power transformer supplied by it was put up for pre-despatch testing an inspecion in January 1996. It failed the test. Despite this the PSEB allowed the defective transformer to be dispatched in June 1996 for installation at Barnala subdivision where it was commissioned in late 1996. The transformer developed a defect on November 28, 1997, and had to be sent back for repairs to Mumbai. The second transformer, ordered in 1994, also failed to pass the pre-despatch test and inspection but was nevertheless sent to Dhandari in early 1997. It was commissioned a year later on April 30, 1998, despite being cleared for despatch on grounds of urgency of requirement after failing to meet the specifications. This transformer was rushed to Barnala following the failure of the first Emco transformer. It too failed within five months of commissioning on September 28, 1998. Sources said despite the fact that the first Emco transformer had failed to meet specifications during inspection carried out between January and June, 1996, a new order for four more transformers was placed with Emco in September, 1996. There is also controversy over the manner in which Emco was given the second contract. First the entire order for 10 transformers was placed with BHEL, whose bid was the lowest when the bids were opened on August 16, 1996. The letter of intent was not issued to BHEL. In the meantime Emco represented to the board Chairman that in view of the declining prices its offer would be the lowest as it was based on a variable price basis. Following this the full board decision on the issue was kept in abeyance and a fresh memorandum put up to the board at its meeting on September 20. The sources said at the meeting the board reduced the order of BHEL from 10 to four while placing an order for four transformers with Emco and three with Cropmton. The sources said the wheel turned full circle when the PSEB decided to do away with the price variation clause. In this way the very basis of reopening the order was done away with causing a direct gain to the manufacturer. The sources claimed that of the four transformers ordered in 1996 the inspection of two transformers was conducted in July or August 1998, during which they failed to meet the desired specifications and were rejected. However, they alleged that these were later allowed to be despatched. Mr Padamjit Singh, President of the PSEB Engineers Association, has demanded a CBI inquiry into the entire deal saying that there seemed to be a "high-level criminal conspiracy". He said the "plunder of public money had to be stopped as two more 100 MVA transformers are yet to be supplied". Mr K.S. Dhillon, Member (Transmission), PSEB, defended the orders placed with Emco saying that there were no kickbacks or irregularities in the deal. He said the fact that the company was new in business could not be a ground to reject its bids. Transformers supplied by even well-established firms had failed from time to time and these were got repaired by the firms if these failed during the warranty period. Emco, too, had offered to have the transformers repaired. When the second order for two transformers was placed in 1996, he was Chief Engineer (Transmission) and he could say with authority that the orders were placed purely on merit. He blamed vested interests for launching concerted efforts to harm the board's reputation. The board had now laid
down stringent specifications for the supply of
transformers. In the recent orders for the supply of
about 20 transformers Emco was nowhere in the list of
those who had got the orders. |
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Notice
to minister on PIL KHARAR, Oct 15 — Mrs Neelam Arora, Additional Civil Judge, Senior Division, Kharar, yesterday issued notice for October 26 to Mr Harmail Singh, PWD Minister, Punjab, Executive Engineer PWD (B&R), Ropar State of Punjab through its Collector Ropar, SDO, PWD (B&R) Roads, Kharar, in a public interest petition filed by Mr Raminder Singh of Toder Majra village for directing the defendants to complete/repair/remattle on priority basis of main road leading from Kharar bus stand to Landran and also to repair the link road from Kharar to Jhanjheri via Badala and Rasanheri and also to complete the road about 500 yards in length leading from Lakhnaur village to Sector 71, SAS Nagar. He has pleaded that there were big pot hotes in the road leading from Kharar to Landran and Kharar to Jhanjheri and was difficult to pass through it. He says that a portion of about 500 yards of road leading from Lakhnaur village to SAS Nagar was lying unmettaled and because of that Mohali is cut off from the surrounding area. In the petition he said
inspite of requests nothing had been done and the
defendants were under statutory obligation to provide
various facilities to the public. |
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A
mini-Sivakasi of Punjab AMRITSAR: Once notorious for mugging, drug abuse, sale of illicit alcohol and cheating, Anngarh village situated within the limits of corporation, has now acquired the title of "Mini-Sivakasi" owing to its emergence as a house of fireworks. Entrepreneurship among the residents of Anngarh have turned the alleys of darkness into a goldmine of light. They had to give up illicit distillation due to harassment by the police. "We felt humiliated and harassed due to frequent police raids," says Ranjit Singh, a village resident. Now almost every resident is engaged in the manufacture of crackers. Earlier, there was hardly any householder not engaged in distillation of illicit liquor. Now kids have started going to school, says Ravinder Mehra. Cursing the state government for not giving incentive to those making crackers in Amritsar, Ravinder Mehra says the government should provide loans for this work, which provides bread and butter to more than 10,000 persons in Amritsar alone. With the manufacture of crackers, the standard of living of village residents has changed. The crackers, made here are much cheaper than those of Sivakasi. However, there are many unauthorised units which have been producing crackers under the very nose of the administration. These units avail the services of children, which is banned in the country. The administration has done nothing to check such child exploitation particularly in fireworks units which could be a health hazard to them. Mr Kartar Singh, president of the BJP unit, however, claims that the residents of Anngarh had gave up illicit distillation and had started thinking about a better future for their children. Mr Kundan Singh, a manufacturer of crackers, when contacted alleged that though the villagers had left all distillation of liquor, yet the police would extract from them their "pound of flesh". The villagers could not afford to bribe anybody as everybody was now living a hand-to-mouth existence and believed in hard work, instead of making easy money by unfair means. On the other hand, the
administration has not taken any precautionary measure to
prevent any untoward incident like fires, etc as the
crackers were being produced in an unsafe way. Last year
a number of persons died when there was fire at one of
the manufacturing units. |
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Ten expelled from hostel for ragging AMRITSAR, Oct 15 — Guru Nanak Dev University today expelled 10 boy students from its hostel for indulging in "indecent" ragging of juniors. Ragging, which was virtually banned in the university by militants, has been revived in educational institutions with the return of normalcy in the state. Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, talking to TNS, said today the students could be rusticated by the university subject to an inquiry. Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor, said there was a ban on ragging in the university. Even mild form of ragging cannot be allowed, he explained. The students who have been expelled from the hostel are Prashant Gupta, Chakshu Goel, Deep Singh Tur, Jappreet Singh, Amanpreet Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Rajbir Singh, Kanwarjit Singh Gill, Jaskirat Singh and Harjot Sidhu — all final year students in electronics. Students, who pleaded anonymity, said the freshners were subjected to "indecent" ragging. They were embarrassed to describe it in words. Dr Bawa said wardens of
the boys and girls hostels and senior university
officials had been making rounds of the hostels to ensure
nobody was terrorised by seniors. |
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BSP to
contest with Left support FEROZEPORE, Oct 15 — The BSP will contest the Adampur Assembly seat with support of the CPI and the CPM. It will welcome support of the Congress, if given. But it will not lend support to the Congress. Stating this here yesterday, the party's state president, Mr C.D. Singh Kamboj, told reporters that there were two main reasons for not extending support to the Congress. The first being that the Congress had fielded its candidates in the last byelection to the Shamchaurasi and Tarn Taran Assembly seats ignoring the fact that there was a poll alliance between the Congress and the BSP in Parliamentary elections. He said the second reason was that the BSP and its allies, the Left had the edge over the Congress in the Adampur Assembly constituency. The Congress had suffered a setback recently when the Jalandhar District Mahila Congress chief, Ms Vidwant Kaur, along with her several supporters deserted the party and joined the BSP. Mr Kamboj said, the BSP was capable of defeating the SAD-BJP nominee and this 'job' would be more easier if the Congress decided to support the BSP candidate, whose name would be announced soon. He said the BSP would contest the bypoll on the issues of rising prices, hike in bus fares, the setting up of new structure of the public distribution system and 27 per cent reservation for BCs. To a question, he said with a view to checking the misuse of official machinery, cameras would be provided to the party workers to get proof of the violation of the code of conduct. The party workers would keep a watch on the situation by holding 'thikri pehra'. He asked the government to depute BSF or CRPF personnel instead of personnel of the Punjab police during the bypoll. "We do not have faith in the Punjab police", he added. Mr Kamboj alleged that paddy growers had suffered heavily due to the connivance of officials of the procurement agencies and millers and traders. He said the Badal
government had failed to do justice to the farmers and
this would show in the Adampur election results. |
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Charges against MC chief being
probed KHANNA, Oct 15 — The Punjab government has ordered an inquiry into charges levelled against the President, Municipal Council, Khanna, Mr Onkar Rai Mehta, following a written complaint by several councillors. According to reliable sources, more than 10 municipal councillors have filed a complaint against Mr Onakr Rai Mehta alleging that in his last term Mr Mehta gave contracts to his brother-in-law and a brother of his domestic servant. They further alleged that the President had violated norms and regulations by allotting them works for Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh while they were entitled only for a work of Rs one lakh. The Chief Vigilance Officer of the Local Government Department has been appointed to conduct the inquiry. He visited the Municipal Council office to check records and listen to the complaints. The Municipal Councillors
of Khanna, Mr Vijay Diamond, Vijay Sharma and Iqbal Singh
said they had furnished documentary proofs to the inquiry
officer. |
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SAD
'has failed' to keep poll promises AMRITSAR, Oct 15 — The human rights wing of the SAD has alleged that most of the poll promises, including filling of the controversial Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal (SYL), made to the Punjabis by the SAD before the general assembly elections had not been fulfilled even after about 18 monthss, of its rule. In a written press
release, issued here yesterday, Mr Surinder Singh
Gharyala, chairman of the wing, alleged that the Akali
Dal had stated in its election manifesto that it would
fill SYL immediately after coming to power and arrest
police officials and Congress leaders who were
responsible for exceses during days of militancy. |
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SANGRUR, Oct 15 — The Barnala police claims to have solved four blind murders, according to Mr Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota, SSP. In the first case, Pritam Singh and his newly wed daughter Sunita alias Baby, residents of Wazidke Khurd village in Barnala sub-division were murdered by Ajit Singh of the same village. Ajit Singh called Pritam Singh to his house and poisoned him to death. However, Pritam's daughter Sunita reached there and Ajit Singh forcibly poisoned her also to death. Mr Sahota said Ajit Singh committed these two murders because he had illicit relations with the wife of the deceased. Ajit Singh had been arrested. In the second case, the dead body of a half naked woman was found by the police on the road near Bhadalbar village. According to the SSP Kaka Singh, alias Harbans Singh, chowkidar of Bhadalbar village saw a woman going on foot and gave her lift on his tractor. However on the way to village he hit her with a stick and raped her twice. The woman died of injuries. The Barnala police has
also arrested Kewal Singh, Bikkar Singh and Raghbir Singh
of Wazidke Khurd village who after murdering Maghar Singh
of the same village had thrown his body on the road. |
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Postal
official arrested LUDHIANA, Oct 15 — Ramjilal, a postal assistant at the central post office, involved in the embezzlement of Rs 44 lakh from the central post office, has been arrested after an FIR was lodged with the police. Mr Gurdev Singh, Assistant Superintendent post office, in a complaint with the police, has alleged that the accused, who was working as system manager, V-Sat. deposited a cheque of Rs 44, 31,370 issued by the head office for a corporate money order. The case was investigated
by the economic offences wing, Ludhiana, under the
supervision of Mr Varinder Kumar, SP, (headquarters). |
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Cinema
house's licence suspended ROPAR, Oct 15 — The licence of a local cinema house, J.R. Theatre, situated on the Ropar-Kurali road, has been suspended till October 18 on the charge of over-charging cine-goers. It has been suspended under provisions of the Cinema Regulation Act, 1952. Giving this information in a press note, here today, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr K.S. Sidhu, said this step was taken following a sudden check by the Assistant Commissioner (General) and the Tehsildar, at the cinema house a few days ago. The two officers found that cinegoers were being charged more than the stipulated rates. Mr Ramesh Goyal, the owner of the cinema house, and a PPCC member said in the past one year this was the second time that the licence had been suspended. Mr Goyal cautioned the
administration against harassment to the cinema house
management. If they continued with the approach the
management would be forced to move court. |
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Khera
elected PFUTA chief PATIALA, Oct 15 — Mr S.S. Khera, president, Punjabi University Teachers Association, has been unanimously elected the chairman of the Punjab Federation of universities Teachers Association (PFUTA), a joint body of the four University — GND University Amritsar, PAU, Ludhiana, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Punjabi University here. According to a PFUTA press note issued here today, the decision to elect Mr Khera was taken at a meeting of all the four universities at Ludhiana yesterday. The meeting also resolved to launch an agitation if the salary of teachers in the three state universities, stopped for the month of September by the Punjab Government, was not released by tomorrow. The statement further said
the teaching community was peeved at the delay in
notification of the new UGC grades as promised by the HRD
Ministry. |
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PCMSA for action against
forcible fund collectors PATIALA, Oct 15 — The PCMS Association today while condemning the forcible collection of money by the state Health Department from PCMS doctors in the name of "some relief fund" urged the Health Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, to take action against officers indulging in these "forcible" collections. In a Press note issued here the Association President, Dr B.S. Sahota, and the General Secretary, Dr D.C. Sharma, alleged that certain civil surgeons and senior medical officers had deducted Rs 1000 each from the salaries of PCMS doctors without taking their consent. The leaders warned these officers to refund the money within two days, failing which the association would be compelled to take action against them. The PCMSA further damanded
that the pending recommendations of the Fourth Punjab Pay
Commission which were yet to be implemented should be
implemented without any further delay as promised by the
Finance Minister. These include the notifications
regarding conveyance allowance, the academic allowance.
The higher qualification allowance and the redesignation
of the regular posts of senior medical officers as deputy
civil surgeons with the benefit of promotional increment.
It further demanded the grant of pay scales of Rs 16,350
for the SMO and Rs 18,400 for the civil surgeons and Rs
22,400 for the director of health services, as the SMO
and civil surgeons have been practically given the same
scales as those of medical officers. |
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Teachers' wages : CM to hold
meeting today AMRITSAR, Oct 15 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has convened a high-powered committee meeting at Chandigarh tomorrow in view of the "deadlock" between the university teachers and the university authorities on the issue of deduction of their salaries during the strike period. It may be mentioned the
Punjab Federation of University Teachers Association
(PFUTA) have decided to observe a strike from October 21
to October 23 if their demands are not conceded by the
authorities concerned. |
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Exhibition inaugurated CHANDIGARH, Oct 15 — Mrs Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of the Punjab Chief Minister, today inaugurated an exhibition of tapestries prepared in connection with the tercentenary celebration of the birth of Khalsa. Six beautiful works of arts pertaining to Sikh gurdwaras and historic events are on display in a book shop in Sector 17 here. American Sikh women have played a significant role for artistic display of the tapestries for which orders have been received from various parts of the country and abroad. In fact, Mrs Badal was the
first customer of the tapestries. She made the payment on
the spot through a cheque. Mr D.S. Jaspal, Executive
Director of the Anandpur Sahib Foundation said the
tapestries had been prepared from the original works of
renowned artist Devinder Singh.
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Sikh council case CHANDIGARH, Oct 15 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr B.C. Gupta, today adjourned the application moved by Mr Talib Singh Sandhu and Mr Baldev Singh Brar praying for the production of the letter issued to Justice Kuldip Singh, a former Judge of the Supreme Court, appointing him as president of the World Sikh Council, and the statement of accounts. Mr Gupta observed that the application so moved by the plaintiff was premature at this stage. However, the plaintiffs had categorically taken the plea by submitting an application that certain documents were with the defendants and an application in this respect was pending. The case was transferred
to the court of Mr Gupta by the Sessions Judge, Mr B.S.
Bedi. |
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Stir
threat by employees CHANDIGARH, Oct 15 — The Punjab State Karamchari Dal headed by Mr Hari Singh Tohra will start an agitation on October 26 in support of its demands. Mr Hari Singh said here today that dharnas would be held in front of the office of Commissioners at divisional headquarters as a part of the agitation. The demands include
regulari-sation of ad hoc work-charged staff, 15 per cent
house rent for employees posted in Patiala city and
increase in the wages of part time employees apart from
implementation of the report of the anomalies removal
committee by December 31.
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Cross-examination of official concludes CHANDIGARH, Oct 15 — The cross-examination of Mr Parnab Sen, Administrative Officer with New India Insurance Company, in the Beant Singh assassination case was concluded today before the Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, who held the court in the high-security Burail jail. In his examination, in-chief Mr Sen stated that Gurmeet Singh, one of the suspects in the case, had made a disclosure statement that he had concealed empty cardboard boxes in which RDX was kept and papers on which the explosive was kneaded in his room in Phase IV of Mohali. He added that he had got the RDX and papers recovered from the room of Gurmeet Singh. Dr Verma, of Forensic Science Laboratory had picked up grains of RDX from the room of Gurmeet Singh. A seizure memo was also prepared. During his
cross-examination he explained the location of the house
and what articles were lying there. He told the court
that it was not an abandoned room. |
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Tandon
finds civic staff absent AMRITSAR, Oct 15 — In a surprise raid conducted by Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Local Bodies Minister, more than 30 per cent staff of the municipal corporation, including officers, were found absent here today. Out of a total of 350 employees, at least 75 per cent were found absent when the minister inspected the corporation office at 9.05 am. Mr D.P. Gupta, Executive Officer, said most of those late for duty were Class III and Class IV employees. The minister was accompanied by Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, member of Parliament, Mr Hansraj Gulati, BJP president, Mr Baxi Ram councillor, and Mr Kanwar Jagdeep Singh, vice-president of the Amritsar BJP. Mr Tandon directed the
authorities concerned to ensure 100 per cent punctuality
in offices.
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