Thursday, September 10, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Thursday, September 10, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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BJP, SAD to
discuss bilateral issues |
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 Arresting
decline in PCMSA
for CBI probe |
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Editor
moves HC to quash FIR Lift
ban on mustard oil, say traders Bitta
warns Amarinder critics Ambulance
service upgraded 841
crore to be spent on power generation Two
cops suspended CM's
remarks on panel decried Court
directive to Kharar MC Arhtias
oppose district purchase 30
lakh sanctioned for water supply |
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BJP, SAD to discuss bilateral
issues CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Punjab BJP leadership led by its president Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, will have a heart-to-heart talk with the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, on September 12 with regard to various burning political issues including the recent anti-BJP statements by the SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Informed party sources told TNS here today that the BJP had convened a meeting of its working committee for September 12 and Mr Badal had been invited to participate in it. Lately, a lot of bad blood has been created between the SAD and the BJP following statements by certain leaders belonging to both parties. Impression has gone around that there were serious differences between the two ruling partners in the state. Of late statements and counter-statements have been exchanged on certain issues by senior leaders of both parties. Informed sources said that Mr Sodhi and other BJP leaders might ask Mr Badal to make his, as Chief Minister and SAD president, position clear with regard to the statements made by Mr Tohra equating the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, with Indira Gandhi. Mr Tohra had reportedly said at Jalandhar on September 7 that the BJP-led Central Government was dilly-dallying on conceding the political demands of Punjab. He had also said that although he had put some demands before the Prime Minister at a meeting recently, Mr Vajpayee's response was "we will see". Mr Tohra stated that Indira Gandhi would have said the same. Mr Tohra also had a dig at the Punjab Local Bodies Minister and senior leader of the BJP, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, for opposing the People's Commission. Mr Tohra had justified the setting up of the commission and had stated that BJP and the Congress were matching in their thinking with that regard to the commission. BJP sources said that the party leadership of the BJP, including its high command, was upset following such comments by Mr Tohra about the BJP's top leadership especially Mr Vajpayee. However, Mr Badal has not
made any fiery statement against the BJP. Only once he
had reacted strongly. That was against Mr K.L. Sharma, a
BJP spokesman, who during a visit to Punjab had made a
statement that Mr Badal had never raised issues
pertaining to the state before the BJP-led government at
the Centre. |
SAD patronising criminals:
Amarinder BATHINDA, Sept 9 — The PPCC, president, Capt Amarinder Singh, today demanded that the central government should make arrangements for stopping the river waters of Punjab from going to other states. Addressing a press conference here, he said that the state Congress leadership had rejected the recommendations of Shah Commission and the Eradi Commission and demanded that the central government should ensure to Punjab the transfer of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas and exclusive use of river waters. Admitting failure of his party in transferring Chandigarh and Punjabi-speaking areas and ensuring exclusive use of river waters during the party rule at the Centre and in Punjab, Mr Amarinder Singh said: "Our failure does not absolve the ruling Akali party from their responsibilities. He said that during the chief ministership of Late Beant Singh, the state Congress had also rejected the river waters clause of the Rajiv-Longowal accord keeping in view quantum of water needed for the people and farmers of Punjab. The PPCC chief alleged that the state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was misleading the people on river waters, transfer of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas issues as senior leaders of the BJP an alliance partner of the SAD in Punjab had repeatedly said that Mr Badal had never taken up the genuine demands of Punjab with them. He added that BJP leadership had also cleared to the SAD leadership that it would not take up any inter-state issue for reaching any solution. On Udham Singh Nagar, Mr Amarinder Singh said that party high command would convene a meeting of PCC presidents of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh whenever the Bill regarding Udham Singh Nagar came into Parliament and decision taken in that meeting would be implemented through casting of votes on that Bill. He added that state leadership was in favour of the exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar from the proposed Uttaranchal state. He said that the SAD had failed to link the food grain prices with the price index even though the party had its own man as Union Food Minister. He said that the Congress had also rejected the support price fixed for paddy for current procurement season. The PPCC, president, alleged that after failing on all fronts, Mr Badal had introduced the gangs of "Kala Kachchewala" in Punjab to divert the attention of people from their problems and "misrule" of present state government. He sought a CBI probe to unmask the forces behind the "Kala Kachchewala gang". To a question he made it clear that as a Sikh, he would follow the edict of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and as a PPCC president, he would follow the directions of party high command. He added that he honoured the verdict of Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in the Tohra-Nirankari issue. To a question, he said that the Congress party would approach the Lok Pal against the corruption of Mr Badal and his ministerial colleagues. He added that party workers were collecting the facts on corruption which had broken all records. He alleged that Mr Badal and his family members were amassing money. So far, they had amassed hundreds of crores of rupees. In reference to the statement of Mr Badal in which Mr Badal had dubbed Mr Amarinder Singh as "Bhagora" (deserter) of the Akali party, Mr Amarinder Singh said that he resigned from the Akali Dal on certain issues but Mr Badal had earlier resigned from the Congress in 1957 after winning the MLA's election on the party ticket. He added that Mr Badal should know that he (Mr Badal) was a "gaddar" (betrayer) of the Congress party. On the strengthening of party in Punjab, he said that the PPCC would be expanded, the cadre-based village-level units would be set up and deserving persons would be given party posts. He said that there was no groupism in the party. To a question, he said that no leader with "shady character" had been taken into the PPCC and added that if the courts of law convicted any leader in any corruption case, that leader would be expelled from the PPCC. Later, the party rally and dharna was held at district courts which was addressed by Mr Amarinder Singh and Mr Jagmeet Brar, Mr Lal Singh, Mr Jasbir Singh, Mr Balmukand Sharma, Mr Surinder Kapoor, Mr Opinder Sharma (all former ministers), Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, organising secretary, PPCC, Mr Bhagat Singh Dhaliwal, DCC, president, Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal general secretary, DCC, Mr Bhupinder Singh Gora, vice-president of the PYC and other senior leaders participated in the rally. A memorandum of demands was also submitted to the Punjab government through the Deputy Commissioner. BARNALA (FOC): The Punjab Congress president, Capt Amarinder Singh (retd) said at Handiaya today that the state Congress would continue its struggle for the cause of the poor. The Congress would stage demonstrations against the anti-public and anti-poor policies of the SAD-BJP combine. He criticised the government for the hikes in bus fares and power tariff. Reacting to SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra's press statement that the Congress was disturbing peace in Punjab by resorting to the path of agitation, he said. Congress activists should not hesitate to court arrest for the cause of the poor. He said he would complete organisational changes at the block-level by September 15 and at the district-level by October 31. PHILLAUR (FOC): Mr Iqbal Singh, general secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has described the SAD-BJP alliance as unprincipled based on political interests. He said here on Wednesday
that the Punjab Government never tried to raise Punjab
issues with the Union Government. The PPCC would organise
mass contact programmes at the village, block, tehsil,
district and state-level, he added. |
Arresting decline in farm output CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Notwithstanding the political squabbles between the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana over unresolved inter-state disputes, the fact remains that the two are worried over problems of declining agricultural productivity in their respective states. Conscious of the fact that the region has laid the foundation of the country's food security and pepped up the national economy by raising foodgrain production and contributing substantially to the central foodgrain kitty during the past three decades, the Chief Ministers approached the Ministry of Agriculture seeking an in-depth analysis of the "problems" and their remedies. Consequently, a three-member team, headed by Mr S.K. Sinha, was constituted. The other two members were Mr G.B. Singh and Mr Mangal Rai. The team has submitted its report after interaction with scientists in the agricultural universities , bureaucrats, politicians and farmers in the two states suggesting possible solutions. The report, titled "Decline in crop productivity in Haryana and Punjab: myth or reality", is being processed by the respective states. Punjab has acted fast. It has prepared a working paper in the light of the observations made in the report and submitted the same to the State Planning Department for integration in the "action plan" of the government. A copy has been sent to the Union Ministry of Agriculture. According to the Financial Commissioner (Development) , Mr R.N. Gupta, the paper deals with "doubling foodgrain production in the next ten years" in Punjab. The report of the Union Ministry is not very optimistic on the future of agriculture in the two states. Wading through mass of data on different agricultural parameters beginning 1965-66 the report has concluded that there is still hope. A "perspective plan" needs to be prepared. Let it be called "Haryana and Punjab vision 2020". Right from the district to the state-level the team has examined trends of major crops — area, production, per unit productivity, irrigation, plant protection etc — in the region and concluded that much of the problems arise due to mono-culture: wheat-paddy rotation and poor soil health. It has expressed concern over declining production and productivity, equity, environmental degradation, sustainability of natural resources etc. When agriculture production declines in Punjab and Haryana, despite the best of "favourable climate, network of canal system, abundant groundwater, marketing infrastructure, human spirit, adventure and hardwork", it is a cause for concern. Any such decline means a "threat" to the national economy and food security. After all Punjab and Haryana's contribution of rice (50 per cent) and wheat (85 per cent) to the central foodgrain kitty has kept the public distribution system functional. It is not a mere flash in the pan. The process continues. But , qualitatively and quantitatively it has suffered with some other states catching up in foodgrain production. The report draws attention to increasing foodgrain production and also fruit, vegetable, poultry and dairy production to sustain rising population, decreasing agricultural land and urbanisation which means need to breed high-yielding varieties and to raise per unit productivity and adding an element of commercialisation to agriculture. "Shift has also to be from agriculture production to agro-industry and value addition," it stresses. The committee has suggested a comprehensive "environment protection programme". A high-level review of research programmes at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, by "outside" experts should be held and efforts be made to integrate research with farmer's needs. There has to be "single window" for quality supply of requisite farm inputs at the block or primary level. An "incentive package" on checking environmental degradation should also be prepared. The " deteriorating " soil health is considered a major factor in decline in production in Punjab and Haryana. To give shape and make summary and recommendations implementable, Punjab has prepared a "model" which is under study in the Union Ministry. According to Mr Gupta, carefully structured strategies suggested for raising production in tune with agro-climatic conditions will require "mapping" of soil and water reservoirs through satellite photography, improving soil health through bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides and green manuring, providing irrigation in left out areas, distributing certified seeds and setting up of micro-nutrient and bio-fertiliser labs. Introduction of modern machinery and equipment for efficient farm operation and control of diseases and weeds in cereals is also recommended.
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16 voter I-cards found dumped
in garbage bin CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Even as the management of Electronic Systems Punjab Limited (ESPL), SAS Nagar, is yet to resolve the issue of more than 100 voter identity cards found dumped in a garbage bin in Sector 34 a few days ago, 16 such I-cards were found today in an open area near the Punjab officers apartments in Sector 43 here this morning. The cards were found by Mr Bhagwan Dass, a member of the 25-member crew of the horticulture wing of the municipal corporation which had gone to clear a patch of land of wild vegetation near the apartments. While his men had hardly cleared a small patch, he said he found six cards and a few other cards at some distance. Following this they went about their job more carefully, and kept watch for more such recoveries. Handing over the cards to TNS, he said people were running from pillar to post to get cards made and yet someone had carelessly dumped them here. He felt that such lapses should be highlighted, and the guilty dealt with accordingly. Most of the voter identity cards belong to Jalandhar residents.
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PCMSA for CBI probe into
minister-CMO row PATIALA, Sept 9 — The Punjab PCMS Association led by Dr B.S. Sahota today alleged that interference by politicians in day-to-day routine administrative work was discouraging doctors from performing their duties faithfully. In a statement here, Dr Sahota and association general secretary Dr D.C. Sharma that Forest Minister Mohan Lal's views airing on the functioning of Gurdaspur Civil Surgeon, Dr A.S. Sandhu in a public forum was deplorable. Both doctors said is was because of this that Dr Sandhu was forced to defend himself in the same manner. Dr Sahota and Dr Sharma said that if Mr Mohan Lal had any grievance against Dr Sandhu he should have taken up the matter with Health Minister Manoranjan Kalia instead of airing his views in public. The association also took exception to the alleged interference of the Forest Minister in medico-legal work. Adding such things occurred frequently with doctors being pressurised to work against their conscience. The doctors said a high-level judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court Judge should be set up to ascertain if the minister had really indulged in interference in the medico-legal work as alleged by the Civil Surgeon or the Civil Surgeon was telling a lie as the charge was being denied by the Minister. The doctors said that an inquiry be set up to find out the dereliction of duty by the doctor on emergency duty leading to the death of a PSEB employee related to a BJP leader. The PCMSA demanded that the charge of embezzlement of Rs 44 lakh belonging to the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) levelled by the MLA accompanying Master Mohan Lal during press briefing, against the Civil Surgeon Dr Sandhu, which has been stoutly denied by Dr Sandhu saying that he had nothing to do with this money, should also be probed thoroughly. In fact, the PCMSA has
been demanding, a high-level CBI prove into the
functioning of the PHSC ever since it’s inception.
The CBI probe should especially cover the genuineness of
the expenditure shown on the civil works. The purchases
made by the PHSC and the recruitments done by it on fat
salaries. It alleged that the PHSC was practically a one
man-show, he added. |
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Editor moves HC to quash FIR CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Vishwanath, Editor of Sarita, a leading Hindi magazine, today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for quashing the FIR registered against him by the Rajpura police in Patiala district under Section 295-A, I.P.C. on the basis of an article he wrote in his magazine under the heading "Dharam ke Ujjwal Paksh ki Ujjwalta" in the issue dated May 2, 1998. Mr Justice, J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice V.S. Aggarwal, before whom the petition came up for hearing, issued notice to the Punjab Government and the Union Home Ministry for September 15. Vishwanath stated in the petition that through Sarita he endeavoured to inculcate health and moral values among readers. He said the F.I.R. was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by Mr Ashok Narain Sharma, president of the Amarnath Yatra, Rajpura, who contended that the article hurt public feelings as it criticised the Hindu gods. Vishwanath stated that the police, after the registration of the F.I.R., started treating him as a culprit, and therefore he applied for anticipatory bail. The matter was still pending. When he was on interim bail the police "behaved in a most irresponsible manner and illegally locked my house in Delhi where my three sons resided." His counsel attacked the F.I.R. on various grounds. First, the article did not attract Section 295-A, I.P.C. especially because the petitioner was editor, printer and publisher of the magazine and was within the letter and spirit of the right to freedom enshrined in the Constitution under Article 19. Secondly, Section 295-A had to be interpreted in the background of its legislative history as also in the light of the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Counsel further told the
court that the F.I.R. was registered "maliciously at
the behest of an overzealous complainant and was thus
violative of Article 21 of the Constitution." |
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Lift ban on mustard oil, say traders JALANDHAR, Sept 9 (UNI) — The Jalandhar Beopar Mandal, the Oil Mills Association, the Oil Traders Union and the Oil Dealers Union today demanded the lifting of the ban on production and sale of mustard oil, claiming that all 89 samples tested by authorities in the state were found pure. Expressing grief over the deaths of people due to dropsy at a press conference here today, Beopar Mandal acting president Dhani Ram Gupta alongwith Oil Mills Association president Sadhu Ram Mittal said if the government did not lift the ban, it would lead to the closure of mills and mustard oil stock worth several lakhs of rupees rendered waste. Labour, too, had been rendered idle by the ban, they added. They said the government must review its decision as there was no ban in Madhya Pradesh and governments of West Bengal and Assam, too, have lifted the restriction on the sale of certain brands of the oil. The various associations would be forced to move court if the government did not lift the ban, they added. Mr Gupta and Mr Mittal said of the total consumption of edible oils in the country, 82 per cent was produced at home and only 18 per cent was imported. Of the 82 per cent home-produced oils, 40 per cent is mustard oil. They said if the ban continued it would also adversely affect mustard crop whose production had already declined by about 20 per cent in the country this year. As against 18 per cent import of edible oils now, the government would have to import 38 per cent this year even if there was no ban. But if the ban continued, the government would have to import 100 per cent mustard oil which would be a big drain on nation’s foreign exchange, they added. They did not rule out the
possibility of foreign hand in contamination of mustard
oil. The central government has already ordered the CBI
probe into the contamination and conspiracy, if any,
behind it. |
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Bitta warns Amarinder critics AMRITSAR, Sept 9 — Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, a former president of the Indian Youth Congress has said that he would not tolerate any rebellion which was simmering within the party over appointment of Mr Amarinder Singh as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Talking to The Tribune over telephone here today, Mr Bitta said that the appointment of Mr Amarinder Singh was made by the party chief Ms Sonia Gandhi and hence nobody had any right to challenge it. He added that he had directed his supporters to be vigilant so that detractors of Mr Amarinder Singh should not exploit the situation. To a question, Mr Bitta said that Mr Amarinder Singh was taking all groups of the party alongwith him and he had not ignored any genuine leader while nominating office-bearers of the party. Welcoming the decision of the state government to reject the setting up of People's Commission Mr Bitta said that it should have been taken much earlier. He said that the People's Commission should be banned immediately as demanded by the PPCC chief Mr Amarinder Singh. He alleged that the setting up of the People's Commission was like "state within a state". Mr Bitta said that India should not ‘over-react’ to the statement of the South Africa President, Mr Nelson Mandela in which he had suggested mediation on the Kashmir issue. He said that the South Africa had already apologised for the statement given by Mr Mandela as he was not aware of the situation. He, however, said that the Kashmir was part and parcel of India. Mr Bitta urged the
political leaders of the country not to take political
mileage from the differences among the "warring
jathedars as it was a "religious matter". He,
however, said that jathedars should exercise restraint
while levelling charges and counter charges as the
situation could be exploited by some anti-national
elements to revive terrorism in the state. |
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Ambulance service upgraded LUDHIANA, Sept 9 — All ambulances at the disposal of hospitals, nursing homes and charitable hospitals in the city will now be under one control. This decision was taken at a meeting of representatives of medical institutions held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner. Various medical
institutions have decided to set up a 24-hours
operational control room in the office of the Civil
Surgeon with a doctor and paramedical staff. It was also
decided that the city would be divided into different
zones and the latest pro-call trunked radio communication
system, connected with the control room and the hospital
to which the ambulance belongs, would be provided. |
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841 crore to be spent on power
generation KAPURTHALA, Sept 9 — Dr Upinderjit Kaur Technical Education Minister, has announced that the government will spend Rs 841 crore to produce more power. She said this while addressing a function at Thatta village in Sultanpur Lodhi yesterday. The government would
provide old-age pension to 5 lakh persons till 1999, of
which 1,75,000 had already got pension, she said,
announcing a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the construction of a
school and drains in the village. |
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Two cops suspended BATHINDA, Sept 9 — A Sub-Inspector, Bir Atma Singh, Station House Officer of Raman police station and Head Constable, Nachhatar Singh, were suspended today for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 from Surjeet Singh of Giana village by threatening to implicate him in a false case of murder. District police chief
Harnek Singh said here that a case under Sections 7, 8,
13(2) 88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was
registered against the two after an inquiry by the DSP,
Talwandi Sabo. |
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CM's remarks on panel decried AMRITSAR, Sept 9 — Mr Kirpal Singh Randhawa, deputy chairman, Human Rights Organisation, has condemned the statement of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab in which he had said that there was no need of the people's commission. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Randhawa said that with the statement of Mr Badal it seemed that there was no difference between the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal. Mr Randhawa alleged that Mr Badal had rejected the peoples commission under pressure from the BJP. Earlier, Mr Surinder Singh
Ghariyala, Chairman, Human Rights Wing (HRW) had
threatened to launch a morcha from September 26 if the
state government opposed the Peoples Commission in the
Punjab and Haryana High Court. |
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Tota
Singh bans transfers CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, today announced a complete ban on transfers of teachers in the State. He appealed to the teaching community to devote maximum time and attention to instructions. The Minister has cautioned
that any kind of pressure exercised on him for transfers
would not be considered. Instead, stern action would be
taken against such teachers. A teacher must take leave
before meeting the minister for transfer. Unlawful
absence from duty harms the interests of students. The
teachers should remain on duty, wherever posted, he
added. |
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Two
unions dissolved PATIALA, Sept 9 — The Punjab Power Employees Federation and the PSEB Ministerial Staff Association have been dissolved and merged with the Indian National Trade Union Congress. This was stated in a press note issued here today by Mr S.K. Sharma, vice-president, INTUC. He also criticised the
Punjab Government for being anti-employee. Though the
Punjab Chief Minister had repeatedly said that employees
of the district would be given 15 per cent house rent, no
notification in this regard had been issued so far, he
said. |
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Panchayat
poll on Sept 20 KHARAR, Sept 9 — As many as 207 candidates filed their nomination papers for the posts of sarpanch and 143 panch of this block here yesterday. The elections are scheduled for September 20. Giving this information here today, Mr Harbans Singh Gill, Block Development and Panchayat Officer, said 93 nomination papers were filed yesterday while 114 papers were filed today. He said September 10 was the last date for the filing of nomination papers. The counting of ballot
papers and the declaration of the results would be done
on the spot by the presiding officer. |
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Court
directive to Kharar MC KHARAR, Sept 9 — Miss Seema Dhillon, Civil Judge Kharar, has directed the local Municipal Committee to enforce existing provisions and rules regarding cleanliness, encroachments, etc in Kharar and to give priority to sewerage, proper drainage and make provision for public parks. A copy of the order passed by her in a case filed by Mr Ashwani Kumar Sharma of Govind Colony Kharar for providing various basic necessities was received here today. The honourable Judge has directed the committee to provide covers for the existing dustbins and trolleys for carrying garbage. The judgement has directed the committee to have the open nulahs and the drains cleaned periodically to ensure unobstructed flow of water. The court has directed the committee to ensure cleaning of existing toilets daily and the speed breakers be constructed as per specifications and are properly marked and caution boards provided. The court has directed that Ram Bagh should be constructed and to provide sewerage connections at the earliest where the money has been deposited and to ensure that the existing pump set in Govind Colony was operated for lifting of dirty water. The court has directed
that the compliance/progress report in this regard be
made within three months. |
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Working of PAU criticised CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, General Secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union, in a statement issued here today said that Punjab Agricultural University had failed to provide new high-yielding varieties of various crops to farmers in the state in recent years. He said that it was a fact that research work of PAU was appreciated by eminent agriculture scientists the world over in the first few years of its establishment but for the past 15 years research work in the university had almost come to nil. He said that in the past
15 years, the PAU had not given any new variety of paddy,
wheat, American cotton etc to the satisfaction of the
farming community. Old varieties had become obsolete and
their quality had deteriorated. Even their yield had come
down. |
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Farmers
block traffic KAPURTHALA, Sept 9 — A large number of farmers staged a dharna in front of new grain market on the Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi road and blocked traffic for two hours yesterday in protest against the non-purchase of paddy by traders. Commission agents and owners of rice shellers have been boycotting the purchase of paddy for the past two days in protest against the alleged harassment by officials of the local market committee. The farmers said over 50,000 bags of paddy were lying in the open. A trader alleged that the officials of the committee had revoked the licence of a commission agent and had also imposed a penalty of Rs 24 lakh on the owner of a rice-sheller. The blockade was lifted
following a compromise between the administration and the
traders. |
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Arhtias oppose district purchase PATIALA, Sept 9 — The Punjab Arhtia Association has threatened to gherao any company or trader who will directly purchase paddy from farmers. In a statement issued here today, Mr Harjit Singh Sheru, president of the association, said the direct purchase policy of the Punjab Government had affected the business of the arhtias. The association also
submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and handed
over a copy of the same to the Secretary, Punjab Mandi
Board. |
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SSF
(M) leader resigns AMRITSAR, Sept 9 — Mr Baljinder Singh Gandiwind, a former vice-president of the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta), has resigned from its primary membership in protest. In a press note issued here today, Mr Gandiwind alleged that the federation leaders had become a party to the present politics instead of pursuing the cause of students. He urged the leaders to step down from their respective posts in the federation and pave the way for fresh elections. The federation had failed
to observe the death anniversary of Harminder Singh Gill,
a former general secretary of the AISSF, to please Mr
Parkash Singh Badal, he alleged. |
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30 lakh sanctioned for water
supply ANANDPUR SAHIB (Ropar), Sept 9 — The state government has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh as first instalment to provide drinking water facilities in the semi-hilly kandi belt, especially in the Changer area. This was stated by Mr Tara Singh Ladhai, MLA, after inaugurating a bridge at Shahpur Bela, 15 km from here. The MLA said the state government had also made arrangements for the construction of a bridge over Sirsa river. He also announced a grant
of Rs 70,000 for the construction of drains in the
village. He also distributed cheques for Rs 50,000 each
among Gajpur, Bhatoli, Bhagwana, Massewal, Raipur Sani
and Jhinjri villages for the construction of a school,
drains and streets. |
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