CBI probe into ‘kidnapping’ sought
MUKTSAR, Sept 21 — Mr Ramesh Kumar, a local resident, who along with his brother, Mr Roshan Lal, was allegedly kidnapped by a known industrialist, Mr Bharat Bhushan Setia, and his associates on July 7, had demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

Arhtias hold talks with Minister
CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Mr Harjit Singh Sheru, President of the Punjab Arhtia (commission agents) Association, has urged the Punjab Government to implement the demands of the Association which were conceded a few months back.

Cricket "satta" in Bathinda
BATHINDA, Sept 21 — "Satta", or speculative business, which once used to be major commercial activity of the local traders in the pre-partition days, has resurfaced with vigour here.

Swiss envoy visits Pingla Ghar
JALANDHAR, Sept 21 — The Swiss Ambassador, Mr Guy Ducrey, who is on a two-day visit to the state visited Pingla Ghar and interacted with more than 400 inmates here today.

Punjab lifts ban on sale of mustard oil
CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Punjab Government has lifted the ban on the sale of packed mustard oil in the State from today.

Foolproof security for Sonia's visit assured
LUDHIANA, Sept 21 — The Director-General of Punjab police, Mr P.C. Dogra, stated today that foolproof security would be provided to the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, during her forthcoming visit to Punjab.

Sonia "need not apologise"
CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said today that Mrs Sonia Gandhi need not apologise as she was neither in the government nor was she a member of the Congress Party when Operation Bluestar took place

Babbar Khalsa man arrested
MOGA, Sept 21 — The police here claims to have arrested one member of the Babbar Khalsa who was wanted by the police in various crimes

People’s panel illegal: Tandon
PHAGWARA, Sept 21 — Punjab Local Bodies Minister Balramji Das Tandon today said that peoples commission had no relevance or legal validity. Where was Justice Kuldip Singh when innocents were being killed in Punjab, asked Mr Tandon while talking to reporters.

Commission sought on terrorism in Punjab
SANGRUR, Sept 21 — Mr Pawan Gupta, state president of the Shiv Sena while talking to mediapersons here today urged the SAD-BJP government to set up a judicial commission to find out the forces which were behind terrorism in Punjab.

Gang of Pardis unearthed

Quash FIR, say TU leaders

UGC grant for Pbi varsity colleges

Customs staff on indefinite strike

"Reinstate Pingalwara staff"

Dang on technical varsity results

Manjit Singh wants sangat to intervene
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Prof Manjit Singh, today urged the Sikh sangat and some highly respected personalities to effectively intervene to set at rest the controversies involving the Jathedars of Akal Takht and other Takhts. He said that he was prepared to present himself for any clarification if leaders like Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa, Baba Labha Singh of kar sewa, Baba Daya Singh of Sursinghwala, Baba Surajpal Singh and Baba Sewa Singh go to the Golden Temple and seek proof of the allegation levelled against him by the Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh, and seek clarifications from him.

Prof Manjit Singh told newspersons here today that he made his position vis-a-vis the World Sikh Council clear to one and all. Through a written two-page statement and during the press conference, Prof Manjit Singh, alleged he saw a big conspiracy to run down the Sikh institutions, particularly when the Khalsa was to begin the tercentenary celebration of its birth. "Those who were not happy at the unity of the Sikhs all over the world, have sought to divide them at this crucial juncture", he said and added that some senior leaders were falling prey to this nefarious game. Asked repeatedly to name those behind the conspiracy, Manjit Singh refused to mention any names. But it was obvious when he pointed out towards those who were busy in excommunicating Sikhs instead of uniting them.

There is an ongoing row among the three senior members of the Sikh clergy, Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. Bhai Ranjit Singh has alleged that Prof Manjit Singh had not rendered the accounts of the World Sikh Council and both should come clean before they could attend meetings of the five high priests. But Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh alleged that they had already decided not to attend these meetings where all holy traditions and civilised behaviour were not cared for. Prof Manjit Singh said that the very language of the Akal Takht Jathedar was rough and he always wanted to push through issues which required great attention and was more keen to excommunicate than to unite the Sikhs.

About the accounts of the World Sikh Council, Prof Manjit Singh said that the actual accounts were with the Secretary-General, Mr Jaswant Singh Mann. He himself had ceased to be the patron in December last year and had even directed Mr Mann to provide accounts when the present President of the World Sikh Council, former Supreme Court Judge Kuldip Singh, had approached him. Giani Kewal Singh too had approached Mr Mann to handover the accounts. "I had handled no money. Whatever was collected was deposited in the banks. I was signing as chairman and when I ceased to be one and told the Jathedar of Akal Takht about all this, there were no questions asked. Justice Kuldip Singh too has been satisfied as were others including the SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Now why has this issue been raked up?" he asked.

Answering questions, Prof Manjit Singh said that the whole issue was raked up after the meeting of the five high priests on June 25 this year. At that meeting he had opposed to the manner in which certain Sikh leaders were being excommunicated. He succeeded in stopping the excommunication of Mr Mahinder Singh of Nishkam Sewa, who was currently looking after the work of gold plating of two Sikh shrines.

Prof Manjit Singh maintained that he had high regards for the holy traditions and would make any sacrifice to uphold them. Asked whether he was considering to quit due to the prevailing atmosphere, he asserted that he was not doing so and also clarified that so far none, including the SGPC President Mr G.S. Tohra had asked for his resignation. "I have earlier met both Mr Tohra and the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who heads the Akali Dal to set things right and I am appealing to them again. Damage is being done to Sikh institutions and there is a clear conspiracy," he said.

Anandpur Sahib to have martial arts academy
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

FARIDKOT, Sept 21 — The Union Industry Minister, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, today said a martial arts academy would be set up at Anandpur Sahib next year.

Addressing a gathering at the rural sports mela organised here on the seventh day of the Baba Farid Aagman Purb, he said the Central Government had sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the academy. Work on the project would start shortly, he added.

To promote sports in the state, the Punjab Government planned to set up a stadium in each villages. In the current financial year, sports stadiums would be constructed at Baghapurana, Panjgarain and other towns of old Faridkot district.

Mr Badal said the Punjab Government would also engage foreign coaches for training sportsmen of the state so that Punjab could made a mark in international sports.

In the post-Independence period, sportspersons from Punjab had won about 75 per cent of the medals won by the country in international competitions.

Now the Punjab Government was training its sportspersons so that they could bag the maximum medals at the forthcoming Sydney Olympic Games.

Heavy rain here in the afternoon played marred the second session of the rural sports mela. The spectators ran helter-skelter as it started raining while various games were on.

In the morning session, camel race, ram-fighting, cock-fighting, tent-pegging by horses ridden Punjab police jawans Nihangs' tug of war, and weight-lifting were organised.

Hundreds of persons today paid obeisance at Tilla Baba Farid, where the saint meditated for 40 days.

Army helps speed up project
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

KALJHARANI (Bathinda): The Army has lent a helping hand in speeding up of the work of "total self-employment scheme" which had been conceived and launched by Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal in this village a few months ago.

The project which included the setting up of a dairy complex, shopping complex, sheep sheds, civil dispensary, veterinary hospital, milk booth, community centre, handloom-cum-production centre, gobar gas plant, bank and cooperative society buildings, and building construction training centre was planned on about 80 acres of land with bushes and shrubs.

The Army was given the task to clear and level the area so that the project could be finished before November 1, when Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee is expected to inaugurate it.

Without losing a moment, the Army authorities entrusted the job to Lieut-Gen G.K. Duggal, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Chetak Corps. Following General Duggal's orders, the Chetak Engineers came on the job and after about 10 days, the entire area of 80 acres were cleared of bushes and shrubs. With the help of machinery, the Chetak Engineers and their men also filled up three deep depressions with the sand and levelled the area.

According to official sources, the Army authorities did this work free of cost.
Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, while talking to TNS said the Army authorities had done job within a few days which otherwise would have taken about two months manually. He said shady trees would be planted on the levelled land.

He said more than Rs 2 crore was being spent to create infrastructure in this village for the "total self employment scheme" to help about 140 persons, including youth, to start their own business. Almost all the agencies of the state as well Central Government which catered to the generation of employment had been involved in this unique project, the first of its kind in the country.

He said different loaning agencies of the state as well as the Central Government would give crores of rupees as loans to the 140 persons identified after an intensive survey in the village to start their own vocations.

Mr Ladhar said to eradicate any sort of bungling in the construction of buildings and sheds required for this project, the residents of the village had been involved in the task and they had been asked to keep a close watch on all activities going on in this village.

Dal (Panthic) to work for Anandpur resolution
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Sept 21 — The Akali Dal (Panthic) will work for the complete implementation of the Anandpur Sahib resolution and rehabilitation of the families of the "shaheeds".

Announcing this here today at a press conference the Akali Dal (Panthic), president , Mr Jasbir Singh Khalsa, said that his party would demand that the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal should pass the Anandpur Sahib resolution in the Assembly and forward it to the Centre for implementation.

On the "people's commission" he said that his party welcomed such commission and would mobilise public opinion in the villages in its favour.

He said that on October 25 one such rally would be organised in "Badal", the village of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal.

Launching an attack on the Badal government for not protecting rights of the farmers, he said that paddy was not being purchased in the market, under an excuse, that its moisture content was extremely high. For a reason, purely environmental, the farmers had to suffer, he alleged. He suggested the government to buy paddy, at a lower rate if humidity was high, so, that the farmer was not trapped in debt trap.

He alleged that the scheduled "Nirankari samagam" could generate bad feelings and that the state government should have refrained from giving its permission.

On the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth, he urged the Chief Minister, family and the SAD leaders to get baptised.

UNI: The radical Akali leader demanded an apology from Mrs Sonia Gandhi for Operation Bluestar and massacre of Sikhs in 1984, adding this could help reduce Sikhs' bitterness towards the Congress party and the Gandhi family.

CBI probe into ‘kidnapping’ sought
Tribune News Service

MUKTSAR, Sept 21 — Mr Ramesh Kumar, a local resident, who along with his brother, Mr Roshan Lal, was allegedly kidnapped by a known industrialist, Mr Bharat Bhushan Setia, and his associates on July 7, had demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

In representations made to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and other top authorities, Mr Ramesh Kumar has alleged that the local police has launched proceedings to cancel the FIR registered against Mr Setia and his associates in connection with the alleged kidnapping.

He also alleged that he had been receiving threats from the police and apprehended implication in a false criminal case as the accused had ‘close contacts’ in the police department and state government .

An FIR was registered against Mr Setia and his associates in the city police station on July 11 for ‘kidnapping’ Mr Ramesh Kumar and his brother.

Mr Kumar alleged that his brother and he were kept in illegal confinement at Mr Setia’s farmhouse and then in a residential premises at Chandigarh on July 7. The two, however, escaped from ‘captivity’ and returned home.

It was further alleged that Mr Setia was demanding money claimed to have lent to Mr Kumar’s younger brother, who died about a year ago.

Mr Kuldip Singh, SSP, on the other hand, said Mr Kumar, on whose complaint the FIR was registered against Mr Setia and his associates, had failed to produce evidence of ‘kidnapping’. Therefore, the police had not been able to put up a challan in court so far.

The SSP claimed that Mr Kumar and Mr Roshan Lal were ‘called’ to the house of Mr Setia and not kidnapped and both the accused and the complainants were ‘related’ to each other.

Arhtias hold talks with Minister
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Mr Harjit Singh Sheru, President of the Punjab Arhtia (commission agents) Association, has urged the Punjab Government to implement the demands of the Association which were conceded a few months back.

A deputation of the Association led by Mr Harjit Singh today met the Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, to discuss the problems faced by commission agents in the state.

Mr Harjit Singh told the Minister that heavy penalty was imposed on commission agents after the closing of the procurement season under the pretext that weight in bags filled with paddy or wheat was found less than required.

He questioned how commission agents could be held responsible for decrease in the weight in bags after lifting of stocks from their shops by agencies. He said that this practice should be stopped as commission agents had to pay lakhs of rupees as penalty charges.

He said that it was decided that procurement agencies would pay interest on the payment which was delayed for over a week but this decision had not been implemented so far. He said that District Mandi Officers were allowed to examine accounts of commission agents for the past one year but they were inspecting records for the past three years or so. He said that power cleaners were not working due to non-supply of power to them.

Mr Harjit Singh said that the State Government's decision that every commission agent should print his name or his firm's name on the gunny bags to be filled with paddy, wheat etc was not acceptable to the commission agents.

He urged the Minister to introduce single licence system for the commission agents for operating at different market sub-centres. For every centre commission agents had to get a separate licence, he added.

He sought parity between the market fee in Punjab and Chandigarh. As there was no rural development fund (RDF) chargeable in Chandigarh, most of the buyers preferred to buy food grains in Chandigarh. Such a situation was affecting Punjab markets located within a radius of 30 km of Chandigarh.

Cricket "satta" in Bathinda
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Sept 21 — "Satta", or speculative business, which once used to be major commercial activity of the local traders in the pre-partition days, has resurfaced with vigour here.

The business of betting on various competitive sport which runs into lakhs of rupees daily in the town has substituted the traditional "satta".

As the town folk remain glued to their television sets whenever there is an international cricket match, particularly the one-dayer, some others try to make a quick buck betting hefty amounts on the result.

One such "satta" operated from the Improvement Trust Market on Bathinda-Goniana road was smashed by the city kotwali police two days ago and one of the operators, Rajiv Garg, was arrested on the spot while two others managed to escape from their office.

The police said though lakhs had been put as stake money, it managed to seize only Rs 35,000 in cash. The police also seized double line telephones, mobile phones, television set, computer and a number of registers carrying the transaction record.

Official sources said the "satta" system was so organised that financial dealings were absolutely clear and the money exchanged hands after the end of the match. The accused had been in constant touch with other bookies and had an inter-state network. They were running their business in Chandigarh, RaiSingh Nagar (Rajasthan), Sirsa (Haryana), Delhi, Bombay, Abohar and many other cities.

The police said the three accused in association with other outside operators had started their business here recently and it had gained such popularity that even teenagers and school-going children were indulging in the bets to get rich quick.

Swiss envoy visits Pingla Ghar
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Sept 21 — The Swiss Ambassador, Mr Guy Ducrey, who is on a two-day visit to the state visited Pingla Ghar and interacted with more than 400 inmates here today.

The Ambassador was moved to see the dedication and humane work being done for mentally retarded and handicapped children who have found a hope in this institute which is being run without any government help since 1951.

Later briefing the media at Pingla Ghar he said he had come on a visit to Punjab, to judge the economic condition of the agro-based economy of the state and explore possibilities for investment.

Referring to the role being played by his country, he said the state had the honour of having the famous Nestle factory at Moga. He said that Nestle was exporting coffee to Russia and earning much needed foreign exchange for the country, and at the same time encouraging the agro-based economy of the state to diversify into dairy farming.

The Ambassador said that he had also interacted with small and marginal farmers who sell milk to Nestle and were happy with the management of the factory.

Answering query if he would advise his government to invest in the state, he said that the Swiss Government was already well informed, on the possibilities and that the ABB group which was into specialised hydro projects was actively looking for ventures not just in the state but in the country.

The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife, Ms Rohoona Ducrey, and the economic councillor, Mr Nicole Wyrsch, of the Swiss Embassy. Prior to his visit to Pingla Ghar he visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Punjab lifts ban on sale of mustard oil
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The Punjab Government has lifted the ban on the sale of packed mustard oil in the State from today.

This was decided at a meeting between oil manufacturers, traders, dealers and retailers chaired by Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister.

The ban on certain brands like Kanodia, Hathi, Scooter, Parivar, Dhara and Hafed will, however, continue till further orders, according to an official release.

Mr Mittal also constituted a committee in which secretaries of Food and Civil Supplies and Health and representatives of oil associations would decide regarding the sale of loose mustard oil.

Soon district-level Food Advisory Committees would also be constituted to ensure the sale of good quality oil in the market.

Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Health Minister, said that rapid test facility to check oil samples at the earliest would be ensured to avoid the sale of adulterated oil in the State.

Representatives of all oil associations assured the government that they would supply oil as per the expectations and directions of the government.

Foolproof security for Sonia's visit assured
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Sept 21 — The Director-General of Punjab police, Mr P.C. Dogra, stated today that foolproof security would be provided to the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, during her forthcoming visit to Punjab.

While addressing a press conference here, the DGP said that no official intimation had been received regarding Mrs Gandhi's visit to Amritsar on October 4 and her visit had been postponed in view of the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ram Dass.

Mr Dogra announced that 4000 dwelling units would be constructed in various towns and cities of the state for police personnel and Rs 120 crore had been allocated for the same.

Owing to lack of housing facilities for police officials in various cities, they were forced to leave their families in the villages and their children were deprived of the educational facilities in the cities. As many as 106 houses would be constructed for gazetted officers and 14 subdivisions had been selected for the construction of subdivisional headquarters. Twentyfour new police stations would also be constructed, he announced.

A gazetted officers' mess and the IG's office-cum-residence would be constructed at SAS Nagar. Already, 88 dwelling units were under construction at the Police Lines here and work on the DIG's residence and 160 additional houses in the city would begin soon.

Sonia "need not apologise"
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said today that Mrs Sonia Gandhi need not apologise as she was neither in the government nor was she a member of the Congress Party when Operation Bluestar took place. He said she had already expressed her regret with regard to Operation Bluestar during that last Lok Sabha election.

The PPCC chief said Mrs Gandhi would visit Punjab and Haryana for two days and the dates of her visit would be finalised shortly. Earlier, she was scheduled to visit Punjab on October 4 but it has been postponed on the request of the district administration of Amritsar.

Regarding Mr Tohra's remarks with regard to Mrs Gandhi's visit, Capt Amarinder Singh said that Mrs Sonia Gandhi would be visiting the Golden Temple as a devotee and not to get herself honoured. He had a dig at the SGPC authorities for honouring the British Queen during her visit to the Golden Temple although during British rule the maximum number of Punjabis were hanged to death or sent to jails.

Babbar Khalsa man arrested
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Sept 21 — The police here claims to have arrested one member of the Babbar Khalsa who was wanted by the police in various crimes including murders, dacoities and several other crimes which the police said he had committed at various places in Punjab. He was identified as Jagtar Singh. His arrest was made when he was roaming about in a rural area in this district.

Stating this here today, officiating Senior Superintendent of Police, Moga, Satish Kumar Asthana, said that the police also recovered from him a loaded pistol along with many cartridges besides certain other material. The accused, Mr Asthana was being interrogated.

People’s panel illegal: Tandon
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Sept 21 — Punjab Local Bodies Minister Balramji Das Tandon today said that peoples commission had no relevance or legal validity. Where was Justice Kuldip Singh when innocents were being killed in Punjab, asked Mr Tandon while talking to reporters.

The ambit of the National Human Rights Commission could be broadened but peoples’ panel had no locus standi as it was an unconstitutional body, added Mr Tandon.

He admitted that interests of Haryana did come in the way of taking up vexed inter-state issues. He said this when asked as to why Punjab issues had been hanging fire when both at the Centre and in Punjab and Haryana the BJP was in power.

Mr Tandon denied any rift between the SAD and the BJP. nothing was "sad" about the SAD-BJP alliance, he quipped. Now the Municipal Act would come up in the coming Assembly session as a Bill was ready after blending 1911, 1931, 1976 acts, added Mr Tandon.

Commission sought on terrorism in Punjab
From Our Correspondent

SANGRUR, Sept 21 — Mr Pawan Gupta, state president of the Shiv Sena while talking to mediapersons here today urged the SAD-BJP government to set up a judicial commission to find out the forces which were behind terrorism in Punjab.

He stressed that the people of Punjab must know which political party, politicians or individuals encouraged and sheltered terrorists,

He said the Akali Dal had fulfilled its election manifesto by giving free power to the farmers, but regretted that the BJP had disappointed traders and the "beoparis" and had failed miserably to implement its election manifesto, including the abolition of octroi and end of the "Inspector Raj".

He demanded that Shiv Sena workers should be given representation in the district grievances committees.

Dharnas would be organised at all district headquarters in the state outside the offices of the Deputy Commissioners on October 6 in protest against the failure of the government to accept their demands, he added.

Youth Akali Dal leader joins Cong
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 21 — The General Secretary of the All-India Youth Akali Dal, (B), Mr Arvind Khanna, today resigned and joined the Congress.

At a press conference Mr Khanna said it was regrettable that the Akalis, who had made sacrifices and went to jail, had forgotten all that once they came to power.

The Akalis claimed to be the representative party of farmers. But the same party has not taken up any development works in villages. Moreover, party workers had no say in the government.

Even the Jathedars and the toiling workers of the Akali Dal had been ignored. Youth were considered to be any country’s future. The youth was demoralised in Punjab because of "directionless leadership", resulting in total loss of the youth’s contribution to Punjab.

Mr Khanna said he has resigned from the Akali Dal and joined the Congress as the Akali Dal had totally forgotten the promises made to the Punjabis.

He was highly critical of the Akalis, who he said, had played a cruel joke on Hindus who had joined the Dal. The "Hindu" Akalis were not given due respect and regard after the alliance with the BJP.

He claimed 45 sarpanches of Sangrur — his home district — had also joined the Congress under Capt Amarinder Singh, along with him.

World Sikh Council city unit set up
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 21 — The units of the World Sikh Intellectual Council will be set up in every city of India as well as abroad by April, 1999. In Amritsar a unit of the council has been formed with Dr Sukhdev Singh of Khalsa College, Amritsar as it president. He has been authorised to nominate the executive committee of the Amritsar unit within 15 days.

Prof Baldev Singh Balluana, president of the WSC stated here today that Dr Mohinder Singh Dhillon, Principal of Khalsa College, Amritsar will be the adviser to the city unit.

Gang of Pardis unearthed

MOGA, Sept 21 (UNI) — The police today claimed to have unearthed yet another gang of ‘Pardis’ by arresting seven members of the criminal tribe from Madhya Pradesh working in tandem.

The gang belonging to Bhopal, Gwalior and Guna, operating in this state under the guise of the dreaded "kale kachche wale" gang, were learnt to be responsible for a spate of recent robberies, Senior Superintendent of Police Satish Asthana said here. The members were nabbed by a Baghapurana police party, which on a tip-off, launched a raid at nearby Charik grain market and nabbed the criminals who were planning to commit burglary, he told newspersons.

The police team recovered from them iron rods, blunt-edged weapons like hammer and some improvised tools for removing grills and locks.

The gangsters, during interrogation, confessed their involvement in robberies at Dharamkot where two persons were killed and jewellery looted.

The criminals, some 50 of them apprehended during recent times, would live in Railway stations or grain markets during night and roam around during day as beggars and balloon-sellers.

Customs staff on indefinite strike
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Sept 21 — All members of the Jalandhar Association of Customs and Central Excise Ministerial Officers Association are on an indefinite strike on a call given by All-India Customs and Central Excise Ministerial Officers Federation in support of their various demands.

The union is demanding merger of DOS L-II and L-1 and pay parity with inspector's scale, upgradation of the post of the inspector to be adjusted against direct recruitment quota, increase in promotion quota to the grade of inspectors amongst ministerial cadre from 25 per cent to 75 per cent, communication of decision taken at 79th departmental council meeting, relaxation of qualifying service from seven years to four years for promotion from LDC to UDC, removal of age bar for promotion of inspectors, and creation of adequate complementary staff for newly created commissionerates.

The union is also pressing for one-time ban on direct recruitment and all existing posts should be filled by way of promotion and deletion of certain proposals from ongoing cadre review of C and D cadre, which hit the ministerial staff, as all other measures had failed to pay off and the government is not ready to accept genuine demands involving no financial implications. The federation represents more than 50 thousand staff all over India.

Quash FIR, say TU leaders
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 21 — Mr SC Sood and Mr Mulakh Raj, convener and president of respectively the United Council of 16 Trade Unions have condemned the registration of an FIR against state level trade union leaders including Mr Amarjit Singh Asal, Mr Vijay Mishra and Mr Balwinder Singh in connection with a clash between workers and shopkeepers.

In a representation to the district police chief, the trade union leaders alleged that their leaders were allegedly implicated in "fabricated" cases. They claimed that they were holding a peaceful rally in Putli Ghar Chowk and did not attack any shopkeeper. They demanded quashing of the FIR. However, the shopkeepers have alleged that they were attacked by trade union workers at the time of a rally.

"Revoke suspension of Pingalwara staff"
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 21 — The Punjab Anti-Corruption Forum has demanded immediate revocation of suspension of all employees of the All-India Pingalwara Trust who allegedly were placed under suspension on "flimsy" grounds.

In a communication to the Punjab Governor, the chairman of the forum, Mr Hari Singh Thakur, said that being a trust, the government had control over the Pingalwara Society and it provided funds for its smooth running. He said that the employees were suspended by the society without adopting any procedure.

UGC grant for Punjabi varsity colleges
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 21 — The UGC has sanctioned over Rs 4.11 crore grant for the government and private colleges affiliated to the Punjabi University, thereby benefiting almost all colleges in one way or the other.

Dr Joginder Singh Puar, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said here today that the colleges have already received over Rs 2 crore and the remaining amount would be given shortly.

He said the UGC Joint Director, Ms Kanta Kumari, who was heading the team emphasised the need for vocational courses in colleges.

Dang on technical varsity results
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 21 — Senior CPI leader, Satya Pal Dang has alleged that parents of many students were being pressurised by the authorities concerned not to spill the beans before the Punjab and Haryana High Court which had detected irregularity relating to the results declared by the Punjab technical university.

In a written statement, issued here today, Mr Dang alleged that many parents had bribed the authorities to ensure admissions of their wards. Mr Dang said that the high court had done good job in exposing the management of the technical university. However, there was need to further probe the matter by ordering a CBI inquiry into the whole matter if the high court could spare more time for further probe into the matter.