 |
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| Sunday, February 13, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
SGPC may move court against Sant
Samaj chief Badal lists laurels in three-year
rule Fund scarcity hits corridor plan,
says Jagmohan Ban RSS, say Sikh bodies
PPCC to send party leaders to
Haryana SHSAD
plans ‘oust-Badal campaign’ |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Govt
has ‘sabotaged’ pay implementation Probe indicts civic body IAS officers seek apology from CVC All set for Valentine’s Day Joy
rides have few riders Rs
2.25 cr released for old-age pensions Steps
to promote Punjabi culture Rail
traffic restored ‘Tatkal’
scheme for tubewell connections
Neighbour
turns extortionist
324
vets awarded degrees
|
SGPC may move court against
Sant Samaj chief AMRITSAR, Feb 12 — The rift between the SGPC and the Gurbani Gurmat Sidhant Parchark Sant Samaj appears to be widening as the former is contemplating to move court against the alleged “derogatory” language used by its acting president Baba Mangal Singh, who is a close confidant of Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht. In a press note released here today by Mr Harjit Singh, assistant secretary, Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC President, it was alleged that Baba Mangal Singh seemed to be working for some intelligence agency. He said Baba Mangal Singh had no locus standi to speak on behalf of Akal Takht. Mr Harjit Singh took strong exception to the “harsh and derogatory” language used by Baba Mangal Singh against Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedars of Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, respectively. The press note questioned the authority of Baba Mangal Singh for briefing mediapersons as spokesman of Akal Takht. Mr Harjit Singh said the Sikh religion did not allow anybody to use derogatory language against women. He said the person who used such language against women had no right to be called a Sikh. He alleged that Baba Mangal Singh wanted to create a rift in the Sikh Panth at the behest of some intelligence agency. He demanded that Baba Mangal Singh must undergo introspection on the issue of Sikh ‘maryada’ (Tradition). The press note alleged
that Baba Mangal Singh had encroached upon the land of
gurdwaras. It said that he had no right to speak against
the elected President of the SGPC. |
Badal lists laurels in
three-year rule CHANDIGARH, Feb 12 — On the completion of three years of the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said today that he was satisfied with the performance and accomplishments of his government in this period. The past three years were marked by a crusade for peace, secularism, social justice and development, Mr Badal said in a statement here today. The Chief Minister described the Tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa as the crowning achievement of his government in last year. The celebrations evoked spontaneous response from the people of all religions and strata of society. The state government started the construction of major infrastructure projects like Khalsa Heritage complex, Martial Arts Academy, hospital, water supply projects, three star hotel in collaboration with the Indian Tourism Development Corporation, Kisan haveli besides the upgradation of the local railway station and other government buildings. Mr Badal claimed that the Central government had given the state liberal assistance in the promotion of certain projects which would change the very face of the state. Work on Guru Gobind Singh oil refinery at Bathinda and Guru Ram Dass air port in Amritsar had commenced on a war footing. The second phase of Integrated Kandi Area Project had been launched. Two units of Sri Guru Hargobind thermal plant at Lehra Mohabat had also been completed. Ranjit Sagar Dam was nearing completion. The Industry experienced a boom during the SAD-BJP regime. As many as 5590 new small and large units had been started at a cost of Rs 2632 crore, thereby generating a direct and indirect jobs for thousands. The mega projects were the flyash cement plant at Bathinda (Rs 100 crore), terry-towelling project at Barnala (Rs 140 crore), the denim-fabric project at Ludhiana (Rs 100 crore), chemical plant at Rajpura (Rs 250 crore), denim-fabric and gelatine project at Patiala (Rs 450 crore). As many as 1671 entrepreneurs had set up units in 593 focal points. Under the social security scheme 6,90,380 men and women had received the benefit of old age and widow pension. The government had launched a crash programme for repair of dilapidated school buildings. Three hundred school building had already been repaired and the work on the remaining was in progress. Vocationalisation had been given top priority in senior secondary school. Responding to an earnest appeal by him to help the cyclone-hit in Orissa poured from all the directions, said Mr Badal. The Prime Minister Mr A.B. Vajpayee, brought pride and recognition to Punjab by flagging off 300 trucks. As many as 100 rail wagons were sent later to the cyclone-hit area. The brave Punjabi jawans showed exemplary courage to thwart the enemy forces in the Kargil conflict forced on the country. More than 105 jawans and officers from Punjab laid down their lives in Kargil and other sectors while protecting the boundaries. The Punjab Government made a humble effort in giving an attractive relief package of Rs 9 lakh to the families of each martyr, the Chief Minister said. On this year 54,793 dependent children and disabled persons were also given pension. The government had striven hard for ameliorating the lot of the Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections of society. An amount of Rs 191.98 crore had been spent in the past three years under various schemes for promoting the socio-economic status of SC families. A sum of Rs 40 crore had been spent, and 76,897 beneficiaries had so far been covered under the Shagun scheme. A new policy had been started for the construction of a house for the Scheduled Caste families living below the poverty line. The health sciences university in the name of a prominent saint, Baba Farid, had been set up at Faridkot to provide worldwide on-line treatment system. The Government had received Rs 25 crore for the Institute of Medical Sciences at Jalandhar. Punjab had enacted a law
to protect farm properties of non-resident Punjabis. All
SSPs in the state had been directed to start NRI police
helpline to provide relief to non-resident Punjabis while
visiting Punjab, NRI hot line had been established at
Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, to save
Punjabi NRIs from hardship. The Punjab Small Industries
Development Corporation (PSIDC) had signed an MoU with 15
NRIs for setting up their projects in Punjab with an
investment of Rs 390 crore, Mr Badal added. |
IAS officers seek apology
from CVC CHANDIGARH, Feb 12 — The executive committee of the Punjab State IAS Officers' Association at a meeting here today questioned the action of the Central Vigilance Commissioner, Mr N. Vittal, regarding putting the names of certain IAS officers on the CVC's web site. The association passed a lengthy resolution and criticised Mr Vittal for allegedly betraying the rule of the law. In the resolution it said that Mr Vittal had misappropriated the powers of the punishing authority under the rules by projecting certain officers as 'guilty' though their 'guilt was yet to be proved.' The CVC had prejudged the issue and had indulged in an act of defamation. Such an action would have serious repercussions as it would prejudice the minds of the punishing authority, who was required to judge the merits of the case with an open mind and without fear or favour on receiving recommendations in this regard from the CVC. Under the law, the CVC
had no powers to declare any officer corrupt, which is
the exclusive prerogative of the courts or the punishing
authority according to the resolution. Condemning the
CVC's action, the association has sought the removal of
the defamatory list from the web site and apology from
the CVC. |
Fund scarcity hits corridor
plan, says Jagmohan AMRITSAR, Feb 12 — Minister for Urban Development Jagmohan today reviewed the presently shelved ‘galiara’ (corridor) scheme for the beautification of the surroundings of the Golden Temple. Later, talking to mediapersons he said though the third and the fourth phases of the scheme had been completed, the project for providing parking and widening of the road leading to the holy shrine was pending. The minister pointed out that he had learned from the administration that due to the paucity of funds it was not possible to complete the remaining part of the project. The minister said at present only Rs 2 crore was available for the acquisition of some properties which he felt was not enough to finish the project. He urged the government to generate resources for the same. Commenting on the resource crunch being faced by the major cities, the minister pointed that during his visit to various cities, all state governments had been requesting for more allocation of the funds. At present the government was facing severe financial crisis and he had advised the state government and the local bodies to generate resources to beautify the cities. Meanwhile, Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, MLA, accompanying Mr Jagmohan wanted him to see the real face of the city. But mayor Subhash Chander instead directed the motorcade of the minister to the Circuit House to avoid the spectacle. Ms Chawla reached the Circuit House and convinced Mr Jagmohan to visit the areas she had earmarked for his on-the-spot impressions. Ms Chawla got her way
and accompanied Mr Jagmohan on the Ganda Nullah route.
She pointed out haphazard development of the city. |
Ban RSS, say Sikh bodies FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 12 — The various Sikh organisations while celebrating the birth anniversary of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale here today demanded that the RSS should be immediately banned in the state. Taking a serious view of the activities of the RSS in the state getting the benefit of Akali Dal-BJP government and the BJP-led NDA at the Centre. The leaders alleged that the RSS was spreading its tentacles all over the country and the Sikhs should take the pledge to thwart all the dangerous designs of the RSS to subvert the Sikh culture. Addressing the gathering Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, MP, and President SAD(A), said as Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life for Hindus because they had been demoralised by Mughals, similarly Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale sacrificed his life for the self-respect of Sikhs. Interestingly the function was organised on the traditional SAD(B) stage, but none of its leaders or workers came to attend the function. None of the speakers termed him as martyr. Mr Mann said just to commit atrocities on the Sikhs a grand design was being prepared by the Hindu fundamentalists like the BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena by opposing the celebrations of the birth anniversary of Sant Bhindranwale. He warned that the Sikhs should face such organisations. He said Sant Bhindranwale never preached violence, unfortunately government infiltrated into the movement and began violence just to teach a lesson to the Sikhs. In his address Jathedar G.S. Tohra, president SHSAD, appreciated the efforts made by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale for the Sikh quam. He said the SAD got the political power only to solve the problems of the State and Sikhs, but unfortunately this government had failed on every front. None of the demands of the State had been fulfilled. The Sikh youths were still in jails. There were more than 90 youths whose cases were pending in various courts for the past 15 years. Many of those were yet to start. He said the Congress had damaged Akal Takht by Operation Blue Star, but this Panthic govt has destroyed the principles of Akal Takht. He urged various Sikh leaders to forge unity to save the Sikhs and the State. He said Hindu fundamentalists should stop interfering in Sikh affairs like ‘Nanakshahi’ calendar. Mr Satwant Singh Nandpuri, president, Khalsa Conference, raised the demand of Khalistan as desired by Sant Bhindranwale, but the organisers objected to that demand. Bhai Mohkam Singh, chief
spokesman for Damdami Taksal, Gurtej Singh IAS (retd),
D.S. Gill of the Human Rights Organisation, Karnail Singh
Panjoli, President SHSYAD, Harminder Singh Gill,
President, AISSF, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, former Jathedar
Akal Takht, Rajinder Singh Mehta, president, AISSF, Ajit
Singh Mofa, MLA, Sukhdev Singh Libra MP and the Sant
Samaj representative also addressed the gathering. |
PPCC to send party leaders to
Haryana CHANDIGARH, Feb 12 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to send senior leaders to Haryana for helping the party candidates contesting Assembly poll there. A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting in which Mr Moti Lal Vora, General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee, who is in charge of party affairs in Punjab. Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr Sant Ram Singla and Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder attended, a party press note here today said. The party leaders from Punjab would concentrate in areas close of Punjab border in Haryana where a large number of Punjabis live include Mr Lakhwinder Singh, a leader of the backward classes, who is among the leaders sent, has been asked to concentrate on the Naggal constituency in Ambala district. Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the PPCC, apprised Mr Vora of the party's campaign in the Nawanshahr constituency, which has turned into a high-profile contest. Meanwhile, Mrs
Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, general secretary of the PPCC,
has in a statement said the SAD-BJP combine was using
government machinery, money and muscle power in
Nawanshahr byelection to influence the voters. |
SHSAD plans ‘oust-Badal
campaign’ AMRITSAR, Feb 12 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal has announced that an organised campaign would be launched to oust Mr Parkash Singh Badal as Chief Minister after the Nawanshahar byelection, scheduled for February 17. In a press release, issued by Mr Jasbir Singh Ghuman, general secretary, SHSAD here yesterday has alleged that Mr Badal had “lost” the confidence of most of the MLAs. He said it was a need of the hour to bring some “Panthic” leader to head the state government. Mr Ghuman alleged that
Mr Badal was responsible for the present
religious-”political crisis. He alleged that Mr
Badal denigrated Akal Takht from time to time. The
example of Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC, who was excommunicated
from the Sikh Panth by Giani Puran Singh would be an eye
opener for the ruling SAD as Giani Puran Singh was
installed as Jathedar by unconstitutional sack of Bhai
Ranjit Singh last year. He said Bhai Ranjit Singh would
be reinstalled as Jathedar, Akal Takht at an appropriate
time. |
Govt has ‘sabotaged’ pay
implementation CHANDIGARH, Feb 12 — The Punjab Bank Employees' Federation alleged today that the union government had sabotaged the implementation of the revised pay scales for the "workmen staff" in the banking industry. The number of such employees is over 10 lakh in the country. Mr N.K. Gaur, secretary of the federation, said the representatives of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), including its chairman, had finalised the implementation of the revised pay scales at a meeting held on February 9 in Delhi with representatives of the All-India Bank Employees' Association (AIEBA). However, following pressure from the union government, IBA representatives did not turn up at the meeting fixed for signing an agreement to implement the scales. Mr Gaur said the implementation of the revised pay scales was hanging fire for the past 10 months. In March last year an MoU was signed by the IBA with representatives of trade unions of bank employees for settling the wages issue. Already the officer cadre in the banking industry had been given revised pay scales. The "workmen staff" has sought the pay scales on the same pattern and conditions. However, it had not been done. Mr Gaur alleged that the
union government wanted to patronise its own men in the
banking industry and wanted to give credit to them for
getting the new scales implemented. Because of this
reason it sabotaged the signing of an agreement with the
(AIBEA). The association has been forced to give a call
for a strike on February 29 in banks, he added. |
Probe indicts civic body AMRITSAR, Feb 12 — The vigilance bureau of the Local Government Department has indicted the authorities of the local municipal corporation for allowing unauthorised constructions. The probe was ordered by the department following numerous complaints regarding illegal and unauthorised constructions in the holy city. The report has established that junior and senior functionaries of the civic body are working hand in glove with their political masters. The case of illegal constructions and encroachments was also raised on the floor of the assembly by Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla. The government had placed it on record that hundreds of illegal constructions or encroachments were demolished in the past. As many as 13 cases were probed in which bylaws were violated with impunity. Though the bureau has suggested action against some low ranking officials of the corporation, one of them has reportedly said that he had “obeyed the verbal orders of the high ups”. However, Mr Subhash Sharma, when contacted by TNS, said he had no knowledge about the vigilance report. He categorically denied that he had ever pressurised any junior or senior official of the corporation for violating the bylaws. Giving specific
reference of a marriage palace at Chheharta, the report
found that no plan of the building was in the record of
the corporation. Another building at Chheharta is being
used as restaurant while in the record of the corporation
it is shown as godown. The vigilance report has also
pointed out numerous irregularities in the building plans
and land uses in Mhalla Dhab Khtikan, Medical Enclave,
Madan Mohan Malwia Road, Bazar Kes Para (Karmo Deori) and
some building near the telephone exchange. |
All set for Valentine’s
Day JALANDHAR, Feb 12 — This town is all set to celebrate the Valentine’s Day, in a big way. The time has gone when a simple rose bud or an ordinary card was enough to convey one’s feelings to one’s Valentine. Now one has to be liberal with one’s wallet to express one’s love for someone. One can choose a Rs 150-300 synthetic rose stick, with a facility to record the message for your friend. And if you are still not sure that it might do the right job, you can go in for a range of stuffed toys, especially lively doe-eyed teddy bears, murmuring, “Hello Hello! How are you? I love you,” or “Humko Tumse Pyar Hai,” when their hands are pressed gently. Then there is a bear couple, which starts hugging and kissing each other vigorously once touched slightly. These “messengers of love” do not come cheap and are priced between Rs 200 and a whopping Rs 2000, depending on whether they are imported or Indian-made. All major confectionery companies have jumped on to the bandwagon by offering heart-shaped chocolates and candies to youngsters bitten by the love bug. While they can try their luck by choosing from Indian-made stuff ranging between Rs 18 and Rs 150, imported chocolates cost between Rs 150 and Rs 500. Those who are hit by cupid’s arrow but their pockets do not allow them to be extravagant, need not worry. For them, there are small puffed hearts made of scarlet red silk for Rs 2 to Rs 45, with messages printed on them. For those not so serious, there are “current books”, available for around Rs 70. These shock the recipients once opened as these emit strong electric shock waves. “While a few of youngsters can afford to pick up a stuffed toy with a Rs 200 price tag, most of them are going in for these small hearts, which they send to their near and dear ones after inserting these into cards,” says Mr Gurdeep Singh, an owner of a gift shop in Model Town market. While some youngsters may have shifted from cards to costly gifts, most of them still prefer to express their sentiments through cards and there is a wide range of these available in the market. Interesting messages such as, “I cannot wait to be married to you”, and the poetic ones like this,” Please take my hand and walk with me through a lifetime. We’ll talk of love behind a canopy of trees, then journey through a life of golden days. I’ll be happy anywhere you are!” are the main catch of such cards, wearing a price tag of Rs 10 to Rs 200. A cross-section of youngsters shared their views on Valentine’s Day with TNS. “After Holi, it is the most colourful festival of the year,” said Seema, a second year student, who said she had ‘ordered’ her boyfriend to gift her a teddy bear. “I like Valentine’s Day too much as it enables you to express you feelings, to renew and make the bond of friendship more stronger,” said Neenu, a law student. She said she and her Valentine planned to go out on a long drive on that day. On the other hand, Gogu,
a young boy was confused and was considering himself a
‘misfit’, for he was unable to find an
appropriate card to make his annoyed Valentine smile.
Neerja, a young girl, said she was going to celebrate the
day with her parents, who were here
‘Valentine’. |
Joy rides have few riders PATIALA, Feb, 12 —Aayee Basant Pala Udant. So goes an old saying. The Basant festival of spring did come but the chilly weather has still not gone away. The influence of this extended cold weather on crops will be known later but for persons who earn bread and butter through ‘joy rides’ the impact has been a harsh one. “We are in a loss” said Mr Kewal Krishan, a Ludhiana-based manager of a group offering entertainment through joy rides, fun games, giant wheels and boat swing. These are currently stationed near Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib for the last four days or so. He said: “Basant is celebrated merrily in Punjab, but it has a special meaning for the people of this city. It is considered auspicious for having an ishnaan in the gurdwara’s holy sarovar. “People from all over the state come here and we too have our sources of entertainment to add to the festivities. But inclement weather and sharp showers on the Basant day (Feb 10) ruined our prospects of having a good business. It was our main day” said the manager. “We will suffer a
loss of Rs 50,000 plus”, he said as they had already
paid Rs 75,000 as theka to the festival organisers. Even
today, on a weekend holiday, a handful of people were
seen at the mela. |
32 per cent old-age pension
applications fake PATIALA, Feb 12 — Nearly 32 per cent of the old-age pension applications submitted to the Government under the policy started by the SAD-BJP government have been found to be fake on verification. Mr R.L. Kalsia, Director, Social Security, Women and Child Welfare Department, told this to reporters after participating in a day-long workshop on Dowry Prohibition Act organised by the State Women Commission here today. He said the Government carried out extensive verification of all applications. Out of the 7,44,000 applications received, about 2.4 lakh were fake, he said. With this verification, nearly Rs 50 crore, which could have gone to fake candidates, had been saved, he added. Talking about the success of the Mahila Jagriti Yojna, Mr Kalsia said nearly 2,300 villages in the state had adopted the scheme. They had saved Rs 40 lakh and were in the process of utilising this for the benefit of their respective regions, he stated. He said 95 lakh women in Punjab were non-workers. Of the 5 lakh working women, half were part-time workers, he added. In such scenario one could not think of overall development of the state, he emphasised. Mr Kalsia said in order to bridge this gap, the State Government had initiated the yojna in March. The yojna was another name for the Union Government’s Indira Mahila Yojna, in operation in Faridkot and Muktsar districts, he added. Under the scheme, women
in villages form a group and collect money to establish
their bank. This amount is used to help any member of the
group and for starting some self-help business. The
Punjab Government offers 60 such businesses to groups. |
Rs 2.25 cr released for
old-age pensions ROPAR, Feb 12 — The Punjab Government has released funds worth Rs 2.25 crore to Ropar district for disbursing old-age pensions under its various schemes. This was stated by Mr Jagwant Singh Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), while presiding over a sangat darshan programme at Lutherri village yesterday. Mr Brar said with the
disbursement of this amount, the arrears of the pensioner
covered under the schemes would be largely cleared. |
Steps to promote Punjabi
culture CHANDIGARH, Feb 12 — The Punjabi Vikas Manch, headed by Mr Shingara Singh Bhullar, will set up centres in rural areas and organise seminars and cultural programmes for promoting Punjabi culture. The first such programme will be held in Ropar district. A three-member committee has been formed to organise the function. Meanwhile the following
have been elected office-bearers of the manch: chairman:
Mr Amarjit Singh; patron: Mr Gurinder Singh Grewal,
president: Mr Shingara Singh Bhullar; senior vice
president: Mr Avtar Singh Arora, vice-president: Mr
Joginer Pal Singh and treasurer: Mr Gurdeep Singh. |
Rail traffic restored PHILLAUR, Feb 12 — Traffic on the Pathankot-Jammu rail section was restored today. More than 400 Railway employees were engaged in repairing the damaged one-kilometre rail track, after the bomb blast in the Saildeah Express. Railway sources told this correspondent here today that the down line Shalimar Express and the Superfast Express could proceed from Jammu Tawi up to 11 hours behind the schedule. PHILLAUR (FOC): Rail
traffic on the Ludhiana-Hisar rail section remained
suspended for several hours following the derailment of a
few wagons of a goods train near Koop railway station
this afternoon. The Ludhiana-bound 4LJH passenger train
remained detained at Koop station. The passengers had to
tread for 2 km to catch buses for onward journey. |
‘Tatkal’ scheme for
tubewell connections AMRITSAR, Feb 12 — The Punjab State Electricity Board has decided to release tubewell connections under single pole category on a temporary basis. The connections will be given to the consumers under some terms and conditions. Single pole means total span length of a pole, including overhead LT cable, that should not exceed 110 metres, for consumers who have availed themselves of temporary tubewell connections in 1999. The Deputy Chief
Engineer, PSEB (urban circle), said here yesterday that
the consumers would be required to pay Rs 10,000 each per
BHP. |
Neighbour turns extortionist LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — In a swift operation the Ludhiana police today nabbed two persons who had demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from Mr Sarwan Kumar Bhatia, a resident of the Satsang road in the Civil Lines area here. In a press note issued by Mr Kuldip Singh, SSP, Ludhiana, it was stated that two youths, Rinkesh Chopra and Pankaj Bhardwaj wrote a letter to Mr Bhatia on February 11 threatening him to deliver the ransom amount failing which his two sons — Jatin and Jitesh — would be harmed. In the extortion note, the two youths asked Mr Bhatia to deliver the amount at 11.30 a.m. in the basketball court of Guru Nanak Stadium, Mr Bhatia was also warned against informing the police. The SSP further informed that Mr Maninder Bedi, SHO, Sadar police station laid a trap for the extortionists by arranging wads of paper with currency notes of Rs 500 atop each packet. The extortionists made a phone call at around 10 a.m. to confirm if Mr Bhatia was coming along with the ransom. Mr Bhatia assured them that he would be coming. The two suspect came on a Hero Honda motor cycle. They picked up the ransom and left a note for Mr Bhatia regretting the inconvenience caused to him. They were nabbed. The main accused Rinkesh Chopra (20) turned out to be a neighbour of Mr Bhatia. After having dispatched the extortion note Rinkesh got his friend Pankaj Bhardwaj involved in the crime. Both of them maintained a constant vigil on Mr Bhatia’s house from their house. The absence of police in Mr Bhatia’s house boosted their confidence. The police traced the phone calls made by these suspects to a local PCO. The PCO owner confirmed that the duo had made a call in the morning. Both the suspects have been arrested and a case has been registered in this regard at Haibowal police station and the motor cycle of Pankaj used in the crime has also been impounded along with currency notes. Rinkesh was also found
to be in possession of .12 bore country-made weapon. A
case under the Arms Act has been registered against him,
Mr Kuldip Singh said. |
Dowry cases up by 170 per cent PATIALA, Feb 12 — Dowry cases increased by 170 per cent last year, revealed Dr Vidhu Mohan of the Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, while addressing participants at a one-day workshop on the Dowry Prohibition Act organised by the Punjab State Women Commission at Red Cross Bhawan here today. Dr Mohan said at least 17 women suffered daily in India in various dowry-related incidents. Only a few of the culprits are ever reprimanded, according to her. The workshop also opposed the proposed move of scrapping of the Dowry Prohibition Act by including it in the Indian Penal Code. It demanded that if few amendments were made in the existing provisions, the purpose would be served. The workshop noted that recent amendments suggested by women’s organisations and the Joint Select Committee of Parliament should be incorporated in the law. It also recommended some suggestions, like the person giving dowry should not be punished with imprisonment and fine, a ceiling should be put on the value of presents given by bride’s parents, the demand for dowry should be clearly defined, there should be appropriate protection orders from the court for the bride and both Union and State Governments should prepare annual reports on the administration of the Act. In his address, the chief guest, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Welfare, Punjab, said dowry was like a disease and an anti-dowry attitude develops in an individual only when he or she applies it to his or her family. He stressed on the importance of higher education of the girl child, the most important factor in making an independent woman. He mentioned that the Dowry Probibition Act was formally applied to the Indian population in 1961 but it had not been as effective as it should have been. For implementation, this act needs a few amendments, he suggested. Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, DC,
Patiala, said the ones to be mainly blamed for such
inhumane acts on women were women themselves. They should
ensure that future female generations were encouraged to
stand on their own feet, he stated. He also mentioned
that women harassed due to dowry were facilitated by free
legal advice, something that most of them were not aware
of. |
324 vets awarded degrees LUDHIANA, Feb 12 — After the green revolution in Punjab, it is now the veterinarians who can contribute much to usher in an era of white revolution and blue revolution in order to provide sufficient milk, meat and fish products to meet the growing demands of the population. This was stated by Prof Allaudin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, Hamdard University, Delhi, while addressing the annual convocation of Collge of Veterinary Sciences, Punjab Agricultural University, here yesterday. Prof Allaudin further said animal husbandry in India was essentially an endeavour of small and marginal farmers who reared the animals on crop residues. Seventy per cent of the livestock in India was owned by them, who contributed to 72 per cent of the total milk produced in the country. These farmers had helped in protecting hundreds of indigenous breeds that otherwise would have been lost. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr G.S. Kalkat, awarded degrees to 324 veterinary graduates. Gurpreet Singh Deol, Mandeep Chaudhary, Sukhminder Singh and Poonam Batra were awarded the gold medal for highest grade point average. The students were also awarded the Role of Honour and merit certificates. Among others who spoke
on the occasion were, Dr Jugraj Singh Dhillon, Dean,
College of Veterinary Sciences, Dr Kashmira Singh, Dean,
Post Graduate Studies, Dr K.S. Aulakh,
Pro-vice-Chancellor and Dr M.S. Bajwa, Director of
Research. |
 |
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