 |
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| Saturday, February 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Policies
vindicated: Badal Amarinder
now vulnerable Badal
meets Jathedar
BJP
bid to adjourn MC meeting foiled Birdevinder
expelled |
|
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Who
will perform their last rites? 80
pc children have ‘dental ailments’ Muslims
celebrate Kariha’s victory Cantt
board pensioners stage dharna Punjab
to set up information centre CEC
hails election of Dosanjh Environment
body
Land
registration rates fixed: DC Order
on Punjab judicial officers Meter
reader suspended Fashion
show gets nod
Inspector
alleges illegal detention by SP One
stabbed to death Rape
case: DSP’s bail rejected 3
public health employees booked
Row
over college building intensifies Teacher
moves NHRC PU
not to hold eco education test CM’s
statement on grants lauded
|
Nawanshahr win CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The win of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate, Mr Jatinder Singh Kariah, in the Nawanshahr Vidhan Sabha byelection has come as a booster dose for the sagging morale of the ruling party combine, which had to bite the dust in the last Lok Sabha poll and in the Adampur byelection prior to that. Since the stakes for the SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, were high given the SAD’s internal religio-political developments, stray voices of dissent etc the impressive margin — 26,511 — with which the Congress candidate, Mr Parkash Singh, has been humbled is in itself unexplainable. All predictions have proved wrong. The SAD itself and its allies, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bahujan Samaj Morcha (BSM), had also not expected such a wide swing in its favour. This has baffled the Congress which called it “manipulation” not a “mandate”. Mr Badal, who addressed a press conference at short notice, described the victory as a “vindication” of his government’s policies, programmes and performance. He promised to “rededicate” the government to serve the people in the same manner. Since the Congress President, Capt Amarinder Singh, called the Nawanshahr election a referendum, Mr Badal was happy that the outcome had gone in favour of the SAD and its allies. Apparently unable to hide his happiness and not willing to spite his arch rival, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, he did take a fling or two at him when he advised Mr Tohra to quit politics and atone for his sins. A similar suggestion was made to Capt Amarinder Singh next. Winning the Congress seat with a thumping majority and calling it a fair and free election, he chided Capt Amarinder Singh whose only one-point programme during the campaign was to level “personal allegations against me and my family.” The Chief Minister said the people’s verdict must be respected. His government would continue to work for consolidated peace, communal harmony and work for development, besides, continuing its crusade against corruption and removal of public grievances. The Congress, given its internal strife, would dismember within a month or so, he added. Mr Badal, however, did not reply when asked if the SAD would readmit Mr Tohra in the party if the latter so desired. He was confident of resolving the stand-off between the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Puran Singh, and the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur. He replied in the negative when asked if either of the two, Giani Puran Singh or Bibi Jagir Kaur, would be removed. On the visit of the US President, Mr Bill Clinton, to Punjab, the Chief Minister said he would meet the Prime Minister and urge him to plan Clinton’s itinerary to the Golden Temple in view of the large population of Punjabis in the USA. He would also talk of central assistance for various projects and schemes in Punjab during the meeting with the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the Political Affairs committee of the SAD is meeting here tomorrow. On smuggling of fake currency notes and arms etc through Samjauta Express, Mr Badal said the Centre should take all possible steps to check Pakistan’s activities across the border. Later, Mr Badal visited
the Raj Bhavan and offered sweets to the Governor, Lt
Gen. J.F.R. Jacob (retd.) on the victory of the SAD
candidates in Nawanshahr . He was with the Governor for
25 minutes. |
‘Not victory but
manipulation’ CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — “It is not a victory but a manipulation”. This is how the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh, described the victory of the candidate of the ruling alliance in the Nawanshahr byelection at a press conference here this afternoon. Grants worth several crore were distributed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal when the election process was on, said Capt Amarinder Singh. All this was done to influence the voters. This and a lot of other “corrupt practices” used by Mr Badal in the byelection were brought in the notice of the Chief Election Commissioner but he did not take any notice. There was a 38 per cent swing in favour of the candidate of the ruling alliance. Such a heavy swing had not been seen earlier in any part of the country or in any party’s favour. “This is purely a manipulation and nothing else’, he added. Rejecting that it was an endorsement of the Badal government’s programmes and policies, Capt Amarinder Singh said if Mr Badal really wanted to test his government’s popularity, he should dissolve the assembly and hold elections afresh. “Let the people of the entire state decide which party they prefer”, he said, while throwing a challenge to the Punjab Chief Minister. He said the Congress Party was united and all senior leaders campaigned in Nawanshahr for the party’s candidate. Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Choudhary Jagjit Singh and Mr Harcharan Singh Hero were also present at the press conference. “Our candidate will
move court to seek justice”, said Capt Amarinder
Singh. There was a lot of bogus voting, he asserted.
Polling agents of the Congress Party were not allowed to
enter polling booths. Commenting of Mr Badal’s
prediction that the Congress Party would dismember in a
month, Capt Amarinder Singh said that Mr Badal should
take care of his own party and not worry about others. |
Byelection win no test of
‘popularity’ CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The former Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, who was recently expelled from the primary membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for his alleged anti-party activities, said today that the popularity of any political party could not be tested by a victory in a byelection. He was commenting about the ruling alliance’s victory in the Nawanshahr byelection. Expressing happiness over the election of the SAD candidate, he said it had added to the number of MLAs of the SAD in the vidhan sabha. He said he would raise various issues in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Budget session scheduled to start on March 6. He said there was a need to strengthen the hands of elected representatives to make the governance effective in the state. Earlier, he was
felicitated by advocates of the Punjab and Haryana High
Court at a function. |
Amarinder now vulnerable LUDHIANA, Feb 25 — The defeat of the Congress in the Nawanshahr byelection to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha may soon spell trouble for the Punjab PCC chief, Capt Amarinder Singh. Political observers said here today that the Congress rout in a constituency, considered to be a traditional Congress stronghold in the Doaba region, was as much due to the inimitable style of campaigning adopted by the Chief Minister and the Akali Dal President Mr Parkash Singh Badal, as it was due to the intense infighting the state unit of the Congress. Several Congress leaders, including Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Mr Mohinder Singh Gill, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, Mr Iqbal Singh, Mr Umrao Singh and a host of others in the party are known to be nursing a grievance against Capt Amarinder Singh for some reason. Even Mrs Santosh Chaudhary, the Congress MP who represents the Phillaur Parliamentary constituency which includes the Nawanshahr Assembly segment in the Lok Sabha, is said to be unhappy with Capt Amarinder Singh over the manner in which she was ignored while selecting the Congress nominee for the Nawanshahr byelection. In Ludhiana the local Congress MLA, Mr Rakesh Pande, is known to be at daggers drawn with Capt Amarinder Singh since his removal as the DCC (urban) chief by the PCC President last year. Mr Pande continues to describe himself as the DCC chief and does not recognise Mr Surinder Dawar, who was appointed in his place by the Congress President. Capt Amarinder Singh, who replaced Mrs Bhattal as the PCC chief about two years ago, has been lucky enough to have a string of successes in the elections in Punjab. First it was Adampur byelection in 1998 which he won for the party. Then came the Parliamentary election last year in which the Congress and its allies won most of the 13 seats in the state. Therefore, there was not much which his detractors the Congress dissidents were not able to do much as could do against him. But the Congress defeat now may provide them with an opportunity they have been looking for to make a move against Capt Amarinder Singh and call for a change in the state Congress leadership. Waiting in the wings and watching the situation closely would be Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, who humbled Mr Sukhbir Singh, son of the Punjab chief Minister, in last year’s election from Faridkot and Mrs Santosh Chaudhary who enjoys fairly close rapport with Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Sources close to Mrs Chaudhary maintain that the time has come to hand over the Punjab Congress leadership to a Dalit leader. The Akali victory in the
Nawanshahr byelection also represents a serious setback
to Akali dissidents like Mr Ravi Inder Singh who are now
expected to lie low because Mr Badal has proved that as
before, he continues to be a reliable vote-catcher for
the party. |
Demolition case: SDM suspended AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — The state government has placed Mr J.P. Singh, SDM Ajnala, under suspension for demolishing houses of mahants on the periphery of the ancient Ram Tirath Temple last week. This was disclosed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, to Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP MLA, in the presence of mediapersons, who met him along with the victims. Mr Badal told her that the SDM had been subsequently transferred and a high level inquiry had been ordered. It may be mentioned here that on the order of District Magistrate, the SDM had got 25 rooms, including four houses of mahants demolished. Mr Badal also assured the deputation of mahants that the state government would get their houses constructed. Mr Badal, also assured Mrs Chawla who led another delegation of IDH market sufferers and promised to get them suitable compensation. Mrs Chawla said that more than 35 shops were completely gutted during fire on the Diwali day last year, in which one person had lost his life. The Chief Minister said that he would take up the matter of the payment of the compensation with the Mayor who had promised to pay Rs 50,000 to each shopkeeper. A high-level government inquiry has been ordered in an alleged attempt to demolish a 40-year-old gurdwara in the Sharifpura area that occurred yesterday. Mr Badal, while answering media queries said that the law should take its own course regarding the demolition bid. Mr Subhash Chander, Mayor, while agreeing with the Chief Minister, said he was ready to face any inquiry regarding the incident. Later while delivering the convocation address at Hindu College, Mr Badal appealed to the students to inculcate national spirit and feel proud in being an Indian. The Chief Minister
announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the college building.
Earlier, the Principal, Mr R.C. Verma, gave away degrees
to over 350 graduate and postgraduate students. |
Badal meets Jathedar AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — In a bid to solve the crisis in the Panth, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister and President, Shiromani Akali Dal, held a closed-door meeting with Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht at his residence here today. Baba Kashmira Singh and Baba Mangal Singh, President and Acting President of the Gurbani Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj, respectively, who are confidants of the Akal Takht chief were also present. Mr Badal has convened an emergency meeting of the political affairs committee (PAC) of his party at Chandigarh tomorrow where the issue will be discussed at length. Mr Badal had announced that the matter would be resolved at the PAC meeting after the outcome of the Nawanshahr byelection. Meanwhile, “Panj Piaras” comprising Mr Gurmukh Singh Gandiwind, President, Gurmat Granthi Sabha, Mr Subeg Singh, former leader of the Youth Akali Dal, human right activist Balwinder Singh of Baghelsinghwala, Mr Joginder Singh Chela and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Nathupura today sat on a relay fast at the Chabal police station in Tarn Taran, demanding that Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, SGPC should end her retreat (ekantwas) and appear before Akal Takht. Baba Mangal Singh Sastlani, acting President Gurmat Gurbani Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj, blessed the “Panj Piaras”. He warned Bibi Jagir Kaur that her not appearing before Akal Takht would lead to an “unnecessary conflict”. During the meeting, Giani Puran Singh made it clear that he would not compromise so far as the Sikh “Maryada” (tradition) was concerned. According to Baba Mangal Singh, the Jathedar told Mr Badal that as per the Sikh traditions, Bibi Jagir Kaur, who had been excommunicated from the Panth, would have to appeal to Akal Takht to be allowed to rejoin the Panth. Baba Mangal Singh claimed Mr Badal promised the Jathedar that Bibi Jagir Kaur would end her “ekantwas” (retreat) shortly and appear before Akal Takht. Mr Badal reportedly requested Giani Puran Singh that the SGPC chief be allowed to appear at the Takht and be exempted from submitting a formal application in this regard. Talking to TNS, Baba
Kashmira Singh said an amicable solution would be found
in the near future. Though he refused to divulge details
of the 15-minute meeting, he said the crisis would be
resolved soon. |
No jatha to Pak, says SGPC AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — The SGPC today took serious note of attempts by Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee members to seek a special visa from Pakistan Embassy for visiting Sikh shrines there. In a press note, Secretary, SGPC, said the SGPC would not send any jatha to Pakistan till the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee was disbanded. He said the SGPC had
taken a principled decision on the matter as it concerned
national security. However, the attempts by the Delhi
Gurdwara Committee to get the special visa for 25
pilgrims headed by Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna, President of
the committee, was regrettable. “It is an attempt to
divide the Sikhs”, the press note said. |
BJP bid to adjourn MC meeting
foiled ABOHAR, Feb 25 — An attempt by the president to adjourn the meeting of the Municipal Council was foiled by agitated members of the Congress and BSP yesterday. This put members of the ruling BJP, who had deliberately abstained from the meeting, in an embarrassing position as the House unanimously adopted all 53 items on the agenda by a voice vote. Earlier, the President, Mr Babu Ram Arya, held a meeting of his party members but only Mr Suresh Phutela and two members of the SAD attended the meeting to discuss the agenda. When asked how Mr Phutela was called in the meeting when he had been expelled by the state BJP for a period of six years. Mr Arya said there was no written communication about his expulsion. It was however clear that the group led by the vice-president, Mr Faquir Chand Goyal president of the state unit of the BJP would boycott the meeting to let down Mr Arya. This group had not attended the party meeting in president’s chamber last time also and had opposed a resolution tabled by Mr Suresh Phutela for the renovation of Loknayak Jai Prakash Narain Park but the resolution was adopted with the support extended by the opposition members. This had led to the expulsion of Mr Phutela from the BJP for a period of six years. While presiding over the meeting of the council yesterday, Mr Arya faced a tough situation even when SAD members were present there besides Mr Phutela. He tried to adjourn the meeting but the Congress and BSP members lodged a protest arguing that quorum was sufficient to go ahead with the proceedings, Mr Arya relented. Mr Phutela criticised the city BJP unit president, Mr Arun Narang and alleged that he had grabbed public land outside his godown in the Gaushala Road area. When the Municipal Engineer said no such record was available in the office of the council, Mr Phutela grilled him. They had heated arguments. The president wanted to avoid the issue but was forced by the members to issue instructions that the relevant record be obtained from the revenue authorities by March 31 and report be tabled in the House. Members, who attended the meeting alleged that partisan attitude was being adopted in removing encroachments by the council. They alleged that rehriwalas and small shopkeepers were being harassed but no action had been taken against persons who had political or monetary influence. This again led to pandemonium and the president had to assure that no one would be exempted in the drive launched as per the instructions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The existence of a cremation ground for animals right next to the cremation ground for human beings was also taken up. The councillors regretted that the authorities had not considered the report of the sub-committee formed to shift the animals’ cremation ground, which had polluted the Shivpuri complex. The dumping of garbage on both sides of the road leading to Shivpuri was also regretted by the members. The president formed another sub-committee to solve the problem. He also assured that Patel Park would be made free from garbage at the earliest. Political observers said
with the polarisation in the ruling group it would be now
easy for Mr Arya to complete his term in the office with
the support of the opposition and some members of the
ruling parties. Earlier, the other group had demanded
that Mr Arya should be removed from office but there
appeared to be no scope for any change as the BJP did not
have two third strength required to remove the president,
who faced allegations of malpractices and corruption. The
tug of war between him and the vice-president was likely
to escalate now. |
Birdevinder expelled CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh, today expelled senior Congress leader, Mr Birdevinder Singh and Mr Prem Gupta from the primary membership of the Congress Party. The action against these leaders had been taken on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) of the party. A party press note said
that the Chairman of the DAC, Mr Harcharan Singh Hero,
had recommended their expulsion for breaching the party
discipline. The expelled leaders have been accused of
criticising the party’s programmes and policies in
violation of the directive of the party high command. |
Who will perform their last rites? JALANDHAR: The burgeoning vehicular traffic has virtually converted all major roads in the state into death-traps, not just for human beings, but for animals as well. Not a single day goes without one coming across carcasses of animals, especially stray as well as pet dogs and cats, lying in pools of blood on all major roads. Normally, these animals are crushed to death either owing to carelessness by drivers of heavy and speedy vehicles or while these creatures try to cross the road or also when they unintentionally stray into the middle of the road. The problem has reached such alarming proportions that anyone venturing out is bound to see more than one animal having been crushed to death on the road. There is no one around in this madding crowd to take care or at least ponder over the problem and to find a solution to it. So much so that neither any of the animal rights organisation championing the cause of animal welfare nor are the authorities concerned or have taken any initiative to at least educate and sensitise drivers of heavy and other vehicles towards saving animals, which can prove to be the simplest and cost-effective way to mitigate cruelty against animals. What has led to the compounding of the problem is the fact that unlike pet and wildlife animals, the animal protection laws are more or less silent as far as knocking down of stray animals is concerned. During a tour of major part of the state, TNS was shocked to find at least a dozen animals, for whom the roads had turned to be graveyards in a single day. While on the Jalandhar-Chandigarh road, as many as four dogs were found having been crushed by vehicles, the situation was even worse on the busy Chandigarh-Bathinda stretch of the national highway, where at least six animals, including two cats, had been seen crushed to death. At times, the most touching part of this melodrama is the presence of gloomy ‘companion’ of the victim at the scene of crime, apparently mourning the death of his or her partner. Coming across one such incident near Rama Mandi on the outskirts of Jalandhar, this correspondent saw a dog sitting by his female companion, which had just been crushed under a speeding Punjab Roadways bus. “Seeing her companion standing on this side, she slowly crossed one side successfully, but was not so lucky when she tried to cross the central verge and was crushed by the bus,” said a paanwallah. In a similar instance
near Nihalsinghwala in Moga district, a black brown stray
bitch was seen sitting by the blood-soaked remains of a
dog without caring for the heavy downpour. She was
confused over what had happened to her partner, a playful
light brown male canine, who had been hit by a truck. On
seeing the TNS team approaching them alongwith a camera,
she left the place slowly and sat on the road for quite
sometime, before leaving the place with moistened eyes. |
80 pc children have
‘dental ailments’ CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 —Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Baldev Raj Chawla, while delivering his inaugural address at a regional workshop on the national oral health care programme here today, said more than 80 per cent school students in the age group of six to 12 years suffered from various dental ailments. He said out of 2300 dental doctors registered with the Punjab Dental Council, only 100 were serving in the rural areas. He said as many as 120 new clinics had been opened in the primary health centres and 234 more dental clinics would be opened during the 9th Plan. More than 23.37 lakh students in schools had been examined under the intensive dental health care programme. He said 17 fully equipped mobile dental clinic vans had been deployed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. Dr N.C. Mann, Additional Director, Dental Health Services, said Punjab had already implemented a comprehensive oral health care model. About 50 senior dental specialists from northern states are attending this two-day workshop. Others who spoke at the
workshop included Dr Hari Parkash, project director,
national oral health care programme. |
Muslims celebrate Kariha’s
victory PHAGWARA, Feb 25 — After the Friday prayers, Muslims distributed sweets to celebrate the victory of Akali candidate Jatinder Singh Kariha from Nawanshahr today. In a rare show of
solidarity with the Akalis and the Sikhs, local Muslims
held a rally at which speakers, including Syed Nazir
Ahmed, General Secretary, Anjuman Dawate Islamia, and Mr
M.A. Khan, senior leader of the community, claimed that
the Gujjar Muslims had voted for Mr Kariha. |
Cantt board pensioners stage
dharna FEROZEPORE, Feb 25 — Pensioners of the local Cantonment Board, under the banner of the Cantonment Board Pensioners Association, staged a dharna in front of the Cantonment Board office here today, in support of their demands. They raised slogans
against indifferent attitude of the authorities
concerned. Among other things they demanded payment of
arrears due from January 1, 1996, dearness relief at 37
per cent from July 1, 1999 and payment of medical
allowance to entitled pensioners. |
Punjab to set up information
centre PHILLAUR, Feb 25 — The Punjab Tourism Minister, Mr Swarna Ram, talking to mediapersons were today, said the Punjab Government had prepared a “modern” tourism policy to attract tourists from all over the country and abroad. He said the state government would take steps to ensure the tourists were not cheated. He said the draft
tourism policy had been approved by the Cabinet. The
state government was considering setting up information
centres at all district headquarters, besides
strengthening the existing ones. |
CEC hails election of
Dosanjh CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The Chief Election Commissioner, Dr Manohar Singh Gill, has hailed the election of Mr Ujjal Dosanjh as the Premier of the British Columbia province of Canada. In a fax message sent to
Mr Dosanjh, Dr Gill said : “”I am delighted
like every other Indian and Punjabi, to learn of your
appointment as the new Premier of British Columbia. I
have read your remarks in The Tribune. As one, who has
read a lot of Sikh history, yes, we too remember the Kama
Gata Maru martyrs and their historical struggle. It is
all the more appropriate that in that very province, in
the City of Vancouver, you are now the Premier,” Dr
Gill maintained that he knew Dosanjh Kalan very well as
he was Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar in 1967. |
Environment body AMRITSAR, Feb 25 (FOC)
— A group of eminent citizens of the city set up the
Amritsar Environment Foundation today under the patronage
of the Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr
Harbhajan Singh Soch. |
Power shutdown on Feb 28 AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — The 220-KV Civil Line substation would be shutdown on February 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for urgent repair and replacement of equipments. There would be no power supply from the substation during the above mentioned hours. The supply to some of the feeders would also be affected. The 66-KV substation at
Ranjit Avenue, MES feeder and all 11 KV feeders receiving
supply from this substation would be affected. The power
supply to Basant Avenue, Ranjit Avenue, Medical Enclave,
Green Avenue, Housing Board Colony and Maqbool Road would
be affected among other areas. |
Land registration rates fixed: DC FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 25 — Rates for the registration of rural and urban lands have been fixed so that people may not get them registered at lower rates, according to Mr V.K. Janjua, Deputy Commissioner. He was addressing a sangat darshan programme at Chunni Kalan village. He added that the revenue of the government would increase because of the stamp duty on registration. Mr Janjua further said all nambardars in the district would be issued computerised identity cards with code numbers. Which would bring transparency in the working and reduce corruption. The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the youths to avoid drugs and intoxicants. He said a special campaign to stop the sale of drugs and other intoxicants by chemists and RMPs had been launched under the supervision of the SDM. He further said action would be taken against chemists and RMPs found selling them. Listening to the
complaints of demarcation of lands by villagers of
Tajpura and Dadu Majra, Mr Janjua ordered tehsildars
concerned to get the demarcation done within a week and
send a report. He announced the grant of Rs 1 lakh to
Chunni Kalan village for development. |
Order on Punjab judicial
officers CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — Considering the recommendations of the first National Judicial Pay Commission report, the Punjab Government has issued instructions that no judicial officer working in the State of Punjab will retire from service in the coming four months or till the decision on a writ petition filed before the Supreme Court by the All-India Judicial Association. The Chandigarh District and Sessions Judge, M B. S. Bedi, the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr G.S. Sandhu, and the Patiala Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr S.K. Garg, are among the judicial officers who will benefit from the instructions, according to sources. The instructions, sources add, were communicated to the Registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court here by the Government of Punjab's Department of Home Affair and Justice. The letter says:
"As per the recommendations of the first National
Judicial Pay Commission, no judicial officer working in
the State of Punjab will retire from service on attaining
the age of superannuity in the coming four months or till
the decision of the writ petition, All India Judicial
Association versus Union of India and others, in the
Supreme Court and its implementation whichever is
earlier." |
Meter reader suspended AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — Dharam Pal, a meter reader of the PSEB, has been suspended for allegedly recording wrong readings. Following a large number of complaints, the PSEB has launched a campaign against power theft. Mr R.K. Salwan, Deputy Engineer (suburban circle), said here yesterday that the campaign would also ensure that meter readings were being correctly recorded. As many as 192 defaulters were identified from Putlighar, Chheharta, Chogawan Khasa and Attari areas. A fine of Rs 1.97 lakh had been imposed on them. Similarly, 212 defaulters were identified from Ajnala and Fatehgarh Churian areas. During a raid, the
Majitha Hospital transformer was found consuming energy
directly from the mains of the board. A case had been
lodged in this regard. |
Fashion show gets nod JALANDHAR, Feb 25 (PTI) — The district administration has been given the green signal to a local fine arts college to organise a fashion show after the college authorities gave a written assurance that the event would be “as per Indian traditions and culture.” “The college authorities have given a written undertaking that the fashion show would be in keeping with the Indian cultural values and traditions and the entry would be restricted to students and their parents, apart from VIPs. Therefore, they can now go ahead with the fashion show”, Deputy Commissioner Som Parkash said. However, the Principal, Dr Sucharita, of the Apeejay College of Fine Arts, which planned the fashion show for next Saturday, said she would meet the Deputy Commissioner once again to iron out any misunderstandings. The row over the fashion show erupted after activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and the women wing of the BJP protested against the event, saying that it was violative of the Indian ethos. “The morcha will be
forced to resort to direct action if the show was
allowed”, a statement issued by the BJYM said. |
Inspector alleges illegal
detention by SP GURDASPUR, Feb 25 — Inspector Surinder Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Pathankot city division no.2, and in charge, CIA staff Pathankot has complained to the Chief Justice (Supreme Court), Chief Justice (Punjab and Haryana High Court), the Chief Minister, Chairman, State Human Rights Commission, and the S S P (Gurdaspur) about his alleged detention by the SP (Pathankot) for more than three hours on February 19. Mr Surinder Singh alleged that he was on naka duty at Chakki Bridge, when the SP along with his naib-reader and gunmen arrived at the bridge and forcibly took him away in his jeep and was kept captive in the SP’s car. At about 9.15 p.m., he was taken out of the car and made to sit in a room under the custody of the gunmen at the SP’s residence. The SP ordered the head constable to bring “roznamcha” at his residence. Mr Surinder Singh said he was made to sign the “roznamcha” in which his movement orders to police lines at Gurdaspur had been entered. At about 9.30 p.m., he reached police division no. 2. Mr Surinder Singh said he was transferred by the DIG (Border Range) on November 4, 1999, to the police lines, Gurdaspur. However, the SSP, Gurdaspur, again posted him as SHO at Narot Jaimal Singh. Subsequently, the DIG issued orders that an officer of the rank of inspector could not be posted as SHO, Narot Jaimal Singh, following which the SSP transferred him to Pathankot police division no. 2 as SHO. Mr Surinder Singh alleged the DIG complained against him to the DGP and got him posted at Police Academy, Phillaur. On December 3, Mr Surinder Singh came to the Gurdaspur police lines. In the meantime, the DGP had cancelled his transfer orders. The SSP again posted him as in charge of CIA staff at Pathankot and SHO Pathankot division no 2, the charge of which he assumed on December 14. However, the DIG ordered a departmental inquiry against him and deputed SSP, Batala, to hold the inquiry. On February 19, when the SSP was on leave the SP (Pathankot) “maltreated” him by detaining him. When Mr Varinder Kumar,
SSP, was contacted, he said he had received the complaint
of the Inspector and would inquire into the matter. |
One stabbed to death JALANDHAR Feb 25—Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Bhargo Camp locality was allegedly stabbed to death by four youngsters of the same locality this afternoon. According to the police, four persons identified as Saudagar, Gora, Rajinder alias Dulla and Shishu allegedly caught hold of Ramesh in the Bhargo camp market and stabbed him with sharp edged weapons. Ramesh died on the spot. The assailants mangaged to escape. The exact reason behind the murder could not be ascertained, however, the police said it was a case of personal enmity. A case under Section 302
of the IPC has been registered. |
Rape case: DSP’s bail
rejected LUDHIANA, Feb 25 — The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr C.D. Gupta, today rejected the bail application of DSP Ashok Puri, accused of physical assault and rape of a minor girl from Jagraon. He is, however, at large. The accused was
suspended by the DGP, Punjab, on February 21. He has been
charged under Sections 376, 342 and 120 of the IPC. |
3 public health employees
booked FEROZEPORE, Feb 25 — The local Vigilance Bureau has registered a case under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act against three officials, including an Executive Engineer of the Department of Public Health at Muktsar. Mr Hardial Singh Mann, the Bureau’s local range SP, said the accused were H.K. Aggarwal, Xen (now posted at Bathinda), Amrik Singh, SDO and Nihal Singh, junior engineer. Mr Mann said the case
had been registered after a thorough probe conducted by
the Vigilance Bureau. Mr Mann said these officials had
allegedly swindled about Rs 5 lakh by raising fictitious
bills for sewerage work done at Muktsar during 1996. None
of the suspects had been arrested so far despite raids on
their possible hideouts. |
Row over college building
intensifies NANGAL, Feb 25 — The row over the building of Government Shivalik College has intensified, with the principals of the two existing colleges in the building writing to their respective authorities against each other. The principal of Government College has written to the DPI, Punjab, that Pharmacy College students is creating indiscipline in the college. On the other hand, the principal of the Diploma College of Pharmacy has complained to the Director (Local Government) that the caretaker of Government College does not allow the laboratory equipment outside the college for repair. According to sources, non-availability of electricity in the college has become the latest issue of contention between the two principals. The supply of power to Government Shivalik College has been disrupted due to a short-circuit. This has affected the studies of students of the Shivalik College of Pharmacy, NAC High School and Government Shivalik College which exist in the same building. The principal of the Shivalik College of Pharmacy has written to the PSEB authorities for a separate electricity connection. However, the request has been turned down due to the objection raised by the Government College authorities who claim that the college building is their property and no separate connection can be given to the pharmacy college. The local council established Shivalik College in 1979. The diploma in pharmacy was started in the college in 1983. However, in 1996, the Punjab Government took over all departments of Shivalik College, except for the pharmacy wing. The department of pharmacy became an independent diploma college of pharmacy and continued to be run by the local council. The council at the time of the take over of the college by the government had given a written undertaking to the government that the council will build a separate building for the pharmacy college and NAC High School and the existing building will be given to the Government College. The council has,
however, not been able to start work on the building. The
existence of Pharmacy College and NAC High School in the
Government College building continues to the bone of
contention between the administrators of these
institutions. |
Teacher moves NHRC BATHINDA, Feb 25 — Ms Neena Garg, a mathematics teacher, Government High School, Bhagwangarh village, in this district, has urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take action against Mr Sat Pal Singh, husband of the sarpanch for not allowing her to attend the school. In an affidavit faxed to the NHRC Ms Neena Garg said that she has been transferred from this school on the complaint of Mr Sat Pal Singh and his associates. She added that, however, the transfer order was stayed by the Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh. She alleged that when she came to rejoin at the school on February 21, she was told that the school would be locked if she attended the school. She added that from that day she was on forced leave. She said if any untoward incident occurred to her, Mr Sat Pal Singh and his associates would be responsible for it. She demanded that an inquiry should be held into the matter and guilty punished. Mr Sat Pal Singh, said that behaviour of the teacher was not good and she was transferred on the recommendations of panchayats of four villages made to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Admitting the fact that he along with other villagers threatened to lock the school if Ms Neena Garg attended it, he said that villagers were surprised over the fact that how Ms Neena Garg got her transfer order cancelled and felt that it was their insult. He pointed out that when a teacher was detrimental to the academic atmosphere of a school, how the villagers would tolerate it. He denied that he had
threatened Ms Neena Garg of physical harm. |
PU not to hold eco
education test CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — Panjab University will not conduct the examination of subject in Environmental Education for the first, second and final year degree classes of B.A., B.Sc., B.Com. (general/honours) and B.Sc. (honours) this year, an official press note said today. It has been decided keeping in view the serious difficulties being faced by both, colleges and teaching departments as well as the students in meeting the requirements for appearing in the regular examination of Environmental Education course, it said. The examination will be held next year if syllabus will be ready and available and after assurance from the colleges that instructions in the subject has been imparted during the academic year. It also mention that the
past practice of attending the seven special lectures by
the students be continued. The Department of
Correspondence Studies, PU, is going to conduct seven
lectures for its B.A./B.Com. III students of
Environmental Education course from March 6 to 19, (group
wise) in the evening. |
CM’s statement on
grants lauded BARNALA, Feb 25 — Lauding the Chief Minister’s statement regarding the non-stoppage of grant-in-aid to government aided colleges during a press conference at Dhilwan village on Wednesday, Prof R.S. Brar, Punjab state executive member and former general secretary Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, urged the Chief Minister to redress grievances of private colleges staff. Talking to TNS here yesterday, he said, resentment prevailed among private college teachers because of the “indifferent” attitude of government towards their demands. Prof Brar urged the Chief Minister to ensure regular flow of grant-in-aid so that they could be given their salaries in time. He said the government
must implement pension-gratuity scheme for the teachers
and order a review of posts. |
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