 |
|
| Saturday, June 10, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
17 Punjab dists to have internet
nodes Akali MP assails WTO deal 50 pc cut in college, university
holidays Application to restrain Punjab
rejected Make farmers pay for power:
Dhindsa
Withdraw
arbitration cases against rice millers: panel |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fund-starved NCC attracts
few AIR to extend transmission hours PUDA told to pay back deposit
money Hume pipes to be installed in
Ganda Nala Farmers asked to maintain drains NZCC workshops well attended Punjabteched.com launched
Illicit petrol sale: gang busted
PYC to oppose hike in fee
|
17 Punjab dists to have
internet nodes Chandigarh, June 9 — In a significant development that will speed up communication and bring Punjab closer to major information technology friendly states. All the 17 district headquarters of the State are going to have their own internet nodes. Ludhiana and Chandigarh will be the new internet gateways. The mega project is scheduled to be inaugurated by August 15 and is being carried out by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Top of the line equipment and software from Crompton and Greaves and the Swedish electronics giant Erricson is being provided for setting up of the nodes and gateways. The Chandigarh and Ludhiana gateways will be directly linked with the upcoming DoT gateway in Delhi and help in increasing the band width, an essential part for effective and fast usage of internet. The DoT gateway at Delhi will have its own exclusive band width to connect with the world wide web (WWW) in the USA, says Mr R.N. Sharma , Chief General Manager Telecom (CGMT), Punjab. At present all internet links are routed through the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) and various internet users have been expressing displeasure with the band width and slow download speeds. Depending upon the number of telephone subscribers and the maximum possible internet users, the nodes have been classified into three categories that is type `A' `B' and `C' . Ludhiana is under the `A' category. Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Amritsar have been put under `B' category node. Patiala, Hoshiarpur, Bathinda, Kaputhala, Sangrur, Ferozepore, Faridkot, Muktsar, Mansa, Nawanshahr, Ropar, Moga , Mandi Gobindgarh and Gurdaspur ( node to be set up in Pathankot) will have `C' class of node. For Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar, the DoT has purchased equipment directly from Crompton and Greaves while the equipment for other places is being purchased by the Punjab telecom circle. The equipment is expected to be here by this month. The four big cities will have the major nodes. Each of the 14 other nodes in the remaining districts will be further connected with any of the four nodes. Ludhiana will have the maximum load with seven districts connected to it. Chandigarh and Jalandhar will have three each while Amritsar will have one, district connected to it . The authorities say, a ''ring type'' of connectivity will ensure up to 98 per cent of reliability. Giving an example Mr Sharma said '' if the optical fibre cable (OFC) link between Ludhiana and Chandigarh snaps due to some reason we have an alternative connectivity through other adjoining stations, say Patiala or Ropar. Almost the entire State is connected through the OFC link thus making it more reliable. The department is also capable of providing high speed ISDN connections that allow transfer of video images at a faster speed, at Chandigarh, Patiala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Bhatinda. To
provide even wider access, Punjab Telecom Circle will be
setting up '' internet dhabas '' in each of the 140 block
headquarters in the State. Here the user will be have
access to the web, and with a large number of Punjabis
settled abroad, who want to communicate quickly and
cheaply with their relatives here, it will not be a
problem for the project to take off. Work on this is to
be completed within this financial year, says the CGMT.
To start the '' internet dhabas '' the department will be
inviting applications or bids from PCO operators. In case
more than one person applies then the operator who
provided the most revenue for the department in the
previous year will be given a chance. |
Akali MP assails WTO deal JALALABAD (Ferozepore), June 9 — Expressing concern at the government’s agreement with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its subsequent fallout on the farming sector, the Akali Dal Lok Sabha member, Mr Zora Singh Mann, has vowed to raise the issue in Parliament during the monsoon session. Despite the fact that the Akali Dal is a partner in the ruling BJP-led coalition government, Mr Mann condemned the agreement saying that this would severely hit the economy in Punjab. “Although the WTO deal will affect the whole country’s economy Punjab shall be the worst hit”, he observed in a wide-ranging interview with TNS. He, however, added the agreement was a handiwork of the previous Congress regime and the BJP government was not in a position to reverse the decision. As part of the WTO deal, the quantitative restrictions on the import of 1,429 items, including farm products, shall be lifted. Since Punjab’s economy largely relied on agriculture and the small scale industry, Mr Mann said, the deal was not in the interests of the state. He claimed that the Akali Dal president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was the only Chief Minister who had raised his voice on the matter. He added that Mr Badal had already asked the government to levy duty on imports to save farmers and small industrialists of Punjab from being adversely affected. Mr Mann pointed out that the dairy sector had already been hit by the multinational companies, which had floated their milk products in the market at cheaper rates. “The cycle and rice industries shall be the next casualty”, he warned. His concern also stems from the fact that the economy of the Ferozepore constituency largely relies on rice mills, which will face challenge arising out of the import of rice. Asked why the Akali Dal had set aside the long-pending political issue of Punjab for which the party had earlier waged a war, he said, “Being a partner in the coalition government, we can only press on others to fulfil our demands, which we are doing”. He admitted that the party was not in a position to get Punjab its due as of now and instead sought support from the opposition parties of Punjab, including the Congress, to join issue. These issues are not part of the Akali agenda alone, other parties should also join the fight”, he said. Answering a question, he sought to clarify that despite his being elected twice from Ferozepore he never harboured any ambition for a ministerial berth in the central government. He denied reports of differences with the Punjab Irrigation Minister, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, on several issues and said, the minister had in fact wholeheartedly supported him during the Lok Sabha poll. When it was pointed out that none of Mr Sekhon’s supporters had turned up at the civic reception hosted by the BJP in Ferozepore city during his thanksgiving visit, Mr Mann termed these as trivial matters. He criticised the supporters of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra for holding parleys with the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. He added that this was not in the interests of the country as the SGPC did not recognise a parallel committee floated by a hostile Pakistani ISI. To a question, whether
his party favoured declaring Bhindranwale a martyr he
said, “This has to be decided by the Damdami Taksal,
which itself is confused about Bhindranwale’s
death”. |
50 pc cut in college,
university holidays AMRITSAR, June 9 — With a view of implement the recommendations of the University Grants Commission, the state government has decided to impose 50 per cent cut in summer vacations in universities and its affiliated colleges from the coming academic session. This was disclosed by Mr Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, while talking to the Press here today. He said there would be only four gazetted holidays, including Divali, Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti October 2. The state government had also decided to withdraw all half day leaves to mark nagar kirtans. Mr Mohan Lal said he had already convinced the Chief Minister that the holidays in universities and colleges should be observed as per the university calendar. The holidays announced by the state government from time to time hamper the academic atmosphere. In yet another significant development, Mr Mohan Lal disclosed that the state government had decided to bring uniformity in the syllabi of all universities. Mr Mohan Lal said there were about 600 vacancies of teachers of various subjects in different colleges. However, these would not be filled in the near future due to financial crunch. However, ad hoc teachers would be recruited so that studies did not suffer. Earlier, while addressing a meeting of principals of the colleges, affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University, Mr Mohan Lal expressed concern over the degradation of moral values. He said principals of colleges should help in creating a sound work culture in educational institutes. Among those who
addressed the principals’ meeting included Mr G.P.S.
Sahi, Education Secretary, Mr H.S. Soch Vice-Chancellor
of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, Dr
S.P. Singh, Dean (Colleges) and Dr Satinder Singh, Dean
(Academic Affairs), of the same university. |
Application to restrain Punjab
rejected CHANDIGARH, June 9 — An application for the restraining Punjab Government from sending former Chief Secretary V.K. Khanna on deputation was today dismissed by Mr Justice N.C. Khichi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Pronouncing the orders, Mr Justice Khichi also fixed July 18 as the next date of hearing for filing written reply and for further proceedings in the main case. Earlier, petitioner Mr Amarjit Singh of Amritsar had sought directions for registering of a case against Mr Khanna for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Accusing Mr Khanna of misusing his official position, he had alleged that “immovable properties to the tune of Rs 100 crore through illegal means” had been purchased. Mr Khanna, the petitioner had added, had shown two small factories at Amritsar to be his asset, but “in the course of his service, he had created seven more factories at different places”. Claiming to have forwarded an affidavit regarding the allegations to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, the petitioner had also stated that no action had been taken. Describing himself as a “public spirited person”, the petitioner had sought directions to the State of Punjab not to “relieve Mr Khanna on deputation”. He had also asked for ordering a proper investigation into the matter. Affidavit filed In an affidavit submitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court here, a Gurdaspur resident on Friday alleged that objectionable language was used for a High Court judge after MLA from Batala Jagdish Sahni and his companions reached his office. Claiming to have recorded the “entire conversation”, petitioner Surinder Mohan alleged that Mr Sahni’s companion, during the conversation, said they had found a relative of the Judge and had brought him with them from Delhi. Taking up the affidavit, a Division Bench of the High Court headed by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi directed three advocates of the High Court to listen to the cassette and report to the Court. Meanwhile, the petitioner added in the affidavit that Mr Sahni, accompanied by his PA and gunmen had directed a co-petitioner to withdraw a writ petition after reached their office early in the evening. Handing over the
cassettes to the Court, the petitioner stated that the
action was not only contempt of court but also amounted
to interfering with the administration of justice. |
Make farmers pay for power:
Dhindsa PATIALA, June 9 — In a major shift in stance , senior Akali Dal (Badal) leader and Union Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa today said a nominal charge should be taken from farmers for power supplied to their tubewell connections. Speaking to newsmen here , Mr Dhindsa admitted that the decision to give power free of cost to farmers was taken in haste . Mr Dhindsa , who has earlier also served as Chairman of the State Electricity Board, said the Akali Dal ( Badal ) - Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government had not had with much choice on the issue as it had promised free power to farmers in its manifesto . The Akali leader when asked about the decision regarding hike in power tariff pending with the state government , said tariff should be hiked to ensure the financial health of the PSEB did not suffer . He said the PSEB was facing a financial crunch and power tariff being charged by the state was one of the lowest . He said even vis a vis neighbouring Haryana , the tariff in Punjab was substantially lower . He also seemed to agree when his attention was drawn to the fact that farmers in the state were more keen to get regular supply than free supply . Speaking on the match fixing row, he said the government would enact a legislation to fix punishment for those found guilty of such a charge. He said the government would take a decision on this issue after the CBI submitted its report on match fixing allegations against various players. Mr Dhindsa said there was no truth in the allegations that the Akali leadership was not taking wholehearted interest in safeguarding the interests of Punjabis living in Udham Singh Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh which is proposed to be inducted in the new state of Uttaranchal. He said the senior leadership, including Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the issue and would also take up the issue in Parliament at the appropriate time. He said there was no question of a mid-term poll in the state and that talk regarding this was being spread by the Congress to keep its flock together. He said Punjab was
prepared to hosting the National Games on schedule. |
Withdraw arbitration cases against
rice millers: panel PATIALA, June 9 — The president Punjab Rice Millers association, Mr Tarsem Lal Saini, yesterday appealed to the Punjab Chief Minister to withdraw arbitration cases, which were initiated against the rice millers for the loss they suffered in 1994-1995 due to sale of paddy crop at the sale price fixed by the Union Government. In a statement here, Mr Saini said the Government had reimbursed Rs 120 crore to the Punjab Government as compensation. He said the Punjab Government during its Cabinet meeting on April 17 had put an end to the prolonged litigation with the rice millers. Mr Tarsem Lal contradicting to the statement of the Union Food Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar to order a probe through CBI said there is no dispute between state government and the rice millers. He said the minister instead of compensating the state government and its agencies ordered the probe without taking into consideration the ground difficulties at that time. He said the rice millers did not oppose the CBI and endorsed the views of Mr P. Ram, Secretary, Food, Punjab, the Chief Minister, Punjab, and Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister they had no objection to the enquiry ordered by the Union Food Minister. Mr Saini said there was
no truth in the allegation that a scam of Rs 250 crore of
Punjab paddy crop 1994-1995 had been handed over to the
CBI. He said it was wrong to say that Mr Parkash Singh
Badal and other Akali leaders protested not to order a
CBI probe. He said it was also wrong that sheller owners
in connivance with some high up leaders managed the sale
of paddy and pocketed Rs 250 crore. |
Fund-starved NCC attracts few LUDHIANA , June 9 — The NCC activities in the state, which were badly hit last year by financial constraints of the government , continue to suffer with no reprieve in the funds availability scene. While the government has, released some funds, the amount was not only insufficient but actually less than last year. Due to tightening of purse strings, NCC activities are likely to suffer and the performance of NCC cadets of the state in national championships especially in the prestigious Republic Day function may affected. The NCC is an important training wing and it helps shape and groom youth’s besides offering access to careers in the Armed Forces. It also encourages national integration through cultural exchange at its annual camps. The state has slipped to the bottom at NCC championships in the last five years or so largely because of lack of funds. According to highly placed sources the NCC seems to be a low priority for the state government. Budgetary grants this year are below 30 per cent of the requirement. While the infrastructure of the department is provided and funded by the Centre expenses for activities like parades, adventure cum educative tours, refreshment and other local expenses are provided by the state governments. The sources said the NCC had been given a budget of just Rs 7000 paying the telephone bills which is barely enough for paying of telephone rentals. The immediate impact of the paucity of resources will be on refreshments and other facilities for cadets. Also the number of camps, especially the adventure camps, excursions and tours will be curtailed. Another fallout could be a reduction in the number of Punjab Cadets at the national annual camps and championships. Sources also fear that
the number of aspirants for the NCC course, which is
already low may drop further. When contacted Col. B.S.
Bedi, Group Commander of the local and adjoining four
districts said the fall in number of enrolments in the
state is because of lack of incentives. Refusing to
comment on the paucity of funds, Col Bedi said the
government had released the funds in May this year while
earlier the money was made available in October or
November. |
AIR to extend transmission
hours PATIALA, June 8 — All India Radio, Patiala, is going to extend its transmission hours from 6 hours to 13 hours daily with effect from June 10. Disclosing this here today, Station Director A.L. Paul said as per the daily broadcasting schedule now there would be three transmissions in a day, instead of one. The first transmission would go on air from 6 a.m. 9 a.m. The second transmission would commence at 12 noon and go up to 5 p.m. The third transmission would start at 6 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. daily. Earlier there was only single transmission from 3 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. Twentytwo new programmes
for the different sections of society, nine central news
bulletins and one regional bulletin were being introduced
in the three transmissions. The programmes of AIR Patiala
can be heard at 100.2 MHZ on the FM (frequency
modulation) channel. |
PUDA told to pay back deposit
money CHANDIGARH, June 9 — Taking up a complaint case filed here by a city resident against the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered PUDA to refund the deposit of Rs 47,500 made by the complainant towards the allotment of a plot. The bench comprising president J. B. Garg and members Dr P. K. Vasudeva and Mrs Devinderjit Dhatt also ordered that another amount of Rs 1,250 along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum be refunded to the complainant. Mentioning facts of the case, complainant Parkash Kaur stated that her son Harinder Singh had applied for a one-kanal plot in Urban Estate, Bathinda, in 1971 and in this regard he had deposited Rs 1,250 as 10 per cent of the price of the plot. Harinder Singh died in 1973, leaving his only legal heir, the mother who is complainant in the present case. Parkash Kaur stated that there was a lot of delay in the allotment of the plot on part of PUDA. She added that she had later deposited Rs 46,250 in this connection. In its reply, PUDA maintained that in the various draws of lots that were conducted, neither Mr Harinder Singh nor his mother Mrs Parkash Kaur were successful. PUDA also stated that the amount due was remitted to the complainant from time to time through various cheques. The commission, however,
took into account the fact that none of the above
mentioned cheques were ever encashed, either by the
complainant or by anyone on her behalf. Under these
circumstances, the commission directed that the amount of
Rs 47,500 and Rs 1,250 along with interest at the rate of
12 per cent per annum be refunded to the complainant. |
Hume pipes to be installed in
Ganda Nala PATIALA, June 9 — An eyesore of Old City, the concrete drain popularly known as the Ganda Nala, may be on its way out. The Punjab Government is considering a scheme formulated by the Municipal Corporation to replace it with hume pipes. The Municipal Corporation has formulated a Rs 8 crore scheme, whereby, hume pipes of seven-foot diameter each will be fitted in the drain to regulate its flow. The project is likely to be commissioned by the Punjab Water Supplies and Sewerage Board. The MC Commissioner, Mr K.S. Kang, said the corporation was determined to cover the drain and that the project would be taken up in parts if there was a shortage of funds. He said a tentative proposal had been made and submitted to the government. He said it had been proposed to leave depressions on both sides of the pipes so that any overflow of water after a heavy rain could also be accommodated. The corporation has also passed a notification banning the throwing of polythene bags in the drain. The order which will be effective till September 30, has been passed under Sections 203 and 323 (public nuisance) of the Corporation Act. Under the act, a Rs 500 fine can be levied in case of any violation. The Commissioner said the orders were largely directed for the vegetable market area where traders threw polythene bags and the other waste into the drain. He said the corporation would also launch an educative exercise through Citi Cable to tell people not to throw polythene bags and other waste into the drain. However, a visit to the drain revealed that the corporation would have to take stern steps to stop it from becoming a virtual dumping ground. In and around the vegetable market area, unripe fruits and vegetables were being indiscriminately dumped into the drain. Besides this, many persons, including ragpickers throw poor quality polythene packets into it which cannot be recycled. This causes blockage and stagnation of water, spreading stench in the adjoining localities. Besides this, residents also want a check on rehris and sweet shops which sell wares adjacent to the drain. This they say is the cause of various water-borne diseases in the adjacent localities in the monsoon period. Residents said another problem was the manner in which cow dung from various dairies in the locality was thrown into the drain. Dairies have sprung up on both sides close to the drain. Dairy owners use jet pumps to flush out the dung into the drain after mixing it with water. Residents said this coupled with the other waste material spread a stink in the area. Monsoon, which acts like a natural flushing system, brings some relief. Patiala has an efficient
drainage system. There are a number of small drains, some
of which join to form the Ganda Nala. Mr M.J.S. Thukral,
a senior citizen, said garbage disposal was not the
purpose for which Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had
constructed these drains. He said major drains were made
to criss-cross the city so that they could have a cooling
effect on it. He said there should be a concerted effort
to cover all drains passing through various localities.
He said it was essential that the drain in front of
Tuberculosis Hospital was covered. |
Farmers asked to maintain drains MUKTSAR, June 9 — A team of central government officials from the Ministry of Water Resources which visited waterlogged areas of Muktsar and Abohar have suggested farmers to clean up drainage ditches dug for removing waterlogging on their own rather than waiting for the government to do so. Mr V.S. Dinkar, Commissioner, Command Area Development Authority (CADA), Ministry of Water Resources, talking to TNS said it was up to farmers to maintain drains dug by state agencies to tackle waterlogging. He said the state government neither had funds to clear weeds from drains and stabilise its banks nor would the centre give money for this task. Other members of the high powered team included Mr M.R. Baig, Chief Engineer, Central Water Commission, Mr D. Dutta, General Manager, Water and Power Consultancy Service Limited and Mr M.Mehta, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board. Mr Dinkar pointed out that the team which visited waterlogged areas and interacted with farmers found that waterlogging had been tackled efficiently, although in certain pockets farmers complained about the growth of weeds in the drains which interrupted the natural flow of water. Mr Baig said the team had suggested to the Punjab government to assess the composition of the drain water to determine whether it could be used for drinking purpose or agricultural purposes. Mr B.S. Yadav, Assistant Manager, Nabard, said Nabard had given a loan to the Punjab and it was up to it to utilise the money prudently. The team also inspected
work related to the lining of water courses of Bathinda
branch of Sirhind canal and the Sirhind feeder system. |
NZCC workshops well attended PATIALA, June 9 — It’s a dream come true for 10-year-old Karanpreet Sapra of Guru Nanak Foundation School. She can now add Kathak to her repertory of western dance. Karanpreet and more than a 100 others are learning Kathak as well as painting being held in separate workshops by the North Zone Cultural Centre ( NZCC ) at the Banasar Art Gallery here. Karanpreet says she is already quite adept at western dance and always wanted to learn a classical art form. She says when she came to know of the opportunity for enrolment for a one month workshop she immediately applied as she wanted to get a hang of the dance form before taking it up further. This seems to be reaction of other girls also who are attending the workshop. They say they will continue to learn the art form as most have taken a liking to it. There are some who are attending the workshop to brush up their skills. Neeru Sharma of Modi College says she joined to brush up her skills. Geetanjali of Lady Fatima says she had learnt Kathak in school but wanted to join a course which could be more specific and teach the art form in more depth. Ms Seema Sharma, who is the Kathak workshop incharge, disclosed that the children had picked up quite a bit in just 10 days of training. She said though only basics could be taught in one month, the NZCC could continue the course for a longer duration if the children were interested. The painting workshop, which is also being held in the gallery, is drawing a large number of children with nearly hundred having enrolled. The workshop has mostly drawn very small children who are very enthusiastic about drawing. The children are demonstrated a drawing by Instructor G S Brar and then encouraged to draw on similar lines. The elder children are being encouraged to draw independently . Some of them like Sukhleen and Harjit Singh have drawn admirable water colours. The Instructor disclosed
that stress was being laid on water colours and sketching
at the workshop. He said 28 students from the city had
already been chosen for the Centre for Cultural and
Resources Training (CCRT) scholarship. |
Punjabteched.com launched CHANDIGARH, June 9 — The Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training, today formally launched its website, ‘punjabteched.com’, dedicated to the students. Inaugurating the website, the Minister for Technical Education and Industrial Training, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, said that the government would not allow the technical institutions set up in the private sector to continue without the required infrastructure. This was to ensure a standard technical education in Punjab. He gave a one month notice to all such institutions to complete their basic requirements, or they would be proceeded against. this web site contains all relevant information about polytechnics affiliated to the Board in Punjab and Chandigarh or details of all courses being run in each of the institutes. The site also has all the vital information about admission to various courses. Coinciding with the opening of the website, the Board also announced the Joint Entrance Test (JET-2000) result on the site. The student can not get their results through internet. The Board would also display the result of JET-2000 in all polytechnics, both in Punjab and Chandigarh besides in selected Industrial Training Institutes where polytechnics are not located. Ms Ravneet Kaur,
Chairperson Punjab Technical Education Board and Mr N.S.
Kalsi, Special Secretary Technical and Industrial
Training, were also present on the occasion. |
Farmers stage dharna SAMRALA, June 9 — Farmers under the banner of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), sat on a dharna in front of the SDM courts here today. They blocked the traffic on the main road in protest against the tehsildar who did not receive their memorandum in time. A minister was also trapped in the traffic jam for about 15 minutes in front of the office of DSP Samrala. Later the tehsildar received the memorandum and apologised. Subsequently the farmers lifted the blockade. Addressing the farmers,
Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, general secretary, BKU,
condemned the Electricity Department for having failed to
give uninterrupted power supply to tubewells. The farmers
demanded 18-hour power supply daily. |
Polythene bags banned in Ropar ROPAR, June 9 — The Ropar Deputy Commissioner, Mr GS Grewal, has banned the manufacture, storage and the use of polythene bags in this district under Section 144 of the CrPC. It has been stated in the order that the shopkeepers are liberally using polythene bags for packing eatables which is threatening the health of residents. Moreover, these also choke and block the underground sewers, which may lead to the outbreak of the epidemic in the area. The ex-parte orders passed by the Deputy Commissioner, will remain enforced from June 6 to August 5. Various social
organisations working in the area have welcomed this
decision. |
A correction Apropos of a news report
that appeared on page 3 of The Tribune dated June 9
headlined — “Phillaur Council chief
quits,” the news concerns the Kartarpur Nagar
Council and not the Phillaur Council, making it clear
that it was the Kartarpur Nagar Council president who had
resigned and not the Phillaur council president. The
error is regretted. |
Sangat darshan swamped KHANNA, June 9 — Pre-monsoon rain and a thunderstorm brought to a premature end the sangat darshan programme of the Chief Minister at Dhamot village. Panchayats of 85 villages had been called to the function and 48 panchayats had presented their problems when persistent rain forced the organisers to call off the function. Mr Badal, speaking on
the occasion, said the import of milk and milk products
was the result of policies adopted by the Narasimha Rao
government. He said he will press the Centre to impose
duties on milk imports so that local milk producers did
not suffer. |
J.S. Marwaha PHAGWARA, June 9 (UNI)
— Mr J.S. Marwaha has been appointed new Divisional
Railway Manager of Ferozepur division of Northern
Railway. He took charge of his office at Ferozepur
yesterday. His predecessor Narinder Kumar Goyal had been
shifted to New Delhi as Chief Telecommunication Signal
Engineer, railway officials here said. |
Illicit petrol sale: gang busted JALANDHAR, June 9 — The district police today busted a gang indulging in illicit sale of petroleum products pilfered from tankers leaving the Indian Indian Oil depot at Suchi Pind near here.Pilfered oil products like kerosene, petrol and diesel have been seized in large quantity from eight members of the gang who were arrested by the police on a tip-off today. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said an operation to nab the gang members was launched and a raid was conducted on a plot near the Jalandhar bypass from where eight persons — Sanjay Thapa, a resident of Aman Nagar, Rohit Kumar of Chougitti, Kuldip Singh of Kadiana village in Hoshiarpur, Hari Bahadur Chaudhary and Lal Singh, residents of Lamba Pind, Dalbir Singh of Gadaipur, Manjit Singh of Wadala and Rajinder Singh of Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, were arrested.As many as 750 litres of petrol, 300 litres of diesel, 50 litres of kerosene, 40 litres of furnace oil, seven empty drums and implements used to extract oil from tankers were recovered from them. Preliminary
investigation revealed that Gurinder Singh, a resident of
Aman Nagar, and Raja were the brains behind the gang and
those arrested were employed by them. Mr Yadav said
Gurinder Singh, alias Kala used to contact drivers of
tankers, with the help of whom, the gang used to take out
about 50 litres of oil each from tankers after taking
these to a secluded place.The drivers were paid according
to the quantity of oil and they used to cover the
pilferage as they would pilfer the quantity of oil
expanded in the tanker due to the rise in temperature,
which is a common thing during summers. The racket had
been going on for quite some time and the involvement of
IOC officials could not be ruled out, said Mr Yadav,
adding that Kala was absconding. |
PYC to oppose hike in fee HOSHIARPUR, June 9 — The Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) will start a state-wide agitation in the new academic session in Punjab to oppose the heavy increase in students’ fees. This was disclosed by Mr Devinder Singh Baboo, President of the PYC, while talking to mediapersons here yesterday. He said the recent increase in fees would force many poor students to discontinue their study. He said a meeting of the district presidents and blocks Youth Congress would be held on June 11 at Jalandhar to finalise the programme for holding dharnas with the Congress, at the district and block level. He said that he would announce 31-member executive body of the youth Congress on June 15 giving due representation to all districts. He said Youth Congress
workers would plant one lakh saplings during monsoon in
the state. It would also organise medical and AIDS
awareness camps throughout the state. |
Teachers seek policy revision HOSHIARPUR, June 9
— In a joint representation to the Punjab Chief
Minister, women teachers of Hoshiarpur district have
stated that the new transfer policy of state government
regarding the teachers having 18 years stay at one
station had created problems. This policy would directly
affect the sick, handicapped, widowed, unmarried teachers
and couple-cases in the state, the teachers alleged. They
demanded immediate reframing of this policy. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
