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| Tuesday, July 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Clergy may readmit
expelled Sikhs CM rules out resolution on autonomy Promotions stalled in Punjabi University Medicare: ‘Time to meet challenges’ Rein back ministers, parishad tells CM |
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| Farmers to get share in proceeds CHANDIGARH, July 10 — Farmers in Punjab will be entitled to a share in the proceeds collected from the auction of roadside “strip” forests by the state Forest Department. The draft of the proposal prepared in this connection after clearance by Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is ready. It will be put before the state Cabinet for approval
SAD
(A) seeks ban on RSS in Punjab Deputy Mayor
removed
Bikramjit Singh transferred Hijacking case adjourned
till July 20 Ensure parking lots at new buildings
Five cops booked One dead, 4 hurt in mishaps
GND
University admissions
WTO will affect
agriculture: CPM
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Clergy may readmit
expelled Sikhs AMRITSAR, July 10 — The Sikh clergy has given a broad hint to consider sympathetically the cases of those excommunicated from the panth from time to time if they applied to Akal Takht with "clear hearts" and in accordance with "maryada" (Sikh tradition). The comments come against a reported statement of the guru of the Dhiramalia sect on the sects readmission into the Sikh fold. The indication was given by Giani Joginder Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht in the presence of Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib and Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi Akal Takht before the beginning of the formal meeting of the Sikh clergy here this evening. He said everyone who wished to be readmitted into the Sikh fold after accepting "tankhah" and who expressed full faith in the Guru Granth Sahib and Tenets of Sikhism was welcome. However, formal decision on the issue could only be taken by the Sikh high priests unanimously as per "maryada" when such persons applied to Akal Takht in this regard. Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht, said during the stint of Giani Gurdial Singh Ajnoha as Jathedar, Akal Takht, the Nirankaris had approached Akal Takht for accepting "tankhah" (religious punishment) to enable their readmission into the Sikh mainstream. However, no decision could be taken due to the untimely death of Giani Ajnoha at the time. Giani Joginder Singh, however, said Akal Takht could take the initiative to readmit someone after a thorough scrutiny of their written requests. "We can not consider the statements, published in newspapers on behalf of such persons", he said, in reaction to the report about Dhirmalies. Mr Waryam Singh,
assistant secretary, Dharm Parchar Committee of the SGPC,
said ostracised persons who wished to rejoin the panth
had to approach Akal Takht directly for seeking pardon.
Guru Granth and the panth is competent to take decisions
for readmission of those excommunicated from the panth in
accordance with ‘maryada’. |
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CM rules out resolution on autonomy CHANDIGARH, July 10 — There is no possibility of passing a resolution pertaining to autonomy in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Quizzed in this connection, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said his stand was clear on this issue. “I am for a true federal structure in the country”. His party as well as the SAD-BJP government would present their viewpoints in this connection before the Commission for the Review of the Constitution. It is significant that Mr Badal uses neither the word autonomy nor refers to the Anandpur Sahib Resolution whenever he speaks to newspersons on the issue of more powers to the states. He confines himself to the “creation of a true federal structure” only. It is not clear so far whether he wants a true federal structure as defined in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1978. In the resolution of 1978, Mr Badal and his friend-turned-political foe, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had sought full internal autonomy for the states to create a true federal structure in the country. That resolution also talks of collaboration with like-minded regional parties which support the demand for more powers and internal autonomy to the states. The party secretary-general and Union Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, had made a statement in Sangrur yesterday indicating that the party might consider moving a resolution in the state assembly for autonomy to the state. Mr Badal said political leaders should not speak much about contentious issues. Asked about the critical statements made by the president of the Punjab unit of the BJP with regard to coordination between the SAD and the BJP, Mr Badal said every political party had the right to make statements. He said he had great respect for BJP leaders. The relations between the two partners in the state government could not be broken. |
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Promotions stalled in Punjabi University PATIALA, July 10 — The process of promotions, which started at Punjabi University here after a gap of two years, has been stalled due to clash of interests between directly recruited candidates and promoted ones. The process, which started on July 3, came to a halt on July 6 after directly recruited teachers approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court urging they should be declared senior to promoted teachers. The court subsequently asked the university to maintain status quo till July 12 when on a notice of motion the university will present its own case. The university had invited 36 teachers for interview for promotion under the merit promotion scheme (MPS) to fill 18 vacancies. Under this scheme lecturers and readers equivalent to one-thirds of the permanent posts in each cadre of the department could be promoted. A section of the university teachers were of the view that some teachers were being deliberately given unfair advantage by being promoted under the MPS scheme and contended that interviews should be held under the career advancement scheme (CAS) framed four years back by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Candidates being promoted under the MPS scheme stand to gain as they would be promoted with retrospective effect from the date when it was due, while candidates being considered under the CAS scheme will be promoted from 1998 only when the scheme came in force. There was also resentment that the senior most teacher who appeared for the interview on the first date had been rejected and one of the juniors promoted. Due to these reasons this section approached the court to stay the interviews. A deputation of university organisations consisting of the Progressive Teachers Council (PTC ), the Center for University Teachers ( CUT ) and the Democratic Teachers Front ( DTF ) led by the Teachers United Front (UTF ) convener S. S. Joshi also met Vice-Chancellor Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia in this regard on July 6. Dr Joshi said the Vice-Chancellor had assured that interviews under the CAS would also be held soon. Dr Ahluwalia, when contacted, said the interviews under the MPS category had been held to remove stagnation persisting for the past eight to 10 years. He said the process had been started on the directions of the high court after those promoted on merit approached it. He said the court had directed that the process should be completed by July 15. The Vice-Chancellor said following the new directions the varsity would appeal for setting up a single Bench of the high court for settling the issue once and for all. He said there also appeared to be groupism behind stalling interviews of those promoted on merit, adding that the interviews were stopped by appealing to the court only before the Punjabi University Teachers Association ( PUTA ) leader H. S. Boparai was scheduled to appear before the selection committee. He said the varsity would also start the process of conducting interviews for promotion under the CAS. He said under the scheme the work of all teachers who had put in the prescribed years of service would be put before the selection committee. He said the process would be completed within one month. He said there were ample promotional avenues and there was no reason for the teachers to feel that they would be left out under any particular scheme. Meanwhile, teachers in the university will have to await the decision of the court before they can apply for promotion again. |
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Medicare: ‘Time to meet challenges’ CHANDIGARH, July 10 — Even as Punjab faces new challenges posed by a host of diseases, there is no “networking” among the agencies involved in providing the required health cover and working in the spheres of research and medical education to ward off the impending danger. Ahead lies the threat of drug addiction, tuberculosis, diabetes, AIDS, heart problems, hypertension, stress and tension. Then there are an increasing number of road accidents, often resulting in head injuries, which means more trauma centres manned by neuro-surgeons and the necessary equipment. At present there seems to be no planning, at least in the Directorate of Medical Research and Education, to meet the challenges ahead. Nevertheless, within the system constraints, a degree of “restructuring and reorientation” is on the anvil. The Director, Dr S.S. Sidhu, told TNS in an interview today that besides the threat posed by the diseases, the present level of sanitation and hygiene within government medical colleges and hospitals resulted in hospital infection. Practically no research was being done. One of the major factors was the acute paucity of funds. Out of Rs 110 crore available annually, nearly 85 per cent went into salaries. The financial crunch had forced Patiala to reduce the hospital bed strength from 1,000 to 750. The much-needed equipment was simply not there for diagnosis and testing. It was only now that orders worth Rs 2 crore had been placed with the Controller of Stores to import certain equipment and machinery. With the introduction of NRI seats in the medical colleges and the levy of user charges, the hospitals now hoped to have some money to improve medicare. For the first time NRI seats, seven in all, were to be introduced even in the case of state’s two dental colleges, besides two seats in the Patiala-based Ayurvedic College. The number of NRI medical seats had been increased from 14 to 30 this year — 12 each in Patiala and Amritsar and six in Faridkot. Dr Sidhu expected at least Rs 18 crore to become available to the respective colleges. The fee for an NRI student was US $75,000 (US $ 30,000 for a dental seat). Likewise, PUDA, which had been handed over 67 kanals of vacant land in Amritsar Ram Lal Eye Hospital, was expected to return to the directorate Rs 8 crore from the commercial exploitation of the area. “The money realised will be used for completing the 200-bedded Guru Nanak Hospital there”, he added. The principals, too, needed more financial powers. A proposal had been sent to the government for approval to give them financial powers up to Rs 5 lakh each for the purchase of immediate essential necessities. Dr Sidhu also favoured “pay clinics” in the government medical colleges in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot. Keeping in step with future needs, Punjab, too, had to opt for
super-specialties. Therefore, Dr Sidhu said a cardiac unit each would be set up at Patiala and Faridkot. A neuro-surgery unit was proposed for Amritsar. Despite constraints, Dr Sidhu said a Rs 66 lakh computer network was being installed in all government medical and dental colleges with link-up with the directorate in Chandigarh. The Internet facility would be provided and stress laid on making students use it. The college-cum-hospital libraries would have computers with Internet connectivity. For the first time a common admission policy had been framed for all medical and dental colleges, both government and private. Based on the combined entrance test, interviews would commence on July 21 for admission to the MBBS, BDS, and ayurvedic classes. The number of MBBS seats was 298 in government colleges, 70 at Dayanand Medical College and 50 at the SGPC-run Guru Ram Das Hospital, Amritsar. There were 80 seats in the two government dental colleges. The Dental Council of India had not permitted any new admissions for the second consecutive year to two private colleges, at Mansa and Faridkot. The privately run colleges had been given time to improve their functioning in terms of infrastructure, equipment and staff and build their own hospitals. A “crisis” had gripped the present medical research and education system. The Punjab Health Systems Corporation, for instance, had better equipment, though, it was entrusted with primary and secondary health care. The medical colleges and hospitals functioned at tertiary level. They were burdened with patients and teaching load. Unless there was proper “networking” of the corporation, and the Directorates of Medical Research and Education and Health Services, the multiplicity of efforts, in terms of money and manpower, would not yield the desired results. Of immediate concern to Dr Sidhu was the need for improving the services in the emergency wings of all hospitals, particularly, in the ones attached to medical colleges. He regretted that in a prosperous state like Punjab even ambulances were far short of the requirement. “Unless we wake up to the new challenges posed by disease and infection, arrange enough money for research and medical education, introduce ‘networking’ among the agencies engaged in health services and medicare and update labs and the diagnostic facilities, Punjab will be in serious trouble”, warned Dr Sidhu. |
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Rein back ministers, parishad tells CM JALANDHAR, July 10 (UNI) — The Punjab Brahman Kalyan Parishad today
jumped into the Janjua case controversy, which threatens to divide the State bureaucracy along caste lines, by appealing to the Chief Minister to rein his ministerial colleagues and certain bureaucrats who created the controversy in the first place. In a letter to the Chief Minister, copies of which were released to the press here, the Parishad President, Mr Subash Sharma, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his ministerial colleagues had sworn by the Constitution before taking charge of their respective offices and hence they were constitutionally bound to implement the decision of the Supreme Court in the Janjua case as the apex court is a statutory institution under the Constitution. He said the Chief Minister must intervene before the issue went out of hand and crippled the bureaucracy to the
detriment of larger public interest and good governance, he added. Mr Sharma said if certain ministers and bureaucrats were allowed to inject casteism in the governance of the State, it would not only cripple the administration, but could also lead to cleavage in the society on caste lines and eventually to social disharmony. The Parishad president demanded that the Supreme Court decision in the Janjua case be implemented in letter and spirit. The Supreme Court in its decision had directed the State Government that officers belonging to reserved classes would not be provided any benefit in promotions. The Punjab Government had notified the apex court verdict in October, last year, but had stayed its implementation. Now the government has reportedly decided to seek advice of the
Attorney General on the matter after it threatened to create a bad blood between reserved and general category officers during a recent meeting when the Vidhan Sabha Speaker represented the case of reserved category officers before the Chief minister in the presence of certain reserved class officers and the Chief Secretary. |
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Farmers to get share in proceeds CHANDIGARH, July 10 — Farmers in Punjab will be entitled to a share in the proceeds collected from the auction of roadside “strip” forests by the state Forest Department. The draft of the proposal prepared in this connection after clearance by Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is ready. It will be put before the state Cabinet for approval. It will be a big financial gain for farmers owning land along the forest “strips” on roadsides. But they will have to render certain services to be eligible to a share in the proceeds. They will have to sign an agreement with the department to check illegal felling, theft and encroachments in such “strip” forests. As per the scheme, farmers will get 100 per cent of the proceeds collected after auctioning forests along rural link roads, 5 per cent share in the case of forests along the national highways, 20 per cent in the case of state highways and 50 per cent in the case of other roads. Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani, Minister for Forests, confirming the proposal prepared by the department, said plantation would be done by forest officials in these “strips”. Farmers would also be entitled to a share in the case of the existing forest cover on roadsides. If a dispute arose, the Conservators posted at the circle level would act as settlement officers. He said as the draft was ready, he would put it before the Cabinet for approval at the earliest. “Strip” forests on roadside comprise about 6000 hectares in the state. Mr Jyani said if there was a violation of the agreement, the share would be forfeited. The maturing age, which was technically called “rotation” in forest parlance, of trees for cutting would be determined at the time of signing of the agreement. Usually trees like poplar were cut after 10 years from the date of plantation and shisham after 25 years. The objective behind this scheme is to promote the forest cover and stop illegal felling and theft. The emphasis will be on the growing of traditional indigenous species. Meanwhile, the department has decided to give more powers to divisional forest officers. The DFOs will be given certain powers relating to the illegal felling and theft of trees. As most of the time influential persons are involved in illegal felling, they get away with minor fines. Such light punishments is not proving a deterrent. By issuing an ordinance, Section 68 of the Indian Forest Act enforced in the state will be suitably amended to give the necessary powers to the DFOs. All forest officials have been told by the minister to wear uniforms. Though uniforms have been prescribed for forest guards and other staff members, they do not often wear these. The department is also framing a proposal to raise a forest protection force. |
SAD
(A) seeks ban on RSS in Punjab SANGRUR, July 10 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) today demanded a ban on the RSS in Punjab saying this organisation had been airing anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh views. A resolution to this effect was adopted by the SAD (A) at a dharna held under the leadership of its President Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, at the district administrative complex here. The dharna was organised to protest against the alleged anti-Sikh activities of the RSS, hike in the prices of fertiliser and power tariff; rise in price of essential commodities and other such issues. The resolution relating to a ban on the RSS along with other 16 resolutions was presented by Mr Surinder Kumar Babbi, press secretary of the SAD (A). All resolutions were adopted by those present by raising hands amid chanting of slogans “Bole so nihal, Sat Sri Akal”. The other resolutions which were adopted included immediate release of all Sikh prisoners and “dharmi fauzis” languishing in jails without trial even after 16 years, adoption of Anandpur Sahib Resolution in the Assembly by the Badal Government, end to atrocities on the dalits, appeal to all Punjabis especially Hindus to register their mother tongue as Punjabi during census, withdrawal of hike in students’ fee, fertiliser and power tariff, and decision on Punjab’s river waters as per riparian law. Addressing the gathering, Mr Mann called upon the people to get ready to face challenges and threats being posed by the RSS and the BJP in Punjab with regard to their alleged anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab policies. He also exhorted the people to provide a majority in the next Punjab Assembly elections to the SAD (A). Mr Mann alleged that there was danger to minorities in the country from the RSS as its policies and actions were also against Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. He said all minorities were victim of the RSS in one way or the other. He also told the minorities that without joining hands, the minorties-Sikhs, Muslims, dalits and Christians — could not achieve their goals. Mr Mann also condemned Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, for not opposing the rejection of Jammu and Kashmir Autonomy resolution by the Union Cabinet. He also said Mr Dhindsa and Mr Surjit Singh Barnala were following the RSS and the BJP. Mr Mann also expressed concern over the arrival of migrant workers in large numbers in Punjab. He said their ration cards and votes had been made with a view to converting the Sikhs from a majority into minority. Mr Mann said the RSS had been propagating its policies and programmes in the villages of Punjab. This was the reason that Sikh youths had been becoming ‘apostate’. Among others who also addressed the dharna included Prof Sukhjinder Singh, senior vice-president of the SAD (A); Mr Baldev Singh Khalifawala, president of the SAD (A) Dalits Front, Punjab, Mr Satnam Singh Baheru, president of the Kisan Wing of the SAD (A), Punjab; Mr Inderpreet Singh Sandhu, president of Chandigarh unit of the SAD (A); Mr Balwinder Singh Bains, president of the Dal’s Youth wing; and Mr Jeet Singh Alloarkh, Sangrur district president of the SAD (A). Later, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann along with other party leaders presented a memorandum demanding a ban on the RSS to Mr G.K. Singh, ADC, Sangrur, to forward the same to the Governor, Punjab.  |
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Deputy Mayor
removed JALANDHAR, July 10 — Mr Gurcharan Singh Narula, the senior deputy mayor of the local Municipal Corporation was removed for the second time today by the general house of the civic body. Mr Narula was removed by the House last month too, but was reinstated following an objection by the Punjab Government that the resolution removing him was not in accordance with the rules. In a meeting of the 55-member BJP ruled civic body all the six of the 10 councillors of the SAD present opposed the resolution for Mr Narula’s removal. Mr Suresh Sehgal, the Mayor said 44 to the 50 members present voted in favour of the resolution for the removal of Mr Narula. |
Bikramjit Singh transferred CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The stand-off between the Punjab Irrigation Minister, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, and the Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Power, Mr Bikramjit Singh, ended today with the latter being shifted and appointed Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice. A Press note issued by the government said, Mr Bikramjit Singh would swap places with Mr Rajesh Chhabra. This decision of the government brings to an end the controversy in the department. It all started with the minister reportedly “bypassing” the Secretary while recommending the suspension of some engineers who worked on tackling waterlogging and in the process were alleged to have made money. The minister had sent the file to the Chief Secretary along with an inquiry report of the Drainage department’s Chief Engineer, vigilance. Mr Sekhon alleged a scam of Rs 40-50 crore. The Secretary had taken the stand that the manner in which works had been executed had earned appreciation and engineers deserved rewards. Even NABARD had appreciated the works. The other postings and transfers ordered were: Mr K. Siva Prasad becomes the new Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, in place of Mr Som Parkash, who has been appointed Managing Director, Punjab Financial Corporation. Mr Raj Kamal Chaudhary is the new Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mansa, while Mr Jagir Singh goes in his place as Subdivisional Magistrate, Patti. Mr Mohinder Pal has been posted as Land Acquisition Collector, Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, relieving Mr Karamjit Singh of the additional charge. |
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Hijacking case adjourned
till July 20 PATIALA, July 10 — Charges will be read out against three persons accused in the hijacking of Indian Airlines I C 814 plane in December last year on July 20 in the court of the Sessions Judge here. The new Sessions Judge is expected to take charge on July 17. Meanwhile, Additional Sessions Judge Inderjit Kaushik today adjourned the hijacking case till July 20 after the three accused, Abdul Lateef, alias Patel, Bhopal Mandamai, alias Yusuf Nepali, and Dalip Kumar, were produced before the Additional Sessions Judge. All three have been accused of procuring and supplying arms and ammunition to the hijackers. While two of them were arrested in Mumbai during the hijacking drama itself, the third was arrested from the North-East. The CBI filed charge sheet in the court of Additional Sessions Judge J.S. Chawla against 10 persons, including seven Pakistani nationals, on July 21. The Pakistani nationals charged include five hijackers, Ibrahim, Shahid Akhtar, Shakir and their two accomplices, Yusuf Azhar and Abdul Rauf. The CBI has asked the Interpol to seek their
extradition. |
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Ensure parking lots at new buildings CHANDIGARH, July 10 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed Jalandhar’s Senior Superintendent of Police to render help to the Municipal Corporation there to ensure that court orders regarding the construction of buildings without parking were not violated. Taking up a telegram alleging the construction of six buildings without any parking lots Mr Justice Swantanter Kumar had earlier ordered that “further construction of buildings specified in the telegram and all such buildings similarly situated shall be stopped forthwith”. Pronouncing the orders, Mr Justice Kumar had also directed: “The owners, builders and the parties interested therein shall maintain the status quo with regard to the title, possessions and constructions till further orders of the court”. Counsel for Jalandhar MC stated that stopping the construction was difficult as certain owners, who had been issued notices, were trying to complete the same. He had also stated that a number of multi-storeyed buildings had been constructed without parking. He added that some of the buildings were even contrary to the sanctioned plan. Arguing before the court, he had added that notices, along with copies of the court orders, had been served on builders whose construction were causing traffic hazards. The Judge, on the last date of hearing, had observed: “It will be appropriate and in consonance with the principles of natural justice that all such builders and owners are heard before the order is confirmed and any other direction is passed. Thus a show cause notice is also issued to the builders and owners....” In his detailed order, Mr Justice Kumar had observed that the commissioner, appointed by the court, “has confirmed that he noticed certain buildings which did not having parking place. However, he could not identify the building”. UT students’ plea
in PMT case Continuing with arguments in the Punjab pre-medical entrance test case, counsel for the petitioners today contended that having passed 10 plus one and two from Chandigarh was not a disqualification as the city was Punjab’s capital. Arguing before the court, counsel added that word “capital”, according to the dictionary, was the chief town of the state. He added that the capital was also the seat of the government. The case will now come up for further hearing tomorrow. A division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, while taking up an appeal against the single Judge’s orders earlier had provisionally allowed students who were bona fide residents of Punjab, but studying in city institutes, to appear for the examination. In their appeal against the judgement, counsel for the petitioners — Damandeep Singh and others — had stated on their behalf that the order deserved to be set aside on the ground of being based on wrong facts. Counsel added that there was no legal justification for upholding arbitrary and discriminatory rule. The single Judge, he had added, should have accepted the plea of students as Chandigarh besides being Union Territory was also the capital of Punjab. He further had added that the single Judge “had erred in law by not following the judgement in matter of Rupinder Kansal where the court had held that Chandigarh, though a Union Territory, continued to be the capital of Punjab and therefore it could not be said that students passing examinations from institutions located in Chandigarh, affiliated to Punjab School Education Board, were not residents of Punjab. Counsel had also stated that the Judge rejected the plea of the petitioners “ignoring the fact that merit should not be allowed to be sacrificed in the matter of admission to medical and engineering institutes”. |
Five cops booked TARN
TARAN, July 10 — The local police has booked five constables, who had succeeded in getting jobs by tampering with their matric certificates. According to police sources, Kulwant Singh, Pritam Singh, Major Singh, Kashmir Singh and Pargat Singh have been booked under various sections of the IPC. The accused said they had committed the crime to fulfil the eligibility conditions. The Police Department had ordered an inquiry in 1995 to verify the certificates and it held all five guilty. |
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One dead, 4 hurt in mishaps PHAGWARA, July 10 — Mr Tirath Singh (28) of local Bhagatpura mohalla was killed and his companion Mintu injured in an accident on the GT Road, near Hamira, yesterday. In another accident on the GT Road here, three persons, including a woman Army officer, were injured when their stationary Army vehicle was hit by a bus yesterday. The Army vehicle was on its way to Chandimandir. However, the injured were sent to Army hospital in Jalandhar Cantonment. |
GND
University admissions AMRITSAR, July 10— Guru Nanak Dev University will hold interviews for admission to LL.B (five-year) course of the university’s regional centre in Gurdaspur on July 17 at 10 a m on the centre premises, according to Dr Sujan Singh, coordinator of the centre. The result of the entrance test held on July 6 for this course was declared on July 9. He also advised the eligible candidates to appear for the interviews on July 17 at 10 a m. Guru Nanak Dev University has also decided to conduct counselling for admission to BCA/BIT courses at Guru Nanak Dev University College, Jalandhar, for candidates interested to seek admission in the colleges of Jalandhar on July 11. Dr S.P.Singh said, admissions to BCA/BIT courses would be done at Pathankot and Phagwara on July 12 and Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi on July 13. |
WTO will affect
agriculture: CPM GURDASPUR, July 10 — Mr Mangat Ram Pasla, Member Central Committee CPM talking to newsmen here today said that the BJP-led govt at the Centre was in a haste to implement the WTO agreement. He said according to the agreement 700 items were allowed entry soon after the visit of the US President. Another 715 items will be allowed entry by April 2001. Mr Pasla said that implementation of the WTO agreement will ruin small scale industry in third world countries including India. Punjab, being an agricultural state, will be adversely affected as dairy farmers will not be able to compete with foreign producers who are subsidised by their respective countries. Mr Pasla said disinvestment of PSUs was wrong especially as those running at a profit were being sold. Mr Pasla said that the BJP and its allies Vishav Hindu Parishad, RSS and Bajrang Dal were openly spreading communalism and claiming that they will build Ram Mandir in Ayudhya when the BJP comes into power on its own. Mr Pasla said the CPM would hold a state-level rally at Chandigarh on September 11. He favoured India exiting the WTO agreement. Regarding autonomy he said that his party is a staunch votery of greater autonomy but will oppose grant of pre-1953 status to Jammu and Kashmir. He also opposed scrapping of Article 370. |
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