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| Friday, August 18, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Finance panel recommendations ‘Kilometre scheme’ runs into rough weather Tohra faction flays ‘mini’ session Five Pakistan nationals freed ‘Damage control’ exercise by CM Striving for
deemed-university status
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Fraud in IT appointments Built-up shops fetch Rs 2 cr Engineers’ association seeks more promotions Minister Nusrat Ali
hurt in mishap Show-cause notices to 2 FCs, Chief Engineer PCMS deputation meets Kalia Bihar MLAs visit
panchayats Kapurthala to have toy train NTAS celebrates
Sanskrit Divas
Riot victims can
file affidavits: DC
Mother of three shot dead Two killed in
car collision Security sought for woman advocate
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Finance panel recommendations CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — Punjab will attend a meeting of seven states called by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Chandrababu Naidu, to discuss the recommendations of the 11th Finance Commission (EFC) and their implications for states like Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Naidu and Maharashtra. Mr Naidu has sent an invitation to the Punjab Government to attend the meeting. The invitation has come through Punjab’s Resident Commissioner based in Delhi, it is learnt. The EFC’s report has become controversial and also a national issue involving both loser and gainer states. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will attend the meeting. Mr Naidu has called a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the seven states in Delhi on August 21 to get the implementation of the recommendations of the EFC stalled. The Chief Ministers, led by Mr Naidu will also meet the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to explain their viewpoint to him Mr Badal told TNS here today that he had talked to his counterpart in Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala . Mr Badal said he had also contacted the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal. Himachal Pradesh had also been hit by the recommendations, he added. Quizzed about the negative fallout of the report on Punjab, Mr Badal said the development process in the state would be jeopardised as the financial loss to the state would be huge. He said the report was totally unacceptable and the Union Government would have to find a way out. It was unfortunate that the EFC had not recognised the good work done by states like Punjab on various fronts. The people of Punjab had put in a lot of hard work to make the state prosperous. The EFC should have recognised this and rewarded the state. Mr Badal said that for providing a road network, the state government had invested thousands of crores of rupees in the past years. But now the Union Ministry concerned had come out with a formula that it would give funds to villages having a population of 1,000 for providing link roads. Informed sources said that on August 20, the Finance Secretaries of the seven states would meet in Delhi to prepare a fact-sheet for discussion at the meeting. On August 21, on the basis of the fact-sheet, the discussion would be held statewise. Mr Badal said the state government had already conveyed its concern to the Union Government with regard to the EFC’s recommendations. Meanwhile, states which have been benefited by the recommendations of the EFC have also started closing ranks to counter the move of Mr Naidu. Informed sources said that states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which would be major gainers because of the recommendations, had told the Union Government that they fully supported the contents of the report and it should be implemented without any alteration or delay. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa figure among the states which will benefit in a big way with the implementation of the EFC’s report. Punjab’s case has become more significant as the state has been facing a serious financial crisis and is just meeting its urgent financial requirements from the funds available to it. With a cut of Rs 197 crore from the Plan assistance for the current year and about Rs 325 crore from grants-in-aid because of the EFC’s report, the process of development in the state will be in disarray. Such a setback during the current financial year can prove very costly for the SAD-BJP government which has already started focusing on the next Vidhan Sabha elections. |
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‘Kilometre scheme’ runs into rough weather CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — The Punjab Government’s new “kilometre scheme” to augment the road transport services in the state has virtually run into rough weather with the Chandigarh Administration denying territorial jurisdiction to buses taken on lease under the scheme. The Punjab Government had decided to take on “wet lease” 157 buses to run within and outside the state on the scheduled routes. Under the scheme, PRTC was allowed to introduce this “kilometre scheme” more than six months ago, as it took on “wet lease” 160 buses. But none of these 160 buses was permitted entry into the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Only last month, the Punjab Government decided to extend the scheme to Punjab Roadways by allowing 157 buses to be taken on “wet lease” to supplement its public transport services. Till date 20-odd buses have already joined the fleet of Punjab Roadways. The Chandigarh Administration has started either denying these entry into the Union Territory or challaning them at the entry point. Both the Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration continue to justify their respective stands on “legal grounds”. The Punjab Government maintains that under the law the “lessee” is the “virtual” owner. Since the state government has given the permit and has its own conductor in each of the buses plying under the “kilometre scheme”, the Chandigarh Administration was not “justified” in either challaning or denying entry to these buses. Under the scheme, the state government will pay to the owner Rs 7.89 per kilometre promising that each bus taken on lease will cover minimum of 400 km a day. The contractor will provide the driver, diesel, pay for registration, road tax and insurance besides looking after the maintenance and repair of the vehicle. The rate will be revised according to a pre-agreed formula. Further, the state will provide conductors, special road transport tax, run buses according to the approved schedule and handle tickets. “For all practical purposes, these buses are Punjab Roadways buses,” a spokesman for the Punjab Transport Department said. On the other hand, sources in the Administration maintain that under the law and the relevant rules, the owner is one in whose name a vehicle is registered and as such Punjab Roadways cannot be accorded a status to which it is not legally authorised. The problem started a couple of months ago when the Chandigarh Administration impounded a couple of airconditioned and deluxe coaches belonging to a private operator of Batala who had been granted a permit by the Punjab Government to operate a bus service between Batala and Chandigarh. These airconditioned or deluxe buses belong to Mr Jagdish Sawhney, a BJP MLA from Batala. Mr Sawhney approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court and got an interim injunction against the Administration. His buses, however, do not enter the Inter-State Bus Terminus in Sector 17 but operate from Sector 22, Chandigarh. The Administration took the stand in the court that it would consider the suggestion of the Punjab Government to make amendments, wherever permissible and legal, in its policy on allowing private buses of other states to operate within its territory. Interestingly, there has been no written bilateral agreement between Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on allowing state-owned buses into each other’s territory. At one stage, before the controversy over the airconditioned and deluxe buses started, the agreement was in the final stage of approval. At present, Punjab buses cover about 23,000 km in the Union Territory of Chandigarh which in turn can operate on 34,000 km routes in Punjab. The agreement is on the lines of the one Punjab has with Delhi where against 1 km route in the Union Capital, buses permitted by Delhi state are allowed 1.5 km route in Punjab. The same formula was followed to draft the bilateral agreement which, after the ongoing controversy, is now hanging fire. |
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Tohra faction flays ‘mini’ session CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — Two senior Akali leaders and former Ministers, Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta today questioned the leadership of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and asked “how would he differentiate his Akali Dal from the Congress and the BJP?” The leaders who are now in the Tohra camp said, “The Akali Dal for decades had strived for a distinct political colour. It spoke and struggled hard for the Sikhs and the Punjab. it worked out its basic approach in the
Anandpur Sahib resolution. The creation of Punjabi suba is as yet incomplete as neither Chandigarh has been merged in Punjab nor the state has got its due share in river waters. The issues hang fire while Mr Badal basks in the reflected glory of the BJP and enjoys the privileges of power.” “We speak more out of anguish and less out of anger. Did we not promise the people and the Sikhs of Punjab a thorough probe into the decade long violence in the state. Why has the Akali Dal president gone silent on this vital issue, which was promised when we sought votes”, Mr Grewal and
Mr Calcutta said. They admitted that they should have put their foot down when during the subsequent Lok Sabha polls, this point was dropped from the Akali Dal manifesto. “We soon corrected ourselves and have been demanding this. Let Mr Badal hold a probe and we shall thank him”. he seems to be scared,” they added Talking to The Tribune here, the two leaders said, Mr Badal has entered into an unholy alliance with Delhi and is ready to compromise on all issues basic to the Akali Dal, the panth and Punjab. What has happened to the demand of exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar from the hill state of Uttaranchal. Why is Mr Badal not implementing the political affairs committee resolution passed in October 1998 on the issue of walking out of the BJP. Mr Badal claims to be the tallest leader of the Akalis and yet shows utter opportunism and cowardice”, they alleged. “It is sheer lust for power”, they added. The two former Ministers also criticised Mr Badal for claiming that he had initiated development and established peace. “This claim was made by the late Mr Beant Singh also. In fact,
Mr Badal has #only tried to maintain peace the way Mr Beant Singh did, by how towing to the police as no Akali leader has done before. Even the Tercentenary Celebrations were ‘melas’ as the, content was missing.” The two leaders said that Mr Badal does not utter a single word about the basic demands of Punjabis. “Whenever anyone mentions these demands relating to river waters and Chandigarh and more powers, he develops cold feet. On every issue, he toes the BJP line. When the issue of Kashmir or atrocities on the minorities is raised. He starts singing about roads and what not. And, where is the money for development”, they asked. The two former Ministers also demanded that the Assembly session be at least a fortnight long. “Mr Badal has a majority. Why is he so afraid that he opts for two-day or three day sessions. Let the issues facing the state be debated in detail”, they said. |
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Five Pakistan nationals freed AMRITSAR, Aug 17 — On the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as many as 57 Bangladeshis and five Pakistani prisoners were released from the high-security camp jail here today. Two Iranians and an Afghan resident have already been released. While the Pakistani nationals will be handed over to the Ministry of External Affairs for deportation through the Pakistani High Commission, the Bangladeshis will be deported from Calcutta. According to Mr Jagjit Singh, Jail Superintendent, all Bangladeshis had been released following a message by the Additional-General of Police (Intelligence). Most of them were booked under the Foreign Act. Thirty Pakistanis still languished in the jail as the Pakistani authorities had not come forward to identify them. As many as 24 Pakistanis had already been repatriated following the visit of Justice V.K. Jhanji of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Most Bangladeshis released today said they were well taken care of in the jail while the jail authorities in Pakistan had tortured them when they were undergoing sentences there. The names of Pakistanis released today are Mohammad Sharif, Murad, Ashraf Ahmad, Ahmed Asgar Ali (Lahore) and Imran Nazir. Muhammad Tufail, a Bangladeshi, alleged that he had crossed over by bribing Border Security Force and Bangladeshi security personnel. Many agents operate in the border belt between India and Bangladesh. However, now infiltration into India through agents has come down due to strict security at the border.” Mohammad Munir said most Bangladeshis infiltrated into India and Pakistan due to poverty. Cyclones, floods and natural calamities forced them to leave their motherland. He said he was happy that he had been released. “I will suggest my countrymen not to leave Bangladesh without a valid passport”, he said. Mohammad Jehangir, who lived in Pakistan for about six years before his arrest at the Wagah border, said he had been bribing the authorities of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for crossing the borders. Jehangir, who spoke in chaste Punjabi, said he knew many languages of the region as he had worked as a waiter in a hotel and as a domestic labourer for many years. He said he liked India and would come here again on a valid passport. He said a month before his marriage in Pakistan, he had learnt that many Bangladeshis had got married in India and Pakistan, thus becoming citizens of these countries. Hence, he had been tempted to cross over. Many Bangladeshis alleged that landlords and industrialists in India and Pakistan often exploited them by giving meagre wages. “When we raise our voice against such exploitation, they get us arrested for illegal stay”. |
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‘Damage control’ exercise by CM CHANDIGARH, Aug. 17 — A two-point agenda at a meeting between Akali MLAs and the party President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here today was to politically galvanise the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and reset the development programme giving it a specific direction. The legislature wing of the party was, thus, afforded an opportunity to air its views on how to revamp the organisational machinery preparing it for the general assembly elections ahead. Each MLA, sources told TNS, was asked to list specific priorities in his/her constituency so that the necessary implementation was done without loss of time. The real purpose of the meeting was a “damage control” public relations exercise by the Chief Minister following the Udham Singh Nagar fiasco. The Political Affairs Committee of the party had taken a muted stand on the issue while its coalition partner, the BJP, in complete disregard of Akali sentiments, went ahead with the creation of Uttaranchal state with Udham Singh Nagar included. Reports reaching the party headquarters here showed that the image of the party had been blurred, to put it mildly. “In fact, the party has received a severe blow with the rank and file feeling low and let down”, said a source. Informed sources told TNS that Mr Badal wanted to take up certain development-oriented projects in each constituency before the general assembly elections. In fact, one of the decisions that emerged at the end of the meeting was that at least one political conference should be held in each constituency within the next one year. This is not a new decision. Earlier, too, similar decisions had been taken when strident criticism of the leadership became louder. MLAs had complained that they had no say in political and administrative matters. Their main grudge was that in the police and civil administration they got scant attention and respect. How far today’s assurances on development works and political involvement went remained to be seen, said a source. The MLAs, by and large, concentrated on seeking the upgradation of schools, creating employment opportunities or stressing the need for additional road links and repair of the existing network. On the political front, the general refrain was that the relationship between the SAD and the BJP was far from cohesive and cordial. The meeting, sources maintained, was more in the nature of enabling MLAs to share their grievances, real and perceived with the party boss. Political observers say even if the SAD President does not opt for a mid-term Vidhan Sabha poll, there is an overriding fact: the party may shortlist 70-80 assembly constituencies, mainly rural, out of the total of 117, and concentrate on these. The idea is to give the identified assembly constituencies a new political-cum-development orientation in preparation for the
elections. This will enable the Akalis to capture a major chunk of the seats. At such a large gathering the general outcome cannot be expected to be radical or of far-reaching consequence. It was more of an effort to build bridges between the Akali
leader (s) and the MLAs, who were exhorted to renew their contacts with their constituents and spread the word on SAD-BJP achievements. |
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Striving for
deemed-university status LONGOWAL (Sangrur): Getting the status of a deemed university for the Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET) here is a dream its authorities are striving to fulfil. They have completed the necessary formalities in this regard and sent the relevant papers to the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development (MHRD), hoping to secure clearance during the current academic session. Besides this, the SLIET has sent a proposal to the MHRD on the introduction of new certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate courses in two years at the institute. The approval of the MHRD to the courses is still awaited. Although the SLIET is not facing any serious financial problem due to a budget allocation of Rs 20 crore per annum to it, shortage of professors and assistant professors in the subjects of computer engineering, electronics engineering, instrumentation engineering, food technology and chemical technology is a matter of concern for the institute authorities. Talking to TNS, Dr R.C. Chauhan, Director of the SLIET, said: “We are striving very hard to get deemed-university status for the SLIET”. He hoped that the institute would get this status during the current academic session. Regarding the shortage of staff, Dr Chauhan said there was a shortage at the level of professor because the institute was located in a remote place. He said the SLIET had 30 vacant posts of professor and assistant professor in different engineering and technology departments. Dr Chauhan said the SLIET had drawn up a plan to introduce eight postgraduate, four degree and three certificate courses in engineering and technology besides four diploma courses in
technology. The relevant document seeking approval to introduce these courses had already been sent to the MHRD. He said at present 12 certificate course, 10 diploma courses and eight degree course in engineering and technology were being run by the institute. Nearly 2,400 students were studying at the institute, he added. The computerisation of the central library of the institute is going on. The entire process will be completed in a year. The library has about 30,000 books. The SLIET has also set up a book bank, which will start functioning from the current academic session. Books will be given to students for a semester, after which they will have to return these to the book bank. There is a demand that the state government should make a bypass via Duggan village as buses and other vehicles now pass through the institute to reach Duggan and Longowal villages. The movement of vehicles through the campus disturbs the academic and other activities. The authorities have written several times to the state government in this regard but to no avail. Besides this, a direct road from the Sangrur-Barnala highway to the SLIET is also required. It is only a 3 km-long stretch which can be constructed by the government after acquiring 55 acres. The construction of various buildings is in progress on the campus. A few buildings were completed during this year, including the Chemical and Food block, the ECE Computer and Instrumentation block, the Student Activity Centre the Girls’ Hostel. The SLIET was set up by the MHRD in memory of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. Diploma and degree courses were started in 1991 and 1993, respectively. The institute, spread over 450 acres, is an autonomous body though it is funded by the Union Government. |
Fraud in IT appointments PATIALA, Aug 17 — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a recruitment scam in the Income Tax Department here during which employees, including a few inspectors, were recruited fraudulently by the department’s Staff Selection Commission in collusion with some lower level officials. A CBI team stayed in the city for a few days this week itself and questioned six officials working in the Income Tax Commissioner’s officer here. Income Tax Commissioner B.M. Singh while confirming arrival of the CBI and questioning of few officials, however refused to disclose details of the case. Mr Singh said the case pertained to the period in the late eighties and that the appointments which were being investigated had been made by the Staff Selection Commission of the department. He however, said he did not have any detailed knowledge of the number of irregular appointments made or the manner in which the appointments had been made. However other sources disclosed that the racket had been unearthed when some data regarding the selection procedure was examined. The sources said examination of the data revealed that names of candidates who had been given employment did not match with the original list. They said these employees, who were mainly from the clerical cadre and a few inspectors, had been working in the department for periods ranging from 10 years to twelve years. The sources said while eight to 10 employees had been recruited in the Income Tax Commissioner’s office here, there had been similar fraudulent recruitment in other offices in the state also. They said the CBI team was likely to visit other places also as part of its investigation of the scam. The sources said around 60 to 70 persons of the northern region could be involved in the scam. Meanwhile Commissioner, Income Tax, refused to comment upon whether any person had been arrested in the case. He said only some employees had been questioned by the CBI team and that the team did not take any office record in its possession. He said whatever had happened took place at the level of the staff selection committee which was responsible for recruiting non-gazetted employees. Meanwhile Commissioner B.M. Singh disclosed that the one sixth scheme was being launched in Patiala Income Tax district also. He said the aim of the scheme was to widen the tax base. He said all those who owned a car, telephone, house with area of 1500 square yards, had gone abroad or had sponsored someone’s travel, were a member of a club with a membership fee of Rs 25,000. The commissioner said the department would extend full help to the public in filing their declarations. He said forms were available in the department’s office and officers had been instructed to advise the public in this regard.  |
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Built-up shops fetch Rs 2 cr AMRITSAR, Aug 17 — The Improvement Trust today got Rs 2 crore in auction of built-up shops in certain elegant localities of the city. Stating this the Improvement Trust Chairman, Mr Bakshi Ram Arora, said that this was second auction since he took over and received overwhelming response. In the first auction held in July the trust auctioned shops in the Nehru and Plaza complexes amounting to Rs 3 crore. He stated that in today’s auction booths in the Nehru shopping complex located on the Lawrence Road fetched Rs 11 lakh each whereas each booth carried reserve price of Rs 6.51 lakh. Similarly shops in the Kesri Bagh located near the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh were auctioned for Rs 2.31 lakh whereas the reserve price was Rs 57,500 each. Shops in the truck stand block on the GT road also got handsome money as instead of reserve price of Rs 1.50 lakh each shop got over Rs 6 lakh. The shop-cum-flats in the same scheme fetched over Rs 16 lakh instead of reserve price of Rs 12.50 lakh. Mr Arora said that the next auction was scheduled for September 20 and he expected good response to this auction also. |
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Engineers’ association seeks more promotions CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — The Temporary Engineers Association of Punjab PWD (irrigation branch) along with PSE-Class I Association at its first state-level convention at The Institute of Engineers, here today presented charter of demands to Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, seeking funds for development works relating to irrigation which it self would create more promotional avenues for engineers. The projects demand included construction of Shahpur Kandi barrage, rehabilitation and maintenance of the canal system, construction of Dashmesh Canal, Kandi Canal Phase-II, low dams in Kandi area and charging of ground water. The demands also included more promotions redesignation of engineers on the PSEB pattern and grant of enhanced design allowance and allowance for higher qualifications. The Minister praised the engineers for successfully tackling the problem of water logging and construction of Ranjit Sagar Dam, which was likely to be commissioned by September. The state would get 600 mw of electricity on commissioning of the project. Already two turbines had been tested and were working successfully. “The Minister accepted the demands in principle”, according to Association President Mr B.S. Sandhu. The Association also honoured three retired Chief Engineers, namely, Dr M.R. Goel, Mr Amarjeet Singh and Mr S.K. Goel, for the credit-worthy work done during their tenure, said the General Secretary, Mr S.P.S. Saini. Earlier, Mr Gobind Singh Longowal, Minister of State for Irrigation, also addressed the gathering. |
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Minister
Nusrat Ali hurt in mishap PATIALA, Aug 17 — The Punjab Sports Minister, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, was injured in a car accident early this morning along with his driver and gunman when his official Contessa rammed into truck near Naulakha village on the Sunam-Chandigarh road in this district. Sources said that the accident occurred at 1.30 a.m. today and that the minister’s car rammed into a truck carrying rice bran. They said the minister was brought to the Singla Hospital here in his escort vehicle. Hospital in charge P.C. Sinha said the minister suffered injuries around his left eye besides severe bruises on his ribs and other body parts. The minister’s driver, Devinder Singh, had also been severely injured and his gunman, Ram Das Singh, had fractured his leg. However, all three were stated to be out of danger. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir rushed to the hospital early in the morning on learning about the incident. Sources said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had also enquired about the health of the minister. The Red Cross has decided to bear the medical expenses incurred on the treatment of the minister’s gunman, Ram Das Singh. |
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Show-cause notices to 2 FCs, Chief Engineer CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — Mr Rajesh Chhabra, Financial Commissioner-cum-Secretary for Irrigation and Power, Punjab, Mr Rajan Kashap, Financial Commissioner-cum-Finance Secretary, and Mr S.K. Singal, Chief Engineer (Drainage), and two others were issued show-cause notices by Mr Justice J.S. Khehar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a contempt petition filed by Mr Nachhatar Singh, a resident of Bam village in Muktsar district. He sought punishment for the five for intentionally disobeying the High Court order dated February 16. The petitioner submitted that the Department of Drainage to solve the problem of water-logging in the district constructed a drain on the land of the petitioner and other persons of the village. But the department did not pay any compensation to the petitioner despite him having made representations. The petitioner was compelled to approach the High Court which directed the respondent to pay compensation to the petitioner and others with interest for the land which were acquired for the drain. Copies of the judgement and High Court order were supplied to the respondents but the respondents did not comply with the orders for which they should be punished under the Contempt of Courts Act. |
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PCMS deputation meets Kalia CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — The PCMS Association, Punjab, today urged the Medical Education Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, to improve the functioning of the state medical college hospitals. A deputation of the association led by Dr M.S. Randhawa met Mr Kalia here today. Dr D.S. Gill, president and Dr Manjit Singh, general secretary, of the association, respectively, who were part of the deputation, told Mr Kalia about the shortage of medical staff (doctors and staff nurses) and vacant posts of senior residents, senior lecturers, assistant professor and professor. Because of the prevailing “ad-hocism” in such hospitals, certain super-speciality courses had been discontinued.. Dr Manjit Singh said, Mr Kalia gave an assurance on the release of a list of senior residents for posting in the medical colleges within a week. As a policy matter was involved in filling the posts of senior lecturer, assistant professor and professor, Mr Kalia told the association that he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister. Mr Kalia also sought a report from the authorities concerned with regard to the super-speciality departments on the verge of closure and the courses already discontinued. On the request of the association, Mr Kalia issued instructions to the authorities concerned in the medical colleges to hold weekly discussions with regard to deaths taking place in the hospitals. This practice was discontinued several years ago in medical colleges in Punjab but is prevalent at the PGI, Chandigarh and other reputed institutions. The minister agreed to examine the appointment of a regular joint Director, Research and Medical Education (DRME), and the creation of other senior-level posts in the Directorate of Medical Education. He also agreed to delegate powers pertaining to sanctioning of the earned leave up to 30 days to the Principals and the Medical Superintendents of the state medical colleges. He also directed the authorities concerned dispose of cases of time-bound promotions of PCMS doctors and to examine the restoration of the quota for
sportspersons and other reserved categories for admission to the medical colleges. The minister instructed the Principal Secretary, Medical Education, to issue the necessary clarification regarding five additional marks for actual rural service out of a total 100. |
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Bihar MLAs visit
panchayats FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 17 — A high-powered team of Bihar MLAs today visited various villages and rural development agencies’ offices to get first-hand information about the implementation of the panchayati raj system in the district. The team led by Dr Nilambar Chaudhary, MLA, visited district zila parishad office, BDPO office, Sirhind, primary schools, Rajindergarh and Hansili villages. They enquired about the development projects initiated by the village panchayats, the working of primary schools, construction of houses for the rural homeless and about the rights, duties and working of the panchayats. They also interacted with panches and sarpanches and enquired from them how the panchayats were involved in social activities, development works and setting up of focus points. Later, the team was welcomed by Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, at Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind. He gave the team members detailed information about the working of various local bodies. He also highlighted the focal point scheme. The team also visited Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Roza Sharif, where they were presented siropas. Dr Chaudhary said the team was impressed by the development of the state, particularly in the rural areas. He said they had studied various aspects of the panchayati raj system, which would be implemented in Bihar.
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Kapurthala to have toy train KAPURTHALA, Aug 17 — Imagine a colourful little but real train chugging along the banks of the picturesque but neglected Kanjili Lake, near here. It is not a dream, but a project which is expected to take the shape of reality within a year. With the setting up of a 1-ft-seven inch narrow gauge rail track on which an engine and two coaches will run and entertain tourists on the spot, Kapurthala will become the first city in Punjab to boast of a toy train. Though there is no such train in Punjab, at present, toy trains enthral kids at merely three or four places of tourist interest in the country, including Nandankanan Zoo. The Rs 36-lakh project envisaged by the district administration has already been cleared by the Railways after a request made in this regard by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The project is part of the programme aimed at restoring the glory of the hyacinth-infested lake and converting it into a self-sustaining and revenue-generating tourist place. Experts have given their nod for the site where 430 metre-long rails are to be laid and infrastructure like look-alike signals and a small railway station is to be set up. The small engine and its two coaches are being manufactured at the railway fabrication unit in Mysore. Mr V.K. Singh, Deputy Commissioner, who is the man behind the project, said Rs 18.70 lakh had already been deposited by the administration with the railway authorities as the first instalment towards the cost of the engine and other equipment. The rails would be set up in the no-activity zone of the wetlands to prevent any disturbance to migratory birds and animals in the adjoining woods, said Mr V.K. Singh, adding that the project would be completed within a year. He said the open space along the lake would be developed as a cultural centre where artistes would perform on weekends. “A number of singers have volunteered for this. Moreover, we will invite upcoming artistes to perform,” he said.
Mahajan may head
finance panel CHANDIGARH, Aug 17 — Mr B.B. Mahajan, a former IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, is likely to be appointed Chairman of the Second Finance Commission. Informed official sources said that a panel of two names — Mr Amrik Singh Pooni, a former Punjab Chief Secretary, and Mr Mahajan — had been sent to the Chief Minister, who had reportedly approved the name of Mr Mahajan. The state government had decided to set up the commission for the allocation of funds to the local bodies and to suggest ways and means to mobilise resources for urban areas. |
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NTAS celebrates
Sanskrit Divas PATIALA, Aug 17 — The National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), Patiala, organised Sanskrit shloka recitations in commemoration of Sanskrit Divas on Savan Purnima, at NTAS Mandir here today. Sanskrit students, trained by Dr Shakti Dhar Sharma, a Sanskrit scholar, recited Shlokas on the themes of human values and character-building to coincide the day with the 54th Independence Day. Pandit Vijay Kumar, a Tabla player and vedic ceremonies performer, joined the recitations and prayed for the world peace. Mr Pran Sabharwal, Director, NTAS, stressed the need for the development of Sanskrit education for peaceful, successful and pious living. Presiding over the function, Prof A.K. Shahi, Head, Mathematics Study Circle, Patiala, urged the Department of Languages, Punjab, keep up its tempo of promoting Sanskrit drama through translations and performances for instilling a spirit of patriotism and nationalism among the people. |
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Captain awarded
Sena Medal PATIALA, Aug 17 — Capt, Tajinder Pal Singh Sohal of Patiala has been awarded Sena Medal for gallantry. Captain Sohal, a commerce graduate from the Government Bikram College of Commerce, Patiala, passed out from the Indian Military Academy in 1995. He was chosen for the award for his fight against militancy in the Kashmir valley during Operation Vijay. Handicapped boy given tricycle PATIALA, Aug 17 — Independence Day was celebrated at Government Primary School, Daru Kuta Basti, at Sular village by the Lions Club Patiala Central. Narinder Singh, a 16-year handicapped boy of Dhamal village was given a tricycle, which was jointly donated by the club and Mr J.S. Bahia, Managing Director, Amar Hospital, Patiala. Two sewing machines by the State Bank of Patiala, YPS branch, and one by Mr B.R. Gupta were donated to the S.D. Sewing Centre. Mr B.D. Juneja donated one embroidery machine to this centre. Notebooks and other stationery articles were distributed among students of Government Primary School, Daru Kuta, by the club.
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Riot victims can
file affidavits: DC GURDASPUR, Aug 17 — Mr V.B. Vikram, Deputy Commissioner, said on Wednesday that the 1984 riot victims, who wanted to file affidavits before the G.T. Nanawati Commission, were advised to contact the office of either the Deputy Commissioner or the subdivisional magistrates of their respective subdivisions. They would be assisted in making the drafts of the affidavits. The last date for the filing of which was August 25. |
Mother of three shot dead DEWALI (Jalandhar), Aug 17 — In a gruesome incident, four Maruti-borne assailants shot dead a housewife and mother of three in her house around 10 a m here today. Residents of this sleepy village on the Jalandhar-Nurmahal road were shocked when the assailants struck in the village in broad daylight and drove away coolly in their car after killing Sunita Rani, wife of Ashwani Kumar, a UCO bank employee at Raipur Pharala village. Sunita Rani, 32, was about to leave her house when three clean-shaven youths donning caps and one youth wearing a turban, came to her and shot her from point-blank range. The lone bullet pierced her mouth and jaw. The assailants fled, leaving her in a pool of blood. She died before she could be shifted to a hospital by the neighbours, who initially took the youths to be guests of the family. The victim was alone at home at the time of the incident since her husband had already left for work and her two teenaged daughters and son were away to school. When The Tribune team reached the spot, the body had been sent for a post-mortem examination. Meenu, the 14-year-old daughter of the deceased, was to benumbed to speak. She said somebody had informed her about the incident while she was attending her class. “As I rushed back along with my sister and brother, I saw my mother lying motionless in a pool of blood, surrounded by a number of neighbours,” she said. Neighbours said they had seen four youths alighting from a Maruti car, but took them to be guests or relatives of the family. “Then we heard a shot and mistook it as fireworks. By the time we reached the spot, the killers had fled,” said one of the neighbours. Tripta Rani, the mother of the deceased, and a cross-section of the villagers claimed that the family had no dispute with anybody, so it was difficult to say anything about the motive of the crime. The incident has come as a bolt from the blue for Ashwani Kumar. “Now he will have to look after the children” said grieving relatives and friends. Meanwhile, the police has sealed off the entire area and nakas have been laid on all roads leading to the village. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said preliminary investigation has revealed that the crime had been committed for personal motives. |
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Two killed in
car collision JALANDHAR, Aug 17 — Two persons were killed on the spot and three injured in a head-on collision between two cars at Amritsar bypass on the city outskirts today. Mr Jiya Lal, a resident of Delhi in his late seventies, died while his daughter, Simmi, son-in-law, Varinder Aggarwal, and their son, Isht, were injured when their Ikon car collided with a Maruti. A woman who was travelling in the Maruti car was killed and her co-passenger injured. All injured have been admitted to a nearby
private hospital. Body found: The police recovered the body of a woman from a nullah near Maqsudan locality on Thursday morning. The decomposed body had no clothes on it. Electrocuted: Raj Kumar, a resident of Hoshiarpur and an employee of the Punjab State Electricity Board at Bhogpur, suffered severe injuries when he was electrocuted while doing a repair job in his office on Thursday morning. He was shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh, in a critical condition, the police said. Security sought for woman advocate AMRITSAR, Aug 17 — Pending an inquiry by a DSP all proceedings against an alleged false case against an advocate’s family and the arrest of the other accused were stayed. The case relates to a woman advocate, Ms Sushma, a resident of Amritsar, who married Ravinder Pal Singh of Ludhiana in 1990. She had filed a complaint against her in- laws under Section 498 of the IPC. The case was not followed up by the Ludhiana police under the influence of Ravinder Pal Singh’s family, Ms Sushma alleged. Instead the Ludhiana police registered a false case under Section 380 of the IPC against the advocate. As a result of efforts made by the Istri Sabha, Ludhiana, a divorce was obtained by mutual consent on June 1 and payment of alimony was arranged. Soon after, the advocate allegedly started getting threats on the phone from her former husband following which she submitted written complaints to the police authorities. The Ram Bagh police had summoned her husband to the police station on August 4. The same day the police raided her parental house and whisked away her old father and brother to the Civil Lines police station. The family was given to understand that this was in connection with a complaint made to the police a few days ago under Section 326 of the IPC. Mr Sat Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader, and Mrs Vimla Dang of the Istri Sabha contacted the SSP, Amritsar, and said the alleged case following which arrests of the advocate’s father and brother was made was “false”. According to Mr Dang, the advocate’s brother has been let off and proceedings have been stayed against the father whose bail application has been accepted. In a letter to the DGP, Punjab, and the SSP, Amritsar, Mr Dang has demanded adequate security for the woman advocate who apprehends a threat to her life and has sought action against officers for harassment due to registration of a false case.
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11-year-old raped TARN TARAN, Aug 17 — An 11-year-old girl, a student of class V, the daughter of Mr Avtar Singh, a resident of Chabal village, was raped on Wednesday by Tarsem Singh, alias Lada (20), a resident of the same village. Mr Avtar Singh, the father of the victim lodged a complaint with police station, Chabal under Sections 376, 511 of the IPC. The accused is absconding. |
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