M A I N   N E W S

Giani Puran Singh may be recalled
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 8 — Even as Giani Mohan Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple (one of the five Sikh high priests), has failed to get extension and was retired after attaining superannuation, the suspension of Giani Puran Singh may be revoked by the SGPC in the near future.

Giani Mohan Singh, is a close relative of the newly appointed President of the SGPC. The orders for relieving him from the charge of Head Granthi was issued by Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Secretary, SGPC, today.

Talking to TNS, Dr Bachan said that he had to obey the orders of the SGPC President. It is pertinent to mention that Giani Mohan Singh had refused to accept the post of Jathedar, Akal Takht, after suspension of Bhai Ranjit Singh despite the efforts of Mr Talwandi. Since Mr Talwandi is related to Giani Mohan Singh, he was deputed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal to persuade him, but in vain. This action of Giani Mohan Singh had reportedly annoyed Mr Talwandi.

However, Giani Mohan Singh said that he was still hopeful that his case for extension may be taken up in the forthcoming meeting of the SGPC Executive scheduled for December 12 and 13.

Meanwhile, the chances of revoking the suspension of Giani Puran Singh have been bright as he enjoys good relations with Mr Talwandi and Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, senior vice-president of the SGPC.

Another reason for considering the revocation of Giani Puran Singh’s suspension is that there is a shortage of granthis in the Golden Temple. Out of the six granthis (who are considered as high priests), only two full time priests have been left in service. No granthi has been appointed after the suspension of Giani Puran Singh. No one was appointed in place of Bhai Ram Singh, another granthi, who was transferred to Gurdwara Dhamdhan (Jind) on the issue of ‘maryada’ (Sikh tradition) on April 1, 1998 where he did not join.

Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, who has been performing duty as granthi simultaneously could not spare time for the duty of priest regularly due to his engagements. In such circumstances, the sources say, the suspension of Giani Puran Singh could be revoked in the near future.

Giani Mohan Singh who retired today after superannuation was appointed Granthi, Takht Sri Keshgarh, in 1964. He was elevated as Granthi, Golden Temple, in 1978. He also remained as acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, for two months after the ouster of Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode in 1988. He had directed Mr Surjit Singh Barnala to disband his Akali Dal for the sake of Panthic unity. Giani Mohan Singh is a student of Damdami Taksal. He sought his religious studies from Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale in 1956.

Two women die after tubectomy
From Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, Dec 8 — Out of the 11 women who were operated upon for tubectomy on December 4 at a family welfare camp in the Mini Primary Health Centre at Khanauri village in this district, two women have died while the condition of six others is serious and three of them are battling for life.

All 11 women were discharged the same day following the surgery, but immediately, on reaching their homes in different villages, the women started facing serious health problems. Reshma of Banarsi village died the next day, Sheela Devi of Shahpur Therri village passed away on December 6.

Of the six women admitted in serious condition in the local Civil Hospital yesterday, three Daya, Rajpati and Santosh all residents of Andana village in Moonak subdivision were today referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, while the others — Dhanpati of Andana village and Manjit Kaur and Sulindra of Shahpur Therri village — are under treatment in the Civil Hospital.

Meanwhile, Kapoori of Andana village, Bimla of Gulzarpura village and Tejo of Banarasi village, who were operated upon along with other women for tubectomy were also today admitted to the local civil hospital.

Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon, said this evening that the remaining three women had been brought from their respective villages as a precautionary measure by the health authorities as they had also some symptoms of infection. Mr Krishan Kuamr, a relative of Manjit Kaur, alleged that the surgeries had probably been performed in an unhygienic theatre or the tools had not been properly sterilised.

Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon, Sangrur said that he had formed a three-member fact-finding committee headed by Dr Suresh Goyal, district family planning officer, to probe the cause of deaths and lapses which had led to serious health problems to the women operated upon at the camp. The other members of the committee are Dr Narpal Singh, gynaecologist, and Dr V.P. Goyal, Surgeon and SMO Malerkotla. The committee would submit its report in three days, he added.

Dr Bansal has sought a report about the remaining three women about whose health there was no information after the operation

Dr Bansal said he had informed the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab the Principal Secretary, Health, Punjab and the district administration about the incident.

Expressing concern over this incident, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has also constituted a fact-finding committee headed by its Sangrur district president, Dr Darshan Pal.

Dr Surinder Singla, regional secretary of the association, said the committee would look into the entire incident to find out the cause of complications in the Khanauri family planning cases. He said the committee would submit its report in the week to its state president, Dr Baldev Sahota, along with suggestions and measures to prevent such occurrences in future.