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| Tuesday,
June 19, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Amarinder, Bhattal lobby for PPCC posts New Delhi, June 18 Sources in the AICC here said that PPCC chief Amarinder Singh, party MP Jagmeet Singh Brar who is also convener of the Punjab Congress MPs Forum, and former Chief Minister Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has each suggested a list of names to the high command for various posts of PCC office-bearers. Maintaining factional balance within the state Congress would be crucial to the party’s efforts at projecting unity. The Congress, which has hinted against projecting a chief ministerial candidate, is trying hard to come out with ways to counter aggressive poll campaign launched by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Though senior party leaders have ruled out any change in the PPCC leadership, murmurs of dissent have not died down entirely. The constitution of PPCC office-bearers is being seen by the party workers as an indication of the extent to which the high command would accommodate other chief ministerial aspirants in the state Congress. These aspirants, sources said, had complained during PPCC and AICC members election, saying that their supporters had been badly ignored. Any perceived injustice in the constitution of the PCC executive committee now party leaders say, would affect the efforts of forging unity within the party. They say that though there may not be an open show of defiance, the members perceiving unfair treatment may not participate whole-heartedly in the election campaign. Senior Congress leader Moti Lal Vora, who is in charge of Punjab affairs has indicated that the PPCC executive committee would not have more than 51 members. It still has not been decided by the party high command if the Punjab PCC office bearers would be allowed to contest elections. In UP, for instance, almost all office bearers have been told to concentrate on the organisational work only. Even critics of Mr Amarinder Singh emphasise the need of unity in the party to keep chances of Congress’ return to power alive. They also point to the need of projecting a Chief Minister under whose command the whole election should be fought. “Ambiguity in this respect would only weaken the party’s position versus the Akalis who have a known leader,” said a senior party leader. |
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Rules flouted for minister’s kin Amritsar, June 18 The posts had to be advertised following intervention of the Chief Secretary, Mr N.K. Arora when objections were raised that some ayurvedic medical officers and medical officer were appointed in the local municipal candidates were appointed on contract basis due to nepotism. The veteran CPI leader, Mr Satya Pal Dang, in a letter to the Chief Secretary has said the same candidates were selected as ayurvedic medical officer and medical officers while some “brilliant candidates” were ignored. It may be mentioned here that in December last year Mr Dang had sent a complaint to the Chief Secretary that some doctors were appointed “not on merit” but in “gross violation” of all rules and regualtions. He had also complained that “transparency” was not maintained while making the appointments in the municipal corporation. One of the beneficiaries was the daughter-in-law of the Health Minister who is also the daughter of a municipal councillor. After receiving the letter from Mr Dang, the Chief Secretary wrote to the local corporation to “review all the cases of ad hoc appointments and ensure that vacancies are filled by following the procedure prescribed”. This was intimated to Mr Dang by the Chief Secretary through a demi-official letter dated January 8, 2001. However, Mr Dang alleged that “some in the corporation began boasting the same persons will be re-appointed, come what may”. However, Mr Gurwaryam Singh, Joint Commissioner of the municipal corporation who headed the five-member panel which conducted the interviews, claimed the “appointment of the ayurvedic/medical officers were made purely on merit”. He said the appointments were passed by a resolution passed by the full house of the corporation which is a public document”. Apart from Mr Gurwaryam Singh, other members of the panel included Mr Rajesh Kandhari, a municipal councillor, Mr D.P. Gupta, Assistant Commissioner, Dr Charanjit Singh (of the corporation), Dr Joginder Singh, the then District Ayurvedic Officer. Dr Charanjit Singh, Health Officer of the corporation, also claimed Dr Geetu Sareen, daughter-in-law of the Health Minister, was selected on “merit”. When contacted, Mr D.P. Gupta said a candidate could not be ignored if she/he was relative of a VIP. He claimed that the appointments were made on merit. Mr Sareen, municipal councillor and father of Dr Geetu Sareen (daughter-in-law of the Health Minister), said his daughter was selected on merit. He said had anybody favoured her (Dr Sareen) she should have been appointed much earlier. Dr Sareen had lot of experience to her credit as she had worked in Guru Ram Dass Charitable Hospital, Kakkar Hospital and other prestigious institutes before her appointment as medical officer in the corporation. Mr Dang claimed that before the interview he had suggested to the Commissioner of the corporation to suggest that criteria for selection should only be objective and that interview marks should be done away with. Mr Dang said the Commissioner had replied the criteria for selection of the candidates had already been fixed. Mr Dang said for the post of ayurvedic doctor Dr Yogesh Arora, who was previously working on contract basis, was selected. Mr Dang alleged that one candidate is the son of an RSS-BJP leader. According to the president of the Anti-Corruption Favourites Sangathan, Amritsar, “the corporation at its meeting sanctioned the salary of one doctor for the period during which he did not work as the government had ordered no extension” to him. Interestingly, the district ayurvedic officer was retired after the appointments were made. He said another ayurvedic doctor was appointed from the “so-called waiting list” without any advertisement. The CPI leader urged the Chief Secretary to order a high-level probe in this regard. |
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SJP flays economic policies of govt Mansa, June 18 He said his party was holding meetings in various districts of the state to create awareness among people. He alleged that the wrong policies of the government had made farmers bankrupt and this led some of them to commit suicide. He said unemployment and the prices of articles of daily use have increased tremendously. Mr Jeeda was addressing party workers at Dezy Marriage Palace here on Friday. He asked party workers to reach Porbunder (Gujarat) on June 19 when the “chetna march” of party president and former Prime Minister Chander Shekhar would conclude there. He said when the Union Congress government was going to accept the recommendation of GATT and the WTO in April 1994, Mr Chander Shekhar organised a march from Kurukshetra (Haryana) on April 13, 1994, to create awareness among people and to oppose the same. He said the present NDA government was following the policies of the Congress. The industry of the country had failed and going into loss. The government was selling public sector industries, like BALCO. He said party workers would leave today for Porbunder form Bathinda and reach Rajkot (Gujarat) on June 19. Mr Jeeda said on the one hand the SAD-BJP government in Punjab was opposing the WTO while on the other hand it was supporting the BJP government in Centre, who was implementing the WTO. He said in Punjab corruption was rampant and bureaucracy was looting people. People’s voice was curbed with force. Crores of rupees were being distributed in the name of “sangat darshan” programmes. He said to streamline the activities of the party Mr Chander Shakhar would tour Punjab in July when all political parties, which were opposing the economic policies of the government, would be brought on one platform. All-out efforts would be made to create third front to help people to get rid of anti-people policies of the government. Among others, Mr Gian Parkash Joshi and Mr Jagjit Singh Kube, both state general secretaries of the SJP, Mr Maghar Singh Bahadurpur, district Mansa president of the SJP, Mr Baldev Singh, district Bathida president of the SJP, and Mr Najar Singh Baghi, state president, youth wing of the SJP, addressed the meeting. |
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Case against ADGP’s son Patiala, June 18 A case of attempt to murder was registered against Kuldeep, his gunmen and some labourers after villagers of Jhil village blocked the Patiala-Sirhind road last evening, alleging the police wanted to shield the accused, particularly Kuldeep Singh Bhullar. Earlier in the afternoon, in the clash between both parties three villagers suffered injuries following shots fired from police carbines while one of Kuldeep’s gunmen was hit by a sharp-edged weapon. Villagers alleged Kuldeep and Rakesh Kumar of Goodwill property dealers alongwith gunmen and labourers tried to forcibly take control over a plot of land for which Rakesh had given a part payment to its owner Mohinder Singh but could not get the land registered in his name during the stipulated time. They alleged that when they fired shots in the air to disperse a crowd of villagers three of them, including Mohinder Singh and his son Jaswant Singh, were hurt. Sources said the villagers smashed the private gypsy of the property dealer and forced its occupants to flee from the site. The villagers also immediately blocked the Patiala-Sirhind road demanding that action be taken against the accused. They said following this the Superintendent of Police (Detective), Mr M.S. Chahal and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr B.S. Virk, arrived at the spot and assured the villagers that a case would be registered against the ADGP’s son. Subsequently, a case of attempt to murder was registered against Kuldeep and others at the sadar police station. The DSP (Rural), however, disclosed a cross case had also been registered against the land owner, his son Jaswant Singh and two others on the basis of a statement given by Balwinder Singh, a gunman of Kuldeep, who was injured by a sharp-edged weapon. He said Balwinder had given a statement that he and the other gunman were going to Jalandhar to take Kuldeep when they reached the village and the villagers thought they had come to take possession of the land under dispute and attacked them. Mr Virk also disclosed the police was investigating the case and that reports had been received that Kuldeep was in Jalandhar yesterday. He said no one had been arrested in the case and that the police had seized six empties fired from a carbine, a smashed up Gypsy vehicle and a scooter from the site. Giving details of the case, Mr Virk said Rakesh had given a part payment to buy Mohinder Singh ‘s land in Jhil village in October 1999 but could not get the land registered in his name till the stipulated time agreed upon till October, 2000. He said Mohinder Singh then gave a formal notice in this regard to Rakesh which was contested by Rakesh who claimed he had tried to get the land registered but Mohinder had not agreed to the same. He said the police had investigated Rakesh’ complaint and found it to be false. Villagers said Babbu Mann’s controversial song ‘’Chak lo revolver, riflan kabja laina hai’’ could be a reason leading to the clash at Jhil village yesterday. They said the occupants of the Gypsy vehicle in which Kuldeep and his gunmen were allegedly travelling were playing the controversial song which was taken in bad light by the villagers and led to frayed tempers and the subsequent clash. |
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Sangat darshan embarrasses cops Tarn Taran, June 18 The milkman had brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister while he was listening to the problems of people. Mr Badal ordered the SSP to immediately transfer the ASI. Two more persons complained against the ASI for not paying dues even after two years. Mr Badal distributed cheques worth Rs 2.66 crore among 73 gram panchayats falling under the Naushehra Pannuan Vidhan Sabha constituency being represented by Mr Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Minister for Cooperation, Punjab. It was the second sangat darshan in this Assembly constituency and Rs 1 crore have been given to the gram panchayats for development works. Mr Badal said the Punjab Government was going to establish big projects in the state with the collaboration of business houses to tackle unemployment. He said the Punjab Government had got sanctioned projects worth thousands of crores, including Guru Gobind Singh oil refinery at Bathinda from the Union Government. Mr Badal condemned the Congress for criticising sangat darshans, which Mr Badal claimed, were proving to be useful in redressing grievances of masses. Mr Badal released cheques worth Rs 35 lakh for development works at Chohla Sahib township. He released Rs 3 lakh for development works at Sheron village known for wrestlers of international fame. He also announced a grant of 10 tins of desi ghee for the wrestlers practising there. Mr Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur, MP, Mr Surinder Singh Kairon, former MP, Mr Veer Singh Lopoke, MLA, Mr Manmohan Singh Sathiala, Chairman, PRTC, Mr Arvinder Singh Brahampura, Vice-Chairman, Markfed and the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Mr Narinderjit Singh, were also present on the occasion. A deputation of the Goindwal Industries Welfare Association presented a memorandum regarding the implementation of the accord of April 24, 2000, to give relief to the working units at Goindwal Sahib. |
Forward Bloc to contest 20
seats Ropar, June 18 The convener of the committee, Mr V.P. Saini, while talking to newspersons today said the bloc had decided to field candidates from Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Nangal, Kharar, Morinda, Balachaur, Garshankar, Mahilpur, Hoshiarpur, Tanda, Dasuya, Sujanpur, Kot Jaimal Singh, Dina Nagar, Gurdaspur, Banur, Amritsar and three other constituencies which are yet to be decided. The party was scrutinising the names of various applicants. The name of the candidate for the Anandpur Sahib constituency has, however, been decided. The party general secretary of the Ropar unit, Mr Mohinder Singh, would be fielded from Anandpur Sahib, Mr Saini said. He further said the committee had decided to hold public functions across the state on June 22 to mark the foundation day of the party. The main function would be held at Ropar. About the electoral strategy of the party, Mr Saini said corruption in the present government would be their main plank. About the sangat darshan of Mr Badal, he said it was amazing that almost a defunct government a few months ago had suddenly become prosperous in the elections were to be held in the state. The ruling alliance was trying to mislead the people of the state by resorting to gimmicks in the election year, he alleged. |
Residents sick of power cuts Bathinda, June 18 The ministers and officials of the state government have been claiming that record power production and efficient power distribution had given a sigh of relief to the residents but the facts speak the other way round. A few months ago PSEB officials had claimed that the power problem in the state was due to the lower water levels in the dams. They had claimed that in the rainy season the power situation would improve but even after the start of rainy season the situation was far from ideal. The claims of the state government and the ministers can be assessed from the fact that in May the Power Minister, Mr Sikander Singh Malooka, inaugurated the 24-hour uninterrupted power supply scheme at Badiala village, with power supplied from the generator. The fate of the residents can be assessed easily. During the past few days the frequency and duration of the unannounced and unscheduled power cuts has increased manifold. Reports have indicated that not only the sale of generators and the invertors have increased manifolds but new units manufacturing these have sprung up in every nook and cranny of the city. Many people and tent house dealers have even started providing generator sets on rent for the summer season. With the paddy sowing season on the anvil the farmers of the state have started facing problems. Due to the non-availability of uninterrupted power supply industries in the district too are facing problem. Many of the industrial units of the district which have earlier subscribed to the 24-hour power supply scheme of the PSEB have now installed their own power generation units and have reportedly withdrawn the extra amount paid to the PSEB authorities. Even the industrial growth centre of the city, started with much fanfare has not got the “facility” of 24-hour power supply, much to the bane of industrialists. Not only the residents but even various private hospitals of the city have been facing problems due to frequent power cuts. Even the Civil Hospital of the city does not enjoy the facility of hot-line power supply even after paying the required amount to the PSEB, the sources said. Various NGOs and the residents of the district have demanded that the city should be
declared a power-cut free city but the government seems unmoved. Dr Amrit Sethi, a resident of the city, said all claims made by the ministers were not in accordance with the practical situation faced by the people. The residents should generate public opinion and demand the status of power cut free district for Bathinda, he added. |
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Inquiry report on depot fire this
week Pathankot, June 18 According to sources the court of inquiry has worked on three probable causes of fire. Unscientific storage of ammunition is said to be one of the major cause of the depot fire. According to sources, about 50 per cent ammunition has proper accommodation as per the norms laid down. The remaining about 50 per cent ammunition is stored in
improper conditions. According to sources, the Directorate is not responsible for the explosions and the loss in the ammunition fire which calculated in crores, is a national loss. Since the Army Commanders sign an authorisation that the ammunition can be kept in the open to the Directorate, Ordnance, as such the responsibility, if any fixed, is upon the
Commander only for storing and handling the ammunition in an unscientific manner. The second probability of the depot fire blamed it on excessive heat. But the incident occurred after 8 pm. Most of the ammunition is conditioned to withstand much higher temperature, said sources. The ammunition kept in extreme heat conditions is tropicalised. Ammunition stored in the open also does not catch fire until there is a catalyst. There are norms like making fire lanes, storing ammunition on plinths in air-conditioned accommodation etc. As a result of ill-trained civil manpower the norms are not followed, said the sources, leading to fires. The absence of coordination and planning, leading to multiplicity of ammunition, had only compounded the problem, said an Army official. |
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New bus stand by
year-end Pathankot More than 300 buses pass through Pathankot every day on their way to or from the two hilly states. The bus stand is frequented on an average by more than 15,000 passengers daily. But in the absence of proper facilities at the bus stand, there is chaos at any given time of the day, putting passengers to a lot inconvenience. There is hardly any place for the parking of vehicles. Drivers are compelled to park their vehicles on the main road outside, often leading to a traffic jam on the Gurdaspur-Pathankot highway. There are no public toilets at the bus stand. In the absence of proper shelters, passengers have to stand in the open, exposed to the vagaries of the weather. Passengers can be seen running from one bus to another to locate the right vehicle to board. According to official sources, similar chaotic scenes prevail at most other bus stands in Punjab. The old bus stands, built decades ago, have not been able to cope with the rising volume of traffic and passengers. This is what led the Punjab Government to order the construction of new bus stands in several cities . The bus stands are being built through the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation, which in turn has given contracts to private companies. The bus stand project here is estimated to cost more than Rs 5 crore. It is scheduled to be completed within one year. According to Mr Deepak Singal, managing director of the company which is executing the project, the site of the bus stand was handed over in November last year. He is confident that the project will be completed within the stipulated period, provided the state government continues to release funds on schedule. More than 50 per cent of the work is over. The construction activity at the bus stand has added to the chaos at the site but most passengers do not seem to mind because, as one of them put it, they are looking forward to the early completion of the project. |
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Domestic help or threat to life? Bathinda, June 18 The police sources said the crime by migratory labour in the state had been on the rise. In most of the cases, the migratory labourers had been engaged as domestic help by the residents. In the latest incident of the kind, Mr Rattan Singla (40), working in the local unit of the National Fertilisers Limited, and four of his family members were reportedly drugged by his Nepalese servants late Saturday night. Mr Singla, who regained consciousness last evening, said he had engaged a domestic help a few days ago. The servant had been living with the family and had won their trust. The servant soon brought Ajay, an associate, to the house of Mr Singla and pleaded help to which the Singla family agreed, he said. On Saturday night, the servant mixed some intoxicants in the dinner. The family members fell unconcious after eating the food. The incident came to light when one of their relatives called on the Singla family yesterday morning. When he did not receive any reply, he jumped over the wall and found the family unconcious. The victims were, thereafter, admitted to the local Civil Hospital and a private hospital in the city. Although the condition of the victims was reported to be out of danger, the doctors were yet to establish the nature of the intoxicants used. According to reports, the culprits escaped with cash and some jewellery items. No injury, however, was caused to the family members. According to information, a Nepali helper working with a local automobile dealer had come to meet these servants. The police sources said there had been no police verification of the domestic help. District police chief Jatinder Jain has asked the residents to get the antecedents of their domestic helpers verified by the police authorities. A case has been registered, the police sources added. |
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Govt compromising security:
CPM Nawanshahr, June 18 Paying tributes to comrade Kesar Singh Surapuri, Mr Mangar Singh Pasla, member, central committee, CPM, said the NDA government had posed a serious threat to the national security by allowing foreign capital in the defence sector as foreign companies would be more concerned about their profits than the security of the country. He said the economic policies being pursued by the NDA government would create unemployment. Mr Pasla criticised the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for encouraging the entry of hardcore militants in the state, which could pose serious law and order problems. He termed the sangat darshan programmes of the Chief Minister a ‘poll gimmick’. Mr Kulwant Singh Sandhu, member, CPM, central committee, Mr Gurdip Singh Ankhi, president of Jalandhar unit of the CPM, Mr Pakher Singh Chahal, Dr Baldev Beeka, Mr Sohan Singh Salempur, Mr Satnam Singh Gulati, Mr Kuldip Singh Sujjon, Mr Harpal Singh Jagatpur, were also present. |
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Funds released for jobless
youth Gurdaspur, June 18 The crossing opposite the court of the SDM will be widened and beautified. A blue print in this regard has been prepared. There are no industrial units in the area and the educational infrastructure leaves much to be desired. Dhar subdivision falls in Assembly segments of Pathankot and Sujanpur whose MLAs, who belong to the ruling party, insisted upon the Chief Minister when he visited Sujanpur on June 14, for sangat darshan to approve the scheme. The Chief Minister detailed the Deputy Commissioner to draw up a plan. The Deputy Commissioner presented the plan to the Chief Minister before he boarded the
helicopter for Chandigarh. The Chief Minister approved the plan and in a personal noting on the plan directed the Deputy Commissioner to allot shops only on merit. |
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Rally against demolition of building by owners Bathinda, June 18 The activists were demanding a judicial probe into
the incident and demanded the arrest of all those who were involved in the incident. The residents of the Mota Singh building had been threatened and forced by the owners to evict the building. The owners of the building along with more than 100 goons started demolishing the building on Saturday. Members of The Shahar Bachao Committee have demanded that suitable compensation be paid to the tenants of the building and action against the culprits should be taken at the earliest. Mr R Venkatratanam, DC, Mr Jatinder Jain, SSP, had visited the spot and assured the residents that action as per law would be taken against the culprits. The police said 27 persons who were involved in the crime had been arrested and cases registered. However, the committee leaders demanded that all those who were involved in the crime be arrested. Mr Madan Lal Kapoor, state president, Beopar Mandal, said shopkeepers of the city would observe a two-hour bandh in protest against the incident and press for their demands. |
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Police takes away fasting mill workers Mansa, June 18 The fasting workers and employees of the mill are demanding that the mill should be restarted and their wages for 54 months be released. Mr Karnail Singh Lakhmipur and Mr Jaswinder Singh Bhangu, president and general secretary, respectively, of the state unit of Cooperative Sugar Mills Workers Federation visited Budhlada today and urged the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to accept the demands of the workers. They said the workers of the federation would allow the Malout cooperative sugar mill to function only after the mill at Budhlada was restarted. They threatened to stage a dharna in front of the office of Sugarfed in Chandigarh on July 6 and gherao the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Mansa, on June 25 if the demands were not accepted. They also said sugar mill employees of the state would proceed on a pen-down strike. Mr Butta Singh, former MLA and general secretary of the CPI, condemned the taking away of the workers by the police. Mr Bhupinder Singh Gurne, acting president of the Save Mill Worker Union, said a letter had been written to the Punjab Human Rights Commission in this regard. In today’s rally, family members of the workers were also present. The rally was held in front of the office of the SDM, Budhlada and was addressed by Mr Hardev Arshi, MLA and CPI leader, Mr Ruldu Singh, senior vice-president of the Punjab unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta) and Mr Shiv Charan Dass Suchan, former Mansa municipal councillor, among others. |
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Badal concerned over
poverty Amritsar, June 18 He said the university authorities should conduct a survey of the rural areas, especially in the border belt, to find out the reasons of poverty and present a report for corrective measures. Talking about the contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Chief Minister said the Maharaja established a secular regime for the welfare of the common man. He said the ideals and message of Maharaja Ranjit Singh should reach the masses. Talking about the series of functions being organised by the government in connection with the coronation celebrations, Mr Badal said a state-level function would be held in Amritsar on November 13. On this occasion, the golden chair of the Maharaja would be placed at the museum at Ram Bagh. The Chief Minister also suggested the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Soch to conduct a survey of the educationally backward areas of this border belt, especially the area of Dhar block of Gurdaspur district, and send a report to the government. Dr Soch disclosed that the university had adopted certain measures for the development and promotion of literacy. |
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Tension over gurdwara land defused Mahema (Jalandhar), June 18 A group of Dalits, who claimed that a part of the “dera” was under their control, had been protesting against police in action against a group of Jat Sikhs headed by one Mohinder Singh, who were in possession of the other part of the “dera” and had allegedly thrown away the “Nishan Sahib” of the “dera” into the village pond. They had also organised a sit in before Mehatpur police station on Saturday, which had prompted the police to book and arrest the accused. The Jat Sikhs led by Mohinder Singh, on the other hand, alleged that a group of unscrupulous persons had been levelling baseless charges against them and trying to get them framed with a view to usurping the adjoining gurdwara land used by them for offering prayers. But what led to the tension in the village and the surrounding areas was allegations by Dalits led by Amarjit Singh that Mohinder Singh and certain other members of the “Jat” community had barged into two “dera” rooms after breaking open the doors on June 8 and had thrown away the “dera’s Nishan Sahib” in the village pond. Mr Pushkar Sandal, DSP, Nakodar, said there was no tension in the village as for now and all three accused had been arrested as had been demanded by the Dalits and other followers of the “dera”. |
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Innovative designs prove ray of hope for phulkari
artisans Patiala, June 18 The Patiala Handicrafts Society is showing the way in this field training women to make phulkari a designer item besides making entrepreneurs out of them. Due to steps taken by the society, a large number of rural women, who were earlier making embroidering traditional dupattas for a variety of shops in the town, are now making innovative items which are finding buyers in the state and outside it. The society is making a variety of items making use of phulkari including bed sheets, cushion covers, aprons, curtains, stoles and even sarees besides the mandatory suits and dupattas. It is already supplying its products to government emporiums besides finding private buyers. The society, the brainchild of Rekha Mann, took to phulkari six years ago by starting work in a rented garage. Today she has a workshop in which she is training budding designers besides having her own rooms in few villages where rural women get together to stitch phulkari embroidery together under trained supervision. “It has been painstaking work”, says Rekha. The idea behind setting up the society was to train rural woman to make innovative designs as well as bring in quality control in the art, she added. “It is very difficult for the artisans to start off on their own”, says Rekha adding most of them are reconciled to working for middlemen who supply them the threads as well as take away their products and give them meagre money. She said she was trying to encourage women to set out on their own but most of the women had problems in getting loans for the venture. Rekha said the society was striving to make its own designs and was in touch with various organisations, including the National Institute of Fashion Designing. She said recently a team of students from the NIFD had been initiated into the world of phulkari when she took them around to meet the traditional artisans.Simrita Singh, a teacher with the NIFD at Chandigarh, said modification of phulkari appeared to be the key to its revival. She said phulkari could be revived by making designs which were wearable and gave a contemporary look. Simrita said this was, however, a double-edged sword. While reviving phulkari through modified designs, we must ensure the traditional craft lives on. She said it is here where the government could come in and encourage the artisans. |
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Water supply scheme
inaugurated Patiala, June 18 This was stated by Raja Narinder Singh, Public Health and Urban Aviation Minister, Punjab, while addressing a gathering after inaugurating a water supply scheme worth Rs 40 lakh at Nabha here today. He also said that special agro processing units had been set up to check better quality of seeds. He said that 130 lakh metric ton of paddy and 157 lakh metric ton of wheat had been produced in Punjab as a result of the facilities provided last year. He added that the government provided Rs 350 crore to overcome the loss suffered by farmers from the produce of paddy. The minister assured that all efforts would be made to ensure that farmers did not face similar problems this year. The minister said that 50 units of electricity had been made free to the Dalits apart from various other facilities such as giving money for the marriage purposes. He added that the roads of various villages would be repaired at a cost of Rs 2.60 lakh, Rs 1 lakh would be spent on the construction of rooms of a high school building and Rs 50,000 for rooms of a primary school. The minister said that a special component yojna worth Rs 362 crore had also been introduced to look into the affairs of the Scheduled Castes and the Dalit community in particular. While addressing a Dalit conference held to celebrate the 110th birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, he said that an amount of Rs 5,100 would be given for the marriage of girls belonging to such community under the shagun scheme while free land would be provided to those who are living without any accommodation. Raja Narinder Singh added that a grant of Rs two lakh would be spent upon the repair of dharamshalas and verandahs apart from an amount of Rs 15,000 to be spent on the books for children of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Education Club. He added that special books would be made available to the interested students who wanted to appear for IAS or PCS examinations. |
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Disaster prevention
committee Patiala, June 18 This was stated by Mr Manjit Singh Narang, SDM, Patiala, while inaugurating the disaster prevention teaching camp at Brahma Kumaris Raj Yoga Centre here today. He added that more than 12 lakh people die in road and rail accidents, while a large number of others die of natural calamities such as earthquake, flood, bomb explosions, volcanic eruptions, etc. Speaking on the occasion, traffic policemen said that the use of drugs, carelessness and breaking the traffic rules had been the common problem observed among the youths while driving their vehicles, which in turn led to a number of accidents. The people added that the habit of not wearing helmets was yet another cause of fatal accidents. Mr K.R.Verma, Training Officer, District Red Cross Society, said that it was essential to provide first aid to the people immediately after they met with an accident. He said that during the training provided to students and people, efforts were made to educate them how to stop the flow of blood during accidents, in addition to other problems. Centre Director Kamla requested the SDM to organise such camps at Nabha, Rajpura, Samana, Sangrur and other places so that the people could get proper training in this regard. |
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Woman dies after ‘abortion’ Fazilka, June 18 According to reports, Karima Bai, wife of labourer Puran Singh, already had three sons and a daughter. She was admitted to the local Civil Hospital after her condition deteriorated. Puran Singh and his relatives alleged that the police had not initiated any action against the suspect midwife on the plea that the hospital authorities had not informed the city police about the death of his wife. As the police had not got the official death report, it was yet to prepare the inquest papers. Hence, the post-mortem examination of the deceased woman had not been done till noon today. This was the second death in the past week allegedly after abortion by untrained midwives in the city. Earlier, last week Parmeshwari Bai of Mandi Hazoor Singh village also died in similar circumstances. |
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Ex-servicemen rue govt apathy Ludhiana, June 18 The meeting regretted that the Central and the state government had made no progress to settle the issue of one rank one pension despite Supreme Court judgement. The recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission were still not cleared. The meeting observed that the rehabilitation of soldiers was still in doldrums and lateral induction into para military forces was not being implemented. It said 1962, 1965 and 1972 war widows cases were still pending for compensation and decisions taken in the Rajya Sainik Board meeting for enhancing the ex-gratia grant and marriage grants were also not being implemented. |
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AISSF seeks apology from Canadian radio
channel Nawanshahr, June 18 Mr Bhoma expressed concern over the increasing number of migratory labourers in the state and demanded that they should not be given the right to vote. Mr Gurbux Singh, general secretary, AISSF, Mr Resham Singh Thiara, senior SAD leader, Mr Tarlochan Singh Dopalpuri, SGPC member and Mr Param Singh Khalsa, district president, AISSF, among others also spoke. |
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Stagnant water irks residents Gurdaspur, June 18 Employees Colony is low lying due to which rain water accumulates resulting in stagnation and consequently, gives breeding-ground to mosquitoes. Other reasons include unfinished disposal work on the GT Road towards Batala, incomplete construction of a nullah on the Sangatpura road and accumulation of polythene bags in
drains. Mr Rakesh Jyoti, president of the municipal committee, on being contacted, said work on the nullah and the
G.T. Road in progress and would be completed within a month. He appealed to the residents to avoid throwing polythene bags into the drains. |
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Punjab to have film censor
board Nawanshahr, June 18 Addressing a gathering he said with a view to check the increasing vulgarity in Punjabi songs and movies, a censor board would soon be constituted. A meeting of intellectuals, writers, artistes and lyricists had been convened at Chandigarh on June 22 for the purpose, he added. He said a sum of Rs 6 crore was being spent to boost tourism in Punjab. |
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Graft case: cop freed Mansa, June 18 Surprisingly, he has joined again the same post though no person who remains in judicial custody for more than 48 hours can resume duty. |
Relief sought for grape growers Bathinda, June 18 Mr Jassi, in a press note issued here today, said the farmers has spent about Rs 30,000 per acre on pesticides and other products. He said the farmers who had taken loans for the cultivation of the crop should not be asked to return the loan. The Congress leader alleged that the condition of farmers in the state was deteriorating. He alleged that the economic policies of the government were responsible. He urged the government to pay special attention to agriculture. He demanded the loan should be written-off because the farmers were unable to pay back the same. Mr Jassi said the dairy project at Kaljhalani village was not able to yield results. He urged the government to adopt the project as the youths who had started dairy farming under the scheme were finding it difficult to return the loan. He said the government should make all arrangements for the procurement of crops in time so that the farmers should not face difficulty at
mandis. |
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125 lakh tonnes of paddy for Central pool Chandigarh, June 18 After reviewing the arrangements being made for the procurement of paddy, Mr Mittal said the state Agriculture Department had intimated that the production of paddy would be nearly 134 lakh tonnes. |
MC, police join hands to streamline
traffic Amritsar, June 18 Formulation of road maps pinpointing encroachments and decisions regarding exigency measures to commence an anti-encroachment drive will be taken. Besides, the issue of one-way passage, rationalising commercial establishments, streamlining parking spaces, that are the bane of haphazard traffic and consequent accidents are on the agenda. Talking to The Tribune, Mr B.R. Banga, the newly appointed Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, said the measures has to be uncompromising as cities were growing day by day and the growth had contributed to the utter congestion on the roads. He admitted that unplanned building activity and a casual approach towards encroachments had brought things to such a pass. “This state of affairs is true for cities throughout,” he remarked. “However, the drive will be started in a phased manner and the commercial routes will be the first to come under the drive,” he opined. The areas most affected by encroachments were Lawrence Road, Katra Jaimal Singh, Hall Bazaar, Lohgarh, Hukam Singh Road, Dosandha Singh Road, Railway Link Road, Railway Road Lohgarh area, Albert Road, near Sabzi Mandi, Shaheedan area, markets of various avenues etc, he stated. However, political observers express contradictory observations to the proposed drive, as it can erode the urban vote-bank of the BJP in these areas. But others feel that it will be offending just a handful of people. In fact, it will make a headway with the general public after the outcome of the drive proves beneficial to them. |
Bid to drug
scribe, two sons Phagwara, June 18 Smelling a rat, Romesh Kaura ran after the fleeing Des Raj and caught up with him at the gate of their Banga Road residence. Des Raj was handed over to the police. He admitted the vegetables were laced with drugs since he and his accomplice wanted to rob the Kauras. While the accomplice is still at large the local police has registered a case under Section 328 of the IPC for “causing hurt by means of poison etc with intent to commit an offence.” Hailing from Rae Bareli in UP Des Raj had been with the Kauras for the past five years. |
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14.5 kg of opium seized Patiala, June 18 Mr Sidhu said that Mr Jassa Singh, Sub-Inspector, Lalru police station, has seized 5 kg of opium during a raid, while Mr Harbhajan Singh, SHO, Dera Bassi police station, seized another 4 kg of opium during a different raid. Mr Sidhu added that 1 kg of opium has been seized from the residence of Malkit Singh and Subeg Singh, both opium smugglers, when a raid was conducted by the district police here today. Mr Sidhu said that another 4 kg of opium was found in a trunk inside the residence of Malkit Singh and 500 gm was seized from the three-wheeler belonging to Subeg Singh, that too was standing inside the house of Malkit Singh. The SSP said that a case had been registered against the two smugglers. |
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Jawan shoots himself dead Gurdaspur, June
18 The deceased had come from his village after attending the funeral of his father and was under tension. Meanwhile, an unidentified body was found yesterday on the Tibri road. |
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