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| Tuesday,
July 3, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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SAD rally kicks off poll campaign Alamgir (Ludhiana), July 2 Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, president, SGPC, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Minister for Technical Education, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Daya Singh, president, District Akali Jatha (Rural), Mr Amarjit Singh Bhatia, Vice president, SAD-B. Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, acting district president, Akali Jatha (Urban), Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Director, Markfed and a strong contender for party ticket from Ludhiana Rural assembly segment, had been working tirelessly for the past few days to mobilise workers and people for the rally. As one went past the canal bridge on Gill Road towards the gurdwara, all kinds of vehicles, mini buses, trucks, LCV’s, buses, vans and cars were lined all along the road. Sizzling hot and humid weather did not deter the party ranks as well as members of public, who braved the unfavourable weather condition for over four hours and listened to the speeches of local leaders, senior party functionaries, ministers and Mr Badal. Besides Mr Badal, his Cabinet colleagues Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Minister for Technical Education, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Assembly, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, president, SGPC, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhoondar, general secretary, SAD, Mr Bachan Singh Cheema, Mr Sadhu Singh Ghudani, Legislators, Mr Bhag Singh Malha, chairman, Punsup, Mr Jagjit Singh Ghungrana, chairman, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, former MP and a number of SGPC members were among those present at the rally. SAD leaders, one after the other, while addressing the rally, set the tone with a clear focus on the coming Assembly elections and made an appeal to those present, to give the coalition government, another term. Notwithstanding the fact that the local or state leadership of the BJP was conspicuous by its absence in a rally, which was projected to be a rally of the ruling alliance, several speakers, including the Chief Minister, did mention the name of BJP, while listing the achievements of the government. Most of the speakers, stuck to an almost identical format in their speeches. Almost without exception, the speeches veered round the achievements of the government, a sympathetic government in Centre and allocation of massive funds and industrial projects. Blaming the Congress for all the ills and financial crisis the speakers described the party as communal and undemocratic, which wanted to come back to power by all means. There were, however, a few exceptions when some of them sought to raise communal passions by recalling the horrifying events of ‘Operation Bluestar’ and 1984 riots. SGPC chief Talwandi, who is known for his stern looks and a stiff upper lip, was in an expressive and ‘poetic mood’ today. During his speech, he recited a couplet to scoff at the Congress hue and cry over sangat darshan programmes — ‘Bahut shor sunte the pehlu mein dil ka, jo cheera to ik katra-e-khoon nikla.” He followed it up with yet another opening line of a hit song from famous Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Vajayanti Mala starrer — Sangam, when referring to certain demands made during his speech, which were also given in writing to Mr Badal, he said ‘Yeh mera prem patra parh kar tum naraz na hona (Don’t get annoyed after reading my love letter). The SGPC president urged the state government and Mr Badal to
make attempts for linking the prices of farm produce to price index, take effective measures to check power theft, make adequate arrangements for procurement of crops in the coming season and grant exemption from sales tax and octroi to material purchased for places of worship. Meanwhile, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said here today that there should be no political vendetta while dealing with political rivals. He was commenting on the arrest of former TN Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and two Central Ministers by the Jayalalithaa Government and the treatment meted out to them. Mr Badal said that a proper procedure should be adopted if there were any charges of corruption against any politician. Asked if he favoured the imposition of President’s rule on Tamil Nadu, Mr Badal evaded reply, adding that the Central Government was watching the situation and the president was also seized of the matter. Mr Badal, who had come here to address the political conference of the Shiromani Akali Dal of Ludhiana district was asked why BJP leaders were absent said that the BJP high command had restrained leaders from coming to Punjab in view of the situation in Tamil Nadu. |
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Cops collect funds for ‘Jassi Nite’ Ludhiana, July 2 A number of persons from some villages falling under the police station have alleged that the Raikot police had ‘forced’ some persons who had gone to the police station in order to either file a complaint or in connection with a petty crime or a dispute to contribute funds for the show. Mr Prithipal Singh, SHO of the police station, however, denied the use of force. He said “no doubt that certain police personnel are close to the club organising the show but that does not mean that they were forcing people to donate for the show.” He said as per his knowledge, a Pakhowal-based man was collecting money for the show and he might have issued some receipts while being present at the police station. According to sources, the “Jassi Nite” would be an open event. The expenses for the organisation of the show are expected to touch Rs 3 lakh. Out of these, Rs 2 lakh are to be paid to the singer whose popularity chart is on the rise ever since he sung the numbers, ‘Kudi Gujarat Di’ and ‘Jadon da jawani vich pair gaya’. Sources said as the show was open for all , the organisers have been collecting money from interested persons to pay the singer. The villagers who did not wish to be identified also furnished documentary evidence. They showed the receipts of the money deposited by them at the Raikot police station. The receipts were issued in the name of
Surjit Sports and Cultural Club, which is organising the show. According to one such “victim”, he along with certain other villagers had gone to the police station to settle the issue of his involvement in some petty case. He was told to ‘donate’ Rs 5,000 for the show. He, however, expressed his inability to pay the sum. After some bargaining, the matter settled at the payment of Rs 1,000. The “victim” paid the amount and was issued a receipt that will also ensure him an entry in the hall to enjoy the music show. Not only he but several other persons have also been allegedly forced to pay money for the success of the show. One “influential” person, who is a regular mediator between the police and parties involved in some dispute, said he also paid Rs 500 to the police at the Raikot police station. |
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PSEB staff to gherao Parliament Ludhiana, July 2 In a meeting of PSEB employees held here today, Mr Surjit Singh Guraya, state vice-president, PSEB Employees Federation, said, “The wrong policies of the board and widespread corruption in the management, especially among the engineers, are the main causes of the financial crisis. The corruption in the Jalkheri Parali Project and the Rs 600-crore coal scam are recent examples. The substandard and useless material has been purchased by the board, resulting in loss of crores of rupees.” He alleged that material worth hundreds of crores, vehicles and machinery were awaiting disposal. Thousands of capacitors were hanging, burnt or were not in working condition. The transformers which could be repaired in the board’s workshop at a cost of Rs six to seven thousand were being repaired from private firms by paying Rs 12,000 or above and the bulk supply was being allotted to the same firms. Mr Guraya said the posts of engineer were increased disproportionately during the past years and workmanship posts were abolished, though control and maintenance depended on workmanship, not on engineers. Norms declared by the Saxena Committee, which were urgent to control the system and revenue loss, were violated. At least 40 per cent posts of revenue and field staff were lying vacant, resulting in 30 per cent revenue loss. About theft, Mr Guraya said 87 per cent of the revenue came from large and medium category consumers, which were under the control of engineers, and a major source of power theft. No action was ever taken against the officers, who were rather promoted and posted in good cities as per routine, whereas meter readers, responsible for only 13 per cent revenue collection from thousands of consumers, were targeted for theft of energy. They were punished even for minor mistakes. The union leader demanded a probe into the scams, transfer of corrupt and long-staying engineers and filling of vacant posts of the field staff as per the Saxena Committee report. The agreement reached at in the March 20, 2001 meeting between the board and the employees’ federation should be implemented. |
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Man shot dead outside
bank Ludhiana, July 2 The robbers could not decamp with the cash as in a hurry they snatched his bag containing medicines, thinking it to be full of cash. The police suspected the involvement of certain persons known to the youth as they seemed to know in advance about the deceased’s move to withdraw about Rs 50,000 from the bank. Twentyfive-year-old Dinesh Kumar died on the spot. He had come to the bank with his father. He came out of the bank before his father, who was bringing the bag containing the cash. The robbers waiting outside immediately shot him dead and fled with the bag. The police suspected that robbers were the same who were involved in two earlier robbery incidents in the city. The police said the description of the robbers matched those given earlier. Most of the city police was busy in VIP security in connection with the SAD-BJP rally. The robbers had come on a grey Bajaj scooter that did not have a number plate |
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Another show-cause notice to PAU Prof Ludhiana, July 2 In yet another development, the Vice-Chancellor of PAU, Dr K.S. Aulakh, has issued a show-cause notice to a professor and has asked to explain why action should not be initiated against him for speaking to the press about an earlier show-cause notice issued to him and for opposing the appointment of Dr Aulakh as VC of PAU by making statements to the press. Sources in the office of the Vice-Chancellor disclosed to Ludhiana Tribune that Dr R.K. Batra, professor of English, Department of Languages, Journalism and Culture, was again issued a letter asking for explanation. The development took place in the wake of the news item carried in Ludhiana Tribune on June 3 in which Dr Batra in an interview had said that a professor could not be denied a right to expression as per the rules of the university. Dr Batra was, however, later penalised for criticising VC’s appointment and his one increment was cancelled by the Vice Chancellor. Just a few days later Dr Batra was issued another explanation letter for speaking again to the press. Interestingly, a few days ago the Vice-Chancellor, while clarifying his stand, had said that he had not stopped the professors to speak on any matter requiring intellectual inputs. The VC had also said that he had just stopped them to criticise the functioning of the university which was a seat of education. The show-cause notice which was issued to Dr Batra last month had said: “You have violated Rule number 9 and 19(1) of PAU employees conduct Rule, 1967, while talking to reporters. You said that Dr Aulakh appointed as Vice Chancellor of PAU was not in accordance with the rules and regulations of the university. You have been found guilty and you should show cause why action should not be taken against you under the rules governing the condition of service of PAU employees.” Dr Batra in his reply had said that he had not violated the PAU rules. He had also alleged that the charges were being fabricated against him with the intention of harassing him and subjecting him to mental torture. He had also alleged that another higher official had even gone on record criticising the Academic Council of the university about the designation of a professor but he was never penalised. Dr Batra had also alleged that the VC was indulging in “pick and choose” policy and had urged upon him to apply rules evenly and uniformally to anybody who flouted them. Dr Batra had also said that the Rule number 9 did not say anything for teachers but for the employees. It stated,” No ‘employee’ can say or express his opinion against any policy of the university, state or Central Government.” He had further said that the rule did not apply to the teachers and was only for the university
employees. These were the statements which brought him another notice. |
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Row over vice-presidential poll Fatehgarh Sahib, July 2 According to information available, the municipal council president called the meeting to elect the vice-president and all members attended it. As soon as the election process started and certain members raised their hands in favour of one of the candidates, a scuffle ensued with the hurling of chairs. The SDM, who was present as Duty Magistrate, immediately called the police and handed over one of the councillors to them. In the melee majority of the members left the meeting without signing the proceeding register. According to Dr Harbans Lal, his candidate had won the election as 16 members raised hands in favour of his candidate and it was also recorded in the proceeding register. He said now the SAD and BJP leaders and councillors were making an issue of it as they could not bear their defeat. Mr Ashok Sood, president of the council, said as soon as the meeting started, certain members objected to the wrong agenda for the election as no clear-cut decision had been taken as to whether it would be by secret ballot or by raising of hands. He said in this melee the names were proposed and hands were raised, but no proper counting could be carried out as it was not certain who had raised hand in whose favour. He alleged that the other group forcibly raised hands of certain members, which annoyed other members, and a scuffle started. He said one of the woman members informed that she had not raised her hand in favour of the Congress candidate, but her name had been counted. He said the SDM called the police and only 11 members signed the proceeding book, whereas others
boycotted it. He said the election would be conducted again and a fresh agenda would be issued. Mr Charanjit Singh, executive officer, municipal council, said due to the chaos in the meeting, the proceedings could not be properly recorded and the members left the meeting without signing the proceeding register. He said the election process could not be completed and a fresh agenda would be issued for the election. The SDM, said he was deputed as Duty Magistrate to maintain law and order. He said as soon as the scuffle started, he called the police and handed over the member who had created the ugly situation. |
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Two labourers held for murder Ludhiana, July 2 The murder could not remain hidden beyond two weeks as the Jagraon police cracked the blind murder case and arrested both the accused According to the police, two migrant labourers, Mahesh Shah and his father-in-law Krishan Mohan, were arrested on the charge of murdering a labourer, Pankaj Kumar, on June 14 in the town. According to the confessional statement of the accused, they wanted to teach Pankaj a lesson for harassing Krishan Mohan’s daughter Shakunti. The police said Shakunti was a vegetable vendor and was
being lured by Pankaj, who was employed at a karyana shop near her vend. Pankaj was also known to Mahesh, the brother-in-law of the girl. As Shakunti complained about him, Mahesh and Krishan hatched a plot to teach him a lesson. The police said the duo invited him for drinks. After he was intoxicated, they began beating him up. The police said they were so furious that they strangulated him to death. The accused later threw the body in a vacant plot. The case was first registered as a blind murder case as the identity of the deceased could not be known at the time of the recovery of the body. Later investigations carried out by a sub-inspector unfolded the whole story. |
Job hunt — a big challenge Ludhiana, July 2 According to the figures available, the Ludhiana Employment Exchange has 22,317 persons registered with it. From April 30 to March 31 the number of candidates that had registered with the exchange was 6,915. Every year the number swells up as the backlog is not cleared. Notification about the vacancies to the exchange was only 1,245. Most of the job requirements were from private sector. The candidates sent for the interview were 4,463. Out of this number, only 561 were able to secure jobs. These statistics are for the city only and not for the its adjoining areas. Ms Daljit Inder, Employment Officer said they have fewer government vacancies as most of the government jobs are advertised. She said only a few days ago a large number of teachers were inducted into service but it was through advertisements. It is the job of Employment Department to put in the advertisements. They can provide employment only to class four employees. She further said they had asked the private sector employers to place the number of vacancies with them as they would not have to spend money with placement agencies. Ms Daljeet Inder Kaur, District Officer at the exchange, told this correspondent that they were not allowed to talk to the mediapersons about the new schemes for the unemployed. However, she was willing to talk about the earlier schemes and achievements and failures. She said, “There are several schemes under the Prime Minister Rozgar Scheme for the unemployed between the ages 21-35.” They have been organising conferences, camps, employment fairs, self employment camps, seminars, career teachers and school principal who are given vocational guidance and placement camps in various villages and cities after three months. The unemployed are also being encouraged to start their own business. Various options like mushroom farming, bee-keeping, food processing, typing centres, cycle repair shops, weaving. Under the Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna the young unemployed are given loans of Rs 1 lakh to run small businesses like kiryana stores, cycle repair shops and Rs 2 lakh for those who want to set up bigger ventures. The candidates after being interviewed by task force and district industry inspector verifies the details of the project and loan of two lakhs. Village Industry Board, Punjab Financial Corporation, Schedule Caste Financial Corporation, Land Development Financial Corporation, Backward Caste Financial Corporation, all disperse loans starting from Rs 35,000 to the people who want to set up small scale industries. According to the DSO, there are very few government jobs available. The job of the exchange is to register the names of unemployed, to give guidance to them through various camps and career guidance, seminars. They repeatedly invite people from different professions to give the job options to the unemployed as many of the candidates are not aware of the new openings and avenues. The Employment Exchange also gives Unemployment Allowance to candidates, who have registered for three years and have not found a job. Allowance of Rs 150 is given to undergraduates and Rs 200 to the graduates. The physically handicapped start getting the unemployment allowance after one year whereas the visually challenged and deaf and dumb start getting unemployment allowance of Rs 300 to 400 per month after three months of unemployment after registration with the exchange. The problem is enormous and gigantic and the government in spite of various efforts has so far failed to solve it. |
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DYC charges MC with
failure Ludhiana, July 2 The DYC activists submitted a memorandum to the district administration here, demanding compensation for damage caused to household items and commercial goods in various localities. The party alleged that all claims of the civic body regarding adequate steps for drainage of rain water and cleaning of open drains in the city to facilitate free flow of water had proved wrong. The situation was precipitated by unabated encroachments along the open drains all over the city, which were not being removed either due to the connivance of MC employees or due to pressure exerted by certain influential persons. According to the
DYC, most of the nullahs, including those in Talab Bazar, Chaura Bazar, Saban Bazar, Chauri Sarak, Rupa Mistry Street, Shivala Road, Dal Bazar, Bajwa Nagar, Partap Bazar, Janak Puri, New Hargobind Nagar and Gaushala Road, could not be properly cleaned and desilted due to encroachments. As a result, even light rain made the drains overflow and flood the surrounding areas. The memorandum also pointed out that repeated raising of the road level due to resurfacing and closure of drains in the streets had also led to a situation in which the house levels had gone lower in comparison to the roads and streets and were under constant threat of being flooded. The inadequacy of the sewerage system had been proved at several occasions. The DYC asked the district authorities to prevail upon the civic body to take corrective measures and also to provide compensation to the affected persons. |
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Encroachments galore on Brown
Road Ludhiana, July 2 The main factor responsible for encroachments along the road is the presence of a number of telephone and electricity poles. Wherever there are a couple of poles on the pavements, commercial activity of one kind or the other is being carried out on the space rendered useless by the presence of these poles. A little before Subhani building chowk, the pavement to the right of the road has virtually turned into a garbage dump. The pavement on the other side is also occupied by roadside vendors. Haphazardly parked scooters in front of the shops in the scooter market congest the road to an irritable extent. The Subhani building chowk, with a number of roads converging there, is perhaps the busiest and the noisiest roundabout of the town with auto-rickshaws, scooters and mini buses vying with each other to negotiate it in a hurry. A couple of poles outside a liquor shop not only obstruct the smooth flow of traffic, but also aggravate the problem as the space between these poles has been occupied by a roadside paan-bidi seller. |
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Shocks shock hospital employees Ludhiana, July 2 Following heavy showers rain water entered into the X-ray department, basement, and blood bank of the Christian Medical Hospital. One of the senior medical technologists, Mr Gyan Singh, president of the union, got a severe electric shock from the refrigerators placed in the blood bank. Another employee, Mr Grapin Messiah, also suffered a severe electric shock when he came in contact with Mr Giyan Singh. Mr Gyan Singh was shifted to the emergency ward and later to the intensive care unit. Mr Grapin was, however, discharged on Saturday. Members of the union have demanded that hospital and the municipal authorities should take immediate steps to ensure proper drainage of rain water. They also demanded that the switches of the refrigerators should be placed at a comfortable height, wooden platforms should be placed under the refrigerators and that the main switch should be inside the building. |
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Karuna got what he deserved:
Ramoowalia Ludhiana, July 2 Talking to mediapersons after attending a workers, meeting here yesterday, Mr Ramoowalia alleged that Mr Karunanidhi had resorted to large scale corruption during his tenure as Chief Minister. He appealed to the people of the state not to rush to any hasty conclusions on the issue. The Lok Bhalai leader claimed, similar arrests were likely to take place in Punjab also after the outcome of the Assembly elections in the month of February. He hoped, the people of the state will teach a similar lesson to the rulers of the state, who he alleged, had resorted to loot and plunder. Mr Ramoowalia promised to bring to book all those people who had betrayed public trust and had filled their own coffers at the cost of the state exchequer. He alleged, the present regime was the most corrupt and should be overthrown in the forthcoming Assembly elections. |
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Power cut timings Ludhiana, July 2 According to Mr Vinod Vashisht, Senior Vice-President, All India Steel Re-rollers Association, a delegation of the association will meet the Chairman, PSEB. Mr S.S. Sohal, to suspend the second timing of power cuts from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. |
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Telephones
out of order Ludhiana, July 2 Mr Sukhwinder Singh Lovely, a villager, said about 40 phones were out of order due to broken cables. He said,” nearly 20 villagers had met the authorities concerned regarding the restoration of telephone cables and the authorities had given the assurance that problem will be rectified soon”. Meanwhile, Mr Manjit Singh, a department official at Nangal village, said,”
The wire was not available with the department but the problem will be rectified as soon as the department officials get the wire”. |
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Proposal declined Mandi Gobindgarh, July 2 |
Two murdered in city Ludhiana, July 2 In the first incident Ram Parvesh, a worker with Nitic Factory, was murdered allegedly by another labourer Keshvar. The deceased’s brother, Om Parvesh had in a complaint lodged with the police alleged that the accused and his deceased brother had entered into a heated argument over some issue about 10 days ago. He said the accused Keshvar murdered him and later threw away his body in a market near the Focal Point. In the second incident, two youths attacked a youth Majnu in Dhandari Kalan and beat him mercilessly with iron rods. Majnu later died at the Civil Hospital. According to a case registered Kailash Parshad and Vinay Kumar had murdered
Majnu. |
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Gold chain snatched Ludhiana, July 2 House attacked Booked for fraud SAHNEWAL One killed Man beaten up Case registered According to an FIR registered on Sunday, Bachan Singh reported that Jaswant Singh and Jaswinder Singh had forcibly ploughed his seven acres of land. A case has been registered under Sections 447, 506, 148, 149 and 427 of the IPC. One booked KHANNA Poppy husk seized The driver and owner of the truck, Dara Singh, alias Jeeta, of Lekhpur village in Nawanshahr district and Harbhajan Singh of Shamspur village were taken into custody. A case has been registered under Sections 15, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. Dara Singh confessed during investigations that he used to bring poppy husk from Rajasthan and sell it in different towns of Punjab. A number of cases were already registered against him. Three of his brothers were also involved in the crime and had undergone imprisonment in connection with various cases. Dara Singh had been released on bail some time ago. The other accused also confessed that he was their partner. |
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