R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
CRITICISED: The Punjab State Pensioners and Senior Citizen Welfare Association held a convention here on Sunday. It criticised the state government for the non-implementation of the recommendations of the fifth Pay Commission. This was stated by Mr S.S. Guoraya, acting president of the association.

ARRESTED: The Lopoke police has arrested Lakhwinder Singh for allegedly killing his wife, Sarabjit Kaur, for dowry. Her father, Mr Darshan Singh, has alleged that his son-in-law used to beat her mercilessly. A case has been registered under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC.

ALLEGED: Residents of Chabba village near here are up in arms against the disposal of the effluents of a paper mill in the direction of Gurdwara Sangrana Sahib. They have damaged pipes used for discharging the effluent and alleged that mills were still running despite the Centre's orders against the polluting mills.

BATHINDA
SAPLINGS PLANTED: The Dost Welfare Society, an NGO, celebrated vanamahotsava on Monday in cooperation with the local Gaushala Committee at Sirki bazaar. Mr Makhan Singh, MLA, was the chief guest. A member of saplings were planted on the occasion.

‘GREEN’ CAMPAIGN: Arpan, a local NGO, on Monday inaugurated a green campaign by planting a sapling near a college. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president of the municipal council, was the chief guest.

FARIDKOT
CLAIMS: Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka, Power Minister, Punjab, claimed here on Monday that power supply had improved to a large extent and there would be no more power cuts in the state from next week. A committee comprising one member from the farming, industrial and business community each, was being constituted to redress the grievances of people.

FEROZEPORE
CELEBRATED: The 37th anniversary of the late CQMH Abdul Hamid Param Vir Chakra was celebrated at Asal Utar village, near Khemkaran on Sunday. the IV Rajput Regiment performed a colourful ceremonial guard. Brig R.S. Sanghera, Deputy GOC Infantry Division, laid a wreath at the ‘mazar’ of the late Abdul Hamid.

GURDASPUR
BANNED: Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, has banned- construction within 1000 metres of ammunition dumps in the district. The order will remain in force till November 6.

HOSHIARPUR
ASSAULTED: Certain miscreants assaulted Sandeep Ohri of the local Red Road area near the Coca Cola godown on Saturday. They damaged his car and allegedly snatched a bag containing Rs 10,000 and a gold chain from him. A case has been registered under Section 394 and 427, IPC.

LITERACY DAY FUNCTION: A function was organised by the local DAV College in collaboration with the Department of Adult Education of Panjab University, Chandigarh, in connection with International Literacy Day on the college premises on Saturday. Dr Waryam Singh Sandhu, eminent story writer called upon teachers and youth to spread education. Mr Ajaib Singh, Director, Adult Education Panjab University, Mr Kamal Chaudhary, former MP, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Chief Minister, and Dr Jagmeet Singh, Principal of the college, were among others who spoke on the occasion.

KHAMANO
CRITICISED: Appointment of teachers on contract basis to fill vacant posts in various primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools in Punjab has come in for a sharp criticism by the Unemployed Teachers’ Front, Punjab. A meeting of the front was held on Friday under the presidentship of Mr Jagtar Singh in which a number of leaders took part. They all warned the Punjab Government that if this practice was not stopped they would launch a stir against it. The high court has already given stay orders against the appointment of teachers on contract basis, they said. 

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been appointed office-bearers of the Swera Youth Club (Regd), Ranwan: president — Mr Gurprit Singh Bath; vice-president — Mr Parmjit Singh; secretary — Mr Kewal Singh; cashier — Mr Jatinder Singh; and general secretary — Mr Gurjit Singh.

KHARAR
DHARNA: The local unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union has decided to stage a dharna outside the Sugar Mill, Morinda, on Thursday in protest against the non-payment of about Rs 3 crore to farmers on the account of sugarcane purchased by the mill. According to a press note issued here on Monday the union alleged that the payment has not been made to the farmers despite repeated requests. 

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Shri Ram Lila Dramatic Club: chairman — Mr Tara Chand Gupta; patron — Mr Charanjit Singh; vice-chairman — Mr Naresh Mittal; director — Mr Yash Pal Karwal; president — Mr Shiv Charan Pinki; vice-presidents — Mr Rajesh Sood and Mr Harbans Dhiman; secretary — Mr Pankaj Jain. 

REMANDED FOR IMPERSONATION: Mrs Harinder Sidhu, Judicial Magistrate, remanded Nirmal Singh of Nia Gram village in police custody till Wednesday. She was arrested by the police under Sections 205, 208, 419, 420, 467 and 481, IPC. The case was registered following the orders by Mr R.L. Chauhan, Judicial Magistrate, when the accused impersonated his uncle in the court and obtained a decree.

LUDHIANA
SUGARFREE FOODS: Department of Dietetics, Christian Medical College and Hospital, will organise a show on various food items on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at hospital canteen. In this show a substitute for sugar, “Equal” (low calorie sweetener) will be used in the dishes. Dieticians will provide information and details on various diets. 

TRAINING INSTITUTE: Kar Rox, a computer training institute, was inaugurated here on Saturday. According to Mr Randhir Singh, director of the institute, Kar Rox technologies is one of the leading high end computer training and certification institutes in the country and has alliance with international giants like Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Sun Microsoft, COMPTIA, Caldera and many others. He said the company had arranged for online examination facility for the students. Besides, the students would also be able to share the latest knowledge in the world of computers with these international giants. 

TEACHERS HONOURED: Teachers’ Day was celebrated at Nishkam Vidya Mandir, No 3, EWS Colony, Samrala road. Members of the Lions Club Skipper, the Lions Club Virat, the Lions Club Maurya and the Lions Club Great were present on the occasion. As many as 53 teachers of four Vidya Mandirs run by the Nishkam Sewa Ashram were honoured. 

EYE DONATION: Eye Bank, Mansuran, recently organised a special fortnight camp on eye donation awareness at Mansuran. The aim was to spread the message of eye donation and to dispel the myths associated with the concept. Dr P.S. Jassi, former Director, Health Services, Punjab, inaugurated the function and urged the people to donate eyes as India had the largest population of blind in the world. Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Health Minister, honoured three members of the eye bank who had been instrumental in motivating people to donate their eyes. 

MANSA
SUMMONED: Mr Deepak Kumar Arora, a 100 per cent physically challenged person of the town, who was refused a driving licence by the District Transport Officer, has complained to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, Chandigarh. The commission has summoned officials of the Transport Department, the Traffic Police and the Social Security and Development of Women and Children Department.

URGED: More than 400 candidates who have been selected to be appointed as clerks in various departments of Punjab are running from pillar to post to get jobs. During the past over three months, the Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board is learnt to have recommended 800 candidates for appointment in various departments. The aggrieved candidates have urged the Chief Minister, Punjab, to issue directions to the board in this connection.

NAWANSHAHR
STONE LAID: The Social Welfare Minister, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, laid the foundation stone of a road connecting Mehmoodpur- with Sant Baba Bhuriwale religious place at Malla Sedhian village on Saturday. He announced a grant of Rs 50,000 each for the Dalit dharamshala and cremation ground of the village.

RECOVERED: Mr Tulsi Ram, SSP, in a press note issued here on Saturday said the police had arrested Harminder Singh, alias Mundri of Azad Chowk, Banga, and recovered a stolen scooter (PD 32-9609). He also confessed to having stolen scooter No. PB-24-4081.

WINE SEIZED: The Asron police has arrested Didar Singh, driver of a van and seized 15 boxes of English wine during a naka. Twentythree boxes of English wine were also seized from a Tata Sumo, said Mr Tulsi Ram, SSP.

ARRESTED: The police has arrested Joginder Singh a proclaimed offender of Mohalla Navneet Nagar, Ludhiana. He had been absconding since 1980. A case has been registered under Sections 61 and 14 of the Excise Act.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the district unit of the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta): president —Mr Harinder Singh Minta; vice — president — Mr Lajwant Singh; and secretary — Mr Avtar Singh.

PATHANKOT
PLANTATION DRIVE: The Rashtriya Chetna Parishad under the guidance of Mr Vaishno Malhotra, president of the parishad, launched a plantation drive in the town on Sunday. Mr Satya Pal Saini, Minister for Information and Technology, Punjab, inaugurated the drive at the local Shimla park.

PATIALA
APPOINTED: Mr Harinder Pal Singh, vice-president of the All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation has been nominated to the Board of Directors of the SBOP as Workman Director. He was nominated during a rally organised at the head office of the SBOP on behalf of the AIBEA. 

OFFICE-BEARERS: Mr Joginder Singh Bajwa has been elected as the president of the Private Colleges Non-teaching Employees Union, Modi College, here on Monday. The other-office bearers are secretary — Mr Harbhajan Singh Sandhu, vice-president — Mr Paramjit Singh Khanna and finance secretary — Mr Jagar Singh. 

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Century Enclave Phase III Welfare Society: president — Mr D.S. Jeji; vice-president — Mr J.S.Chauhan; secretary — Mr N.K.Bassi; joint secretary — Prof M.L.Singla and treasurer — Mr Nirbhai Singh Mahal. 

IDA PROJECT LAUNCHED: The local branch of the Indian Dental Association (IDA), launched the ‘Smile Through Millennium’ project at Guru Nanak Foundation Public school, Sular road, here on Monday. The IDA-Colgate project was inaugurated by Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, Deputy Commissioner, and Dr Kamlesh Vasudeva and Dr Inderjit Kaur Walia, Civil Surgeon, were the Guests of Honour. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sudhir Pathak, chief co-ordinator of the project, said more than 30,000 schoolchildren both from rural and urban areas would be educated about dental health. 

ELECTED: Dr A.S.Thind from Faridkot has been elected as the president of the Governing Council 2001-2003 during a general body meeting of the Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology held in Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, here on Sunday. The other office-bearers are: vice- president — Dr Jagjiv Sharma (Ludhiana); general secretary — Dr D.S. Bhullar (Patiala); treasurer: Dr Satpal Garg (Bathinda); joint secretary — Dr I.S. Bagga (Ludhiana) and executive members — Dr Deepak Walia, Dr Gautam Bisvas and Dr Harjinder Singh. The election was conducted under the Chief Patron and the State Medico-Legal Advisor, Dr J.S.Dalal, and Chief Advisor of the academy, Dr Ajit Singh. 

CONVENTION POSTPONED: Mr Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary of the PRTC Workers Union on Monday stated that the convention that was proposed to be staged on Tuesday had been postponed, till further date was announced. He said the meeting held with the Chief Minister on Friday was not in favour of the PRTC workers. The workers had demanded that private illegal buses be stopped from plying on roads. Having received an unfavourable response from the CM, the workers decided to postpone the convention. Meanwhile, the workers would hold talks with other worker unions to initiate a united agitation. 

CULTURAL FUNCTION HELD: A cultural function was organised by the NTAS Director, Mr Pran Sabharwal, at Baradari Garden here on Monday. The function was inaugurated by Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, Deputy Commissioner while Mrs Ravinder Kaur Bir, chairperson of the Hospital Welfare Society, presided over the function. The function was organised to mark the death anniversary of Bir Dasondhi Ramji. 

CAMP HELD: The District Blindness Control Society conducted an Eye Donation Awareness Camp at the General Hospital (Territorial Army) under the guidance of Lt Col B.S.Tuli here on Monday. The Professor and Head of Eye Department, Medical College, Dr M.S. Bhatia, spoke on the occasion. 

FAREWELL PARTY: A farewell party was given to Mr Jarnail Singh, SDO, PSEB, Katani Kalan, on his retirement on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gurtej Singh Chahal, senior engineer, Mr Surjit Vishad, a union leader, and Mr Gurdev Singh Mushkabad, an executive member of the district unit of the SAD (B) said as a result of the efforts made by the SDO, the revenue collection of the department had increased by 25 per cent, and damage rate of transformers had come down to as low as 2.6 per cent.

CHANDIGARH

FUNCTION HELD: The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Cell of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, at a function here on Sunday, thanked the President of the AICC, Ms Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary of the AICC, Ms Mohsina Kidwai, for the appointment of Mr Phool Chand as chairman of the cell. The function was held under the presidentship of Mr Amar Nath Sarhadi, member AICC and vice-president of the CTCC, and Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, the local Member Parliament, was the chief guest.

HARYANA

ROHTAK
BEATEN UP: Jagat (23) allegedly beat up her mother, Indrawati, when she did not allow him to live separately at Atail village on Saturday. She has been admitted to the PGIMS. 

HIMACHAL PRADESH

NURPUR
CHAKKI BRIDGE: The 112-year-old Chakki Bridge on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway-20 has developed cracks. The National Highway authorities have banned the plying of heavy vehicles on the bridge.

SOLAN
SUICIDE: Sumit Kumar (23) allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his house in the local Officers Colony on Saturday. In another incident, Chaman Lal (30) of Dhabota village, under Nalagarh police station, allegedly tried to commit suicide by jumping into a well on Saturday. A case has been registered under Section 174 of the Cr. P.C.