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| Wednesday,
October 16, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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SHSAD not to contest for SGPC chief’s post Chandigarh, October 15 In an exclusive interview, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary of the SHSAD, told The Tribune that neither Mr Tohra nor any member of the SGPC belonging to his camp would be a candidate for the election of the SGPC President to be held by November 30. The decision to stay away from the contest was taken at a high-level meeting of the party in which, besides Mr Tohra and Mr Chandumajra, certain other leaders participated. However, if any other member of the SGPC contested the election challenging the nominee of Mr Parkash Singh Badal’s party, Mr Tohra and his associates would extend full support to him, Mr Chandumajra said. Mr Tohra has the support of 52 members in the SGPC. The decision not to contest the election by Mr Tohra and his associates has been taken to wash down the impression that he (Mr Tohra) was working hand in glove with Capt Amarinder Singh to capture the SGPC. Mr Badal has launched a full-fledged political attack against Mr Tohra and Capt Amarinder Singh repeatedly stating that both have been working in tandem to un-shackle the SAD control over the apex religious body which plays a significant role is state politics. Impression is that who controls the SGPC controls Sikh politics. “Mr Tohra is worried over the SGPC election becoming a political battle ground. During his rule for five years, Mr Badal by ruthless use of power enslaved the SGPC. He gave security guards and vehicles to SGPC members and now when others are paying him back in the same coin, Mr Badal has started crying foul”, said Mr Chandumajra. Mr Tohra had fought against the Government’s interference in the SGPC but wrong precedents set by Mr Badal had encouraged others to do the same. However, even the present government could not be justified in following the path set by Mr Badal. At Mr Badal’s behest the Haryana and Central Governments were interfering in the affairs of the SGPC and Sikhs. He alleged that 18 SGPC members were in the custody of Mr Badal at his house in Balasar. The SGPC had deputed its staff from Talwandi Sabo to provide food etc to those staying at Balasar. For the past several days allegations and counter-allegations are being traded by Mr Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh over the SGPC election issue. Mr Badal says that SGPC members have been put under surveillance by the state government by giving them security. However, Capt Amarinder Singh says only those who had sought security had been provided with guards. However, it is the first time that those in charge of security guards have been provided with “mobile” phones, which are not provided even to “those” attached with VIPs. |
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SAD, SGPC draw up contingency plan Amritsar, October 15 Mr Parkash Singh Badal, president, SAD, and Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, who jointly addressed the meeting, asked the members to be vigilant and should not get scared though the state government has come out openly to stage a virtual “coup” in the SGPC during the forthcoming election of its office-bearers. The meeting also chalked out a strategy to spearhead a campaign in case Mr Badal was arrested. The former Chief Minister asked the members to be prepared for any eventuality in the wake of open threat given by Capt Amarinder Singh with regard to his arrest. According to reliable sources, Mr Badal has assured party members that they would be provided security by Akali activist. Some of the members who are apprehensive of the arrest may be moved out of the state. The joint meeting also discussed ways to keep the flock together following raids being conducted by the Vigilance Bureau. However, the meeting did not discuss the change of candidature for the post of SGPC though Bibi Jagir Kaur has already emerged as one of the aspirants for the coveted post. Later, while talking to mediapersons, Mr Badal warned that the state government’s direct interference in the Sikh affairs won’t be tolerated. He said Capt Amarinder Singh should be prepared to face dire consequences if the members of the SGPC were intimidated or “kidnapped” at the behest of any rival Akali faction. Reacting to Capt Amarinder Singh’s threat, Mr Badal said, “I am waiting for him why the delay?” He said let him (Capt Amarinder Singh) arrest him anywhere he wanted to Mr Badal said he was not scared of the jail as he had already spent 17 years in jails during his 40-year political career. Describing the imminent show of strength during the forthcoming elections of the SGPC office-bearers. Mr Badal said, “It is a straight fight between courage of principles and Sikh heritage versus state repression.” Mr Badal said there was a virtual “revolt” against his leadership within the Congress and Capt Amarinder Singh wanted to quell them by raising Badal phobia,” he quipped. Mr Badal alleged that Capt Amarinder Singh stood isolated from the masses and wanted to divert the attention of Punjabis by his (Mr Badal’s) arrest. Mr Badal alleged that Capt Amarinder Singh and his coterie had launched a confrontation with the Khalsa Panth by throwing a ring of custodial surveillance around SGPC members with a view to establishing control over Sikh shrines. |
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CM’s remark on Badal’s arrest flayed Chandigarh, October 15 The Punjab Government seems to be hell bent upon creating a chaotic situation in this border state. ‘‘It will virtually be a black day in the history of this state if the arrest of the former Chief Minister is really effected. People of Punjab will rise as one man to protest against this dictatorial and undemocratic action of the state,’’ the BJP leaders said. The proposed action of arresting Mr Badal seemed to be a calculated move to snatch the presidentship of the SGPC and hand over this most representative body of the Sikhs to their colleagues in arm and henchmen. ‘‘It seems to be a planned move that at time when the SGPC election is nearing, the state government wants to create a vacuum and utter confusion in the rank and file of the SAD (Badal) to make the SGPC members belonging to the Badal group directionless,” the BJP leaders added. |
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Dhindsa dares CM to arrest Badal Sangrur, October 15 Addressing a congregation at Ghunas village in Barnala subdivision of the district, Mr Dhindsa gave a clarion call to the Akali cadre to come on to the streets to register their protest in case Mr Badal was arrested. He also warned that if the peace in the state was disturbed after Mr Badal’s arrest then the Amarinder government would have to shoulder the responsibility. He dubbed the Amarinder-Ravi Inder Singh (former Speaker) -
G.S. Tohra (former SGPC chief) as the “caucus bent upon to take over the reins of the SGPC with unfair means to install Mr Singh Tohra as its chief”.
PTI |
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‘No breakdown of law & order possible’ Moga, October 15 Mr Hanspal reacting to the reported threat by Mr Badal that there would be a breakdown of law and order if he was arrested, also denied that there was harassment of SGPC members as alleged by Mr Badal. He made it clear that the Congress as well the state government never interfered in SGPC affairs. Mr Hanspal said the former Chief Minister was exploiting the religious sentiments of the people but the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, was strong enough to deal with any eventuality if Mr Badal was arrested. The law would take its own course, he added. Mr Hanspal said the Chief Minister had written to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in connection with the Punjab Vidhan Sabha resolution on the minimum support price of paddy. The state Congress president was also critical of the attitude of the CPI state secretary, Dr Joginder Dayal, and denied that Capt Amarinder Singh had asked the CPI Politburo for the expulsion of Dr Dayal from the party. Mr Hanspal said it was not proper on the part of the CPI state secretary to convene an all-party meeting in Chandigarh a day prior to such meeting convened by the Chief Minister when the two parties had an alliance in the state. Mr Hanspal claimed that with his intervention differences between Mr Bir Devinder Singh, MLA, and the OSD to Capt Amarinder Singh, Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, had been sorted out and there were no ill-feelings now. In reply to another question, Mr Hanspal said he would submit his report on the state Congress executive soon for the approval of the party high command. Mr Hanspal also denied that SGPC members had been put under surveillance by the state government. He said if any SGPC member did not want security he should given this in writing to the state government and it would be withdrawn.
UNI |
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Pak bid to revive terrorism in Punjab TERRORISM in Punjab ended way back in 1993 as the people of the State chose the path of peace. But Pakistan’s ISI, aided by residual Punjab militants, has made persistent attempts at destabilising the state. Many disturbing trends have been witnessed in the past five years which testify that Pakistan is working overtime to revive terrorism. The seriousness and gravity of the revival efforts being made by the ISI can be gauged from the fact that in these five years there have been 26 cases of bomb blasts in Punjab. More than 80 persons have lost their lives and nearly 200 have been injured in explosions caused by the most lethal explosives like RDX, PETN & C4. Over 600 kg of these deadly explosives have been recovered, which means, an average seizure of 100 kg of explosives each year. The ISI has activated the smuggler-criminal network spread over the border districts to bring in consignments of drugs, explosives, weapons and fake currency to destabilise the state through narco-terrorism. For decades the smugglers of Punjab have maintained links with their counterparts in Pakistan. The Pakistani smugglers are the front men of the ISI who are using their Punjab counter-parts as conduits. At the peak of militancy in the nineties, the ISI had used them to ship in arms. The ISI operatives bring consignments of drugs, explosives, weapons and fake currency near the border and throw them over the fence. They are later retrieved by smuggler-farmers who have fields across the fencing. The delivery of a consignment is communicated over cell phone or through e-mail with code words. “Chitta Atta” and “Makki Da Atta” are codes for the quality of heroin smuggled and “Raddi” is a code for fake currency. There have been a few incidents when even irrigation pipes, that run under the fencing into fields of farmers who have lands across the fence, have been used. The irrigation pipes are emptied out then small packets of drugs are pushed through them with spear like tools and retrieved with similar devices at the other end. The security forces have arrested 1400 smugglers in the last five years to check subversive activity in Punjab and several consignments have been seized. But Pakistan has drawn up a multi-pronged strategy to destabilise the state. It has also tried to use the nearly 113 km riverine border which remains porous. Several efforts have been made to infiltrate subversives from here. Four attempts have been made to dig tunnels across the international border in the Ajnala-Dera Baba Nanak Sector — upto 38 yards in 1997, upto 60 yards in 1998, upto 219 yards in 2000 and 135 yards in 2001. Fortunately all the tunnels were detected before they could be opened on the Indian side. The most dangerous dimension that has come to the fore as a result of renewed ISI activity in Punjab is the coordination Pakistan has established between Punjab and Pan-Islamic militants like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Markaz Dawat-wal-Arshad, Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami and Students Islamic Movements of India (SIMI). The Pan-Islamic militants act as a conduit to aid the supply of weapons and explosives since organisations like the Lashkar-e-Toiba have a well spreadout network in J&K. Terrorists like Ranjeet Singh Neeta help transport consignments within India and from Nepal. Neeta is well connected with truck operators who ply from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and Nepal. Pakistan first made the efforts to co-ordinate militancy in the early nineties. A module, the K2M (Khalistan-Kashmir Militancy), was busted by the security forces with the arrest of Lal Singh and Mohammad Sharif. Once the Punjab conflict closed in 1993 the coordination efforts stayed on the back burner for sometime. The efforts were revived in 1995 and were known after the security forces busted two other modules: Khalistan Kashmir International (KKI) with the arrest of Iqbal Singh, of Moga. This module was operating in coordination with Lashkar-e-Toiba, Markaz Dawat-wal- Arshad and Indian Sikh Youth Federation of Lakhbir Singh Rode. The other module ‘the JKKF (Jammu Kashmir Khalistan Front)’ was busted in 1997 with the arrest of Abi Saloom from Tarn Taran. He operated under a cover name ‘Dilip’. This module was a coordination between the ISI and Gajinder Singh Hijacker group. That is between militant groups based in Pakistan. In one or two cases Pakistan regulars have also infiltrated into Punjab. In January, 1998, one Mohammed Sharief was arrested. He confessed that he belonged to the Punjab Regiment of the Pakistan Army. The coordination between Punjab and Pan-Islamic elements has emboldened Punjab militants and explains the resurgence of terrorist activity in the state. As part of this co-ordination several groups have infiltrated into Punjab. In July, 2000, four mercenaries and Pak Mujahids infiltrated from Dera Baba Nanak Sector. They were to go to Jammu and were
coordinating their further movement hiding in the fields of a farmer, Tarlok Singh, of Ratar Chhattar village. The farmer suspected that the heavily armed militants were Pakistanis, as they were dressed in their pathan suits. He alerted the local police. Two infiltrators were killed and two were arrested in an encounter between the BSF-Punjab police and the militants. At present the ISI is has given sanctuary to 40 militants belonging to the six secessionist groups - the Babbar Khalsa (Wadhawa Singh), Khalistan Commando Force (Paramjit Singh Panjwar), International Sikh Youth Federation (Lakhbir Singh Rode), Khalistan Zindabad Force (Ranjit Singh Neeta), Kama Gata Maru Dal of Khalistan (Harmit Singh Bhakna) and Dal Khalsa International (Gajinder Singh Hijacker) group. They make every effort to subvert Sikh youth going with religious jathas to Pakistan and arrange capsule training courses in safe houses provided to them by the ISI. It was obviously a well thoughtout strategy that the ISI took over the historic gurdwaras sometime back, created the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and then made first the former Chief of the ISI, Lt Gen Javed Nasir, its head, and then another army man — Maj-Gen Inayatullah Khan. Punjab faces a two-pronged threat at the moment. From Pakistan-based militants and their networks based in Germany, UK, Canada and the USA who coordinate through Pakistan. An analysis reveals that at present there are around 300 listed Punjab terrorists.
Twenty-two belong to the hardcore category and 278 to the non-hardcore category. Out of this 222 belong to Punjab and 78 to other states. Out of the 222 terrorists originally from Punjab, 133 are operating from foreign countries. They have been running radio programmes and publish newspapers and other subversive literature to promote terrorism. The obvious question is why is Pakistan making revival efforts in Punjab? Punjab is strategically important. Not only as a border state but also because the Kashmir (Pathankot) road runs through the State and is the only link Kashmir has with the rest of India. Pakistan’s future strategy on Kashmir can be of vital importance if the two States can be kept in constant turmoil. If such disturbing trends continue they could bleed Punjab again, retard the pace of development and throw the prosperous people of Punjab back into the years of turmoil.
— ADNI |
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Implement tariff order, say engineers Patiala, October 15 The association, which has already faxed this appeal to the commission yesterday, has also pointed out to the commission that the PSEB was violating the orders of the commission on the issue of paying 15 per cent surcharge to the Railways on account of freight charges because it did not have the money to pay the arrears to the institution. Association spokesman Padamjit Singh said the association had pointed out that as per the tariff order, the PSEB was required to maintain a railway freight advance of Rs 83 crore with the Railways to avoid paying 15 per cent surcharge on coal freight which meant a liability of Rs 170 crore per year on the board. He said, however, to maintain this freight advance the PSEB would first have to pay the arrears to the tune of Rs 160 crore. He said the PSEB would have to pay both arrears as well as freight advance to avoid being charged a 15 per cent surcharge by the Railways. With the present resource crunch, this payment of Rs 243 crore was impossible to meet and the PSEB was likely to continue paying 15 per cent surcharge on coal freight which would be a violation of the commission orders. The association has meanwhile, also provided details of the “arrears shock’’ likely to be felt by all PSEB consumers when they receive their enhanced bill for October along with the arrears for August and September. He said the most affected were likely to be large supply consumers who would have to pay arrears of Rs 23 crore for August and September. It said similarly domestic consumers would have to pay an additional Rs 15 crore each for August and September. Farmers having a five horse power motor, who will be billed Rs 300 per month according to the tariff order, will also have to shell out Rs 900 in October due to non-implementation of the order. The association has pointed out to the commission that had the tariff order been implemented in September, the “arrears shock’’ would have been felt for only one month. The association has communicated to the commission that in the Government of Punjab notification of March 31, 1999, under which the PSERC was set up, it is clearly stated that “the Commission shall discharge the powers and functions as conferred on it in the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998,’’. |
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Chhatbir zoo chief in vigilance net Chandigarh, October 15 A Vigilance Bureau spokesman said here today that Harinder Singh Brar, XEN, PSEB, Bagha Purana (Moga), had amassed huge property beyond his known sources of income while M.P. Singh Dhillon, SDO, PSEB, Patran (Patiala), had wilfully ignored rules while bestowing favours, causing a heavy loss to Jaswinder Singh, XEN, Public Health; had got promoted and posting at a desired station in spite of having faced a court case, departmental action and stoppage of increments, said the spokesman. Kuldeep Kumar, Tehsildar Rajpura, had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income while Satinder Kumar, Tehsildar, Bagha Purana, received bribes for investigation and registration of sale deeds and intkals without going to the sites in villages. Jait Kumar Guru Harsahay and Tej Singh Mandot, both Naib-Tehsildars, have amassed huge properties beyond theirknown sources of income and investigations were being carried out in these cases. A vigilance inquiry had been ordered to the biased decision of Amrik Singh and D.S. Chheena (both Naib-Tehsildars of Phillaur), who under the undue influence of Parminder Singh, MLA, offered a chance to grab 44 acres of land to the relatives of an NRI with whom he was fighting a court case. Ashok Kumar Sharma, DSP, now posted as SP, acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income which were being looked into. A complaint had been received against Manohar Lal, DSP, Batala, who struck a deal for letting off Deepika w/o Naresh Kumar in a case. |
Congress govt a failure: Chawla Jalandhar, October 15 Talking to reporters here, she said the Punjab Government was only pursuing cases of corruption pertaining to the previous SAD-BJP regime and had nothing else to show by way of its
achievements. Corruption issues should be pursued but the government should also pay utmost attention towards the aspirations of the public, she added. Mrs Chawla said while pursuing cases of corruption against Opposition leaders the Chief Minister should also keep a close vigil over his ministers. On the stand of her party in case former Chief Minister and SAD president Parkash Singh Badal was arrested, Mrs Chawla quipped, ‘’ The role of the Opposition had not been very positive so far.’’
UNI |
Cabinet to discuss relief to farmers Ropar, October 15 This was stated by Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Minister for Transport, Punjab, and Chairman of the Ropar District Planning and Development Board, at Lutheri village near Chamkaur Sahib today. He, along with Mr Shamsher Singh Dullon, MP from Ropar, toured about 25 villages in the Chamkaur Sahib and Morinda areas to assess the damage to the standing crops and sympathise with the affected farmers. The minister stated the Cabinet would also decide to defer the recovery of cooperative loans, already taken by the farmers to meet their agriculture related needs. He also assured the farmers that the sugarcane crops, damaged by the hailstorm, would be crushed on priority by the sugarcane mills. He said the state government would make arrangements for getting the sugarcane crushed by the mills soon. The minister also assured the farmers that the state government would make all efforts for clear the arrears of last year’s sugarcane crop to the farmers. He said the sugarcane mills of the Morinda area had yet to pay Rs 13 crore to the farmers against the sugarcane crop purchased by them last year. |
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Minister
visits grain markets Fatehgarh Sahib, October 15 He interacted with farmers, commission agents and labourers and took first hand information about the loss to the procured paddy due to rain and sorted out problems on the spot. He said there was no loss to the procured as well as the paddy crop in the district and expressed satisfaction over the procurement process. He assured the farmers that every grain would be purchased and said that the government had enough finance to make payments. Grievances redressal committees had been formed to sort out problems, if any, he added. Meanwhile, Mr Vikas
Partap, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, while addressing a meeting of district officers, commission agents and farmers, said that till date 2,07,749 MT paddy had been purchased in the district which was more than 50 per cent of total purchase and the procurement process was going on smoothly in all 35 centres. He said that he had made surprise visit to various purchase centre in
Sirhind, Bassi Pathana, Chunni Kalan, Amloh and Khamano grain markets and found that the purchase agencies were doing satisfactory work. The Deputy Commissioner also assured the farmers that every grain of their product would be procured at the MSP and directed all
SDMs, DFSCs and officials of various procurement agencies to ensure that the process of procurement was carried out smoothly. The
district administration was getting cooperation from all purchase
agencies, commission agents, harvesting combine operators and farmers.
He also directed harvester operators not to operate their harvester
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Sikh jathas to Pak: PM requested to intervene Amritsar, October 15 Mr Harpal states that according to the Nehru Liaquat Ali agreement, gurdwaras in Pakistan were to be looked after by Indian Sikhs through the SGPC. Further he states that the election in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan having ended, atmosphere is congenial for the opening of rail or road route with the neighbouring country for Sikhs to visit their places of worship on Gurpurb. “This could even ease tension between the two countries besides fostering cordial ties between them,” he added. Not allowing the Indian Sikh jathas to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan has an adverse effect on the management of Sikh shrines in that country. He alleged that Pakistani ministers and officers of the Waqf Board have started “pilfering” the gurdwara offerings and an inquiry has already been initiated into the alleged mismanagement. In the light of this, “The Indian government must show concern about Sikh religious places in that country and help Sikhs to manage their shrines there. Meanwhile the Tibetan Prime Minister Mr S. Rinpoche, will inaugurate a three-day international conference on Guru Granth Sahib being organised by Guru Nanak Dev University on the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The conference would be inaugurated on October 17 to 19 on the varsity campus. |
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Historic documents missing Ferozepore According to details available, Ferozepore acquired the status of district headquarters in 1838, when it became a British possession. Since then, the British started appointing civil servants in charge of district affairs at Ferozepore. From 1838 to 1914 officials of the district held the post under different titles, whose records are available with a local resident from whom it was recently collected by the Deputy Commissioner’s office for reference. Records from 1914 to 1947 are missing from the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the Municipal Committee library. The unique record mentioned in the Gazetteer, which was in possession of a local resident P.S. Sodhi, and then collected by former Deputy Commissioner S.R. Ladhar, reveals that the first two officials MP Edgeworth (1838-39) and Captain H.M. Lawrence (1838-41) were called Assistant Political Agents to the Governor-General, North-West Frontier. Later, this title was changed to Assistant Agent to the Governor-General. The officials who held the post under this title were Lieut J.D. Cunningham, H.Vansittart, Capt H.M. Lawrence (all 1841), H.H. Greathead (1841-43), Capt P. Nicholson (1843-45) and P.A. Vans Agnew (1845-46). The next district official in charge of Ferozepore district was S.C. Starkey (1846) who was called Assistant Commissioner and Superintendent, Cis-Sutlej States. The designation of his successor, A.T. Daniel (April 1846-November 1847) was changed to Deputy Commissioner. From that time onwards the nomenclature of Deputy Commissioner has been in use in Punjab. According to an historical reference found this our correspondent, the district headquarters existed in Ferozepore in 1839, when neither Punjab nor Sindh provinces had been annexed. This was the furthest limit of Indian territory. It was described as a desert plain, with little rain and continuous duststorms. The rich cultivation assigned by tradition to the period of the Mughal empire and still evidenced by numerous deserted sites of villages and wells, had long since disappeared by that time. There were few scattered patches of cultivation but great wastes covered with low brushwood were the usual characteristics both of Ferozepore district and of the neighbouring areas. For the first time in 1855, Deputy Commissioner E.L. Brandreth (1850-55) took up the initiative of extending cultivation techniques and planted trees. According to details available, 117 officials were given charge of the district from 1838 to 1914. But records from 1914 to 1947 are missing. “Nobody knows where the record has gone from the DC’s office but a Gazetteer of the period was available in the Municipal Committee library till the early 1990s”, said Mr M.L. Tiwari, an educationist and veteran journalist. Investigations by this correspondent revealed that the Gazetteer was issued to an Additional Deputy Commissioner posted here in the 1990s but was never returned to the library. Mr S.R. Ladhar, former Deputy Commissioner, made an initiative early this year to collect information from all possible sources but his research was incompletely falling prey to petty politics with change of government in the state following his transfer. Thus, a great effort went into oblivion. |
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Net services at Golden Temple Amritsar, October 15 The Chairman and Managing Director of the
BSNL, Mr Prithipal Singh, who inaugurated the 14th such centre in the district, and the company was fully equipped to meet the global challenges in the communication segment. He said the Prime Minister would launch the national mobile services from October 19 at Lucknow which would be available initially in 800 to 1,000 cities across the country. He said the BSNL would provide four million mobile phones, adding that 50 per cent connections would be activated during the current financial year. The entire networking for call phones had been checked and found to be providing flawless service to its strong customer base. He said the BSNL was committed to provide basic phone facilities in rural segments for which it would provide one crore new connections in the next one year. |
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, October 15 Issuing the directions, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, added: “It would be appreciated if environment experts are associated for the purpose of formulating a model syllabus for the academic session 2003-04”. In their detailed order, the judges observed: “We also appreciate the decision taken by the state government to introduce additional topics on the subject of environment in classes XI and XII with effect from the academic session 2003-04”. The case will now come up on December 9 for further hearing. Earlier during the proceedings, Under Secretary in Punjab’s Department of Local Government Ram Chand Jagiasu asserted that information on environment consciousness, particularly about solid waste management, was already being provided to students studying in classes VI to X. He added that five more topics would be included and would find place in the books as regular part of the course next year. |
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Langah freed on bail Patiala, October 15 Sources disclosed that Langah was released from the jail around noon. A number of supporters of Langah were outside the jail to received him. The Vigilance Bureau had registered a case against Langah under various Sections for approving tenders for various works while he was Punjab Public Works Minister. The case was registered on May 16. |
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Vigilance asks MC to give record Patiala, October 15 Under suspicion are the clearances given to commercial complexes, particularly those the Leela Bhawan Complex, Goel Complex and shops near the Polo Ground. Of these, the most controversial is the Goel Complex which has allegedly been allowed to be established close to the national highway against all norms. The corporation, which has been asked to hand over all records within two to three days, has also been asked to submit the record of maps passed by the building branch of the corporation as well as the road cuttings made by the Engineering wing and the record of the land branch. The prominent projects about whom the Vigilance Department has asked for the record, includes the permissions given to the Majithia Enclave in the city as well as details how special concessions were given to Mohan Continental Hotel. Earlier also, the Vigilance Department had conducted a probe into the working of the Municipal Corporation. Then a committee had been constituted to look into the permissions taken for the construction of the new building of the corporation near NIS. However, no evidence could be provided on the allegations levelled by the complainants. Sources said this time, there seemed to be serious flaws in the permissions given to some commercial buildings in the city which could be easily pinpointed. Officials responsible for passing maps of commercial buildings are likely to be put under a scanner. |
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Poll no solution to
J-K problem, says Mann Phagwara, October 15 This observation was made here today by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President, SAD (A) and Member, Lok Sabha. Polls were not any solution to the J&K problem, he said. Either the promised plebiscite or the pre-1953 status to J&K would lead to the solution of the vexed issue, he continued. India had lost clout in the UN’s Security Council as Russia gave half-hearted support while the other four permanent members opposed India, said Mr Mann who had returned from a foreign tour of Canada and European countries. “I have succeeded in putting across my party line of ending hostilities with Pakistan”, he claimed. Mr Mann demanded the opening of the Indo-Pak border for the facility of Sikh pilgrims who wanted to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan, Hindu businessmen who wanted trade between two countries and Muslims who wanted to meet their relatives on both sides. The continued border build-up would eventually lead to war, warned Mr Mann. The military should be sent back to
barracks, he pleaded. |
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PCMS: restructure Health Dept Chandigarh, October 15 In a press note issued here, Dr Hardeep Singh, president, and Dr Surinder Singla, general secretary of the association, respectively, blamed weak administrative supervisory network for poor work culture and deterioration in the health services. The duo said as compared to other cadres of Punjab, the reorganisation of the PCMS cadre remained neglected since long which had led to poor work culture in the huge strength of 19,457 skilled health manpower, as a result, in gradual deterioration of standard of health services. For too much expanded health manpower a number of administrative, supervisory PCMS posts, are few. Without even a single trial to restructure the health organisation, the government is taking such a suicidal step of converting the health services into a profit-generating industry, although solution to many problems can be attained with expansion and decentralisation of administrative supervisory network. The government could strengthen the weak health administrative network by involving more PCMS officers to increase the supervision, without adding the financial burden, as these officers are already getting financial benefits of ACPs. On the other hand, unrest is prevailing among the PCMS doctors due to stagnation in chances of promotion, as compared to other officers of Punjab. In a huge cadre of 4125 PCMS doctors, there are only 43 promotional posts like that of deputy director, joint director, additional directoral director. Only 1 per cent of the PCMS doctors are getting the promotional opportunity and 99 per cent of doctors will retire entry post of medical officer. The association demanded to redesignate the existing functional SMO as ‘‘Deputy Civil Surgeon’’ which has been, already, recommended by the Pay Commission and accepted by Punjab Government, but yet to be notified. This post should be placed in the first promotional rank of “Deputy Director.” The association said the posts of district program officers at the district headquarters should be re-designated as “additional civil surgeon” with rank of “Joint Director”. Posts of Civil Surgeon/Deputy Director level should be given the rank of “Additional Director”. More senior medical officers’ should be re-designated as SMOs at every Civil Hospital, rural hospital, the
PHC, the CHC and the mini-PHC level. Decentralisation of health administration network should be extended to
mini-PHC, as peripheral administration units, serving a population of 40,000, instead of PHC for 1,25,000 population to increase the efficiency of services. PCMS representatives said the reorganisation plan would surely raise the quality of services and increase the availability of health services from the present level to threefolds for the common man. |
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Cancer victim’s daily grind Bathinda, October 15 Veeru Ram’s hopes were, however, dashed to the ground when he was struck with a mysterious disease. Life turned into hell for him. As he was not a “VVIP” patient, he got the treatment according to his status in a government hospital. First his one arm was amputated after the doctors diagnosed cancer. When the disease started spreading, the second arm was also amputated and so were his legs. Veeru Ram did not give up even after losing all his limbs. He still tries to find for his family by adopting begging as a viable option as two children were born to him he lost his job after he became handicapped. “The contractor did not pay me any money for getting treatment. With no other option, I, along with my wife and children, started begging,” he said. Sitting on a tricycle along with his three children, Veeru Ram roams around in the city and earns Rs 40 on an average daily, which he finds inadequate to meet his daily expenses. He said he could not do any work other than begging. He had been paying Rs 450 per month as rent for providing a roof to his family. He is not happy with the attitude of the NGOs towards his plight. However, he feels grateful to the volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa, who, he says, gave him some money to arrange inventories for his house. He said the District Red Cross Society had given him the tricycle. He said he wanted to impart education to his children and had been hoping that some generous people would come forward to fulfil his dream. |
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Suspected HIV patient operated on Bathinda, October 15 A team of doctors comprising, Dr Manmohan Singh, Dr Vijay Kumar Mittal and Dr Sham Lal Thukral operated on Pooran Singh (name changed), admitted in the Civil Hospital after he was injured in an accident on Sunday. The sources said that the operation theatre was prepared specially and the patient who had a very low count of Haemoglobin (six grams) was given two units of blood. As a precaution the doctors wore four protective gloves and special over-coats to prevent contamination or infection by the suspected HIV. The patient had received injuries on his head and a part of his right leg was crushed in the accident. Sources said that special bag were used to collect the amputated part and most of the equipment used would also be disposed of carefully. The sources said that care was taken to keep bleeding under control while amputation was in progress. Pooran Singh an unmarried truck driver, had confessed to the doctors that he had been indulging in high-risk sexual behaviour and feared that he might have got AIDS. His treatment was started earlier in a normal way, but suspecting that he might be HIV positive, certain tests were carried out. Though the doctors differ on about his being HIV positive while dealing with a HIV case was being exercised, the sources said. Doctors attending on Pooran Singh said that he had been responding to the treatment. |
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Nominations not fed
in PO accounts Hoshiarpur, October 15 Many account holders told the correspondent that the computerisation of the work at the head post office here had recently been done though private contractors. During computerisation of saving, recurring deposit and monthly income scheme accounts, etc. nominations were not fed in all old accounts. This would lead to unnecessary harassment in the case of death of the account holder. In such cases actual claiments would have to get himself declared as a legal heir of the account holder to get the deposited money. They sought immediate addition of all nominations in their accounts. They threatened to launch an agitation in case post office authorities failed to do so. |
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Punjabis too enjoy dandia Bathinda, October 15 The dandia held at the local Bhoj Raj School was largely attended by Gujaratis who have been residing in the city for the past many years. The dance organised as part of the Durga Puja gave the Gujaratis a chance to relive their culture. A special training camp was organised some days ago for giving tips to Gujaratis about the dance. A Gujarati Army personnel employed at the local cantonment said he joined the dance to fight off homesickness. Local residents who visited the place in large numbers also enjoyed the dance. A college-going girl here said she was thrilled to see the dance. She would have joined the dancing couples if only she had learnt a few steps. Sonal attired in a Gujarati dress looked happy while dancing along with her husband. She said it was nostalgic and felt as if she was in her hometown. She explained that dandia was a folklore of Gujarat performed during the Jagran of Goddess Durga.
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RSS installation day celebrated Batala, October 15 The procession started from the local Bal Vidya Niketan School. It passed through Krishna Nagar, Hansli Bridge (old), Chakri Bazar, Moti Bazar, Ohri Chowk, Bhandari Mohalla, Adarsh High School, Gurdwara Kandh Sahib, Bara Bazar, Quadi Hatti and concluded at Bal Vidya Niketan School. The procession was led by Mr Tilk Raj Aggarwal, local RSS Chief. |
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Students mobilise villagers for dharna Rampura Phul, October 15 Mr Rajwinder Singh of the local TPD Malwa College Students Union and Mr Sudeep, Convener of the Shaheed Prithipal Singh Randhawa Manch, Bathinda, in a press note said that as the mini-bus operators were not honouring the bus passes, they had to resort to a conclusive “battle”. They said that meetings were held in the past three days in Balianwali, Sadhana, Selbarah, Gumti, Chotian, Buggar, Jetnuke, Kararwala, Chauke, Badiala, Pitho, Jaid villages. They claimed that residents of these villages had assured the students that they would participate in large number in the dharna or other form of stir of the students. The student leaders claimed that many panchayats had passed resolutions supporting the agitation of the students. However, it could not be confirmed whether any panchayat had passed such a resolution. The students claimed that the administration was not taking notice of their demands. They said that they would continue the agitation till the facility of bus passes was restored in mini-buses. The students demanded that the plying of PRTC and Punjab Roadways buses should be ensured on link roads. They said that due to non-plying of these buses, they had to depend on private buses. |
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Badal
govt defied Rama’s ideals: CM Patiala, October 15 The Chief Minister, while presiding over a glittering Dasehra function held in the Chhoti Baradari where effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad were burnt, also poked fun at Mr Parkash Singh Badal by saying whenever suppression reached its zenith messengers of God ensured the triumph of good over evil. A large number of people witnessed the fire works display on the occasion which continued for nearly one hour. |
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Kishore Kumar evening Patiala, October
15 Singers, including Paramjit
Parwana, Rajesh Pancholi and Manpreet Manju participated in the event. The Mayor, Mr Vishnu Sharma was the chief guest. |
Patiala MC to hire 50 sweepers Patiala, October 15 A decision to this effect was taken by Mayor Vishnu Sharma following a meeting after which he asked the corporation health officers Dr H.S. Mann to recruit the sweepers. Sources said the corporation wanted to ensure cleanliness in the town during the festival season with state Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh slated to take part in the Dasehra celebrations in the city tomorrow and also likely to attend a few functions on the occasion of the Divali. Besides this the corporation is also facing an acute shortage of sweepers with the corporation not hiring any new sweeper due to a ban on the creation of new jobs. The strength of safai sewaks in the city has declined to 910. Another queer problem being faced by the corporation is the increase in the strength of woman sweepers with many of them having been given jobs after the death of their husbands. These women cannot replace men in the conduct of many jobs, especially in the task of cleaning sewers or lifting the garbage. |
Woman raped, trader murdered Raman Mandi (Bathinda), October 15 While going from village to village to distribute the cards along with her brother Rajinder Singh on a motor cycle she was kidnapped by three car-borne youths and later raped by two of them in a field. Apart from it she was also made to witness the gruesome murder of a cattle trader in the area falling in the Sadar police station of Dabwali town of neighbouring Haryana. After that she was abandoned in the Zen car, snatched by the accused, near Rattangarh barrier in Haryana. Police sources said the victim, who was married about five years ago, and her 20-year-old brother were kidnapped when they were approaching Bangi Nihalsinghwala village. They hit their motor cycle and forced them into the car. After covering some distance the eyes of the victim were covered with a cloth and her brother was thrashed before he was abandoned at a secluded place near the Punjab and Haryana border. The accused entered Haryana and raped her. After the crime, her eyes were opened. The accused kept on roaming in their Maruti car. While they were roaming, they looted a cattle trader and later murdered him after taking away his Zen car. The accused abandoned the car when it ran out of fuel. Mr Rajinder Singh, SP (D), who was camping in the area of the incident, when contacted, said a joint operation by the Punjab and Haryana police forces has been launched. He added that the matter was brought to the notice of the police by Rajinder Singh, brother of the victim. He said the body of the trader was found in the area falling under the Dabwali Sadar police station. The victim has been sent for a medical examination. According to the details gathered from the victim one of the accused was about 45 years of age, while the others were between 20 to 25 years of age. A case in this connection was registered under various sections of the
IPC. |
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Cong councillor ‘kills’ undertrial Jalandhar, October 15 The victim, identified as Jaswinder Singh of Baldev Nagar, along with his father Dalwinder Singh and his friends were on their way to home when the Congress councillor Balkishan Bali, his two sons Abhey and Kaku and other accomplices armed with swords tried to stop them at Mandirwali gali in the Kishanpura locality. According to Dalwinder Singh, all of a sudden the Congressmen attacked Jaswinder Singh and stabbed him in his chest several times, thereby killing him on the spot. The others sustained serious injuries. The victim was arrested by the police about two months ago for allegedly trying to murder Balkishan Bali and was recently released on bail. The murder was the result on an old rivalry between the two groups, which had witnessed several armed clashes in the past. The residents of the area were terrified over the brutal incident of murder even as the relatives of the victim alleged that the police was trying to hush up the case. Meanwhile, the irate relatives and friends of Jaswinder Singh burnt some parts of the office and residence of the Congress councillor. They even manhandled a photographer of a local Hindi daily and tried to damage his camera. When contacted, the SSP, Mr Paramjit Singh Gill, said a case had been registered against the accused and raids were being conducted to arrest them. |
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SGPC member booked Ropar, October 15 Sources said the police registered the case against the Aulakh and Mr Arora after the completion of an inquiry by the Crime Branch of the Punjab police on a complaint made by Mr Amarjit Singh, a local resident, who had alleged that Mr Aulakh had taken Rs 5 lakh from him for arranging a bus route permit for him but he neither arranged the route permit nor returned the money to him. It is learnt that the Crime Branch took Inderjit Singh Arora in custody after the registration of the case. However, Jarnail Singh Aulakh absconded." |
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Five liquor smugglers held Hoshiarpur, October 15 The Garhshankar police arrested Kashmir Kaur, alias Mekko, of Denowal village and Sohan Lal, alias Pannu, of Mathura and seized 350 gm and 400 gm opium from them, respectively. |
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‘Probe beating up incident’ Moga, October 15 |
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Chain snatched Hoshiarpur, October 15 |
School inaugurated Jalandhar, October 15 The school, under the aegis of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, a 116-year-old educational institution, was an English-medium co-educational institution. Mr Chander Mohan, in his inaugural address, said they had set-up a special counselling cell for students and their parents to deal with the problems according to the needs of the students. He said every student would be imparted computer training from the nursery level for which a special computer laboratory had been set up on the school premises. “Besides, students will be given training in musical instruments as per their choice as music is a great force in the development of a child,” Mr Chander Mohan said. Mr Chander Mohan inaugurated the school with “havan yajna” followed by Saraswati poojan. Students of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya presented a cultural show on the occasion. |
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Sikhya Abhian Scheme to be launched Fatehgarh Sahib, October 15 He said that Rs 1.74 crore would be spent to provide basic facilities like drinking water, toilets and sitting arrangements in all government primary schools. The Deputy Commissioner said that Dr Harbans Lal, State Minister for Forest and Food Supplies, would distribute cheques under the scheme at a district-level function to be held on October 17 at Hansali village in Khera block of the district. Later, Dr Harbans Lal Mr Birdevinder Singh, MLA, Kharar, Mr Amrik Singh, MLA, Samarala, Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsaut, MLA, Amloh, also attended the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner briefed the minister regarding arrangements for the function to be held on October 17. |
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ABVP’s campus unit declared Patiala, October 15 Declaring the campus unit of the
ABVP, Mr Subash Sharma, state secretary of the student union said the first priority of the ABVP was the restoration of democratic rights of the students at the campus and a peaceful student council elections. |
Cotton factories evade fee worth crores Mansa, October 15 It is learnt that 2 per cent market fee, and the RDF each are payable by the cotton factory owners to the market committees on the purchase of kapas and narma. The field staff of these committees reportedly conceal the actual arrival of kapas and narma purchased by cotton factories which indulge in evasion of market fee and the RDF. When the heaps of kapas and narma are auctioned, the officials concerned of the committees do not enter the actual stocks which are auctioned. Later when the stocks are lifted, they, in connivance with the cotton factory owners and commission agents concerned, make entries in their registers for small quantities as desired by the factory owner concerned and the amount thus saved is shared by the factory owners and officials of the market committees. Sources reveal that the “saved amount” is distributed among the key employees of the market committees, up to the district-level officials. Big textile houses purchase ginned cotton from such factories through their commission agents functioning mostly at Bathinda. The cotton factory owners issue bills for the sale of cotton to the commission agents along with KK forms certifying that both the market fee and RDF have been paid for the cotton sold by him. In case a thorough inquiry is made after checking bills and the KK forms, issued by the cotton factories to the commission agents, the racket can be exposed. A factory owner on condition of anonymity said barring a handful of factories, all cotton factories were indulging in malpractices. Mr Ramesh Jindal, District Mandi Officer here, said he had joined here recently and was not in a position to make any comment. |
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