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| Thursday,
October 17, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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SHSAD to support Talwandi for SGPC chief’s post Amritsar, October 16 This was disclosed by Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, senior leader of the SHSAD, while talking to TNS here today. Mr Bhaur, however, said the decision for extending support would be taken in a democratic way by convening a meeting of the working committee of the party. He said Mr Talwandi had already taken a principled stand that he would not vote for Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar who allegedly had links with Baba Piara Singh Bhaniara, an ex-communicated Sikh. Despite the fact that Mr Talwandi was Chairman of the Disciplinary Action Committee of the SAD, he refused to vote in favour of Mr Badungar during the previous election. He said the SHSAD was confident that Mr Talwandi would stick to his principles as per the Panthic traditions. It was Mr Talwandi who had exposed rampant corruption of the Badal government in the 70s by submitting a detailed memorandum to the Chhangani Commission. Mr Bhaur clarified that Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, SHSAD, had decided not to contest the SGPC annual election as he was strongly opposed to the intervention of the state government. He said the state’s interference in the religious affairs was started during the regime of Mr Badal. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, a former SGPC Secretary and close confidant of the SHSAD chief, said the announcement of Mr Tohra that he was not candidate for the post of the SGPC chief had made it clear that he would not allow himself to be used by the state government. He said Mr Tohra had always fought against repression or interference of the state government. He said now the ball was in the court of Mr Badal. He said if Mr Badal allow his SGPC members to cast votes in a free and fair manner, it could pave way for Panthic unity too. Coming heavily on the SAD (Badal) leadership, Mr Calcutta asked how Mr Tohra could be accused of playing the game of the Congress when he himself had defeated Capt Amarinder Singh during Parliament elections in 1977. He accused Mr Badal of taking anti-Panthic decisions, including that of replacing jathedars frequently. He alleged that Mr Badal wanted to convert the SAD into a ‘Punjabi party’ in violation of Akali traditions for vested interests. He called upon Mr Badal to undergo introspection so that rich Akali traditions could be restored. |
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Chautala interfering in SGPC poll: Harmel Bathinda, October 16 Mr Tohra, while talking to mediapersons at Talwandi Sabo, near here, alleged that the Union Government and the Chautala government had been interfering in the SGPC elections to help Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He alleged that the last date for the registration of voters for the SGPC elections had been extended to help the Akali Dal (Badal). He said Mr Badal had always “imposed” the President of the SGPC and the voting had never been democratic under him. He alleged that a section of SGPC members had been kept hostages by Mr Badal at an undisclosed place in Haryana and Mr Badal was being helped by the Haryana Government to carry out his “designs”. He said that Mr Badal was also trying to hold the session of the SGPC in Haryana, which was against the principles. The former minister said fearing defeat, Mr Badal had been trying all gimmicks to project that the elections to the premier body of the Sikhs were not going to be free. He accused Mr Badal of “politicising” the SGPC. He alleged that Mr Badal had brought a bad name to the Sikh affairs by selecting the high priests from hotel rooms rather that from the takhts. Former Punjab Assembly Speaker, Jaswant Singh Phaphre, chief speaker of the Sant Samaj, Sant Tek Singh Dhanaula and a section of SGPC members who were also present there, said Mr Badal knew it very well that after his arrest in corruption case, his political career would come to an end, so he had been issuing such baseless statements. The SGPC members alleged that they were taken to a hotel at Amritsar and some police officers made them sign some papers in connection with the election of SGPC. They alleged that Mr Badal had used them like rubber stamps and alleged that some SGPC members had been kept as “hostage” by Mr Badal at Balasaur and Taj Khera (Haryana) under the “custody” of the Haryana police. |
SGPC meeting at Kurukshetra Amritsar, October 16 The convening of the executive meeting in Haryana instead of Amritsar assumes significance amid reports that many SGPC members from the Malwa belt had already taken shelter in Haryana to avoid any arrest at the hands of the Punjab police. Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, senior leader of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC’s executive member, said he would raise the “anti-Panthic” policies pursued by Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar during his stint as SGPC chief. He said it was shocking that the meetings of various sub-committees had also been convened at Gurdwara Nadha Sahib (Haryana) on October 19. He said this had given an impression that the Badal Akali Dal wanted to “run away” and could not face Sikh masses in Punjab. |
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Fleecing of farmers continues Chandigarh, October 16 “Whatever be the government claims, corrupt practices are in full swing and everything continues unchecked. There is the usual Rs 2 to Rs 5 per quintal “fee” on procurement. At certain places, this “fee” goes up to Rs 10 a quintal. This “fee” is collected by procurement agencies through commission agents,” claims Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, General Secretary of the BKU. It is unfortunate that an average farmer, who had suffered heavily because of the drought-like situation and was forced to shell out much more for diesel, fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides, was now being exploited and forced to resort to distress sale for want of early payment of his produce. “Not only that, there are several areas in the state where farmers were resorting to distress sale of their produce. The reasons could be many, the foremost being delay in release of payments. In some areas, especially the Doaba belt, payments are released four to six months after procurement. Instead, the farmers are offered a much lower price — say between Rs 460 and Rs 500 a quintal — on the promise of quick payment. This is done by certain commission agents. “It is why we are getting truckloads of paddy from the Majha and Doaba belts at the Khanna grain market. In Ludhiana, the same paddy is then sold to official procurement agencies at the MSP of Rs 560 per quintal against fictitious names. “This malpractice has been brought to the notice of state officials but they have expressed helplessness in taking action against commission agents who were fully exploiting the farmers and making a fast buck,” alleges Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal. Another “racket” flourishing in Punjab grain markets involves the procurement agency of a particular market changed. Allotment of paddy to millers is another major source of corruption . There are instances, alleges Mr Rajewal, where allotments have been made to defaulting millers much against the orders of the state government. “We appreciate the Punjab Government’s anti-corruption drive at the higher level, but who will take care of those who are trying to devour poor farmers,” said Mr Rajewal. There is no uniformity in procurement operations. There are complaints from the Majha and Doaba belts about the indifferent and callous attitude of the procurement agencies in some pockets. Ricemillers are the main culprits. In some other areas commission agents were allegedly playing a mischief. |
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Oppn parties, farmers’ bodies threaten stir Chandigarh, October 16 Reacting to the decision, the BKU (Ekta group) headed by Mr Pishora Singh Sidhupur has given a call to boycott the power bills to be charged from the agricultural sector. Mr Hardev Singh, President of the Kirti Kisan Union, has described it as an anti-farmer decision. The PSEB was in loss because of its mismanagement and not because of free power to the farming sector. The SAD (Badal) described the decision as “senseless, heartless and utterly illogical”. Capt Amarinder Singh had repeatedly described his promise to continue the SAD-BJP decision on free power as a sacred pledge. In fact at a function in his residence at Patiala after being sworn in as Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh had sworn in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib that he would not disturb free power to the farming sector. Is this a devout Sikh’s offering to his guru? asked Mr Badal. He said that the truth behind capt Amarinder Singh’s “ tamasha” on paddy in Delhi was out now. Today’s decision was Maharaja’s gift to the suffering and beleaguered farmers of Punjab. Mr Badal said that he had hoped against hope that elected representatives within the congress would persuade the Chief Minister not to withdraw the free power facility. Mr Badal said he failed to understand as to why the Chief Minister had got into the habit of backing out on every issue. By doing so he was disrespecting the office he holds. Mr Brij Lal Rinwa and Mr Avinash Jaiswal, President and General Secretary, respectively of the Punjab BJP, said Capt Amarinder Singh’s Government stood fully exposed on this issue. It had betrayed the farming community as the party had assured free power to them at the time of assembly elections. The Chief Minister tried to play politics with the emotions of farmers by sitting in a dharna in front of the Prime Minister’s house and calling a special session of the Punjab Assembly. Had he been serious regarding the problems of farmers, the state government would have never withdrawn the free power facility, the BJP leaders said. Prof Balwant Singh, secretary of the State CPM, said the decision would strengthen communal forces in Punjab as such forces would now try to exploit the farming community. The decision was condemnable as it had not made any distinction between rich and poor farmers. The total annual power bill of 1.50 lakh farmers owning less than 5 acres of land each was only Rs 54 crore. At least, they should have been spared. Mr Bhupinder Sambar, Vice-President of the Punjab Kisan Sabha, a wing of the CPI, said the decision would fuel various agitations in the state. The Government had gone back on its election manifesto which assured free power to the farming sector and poor sections of society. His party would extend support to any agitation launched by kisan organisations. The decision had been taken to enforce the WTO guidelines in Punjab, he added. Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary of the SHSAD, said the government had cheated farmers by doing so. The government’s anti-farmer face had been exposed. Earlier, this government had increased the sales tax on pesticides and fertilisers. The party would take part in the October 29 Punjab bandh called by various farmers organisations. He urged the government to review the decision. |
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Farmers threaten stir on SYL issue Ludhiana, October 16 It may be recalled that Opposition parties in the state had discussed the issue at an all-party here on September 14 and recommended that all riparian records inked during the past 25 years were not only null and void, but had bartered away the rights of the people. It was also decided that the proposed National River Waters Grid was a step in the wrong direction and was not in the best interests of the state. In an exclusive interview, Mr D.S. Gill, Chairman of the International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO) — who has been authorised to pursue the case in the Supreme Court on behalf of farmer outfits and Opposition parties — said, “If the recommendations of the all-party meeting are not accepted by the government, we will be forced to organise a statewide agitation in November to highlight the issue. We do not want to aggravate the situation, but want to inform the Punjabis that the fallout witnessed in both southern states was the outcome of issues which had been left unresolved for too long for narrow political gains.” Elaborating the volatile issue, he said, “The situation is no better in Punjab today. The state has suffered a drought for the first time and viewed in the backdrop of the changing climate and the steep decline in the groundwater, the entire volume of river waters will have to be harnessed and distributed within the state through a network of canals if the farmers are to be saved,” he opined. Underlining the gravity of the situation, Mr Gill said he had written to Capt Amarinder Singh today demanding an appointment so that the case to be filed in the SC was water tight. “We appreciate the stand of the government and want to work in tandem with it to supplement the state’s efforts. A five-member team comprising myself, BKU President A.S. Lakhowal, Manjit Singh Qadian, Mohinder Singh Grewal and Sukhdev Singh will meet the CM and impress upon him to take radical steps to avoid a repeat of what was happening in the South,” he disclosed. “Apart from this, I have also urged Capt Amarinder Singh to serve notice to the CMs of Haryana and Rajasthan besides the Lt-Governor of Delhi bringing to their notice a resolution passed at the meeting which says that Punjab will start harnessing its river waters and these states should make alternative arrangements for water within 10 years. I have also written to the above mentioned appraising them of the ground realities in Punjab,” he added. Dr Gill said the resolutions passed at the meeting were: *Punjab has an absolute right to all of the three rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi — passing through the state and that neither Haryana, Rajasthan nor Delhi has any locus standi to claim any share in these rivers whatsoever in terms of List 2, Entry 17, of the Constitution of India. *That all contrary arrangements made to ensure the flow of water to the states other than Punjab are violative of the Constitution and that the people of Punjab do not recognise them as validly made and that through this meeting have rejected all accords, agreements or assurances in this regard, whether new or old. *That the people of Punjab — through their political parties represented in this meeting — do hereby serve upon Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi a notice that Punjab itself will start using the entire water of its rivers after 10 years from now, that is, with effect from September 14, 2012, and that they should make alternative arrangements in the meantime in their own interest. Punjab shall start the usage irrespective of whether these states make alternative arrangements or not, after 10 years. *There is no question whatsoever of the proposed SYL canal for Haryana being built. The parties pledge to resist with all their might any move to build the canal. *The meeting calls upon the state of Punjab to disband forthwith the administrative/technical structure raised to build the canal either by adjusting the staff made redundant thereby elsewhere or otherwise. *The meeting also asserts Punjab’s rights to the Bhakhra-Beas Dams’ head-works in terms of the Constitution and calls upon Punjab to challenge the constitution of the BBMB by Indian Parliament in a court of law. *The meeting rejects the new plans being drawn up by the Indian Government to constitute a rivers water grid as violative of Punjab’s rights to its rivers. *The meeting calls upon the state government to release distributaries for farmers of Punjab from the Bhakhra Mainline canal. *The meeting also calls upon the state government to hold a special session of the state Assembly to draw up guidelines regarding petition to be submitted to the SC on the water issue so that the people are taken into confidence and a consensus is built. The participants at the meeting included representatives from the BJP, Panthic
Morcha, SAD (A), SAD (D), MCPI, BKU, BKU (E), MASR, PHRO, Dal Khalsa,
SSF, NKP and HRDF. |
Govt breaks farmers’ hearts Amritsar, October 16 “What have we done to deserve this? Wasn’t it enough for the ‘captain’ (Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister) to raise the cost of commodities like diesel, insecticide, fertiliser etc, that he had to snatch this relief? he wailed. Clutching his six-year-old grandson, Shubeg Singh (72) of Thatha village has “dooms day” written on his face. “We were merely saving some money with just three hours of electricity in our villages. Badal ne niwala dita see, oh vi Captain ne chhin
lita,” he lamented. The decision of the Cabinet meeting was eagerly awaited as farmers expected some sops after the hardships being faced over Army build-up here since January this year and subsequent adversities of inclement weather, low MSP and rising costs. Surjit Singh of Bitawad village, Ajnala, and president of the Gala Arhtiya Association says each farmer is deeply burdened with loans. Rising costs of inputs and drought conditions had weighed down the farmer along with poor yield per acre. Added to this are the problems of procurement with government agencies having bought only 10,000 quintals of paddy out of 6 lakh quintals laid in the Bhagtanwala Mandi since October 1. Under these conditions, a peasant may be unable to pay his bills. “The government is indirectly leading the farmers to commit suicide as the only way to get out of the mess,” adds another farmer. Inderjit Kaur wife of Surjit Singh
Khusupura, is heart broken. The new burden has come just a month before their daughter’s wedding. Mr Balbir Singh, auction recorder of the mandi here, said the farmers today was in the throes of despair. The system of charging approximately Rs 350 per month for minimum of 5 horsepower
tubewell, irrespective of electricity supply, has also come for severe bashing by farmers.
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Farmers to discuss stir today Bathinda, October 16 BKU (Ekta) leader today alleged that the Congress government had proved to be anti-farmer with its decision in the Cabinet meeting today to charge farmers for the electricity being used by them in the farming operations. |
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Debt-ridden farmer commits suicide Bathinda, October 16 Mr Sewewala said the deceased had been finding it difficult to repay the debt of Rs 18,000. He added that the son of Roop Singh was picked up by the police for interrogation in a murder case even though his (Roop Singh’s) family members including his son, had pleaded that they were not involved in the murder of Nazar Singh, a resident of the same village. Roop Singh’s son allegedly rendered handicapped for life. |
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SAD leaders set for legal battle Chandigarh, October 16 Informed sources in the SAD told The Tribune today that the Union Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is also the Secretary-General of the party, another senior leader, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder and the SGPC chief, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, held a detailed discussion with certain legal luminaries on various issues. Among the issues discussed were measures to stop the alleged tapping of telephones of important leaders of the SAD by intelligence agencies at the behest of the state Government, holding the elections of the SGPC outside Punjab, to prevent the State Government from imposing police security on members of the SGPC and various legal measures in the wake of the statements made by the Chief Minister to arrest the SAD chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. One of the legal luminaries whom Akali leaders met today is Mr H.S. Mattewal, former Advocate- General of Punjab. When contacted, Mr Mattewal admitted that certain Akali leaders met him today to discuss the legal matters. However, he refused to reveal the details of the meeting saying that they had come to meet him in the capacity of his clients. Mr Badal has been alleging that his telephones are being tapped. Informed sources said akali leaders wanted to take legal recourse to stop this practice. “ The personal liberty of Mr Badal has been curtailed and it was a fit case for seeking legal recourse”, said a senior leader of the SAD. However, without a proper proof, such a matter could not be challenged in the court though it is a known fact that very sophisticated electric gadgets are available these days which have the capacity to tap hundreds of telephones simultaneously. The question that is uppermost on the minds of the akali leaders is the election of the SGPC president. Besides, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh also elect members of the SGPC because these areas fall in the jurisdiction of the Sikh Gurdwara Act. Though it has not been finalised yet, but Akali leadership is seriously thinking of holding the election of the President of the SGPC outside Punjab , that is either in Haryana or in Himachal Pradesh where the State Governments friendly to the SAD are in the saddle. Akali leaders claim that there is no legal binding on holding the elections at Amritsar in the Golden Temple complex. The election of the President of the SGPC has been held in the past outside Amritsar, for instance in Anandpur Sahib. These leaders feel that because of the alleged blatant interference of the government machinery in the SGPC elections, it will not be an easy task for the SAD to make its candidate President of the SGPC. The other consultations made with the legal luminaries pertained to the expected arrest of Mr Badal and the legal course to be adopted in this connection. As no case has been registered against Mr Badal or any of his family members yet, It is not possible to resort to any legal recourse yet, say akali leaders. Only, the Chief Ministers statements appearing in the media can be challenged in the court. Legal experts have told also the Akali leaders the only investigating agency can say that whether Mr Badal will be arrested or not. The experts have also opined that it is not legally necessary that Mr Badal should be arrested in the alleged corruption case. After completing the investigation and collecting the evidence, which the government says it is in the process of collecting even, the case can be registered against Mr Badal and a challan filed in the court. However, it will depend on the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and the officers investigating the case that whether Mr Badal should be arrested for “custodial interrogation” or straightway a challan should be filed to start the legal proceedings in the court.
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CM: Badal’s wife, son also under scrutiny Chandigarh, October 16 Speaking at a news conference, he said investigations, so far, had indicated their involvement also, along with Mr Badal, and all shall have to face the law of the land. The Chief Minister used strong words and invectives against the Badals. Capt Amarinder Singh reiterated that his government was not in a hurry to arrest Mr Badal, which was for the courts to decide. The government, however, would present foolproof evidence against the Badals in the court to ensure their conviction. The Chief Minister started talking about the Badals and his oft-repeated charges and said his government was not after the SGPC members or keeping them under surveillance, as alleged by Mr Badal. Only those members were being given security cover, who had sent in their requests. He went on to say that he had confirmed information of corruption indulged in by former Akali ministers. On asked how about getting at BJP ministers, the Chief Minister asked: “What is the hurry? We will get them also. No one will be spared. We have to wipe out corruption’’. There was no witch-hunting. Corruption charges have to be fully substantiated so that they can withstand scrutiny by the courts.” |
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Captain vindictive against Akalis: Rinwa Mansa, October 16 He said under the garb of his campaign against corruption, Capt Amarinder Singh was acting vindictively against Akali leaders and putting them under arrest after fabricating false cases against them. He said if Mr Badal was arrested, the BJP would be in the forefront to oppose the action. The Chief Minister should proceed against political leaders in accordance with the law and not harass them due to personal vendetta. Professor Rinwa said the Chief Minister was under the illusion that the Akali-BJP leaders would either flee abroad or seek anticipatory bail. He said there was no question of their leaving the country and they would face the onslaught of the Congress government boldly. The SAD-BJP government in Punjab in future would pay Capt Amarinder Singh in the same coin and send him to jail within three days of its coming to power. He accused the Chief Minister of not fulfilling his election promises and demanded the withdrawal of octroi and 4 per cent sales tax on fertilisers and pesticides. He also demanded the continuation of free power supply to the agricultural sector. He demanded the payment of bonus to the farmers at the rate of Rs 30 per quintal in the current paddy season as promised by the Congress during elections. Professor Rinwa was in the district in connection with the “Pind Chalo” campaign of the BJP which started on September 25. Under the campaign, the BJP plans to raise its membership from 2.7 lakh to 5 lakh before December 1. |
PPCC to be reconstituted Phillaur, October 16 He said district and block party units would be set up later in phased manner. Mr Hanspal said he would soon meet AICC President Sonia Gandhi to finalise the list. He said only able and honest Congressmen would be included in the new state-level executive. No Congressman would be included in the new executive on “sifarish” basis, but sincerity and loyalty would only be preferred. On the Nagar Councils of Muktsar and Phagwara elections to which were conducted on September 8, Mr Hanspal said, the president of the Muktsar Nagar Council would be elected in this month, and that of the Nagar Council, Phagwara later. |
Pherurai gets 4-day police remand Jagraon, October 16 The prosecution had sought eight days’ police remand for the accused. His counsel alleged in the court that Pherurai was being pressurised by the police to implicate former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal so that the government could arrest him. Pherurai was produced in the court here at around 12.45. A strong posse of about 80 police personnel accompanied him while the workers of the SAD were shouting slogans, “Pherurai
zindabad, Congress sarkar murdabad”. They alleged that he had been falsely implicated under a conspiracy so that Mr Badal could also be made an accused. Counsel for the accused submitted that the charges levelled against his client were baseless and politically motivated. He was being pressurised by the police to name Mr Badal so that the government could implicate him and his client was being made a victim in the political battle. Counsel also claimed he had inherited most of the property from his father, who owned about 93 acres of land, much before Pherurai joined the police services. Besides, other property claimed to be owned by him actually belonged to his brothers and was registered in their name only. Meanwhile, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Mukhwinder Singh Chhina, regretted that some vested interests were trying to politicise the issue by raising slogans. |
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Sukhwant Singh’s
remand extended Kharar, October 16 Mr Jatinderjit Singh Punn, Public Prosecutor, appeared in the court and pleaded for 10-day police remand for the accused. He said the information was yet to be collected from the accused about property in Ludhiana, documents of other properties and black money amassed by Hardeep Singh and other co-accused. The defence counsel refuted the charges of the prosecution and opposed the police remand as the accused had already spent many days in police custody. Meanwhile, the court took serious note of the delay in producing the accused in the court by the Vigilance Bureau. Although the accused was earlier ordered to be produced in the court at 2 pm but came after 5 pm. The judge said the court would not hesitate to take action against the officers concerned if the accused was not produced in the court in time and added that the delay in producing him in the court would be treated as illegal custody of the accused in future. |
Namdharis
laud CM’s drive against graft Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana), October 16 At the conclusion of the month-long annual congregation here today in presence of Satguru Jagjit Singh, the samaj resolution recalled the contribution of the Namdharis in the freedom struggle and their long association with the Congress. Capt Amarinder Singh said he would ensure that his government came up to the expectations of the people. The Chief Minister said he had visualised a prosperous Punjab where everyone would have access to basic amenities like drinking water and proper sanitation. Capt Amarinder Singh said, “By simply rooting out corruption, we cannot fill the stomachs of people. For that, we need development for which we need funds”. He said his government was trying to create an atmosphere which would be friendly to and conducive for industry. Satguru Jagjit Singh presented a siropa to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister announced that Satguru Ram Singh Chair in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, would be activated and funds made available to it for research work. |
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Kahlon’s wife too faces probe Amritsar, October 16 The inquiry was marked to the Circle Education Officer, Jalandhar, following complaints by the Government Teachers Union. Inquiries would be conducted on the issues of favouritism and transfers of teachers in violation of rules regarding institutes for girls and boys. A case of appointing a librarian in place of lecturer has also come to light, besides payments to teachers who were relatives of the DEO despite absence over long periods of duty. There are also allegations of designating DDO powers to junior teachers instead of seniors, besides adjustments and rationalisations done to benefit near and dear ones. The association has urged the department to probe the allegations and take suitable measures at the earliest. |
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Mann for opening trade with Pak Ferozepore, October 16 Advocating the opening of Indo-Pakistan border, Mr Mann asserted that this step would also augment the export of surplus foodgrain. He said that surplus electricity, gas and oil could be bought from Pakistan. Mr Mann accused both, Indian and Pakistani government of violating the Ottawa treaty on landmines. The installation of landmines has added to the miseries of the farmers in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepore. There has been loss of lives, limbs and cattle in mine blasts. He said that the Khurana committee which was sent to assess the loss of crops was not able to take actual stock of the situation. Mr Mann said during his recent visit to the USA and European countries, he had interacted with foreign ministers of all these nations and apprised them of the prevailing relations between India and Pakistan. The Vajpayee government was promoting Hindutva which has further worsened the 1300 year-old bitter relations between Hindu and Islamic nations Sikhs were being sandwitched in between this clash. He exhorted the world community to intervene and mediate to solve the Kashmir dispute. He said that in case of nuclear war between the two nations, the most sufferer will be the Sikhs. He said that both the Congress and National Conference wanted a military solution to the Kashmir problem which was not correct. He averred that while drafting the foreign policies due representation should be accorded to the minorities. He added that Vajpayee’s recent foreign visit had failed to draw support from European countries. He also condemned Vajpayee’s decision of not allowing Sikh sangat to visit religious places in Pakistan especially during birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. On the MSP issue, he said, that both Capt Amarinder Singh and Mr Parkash Singh Badal instead to settling personal scores should have made a joint resolution in the state Assembly demanding at least Rs 100-bonus for farmers. He once again advocated the demand of Khalistan and said that all Sikh leaders were basically Khalistanis but had later switched gears in greed of power and money. |
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Nephrology society clarifies stand Chandigarh, October 16 “We feel that in the garb of a probe, there is a campaign to malign our profession and harass doctors. Otherwise, why should a kidney donor from Jagraon, operated at Jalandhar lodge a complaint with a particular police officer of Amritsar?’’ a press statement of the society said. ‘‘The Punjab Nephrology Society does not shy away from any probe but we appeal to one and all to verify the facts before they are publicised. The much talked-about case mentioned in this news report also is, to the best of our knowledge, not pending in the high court but has already been decided,’’ the statement said. ‘‘Doctors wish to work in a tension-free atmosphere and should not be expected to rush to the Press every time facts are projected wrongly,’’ said Dr Navdeep S.
Khaira, Secretary of the society. Even the high court has recently advised the police not to interfere with the work of doctors involved in kidney transplantation. We appeal to the appropriate authority for kidney transplantation i.e. the
DRME, Punjab, to take up this issue with the state government”. The society would be forced to examine the remedy of the law if any of our doctors was harassed by the police, the statement said. |
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Row over filling ETO posts Muktsar, October 16 A senior functionary of the association told TNS here today that if the department did not accept their plea, they would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Punjab Government had created 50 new posts of ETO recently to deal with the situation after the value added tax (VAT) is introduced in the coming financial year and to mobilise additional resources of revenue. The authorities concerned decided to fill these vacancies from the excise and tax inspector cadre by promoting a section of that cadre through the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). However, various aspirants for the post came in for a rude shock when they came to know that the authorities had also considered the names of members of the ministerial staff for promotion to ETOs despite a ban to this effect. A senior official of Excise and Taxation Department, when contacted at Chandigarh, pointed out on the condition of anonymity that members of the ministerial staff were likely to be promoted to the rank of ETO to clear the backlog of their quota which was existing when the ban was imposed. However, a section of aspirants alleged that there was no backlog of ministerial staff for their promotion. |
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MC checks illegal sewerage Bathinda, October 16 Officially sources said about 10 days ago, a bid to connect the private sewerage with that of the Municipal Council on the Amrik Singh road was made by people who had constructed residences and business complexes on the mill premises. The Municipal Council has moved an application against them in the city police station. Mr Kamal Kant, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, said the equipments and artisans engaged in connecting the sewer lines by the residents of this unauthorised colony, had been taken into custody. The Municipal Council had initially sanctioned the construction site plan allegedly under pressure of the then ruling politicians of previous SAD-BJP combine government. A few months later when a controversy erupted over the issue, the Punjab Government imposed a ban on the sanctioning of site plan. However, now again a move had been initiated by a
section of “vested interests” to get the unauthorised colony a sewerage connection by using “political connections”. The Punjab Government had already suspended three Municipal Council officials for their alleged involvement in the sanctioning of site plans of the unauthorised construction in the flour mill. |
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Awareness drive on blood donation Bathinda, October 16 Mr Surinder Garg, president, BDC, said here today that the council had organised 135 blood donation camps and had collected 10,675 units of blood. He said the council had played an important role in mobilising public opinion in favour of the blood donation movement. He added that on World Blood Donation Day, a march to create awareness about blood donation was organised which started from Rampura Phul town and after passing through Maur Mandi, Talwandi Sabo, Raman Mandi, Bhuchu, Nathana, Bhagta Bhai Ka concluded at Bathinda city. Mr H.L. Bansal, founder of the council, said all the healthy adult members, including women could donate blood regularly. He added that blood donation under medical supervision produced no ill effects on the body. To bridge the gap between the demand and supply of blood, every healthy member of society should donate blood at least once a year. |
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Two-hr strike by PRTC staff today Patiala, October 16 Member of the PRTC Action Committee, Mr Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal, said the PRTC management had been planning to close three bus depots and had also decided to reduce the number of buses, which would have an adverse financial impact on the drivers , conductors and workshop staff. Alleging that the management had been transferring the employees with an aim to harass them, the members of the committee said the management had failed to draw a strategy to boost the profit of the
corporation. |
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Langah case: next hearing on Oct 24 Ropar, October 16 The challan against Langah and others was presented by the Bureau on September 17 last in the court of Sessions Judge here and later on the same day the Sessions Judge entrusted the challan for further proceedings in the case with Mr A.S. Kathuria, Special Judge. |
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Smuggler’s remand extended Bathinda, October 16 The police had earlier remanded the accused for eight days. He was taken to Amritsar for interrogation and produced before the local court after the earlier remand expired today. The counsel for the accused had opposed the extension of the remand on the grounds that the police had failed to get any additional information from him (the accused). |
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Bhaniarawala cases
transferred Patiala, October 16 This has been done on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the last date of the case, one of Baba Bhaniarawala’s followers and co-accused Karnail Singh had submitted an application saying he wanted to expose the ‘’nefarious activities’’ of Baba Bhaniarawala and requested that he be allowed to turn approver in the case. The application has also been transferred to Ambala where the case will be taken up on October 24. |
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Change in OPD, school hours Phillaur, October 16 Official sources said here today that OPDs would now open from 9 am to 3 pm throughout the state. All government primary schools will work from 9 am to 2 pm and government high schools will open from 9 am to 3 pm from today. |
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6 girls married Phagwara, October 16 |
60 pc sheller units
defaulters Muktsar, October 16 Ms Usha R. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, today ordered that no paddy should be sent to defaulter units and check should be made on the procurement and proper cleaning of the produce. Conducting surprise checks at various procurement centres and mandis, the Deputy Commissioner ordered the cancellation of licences of at least two arhtiyas. The Deputy Commissioner found that the samples at Bhalaiana village were over-weight and ordered that their licences should be cancelled. As many as 48 bags belonging to state agencies were filled with paddy, without proper auctioning at Malout and the case had been recommended to the police. The team also visited Kot Bhai village and samples taken from the commission agents were found to be of poor quality. In this case the connivance of Punsup inspector was found and the case had been sent to the higher authorities for action. |
Cashier ‘looted’ bank for lavish lifestyle Sangrur, October 16 Talking to newsmen, the Sangrur district police chief, Mr A.S. Rai, disclosed that investigations into the incident of an alleged dacoity which occurred in Malwa Grameen Cooperative Bank on May 25 had revealed that the bank’s cashier had come up with the scheme and had been supported by the security guard to hoodwink the authorities. According to Mr Rai, the security guard accompanied the bank’s manager on some errand and left the cashier alone in the bank. Following this the cashier claimed that two scooter-borne persons had snatched Rs 4.5 lakh from him at gun point and decamped with the money. Mr Rai said they started suspecting Shinderpal, cashier, when a large number of discrepancies were found in the cash register. It was revealed upon investigation that the cashier had been taking cash from customers for depositing money in the bank but failed to do so. Instead he used the money for his personal use. The cashier misappropriated Rs 4.5 lakh in this manner. He purchased a residential plot at Dirba and paid off his outstanding debt from the money looted from the bank. The SSP said the security guard, Balbir Singh, also became a conspirator in the fake dacoity case because he had taken the money from the cashier for purchasing a gun. Mr Rai also gave details of how the lifestyle of the cashier had undergone a change when he started siphoning off the money deposited by customers in the bank. He said the police also had a testimonial of Ghore Nab village Sarpanch, Swaran singh, who knew that Shinderpal was paying off his debts from the money looted from the bank. |
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Personal enmity was behind ASI’s murder Amritsar, October 16 Dr S.K. Kalia, SP (City-II), while talking to The Tribune, claimed that the police had found vital clues regarding the incident and the arrest of the culprits was expected within a day or so. Initially there was apprehension that some vested political interests were behind the incident. Involvement of terrorists was also apprehended. Mr Dhillon had ruled out personal enmity as the cause of the attack. Some persons shot Randhir Singh around 7.30 p.m. last evening just outside the house of the Mr Dhillon at Labh Nagar here. Several persons reportedly raised slogans against the SGPC member outside his house. When the ASI went outside, an argument ensued after which he was shot. Meanwhile, Mr Dhillon, while expressing shock over the incident, said he did not want any security. He said he knew the ASI for the past many days and denied the opposition’s involvement in the killing. |
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4
killed in road mishap Hoshiarpur, October 16 In another accident Kirpal Surinder Singh of Lodhi Chak village died yesterday when he suddenly fell from a three wheeler in which he was travelling. |
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2 crushed to death Phagwara, October 16 Those killed have been identified as Kanwaljit Singh and Massa Singh, both residents of Bhabiana village. While Pappu died on the spot, Massa Singh succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Jalandhar. His body was brought to the local Civil Hospital today. Another person, Amrik Singh, sustained serious injuries. Narinder Singh of Prempura, tractor driver, is absconding. The police has registered case but no one has been arrested so far. |
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Gang busted Sangrur, October 16 The gangsters, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, had contacts in Malerkotla and Barnala to select targets, including farmhouses and petrol stations, for committing dacoities, Sangrur police chief A.S. Rai said here. Five of their accomplices from UP are still at large, Mr Rai said.
PTI |
ABVP for change in education policy Nabha, October 16 Addressing a large gathering, Mr Yogesh Khatri, secretary, ABVP, and Mr Sahyog Bharty, president, city unit of the ABVP, stressed on to make the education policy job-oriented so that the future of the coming generation could be secured. They also said the ABVP was organising a mass signature campaign in support of its demand. The CSU president, Mr Pardeep Kumar, and the secretary, Mr Gurdeep Singh, also addressed the gathering. They would present a memorandum to the Principal of the college in this regard. |
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