Badal for CBI probe into Gujarat scandal
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, December 25
In his comment on former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral’s observation that politics of hatred was responsible for the slide in Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today said his party was ready to cooperate with the government for safeguarding the interests of the state. Politics of hatred was being pursued by the Congress government even though we had offered our cooperation for the cause of Punjab, he said, addressing newspersons here.

When his attention was drawn to the Chief Minister’s remarks that Mr Badal had lied and misled people regarding loan waiver, he hit back, saying that the Rs 8500-crore loan for fighting terrorism had been waived.

He brushed aside the allegation that he was supporting Congress dissidents like Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for ousting the Chief Minister.

On the Gujarat sex scandal, he said there was no smoke without fire. The government should probe the issue and it would be better if the inquiry was entrusted to the CBI as the involvement of three Punjab Ministers in immoral activities had brought a bad name to the state.

Asked to comment on the Hindutva card played by the BJP in Gujarat, he said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had said today that Hindutva was not a poll issue.

Mr Badal said the acquittal of Mr Sajjan Kumar and others in the anti-Sikh riots case would be challenged.

HOSHIARPUR: Mr Parkash Singh Badal, talking to media persons at the residence of Mr Varinder Singh Bajwa, president of the district unit of the SAD, on Wednesday said the NDA Government was functioning on secular lines.

Replying to a question regarding the setting up of a refinery at Bathinda, he said his government had completed almost all formalities in this regard. Now it was the duty of the present government to pursue the issue.

Referring to the postponement of the municipal elections he said the Congress was scared of defeat.

George's assurance on houses
Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

Bhisiana, (Bathinda), December 25
Mr George Fernandes, Union Defence Minister, today expressed regret over the delay in the construction of over three lakh houses for defence personnel. These houses were to be constructed at a cost of Rs 17,000 crore by the end of 2004.

Mr Farnandes said the proposed houses could not be constructed due to certain rules under which several committees had to be constituted for the completion of such projects.

Mr Fernandes was addressing officers and other staff members of the Air Force here today.

Mr Fernandes admitted that in comparison to the construction of houses for the Army and the Navy a fewer number of houses had been built for Air Force personnel. He said he was of the view that houses to the Air Force staff should be allotted within a year. He stated that the local Air Force authorities had told him that the construction had started here. The Defence Minister said there would be no shortage of funds for this purpose.

He said the Union Government would not allow any defence related work to be stopped due to the shortage of funds.

WB sanctions 800-cr loan: CM
Rashmi Talwar

Ajnala (Amritsar), December 25
Even as the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, announced that the World Bank (WB) had sanctioned a loan for Rs 800 crore for the state’s water problem, he assured that development works in the state would commence from the New Year as the state economy had been revived by his government. In addition, he also declared resumption of old-age and widow pensions from January 1.

Explaining that the WB loan would be utilised for solving the state’s water supply problem and silage disposal, the Chief Minister asserted that his government had succeeded in checking corruption and managed to put the economy of the state back on the rails due to fiscal reforms. Capt Amarinder Singh was here today on Christmas addressing a gathering of Christians at this border village which has a sizeable Christian population.

He said fake pensioners up to nearly 37 per cent and as high as 42 per cent in Gurdaspur and Sangrur districts as also in other areas in the old-age and widow pension schemes were detected.

These pensions were being misappropriated in the tenure of the previous government. Genuine pensioners would start getting their pensions from January 1, he said.

Referring to the problems of border villagers, he said a new industrial policy was on the anvil for encouraging setting up of industry within 16 km of the border belt. Special incentives would be given for this, he added. This was aimed at providing employment to the youth who could be weaned away successfully from the vices affecting them.

He further said that he had already raised the issue of enhancement of compensation to farmers and villagers affected by the laying of landmines and non-accessibility of their fields beyond the fencing during a recent meeting of the National Development Council held in New Delhi which was presided over by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

In the first phase of development, five bridges on the Sutlej and Beas, 40 railway overbridges, and 900 km of roads would be constructed. He said 20,000 tubewells connections by March 31 and the same number after the target date would be released by his government.

Lashing out at the Badal government, he said the market fee for the next five years had already been pledged by the former government for loans, which went into the funds collected for ‘sangat darshan’ programmes by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 25 lakh for a Christian community centre.

Development to be Congress agenda: Ashwani Kumar
Tilak Raj Gupta

Gurdaspur, December 25
Mr Ashwani Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab who is currently here in connection with his political programme, spoke to The Tribune in an exclusive interview and shared his views on a wide range of issues facing Punjab and the country. Mr Kumar is Chairman of the AICC Vichar Vibhag, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court and former Additional Solicitor-General of India.

Question: After Gujarat and in the context of the BJPs’ open pronouncement of Hindutava as its agenda for the rest of the country, what would be the responses of the Congress considering the forthcoming Assembly elections in nine states?

Answer: The official pronouncement by the BJP that the Gujarat brand of Hindutava will be repeated in the rest of the country is an open invitation to social discord and communal disharmony of a kind that will irretrievably damage the country’s internal unity. The secular image of India stands shattered by the BJP’s pronouncement and its policies.

The Congress will go to the people with an agenda of development through peace and social harmony. The people of India who are known for their tolerance and commitment to social solidarity will reject the communal politics of the Sangh Parivar and reaffirm the secular ethos of India. I have no doubt that in the forthcoming elections to various state Assemblies, all right-thinking citizens will vote against the politics of hate and communal discord.

Q: Do you foresee realignment of political parties in the country and its impact on the longevity of the NDA Government at the Centre?

A: The statements of the DMK and the JD (U) leadership that it will dissociate itself from the NDA Government at the Centre is only a sign of an emerging realignment of secular and political formations. It is high time for all those who are committed to strengthening our fundamental values to shed the politics of convenience. They should wage a united and decisive democratic battle against the divisive agenda of the Sangh Parivar.

Q: What will be Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s role in securing the unity of secular parties?

A: Mrs Sonia Gandhi will lead the fight against the communal BJP and has repeatedly stated that the sole purpose of her joining politics is to strengthen the Congress as a political instrument of the country’s unity and its alround development. For her politics is a means of restoring India’s prestige and its rightful place in the comity of nation’s through a progressive approach.

Q: What are your views on the declining standards in public life?

A: The declining standards in public life are truly a matter of deep concern. I believe that the highest standards of political morality are an absolute imperative for those in power to be truly accountable to the people in a democracy. The Congress has shown its total commitment to the need for observing the highest standards of conduct by those seeking to play a political role. That is why in the recently introduced law on electoral reform, the Congress stood along in insisting on full compliance with Supreme Court judgements that made it necessary for all candidates to disclose their assets and criminal antecedents, if any, before the elections.

Q: How does the Punjab Congress intend to refute the allegations against Punjab ministers regarding their role in Ahmedabad during campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly poll?

A: The charges levelled against Punjab ministers are unfounded, although the Press has continued to publish these vague allegations for the past many days. No attempt has been made to disclose the details about the alleged complaints and the source thereof. Nothing specific has been stated in the matter. The PPCC has already invited legal action in the matter.

Q: As a sole Rajya Sabha Member from Punjab you have been known to have actively participated in major debates in the Rajya Sabha. What has been your principal contribution as a Rajya Sabha member during the past four months?

A: I am particularly gratified of having been given an opportunity by the party leadership to speak on behalf of the party on vital issues that face the nation. Since my election to the Rajya Sabha, I have tried to articulate my party’s views on issues such as Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. I intervened on behalf of the Congress on the Securitisation Bill and more recently in the debate on the Electoral Reforms Bill.

I have also been able to use my MPLA funds for meeting the health care needs of the people of Gurdaspur district by making available about Rs 9 lakh for upgrading the accident and trauma centre of the Civil Hospital and for early detection of cancer tests as also for ambulances and eye care. In addition, I have granted financial assistance for upgrading two schools in the backward areas of Narot Jaimal Singh and am currently identifying further projects for serving public causes.

Q: How do you see the future of the Punjab Government given the current economic and political situation and the internal dissensions in the party?

A: It is indeed true that the people of Punjab expect a lot from the Congress Government in terms of development. A focussed implementation of the development agenda of the government is possible only in an atmosphere of peace and communal harmony. While the Punjab Government is taking concrete initiatives to restore Punjab’s shattered economy, the agitational politics of the Akali Dal is not conducive to economic growth.

There is a difference in perception on various issues within the party considering its democratic functioning. This should not be interpreted as dissensions. In the ultimate analysis, the Congress is a disciplined political party and remains committed to abiding by the decisions of the party high command.

Meeting to discuss SYL case strategy today
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25
The issue of the SYL canal, creation of new posts of law officer in the office of the Advocate General, re-fixing the retirement age of the State Election Commissioner, and formulation of the policy for those who were supposed to be reverted to their parents departments because of the cancellation of their appointment in the PCS or its allied cadre made by the PPSC when it was headed by Mr Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu are the issues that will be taken up at the meeting of the Punjab Council of Ministers to be held here tomorrow.

Informed sources said the Punjab Government had made all preparations for filing the two petitions in the Supreme Court in connection with the SYL canal issue. During a four-day stay of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, in Delhi early this week, the issue was discussed in detail with legal luminaries. Now it would be discussed at the meeting tomorrow. Sources said the main issue at the meeting would be to engage top legal brains for pleading Punjab’s case in the Supreme Court.

As such legal luminaries charge hefty fees and consultation charges the Council of Ministers will have to give approval in advance for making such payments to the legal personalities. Earlier, when Capt Amarinder Singh Government came to power, it fixed Rs 44,000 as fee to be paid to senior advocates in the Supreme Court per appearance. However, now Government has realised that this amount will have to be revised upwards as top Supreme Court advocates charges money in lakhs per appearance.

The SYL case in the Supreme Court is expected to be filed in the first fortnight of the next month. The issue of the SYL canal has entered a crucial stage. Last year, the Supreme Court had directed the Punjab Government to complete the canal by coming January 15. In case of its failure to complete the canal by due date, the Central Government was asked to intervene and complete the canal. However, no time period was stipulated for the Centre to complete the canal.

The Council of Ministers is also expected to give approval to 35-odd posts of law officers designated as additional, deputy and assistant advocate-generals and posted in the office of the Advocate General of Punjab. Since their appointment in April this year, they have not got salary because they have been working against the un-sanctioned posts.

There are only 51 sanctioned posts of such officers in the office of the Advocate General. However, without bothering about rules and qualifications, the Punjab Government recklessly appointed about 93 law officers. However, only 86 of them joined. Most of the law officers are either wards of VIPs or close relations of top politicians. There were only few appointments who were made on merit while remaining were made to oblige top shots. A number of appointments were made in New Delhi. However, according to informed sources, there is a requirement of only 50 law officers in the office of the Advocate General. The case to give salary to these law officers appointed against unsanctioned posts was moved several times by the office of the Advocate General through the Law Department to the Finance Department which rejected the same remarking that first the posts should be got approved from the Council of Ministers which was a competent authority. Sources said the increase in the retirement age from 64 year to 65 year of the State Election Commissioner was also on the tomorrow’s agenda.

Besides, the government wanted to frame a policy for those who were supposed to be reverted to their parent departments following the cancellation of their appointment in the PCS or allied cadre made during Mr Sidhu’s time by the PPSC. There have been a number of officers who were promoted from various departments to the PCS cadre. But following the detection of a scam in the appointment of the PCS officers in the PPSC, a large number of appointments made in the PCS and allied cadre were cancelled.

Varsity credentials questioned
Holding of Indian History Congress from Dec 28
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25
Recent media criticism that “historical research has reached the level of plagiarism with the merit of preservation” makes Guru Nanak Dev University a controversial host for the Indian History Congress starting on December 28.

According to dharam shastras, a Brahmin should not accept the hospitality of a hen-pecked husband, usurer, mentally sick, and impotent man. The Indian History Congress should have given a thought to it before accepting the hospitality of the university, whose credentials as centre for historic research have been doubted.

And among critics has been none other than celebrated author, historian and journalist Khushwant Singh, who in his September 14 column in The Tribune wrote that Guru Nanak Dev University “has announced the publication of 20 books to mark the bi-centenary celebrations of the coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Some of the editors are Vice-Chancellors. I expected to see something of the Maharaja which I had not seen before. I did not come across anything of the sort. All 20 publications are compilation of books and articles published sometime ago. No new research has been carried out. At best, the publications could, in Disraeli’s words, be described “plagiarism with the merit of preservation”.

Those who have been students of the Sikh history in general and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule in particular and had the opportunity to go through some of the 20 publications brought out by the varsity have more than one reasons to be critical than appreciative of the effort.

For example, most of the articles in “Maharaja Ranjit Singh: The State and Society” are taken from “Maharaja Ranjit Singh and His Times”, published in 1980. Only the titles have been changed. Historian Fauja Singh’s “Territorial Organisation, Concept of State Rule and Distribution of Power” has been reduced to “Territorial Organisation and Distribution of Power”.

Sulakhan Singh’s “State Patronage to the Udasis under Maharaja Ranjit Singh” appears under the tile of “Patronage of the Udasis”. “Agricultural Production in the Punjab under Maharaja Ranjit Singh” by Sukhwant Singh appears as “Agricultural Production”.

Prof Tejwant Singh Gill’s “Kissa in the Times of Ranjit Singh” now becomes “The Kissa and the Kingdom”.

Another publication — Europeans and Maharaja Ranjit Singh — has the same story to tell. In this publication, the emphasis is on preservation. Grey’s “European Military Adventures, a Perspective” was published in 1929, Ganda Singh’s “Maharaja Ranjit Singh as European saw him” in 1939. Manjit Singh’s list of European Officers is from his 1983 M.Phil dissertation. ‘Military Strategies’ by Gulcharan Singh was originally published in 1976.

It was quite an effort to include Gianeshwar Khurana’s article ‘Contemporaneous English Historical Writing’ in both “Maharaja Ranjit Singh: the State and Society” and “Europeans and Maharaja Ranjit Singh”. In the fitness of things “The Rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Nature and Relevance” is reproducing articles already published in the “Journal of Sikh Studies”.

Interestingly, the precedent had already been set by the preceding Vice-Chancellor. During his tenure a “pirate” edition of “B-40 Janamsakhi Guru Baba Nanak Paintings” was published without indicating its edition, number of copies published, the printing press, and the year of publication without informing its editor or asking him if revisions or additions to the introduction are to be made.

The Editor, Surjit Singh Hans, protested to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr S.P. Singh, in May, this year. He has not received a reply so far. Historians and scholars from Panjab University, Punjabi University and GND University also lodged a protest in August and September. There has been no response from GND University so far.

The Registrar of GND University in his reply to the Education Secretary, Punjab, on October 9, wrote that the revised edition was published in 2000 and with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr H.S. Soch. In this case the name of Prof S.S. Bal, who was the Vice-Chancellor at the time of its first edition was reportedly deleted from the acknowledgements to thank the Vice-Chancellor by designation. The Editor was not allegedly informed about the change.

The Registrar has made an interesting claim. The authors can be made to thank the person they did not.

“It is not a question of muddled principles but academic integrity” says the Editor, Surjit Hans. It is alleged that the pirated edition was published so that changes in the acknowledgements should not be known immediately and the unwary reader be led to believe that a major work on Sikh painting was published under the auspices of Dr H.S. Soch.

The ground for research in ‘plagiarisation and preservation’ had already been prepared. A wag, “quickfix” research tallies with the “quickfix” regime of the Akalis, as someone said.

‘Bid to tarnish’ varsity reputation
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25
Dr Tejinder Pal Singh, President, Punjab Homoeopathic Association, today criticised the demand of certain colleges in the state for disaffiliation from the Baba Farid University of Health Science at Faridkot.

In a statement issued here, Dr Teinder Pal Singh alleged that certain vested interests, with a view to tarnish the reputation of the university were playing with the careers of thousands of students studying in different medical and para-medical institutions affiliated with the universities in Punjab. The functioning of Baba Farid University was satisfactory. The examination set-up of the university functioned flawlessly. The examination for all systems of medicine were being conducted well in time and the results of these examinations were also being declared in the shortest possible time. The PMT examination conducted by the university for the session 2002-2003 had been an example of transparency.

Abohar haven for addicts
Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Abohar, December 25
Even as the easy availability of smack in this border town has made it a haven for addicts, particularly teenagers, the police has launched a drive to check the menace.

During the past five months, the police had seized about 300 gm of smack worth more than Rs 12 lakh. The police arrested a girl belonging to Delhi for smuggling smack. About 190 gm of smack was seized from her.

For the past many years, this town, bordering Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan, has been witnessing its youths falling prey to smack and brown sugar.

A majority of the consignments of smack and brown sugar reportedly come from Chandigarh and Delhi. Most of the smack and brown sugar addicts were found to be HIV positive when they underwent treatment to get themselves de-addicted.

Recently, a meeting of high-ranking police officials of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan was convened here under the chairmanship of the DGP, Punjab, Mr M.S. Bhullar. The interstate smuggling of narcotics was one of the main items on the agenda.

Mr Rakesh Aggarwal, ASP, Abohar, pointed out that during the past five months the police had registered 79 cases under the NDPS Act against smugglers. Besides, the police had prepared a list of smugglers and a campaign had been launched to arrest them.

He added that with the help of residents and social organisations, the Society Against Abuse of Narcotics and other Substances (SAANS) had been set up. He said in the camps organised by the society, 75 addicts had quit the habit while 450 had registered their names with it.

Over the past few years, Malout town in Muktsar district has also seen more and more youths falling prey to smack.

CPI for ban on RSS, Bajrang Dal
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, December 25
The CPI today sought a ban on the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP. In a resolution passed in the presence of the national secretary of the CPI, Mr A.B. Bardhan, at a rally here today, the party said to save the secular face of the country, there was need to ban these outfits. The party also said the Election Commission should ban the use of communal slogans and material during campaigning.

Dr Joginder Dayal, state secretary of the party, said the fear created in members of minority communities by statements of various leaders of the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP could lead them to launch separatist movements.

The CPI had organised the rally to expose the “anti-people” policies of the Central and the state governments. Workers of the party from this and Mansa districts attended the “lok bachao” rally in large numbers.

Faridkot to get 100-bedded hospital
Our Correspondent

Faridkot, December 25
The Sangat Sahib Bhai Pheru Sikh Educational Society here has drawn up a plan to set up a 100-bedded multi-speciality Dasmesh Hospital on the Faridkot-Talwandi road. Land has already been acquired and the construction work on the project would start in the first week of March, 2003. The entire project will cost more than Rs 5 crore and is likely to be completed within a year.

Dr Surinder Singh Cheema, in charge of the project, and Dr Gursewak Singh, Director of the society, said the hospital would have the facilities of plastic surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics, gynae and ENT. The poor will be given treatment on concessional rates whereas the other category of the patients will be charged according to the terms applied in government hospitals, they added.

Tenders for various modern equipments like ultrasound machine, cardiac monitor, defrebelator, semiautoanalyser, computerised ECG machine, diathermy and autoclave have been invited.

To make the programme effective the treatment of various diseases has already been started at the Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences complex run by the society. An expert staff, including Dr H.P.S. Sandhu, Professor of the local government Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, Dr Harmeet Singh, Professor, Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar, and Dr Harpreet Kaur, MD, Gynaecology from Patiala, have already joined the institution. A clinical laboratory equipped with modern facilities, besides an operation theatre have also started functioning. The 24 hour emergency services would be provided from the next month, Dr Cheema and Dr Gursewak Singh said.

Gurm referred to Amritsar hospital
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, December 25
The local health authorities have referred the former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University (PTU) H.S. Gurm, main accused in the multi-crore PTU scam, to Guru Teg Bahadur Medical College, Amritsar, for treatment after he complained of pain in kidney.

Gurm was admitted to the local Civil Hospital yesterday, when doctors, during a routine medical examination of the accused, found him suffering from hypertension.

Subsequently, he complained of pain in kidney. “Since we don’t have a kidney specialist here, we have referred him to the medical college at Amritsar for treatment. He will only be shifted to Amritsar after his blood pressure is normal,” Dr. O.P. Chabra, Civil Surgeon, said.

A team of doctors is monitoring the condition of Gurm who was to be produced in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate tomorrow after the expiry of his two-day police remand.

Punjabi book released
Our Correspondent

Nawanshahr, December 25
The four-day long “Amardeep mela” organised by Amardeep Singh Shergill Memorial College, Mukandpur, about 20 km from here, concluded yesterday.

Dr Y.S. Rajan, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, stressed the need for coordination among various branches of knowledge.

Dr Sardara Singh Johan, Vice-Chairman, Planning Commission, Punjab, said steps were being taken to develop infrastructure in the rural areas to boost education.

Dr Rajan released a Punjabi book, “Punjabi Alochana-Dash Ate Disha” by Dr Surjit Singh Bhatti and honoured students who excelled in various fields.

Police owes Rs 6 lakh to petrol dealers
Our Correspondent

Fazilka, December 25
The offices of the DSP, SHOs of City and Sadar police stations and the Tehsildar here owe Rs 8 lakh to eight petroleum dealers for a long time.

A spokesperson for the Fazilka Petroleum Dealers Association said the outstanding amount against the Police Department was Rs 6 lakh and against the Tehsildar office, it was about Rs 2 lakh. The association members had produced duplicate bills but their payment has not been cleared as yet. In some cases, the payment has not been made after 1996. Due to this, the petroleum dealers are giving credit facility to the DSP office only. 

Train to southern states demanded
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 25
Resentment prevails among the general public of the region against the railway authorities for their alleged indifferent attitude towards the long-standing demands and problems, relating to rail services, of the commuters and the general public.

Mr R.K. Goyal, general secretary of the Railway Passengers Association (North Zone) with its head office here, stated today that a deputation of the association, led by Mr Pawan Tayal, president of the association, would meet Mr R.K. Singh, General Manager, Northern Railway, on December 27 when he would visit the city as part of his inspection tour. He said the deputation would brief him about the demands of the people of the region and their problems relating to the railway services.

Mr Goyal said the association would demand installation of an automated teller machine (ATM) at the local railway station for the convenience of the passengers, introduction of a direct train from Sriganganagar or Bathinda to the southern states, laying of an Abohar-Fazilka rail line, infrastructural changes at the local railway platforms, and deployment of railway personnel at the unmanned railway level-crossings.

Mr Goyal also demanded from the Union Railway Ministry to release a sufficient amount from the Railway Safety Fund for Punjab to renovate the rail tracks and bridges over the rail lines.

Mr Goyal also urged the railway authorities to improve the functioning of the inquiry counter at the local railway station and opening of one more reservation counter.

Deed writer’s licence suspended
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 25
Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, has asked the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to register an FIR against Bhupinder Singh, Rajinder Kumar, and Bharat Bhushan Puri, deed writer, for making “false” statements before the sub-registrar here.

Following an inquiry by the Assistant Commissioner (Grievances), here, it was found that Bhupinder Singh executed a sale deed for Rs 1 lakh whereas the agreement to sell the property was actually for Rs 5 lakh.

In an official note issued here on Monday, it was further stated that the sale deed had been got registered by producing a photograph of a plot before the sub-registrar. Otherwise, it was a built-up house. It was also found that Puri, deed writer, had not entered the agreement in his register and had, thus, connived with the parties in evading the stamp duty on the value of Rs 4 lakh. The licence of the deed writer has also been suspended.

First law college to come up in Faridkot

Faridkot, December 25
Punjab’s first law college is being established here under the auspices of the Baba Farid Society.

He said the land for the college had been acquired on the Kotkapura Road. The syllabi of this college would be on a par with other leading law colleges in the country. UNI

‘Inspector raj’ stifling trade: Beopar Mandal
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 25
Supporting Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s statement that ‘inspector raj’ continued to stifle small businesses, the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, in a representation here on Monday urged the Union Government and the Punjab Government to amend the necessary rules to put an end to it.

Mr Madan Lal Kapoor, president of the Beopar Mandal, said a number of departments and laws made to monitor the business community acted as hurdles in their progress.