R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
LECTURE HELD: A extension lecture on ‘solid waste management’ was organised at the DAV College of Education for Women by the college science club here on Wednesday. Mr W.D. Feyter and Mr Hogcrdoom, Advisers, NMCP, the Netherlands, and Mr K.R. Jain, participated.

BATHINDA
ANGANWARI WORKERS: Anganwari workers and helpers of Bathinda block have not been paid the honorarium since August 2002. They said the Central Government had promised on February 28, 2002, that an increase of Rs 500 would be made in the honorarium. Ms Jagtar Kaur, Child Development and Project Officer (CDPO), confirmed that the delay in payment of honorarium was due to non-payment of necessary grant-in-aid from the Central Government. Arrangements were being made so as to get some grant from the Child Development Department to pay the honorarium, she added.

HONOUR FOR LECTURER: Ms Meenu Bala Jindal, a lecturer in the local Khalsa Senior Secondary School, has won Rs 2,000 and a certificate for bagging the first position in the essay competition-2002 organised by the United Schools Organisation of India.

HONOUR: Mr Brij Bhushan Bedi, the state president of the RSS, addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday said the RSS would honour 650 volunteers who had saved Hindus during Partition on January 29.

GURDASPUR
CHARAS SMUGGLING: The police has arrested Ram Naresh for his involvement in smuggling of charas. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, in a press note issued here on Wednesday said 4 kg of charas was recovered from his possession. His accomplice Prem Chand, a resident of Pandtaan Di Kothi, near Sarna Pathankot was still at large. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered, the SSP said.

ARRESTED: The Batala police arrested a woman for carrying 500 gm of charas. Sunita Rani of Khajuri Gate, Batala, was arrested at a police naka on Thursday. Her husband head constable Nand Lal, who is also alleged to be involved, is still at large.

LUDHIANA
DRINK FESTIVAL: A Polynesian drinks festival has started in Hotel Majestic Park Plaza and will continue till January 31. Non-drinkers can enjoy cocktails from the sun-kissed islands of Polynesia that include the island group of New Zealand, Hawaii and Samoa- lands of relaxation and slumber, lush green vegetation and sparkling streams, smooth beaches and tropical island breeze. When wild and wicked spirits of the West are added, heady delectable frothy cocktails and mocktails minus spirit can transport a person to these faraway lands. Characteristic base of the Polynesian cocktails is its base of orange, pineapple and coconut. The city people are enjoying diving into luscious nectars and are regaling their spirits tasting countless drinks that are being offered at the festival.

APPOINTMENT HAILED: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Cell of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has expressed its gratitude to All-India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi for appointing Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, belonging to the Dalit community, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Mr Mohinder Singh Kalyan, chairman of the cell, said in a statement here on Thursday that the Congress had done a lot for the uplift of the Dalit community, both before and after Independence of the country. "It was during the Congress regime that the untouchability Act was adopted and the Dalits were freed from the bondage of landlords.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the District Taxation Bar Association (Direct Taxes): president — Mr Anup Kumar Jain; vice-president — Mr Sushil Bhakoo; secretary — Mr N.D. Bansal; joint secretary — Mr Raman Goyal; and executive members — Mr Balbir Khanna, Mr Arun Gupta and Mr Dhiraj Chatley.

INAUGURATED: Nagar council President Malkiat Singh Ragbotra on Thursday inaugurated the Charanjit Mittal Marg in the local industrial area in memory of former municipal councillor Charanjit Mittal. Senior Akali leader Gurjit Singh Khalsa, senior Congress leader Sarbjit Singh Sabhi, former civic body chief K.L. Gaba, councillors Inderjit Sonkar, Anita Kaura and Sarabjit Kaur were present on the occasion.

HARYANA

AMBALA
FIRE: A fire broke out in a shop near Pul Chameli, Ambala Sadar, on Thursday morning. The general merchandise shop at Shri Ram Bazaar was gutted. Fire-engines from Ambala Cantonment and Ambala City managed to extinguish the blaze. Among others, Ambala Cantonment MLA Anil Vij, the SDM, the EO and police officials rushed to the spot. The exact cause of the fire is not yet known.

FATEHABAD
SFI DEMAND: The Student Federation of India has decided to observe January 25 as black day in all colleges under Kurukshetra University to protest against the ban on girls students appearing as private candidates in the BA examinations. Jagruk Chhatra Morcha, Kaithal, has also condemned the decision.

KAITHAL
TEACHERS STIR: The Haryana Rajkiya Adhyapak Sangh has sought filling of the vacant posts of teachers in the Kalayat block. The Haryana Rajkiya Sangh,Kalayat unit, president, Mr Risal Singh, said school roll has increased, but the teachers’ strength had not. A demonstration would be organised at the office of the District Primary Education Officer on January 29.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

DALHOUSIE
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Chhetriya Vikas Samiti, Bakloh, Chamba district. president — Capt P.J. Thapa (retd); senior vice-president — Mrs Sushil Pradhan; vice-president — Hans Raj Dhiman; general secretary — Mr P.C. Mahajan; press secretary — Mr P.S. Thapa; and treasurer — Mr Gian Chand Thakur.

KANGRA
BASIC HEALTH PROJECT: The German Technical Corporation (GTZ) on Wednesday adopted the Kangra sub-divisional hospital here, under the Indo-German Basic Health Project (IGBHP).

NURPUR
ROUNDED UP: The local police rounded up two Kashmiri persons found roaming under suspicious circumstances at Rehan in the subdivision on Wednesday. They were identified as Mohammed Sahaban Butt and Lasna Vani of Barsana village, Kishtwar tehsil, Doda district. They were arrested under Section 41/2 of the IPC.