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| Wednesday,
April 9, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Punjab poll panel seeks autonomy Chandigarh, April 8 The suggested empowerment by the state commission is on the lines of the Election Commission of India which would require amendments to the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994. Besides, it also feels handicapped due to a shortage of staff at Chandigarh and district headquarters. Election Commissioner C.L. Bains had sent several proposals to the Chief Minister 10 months ago. There has been no response so far. Meanwhile, the commission had conducted elections to the Zila Parishads, panchayat samitis, municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The elections to the gram panchayats are scheduled for June. So helpless is the commission that it cannot even decide the date to conduct a particular election. The commission has drawn the attention of the government to the existing ‘’irrational’’ delimitation of wards, where areas are disjointed rather than made contiguous. It has suggested the establishment of a delimitation commission with the State Election Commissioner as its Chairman. This is to be on the pattern and analogy of the Central Election Commission for the delimitation or reservation or subsequent rotation of wards for the Scheduled Castes/backward classes, women etc. of municipal corporations, councils, nagar panchayats, zoning of Zila Parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats and their reservation. Mr Bains has also referred to the workload of the commission and submitted that adequate staff should be posted at Chandigarh and district headquarters. The commission needed at least two Deputy Election Commissioners, besides other staff at Chandigarh. In each district, there must be one Tehsildar or Superintendent of elections, one election kanungo, one clerk and one class IV employee. In the absence of adequate staff, the commission can not do much when it receives complaints of either wrong deletion or additions and encounters difficulties in disposing of these complaints. The commission observed that during the elections to panchayati raj institutions and municipalities in May, 2002, and April 2003 a large number of complaints were received in respect of registration of either bogus voters or deletion of genuine voters, rejection of nomination papers of contestants, postponement of elections in some wards and blocks etc. To overcome some of the existing infirmities, the commission has suggested amendments to Section 35 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, so that at least a week’s time is given between the date of ‘’scrutiny’’ of nomination papers and the date for ‘’withdrawal’’ of candidature. This will enable the commission to provide relief to those candidates, whose nomination papers are rejected ‘’illegally or on flimsy grounds’’. To ensure proper scrutiny and check rejection of nomination papers illegally or on flimsy grounds, the commission has proposed that the following amendment be made in the nomination paper, Form IV, appended to the Punjab Panchayat Election Rules, 1994, that the following documents have been received along with the nomination paper: 1). name of candidate; 2). name of election, gram panchayat, zila parishad, panchayat samiti/zone etc.; 3). number of nomination paper, as entered in the register for receipt of nomination papers; 4). security deposit receipt; 5). certificate of SC/BC from a competent authority attached; and 6). Affidavit regarding criminalisation along with form (e) has been received. The present provision in the law provides for only filing of an election petition which is a long process and also very costly. In fact, Mr Bains is ‘’reviewing’’ the pending election-related petitions with the Deputy Commissioners. Besides conducting elections under the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, the commission has also sought that it should be allowed to conduct elections to the co-operative societies, as well. What Bains wants Mr C.L. Bains said that during the past six elections the commission had had observed that the ‘’meek and weak’’ administration at the grassroots often succumbed to pressures with the police and polling staff colluding to rig the elections. Right from fudging the electoral rolls to election of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, there were irregularities. The commission had no powers to intervene even when it wanted to. He desires that the elections of Chairmen/Vice-Chairmen be entrusted to the commission. Consequently, the least the commission could do to restore order and infuse confidence was to act sternly and recommend the suspension of 18 officials and issue chargesheets to another 86. Another 20 employees were likely to face action following multiple malpractices and irregularities in the just-concluded municipal elections. Mr Bains also wanted that the commission should have a ‘’charged’’ and not ‘’voted’’ budget for effective policing of the poll processes and implementation of electoral reforms. |
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CM favours deemed varsity status for police academy Phillaur (Ludhiana) April 8 The Chief Minister was addressing young police officers after taking the salute at the annual passing-out parade, at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy held here today. He advised them to equip themselves with the latest techniques of investigation through the use of information technology and urged them to specialise in the particular field to become professionals to the core because today’s age was an era of specialisation. Lauding the Punjab Police Academy’s role in imparting quality training to the probationer police officers, Capt Amarinder asserted that the standard of this academy was not inferior to any armed forces’ training institute of the country. He lauded police role in the maintaing peace and order. He assured that the government was committed to modernise the police force besides taking measures for its welfare. Capt Amarinder revealed that the state government would recommend the case of the PPA to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India for according it the status of a deemed university. The 652 trainees of various basic and promotional classes who passed out, belonged to eight states including UTs i.e. Punjab, Himachal, Manipur, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh, Andamans Nicobars and Daman and Diu. Probationer Dy S.P. Gursharandeep Singh Grewal led the parade. Later at an investiture ceremony after the passing out-parade, the Chief Minister, decorated Mr R.S. Gill, ADGP/PAP/Jalandhar, Mr P.M. Dass, IGP/IRB, Punjab, Patiala and Mr R.C. Sethi SP/CM Security with President’s Police Medal for distinguished services. Besides Mr M.S. Bhullar, DGP, Punjab, 23 other police officers/officials were also given police medals for meritorious services. Capt Amarinder Singh also released two books titled “The Al-Qaeda Threat’ and ‘War on Iraq’ written by Dr S.S. Chauhan, Dy Director ( Indoor) of the PPA Phillaur. Later speaking at a prize distribution function of the Ist Inter Subdivisions Good Policing Competitions at Jalandhar Police Range, Capt Amarinder Singh said that the role of police in the changing scenario had become more challenging and it could be met only through providing good policing in the state in an effectively and result-oriented manner. He said that the responsibilities of the police force were so many and only well-trained, well-equipped and highly motivated police personnel could carry out their duties effectively. He stressed on the need of the people-friendly image and approach of the police as it was the need of the hour. Earlier Mr Rohit Choudhary DIG, Jalandhar Range made an audio-visual presentation on ‘People Oriented Policing’ aimed at meeting the challenges of modern times and the needs and aspiration of common man. On this occasion Capt Amarinder Singh presented overall best district and sub division trophies to Kapurthala and Nawanshahar for top performance in ‘The Good Policing Inter-Subdivision Competition’ held in January 2003. The Punjab Chief Minister also released a booklet on ‘People Oriented Policing’ on the occasion. Mr M.S. Bhullar , DGP Punjab Police presided over the function. The sight of four women cops riding an Enfield motorcycle and performing acrobatics was breathing. It stood out at the passing-out paradce at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police Training Academy here, with women cops performing dare-devil feats on motorcycle or on horse backs. The audience was thrilled at the spectacle. While Major Hindustani and others came riding motorcycles that too standing and without hands on the handles or other dare-devil acts. Even the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh himself, applauded the acrobats. And when four women cops, in white tracksuits came on a morotcycle forming shape of a lotus, they were cheered. Probably for the first time women cops performed such a feat. Horses and dogs too took part in the show. Tent pegging by cops was equally remarkable as it showed rare harmony between man and animal. Canine show was equally fascinating. Dogs performed exciting feats like jumping through a burning tyre, with finess. Black dog took away the basket of flowers it had brought earlier for the chief guest sending the audience with peals of laughter. As it returned after performing various feats, it rushed to the basked to take it along. And who could hold the cheer for the dog. |
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Issue of $ 1 b aid in Centre’s court:
CM Phillaur (Ludhiana), April 8 At a press conference here today, the Chief Minister reiterated that the IFC had promised a loan of $ 1 billion which would definitely come. Since the state could not take the loan direct it had to be referred to the Central government. He hoped that the guarantee would be accorded to the IFC soon. He said financial position of the state was definitely better than what it was a year ago. He said that the government was prepared for wheat procurement. He hoped that with improvement in the financial position development will also start. The Chief Minister denied that he had deputed any police officer to the United States of America to probe the assets of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal there. He disclosed that the said police officer was on leave and he had gone to the USA on his own. He maintained that the case against Mr Badal was gradually progressing. On salaries of the legislators, the Chief Minister pointed out these were the lowest in the country. These have been made on a par with those of Haryana. He justified the hike, saying there was nothing wrong in providing adequate salaries and incentives to the legislators so that they are not tempted by inducements. To a question about the use of helicopter, the Chief Minister clarified that the charges had increased as the Pawan Hans company, which rented the helicopter to the state, had been given a hike by 16 per cent. He asserted that the expenditure had increased on this account only. He disclosed that flying hours during his time were far less than those during the tenure of former Chief Minister, Mr Badal. The Chief Minister also announced that the appointments to various boards and corporations were being worked out and finalised. He said, “The appointments would be made very soon.” When asked to elaborate, he said these may be made only after Baisakhi. Police Commissioner system was under the consideration of the Punjab Government to maintain peace in the state said Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, while talking to newsmen at Punjab Police Academy here. He praised the Punjab Police for campaign against terrorism. The Chief Minister assured all possible help including legal to those cops, who struggled “a lot against anti-national elements, but now facing court cases. On IAS officers to writing ACRs of IPS officers before days of terrorism, the Chief Minister said the present system was working well, and no change was required. On the expansion of the Cabinet and appointments of chairpersons of corporations and boards the Chief Minister said it was on the cards and the ministry would be expanded to give representations to women and minority community MLAs. On the Badal Tohra unity, the Chief Minister said that unity move of the Akalis changed every second, and it would not affect the Congress at all as the Congress had won zila Parishad, panchayat samiti and municipal elections. The people gave clear verdict in favour of the Congress and rejected the Akalis. To another question on the anti-corruption campaign against ex-ministers of the SAD-BJP including the former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he said all corrupt would be booked on the kidney racket, the Chief Minister said that the Chief Secretary had been asked to work on the job, and took proper steps. The Chief Minister said, slow working of judicial process, was responsible for the delay to punish guilty. Jalandhar: Captain Amarinder Singh said big industrial houses had evinced interest in setting up units in the state. “I had meetings with big industrialists during my recent visit to Mumbai. Some have shown interest in setting up industrial units in Punjab,” he told reporters. Captain Amarinder said “some of the big industrial houses, including Mahindra and Mahindra and Escorts, had already approached me”. |
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Ambiguity on stamp duty exemption Jalandhar The state government earlier used to charge stamp duty at the rate of 6 per cent of the total transaction value at the time of transfer of agricultural and rural landed property. However, coming to the rescue of those people who undertook transactions for transfer of properties to their class-1 legal heirs, the government ordered the waiving of stamp duty in all such cases from December 21, 2001, except for a 1 per cent paper processing fee. But instead of solving the problem, the requisite gazette notification complicated the issue by its failure to mention that the order was also applicable to women property holders. Since the order has not been amended so far, women property-holders, particularly elderly women, are facing a number of problems as revenue officials refuse to accept their claims for availing stamp duty exemption. The worst sufferers are a large number of lone women property-holders of the Doaba region as there is almost no one to plead their cases since most of their family members were settled abroad. Narrating her tale of woe, Ms Rattan Kaur, a resident of Khurdpur village, near Adampur, said though she intended to transfer her property to her Canada-based son, the revenue authorities have refused to accept her claim to stamp duty exemption. “They told us that the exemption can be granted only to men property-holders since the gazette notification had mentioned the word “his” alone,” she said. Mr Charan Singh of Langeri village in Hoshiarpur district had a similar experience when one of the women members of his family tried to avail the stamp duty exemption. Master Rattan Chand, a resident of Hoshiarpur, maintained that numerous visits by his aged mother to different government offices for availing the exemption had failed to yield any result so far. Inquiries revealed that since revenue officials had their own individual interpretations of the orders, the extent of the problem varied from place to place. “There are some revenue officials who are allowing exemption to women”, said an official of the local office of the Revenue Department. Mr K. Siva Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, admitted that confusion prevailed over the matter. He assured that he would take up the matter with the higher authorities of the Revenue Department. |
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Colleges again up to pressure tactics Chandigarh, April 8 This year is no exception as the Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers Union
(PCCTU) has announced a boycott on April 16. Teachers this time have also received the support of the principals federation and also the managements of private colleges. It is important to note that private colleges (172 colleges) cater to 80 per cent of education in the higher education sector in the state. There is however, a big question mark on any expected impact on the government because of this strike. The action plan has been repeatedly postponed over the past some time. The PCCTU postponed the plan of a state rally at Patiala on October 10. Once again the action plan in Patiala on November 8 was postponed. The union had announced boycott of examination duty on March 20, again on March 28 and yet again on April 1. However the plans were postponed. During this time representatives were often made to wait outside the office of the Chief Minister, however, nothing happened. The union did meet the Chief Minister twice in November. A principal on the condition of anonymity said that such one day action plan could not be expected to work any wonders on the government as had been shown in the past. In fact such action plans haD no meaning at all unless one incorporated the element of strictness, dedication and sustained action plan over a period of time till the government succumbed. The two major demands were the pending grants for colleges which were covered under 95 per cent Grant in aid scheme. A large number of colleges had not paid the salary of their staff for the past four to six months. The affected party said that the government had imposed a yearly cut on the grants to college since 1999-2000 and it was never formally conveyed to the colleges. Colleges now had been given Rs 57 crore against the normal share of Rs 97 crores, sources said. Interestingly the government colleges which cater to only 20 per cent of the total education sector are getting a grant of Rs 80 crore. There is also talk of the government planning to close or merge certain rural or semi-urban colleges. The biggest demand of the teachers is implementation of the pension and gratuity scheme. The announcement was made in 1992 and notified by the Congress in 1996. The present government had also announced implementation of the scheme in the manifesto. However, there has been no translation of action on the ground. |
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PCCTU seeks Amarinder’s intervention Ludhiana, April 8 Prof Kanwaljit Singh, zonal secretary, said many colleges in the state had not been able to pay salaries to their teachers for the past six months. He also called upon Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, to clarify his stand on the issue of cut in grants to private colleges. He said the minister was issuing contradictory statements in the media and creating confusion among the teaching community. Prof Kanwaljit Singh called for urgent intervention of the Chief Minister, failing which, he said, college teachers would be forced to intensify their struggle. He once again stated that college teachers all over the state would boycott the ongoing university examinations on April 16, go on casual leave and hold a protest rally at the Matka Chowk in Chandigarh. |
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TRIBUNE IMPACT Bathinda, April 8 Mr Kashi
Parsad, father of Pooja Rani, who has done masters in economics from Avadh University now sells vegetable to provide two square meals to his family of five apart from providing education to his three children, was a happy man when he was promised by the district police chief, Mr Ishwar Singh that his other two children, both elder to Pooja Rani, would also be given education free of cost in one of the leading schools of the town. Acting promptly on the news item appearing in The Tribune under the title “Vendor’s daughter tops in district”, Mr Anil Kaushik, IG (Zonal), Punjab Police, Patiala and Chairperson, PPS, Bathinda asked Mr Ishwar Singh to admit all three children of Mr Kashi Parsad to Police Public School and provide them free education, books, uniforms and other facilities. Mr Kashi
Parsad, who earns Rs 2000 per month, is helped by his wife, who earns Rs 500 a month by working as helper in a private school. Though all of their children are good in studies, they have been finding it difficult to arrange enough funds to educate them in good schools. Kashi
Parsad, who lives in one-room accommodation, somehow managed to send his children to school with the hope that they would get jobs after completing their studies. The brilliance of Pooja Rani came to the fore when she topped the fifth class examinations of the board in this district. Kashi Parsad helped their children during the examination days only. “I am happy as I feel that by getting education in one of the best schools, I will be able to become something in my life and fulfil the dreams of my parents, who have been toiling hard to provide us education ignoring their own necessities,” reacted Pooja Rani when she was asked about her feeling about her first day in the school. Mr Kashi Parsad said he would always pray for the well-being of those police officers, who had helped him. Mr Ishwar Singh said the police authorities had adopted Pooja Rani and she would be given education and diet free of cost so that she could achieve other pinnacles of life. He said the police authorities had always encouraged those brilliant students, who need help to get better education. Meanwhile, an NRI has also offered monetary help to Pooja and her brother and sisters for getting better education. |
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BSP won’t tolerate
dissidence: Kashyap Jalandhar, April 8 Addressing a press conference here today, the incharge of the Punjab unit of the BSP, Mr Narinder Kashyap, said that dissidence would not be tolerated and it had been decided to expel those, who would join ranks with expelled state BSP leaders, including former MP, Harbhajan Lakha and Darshan Lal Jethumajara. Expelled party leaders had convened a meeting at Ludhiana on April 20 to express their views over the alleged wrong policies being pursued by UP Chief Minister and Vice-President of BSP, Mayawati. Earlier, Mr Kashyap presided over a meeting of senior party colleagues at state BSP office at Boota village near here and issued instructions regarding participation of a large number of workers from state in the proposed “pardfash rally” at Lucknow on April 14, the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He said party workers had been instructed not to travel ticket-less in trains till Lucknow for attending the rally. “If a worker is found to be violating the instructions, the party will take strict disciplinary action against him,” he added. |
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Insurance company directed to pay
compensation Ropar, April 8 Jaswinder Kaur in her complaint to the forum had alleged that her husband Manjit Singh used to work for UB Engineering Ltd., at Ropar Thermal Plant. On May 11, 1999 while working at the site his feet slipped and he fell on a pucca floor. Manjit Singh who was seriously injured was shifted to Dhawan Nursing Home at Ropar. Later he was referred to Chandigarh. He died in a Government Hospital, Chandigarh on May 12, 1999. The company in which Manjit Singh was serving failed to compensate his family. The family of Manjit Singh filed a petition before the Workmen Compensation Commissioner to get the compensation. The company officials disposed before the said Commissioner that all its workers were insured. They, however, did not state the name of the company following which the Workmen Compensation Commissioner announced award to the complainant. During the execution of the award, however, the employer company gave in writing that all its workers had been insured under the Group Personal Accident Policy of the Oriental Insurance Company. The complainants then filed a claim with the insurance company but to no avail. The complainant demanded Rs 4 lakh along with an interest of 18 per cent as death claim and Rs 50,000 as compensation from the insurance and employer company. The insurance company alleged that the FIR filed regarding Manjit Singh’s accident was false. He had died a natural death and hence was not entitled to any kind of compensation. The insurance company also maintained that the claim for Manjit Singh was not filed by the employer company in time. The forum comprising of the president, Mr J.P. Gupta and member Mr S.K. Bhatia concluded that there was dereliction in duty on the part of the insurance and the employer companies. The Oriental Insurance Company was directed to pay Rs 2.5 lakh to the complainant under the policy guidelines. Besides this the insurance and the employer companies were directed to pay an interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum on the claim sum of Rs 2.5 lakh from August 12, 1999, as compensation. The compensation amount is to be shared equally by the defaulting companies. Besides this the complainant was also awarded costs of litigation quantified at Rs 2,500. The entire amount is to be paid to the complainant within 30 days. MiG-23 crash
toll rises to 6 Ludhiana, April 8 |
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Vigilance swoop on flying club Patiala, April 8 The Vigilance Department in a swoop on the Aviation Complex housing the Patiala Flying Club, the Jalandhar Flying Club, the VIP hangar and the Aircraft Maintenance College last evening sealed all their offices and stores. The records were inspected today. According to highly placed sources, the vigilance team which was led by Superintendent of Police Balkar Singh and included three Deputy Superintendents of Police besides Patiala Sub-Divisional Magistrate M S Narang, detected an irregularity in the maintenance of aviation fuel in the stock register of the Patiala Flying Club. They said as against the supply of 625 litres of aviation fuel, there was only 300 litres of fuel in drums in the club and there was no record of how the remaining 325 litres had been consumed in the stock register. Besides this, the vigilance team also investigated the issue of extension given to Aircraft Maintenance College Principal Amrik Singh by the local Manager of the institute. According the sources, the Principal wrote an application three months ago before his retirement stating that he was “willing” to continue to work at his post. This application was approved by the Manager of the institute and the Principal continued to withdraw his pay of more than Rs 25,000 for three months. The sources said the case for extension of Mr Amrik Singh was not put up before the government and that Amrik Singh continued to come to the college and even tought the students after the seniormost teacher of the college, Mr Mandeep Singh, was made the Principal by the Punjab Government a week ago. The vigilance sleuths questioned the Principal on this score even though Manager Lakhbir Singh was not available. The sources said the vigilance personnel also questioned the Principal about allegations that he had in league with Mr Lakhbir Singh raised the fee of hostel students to nearly Rs 2,000 against an official fee of Rs 600 per month. It was learnt that the Principal told the Vigilance Department that the college was an autonomous institution and all decisions, including his extension, could be taken by the Manager and were recognised by the Directorate of Civil Aviation. Meanwhile, the sources disclosed that the Vigilance Department had received an internal complaint stating that 30,000 litres of aviation fuel had been siphoned off by the clubs housed in the complex. It was also alleged that parts of planes worth lakhs had “disappeared”.
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Illegal structures removed, but not
debris Bathinda, April 8 The anti-encroachment drive launched by the authorities has been yielding results and a large number of illegal temporary and permanent structures erected by a section of the residents have been brought down. The debris of these structures can be seen lying at various spots, including one near the Deputy Commissioner’s office, for the past many days and no move to remove the same had been launched by the authorities concerned. A shop owner at New Subhash Market said the authorities should get the debris removed. He added that the debris of a structure in the market that was pulled down during the drive had not been removed by the authorities till today and the same had been causing trouble to the commuters and shop owners who wanted to park their vehicles. Mr Chander Mohan Ruby, local businessman, said the municipal council had announced that new garbage collection vehicles had been pressed into service and mohalla committees would be set up but nothing concrete has taken shape. He said it was projected that littering would not be allowed in the city during the drive but heaps of garbage could be seen at various spots. Mr Naresh Kumar, an electronics dealer, said even as the beautification drive had been launched the condition of the roads had not improved. He said the condition of some roads, including the Bhatti road, and Bathinda-Goniana road, was so bad that the vehicles had to be driven with extreme caution. A resident of the city added that after cleaning the sewage pipes the safai karamcharis did not remove the sludge. She rued that if the sweepers were asked to clean the roads of the sludge they asked for money or threatened to put the same in front of those who had been raising a voice. No senior official of the council was available for comments. |
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Malta boat tragedy case: hearing in absentia
valid Hoshiarpur, April 8 He said the Public Prosecutor was presenting the case, considering that the tragedy had happened in the Italian Water but due to efforts of a newspaper published from Rome La Republica’s team located the wreckage and remains of the 290 victims in the Malta Sicily Channel. The nature of the case has changed. He also informed the Mission headquarters that in Italy criminal proceedings in absentia were lawful. Mr Reale intimated that he was in touch with the aggrieved families in the Sri Lanka and he would represent the Pakistani nationals in the Malta Boat Tragedy if their families appointed him legal council. Mr Khera also released another communication from Miss Maheswary Velautham, Attorney-at-law and Chairman of the Malta Boat Tragedy Probe Mission Sri Lanka that she has already requested Mr Avv Ezechia Paolo Reale at Siracusa to represent the Sri Lankan victim families. She intimated that 90 were killed in this tragedy and she had collected details of 63 victims and sent the list of the victims and authorisation to Mr Reale. She disclosed that she had written several letters to the Foreign Ministry in Colombo to trace and find the fate of the victims. Foreign Ministry officials are unable to give any reply, since the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Italy has not replied to them. She said that Sri Lankan victims were going for writ application in the Court of Apeal in Colombo. She said that a meeting of the family members would be held shortly and she will inform them the progress of the case. Mr Khera said here that he had written to Mr Zabhiallah Bach President, the Malta Tragedy Sufferers Association, Pakistan to approach the Mission’s advocate in Siracusa Mr Reale and furnish him details of the victims. |
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Rajindra Hospital sans funds Patiala, April 8 The hospital, which is attached with the Government Medical College here, is the oldest referral hospital in the state. However, at present its situation has deteriorated to such a level that doctors are helpless in running even the emergency services without outside support. The Emergency department is not allocated any funds separately and has very limited emergency medicines at its disposal which are worth a few thousand rupees only. These, too are used only in case of an acute emergency when there is no time to even make a phone call for medicines from outside claim sources. A voluntary organisation, Dedicated Brothers Group, has taken up the responsibility of providing medical care to all unknown accident victims arriving at the hospitals Emergency ward. Senior doctors said the group, which had initially started the project for unknown accident victims, was now extending this facility to all accident victims till their attendants came and even to those who could not afford to pay for their medication. Group project in charge Mohinder Singh Walia said at least 150 lives had been saved by the efforts of the group since it had initiated this project. If the Dedicated Brothers Group looked after the accident victims, the Red Cross was asked to step in whenever any big accident happened in the district. The Red Cross routinely picked up the tab for any accident in which more than five to six persons were involved. Besides this doctors said the Red Cross was also asked to donate phenyl bottles and even brooms whenever stocks ran out so that proper cleanliness could be maintained in the hospital. Philanthropists and attendents of some patients the Emergency were also pitching in for donating for the running of the facility. This could included asking an attendant to donated 100 to 150 syringes or other common medicine or even bandages and cotton. Assistant Sub-Inspector Ranjit Singh, who is posted in the police chowki inside the hospital, had also helped many times by arranging medicines from local chemist shops and philanthropists for needy patients. Emergency wing in charge Prof Janak Arora, when contacted, said doctors were forced to ask voluntary organisations or the Red Cross for help in many cases because of lack of medicines. He said despite constraints the hospital was not refusing patients and that it received around 1,500 patients every month on any average with this number growing substantially during festival periods. Dr Arora said the hospital still faced problems in procuring medicines on many occasions because voluntary organisations and the Red Cross did not supply medicine on a regular basis. He said the Red Cross, which used to give Rs 6,500 to the Emergency wing every month earlier had stopped this practice. Sources said the Red Cross had started distributing medicines on its own at its bhavan on every Tuesday. Patients had to get their medicines recommended by the doctor concerned following which they approached the Red Cross authorities but it was a time delaying procedure. Doctors of the hospital said the earlier procedure of giving medicines to the Emergency wing should be restarted. |
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Forest dept official rapped Chandigarh, April 8 The audit report for the financial year 2001-02 has claimed that during the audit period the department has already accepted audit observations involving Rs 10.33 crore in 33 cases. Reacting to the observations of the audit report, Dr Harbans Lal, Minister for Forests, Punjab, disclosed that departmental enquiry had already been ordered. He said ‘‘efforts would be made to recover the dues from the guilty officials and employees. To the check the losses in future, five teams of flying squads have been set up to look into the irregularities in the field.’’ The audit report has lamented that the percentage area under forest cover out of the total geographical area of the state, had already dipped to 6.05 per cent by March 31, 1999, against the desirable level of 33 per cent. As per the set procedure, the matured trees planted by the department are transferred to the Forest Corporation, Punjab, and it receives royalty. The audit report states that records of collection of royalty and forest receipts were checked in seven out of 16 forest divisions in the state, for 1996-97 to 2000-01 period. It revealed that rates of royalty on timber supplied during 1996-97 to 2000-01 were revised on ad hoc basis without any consideration to the prevailing market rates. It resulted in short realisation of revenue of Rs 20.59 crore. Further, 4.58 lakh bamboos and poplar trees were not felled at the prescribed age resulting in lose of over Rs 6 crore. The report points out that though the Forest corporation was registering marginal profits, but it owed over Rs 9.90 crore royalty to the department by 2000-01. The report also pointed out that there was no internal audit system in the Forest Department. Consequently, it was difficult to check the financial and administrative irregularities in the department. |
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Rehri owners to go on strike
today Bathinda, April 8 Mr Ram
Ditta, president of the union, alleged that the anti-encroachment drive launched by the district administration lacked a ‘human touch’. Footpaths and some roads that had been got evacuated from them, were their only place of doing business. He alleged that some of their activists had been earning their livelihood from rehris and had been using the spots for more than a decade. The union alleged that they were also paying a part of the money being spent on the beautification of the city through taxes and the administration had no right to deprive them of their livelihood. The union accused a section of the ruling party politicians of passing derogatory remarks against them. The union said they would oppose the auctioning of the sheds in the vegetable market and observe a strike tomorrow to press for their demands. The union also said that they would hold marathon protest marches from tomorrow, which would continue till their demands were accepted. Meanwhile, Mr Rajinder Mittal, state vice-president, BJP, and Mr
M.M. Behal, district general secretary, CITU, in separate statements issued here today said in addition to the anti-encroachment drive due consideration should also be paid to the sources of livelihood of the rehri owners and road-side vendors. They said while the move to remove the unauthorised structures and encroachments was a welcome step alternate arrangements should also be made for the rehri owners. |
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2,500 examined at dental
camp Faridkot, April 8 Earlier inaugurating the camp, Dr Tejpal Singh Dhillon, an NRI orthopaedic, laid stress for the privatisation of health services, particularly in Punjab. Lack of proper coordination, sense of charity and dedicated services at most of the government hospitals had marred the noble cause causing sufferings to the poor, he said. He added that the private sector in the state had adequate resources for the mobilisation of health services but only needed channelisation. Dr Dhillon, who had especially arrived from North Carolina city in the USA to inaugurate the camp, assured all sorts of help from the Punjabi NRI medical experts to improve the health services in the private sector. A 250-member Punjabi Medical Experts Association of different specialities has been formed in this regard. Welcoming the guests and patients, Dr Malkiat Singh, Principal of the institution, read its annual report. Mr A. Venu Parsad, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the function. |
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Health centre staff found
absent Fazilka, April 8 Majority of the doctors and staff at Primary Health Centre of Jandwala Bhimeshah were found to be absent. According to Mr Saharan, the SMO of the health centre was not present and it was informed that he had gone to Fazilka for some official work. A woman doctor was not present. Beside this, a medical officer had been absent since December 2001. One nurse continues to be absent since March 2001. Of the two female health worker, one was found absent while the other was on deputation duty elsewhere since February 2003. The stenographer is on deputation duty at Ferozepore. Two other Class III employees were also not present on duty. The SDM disclosed that some of the villagers present on spot complained that most of the time doctors were not available in the health centre while paramedical employees distributed medicines. The health centre was also untidy. In Primary Health Centre of Dabwala Kalan four doctors and entire staff was present on duty. The SMO and two other medical officers were on leave. There were sufficient patients who were getting medicines. The sanitary condition of health centre was satisfactory. In Primary Health Centre of Khui Khera, five doctors and all employees were present on duty. |
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MLA, SHO lock horns over
raid Pathankot, April 8 The SHO reportedly told his seniors that the MLA allegedly ‘misbehaved’ and threatened him with dire consequences when a police party picked up a person from Bharmota village involved in a land dispute. Senior police officials had reportedly permitted the SHO to initiate action against Mr Ashok Sharma. However, Mr Ashok Sharma told TNS that the SHO conducted raid in his constituency last night to nab his supporter, who was involved in a land dispute with his cousin. “I had advised the SHO that the late night raids should be conducted to nab criminals only and the police should not harass those who are involved in minor family disputes.” He refuted charges that he had misbehaved with the SHO or any police official. He, however, confirmed that he had brought the matter to the notice to the district people chief, Mr R.P.S. Brar, who assured that it would be resolved. Sources said the incident was the fallout of internal bickering between senior Congress leaders of the district. To a query the MLA said certain leaders of the constituency of Mr Raghusahai Puri, Minister for Urban Development, created an unsavour situation in his (Mr Ashok Sharma’s) constituency. He said he could not allow any outside leader to interfere in the affairs of his constituency. Meanwhile, the SSP feigned ignorance about the incident. He, however, admitted that Mr Ashok Sharma spoke to him today but it was a ‘routine matter’. |
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, April 8 Taking up a petition filed by candidate Tarsem Lal questioning the election of Mansa's Panchayat Samiti Chairman, a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice S.S. Grewal, directed the registry to place the file before the Chief Justice for the constitution of a larger Bench of three or more Judges. Issuing the directions, the Judges observed that the larger Bench would decide whether the bar contained in Clause (b) of Article 243-O against challenge to a panchayat election, except by the way of election petition, was absolute. In their detailed order, the Judges added that the legal question which arose for determination was whether the High Court, in face of the bar, could directly entertain a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Raising objections regarding the maintainability of the writ petition, counsel for the respondents had earlier submitted that Tarsem Singh's plea was liable to be dismissed in view of the bar. It was added that election to any post or office in gram panchayat, panchayat samiti, or zila parishad could not be challenged except by filing an election petition. Petitioner's counsel, on the other hand, had submitted that the bar was not absolute and the High Court, in appropriate cases, could entertain a petition, under Article 226, questioning the decision of the authorities appointed under the relevant statute for conducting elections.
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No SARS case in
Punjab Chandigarh, April 8 A five-member team of doctors has been deputed at the Rajasansi International Airport, Amritsar. An order has been placed with a Mumbai firm for one lakh masks for the hospital staff. Dr Sandhu said the fatality risk of SARS was very high and the death rate about 3 per cent. |
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Protest against war on Iraq Gurdaspur, April 8 The speakers who addressed the rally included Mr Ashok Bharti, BKU, activist, Mr Karam Singh, district president, Brick Kilns Mazdoor Union, Mr Gurvel Singh Bolpuria, district president, Employees Federation, PSEB, and Mr Balbir Singh Randhawa, senior Leftists leader. Later, they took out a march to the post office chowk here and burnt the effigies of Mr George Bush, President, USA and Mr Tony Blair, Prime Minister, England. BATHINDA: The Muslim Human Welfare Society here has condemned the attack by the USA and allied forces on Iraq. |
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‘Balidan Divas’
function today Amritsar, April 8 In a press release, issued by Mr Gurmeet Singh Bablu said that Bapu Shingara Singh, the only eyewitness of Jallianwala Bagh massacre would also be honoured on the occasion. The AIATF has invited actor Amitabh Bachchan, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Narasimha Rao, a former Prime Minister, Mr
K.P.S. Gill, a former DGP, Punjab, Mr Amar Singh of the Samajwadi Party, Lata Mangeshkar, Dr Farooq Abdullah, a former Chief Minster of Jammu and Kashmir and Mr Sabot Rai Sahara of Sahara company. |
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‘Daaire’ marks end of Theatre Day Patiala, April 8 The play, which
was sponsored by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), has been
directed by NTAS Director Pran Sabharwal and written by Dr Satish
Kumar Verma. The chief guest, Mayor Vishnu Sharma, assured that he
would look into the city’s urgent demand for the construction of an
open-air theatre at the State Languages Department, besides the
allocation of funds in the corporation’s budget to promote the
Patiala theatre movement. Presiding over the performance, Language
Department Director Dr M.L. Hasija paid tributes to Prof I.C. Nanda,
doyen of the Punjabi theatre, and his guide Norah Richards. Others
who spoke on the occasion included president of the Punjab Writers
Forum, Mr Ved Prakash Gupta, and Prof Subhash Sharma. Maina, a noted
child singer, enthralled the audience with her songs. Earlier, on the
inaugural day of the festival, a programme of humour, music and drama
entitled “Punjab Haas Ragg — Tung” chaired by social worker
Mohan Lal Gupta was presented in the Baradari Gardens. |
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PTDC MD told
to explain Ropar, April 8 The PTDC management had discontinued the services of the said daily wagers from March 31 without giving compensation. In the letter to the PTDC Managing Director, the Labour Commissioner has stated that as per Section 25F of the Industrial Dispute Act if a labourer who had completed one year of service he had to be given a one-month notice. |
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PWD staff rally Chandigarh, April 8 The rally would demand, among other things, regularisation of the services of daily-wage employees and denounce the move to privatise water works schemes, canals and roads. |
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ASI dismissed
Ferozepore, April 8 SSP Parveen Kumar Sinha today said service of the accused, who is at present posted in Ferozepore Cantt police station, was terminated after due process of law followed in prolonged departmental inquiry during which he was charge-sheeted but to which he could not give a satisfactory reply.
UNI |
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17 couples tie the knot Faridkot, April 8 Each couple was given household items, incuding utensils, clothes, beddings and sewing machines. Giving his blessings to the newly wedded Mr A. Venu Parsad, Deputy Commissioner, underlined the need of holding such functions on a large scale to eradicate the menace of dowry from the society. Mr Sukhchain Singh Brar, president of the parishad said nearly Rs 3 lakh had been spent at the function.
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3 die in freak accident Malerkotla, April 8 According to information the road roller was parked on the road side started moving crushing Suian (45), Dyali (3) and Geeta, who were sleeping nearby. |
Farmers to be charged for water they may not
use Ropar, April 8 As per the notification, the Irrigation Department will to levy canal water rates on all those whose land falls in the culturable command area of the outlet from the canal. The culturable command area means the portion of the area that can be irrigated from an irrigation channel or outlet from the main canal. The water courses that are maintained by the farmers at their own cost to irrigate the culturable command areas. Due to shortage of water in the canals over the past many years farmers have developed their water sources and are not dependent on canal water in many areas. However, due to the recent government notification they will have to pay canal water cess at the rate of Rs 80 per acre per annum without actually receiving water. The sources said in Ropar district alone as per the records of the Irrigation Department 1.65 lakh acres come under the culturable command area. However, of it just 20,000-25,000 acres were actually receiving canal water. Similarly, in the Bist Doab division area as per records 4.5 lakh acres come under the culturable command area where the actual canal water irrigation was available to only 70,000 acres. Besides, the non-availability of water in the canal, the absence of chakbandi records and the changes in the lands coming in the culturable command areas are the other problems being faced by the department while implementing canal water rates. |
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Man kills parents Jalandhar, April 8 According to the police, Darshan Singh, who was perturbed ove the refusal of his parents to declare the former as their successor of the entire land holding, went to his residence this afternoon and attacked his father, Gurnam Singh (70) with a sharp-edged weapon, inflicting serious injuries on his body. Gurnam Singh died on the spot. Later, he killed his mother, Harbans Kaur (65), who was sitting in another room, with a sword. The accused fled away after committing the crime. The police said Gurnam Singh was planning to hand over his landholding to his grandson. The bodies have been sent to Nakodar Civil Hospital for a post-mortem. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered and raids were being conducted to arrest the accused. |
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Wife, paramour kill husband Amritsar, April 8 Stating this in a press release, the district police chief said Paramjit Kaur who had illicit relations with Dalwinder Singh, brother of the deceased, tried to hoodwink the police by saying that her husband was found killed on the morning of April 6 by some unidentified persons. However, the police party found that the body had grievous injury marks. On interrogation the accused divulged that the deceased had come to know of their relationship. Therefore, they hatched a plan to kill him. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered. |
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Immoral trafficking racket busted Gurdaspur, April 8 Those arrested are Usha, her daughter Seema, Sonia, Goldie, Anish Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Rajesh Kumar and Balbir Chand, all residents of Pathankot. Those who have absconded are Kashmir Kaur and Balwinder Kaur, also of Pathankot. Sub-Inspector Joga Singh, in- charge, CIA Pathankot, raided a house and arrested the accused. A case under various Sections of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956, has been registered. |
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Five held for immoral trafficking Bathinda, April 8 The police said that Jatti Aunty had been contacting customers on the telephones, her son identified as Yuvraj alias Raja used to bring girls from places like West Bengal and Delhi. Of five girls arrested, two belonged to West Bengal and one to Delhi and the fourth one to rural area of this district. The police sources said that one of the girls belonging to West Bengal, arrested today, was forced into prostitution a year ago at Delhi and then she was sent to Chandigarh to another agent. From Chandigarh, that girl allegedly purchased by Yuvraj alias Raja, son of Jatti Aunty for Rs 5000. Jatti Aunty the true kingpin had been supplying girls to the customers after taking huge amounts from them. She would pay part of the money to girls concerned. Today she sent a girls to Kot Kapura to a customer for Rs 2500 for a night. Sources added that a case had been registered under the prevention of Immoral Traffic Act.
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4 deported to Pak Amritsar, April 8 Meanwhile, a narcotic dealer, Imam Illahi, was also deported to Pakistan today after serving two-year imprisonment in the Central Jail here. He was arrested on November 29, 2001. |
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