The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Warm welcome for Pak bus passengers
Naveen S. Garewal
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 11
The Sada-e-Sarhad, connecting the people of India and Pakistan, was received by a bhangra troupe and a euphoric crowd when it halted at Sirhind Floating Restaurant in Fatehgarh Sahib district this afternoon. Contrary to the apprehensions of an attack on the bus by people opposed to making friendly overtures to Pakistan, the journey passed off peacefully.

The people of the district in general and Ludhiana city in particular have termed the resumption of bus service as a positive step towards improving bilateral ties between India and Pakistan.

The two buses, the one that left Lahore early this morning for Delhi and the other which left from Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi on way to Lahore, passed through the city around mid-day. While the district police was prepared to counter any protest or demonstration, none of the organisations that had threatened to do so were seen near the place where the buses halted or on their routes.

Some of the passengers, who managed to have a word with mediapersons at Sirhind, said they were thrilled to be on the bus. They said the resumption of the bus service had facilitated their meeting with relatives across the border. They said the fare of the bus, fixed at Rs 800, was affordable. The only other option available to people travelling across the border till yesterday was a flight via Dubai costing Rs 28,000, they said.

The bus that left Delhi this morning carried 32 passengers, including 19 journalists from different media organisations. The bus was driven by Mr Rajinder Singh, with Mr Sher Singh as his co-driver. Both are employees of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Talking to mediapersons, Mr Rajinder Singh said, “Seeing the enthusiasm and response of the people, I am convinced that this will lead to very cordial relations between the two countries.”

Phone facility has been provided aboard the bus for passengers to enable them to keep in touch with their relatives. Between Delhi and Lahore, the bus stopped at Pipli in Haryana and Sirhind, Kartarpur and Wagah in Punjab, before finally crossing the border. A police pilot and escort were provided to both buses throughout the journey.

Mr S.K Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, who supervised the arrangements at the Floating Restaurant, said, “People on both buses were received by bhangra-performing artistes, who celebrated the re-union of people of the two nations as desired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The occasion was marked by distribution of sweets,” he said. Some passengers also offered namaz at Sirhind.

Most passengers on the two buses demanded that the government of both countries should also consider restoring the Samjhauta Express and also open the Indo-Pak border between Srinagar and Rawalpindi and the Khem Karan- Kasur border. They said better trade ties would help improve the political atmosphere. Some passengers aboard the bus from Lahore said there were 650 commodities that could be traded between the two countries without a licence. Once trade picks up, ties will automatically improve, they said.

Both the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and DTC buses were flying both Indian and Pakistani flags. The bus from Lahore was driven by Mr Amir Khan, who was also the driver of the first bus to India in February, 1999.

While the journey was important for all on board, perhaps it was most significant for Noor Fatima, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, who is suffering from a serious heart ailment and is travelling to Bangalore for a heart surgery. Her father, Mr Nadeem Sajid, said they could not have asked for anything more from Allah than the restoration of the bus service, facilitating their visit to India as Noor Fatima’s condition was becoming critical.

Meanwhile, in Ludhiana, the local unit of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front burnt a cut-out of the Delhi-Lahore bus and raised anti-Pakistan slogans.

Advani’s remarks: leaders trade charges
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 11
Following into the footsteps of their leaders, local politicians belonging to the Congress, the Akali Dal and the BJP seem to have got themselves busy with the vituperative rhetoric against each other. Status or standing of these leaders notwithstanding, they did not mind issuing statements, going to the extent of criticising even the Deputy Prime Minister of the country. Apparently this has been done for scoring numbers with their respective leaders than for any conviction.

After the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, made an observations against the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, a horde of leaders, starting from former block presidents to current district president, rushed with handouts “condemning and criticising” Mr Advani for “his support to corruption”. Some of the leaders like the district president of the Youth Congress, Mr Komal Khanna, went to the extent of burning an effigy of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Not to be left behind, the local Akali leaders did not mince words while criticising the Chief Minister for his “political vendetta” against the former Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Akali leaders like Mr Vijay Dhanav also organised protest demonstration against the Chief Minister. Mr Dhanav went on to state that the government was going to be dismissed and President’s Rule was to be imposed in the state.

The BJP leaders, including the district president, Mr Harbans Lal Sethi, and former Deputy Speaker, Mr Satpal Gosain, also started issuing statements criticising the Chief Minister and showing their affinity for Mr Badal. Mr Gosain also had a personal point to score. Only a few weeks ago he had been booked for burning an effigy of the Chief Minister. After the Congress workers burnt an effigy of the Deputy Prime Minister, he demanded registration of an FIR against them too.

Interestingly the Akali leaders owing allegiance to the former SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, maintained a subtle silence all this time. They even kept away from issuing symbolic statements against the Chief Minister.

Urban Estate in state of neglect
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, July 11
Residents of the Urban Estate locality along the Dugri road here are a neglected lot, with basic amenities like good roads, streetlights, proper sanitation and drainage system and well-maintained parks eluding them.

The area was developed by the Punjab Urban Development and Planning Authority (Puda) and later transferred to the Municipal Corporation for maintenance about two years ago.

The main roads in Phase II and MIG Colony as well as the approach roads to Phase III are virtually non-existent and almost the entire stretch of these roads have no top surface, besides having huge potholes and depressions. In the absence of proper drainage, stagnant water wreaks havoc on whatever is left in the name of roads and streets. Even after a light rain, water accumulates and the slushy roads become a nightmare for motorists.

Mr Avtar Singh Suri, a resident, said, “The growth of weeds and congress grass on both sides of roads and other vacant places all over the colony has added to the misery of the residents. The sanitation level is poor and the drains choked with weeds are never cleared.” Mr D.P. Singh, president, MIG Colony Welfare Society, said overflowing water from a tubewell had literally converted the adjoining park into a pond. The site has become a breeding-ground for flies and mosquitoes and a major health hazard for residents.

The situation in the LIG Colony and the Sabzi Mandi is no better. Mr Suri lamented that heaps of garbage and waste material remained littered all around houses. The entire area looks like a garbage dump and putrefying waste material not only emanates stench but also attracts swarms of mosquitoes and flies, thereby posing a grave threat to public health.

Another resident of the area, Mr Harbans Lal, was sore at the pathetic condition of the parks. “There is no maintenance and the parks in the colony, without exception, are a picture of total neglect, with weeds and shrubs growing where ornamental plants or shady trees should have been.”

Repeated pleas, besides meetings of residents and representatives of welfare associations with MC officials, have failed to evoke any positive response.

WORLD POPULATION DAY
When motivators lack motivation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 11
Even as the government professes to dealing with the problem of overpopulation on priority basis, actions suggest otherwise with the government stopping the grant to various family planning programmes in the district. Hundreds of workers of such programmes, who motivate people to limit their families, have not been paid for the past two years.

Mr Surjit Singh, a field worker under the Post-Partum Programme (a national project) at Dr B.L. Kapoor Memorial Hospital here, said the population control programme had been adversely affected in the absence of grants. The population of the city would be doubled in next 20 years. He said: “We have not been given salaries for more than two years now. A grant of Rs 30 lakh has been stopped by the Central Government. Without being paid, we definitely cannot motivate the masses to achieve the goal of population stabilisation. The hospital has been compelled to stop the release of salaries of the workers working under the programme. If this is the attitude of the authorities, the hospital may decide to close down this project,” said Mr Surjit Singh.

Three premium institutes — Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Christian Medical College and Hospital and Dr B.R. Kapoor Memorial Hospital — of the city had started the programme. But the programme could not survive at the DMCH as the government stopped the grant to the institute. One of the officials said: “We were not able to continue with the programme as we were not getting financial help from the government and staff was not getting their salaries. But we are running the programme on our own now.”

The programme is being run for more than 20 years. The Health workers organise family welfare programmes and motivate public. The target people are couples belonging to rural areas and people from slum areas. To get the government grant, the institutes have to perform target operations (tubectomy and vasectomy). “We have been doing very well, still there is no release of grant,” said one of the health workers.

It is pertinent to mention here that several Health employees, who have not been paid for months, have already been protesting against the callous attitude of the government.

Meanwhile, the World Population Day was observed by the Health Department at Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital today under the guidance of Dr Neelam Bassi, District Family Welfare Officer. Mr Surinder Dabar was the chief guest.

Dr Neelam Bassi said the unrestrained growth of population had become a hurdle in the way of the efforts to achieve socio-economic growth and environmental protection. Over 100 students of Sargodha High School held a rally, which was flagged off from the Civil Hospital.

Sahnewal: Nearly 150 students from a local school participated in a function held to mark the day at the local Civil Hospital here today.

The main thrust of the programme was on issues like drug awareness, AIDS and adolescent age. Dr Puneet Juneja, MD (Paediatrics), elaborated upon the physical changes in adolescents. Dr Juneja said: “The age of adolescence is the most perplexing age in which the child becomes restless not only with his own self but the society at large. The acute hormonal adjustments shatter the mind of the teenagers. They indulge in false and momentary satisfaction by immoral means. Hence proper counselling at this stage is a must.”

Dr S.S. Dhir, SMO Civil Hospital, too discussed the ill effects of drugs and how a drug-addict becomes a menace for the society. A declamation contest was also organised. The importance of birth and death was shared by the students. The participants were awarded certificates.

Later, a rally was held by the students against AIDS and drug-addiction, which was flagged off by the SMO. The rally, which started from the hospital, passed through the old and main bazars before culminating at the hospital. Mr Sampooran Singh Garcha, Health Inspector, and Mr Paramjit Singh, a school teacher, shared their views with the students.

Expecting seventh, this family has no qualms
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 11
For Kishore Kumar, a tea vendor from Uttar Pradesh, small is not beautiful. Unmindful of the World Population Day, the father of six children and expecting seventh, feels that it is God who takes care of His (God’s) children. He argues that he does not want to interfere in the natural process.

Kishore Kumar, who migrated from his native village seeking a better future in the city, is satisfied with his three daughters and as many sons. He says: “Daughters and sons are all welcome. I always throw a party whenever a little one is born in the family. By the grace of God they are all hale and hearty and we are leading a comfortable life.”

Dharamraji, his 12-year-old daughter, is the eldest. She is followed by Veersain (9), Neeraj (7), Aarti (5), Laxmi (3) and Arjun (1). His four children are getting education at a local government school. His wife Mayawati looks after the business as well as takes care of the children.

Mayawati believes that children are a gift of God and they should be given proper care. “They love each other very much. I enjoy seeing them play, eat and study together.”

The couple will never let their children do labour. “My daughter assists me in my business. Many people have approached me for taking my eldest daughter as domestic help but I have politely declined them all. She is my liability and I have to take care of them all,” says Kishore Kumar.

Many may lose their right to vote
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 11
Although elaborate arrangements have been made to complete the process of making voters’ cards, a majority of residents might miss the opportunity to get their cards made. Besides losing a chance to get the most relied upon identity card, their names may even be struck off from the list as has been warned by the Electoral Registering Officer through notice slips distributed by staff of the municipal council.

Sources said the MC authorities had deputed a large number of staff members to distribute notices to all voters by going form door to door. Although public announcements were also being made to create awareness among the resident, very small number of voters seem to have taken a notice of it.

Today being the last day of delivering notices, various teams entrusted with the job were seen returning a large number of undelivered slips. While some slips could not be delivered as voters had shifted to unknown addresses, others could not be delivered as members of the team could not locate the address mentioned on the slips.

There was also a difference in the present demarcation of wards and that mentioned on the slips.

Some of the residents, who did not receive the slips, were seen enquiring from officials of the council about their registration numbers. They were more worried about protecting their right to cast vote. Another reason of their worry was that the slips mentioned that the names of voters, who did not come forward to get their cards made, would be deleted from the voters’ list. The notice read as follows, “If you do not come to get photographed on July 12, it will be construed that you do not reside at the mentioned address and the process for deleting your name from electoral roll would be initiated under rule 22-C of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1950.

Meanwhile, Mr Pardeep Sabharwal, SDM, has claimed that elaborate arrangements have been made to get the identity cards made. The process for preparing card for residents of ward number 7 will take place at local Mahatma Gandhi Memorial National Senior Secondary School, while residents of other wards would have to visit town hall.

COMMUNITY

Tension brewing in Kitchlu Nagar area
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 11
Tension is brewing in Kitchlu Nagar area between members of two communities over the possession of about three acres of land. While the Waqf Board claims that the area belongs to it, members of another community maintain that the Waqf Board has already lost control over the land. The situation reached a flashpoint in the afternoon today, when people came out from a mosque located in the area after offering their weekly prayers.

There is apparently a grave in the disputed area. Members of the other community, however, claim it to be a ‘samadh’ of a saint. A small mosque also exists adjacent to the grave, besides a small place of worship set up by a sadhu. The area was being used as a graveyard by Muslims. Even small children of the other communities, who died within months of their birth, were also buried there.

Though the dispute is quite old, the growing assertion about ownership by the communities has led to escalation in tension for sometime.

The administration is yet to take note of the situation, although the Waqf Board is learnt to have already brought the issue to its notice.

According to Mian Zulfam Hussain, the board appointed the ‘imam’ of the mosque about 15 years ago. He said it was the grave of Haji Sunet Wali after which a mosque was built. He said regular prayers were offered at the place.

He disclosed that a few years ago a sadhu also started inhabiting there. He would also organise regular prayers there. Over a period the sadhu, supported by his community members, reportedly objected to the burial of the dead in the area. He maintained that the members of the other community stopped the burial in the area. Now they wanted to have total control of the place. The other community maintained that there was no graveyard in the area, but it was a ‘samadh’ of a saint. They also maintained that regular prayers were being offered there.

Disputing their claims Mian Zulfam Hussain claimed they had got a stay order against their eviction from the area. Members of the other community have been disputing the claim. They claimed that it was their community that would bury children, who died quite young, there. They alleged that the Waqf Board was now deliberately trying to wrest control of the area.

Local bus stand cries for attention
Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 11
The local bus stand, which caters to thousands of commuters daily, is in a dilapidated condition. With damaged roads, filthy waiting rooms, haphazard ticket counters, absence of proper parking facility, it depicts nothing but the callous attitude of the Transport Department.

One of the drivers with the Punjab Roadways said the employees had become used to seeing the miserable condition of the bus stand. “I do not think, anything can be done, because no body bothers here. The ultimate sufferers are the commuters, who face problems daily. The condition worsens during the rainy season. A lot needs to be done by the state government to improve the condition of the bus stand. But bureaucrats, politicians and the affluent cannot feel the pinch as travelling by buses is not their cup of tea. Only the common man has to bear the difficulties,” he said.

Haphazardly parked vehicles in and around the bus stand create problems for commuters. After heavy downpour, the situation becomes worse. Shopkeepers and residents of nearby low lying areas have to wade through slush.

Even after a mild downpour, one can see waterlogging here and there which affects the normal routine. It becomes difficult for passengers to enter or come out from the bus stand.

Ms Usha, who came here from Chandigarh with her one-year-old daughter, said she faced a lot of problem in the morning when she had to carry her child and baggage through the slush. “I could not get a rickshaw either. The authorities should do something so that the commuters do not feel inconvenienced. When we are paying for it, why should we be put to inconvenience unnecessarily?” she said.

Mr Amritpal Singh, General Manager, Punjab Roadways, said in the absence of infrastructure, the renovation of the bus stand was just impossible. “Whatever we do, is on temporary basis. Whenever there is any waterlogging, our workers drain out water, but the problem needs a permanent solution. Negotiations for that are going on. That will be a Rs 10-crore project. All problems will be sorted out once the project gets a green signal,” said Mr Amritpal Singh.

Historic cannon in centre of controversy
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 11
An invaluable majestic cannon, left by the British in the historic Lodhi Fort here, is in the centre of a controversy over its ownership between the authorities of the War Museum and the local Government Institute of Textile Chemistry and Knitting Technology, Rishi Nagar.

War Museum officials are claiming its possession saying it was an artefact of the days of yore and deserved to be lined along with war memorial machinery and equipment displayed in the museum. The Textile Institute officials, who are presently possessing it, claim the British had gifted the cannon to the institute and they have every right to keep it.

The cannon may have several claimants in the past also but none of these actually bothered for its upkeep and maintenance. It was gathering rust at one corner of the dilapidated fort till few months ago. The Ludhiana Tribune had, then, highlighted the worsening condition of the cannon. At that time there were no claimants about the ownership.

The artefact was lying in the fort since 1920s. It was left by the British in the fort along with four others. It is the only one piece of artillery left there. The other three have been stolen long ago. Only one barrel of another cannon is left. That too, lies buried in the sand.

The cannon was taken away by the Textile Institute officials from the fort few months ago when the institute shifted from the fort to Rishi Nagar. This has not changed the fate of the artefact. It’s present state is in fact worse than the earlier one. The cannon was lying in rack and ruins in the fort and now it has been, strangely, disassembled and lying in complete disarray in the Rishi Nagar premises of the Institute.

Mr Darshan Singh, Principal of the institute told Ludhiana Tribune that the cannon was gifted to the institute in the 1930s by the British. He said they had disassembled it as they wanted to place it on a yet to be constructed platform at the main entrance of the institute. The Institute does not have any documentary evidence regarding their claim.

Wing Commander M.S. Randhawa, (retd) who is Dy Director, District Sainik Welfare Board here and is in charge of the War Museum situated at the Ludhiana-Jalandhar highway said the museum is the right place for the artefact. The cannon is one of the finest piece of artillery.

He said he had written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Anurag Verma yesterday to formally stack a claim over the cannon. Earlier, he had written letters to the institute.

The inscription ‘John Sturges and Co Bowling. Yorkshire ‘ on the cannon reveals the company that possibly built it. The cannon has another figure ‘ 18 Pb ‘ inscribed whose meaning could not be decoded.

The Lodhi Fort was constructed by Sikander Lodhi in 15th century as a step towards his ultimate aim of ruling over Delhi. Babar defeated rulers of the third generation of the Lodhis and got possession of the fort.

According to Mr R.S. Randhawa, an expert in Archaeology based at Patiala the cannon is definitely of British make but it has to be researched whether it belonged to Maharaja Ranjit Singh or to the British, who took over the fort after a treaty with the Sikh ruler.

Giani Ajit Singh (76) had in an earlier interview with Ludhiana Tribune said that according to him, there were four cannons like this installed at the various corners of the fort. He claims to have seen all of them and said while the other three vanished the fourth still remains.

Cannons are displayed in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Fort at Phillaur and, a cannon park exists in Sheesh Mahal, Patiala also. In these two places cannons, belonging to both British and Sikh rulers, have been kept and exhibited.

YC flays Akali-BJP leadership
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 11
Mr Devinder Singh Babbu president and Mr Pawan Diwan, vice president, Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress today criticised BJP leaders and Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, minister in BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for making baseless "insinuations" against Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, for alleged default in payment of customs.

The two leaders in a statement issued here today said as a result of unravelling of corruption and other serious alleged economic offences by former Akali ministers and Mr Parkash Singh Badal in cases of assets and properties disproportionate to known sources of income, the Akali-BJP leadership was a frustrated lot. They observed, it was out of this frustration that they were levelling unfounded and false allegations against the Punjab Chief Minister.

They warned that Capt Amarinder was non-sparing in the matter of corrupt elements and had even sacked his own minister (Mr Harbans Lal). They said the ministers in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had been involved in several scams.

Employees gear up for Patiala rally
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 11
The Punjab Subordinate Services Federation and the Punjab, U.T. Employees Action Committee will jointly hold a state-level protest rally at Patiala to voice their concern against the anti-employee policies of the government like privatisation, hike in tuition fee structure and civic charges, diminishing employment opportunities, rising prices and corruption in high places.

According to Mr Bhagwan Singh Bhangu, general secretary, PSSF, the rally of the employees, to be held in the city of the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh would also focus on other pending demands of the employees relating to pay scales, promotion channels and rate of interest on provident fund.

He said the government had scrapped thousands of posts in various government departments, giving rise to massive unemployment and the existing employees were being threatened with forcible retirement under the voluntary retirement scheme. To make the matters worse, vacant posts in departments like health and education were not being filled.

Mr Bhangu observed that the government decision of giving effect to hike in power tariff, civic charges and tuition fee for higher education had hit the middle class the hardest. As the people were reeling under the impact of rising prices and shrinking employment base, the government had put a heavy burden on the exchequer by appointment of a large number of its favourites as chairpersons and directors of corporations and boards, many of which were running in losses and were at the verge of being sold away.

READERS WRITE
Corruption spreading its tentacles

In 1947 we attained Independence after great sacrifices by our national leaders. The Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi advised leaders to stay away from power as ‘power breeds corruption’ but it was never heeded to. Today we are feeling the pinch. Had our leaders of that time advocated honesty and discipline coupled with nationalism, the situation would have been quite different. With the lapse of time corruption has flourished right from top to bottom. It is said that when Mr Partap Singh Kairon was the Chief Minister of Punjab, some people complained to Mr Nehru about the malpractices of Mr Kairon’s sons. He is reported to have said that he had disowned his sons and there was no lapse in his administration. Everyday we come across news about scams like the Bofors scam, bank scams, education scams, recruitment scams. It seems there is corruption in every field. Corruption has developed into a parallel economy in this age of materialism. To evade taxes people find out alternatives.

The more stringent the laws the better chances for corruption come up. For example if the building byelaws of the corporation are made stringent the building inspectors’ under the table gratification gets multiplied. This is what is happening in all government departments. Unless some reformative measures are taken we will reach a stage from where there won’t be any cannot look back. Only the Almighty may come to our rescue.

K.L. Chitkara

Enforce norms on open space

It has been noticed that in plush residential localities like Sarabha Nagar/BRS Nagar, some owners, while constructing or rebuilding houses, leave one and a half feet or 2 feet as open space from the boundary wall in the backyard. The construction with such little space certainly does obstruct proper air and light to the house and the adjoining houses. This also causes a lot of inconvenience to the adjoining houses during the construction activity.

It is therefore, mandatory for the owners to get clearance and approval of the building plan or revised building plan or even of renovation from the MC before starting the construction. They must leave an open space at least 10/15 feet (of 20 feet in 250 yards/ 30 feet in 500 yards house as per building bylaws) in the backyard, for proper air and light. The Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana needs to put a proper check on such constructions with little space, already made, or on-going constructions and institute a suitable penal action, including demolitions. The covered area or even isolated construction beyond 10/15 feet open space at the back may be made as a non-compoundable violation of building bylaws.

And the MC and its officials should taking action to make the inconsiderate persons to leave at least 10/15 feet of open space at the backyard, thus setting an example for other corporations to follow in the other cities of the Punjab State. The Welfare Societies as well as the residents of adjoining houses should come forward and extend cooperation to the MC is not allowing the inconsiderate persons to raise construction with a small open space.

Dr Gurkirpal Singh

Problems of stray animals

I want to bring to your notice the problem of stray animals, particularly dogs and pigs. These animals can be seen roaming around in streets and main roads. It is good that some organisations like People for Animals take care of the animals. But these organisations should also take note of the menace the stray animals pose to the public. Administration on its part should also ensure that the population of the stray animals is not allowed to grow much. There can be some method to sterilise them to prevent their uninhibited population growth.

D.V. Saharan

Delay in interviews

More than four years have elapsed since April, 1999 when the Punjab Public Service Commission invited applications for 272 posts of college lecturer. Interviews were held in January-February last year and selections were made. However, selections have been now declared ‘null and void’ by the Punjab Government and the PPSC has been directed to make fresh selections. The PPSC is urged to announce the schedule of interview at the earliest.

Incidentally, about 700 posts of lecturer are lying vacant in government colleges across the state. There has been no recruitment of lecturers for the past seven years.

Yash Paul Ghai

	Clerks seek promotions Our correspondent Amloh, July 11 Mr Avtar Azad, Mr Amarjit Singh Chanarthal, Mr Harmesh Singh Tarkhan Majra, Mr Gurcharan Singh Nogawan all office bearers of the district Ministerial Staff Association (Education) have urged the state government to waive the condition of type writing for appointment as clerks on a priority basis in schools. There is no type work in schools and no typewriters have been provided into government schools. If the typewriters are provided, even then the school clerks have no time for typing due to the heavy rush of work. They also demanded the allotment of 10 per cent promotions from clerks as masters who have passed B.Ed examination during their tenure of service as clerks and demanded the release of their grades.
	Small savings lucky draw Our Correspondent Ludhiana, July 11 The Punjab Small Savings Department will hold a state-level function at Guru Nanak Dev Bhavan here on July 15 to draw lots for deciding the winners of the 24th lucky coupon scheme. Winners of the 23rd lucky coupon scheme will also be given prizes on the same day. Mr Lal Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, would be the chief guest of the function, which would be presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Verma. According to Mr A.K. Sharma, Deputy Director, Small Savings, officers and others, who had made significant contribution in promoting small savings in the district, would also be honoured at the function.
	Warehousing corpn Director takes charge Our Correspondent Mandi Gobindgarh, July 11 The campaign launched by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh against corruption will prove fruitful in the coming days as unemployed youths with good academic record will get jobs on merit. This was stated by Dr Sakinder Singh here today after assuming the charge of Director, Punjab Warehousing Corporation. He said the Congress had promised to root out corruption in its election manifesto and there would be no compromise on the issue. Dr Sakinder Singh, a former president of the District Congress Committee, Fatehgarh Sahib, said unemployed youths would get government jobs without paying bribe.
	Karkra is PPCC organising secretary Our Correspondent Khanna, July 11 Dr Sawtantar Karkra, former general secretary, Youth Congress, has been appointed organising secretary of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee by the state President, Mr H.S. Hanspal. Dr Karkra, is a resident of Amloh.

CRIME

In-laws booked on dowry charge
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 11
The Haibowal police yesterday registered a case under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC on the complaint of Ms Rajwinder Rani, daughter of Mr Jagir Masih, a resident of Neta Ji Park on the Balloke road, against her husband Victor, father-in-law Yousaf Masih, mother-in-law Charney, Usha, Munna Singh, brother-in-law, Parveen and her husband Sham Dass, residents of Sector 37-C, Chandigarh. The complainant had stated to the police that she was married to Victor on April 19, 1995. But soon after the marriage, the accused started beating her and harassing her with demands for more dowry. No arrest has been made.

Frauds alleged: Two cases of alleged fraud were registered under Sections 406 and 420 of the IPC at the Civil Lines police station yesterday.

The first case was registered on the statement of Mr Jagdish Rai Sofat, a resident of Dr Heera Singh Road, against Parmodh Kumar, a resident of Ludhiana. The complainant had alleged that the accused, who was employed as an accountant in Sofat Hospital, had embezzled Rs 3,14,707 by not depositing the same in the bank as required of him. No arrest has been made.

The other case was registered on the statement of Mr Sanjay Sharma, Director, Managing Net Works Service Private Limited, Ghumar Mandi, against Narinder Singh, a resident of Civil Lines. The complainant had alleged that the accused, who was employed as a marketing agent was also empowered to collect money on the company’s behalf. The accused gave a cheque for Rs 1,07,560 to the company which was dishonoured by the bank concerned on presentation.

Burglar held: The Model Town police yesterday registered a case under Sections 454, 380 and 511 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Om Parkash, a resident of Model Town, against Salwinder Singh, a resident of Mohalla Abdullapur Basti. The complainant had alleged that the accused, along with another person, was entering a house in his neighbourhood on Thursday night with the intention of committing theft. But the complainant, who happened to pass that way, noticed the two and challenged them. While he succeeded in nabbing Salwinder Singh, his accomplice escaped.

Theft alleged: The Shimla Puri police on Thursday registered a case under Sections 380, 448, 506, 511 and 34 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Baljinder Singh, a resident of Daba Colony, against Sukhwinder Kaur, Mangal Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Jagjit Singh. The complainant had alleged that the accused took a room from him on rent in his factory in Gurpal Nagar. But the accused entered the factory on June 6 and stole some factory goods. The accused also forcibly occupied a room and threatened him.

Theft bid: The Sahnewal police on Thursday registered a case under Sections 394, 323 and 34 of the IPC and sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act on the statement of Mr Sukhdeep Singh, a resident of Ram Garh village on the Chandigarh Road, against three unknown persons. The complainant had stated that he and his father Mr Tara Chand were on duty as watchmen in Thapar Concast Mill, Pawa. Three unknown persons entered the factory premises with the intention of stealing machines from the factory. When they challenged the intruders, a scuffle ensued in which the intruders fired from a firearm and he was hit with a rod as a result of which he was injured. Two of the accused were addressing each other as Bablu and Kala. The intruders, who were in the age group of 25-30 and were clean shaven, managed to escape, added the complainant.

Couple injured: The police on Thursday registered a case under Sections 279,328 and 427 of the IPC on the statement of Ms Mamta Rani, wife of Mr Balbir Singh, a resident of Ghohara village, against an unknown car driver. The complainant stated that while she and her husband were going on a scooter, the car driver hit them in front of Manju Cinema on the G.T. Road on the morning of July 4. Both husband and wife were injured as a result of the accident and admitted to the Civil Hospital.

Beaten up: On the statement of Mr Madan Mohan Gupta, a resident of Aggar Nagar, the Sarabha Nagar police on Thursday registered a case under Sections 452, 506, 323 and 34 of the IPC against Krishan Baldev, his son Radhe Mohan, Kunj Bihari and Kishan Bihari. The complainant had alleged that the accused forced their way into his house on the morning of July 8 and beat him up, his wife and his daughter because of a lingering property dispute.

The Shimla Puri police on Thursday registered a case under Sections 451, 324, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Sanjay, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, against Ram Pal, Krishan, Jeevan Ram, Rajvir, Rajinder, Leelu and three-four unknown persons accompanying them. The complainant had alleged that the accused forced their way into his house on the evening of July 9 and beat up him and all his family members. The accused also threatened them, added the complainant.

Two cases of beating were registered at the Koom Kalan police station under sections 341, 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC yesterday.

The first case was registered on the statement of Mr Pritam Singh, a resident of Panjeta village against Gurpal Singh and his wife Baljit Kaur, residents of the same village. The complainant had alleged that the accused stopped him on the road, beat him up and also threatened him. No arrest has been made so far.