Amritsar, May 6
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today reiterated that his government was actively considering the demand of Haryana Sikhs for the formation of separate Haryana gurdwara parbandhak committee as promised in the Congress manifesto.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, SGPC, while presenting a siropa and replica of Harmander Sahib to Mr Hooda, urged him that the demand of Haryana’s SGPC members for a separate committee was not justified as per the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. She told Mr Hooda that the SGPC had the legal right to control all historical Sikh shrines in Haryana as per the Act passed by Parliament.

However, Mr Hooda told the media that though his government did not want to interfere in the personal affairs of the Sikh community, the aspirations of the Haryana Sikhs would definitely be considered.

Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, Punjab, had not been presented with a siropa during his three visits to the Golden Temple after he became the Chief Minister. However, his political secretary H. S. Barsat was presented with the robe of honour when he returned from Pakistan along with Mr H. S. Bolina, a close confidant of the SGPC chief.

Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, PWD Minister, Punjab, Mr H. S. Chatha, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, and Mr Venod Sharma, Excise and Taxation Minister, Haryana, were also presented with siropas today.

Mr Hooda visited Jallianwala Bagh Memorial and the Durgiana temple. Mr Hooda, Mr Venod Sharma and Mr Chatha were honoured by the Durgiana Temple Committee with a siropa, shawl and sword each.

Meanwhile, Mr Hooda evaded queries on issues like inclusion of certain Punjabi-speaking areas, including Chandigarh, in Punjab. He said all inter-state issues would be settled amicably after giving due consideration and serious thought.

He said former Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and his colleagues were already under the scanners of the Vigilance Bureau and other inquiry committees.

Over the SYL issue, the Chief Minister said the Supreme Court had decided in favour of Haryana and a reference had been made to the apex court.

He announced that the new industrial policy of Haryana would be declared on June 6.

Phagwara, May 6
Perturbed over frequent amendments to the constitution by various military rulers since independence in Pakistan, members of the Bar Council of Pakistan today had a word of praise for India for successfully abiding by the democratic way of governing.

A five-member team of lawyers led by Mr Hamid Khan, chairman, Executive and Legal Education Committee, Bar Council of Pakistan, visited Lovely College of Law here this afternoon and interacted with lecturers and students.

Talking to The Tribune, Mr Qazi Muhammad Anwar said, “There is no democracy in Pakistan even as the lawyer fraternity regularly holds protests in our country for the restoration of democracy as per the original text of the constitution. Though General Pervez Musharraf, in consonance with the US government, is claiming that the country is being run in a democratic manner, this is not the situation.

He added that the military rulers had never allowed politicians to discharge their duties which was deplorable and not in the interest of the country.

The reigns of power should be handed over to the people of Pakistan in a fair manner as was the case in India “The politicians should be allowed to represent people of Pakistan instead of the former being handpicked by the military rulers. Our people are still fighting for the restoration of democracy,” maintained Mr Mian Abdul Qaddous.

The delegation said even the judiciary was affected in such a set-up. Pakistani judicial officers were administrated oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) instead of the constitution. “Adhering to the PCO by the judicial officers implies that they cannot go against the military rulers, thereby, putting a question mark on the constitution. The judicial officers are supposed to defend the provisions of the PCO, which is contrary to the constitution,” said Mr. Muhammad Yousuf Leghari, a senior member of the Bar Council.

The president of the managing committee of the institute, Mr Ashok Mittal, presented mementoes to the members of the delegation.

Chandigarh, May 6
The Assistant Commissioner (AC), Land Customs Station, Amritsar, Mr P.S. Bisht, has denied that there was any lapse on the part of the Customs Department in the case highlighted in the report headlined “Sports car caught in bureaucratic jam” published in these columns on May 1.

In a communication to The Tribune, he said Mr Nassafor Ali Sheikh did not have any import licence for the import of his car or the document, Carnet-De-Passage, required for its transit through India. Therefore, his car was detained on July 27, 2003.

Mr Sheikh was time and again requested to produce the necessary document but he failed to do so. Consequently, his car was seized on July 13, 2004, for violation of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, read with Section 11 of the Customs Act 1962.

Show cause notice dated August 31, 2004, was issued to Mr Sheikh asking him why his car should not be confiscated under the Customs Act, 1962. Reminders were sent to him on November 22, 2004, December 16, 2004, February 11, 2005 and March 29, 2005 but he failed to submit the same. His reply dated April 19 was received only on April 29, three days before the report appeared.

Thus, there was no delay on the part of the Customs Department. His case is now in the process of adjudication by the competent authority by following the due process of law.

Ludhiana, May 6
The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today clarified that the issue of the participation of private industrial houses and educational institutions in education in the state was being misunderstood. First of all, he said, it was not at all the privatisation as it was being made out to be. And second the issue was still under the consideration of a high-power committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and with Education Minister Harnam Dass Johar as one of the members.

Talking to reporters here today after laying the foundation stone of the lawyers chambers in the new District Courts, he maintained that once the issue was finalised, everything would be clarified. “Let us be clear and categoric that it is not the privatisation, but only the support of the private institutions and industrial houses for strengthening the government educational institutions,” he asserted.

He said the education would be “absolutely free of cost” and according to the existing routine. Only the expenses would be borne by the industrial houses and leading private schools. “This arrangement is being worked out with the industrial houses and they have come forward in a generous way while owning up the social responsibility,” he disclosed.

To a question on the power situation in the state, he said there would not be major power cuts this year in the state. He said besides purchasing additional power from the central pool, the power generation in the state was likely to improve as reservoirs were full to capacity. He disclosed that the state was working out an arrangement with the Gas Authority of India Limited for a power-generation plant. Besides, a private sector firm was also interested in power generation in the state.

The Chief Minister reiterated his stand on the change of guard in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. He said he had already made it clear to the party high command that changing the PCC president at this stage will not be in the interest of the party and he should be allowed to continue till the elections to the state assembly. “But it is up to the Congress president to take the final decision,” he pointed out. He said the process for the reorganisation of the party on the district and grassroots level had already started and would be completed soon. 

Bathinda, May 6
The state government would promote Bathinda as a major textile centre and five companies have announced their plans to set up factories in the city. This was stated by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, while addressing a CII function which was organised to felicitate progressive cotton farmers here today.

The Chief Minister said the development of Bathinda as a textile destination would not only generate employment opportunities for the youth, but would also add to the flow of funds to the state exchequer.

He said during the past three years the cotton yield in the Malwa belt had increased from 7 lakh to 21 lakh bales. The area under cotton cultivation had also increased by about 50,000 hectares. He said the cotton production was set to increase in Malwa with the experts expecting area under cotton cultivation to increase up to 6 lakh hectares this year.

Over VAT, the Chief Minister said the state government had lifted VAT from almost all agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, pesticides, agricultural machinery and tools. He said while other states were charging 22 per cent VAT on diesel, Punjab had maintained it at 8.8 per cent. He said the state government was also making efforts on the power generation front.

He said the government had started work on Lehra Mohabbat Phase II, Shahpur Kandi power project, besides a 2,000 MW gas unit that was in the pipeline. He said the water levels at Pong and Gobind Sagar dams were good due to heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh this year.

The Chief Minister said he had asked the officials concerned to ensure that there was no shortage of DAP, power, water, and diesel, for the state’s farmers. He said the state government was committed to promoting diversification, as water consuming crops like paddy and sugarcane had taken a heavy toll on the already depleting water table in the state.

Later, at a press conference, Captain Amarinder Singh denied that the Johal Committee Report had been rejected by the Centre.

He said the matter was pending with the Planning Commission, which would take a decision on it. Regarding low cotton prices in the region last year, he said it all happened due to more-supply-less-demand problem. 

SAD writes to PM over visit to France
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 6
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, asking him to seek time from the Education Minister of France for a deputation of SAD MPs and representatives of the SGPC, which wants to visit France to have discussions with the French Government over the turban issue.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, secretary-general of SAD, said he had received a phone call from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) the previous day in response to the letter written by him.

He said he had told the PMO that the SAD leaders wanted to meet the Prime Minister on May 9 or 10.

Mr Dhindsa has also asked the Union Government to table the report of the Nanawati Commission, which probed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, in Parliament.

With regard to providing aircraft to the Justice Phukan Commission, which is probing the defence deals, by Mr George Fernandes as Defence Minister, Mr Dhindsa said no one could raise a finger of suspicion on the integrity and honesty of Mr Fernandes.

On being aksed whether SAD MPs would continue the boycott of Parliament, Mr Dhindsa said this matter would be discussed at a meeting of the NDA on May 9 in New Delhi.

With regard to the proposed new Assembly constituencies by the Delimitation Commission in Punjab, Mr Dhindsa said SAD would submit its district-wise proposals to the commission on May 9. He added that SAD wanted that there should be no change in all 10 Assembly constituencies of Sangrur district.

Ludhiana, May 6
The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) is all set to tap the vast micro hydroelectric power generation potential by setting up 135 small power projects in the state.

The state can generate a substantial amount of power if small hydropower projects are set up at various places along the extensive network of canals in the state. In wake of the acute power crisis witnessed last year, various experts are of the view that more such projects are the need of the hour.

This concern is echoed by the PEDA chairman, Mr Vijay Inder Singla, who visited the agency’ s two micro hydel projects at Bowani and Khattra villages in this district on the Bathinda branch canal, here yesterday.

Talking to TNS, he said special emphasis was being laid to give a fillip to the micro hydel power generation. “Since I took over a few days ago I am going through various proposals. But I am of the opinion that we could generate about 150 - 200 MW by setting up small power plants of 1 MW at various places in the state,” he said.

He reviewed the efficiency of the two projects and said that at present the efficiency of the eight micro hydel projects being run by the agency was 75 per cent. He said efforts would be made to increase the efficiency. He said PEDA was also exploring the possibility of identifying and establishing more hydel projects whose operation and maintenance would be given to private parties.

Elaborating on the decision of setting up small hydroelectric projects, he revealed that the agency had identified 135 sites along various canals where the flow and fall of water was ideal for setting up such plants. Since most of the canals were flowing most of the time, the state could be assured of a steady power supply, he pointed out.

Mr Singla said tenders were invited for 25 - 30 sites and the response had been encouraging. In many cases, the work was at an advanced stage and some of the units could begin production within this year and the others next year. 

Patiala, May 6
The Forum for Educational Action and Reforms (FEAR) has urged the Auditor-General of Punjab to make arrangements for holding a probe into the serious violations of financial norms allegedly committed by Punjabi University in the year 2004-05.

Mr Amarjit Singh Dhillon, president, FEAR, in a press note issued here today pointed out that a probe into the violation was needed as to enforce the accountability for the expenditure of more than Rs 60 crores in the year 2004-05 to which the state government was the major contributor.

He said it was surprising that there was no check on the huge expenditure despite the provision made in that connection in the University Act and statutes. The university did not follow its Act and statues in this respect and there was also a lapse on the part of government in not demanding the annual account report from the university.

He pointed out that university had violated the Section 21 of the University Act, which by not submitting the annual account report to the government as the same was mandatory under the same section. Not only this, statute 22 of the University Act had also been violated as the official concerned did not prepare the annual general statement showing in detail the state of each account which should be checked and countersigned by the auditor.

The forum also noted that the university had also violated the statute regarding the membership of the finance committee, which met on March 22 for passing the university budget for the year 2005-06 and also for endorsing the decision of the Vice-Chancellor of the university taken in connection with getting loan of Rs 48 crores from the State Bank of Patiala as the same was attended by a under secretary, Finance of Punjab government, instead of the Deputy Secretary or the Finance Secretary, as required by the statute. He added that the whole exercise of that meeting had become null and void in the eyes of law due to that fact.

He alleged that as there was no provision for the position of a Professor in charge, Finance, either in the university act or statute, the appointment of same was violation of the same on one hand and on the other a complete distrust in the non-teaching staff of the university. He added that Vice- Chancellor had not been observing faithfully the Act and statues of the university.

While Mr S. S. Boparai, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, could not be contacted for his comments.

Mr R. K. Sehgal, Professor in charge, Finance, when contacted, said every expenditure was being done by the authorities after getting the sanction from the pre-audit wing set up by the government. He added on other matters, he would not like to make any comment as he was not an official spokesman of the university.

Bathinda, May 6
The local police that had been in the eye of storm following the allegation of custodial rape by a Rajasthani woman arrested with opium, heaved a sigh of relief as the magisterial probe gave it a clean chit on the matter. The Talwandi Sabo SDM today submitted his report to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr K.A.P. Sinha.

Sources said the probe didn’t find any substance in the custodial rape charge against the police. Sources said the report of the samples sent to Patiala following Pawani Bai’s medical examination didn’t corroborate the rape charge.

She could not even recollect as to whether she was raped or not, as she fell unconscious after being reportedly beaten up by the police. However, the charge of police torture has been proved.

Sources said an identification parade was carried out at the Central Jail today and Pawani Bai identified a constable, Inderjit Singh. Sources said Inderjit Singh and a woman constable, Ranjit Kaur, were found guilty of torturing her.

Dr M.L. Chauhan of the local Civil Hospital had also been found guilty of giving wrong medical report at the time of Pawani Bai’s first medical examination on April 20.

Pawani Bai was arrested about 15 days back and the police had seized 150 gm opium from her possession. She had accused the police of torturing her, besides charging some policemen with raping her in the custody. Her medical examination was conducted four times.

Rajasthani migrants had been sitting on fast seeking action against the guilty for the past few days. Various local organisations had also come out in Pawani Bai’s support, which had built up pressure on the police and the district administration to sort out the matter at the earliest.

Amritsar, May 6
The Government of India would issue a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 400 years of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib.

In a press note issued by the SGPC here today, it was stated that the stamp was likely to be issued on the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev on June 16 here.

The Director of Postal Services, Punjab Circle, Ms Sukhwinder Kaur, today met SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur and sought consent for the date and venue for releasing the stamp.

Bathinda, May 6
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh awarded seven farmers for achieving the highest cotton yields in Punjab at a cotton award ceremony held under the banner of the CII here today.

Mehnga Singh from Muktsar district won the first prize of Rs 25,000 with his average cotton yield of 34.5 quintal, while Gurpreet Singh of Bathinda bagged the second prize of Rs 20,000 with 33 quintals. Sikanderjit Singh of Muktsar got the third prize of Rs 15,000 with an average cotton yield of 31 quintals.

The other winners are Jasvir Singh (30.5 quintals). Gurmeet Singh (30 quintals), Mukhtiar Singh (29 quintals) and Jasbir Singh (28.5 quintals). Dr Major Singh who had shifted his research from paddy to cotton was also awarded.

Three farmers, who were awarded last year, were presented mementos for maintaining the cotton production to an average of about 31 quintals. They are Surinder Pal Singh Avtar Singh, and Gurpartap Singh.

Agricultural experts Kuldeep Singh and D.S. Brar and Bathinda’s Chief Agricultural Officer J.S. Dhaliwal were also felicitated.

Earlier, Finance Minister Surinder Singla lauded the farmers and said if guided properly the farmers of Malwa could bring a revolution in cotton farming. “The day is not far when Punjab would be known for its cotton,” he said, adding that the long-term solution of the state’s agricultural problems lay in agro-industry and the state government had initiated talks with three firms in this direction.

He said Rs 450 crore had been sanctioned for irrigation works in the Malwa belt.

Dr S.S. Gill, Director, Extension Education, PAU, said the farmers had proved that they could compete with the best in the world when it cames to cotton production. He said PAU techniques enabled the farmers to get more then the average cotton yield in Malwa.

He said spurious seeds were giving rise to diseases and new pests in the cotton crop. He urged the farmers to use optimum quantity of pesticides and avoid mixing them, besides following the recommendations of the PAU to check losses.

He said Krishi Vikas Kendras were being set up to provide of water and soil tests to the farmers at every district headquarters.

Dr B.S. Sidhu, Director, Agriculture, asked the farmers to focus on right plant population and destroy weeds prior to sowing to increase the cotton production.

ADMINISTRATION

Suvidha launched
Our Correspondent

Mohali, May 6
A project, Suvidha, started for the convenience of the public, was formally launched by Mr B.R. Bajaj, Principal Secretary, Local Government and I.T. Punjab, at the office of Mr M.L. Sharma, SDM, here today.

The project was started at Ropar on March 27 last year and after seeing the success, it was extended to the sub-division level. The trial run of the software were going on here since March 29.

While talking to mediapersons, Mr Bajaj said efforts were being made that all government offices that had to deal with the public adopted such a system so that people had to spend minimum time at a counter and did not have to come again and again for the same work.

The main objective of the Suvidha project launched here today was to provide convenience to the people by receiving applications for various types of services, accepting cash at the counter itself and making delivery of the document/service from the same counter within a stipulated period of time.

Various services like the attestation of affidavits, certificates issued by the SDM’s office and Tehsildar’s office, permission for the use of loudspeakers, registration of marriages, registration of vehicles, issuance of driving licences were being provided at a very nominal cost.

Gurdaspur May 6
The police has arrested Jaswant Singh for allegedly murdering his brother-in-law and sister-in-law for land.

The bodies of Ramanjit Kaur (20) and Lakhminder Singh (14) were recovered from their house on April 23 at Jogi Chinna village under the Kanuwan police station. The victims were living with their widowed mother and owned seven acres.

Police investigation has reportedly revealed that on April 22, Jaswant Singh took his mother-in-law to his house in an adjoining village on the plea that her daughter was ill. Jaswant Singh, his mother-in-law and wife slept in the same room.

At about midnight when his wife and mother-in-law were sleeping he left the house on a bicycle. Leaving the bicycle about 5 km away, he walked down to the house of his in-laws. He knocked the door and Ramanjit Kaur allowed him in.

He persuaded her to accompany him to a tubewell located near the house. He strangulated her there and returned to the house to strangulate Lakhminder.

He then placed the body of Ramanjit Kaur beside her brother on a bed. To give an impression that they had been electrocuted, he threw a live wire on the bodies.

The accused then came back to his house and slept. The next morning, he accompanied his mother-in-law back home and pretended to be in grief.

The SSP, Mr Ishwar Singh, said only Jaswant had the motive to kill the victims. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered.