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SAD to launch protest in Kashipur on Jan 23: Badal
Bathinda, January 8 Mr Badal alleged that the Congress had always repressed Sikhs be it Operation Bluestar or the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. He further alleged that by devastating Sikh families in Kashipur the Congress government in Uttaranchal had began its “anti-Sikh activities” and if it was not stopped in time the state would witness more “attacks” on the Sikhs. He said his party would extend all help to the affected Sikh families of Kashipur. He urged other political parties also to join hands with the SAD for their rehabilitation. He accused the Uttaranchal Government of breaking the trust of Sikhs. Upbeat over the party rally in Majitha, he said it reflected the mood of public and was a sign of SAD’s return to power in the coming Assembly elections. He said BJP president Rajnath Singh would attend the party’s conference at the forthcoming Maghi Mela in Muktsar. On MLA Sukhdarshan Singh Marar’s decision to join hands with the Congress, the SAD supremo said it would not make any difference to his party. He said Mr Marar had switched sides just to get Assembly ticket, but it wouldn’t be easy for him to make it in the Congress. Expressing concern on losses to potato growers, Mr Badal sought adequate compensation for them from the state government. A former minister, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, and a party leader Mr Baljit Singh Bir Behman were also present on the occasion. TALWANDI SABO: By “ruining” Sikh farmers in Kashipur, the Uttaranchal Government had committed a heinous act of reopening wounds of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, alleged SGPC chief Mr Avtar Singh during a press conference at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib here last evening. Mr Avtar Singh was in the town to hold discussions on various centenaries to be observed in near future. These include Guru Arjan Dev’s 400th martyrdom anniversary and the tercentenary of the completion of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which would be celebrated as ‘Sampooranta Divas’ at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on August 30. He said the SGPC was committed to provide all help to the affected Sikh families in Kashipur. He said the SGPC team sent to Kashipur was in constant touch with him and was acquainting him with people’s grievances there. He said sheds were being raised for the evicted farmers. On the forthcoming centenaries, he said the SGPC would not leave any stone unturned to observe these mega events with religious fervour. He said he was holding meetings in each district so as to ensure celebration of these events in a planned manner. The SGPC president said to involve the Sikh diaspora in celebrations a meeting of Sikh bodies from foreign countries had been called in Amritsar on February 15.
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Lathi-charge on Kashipur farmers ‘unfortunate’
Ropar, January 8 Addressing a press conference after attending Viskarma sammelan in Anaj Mandi here, Mr Hanspal said that Sikh farmers had worked hard for years to convert the rough land into fertile in Uttaranchal.” Therefore, I appealed to Uttaranchal Chief Minister to solve the problem amicably.
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SAD (A) flays ‘excesses’ on Kashipur Sikhs
Barnala, January 8 Office-bearers of the SAD (Amritsar) and activists of the Barnala region met Mr Pritam Singh Toni at Sanghera on Saturday and expressed resentment at the treatment given to them. Dr Jasvir Singh Daangon, Municipal Councillor of Barnala, Mr Gurjit Singh, president of the Sanghera Co-operative Agriculture Service Society, Mr Darshan Singh Bihla, president, Pendu Vikas Seva Society, Mr Gurjant Singh, Mr Manjit Singh Khalsa and Mr Bara Singh of the SAD (Amritsar) attended the meeting. Mr Toni said today all office-bearers were upset over the humiliation and excesses heaped on the Sikhs. The meeting expressed surprise over the “silence” of Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, Punjab, over the issue. He further added SAD (Amritsar) activists were also sore over “crocodile tears” shed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, SAD chief, who himself sold off his property before the creation of Uttaranchal and his party had been a signatory to the creation of Uttaranchal by Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA government at the Centre. Mr Badal knew it beforehand that Sikhs would be uprooted in Uttaranchal that is why he sold his properties before the creation of Uttaranchal.
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Mystery shrouds youth’s death
Mahilpur, January 8 Though the police claims that Lakhvir Singh, alias Lucky, died in a road accident on the night of December 24, family members and villagers alleged that Lucky was murdered by two youths of the same village. The family members also alleged that the police was hushing up the case. They alleged that instead of enquiring from residents of Bahowal, the police declared him unidentified and cremated him after post-mortem examination at Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, on December 26. The police registered a case under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC at the Mahilpur police station. The cops picked up a migrant labourer, Mr Ram Singh, asleep in a tubewell hutment nearby, and registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver of an unidentified vehicle. Mr Ram Singh, who was made a witness to the accident, claimed that two cops knocked at his door and asked him to sign on some papers. “I was unaware of the incident and they forced me to sign on some papers,” he revealed. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Joginder Singh, father of the deceased, alleged that two youths – Kuldeep Singh, alias Deep, and Balwinder Singh, alias Indi — called on Lucky and took him to a dhaba on the Balachaur-Hoshiarpur road on December 24. After having their dinner at the dhaba, Deep and Indi returned, but his son went missing. “I enquired about Lucky from Deep when my son did not return even after two days. Deep told me that he and Indi had left the dhaba after their dinner while Lucky was still at the dhaba. You can check up from the police if the body is of Lucky,” said Mr Joginder Singh. “Constable Harvel Singh, who took the body to the hospital, was a close associate of Lucky. I could identify from the clothes that the deceased was Lucky,” said Mr Ashok Sandhu, elder brother of the deceased. Ms Nirmla Devi, sarpanch, said, “Though the accident had occurred in the village, the police neither made a proper announcement in the village, nor asked any of the villagers for the identification of the body. The functioning of the police has raised doubts that Lucky was murdered and the police was trying to hush up the case.” The dhaba owner, Mr Dalbir Chand, claimed that Lucky, along with two others, reached his dhaba and had dinner after drinks on December 24. The three left at about 9.45 pm. “I came to know that a person had died after an ASI and a constable came here around 10.30 pm,” he recalled. When contacted, Mr Jagmohan Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Garhshankar, denied attempts to hush up of the case. He claimed that family members and villagers did not identify the body even after announcements. A case of rash and negligent driving had been registered as there was no eyewitness, he added.
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Apjit makes mark with macro approach
Chandigarh, January 8 Mr Walia, a Managing Director of the Royal Bank of Canada, has analysed companies like Intel, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm. “Though I am focusing more on China and Taiwan, India is becoming my another major hub,” says
Apjit. Apjit has a massive following among investors in the USA. He is known for his macro-economic approach to gauge the performance of technology stocks. Apjit’s “cyclicality of technology stocks and the comparison to previous cyclicals like chemical and paper companies” has found significant push back and then subsequent acceptance by institutional investors. Additionally, his “Asianisation” thesis which calls for South Asia and Chinese related Asia to become the pivotal of demand globally has found broad acceptance. Apjit is also known for his incisive datapoints from the semiconductor food chain. He works out of New York City unlike most of his semiconductor analyst peers who operate from the Silicon Valley. He shies away from significant senior semiconductor management interaction to avoid what he calls “group think.” Instead, he focuses on middle management and significant travel to Asia where he liaises with vendors in the distribution and manufacturing to gauge business conditions in the technology food chain. After preliminary education at Modern School, New Delhi, Apjit moved to the UK at the age of 14. After studying Aerospace Engineering and Finance at University of London, he moved to the USA in 1998. His father belonged to Ludhiana and mother Jalandhar. He was born in Delhi. His father, Mr Madan Mohan Singh, was the country head of Coca Cola in India and thereafter CEO of Pure Drinks Group (Campa Cola). Prior to joining the RBC in 2002, Apjit had stints with Salomon Brothers and Deutsche Bank. Apjit features regularly in the US and global media. He appears weekly on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN and national TV networks in the USA and Canada. He is quoted regularly in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, NY Times, SF Chronicle, Washington Post, USA Today, LA Times, Investor’s Business Daily, Reuters, BBC,
CNNfn, TheStreet.com, Associated Press and BBC.
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Private colleges
ask Punjab Government to scrap CET
Chandigarh, January 8 Addressing a press conference here, Mr Manmohan Garg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology (SVIET), Ram Nagar (Banur), said all major technical institutes of North India had decided not to conduct CET from 2006-07. However, the Punjab Government was yet to make up its mind in this regard, he regretted. Even the Haryana Government has decided to do away with the state-level examinations and to carry out admission to BE, BTech, BArch and MBA courses on the basis of the all-India entrance tests for 2006-07, he added. Mr H.S. Cheema, secretary, Indo-Global Engineering College, hoped that if such a decision was taken by the Punjab Government it would spare the candidates from the stress of more than one test and parents from additional expenditure. “What is the point in conducting an entrance test when we have come to a stage where a candidate who has the minimum eligibility secures a rank in CET, “Dr C.S. Rao, Director-Principal of SVIET, argued. He said there was absolutely no need for the test. Almost 3,000-4,000 seats lie vacant every year. Punjab Technical University (PTU) has kept 15 per cent seats reserved for students from border areas and SC/STs. They could always make their separate merit list. The tests were nothing but harassment for both students and parents, he added. The tests were a burden these days when there were a few takers for them, added Prof Vipin Kaushal and Mr Inderjit Bajaj from Swami Parmanand Engineering College, Lalru. Appreciating the Haryana Government’s decision, Prof S.C. Gupta of Excellent Coaching Centre, alleged that CET was a mental and financial strain on both students and parents. Last year 4,300 seats remained vacant. There were more seats and few takers. If the merit of the students was to be judged, it could be on the basis of their plus two results. “The PTU is making money by holding these tests. It should ask the government for grants and not put pressure on students and parents. In the present scenario the CETs have lost significance, Prof Gupta concluded.
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Judicial commission to check corruption in judiciary soon
Amritsar, January 8 Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, Union Law Minister, told this to The Tribune after delivering the 32nd convocation address of Guru Nanak Dev University here today. He said the government had already taken the initiative and appointed five women judges on the Delhi High Court Bench and would fill vacancies of women judges in other high courts when the names were approved. The Law Minister said the government had prepared a plan to establish Gramin Nayaliya (rural courts) for quick dispensation of justice to rural population which had remained neglected. He said more than 1000 courts would be established for this purpose to reach out to remote villages of the country, which had been denied quick justice for a long time. On the legislation on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Mr Bhardwaj said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, was working on the text consensus with political parties and the Bill was expected to be brought for discussion in Parliament during this session. The Union Law Minister said that working of the judiciary especially in the Supreme Court, had already been computerised and the government had been earmarked Rs 1000 crore for installing latest IT technology. He said that during the second phase the working of high courts would be computerised while later the judiciary in the metros and other major towns would be covered by the IT. This would help speed up delivery of justice. Finding the working of fast-track courts satisfactory the government has sanctioned special budgetary support for more fast-track courts benches in the country. He claimed within next two three years the country would have of the most efficient judicial system in the world. On corruption in the judiciary he said National Judicial Commission draft prepared by Mr J.N. Rao had already been received by the government and it would be established in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The government expected to set up the commission soon. Admitting that the judges may adopt the contempt route to save themselves from common complainants he said that the government would protect the genuine complainants.
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Sansis of Gurdaspur-I
Chani Beli (Gurdaspur): Fermenting units can be seen almost everywhere here. These are present in backyards, under concrete streets and in pucca houses. When The Tribune team visited the area a friendly resident showed it fermenting units under the pucca street and in houses. The method of making illicit liquor is simple. Jaggery is the basic ingredient for it. It is mixed with water and left to ferment in drums buried under pucca streets and in the fields. After fermentation, the mixture is distilled and the liquor collected. Villagers sell the illicit liquor in the surrounding areas. They transport it in plastic cans for selling it in retail. Encounters with the Department of Excise and private armies of liquor contractors are quite common. Recently, a jeep of henchmen of liquor contractors of Punjab hit a scooter of Chani Beli residents on which they were allegedly carrying illicit liquor. Vijay Kumar, a resident of the village who was riding the scooter, was killed on the spot. The police registered a case of accident. However, villagers alleged that Vijay Kumar was killed by the henchmen of the contractors. The smuggling of liquor has taken its toll on the village. Nearly 35 residents have been killed over the past one decade in smuggling activities. However, smuggling is a way of life for them. Now widows of these persons are engaged in the fermentation of illicit liquor. Cases of violation of the Excise Act are registered against villagers. Some of them have, as a group, hired lawyers to fight their cases in courts on a regular basis. The prosperity brought by the illicit trade in liquor can be seen in the village. Most of the houses are pucca and equipped with all kinds of modern amenities. Granite and marble flooring and well-fortified double-storeyed houses are a common sight. There is a middle school in the village. Ten to 15 per cent of the youth of the village are now matriculates. However, the benefits of reservation in jobs have eluded them. Only a few residents of the village have got government jobs during the past four decades. The families whose members have got government jobs have given up the illicit trade. Three residents have also made it to the police. No programme has been launched by the Union and state governments for reforming and helping the tribe members. The reason lies in the low numerical strength of the Sansi tribe which does not matter much in terms of votes. A few educated residents said members of the tribe were hired by contractors and politicians for collecting octoroi or other types of
cess. To be concluded
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CPM morcha from February 1
Nawanshahr, January 8 Divulging the details, the CPM leader said that out of the 140 development blocks as many as 98 blocks had been declared “black blocks” as the underground water table had become too low to sanction tubewell connections. The river waters had also become polluted in the state, he said.
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SAD(A) condemns Badal for issuing notice to Calcutta
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 8 He said at present the battlefield for the Sikhs was Uttaranchal and both these so-called leaders of Sikhs had no time for protecting the rights of those Sikhs, who have been uprooted by the Uttaranchal government. He said Mr Badal instead of going to Uttaranchal sent a delegation which was an eye wash, whereas Capt Amarinder Singh was busy in Delhi lobbying for Mr Natwar Singh receive a place for him in the CWC. Mr Mann alleged that Mr Badal was running SAD like a private agency and who ever dared to talk about Sikh principles, and strengthening of Sikh institutions and religion, became his enemy as Mr Badal was puppet in the hands of the RSS and BJP. He strongly criticised the action of Mr Badal in issuing a showcause notice to Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, whom he termed as Sikh scholar and guardian of Sikh principles. He said Mr Badal had earlier also shown the door to Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Jathedar G.S. Tohra, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi and Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, because they raised Sikh issues, in which Badal has no interest. He said Sikhs in Uttaranchal had been uprooted for the third time and no Sikh leader from state had taken up the issue with the Uttaranchal Government.
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Khalsa Raj Party opposes reservation
Jalandhar, January 8 The Khalsa Raj Party has also alleged that reservation had been mooted and implemented, particularly in Punjab by those who wanted to create a wedge amongst Sikhs and who wanted to harm Sikhism. “Reservation is contrary to the concept of Sikhism, which, says that all human beings are equal. But by implementing reservation in government service and in politics, certain “anti-Sikh” forces had created a new class. Reservation is a product which is designed to introduce factionalism within Sikhism. For some assembly and parliament seats, where Sikhs are dominating, reservation for Harijan candidates has been introduced. This is nothing but a conspiracy to divide Sikhs,” said Dr Chohan, who was addressing a press conference here yesterday. Dr Chohan also rued that migrant labourers were being accorded the right to vote as some forces wanted to create a total social chaos in Punjab. “To deliberate on the issue, our party, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), and Dal Khalsa are holding a joint meeting at Sarhala, near Gardhiwala, shortly. We will oppose reservation tooth and nail,” said Dr Chohan, who, also released,”Rup Punjaban Daa,” a Punjabi music album, of singer Kamaljit on the occasion.
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Bitta seeks security for Ramdev
Jalandhar, January 8 At the same time, Mr Bitta said that senior leader Amar Singh was crossing his limits in attacking the UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi. He asserted that Ms. Sonia Gandhi was being targeted without any valid reason and she had no hand in the phone tapping episode. “We are seeking CBI probe. Investigations should find out as to who were the big multinationals, who desire to weaken India and Swami
Ramdev. I was personally approached by a high official of a cold drink giant, who, wanted to seek some kind of settlement with the Swami as his company was scared of the concept of the swami, which was based on ayurveda,” said Mr Bitta here today. About the phone tapping episode, Mr Bitta said Mr Amar Singh would not be allowed to tarnish the image of Ms Sonia Gandhi. Talking about Kashipur demolitions, Mr. Bitta said the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Uttaranchal Chief Minisster Mr N.D. Tiwari, should intervene in the matter as soon as possible. Attacking the government for its participation in the ongoing bilateral peace initiatives, Mr Bitta suggested that as a pre-condition Pakistan should be asked to extradite certain terrorists to India. “Efforts are still being made to weaken Punjab. We also object to frequent visits of certain Delhi Gurdawara Management Committee office-bearers to Pakistan, he said. He alleged that the “weakening” of the case of hardliner Daljit Singh Bittu had led to his release.”
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Ahmadiyya chief asks journalists to work for peace in world
Hoshiarpur, January 8 The Mirza, who was elected as the fifth “khalifa” (head) of the 15 crore Ahmadiyyas in April 2003, in India for the first time, assured his followers in India that he would try to visit India every year. “Journalists in the world are doing a good job for the betterment of the world. They should put in more efforts for creating peaceful atmosphere in this world,” advised the “Khalifa,” who, visited Hoshiarpur on the invitation of Mr Anuraag Sood, journalist who, is also general secretary of the Hoshiarpur-based Sarb Dharam Sadbhawana committee. He said every human being should be thankful to the Almighty for bestowing His blessings upon him. “God is very kind and if we are able to remember our God all the time, then I am sure there would be no anarchy in this world. For the sake of peace one should not even respond to those,who, do some wrongdoing to us,” said the Khalifa. Responding to requests of his followers, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed said he would make effort to visit India every year. “Last year, I undertook visit of 10 countries. But from now onwards, I will be visiting you whenever I find time to do so,” assured the Khalifa recalling his first meeting with Mr Sood in London. Mr Vijay Chopra, Managing Editor of the Punjab Kesri group of newspapers said members of the Ahmadiyya community were striving towards unity of mankind. “They have been participating in our festivals like Ram Navmi, which, displays their liberal outlook,” said Mr Chopra. Mr Rattan Singh Rajput, convener of the Sarb Dharam Sadbhawana Committee, suggested that since spiritual teaching was not part of education in India, a chapter on spirituality should be introduced in school books. “Our children need to be taught about spiritual, cultural and ethical values. Only then they would be able to face themselves from barriers of caste and religion,” said Mr Rajput. Mr Sood said the sabha would institute gold medals to perpetuate memory of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. Master Ujagar Singh and Mirza Wasim Ahmed of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya, Qadian also expressed their views.
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Move to wind up law panel
Chandigarh, January 8 A confidential note of the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab, has been sent to the Chief Minister. The note reads: “If the terms of reference as mentioned in the notification are taken as touchstone, the work done by the commission does not speak greatly about its performance. In fact, it leads to a major question whether the present format of the Punjab State Law Commission is the right and appropriate vehicle to carry out major statutory amendments and overhaul of existing law.” Chief Minister Amarinder Singh is scheduled to chair a meeting on January 10 where the future of the commission would be decided. Headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Justice A.S. Garg, the commission was constituted on March 28, 2003 with a one-year term, which was later extended for another year. The extended term also ended on March 31, 2005. Since then, the government has failed to take any decision regarding the fate of the commission. Sources in the commission say, despite the lack of any formal extension in its term, the chairman and other members have been regularly attending office. Apart from Justice Garg, other members of the commission are: senior advocate H.S. Riar (vice chairman); Mr Nasib Singh Gill (vice chairman); senior advocate Jagmohan Singh Chaudhary; advocate S.S. Dhillon and retired IPS officer R.K. Sharma (member-secretary). The agenda for the January 10 meeting says that the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab, has already examined in length the question “as to whether an alternative mode of entrusting the revamping of the existing laws should be entrusted to various reputed law firms”. The meeting will decide whether the commission should be wound up and its work be given to private law firms or, in case it is decided to persist with the commission, to revamp it. Despite repeated attempts, Home Secretary, Punjab, A.K. Dubey, could not be contacted for his take on the issue. However, a member of the law commission, speaking on condition of anonymity, rubbished the Home Department’s claim that the commission had done nothing worthwhile. “We have sent over 40 reports to the government for further action. In fact, we have done more than even the National Law Commission did in this period,” he asserted.
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Haryana SGPC members for separate panel
Amritsar, January 8 Mr
Chinda, along with 43 HSGPC members, who won local gurdwara prabandhak committee elections recently in Haryana, was here to pay obeisance at Golden Temple yesterday. Elections were held for a total of 72 seats. Talking to this correspondent, Mr Chinda said only token representation had been given to Haryana Sikhs in the management of Miri Piri College, Shahbad (Haryana), which is headed by Mr Badal. He said majority of the members were from Punjab, which is injustice to the members from his state. Lambasting the Bhupinder Singh Hooda led Congress government of Haryana, Mr Chinda said it had failed to fulfil the pre-poll promise of installing a separate management committee for gurdwaras of Haryana. He said even after one year, the independent body was nowhere in sight. He informed that they met with the SGPC chief Mr Avtar Singh, and apprised him of the feelings of the Sikhs in Haryana. He said a separate body was the need of the hour. He said a wrong impression that they were separating themselves from Akal Takht was being created, which is false. He said Akal Takht was supreme for them and would remain so. He denounced the Uttaranchal government for razing the houses of Sikhs dwellers and said it had hurt the sentiments of Sikhs and all efforts must be made to rehabilitate and adequately compensate them.
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SGPC asks Patna Sahib Jathedar to take action
Amritsar, January 8 Mr Avtar Singh, president, SGPC, said that Mr Buta Singh committed the mistake despite being well aware of the Sikh customs. He had directed Jathedar Patna Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh to take immediate action in this regard.
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Seminar on drug abuse held
Nawanshahr, January 8 As many as 270 chemists, representatives of the NGO coordination committee ‘Upkar’ and the drug-addicts being treated at the drug de-addiction camp currently under way at nearby Sujjon village attended the seminar. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Krishan Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, exhorted the chemists to extend their cooperation in making the drive against drugs a success. The administration could not be present everywhere, hence, the chemists, should act as a ‘social pressure group, to curb the menace of drug addiction. Dr Dalip Kumar, Civil Surgeon, Mr Amit Duggal, District Drug Inspector, Dr Pavittar Singh, incharge, Drug De-addiction Camp’ currently under way at Sujjon village, Mr Jaspal Gidda, secretary, Upkar’, Mr Harmesh Puri, Mr Pushap Raj Kalia, Mr.Varinder Ummat, office-bearers of the District Chemists Association, among others, also addressed the seminar. Two drug-addict youths, Amolpreet and Ashok Kumar, who are getting treatment at the drug de-addiction camp at Sujjon, also made an emotive appeal to the chemists not to sell habit-formation drugs.
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Protesting workers try to halt Delhi-Lahore bus
Amritsar, January 8 The agitators were protesting against the police for cremating the body of a labourer, Ramyudin, claiming it as unidentified. However, a leader of the sangh claimed that they had told and gave a written complaint to the police chowki in charge about the missing person. He said they had also given a photograph of the deceased who was missing for the past few days. The workers were protesting against the police officials and resorted to blockage of the road. In the meanwhile, the Delhi-Lahore bus passed through the bypass. After seeing the bus the protesting workers tried to halt it. However, the police immediately reached the spot and dispersed the agitators. Later the bus resumed its journey to Wagah.
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Cops get special training
Hoshiarpur, January 8 This was stated by Mr B.K. Garg, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, PPA, while talking to mediapersons at Police Recruits Training Centre, Jahan Khelan, 8 km from here, today. He said seven police officers who had undergone training for tackling cyber crime from various recognised institutions were delivering lectures during training in this connection at the PPA. Mr Garg earlier took the salute from 698 recruits of Jharkhand police and 37 jawans of Punjab police at the passing-out parade and gave away prizes.
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Hearings on constituencies
Chandigarh, January 8 On January 17, the commission will hold its sitting at Government Polytechnic, Bathinda, on January 18 at Central Library, Patiala, on January 19 at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, Jalandhar.
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Batala-Rayya road to be widened
Batala, January 8 He stated this at a private function held in Ammo-Nangal village last evening. He said the portion of road from Batala to the turning to Rayiya village had been
re-metalled recently at the cost of Rs 4 crore. He disclosed that the department was initiating steps to undertake repairs of the adjoining link roads.
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Batala sewerage cries for attention
Batala, January 8 One can see machines stalled at one or two points for weeks together and the silt drawn from the drains is not removed and it enters the drains again. Many manhole covers are missing due to which accidents are taking place frequently. No JE, SDO, sanitary inspector or executive officer of the council resides at Batala because of which there is no supervision of the sanitation and sewerage.
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187 examined at eye camp
Kharar, January 8 As many as 187 persons were examined for eye problems. The president of the manch, Mr Shamsher Singh Purkhalvi also distributed sweaters to schoolchildern from Kheri, Ghoga and Sotal villages. The project director of the Red Cross Society, Punjab, Mr Sukhdarshan Singh, spoke about drug and de-addiction.
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Fog, frost spell doom for potato growers
Bathinda, January 8 Sources said farmers from one of the leading potato producing areas in the state, Rampura Phul, suffered huge losses due to chilly weather conditions and they apprehended that if it continued in the coming days their crop would be ruined. The sources said owing to good quality of their potato, a section of the farmers had entered into agreements with companies like Pepsi Foods, while others were engaged in potato farming on contractual land. As per an estimate, the potato crop spread over 10,000 acres of land in Rampura Phul was affected by frost. Mr Darshan Singh Sidhu and Mr Harcharan Singh Karadwala, both farmers, said such weather was last witnessed in 1984. Sown between October 15 and November 15, the potato crop was in full bloom at present and it would have been fully ripe in February. Some potato growers peg the losses at as high as 50 per cent. A sudden decline in the temperature has dashed all their hopes of fetching a good price of their produce this season. Mr Sidhu said he had sown potato on 70 acres, but was shattered to see frost on his crop a couple of days back. He too had signed a contract with Pepsi. He said he had already informed the company officials about the damage. Another farmer, Mr Himmat Singh, said he spent Rs 12,000 per acre on sowing alone, apart from expenses on fertilisers and pesticides. Mr Harcharan Singh of Karadwala village, who had sown potato on 150 acres, rued that frost would adversely hit potato quality. The potato crops of Mr Amardeep Dhillon and Mr Jarnail Dhillon had also been affected.
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Illegal telephone exchange unearthed
Amritsar, January 8 Informing this, Mr
R.P.S. Brar, district police chief in a press conference here today claimed that this is for the first time in Punjab that an illegal exchange had been unearthed. He said police teams had been dispatched to arrest the suspected kingpin residing in Delhi. According to the BSNL, the illegal exchange had caused a loss of more than Rs 2 crore to the exchequer, he said. Giving details, Mr Brar said it was a joint operation of the police and the BSNL authorities. He said the police seized a system installed in the cardboard factory of Akashdeep along with 128 sim cards of a private company. The exchange was being run for the past four months and had a huge dish antenna. He said the accused used to receive international calls through satellite and dish antenna and divert them to local persons through sophisticated communication network installed in the factory. The accused used to evade Rs 3.50 per minute as tax, which otherwise accrued to the Telecom Department. Mr Brar said in preliminary investigations certain names had figured, including that of a person residing in Delhi who seemed to be the kingpin of the racket. However, he refused to divulge the names of the suspects saying it could hamper investigations. He said the involvement of any foreign agency could not be ruled out. He, however, denied that the racket had any terrorist link.
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2 held with stolen motor cycle
Batala, January 8 The arrested persons were identified as Sandeep Singh and Baljit Singh, both residents of Shakri village under Dhariwal police station. A case has been registered.
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Parents come out against police school over uniform
Bathinda, January 8 Some parents alleged that they were being forced to make payment for the uniform, while others rued that uniform for winters was yet to be provided to the students. “My child studies in Class X and we intend to get him admitted to some other school, but the school authorities were compelling me to pay up for the uniform that would hardly be of use for three-four months,” said a parent, requesting anonymity. Parents were also angry over the issue of transportation charges. They said earlier they were not paying a single penny for it, but now they were told to pay for transportation facility. On the other hand, the school Principal, Mr Raj Kamal Divashwar, denied that anybody was being forced to buy uniform from the school. He said the charges of uniform were yet to be finalized and the parents got panicky without knowing the facts. On transportation charges, he admitted that earlier it was free of cost, as they had less number of buses. Now, the school had bought three new buses and wards of civilians were being charged only Rs 150 per month, he added.
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Amarinder thanks PM for IISER approval
Chandigarh, January 8 Expressing gratitude to Dr Manmohan Singh, the Chief Minister said the setting up of the institute would certainly go a long way in imbibing the scientific temper among our youth besides giving a fillip to the science education and research in the state. The creation of the institute is a culmination of a long-standing demand of the scientific community in North India to set up a high-calibre institute, he added.
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