Hoshiarpur, May 19
The Congress will not enter into an alliance with any of the political party in the forthcoming elections to the Punjab Assembly and will contest all the 117 seats alone. This was stated by Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, while talking to media persons at PWD Rest House here today.

He claimed the Congress was going strong and popular among the masses on account of fulfillment of all of its promises committed during the last Assembly elections.

People had realised that such a development in every sphere had never been witnessed in Punjab. The law and order situation was under control.

Answering a question, Mr Dullo said that he had suggested to the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, to identify poor families and arrange supply of ration, including wheat flour, pulses, sugar, rice, etc. to them through public distribution system in the state.

Referring to the on-going strike of doctors and students of higher classes to oppose the proposed reservation for OBCs, Mr Dullo said that it was politically motivated and some of the leaders were trying to exploit them for their selfish motive.

He said there should be a single policy of education throughout the country. Equal education should be provided to all, irrespective of the status, caste or religion.

To another question, Mr Dullo said that corruption had become a cancer in our society. It was prevailing everywhere. It could only be eradicated with the determination of the public and the government.

Referring to the controversy between Capt Amarinder Singh and Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar over providing land to Reliance Industries Limited, the PPCC chief said he had clearly told the Chief Minister that he would support him on this issue only if the people and the state were going to benefit with the installation of industrial units of this house in the state.

Mr Dullo said none would be allowed to create indiscipline within the party for his petty gain.

Strict action would be taken against all those party workers who would try to break the discipline in any manner.

Later Mr Dullo along with Mr Ram Lubhaya, MLA, Mr Naresh Thakur, former ministers, Mr Ram Rattan, former MLA, Mr Kuldip Nanda, president, and Mr Rajnish Tandon, general secretary of the District Congress Committee, visited more than one dozen villages of Hoshiarpur, Shamchaurasi and Mahilpur segments to have a look on the ongoing development works being carried out under the NERGA.

Amritsar, May 19
The evaluation of answersheets of Physical Education (B.P. Ed) and M.P.Ed by a teacher who does not know Punjabi has raised eyebrows.

Reading of an official file makes an interesting reading about the evaluation system of the department of Physical Education. With this, the old animosity among faculty members of Physical Education has resurfaced, vitiating the academic atmosphere.

While Dr Gurnam Singh and Dr Kanwaljit Singh, Dean, Academic Affairs, and Dean, Physical Education, respectively, had sought an inquiry into the evaluation of answer-sheets (written in Punjabi) by a teacher having no knowledge of Punjabi Dr Sukhdev Singh, Head, Physical Education has claimed that the evaluation of answersheets were got done as per the past practice. Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, said he had not yet received any complaint so far. He said the matter would be probed after receiving a complaint.

Dr Sukhdev Singh alleged that Dr Kanwaljit Singh wanted to settle an old score with the teacher concerned who had filed complaint of sexual harassment against him. He said it was surprising that the Dean (Dr Kanwaljit Singh) had written against the teacher though he himself had got the papers evaluated when he was Head of the department.

The Dean, Academic Affairs, in his official note dated December 2, 2005, writes: “It is a serious lapse/scandal… The teacher concerned and the Head may be asked to explain the position and answerbooks in Punjabi be got re-examined from an outside expert /examiner”.

On discussion with the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar noted that “proficiency of the teacher in Punjabi be asked”.

However, the teacher concerned, in her communication, claimed that she had done evaluation jointly with Prof Daljinder Singh, another teacher of the department who had knowledge of Punjabi.

Sangrur, May 19
Due to the non-release of the grant by the Punjab Government, hundreds of teachers and non-teaching employees of the government-aided middle, high and secondary schools in this district have been waiting for their salaries for the past several months.

According to sources, there are 22 government-aided middle, high and secondary schools in Sangrur district, in which more than 300 teachers and more than 65 non-teaching employees have been working. More than 100 posts of teacher and non-teaching staff have been lying vacant in the district. These 22 government-aided schools are situated at Sangrur, Malerkotla, Dhuri, Barnala, Sunam, Tapa, Kup Kalan and Ahmedgarh.

The sources said despite the beginning of financial year 2006-07 about one and half months ago, the Punjab Government had “failed” even to release the grant to the government-aided schools for the fourth quarter (January to March) of the financial year 2005-06. Last time the grant for these aided schools had been released by the government in the second fortnight of March this year for the months of October, November and December 2005.

It is learnt that salaries to the teaching and non-teaching staff of all 22 aided schools had not been paid for four months due to the non-release of grant so far. While in some other cases the grant for the third quarter (October-December) of 2005 could not be released to the schools on account of discrepancies/objections on the claims, thus in these schools the teaching and non-teaching staff had been waiting for salaries for the past seven months.

The sources said the District Education Office (Secondary) had already sent claims to the DPI (S) for releasing the grants for the fourth quarter of 2005-06, but the same could not be done due to the non-release of the grant by the state government so far.

Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, general secretary of the district unit of the Punjab State Aided Schools Teachers and Other Employees Union, said the state government should immediately release the grant to the schools so that they could pay salaries to their staff. He also asked the state government to restart the pension scheme (discontinued by it in May 2003) for the retired employees/retirees of the aided schools as they had already won the case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard. He also asked the government to release three pending installments of the DA for the employees and teachers of aided schools.

Amritsar, May 19
The All-India Youth Association (AIYA) has alleged that despite Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's crusade against corruption, the Vigilance Bureau (VB) has failed to conduct a thorough inquiry into recruitments in the TB Hospital here allegedly on the basis of fake certificates.

Addressing media persons here today, Mr Ravinder Sultanwind, president, AIYA, said the Vigilance initiated an inquiry after a complaint filed by the AIYA in January last year. He said that the recruitment was done by the District T.B Control Society underthe Revised National T.B Control Programme (RNTCP) in 2003.

Furnishing a copy of the letter of C the Civil Surgeon written to the S.P, VB, on September 29, 2005, he said it apparently held the appointment of six laboratory technicians, nine T.B health visitors and one STS against norms.

The Civil Surgeon mentioned that recruited persons neither fulfilled the required education nor requisite experience for appointment.

Mr Sultanwind presented the copy of the letter written by the DRME to the SSP, Amritsar, on April 26 last year in which he stated that except for Rajpreet Singh (DLLT), Pawan Kumar (MPHW) and Sikrati Sharma (MBBS), all other candidates' certificates were found not recognised by the state government.

Sources in the VB said that they had strongly recommended filing of a criminal case against the accused in the inquiry report.They expressed their surprise over the final outcome.

When contacted, Mr RPS Bajwa, SSP, VB, said as per the service rules he could not disclose the contents of the investigation. He said after completing the investigation they had forwarded the report to higher officials.

He said the decision was taken after consulting various experts on the matter.

Patiala, May 19
The Indian Medical Association has come out in support of striking medical students who are opposing the reservation policy of the Union Government.

During a state council meeting, the Punjab IMA president, Dr G.S Gill, said the association would not only support the medicos’ agitation but would also lead its protest, if the need arose.

He added that the future course of action would be charted out after a meeting of the central council of the IMA, slated to be held in New Delhi on May 20.

Dr Gill, in a press note, added that the time had come when political parties should stop exploiting the people of the country to strengthen their vote bank on caste basis by offering the policy of reservation.

He added that so far reservation had benefited only a handful of people while at the same time the issue of merit was ignored.

Dr Gill stated that the IMA regretted the inconvenience caused to the general public due to the ongoing agitation.

Meanwhile, the IMA flagged of a group of 60 students at the local railway station who have gone to Delhi to support the ongoing agitation.

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 19
Mr Niranjan Singh, Chairman SC ST Commission Punjab, talking to the mediapersons here on Tuesday said there should be an open debate on the issue of reservation in prestigious educational institutions and termed the recent violence by certain section of society as unfortunate.

He said violence should not be there and while deciding the issue of reservation there should be no politics and matter should not be politicalised and decided on merit. He stressed that there should be no casteism and caste-based atrocities must be curbed with heavy hand. At the same time he agreed that there should not be misuse of the Atrocities on SCST Act 1989.

Mr Niranjan Singh had come to Fatehgarh Sahib to inspect various ongoing welfare schemes for the SC ST Section of society and he held a meeting of all district officials at Bachat Bhavan and enquired from them about the implementation of government-sponsored welfare schemes.

He said that commission would ensure the implementation of the Atrocities Act 1989 to redress the grievances of the SC and ST.

He said that seminars would be organised in all districts to create awareness as well as to highlight various welfare schemes. The commission had received 1194 complaints under various categories and out of these 220 had been decided and the rest were pending, he added.

In her address Mrs Jaspreet Talwar Deputy Commissioner, assured the Chairman that whatever welfare schemes were initiated by the government would be implemented in the district in latter and in spirit. She also assured that justice would be provided to this section of society on a priority basis.

Mr Shiv Kumar Verma, SSP, assured that the police would speed up all pending cases under Atrocities Act and ensure justice.

Amritsar, May 19
Cutting across party lines , municipal councillors voiced serious concern over the recent 'mindless' mushrooming of liquor shops in the holy city.

The members at the general house meeting of the corporation held here last evening raised the issue of opening of illegal vends near educational institutions, religious places and residential areas which had led to unrest among the residents.

Leader of the BJP in the corporation Shwet Malik said that the liquor shops were mushrooming all over the city in the wake of the new excise policy. He said the government was going ahead mindlessly with the opening of new vends to earn more revenue

He said in the holy city, where few liquor shops used to be seen earlier , hundreds of new shops and kiosks had come up. Congress councillor Ram Lal Sharma sought complete information about various shopping malls, includingproposed ones .

The 444 temporary employees whose services were expected to be regularised at the meeting were disappointed as the house failed to giveapproval.

Contract labourers have given a 72-hour ultimatum to the civic authorities that they would go on strike till the services were regularised. The employees today held a demonstration outside the corporation.

Meanwhile the Opposition leaders flayed the state government for failing to fulfill its promise on abolition of octroi, water and sewerage charges on assuming power. 

Jalandhar, May 19
In a veiled attack on the Leftist parties, yoga guru Swami Ramdev has asserted that Marx, Lenin and the Leftist ideology have no relevance in India.

Meanwhile, Swami Ramdev terms diabetes as the biggest threat being faced by India where the number of diabetes patients has “already crossed the mark of 10 crore and another 10 crore were borderline diabetic”.

“The Leftist ideology has already eclipsed from the erstwhile USSR and China has dragged itself away from Mao. I feel that Karl Marx, Lenin and Mao are not relevant in the Indian context. Here the perception of Lord Rama, Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Gobind Singh and other saints is acceptable to our people. What can be said about the Leftists who had even described Lord Rama and Lord Krishna as perceived characters?" retorted Swami Ramdev, who depicted some of his important yoga exercises to media persons here.

Swami Ramdev was a bit evasive when he was reminded about his opposition by Leftist leader Brinda Karat. “I am here in the world to teach yoga and to make India free of any diseases. So, I don’t oppose anybody,” said the yoga guru.

Foreseeing diabetes, stress and obesity as three biggest enemies of mankind, particularly in the times to come, Swami Ramdev said the cure for all the three deadly disorders was in yoga which, according to him, was a “complete science”.

About his tour to Pakistan and security concerns, Swami Ramdev said people of Pakistan loved him and they were doing yoga via TV, but he would go to Pakistan only after covering the entire India.

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 19
The district administration today organised a function at the district administrative complex in memory of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to commemorate the martyrdom day of Rajiv Gandhi as anti-terrorist day. Hundreds of employees and the people attended the function. Floral tributes were paid to Rajiv Gandhi and people present were administered an oath to fight against terrorism.

Addressing the function Mrs Jaspreet Talwar, Deputy Commissioner, said for the development of the society and communal harmony, peace and non violence must be maintained at every cost. She called upon people to wage a war against anti-social elements as well as social evils. She appreciated the vision of Rajiv Gandhi.

Mr Shiv Kumar Verma, SSP, in his address asked people to extend their helping hand to the police to maintain peace and communal harmony.

AGRICULTURE

Easterly winds, disease hit musk melon crop
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 19
If your musk melon is not sweet enough this year, blame it on the winds blowing across the region. Experts say that intermittently blowing easterly winds, in the region for the last five months not only stunted the grown of musk melon vines but had also impeded the sweetening process of the much likened summer fruit.

Compared to the westerly winds -- which normally blow across the region during this period -- the easterly winds are relatively warmer. They affect not only growth of vines especially leaves thus hampering the fruiting and its size. Quality as well as yield of musk melon has also been hit because of a viral disease. " Musk melon is not hard enough this year. Water content in its edible portion is very high and consequently the fruit is not as tasty as it should be in normal course", said a PAU expert while talking to The Tribune.

The easterly winds, result in withering of the leaves and setting of the fruit. Melon fruit draws its sugar content from the leaves of its vines. It may be recollected that a early draft of the easterly winds had caused a drop in the yield of wheat.

Musk melon grown in Punjab has made inroads in the national market. In fact, it has become so popular in Delhi and other big cities. Traders from far away places come to Punjab to buy musk melon, which is called "Kharbuja" in local parlance, in May and June. It is being supplied to big hotel chains across the country. For the past few years, the musk melon has become a most cherished fruit for the middle and upper middle class. The Namdhari variety musk melon known as Namdhari Seeds( NS)-7455 is grown most in the state. It is green from inside. It is a hybrid variety. Besides this Punjab hybrid, a variety developed by the PAU is also popular in the state. Punjab Sunheri, Abhijit are among other varieties grown in the state.

A progressive farmer, Mr Harnek Singh, of Khokh village near Nabha has been growing melon in a vast area. And Jangpura village, at a short distance from Banur in Patiala, has emerged as a most popular destination for musk melon buyers. Besides it, Khanhar, Buta Singh wala, Bassi Ise Khan are the other villages near Banur popular for growing musk melon.

It is grown in Patiala and Kapurthala districts in plenty. Unfortunately, this year, a viral disease has hit the musk melon crop in a big way. Obviously, farmers have suffered huge loses because of the disease. Horticulture experts of the Punjab Agricultural University say that easterly winds, which have been blowing across the region for the past four months, affected the melon vines hugely.

Mr Bikramjit Singh Of Jangpura village told The Tribune that one can earn up to Rs 30,000 per acre from a single crop of musk melon provided vines are healthy. He says that seed of musk melon is very high. Certain varieties of musk melon seed sell at Rs 10,000 per Kg. " We buy seed mostly from Ambala at a rate varying between Rs 9,500 to Rs 10,000 per Kg required for one acre", says Mr Bikramjit Singh engaged in musk melon farming. " It growers are happy because it has a ready market and sold quickly", says Mr Kaka Singh, an other farmer of this village.

Police remand for Pak spy
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 19
A local court today sent Mohammad Nasar, a Pakistani spy arrested for transferring vital information on Indian military installations to Pak’s intelligence agency, ISI, to police remand till May 27.

The police had arrested Nasar following a tip-off from military intelligence. He had been staying in a rented accommodation at Amarpura Basti for the past about seven months under the name of Sudhir Kumar. He, along with a Muzzafar Nagar (UP) resident, Fazal, was sending key information, maps and photographs of vital military installations to Pakistan through Internet.

The police had seized a forged matriculation certificate, a ration card, a driving licence and an ATM card from his possession.

Patiala, May 19
Rajiv Kumar, salesman, Markfed, Sunam, was caught red handed today by a team of Vigilance Bureau led by Mr Jaspal Singh, DSP, while taking a bribe of Rs 3000 from Mr Kulwant Rai Jindal for facilitating the payment of the bills submitted by him (Mr Jindal).

Mr Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP, Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, in a press note issued here today, said a case had been registered and search of his house was being carried out.

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 19
The Indian Society of Technical Education (ISTE) College chapter of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College (BBSBEC), Fatehgarh Sahib, organised a one-day workshop on technical education on “present scenario and future challenges to technical education

Former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, Dr HS Gurm, was the chief guest while college Principal Dr DS Hita was the guest of honour. More than 80 college faculty members participated.

Dr Gurm in his address said autonomy should granted to all engineering college to the state. He said this autonomy would automatically grade the standards of the college and the evaluation of students should be internal on the lines of IIT and IIMs.

He said while top institutes of the world were following the internal evaluation system why should we go for external evaluation by the university. This practice, he said, would help in reducing the burden of universities.

Dr Hira said the standard an institute was judged by various parameters like the faculty, management infrastructure and other activities of the institute.

Patiala, May 19
Students of Yadvindra Public School (YPS) have excelled in the ICSE and ISC Board exams, the results of which were declared on Wednesday.

According to Mr R.P Devgan, Principal of the school, in the ICSE exam (class X), 114 students appeared and 6 got more than 90 per cent marks, 37 students of the school got more than 80 per cent marks while 89 students were placed in the first division. Mr Devgan added that in the ISC (XII) 5 students got more than 90 per cent marks.

In the science stream, Suneer Verma topped with 95.3 per cent marks and he was followed by Charan Pal Singh who secured 87.5 per cent marks. Suneer Verma, secured 381 marks out of 400. In the commerce stream , Rana Roshni stood first by securing 94.2 per cent marks and was followed by Anchal Gupta who secured 92.2 per cent marks. Divya Handa topped in the arts stream bagging 89 per cent marks while Bhavya Handa got 88 per cent marks to be placed second.

The toppers in Class X are Swati Ganeti (96.4 per cent), Raghav Sharma (94.6 per cent) and Sharu Sood (93.3 per cent). Other students who have scored more than 90 per cent marks are Angadveer Singh Bhatti (92.2), Hiral Gupta (90.4) and Ankita Nirola (90.4).

BUSINESS

Traders demand cancellation of octroi contract
Tribune News Service

Pathankot, May 19
The fight between traders and octroi contractors in the town intensified with the former demanding cancellation of the octroi collection contract. The traders yesterday submitted a memorandum to the President of the Municipal Council, Mr Sarwan Kumar, demanding that the octroi collection contract should be cancelled. The immediate reason that provoked traders was a news reporting in a vernacular daily in which the octroi contractor termed the traders as “thieves”.

The traders have threatened to start an agitation in case the octroi collection contractor was allowed to operate. The traders claimed that they were in touch with the Punjab Traders Association. The tiff between the traders and the contractors started a few days ago when the octroi contractors came to the premises of a furniture trader on Dalhousie Road and tried to use force against him.