Missing ex-Jathedar
Mann moves HC for probe
Chandigarh, April 12
Nearly two decades after Akal Takht’s former Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke went missing from police custody, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for an independent inquiry into the incident.

Amritsar, April 12
The Sikh Reference Library, which suffered extensive damage during Operation Bluestar, is on its way to salvage its past glory with the SGPC modernising and digitising the library.

The library boasts of around 400 manuscripts of Guru Granth Sahib, over 800 other manuscripts and 21,000 books. The digitisation work is being carried out by the SGPC in collaboration with the Punjab Digital Library, Mohali, owned by the Nanakshahi Trust.

A special facility has been set up on the library premises to digitise rare manuscripts in a proper manner. Two modern cameras have been installed to digitise these manuscripts. The procedure allows the digitisation of around 1,000 pages daily or even more with each camera, depending upon the condition of a manuscript.

The library has manuscripts that are as old as 300 years while the oldest book dates back to 150 years. The library is also getting photocopies of rare books from the National Library, Kolkata, and Punjabi University, Patiala, before subjecting them to the process of digitisation. It is also digitising three English, six Punjabi and two Hindi newspapers. It has been preserving The Tribune since 1927.

Once the digitisation work is complete, scholars and researchers would simply need to switch on a computer in the library to access its entire treasure trove of knowledge. The SGPC has allotted Rs 39 lakh for the digitisation of the library in its annual budget for 2011-12. After the digitisation of the entire library, the SGPC intends to open sub-offices of the digital library at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib in Patiala and Kalgidhar Niwas in Chandigarh to facilitate scholars and researchers.

The library has undergone expansion and modernisation in the recent past. It is now equipped with computers, scanners, printers, ACs and even a fumigation chamber to preserve books.

Interestingly, though the library is located in the Golden Temple complex, it is not an easy job for anybody to locate it, thanks to its “odd location” and lack of signboards.

SGPC Secretary Dalmegh Singh Khatra said they would soon put up maps of the Golden Temple complex on both the entrances. He said the digitisation would ensure the preservation of rare manuscripts and books for posterity even in case of any untoward incident.

Regarding the SGPC’s claim that the Army had taken away a huge number of rare manuscripts and books from the library post-Operation Bluestar, he said they had been pursuing the matter with the government for long to get those books back, but their efforts had drawn blank.

Post-Operation Bluestar, while the Army authorities claimed that the library had caught fire during an exchange of fire with militants, the SGPC accused the Army of deliberately setting the empty library afire after taking the rare and invaluable material away.

Amritsar, April 12
With uncertainty looming large over the proposed conversion of Khalsa College into a private university, the college authorities have started the registration process for the new academic session on the old pattern (in affiliation with GND University).

The college Principal, Dr Daljeet Singh, said the registration process for graduate and undergraduate courses would commence from tomorrow.

“Admissions will be done on the basis of the declaration of the lower examination results expected to be declared in June. But it has been decided that the registration process, where students will be given counselling and guidance about courses they aspire to opt for, will start from tomorrow as per the old pattern,” he said.

Meanwhile, contrary to the GND University Registrar’s recent statement, Vice-Chancellor of the university AS Brar said the university would have no hitch in accepting students through the college. “Since the management aspired to elevate the college to the status of a university, we have given them an NOC. But it does not mean disaffiliation. Till they convert the college into a university, their students will be accepted on the prevailing pattern”, he said.

Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu today also organised a meeting between the college Principal and the agitating teachers to sort out differences between them following the directions of CM Parkash Singh Badal.

Regarding the cases registered against 20 teachers, the DC said the matter would be resolved amicably. On the other hand, the teachers assured that they would wholeheartedly work for the institution.

“Though we hail the decision of the management to start the registration process, uncertainty prevails over the college’s proposed conversion. Our protests will continue till the picture becomes clear,” said teachers.

The President and the Secretary of the Khalsa College Teachers Union, Prof SS Rangi, and Prof Daljit Singh, respectively, along with Prof Gurdev Singh, Prof Arora, Prof Sukhbir Singh, Prof HB Singh and Prof Randhir Singh participated at the meeting.

Chandigarh, April 12
The SAD today asked the Congress to tender an apology to the nation for allegedly denigrating the martyrs in a write-up published in its official magazine ‘Sandesh’.

In a statement issued here today, Deputy Chief Minister and SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal said it was a matter of shame that the Congress had described martyr Sukhdev Singh as a “murderer” and by restricting the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh and Rajguru to a particular caste, the Congress had exposed its “communal face” to the people of the country.

He said it was a matter of great regret that the Congress had described Sukhdev as a “murderer” of General Sandras.

He said this whole episode raised a question mark on the role of the Congress in the freedom struggle.

Meanwhile, the SAD has expressed grief over a report released by the All-India Sikh Student Federation and the Sikhs for Justice regarding the condition of Sikh gurdwaras demolished in November 1984 in Delhi and demanded the resignation of DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and all other office-bearers of the committee.

In a statement released from the party head office, SAD Secretary and spokesman. Daljit Singh Cheema said this report had shaken the Sikh community and it had exposed the “criminal negligence” of the DSGMC. 

Chandigarh, April 12
Nearly two decades after Akal Takht’s former Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke went missing from police custody, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for an independent inquiry into the incident.

The petition is expected to be placed for hearing before the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi after the high court opens following a week-long break on April 18.

In the public interest litigation, Mann has claimed that “Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke was picked up by a police party headed by Gurmeet Sing of CIA Staff, Jagraon, on December 20, 1992, and his whereabouts are not knows since then. A warrant officer was also appointed by the high court on a petition filed by his wife. The warrant officer raided police station CIA Staff Jagraon, but could not find the Jathedar”.

In the petition filed through counsel Ranjan Lakhanpal, Mann added Parkash Singh Badal, the then Chief Minister, ordered a probe on July 6, 1998, after a hue and cry was raised. The probe was to conducted by IPS officer BP Tiwari.

“After holding thorough inquiry, the ADGP had come to the conclusion that on December 23, 1992, then inspector Gurmit Singh, SHO Jagraon, and now DSP Amloh, arrested Kaunke from his house, and the former Jathedar never come back”.

Mann further stated that instead of taking action, “every effort was made to undo the same”. Two other enquiries were ordering by the government to exonerate the culprits and to show that Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke had escaped from the police custody by breaking the belt of constable Tarsem Singh. The fact, remains that Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke has not been found till date”.

Mann added: “It is apparent that Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke was kept in illegal custody and is missing since then. Justice demands that an independent inquiry be ordered in whole matter”.

“The main law point involved in the petition is whether an independent inquiry is liable to be ordered into the fake encounter of Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke; and whether the extra judicial killing can be allowed where rule of law exits,” the petition read.

Gidderbaha, April 12
With an aim of making the residents of Gidderbaha Assembly segment, represented by ousted Manpreet Singh Badal for four times consecutively in state legislative assembly, happy, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today showered grants to the tune of crores of rupees for various development projects for the area.

Badal, who held functions in eight villages and this town in second round of sangat darshans, gave a grant of Rs 6 crore to local municipal council for various development works. He also gave grant of more than Rs 3 crore to panchayats of eight villages, including Kuraiwala, Husnar, Gurusar, Babania, Lundewala, Bhunder, Badnia and Karniwala. Ironically, till the time Manpreet Badal was a part of the SAD-BJP government, the Chief Minister did not hold any sangat darshan function in the area in the past four years.

Apart from local leadership, Badal was accompanied by Faridkot MP Paramjit Kaur Gulshan in the functions. The Chief Minister had held his first round of sangat darshan functions in eight villages this Assembly segment on April 8 and distributed grants of about Rs 3 crore. Badal also allocated 168 shops in the local grain market to commission agents.

Talking to mediapersons, Badal said the state government had directed the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation to get the samples of water from all the tubewell-based water works examined from a high-level laboratory or research centre within six months. This had been done with the aim that the people of the state could be supplied uranium and heavy metals free water for drinking purpose, he stated.

He said the SAD (B), which had fought for justice for every section of society, would not be impacted in any way due to the departure of Manpreet Badal.

He said the state government had made arrangements for the smooth procurement of wheat crop, which had started arriving in different markets. Senior functionaries of the government had been put on job to see the procurement operations. 

Talwandi Sabo, April 12
The Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj has decided to release the original version of the Nanakshahi calendar from Gurdwara Takht Damdama Sahib on April 14.

Earlier, the Dal Khalsa had released the original version of the calendar after it rejected amendments made to it by the SGPC claiming that the changes were in sync with Hindu religious events.

Interestingly, the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj will be releasing the original version of the calendar under the patronage of none else than Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.

Even the name of Jathedar Nandgarh as the patron has been printed on the copies of the calendar to be released on the occasion of Baisakhi.

Talking to TNS, Jathedar Nandgarh said everyone was welcomed at Takht Damdama Sahib. As the management of the Takht was being looked after by the SGPC, he was nobody to interfere in the functioning, he said.

He added that only the management of the SGPC could stop activists of the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj from releasing the original version of the calendar.

Claiming that he was in favour of the fact that the original Nanakshahi calendar, which was approved by Akal Takht in 2003, must be kept alive as more than 95 per cent Sikhs recognised and followed it, he said at this moment he could not tell whether he would attend the function of the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj to be organised in connection with this issue.

Meanwhile, Gursewak Singh Jawahar Ke, general secretary, SAD (Amritsar) said party activists would distribute one lakh copies of the original version of the Nanakshahi calendar on Baisakhi.

Talwandi Sabo, April 12
Making a departure from the tradition followed by it for decades, the SGPC has decided to organise langar in the Diwan Hall, adjacent to Gurdwara Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, instead of allowing the same to be used for the holding of religious discourses by different organisations on the occasion of Baisakhi.

Avtar Singh Makkar, President, SGPC, who visited Takht Sri Damdama Sahib today to see the arrangements being made in connection with the Baisakhi festival, said this decision had been taken because all religious functions must be held in the hall of Gurdwara Takht Sri Damdama Sahib.

He said that on the occasion of Hola Mohalla organised a few weeks ago, all religious functions were also held in the hall of Gurdwara Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib. The Diwan Hall of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib would be used for langar and providing a place of rest for devotees, who had started arriving here.

However, information gathered by TNS revealed that the SGPC had taken the decision to organise langar in the Diwan Hall here with the aim of thwarting the plan of Simranjit Singh Mann, President, SAD (Amritsar), who had announced that he would hold a conference of his party in the Diwan Hall on Baisakhi.

Giving a clarification on this issue, Makkar said this was for the first time that all political conferences were being held outside the premises of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. Mann had also been informed about this decision of the SGPC through press statements by him. Mann must honour the decision of the SGPC by organising his party’s conference outside the Takht premises.

He said he would also attend the religious function at the Takht here on April 14.

Makkar and Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, remained closeted at the residence of Nandgarh for hours after the SGPC took a decision to organise langar in the Diwan Hall.

Meanwhile, Gursewak Singh Jawahar Ke, general secretary, SAD (Amritsar), condemned the SGPC for denying party leader Mann the opportunity to address a gathering in the Diwan Hall. He alleged that the SGPC was acting as a tool of the SAD. He said 

Bathinda, April 12
Panic gripped the city at 12.45 am after a thunderous noise, which lasted for nearly 13 minutes, took place at Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant here. Fearing some mishap to take place, residents of colonies located around the thermal plant came out of their houses.

According to reports from Veer Colony, Green Avenue, Tagore Nagar, Panchvati Nagar, Vishal Nagar and Ganesh Nagar, the noise was so frightening that a number of people made calls to the police control number as well as the complaint centres of the Electricity Department.

“The way it was creating a thunderous noise, my kids feared that some blast is going to take place. Though all went off peacefully, it was a harrowing experience last night,” said Sulekha Rani, a housewife.

Chief Engineer of the thermal plant K Lal claimed that there was nothing unusual about the sound. “It was a simple valve operation to release the extra pressure of steam in the system,” he added.

Barnala, April 12
For the past 20 years, Malkeet Kalia (45), a mentally ill person, has been forced to live in a room measuring 7-feet long and 4-feet wide without a fan or a heating system by members of his family.

His family comprises 90-year-old father and four brothers. According to his family, Malkeet was the only one who had studied up to Class VI. They said he developed signs of mental sickness immediately after he got married over 25 years ago.

They added that Malkeet was normal and had even participated in various wrestling competitions before he was married with a girl from Singo Lehri in Mansa. However, they didn’t blame the girl for the problem being faced by Malkeet.

“When my son developed signs of mental sickness and started doing abnormal things immediately after his marriage, his wife left him. We got him treated at many hospitals, but to no avail. When things went out of control, we put him inside a small room,” said his father Meher Singh.

“We serve food to him through a small hole in the room. We didn’t provide a fan or a heating system inside the room since he may hurt himself and try to escape,” he added. Another member of his family said the last time they saw tears in eyes was five years ago when he was informed that his mother had passed away. Barnala Deputy Commissioner Paramjeet Singh said: “We will inquire into the matter and will get him treated in a hospital.” 

Amritsar, April 12
In yet another first to its credit in Asia, the Guru Nanak Dev University would introduce a clinical course of MD (doctor of medicine) in sports medicine. The three-year course by the Medical Council of India would begin from the next academic session (2011-12).

The course, designed by the Board of Speciality in Sports Medicine, will be open to MBBS graduates and will be based on the entrance test conducted by the university. During the course, the students will be attached with various collaborating hospitals/ institutions besides engaging in top-class research in the state-of-art research labs of the faculty.

Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Head and Dean of the Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, said: “It is the biggest-ever achievement of the department, which is already having many feathers in its cap like being the first to introduce Masters in Sports Physiotherapy in South-central Asia, Masters in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition in the country and Masters in Sports Psychology in India.”

He said the faculty has decided to introduce Masters in Sports Psychology from the next academic year.

Patiala, April 12
Notwithstanding the fact that there has been an improvement in the sex ratio in Patiala district, people from different walks of life, particularly doctors and sociologists, strongly feel that more needs to be done to improve the sex ratio. They maintain that against the national sex ratio of 940, the sex ratio in Patiala stands at 888, which is a cause of concern. According to figures, the sex ratio of Punjab is 893, whereas the same in Patiala is 888. The break-up of the data provided by the district administration shows that the sex ratio is almost the same in rural and urban areas of the district.

As per the data available, the sex ratio figures of some of the tehsils of Patiala are - Samana (rural) 886, Patiala (rural) 893, Nabha (rural) 887, Patran (rural) 898, Samana (urban) 906, Patiala (urban) 884, Nabha (urban) 880 and Patran (urban) 886.

Talking to The Tribune, Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Punjabi University, Malkiat Kaur said: “Low sex ratio in Punjab is a historical phenomenon. Everyone should wake up to end the social evil of female foeticide. If immediate steps are not taken up to improve the sex ratio, the future of society will be disastrous.”

Dr Harshinder Kaur, a senior doctor and anti-female foeticide crusader, said: “A majority of the couples in Punjab still want a male child only. The knowledge about the social evil of female foeticide should be added in the school curriculum to change the mindset of younger generation. The media has a powerful and positive role to play for the improvement of the sex ratio. It must highlight those girls who have achieved rare distinctions in different fields so that parents should feel proud of their daughters achievements and do not consider as a burden. Providing financial support to the poor girls for their education is also required.”

Expressing their views on the issue, students of various colleges of the district said the only way to check the menace was the strict implementation of the PNDT Act. “Government officials, NGOs, social activists and students’ community must contribute in spreading awareness among the people against the menace. More schemes for extending economic support to those families having a girl child should be started,” said Rajat Gulati, a student.

Fatehgarh Sahib, April 12
To encourage sugarcane farming in the area, 130 farmers of Amloh Sugar Mill Area have been given incentives of Rs 3.5 lakh under the Rashtiya Krishi Vikas Yojna (2010-11) of the Central Government. Incentives were given for saving the sugarcane seeds and adopting single bud technique.

Selected farmers from 250 villages of Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana — falling under Amloh Sugar Mill Area — got Rs 7,500 each for adopting single bud technique and Rs 1,000 each for saving sugarcane seeds and growing the crop in autumn season.

Agriculture department officials of Fatehgarh Sahib said the farmers faced acute seed shortage and the single bud technique helped in saving seeds. Besides, the technique was also helpful in increasing per acre sugarcane yield with less seed. Agriculture Development Officer Jaswinder Singh said the technique was popularised among the farmers in view of increasing the area under sugarcane cultivation in Fatehgarh Sahib. Area under the crop is likely to increase to 5,500 hectares from last year’s 5,000 hectares as per the guidelines of Sugarcane Commissioner Ranjit Singh, Jaswinder Singh said. In order to motivate the farmers, the government has now offered Rs 225 per quintal for sugarcane for the next season. This year the farmers sold sugarcane at a price of Rs 200 per quintal. In view of the new price offered, the farmers have expressed their desire to grow the crop even if it is not recommended this time. 

Patiala, April 12
With Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) not imposing any power cuts on the domestic, industrial and other categories of consumers in the state, people are greatly relieved. During this part of the season last year, the domestic consumers had to bear the brunt of four-hour-long power cuts on daily basis, whereas weekly off days were imposed on industrial consumers. This year there have been no scheduled power cuts so far.

Going by the power supply figures provided by the PSPCL functionaries, this year the power situation in the state has been far better. As per the information, against the demand of 898 lakh units (LU) of power, presently PSPCL is providing 880 LU. “There is shortfall of only 18 LU, which we are managing through the three-hour peak load restrictions imposed on the large supply consumers. Hence, as of now there is no gap between the demand and supply,” PSPCL spokesperson stated.

Substantiating the claims, PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director KD Chaudhri said presently the PSPCL was providing 24-hour power supply to all its consumers. “During this part of the season last year, the mercury had gone up quite high but luckily this year weather conditions are good following which the power supply demand has not gone up drastically.”

Chaudhri further said efficient management of different systems of the corporation and timely maintenance of various thermal plants has helped the power board in meeting the demands. Meanwhile, officials of the distribution wing of the board have stated that presently no scheduled cuts were being imposed in the state. “In case, there is power cut in any part of the state, it must be because of some technical snag or sudden breakdown,” the officials claimed. 

Patiala, April 12
To create awareness against drugs, female foeticide, pollution and promote blood donation among masses, officials of the 1st Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) held a cycle rally that covered two districts and a total area of 75 km. The event was held under the guidance of Commandant, 1st IRB, Mandeep Singh Sidhu.

More than 100 policemen rode bicycles with placards and jackets printed with social messages reading “Say no to drugs, save girl child, save environment and donate blood, save lives”. “Our aim was to promote this message through policemen, who would travel on roads urging people to take up such causes,” claimed Sidhu.

The rally that started at 7 am from Officers’ Mess, Police Lines, Patiala, led to Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala, where two chandan trees were planted by the battalion and NGOs - Punjab Eco-friendly Association and Friends of Environment Society. Later, the rally was welcomed by the panchyat and youth club of Reet Kheri village and former SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar delivered a lecture on the importance of girl child and environment at Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara.

Chandigarh, April 12
Fighting for his rights with his “back to the wall” for years, a Punjab jail officer has got justice. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has not only expunged the adverse remarks in Chaman Lal Goyal’s annual confidential report, but has also held him entitled to costs of Rs 25,000. The state has also been directed to consider his case for promotion to the post of DIG (Prisons).

Superintendent, Central Jail, Goyal, who is now retired, was blamed for shirking responsibility and dictating his own terms. It was also alleged that he purchased land in 1989-90 without sanction. It was also recorded "he does not enjoy good reputation of honesty".

The Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ritu Bahri asserted that the service record of the petitioner had been basically unblemished. Different officers of the state had found him an honest and responsible officer.

“The petitioner was appointed on many assignments, which he carried out with responsibility. He has never shown his inability to join such posting…. We are satisfied that the officer does not shirk any responsibility and he has carried out the appointment entrusted to him in the past.”

The Bench also held: “It is, thus, clear that while recording the annual confidential report for the year 1992-93, respondent Inspector-General of Prisons BS Sandhu was not fair, objective and (was) wrong on facts.” At the same time, the Bench ruled out bias on Sandhu’s part against Goyal. “The factual position that emerges is that the recording of the annual confidential report for year 1992-93 does not suffer from personal malice or bias of BS Sandhu against the petitioner. This can at the best be described as legal malice or malice in law”.

The Bench added: “The officer entrusted with the duty to write confidential report has to respond efficiently and fairly, while giving as correctly as possible, the statement of fact to assess the overall performance of the official, which has not been done in this case. “Keeping this aspect in view and after going through the entire file, it transpires that recording of the ACR for year 1992-93 was based on wrong facts”. The Bench concluded: “The respondents are directed to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of DIG (Prisons) without taking into consideration the ACR for the year 1992-93”.