Wednesday, August 5, 1998
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Wednesday, August 5, 1998 |
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10 die of
gastro-enteritis Teachers
adamant on stir |
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 Octroi abolition puts government in a spot AJNALA, Aug 4 — The Punjab Government is in a spot over the abolition of octroi after the BJP-led government in neighbouring Rajasthan recently scrapped imposition of octroi. Police
plans joint operations |
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Punjab opposes FCI move on paddy
procurement |
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10 die of gastro-enteritis in
Ropar ROPAR, Aug 4 — Ten persons including nine children, have died in Noorie Colony of Shyampura, 3 km from here, of gastroenteritis during the past 10 days. The colony houses 130 Muslim families, who have been living in insanitary conditions. Talking to this correspondent today, Maulvi Abdul Rasheed Noorie, Imam of the local masjid, said nine children and an old man had so far died of gastroenteritis. He said, Neha, three-year-old, was the first victim who died on July 25. Dildar Hussain (3) and Nazrana (one) died on July 27. Zeenat (4), Nazakat (4) and Kadir Ahmed (8) died on July 29, 30 and 31, respectively. The maulvi said Asif Hussain (one) Bablu (one month) and Raveena (nine months) had died on August 1, 2, 3 respectively. Mohammad Shaffi (70) had died of the disease in UP. The maulvi blamed the health authorities for the deaths. He said the latter had not bothered to conduct sample tests of the drinking water in this colony which was mainly inhabited by labourers and vegetable vendors. There was no tap water supply to the colony no outlets for filthy water and no latrines and bathrooms. When this correspondent visited the affected colony, Dr A.P. Chaudhary, District Health Officer (DHO), Ropar, was camping there along with his team. Dr Chaudhary confirmed that the deaths in the colony were due to gastroenteritis. He said a team of doctors had examined 81 persons, including children. Thirtyfive patients had been found suffering from diarrhoea. Three cases had been referred to the local Civil Hospital. He said all deaths had occurred either in the colony or in private clinics. None was reported at the Civil Hospital. Water samples had been collected from the colony and sent to Chandigarh for examination. The residents had been given chlorine pills to chlorinate the water. For the time being, the Public Health authorities were making arrangements for providing potable drinking water. All water sources in the colony had been sealed and DDT sprayed in houses. Mr Khushi Ram, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, along with the SDM, Ropar, Civil Surgeon, and Xen, Public Health, visited the affected colony today. He said instructions had been issued to the Public Health authorities to make available tap water from the nearby waterworks to the residents at the earliest. The ADC said the residents
of the colony would be educated in keeping the area
clean. |
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Teachers adamant on stir AMRITSAR, Aug 4 — The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) will go ahead with the nationwide indefinite strike from August 11 to secure justice as the government had failed to implement the UGC recommended pay scales. The national secretary of the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations, Dr V.K. Tewari, while addressing a huge rally held at Khalsa College here today highlighted the "unjust and obstinate attitude" of the Union Human Resources Development Minister who, he alleged, was blocking the way for a negotiated settlement. Dr Tewari pointed out the standing committee of Parliament had expressed its concern over the impending strike and sought the government's assurance on accepting teachers' demands as per the UGC report for a peaceful solution. The teachers genuine union was demanding the recommendations of the UGC report should form the basis of a specific decision. Although the HRD Minister, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, had already conceded some of the demands but the major demand had been ignored which had hurt the feelings of the academia. Dr Tewari lamented the UGC's basic perspective of pay revision, service conditions and better education standards had been completely left out. AIFUCTO was conscious of its national obligation and always stood for overall accountability but regretted that the successive governments had failed to give due priority to education and also failed to involve the community for national resurgence. The rally was also addressed by Dr Parvinder Singh, secretary, Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association, Dr V.K Sharma, Principals of local colleges, including Dr M.S. Dhillon, Mrs S. Ahlawat and Dr M.L. Aeri. LUDHIANA: Teachers of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) observed a stay-in strike on Tuesday in protest against the scheme of pay scales notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for university and college teachers on July 27. As a result, the teaching, research and extension work of the university remained paralysed. The teachers held a rally opposite the administrative block of the university. Addressing the rally, Dr R.K. Batra, president of the PAU Teacher's Association (PAUTA), said the notification issued by the HRD Ministry contained several clauses which were prejudicial to the interests of the teachers. The pay package announced was so discouraging that it would neither attract nor retain talent in the teaching profession. He said the teachers would not be satisfied with anything less than the pay scales recommended by the University Grants Commission. Dr Batra warned that if the just demand of the teachers was not accepted they would be forced to take recourse to the extreme step of striking work for an indefinite period. Later, the teachers marched in a procession and submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr G.S. Kalkat, who assured the teachers that he would convey their resentment to the authorities concerned. Teachers here protested by boycotting teaching work, wearing black badges and holding rallies in their respective colleges. This was done in response to a call given by the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations. University and college teachers are on a war path demanding the implementation of UGC recommendations which have not been accepted by the HRD Ministry. Earlier, at least 40,000 university and college teachers had joined a protest march to Parliament on July 21. According to Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, secretary, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), academic life all over the country was heading for "total disruption and dislocation" from August 11 when nearly three lakh college and university teachers in about 200 universities and 9,000 colleges of the country would go on indefinite strike. This would affect 65 lakh students of the country JALANDHAR: On a call given by AIFUCTO on Tuesday, college teachers of government and non-government aided colleges here observed a stay-in strike and held a protest rally at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall against the "illogical attitude" adopted by the HRD Ministry regarding the implementation of UGC recommended pay scales to university and college teachers. The rally was addressed by Dr R.P. Bhardwaj, member of the state executive of the PCCTU, Prof J.S. Randhawa, district president, Dr R.B. Singh, district secretary, Prof Veena Watni, women convener, PCCTU, Prof J.S Kahlon, senior Akali leader, Mr Ram Lal Jassi, Mr S.S. Kunnar, secretary of the North Zone Employees Federation, Mr Jatindnnu, Editor, Nawan Jamana and Mr Naranjan Singh of the AISSF. These speakers endorsed the demands of the agitating university and college teachers and appealed to the government to accept these demands for the restoration of a peaceful academic atmosphere. Professor Randhawa said the government should invite AIFUCTO leaders to solve this problem. Failing this, the teachers would go on an indefinite strike from August 11. PATIALA: On a call given by the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations, teachers at Punjabi University, government colleges and private aided colleges in this district observed a stay-in strike and organised rallies in their respective educational institutions to press the government for implementation of the UGC-recommended scales and not those announced by the Human Resource Development Ministry. The teachers led by their respective associations, namely the two groups of Punjabi University Teachers Association the Punjab Government College Teachers Association and the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union also resolved to fully support the countrywide indefinite strike call from August 11 given by AIFUCTO. |
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Octroi abolition puts government
in a spot AJNALA, Aug 4 — The Punjab Government is in a spot over the abolition of octroi, as promised by it in the SAD-BJP coalition's common minimum programme before the assembly election after the BJP-led government in neighbouring Rajasthan recently scrapped imposition of octroi. When reminded of his governments promise on abolition of octroi by mediapersons during his visit to this border district yesterday, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister was non-committal. BJP state chief Mr Daya Singh Sodhi and other BJP and SAD leaders have admitted in the past that they may have made ‘wrong commitment’ to voters as scrapping of octroi would adversely affect the overall development of the town. But the abolition of octroi by Rajasthan has made the SAD-BJP climbdown doubly embarrassing. It may be recalled that Mr Badal and other ruling party leaders have been claiming that a state government survey of various states where octroi was abolished had shown an adverse effect on the overall development of towns. Urban bodies including beopar mandal and various trade unions, have on the other hand been pressing for abolition of octroi saying no study was conducted before supplying free power to farmers. Meanwhile, Mr Badal paid a surprise visit to the primary school of Mattian yesterday to discover that neither staff nor children were present. He was also shocked by the dilapidated condition of the school building. The villagers told the Chief Minister that most teachers remained absent on one pretext or the other. It may be recalled that the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Nirmaljit Singh had also paid a surprise visit to a school recently to similarly find most of the staff absent. More getting still, in some cases the "sub-teachers" had been recruited by the teachers to fill in for them.
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Akalis may vote against
Uttaranchal Bill PATIALA, Aug 4 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today said the Akali Dal would continue to protest against the decision of the Union Cabinet to include Udham Singh Nagar in the proposed Uttaranchal state. Mr Tohra told TNS that the move smacked of injustice. The SGPC chief said the provision made in the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 1998, whereby the land ceiling would not be reduced in Udham Singh Nagar district was useless. He said the Centre was not capable of ensuring this as the land ceiling was a state subject and that the state Cabinet would take a final decision on the matter. Mr Tohra said a wrong impression was being created that the Akali Dal only stood for protecting the land of the Punjabis settled in Udham Singh Nagar. He said this was not true as the Akalis had advocated that the wishes of the entire population of Udham Singh Nagar, which included other religious groups also, should be taken into consideration before taking a final decision. They did not deem it fit to even hold a referendum in the district on the issue. He said a final decision on the future line of action would be taken at the Parliamentary Affairs Committee meeting of the Akali Dal on August 6. He said the Akali Dal had discussed the issue with the Haryana Lok Dal, the Samata Party, the Trinanul Congress and the AIADMK. They were sympathetic towards the Akali stand and hoped the Bill would be defeated by a two thirds majority. Mr Tohra said the Akali Dal would have no other option but to vote against the Bill as it would not tolerate discrimination being meted out to the Punjabi settlers in Uttaranchal. The SGPC chief said all Akali MPs held a meeting today and passed a resolution urging the President to return the draft Bill to the Cabinet for reconsideration. He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would also write to the President on the issue.
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Chamba killings:
Police plans joint operations BATHINDA, Aug 4 — The Director-General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Mr P.C. Dogra, today said the state police in association with the Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh police would launch joint operations to curb the terrorist activities in these states. Addressing a press conference here after reviewing the law and order situation in districts falling in the Faridkot Range and security arrangements for the coming Independence Day celebrations, Mr Dogra said the Punjab police was well prepared to check any militant violence, which could be anticipated after the recent killings of 35 labourers in the Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh by Kashmiri militants. He said he had held a meeting with his counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh for making a strategy for joint operations to curb the activities of terrorists and smugglers. The Punjab police would also launch a special drive in the state to check the flow of narcotics from the Rajasthan border. Last year, the Punjab police seized about three quintals of heroin in the border areas. Asked whether the Punjab police would send special teams to Himachal Pradesh, as demanded by the authorities concerned, Mr Dogra said he was not aware of any such request by the Himachal Pradesh Government and added that he would review the whole situation. All security arrangements had been made for checking any untoward incident in the pre-Independence Day period in the state. The law and order situation in the state was under control, he claimed. When asked whether the Punjab police would release Mr Jaspal Singh Dhillon, a human rights activist who is in custody for some terrorism-related crime, as demanded by the human rights organisation of USA, Mr Dogra said the case was under investigation and added that the bail application of Mr Dhillon had been rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Every police range had been given a mobile van fitted with six cameras. The DIG of a range would be in charge of using the mobile van to check crime. At present, the strength of policemen is less compared to the sanctioned strength. To fill these vacancies, special police officers (SPOs) were being made constables and Punjab police personnel deployed on other duties were being withdrawn to be posted in police stations. He said the Punjab police was also dealing with the situation in which terrorists and smugglers were using mobile phones for anti-national activities. Mr R.S. Gill, IG (Zonal), Mr G.S. Mann, DIG, Faridkot Range, Mr H.S. Sidhu, SSP, Faridkot, Mr Yurinder Singh, SSP, Mansa, Mr Harnek Singh, SSP, Bathinda, Mr A.S. Chahal and Mr M.S. Chinna (SPs) were among those present at the meeting.
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Punjab opposes FCI move on paddy
procurement CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — The Punjab Government has strongly opposed the Food Corporation of India's move to reduce its share in the procurement of paddy in the state. Informed government sources told TNS here today that the FCI wanted to cut its procurement share by 15 per cent, reducing it from the existing 40 per cent to 25 per cent. Last year FCI had procured 41 per cent of the total paddy purchased by the government agencies. The Punjab Government this year is insisting that FCI must maintain its last year's figures. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, according to sources, has decided to take up this issue with the Union Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, during his visit to Delhi on August 10 and 11. He has already told the local FCI authorities to make preparations to procure at least 40 per cent of the paddy out of the total share allocated to government agencies in the state. The other issue bedevilling the State Government with regard to paddy is fixing of the date for starting the procurement operation in the state. According to an assessment made by the Punjab Agriculture Department, paddy will start arriving in the second week of September in large quantity. It has been estimated that about 20 lakh tonnes of paddy would arrive in the markets in September. Last year the procurement of paddy commenced on September 22 but this year keeping in view the assessment made by the Punjab Agriculture Department it is expected that procurement may start around September 15. On the other side, the sources said, the Central Government does not favour early procurement of paddy as due to moisture in the paddy brought to the market the quality of the rice suffers. The State Government is expecting an output of around 1.20 crore tonnes of paddy this year. Besides FCI, other agencies engaged in the procurement would be Markfed, Punsup, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation and Punjab Food and Supplies Department. Mr Badal has instructed the officials concerned to equip all the 1500 mandis and purchase centres in the State with gunny bags and other material required for the procurement of paddy. He has directed the Punjab Mandi Board to provide proper power and water supplies in all mandis and procurement centres. The issue of minimum support price of paddy is also hanging fire. The Central Government has not announced the procurement price so far as the Punjab Government has opposed the recommendations made by the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices with regard to the minimum support price of paddy and other crops. The commission has recommended a price Rs 440 per quintal for common varieties of paddy and Rs 470 for "Grade-A" varieties of paddy. The Punjab Government has sought a price Rs 500 for common varieties and Rs 550 for "Grade-A" varieties. The issue of trial milling of new varieties of paddy — PR-103, PR-111 and Pusa-44 — for fixation of yield of rice would also be discussed by Mr Badal with the Central Government. The associations of sheller owners have urged the Punjab Government to take up this issue as they had complained that yield of rice in these varieties is less than the ratio fixed by the Central Government.
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Panel to meet in Chandigarh
gurdwara CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — The Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in Punjab today announced holding of its three-day meeting in a city gurdwara from August 8 to 10. It was announced by the committee that due to denial of space at different premises the choice fell on a gurdwara. The committee has constituted its own commission on human rights, which has the support of a cross section of some human rights organisations, political parties etc. The commission members are Justice D.S. Tewatia, Justice H. Suresh and Justice Jaspal Singh. Guidelines for the commission were laid down on December 10, 1997. The commission issues public notices for its sittings. A press release at a news conference today says that "investigation" by the committee revealed 3,000 cases of human rights violations. While 879 cases were fit for commission consideration 1,972 were being verified. Justice Kuldip Singh met
the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal recently and
requested he direct that all complaints of human rights
violations, which did not come under the review of the
state commission, be investigated by a "reliable
agency". In the absence of any positive response
from the government, the commission constituted by the
committee for coordination or disappearance in Punjab
will go ahead with its work.The inspection is carried out
only in the August-September months to work out estimates
for the release of grants. The estimates prepared by the
state PWD lick dust in the record room of the ministry.
According to the sources, the estimates worth Rs 7 lakh
prepared by the Solan circle of the PWD to install
delenators are lying unanswered in the ministry. |
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Sikh council sets up 'think
tank' CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — The World Sikh Council (WSC) president, Justice Kuldip Singh (retd), today announced the constitution of a "think tank" — close to 100 members — to oversee the future course regarding the "wellbeing" of Sikh religion, culture, heritage and upholding of the high ideals of Sikhism. Besides, he announced a new plan under which the WSC will only act a "catalyst" for the proposed "own your own village" scheme, which envisages to "integrate" and promote bonds by interaction between the present inhabitants and emigrants of a given village. The scheme is to generate development of villages by promoting education, providing basic amenities, building essential infrastructure etc. The NRIs of a particular village will be asked to invest back home. It will ensure development and economic growth on the one hand and emotional ties in the other. The WSC regional committees will coordinate.
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Teachers not paid salary for 7
months CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — Members of both the teaching and non-teaching staff in aided and non-government aided colleges of Punjab have not been paid their salaries for the past seven months due to erratic flow of grants from the Punjab Government. The government has not released Rs 27 crore in this regard. Of the total amount, Rs 10 crore pertains to arrears of teachers' pay for 1997-98 and the balance as pay for teachers for 1998. Even their provident fund has not been deposited to the employees' accounts. While better placed managements of private colleges have managed to release the salaries, conditions in nearly 70 colleges is not smooth, reliable sources pointed out. Seriously affected colleges are those located mainly in semi-urban and rural areas of the state. The Education Department of Chandigarh is understood to have streamlined the payment of salaries, with no complaints from teachers. There are 150 colleges working under private managements in Punjab. Of these 139 colleges are receiving grant-in-aid. The government as such meets 95 per cent of the deficit of the salary expenses of the college staff appointed before November, 1981. There has been a reported 25 per cent increase in the number of students during this period. Teachers have also been appointed for new courses but remain uncovered under this scheme, sources said. The plight of the colleges that were opened after 1981 is reported to be even worse. These institutions are not covered under the 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme. Certain managements are not paying full salary to the teaching staff as has been highlighted at various fora of Panjab University. Since 1981, many subjects have been introduced, particularly in women colleges. There has been no review of the assistance policy. Only 3,903 teachers are covered under this scheme. Approximately 500 teachers and 400 members of the non-teaching staff are not covered, sources added.
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20-month wait for appointment
letter FAZILKA, Aug 4 — 50 of 1300 mathematics teachers selected in 1996 still have not been issued appointment letters by the Education Department, Punjab despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders of May 4, '98. According to a writ petition filed by Sandeep Kumar Aneja and Neeru Sharma, both JBT teachers working in Fazilka block, the Punjab Government had advertised 1300 vacancies of mathematics teachers on December 20, 1994. The selection committee, after conducting an interview, released a list of 1300 selected teachers on 18th November, '96. However, out of the 1300 selected candidates only 1250 were issued appointment letters. The two candidates from Fazilka who were not issued letters filed writ petitions before a Bench comprising of Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Iqbal Singh. The Bench, while admitting the petition, directed the DPI (Schools), Punjab to issue appointment letters to them within 15 days. On May 31, the office of the DPI contacted Mr Sandeep Kumar Aneja and Neeru Sharma for allocating of stations of posting. But although two months have elapsed since then neither candidate has been issued appointment letters, nor any intimation of delay. Ironically some of the candidates appointed ranked lower in the merit list. Expressing anguish over
the indifferent attitude of the DPI office the selected
candidates alleged that the office was functioning in an
arbitrary manner despite the High Court order. |
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PUDA nets Rs 1.89 crore in
commercial SAS NAGAR, Aug 4 — The auction by PUDA of freehold commercial sites here today netted Rs 1,89,65,000. Sixteen sites for booths and shop-cum-flats (SCFs) had been advertised for sale. All six SCF sites put to auction were disposed of but none of the 10 booth sites could be sold. Three of the SCF sites were in Phase XI and the others in Phase 3A, each measuring 121 sq yds. The reserve price in the case of the SCF sites had been fixed at Rs 28,01,270 and for the booth sites (22.69 sq yd) at Rs 12,67,600 which bidders felt was too high. The SCFs in Phase XI were
sold for Rs 33,20,000, Rs 34,55,000 and Rs 34,60,000. The
Phase 3A sites fetched less at Rs 28,40,000, Rs 29,75,000
and Rs 29,15,000. |
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Drug mafia works unchecked in
Amritsar AMRITSAR, Aug 4 — "There is no respect for those who take drugs. I was motivated by my wife to leave drugs. I gave Rs 30,000 to a doctor, Chander Mohan, in Bhikhiwind who insisted that I took injections whenever I visited him. Then a time came when I started taking 28 morfin injections in a day and totally neglected my family", said 27-year-old Raj Kumar, admitted to the drug de-addiction centre at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The tale of Raj Kumar is not an isolated one. Twenty-year-old Yugraj said he started taking morfin injections (about 20) daily. It all began in college with friends who wanted a new "experience". "It was not difficult to get these injections as they are easily available at chemist shops". Yugraj said a drug mafia was working in the border district and was "backed" by politicians. He alleged that even the police did not take action against these persons despite the fact that they were fully aware of their activities. It is reported that drugs like opium and brown sugar are sold in Guru Nanak Dev University, Khalsa College, Bhikhiwind, Chheharta, inside the walled city, Tarn Taran and Patti. The mafia uses young children as carriers to carry the drugs from one place to another. In return they are given drugs free of cost so they become addicted to same. Dr B.L Goyal, head of the department, said patients from every strata came here. A few female patients had also been treated.
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Swarna Shatabdi from August 15 LUDHIANA, Aug 4 — The Northern Railway is introducing Swarna Shatabdi from Amritsar to New Delhi from August 15 which will also cater to the people of Ludhiana. This was announced by Mr S.P Mehta, general manager, Northern Railway, during the Northern Railway-industry interface on freight traffic and marketing held here yesterday. Giving details, he said the executive class in the train will have the facility of cellular phones, independent lighting and a hostess. He said two short service Swarna Shatabdis from Delhi to Ludhiana and from Delhi to Chandigarh will be launched in December. Mr Mehta also highlighted the various facilities provided by the Railways and spoke about the development of freight vehicles called NMGs designed to carry vehicles like tractors and the "own your wagon" scheme which invites investments from bulk users for ownership of wagons in unit trains. He said the Railways had leased out 4 tonnes SLR space on 11 trains. Industrialists pointed out that goods sent by road were safer as compared to the goods transported through trains. They also condemned the fact that goods sent by trains took more time in reaching the destination.
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Landlord remanded in kidnap case ABOHAR, Aug 4 — Mr Anil Kumar Singhmar, a landlord of Dharampura village and a former shooting champion of Panjab University, surrendered in the court of Mr B.S. Mangat, Senior Judge, here yesterday. He was remanded in police custody till August 5. The Sadar Police was tight-lipped about the arrests of Mr Badri Ram and Mr Gurtej Singh, ASI, who were also named as suspects in the alleged kidnapping of Mr Shankar Lal, a small farmer of the village who had been fobbing off attempts to eject him. Mr Justice R.L. Anand of the Punjab and Haryana High Court while rejecting the bail application of Mr Singhmar had on July 22 this year handed down orders which inter alia read: "I am of the considered opinion that custodial interrogation of Mr Anil Kumar was necessary in public interest when the investigation is in progress. The entire stress as per the allegations of the prosecution is that Anil Kumar knows the whereabouts of Shankar Lal. Resultantly, his bail application under Section 438 of the CrPC is hereby dismissed. Anil Kumar is directed to surrender himself before the police authorities immediately so that he is interrogated in a proper manner". The arrest of Anil’s father, Mr Atma Ram, was, however, stayed. Shankar’s wife, Mrs Santro Devi, had approached the high court alleging that her husband who had a land dispute with Mr Anil Kumar and his relatives was kidnapped on April 26, 1997. The FIR was registered in January this year under the directive of the high court. It was reliably learnt Mrs Santro Devi faced pressure from official quarters even on Friday and Saturday to reach a compromise with the landlords, sources said.
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‘Chakka
jam’ on August 16 against PATIALA, Aug 4 — The CPM, CPI and Bahujan Samaj Party will organise a 'chakka jam' of buses all over Punjab on August 16 to protest against the increase in bus fares. Announcing this while addressing a joint CPI, CPM rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here yesterday, CPM secretary and central committee member Prof Balwant Singh said steep fare hike had hit the common man. Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government at the Centre for the unprecedented price rise, Prof Balwant Singh said the price hike was the outcome of the wrong policies of the government. He said the taxation policies of the Centre and the state governments were to blame for the price rise. He said another important factor which had contributed to the present situation was the privatisation policy of the union government. He said Punjab's attempts to privatise the Punjab State Electricity Board and the state transport system had added to resentment against the government. Criticising the nuclear tests Prof Balwant Singh said this had led to an escalation in tension on the border with Pakistan. He cautioned the parties supporting the BJP at the Centre to be alert against its anti-minorities policies. The district secretary of the CPI Mr Prem Sohal alleged corruption had surpassed all limits under the present SAD-BJP government. Others who addressed the rally included the district secretary of the CPM, Inderjit Singh Bhagrana, Khet Mazdoor Union leader Charanjit Singh, district secretary of CITU Tirlochan Singh and CITU leader Dharampal Singh.
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Woman, paramour commit suicide BATHINDA, Aug 4 — Palo and her paramour Gurmail Singh, residents of Bangi Nihal Singh Wala village, 20 km from Bathinda, ended their life yesterday after consuming poison due to stiff opposition to their affair by their relatives and the villagers. Police sources said Palo a widow, and Gurmail Singh, a carpenter had developed "illicit relations" few years ago. Their affair was being opposed by the father-in-law of Palo and other relations. The parents of Gurmail Singh were also opposed to the affair. The sources said the two took this extreme step following harassment by their relations. The sources said, Gurmail Singh was rounded up by the Raman police three days ago, on a complaint of Beer Singh, father-in-law of Palo against frequent visits of Gurmail Singh to their house. The bodies were found in the farms of a villager who informed the police. The police after completing the formalities has sent the bodies for postmortem. This is sixth suicide in the district in the past one week. Mr Hargobind, Head Constable, Raman police station, when contacted on the telephone said Gurmail Singh was not rounded up a few days ago but about a year ago on a complaint of Beer Singh.
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Police launches rehabilitation
drive for Sansis GURDASPUR, Aug 4 — The District police today launched "operation punerwas" at Deeda village to eradicate illicit distillation from the village. The village has a population of 1500 and all its residents who belong to the Sansi tribe are allegedly engaged in illicit distillation for making both ends meet. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, while talking to newspersons here today said only a few families of the village had prospered from illicit distillation while the rest were languishing in poverty. Most of the men and women were addicted to liquor and many of them suffered from tuberculosis. The villagers indulge in illicit distillation because they have no other source of livelihood. There are no avenues available for the Sansi families to earn honest living from any other means. The village does not have a school. Mr Yadav said a large number of villagers, mostly women, took part in the meeting and gave assurance that they would stay away from indulging in illicit distillation provided they were given assistance in earning an honest livelihood. The SSP said "operation punerwas" would be conducted in three stages — counselling and identification of target groups followed by delivery of appropriate economic facilitation to the target group and feed back. The identification of target groups was in progress. Widows would be given sewing and weaving machines and other equipment to help them under the self-earning scheme in the village. It was proposed to establish a vocational training centre in the village which would impart training in various disciplines to the women. The educated unemployed youth were being identified and would be considered for recruitment in government service and the Police Department. For illiterate youth bank loans on concessional rates would be arranged. Mr Yadav said the Police
Department was liaising with educational institutes who
had offered to impart free education to the children of
the village. Hospital treatment for those suffering from
TB and other diseases was also being provided, he said. |
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Drive against eve-teasers 'soon' MALERKOTLA, Aug 4 — The parents of girl students here are worried about the increasing number of eve-teasers in the town. Eve-teasers can be seen standing on the Delhi Gate-Shish Mahal route in the mornings and afternoons. There are two girls high schools, a women's college and two co-educational high schools on this route. Mr Hans Raj Gupta, president of the Malerkotla Public Peace and Welfare Committee, has urged the local police to take strict action against the eve-teasers by deputing policemen in plainclothes. Interestingly, the city kotwali also falls in this area and is hardly 200 yards from the girls schools. Mr Inder Mohan Singh, DSP, said the police would launch a drive against these eve-teasers in the next few days.
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World Bank team calls on Badal CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — A World Bank cooperative project preparation mission led by Mr G. Mukami called on the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and discussed with him the progress of the on-going Integrated Watershed Development Project (Hills) in the kandi area and also the plans for next year's programmes. The other members of the commission were Mr. K. Mei. economist, Mr. John T. White, infrastructure engineer, Mr. Jim Alexander, watershed resources development specialist and Mr. Peter S. Harris, livestock specialist Briefing the Chief Minister, the Financial Commissioner (Development), Mr. R.N Gupta, informed him that the ongoing Integrated Watershed Development Project (Hills) had treated 20 watersheds covering an area of about 1,10,000 hectares of land out of a total of 106 sub-watersheds in the state. Independent evaluation of the project had revealed a number of direct and indirect benefits in terms of conservation and increase in production of grains, fibre, fodder, fuel, wood, milk and fruit. In addition, the project generated about 80 lakh mandays of employment up to March, 1998. Mr. G. Mukami, informed the Chief Minister that the ongoing Integrated Watershed Development Project had been a success and had a positive impact on the ecology and economy of the Shivaliks.
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Dayal, Kamboj end fast FEROZEPORE, Aug 4 — The state secretary of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dayal, the state president of the BSP, Mr C.D. Singh Kamboj, and a former MP, Mr Mohan Singh Phallianwala, today ended their 24-hour fast in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here. They started the relay fast yesterday in protest against the alleged police inaction against those who had attacked the BSP state vice-president, Mr Lal Singh Sulhani, during the panchayat poll at Jhoke Harihar village near here. The second batch consisting of six women — Ms Hakim Devi and Ms Kailash Wanti of the CPI, Ms Amarjit Kaur, Ms Parvinder Kaur, Ms Rani and Ms Veena Chhabra of the BSP — sat on the second day of the fast today. Mr C.D. Singh Kamboj claimed that Ms Amarjit Kaur, who was pregnant, lost her child while trying to protect Mr Sulhani from the attack of the assailants. She suffered a miscarriage as she too was severely beaten up by the assailants. Dr Joginder Dayal condemned the killing of innocent persons by militants in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
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Nursing home owner held GURDASPUR, Aug 4 — The Kalanaur police today arrested Kulwant Kaur, proprietor of a private nursing home at Bakshiwal for the death in mysterious circumstances of Harjit Kaur of nearby Gounsal village. According to the FIR, Harjit Kaur, who was in labour, was taken to the nursing home of Kulwant Kaur with her mother-in-law Pooru Devi and husband Harpal Singh for delivering her baby. Four hours later the accused claimed that Harjit Kaur had delivered a dead female baby and handed over the child to Pooru Devi and Harpal Singh, who went to cremate the child. In the meanwhile the accused brought the deceased in an unconscious state to her house at Gounsal. She told children present in the house that she would return with glucose for her patient. But she never returned. When Harjit's husband and mother-in-law returned home they found Harjit Kaur dead. Police sources said
relations between the deceased and her husband were also
strained and took the mother-in-law and husband of the
deceased into custody. A case under Section 304 has been
registered with the Kalanaur police. |
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Punjab Congress condemns killings
CHANDIGARH, Aug 4 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee today condemned the killing of labourers in Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. A statement from the PPCC office has criticised the Centre for its failure to provide security to its citizens. It targeted the Home Minister, who remained "satisfied" merely with issuing warnings and statements. The PPCC expressed its sympathy with the bereaved families. Meanwhile, the PPCC General Secretary, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, and a former minister, Mr Tej Parkash Singh, both MLAs, have condemned the Centre's decision to include Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal state. |
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Senior citizens to aid youth FARIDKOT: The senior Citizen Welfare Club, Faridkot, has set up a counselling centre at the local Amar Ashram to provide free guidance on different subjects to the needy in the district. Initially three topics, including education, social and medical measures have been chosen to monitor the programme. Under the educational scheme advise will be given for the selection of different types of courses like diploma, bachelor and master courses in library and information science, master of financial management, bachelor and master of commerce, tour and travel management, one year certificate course in computer application, postgraduate diplomas in journalism and mass communication, computer application, translation Hindi/English, environmental education, marketing management, various vocational and job-oriented courses and LLM to update the knowledge. Similarly, social problems like family disputes and feuds, psychiatric and ego problems will be resolved by developing a soft corner towards society. Under medical steps, health and physical problems will be sorted out by adopting preventive measures like change of mental attitude, removal of psychological feasts and whims, controlling nervous problems through yogic exercises. Handicapped persons will be given guidance at their doorstep on a call. According to a retired Principal, Mr Dilawar Singh, in charge of the centre, intellectual senior citizens will also visit educational institutions to sort out the problems of students and youth on a regular basis from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the prescribed premises. After the fixed hours, the aspirants can ring up telephone number 50102 to have kind of further information. To accelerate the scheme, seminars on old-age problems and human nature will be organised from time to time. Mr Dilawar Singh will soon be visiting Canada and USA shortly to learn about their welfare schemes for senior citizens. To run the programmes
effectively, funds will be collected through donations.
The district administration will also be contacted to
help the centre in promoting its schemes. Heads of
educational institutions have also been requested to
participate in the programme. |
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