Sunday, August 16, 1998
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Sunday, August 16, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Radical
changes need of hour, says Badal 1499
taken ill: Rice samples sent for analysis |
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 Punjab to sack 225 doctors Problems
of paddy procurement |
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Principals concerned over
teachers' stir Police
heaves sigh of relief |
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| Two new trains from Fazilka Shawls given to freedom fighters Discharged teachers rounded up |
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PCCTU protest day on August 18 Punjab employees' plea DoT's gift to Fazilka subscribers |
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Radical changes need of hour, says
Badal LUDHIANA, Aug 15 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal gave a clarion call to the people to launch a crusade against poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and economic backwardness for upgrading the quality of life of the common man and in order to carve out a growth-oriented progressive society. Addressing a mammoth gathering at Guru Nanak Stadium after unfurling the national flag to mark India's 51st Independence Day here today, the Chief Minister said there was a need for radical transformation of our society. People's enthusiasm, willing cooperation and sustained disciplined efforts were a must to achieve this goal. "We, therefore, must renew our pledge to activate our role in the developmental process as a positive force and ensure implementation of plans undertaken by the government." The Chief Minister also inspected the parade. He took the salute from an impressive march past led by Mr SPS Parmar, Deputy Superintendent of Police. Contingents of the PAP, Punjab police, Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides and ex-servicemen took part in the parade. In his 30-minute speech, Mr Badal touched all issues pertaining to state's development and the Punjabis' role in the freedom struggle as well as national reconstruction. He said the Punjabis had sacrificed the most for the attainment of freedom. He lamented that Punjab had not been given a just treatment by the successive governments which rather hampered the economic growth of Punjab. He said it was only the present Akali Dal-BJP government which had made a humble beginning in improving the lot of Punjabis. A spectacular progress had been witnessed in the past one and half years of this government's governance. Mr Badal said the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link a long-pending demand, had been cleared by the Railway Ministry. Work on the project would begin soon. He said at the initiative of the government, "Swaran Shatabdi Express" had been introduced between Amritsar and Delhi with modern facilities. The upgradation of the international airport in Amritsar was another landmark and 150 acres had been made available for this prestigious project. The international airport with cargo facilities would be commissioned in a year or two. This would give a major boost to the export of agriculture and industrial produce, fetching more income for the people of the state. Various projects like the Rs 16000 crore oil refinery at Bathinda, Rs 1200 crore fertilisers plant at Sangrur, various power projects, science city, Institute of Renewable Energy and Baba Farid Health Sciences University at Faridkot had been cleared in a short span. These would have a far-reaching impact on the state economy and also generate employment. The Chief Minister claimed
that the loan waiver of Rs 8400 crore had resulted in
relief to the economy. He said in this "year of
development," all sections, including farmers,
traders, industrialists, government employees, Scheduled
Castes, labourers and other weaker sections, had been
given direct relief of Rs 2000 crore in the past one and
a half years. He said various developmental schemes like the "shagun" scheme, the fixed deposit scheme on the birth of a girl child, free housing scheme, free power up to 30 units, free water and power for the farming sector, abolition of land revenue in rural areas and houses tax in urban towns had come as a succour for the people. He said the road network in the state was being strengthened and a sum of Rs 800 crore arranged for the purpose. The Thein Dam would be completed this year and the Ist phase of Lehra Mohabbat thermal plant had already been commissioned. Work on another 500 mw thermal plant at Goindwal Sahib at a cost of Rs 2000 crore was being started shortly with the commissioning of these projects, Punjab would be able to meet its power requirement. The Chief Minister presented Punjab Sarkar Parman Patra Awards to Mr N.S. Bhinder, Mr Wassan Singh Nijjar, Mr Hardev Singh Sangha, Mrs Sarparveen Kaur, Subedar Sewa Singh, Mr Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Mr Jagat Singh, Mr Pritam Singh, Miss Sukhwinder Kaur and Mr H.S. Grewal. Eminent artists like Mr Hans Raj Hans, Mr Surinder Chhinda, Mr Pali Detwalia, Mr Kuldeep Manak, Ms Ranjeet Kaur and their cultural troupe presented a cultural show. In a rare gesture, the Chief Minister joined the artistes and performed bhangra. Children from various schools of the district presented a P.T. show. Mrs Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of the Chief Minister, gave away tricycles and sewing machines to the needy persons. PATIALA: Punjab Local Bodies Minister Balramji Das Tandon presented a cheque of Rs 1.20 crore to the Patiala Municipal Corporation for cleaning the city of slums. After hoisting the national flag at Yadavindra Stadium here, said 667 focal points were being developed in the state to ensure modern facilities were made available to the rural people. He said 1.20 lakh persons had benefited from the old-age pension scheme. Mr Tandon honoured gallantry award winners Brig Sukhdev Singh, Grenadier Gurbux Singh, Flt Lt Balbir Singh, Wing Commander Kulwant Singh Gill, Col Sukhwinder Singh, Col Mohan Singh Randhawa and Company Commander Desraj on the occasion. Others to be honoured were Mr Muni Lal Kumra, Mr Pawandeep Singh Joshi, Mr Mohan Lal Gupta, Mr Subhash Jain, Olympian Harmeek Singh, Mr Jagdish Singh Bhola and Sub Inspector Harpal Singh. A cultural programme was presented by school children and the North Zone Cultural Centre. State minister Indrajeet Singh Zira unfurled the national flag at Rajpura and Printing and Stationery Minister Surjit Singh Kohli unfurled the flag at Nabha. JALANDHAR: Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, unfurled the Tricolour on the Independence Day here. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Atwal recalled the sacrifices made by the people of the country in the freedom struggle. He said the Punjabis made a very major role in winning independence for the country. He said though the country had made progress in all fields, unfortunately poverty had not been eradicated during the past 50 years. But the Akali-BJP alliance was committed to the upliftment of the unprevileged. He appealed to the people to rise above religion, caste and creed considerations. This was necessary for the country's progress. Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, while speaking at MGSM Janta College, Kartarpur, recalled the contribution made by the people of Punjab in winning independence. He appealed to the people to remain united and maintain the integrity fo the country in these "difficult times." AMRITSAR: The Cooperation Minister, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, unfurled the national flag and took the salute from an impressive march past at the sprawling Guru Nanak Stadium here. He lauded the role of Punjabis in the freedom struggle and thereafter in the alround development of the country. Distinguished personalities, including Harvinder Singh, a national level cricketer, were honoured on the occasion. Tricycles were presented to 31 disabled persons while sewing machines were presented to 20 women. A colourful cultural programme was organised. Dr Inderpal Singh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor hoisted the Tricolour at the Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Independence Day functions were also organised at the sub-divisional level. Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Information and Public Relations Minister, unfurled the national flag at Tarn Taran and Mr Nusrat Ali Khan. Minister for Sports, at Ajnala. FEROZEPORE: The Minister for Technical Education, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, hoisted the national flag at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium here. On behalf of the District Red Cross Society, she distributed 20 sewing machines among poor women and 10 tricycles among the disabled. BARNALA: The Minister of State for Food and Civil supplies hoisted the national flag at the local New Grain Market complex here. He inspected a guard of honour and took the salute from contingents of the Punjab police, Home Guards, NCC cadets and girl guides led by Mr Kanwaldeep Singh, DSP. GURDASPUR: Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, unfurled the national flag here. He gave away 11 sewing machines to needy women and 10 tricycles to the disabled. On behalf of the District Red Cross, Rs 1,100 and a letter of appreciation each was presented to outstanding gymnasts Jaswant Kaur, Neeru Jabalia, Rama Preet, Sunita and Amandeep Saini. HOSHIARPUR: Independence
Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at the local Police
Grounds here. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister for Food
and Supplies, unfurled the national flag. A cultural programme was presented by school-children.Four sewing machines and tricycles were given to widows and the disabled by the District Red Cross Society. Eight persons, including Jatinder Kumar, who secured the first position in the matriculation examination of the Punjab School Education Board, were honoured. SANGRUR: Mr Mahesh Inder Singh, Minister for Medical Education, Technology and Environment, unfurled the national flag at the War Heroes Stadium here and took the salute at a joint march past by contingents of Punjab police, Home Guards and NCC cadets.School-children presented a PT show. KAPURTHALA: Mr Sarup Singh, Housing and Urban Development Minister, unfurled the national flag at Guru Nanak Stadium here.He gave away prizes to distinguished freedom fighters and appreciation letters to social workers. He also distributed sewing machines and tricycles among the needy. FATEHGARH SAHIB: At Mata Gujri School ground here, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, unfurled the national flag and took the salute. Eleven widows and needy women were presented sewing machines and eight disabled persons presented with tricycles. Schoolchildren presented a cultural show. ROPAR: Mr Harmail Singh Tohra, PWD Minister, unfurled the national flag at a district-level function at the local Nehru Stadium. He distributed seven tricycles among the disabled. Seven sewing machines were given to needy women on behalf of the District Red Cross Society. PHAGWARA: The Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes unfurled national flag at Phagwara. Celebrations were also
held at Fazilka, Samana, Balachaur, Amloh, Bassi Pathana,
Khamano and Samrala. |
Punjab to sack 225 doctors BATHINDA, Aug 15 — The Punjab government will sack about 225 doctors shortly as they have been absenting themselves from their duties since long. Stating this at a press conference here today, Punjab Health Minister, Manoranjan Kalia said dismissal proceedings against these doctors had been started and their services would be terminated as soon as proceedings came to an end. He said that the Punjab government was taking such steps to improve quality of services in the government hospitals and dispensaries. He said that last year about 100 doctors were dismissed from their services. He disclosed that he had ordered a probe into the incident where a doctor of the local civil hospital demanded the item required for post mortem from the relatives of the deceased (dowry victim) recently, an alleged attempt of raping a patient in the government hospital, Talwandi Bhai by an employee of the hospital and in the case of Baljit Singh, whose body was eaten up by ants in the mortuary in a local civil hospital as no ice slabs were placed with the body. Mr Kalia said that he was for a ban on private practice and added that state government was finding way-out to ban the private practice. He said that the state government was preparing the reply of notices issued by the Punjab and Haryana high court regarding private practice prevalent in the government doctors. "It is a social evil. What can we do when it is Kalyug (era of evil doers). The evil can be reduced and it cannot be eradicated forever," he added. The Health Minister said that the state government was considering the case of non-registered medical practitioners and registered medical practitioners. He said that he would not like to comment more as a case was pending in the Supreme Court and high court in this regard. To a question, Mr Kalia said that medical and paramedical staff were being trained in a phased manner to handle the modern machines that were being installed in various hospitals of the state with the aid of World Bank loan. Earlier, Mr Kalia unfurled
the national flag on the occasion of 51st anniversary of
India's independence. He also gave away Mata Yashodha
Devi Memorial Scholarship of Rs 10,000 to Mr Pardeep
Kumar and Mr Satinder Singh toppers in the PMT
competition in the district. The scholarship had been
sponsored by Dr Mohan Lal Garg in memory of his mother. |
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Rice samples sent for analysis BRING KHERA (Muktsar), Aug 15 — Even as the number of those taken ill after consuming rice at langar here yesterday has risen to 1499, the district administration has sent samples of the rice for chemical examination to the Medical College, Faridkot. Mr M.L. Kakkar, District Family Planning Officer, Muktsar, who is treating the patients at the local gurdwara with a team of doctors, told TNS that samples from the source of water in which the rice was cooked were also sent for examination. Out of 1,499 patients (775 males and 724 females), 100 were still undergoing treatment in different hospitals of Mandi Dabwali. All patients were out of danger. When TNS visited the local gurdwara 30 patients were being treated by the paramedical staff. In Mandi Dabwali, due to a heavy rush of patients, three patients were lying on a single cot at the Civil Hospital. The district administration and the Indian Medical Association is bearing the cost of the treatment of the patients. There is resentment among
the villagers as a senior minister in the Punjab
Government reached the village 24 hours after the
occurence of the incident. Mr Ravinder Singh, SDM,
Malout, talking to TNS said a case had been registered.
He said medical teams from Ferozepore, Bathinda and other
neighbouring towns reached the village immediately after
receiving information about the incident. Residents Mandi
Dabwali helped in a big way in treating such a large
number of patients. |
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Problems of paddy procurement CHANDIGARH, Aug 15 — Paddy procurement operations beginning September 15 next have been eclipsed by the growing unacceptability of Punjab rice in other states and by the wrong policies pursued by the State Government to appease the farmers. Recent reports indicate that rice despatched from Punjab hit headlines because it was found to be of poor quality. Even the Delhi Government refused to accept rice from Punjab. Not only certain other states have progressed fast in increasing paddy production but the quality of rice available has outmatched Punjab rice. Rice produced in Andhra Pradesh is believed to be more favoured that the one available in Punjab. This fact also stands endorsed when one looks at the rice stock stored in godowns in Punjab, against a storage capacity of 72 lakh tonnes, the occupied storage is to the tune of 66 lakh tonnes — 40 lakh tonnes is rice, 18 lakh tonnes of wheat and eight lakh tonnes of unmilled paddy. The outflow from the state is meagre. Since the date of paddy procurement operations has been advanced from October 1 to September 15, frantic groundwork is under way to make arrangements in mandis. Punjab expects a bumper crop: 125 lakh tonnes. Of this at least 20 lakh tonnes is expected to arrive in the mandis in September alone; this is the early sown paddy, particularly in the districts of Sangrur, Ferozepore, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and parts of Kapurthala. Despite the advanced date if all agencies do not enter the market there will be "distress" sale with paddy growers getting less than the minimum support price. This will have serious ethical connotations for a farmer oriented government and will cause political embarrassment to both Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Surjit Singh Barnala. The rice millers in Punjab — there are about 1,650 units — feel that political interference in the districts (as it happened in the last kharif season) will force the purchasing agencies to buy highly moist (above the prescribed maximum of 18 per cent moisture) and sub-standard paddy which does not bring out the desired 67 per cent yield of rice. In fact it was relaxation of specifications in respect of procurement of paddy last year which ultimately resulted in poor quality of rice which became unacceptable in other parts of the country; Punjab, itself is not a rice-eating state. What is actually milled is broken rice, at times in powder form. Moreover, the mandis being "kutcha", by and large, lot of mud, pebbles and other impurities are weighed and bagged in the mandis which all results in poor quality of rice. The state is caught between two strong lobbies: one of farmers, the other of rice millers. The latter knows the prevailing milling technology is obsolete and modernisation is a must to ensure quality rice in a competitive market. But millers do nothing. The same way, the former — the farmers — ignore with impunity the experts advice not to go in for "early trans plantation" of paddy. The recommended period is between June 10 and 20, as contained in the Punjab Agricultural University's guidelines. Yet farmers transplant paddy in May itself. It is that crop in the major paddy bowl — Sangrur, Amritsar, Ferozepore, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur, which creates problems: not fully mature and moist. There is no mechanism with the government to ensure farmers adhered to the recommended farm practices. At one stage, the PAU had recommended that a "cut-off date" should be prescribed and farmers disobeying that on paddy transplantation denied the minimum support price. The FCI too had once suggested that there should be "two-tier" minimum support price low rate for September arrivals and prescribed support price for October-November. Milling is best done between October and March 31. What is not understood is
that moisture in paddy hits quality. The rice mills are
not equitably distributed in the state. For example, in
Sangrur the number of mills do not commensurate with the
production. Trans-district movement of paddy, men and
material adds to cost. Consequently, millers demand
higher rate for levy rice. The difference between levy
rate and custom milling rate has to be minimum. Lack of
infrastructure, poor quality control and intra-agency
problems coupled with storage and movement add to paddy
procurement problems. |
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Two new trains from Fazilka FAZILKA, Aug 15 — The Northern Railway has introduced two new trains from Fazilka. 4 SKB train from Fazilka shall leave at 8.50 a.m. for Bathinda and reach there at 11.30 a.m. and shall return from there at 12.45 p.m. and reach Fazilka at 3.15 p.m. The second train which was being run from Fazilka to Hoshiarpur shall now run from Fazilka at 10.30 a.m. for Amritsar via Beas. Mr Dhuglu Horo, station supervisor of Fazilka railway station, flagged off these trains. Members of the Consumer
Association, Fazilka and other social organisations which
had been demanding commencement of these trains were
present on this occasion of flagging off. |
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PCCTU protest day on August 18 PHAGWARA, Aug 15 — The 5,000-strong body of teachers, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), will observe August 18 as a protest day against the "failure" of the Punjab Government to implement the demands of the teachers. Stating this here
yesterday, Dr V.K. Tewari, general secretary, PCCTU, said
the teachers in non-government aided and unaided
affiliated colleges were not paid salaries regularly and
were often underpaid. |
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Principals concerned over teachers'
stir PATIALA, Aug 15 — Principals of Punjab government colleges are concerned over the loss of studies in colleges and universities due to the on-going indefinite strike launched by teachers in the country. Stating this in a press note here yesterday, Mr S.S. Chohan, president, Punjab Government College Principals Association, said principals of the state colleges urged the central government to take early measures for redressing the grievances of the teaching community. The statement further said studies in colleges was suffering due to the teachers' agitation. Such a strike also affected the psychology of the students, it added. Supporting the teachers'
agitation, the association said the pay scales announced
by the Human Resource Development Ministry were not up to
the mark and a lot of amendments needed to be taken in
this regard. |
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Shawls presented to freedom
fighters GURDASPUR, Aug 15 — More than 500 Congress workers met in the District Congress Committee (DCC) office here yesterday to review the political situation in the state. Mr Mohan Lal Mahajan, president, Block Congress Committee, presided. Shawls were presented to freedom fighters which included Mr Ved Parkash, Mr Munshi Ram and Mr Amar Singh. Mr Chanderpal Singh,
president, DCC, exhorted the Congress workers to follow
the example of the freedom fighters and imbibe from them
the spirit of sacrifice to restructure the country. |
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Punjab employees' plea CHANDIGARH, Aug 15 — Members of the Punjab Government Employees' Residents Welfare Association, Type I, Sector 39-C, have expressed their resentment against the failure of the government to look after the maintenance of the houses even though a cut of 5 per cent is effected in their salaries in addition to Rs 20 as fan charges every month. Mr Nishan Singh Uppal,
president of the association, said a fixed amount of Rs
60 should be deducted as rent. Moreover, the government
should affix grills on the windows to enhance safety. |
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Discharged teachers rounded up PATIALA, Aug 15 — The police rounded up discharged teachers aligned with the Nav Nayukt Adhyapak Union today morning when they tried to enter the Yadavindra Stadium here to disrupt Independence Day celebrations. Disclosing this SP (headquarters) Paramjit Singh Grewal said seven of the former teachers had been kept at the Civil Lines Police Station for some hours before being set free. However, a spokesman of the Adhyapak Union claimed that the former teachers had been rounded up from Patiala and Rajpura after raids were conducted at their houses yesterday evening, the spokesman claimed that 36 discharged teachers had been rounded up to prevent them from disrupting any of the Independence Day functions being held in the district. The spokesman said the state government which was doing nothing for discharged teachers, had now started harassing them. He said this was being done as the teachers were demanding retrospective amendment of the rules governing the Education Department following striking down of their appointment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Earlier the discharged
teachers had disrupted a public function being addressed
by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal last week. |
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Police heaves sigh of relief CHANDIGARH, Aug 15 — The police authorities in Punjab heaved a sigh of relief as Independence Day celebrations passed off peacefully today. Tight security arrangements had been made in the state following intelligence reports that ISI-backed militants were out to create disturbances in this region on Independence Day. Following these reports, the Punjab Government had suspended night bus service while night patrolling in all parts of the state was increased. At various places nakas were put up to check the movement of suspects. This morning the police carried a search of buses coming to Chandigarh from various places. Red alert was sounded. The police had got reports about the movement of militants in this region. There was no report of any untoward incident from any part of Punjab. In spite of tight security
arrangements and inclement weather, the turnout at
Independence Day functions was impressive. |
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DoT's gift to Fazilka
subscribers FAZILKA, Aug 15 — The Telecom Department at last presented a gift to telephone subscribers of Fazilka town on Independence Day by linking it with Abohar, Muktsar, Malout, Gidderbaha and a few other towns through the STD facility. The time rules per call for these towns have also been enhanced to 3 minutes per call. The subscribers of Fazilka shall now be able to make calls to these towns by adding code 92 instead of zero along with towns code. The members of the Telephone Advisory Committee from Fazilka having representation in Ferozepore division had been striving for directly linking Fazilka with other towns for the past more than one year. Mr Balbir Gupta, SDO
(Telephones) disclosed that Fazilka would also be linked
directly with Sriganganagar soon. |
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