Saturday, December 5, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, December 5, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Students
call for stir on Dec 9 Badal
to reorganise SAD youth wing |
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 Town dressed in saffron for
march
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Seminar
held on pollution Humans
can't be cloned: experts Grievance
of resident against UTI redressed |
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| Prof nominated visiting fellow Akalis "ignoring" other parties |
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PSEB raids on units assailed |
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Kalyan
doesn't know much about attack CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Though the UP Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh, stated that he would take "strict" action against those involved in the attack on Guru Ram Dass Academy near Dehra Dun, he had no details of the incident even after 48 hours of its occurrence. Addressing a press conference, Mr Kalyan Singh said he would seek a report from the state Home Department with regard to the incident and also order a probe in this connection. When asked how many persons involved in the attack on the Sikh academy had been arrested so far, Mr Kalyan Singh said that he had no details. He said earlier a similar incident had taken place and miscreants involved in that incident were arrested. He said no one involved in the academy incident would be spared. As UP was a vast state, such incidents occurred spontaneously. According to reports appearing in the media, about 800 Uttaranchal supporters attacked Guru Ram Dass Academy on December 2 around noon. Its staff was severely beaten up by the mob and religious place there was also desecrated. Its chairman, Mr Raja Singh, who escaped, gave details of the attack on reaching Delhi. Some of the students of the academy were also beaten. The academy has about 500 Indian and foreign students on its rolls and many of them live in the hostels. When asked about the defeat of the BJP in recently concluded elections, Mr Kalyan Singh said that the "Congress had not won this election but BJP had lost this election. He said such a recent election results would not affect the BJP politically or otherwise in the days to come in UP. There was no Sonia factor in the UP, he asserted. But he admitted that infighting within the BJP ranks was one of the main reasons for its defeat in the recent elections. Another reason was rising prices. He said the BJP should be its own house in order and bring effectiveness in the party to govern effectively. Replying to a question with regard to controversial Udham Singh Nagar, Mr Kalyan Singh said he had urged Mr George Fernandes, Union Defence Minister, to call a meeting of three-member committee constituted by the Prime Minister to resolve this issue at the earliest. Mr Kalyan Singh said he was for including Udham Singh Nagar in the new proposed Uttaranchal state. His Cabinet had submitted this proposal to the Central Government and also passed a draft of the Bill in this connection in the Vidhan Sabha. The Centre sent it back to the state government which was returned with certain amendments. He said it was the discretion of the Central Government whether to accept the amendments proposed by the UP Government or not. The new proposed state would come into being soon as BJP Government was committed to the state's creation. When asked when Mr George Fernandes would submit his report with regard to Udham Singh Nagar as the due date, which was November 30, had already passed, Mr Kalyan Singh had no knowledge in this connection. He said that all orders with regard to implementing "Sarasvati Vandana" in government schools in Uttar Pradesh had been withdrawn. No formal approval of the Cabinet was taken while issuing such orders. The Cabinet would review this issue. Talking about the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary he stated that no one would be allowed to play with law and order at Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi. The law and order at such places would be maintained at all costs. When asked that why he had changed his stance with regard to Ayodhya, Mr Kalyan Singh pointed out that the demolition of Babri Masjid was unexpected and unplanned. Sometimes such incidents
occurred, though one did not want that such things to
take place. |
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Badal,
Tohra condemn attack CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal while strongly condemning the attack on peace-loving Punjabis near Dehra Dun and the damage caused to a Sikh academy building by Uttaranchal supporters here, today urged the President, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and UP Chief Minister to immediately intervene and punish the culprits involved in this incident. He said the Punjabis settled in that region had contributed significantly to the development of area at the cost of their personal comfort. A deputation led by a senior minister from Punjab would visit the state to help in defusing the situation. He urged Mr Kalyan Singh to check the recurrence of such ugly happenings. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC President, condemning the incident, said the SGPC Senior Vice-President, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, would leave for Dehra Dun tomorrow along with two other SGPC activists to make on-the-spot study of the situation and inquire into the incident. He said it was the duty of the Centre as well as the UP Government to protect the life and property of all citizens. He urged the Central Government to pull up the Kalyan Singh Government. It was painful that such incident had happened when an ally of the Shiromani Akali Dal was ruling Uttar Pradesh. Mr Jasmer Singh Bala, Dr
Gurbhagat Singh, Prof Mehar Singh and other members of
the Panthic Vichar Manch, have condemned the incident and
said that there was a conspiracy behind this incident. |
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Govt
assurance on Dehra Dun incident NEW DELHI, Dec 4 — The government today assured that stringent action would be taken against those who created trouble at the Guru Ram Das Academy, Rajpur Road, in Dehra Dun yesterday. The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Madan Lal Khurana, gave this assurance in the Lok Sabha when a SAD MP, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, raised the matter during zero hour. He was supported by several other members. According to the chairman of the school Mr Raja Singh, some 800 miscreants entered the school premises yesterday and ransacked it. He said the activists were of an organisation supporting creation of Uttaranchal and raised slogans that Sikhs were hampering its creation. Mr Chandumajra said the ransacking was a serious matter and also stated that Granth Sahib was damaged. The Parliamentary Affairs
Minister said the Home Minister was aware of the incident
and had assured that action would be taken in this
regard. |
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SGPC
flays Dehra Dun incident AMRITSAR, Dec 4 — The SGPC has warned that any attack on Sikhs, especially those living outside Punjab, will not be tolerated. In a statement here today, an SGPC spokesman said the central and state governments should ensure the safety of the life and property of the Sikhs living outside the state. Condemning the attack on the staffs and students of the Guru Ram Dass Academy near Dehra Dun and the desecration of the holy book, the spokesman demanded exemplary punishment to the guilty. He alleged that it was part of a deep-rooted conspiracy and also condemned the role of the police which remained a mute spectator. Meanwhile, students of Khalsa College boycotted classes and held a rally in protest against the incident. Addressing the rallyists, Mr Sandeep Singh Wahla, a student leader, said that if the Uttar Pradesh Government failed to book the miscreants, students of Punjab would be forced to take drastic steps. Among others who addressed
the rally included Mr Jagpal Singh Dasuha and Mr Dilbag
Singh. They criticised the Uttar Pradesh Government for
not taking action against the guilty.
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Students
call for stir on Dec 9 PATIALA, Dec 4 — Striking students of local colleges as well as Punjabi University today gave a call to all colleges affiliated with the university to observe a complete strike on December 9 even as they rejected an offer by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Joginder Singh Puar, to refer the issue of a raise in the fee structure to the coordination committee of the Punjabi and Guru Nanak Dev Universities. The students, who are on strike for the past seven days under the aegis of the Joint Students Action Committee, submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor in the morning demanding a complete rollback in the examination fee which has been hiked substantially. Students of Government Mahindra College, Bikram College of Commerce, State College of Education, Khalsa College, Government Physical College and Industrial Training Institute besides campus students collected at the university and staged a dharna-cum-rally in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office. Student leaders Surinder Ghuman and Raminder Popi criticised the university authorities for increasing the fee so drastically. They said such a hike was unwarranted and did not take into consideration the plight of thousands of students who were not ready for it. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr J.S. Puar, said the issue could be reconsidered by the coordination committee of the two universities. He said the fee hike was
also in consonance with the agreed policy of keeping the
fee structure in Punjabi University on the pattern of
Guru Nanak Dev University, which had increased both
tuition as well as examination fees earlier this year. |
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Treating
the disabled with affection JALANDHAR: This is the story of human misery caused by physical and mental handicaps, also about the courage and will of some who struggle day and night for survival against heavy odds. Many of them want to live with honour and be treated as normal human beings. The reasons are food, shelter, and medicine. But above all this is the affection showered on them by an old man. This keeps their hopes alive for a better tomorrow. The year of the disabled (1998) has come as a boon to the 400 inmates of Pingla Ghar, an institution for the handicapped, which has survived without much official help and patronage for three decades. A full-fledged mental psychiatric hospital has been added to the complex. The ailing inmates can now hope for better treatment. Not that they were not looked after earlier. More than medical and psychiatric treatment, the affection of a single man has kept them cheerful. This man, Bawa Sarup Singh, had started life as a police officer at Lahore, left his job during the freedom movement and set up business. He retired from working life but not from social service. It is a sight as he goes round Pingla Ghar with inmates greeting him, children rushing to his arms and the elderly embracing him. Bawa Sarup Singh started Pingla Ghar in 1951 with just two rooms and five inmates near the graveyard. Today, it is a sprawling complex of buildings spread over six acres beside Gulab Devi Hospital here. The site was a series of depressions which were filled and some huts built in 1962. The institution was conferred the National Award by the then President, Mr Sanjiva Reddy, and the Bawa Sarup had the privilege to receive the award from the President. The institution has nearly 400 patients, 55 per cent women and children and 45 per cent males. Patients comprise the disabled, mentally retarded, orphaned and aged. The institution provides dry rations like atta, dal and blankets etc to nearly 100 widows from outside. It also provides rations to institutions like Mother Teresa House and Gulab Devi Hospital. More than 50 per cent of the helpers are patients who have been cured of their ailments. Pingla Ghar has performed the marriage of about 15 couples who came there as patients. Inmates are also taken out on outings and picnic on several occasions. To provide a working atmosphere, some of the patients are assigned chores like making envelops and candles. Some are drafted for the kitchen in preparing food. Children are provided education in Pingla Ghar. After their recovery they are sent to schools in the city for higher education. What impresses the visitor most here is an effort on the part of the management to rehabilitate them as far as possible. The inmates are made to do and learn the trade for which they have the aptitude. According to Mr M.S. Narula, administrative officer of Anath Sewa Society which runs the institution, Pingla Ghar has beds for 350 patients. The total number of patients treated in various wards during 1997-98 was 475. During 1997-98, as many as 45 patients were treated, of which 119 were cured and 85 rehabilitated. Proper medical care is
provided to all patients suffering from illness. No
efforts are spared in giving them the best of medicines,
and other medical facilities. |
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Seminar
held on pollution GURDASPUR, Dec 4 — More than 150 brick-kiln owners and rice millers participated in a seminar held here yesterday to review the fixation of anti-pollution devices in brick-kilns and rice mills. Mr B.L. Kansal, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Board, presided. Mr Kansal said 10,000 pollution- causing industrial units have been identified in the state. He said the board was serious in making the state pollution free by the end of next year. The state has about 2500 rice mills and brick-kilns which cause pollution. The board has issued a time frame to industrial units to install anti-pollution devices. In units other than rice mills and brick-kilns 80 per cent of the target has been achieved. Mr Kansal said the Ministry of Science and Technology has evolved a device which has been set up at Gurdaspur at a cost of Rs 10 lakh approximately. The device not only saves fuel but also manufactures better bricks. Mr Kansal said a meeting of brick-kiln owners and rice millers with the CM, the industries conceded to set up anti-pollution devices in 25 per cent of the total units in the state by December 31 this year and another 35 per cent by the end of September 1999 and the remaining by the end of December 31, 1999. In this way 42 brick-kilns were to be installed with anti-pollution devices, but in reality anti-pollution devices have been installed only in seven brick-kilns. Mr Kansal warned that the board was under pressure to achieve the target in time or force closure of units. The board at the most can give one month’s extension for installation of anti-pollution devices after the fixed date. The brick-kiln owners of
this district meanwhile have deposited money with the
board for installing anti-pollution devices. They have
requested the board to allow them to widen existing
chimney. |
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Town
dressed in saffron for march ANANDPUR SAHIB (Ropar), Dec 4 — As expected, a large number of Sikhs arrived here by this evening from the different parts of the state for taking part in the Khalsa march being organised by the Sant Samaj and the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht, in the early hours of tomorrow morning, in connection with the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. The entire town has been decorated with saffron flags and welcome gates. The site near Kila Anandgarh Sahib, the venue selected for starting the march is a worth giving a second look. Participants wearing saffron suits, dupattas and turbans, (not blue turbans, otherwise commonly found on such occasions) are full of enthusiasm for the march. A glider was also seen in the air which had been spraying coloured paper slips on the participants and Kila Anandgarh Sahib, which is nearer to the site of the Khalsa heritage memorial complex. However, the number of security personnel in the area was less then that on November 22. The main stage for holding the Diwan, before the start of Khalsa march has been put up in the Kila near the entrance. From this stage, kirtan will be performed and a number of speakers will also deliver discourses. According to Baba Mani Singh, a sewak of Sant Baba Mann Singh, Pehowa Wale, who had been getting the stage prepared the Diwan will be held up to 11 p.m. Late, the religious leaders will deliver their speeches. Jathedar Takht Sri Kesgarh
Sahib, Prof Manjit Singh, said that he would attend the
Diwan to say welcome to the sangat. He said it was his
duty to welcome all who visited Anandpur Sahib. |
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Humans
can't be cloned: experts AMRITSAR, Dec 4 — A galaxy of distinguished international genetic scientists on the concluding day of the fourth international symposium on genetics, health and diseases unanimously adopted a 10 point programme. There was consensus that there is a great potential for undertaking research in human genetics in India which must be parallel with the establishment of more centres for genetic counselling. The scientists felt that more diagnostic centres for genetic diseases needed to be opened. They recommended that financial help by the central government should be provided as is being done in other countries. The scientists also recommended that quality assurance programmes for genetic services and certification of the technical personnel working in the genetic laboratories/centres be established. They advised the establishment of screening programmes for newborns for metabolic disorders where early therapy can ensure normal development of the child. International collaboration between the Indian and foreign universities should be encouraged and genetic services made available to everyone, they added. The symposium also recommended that future opportunities for younger scientists needed to be adequately developed and the existing genetic centres should be strengthened. Similarly, the scientists were of the view that ethics committees should be instituted at each institution undertaking human genetic research. Earlier, in the last plenary session, Prof U. Mittwoch of University College, London, speaking on 'Clones past and present' detailed the term clone' as a population of cells or organisms formed by asexual reproduction from a common cell or organism. She said the present-day interest of media in cloning, especially after the birth of 'Dolly', a cloned sheep, had given the wrong notion that humans could be made asexually. She stressed that this technique can be used on plants mainly and some animals for producing commercially profitable plants and animal products. Human clones cannot be made yet, she added. Dr V.I. Kumar, Regional Director, WHO, presenting the paper of Dr Herrell Illeana, Senior Adviser, WHO, Switzerland, said WHO has given a resolution that all individuals have a right to health. He said considering the genetic and biological differences in all individuals, an optimum health should be given to all individuals relevant to their geographical area and environment. It is also connected to human rights, he said. Professor Kumar said pollution, violence, social and economic inequality hamper the development of proper health status. Societal factors are most important for health status determination. Technology ought to be developed and shared internationally so that optimum health is available to all. He said health is related to availability of food, housing, clothing and surrounding environment. He also stressed that right to health must be a non-negotiable. The poster committee
headed by Dr G.S. Sekhon of the USA adjudged Choudhury's
poster of analysis of patients with inherited toxia in
India as the best while S. Kachhap of Mumbai got second
award for poster on "Identification of
susceptibility factors in breast cancer" and Vinita
of Amritsar secured the third prize on her poster on
"Multi-disciplinary approach in the study of
congential cataract." |
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Grievance
of resident against UTI redressed FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 4 — The District Consumers Disputes Redressal Forum has awarded a compensation of Rs 1000 to Miss Pensy Verma, resident of Sirhind, including cost of moving the Forum. She had filed a complaint against the Zonal Manager, Unit Trust of India, Mr O.P. Goyal. The Forum president and two other members in their unanimous judgement directed the Unit Trust of India to pay the compensation and cost amount within one month. Miss Pensy complained to the Forum that she had purchased 500 units of Master growth '93 as a minor. On attaining adulthood she approached the Unit Trust of India for making necessary amendments in the certificates. When she received the certificates, she found that her first name had been spelt as "Pency instead of Pensy. She made many a request for making necessary correction, but the Unit Trust of India did not oblige despite reminders. She served a legal notice dated November 24,'97 on the UTI. She stated without the UT certificates, she was unable to sell the same in the market which caused her a financial loss of Rs 7000. She demanded that the UTI may be directed to send back the certificates after correcting her first name and also pay her damages. Mr Vipin Kumar, a
representative of the UTI, said the complainant had
received the certificates after due correction. The
complainant stressed that the real grievance related to
the deficiency in service arising from delay caused by
the Unit Trust of India. She had received the
certificates only after filing of the present complaint. |
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Professor
nominated visiting fellow AMRITSAR, Dec 4 — Dr Ranvinder Singh Sandhu, Professor of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, has been nominated as a University Grants Commission's visiting fellow by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education under the Indo-Netherlands cultural exchange programme. He will visit the country from December 8 to 22. He said during his stay,
he would deliver lectures on housing and urban
development in the Third World in Dutch universities and
research institutes. |
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PSEB
raids on units assailed LUDHIANA, Dec 4 — The Ludhiana Small-Scale Manufacturers Association has condemned the Punjab State Electricity Board for imposing hefty penalties on tiny and small-scale units under the garb of checking the misuse/theft of electricity by the units. Mr Harish Khanna,
president of the association, has alleged that this
offensive by the electricity Board on the industrial
units, was a way to recover the losses being suffered by
the Board. He said the Akali leadership had gone back on
its election promise to abolish the inspector raj in the
state and demanded that the state government direct the
PSEB to restrict raids on small units. |
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Luxury
buses for Anandpur Sahib CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The Punjab Tourism Development Corporation will start luxury buses to Anandpur Sahib for residents of Chandigarh and surrounding areas from December 13, according to an official press note issued here today. The charges would be Rs
250 for adults. Children below 10 would be offered a 50
per cent concession. Food would be served on board. |
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Akalis
"ignoring" other parties CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 (UNI) — Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh today charged the Akali-BJP government in the state with ignoring other political parties in the celebrations of the "Khalsa march" and treating Punjab as its "jagir". Punjab belongs to all political parties and not Akalis alone, he said while talking to mediapersons after Congress president Sonia Gandhi had addressed state Congress leaders and activists here. He replied in the negative when asked whether the Punjab Government had invited him to join the "Khalsa march". He said the Congress in Punjab itself was celebrating the occasion in a big way. Mrs Rajinder Bhattal, whom
he described as "a hard working lady" were
extending her full 'support' to the PPCC(I). "There
is neither dissension nor groupism in the party", he
asserted. |
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Conference
on job avenues AMRITSAR, Dec 4. — A conference-cum-exhibition on 'Educational and Vocational Planning' is being organised jointly by the Placement Unit, Director, Youth Welfare, Guru Nanak Dev University, Deputy Director, Employment, and Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, Amritsar from December 8 to 10 in the Guru Nanak Bhavan auditorium of the university. Experts will give
information about job avenues in military and
para-military forces, jobs through competitive
examinations and information about jobs in banking,
commerce and accountancy at the exhibition.
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Parents
threaten teachers MOGA, Dec 4 — Parents of school students from Mehana Charik and Dudioke are threatening teachers with dire consequences if their wards are punished for misbehaviour or teasing other students. This issue was raised at a
meeting of the Sanjha Teachers Morcha here last evening.
The meeting was presided over by the Morcha Convener, Mr
Balbir Singh Ramuwalia. |
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Sewerage
staff to stage dharna LUDHIANA, Dec 4 — The Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Employees Union has threatened to sit on dharna on December 7 in all districts of the state at the main offices of the Board and on December 9 at the head office in Chandigarh in case the government did not issue any clarification on its intention to dissolve the Board. Mr Mohinder Singh,
Chairman of the union, said in case the board was
dissolved over 2,000 employees would be rendered
unemployed. |
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Punjab
Regiment’s recruitment rally CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — A team of the Punjab Regimental Centre Ramgarh Cantonment (Bihar) will visit Katoch Stadium, Jalandhar Cantonment from December 14 to December 17 to recruit Sikh and Dogra candidates for the regiment. Those successful in physical and medical tests will be given a written test on December 27 at Jalandhar. Sons or war widows,
ex-servicemen, serving personnel of the regiment and
sportsmen will be preferred. Minimum qualification is
matriculation, according to a press note signed by Lt-Col
R.S. Jaoon delivered here today. |
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Punjab
transfers CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 —Mr C.S Srivastava, Commissioner, Faridkot, has been transferred as Commissioner, Inquiries and Secretary, Freedom Fighters, relieving Mrs Sujata Das of the additional charge. Mr R.N. Gupta, Secretary, Relief Settlement, and Commissioner, Ferozepore Division, will also work as Commissioner, Faridkot Division. Mrs Vini Mahajan, Managing
Director, Punjab Tourism Development Corporation, will
also function as Chief Executive Officer, Anandpur Sahib
Foundation, relieving Mr Jasbir Singh Bir of the
additional charge. |
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Badal
to reorganise SAD youth wing CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab and president of the SAD, has been authorised to reorganise the youth wing of the SAD. The youth wing was dissolved recently because of infighting. Former office-bearers of
the wing met here today in this connection. Mr Sukhdev
Singh Dhindsa presided over the meeting. Mr Amrik Singh
Aliwal, president of the dissolved wing, however, stayed
away from the meeting. |
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Payment
date CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 —
The Punjab Government has extended the date for the
payment of dues by occupants of the surplus rural evacuee
land allotted to authorised persons till December 31. |
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Hamdard's
resignation rejected CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The executive committee of the Anandpur Sahib Foundation, which met here today, unanimously rejected the resignation of its president, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard and appealed to him to continue to serve the Punjabis and the Panth for the completion of the Khalsa Heritage Memorial at Anandpur Sahib. In a resolution, the committee lauded the role played by Mr Barjinder Singh for the glory of the Panth, Punjab and the country. It said the resignation had caused anxiety among the right-thinking people and well-wishers of the Panth. Through another
resolution, the foundation thanked people for
participating in a big number from all over the world in
the foundation-laying ceremony function of the Khalsa
Heritage Memorial on November 22. |
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Ban
on sale of loose mustard oil lifted CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The Punjab government has lifted the ban imposed on the sale of loose mustard oil. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Food and Supply Minister, Mr M.M. Mittal. However, the ban on
Kanodia, Hathi, Scooter, Parivar and Dhara brands will
continue according to an official press note released
here today. Officials of the departments concerned
attended the meeting.
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