Tuesday, December 15, 1998
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Tuesday, December 15, 1998 |
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Farooq for more autonomy to
states MOGA, Dec 14 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the Centre should grant more autonomy to states for "faster development of the nation". Many departments show
"slippages" |
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Industrial units a
neglected lot SAS NAGAR, Dec 14 — Industrial units, which contribute a major chunk of the local Municipal Council's funds, are a neglected lot in terms of the provision of essential facilities by not only the civic body but also other agencies. HC quashes CAT order in Dogra case Deportation
of Pak nationals: Punjab takes up issue with Centre Minister
warns errant Akalis Tohra
asks Sikhs to obey 'hukamnamas' Syndicate
to decide "moral turpitude" case today Civic
body meeting ends in commotion Decks
cleared for setting up of dairy board Tackling
problem of sullage, garbage |
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| ‘Parbat Ali’ battle honour
celebrated Repression of students condemned |
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"Consumer fora have reduced
courts' burden"
Introduce theatre as subject: Tiwana |
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Farooq for more autonomy to states MOGA, Dec 14 (UNI) — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the Centre should grant more autonomy to states for "faster development of the nation". Dr Abdullah was here in connection with the inauguration of a branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said his state was facing financial crises. "The state has to take Centre’s approval for every project,’’ he lamented adding that the country could not prosper unless states were given more powers. Responding to a question, the Chief Minister claimed that the law and order situation in his state was fast improving. With the assistance of Central security forces the terrorist activities were being curbed, he said. He hoped that complete normalcy would soon be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister sought Punjab’s cooperation in his state’s fight against militancy and terrorism. He assured Himachal Pradesh that with the joint strategy terrorism would be wiped out completely from the region. To a pointed question Dr Abdullah said that peace would soon return to the valley and the Hindus, who had left, would return to their hearths and homes. "There is no Hindu-Muslim problem in Jammu and Kashmir and the two are living like real brothers. Security forces, are doing their best to frustrate challenges posed by the proxy war," he said. He declared that there was no shift in the policy of the Vajpayee Government towards Jammu and Kashmir. "Jammu and Kashmir was, is and would always remain an integral party of India. The decision taken by the National Conference in 1947 to this effect was final and irrevocable," he asserted. Dr Abdullah justified the
Pokhran nuclear test by the Vajpayee Government and said
credit for its success goes to the Indian scientists.
"Our scientists have shown to advanced countries
India’s ability to become a nuclear power". |
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Many departments show
"slippages" CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — For the politico-administrative woes, which betide the SAD-BJP Government, it has no one else except itself to blame. These woes will find an echo even in the Vidhan Sabha session, summoned for December 21, next. Because of its own doings, the Government, of late, is increasingly under sniper fire — more from within than outside. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the major partner in the coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has ignored the present, rues the past and is uncertain of the future. Any gathering of dark religio-political or administrative clouds on the horizon for a State which has just emerged from the shadow of militancy is thus fraught with dangerous consequences. Thus, in the present political war games, there will be no winners; all will be losers, more so — the ordinary, common Punjabis. It is not just the financial woes or those associated with an unresponsive bureaucracy. Neither it is about the ignominious defeat in the Adampur Assembly bypoll nor the first shot fired by the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, aimed at the head of the SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the subsequent fusillade, which indicate what the morrow will bring. Also under focus is the very "performance" of the Government since February, 1997. A perusal of the "performance budgets" for the 1997-98 financial year of selected government departments shows there are many "slippages", despite an expenditure of Rs 6344.29 crore incurred in the year, there have been "shortfalls" in respect of at least 11 departments. The major "excess", however, has been on the power sector front. The Council of Ministers was presented a memorandum recently on its "performance" by the Secretary concerned. The document shows that the Plan outlay for the Annual Plan, 1997-98, was approved at Rs 2100 crore. At the time of finalisation, it was revised to Rs 1940 crore. The overall financial performance was Rs 2011.86 crore (actual expenditure). In addition to the Plan expenditure of Rs 2011.86 crore, an expenditure to the tune of Rs 4332.43 crore was incurred from the following sources: rural development fund (Rs 218.32 crore); agricultural marketing board and market committees (Rs 169.19 crore); and central share of centrally sponsored schemes (Rs 396.18 crore). The financial institutions, public sector undertakings and cooperative federations contributed Rs 3259.99 crore and municipalities and nagar panchayats etc Rs 288.75 crore. The total is Rs 4332.43 crore. The departments which faced shortfall include Cooperation, Irrigation and Flood Control, Roads and Bridges, Science, Technology and Environment, Secretariat Economic Services, Sports and Youth Services, Art and Culture, Medical and Public Health, Water Supply and Sanitation and Housing. An excess expenditure of Rs 352.32 crore was incurred on the Ranjit Sagar dam, Shahpur Kandi, GNDP Phase-II, Bathinda, Kotla-Goindwal power transmission and distribution plant, Bhakra right bank, GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat, rural electrification and 24-hour supply to villages. The PSEB incurred this expenditure. The general reasons of shortfall advanced by the departments concerned were three: (1) funds to the full extent could not be released by the Finance Department due to the delicate resource position of the state; (2) expenditure could not be incurred on schemes involving creation of new posts, filling up of vacancies; and (3) the shortfall expenditure in respect of district-level schemes. This was due to less release of untied funds for want of utilisation certificates in respect of funds already released, less release of funds for other schemes due to constraints on state resources and non-release of funds due to the election code of conduct. A sum of Rs 333.36 crore was devolved to the district-level Plan schemes against an approved outlay of Rs 469.29 crore. Several agriculture targets could not be achieved, primarily, in cotton and sugarcane due to two reasons; cotton — less because of excessive rains which caused waterlogging resulting in 100 per cent loss and intensive damage to it due to freak weather, sugarcane — less achievement due to high incidence of red-rot disease. In respect of several schemes even the Government of India did not release funds in time. There was "nil progress" due to non-release of funds regarding HUDCO-aided water supply and sewerage scheme for towns with a population of 20,000 to one lakh. Some of the members of the Council of Ministers when asked about the performance of the Government in the light of the document of the Planning Department maintained that certain special groups within the SAD and the Government always tried to hamstring the schemes. Moreover, the Chief Minister's cloistered style of functioning left little or no room for open discussion with the Ministers concerned. "It is bureaucrats who rule the roost". Every government, some of
them said has a tenure. Though the SAD-BJP government is
not even midway of the term one could see
"middle-age blues". Non-issues often wasted
time. There has not been proper housekeeping and no one
made any effort to form a "think tank", which
could give direction and thrust to the state's economy,
which is linked to the national economic scene. Even in
Budget excercises Ministers have had little role. |
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Pranic system to 'mitigate
suffering' HOSHIARPUR: To attain worldly and spiritual goals, a healthy and sound body is required. But unfortunately almost all persons suffer one or another ailment these days due to various kinds of pollution and adulteration of edible foodstuff. Though suffering humanity is being treated through allopathy, homoeopathy, ayurvedic and unani system of medicines but treatment through these systems has become so costly that it is beyond the reach of the common man. Under these circumstances one should not be discouraged. A unique and cheap treatment is also available through pranic healing system, an ancient science of this country. The pranic system can be used to heal and prevent all kinds of physical, emotional and mental diseases and is becoming popular day by day. This ancient science lost its glory due to neglect. This system has been revived by Master Choa Kok Sui, who now heads the World Pranic Healing Foundation at Manila, Philippines. Its chapter in India was set up at Bangalore a few years ago. Bhagya Wati learnt this art of healing when her husband was posted there. She established the Pranic Healing Foundation in September 1996 at the Railway Mandi in Hoshiarpur, from where she hails. Since its establishment, the foundation has conducted pranic healing courses in collaboration with the Indian Pranic Healing Foundation, at various cities in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana and imparted basic training to more than 300 pranic healers of these states. During a two-year period, the foundation had successfully treated more than 1500 patients for various ailments. Talking to this correspondent, Bhagya Wati said diseases from that of the body, mind and heart can be alleviated by pranic healing. Pranic healing can also increase vitality, enhance the immune system, calm emotions and improve one's well-being. It is also used in the treatment of psychological disorders like depressions, schizophrenia, mental retardation and cerebral palsy. She pointed out that though some of the TV channels and regional newspapers had been giving good coverage to this ancient art of healing, very few seem to have the knowledge of the availability of such treatment. She said pranic healing was based on two simple established principles: The human being has the power to heal itself and secondly the process is accelerated by transferring "prana" or "energy" to the part of the body where it is needed. It has been proved that there is an energy field known as aura or bioplasmic body around the body. The body absorbs prana or vital energy and distributes it throughout the body. During healing it is important that the patient forgets all fears and stops despairing. He should become open to getting energy, otherwise the healing would be restricted. The pranic healing basic
course is conducted every three weeks. It is a two-day
session where one learns to feel energy, receive it and
transfer it for healing. |
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Industrial units a neglected lot SAS NAGAR, Dec 14 — Industrial units, which contribute a major chunk of the local Municipal Council's funds, are a neglected lot in terms of the provision of essential facilities by not only the civic body but also other agencies. Industrial unit owners say that about 90 per cent (over Rs 10 crore) of the octroi income comes from their sector but efforts to provide various facilities are mainly directed towards the residential area. The matter had been raised at various levels but to no avail. The Punjab Government had set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Ropar Additional Deputy Commissioner to monitor and oversee the provision and maintenance of civic amenities in the industrial phases of the town. The panel held a few meetings but there had been no noticeable improvement. The problem of non-functional streetlights is acute. In many areas pitch darkness prevails at night. This is one of the main reasons for thefts and accidents. Mr RS Sachdeva, president of the Mohali Industries Association (MIA), said a power cable in Phase IX had been out of order for more than a year. As a result there was no streetlight facility for more than 70 industrial plots. The Municipal Council had been approached many times but only assurances had been given by it. The E and F pockets of Phase VII also did not have proper streetlighting. Mr SS Sabharwal, an industrial unit owner in Phase VII, said: "We often feel scared of going to our factory at night because of darkness all around. Streetlights are rarely working. Whenever these are put in order, they do not work for long." He demanded that the industrial area be linked with a proper bus service. There are no safai karamcharis for the industrial area and no proper system of garbage collection. In some pockets of Phase VII there are no road "gullies". The ones that do exist in certain areas are blocked and roads become pools of stagnant water whenever there is rain. Mr Sachdeva said the rain water from the Phase V residential area flowed through the Phase VIII industrial area. Many factories, including JCT Electronics Limited, were adversely affected. He said PUDA's Additional Chief Administrator, Ms Seema Jain, had been shown this area during the rainy season but no steps had been taken to tackle the problem. Mr Jagjit Singh, who runs an industrial unit in Phase IX, said: "Roads of the area are nobody's property. The sewer system often gets choked because of faulty layout and the use of under-sized pipes." Moreover, the outlet of the sewer was in an open choe, which again was a health hazard. Further, in parts of phase IX it was not feasible to provide telephone connections. "How can industry survive in this fast world without telephones?", asked Mr Jagjit Singh. He demanded an ESI dispensary in the area. In the 1,000 and 500-yard plot area of Phase VII, roads are narrow. If a vehicle is parked on the road it is not possible for another one to pass. The PSIEC had given permission to the Municipal Council to widen the roads. Water shortage is also experienced by industrial units every year during summer. It is alleged that the water supplied for drinking is not properly chlorinated, endangering the health of users. The menace of wild growth and congress grass also plagues the industrial area. Congress grass is cut once a year but even this is not done satisfactorily. "Only patchwork is done when a complaint is made," says Mr Sachdeva. Areas marked as open spaces are in a state of neglect. Nothing is done either by the PSIEC or the Municipal Council to ensure that these were properly maintained. There is also an urgent
need for a common affluent treatment plant for units. The
MIA has over the past few years taken up the matter with
the Punjab Government, the PSIEC, the civic body and the
pollution control board, but nothing has emerged. |
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HC quashes CAT order in Dogra
case CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today set aside the Central Administrative tribunal order, dated December 1, directing the Additional Directors-General of Punjab Police to file their case before the Principal Bench of the tribunal contesting the extension in service granted to the Punjab's Director-General of Police, Mr P.C. Dogra. Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Iqbal Singh, who handed down the order, also directed the tribunal that the petitioners' prayer for interim relief be decided on merits by a Single-Member Bench of the tribunal. The Judges further directed the parties to appear before the Vice-Chairman of the tribunal on December 16. "We hope that the Single-Member Bench will be able to decide the issue of interim relief within the next seven days." The Bench remanded the case to the tribunal for passing the appropriate order after hearing the parties. Mr Dogra's extension in service was contested by Mr Sarabjit Singh, ADGP (Security), Mr Jarnail Singh Chahal, ADGP (GRP) and Mr Mehal Singh Bhullar, ADGP (PAP), Jalandhar, on the ground that it was contrary to the rules framed by the Union Government. Belonging to the 1964 IPS
batch, Mr Dogra was due to retire on March 31, 1998.
However, three months before his retirement the
government extended his tenure by six months from April
1, 1998 and five days before the expiry of his extended
tenure, the government issued order on September 25
extending his tenure by another six months with effect
from October 1, 1998. |
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Deportation of Pak nationals CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — The Punjab Government has taken up with the Central Government the issue of deporting Pakistani nationals who have completed their sentence in jails in the state. The Punjab Jail authorities told TNS today that a meeting between senior officials of the Punjab Government and the Central Government was held recently in this connection. The state government had furnished all relevant details. The decision for deporting the Pakistani nationals, who were arrested for committing various crimes in the state, would be taken by the Centre. The authorities said usually such nationals were "exchanged" with Indian nationals detained in Pakistan. Recently, the Pakistan Government had released several Indian fishermen and the Indian Government had reciprocated the gesture. About 30 Pakistani nationals, who have completed their term, are detained in Amritsar Jail. They were convicted of smuggling narcotics and under the Foreigners Act. Mostly, shepherds were arrested for crossing over into the Indian territory. Some Pakistani nationals were being detained in a Ferozepore police station. The authorities said
normally after the completion of such sentences, the
foreign nationals, were produced before the District
Magistrate for necessary orders. They were then interned
till the decision for their deportation was taken. |
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Minister warns errant Akalis BATHINDA, Dec 14 — Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Punjab State Minister of Food and Supply today warned those Akali leaders and workers of dire consequences who were trying to weaken the Panth by making unreasonable demands through press statements. Addressing a press conference he said that the workers challenging the leadership of SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal would be reduced "to ashes". He said that Mr Badal was undisputed leader of the party and the SAD formed its government in Punjab only under his (Mr Badal's) leadership by securing a massive mandate. He added that during the chief ministership of Mr Badal peace in Punjab had been stabilised and the development works started on large scale. He pointed out that certain party workers who wanted to grab power were trying to weaken Mr Badal and "panth" by joining hands with anti-Panthic forces. He added that such forces had been defeated by the party workers of the SAD who were loyal to Mr Badal in the past also. He disclosed that at a meeting of city Akali jatha, youth Akali Dal and Municipal Councillors belonging to the Akali dal held here today it was declared that Mr Badal was the only person in the party who could lead it to glory. He said that no person or
opposition party could prevent the SAD-BJP combine
government from ruling the state for full five years. He
added that some anti-Panthic elements had been exposed in
the recent past and no true party worker would give them
any quarter in future. |
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Tohra asks Sikhs to obey
'hukamnamas' FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 14 — The SGPC chief, Mr G.S. Tohra, addressing a gathering at Bassi Pathana said it was the prime duty of every Sikh to obey the `hukamnamas'. Sikhs who had obeyed the Gurus' teachings had been blessed by the Gurus and those who objected and argued had always suffered. He said the Punjab Government had done too much for the farmers, but even then they were not happy with the government. He asked the people to get baptised and give up drugs and intoxicants and celebrate the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa with enthusiasm. He said there was a large scale sale of drugs and intoxicants in the state. The government should curb it with a heavy hand. Among those who endorsed the views of Mr Tohra on the Badal government were Mr Darshan Singh Issapur, a former secretary of the SGPC. Mr Kirpal Singh Libra, Chairman Punsup, Thakur Singh Khamanon, former SGPC member , Kirpal Singh Sethi, Secretary District Akali Dal, Mr Jaswant Singh Khalsa, Secretary, District Akali Jatha, Amardeep Singh Dharni, legal adviser of the SGPC and former minister Randhir Singh Cheema. Mr Tohra also blessed Mr
Cheema's son Gurdeep Singh on his taking over as the
chairman of the Market Committee Bassi Pathana. |
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Syndicate to decide "moral
turpitude" AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — Syndicate of the Guru Nanak Dev university scheduled to meet here tomorrow (December 15) is likely to decide the case of a senior Professor in English Department (former head of department) on alleged charges of being indecent to a women research scholar of the department eight years ago. The agenda item of the Syndicate (no 86) reads that the proposed meeting would take up the above matter for deciding the case of the senior professor on charges of "moral turpitude". The university had served a show-cause notice to the senior professor on the basis of the decision taken by the Syndicate on February 24 last year. A detailed discussion was held at at the next meeting held on December 24 1997 to discuss the reply of the professor. However, the alleged accused, in his reply had alleged that the inquiry officer had ignored certain facts during the investigations. The inquiry report was full of inaccuracies, the professor had alleged. The Vice-Chancellor had appointed an inquiry officer. Another enquiry officer was appointed to probe the matter further. However, the professor went to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In his latest reply, of December 24, 1997, the professor alleged inaccuracies in the factual details of the inquiry report. He further alleged that several facts and findings in the enquiry report were unconvincing, without proof and were contradicted by the statements of other witnesses. The Syndicate would appoint a sub committee, headed by Dr HS Soch, Vice-Chancellor for the rationalisation of various posts of the university following the four month old ban imposed by the state government on filling at posts. Constitution of the sub-Committee would pave the way for the filling of posts of teaching, research and non-teaching. The Syndicate would also regularise the headship of five departments. The meeting would also sanction as many as 12 posts of lecturer which already appointed on an ad hoc basis in anticipation, the meeting would also accord Ph.D to candidates in different subjects. Seven lecturers of the university would get senior scales by the Syndicate. The syndicate would accord sanction to the changes in appointing committees for filling the posts in private aided colleges. Permanent affiliation
would be given to Sant Hira Dass Kannya Mahan Vidyalaya,
Kala Sanghia, (Kapurthala district). |
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Civic body meeting ends in commotion JALANDHAR, Dec 14 (UNI) — A meeting of strife-torn city Municipal Corporation today again ended amid commotion. Opposition Congress Councillors supported by a group of five Independents and a Bahujan Samaj Party member held a dharna and shouted slogans against Mayor Suresh Sehgal heading the ruling BJP-Akali-BSP combine in the 55-member House. Of the four BSP members in the House, only Roshan Lal sided with the Opposition, while the remaining three led by deputy Mayor Bachan Lal apparently were with the ruling combine which was indicated by their silence today. Of the total 18 meetings of the house held since it was constituted in May, last year, 15 were adjourned by adopting condolence resolutions without transacting any business, while business was transacted, albeit amid hostilities, in the remaining three meetings, including the one held to pass the budget for current fiscal year 1998-99. The longish agenda of the House, first placed before the members in the October, last year, was today claimed to have been passed "unanimously" by the Mayor even as the Opposition members went on slogan shouting. Unlike the past, today’s meeting was relatively a less stormy affair because of the spadework done by the BJP state President, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, and the General Secretary, Mr Jugal Mahajan, during their meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Mr Badal’s ministerial colleague Ajit Singh Kuhar here yesterday. In earlier meetings, a section of the ruling combine’s councillors, too, used to join hands with the Opposition against the Mayor, but today they remained silent in the presence of Akali and BJP observers who attended the meeting. Mr Mahajan of the BJP and Mr Amrit Dhawan of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) represented the BJP in the meeting as observers, while the Akali Party district (urban) President, Mr Inderjit Singh and General Secretary G S Channi were present on behalf of the SAD to ensure smooth conduct of proceedings. But when BJP Councillor M M Agarwal claimed that dissolution of the House sub-committees had been endorsed by the Local Bodies Department of the Punjab Government and proceedings of the contentious June 30 meeting of the House could be adopted later. Opposition leader Raj Kumar Gupta of the Congress raised a point of order objecting to Mr Agarwal’s contention. Quoting Section 67 of the Municipal Act, 1976, Mr Gupta said the House could not transact any fresh business unless and until it had endorsed the proceedings of the last meeting. But the Mayor over-ruled Mr Gupta’s objection and directed a clerk to read the October last year’s agenda which the Mayor declared as passed "unanimously" even as the Opposition members kept up their protest against it. The fate of the June 30
proceedings, however, remained uncertain as the Mayor
adjourned the House, saying it would meet next on
December 24. |
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Decks cleared for setting up of
dairy board CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — The Decks have been cleared for setting up of the Punjab Dairy Board after the Chief Minister had a meeting with the Punjab 'Dodhis' Union here today. Mr Parkash Singh Badal said the government had planned the constitution of the board to coordinate activities of different administrative units and organisations to promote scientific dairying on commercial lines. On the suggestion of the Punjab Dodhis Union, their two representatives would be included in the proposed board. The objectives of the board have been redefined. The board will be the nodal agency for coordinating, planning and organising programmes of dairy development in consultation with the departments concerned. The Dodhis Union was led by its President, Mr Gurdev Singh Fauji, and other district Presidents. They have expressed satisfaction and agreed for setting of the Dairy Board. The Chief Minister asked
the Registrar, Cooperative Societies to make some
provision for advancement of cooperative loans to the
dodhis and recognise their profession as bankable. |
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Tackling problem of sullage,
garbage CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — On improvement of environment of Punjab, Mr N.S. Tiwana, Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, today made a presentation on "Bio-management plan for village environment improvement" before the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He suggested an integrated approach for proper disposal and treatment of sullage water through implementation of duckweed based wastewater treatment system and promoting aqua-culture. Duckweed is a small free floating and fast growing aquatic plant having tremendous ability to reduce BOD, COD, suspended solids and heavy metals. The daily production of duckweed from a one hectare sullage water treatment pond is sufficient to meet the feed requirements of a one hectare aqua-culture pond. In addition, vermi-culture biotechnology was suggested as an effective technology for treatment of cowdung as well as household garbage. This technology involved use of specific varieties of earthworms for bio-conversion of organic solid wastes into a rich manure. The Chief Minister showed deep concern about environment in the State wanted that the bio-management plan should be immediately demonstrated in four villages of the State so that it can subsequently be adopted in the whole of Punjab. It was decided that this
demonstration project would be taken up by the Council at
total cost of Rs 15 lakh with coordination of all
departments concerned. |
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‘Parbat Ali’ battle honour
celebrated FEROZEPORE, Dec 14 — The 10th battalion of the Sikh Regiment today celebrated its battle honour, Parbat Ali, somewhere in the western sector. The battalion carved a niche for itself in the history of Indo-Pakistan conflict in 1971 when it captured a well-fortified feature, "Parbat Ali", about 65 km deep inside Pakistan territory in the Barmer sector in Rajasthan. For this bravery and valour, the battalion was awarded six Vir Chakras, three Sena Medals, one Vishisht Seva Medal and six Mention in Despatches and the battle honour "Parbat Ali" along with honour "Sindh, 1971". The celebrations were
attended by a large number of exservicemen and war
veterans, who were addressed, among others, by Col J.S.
Cheema, Commanding Officer. In his address Colonel Cheema
reminded troops to keep up values of Indian martyrs and
warriors. |
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"Consumer fora have reduced courts'
burden" BATHINDA, Dec 14 — Mr Justice A.L. Bahri, President, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Punjab, today said that due to the setting up of consumers forum in every district of Punjab the consumers were becoming more aware about their rights. After inaugurating the new building of district Consumer Forum here, he said that consumer forums, which were dispensing free and immediate justice to the needy had also changed the attitude of those people and organisations which were providing any service to the society in lieu of money. He said that with the setting up of consumer forums, justice had come at the door steps of consumers and the principle of 'might is right' had become irrelevant. He observed that traders, manufacturers and medical practitioners indulging in unfair practices should not be allowed to get scot free and every consumer who was a victim at their hands should approach consumer forum for the protection of his rights. He said that with the setting up of consumer forums and by enacting the Consumer Protection Act in 1986, the burden on civil courts had reduced very much. Moreover with the decision of each case in the stipulated 90 days, the consumers had got a big relief in the matter of redressal of their grievances. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, State Minister, Food and Supply, Punjab, who was chief guest, addressing the gathering said that Bathinda was only district in Punjab where consumer forum had got its own building. Mr H.S. Bhalla, District
and Sessions Judge, Mr P.C. Singal, President, District
Consumer Forum and Mr H.S. Grewal, President, Bar
Association were present on the occasion. |
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Repression of students condemned JALANDHAR, Dec 14 — The Punjab Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of India (ML) condemned the fee hike and repression let loose on students. It demanded the immediate withdrawal of fee hike and cases registered against the students and unconditional release of students in custody at Patiala. Mr Darshan Singh Khatkar, Secretary, Punjab Provincial Committee, CPI (ML), said in a press statement here today that the insensitive attitude of the Akali-BJP coalition government and Punjabi University towards justified demands of the students community was deplorable. The government has decided to commercialise education by repeatedly increasing the fees which has resulted in a sharp decline in admissions in various departments of Punjabi University. The Punjab Government had
forced the students to come on the streets to express
their protests against enhanced fees hike in a period of
few months. It was the government which was causing
disruption in teaching work, he blamed. |
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Two boys held for looting ABOHAR, Dec 14 — Two boys who dared to loot an employee of a petrol station this morning were arrested by the police this afternoon. DSP Gurmit Singh Randhawa said Mr Tirlok Chand s/o Mr Rati Ram, an employee of Bee Dee Enterprises Khubban village in this subdivision was going to the bank on his scooter carrying a bag which contained Rs. 1,58,500 and a cheque amounting Rs 2.25 lakh. He was intercepted by two boys riding a Yamah motorcycle. They attacked the employee with a sharpedged weapon and threatened to shoot him by showing an air pistol. They snatched the bag with cash and cheque and sped away. The police was informed immediately, Mr Randhawa and SHO Sadar police immediately chased the culprits on information made available by different eyewitnesses. The culprits had to half for getting fuel from a shopkeeper near Faioohikhera. The police on a tip-off chased them again. The motorcycle collided with a tractor which was on its way from village Panjawa. One of the culprits received fracture in his left leg, other too was injured. The police reached there and nabbed the boys who were identified as Surender Singh alias Chhinda s/o Jagir Singh resident of Shamkhera village police station Malout and Baljinder Singh s/o Baldev Singh r/o Smalsar village Jodhan under Malout police station. Both have been arrested under Section 382, of the IPC, DSP Randhawa said. The motorcycle (Pb
053-2089) air-pistol and a sharp-edged weapon was
recovered from their possession besides the cash. |
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2 killed in road mishap FAZILKA, Dec 14 — Two scooterists were killed in a head-on collision with an oil tanker last evening near Kathgarh, village 22 km from here. According to information available, Parvinder Singh (20), a resident of Gheruwala village and Kaka (18), a resident of Roran Wali, were on their way to Roran Wali village after attending a marriage from Jaimal Wala village. Both deceased were college
students. |
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Introduce theatre as subject: Tiwana PATIALA, Dec 14 — The Punjab Kalakar Sansthan has demanded the introduction of theatre as an optional subject in schools of the state and colleges on the pattern of music. By a set of resolutions passed by the sansthan at a function held at the Bhasha Bhawan here yesterday evening, its president Harpal Tiwana said this was necessary to ensure the resurrection of the theatre movement in the state. Mr Tiwana also demanded the setting up of a state council of art. He said such councils, which existed in other states also were useful in projecting the culture of the state in a positive manner. He also lamented that a cultural policy was not being finalised despite being deliberated on at many levels. Mr Tiwana while appealing to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gurcharan Singh Tohra to help the sansthan in putting foward its case, said it was unfortunate that though the Punjab government had finalised the cultural policy it was not being implemented due to lack of funds. Speaking on the occasion.
SGPC president GS Tohra said the state was facing a
resource crisis but added the situation would improve,
soon and that funds would be made available to all
departments. Lok Sabha member Prem Singh Chandumajra said
he would take up the case of the sansthan with the
Central government. |
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Mayor offers to quit if proved
guilty AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — Mr Subhash Sharma, Mayor, Municipal Committee, had offered to resign if it is proved by any inquiry committee that he is behind the installation of an idol at a disputed place. In a written press
statement issued here yesterday, he refuted the charges
levelled by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, and
Mr Satya Pal Dang, CPI leader that he encouraged a
section of society to build a temple at a public
property. He also denied that he had made any statement
for allotting any disputed land for the temple. |
||
Financial crisis hits pensioners JALANDHAR, Dec 14 — The Central Government and family pensioners are the worst sufferers of the financial crises faced by the Punjab Government. Treasury offices have stopped disbursement of the monthly pensioners and pensionary benefits to thousands of Central Government and family pensioners. Mr V.S. Jolly, general secretary, All-India Central Government Pensioners Association (North), said in a press statement here today that according to a report received from the Pathankot branch of the association, nearly 1,500 pensioners and widows had not been disbursed pensioners and pensionary benefits by the treasury office. The association urged Mr
Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and the Union
Pension Minister for immediate intervention. |
||
New district chiefs of AISSF JALANDHAR, Dec 14 — The All-India Sikh Students Federation (Badal), President, Dr Manjit Singh Bhoma, has reorganised the AISSF and appointed 51 members of the working committee and 14 district presidents at a meeting here today. The following are the
district presidents: Mr Kanwaljit Singh (Gurdaspur —
rural), Mr Paramjit Singh (Gurdaspur — urban), Mr
Jastej Singh (Jalandhar — rural), Mr Gurmail Singh
(Jalandhar-urban), Mr Manjit Singh (Hoshiarpur), Mr Avtar
Singh (Ludhiana — urban), Mr Jaswant Singh
(Muktsar), Mr Beant Singh (Faridkot), Mr Gursev Singh
(Sangrur), Mr Randeep Singh (Patti — urban), Mr
Piara Singh (Kapurthala), Mr Parminder Singh (Batala
— rural), Mr Rachpal Singh (Chandigarh — rural)
and Mr Washigan Singh (Ropar). |
||
Tax on imported sugar PATIALA, Dec 14 — The Punjab Government has levied a 4 per cent tax on imported sugar with effect from November 30. Disclosing this here today, Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner Amarjit Singh Kaleka said the tax would be levied at the first stage. Even imported sugar in stock would be taxable. Dealers in the state
selling such sugar were required to get themselves
registered with district sales tax authorities if they
had not been registered already. |
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