P U N J A B

Tuesday, July 28, 1998

weather n spotlight today's calendar

Crop insurance to be introduced soon ABOHAR, July 27 — Mr Som Pal Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture, at an interstate cotton crop seminar and fair at Sangria, 52 km from here, on Sunday said that crop insurance would be introduced shortly. Lathi charge on RMPs, 18 hurt PHAGWARA, July 27 — Members of the Punjab State Rural Medical Practitioners Association were today lathi-charged and several of them were injured. Some policemen were also injured by stones thrown by RMPs.

Exam reform not possible in "one go" CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Certain major changes proposed in the examination system at the school level by the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, will not be implemented in "one go".

4 dead, 31 hurt in tourist bus mishap PATHANKOT, July 27 — A tourist bus (DLIP 8285) of Kashmir Holiday K.C. Chowk Jammu fell into a ditch near Nurpur (Kangra) last night at 12 midnight when its driver Mr Vikram Singh lost control of the vehicle. BSP, CPI, CPM launch stir JALANDHAR, July 27 — The BSP, the CPI and the CPM launched joint state level agitation here today in protest against increasing police atrocities and "unjustified" hike in bus fares and power tariff. 1,200 centres to procure paddy in Punjab BATHINDA, July 27 — The Punjab government will open 1200 purchase centres in urban and rural areas of state for the procurement of paddy in the coming paddy season. A boon for Ex-servicemen ROPAR: The local Major-Gen Atma Singh Sainik Rest House complex has been proving a boon for about 25,000 ex-servicemen living in this district as it provides all facilities to them. Govt behind rural-urban divide, says Mann FEROZEPORE, July 27 — The SAD (Amritsar) president, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, alleged here today that the SAD-BJP government had created a chasm between rural and urban people, about which he had "cautioned them" at the time of Assembly poll. 5 booked for attacking coop bank officer ROPAR, July 27 — The city police has registered a case against Gurjinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Manjit Singh and two others for allegedly attacking Mr Kuldip Singh, a deputy manager of the Ropar Central Cooperative Bank on Friday evening at the local bus stand. Cong, BSP walkout of MC meeting ABOHAR, July 27 — All Congress and BSP members today walked out of the meeting of the Municipal Council making serious allegations against ruling BJP leaders. Kanshi misleading Dalits: Kainth FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 27 — There has been no improvement in the lot of the Dalits in the country even after 50 years of Independence. Anganwadi workers stage dharna CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Members of the Anganwadi Mulazam Union, Punjab, staged dharna in front of the office of the Director, Social Security, and the Women and Child Development Department, Sector 34, here this afternoon. 400 challaned for flouting norms PATIALA, July 27 — Nearly 400 persons, including substantial number of women drivers, were challaned in the city here today for violating recent high court directive on traffic rules. Departmental officers blamed ROPAR, July 27 — In regard to the non-utilisation of funds received from the state government in this district for development works the Deputy Commissioner here has blamed departmental officers.

Sarpanches take oath Ayurvedic graduates irked Demand for RMP registration

Flood protection measures Sukhvir Grewal bereaved Punjab invitation for Haj '99

Crop insurance to be introduced soon From Our Correspondent ABOHAR, July 27 — Mr Som Pal Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture, at an interstate cotton crop seminar and fair at Sangria, 52 km from here, on Sunday said that crop insurance would be introduced shortly. The Union minister said only a few states had introduced this scheme for certain crops and the limit was only Rs 10,000. It was meaningless, the scheme now would cover all categories of farmers all over the country. Small farmers would be given subsidy on the premium to be paid to the insurance companies. There will be no limit for insurance amount. The government shortly would float Bharatiya Krishi Beema Nigam (Indian Agriculture Insurance Corporation) for this. Addressing a poorly-attended rally Mr Singh said it was for the first time that the central government had increased provision for farm development in the Union Budget by 58 per cent, Rs 1500 crore provided for irrigation, Rs 265 crore for the expansion of regional rural development banks. There was an allocation of Rs 3000 crore for rural development. The capital of Nabard for advancing loans to villagers had been increased by Rs 500 crore. Mr Singh said that the Agriculture Ministry was busy preparing draft for national agriculture policy to be discussed at a meeting of agriculture ministers of the states. So far only 15 per cent farmers had been benefited by the agriculture policy of the government. Rest of the farmers had been facing financial hardship. It was unfortunate that only 17 per cent of the Union Budget had been utilised for the uplift of the rural areas. The villages got 11 per cent in housing, 20 per cent in electricity, 30 per cent in education and 18 per cent share in technical education budgets. He claimed that his ministry was preparing a policy which would increase the share of rural development in different fields to 60 per cent. He lauded farmers for increased grain production from 91 to 191 mmt. The country which earlier imported food- grains now was exporting grains. The country was leading in coconut and cashewnut production in the world. Besides farmers only the scientists had played vital role in making India as one of the great nation of the world. Expressing concern over extensive damage to the cotton crop in the past, Mr Som Pal Singh said imported seeds and excessive unplanned use of insecticides was principally responsible for this irreparable loss to the cotton growers. The economy of the country was also affected. The Union Minister of State described the seminar as ill-timed and directed that such seminars should be held in future before the sowing of the crop so that cotton growers could benefit from these.

Lathi charge on RMPs, 18 hurt From Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, July 27 — Members of the Punjab State Rural Medical Practitioners Association were today lathi-charged and several of them were injured. Some policemen were also injured by stones thrown by RMPs. Trouble arose after the conclusion of the RMPs state-level conference held at local Hargobindnagar. After Balwant Singh Ramoowalia MP and former Union Minister had addressed the RMPs and left for addressing rally of the Punjabi Bhalai Manch and the Dhodhi Union outside town hall. The RMPs insisted on marching to SDM's office for presenting a memorandum. DSP Pritam Singh who had reached there with SDM Dharam Pal Gupta pleaded with RMPs to present the demand charter to the SDM at the rally site since he sensed mischief. However RMPs trooped out and blocked traffic on the GT Road, threw stones at buses allegedly damaging a light signal and the police had to disperse them, claimed the DSP. This reporter saw heaps of stones on the G T Road and a large number of shoes scattered from town hall chowk to the G T Road to rally site at Hargobindnagar. Mr Om Parkash Chauhan and Prem Sharma profusely bleeding RMPs said that many doctors were injured in "brutal lathi-charge. Some policemen including Gurdial Singh and Prem Kumar were also injured in brickbatting. All were hospitalised. Meanwhile Balwant Singh Ramoowalia MP when told of lathi-charge described it as an attack on democracy. Desperation of the Punjab government unnerved by the public response that his Punjabi Bhalai Manch was getting against the anti-people policies of the Badal government. As many as 18 medical practitioners were reportedly rounded up for alleged rioting and damage to public property and assault on public servants here this afternoon. Reports said 18 RMPs were injured in lathi charge, three policemen had to be hospitalised when they were injured in brick batting by RMPs.

Exam reform not possible in "one go" By Sarbjit Singh Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Certain major changes proposed in the examination system at the school level by the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, will not be implemented in "one go". Making a statement in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on July 6, Mr Tota Singh had proposed certain major changes. The first was that students would be allowed to carry books in examination halls to take their help to solve the question papers. The second was that the style of the question papers would be changed from subjective type to objective type and there would be five different sets of question papers for students in each examination hall. A senior functionary of the Punjab School Education Board, which is to implement the changes proposed by the Minister, on condition of anonymity told TNS today that it would not be possible to implement what the Minister wanted in "one go". He said that the board authorities had invited the minister for a discussion on what exactly he wanted with regard to the changes to be made in the examination system. The board functionary said that different sets of question papers could be made available in each examination hall from September this year when the supplementary examinations would be held. He said that this could be done on trial basis and the shortcomings, if any, could be removed when the annual examinations were held in March-April next year. He said that as many as 3.5 lakh students appear in the annual matriculation examination while half the number appear in the 10 plus two examination. As such a vast number of examinees were involved, the board would have to tread cautiously on this path as a minor mistake on its part could affect thousands of students. As far as allowing books in examination halls was concerned it would not be possible from this year, the board functionary said. He said that for solving objective type question papers the help of books was not required. Help of books could be taken to some extent for solving subjective type question papers, he added. The board functionary said that it would also not be possible to change the entire format of question papers. Only a part of the question paper could be objective type. Or there could be a separate objective type question paper of 30 or 40 marks for each subject, he added. But at lower level certain functionaries of the board dealing with academic matters do not agree with what has been suggested by the Minister about making changes in the examination system. They have conveyed to the board authorities verbally that the changes suggested by the Minister were neither feasible nor practicable. One functionary of the board dealing with academic matters said that there was nothing new in what the Minister had said about making changes in the examination system. He said the Punjab Education Board had made experiments earlier also in this connection but these were not successful and had to be abandoned. He said that the Governing Council of the board which includes the Vice-Chancellors of all universities, senior officials of the Education Department, the DPI (Colleges) and the DPI (Schools) had at a meeting a few years ago totally rejected the proposal of introducing objective type questions. Without the permission of the Governing Council such drastic change could not be made in the examination system. Even the Chaturvedi Committee which was constituted at the national level had rejected the objective type system of question papers, he added. He said that three basic elements were evaluated in an examination. These were knowledge, application and comprehension. With the introduction of objective type question paper system only memory could be tested and not the three basic elements.

4 dead, 31 hurt in tourist bus mishap From Our Correspondent PATHANKOT, July 27 — A tourist bus (DLIP 8285) of Kashmir Holiday K.C. Chowk Jammu fell into a ditch near Nurpur (Kangra) last night at 12 midnight when its driver Mr Vikram Singh lost control of the vehicle. Passengers Ms Veena Ranade alias Rukmane and Ms Patwardhan died on the spot while Mr Som Pardasi died on way to civil hospital Pathankot. All three tourists belonged to Pune. Injured passengers were admitted to civil hospital Pathankot at 2.30 a.m. The following are names of the injured. Mr Niwas (49), Mr Datta Trehen (49) Aarti (45) Sandeep (18) Jain Inamdar (42) K.R. Jai Parkash (52) Parkash Chopra (48), Sujata Sonam (55), Sanjeeta (42), Swati Sharda (44), Archana Sharda (16), Sada Shiv (52), Aruna (42), Madhuri (44), Nirmala Inamdar (42), Pushpa Parekh (42), Shailja Kararay (63), Sandhya (46), Deepak (47), Chabuk Sabak (60), Usha Bai (43), Sita Ram (46), Suman (21) Aditya (19), Mira Bai (60), of Poona, Kusum Sharda (30), J.P. Sharda (48), of Bombay and Mr Man Mohan Gupta (27) of Lakhnpur (J&K). Of those admitted in the hospital seems to be serious while majority of them had fractures. The local SDM Mr K K Garg, and other officers and workers of the Akali, the BJP party rushed to the sight and helped them reach the hospital. Four pilgrims were killed and 31 injured, two of them seriously, when a private bus carrying them rolled down into a deep khud at Padhora village on the Mandi-Pathankot highway 70 km from here, late last night, says a UNI report from Dharamsala. District police chief K C Sadyal told UNI today that the bus was carrying 35 pilgrims was on its way back to Jammu after visiting different pilgrim centres in Kangra district, rolled down into a 100-feet deep khud. Two women pilgrims died on the spot while two others later succumbed to their injuries in sub-divisional hospital at Nurpur. The SSP said, and added that 31 other injured were admitted to the Nurpur hospital. He said two seriously injured were shifted to Pathankot. The dead and injured pilgrims were from Jammu, he said. The cause of the accident reportedly was rash and negligent driving. Mr Sadyal driver of the ill-fated bus was absconding. The police has registered a case.

BSP, CPI, CPM launch stir Tribune News Service JALANDHAR, July 27 — The BSP, the CPI and the CPM launched joint state level agitation here today in protest against increasing police atrocities and "unjustified" hike in bus fares and power tariff. The state president of the BSP, Mr CD Kamboj, addressing a joint rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office alleged that the Akali-BJP government had gone back on its pre-poll promise to the electorate of giving a "good, clean administration. On the contrary the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal by pursuing wrong economic policies, had increased bus fares by 44 per cent and electricity tariff by 33 per cent in the past five months hitting the common man hard, he said. Referring to recent arrest of five BSP leaders in the state, he accused the Akali-BJP government of implicating opposition leaders and workers in false cases. He demanded had the case registered against six persons including Mr Singara Ram Soharia a BSP MLA, and Mr Avtar Singh Karimpuri — who has been arrested along with five other BSP workers be withdrawn. The BSP state president, Mr CD Kamboj said that if the cases registered against its partymen were not withdrawn, a group of six persons would court arrest daily in Hoshiarpur from July 29, while leaders of the BSP, the CPI and the CPM would go on a fast from August 3 in Ferozepore against the atrocities committed on women and weaker sections in the state. While the secretary of the Punjab State Council of the CPI Dr Joginder Dayal, alleged that the so-called pro-farmer party had failed the farmers who were reeling under the accumulated debt and resorting to suicide. He said that the duo Parkash Singh Badal, and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president SGPC had not attended "bhog" of a single farmer who had committed suicide due to the insensitivity of the government.

1,200 centres to procure paddy in Punjab Tribune News Service BATHINDA, July 27 — The Punjab government will open 1200 purchase centres in urban and rural areas of state for the procurement of paddy in the coming paddy season. Announcing this here last evening at a press conference State Food and Supply Minister, Madan Mohan Mittal said that the government would ensure the procurement of paddy by different agencies at focal points. He said that all Deputy Commissioners had been asked to send their suggestions regarding the opening of new markets, closure of old markets and for changing the location of any market falling in their respective district to the state government within a week after considering the convenience of farmers and commission agents. The minister said that meetings of district administration officials of different procurement agencies, representatives of farmers, commission agents and owners of the rice shelling mills had been started about two months before the paddy season to avoid any problem to farmers and procurement agencies during procurement. Mr A.S. Chatwal, Director Food and Supply, Punjab said that a state-level control room and a control room at each district headquarter would be set up for monitoring procurement of paddy by different agencies. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda said that 81 markets for the procurement of paddy would be opened in the district and for it arrangements were being made.

A boon for ex-servicemen From Sushil Goyal ROPAR: The local Major-Gen Atma Singh Sainik Rest House complex has been proving a boon for about 25,000 ex-servicemen living in this district as it provides all facilities to them. The sainik welfare authorities here claim that it is the only complex of its kind in the state which houses the office of the Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, the Defence Pension and Disbursing Office, a CSD canteen, a bank branch, a stitching and production centre, a typing and shorthand centre, a rest house and a dormitory. The office of the Deputy Director deals with about one lakh persons as besides 25,000 ex-servicemen, their dependents and wards get facilities through this office. The office provides grants to gallantry award winners, stipends to wards of ex-servicemen, war jagirs to parents of soldiers, old-age assistance to the veterans of the first and second World Wars, transport allowance to 88 war widows, identity cards to ex-servicemen, employment and loans to ex-servicemen for self-employment. The Defence Pension and Disbursing Office has been giving pensions to about 10,000 ex-servicemen and the same number of ex-servicemen get the CSD facilities here. A bank branch was opened in this complex in June this year to facilitate ex-servicemen. The stitching and production centre was started in 1992 with the help of NABARD and is being run by PESCO. A six-month training is given to wards and wives of serving and ex-servicemen. A stipend of Rs 500 per month is also paid to each trainee. The Punjabi typing and shorthand course was started here in September, 1996, for wards of serving defence personnel and ex-servicemen. A grant of Rs 2.80 lakh was provided by the District Planning and Development Board. According to Capt Rajdeep Singh Kamboj, Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, a building of a training centre is under construction in this complex for holding classes of typing and shorthand. A sum of Rs 3.20 lakh given by the Director, Sainik Welfare, had been spent but the building is still incomplete. The planning board had been requested to release a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the building. Captain Kamboj feels there is the need for a military hospital or a medical inspection room in the complex.

Govt behind rural-urban divide, says Mann From Our Correspondent FEROZEPORE, July 27 — The SAD (Amritsar) president, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, claimed here today that on getting indications from the Centre that the Udham Singh Nagar district was being excluded from Uttar Pradesh the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal had sold about 100 acres of his agricultural land falling in that area. Talking to reporters, Mr Mann added that reaction to Mr Badal's action was that insecurity prevailed among Punjabis and others, living in that district. They felt that exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar district from UP was now almost confirmed. Mr Mann added that a majority of people in that district were against the exclusion of their area from UP and they were ready to adopt the path of violence if their demand was not met. He said, "Our party will make every effort to get the demand of people of that area met". He condemned the alleged "anti-people" policies of the SAD-BJP government, which he said, had failed on all fronts. The SAD(A) would soon decide to launch a morcha against the government for raising bus fare, power tariff, police excesses and "killing" democratic set-up for its vested interests. Mr Mann criticised Mr Badal for not taking up long pending issues of Punjab, including, river waters, transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi-speaking areas to Punjab, with the BJP-led government at the Centre. He ridiculed the statement of the SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, who had justified the recent increase in the bus fare and power tariff by the state government and added, people were not expecting that type of statement from Mr Tohra who claimed himself to be a well-wisher of Punjabis. The SAD president said, the SAD-BJP government had created chasm between rural and urban people, about which he had cautioned them at the time of Assembly poll. But, urban voters didn't heed his advice and voted for SAD-BJP nominees. As a result people in urban areas were suffering now, he added. He demanded minimum procurement price of Rs 700 per quintal for paddy and said, to stop trend of suicides of indebted farmers, the government should once exempt total debt on them. He refused to comment on the issue of "excommunication" of five Sikh leaders and a journalist from Canada for allegedly defying the "hukamnama" on the institution of "Guru ka langar" (community kitchen) by the Sikh clergy. However, he said that the issue was sensitive on which he would give his comments to press after consulting other party leaders, who would meet at Ludhiana's Akalgarh gurdwara tomorrow to discuss among other things, the present political situation in the state. He charged that politics of Punjab was in the grip of three families. Late Mr Partap Singh Kairon, Mr Harcharan Singh Brar and Mr Parkash Singh Badal and these families were interrelated. People alone could break this political nexus by giving chance to others in the state to rule. Mr Mann claimed that his party was regaining popularity among the masses who were "unhappy" with working of the Badal government. He said, the Congress had lost its image and base in Punjab where now it was a "dead" political party. Making any comment about the Congress would mean to revive it, he added. Among others, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, Ex-MP, Mr Balwinder Singh Bains and Mr Jaskaran Singh, president and general secretary, respectively, of the SAD(A) youth wing, were present at the press conference.

5 booked for attacking coop bank officer From Our Correspondent ROPAR, July 27 — The city police has registered a case against Gurjinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Manjit Singh and two others for allegedly attacking Mr Kuldip Singh, a deputy manager of the Ropar Central Cooperative Bank on Friday evening at the local bus stand. According to the SHO of city police station, M.S. Malhi, a case under sections 147, 149, 323, 341, 504 and 506 of the IPC has been registered and party despatched to nab the alleged assailants. Mr Kuldip Singh had complained that he was attacked by five persons, and given blows. The SHO said that the official documents including an FDR of Rs 2 crore and Rs 30 lakh M.T. and other documents were found by a traffic constable from near the place of incident. The constable deposited the same in the police station and these were now with the police. Meanwhile, representations of the Ropar Central Cooperative Bank Employees Union today submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner here in this regard. Mr Baldev Singh and Mr Bikramjit Singh, president and general secretary, respectively of the Ropar Central Cooperative Bank Employees Union, said that the union had demanded that a case under sections 364, 323, 325, 332, 120-B and 34 of the IPC be registered against the alleged assailants and the Maruti car No DDU 1115 taken in possession as this car had reportedly been used for making an alleged crime to kidnap the Deputy Manager. They also demanded immediate arrest of the alleged assailants. The union leaders warned that the union would be forced to organise a state-level protest if no action was taken.

Cong, BSP walkout of MC meeting From Our Correspondent ABOHAR, July 27 — All Congress and BSP members today walked out of the meeting of the Municipal Council making serious allegations against ruling BJP leaders. Mr Vimal Thathai, leader of the opposition asked who had been collecting ticket charges at the children amusement park for last one month. No answer was available but the House was told that daily receipts from the children enjoying a ride at the park was Rs 600 only. The opposition members said one person had offered to pay Rs 1000, why was he not given the contract? The president, Mr Babu Ram Arya, passed on the question to the Executive Officer. He evaded reply. The opposition members said the resolution for giving the park on contract was included in the agenda for today's meeting but the Municipal Council had released advertisement to local newspapers on Friday inviting quotations. As per rules the council was under obligation to wait for action regarding approval from the Deputy Director Local Bodies for a fortnight on any resolution. No satisfactory response was available. The Congress and BSP members objected to the manner in which work for patchwork of main roads was allotted to a contractor. The council had invited quotations from owner of hot mix bajri plants. Members alleged there was a shady deal. They demanded that the tenders be cancelled and officers/politicians involved in the 'bungling' be brought to book. As no response was available, all Congress and BSP members staged a walkout shouting slogans.

Kanshi misleading Dalits: Kainth From Our Correspondent FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 27 — There has been no improvement in the lot of the Dalits in the country even after 50 years of Independence. Successive governments had exploited the Dalits and used them as vote bank. Now members of Parliament belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have decided to work to improve the lot of the Dalits. This was stated by Mr Satnam Singh Kainth, MP and the state president of the Bahujan Samaj Morcha (BSM), while talking to mediapersons here yesterday. He said 80 per cent of the BSP cadre had shifted to the BSM in the state. He announced the BSM would launch a membership campaign from August 15 to September 6 in the state and the party would enroll more than one lakh workers. He charged that BSP supremo Kanshi Ram has misleading the Dalits and had been enjoying all facilities on behalf of the Dalits. Answering a question, he said the Punjab Government should review the increase in bus fares and power tariff. He said various schemes announced by the state government for the farming community had benefited rich farmers only. Mr Kainth said MPs from the State had met the Prime Minister and demanded that heavy industry should be allotted to the state.

Anganwadi workers stage dharna Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Members of the Anganwadi Mulazam Union, Punjab, staged dharna in front of the office of the Director, Social Security, and the Women and Child Development Department, Sector 34, here this afternoon. Anganwadi workers, helpers and supervisors from all over the state assembled at the venue and decried the step-motherly treatment meted out to them. The agitators raised slogans against the non-payment of the enhanced honorarium to the workers. Mrs Surinder Kaur, chairperson of the union, said that the state government was not doing anything for getting central government approval for 52 projects in the state, in the absence of which more than 12,000 workers and helpers would be retrenched. She urged the government to speed up the inquiry ordered into the alleged bungling in the purchase of utensils and other items under the ICDS and thwart attempts to hush up the matter by certain senior officers involved. Other leaders raised the issue of enchancing their honorarium and granting of regular scales to anganwadi workers as per their qualifications. The government should also make efforts to implement the enhanced honorarium as announced by the central government last year. The agitators alleged that the recent appointments of supervisors were done by flouting all norms and the government should order a high-level inquiry into the matter as many of the appointments were done on the basis of forged certificates. The rallyists demanded the revocation of the suspension of Ms Narinder Kaur, a clerk in the Punjab Warehousing Corporation. The agitators later marched to the Punjab Civil Secretariat but were stopped at the Chandigarh Housing Board roundabout in Sector 17 by the police.

400 challaned for flouting norms From Our Correspondent PATIALA, July 27 — Nearly 400 persons, including substantial number of women drivers, were challaned in the city here today for violating recent high court directive on traffic rules. Ms V. Neerja, superintendent of police (traffic), said today was the first day of the issuing of challans. Confusion, however, prevailed among the public and the police over the direction regarding the wearing of helmets by Sikh women. Hot arguments took place at number of checkpoints between women who claimed to be Sikh and the police who were issuing challans due to non-wearing of helmet. However, so far the police is concentrating only on challaning people for not wearing the helmet and the black film on car glasses and very less on other directives.

Departmental officers blamed From Our Correspondent ROPAR, July 27 — In regard to the non-utilisation of funds received from the state government in this district for development works the Deputy Commissioner here has blamed departmental officers. In this connection he cited the example of funds for the unnat gram scheme, untied funds and funds for schools. The Deputy Commissioner while reviewing utilisation of funds for 1997-98, also observed that the pace of utilisation of these funds was very slow. Secondly, on-the-spot inspection of the works in progress was nominal. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr K.S. Sidhu, in an office order, issued to all heads of departments of the district, has also observed that his officer colleagues will agree with him that the utilisation certificates of the works for 1995-96 and 1996-97 are so far not being sent and this proves his observation. The Deputy Commissioner has also said when the utilisation of funds is delayed, rising prices make funds look insufficient as per estimates and utilisation certificates become a mere formality. The Deputy Commissioner in the capacity of monitoring and supervisory officer has directed the officers concerned to complete the development works as per available funds immediately by visiting the areas.

Sarpanches take oath From Tribune Reporters AMRITSAR, July 27 — Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, today administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly elected panches of the Majha region here today. He urged the newly panches and sarpanches to work for the clearance of the encroached panchayat lands so that revenue of gram panchayats could be increased. Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister Rural Development and Panchayat said that it was a matter of satisfaction that 33 per cent women were elected panches and sarpanches this time. FATEHGARH SAHIB: Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, administered the oath of the newly elected sarpanches and 2429 panches of Fatehgarh Sahib district on Monday. He urged them to fulfil to the expectations of the people ensure utilisation of grant for development projects. Mr T.R. Sarangal, Deputy Commissioner, said that all panches and sarpanches would be given due respect in government offices.

Flood protection measures inspected From Our Correspondent HOSHIARPUR, July 27 — Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, along with Mr H.S. Dhaliwal, Executive Engineer, (Drainage), Mr Paramjit SDM and other officials inspected the flood protection measures being taken at the Nasrala and Mahlanwali Choes on Saturday. They visited Niara, Hargarh, Chandpur, Nasrala, Taragarh, Davida Ahrana, Mukhliana, Rajpur Bhaian, Halta, Badla and Harmoya villages located on the banks of the choes and checked the protection bundhs. Some villagers demanded construction of studs at various places to check and divert the flow of flood waters. The Deputy Commissioner assured to look into the grievances of the villagers. Ayurvedic graduates flay legal notices From Our Correspondent TARN TARAN, July 27 — Dr Subash Biala, Secretary of the district unit of the All-India Integrated Medical Association (AIIMA) in a statement issued here yesterday criticised the issuing of legal notices to the BAMS graduates practising in the district by the Civil Surgeon. He said the Director, Health and Family Welfare in his written instructions sent to the Civil Surgeons had mentioned not to issue notices to the BAMS and DHMS degree holders to stop them from practising but the Civil Surgeon was violating the instructions. He warned that if officials went on harassing the BAMS doctors, they would move the court.

Sukhvir Grewal bereaved Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Mrs Ranjodh Kaur Grewal, mother of Sukhvir Singh Grewal, former international hockey player and national coach, died in her sleep at Ludhiana this morning. She was 65. She was cremated in the evening at Ludhiana. Several prominent citizens, including leaders of political parties, sportsmen and others attended the cremation.

Demand for RMP registration Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — Members of the State Ayurvedic Joint Action Committee of the private medical practitioners, Punjab, staged a rally in front of the Directorate, Ayurveda, in Sector 22 here today. The agitators were demanding revival of registration for RMP which has been stopped since 1963, besides other demands. Mr K.S. Saini, co-convener of the committee, said the government should make the necessary amendment to the CCIM Act, 1970, paving the way for the prescription of certain allopathic drugs by unani and ayurvedic doctors.

Punjab invitation for Haj '99 Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 27 — The Punjab government has invited applications for Haj-1999 from the Muslim residents of the state. According to an official spokesman of the government, the application forms are available free of cost with the Secretary, Punjab State Haj Committee, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh, or Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Malerkotla and the Deputy Commissioners in the state. Each application form, duly filled, accompanied by bank draft for registration fee and advance accommodation money, amounting to Rs 5,500 drawn in favour of the Secretary, Punjab State Haj Committee, should reach the office of the Secretary before August 24. No application form submitted after the due date shall be entertained.

| Nation | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | Chandigarh | | Editorial | Business | Stocks | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail |