Saturday, November 7, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, November 7, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Gill's
remarks create ripples
Science
City to cost Rs 70 crore Bus
fails to reach Amritsar |
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 Mystery disease strikes paddy CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Paddy growers in Punjab groaning under the fury of nature and the apathy of government have another worry this year. Medical
teachers to get PCMS grades Aliwal
'not to be removed' |
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Pollution blamed for
respiratory ills JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — The 18th National Congress on Respiratory Diseases was inaugurated by the state Governor Mr BKN Chhibber here today. Traders
oppose development cess Rs
6, 700 crore given in insurance claims 18
lok adalats to be held on November 9 |
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Gill's remarks create ripples CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The convocation address by the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr MS Gill, at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, on Thursday has created ripples in political and administrative circles here. While certain politicians said it was "constitutional impropriety", there were bureaucrats who felt that Dr Gill was not entirely wrong if not fully right on some of the observations he had made. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was, as usual, cautious in his comments on what Dr Gill had said. Though unwilling to get into any controversy over the remarks made by Dr Gill, he said without proper "study and knowledge" judgement should not be passed on a government's performance and policies. "We respect him given his constitutional position. But he should not have said what he has at the convocation," remarked Mr Parkash Singh when contacted at his residence by TNS. Though resting with a sore throat, barely able to speak, he said: "The efforts at development are there for everyone to see. The state is on a fast track". The Chief Minister referred to his speech on the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, wherein, he had listed the "achievements" of his government till July 6, 1998. He had spoken at length on the hardships through which the state had passed. Punjab, as a progressive state, had much better performance parameters than many other states despite the setback received by it during militancy. The "spoil system" prevailing as a consequence of Congress rule was being erased. "A new format is being introduced for balanced socio-economic, agricultural and industrial development," he added. The "sops and subsidies" given to the business and trade or to promote industry were to be perceived as "incentives" for the "rehabilitation" of the economy rather than as mere "concessions". The decision to give "free" power to farmers was not taken in a jiffy. The problems faced by the farmers, their declining profitability, increasing indebtedness and fragmenting land holdings were enough indications to call for some relief. Punjab’s power situation was fairly comfortable. It had the highest per capita consumption (171 kwh) and availability. Several power generation projects were in the pipeline. During winter the state could afford to sell power to deficit states, not only neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh but even to distant Tamil Nadu which was given power through the national grid last year. "No state can recover the actual cost of power generation and distribution. The farmers are charged flat rate. Punjab farmers did not face crisis of shortage despite it being free," he stressed. Even on the industrial front, Mr Parkash Singh said Punjab’s growth rate had been steadily increasing in the past four to five years. Against a national industrial rate of 6.7 per cent in 1997-98, it was 10 per cent in the state. In the current year it was expected to be around 12 per cent. Even the foreign direct investment performance in Punjab was better. Projects worth Rs 210 crore were in the pipeline besides the mega oil refinery of Rs 16,000 crore, whose foundation the Prime Minister would lay on November 11. Punjab could not turn its eyes away from reality. In the prevailing liberalised economic environment, each state had evolved its own strategy to attract investment. In the absence of "complete understanding" among the neighbouring state competition had to be there in terms of giving incentives etc to investors. The "dismal experience" of the past had made Punjab wiser because even on certain agreed points the respective states went their own way. "Each state offers the best". On the other hand, some bureaucrats, who preferred not to be identified, maintained that what Dr Gill had said was not something new. Even elementary books on economics, survey and study reports mention such facts. "This calls for introspection to apply correctives". What has chided the government is such open observations have come from Dr Gill. The Minister of Medical
Education and Research, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal,
when asked to comment on the convocation address said
what Dr Gill had stated at the convocation was tantamount
to "constitutional impropriety" since he was in
a job which has to ensure "fair, free and
fearless" election. |
Mystery disease strikes paddy CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Paddy growers in Punjab groaning under the fury of nature and the apathy of government have another worry this year. Large paddy areas in Gurdaspur and Amritsar and certain areas in Ludhiana have been struck by a mysterious disease. About 30,000 acres in Gurdaspur and another 15,000 acres in Amritsar, mostly basmati paddy, and a few thousand acres in the belt comprising of Khanna and Nabha are the worst hit. Scientists from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and even from the International Rice Research Institute, Manila, are yet to clearly identify the disease or the virus. And hence, no clear preventive measures have been suggested. An educated farmer from Khanna complained that a strange kind of disease struck a part of his paddy crop and it got whittled in a few days’ time. Another also complained about some kind of pest, a new one which could not be checked by the recommended doses of pesticides. But the areas worst hit are in the Majha belt of Punjab where most of the basmati is grown. But it has not touched another basmati growing area in Kapurthala. And as yet there are no reports from Haryana, which has more area under basmati than Punjab. But the farmers in Kaithal have much less yield this time, almost down by 30 per cent. Experts say that when the disease strikes a field, the crop turns yellow and seeds are rarely formed. Then it withers . But it strikes in pockets and not the entire area, which is common otherwise when any disease attacks a farm. It is not uniform and mostly basmati paddy is under attack. Coarse varieties in the adjoining fields escape. Scientists who noted the disease last year close to the Indo-Pak border in Fatehgarh Churian area, this year took samples of the soil and the crops. Even experts from the Manila-based institute took samples to identify the disease and suggest remedies. The disease is nearly similar to tundru that has been attacking paddy in Japan and China. But there are no final findings as yet. Scientists are worried as
the area has increased this time. It may spread to other
districts and other states. Areas close to the Indo-Pak
border and falling in Pakistan also grow paddy. It is not
known whether those farms also suffer from this
mysterious disease. Indian scientists are requesting the
Manila based institute to find out from their Pakistani
counterparts as that might help to trace the source and
the cause of the disease. |
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Spurious drugs "flood"
market BATHINDA, Nov 6 — Spurious medicines have flooded markets here in the past more than one year. Some unscrupulous traders here have been supplying spurious and sub-standard drugs to several parts of the country including Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and other districts of Punjab. Sources in the drug trade said that spurious and sub-standard drugs were being manufactured in this town and at Ludhiana city and these consignments were finding way into number of hospitals too. Recently the Delhi Police and the Drug Control Department of the Delhi government busted a racket of spurious drugs. During investigation, the Delhi Police found that accused Prem Singh who was arrested had been getting supply of spurious drugs from Satya Pal Singh of Bathinda for the last 13 years. More than 250 retail sellers and 110 wholesale shopkeepers are doing on spurious' drugs business without check by the drug authorities concerned. Trade sources said that injections of water and tablets and capsules of unknown 'material' were being sold by under the brand name of established companies. Apart from it, to evade checking from drug control authorities and sales tax, some of the traders were selling spurious drugs under the garb of "physician's samples not for sale". The survey revealed that there were about 24 wholesellers who were genuine stockists of the established and multinational drug manufacturing companies. Most of the shopkeepers were selling drugs without any valid dealership agency. Most of the business of spurious drugs was being done without issuing the sale invoices by traders. Recently raids by the Excise and Sales Tax Department on drug traders yielded lakhs of rupees. Official sources said that with only five drug inspectors in all 17 districts of Punjab, control on drugs in the state had gone completely out of gear. The problem had been accentuated by the drug control authorities by issuing licences for running chemist shops. Mr A.S. Sidhu, Assistant Civil Surgeon, Civil Hospital, Bathinda when contacted said that they had started action after it appeared in newspapers that a trader of Bathinda was supplying spurious drugs in Delhi. He said that a letter had been written to the State Drug Controller for sparing the drug inspectors so the business establishments of drug retailers and wholesellers could be checked. He admitted that for the
last one year, no checking had been done of any
establishment due to unavailability of drug inspector?
The present drug inspector post here was in charge of
five districts, he added. |
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Pollution blamed for respiratory
ills JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — The 18th National Congress on Respiratory Diseases was inaugurated by the state Governor Mr BKN Chhibber here today. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Governor said that respiratory diseases were on the increase due to pollution, poverty, immigration and lack of awareness of social health among people. Lamenting that TB of HIV and lung cancer were on the increase he said that it was therefore important that message of new strategy to combat the problem to tuberculosis should be spread on a war-footing and the conference should prepare long and short term strategy on how to control deadly diseases and launch a campaign to educate masses that TB was curable. Admitting that much needed to be done to improve the medical health system he said that in the state the Medical Health Systems Corporation with a loan of Rs 400 crore from the World Health organisation was being set up. "However the need of the hour was to control the evergrowing population because if we did not control population we are to suffer". He message of family planning has to be propagated not only by the state but by private institutions also to make the people aware. The National Congress on respiratory diseases will organise lectures and seminars on the latest research in therapeutic respiratory medicines, clinical commentaries, diagnostic respiratory medicines, research and epidemiological respiratory medicines and trends in respiratory medicines. The president of the Indian Chest Society, Dr S. Chandrasekhran said that the politicians had the biggest responsibility to help frame policies and provide medical facilities to people at the lowest possible price. He said that medical infrastructure had to be improved to produce good technicians, doctors and scientists. Others who spoke at the ceremony were Dr Rohini Chowgule, secretary, Indian Chest Society. Mr Vijay Chopra Managing Editor, Hind Samachar Group of newspapers, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Minister for Health Punjab, Dr Vijay Mahajan and Dr HJ Singh. The three-day congress is
being attended by prominent doctors from all over the
country and delegates from the USA and Japan are also
participating.
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Science City to cost Rs 70 crore CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The sixth annual general meeting of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology held today under the chairmanship of Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Minister in charge, was informed by Mr Y.S. Ratra, Secretary, Science, Technology and Environment that the Government of India has sanctioned the setting up of the Pushpa Gujral Science City at a cost of Rs 70 crore and papers for its registration had already been filed. The construction work is being assigned to National Council of Science Museums, Calcutta, on turnkey basis. The first phase of commissioning "Astrovision", which would be a major source of interest to the public, would be commissioned in one and a half years from the date the funds are released. The council has made a breakthrough in offering consultancy to brick kilns, cupola furnaces, induction furnaces and rice shellers. It had earned in return Rs 1.61 crore in 1997-98 making the cell self-sustaining. The design of the air-pollution control for cupola furnaces was appreciated by Dr C.N Rao, Chairman, Science Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, also. The design is to be replicated in other states. Mr Sanjay Bajpai from the department of Science and Technology, Government of India, said that a proposal to set up five units each in West Bengal, U.P and Bihar had been approved in principle. Mr Ratra said considerable headway had been made in setting up Centre of Excellence of Biotechnology, which would cater to the areas of agriculture, health care and environment. The Chief Secretary, Mr R.S Mann, agreed to the need of setting up this centre in Punjab to help the State forge ahead in this new and upcoming field. He expressed the government's willingness to set up the centre keeping in view the financial and infrastructural constraints. The proposal was unanimously appreciated by the members. Regarding restoration and
conservation of internationally and nationally important
wetlands (Harike, Kanjli, and Ropar), the council was
acting as a "nodal agency". It had submitted a
proposal to the World Bank and the Ministry of
Environment for funding. |
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Medical teachers to get PCMS
grades CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The Punjab Government today decided to give pay scales to Medical and Dental teachers working in medical colleges at a par with PCMS doctors. A decision to this effect has been taken in a high-level meeting, presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The Professors of the medical colleges will get the pay scales of Rs 18,600-22, 100, Assistant Professor Rs 16,350 - 20,100, Senior Lecturers 14,300-18,150 along with all allowances and time-scale placements as admissible to the PCMS doctors. The proposal of the department regarding pay scales of non-medical teachers was agreed to in principle. However, it would be taken to the implementation committee for grant of UGC scales keeping in view the parity of qualifications and pay with UGC teachers. The issue of Ayurvedic teachers to be given UGC scales as recommended by the Fourth Punjab Pay Commission would also be sent to the implementation committee. The Chief Minister asked the doctor teachers to improve the standard of medical education and research. He assured all government assistance. Additional funds to the extent of Rs 20 lakh each would be earmarked for providing journals and books in the libraries of Government Medical and Dental Colleges. The Punjab Medical and Dental Teachers Association Chairperson, Dr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, and general secretary, Baljeet Singh Dhillon, thanked the Chief Minister and Minister for Medical Education and Research Mr MIS Grewal, for accepting their long-pending demands. Among those who attended
the meeting was the Chief Secretary, Mr RS Mann and the
Secretary concerned, Mr KK Bhatnagar. |
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Aliwal
'not to be removed' CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — The Punjab Chief Minister and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said today that there was no proposal to remove Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal from the office of President of the youth wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal so far. He said that all youth wing activists had been directed to go to Adampur constituency to mobilise voters in support of the party candidate. Mr Badal, who was talking to mediapersons after a meeting of the youth wing of the party said that Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Secretary-General of the SAD had been assigned the task of bringing about unity in the ranks of the youth wing by talking to all concerned. He said that the BJP would be supported by the SAD in all states and top leaders of the party, including Mr GSTohra, would campaign for BJP candidates in Punjabi dominated constituencies. He said that as the main objective of the SAD was to defeat the Congress party the party did not insist on getting a share of seats in Sikh dominated areas from the BJP in Delhi, Rajasthan and MP. A committee had been set up to help the BJP in the elections, he added. Meanwhile, Mr Amrik Singh
Aliwal said that all party activists had been directed to
be present in Adampur constituency and work for the party
candidate in the byelection. He said that youth wing
activists who met Mr Badal today under his command
expressed full faith in Mr Badal's leadership and assured
him full cooperation. |
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Traders oppose development cess BATHINDA, Nov 6 — To avoid an agitation by traders keeping in mind forthcoming Adampur Assembly byelection, the Punjab Government has imposed the infrastructure development fund cess of 1 per cent on sales of all goods made under the Punjab Sales Tax Act, 1948, from October 15. According to an ordinance
issued by Governor of Punjab, Lt-Gen BKN Chhibber, the
infrastructure development fund cess of 1 per cent will
also be charged on the sales of 16 items providing in the
schedule of the ordinance. Other articles include cosmetic goods, petrol, diesel and LPG. The ordinance said that establishment of the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board and Punjab Infrastructure Development Fund was being done with a view to accelerating the development of infrastructure, with or without private sector participation. The ordinance said that the cess would be charged on ad valorem basis at a rate of Re 1 for every Rs 100. The fund so collected would be used for the development of infrastructure in the state and infrastructure facilities in the country having direct benefit to the economy of Punjab. Reacting to the cess, Mr Madan Lal Kapoor and Mr Banarsi Dass Goyal, President and General Secretary respectively of the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, in a press note issued here, alleged that the Punjab Government had made its intention of looting the traders directly and indirectly clear. They threatened that if the state government did not withdraw the ordinance immediately, the mandal would launch an agitation throughout the state. They said traders were
willing to pay the development fund cess of 1 per cent on
their annual turnover provided the state government
abolished octroi. |
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Rs 6,
700 crore given in insurance claims BATHINDA, Nov 6 — Dr P.S. Pritam, Executive Director (Marketing), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), said that his organisation had given Rs 6700 crore to policy holders while settling claims in the current financial year. Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the new official building of the local LIC office, he said that the LIC took only 60 days in settling the death claims and so far had done the business of 1 lakh crore. He said in India the saving rate was 26 per cent and the LIC was having 10 to 11 per cent share in this saving with seven zonal offices in India. Dr Pritam disclosed that the LIC would open its branches in Nepal, Tanzania, Kuwait and South Africa in a phased manner in the coming years. He said that the LIC had already branches in other six countries. Regarding the revision of pay scales of employees, he said new pay scales would be implemented from October, 1997, and these pay scales would remain unchanged for the next five years. Regarding the permission
given to the foreign insurance companies to do business
in India by the government, he said that the LIC had vast
infrastructure and workforce and so the foreign companies
could not give any competition to it. |
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18 lok
adalats to be held on November 9 LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — Eighteen lok adalats will be organised in this district to mark Legal Services Day on November 9. Out of these, 12 will be organised in Ludhiana city and two each in Khanna, Jagraon and Samrala. This information was given
by Mrs Bakhshish Kaur, District and Sessions Judge, and
Chariman of the Legal Services Authority here; while
presiding over a meeting here last evening. |
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Bus for Lahore fails to reach AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — The non arrival of the much-touted bus service between Delhi and Lahore to normalise relations between the embittered neighbours had left many in surprise. The inaugural of deluxe air-conditioned bus service when was to start from today from Delhi failed to arrive on schedule for its onward journey to Pakistan. The Commissioner of Customs here, Mr D S Sra, was silent on the reasons for the bus not having reached here although, he clarified that all arrangements for proper Custom clearance and other formalities had been made for the smooth movement of the bus from Bagah check-post. The tri-weekly bus service
between both countries was an outcome of talks the both
Prime Ministers had at New York last September. Residents
of the city, who were awaiting the resumption of normal
traffic to Lahore by land route were quite disappointed.
The movement by road had been closed to both Indian and
Pakistan nationals for the past over three decades with
the exception of foreign nationals and diplomats.
Although the run for the first bus service was undertaken
last week to check all aspects of passenger safety,
customs and other comforts. |
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Controversy
over appointment CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — A controversy has started with regard to the appointment of Mr Sanjeev Sharma as President of the Patiala District Urban Unit of the Youth Congress replacing Mr Raj Kumar Pappan. Certain senior Congress leaders have sent telegrams to Mrs Sonia Gandhi to lodge their protest against the new appointment. A senior leader of the Congress party said here today that Mr Raj Kumar Pappan was a dedicated Youth Congress activist and he had played a major role in mobilising the people in support of the Congress party in the last Lok Sabha election in Patiala Vidhan Sabha segment in which the party had got a massive lead. The senior leader said
that there was no contribution of the new President for
the Congress Party and his appointment should be
immediately cancelled. Senior Congress leader said that
the new appointment had been made by Mr Jasbir Singh
Gill, President of the Punjab Youth Congress, on the
direction of the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress
Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh. |
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Freedom
fighter dead AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — A great freedom fighter of Punjab, Satyadev Chopra, died here yesterday after a long illness. He was 77. He was cremated in the evening. Among those present were his comrades and friends like Mr Satyapal Dang and Mr Mahendra Pratap Nayyar of Ludhiana. Satyadev Chopra led a
lonely and painful life for years because of physical
ailments and financial difficulties. A news item
published in The Tribune two years ago brought him the
much needed relief from the Punjab Government and the
public. An all-party condolence meeting will be organised
in Gopal Mandir, Kashmir Avenue, Amritsar tomorrow. |
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Drive
against hoarding, profiteering LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — The district administration has decided to launch a campaign against hoarders and profiteers of essential commodities in the district with immediate effect. Any wholesale or retail dealer found guilty of raising prices of essential commodities would be booked under the Essential Commodities act and their case would also be sent to Sale Tax and Income Tax Departments. This was decided at a meeting of representatives of wholesale and retail dealers' associations of different commodities and officers of departments concerned here today under the chairmanship of Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana. Mr Goel warned traders that nobody would be allowed to exploit the situation and charge excess from the consumers. He however, assured that there would no harassment to the "genuine" dealers. At the meeting, it was
also decided that Sabzi Mandi Arhatias Association would
sell potatoes, onions and tomatoes at wholesale rates at
10 places in the city daily. These included Old Sabzi
Mandi. Field Ganj, Sherpur, Ghumarmandi, Jodhewal Basti,
Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Gill Road, Urban Estate and
Pakhowal Road. |
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DSP
shoots himself, critical JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — Mr Mohinder Pal Singh, at present posted at Faridkot as DSP (D), had come to Jalandhar on two days leave. Today in the morning about 11 am under influence of liquor he shot himself with his service revolver. According to the SSP
Jalandhar, Mr PS Gill, Mr Mohinder Pal Singh, had an
altercation with his wife, which provoked him to commit
suicide. He has been admitted in a private hospital here
where his condition is stated to be still very serious. |
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Relief
for rain-hit paddy farmers HOSHIARPUR, Nov 6 — The Punjab Government will provide compensation to the farmers who got less than the fixed procurement price of the paddy damaged due to recent rains in the procurement centres in Hoshiarpur district. This was disclosed by Mr Iqabl Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, at an open darbar at Ghogra village in Dasuya subdivision of this district yesterday. He said that the estimated loss of damaged paddy in the procurement centres by rains was about Rs 35 lakh for which government would provide compensation shortly. The Deputy Commissioner said that there was no shortage of DAP fertiliser in the district. The administration would ensure regular supply of it. He appealed to the farmers not to purchase extra fertiliser beyond their requirement so that even temporary shortage of it could not be created. The DC said that bank accounts of all beneficiaries of old age pension in Dasuya and Tanda blocks of the district, cases of whom had been finalised had been opened. He announced a grant of Rs 51,000 to the Ghogra village panchayat for development works. Mr RP Mittal, SSP
Hoshiarpur appealed to the people to help arrest real
culprits. |
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Ex-CM's
son freed on bail LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — Mr Gurbir Singh, a Punjab Congress leader and son of the former Chief Minister late Mr Gurnam Singh, was freed on bail today by the Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana. He was arrested on Saturday under Sections 406/420 of the IPC on the basis of an FIR lodged against him by Dr Gurinder Singh Grewal. Chairman of the Guru Nanak Education Trust and a brother of the Punjab Minister, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal. Dr Grewal pointed out that
Mr Gurbir Singh had alleged in a writ petition filed in
the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1966 that Mr Mahesh
Inder Singh had used his money power and political
connections to harass him. Mr Mahesh Inder Singh was not
even an MLA at that time. The high court dismissed the
petition. The judgement of the high court was challenged
by Mr Gurbir Singh in the Supreme Court which also
dismissed Mr Gurbir Singh's petition. Dr Grewal asserted
that the present case was not related to any political
dispute or any political party and Mr Gurbir Singh was
trying to politicise it. It was a case of forgery and
cheating which would be decided in a court of law, he
said. |
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