Monday, November 9, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, November 9, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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SAD
decision on poll criticised Amarinder
challenges CM
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CITU to
work for BJP’s exit Anandpur
Sahib — a beehive of activity Symposium
of vet immunologists opens Shifting
of mandi hits farmers Languages
Dept asked to raise award money |
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SAD decision on poll criticised KHALRA (Amritsar), Nov 8 — Much to the embarrassment of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister and president Shromani Akali Dal (Badal) the death anniversary of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist here was used by other SAD factions his detractors among human rights organisations and other outfits to criticise the SAD-BJP government for not taking action against 'erring' police officials who committed 'excesses' during the Congress regime and governor's rule. The representatives of human rights organisations canvassed all over Khalra village to enlist cases of police excesses to be heard during the three day sitting of the People's Commission this month. In a resolution passed on the occasion they strongly criticised the SAD government for not fulfilling its promise to constitute a commission to probe the cases of police excesses. They also urged the state government to give recognition to the People's Commission as it was constituted as per the poll manifesto of the SAD. Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, president, Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) while speaking on the occasion asked Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Surjit Singh Barnala to resign from their respective posts as they had failed to fulfil their promises to their electorates. He also criticised the decision of the SAD of not contesting elections in Delhi and Rajasthan, Sikh pockets saying Mr Badal had taken the decision due to vested interests. In another resolution, the "shaheedi samagam" demanded immediate arrest of Mr KPS Gill, a former DGP Punjab for his involvement in the killing of hundreds of innocents during the militancy. A five-member committee was also constituted with Mrs Paramjit Kaur Khalra, widow of Mr Khalra, Mr Ajit Singh Bains (retd Justice), Mr Prem Singh Lalpura, MLA, Mr Dalbir Singh, a journalist and Surinder Singh Gharyala, chairman human rights wing as its members. This committee will explore the possibilities of launching a struggle for achievement of the Anandpur Sahib resolution acceptance of all genuine demands of Punjab and Punjabis, including inclusion of Chandigarh and other Punjabi speaking areas in Punjab, fair adjudication of inter-state river waters etc. The committee is authorised to take the help of other like-minded parties. Mr Prem Singh Lalpura, MLA, who was expelled from the SAD for not taking an oath as Member of Parliament, while speaking on the occasion announced that all dissident Akalis of Majha region would organise a big conference in the month of February at Tarn Taran, where the ‘policies’ of Mr Badal, like promoting nepotism, would be highlighted. Among those present on the occasion were Mr Darshan Singh Jeeda, state president Rashtriya Janata Dal, Mr Major Singh Uboke, former MP and dissident Akali, Bhai Manjit Singh, SAD (Badal) leader, Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, Baba Thakur Singh, chief Damdami Taksal, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, president SAD (Panthic), Bhai Narain Singh, president Akal Federation, Bhai Mohkam Singh, spokesman Damdami Taksal, Mr DS Gill, chairman human rights organisation, Mr Kanwarpal Singh, general secretary, Dal Khalsa International, Mr Harminder Singh Gill, president AISSF, Prof Jagir Singh, MLA (Akali Dal Badal), mother of Harjinder Singh Jind — an assassin of general AS Vaidya, Mrs Pritam Kaur wife of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Mr Ram Narayan Kumar, coordinator of the human rights organisation, Mr Surinder Singh Gharyala, chairman human rights organisation and Mr Kirpal Singh Randhawa, deputy chairman human rights organisation. Mr Kuldip Singh, an eyewitness to the ‘alleged’ murder of Jaswant Singh Khalra was a special invitee. It is pertinent to mention here that Kuldip Singh had told the CBI that Jaswant Singh Khalra was killed in front of his eyes. Bhai Ranjit Singh,
Jathedar Akal Takht and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC
chief who were invited by the organisers were, however,
conspicuous by their absence for obvious reasons. |
Amarinder challenges CM to debate JALANDHAR, Nov 8 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, Mr Amarinder Singh, today again demanded central observers from the Election Commission to monitor the "misuse" of official machinery by the ruling party. He apprehended that the Punjab police might play a "partisan" role during the poll to favour the ruling party candidate. Talking to reporters here, Mr Amarinder Singh alleged that the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was confusing people by raking up trivial issues. He challenged him to a debate on the electronic media or in a university auditorium on various issues related to Punjab. Referring to the Punjab Governor’s statement that the Lok Pal had been appointed by following the necessary procedures, Mr Amarinder Singh said the Congress was not satisfied with the appointment. He said his party has decided to go to the high court as the PPCC did not expect any justice from the present Lok Pal. He alleged that by raking up the demand for a separate Sikh personal law, Mr Tohra was attempting to take away the rights of Sikh women. He appealed to the CPI, the CPM and the BSP to support the Congress candidate in the Adampur byelection. He said there was need for a secular front to defeat the "communal combine" of the SAD-BJP. He alleged the Badal government had failed to provide any compensation to farmers who had suffered massive damage to their paddy, cotton and sugarcane crops. The PPCC chief also alleged that some SAD-BJP ministers were camping in the Adampur constituency and were using their official vehicles and staff during campaigning. PTI adds: Mr Amarinder Singh took exception to Mr Tohra’s decision to invite Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to participate in the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. "At a time when Islamabad is involved in instigating the state’s youth, such an invitation is hardly a sane step," he said. He also criticised Mr
Tohra for what he termed as "attempts to ignite
terrorism in the state by demanding a personal law for
the Sikhs".
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Anandpur Sahib — a beehive of
activity ANANDPUR SAHIB, Nov 8 — Also known as the "abode of bliss", this sleepy, holy town has sprung to life. It is a beehive of activity where hundreds of hands hired by various government departments and agencies are engaged in helping transform the place, dressing it up for the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa in April next. The countdown for the D-day had begun. Preparations are in full swing for the laying of the foundation stone of the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex on November 22. This is just one of the important landmarks planned to be built here. On completion, it will have cost Rs 250 crore. Usually this place comes alive only at the time of Holla Mohalla, an annual feature. But in view of the importance of the occasion, an elaborate, ambitious plan has been prepared to develop Anandpur Sahib, founded by Guru Teg Bahadur in 1673. Despite the absence of a single nodal agency for coordinated development of the works proposed and in hand, the Anandpur Sahib Urban Planning and Development Authority is engaged in acquiring land, preparing landscape schemes and in a modest way monitoring the projects under way. The road from Chandigarh to Ropar and beyond is a busy highway, where traffic occasionally gets into a jam, where road berms are damaged and unkempt while the road itself is uneven and potholed. The first signs of activity become visible as one drives close to Kiratpur Sahib. Clouds of dust, long queues of vehicles, the buzz of machines, traffic diversions, all signal that "work is in progress": of double laning the road, construction of some bridges and at least one "welcome" gateway undertaken by Markfed. Among other agencies, the state Mandi Board has also found a role for itself. Located atop a hill on the Dasmesh Academy road, it is constructing a Kisan Bhavan. The project cost is Rs 2 crore. It is scheduled to be completed by March 31, next. The three-storeyed structure, designed by Mr S S Sekhon, blends with the landscape and architecture of Anandpur Sahib, depicting Sikh architecture and cultural heritage through its arches and "darwazas" designed like village havelis. There will be 14 spacious rooms and a dining hall for 50, besides facilities for seminars and brainstorming sessions. To get into the bhavan, one will have to walk-in or drive through a 28-foot high "arched door" reminding the visitors of cultural heritage of Punjab. One gets a panoramic view of the area around from there. The Mandi Board Secretary, Mr P.S. Aujla, who periodically reviews the progress, told TNS on the spot that the adjoining open space could be used for setting up of an "open" museum depicting the "march of agriculture" during the past 300 years. It can be projected through murals and equipment used over the years by Punjabi or Sikh peasantry. Agricult ure has played a key role in Punjab's history and culture. Sikh religion also gives agriculture a top place among vocations. Mr Aujla has written to the Chief Administrator of ASUDA, requesting that the adjoining land be acquired and developed into a "theme" park to go with the bhavan and spirit of the occasion, otherwise the land could be encroached upon becoming an eye-sore later. The railway station and the hospital are other sites being redone. The foundation stone of a hotel, a joint venture of Punjab Tourism and ITDC has been laid by the central minister, Mr Madan Lal Khurana. The plaque of the heritage memorial is almost ready. Not far from the Kisan Bhavan is an old, dilapidated haveli-like fort located in the Bari Sarkar locality of the town. It is in the possession of "Sodhis," who claim to be descendants of Baba Suraj Mal, the elder brother of Guru Teg Bahadur. Both Bharpur Singh and Ms Narinder Sodhi say that such places should be preserved. It was in the old haveli where Suraj Mal held darbar. The "cot" on which he meditated is still there. The two said they had a copy of the holy Guru Granth Sahib of that period. Their regret was that despite one of their ancestors, Sodhi Harbans Singh, having given the keys of 22 gurdwaras and 500 "mohar" to the SGPC in 1922, precious little had been done by it to perpetuate the memory of Baba Suraj Mal. The town has several such buildings owned by Sodhis. The narrow, stinking lanes and bylanes of the place also need attention. One found little or no enthusiasm among the locals. Some people ruled that even compensation paid to them for land acquired was meagre. Nearly 150 acres are to be acquired. Work is being done on widening some roads and on a stadium. Around the main gurdwara Kesgarh Sahib, the "parikarma" has been widened and more rooms added for pilgrims. A new inn has been built by Baba Harbans Singh, Kar Sewa-wale of Delhi near the gurdwara. At a recent meeting in New Delhi the Prime Minister had announced Rs 100 crore for the tercentenary celebrations. The State Government, it is being said should set up a separate secretariat for the "coordinated development" of Anandpur Sahib with a minister in charge, with proper authority to decide financial and administrative matters. One wonders what role the Shiromani Akali Dal or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee would have played for the April 1999 celebrations had the Akalis not come to power. From what has been planned
since February 1997, it is apparent the Akalis did not
have any programme on the approaching event or how to go
about it. The people here felt at least something has
been done even it is belated; may it be in terms of civic
amenities or basic requirements. The town still gives a
shanty look as of now. |
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A lesson for or by the police? GURDASPUR, Nov 8 — Can an unarmed widow and her two daughters force the head of a police party to send an SOS on wireless for additional force? If the answer is yes then should the woman and her daughters be not given gallantry award for showing "exemplary courage". An FIR registered by the SHO City against the widow and her two daughters for the "un-usual" encounter makes an interesting reading. It reads that Raj Rani and her daughters namely Vimmy and Rajni attacked the police party when it reached their home in connection with the rental dispute of the house. While the mother and her one daughter pushed the Sub-Inspector, tore his uniform, broke its buttons, the second daughter slapped him. As the woman and her daughters could not be "controlled", the head of the police party had to requisition additional force which arrested them. In this "un-usual encounter", the police party and the woman received injuries, while the widow is a tenant, the house is owned by the relatives of a DSP. Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP MLA, alleged that the widow and her daughters were beaten up mercilessly by the SHO City and the police force at the instance of the DSP. She said if the woman and her daughters could beat up the entire police force then they should be inducted into the police force to raise the morale of the police. She alleged that the police tried to cover up the torturing of widow and her daughters by concocting a story. The FIR was concocted, she alleged. She ridiculed the contents of the FIR that the police force swung into action in self defence. The district police chief, Mr Gaurav Yadav, however, said the SHO was actually beaten up by the widow and her daughters in the presence of so many people, including ex Municipal Commissioner and President of the Municipal Committee. He said the SHO did not retaliate and showed restraint despite being slapped by one of the daughters. He denied that the SHO had beaten up the widow and her daughters. Since the widow and her two daughters were involved in the case, the SHO had opted not to retaliate and chose to adopt a legal course against them. Mr Yadav claimed that the widow had admitted that one of her daughters had slapped the SHO. Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla has alleged that a DSP, Rakesh Kaushal who was posted with the Lokpal had gone with the SHO to "teach" the widow a lesson. The house was purchased by the relatives of the DSP and he wanted to get it vacated, Mrs Chawla alleged. However, Mr Gaurav Yadav claimed that Mr Kaushal was not present at the time of the scuffle. Mrs Chawla threatened to stage a "fast" in front of the house of Inspector-General (Border) if no action was taken against the erring police official, apart from quashing of the FIR registered against the widow and two daughters. She said even after a lapse of two weeks, no action had been taken in this regard. She said that the "shakti", a women's organisation had already lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission for taking stern action against the erring police officials. Mrs Chawla said the SHO in
his FIR lodged against the widow and her two daughters
had himself admitted that they had received injuries in
the scuffle. |
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Doctors allege police excesses PATHANKOT: The Punjab unit of the Indian Medical Association will launch an agitation against the alleged excesses committed by local police officials on a doctor who was harassed by them at the behest of some local BJP leaders. Dr O.P.S. Kande, Chairman, Action Committee-cum-Legal Cell, IMA, Punjab, said the doctors would launch a statewide stir if the state government failed to take action against the erring police officials of police division No. 2 for keeping Dr Suresh Sharma in custody for over seven hours under an offence which was bailable. The police intentionally delayed the release of the doctor on bail, he alleged. Dr K.D. Singh, an IMA member and Akali leader, said a deputation of the IMA members would call on the Chief Minister to apprise him of the situation arising out of the police excesses at the behest of the some local BJP leaders. According to the information, on October 27 33-year-old Ashwani Kumar was admitted to the clinic of Dr Suresh Sharma, a bone expert for pains in the elbow, after the former met with an accident. Ashwani was taken to the operation theatre for an ortho operation, but he did not return alive from there. Mr Naresh Kumar, brother of the deceased, alleged that Ashwani, a musician, was taken to the operation theatre of the doctor for the treatment of elbow pains. After three hours, he was brought out dead. The death of Ashwani caused a shock amongst people of the city. They rushed to the spot and started pressurising for the registration of a case of murder against Dr Sharma. The police, seeing the situation going out of control, took Dr Sharma and his associate doctor, who had injected anaesthesia to the deceased, into its custody. The police, after Mr Vinod Khanna, MP from Gurdaspur, who was present in the city at that time, intervened, registered a case under Section 304 A against the doctor. The doctors observed strike on October 28 to protest against the police action. The doctors ended their strike only after Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP intervened. Dr Vinay Sharma, General Secretary of the local unit of the IMA, in a press conference alleged that the police had used inhumane methods on Dr Suresh Sharma while he was in police custody. He said the doctor was not even allowed to go to the toilet and was treated like an hardcore criminal. He claimed that Ashwani had died after he was successfully operated upon and sent to his ward. The minister, Mr Mohan Lal, when contacted denied his involvement in the matter. He said he had not interfered as it was a legal matter and should take its course in a accordance with the law. The SSP, Mr Shiv Kumar,
said the police had not committed any crime in keeping
the doctor in custody as it was bound to protect the life
of the citizens. If the police had not taken the doctor
in its custody, his life would have been under threat by
the agitating people. The police had only tried to pacify
the sentiments of the public which was all out to teach
the doctor a lesson for the death of a man. |
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People's Commission summons 124 cops JALANDHAR, Nov 8 (PTI) — The controversial People’s Commission has summoned 124 Punjab Police officials, including two DIGs and 11 senior superintendents of police, to appear before it on November 28 at Amritsar in what is likely to be a stormy hearing in view of a warning by the panel’s detractors that they would disturb its proceedings. The commission, headed by former Calcutta High Court Chief Justice D.S. Tewatia, has asked the police officials to "either appear in person or through authorised representatives’’ at the hearing to give their version in complaints of human rights violations filed against them. Among those who figure in the list of officers summoned are Rajan Gupta and Suresh Arora both (DIGs), A.P. Pandey, Dinkar Gupta, Harinder Singh Chahal, Mohammad Mustafa, Mohd Izhar Alam, Raj Kishen Bedi, Sumedh Saini, Sumant Kumar Goel, Sita Ram and Swaran Singh (all SSPs). An earlier sitting of the commission at Chandigarh in August also courted controversy when the panel issued similar summons to police officials. Virtually every party, including the ruling alliances partner the BJP has condemned the panel as a parallel one-sided judiciary and demanded a ban on it. The ruling Akali Dal has however taken an ambivalent stand. A petition is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the legal validity of the commission formed ostensibly to probe human rights violations by the police during the decade-long militancy epoch. Senior police officials, who did not want to be quoted, said the commission would only serve as a publicity gimmick for those looking for a handle to beat the security forces with. "It is clear to everyone that such supra-judicial panels may end up lowering the morale of the Punjab Police which has snatched back the state’s peace from the hands of gun-toting killers, a senior police officer, whose name figures among the list of 124 ‘tainted’ officers, told PTI. Advocates of the panel said it was formed as the ruling Akali Dal failed to set up a commission, promised to the party’s manifesto, to probe the genesis of terrorism. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has since stated that such commissions only served to rake up bitter memories and served no useful purpose. However, veteran Akali leader and SGPC chief G.S. Tohra, known for his hawkish posture, has supported the panel. The coordination committee on disappearances in Punjab, with which former Supreme Court Judge Kuldip Singh is closely associated, has been at pains to say the forum is open to all. The committee's convener Ram Narayan Kumar, the prime mover behind the panel, said the commission would welcome complaints from those aggrieved at the hands of militants and said a symposium would be organised at Jalandhar next Sunday to have what he called a rational dialogue. Political observers here
said if the past was any indication the commission's
sitting this time too would be full of fireworks which
would have a significant impact on the crucial November
25 Adampur assembly byelection. |
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Man killed over Rs 5, wife
dies of shock PATIALA, Nov 8 — Gurdeep Singh, a local video-cassette supplier's 60-year-old father Gurbaksh Singh was murdered by three persons last evening. His mother unable to bear the shock died just after midnight. According to the Kotwali Police, Gurbaksh Singh was allegedly murdered by three persons - Gurcharan Dass a shopkeeper, his son Rakesh Kumar and their servant Titu, following a dispute over five rupees. According to the FIR, the shopkeeper did not return rupees five to the grandchildren of the deceased. The children had given Rs 10 to the shopkeeper for items worth Rs five. When Gurbaksh Singh demanded the remainder it led to a scuffle between him and the shopkeeper and his son and assistant. The police said that Gurbaksh Singh received blows from the trio and was pushed around resulting in his death. His wife, unable to bear
the shock died around midnight. No arrest has been made
so far. |
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CITU to work for BJP’s
exit BATHINDA, Nov 8 — The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will hold talks with all the allies of BJP at the Centre to throw Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s government out of power. Announcing this at a press conference here today, Mr Jibon Roy, MP and All India Secretary of CITU said the BJP had surrendered the economy of country to traders and multinationals. Its continuance in power would lead to an economic collapse. He said the time had come when all trade unions should come together on a single platform to launch an agitation to throw the BJP government out of power. Mr Roy said that the representatives of his union would meet leaders of various political parties supporting the BJP at the Centre for withdrawing support on the issue of total surrender of the Indian economy to the traders and multinationals. He hoped that the coming assembly elections in four states would be the beginning of the end of the BJP government at the Centre. He said people would vote against the BJP as its ministries related with economics were implementing the agenda of the IMF and the World Bank. He alleged that public sector units were being sold to private business houses at throwaway prices under the garb of disinvestment under a well-planned international conspiracy. First the PSUs were made sick then sold at rates below market prices to private business houses. He said eight PSUs had already been sold and in 42 profit making PSUs, 25 per cent equity had been sold for Rs 10,000 crores against their estimated value of Rs 200,000 crores. The BJP government was going ahead with its plan to sell more PSUs even though its trade union wing the Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), was opposed to it. He made it clear CITU was not opposed to foreign investment, but it should be according to the prevailing circumstances. He said for the past many years the growth rate of the economy, the employment rate and number of permanent workers was declining. He warned that if PSUs collapsed then the Indian Government would also suffer on account of tax collections as 70 per cent of total revenue of excise, custom and corporate taxes came from PSUs at present. Mr Roy said CITU would participate in an all-India strike on December 11 against the price rise and other problems on a call given by Committee of Public Sector Trade Unions (CPSTU). He added that after this strike the CITU would intensify its stir. Regarding the collapse of nationalised banks, he alleged that government policies were making these banks sick in order to hand them over to the private sector and NRIs. He said that the Centre had given certain facilities to private banks which were being denied to the nationalised banks. This was being done despite the fact that nationalised banks were serving the masses. He demanded that the central government should release the list of business houses which had defaulted on loans taken from nationalised banks. Later, he presided over the seventh biennial conference of All India State Bank of Patiala Staff Federation and its affiliates in which the resolution for scrapping the new economic policy, no amendment in Indian Patent Act 1970, stopping closures and retrenchment of staff in PSUs, stringent punishment to all officials involved in various corruption scandals, stopping atrocities and discrimination against women, stopping privatisation of public sector, stopping communalisation and commercialisation of the education system and for providing health and education to all were passed. The resolutions for revival of the National Integration Council and for taking stringent action against hoarders and black-marketeers were also passed in the conference. Mr BL Sharma, Mr Pritpal
Mann, Mr Ashwani Sharma Chairman, President and General
Secretary of All India SBOP Staff Federation and Mr
Harish Sharma, Joint Secretary, Bank Employees Federation
of India also addressed the conference. |
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Umranangal
cremated AMRITSAR, Nov 8 — Veteran Akali leader Jeewan Singh Umranangal, who died in a charitable hospital at Beas yesterday, was cremated at his village, Umranangal, this afternoon with state honours in accordance with Sikh rites. His son, Mr Avtar Singh lit the pyre. The large number of persons present on the occasion included the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan and CPI, BJP and Congress leaders and Nihang chiefs. The Deputy Commissioner of
Amritsar, Mr Narinderjit Singh, laid a wreath on the body
of the 84-year-old Akali on behalf of the Punjab
Government. |
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Symposium of vet immunologists opens LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — The concerted efforts of the veterinary immunologists have resulted in providing remedies against large number of fatal diseases of animals. The science of veterinary immunology has helped the livestock and its owners by controlling the spread of such diseases. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, while speaking at the inaugural function of the six-day fifth international symposium on veterinary immunology today at Punjab Agricultural University, said that Punjab being a predominantly agrarian state, livestock was one of the major allied activities adopted by the people. He said the Dairy Development Board was being established as a model agency of milk production. He said that the veterinary immunologists had helped the state become a disease-free zone and improve the quality of milk, meat and poultry products so that they are of the international standard. He asked the delegates to suggest ways to upgrade the livestock sector so that its potential could be exploited for the socio-economic growth of the state and the country at large. Dr Rattan Singh, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, said that the need of the hour was to strengthen veterinary immunology so that the livestock production could be upgraded. Around 200 delegates from all over the world are participating in the discussions on the latest advances in veterinary immunology. the symposium is being held under the auspices of Veterinary Immunological Committee-International Union of Immunology Societies. Mr KR Lakhanpal,
Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry. Fisheries and
Dairy Development, Mr ML Madan, Deputy Director-General
of Animal Sciences, Indian Council of Agricultural
Research, Mr Bernard Charley, Chairman of the Veterinary
Immunology Committee, and Dr GS Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor
of PAU, also addressed the delegates. |
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Videoscopic
session on asthma held JALANDHAR, Nov 8 — Dr VK Arora, Director of the LRS Institute of TB and Allied Diseases, New Delhi, Dr Rajbir Singh of Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, and Dr H.J. Singh of Ranjit Hospital, Jalandhar today presented a videoscopic session on bronchial asthma during the first session of the 18th national congress on Respiratory Diseases being held here. More than 40 delegates and four patients attended the session. Doctors also presented their research papers on the causes of this disease. Dr Tom Frieden from the World Health Organisation (WHO) presented his papers on directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) to cure TB. It was observed that DOTS system must be introduced at a large scale in India because the incidence of TB in India is more as compared to other countries. Dr Arora said that DOTS had been tested in India under the revised National Tuberculosis Programme in the first phase. During the discussion on the programme, experts recommended the DOTS strategy as the most effective method to cure TB. The doctors felt that
people at the grassroot level must know about the
preventive measures to save themselves from respiratory
diseases. Some clinical methods adopted in case of
emergency were also discussed. |
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Shifting of mandi hits farmers AMRITSAR, Nov 8 — The decision to shift the fruit and vegetable mandi in the heart of the city to the new site at Vallah village, about 10 km from here has added to the woes of both the fruit and vegetable growers and commission agents. Taking the Punjab and Haryana High Court's vacation order of the stay granted, the administration had earlier ordered the closure of the mandi operation here with immediate effect last week. The Fruit and Vegetable Merchants Association here took to the streets and sat on dharna against the government's action to shift to the new site without providing proper facilities, including allotment of shops, water and power supply, protection and security to the commission agents and other operators. The ire of the members was particularly against mandi officers for forcibly taking trucks and trollies carrying under police escorts the produce to various unguarded places which resulted in looting by anti-social elements. The President of the association, Mr Harbans Singh, said today that the commission agents and other shopkeepers at the old mandi site were more than willing to shift to Vallah. They had only requested that they be allotted the sites at the reserved price beforehand. He cited the directions of the apex court which had categorically stated that in such cases before shifting the place of earnings of any individual, alternative site at the reserved price with proper infrastructure be allotted. Mr Harbans Singh said bureaucracy was creating hurdles in the smooth shifting as their adamant attitude had forced the producers to make distress sale of the perishable item. The General Secretary of
the association, Mr Harish Taneja, said they be allowed
to operate from old site till they get the proper
allotment. |
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Plots
at reserve price in new market sought CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Fruit and Vegetable Merchants' Union, Amritsar, in a representation to the Chief Minister today requested for the allotment of plots in the new Vallah Grain Market at a reserve price rather than resorting to an open auction. Union general secretary Harish Taneja, in a written statement made available to TNS, said the bureaucracy had created an "erroneous impression" that fruit and vegetable commission agents were creating obstacles and were unwilling to move to the new site from the present Mewa Mandi. The fact of the matter, however, was that the union had sought 75 plots to accommodate 158 commission agents. The second demand is that in view of the rise in population and higher quantum of inflow of fruit and vegetables into the market, the size of the plots being demanded should be 20 per cent more than the present 269 sq yd being occupied in the old mandi since 1952. Even the Supreme Court, Mr Taneja maintained, had in a judgement declared that the state government should give commission agents old mandi plots at a "reserve" price in the new mandi before shifting them. Therefore the idea of an open auction being floated by the bureaucracy was meaningless. Mr Taneja hoped that the genuine demand would be accepted and the process of litigation avoided. Once the government orders allocation of 75 plots at a reserve price for 158 agents, the shifting would be immediate. Copies of the
representation have been given to several ministers. |
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Amritsar
district tops in science fair SAS NAGAR, Nov 8 — Amritsar district bagged the first position at the 27th state science exhibition organised by the State Institute of Science Education (SCERT), Punjab, at Government Senior Secondary School, Phase IIIB1. The results of the exhibition, which was inaugurated on November 6, were declared today at a function in which Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, Punjab, was the chief guest. There was a tie between Ludhiana and Ropar districts for the second position. Patiala district stood third. Mr Mittal said the exhibits displayed at the fair revealed the hidden talent lying even in the remote areas of the state. Students had shown more creativity than what was expected of them. All 17 districts of Punjab brought their top exhibits under the Rural and Urban categories and at secondary and senior secondary levels. As many as 364 items had
been presented by 780 students.
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Tributes
paid to Amarjit Singh PATIALA, Nov 8 — Glowing tributes were paid to Mr Amarjit Singh, chairman of the Road Safety Programme Implementation Committee and former Punjab Public Service Commission chairman at his bhog ceremony held at the Singh Sabha Gurdwara here today. State Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal paying condolences to the bereaved family, said Mr Amarjit Singh had excelled in all spheres of social activity and enriched many fields. In his message read out on the occasion, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Gurcharan Singh Tohra said Mr Amarjit Singh had contributed towards the development of the state and adhered to the tenets of Sikhism. Ministers Raja Narinder
Singh, Harmel Singh Tohra, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal
Surjit Singh Kohli, MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Punjab
Subordinate Services Selection Committee Chairman Jasdev
Singh Sandhu also took part. |
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School
officers seek principal's grade MALERKOTLA, Nov 8 —
Mr Joginder Singh Aulakh, president of Gazetted School
Officers Association, Punjab in a press note issued here
today, has criticised the role of the DPI (Schools)
Punjab for directing all CEO's not to fix the pay of
officers under them. Mr Aulakh said the state government
must pay officers the same scales as principals,
10025-15100. The association also demanded appointment of
higher officers (education) on seniority basis. |
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KV
teachers' stir PATHANKOT, Nov 8 —
Teachers of Kendriya Vidyalaya of the Jammu region have
been staging dharnas in their schools in support of their
demands that include the removal of anomalies in the pay
scale of PRT at senior and selection levels, restoration
of 12 casual leaves and enhancing their retirement age
from 60 to 62. |
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Sikh
Bn celebrates golden jubilee JALANDHAR, Nov 8 — General VP Malik, Chief of the Army Staff and Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, reviewed the ceremonial parade and the laying of wreath at the Unit War Memorial and various sports and cultural activities during the four-day celebrations of the golden jubilee of the elite Fourth Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry somewhere in the western sector. 4 Battalion was raised on July 12, 1948, at Ferozepore. It is being commanded by Col Dinesh Chander Sood. In the 50 years of its existence, the battalion has actively participated in all post-Independence wars and counter-insurgency operations. It played an important role in the liberation of Goa in 1961 and has the honour of accepting the surrender of Portuguese forces from General Vassala D ’Silva, the then Governor-General of Goa. During the 1962 India-China war, the officers and jawans inspite of heavy odds valiantly defended the Sela pass in NEFA in which seven officers, including Commanding Officer-Lt-Col RB Nanda, 6 JCOs and 148 ORs made the supreme sacrifice. In the 1965 India-Pakistan, war the unit played an important role in the capture of the Hajipir pass. Due to its commendable performance in the lightning campaign of the Indian Army in 1971 war, the battalion was honoured with the Madhumati Theatre honour. The brave men of this unit have seen action in Siachen. The highest battlefield of the world and also in the dense jungles of Sri Lanka during OP Pawan, during its last tenure in the insurgency hit states of Nagaland and Manipur the battalion kept the insurgents on the run and for its excellent performance it won 18 awards. Graced with President's Colour in 1981, the battalion has been awarded one Vir Chakra, one Kirti Chakra, three Shaurya Chakras, one Vishisht Seva Medal, three Sena Medals, two Mention-in-Despatches, 24 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Cards and 12 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards. Mrs Ranjana Malik, wife of
the Chief of the Army Staff, and President of the Army
Wives Welfare Organisation, who accompanied the Army
Chief, made a presentation to the war widows. |
||
Pak boy disguised as Sikh
caught AMRITSAR, Nov 8 — A Muslim boy in the guise of a Sikh who entered India in the train along with Sikh pilgrims was caught by the Indian authorities at Attari railway station today. It may be mentioned here that the Sikh jatha has reached Attari railway station after celebrating the 529th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan. The boy tried to conceal his identity and told the authorities that his name was Bahadur Singh, son of Bashir Singh. However, after initial investigations, he admitted that he was a Muslim and resident of Salamatpur, Hira Mandi, Lahore. It is pertinent to mention
here that there were reports that the ISI had imparted
training to Muslim boys about the Sikh religion and
culture with a view to creating disturbance in India. |
||
Travellers'
cheques racket busted LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — The city police has arrested Puneet Kapur, Manmohan Chopra and Laxmi Narain for encashing some travellers' cheques from various branches of Punjab National Bank at Ludhiana, New Delhi, Ghaziabad and Amritsar worth Rs 4,96,000. The Chief Manager of the bank, Mr Chander Shekhar Pasricha, had complained to the police that Indian rupees travellers' cheques were lost in transit while being despatched from the Printing and Stationery Department of the bank in New Delhi to the branch office at Sangli. Puneet Kapur was caught while encashing some cheques by impersonating as SP Singh. Preliminary enquiries have revealed that Luxmi Narain, who runs a business of torn notes in Delhi, purchased the cheques worth Rs 6 lakh from an unidentified man for Rs 90,000 and sold the cheques worth Rs 5 lakh to the other accused, Manmohan Singh for Rs 1,15,000. The cheques were then given to Puneet Kapur who withdrew the money from the various branches of the bank. After keeping his 30 per cent commission, he gave the amount to the other two accused. Investigations into the
case are being done by the Economic Offences Wing, under
the supervision of Mr Varinder Kumar, SP, headquarters. |
||
PAUTA
plea on pay-scales LUDHIANA, Nov 8 — A general body of PAUTA held here yesterday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Ministry of HRD to issue immediately the revised notification of the UGC pay-scales as per the September 5 agreement reached with teachers' associations. The general body also
urged the Punjab government to take necessary steps for
regularisation of salaries of the teachers for the month
of August-September, 1998, without taking any punitive
action in the spirit of the September 5 agreement. |
||
Languages Dept asked to raise award
money PATIALA, Nov 8 — The state Languages Department should increase the prize amount given to writers. This was demanded by Mr Jasdev Singh Sandhu, Chairman Punjab Subordinate Services Board, while addressing a gathering at the closing function of the "Punjabi Week" celebrations held at the department building here yesterday. He argued that the cash prize of Rs 500 and Rs 300 given to a writer coming first or second, respectively, in the categories of best story, best playwright or best novel was not enough. He strongly urged the department to increase the amount at the earliest. Speaking on the occasion Mr GPS Sahi, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, said the urge to work in Punjabi should be inculcated among students from the primary level. Awards were also presented
to a number of writers. The best typist award was
presented to Mr Abhishek Jain, a Guinness Book of World
Records holder for typing speed. |
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