Saturday, October 3, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, October 3, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Badal
interacts with SAD district presidents All
eyes on crucial Jathedars' meeting Stray
cattle pose threat |
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 Rallies show Congress resurgence Pay
cut move unjust: |
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Tributes
paid to Mahatma Gandhi Distress
sale of paddy at Malerkotla Plea
to develop Dhar block Buddha
nullah area flood recedes |
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Badal interacts with SAD
district presidents CHANDIGARH, Oct 2 — As a prelude to the Working Committee meeting of the Shiromani Akali Dal, scheduled for October 6, jathedars of the district units today met the party President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and discussed organisational matters. The meeting afforded an opportunity to the party leaders to get "unfiltered feedback" on the performance of the government and also a peep into the mind of the party workers' perception of the SAD-BJP functioning. The common refrain at the meeting, attended by 25 district presidents, was in respect of the bad shape of roads, lack of sewerage system in villages resulting in occasional flooding of streets and missing primary school buildings. The jathedars also aired their grievances, besides talking about the resurgence of the Congress Party and the type of propaganda it engaged in to tarnish the image of the government. It was felt at the meeting, sources told TNS, that "lack of training" on the part of party workers and high expectations from the government often caused frustration. Having remained in political wilderness for a long period, the party machinery at the grassroot had become used to a particular style of politics. Since party cadre was "unfamiliar" and "uninformed" with the ways and means as to how a government functions and what constitutional and legal hurdles are inbuilt into the system, a need was felt to evolve a system to "educate" the partymen. In this respect the leadership has proposed that district jathedars should interact at the circle level. Once they have sufficient material to take up with the respective district administrations, they meet officers at the cutting edge and put up the "genuine community requirements". It was also felt that it was time district conferences' programme was chalked out and the organisational wings operationalised to inject new enthusiasm and objectivity to rebutt the growing criticism of the government, which is being described as a non-performing outfit. The celebration of 300 years of the birth of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi day, 1999, was also raised at the meeting. It was felt that despite certain teething problems and delays, work had picked pace. The jathedars wanted "talking points" to counter the misinformation being spread by the Congress on several issues, particularly, in respect of the appointment of the Lok Pal. The meeting was told that the Lok Pal was processing complaints against Congressmen and, feeling the heat, a noise was being made. In fact appointment was made in consultation with the Congress President, besides the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The jathedars were urged to prepare for the Adampur byelection. They were also briefed on specifications on paddy procurement. The state agencies concerned will be activated, but where rain interrupted procurement, certain standards had to be observed without exploiting the farmers. The meeting was told about the party stand on Udham Singh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. The nomination of market committees in the light of the 73rd Constitutional amendment had been completed in respect of all 143 market committees, except in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. These will be notified soon just as the district committees will be on the removal of grievances and planning boards. Besides Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the meeting was addressed by the SAD Secretary-General, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is also the Rajya Sabha member, and the four general secretaries. As a first step to infuse new life into the SAD organisational wing, it was decided to draw up division of work among the four general secretaries: Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Mr Baldev Singh Mann. The SAD Secretary and OSD to the Chief Minister, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, also spoke at the meeting. He outlined the purpose and set the agenda for the meeting. "A political offensive against false propaganda by the Opposition is on the anvil", said Mr Badungar after the meeting. Condolence resolutions were passed over the death of Mr Sarup Singh, Mr N.S. Patti and Mr Sohan Singh Settal. The committee, consisting
of 50 members, will be briefed on the district
presidents' point of view regarding the organisational
and legislative wings of the SAD. The same is meeting
after a long gap. Politico-religious and administrative
issues are likely to be raised at that forum, other
sources maintained. |
All eyes on crucial Jathedars'
meeting AMRITSAR, Oct 2 — While the special session of the World Sikh Council (WSC) has authorised the SGPC chief to set up a subcommittee to go into the accounts of the organisation with a view to resolving the stalemate in the Sikh-religio-political affairs, all eyes are now fixed on the proposed meeting of the five Sikh High Priests to be held at Akal Takht next week. The submission of the WSC accounts and clarification on certain vital Sikh affairs were the pre-conditions laid down by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Akal Takht chief, for entry of Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedars of Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, respectively, to the meetings of Akal Takht. Bhai Ranjit Singh had banned both Jathedars from attending the meetings of the clergy till the submission of WSC accounts. Prof Manjit Singh was Chairman of the Council till Justice Kuldip Singh (retd) was elected the new incumbent of the council. Bhai Ranjit Singh said the next meeting of the Sikh High Priests will be held at Akal Takht next week to decide certain important issues handed over by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Incidentally, the subcommittee to be constituted by the SGPC will submit its report by October 12. According to sources, the meeting of Akal Takht is likely to be held after the submission of the report by the subcommittee. Sources, close to Akal Takht say if Prof Manjit Singh submits the accounts of the WSC in a "transparent" manner apart from clarifying the stand on "Guru ka Langar", only then will they (Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh) be allowed to attend the next meeting of Akal Takht. SGPC sources, however, point out that Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra will now make all-out efforts to bring all the warring Jathedars on a single platform after the submission of the subcommittee report. If Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh attend the coming meeting at Akal Takht it will be a great achievement for Mr Tohra. On the other hand the Sikh
community has welcomed the developments to resolve the
stalemate. The Sikhs in general feel that the warring
Jathedars had indulged in allegations and
counter-allegations which could have been avoided. The
allegations and counter-allegations have brought bad name
to the community the world over, the Sikhs feel. |
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Rallies show Congress resurgence CHANDIGARH,Oct 2 — For the Punjab Congress a shambles a few months back, the current disenchantment with the Badal Government is proving to be a blessing. The spate of public meetings, what Congress President Amarinder Singh calls protest rallies, throughout the state, has been more than a success. "We are nabbing the Akali Dal leaders in their very dens. We have held big rallies in Muktsar, Sangrur, Bathinda and in several other towns of Majha; Amritsar and Gurdaspur. I have covered 14 districts and the response is tremendous. What is significant is that a large number of the Sikh jats come to attend these meetings", the new Congress President claimed. There is certainly a gain of truth in what the former scion of Patiala's royal family and a senior Akali leader for a decade before he switched sides, says. He, in fact, had no choice but to leave the Akali Dal which he had joined after leaving the Congress in protest against Operation Bluestar. He knows the experience as an Akali could be an asset if he is able to garner support among the Sikh peasantry. It could be a liability if he failed to do so. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his supporters who jokingly call the Congress under Capt Amarinder Singh as the Akali (B) team, have now to sit up and start setting their own house in order. At least, the response to the Congress and meetings of other opposition leaders clearly shows it. The left too have held successful marches and rallies. There is also some truth in the assessment that the Akali Dal Government has failed to live up to the expectations. Mr Badal who always rouses big hopes and is a good mass leader, has failed to deliver much of the promised goods. His fight against the corruption is nowhere visible and his assertion that within months, the people will feel a change, has become a standard joke among the people. Whom has he been able to nab and was he not promising that he would hang all the corrupt politicians and officers? Many of them are his close advisers and official functionaries. Ministers these days corner journalists and give vent to their grief. One major point of disgruntlement is non performance and yet more promises. But the way the Akali Dal ran away from appointing a judicial commission to probe the Punjab violence is causing a lot of resentment. The Akali Dal had promised in its manifesto for the Assembly polls and it was dropped like a hot potato during the Lok Sabha polls a little later. This has given strength to leaders like Mr Simranjit Singh Mann. He could hold a good rally last week here amidst heavy downpour. This has also somewhat strengthened the people's faith in the non official People's Commission. Yet at another level, Mr Badal is lagging behind in forcefully putting the case of Punjab before the Vajpayee Government. Be it the issue of river waters or Chandigarh or even when he is forced to take a stand on vexed issues like the merger of Udham Singh Nagar in the proposed hill state or the Union Cabinet's recommendation to impose Central rule by invoking Article 356 of the Constitution, the lead is either taken by the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra or someone else. All this has given the opposition a long stick to beat the Akalis with. And, as Capt Amarinder Singh put it, "we shall use it very well. Let Mr Badal take note of it". Interestingly, Mr Badal has not reacted to some serious allegations of nepotism levelled against Mr Badal and the present day Lok Pal, former High Court Judge Mr H.S. Rai. Some lawyers are making huge money at the cost of the government exchequer which otherwise does not seem to be containing much these days. Sales tax collection is the lowest these days and this too due to interference of some ministers and ruling alliance MLAs. Mr Badal despite efforts, feels helpless. This is now a sure gunpowder in the arsenal of the opposition. And talking about using this successfully Capt Amarinder Singh in conversation with The Tribune here said, "before taking up the campaign, I had united my own party." The Congress leader chided Mr Badal when he said that the Congress leadership had rejected the recommendations of the Shah Commission and the Eradi Commission and demanded that the Central Government should make arrangements for stopping the river waters of Punjab from going to other states. Capt Amarinder Singh alleged that Mr Badal was misleading the people on river waters and transfer of Punjabi-speaking areas as senior leaders of the BJP, an alliance partner of the SAD in Punjab had repeatedly said that Mr Badal had never taken the genuine demands of Punjab with them. He added that BJP leadership had also made clear to the SAD leadership that it would not take up any inter-state issue for reaching any solution. The PPCC President also alleged that Mr Badal and his family members were amassing very large amounts of money. So far, they had amassed money to the tune of hundred crore rupees, he claimed. Given this political
scenario, and if the opposition succeeds putting up a
common candidate from Adampur Vidhan Sabha seat, it could
give the Akalis a real run for money. Akalis can succeed
only if the opposition is disunited and there are several
ministers who admit this. |
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Pay cut move unjust: varsity
teachers JALANDHAR, Oct 2 — The All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations (AIFUCTO) has expressed anguish at the decision of the Finance Minister, Punjab, to hold back the salary of teachers in the state universities due to their nationwide strike. Dr V.K. Tewari, National Secretary of the AIFUCTO, demanded here today that the decision be reversed forthwith. The AIFUCTO stressed that the states had been denied 80 per cent Central financial aid by the Rastogi Pay Review Committee and that the HRD Ministry had also cold-shouldered the issue before the nationwide strike decision of the apex body and the massive show of strength in the march to Parliament on July 21 in New Delhi. Even the April 25 announcement of the HRD Minister on pay revision was non-committal on the 80 per cent aid to states. He said the teachers’ struggle made major gains when the July 27 notification of the Government of India committed the release of 80 per cent grant to states from January 1, 1996, to March 31, 2000. The September 5 agreement clearly directed the states against pay cuts and punitive action if the states desired the release of package, besides the offer of other forms of help to implement the revised pay scales. He said the grant of revised scales without Central aid could not have been even considered by the Government of Punjab which had imposed severe budgetary cuts on all universities and which had refused to update review of posts held up since 1981 in 170 aided and unaided affiliated colleges and had filled hundreds of posts in government colleges. The AIFUCTO target of 100 per cent aid for five years could have been achieved, if the state governments had acted wisely, Dr Tewari regretted. Dr Tewari said that he had pleaded with the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to take a correct and just decision in the Cabinet meeting on September 6 regarding pay cuts in the context of the HRD Ministry’s agreement with the AIFUCTO. PATIALA: The Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) claimed that the action of the Deputy Controller, Local Audits, to stop the salary of university teachers for the month of September was illegal and amounted to direct interference in the university autonomy. In a statement here, PUTA
president S.S. Khera and secretary N.S. Attri said the
action was highly provocative as the teachers had been
given assurances earlier that they would not be
discriminated against for being on strike. Both leaders
urged university Vice-Chancellor J.S. Puar to intervene
in the matter so that the teachers were not compelled to
adopt an agitational course. |
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Stray cattle pose threat MALERKOTLA: Malerkotla, the only Muslim-dominated town of Punjab with ‘A’ class Municipal Council, suffers from problems like encroachments, heaps of garbage and stray cattles. The problem of stray cattle has acquired an alarming dimension. Stray cattle can be seen roaming freely in the main bazars and streets posing great danger to residents. The main problem is faced by school-going children. There are five high schools and one college for women in the heart of the town. Cattle can be seen roaming near these schools. While going on a two-wheeler you may be caught unawares as a herd of animal may appear from nowhere. Herd of cattle can be seen near the bus stand, sabzi mandi, old grain market and near heaps of garbage on the roadside. The only gaushala in the town is not in a position to give shelter to such a large number of stray cattle because of inadequate funds. Some years ago the local municipality had agreed to pay ‘some amount’ per cattle if they were kept in the gaushala, but it did not pay anything to the gaushala management. The problem has been discussed a number of times with the local as well as district administration but the authorities seem to have turned a blind eye to this major problem. Several road accidents have taken place mainly due to roaming cattle. The other main problem is that of sanitation. As regards sanitation, this town always presents a dirty picture. May it be a college, school, a religious place or a residential colony, heaps of garbage can be seen everywhere. Garbage is not lifted for days together. Bad smell from these heaps poses a great threat to the life of the residents. The executive officer of the local municipal council says that there is dearth of sweepers in the municipality. He said as the population of this town was about one lakh, there should be about 300 sweepers for cleanliness but there are only 157 sweepers in the municipal council. There are 15 garbage containers placed by the council at various places in the town. But the sweepers as well as the residents usually throw the garbage outside the containers. According to the executive officer, there were 120 "rehris" with the council but these are not sufficient for proper cleanliness of the town. According to the Executive Officer at least 150 more sweepers are required for upkeep of the town. The government should
check the menace of stray cattle and appoint sweepers,
may be on daily wages, for maintaining cleanliness. |
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Tributes paid to Mahatma Gandhi HOSHIARPUR, Oct 2 — Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated at dharamsala Makhan Singh here today. A function was organised by the District Freedom Fighters Association in which about 250 freedom fighters from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir participated. Paying rich tributes to Gandhi, Mr Nand Lal Ahuja president, and Mr Amrit Lal Bathal, secretary, of the Punjab Freedom Fighters Association, criticised present political leaders for their selfish interests. They demanded the release of DA to them as was announced by Mr I.K. Gujral, former Prime Minister, and increase in quota for their children in educational and technical institutions. SANGRUR: The management of the Mandir Shree Maha Kali Sabha organised a blood donation camp on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti here on Friday. Mr Anirudh Tewari, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the camp while Dr S.K. Khullar, Civil Surgeon, presided. As many as 17 persons donated blood. PHAGWARA: Congress activists, led by former minister Joginder Singh Maan took out a prabhat pheri and held a rally to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti. MOGA: Tributes were paid to Gandhi by several leaders at a function held here to celebrate his birth anniversary. Presiding over the function, Dr Malti Thapar, general secretary of the PPCC, said Gandhi sacrificed his life struggling for the nation, she urged the people to follow his footsteps. PATHANKOT: The birth anniversary of Gandhi was celebrated here. Mr Sham Behal, president of the city Congress Committee, Mr Raman Bhalla, former minister, Mr Balwan Singh and local Congress Leaders assembled at the Congress Bahvan and garlanded the statue of Gandhi. Mr Bhalla callled upon the people to take a pledge to follow the ideals of non-violence and universal brotherhood. PATIALA: Tributes were paid to Gandhi at his statue here. Deputy Commissioner, Viswjeet Khanna presiding over an official function, appealed to the people to practise the ideals of Gandhi. A function was also
organised by the District Congress Committee. |
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Distress sale of paddy at
Malerkotla MALERKOTLA, Oct 2 — Farmers of this subdivision have been forced to go in for distress sale of paddy at a low price of Rs 430 per quintal, compared to the government rate of Rs 470 as no government agency has purchased paddy in Malerkotla. The farmers allege that there is a secret pact between the government agencies and rice millers. According to arhtiyas 30,000 bags of paddy have so far been sold in the Grain Market here but none to any government agency. A government spokesman said the agencies had not purchased the paddy because of storage problem, the ongoing strike by the rice millers for the past one month and because the paddy was not within the specification of up to 18 per cent moisture content. Mr Jaswant Rai Jain,
General Secretary of the District Arhtiyas Association,
Sangrur, said 50,000 bags of paddy were lying unsold in
the Malerkotla Grain Market. |
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Plea to develop Dhar block PATHANKOT, Oct 2 (UNI) — Despite having a rich variety of flora, the Dhar block in this subdivision of Gurdaspur district remains one of the most backward and undeveloped blocks of Punjab. Though Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had in the last Assembly session announced that steps would be taken for the development of Dhar but so far nothing has been done in this regard. The Dhar block which stretches up to Katori village on the Pathankot-Dalhousie road is the only semi-mountainous region of the state and the customs and life style of the people of this area resembles that of the people of Himachal Pradesh. According to a survey conducted by a former Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur district, Mrs Ravneet Kaur, the Dhar block contains a rich variety of herbs and shrubs which have medicinal value. The survey report has urged the state government to take steps to preserve these herbs and uplift the people of this area. About a dozen odd herbs which grow in the wild were identified after the survey. These include mint, ratanjot, sarpganda, vankasha, reetha, and a number of other varieties. The survey has suggested
that trees like amla and jungleeanar, which can be used
in ayurvedic medicines, should be planted. However, the
report has called for taking steps to check the growth of
lantana kemera, a wild shrub as this could destroy the
natural growing herbs in the area. |
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Buddha nullah area flood recedes LUDHIANA, Oct 2 — The water level in various low-lying localities near Buddha nullah, that were flooded with water on Sunday, has receded by almost two feet. Senior officials of the municipal corporation visited the flood-affected areas to take stock of the situation and over see the relief operations. The corporation has deployed six JCB machines and 15 diesel pump sets to remove slush and dewater low areas like Dhokan Mohalla, Shivpuri, New Shivpuri, Kundan Puri, Chandernagar, Haibowal, New Chandernagar etc. A relief centre has been
established in Swatantar Nagar which is operational round
the clock. Arrangements have also been made for the
distribution of food and medicine free of cost. Water is
being supplied in the flood-hit areas through tankers. |
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Houses
for Dalits PATIALA, Oct 2 — Mrs Jagir Kaur, Minister for Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Child and Women Welfare, today inaugurated new houses constructed by the government for Dalit families at Jodhpur village in Bhawanigarh block of Sangrur district. She said 1,700 new buses would be purchased. Mr Kirpal Singh Gill,
member, Punjab State Electricity Board, speaking on the
occasion said a grid station would be established at any
village which passed a resolution in the panchayat for
the need of the grid station. |
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JALANDHAR, Oct 2 (UNI) — Two city residents, in their twenties, died while one girl was injured when a shuttering collapsed in the city's famous Devi Talab temple around noon today. Police sources said while Sachin Gupta (25) of Industrial Area, and Veenu (21) of Panj Pir, died on the spot, Seema, who was wounded, has been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. Although no construction
work was in progress, it is undertood that accidental
shaking of the shuttering due to devotees' rush in the
temple led to its collapse, resulting in the mishap.
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PCMS
doctors flay suspension AMRITSAR, Oct 2 — Resentment prevails among PCMS doctors of this district over the suspension of six of their colleagues, without any inquiry, for alleged irregularities in conducting medico-legal work at the Civil Hospital. Dr R. S. Buttar, senior
vice-president, in a statement today demanded an inquiry
into the role of the Civil Surgeon and the ACS, Amritsar. |
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Rs
3 lakh looted at gunpoint MOGA, Oct 2 — Two youths aged between 25 and 30 years, armed with a gun and sharp-edged weapons, have allegedly snatched a bag containing Rs 3 lakh from a businessman, Roshan Lal of Fatehgarh Panjtoor village in Zira subdivision, on the link road connecting Zira and his village. He had reportedly withdrawn the cash from the State Bank of Patiala in Zira. The miscreants who were travelling by a Maruti car detained his scooter by blocking the road and at gunpoint asked him to hand over the bag to them. Before fleeing, they locked the scooter of the victim so that he may not follow them. The matter has been
reported to the police. |
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Rice
millers to continue strike FATEHGARH SAHIB, Oct 2 — Rice millers of the district are on strike in protest against the policies of Central Government towards their trade. The millers in a meeting held here today have decided to continue the strike. Mr Bahadur Singh and Mr Inderjit Singh Sandhu, President and Secretary of the association, respectively, told the mediapersons that government had decided to recover 67 per cent yield per quintal, whereas last year after an experiment on paddy, only 64 per cent yield was recovered. Similarly, the FCI has decided to implement strictly the specification of 22 per cent broken rice, 2 per cent driage and 3 per cent discolouring of rice from this year, which is not possible due to the unseasonal rain which has affected the quality of paddy. These specifications should be relaxed on the rates of surplus gunnies issued with paddy may be fixed in accordance with the levy rate during crop season at the rate of 60 per cent. The milling charge of paddy due to the high cost of manufacturing expenses such as electricity, labour charges and other materials used for manufacturing process be fixed Rs 47 per quintal. Machine stitching charges also be fixed at the rate of Rs 2 per unit. The handling charges of paddy which is stored at the rice mill premises also be paid Rs 8 per quintal. The settlement of bardana rate of 1995-96, 96-97 should be made immediately, so that millers may claim their pending amount as well as securities with the agencies. There should be no clause of arbitration in agreement. The association alleged
that the officers make all the norms and specifications
only sitting in air-conditioned rooms. They should visit
the mandis. They warned that if these demands are not
met, they will not be in a position to mill paddy
relating to government agencies and will not allow any
paddy to be stored in sheller premises with the joint
custody of government agencies as well as rice mill
owners. |
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Buried weapons
found KAPURTHALA, Oct 2 — Mr P.C. Dogra, Director General, of Punjab police, claimed that the Kapurthala police has in found a cache of arms and ammunition left behind by terrorists. Talking to newsmen at the local police lines here today Mr Dogra said the arms and ammunition was found during operation "Khoj" launched by the Punjab police in the state. He said the police had found one Thomson machine gun, one AK 47 rifle, one 7.62 bolt, action, one 12 bore spel gun, one rifle 303 MK, one LM stengun 9mm MK 2 and one LM sten gun 9mm MK5. Mr Dogra said a farmer, Major Singh, was ploughing his fields in Kassochahal village. He noticed a gunny bag buried in a field. He informed the police through sarpanch Atma Singh. The search was carried out under the supervision of DSP Parambir Singh Parmar with the help of village elders. Mr Dogra said tractor tube containing more weapons was found. Wadhwa Singh of the Babbar Khalsa and Tarsem Singh of the KCF operated in the area. Their members could have buried these weapons. Mr Dogra planted a sapling on the premises of the police lines. Mrs Usha R. Sharma, Deputy
Commissioner, Mr Iqbal Singh, SSP, were also present as
the press conference. |
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