Fire Officer, MC at loggerheads
PATIALA, April 22 — A controversy has erupted over the state of fire services in the district with the Assistant Divisional Fire Officer, Mr H.P.S. Bullar, today alleging that more than 16 fire calls had gone unattended in the last fortnight due to the unwillingness on the part of the municipal commissioner (MC) to get two fire engines repaired.

Space scarcity in Bathinda jail
BATHINDA, April 22 — There is an acute shortage of space at the local central jail with 850 inmates packed into eight barracks against a capacity of 500. The authorities find coping with the situation difficult.

Action plan for cotton pest management
LUDHIANA, April 22 — An action plan for surveillance and monitoring of insect pests and cotton disease management during the current crop season has been released.

Non-teaching staff hold rally
AMRITSAR, April 22 — As decided by the Non-Teaching Employees Federation (Punjab and Chandigarh), the Guru Nanak Dev University (Non-Teaching) Employees Association, a constituent unit of the federation, held a rally at the Administrative Block of the university.

Ordinance soon on removed teachers
CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Final touches are being given to an ordinance which will be issued to reinduct in government service those teachers who were removed from jobs following court orders about one year ago.

CM offers job to Major's wife

Bhattal flays SAD-BJP govt

Move on shrines irks SGPC
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, April 22 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has taken exception to the formation of Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PGPC) which has taken over control of Sikh shrines in Pakistan from the Pakistani Waqf Board.

The PGPC did not allow SGPC officials to put "golaks" at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib (birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev) and other gurdwaras during the visit of a jatha of 1700 devotees to Pakistan recently.

The SGPC is likely to write to the Central Government about the formation of the PGPC against the wishes of the SGPC so that the matter can be taken up with the Government of Pakistan.

Mr Kulwant Singh, secretary, SGPC, when contacted, said the matter would be taken up at the meeting of the SGPC scheduled for April 28. The leader of the jatha, Mr Surinder Paul Singh Mann, who returned to India yesterday, had been asked to submit a report on the activities of the PGPC at the earliest so that it could be discussed at length at the SGPC executive meeting.

The SGPC has been urging the Government of Pakistan to entrust it with the repair and renovation of all 177 Sikh shrines in Pakistan. The then SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had asked the Prime Minister of Pakistan to allow "kar seva" by Baba Harbans Singh at the SGPC cost. He had also offered the Government of Pakistan to send engineers and masons from India for the same.

Except for a few main gurdwaras, most Sikh shrines in Pakistan are in a bad shape.

The SGPC is of the view that the domes of gurdwaras are different in shape as compared to dome-like structures at places of worship of other religions. The unique architectural design differentiates a gurdwara from a mosque, a temple or a church, it says.

Experts feel without the cooperation of the SGPC, the newly created PGPC cannot preserve the original design of the gurdwaras in Pakistan.

The SGPC had sent a team of officials to Pakistan in the past for an on-the-spot study of the current state of gurdwara buildings there. The report had suggested urgent repair work at several shrines. For example, a major portion of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib where Guru Nanak spent his last days has collapsed due to erosion by the adjoining Ravi. The condition of gurdwaras in Peshawar and Lahore is no better.

A UK-based Sikh organisation undertook the repair of some gurdwaras in Pakistan. However, this was resented by militant leaders who have taken political asylum in Pakistan.

Sources say though the PGPC has not taken any militant leader as its member, yet they are likely to "dictate terms".

It may be recalled, the Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif, had assured visiting members of a jatha that the gurdwaras would be repaired as per the wishes of the Sikh "Sangat" on a priority basis.

Tohra irked over move to withdraw vehicle
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Rationalisation of security personnel on duty with a large number of 'protected' persons is on the anvil in Punjab.

This step, it is learnt, is being taken in view of the marked improvement in the security environment in the state.

A recent review of threat perception to different categories of VIPs showed that as many as 3,700 securitymen could easily be withdrawn along with a good number of vehicles could as well to be put on some other purposeful duty.

There have been protests as well by those whose security has either been reduced considerably or withdrawn. More than anything else, what the 'protected' persons seem to resent is the withdrawal of one or more security vehicles. The entire gamut of security has been a topic of debate in the corridors of power and the manner how it was being flaunted by VIPs and not "so VIPs". Even within the Punjab Police there are officers who have a large number of men on security duty at their residences. Often securitymen have been seen running errands for the entire family.

It is in this context that a former SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, too seems to have been affected. He has received a written communication asking as to why one of his security gypsies should not be withdrawn and provided, instead to the new SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur. Surprised, a livid Mr Tohra is reported to have shot off a letter to the Additional Director-General of Police (Security), Mr B.P. Tewari, reminding him that the security provided to him was of 'Z' category and was so given on the recommendations of the Intelligence Bureau, New Delhi, which had some feedback on the threat perception.

In his letter a peeved Mr Tohra is reported to have wondered if Bibi Jagir Kaur is to be provided security and one Gypsy is being withdrawn why not withdraw both gypsies. In fact, after his unceremonious exit from the SGPC at the behest of the ruling Akali party the ex-SGPC chief is more vulnerable, the letter points out. He has also questioned government's wisdom in such vindictive acts.

The Additional DGP is believed to agree with Mr Tohra and has sent his comments on the letter, saying that it was of little consequence if Mr Tohra is SGPC president or not. He, nevertheless, remains an important political figure and it would be wholly unjustified to scale down Mr Tohra's security.

In fact even Mr Tohra has reportedly pointed out that in view of the government constraints unlike scores of others he never sought a "bullet-proof vehicle, or extra security". He went about his sojourns with minimum security cover.

Meanwhile, a former minister and one of his trusted friends, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal in a statement today decried the way the state was treating Mr Tohra. "The importance of Mr Tohra remains what if he does not head the SGPC." He wondered who in the government had such a brainwave, which shows the shallowness of treating senior political leaders.

It is learnt that Mr Tohra has sent copies of his letter to the state Director-General of Police and the Home Secretary.

A copy has even been sent to the Union Home Secretary over the manner in which he was being harassed.

Patiala gets a facelift
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA: Some are major changes, some very small. However, all have contributed to changing the face of the city in just one month resulting in its beautification through a plantation drive and better traffic coordination by construction of dividers and traffic aids.

The task has been achieved through a coordinated effort by the district administration which has seen almost all departments working on a war footing.

Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir says the development works completed in the last month are a tribute to the tercentenary celebrations after the district officers pledged to contribute their mite on the occasion.

Foremost has been the complete beautification of the area around Gurdwara Dukhniwaran which has always been a traffic bottleneck due to congestion and encroachments. The road opposite the gurdwara has been widened after removing encroachments through "persuasive means." A central verge has been created and grills installed in front of the market adjoining the gurdwara so that the traffic is not disturbed.

Seven fountains have been installed in a park which has been developed opposite the gurdwara which was earlier a dumping ground. The park named after Guru Tegh Bahadur has been established adjoining a drain which used to earlier carry filth and was perennially blocked. The drain has also been cleaned and paved with stones. Besides this landscaping and establishment of another fountain has come up on both sides of the road leading to the Baradari Gardens.

The attraction of the gurdwara has increased manifold due to the establishment of the park and installation of fountains, says Amrik Singh, a shopkeeper. Moreover pollution has been removed by complete cleaning of the drain after nearly 20 years, he says.

A massive greening effort has also been initiated with planting of about 12,000 kaner trees on the central verge from Gurdwara Dukhniwaran to Bahadurgarh. Accident prone areas short of and ahead of the flyover have also been rendered safe by installing bollards to warn of double laning. This area used to witness an accident nearly every alternate.

The entire Mall Road and that leading to 22 Number railway crossing from the Fountain Chowk has also been double laned during this period. A few opening have been given initially to get the public used to the idea.

The Deputy Commissioner said the next phase of activity would see the Mall Road being widened to accommodate a cycle track, landscaping spots at Leela Bhawan, Rajbaha Road and near the Thapar Engineering Institute with the endeavour being that they be taken up by private parties with the landscaping and fountains established by the administration serving as a model.

Damaged rail bridge poses "safety hazard"
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, April 22 — Neglect of a damaged Railway bridge, due to alleged negligence of the Drainage Department, has created a "safety hazard" for the Railway line running over Beas river at RD 79000 at Dhilwan village, in Kapurthala district.

While an inquiry started in November last year, led to point inspection of the site of erosion, by Mr P.S. Handa, Divisional Engineer Northern Railway and Mr S.S. Aulakh, XEN Drainage Jalandhar Drainage Circle, on February 11, 1999 and the inspecting team determined, that, the "construction" of "spurs" by the Drainage Department had resulted in "meandering the river course" resulting in erosion of the eastern bank of river, thus causing "danger" to eastern guide bundh of Railway bridge No 63, on Railway line from Delhi to Amritsar crossing river Beas at RD 79000 Dhilwan village in Kapurthala district.

While the Divisional Superintending Engineer Coordination Northern Railway, Ferozepore, has written to the Drainage Department to immediately take suitable action to "avoid any further damage" to Railway track. The Railways has also made it clear, that the railways will not bear any expenditure, as, the danger to the Railway bridge No 63 had arisen due to the construction of spurs by the state Drainage Department.

But, so far, the Drainage Department, has not taken any remedial measures to the "safety hazard", it has created, when The Tribune contacted Mr S.S. Aulakh, XEN Drainage, he admitted, that, the joint inspection by the Railways and the Drainage Department had, found, that there was danger to the said Railway bridge, due to the construction of spurs.

While, the "recommendations" had been forwarded to the Chief Engineer Drainage, since last year.

Meanwhile, sources, in the Drainage Department revealed that, the "bridge No 63" was in danger, and construction had not been started, due to the paucity of funds."

Aunt sells girl for Rs 26,000
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BARNALA, April 22 — In a bizarre incident, Suneeta, a teenaged girl of Hamidi village, was sold by her aunt (mother's sister), Surjeet Kaur, and Malkeet Kaur, alias Nikki, sarpanch of Bhadalwad village, to Sukhdev Singh of Seikha village for Rs 26,000.

Police sources said that Surjeet Kaur and Malkeet Kaur came to Suneeta's house and asked her parents to send Suneeta with them as she (Surjeet Kaur) was ill and Suneeta would help her in the kitchen.

The unsuspecting parents sent Suneeta with her aunt but became worried when they came to know that Suneeta was not living with her aunt.

Police sources said a case in this regard was registered in February on the complaint of Mr Bhajan Singh, father of Suneeta, Surjeet Kaur was arrested a few days after the registration of an FIR in the case.

During investigation it was found that Malkeet Kaur, sarpanch of Bhadalwad village, took Suneeta to Sukhdev Singh of Seikha village and struck a deal for Rs 26,000 to sell the girl to him.

After the deal, Surjeet Kaur, Malkeet Kaur, Sukhdev Singh and Kewal Singh went to a gurdwara and got Suneeta married to Sukhdev Singh.

The sources said the girl was rescued from the custody of Sukhdev Singh and Kewal Singh were also arrested.

Mr Iqbal Singh, SSP, said Malkeet Kaur, who had been evading arrest for two months, was arrested on April 17. The bail application of Malkeet Kaur was rejected by the lower court as well as the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Mr Nachhatar Singh, SHO, Sadar police station, said the girl who belonged to a poor family was now living with her parents. All accused had been sent to judicial custody.

Fire Officer, MC at loggerheads
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, April 22 — A controversy has erupted over the state of fire services in the district with the Assistant Divisional Fire Officer, Mr H.P.S. Bullar, today alleging that more than 16 fire calls had gone unattended in the last fortnight due to the unwillingness on the part of the municipal commissioner (MC) to get two fire engines repaired.

The Fire Officer alleged that according to the fire register, more than 16 calls from farmers, whose wheat fields were on fire, could not be attended to as two fire engines were unavailable due to breakdowns. The help calls included those from Passiana, Budanpur and Raipur villages, where in some cases wheat crop on nearly 40 to 50 acres each had been destroyed in fires.

Mr Bhullar said while one vehicle was not fit for use since the past six months, another had been sent for minor repairs to an unauthorised firm in Rajpura, after lying unused for a long time. Despite the manufacturers preparing an estimate for repair of a fire engine at Ambala, the Municipal Commissioner allegedly did not give the go ahead for its repair.

A crisis had arisen last week when fire engines were needed to be sent to Anandpur Sahib. The fire engines which were in working order were sent to Anandpur Sahib. This led to a problem as only one fire engine and a jeep were left for attending to other distress calls.

In case of the fire in Bhunerheri forest, a fire engine had to be requisitioned from Mandi Gobindgarh.

The Municipal Commissioner, Mr Harkesh Singh Sidhu, said an unnecessary hue and cry was being raised by the officer concerned as he had recommended his suspension to the Secretary, Local Bodies, for alleged disobedience.

The Fire Department had tackled fires during last week, but its working was hampered as two fire engines had to be deputed to Anandpur Sahib. He claimed that he had not got a fire engine repaired from Ambala, as requested by the Fire Officer, as a inflated cost of Rs 80,000 was proposed. Consequently, he had got one fire engine repaired from Rajpura at a cost of only Rs 8,000. He said the fire engine was expected to be pressed into service tomorrow.

Mr Sidhu alleged that Mr Bhullar was indulging in indiscipline by going to the Press after he had been ‘exposed’. He further alleged that the officer concerned had refused to accept an explanation letter delivered to him, for which action would be taken against him.

Space scarcity in Bathinda jail
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, April 22 — There is an acute shortage of space at the local central jail with 850 inmates packed into eight barracks against a capacity of 500. The authorities find coping with the situation difficult.

Official sources said the jail had become overcrowded as the Mansa district authorities sent prisoners and undertrials to this jail. Mansa was made a district six years ago but does not have a jail.

The sources said Mr Justice Iqbal Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who visited the jail recently, asked the jail authorities to take up the matter of construction of a jail at Mansa with the Punjab Government immediately.

The sources said apart from the space problem, thousands of rupees were being spent on transportation of inmates from here to Mansa for attending various court cases. Three or four vehicles daily took at least 100 inmates to the Mansa judicial complex from here.

Inmates alleged that in certain rooms there are 12 inmates against the capacity of eight.

Mr S.K. Dutta, Jail Superintendent, when contacted, said though the heavy rush had created a number of problems, the inmates were being provided with all facilities, including healthcare.

Action plan for cotton pest management
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, April 22 — An action plan for surveillance and monitoring of insect pests and cotton disease management during the current crop season has been released.

This was announced here today by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Director of Research, PAU. A meeting for preparing this action plan was attended, among others, by Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director of Extension Education, Dr Deep Singh Sahota, Joint Director, Agriculture, and Dr A.S. Chandi, Joint Director, Agriculture.

Under the action plan, farmers had been advised not to grow cotton in areas where the water table is above 5 feet. All cotton sowing must be completed by May 15, and late sowing should be avoided. It was also decided that the Agriculture Department must ensure the supply of certified cotton seed from agencies in and outside the state on a priority. The cotton varieties include LH 1556, F 1378, F 846, hybrid LHH-144 and LD 327.

The farmers had also been advised to adopt 67.5 cm spacing from line to line and 30 cm spacing from plant to plant as wider spacing helps in reducing pest incidence and enhanced fruit formation. It has also been decided to educate the farmers to avoid the use of synthetic pyrethroids or their unrecommended combinations.

Two state-level teams had been formulated for surveillance and monitoring of the crop. Each block-level team would take up surveillance every week. Provision would also be made for efficient communication system from block to district and from district to the university. A training camp for all resource persons would also be organised.

Dr Chandi appreciated the work done by the PAU and state Department of Agriculture in 11 villages of Lambi block regarding integrated management of insect pests and cotton leaf curl during the 1998 crop season.

It was decided that the same past management module would be adopted in other blocks of all the cotton growing districts of the state this season.

Non-teaching staff hold rally
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, April 22 — As decided by the Non-Teaching Employees Federation (Punjab and Chandigarh), the Guru Nanak Dev University (Non-Teaching) Employees Association, a constituent unit of the federation, held a rally at the Administrative Block of the university.

At the rally speakers stressed on the need to fight a joint struggle for the implementation of common demands of non-teaching employees working in all four universities and the Punjab School Education Board. The main demands of the employees are end to "unnecessary and unwarranted interference" in the affairs of universities PSEB, timely release of grants, filling of posts to end stagnation among all categories of employees and a halt to the policy of privatisation.

The rally was addressed by Mr Dharam Pal Sharma, general secretary of the federation, Mr Amritpal, PAU, Mr Sukhminder Singh Randhawa, president, Mr Amarjit Singh Bai, secretary, Mr Ramesh Sharma, joint secretary, and Mr Iqbal Singh Bhullar (GNDU).

All speakers condemned the "anti-people, anti-employee" policy of the state and central governments. They demanded that an increase of 10 per cent of the basic house rent be withdrawn.

Mr Amarjit Singh Bai, who is also secretary of the federation, said the PAU Workers Union would hold the next rally on April 28 to mobilise the university and PSEB staff. Similar rallies would be held at Panjab University, Chandigarh, the Punjab School Education Board, SAS Nagar, and Punjabi University, Patiala.

The chain of rallies would be continued and the struggle intensified in case the demands of the employees were not met.

Ordinance soon on removed teachers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 22 — Final touches are being given to an ordinance which will be issued to reinduct in government service those teachers who were removed from jobs following court orders about one year ago.

A senior government functionary said here today that the ordinance was under process, and it would be issued at the earliest after completing all the legal formalities.

Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, had made a promise on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha that the removed teachers would be reinducted in government service.

The number of such teachers, who resorted to an agitation for about two weeks in February, is around 1,600.

Badal calls meeting of MPs, MLAs
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The Shiromani Akali Dal president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has convened a meeting of the party MPs, MLAs, ex-MLAs, members of the SGPC, office-bearers of the SAD, members of the working committee and district circle presidents at Anandpur Sahib on April 29 to review the political situation.

This was stated today by the party secretary, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar.

Action against SE (Sewerage)
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, April 22 — The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has recommended action against Mr Ashok Kumar, Superintending Engineer (Sewerage), for alleged negligence resulting in the death of Mrs Sarita Ahluwalia, a local school teacher, due to a fall in an uncovered manhole.

Informed sources indicated here today that action could either be in the form of suspension or transfer of the SE. The police has already registered a case under Section 304-A, IPC (death due to negligence).

Meanwhile, the body of Mrs Ahluwalia, which was recovered last evening from the main sewer, was consigned to flames today. Among those who attended the funeral were Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, former Punjab minister, and Mr Sunil Maria, president, New Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar.

No official from the corporation was present.

CM offers job to Major's wife
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 22 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today visited the family of Major Harminder Pal Singh, who has killed in action against militants in Jammu and Kashmir on April 13, in his native village, Mundi Kharar, and expressed his condolences.

He announced that the government will raise a suitable memorial in the memory of Punjab Army jawans killed during such actions, while protecting internal security of the country.

The Chief Minister offered a government job to the widow of the Major.

Bhattal flays SAD-BJP govt
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, April 22 — The former Punjab Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, has described the SAD-BJP rule as "misrule".

Talking here yesterday, she alleged that the government was adopting "anti-people" policies. She said the Akalis never tried to present Punjab long-pending demands before the Centre government.

Regarding the setting up of the Lokpal, she said, we favoured multi-members body.