No breakthrough in bank official’s murder case
AMRITSAR, Aug 1 — The local police is clueless about the gruesome daylight murder of Naresh Mahajan (40), Senior Manager, Oriental Bank of Commerce, even over nine months after the crime.

Giani Mohan Singh
AMRITSAR, Aug 1 — Giani Mohan Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple, in a statement here today, clarified that he was a signatory to the joint statement issued by the Five Sikh High Priests

Officials 'running' SAD campaign
SUKHNA (Muktsar), Aug 1 — The Vice-President of the PPCC, Mr Jagmeet Brar, today said he had appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, to take preventive measures to ensure certain government officials did not act as campaign managers for the prospective SAD candidate Mr Sukhbir Badal.

SGPC to set up medical college in Haryana
PHAGWARA, Aug 1 — The SGPC will set up a medical college at Shahabad Markanda in Haryana and its foundation stone will be laid by August 25. This was stated here yesterday by Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief.

Zora Singh Mann launches campaign
JALALABAD, Aug 1 — Mr Zora Singh Mann, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) candidate today launched his election campaign by opening his election office here today.

Netaji party to contest Hoshiarpur seat
ROPAR, Aug 1 — The All-India Netaji Revolutionary Party will take part in the Lok Sabha election.

Anti-TB campaign launched
JALANDHAR, Aug 1 — In order to control TB the Rotary Club, Jalandhar central, has launched an anti-TB campaign in urban and semi-urban areas of Jalandhar from today.

Tohra coins slogan in Kanshi’s favour
From Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

MORINDA (Ropar), Aug 1 —Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), today gave a call to voters to socially boycott the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal and defeat SAD candidates by a big margin in the Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Tohra was addressing a joint SHSAD and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) election rally organised in support of his party candidate, Mrs Balbir Kaur Khalsa, wife of late Basant Singh Khalsa, at the local Grain Market.

Mr Tohra urged supporters of his party to spread his message and party programme in every house and ensure the victory of Bibi Balbir Kaur.

Mr Tohra also raised the slogan "Bharat ki majboori hai, Kanshi Ram jaroori hai". In response to this slogan, Mr Mann Singh Manherra, who was earlier projected as the BSP candidate for the Ropar seat, immediately reciprocated with "Punjab ki majboori hai, Tohra jaroori hai".

The SHSAD leader also charged the Badal government with promoting corruption at various levels in the state. He said the NRIs had failed to set up industries in the state as the bureaucracy did not "accommodate them for one reason or the other". He also mentioned corruption in appointments in government departments which forced the candidates to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Mr Tohra also alleged violation of the election code of conduct. He cited certain examples like distribution of development grants through backdated cheques and transfer of officers after the implementation of the code.

Mr Tohra warned the civil and police officers against a partisan role. He said the administrative machinery was working in favour of the ruling SAD.

Mr Mann Singh Manherra, Secretary of the Punjab unit of the BSP, described the SHSAD-BSP poll alliance as the need of the hour.

Mrs Balbir Kaur Khalsa said she would work for the constituency and try to fulfil the dreams of her late husband, Basant Singh Khalsa.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, General Secretary of the SHSAD, urged the gathering to defeat the SAD candidates so that nobody could dare to damage the rich traditions of Akal Takht.

Mr Kartar Singh Takkar, a senior Akali leader from Haryana also spoke. Mr Parminderpal Singh Binta, district general secretary of the Youth SAD, and Mr Kulwinder Singh Soni, a youth leader of the SAD (Amritsar), joined the SHSAD.

Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadali, district president of the SHSAD, and Mr Rajbir Singh Padiala, son of Mrs Daljit Kaur, MLA, Kharar, presented a bag containing currency notes to Mr Tohra.

Among others who addressed the rally were Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, President of the youth wing of the SHSAD, Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadali, Mr Ranjit Singh Dumna, a senior Vice-President of the party, Mr Babu Singh Roorkie, a BSP leader, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, acting President of the SHSAD, and Col Jasmer Singh Bala, senior leader of the SHSAD.

Kidney racket: only tip of iceberg found
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 1 — A seven-member gang dealing in the sale and purchase of human kidneys has been busted by the local police. Members of the gang revealed that the prevailing price for human kidney is Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 only while the kidneys of rare group attract Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 only. Earlier, price of kidney ranged from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

Kingpin of the gang reportedly attributed the fall in price of human organs to the "more supply" price of anything is based on its demand and its supply. Since organs could be available easily in Punjab itself. The dealers need not to go to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh or South in search of "voluntary donors". The doctors said that fall in price of "human organs" has clearly showed that unearthing of an organised racket dealing in sale and purchase of human kidneys in just a tip of the iceberg.

Though the police has arrested seven persons dealing in the sale and purchase of human kidneys, the arrest of their more accomplices could not be ruled out.

Sources said that the sale and purchase of human kidneys were being done for the past few years. However, the administration had turned blind eye to the racket due to connection of the doctors concerned with high-ups.

The police is also probing the role of the "authorisation committee", headed by Principal of the Government Medical College which failed to check the menace. The committee members would do only "routine investigation" before recommending the case of ‘voluntary donor’. Other members of the committee are professor and head medicines and professors and Head Forensic Department of Medical College and the Civil Surgeon.

The sources said that the police has been searching for more middlemen who were running the ‘sale and purchase’ of human organs with the alleged connivance of high-ups.

To jawans with love
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA: Muni Devi and Nirmala, two rag-pickers, donated Rs 70 and Rs 50, respectively, in response to an appeal of the All India Anti-Corruption Association for contribution to a fund for Kargil martyrs a few days back.

Mr Pawan Jindal, Press Secretary of the association, told TNS that the two women learnt about the appeal while sifting waste scattered on the road. The sum was their respective earnings of the day.

Braham Dev, a rickshaw-puller, instead of paying day's rent for the rickshaw, contributed Rs 50 for Kargil martyrs with Congress activists last month.

Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said the district administration gave Rs 23.68 lakh to the Chief Minister, Punjab, for the War Heroes Family Welfare Fund, Rs 4 lakh to the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWS) and Rs 2 lakh to the Indian Air Force Central Welfare Fund.

School children donated their pocket money for Kargil martyrs. Mr J.S. Jaggi, a senior functionary of the Lions Club said that they had organised a show of "Hindustan Ki Kasam". The proceeds of the show were contributed for the Kargil martyrs' fund. Similarly, the residents of Maur Mandi town organised a 'jagran' and Rs 55,000 collected as offering to the duty for the martyrs fund.

Residents here also organised blood donation camp for injured soldiers in the Kargil conflict.

Pathankot-Palampur train flagged off
From Our Correspondent

PATHANKOT, Aug 1 — The General Manager, Northern Railway, Mr S.P. Mehta, today flagged off the Kangra Queen luxury narrow gauge train between Pathankot and Palampur in Ferozepore division.

Mr Mehta said a new Shatabdi-like train was being planned for tourists visiting Kangra valley.

This train would cover about 128 km in four hours and 25 minutes with two stops. The train would leave Pathankot at 8.20 a.m. and reach Palampur at 12.55 p.m. It will depart from Palampur at 1.45 p.m. and reach Pathankot at 6.05 p.m.

He further informed that the new train consisted of four coaches with a total seating capacity of 92. Facilities such as newspapers, mineral water, tea, snacks and packed food would be provided on the pattern of Shatabdi. A public address system had also been provided in all coaches to giving information about historical places in the valley. The fares would be Rs 330, Rs 310 and Rs 190 for first class, chair car and second class, respectively.

He announced that the computerised rail reservation facility will be provided shortly at Palampur, which will enable the passengers to reserve accommodation in the trains for onward journey from Pathankot to various destinations. The same facilities would be provided at Manali and Hamirpur.

Mr N.K. Goel, DRM, Ferozepore, said this year was the "year of the passenger" for Indian railways and "year of the tourist" for the Tourism Ministry. This luxury train was a leap forward and it would be provided connection in both the directions with Jammu Mail and Super Fast Express.

Wait for ministers delays teachers' function
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Aug 1 — The Government Classical and Vernacular Teachers Union, Punjab, yesterday organised a grand function here to celebrate its golden jubilee. Teachers from all over Punjab had come here to attend the function.

The function was to be presided over by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister. Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, a Union Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, MP, Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, Punjab, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla and Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, both state ministers, were to be the guests of honour.

However, Mr Badal, Mr Barnala and Mr Dhindsa were not able to attend the function due to their meeting with the Prime Minister at Delhi. Mr Kanjhla and Mr Ali Khan were busy at a function organised in Sunam to observe the martyrdom day of Udham Singh.

The union's function started, after a long wait for the ministers, with the honouring of Mr Harbhajan Singh Dhindsa, president of the union, by various union leaders. The Punjab State Employees Federation, president, Mr Charanjit Singh Walia, was also present.

Later, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan and Mr Kanjhla arrived at the function. The union presented a charter of demands to the ministers and also highlighted its various achievements. The ministers also honoured Mr Dhindsa.

No breakthrough in bank official’s murder case
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 1 — The local police is clueless about the gruesome daylight murder of Naresh Mahajan (40), Senior Manager, Oriental Bank of Commerce, even over nine months after the crime.

The issue was also raised on the floor of the Rajya Sabha. The officer on Special Duty to the Prime Minister had also written on behalf of the Prime Minister to the state Home Ministry to investigate the matter, but to no avail. A demi-official letter was also written by Mr Deepak Chopra, Private Secretary, Union Home Ministry, to the Director-General of Police, Mr Sarbjit Singh, to investigate the matter at the earliest. However, the police has failed to find any clue to the murder so far.

The murder case is being investigated by Mr Darshan Sigh Mann, S.P. (Detective). The police has questioned many officials of the Oriental Bank of Commerce.

The murder took place on October 22 last year while Naresh Mahajan was on duty. He was survived by his wife, who delivered a male child after his death, and a daughter (2).

Giani Mohan Singh
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Aug 1 — Giani Mohan Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple, in a statement here today, clarified that he was a signatory to the joint statement issued by the Five Sikh High Priests to the press here yesterday.

Giani Mohan Singh, however, said his signature was obtained from his house after the meeting.

Officials 'running' SAD campaign
Tribune News Service

SUKHNA (Muktsar), Aug 1 — The Vice-President of the PPCC, Mr Jagmeet Brar, today said he had appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, to take preventive measures to ensure certain government officials did not act as campaign managers for the prospective SAD candidate Mr Sukhbir Badal.

Addressing a press conference here after attending the bhog organised by villagers for his success in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Mr Brar said if this trend was not checked by the authorities concerned, thousands of workers of the party would submit a memorandum to the CEO at Chandigarh.

He alleged certain civil and police officials were pressurising the people to support Mr Badal in the coming elections. His election campaign was being run from government offices, he alleged.

He pointed out that in the previous elections, certain police and civil officials had openly supported Mr Badal. The same officials were still on important posts. A writ in this regard had been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The same officials had become "vindictive" towards him after he had approached the High Court.

He said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had posted two IAS officers on deputation in Muktsar district on important posts and some other officials had also been sent to the area to cause him "harm".

He claimed the farming community had lost faith in Mr Badal as he had not fulfilled his promise to compensate those farmers whose cotton and paddy crops had been damaged due to untimely rains.

SGPC to set up medical college in Haryana
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Aug 1 — The SGPC will set up a medical college at Shahabad Markanda in Haryana and its foundation stone will be laid by August 25. This was stated here yesterday by Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief.

Talking to the media at the residence of Mr Jatinderpal Singh Palahi, General Secretary of the Block Akali Dal, at Palahi village, she said dilapidated buildings of the Sikh Missionary College would be repaired and the work would start on August 5.

The SGPC had approached the Centre for the telecast of kirtan from the Golden Temple in the morning and evening. She also said Punjabi World, a private TV channel, had been served with a legal notice for breaching a contract on the telecast of kirtan.

Zora Singh Mann launches campaign
From Our Correspondent

JALALABAD, Aug 1 — Mr Zora Singh Mann, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) candidate today launched his election campaign by opening his election office here today. Addressing the party workers on the occasion, Mr Zora Singh said that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had proved his mettle while dealing with the sensitive issue faced by the nation and there was no other leader who could match the stature of Mr Vajpayee. Lashing out at the Congress, Mr Mann said that the Congress, inability to form government after pulling down the BJP government had proved its hollowness.

Mr Mann who had won the Ferozepore seat last time from BSP and Congress candidate Dr Mohan Singh Phalianwala charged the BSP with playing foul.

He lauded the SAD government's achievements which he said had sanctioned of Rs 3000 per acre grant for farmers tilling land across the barbed wire and by giving ownership to the occupants of the Central government's land for just Rs 6000 per acre.

Netaji party to contest Hoshiarpur seat
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, Aug 1 — The All-India Netaji Revolutionary Party will take part in the Lok Sabha election.

Announcing this at a press conference here yesterday, Mr V.P. Saini, President of the party, said the party would field its candidate as an independent candidate from Hoshiarpur.

He said the approach of the party would neither be leftist nor rightist, rather it would have nationalistic approach. He said the party would never enter into an alliance with any party in the elections.

When asked about the candidate to be fielded from Hoshiarpur, Mr Saini said, he himself would contest the election.

Mr Saini also announced an ad hoc executive committee of the party: Vice-President — Dr (Mrs) Purobi Roy (Calcutta); General Secretary — Mr Triloki Nath Gupta (Ambala) and members — Major Des Raj Singh (Meerut), Mr D.K. Sharma (Karnal), Major Sohan Singh (Chandigarh) and Mr Mohan Singh (Ropar).

Anti-TB campaign launched
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Aug 1 — In order to control TB the Rotary Club, Jalandhar central, has launched an anti-TB campaign in urban and semi-urban areas of Jalandhar from today.

According to Mr H.J. Singh, President of the club, the club will organise 12 major camps along with scores of other free consultation camps in urban and semi-urban slum areas in the district. The club has also planned to establish an anti-TB drug store in order to distribute free drugs among the poor patients, he added.