Thursday, August 12, 1999
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Thursday, August 12, 1999 |
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Punjab's green signal to
NRI students CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — For the first time admission to non-resident Indian students has been granted in the Punjab Government medical colleges for the 1999-2000 academic session. BJP camouflaging its failure: Tohra JALANDHAR, Aug 11 — The BJP and its allies have been accused of camouflaging its failure of non-performance in its 13-month rule by projecting the Kargil episode as its trump card and hailing it as a "historic victory" for the nation by the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. |
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Beant's
family to abide by party decision: Kang Pensioner’s ‘election
manifesto’
Jagir Kaur to meet Nawaz Sharif Political secy to MLA arrested Railways to pay compensation CAT notice to CM on transfer Case against four in wheat scam Rape case suspect arrested BSF jawan shoots colleague Woman beats up doctor |
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Admission in medical colleges CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — For the first time admission to non-resident Indian (NRI) students has been granted in the Punjab Government medical colleges for the 1999-2000 academic session. The plus point of the scheme being that money which accrues from the fees to be realised will be used by the college concerned rather than it being deposited with the state treasury. This will enable the cash-starved medical colleges to improve facilities for better teaching and research in terms of library, laboratories, furniture and infrastructure. It is literally after two years of "tapasya" that the Principal Secretary Medical Education and Research, Mr K.K. Bhatnagar, has been able to achieve what was formally approved by Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal in June 1997. The NRI admission was done on August 9. As per the Supreme Court decision, every NRI student is to pay a fee of $ 75,000 for the entire course (MBBS). This amount approximates to Rs 7 lakh per year whereas, the fee for "paid" and "free" seats is Rs 1.10 lakh and Rs 13,000 per annum. Mr Bhatnagar told TNS today once the Government of India gave permission for NRI students' admission into government medical colleges, it was a long-drawn battle with the Finance department in the state for release of money and make it agree to allow colleges to use the same for "development". In effect this is not likely to happen due to the state's financial crisis. Even in respect of the "hospital charges" enhanced recently and now being realised, the money, thus raised, is being spent on payment of salaries or bills (electricity, etc) rather than on "development", say informed sources. According to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Vice-Chancellor, Dr I.S. Chawla, of the 14 NRI admissions the share of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, is two while that of Amritsar and Patiala is six each. Punjab, after Himachal Pradesh, is, perhaps, the second state to have availed of the NRI quota of 15 per cent fixed by the Supreme Court for admission into government institutions. From the placement of MBBS students done by the university (between August 7 and 9) which is the only affiliating university for all medical, dental, ayurvedic and other such institutions it has transpired that against all government medical colleges the students have preferred Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, which is a private institution. The next choice, once DMC had had filled its share of "paid" and "free" seats was Patiala, followed by Amritsar and last being Faridkot. It is a crying shame that after 25 years Faridkot Medical College remains "poor" by all standards and means, and is least preferred either by students or faculty. So much so that even the Medical Council of India has rejected its demand to have more MBBS seats from 50 to 100. Another inspection of the college by the MCI is due in September-October. Asked about this, Mr Bhatnagar admitted that the MCI did not find the college "upto the mark". However, if the college gets another 50 seats after second inspection it would mean at least 10 NRI seats at Faridkot. That there is something terribly wrong with the medical colleges run by the government calls for serious introspection. It is another matter that after much cajoling and being located in the parliamentary constituency of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal (son of the Chief Minister), the Finance department had released a sum of Rs 38 lakh to enable the institution to complete certain works in time for the 1999-2000 academic session. The Finance department knows the need for adequate funding of the medical colleges but is helpless in view of its own financial crisis. Nevertheless, Mr Bhatnagar is optimistic that once the NRI admissions get going the colleges would realise at least Rs 19 crore. The futuristic planning is that facilities should be expanded in the two dental colleges (Patiala and Amritsar) from 60 seats to 100 seats per year and for Government Ayurvedic college at Patiala from 30 seats to 50 seats per year by loaning money from the proposed common fund for a temporary duration. Thereafter the three colleges will be able to introduce NRI seats. Computerisation of colleges (Rs 66 lakh are available) is on the anvil. Negotiations for interest-free foreign loan are also being held for financing the medical institutions for better medicare. Eventually how many of
the NRI students actually pay up will be known soon. But
a beginning has been made. What however, is a matter of
concern is the deteriorating standards of teaching in
government colleges, particularly, Amritsar what to say
of Faridkot. But the Patiala college manages to keep
itself afloat. |
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BJP camouflaging its
failure: Tohra JALANDHAR, Aug 11 — The BJP and its allies have been accused of camouflaging its failure of non-performance in its 13-month rule by projecting the Kargil episode as its trump card and hailing it as a "historic victory" for the nation by the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Dubbing the BJP as highly irresponsible, Mr Tohra said this here today prior to inaugurating the election rally of his party candidate, Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala. He said the nuclear blasts at Pokhran last year were the greatest folly of the BJP with Pakistan retaliating by conducting six nuclear blasts. Later when hostilities were on the rise between the two countries, Mr Vajpayee took to bus diplomacy on February 20 while already the intruders had been pushed into the Indian territory on February 2, he alleged. Criticising, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance for not having a single issue to demonstrate to the electorate of the country on the implementation and formulation of new welfare policies, Mr Tohra alleged that, "Now they are desperately trying to cash in on the Kargil issue." Answering to query on his party's poll plank, he said the SAD-BJP alliance in the state had failed to redress the long-pending issues and inter-state disputes with Haryana and Rajasthan. He said his party would focus on Mr Parkash Singh Badal's indifferent attitude towards the state's interests. "Be it the Chandigarh issue or giving compensation to the families of the 84 Sikh riots, the BJP although extending sympathy with the riot victims, did not appoint a commission as requested," he alleged. While he brushed aside the issue regarding the Foreign origin of Mrs Sonia Gandhi as a "non issue", he reasoned that the people of Indian origin have become politically active in the USA, Canada, England, Fiji Islands and Mauritius and Mrs Sonia Gandhi's Italian origin should not be a hindrance for an active political career. However, he said his party held her indirectly responsible for the "brutal crimes" committed against the Sikhs in 1984, as her husband Rajiv Gandhi, had justified the riots. On the allegations by the SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur on him for misusing the funds, he said he was awaiting the white paper and added that Bibi Jagir Kaur should order a CBI inquiry into his and Mr Badal's assets and her recent phone bill for Rs 50,000 should also be probed. Later addressing the rally, Mr Tohra said if the third front formed the government at the Centre his party would support the candidature of the BSP supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram for Prime Ministership. Former Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh, while addressing the rally said the Panthic forces were unitedly fighting to defeat the forces which defied the Akal Takht. Claiming that the Panthic forces never turned away from their stand, he urged the people to assure the victory of Akal Takht by defeating the SAD-BJP alliance in the state. Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram, while holding the BJP more dangerous than the Congress, said here today that his party would assure that the BJP and its allies fall short of the magic number of 272 in Parliament. Mr Kanshi Ram, who was on a visit here to address the rally, said while briefing the media that the main agenda of the BSP was that the BJP as a single party does not exceed 150 Parliament seats. He dubbed the BJP as politically bankrupt for failing to provide an able leadership and a stable government. Unabashedly declaring that he wanted a weak government at the Centre, he said his party was contesting on 350 seats, "150 to win and 200 to assure the defeat of his rivals," he claimed. He clarified that the
BSP had no alliance with the Haryana Vikas Party in
Haryana, although he admitted that his party was
supporting Mr Bansi Lal’s son. |
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Ludhiana seat LUDHIANA, Aug 11 — Bhai Ranjit Singh, the former Jathedar of Akal Takht, declared today that he would extend his full support and backing to the AISAD candidate for Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, Mr Gurdarshan Singh Grewal, a former Advocate-General of Punjab. Talking to TNS over the mobile phone, the Jathedar said he had already written to the former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, to chalk out a detailed poll programme in support of Mr Grewal. "I will not only campaign for him but also address a series of election meetings in support of him", he declared. Bhai Ranjit Singh’s categorical announcement ends growing controversy about the former Akal Takht chief’s "silence", signifying that he had serious reservations about the candidature of Mr Gurdarshan Singh Grewal for Ludhiana parliamentary constituency. Only a few days ago, Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, an Akali leader from Jalandhar, stated that no decision had yet been taken about the candidature of Mr Grewal from Ludhiana, only to be snubbed by the AISAD leaders. Certain media reports have also stated that Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bulara, a former MP, was being introduced as the AISAD nominee for Ludhiana at some of the meetings addressed by Bhai Ranjit Singh recently. "This is absolutely wrong and baseless", said Bhai Ranjit Singh, adding that Mr Grewal had his full blessings and backing and he would be visiting Ludhiana shortly to canvass support for Mr Grewal. There has been persistent propaganda in political circles here that Bhai Ranjit Singh was not happy over the candidature of Mr Grewal because the former advocate-general had at some stage made certain adverse comments about the alleged misuse of the institution of Akal Takht and its Jathedar for political purposes. As a matter of fact, a group of Chandigarh-based "lawyer-cum-human rights activists" reportedly met the Jathedar at Amritsar recently to complain about Mr Grewal’s candidature and urge a review. But this did not happen. On his part, Mr Gurdarshan Singh Grewal denies that he has ever spoken out against the institution of Akal Takht or its Jathedar. "As a matter of fact, I have always held the holy Akal Takht and its Jathedar in high esteem like every other Sikh. There is no question of my ever making any disparaging remarks. I also regard Bhai Ranjit Singh as the ‘real Jathedar’ of Akal Takht," he said in a talk with TNS. He attributed the campaign against him by these "lawyer friends" due to differences he had with them over allotment of a lawyer’s chamber at the Punjab and Haryana High Court when he was the advocate-general of Punjab last year. "But this does not matter. I am sure that this will have no effect on the intelligent voters of Ludhiana". Mr Grewal, who has already begun electioneering in right earnest in the rural and urban areas of the sprawling constituency, says that he has made the alleged insult of Akal Takht and the lowering of its prestige by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his followers the sheet anchor of his campaign. "I have been drawing tremendous response from the people. They all agree that the Chief Minister had overstepped his jurisdiction. Instead of confronting it, he should bow before it and accept its hukamnamas in all humility". Other issues which he highlights include the lack of governance by the Badal government, rampant corruption and financial mismanagement which brought the state to the brink of bankruptcy. During his tours of rural areas, Mr Grewal is accompanied by AISAD MLA’s, including Mr Mahesh Inder Grewal, Mr Heera Singh Gabira and Mr Inderjit Singh Khalsa. "I am also getting full cooperation from other party leaders. There is no problem", he says. The soft-spoken Mr Grewal is a political greenhorn. This is his first election and he is savouring the experience. "Leave aside contesting an election", says Mr Grewal with a laugh. "I have never been to an election campaign in the past". Mr Grewal also denies
that he is an outsider to Ludhiana. "I belong to
Ludhiana. I have my ancestral house here and my parents
have been living here. It is another matter that I have
been practising law at Chandigarh". |
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Beant's family to abide by party
decision: Kang CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said here yesterday that in his presence Mrs Jaswant Kaur and other family members of late Beant Singh, Punjab Chief Minister, had told party President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, that they would abide by the party decision with regard to selecting the party nominee for the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat. Mrs Jaswant Kaur had told Mrs Sonia Gandhi that the entire family of her late husband was with her and there was no question of violating the party discipline in any manner. He said some vested political interests were trying to defame and let down Beant Singh's family by creating the wrong impression that it (family) would rebel against the decision of the party high command. Mr Kang said he was with Mrs Jaswant Kaur when she met Mrs Gandhi for the party ticket for her daughter. Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur, for the Ludhiana seat. He said Mrs Jaswant Kaur's claim for the seat was justified as her family had made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of the Congress party and the country. But at the same time, Mrs Jaswant Kaur had made it clear that her family would remain the disciplined soldier of the party whatever its decision would be with regard to the Ludhiana constituency. Mr Kang has appealed to
all Congressmen to work for strengthening the hands of
Mrs Sonia Gandhi to defeat communal and destructive
forces in the country. |
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Pensioner’s ‘election manifesto’ JALANDHAR, Aug 11 (PTI) — The Central Government pensioners, who account for a 33-lakh strong vote bank, finally decided to flex their muscles releasing an "election manifesto" listing pensioners demands and urged political parties to incorporate their demands in the parties' own manifestos. "The pensioners, long ignored senior citizens of the country, seek justice from parties and candidates wishing to enter the 13th Lok Sabha in this international year of the aged persons and demand full implementation of 5th Central Pay Commission recommendations," comrade G.P. Khare, patron of the All-India Central Government Pensioners Association, and a close associate of Lok Nayak Jai Parkash Narayan told reporters here. Releasing the manifesto, Mr Khare and the association General Secretary, Mr V.S. Jolly, said some of the pensioners' demands do not even involve any financial burden on the exchequer. They said the manifesto listing the demands was the pensioners quest for justice and they would vote only for parties and candidates adopting it as part of their own agenda. The manifesto demanded recognition of pensioners' associations, setting up of pension adalats, introducing an accountability system to avoid delays in sanction of pension, speedy payment of dearness allowance, arming the Pension Department of Ministry for Personnel with more powers and grant of senior citizen status to all pensioners, irrespective of age. The pensioners also demanded that one of their representative be nominated to Parliament, either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Mr Jolly said the services of pensioners and other senior citizens could be used in civil duties, election duties and several government departments but unfortunately no policy has been drafted to date for this. The manifesto also
demanded immediate implementation of one rank, one
pension policy in case of ex-servicemen, free and proper
medicare, exemption of pension from income tax preview
and free travel facility at least once in two years. |
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Rakhya Dal announces candidates LUDHIANA, Aug 11 — The Rashtriya Rakhya Dal, a political party floated by war veterans, ex-servicemen and their families, has announced the candidature of five persons for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The candidature of Col Harcharan Singh from the Chandigarh seat has been cleared and Brig Harbans Singh has been nominated from the Sangrur seat. Lt-Col Naib Singh will be contesting the elections from Ferozepore, Col A.S. Dadwal from Hoshiarpur and Col H.S. Kahlon from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat. Giving this information here yesterday, Lt-Col C.S. Dhillon, president of the Indian Ex-services League, Punjab and Chandigarh, said the Rashtriya Rakhya Dal had not yet decided on having poll alliances with other parties. He said their party was
against making Kargil an election issue. "We will
wage our war against political corruption and also fight
for more transparency in government functioning," he
said. |
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Wadala files nomination JALANDHAR, Aug 11 (PTI) — One nomination was filed for election to the Jalandhar parliamentary seat in Punjab and none for Haryana on the opening day of the filing of nominations for the September 5 poll, election office spokesman said. Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala of Akali Dal (Democratic) filed his nomination for Jalandhar seat just before the closing time, a report from Jalandhar said. Mr Wadala has been pitted against ruling Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Prabhjot Kaur, wife of former Rajasthan Governor Darbara Singh. On the first day today no nomination was filed for all parliamentary seats in Haryana. While the last date for
filing nominations is August 18, the scrutiny will take
place of August 19, and August 24 is the last date for
the withdrawal of candidatures. |
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BJP fields Bhandari from Ludhiana LUDHIANA, Aug 11 (UNI) — Mr Rajinder Bhandari was today nominated as the BJP candidate for Ludhiana (North) Assembly constituency which goes to poll simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab on September 5. The candidature of Mr Bhandari, Secretary of the BJP district unit and an RSS activist, was announced by the party state President, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, here. A member of Punjab
University Syndicate and Senate, Mr Bhandari is a
commerce lecturer at the local Arya College. |
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Rakhra launches campaign PATIALA, Aug 11 — Punjab Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh today urged the people to vote for the Akali-BJP combine in the state to protect the nation's sovereignty. Addressing a public gathering after the inauguration of party candidate Surjit Singh Rakhra's office in the Sher-e-Punjab market in the city, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the BJP was the only party which could stand up to divisive forces bent on destroying the country's unity and integrity. The Finance Minister said the people of the country had to decide whether they wanted to keep the country's reins in their own hands or give them to a foreigner who did not know anything about the culture and heritage of the nation. Speaking on the occasion Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra said the people should vote for candidates who believed in humanity and social service. He said All India Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra had done nothing for the development of the constituency despite having been returned twice from it. The rally was also
addressed by BJP district president Pitambar Dut besides
senior leader Bhupesh Aggarwal. |
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RJD candidates for Ludhiana,
Faridkot JALANDHAR, Aug 11 — The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Punjab announce its candidates for Ludhiana and Faridkot parliamentary constituencies here today. The parliamentary board of the RJD discussed the applications from seven parliamentary constituencies in a meeting held at Jalandhar Cantonment under the presidentship of its state president, Mr Kesar Singh. He said that the board
declared Mr Hira Jha, president, RJD, Ludhiana (rural),
as its candidate from Ludhiana and Mr Yogesh Batish for
the Faridkot Lok Sabha seats, while candidates for the
five Lok Sabha constituencies of (Gurdaspur, Amritsar,
Tarn Taran, Bathinda and Jalandhar would be declared
soon. |
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Prevent Badal from
‘striking a deal’ CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — Senior Punjab Congress leaders, including Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Avtar Singh Joga, Director, Markfed; in a statement here today urged the people of Punjab not to allow Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to strike a deal with Mr Om Prakash Chatuala, Haryana Chief Minister, with regard to Punjab’s demands. The Congress leaders said this while responding to Mr Chautala’s statement that he would settle issues pertaining to both states by negotiating across the table. Earlier too Mr Badal had entered into a deal with a former Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Devi Lal, with regard to digging of the SYL canal. They alleged that Mr Chautala’s father, Mr Devi Lal, and Mr Badal were responsible for complicating the issues pertaining to Punjab and Haryana. People should be alert in this connection. As the going would be very tough for Mr Badal and his party in the Lok Sabha elections, he was unnecessary criticising Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Congress President. During the SAD-BJP ruling in Punjab, farmers facing the burden of loans committed suicides and employees had to resort to agitations every second day to get their demands accepted and salaries in time. They have urged the
Election Commission to stop the SAD-BJP ministers from
using official machinery in the elections. |
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Sarpanches join Cong PATIALA, Aug 11 — Former Chairman of Devigarh Land Mortgage Bank Harpal Singh Gharam and several sarpanches from the Dakala Assembly constituency today joined the Congress in the presence of its candidate for the Patiala Lok Sabha seat, Mrs Praneet Kaur at a function held at Devigarh today. Disclosing this here, a Congress note said besides Mr Harpal Singh Gharam, ruling Akali julka circle general secretary Buta Singh had also joined the party. It said among the other prominent sarpanches who joined the party were Mr Mewa Singh of Gharam, Mr Jeet Singh of Rajgarh, Mr Gurcharan Singh of Sadhu Nagar Chana and Mr Labh Singh of Jalakheri village. The note said Mrs
Praneet Kaur also inaugurated the party office in
Devigarh besides addressing meetings at Bhunerheri,
Balbehara, Dakala and Sanaur. She was accompanied by
former minister Lal Singh besides other leaders. |
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Jagir Kaur to meet Nawaz
Sharif AMRITSAR, Aug 11 — An 11-member delegation of the SGPC led by its Chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, would visit Pakistan to meet Nawaz Sharif to demand the disbanding of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PGPC), headed by a former ISI chief. Talking to TNS, Mr Kulwant Singh, Secretary, SGPC, said the formal decision to this effect would be taken at an executive meeting of the SGPC to be held on August 18 at the Teja Singh Samundari Hall here. The meeting would also take a final decision about the sending of a jatha of 3000 Sikhs to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan on gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev in November. The SGPC had stopped sending jathas to Pakistan in protest against the formation of the PGPC. Both Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had already written to the Government of India that "anti-India" propaganda was being carried out at the Sikh shrines by the PGPC and militants who had taken political asylum in Pakistan. The jatha which returned in April had complained that pro-Khalistan literature was distributed among the pilgrims. This was the reason that the SGPC had refused to send the jatha of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June this year. The SGPC secretary said the list of the other 10 members of the delegation who would meet Mr Sharif would be cleared at the proposed executive meeting to be held on August 18. Mr Kulwant Singh, however, said the controversy of "Nanakshahi" calendar was unlikely to be discussed by the executive committee. Sikh intellectuals and even the sant samaj were divided over the calendar issue. While the SGPC's general house had already decided to implement the calendar, Giani Puran Singh had banned its implementation. The meeting of the Sikh clergy which lasted for two days also remained inconclusive on the issue. However, the Sikh clergy had reportedly decided to discuss the issue after the Lok Sabha elections. After the decision of the SGPC for not sending jathas to Pakistan, PGPC officials had made an appeal to the Sikhs in India to approach the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi directly for getting visas, however, the appeal did not evoke any response. The SGPC secretary said if Mr Sharif would disagree on the demand with regard to disbanding of the PGPC, the committee would not send its officials as "advance party" for making all arrangements at Pakistani gurdwaras. However, he said the
SGPC executive might withdraw its four-month-old decision
for not sending jatha to Pakistan. |
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Political secy to MLA arrested FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 11 — A case under section 8/9 and the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at the Sirhind police station against Ranjit Singh, Political Secretary of Dr Harbans Lal MLA and former Punjab Transport Minister. Mr Paramraj Singh Umranangal, SSP, said Mr Nahar Singh of Brahman Majra of Sirhind had complained that the political secretary to Dr Harbans Lal had taken Rs 50,000 from him for granting a route permit. He added that neither rout permit was allotted to him nor his money was returned despite several requests. The SSP said after seeking legal opinion, a case had been registered. Mr Dilbag Singh Pannu, DSP Fatehgarh Sahib said that he has been arrested and the amount was yet to be recovered from him. The SSP disclosed that
the Sirhind police had also recovered 1.5 kg of opium
from a truck and arrested its driver Saleem of Himadalpur
under the Jagadhari police station (Haryana) and Jaggu
cleaner of the truck. The truck was on way to Haryana
after unloading cargo at Mandi Gobindgarh. |
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Railways to pay compensation LUDHIANA, Aug 11 — Mr Hardyal Singh, President of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, has directed the Indian Railways to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to the Golden Handloom Weavers Cooperative Industrial Society. The forum has directed the railway authorities to pay the compensation for causing delay in the delivery of goods transported by the complainant through the Northern Railway. The society, which manufactures handloom shawls, had been given permission to participate in a handloom sales exhibition organised by the government at Nagpur from January 14 to January 28,1997. The society was to get 20 per cent rebate on the sale. The complainant had booked 200 pieces of woollen shawls with the railways for sending these from Ludhiana to Nagpur on January 9,1997. The consignment was to be delivered at Nagpur on January 12. In its complaint to the forum, the society had alleged negligence on the part of the railways in unloading the bale of shawls at Nagpur. It alleged that the officials concerned had demanded bribe for unloading the goods. The President of the society, Mr Sanjay Maheshwari, said in spite of making repeated requests to the railway authorities, the consignment was not delivered on time. Later, the parcel was
found to have been sent to Mangalore and was delivered to
the complainant there on January 29, 1997. By this time
the exhibition was over and the complainant had to incur
a loss of Rs 13,750 — the amount spent on booking a
stall at the exhibition. |
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CAT notice to CM on transfer CHANDIGARH, Aug 11 — The Central Administrative Tribunal today issued notice to the Punjab Government and its Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for August 24 on an application preferred by Mr Karl Raddy, Financial Commissioner (Appeals-I), questioning his transfer to the post of Principal Secretary, Department of Programme Implementation vice Mr Shyam Lal. Mr J.S. Dhaliwal and Mr V.K. Majotra constituted the Bench. Mr Raddy levelled allegations of mala fides against the Chief Minister. he stated that in January, 1997, when he was working as Financial Commissioner (Appeals-I) he was informed by his personal staff that Mr Badal was on the line. The applicant was going from his office room (on the sixth floor) to the courtroom (on the third floor) of the Punjab Civil Secretariat. He thought that the conversation would be about some case coming up for hearing. Therefore, he declined to take the call. He pointed out that soon after Mr Badal was sworn in Chief Minister, Mr S.R. Bunger was transferred to the post of Financial Commissioner (Appeals-I) in his place vide order dated February 17, 1997, and he was denied a posting from February 18 to March 3 — an indication that Mr Badal had not appreciated the action of the applicant of not coming on the line the other day. He urged the court that
the impugned order posting him as Principal Secretary
(Programme Implementation) may be quashed. |
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Case against four in wheat
scam ABOHAR, Aug 11 — The police has registered a case against four employees of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation, including a branch manager, for alleged defalcation of wheat stocks at the state warehouse, Fazilka. The total loss incurred by the corporation has been estimated at Rs 6 crore, the SPP, Mr Gurcharan Singh Pherurai, said yesterday. The accused are Mr B.N. Jasuja, Manager, Mr Ashwani Kumar, and Mr Kewal Krishan, godown assistants and Mr Kewal Krishan, junior assistant. Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court while hearing a criminal petition had directed the SSP in May this year to hold an inquiry into the matter and submit the report to the court at the earliest. The SSP entrusted the inquiry to the DSP, Mr Ajay Maluja, and later sought some clarifications from the district office of the corporation. The District Manager of
the corporation had asked the SSP to register a case
against these employees. |
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Rape case suspect arrested MANSA, Aug 11 — The district police has arrested Dr Dev Raj alias Balwinder Singh of Bhimda village under Ratia police station who was allegedly involved in cases of rape and cheating. In a press note issued here today, Mr Yurinder Singh, district police chief, said Dr Dev Raj allegedly raped a woman of Gobindpura village of Bathinda district after promising to get her a job. He said that Dr Dev Raj raped her repeatedly. After his arrest, the victim was restored to her guardians. The SSP said the accused used to visit villages and make announcements on the public address systems of religious places offering to provide medical treatment. He used to promise government and other jobs to his patients and in certain cases, gave appointment letters which turned out to be fake. He added that Dr Dev Raj was arrested after the police laid a trap on a complaint of Mrs Paramjit Kaur of Mankhera village who was cheated by him. On being interrogated, he confessed to have cheated about 15 persons. In another case, the
district police arrested Gurpreet Singh and Mr Mohinder
Singh in connection with the rape of a minor girl. |
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BSF jawan shoots colleague AMRITSAR, Aug 11 — In a bizarre incident, a jawan of the Border Security Force, who was reportedly under the influence of liquor, shot dead his colleague while on duty at a border observation post (BOP), Sherpur, in Ajnala subdivision yesterday. Mr S.S. Brar, district police chief, Majitha, said following an altercation a Constable (BSF) Khang Sui shot at Head Constable Bivekanand. He was rushed to the hospital where the victim was declared dead. The accused, who later,
surrendered to the BSF authorities, was on duty at the
BOP, the victim was on patrolling duty. |
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Woman beats up doctor AMRITSAR, Aug 11 — Dr Ruchi Sharma sustained head injury and was rushed to emergency ward when an African national beat her at principal's office in Government Medical College here today. The Junior doctors' Association has given a call for strike in Medical College and Hospital tomorrow. The incident occurred
during an inquiry into the death of a new born child of
the woman was in progress. The new-born had died due to
alleged negligence of doctors. |
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Protest against govt
"inaction" MOGA, Aug 11 — Voters of the civil lines area here residing along the Dutt Road to the city police station have decided today not to caste their votes in favour of the members of ruling party during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections to protest against what they described failure of the BJP-SAD government to make proper arrangements for draining out rain water from their respective areas which accumulates during the rains. They told mediapersons
here today that whenever it rained the water entered
their houses and shops causing damage to their property.
They further said the accumulated water also caused
health problems which could become the breeding ground of
several diseases. Moreover, they had to wade through
two-feet deep water whenever it rains. |
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Food dept staff give one-day
salary CHANDIGARH, Aug 11
— On behalf of the officers and officials of his
department, Mr A.S. Chhatwal, Director. Food and Supply,
Punjab, today handed over a cheque for Rs 4,41,945 to the
Punjab Food and Supply Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal,
as the contribution of their one-day salary for the war
heroes welfare fund. |
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