Saving cities from polluting units
CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Ministry of Environment and Forests has framed fresh rules prohibiting the setting up of new industrial units near places of environmental and historical importance such as national parks, sanctuaries, wetlands and archaeological monuments.

Mark Lockett's show opened
PATIALA, Aug 25 — The modern man does take notice of happenings in the human world or the catastrophic changes in nature, but a sensitive eye of an arrest to records these subtle changes.

SGPC warned against demoting employees
LUDHIANA, Aug 25 — Former acting president of the SGPC, Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, today warned SGPC president Ms Jagir Kaur against demoting certain employees who were promoted and were given next grades by the institution's executive committee last year.

"BJP cashing in on Kargil heroes' sacrifices"
MANSA, Aug 25 — CPM general secretary, Harkrishen Singh Surjeet said that the BJP government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee damaged the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) under the pressure from the United States of America (USA).

11 office-bearers of BSP quit
AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — As many as 11 office-bearers of the district Bahujan Samaj Party unit have resigned from their respective posts due to alleged "anti-dalit" policies of the party President Mr Kanshi Ram.

HC advocates plan human rights meeting
CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court Advocates' Committee on Judicial Accountability has decided to hold an all-India human rights conference in the last week of September.

Institute urges university to review decision
CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences has urged the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, and the Punjab Government to review the decision as regards admission in the institute.

Cardiac surgeons visit Amritsar
AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — The alarming increase in the heart diseases among the younger age group in India is cause of serious concern for doctors and social organisations.

Mother’s appeal to DGP
FEROZEPORE, Aug 25 — Mrs Champa Devi, a local resident, has appealed to the DGP, Punjab, to order the police to arrest remaining two suspects who were allegedly responsible for the death of her pregnant daughter Suman Sharma.

Woman raped
AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — A housewife was allegedly raped at her residence here last night.

Decision on paddy milling resented
AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — The decision of the Centre to mill paddy and brown rice grown in Punjab in other state has been strongly resented.

CM for simultaneous LS, Assembly poll
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, Aug 25 — Elections for both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha should be held simultaneously so that the regional parties were spared of double expenses the suggestion was given by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, while talking to newsmen at Mansoorpur village in this sub-division after addressing an election rally of the Bhaujan Samaj Morcha candidate Satnam Singh Kainth at the Sutlej Club premises today.

Mr Badal supported the suggestion of Home Minister L.K. Advani that one candidate should contest only one seat. Commenting upon reports about Pakistan's conspiracy to create disturbances during the elections in Punjab, Chief Minister claimed that security forces had made elaborate arrangements for peaceful elections.

When asked to comment upon allegations levelled on an Akali minister's son for kidnapping and gang raping of a girl in Ludhiana, Mr Badal said the DIG, Ludhiana, has been appointed inquiry officer and would submit the report soon.

Mr Badal said Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee will visit Punjab on September 2 and address election meetings at Amritsar and Moga. Earlier addressing the election rally, Mr Badal said the Congress worked only for its vested political interests ignoring nation's interests.

He said the Congress had raised Swadeshi slogan during the freedom struggle but now it wanted a "videshi" Prime Minister. He also criticised the Akali faction led by Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Without naming Mr Tohra he said the Dal wanted to support the Congress indirectly. He said people have to make choice between Mr Vajpayee and Mrs Sonia. Akali minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur. BSM candidate Satnam Singh Kainth, Gurdip Singh Bhullar also addressed the election rally.

"My throat is feeling irritation. Because I have frequently been naming the Congress (I) in several election meetings, the Chief Minister", Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said during the election meeting. He said I had a throat problem. But I realised it was so because I had been naming the Congress (I), which is mother of corruption, more often.

Badal forgot Punjab agenda: ex-Jathedar
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Aug 25 — Bhai Ranjit Singh former Jathedar of Akal Takht who was here last night in connection with canvassing support for Mr Sucha Singh Chhotepur, candidate of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal in reply to a question of reporters said that the addressing of rallies by him was not religious interference and did not invite central election commission’s notice to the extent of jeopardising the candidature in whose support he was addressing the rallies. The Jathedar said that he was not a member of any political party and the official SGPC did not treat him as the real Jathedar of Akal Takht though he himself claimed to be the real Jathedar.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said that the interference from his side is only established when Presidents of SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) filed an affidavit that I am Jathedar of Akal Takht. He added that if the affidavits were filed in this regard, my stand that I was the real Jathedar of Akal Takht was vindicated and in such a case I shall restrain from addressing public meetings of political parties.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said that he would participate in election campaign of all candidates of the SHSAD, the Akali Dal (Mann), The Akali Dal (Wadala), The Akali Dal (Rode) and three candidates of the Bahujan Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) contesting in Panjab. He said that he was undertaking the campaign to defeat both the SAD-BJP and the Congress candidates to establish supremacy of Akal Takht.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said that if majority of candidates supported by him got people’s verdict in the coming Lok Sabha polls, he would march in procession alon gwith his supporters to take charge of Akal Takht. He added that he would only create condition that Mr Badal quit his office to pave the way for transferring the power to the real Akali Dal.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said that current Lok Sabha elections were very crucial and decide as to which Akali Dal between the Akali Dal (Badal) and the SHSAD were real. He said that he would accept the verdict of the people. He exhorted voters to vote for the SHSAD candidate to cut Mr Parkash Singh Badal and its family down to size. The SAD (Badal) has become corrupt and Badal family had amassed huge wealth by corrupt means. All transfers and postings to key posts were controlled by Badal family and were only done for exchange of money he added.

Later addressing the rally organised here by the supporters of Mr Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Bhai Ranjit Singh accused Mr Badal of having forgotten Punjab Agenda and has never raised Panjab demands with the BJP-led Central Govt in which his party is a partner. So much so Mr Badal failed even to ensure the merger of Chandigarh and Panjab which was built as its capital.

Bhai Ranjit Singh accused the BJP govt of being communal. He said that BJP leaders had made statements in the press that Ram Mandir, scrapping of Article 370 and common civil code were still on the agenda of the party. Though in the manifesto released by the National Democratic Alliance in which the BJP is the major partner: the BJP agenda does not find any place.

Bhai Ranjit Singh warned Mr Badal against using Akal Takht to pursue personal and political ends. He accused Mr Badal of denigrating Sikh institutions.

Bhai Ranjit Singh appealed to the voters to vote for Mr Sucha Singh Chhotepur who was honest and true Sikh. Mr Sucha Singh Chhotepur also addressed the meeting.

Gang rape in Ludhiana
Order to arrest prime suspect
From Tribune Reporters

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 25 — Mr Sarbjit Singh DGP, Punjab, said here today that he had directed the Ludhiana police to immediately arrest and interrogate Baljinder Singh prime suspect in the case of alleged gang rape. He said "after the interrogation Suba Singh, son of Agriculture Minister Gurdev Badal, was found involved he would also be arrested.

Answering a query he said the Punjab police was getting very useful information from the Delhi police and was taking all precautions to maintain law and order to conduct the parliament elections smoothly. He said there were reports that the ISI of Pakistan was trying to disrupt the poll process, but the force was alert to meet any challenge.

Later the DGP held a meeting with direct police officials. Addressing the officials he said the Election Commission was keeping an eye on the working of the police personnel. He urged them to remain neutral. He said the force had the double responsibility of maintaining law and order during electioneering and to keep a watch on the anti-social elements.

Mr Paramraj Singh Umranangal, SSP, said 10 assembly segments of Ropar, Patiala and Ludhiana constituencies fall in the district out of 426 polling booths, 12 had been identified as very sensitive and 68 sensitive. At least 32 patrolling parties have been constituted to supervise the election arrangements.

JALANDHAR: Officers from the rank of inspector down to the constables have been deputed to perform traffic duties far in excess of the sanctioned strength in some districts.

The state Director-General of Police, Mr Sarbjit Singh, has said that during the financial year 1998-99, the work done by the traffic police in all districts of state was commendable, during the period 1,01,885 challans were issued out of which 83,564 cases have been decided by the courts and a fine of Rs 2,34,61,672 have been imposed.

Similarly, during the four months of the current financial year from April 1, 1999 to July 31 a total of 48,565 challans have issued out of which 28, 997 cases have been decided by the courts and a fine to the tune of Rs 58,48,637 has been imposed.

Punjab assurance on scam probe completion
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Punjab Advocate-General stated before a bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.S. Gill that an inquiry into the fertiliser scam regarding other districts of Punjab would be handed over to the investigating officer, Mr B.K. Uppal, and an inquiry into the case registered at Patiala would be completed within two and half months.

This assurance was given on a petition filed by the kisan wing of the Akali Dal (A).

In the writ petition filed by Mr Mewa Singh Sonar, former Director of Agriculture, the Judges ordered the Punjab Government to file an affidavit disclosing the reasons why the government had not taken any action against other persons in spite of the fact that they had not only been named in the FIR as those responsible for causing loss of lakhs of rupees to the public exchequer but had also approached the court and secured bail on the apprehension of arrest.

The Advocate-General was allowed two weeks to file the affidavit.

The affidavit is to be filed in reply to the writ petition filed by Mr Sonar in which he had challenged his suspension and stated that he bad not been named in the FIR and had been singled out for action.

Saving cities from polluting units
By Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Ministry of Environment and Forests has framed fresh rules prohibiting the setting up of new industrial units near places of environmental and historical importance such as national parks, sanctuaries, wetlands and archaeological monuments.

Under rules, specified in a draft notification issued by the ministry, setting up of new industrial units within the municipal limits of cities and near parks, sanctuaries, wetlands and archaeological monuments, including the Taj, will be discouraged to save these places from harmful effect of pollution.

The rules, which are to replace the guidelines framed in 1985, prohibit the setting up of new industrial units, particularly petroleum refineries, chemical fertiliser units, primary metallurgical industries, units making storage batteries integrated with manufacture of oxides of lead and antimony alloys, tanneries, dyes, pesticide units, cement manufacturing units and other pollution causing units within the municipal limits and in a 25 km belt around cities having a population of more than one million.

Similarly, no such unit will be allowed in a 7 km belt around wetlands such as Chilka in Orissa, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, and Sambhar in Rajasthan, Wullar lake in Jammu and Kashmir, Loktak in Manipur and Harike in Punjab.

The notification further specifies that the new industrial units will be discouraged in a 25 km belt of national parks, sanctuaries and core zones of biosphere reserves and within a 0.5 km wide strip on either side of national highways and railway lines. However, the establishments of such new units, if necessary, will be allowed within the 7 km to 25 km belt around wetlands after careful assessment of their adverse ecological and environmental impacts, the notification said.

Taking a serious view of the adverse effect of pollution on the Taj , the ministry has said the setting up of new units and expansion or modernisation of the existing units of such industries in the 10,400 sq km area around the Taj known as the Taj Trapezium, will be regulated strictly according to the guidelines laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board, specifically for the area.

No new industries such as petroleum refineries, chemical fertilisers, petro-chem complexes, primary metallurgical industries, viscose staple fibre, distilleries, storage battery units, tanneries and dyes and pulp and paper manufacturing units can be set up in a 7 km periphery of 72 important archaeological monuments. These include Sher Shah Suri’s Tomb at Rohtas in Bihar, Sun Temple at Mehsana in Gujarat, Tipu Sultan's palace in Bangalore, Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad and Raigarh fort in Kolaba.

The ministry has made it clear that after coming into force, these rules will not come in confrontation with the existing Acts and rules aimed at improving the environment. The ministry has specified that the new rules had to be framed as the 1985 guidelines needed to be reviewed following technological and scientific developments, in industrial planning and manufacturing processes.

Mark Lockett's show opened
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Aug 25 — The modern man does take notice of happenings in the human world or the catastrophic changes in nature, but a sensitive eye of an arrest to records these subtle changes.

Mark Lockett, acclaimed photographer from Shropshire (England) whose select works are on view at the Muslim and Art Gallery, Punjabi University, here, makes viewers aware of invisible changes taking shape quietly around us.

His shots of the coastal area of Shropshire country; open fields, with sheep grazing leisurely, calmness of a beach, serenity of the foothills, water striking hard at the cliffs — go beyond the geographical confines. The scene when snow starts melting has been immaculately caught. Yet a closer look provides the actual theme of the silent work of nature. The process of weathering etched on rocks, stones and even pebbles has been captured by the photographer.

He catches it all, the formation of trenches on the coastline, cracks and cleavages.

Chandigarh-based photographer Dewan Mana who introduced Mark Lockett's work said, "the very fact that the photographer has used only black and white photographs reveal how much importance he is giving to the basic form of the nature". The exhibition which was inaugurated by Mr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, yesterday will remain open till September 2.

Dr Saroj Chaman, Head Museum and Art Gallery, said the photographer has processed the prints on double weight fibre-based paper with selenium tone to enhance tonal range and help protect against atmospheric vagaries.

SGPC warned against demoting employees

LUDHIANA, Aug 25 (UNI) — Former acting president of the SGPC, Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, today warned SGPC president Ms Jagir Kaur against demoting certain employees who were promoted and were given next grades by the institution's executive committee last year.

In a letter faxed from here today, he said it had come to his notice that there was a move to demote certain employees on the basis of "bogus resolution" adopted by the general house in the Budget session of the SGPC.

Stating that he participated in the Budget session, Mr Bhaur said no such resolution was moved and adopted at that time. He advised Ms Jagir Kaur not to demote any SGPC employee.

Meanwhile, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar and Bibi Kuldip Kaur (members SGPC), had also sent similar letters to the SGPC secretary.

"BJP cashing in on Kargil heroes' sacrifices"
Tribune News Service

MANSA, Aug 25 — CPM general secretary, Harkrishen Singh Surjeet said that the BJP government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee damaged the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) under the pressure from the United States of America (USA).

Addressing an election rally in favour of the Congress, the CPI and the CPM alliance candidate, Mr Bhan Singh Bhaura here today he pointed out that it was the BJP government which had not bothered to expand NAM activity to make the world multipolar and the country a global power.

He alleged that the BJP-led government was straying from 52-years old foreign policy of India, and started following the "dictates" of the USA and dealt the Kargil conflict as per the directions of Mr Bill Clinton, President of the USA.

He said that his party would demand a comprehensive debate on the Kargil conflict when the next Lok Sabha came into existence. He added that it was shameful that the BJP was trying to get votes of people on the sacrifices of more than 400 Army personnel in the Kargil conflict.

He warned that if the BJP again came to power, the country would get divided into pieces and communal forces would rule the country. He added that in the forthcoming elections, the main issue was a fight between secular forces and communal forces.

Mr A.B. Bardan, CPI general secretary, addressing the gathering said that in the 13 months rule the BJP-led coalition government had surrendered the economic sovereignty to multinational companies and sold out the public sector units (PSUs) at throwaway prices to the private business houses.

Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, president of the Lok Bhalai Party, alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab, Chief Minister, had bartered away all interests of Punjab for a cabinet berth for his son, Mr Sukhbir Badal. He added that people should defeat all candidates of the SAD-BJP in Punjab for the survival of democracy.

Mr Joginder Dyal, State Secretary, CPI, alleged that after coming into power Mr Badal had forgot all outstanding issues of Punjab. He added that the Akalis when out of power brunt copies of Constitution and encouraged terrorism and when they came to power they started looting the people. The former PPCC president, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, alleged that the Akalis when out of power honoured the killers of innocent people in Punjab and when they came to power they had started torturing the people who were opposing their anti-farmer, anti-employee, anti-trader and anti-people policies.

Mr Hardev Arshi, group leader of the CPI in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr Sher Singh Gagowalia, Mr Karam Singh Chauhan (Congress leaders) and Mr Jagir Singh Joga (former MLA) were present in the rally.

11 office-bearers of BSP quit
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — As many as 11 office-bearers of the district Bahujan Samaj Party unit have resigned from their respective posts due to alleged "anti-dalit" policies of the party President Mr Kanshi Ram.

In their joint resignation letter addressed to Mr Kanshi Ram, Mr Rajinder Singh Tita (president the part urban unit, Mr Gursharn Singh Ladi, (general secretary), Mr Sarbjit Singh Kamboj, Mr Jaswant Singh Bhola, Mr Jagir Singh Katha, Mr Nirmal Singh, Mr Dharam Singh Sokhi, Mr Rakesh Ved, Mr Prem Singh, Mr Nirpinder Singh and Mr Joginder Singh said that they were disillusioned by the policies being pursued by him (Mr Kanshi Ram). They further alleged that the party supremo was surrounded by ‘sycophants’ and sincere workers were being ignored. They also criticised the BSP supremo for reaching a political alliance with the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal.

The resignation letter reads that the office-bearers who had resigned from their respective posts would support any party which would take care of Dalits whole heartedly.

Tohra campaigns for Bibi Khalra

TARN TARAN, Aug 25 — Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra president, AISAD today addressed election rallies at Chabal, Lauka, Patti and at other places in the area in favour of party candidate Mrs Paramjit Kaur Khalra along with Bhai Ranjit Singh former Akal Takht chief, Mr Major Singh Ubboke ex-MP, Mr Prem Singh Lalpura, MLA, Mr Harminder Singh Gill and other leaders.

Mr Tohra and other AISAD leaders strongly criticised Mr Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister Punjab for creating a rift in the SAD and held him responsible for allegedly denigrating the Akal Takht. The leaders appealed to the people not to be pressurised by Punjab government machinery and asked them to bring such types of complaint to their notice in case they were pressurised by officials to go in favour of a particular candidate.

Badal on Agriculture Minister's sack

PATIALA, Aug 25 (UNI) — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today made it clear that state Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal would not be asked to resign as the police was probing the alleged involvement of his kin in a rape case.

Talking to reporters here last night, Mr Badal said it was against the law of natural justice to seek the minister’s resignation at this stage an inquiry into the matter had not been completed.

He alleged that some opposition parties were trying to exploit this incident for political gains.

Amarinder told about Ferozepore impasse
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The resignation of senior office-bearers of the Ferozepore District Congress Committee is not because of the party candidate for the Ferozepore Lok Sabha seat but Mr Harcharan Singh Hero, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and election in charge for Ferozepore , says Mr Gurbir Singh Sandhu, President of the District Congress Committee.

Mr Sandhu in a statement here today, said Mr Harcharan Singh Hero used derogatory language against former Lok Sabha Speaker and Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Bal Ram Jakhar, and his son, Mr Sajjan Kumar.

Mr Sandhu added that all 70 office-bearers who resigned were extremely loyal Congressmen. He met the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr Amarinder Singh, today and apprised him of the situation in the district.

Cong candidate ready for open debate
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Aug 25 — Mrs Parneet Kaur, Congress candidate from the local Lok Sabha seat, has accepted challenge of open debate made by Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra candidate of the SAD-BJP-BSM alliance.

She said the SAD or any other party had no points for qualifying their claim over the local seat as they had done nothing for the welfare of the constituency.

Meanwhile, office-bearers of 33 different organisations of Rajpura, including the Grain Dealers Association, the INTUC, and the Palledar Union, have announced their support to the Congress candidate. Mr Rajinder, president, New Anaj Mandi, Rajpura, while addressing a rally organised by 33 organisations last evening at Rajpura said they had decided to support her.

Mr Gopal Krishan Kashyap, general secretary of the Kashyap Samaj, in a separate press note also announced their support to her.

Sekhon addresses election rally
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Aug 25 — The local MLA and the Minister of State for Cooperation and Sainik Welfare, Punjab, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, on Tuesday evening addressed a poll meeting in favour of the SAD-BJP nominee for the Ferozepore Parliamentary constituency, Mr Zora Singh Mann, at street no 10 in the cantonment area here. Mr Sekhon asked the gathering to poll in favour of Mr Mann.

Christians to vote for Cong candidate
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, Aug 25 — The Christians Welfare Association here has decided to support Congress candidate Charanjit Singh Channi in the Lok Sabha election from Hoshiarpur Parliamentary constituency. In a press release here today Mr Edwin Kiran Narru President of the association, said that the Congress was the only political party which had protected the interests of minorities including Christians in the past. He said that some so-called leaders had formed various associations of the community for their selfish interests. He appealed to all members of the community to beware of such leaders who were trying to exploit Christians in these elections. He annealed to community members to vote and support Congress nominee from Hoshiarpur.

DC reviews poll arrangements
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — The Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar district, Mr Narinderjit Singh, who is also the returning officer of Amritsar and Tarn Taran parliamentary constituencies today held a special meeting of all assistant returning officers and reviewed pre-poll arrangements made in both constituencies.

He asked the assistant returning officers to implement strictly the guidelines as framed by the Election Commission of India and ensure peaceful, smooth, free and fair elections.

The DC said that all election observers namely Mr R. Balakrishnan, Mr Rakesh Mishra, Mr Balwinder Singh, Ms Sheela Thomas and V.C. Patel toured their respective constituencies and took stock of the situation as well as first hand regarding poll arrangements. They also met representatives of different political parties, candidates and their agents and heard their problems. The DC said that the Election observers will be again visiting their constituencies next week and available to the public as well as candidates to hear grievances, if any, in the Circuit House, Amritsar.

The DC clarified that the use of loud speakers by the candidates could be made with prior permission from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The candidates holding election rally/public meeting, must conclude it before 10 p.m. by all means.

HC advocates plan human rights meeting
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court Advocates' Committee on Judicial Accountability has decided to hold an all-India human rights conference in the last week of September.

According to Mr H.S. Gill, president of the committee, the conference will be attended by lawyers, teachers of various law faculties, human rights activists and men of letters. Comprehensive papers on multi-faceted problems of human rights violation will be presented at the conference. Many sitting and former Judges of the Supreme Court and various High Courts had been invited.

Mr Gill said the conference would suggest ways to deal with problems of human rights violation. Papers read out at the conference would be printed in booklet form and would be presented to the Union and state government for follow-up action.

Earlier the Executive Committee re-elected Mr Gill as president, Mr H.S. Nagra senior vice-president, Mr Onkar Singh as general secretary while Mr M.S. Gill was elected as press secretary.

Institute urges university to review decision
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 25 — The Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences has urged the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, and the Punjab Government to review the decision as regards admission in the institute.

In a detailed letter to the university authorities and the Punjab Government, Mr Karnail Singh Doad, president of the institute, has stated that if the Institute was not allowed to admit students in the BDS course it would be a loss to students.

He said the stand taken by the university and the Punjab Government in case of the institute was unfair. The university had stated in a notice issued for the interview that the Dasmesh Institute of Research and Dental Sciences. Faridkot, had not been granted permission for admissions as yet.

Mr Doad said no permission from any authority was due or required to be taken by the institute. The permission awaited was only for the old batches of students from 1992-93 to 1995-96 which had already left. His institute had already achieved the annual targets up to fourth year BDS and the Dental Council of India was satisfied with the availability of infrastructure etc in the institute.

Neither the university nor the Punjab Government had asked the institute to seek any sort of permission as regards admission. He stated that in case admission was not allowed and the continuity of classes was broken it would not be possible to run the institute and the management would prefer to close the institute permanently. But the government should take the responsibility of the academic career of students studying in the second, third and fourth year classes.

In the light of his representation, the authorities concerned should review the issue and the institute would comply with the directives, he said.

Cardiac surgeons visit Amritsar
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — The alarming increase in the heart diseases among the younger age group in India is cause of serious concern for doctors and social organisations.

These remarks were made by eminent cardiac surgeon, Dr Murtaza A. Chishti of Sigma Heart Institute and Research Centre, Ludhiana, recently. Dr Chishti came here along with one of the best doctors in the world in cardiac surgery, Dr Mark Edwards of Australia and Dr Amardeep Singh, the founder Director of the Ludhiana institute. They paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Talking to newsmen here yesterday, the Srinagar-born Dr Chishti said the rising incidence of coronary diseases was due to various factors which include highly stressful life, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, high blood pressure and also due to hereditary.
Dr Chishti emphasised the need to create awareness at all levels beginning from schools about the danger of heart diseases. He suggested that the awareness should begin at the school level as it had been noticed that infant obesity was narrowing the arteries. It was important to educate the masses through the media reaching out to the people in large number both in rural and suburban areas.

Dr Mark Edwards said India could have a national heart foundation like the one formed by the Australian government.

The institute should devote itself to educating the people about the cardiac problems. Ten years after setting up of the foundation in Australia the incidence of heart diseases decreased.

Mother’s appeal to DGP
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Aug 25 — Mrs Champa Devi, a local resident, has appealed to the DGP, Punjab, to order the police to arrest remaining two suspects who were allegedly responsible for the death of her pregnant daughter Suman Sharma. At a press conference held at the residence of a local BJP leader, Mr Charan Dass Handa yesterday, she said her daughter married to a Ludhiana boy in December last year was found hanging to a ceiling fan in her in-laws house in July this year. A police case was registered under Sections 304 B and 34 A of the IPC.

Three persons, including a woman, were arrested in this connection.

Woman raped

AMRITSAR, Aug 25 (UNI) — A housewife was allegedly raped at her residence here last night.

Police sources here said a case had been registered at the Civil Lines police station and the alleged culprit had been identified as Rajiv Kumar.

In another incident, Mohinder Kaur was murdered with sharp-edged weapons in Senhsra village of the Majitha police district on Tuesday.

The police said here on Wednesday that it had identified the alleged culprit as Nirmal Singh, alias Pappu, of the same village.

Decision on paddy milling resented
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — The decision of the Centre to mill paddy and brown rice grown in Punjab in other state has been strongly resented.

The President of the local Rice Millers Association, Mr Harish Devgan, in a press note issued here yesterday felt that the decision was not based on facts.

Mr Devgan added that in fact there was no shortage of milling capacity in Punjab and the millers in the state were eager to continue milling provided the government approved to revise the milling rates. He pointed out that in case the government takes the decision to deprive the state of the paddy for milling purpose it would prove to be crushing blow to the industry.

Mr Devgan pointed that the government's anti-miller policies had crippled the solvent extraction industry, cattlefeed, soap and vegetable industries.