Wednesday, December 8, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, December 8, 1999 |
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Badal to
meet PM today |
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YC
man’s guard shoots youth Notice to AG on Sangrur medical
scam 15 cr approved for Amritsar Now petrol flows from Haryana
RCF staff hold stir to seek bonus INTUC stir from Jan Police districts may be disbanded Bungling in town planning scheme
SAD working panel to meet soon Engineers submit complaint to CM SAD (B) blames Tohra PM criticised for reservation move ‘Abolish octroi on Rajasthan
pattern’ New project after release of
funds, says DC Plea to cancel travel agents’
passports |
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Badal to meet PM today CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will meet the Prime Minister, Mr A.B. Vajpayee, tomorrow to discuss various issues relating to the development of the State. The Chief Minister is also scheduled to have discussions with Mr Yashwant Sinha, Union Finance Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Food Minister, Mr P.R. Kumaramanglam, Union Power Minister, and Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation Minister. It may be recalled that Mr Badal has already made a forceful demand that the Government of India should set up a corpus fund of Rs 10,000 crore outside the 'Gadgil Formula Resources' for providing monetary support and financial assistance to states like Punjab who are making conscious efforts to undertake economic reforms, according to a press note. Mr Parkash Singh Badal will present a case for a mid-term loan of Rs 1500 crore. The loan, which would be normally repayable in 10 to 15 years, will see Punjab through the process of economic reforms based on the principles of rationality and productivity, the government said. The Chief Minister is also scheduled to take up the matter regarding slow pace of evacuation of food stocks from Punjab which has caused blockade of funds of the Department of Food and Supplies and State procurement agencies. Besides this, the Punjab Government has already urged the Government of India to release an amount of approximately Rs 300 crore as reimbursement of the losses suffered by the State procurement agencies for sale of 1994 paddy on the directions of the Government of India. It has been learnt that the proposal of reimbursement is pending clearance at its final stage with the Government of India. Mr Badal is also scheduled to have detailed parleys with Mr Dhindsa and senior bureaucrats of his Ministry to chalk out various projects directly and indirectly beneficial to Punjab. Mr Badal has also
expressed his serious concern over the fact that the
cotton prices have recently crashed in Rajasthan and a
sharp downward trend is also being experienced in Punjab.
In this case also, Mr Badal is likely to take-up this
issue with the Prime Minister to effectively check
indiscriminate imports of cotton into India to rule out
any avoidable fall in cotton prices, leading to a
distress situation for the cotton growers in Punjab. |
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5 Irrigation Dept
officials arrested BATHINDA, Dec 7 — The district police has also registered a criminal case against five Irrigation Department officials of the Bathinda canal division. The five officials are Mr G.S. Sidhu, XEN, Mr G.S. Bains, SDM, Mr Hakam Singh Bhattal, Mr Daljit Singh Tangra and Mr Kaka Singh Chahal (all junior engineers). All these officials were detained at Sangat police station of this district yesterday night under Sections 406, 409, 420, 468, 471, and 120-B of the IPC and Section 13/2 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The officials have been sent to judicial custody by the judicial magistrates in Muktsar district. However, no contractor involved in the case has been arrested. Earlier these officials were found guilty of committing forgery and embezzlement of government money by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Bathinda, Mr Alok Shekhar. Mr Shekhar was entrusted with the inquiry by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.R. Ladhar, on the complaint of Mr Tirath Singh Brar, a Junior Engineer, Bathinda canal division. Mr Brar has alleged in his complaint that the SDO, Mr G.S. Bains, had misappropriated funds in the execution of various works of the department in association with other officials. The inquiry report, which has not been made public yet by the Punjab Government, reportedly had indicted the officials for making bogus project estimates, payments and floating bogus tenders. The report reportedly also held these officials guilty of making payments of those works which were never done. Earlier, the case
against all these officials were registered at Lambi and
Gidderbaha police stations by the DIG, Ferozepore range,
Mr Hardeep Dhillon, who investigated the matter after Mr
Ladhar submitted the report to the Punjab Chief Minister,
Mr Parkash Singh Badal, on November 18 for necessary
action. |
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YC man’s guard shoots youth JALANDHAR, Dec 7 (UNI) — A security guard of a Youth Congress leader allegedly shot to death a man with his service carbine during a clash between two groups of youths outside DAV College here this evening, police sources said. Harmit Singh, alias Maana, in his thirties, died on the spot when allegedly hit by a single shot fired by the security guard during a scuffle, the sources added. Raj, an associate of the victim, was also hurt in the clash, in which more than 40 youths, allegedly led by District (Rural) Youth Congress President Rajinder Pal Singh Rana assaulted three youths — Harmit Singh, Raj and their friend, Madan. While Raj was admitted with injuries to the Civil Hospital, the whereabouts of Madan were not known. It also could not be ascertained if Madan, too, was wounded in the attack. The attackers, armed with swords besides the carbine with the security guard of Rana, fled after the assault, witnesses told the police. The clash was a sequel to the wordy duel between Raj and Rana and the latter’s associate Pala Boxer on December 5, when a motor cycle driven by Raj accidentally hit the car in which Rana and Pala Boxer were travelling. Pala had lodged a complaint against Raj at Maqsudan the same day. The police had invited both the parties for a compromise today. It is alleged that Rana and his accomplices lay in wait for Raj ahead of the police post and when Raj, accompanied by Harmit Singh and Madan, came there, again a wordy duel ensued between the two groups. The sources alleged that
when Harmit Singh tried to snatch the carbine of the
security guard of Rana, the guard reacted instantly and
fired a shot, which hit Harmit Singh on his face,
resulting in his death. |
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Notice to AG on Sangrur medical
scam CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice to the Punjab Advocate-General on a petition for anticipatory bail failed by Mr Puran Singh Jassi, a former Health Director of Punjab apprehending his arrest in what is described as Sangrur medical scam. In the detailed inquiry conducted by the D.S.P. (Vigilance) Patiala, it was found that various medicine and other items supplied at higher rates to Government hospitals by firms which were close to Mr Jassi. It was also found out by him that the firms which had supplied the material did not exist but they were given orders to supply the same. On investigation some of the officials fearing action against them, they cancelled the supply orders for equipment and medicine. Earlier, the Special Judge, Patiala, taking suo motu notice of a report regarding exorbitant rates being charged for the material had ordered the DSP (Vigilance), Patiala, to investigate the case. After investigation an FIR was registered against 13 partners of firms in Delhi, Ambala, Panchkula, besides Mr Jassi. Four officials of the Health Directorate, namely Sukhdev Singh, Deputy Director, Supdtt. Kuldip Singh, Assistant Director S. Brar and an assistant, Chaman Lal. Mr Jassi’s anticipatory bail plea was earlier dismissed by the Special Judge, Sangrur. The Judge issued notice
for December 10. |
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Now petrol flows from
Haryana BATHINDA, Dec 7 — After liquor, now it is the turn of petrol to flow from Haryana to Punjab. The disparity in the sales tax imposed on petrol by both state governments has led to large-scale smuggling of petrol from Haryana to Punjab. After the hike in sales tax on petrol by the Punjab Government about two months ago, the difference in the price of petrol in Haryana and Punjab comes to Rs 3 per litre. Petrol is now cheaper in Haryana state by Rs 3 per litre. The large-scale smuggling of petrol from Haryana, the sales of petrol stations located in the villages and towns of Punjab bordering Haryana have been affected adversely. Sources claims that the petrol sales in the villages and towns of Punjab bordering Haryana have come down by about 20 per cent in the past few weeks. The petrol stations in towns like Budhlada, Bareta, Sardulgarh, Ramna and Talwandi Sabo are feeling the pinch of petrol smuggling. One drum of 200 litres of petrol smuggled from Haryana involves a paving of Rs 600 for the consumer. Interestingly, earlier petrol was cheaper in Punjab than in Haryana and the petrol stations located in the border areas of Punjab were doing roaring business. Mr Mahesh Chander, President of the Bathinda District Petrol Pump Owner Association, claimed that the sales at all petrol stations had come down from 10 per cent to 20 per cent due to the disparity in rates of petrol in Punjab and Haryana. Mr M.L. Garg, AETC, Bathinda, said that the Excise and Sales Tax Department had no powers to stop any person from bringing petrol from Haryana for his personal use. He added that no bulk smuggling of petrol had come to the notice of the department so far. Sources said that the
Tax Department of Punjab was already fighting tooth and
nail to stop the smuggling of liquor from Haryana to
Punjab. Now the smuggling of petrol has added to its
problems. |
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3 minor girls married off
in Majitha MAJITHA, (Amritsar), Dec 7 — Three minor sisters — Shabbo, Gogy and Nikky — were married off to middle-aged persons in Shamnagar village of Majitha police district for want of money. According to information, available with The Tribune, the three sisters were "forcibly" married off to the aged persons by the paramour of their mother. On getting information about the bizarre incident, the villagers strongly protested and got an FIR lodged with the Majitha police. The district police chief, Mr S.S. Brar, confirmed that an FIR under Sections 493, 496, 406 and 317 of the IPC had already been registered. However, reports reveal that the case is being hushed up. The FIR was registered on the complaint of one Rattan Singh, paternal uncle of the girls. According to Mr Rachhpal
Singh Ghumman, DSP, Majitha, the girls were 12, 14 and
16. Mr Ghumman has been deputed as inquiry officer. |
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RCF staff hold stir to seek
bonus JALANDHAR, Dec 7 — To protest against the delay in implementation of revised rates of incentive bonus and to press their demands, employees of the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) Kapurthala, organised a "protest day" in front of the factory gate. The employees who held the protest under the aegis of the co-ordination committee comprising organisations such as the Staff Council, IRTSA, Mazdoor Union, Men’s Union, Karamchari Sangh, criticised the "indifferent" attitude of the authorities towards their demands. Mr Brij Mohan, press secretary of the committee, alleged that though on the one hand the interests of employees were being ignored by the Railway Board, on the other hand, modern techniques have been adopted in the factory. He said the ‘discrimination’ towards the factory employees could be judged from the fact that the revised rates of incentive bonus and PCO allowance for Indian Railway employees had been implemented from September 1, no such decision had been taken for the employees of the Rail Coach Factory . Mr Sarabjit Singh, another employee leader, warned the authorities to stop contract works immediately and not to take coach components from non-reputed firms, particularly those who did not fulfill quality standards as per ISO 9000. The employees also
condemned the ongoing exercise privatisation of three
production units such as Rail Coach Factory, Diesel
Locomotive Works and Chitranjan Locomotive Works. |
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INTUC stir from Jan JALANDHAR, Dec 7 — At a meeting held here today, the working committee of the Punjab INTUC has decided to start the second phase of agitation from the next month at the sub-divisional level in the State. Dr S.C. Sharma, President INTUC, Punjab, said in a press note that their demands, including revision of the minimum wages of industrial and agricultural workers by equating the wage of an unskilled worker to that of a class- iv employee of the State Government, raising the income tax limit to Rs 1 lakh per annum, defreezing of allowances and perks like LTC, bonus, DA instalments in cash and from due dates, curbing the race for privatisation of the public sector, abolishing the contract system in loading and unloading in public and private sector concerns, implementing 48-hour week in the Punjab Roadways and the PRTC and regularising the services of State Government employees appointed on the 89-day basis and having completed more than 240 days of their service etc. Mr Sharma regretted that
the State Government is apathetic towards the demands of
workers and employees and it has not bothered to invite
their leaders for talks despite the completion of their
first phase of agitation on November 3. |
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Jacob donates Rs 10,000 CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut Gen J.F.R Jacob (retd), today led the people of Punjab by initiating the collection drive for the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. He contributed Rs 10,000 to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, according to a press note. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that he has recommended to the Chief Minister of Punjab to raise the pension of war widows of World War I and II from Rs 300 to Rs 800 per month on the Chandigarh pattern. Mr Vijay Kain,
Secretary, Defence Services Welfare and the Director,
Sainik Welfare, Brig Kuldeep Singh Kahlon, were present
on the occasion. |
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Glory of lake restored PATIALA: The Rajindra Lake here which was once the favourite excursion spot for rulers of the erstwhile State of Patiala and a destination of migratory birds is once again bursting with life. For the past one decade, residents of this city were repeatedly told by the authorities and politicians that the glory of the lake would be restored. Several schemes were mooted. None could, however, materialise. While planning and scheming continued, the condition of the lake deteriorated. There was time when former kings and princes nurtured the place as an excursion site for enjoying nature and entertainment of friends. Not only the surroundings were scenic, clean and green but were conducive for the growth of wildlife. Little wonder that migratory birds like teal, mallard, pinstalls, ducks and the grey leg goose visited this lake every winter from places as far as China and Siberia. But with the end of the princely era, the lake fell into neglect. Instead of clean sea-blue water, the lake stood filled with dirty stinking water accumulated by seasonal rains and sewerage drains flowing unchecked into it. The entire place was ridden with fleas and mosquitoes. While the stinking water which stood stagnant a blockage in the outlet system, was dotted with garbage. The banks of the lake held heaps of waste material dumped by residents. The lake became a place for beggars and mendicants to defecate. All that has, fortunately, changed now. Following persistent efforts by the authorities, the public and the media, the municipal corporation in collaboration with the Adventure Games and Water Sport Association has begun a project to attract tourists to the lake.Boating was begun in the second week of November. Going by the popular response, the managers will have to buy more boats to keep pace with the demand. Mr Y.B. Handa, general secretary of the club, says: "Boating has been started as the MC has completed the first phase of the beautification drive. At present, the rates for boating have been kept at Rs 10 per rider for a specified period." Mr Handa says at least 200 persons throng the lake daily and hopes that the number will grow gradually. The club has also made adequate security arrangements. A securityman goes with each boat. Boat riders are also provided with life jackets, explains Mr Handa. "Much more attractions are in store", says Mr K.S. Kung, Municipal Commissioner. "We have released a number of birds like ducks, margaebis and swans into the lake. The lake will be further beautified with plantation of evergreen and flower trees alongside its banks. Stalls offering select varieties of food and snacks will also come up shortly." In order to make the evenings more picturesque at the lake, coloured lights have been installed. But the project is not without problems, one of the main a regular outlet for the lake water. A system has been evolved by which water drawn from Bhakhra canal will be brought to the lake with an outlet at one end into the "ganda nullah". However, boat riders have complained of the unclean water. Mr Kung says there were minor problems with the outlet drain system but now these have been rectified. He says in order to prevent people from throwing garbage into the lake, a 10-foot barbed wire will be erected at the Mall Road side. The corporation also plans to impose a fine on violators. The lake will require
persistent care and maintenance. A little more
responsibility shown by the city residents, one hopes,
will also beckon tourists from far-off places. |
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15 cr approved for Amritsar AMRITSAR, Dec 7 — A sum of Rs 15 crore was approved at a meeting of the District Planning and Development Board here yesterday for the augmentation of various schemes in the district. Mr Gurdev Singh Badal Agricul-ture Minister, who presided over, approved Rs 2.69 crore for pension schemes, Rs 2.23 crore for rural water supply, Rs 2.18 crore for rural development, Rs 1.97 crore for health services, Rs 59 lakh for primary and secondary schools, Rs 40 lakh for dairy development, Rs 35.05 lakh for Zila Parishad expenditure, Rs 3.93 lakh for forestry, Rs 1 lakh for aid of panchayats and Rs 4.41 crore as aid to the local bodies. Later the minister also presided over a district-level public grievances committee meeting in which 46 cases of public interests were discussed and majority of these cases were disposed off. Addressing the meeting, the minister stressed that the decisions taken by the House must be implemented in latter and spirit. Officers found guilty in not implementing these decisions would be severely dealt with. The Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Mr Narinderjit Singh informed the House that 1.20 lakh pension cases in the district were under verification. Dr Baldev Raj Chawla,
Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Raj Mohinder
Singh, MP, Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike, Prof Jagir Singh, Mr
Vir Singh Lopoke, Mr Manmohan Singh Sathiala and Mr Ajay
Pal Singh Mirankot (all MLAs) participated. |
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Police districts may be
disbanded ANANDPUR SAHIB, Dec 7 — The Punjab Government will review the continuation of police districts in view of the normalcy in the state. Police districts were created at Khanna, Batala, Jagraon, Barnala, Majitha and Tarn Taran during militancy to deal with terrorism in an effective manner. Talking to mediapersons at Takht Kesgarh Sahib here today, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, claimed that there was complete normalcy in the state. Mr Badal said since there was complete normalcy now, the state government would consider disbanding police districts in the state. It would also review the situation and other factors relating to police districts. The state government would also initiate economy measures to curb the expenditure in these districts. However, Mr Badal said there were problems in the way of disbanding these police districts. In view of the developments after the withdrawal of a case by Mr Ravi Inder Singh, an MLA, Mr Badal said he would soon convene a meeting of the working committee of the SAD to take a decision in this regard. Mr Badal said the government could not prevent people from using intoxicants, but could only propagate against the use of drugs. A three-day conference on drug deaddiction was being organised here from December 17. In reply to another question, the Chief Minister said the talks were going on with the military authorities for setting up a cantonment and a military academy for junior leaders here. Hundreds of acres had already been identified for the purpose, he added. Earlier, Mr Badal paid obeisance at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, where he was presented with a ‘siropa’ by the Head Granthi, Giani Tarlochan Singh. Mr Badal visited the Takht to attend the akhand path of Guru Granth Sahib which is being held to mark his birthday. The bhog will be held tomorrow (December 8, which is the birthday of Mr Badal). Mr Sarwan Singh
Phillaur, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and
Backward Classes, and Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, OSD with
Mr Badal, were also present. |
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Bungling in town planning scheme BATHINDA, Dec 7 — Mrs K.P. Brar, Assistant Commissioner (Grievances), who conducted an inquiry into the bungling in the execution of the town planning scheme-number two (part one), has held that buildings have come up on the land reserved for parks. Mrs Brar, who held the inquiry on a complaint made by Mr N.K. Aggarwal, a resident of the city, has pointed out in her report, submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, that actions of certain officials of the Municipal Council and the Town Planning Department had changed the complexion of the town planning scheme-number two (part one). She has suggested that further construction should be stopped immediately. The complainant had alleged that the officials had created false documents in their bid to encroach upon the land meant for parks. Mrs Brar held that it would also be against the public interest to demolish those buildings which had come on the land meant for the parks. She suggested the land of parks, which had gone to private parties and was lying vacant, should be bought again by the Municipal Council for setting up parks. Mr B.S. Aulakh, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, said that the report had been sent to the prosecution wing for legal opinion. The wing returned it to the authorities concerned and asked for more details of the scheme. Mrs Brar could not be
contacted for her comments. |
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SAD working panel to meet
soon CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — The Punjab Chief Minister and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will soon call a meeting of the Working Committee of the party to decide the issue with regard to a show-cause notice to former Speaker, Mr Ravi Inder Singh. An indication to this effect was given by Mr Badal himself while having informal talks with mediapersons. Mr Badal said that he as President of the party had certain powers to take decisions with regard to party issues, including maintaining discipline in the party. Mr Badal is away to
Delhi to meet the Prime Minister tomorrow. He is expected
to return here tomorrow evening. The meeting of the
Working Committee is expected to be held later this week. |
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Engineers submit complaint to CM CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — Junior Engineers — Mr Balraj Singh and Mr A.P. Punj — today submitted a complaint to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal alleging that certain officers and officials were creating problems in the inquiry ordered by him (Chief Minister) in the execution of drainage works in Nawanshahr sub-division. Mr Balraj Singh and Mr
Punj, who are posted in the drainage sub-division at
Nawanshahr have stated in the application that certain
officers and their subordinates forced certain beldars to
sign on some papers and also threatened them, urging them
to withdraw their statements made before the inquiry
officer. Both Junior Engineers said that certain beldars
had made statements before the inquiry officers with
regard to drainage works. |
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SAD (B) blames Tohra FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 7 — The district unit of the SAD (B) has alleged that Mr G.S. Tohra is responsible for the attack on the dera of Sant Baba Darshan Singh Dhaki Sahib. In a press note issued
here today, Mr Devinder Singh Bhappu, general secretary
of the unit, expressed concern over the burning of
religious books and accused Mr Tohra for politicising the
situation and criticised him for blaming the Badal
government. He demanded action against the culprits. |
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PM criticised for
reservation move NAWANSHAHR, Dec 7— Dr Brij Mohan Barthwal, press secretary, Punjab State General Category Welfare Federation, in a press statement issued here today criticised Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for his move to bring in an amendment to the Constitution to give reservation in promotions to SCs. Such reservation, he
said, was not only against the spirit of the Constitution
but had also been flayed by the Supreme Court in its
recent verdict. |
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‘Abolish octroi on Rajasthan
pattern’ ABOHAR, Dec 7 — Octroi is an obnoxious levy and hinders the smooth movement of goods causing an enormous loss to free flow of trade. This was stated in a memorandum submitted by the Beopar Mandal to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, yesterday. It said that octroi was indeed an important source of income for the local bodies, therefore the traders were not interested in exhausting such resources but proposed that the Rajasthan pattern should be adopted to abolish octroi. The Rajasthan Government had levied surcharge on the sales tax to compensate the local bodies. Mr Jagdish Nagpal, general secretary of the mandal, told the Chief Minister that collection of octroi through the contractors had led to lot of hardships for the citizens and gave a bad name to the SAD-led state government. The contractors allegedly behaved like bullies, armed with the power of collecting revenue. They had virtually become mafia dons. This created law and order problem also in some cases the small traders had allegedly been tortured by the "flying squads" unofficially formed by the contractors. The memorandum said the
traders welcomed the proposed VAT system. |
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New project after release of
funds, LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — New development projects in the district would be undertaken by the District Planning and Development Board only after the entire funds for the project are released. This decision was taken during a monthly meeting of the board held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner. Instructions regarding this have already been issued to the district officials. During the meeting, new grants amounting to Rs 8.24 crore were also released for the various on-going and new projects. Addressing the meeting,
the Deputy Commissioner said during the current financial
year, funds amounting to Rs 26.34 crore had been received
by the board from the State Planning and Development
Board. Out of which Rs 11.07 crore had already been
released for different projects in the earlier meetings
of the board. Giving further details, Mr Goel said that
out of the total funds, Rs 11.84 crore would be spent on
various infrastructural schemes in the district. Of
these, Rs 9.93 crore had been released to various
departments and Rs 9.14 crore were being spent to
implement beneficiary oriented schemes. |
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Plea to cancel travel
agents’ passports AMRITSAR, Dec 7 — The three travel agents, including one woman, were booked under Section 420 of the IPC last month by the local police. Their anticipatory bail application has been rejected. The veteran social activist Mr Satya Pal Dang, who has been relentlessly pursuing the case of cheating nine boys by the travel agents, wondered why the police had failed to arrest them and cancel their passports. According to Mr Dang the suspects included a couple and their son Bachan Singh his wife Karamjit Kaur and their son Daljit Singh, all residents of Rani ka Bagh Colony. These boys had complained to the Indian embassy in Bahrain last year. On its basis a senior counsel wrote to the External Affairs Ministry with a copy of the Chief Secretary, Punjab, seeking a probe into their allegations about extorting cash and retaining their passports and not giving them full salaries, he added. Based on this letter the
local police had investigated into the case after
verifying the antecedents of the youths who had sold
their land and property to pay huge sums for going
abroad. Although cases had been registered, but the
suspects have not been arrested, he pointed out. |
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Customs official went berserk,
says police LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — The police has identified Nirmal Singh Kalsi, a Customs and Central Excise Department official, as the man who shot at aimlessly at a marriage party here on December 5. One of the bullets hit Pritpal Singh who succumbed to his injuries at the CMC Hospital here yesterday. According to police
sources, Nirmal Singh Kalsi fired three to four shots
after a scuffle with his friend and a waiter at the Usha
marriage palace. One of the bullets fired by him hit
Pritpal Singh, an autorickshaw driver who had gone to the
marriage palace to deliver some goods. |
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Attack on ABVP leader flayed PATIALA, Dec 7 — District BJP president Pitambar Dutt has condemned the attack on Punjabi University ABVP president Sandeep Kapoor and demanded disciplinary action against the guilty. In a statement here, Mr Dutt, who is also a Senator of the university, and Syndicate member Pawan Kumar Singla said the entry of antisocial elements into the university campus should be banned. The Rashtriya Ekta Manch and the Punjabi University Students Association have also condemned the attack. Meanwhile, an ABVP
deputation led by its national executive council member,
Mr Kamal Sharma, has met the district police chief Mr
H.S. Sidhu, and demanded immediate arrest of the
culprits. |
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BJP MLA launches campaign AMRITSAR, Dec 7 — In order to monitor the supply of kerosene to the poor, the BJP MLA, Mrs Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, has launched a campaign. She pointed out that
depots received adequate supply of kerosene but a large
quantity had been siphoned off to unscrupulous elements
for mixing with diesel and paint. She said she visited
various depots along with the District Food and Supplies
Controller, Dr Bhupinder Jit Singh, to ensure proper
supply. |
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Cheque given to CM CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 —
The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was
today presented a cheque of Rs 7.56 lakh by the
Agriculture Minister, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, as a
contribution by the employees of State Agriculture
Department towards the ‘Punjab War Heroes Family
Relief Fund’. |
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‘Ravi Inder replies...’ a
clarification CHANDIGARH, Dec 7 — "Our viewpoint has been vindicated in the court judgement," says Mr Karam Chand, an Inner Temple Barrister and counsel for Mr Ravi Inder Singh, former Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, in the show-cause notice case. Reacting to a news item
"Ravi Inder replies to Badal" in The Tribune
today, he clarified that "filing a case in the court
for stay of the operation of the show cause notice is one
and giving a reply to it is another. Further, the
contents of the reply are distorted. We never used the
word ‘great’ for Mr Badal. It is only for the
party he is heading. The report does not give reasons for
the withdrawal of the case. We went to the court as an
aggrieved party. Our viewpoint has been vindicated in the
court judgement," he added. |
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Lawyers stage dharna FEROZEPORE, Dec 7 — Members of the District Bar Association staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today in protest against the inclusion of nearly 150 villages of the Dharamkot area in Ferozepore district in Moga district Mr Rakesh Kumar Arora,
secretary of the association, said the strike would
continue till December 13 and the next course of action
would be decided after the meeting of the association to
be held on December 30. |
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Chrysanthemum show LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — A
two-day chrysanthemum show was inaugurated by Dr H.S.
Sekhon, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering at PAU,
here today. More than 30 different varieties of
chrysanthemum were exhibited. |
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5 buses impounded LUDHIANA, Dec 7 — The police impounded five buses of private transporters here last night. According to a press
note issued by the SSP, Mr Kuldeep Singh, the buses
belonged to Khatra Transport, Classic Travels, Bhatia Bus
Service, Jalandhar, and A C Roadways. |
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