Sunday, December 26, 1999
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Sunday, December 26, 1999 |
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1999
— another ‘bad’ year for Punjab Punjab donates fodder to
drought-hit Rajasthan |
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Sacrifices
of Punjabis ignored, says Raj Babbar Challenges in new century reviewed
by police WSC happy at Jathedar’s
decision Bofors papers not enough: Joginder Sonia to flag off ‘sankalp
yatra’ Irregularities found in awarding
tender Karan Singh addresses DAV
graduates Plan to export fruit through
Amritsar Conference to honour Manmohan
Singh Clash in exam dates worries
students Cong postpones rally |
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1999 — another
‘bad’ year for Punjab CHANDIGARH: In Punjab for the state government the priority in 1999 was "infrastructural development and reorienting primary education". As we move into the New Year, 2000, and take a look back it seems that these priorities were lost en route because of a variety of reasons. Besides the usual bureaucratic unresponsiveness what caused a major setback to the idea and dreams of the SAD-BJP Government, headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal were the never-ending mundane religio-political affairs which consumed time and energy of the political executive. In the process good governance and administrative responsibilities got distracted. Another reason why 1999 can be aptly described as a "bad" year from politico-administrative angle being the paucity of funds, which constricted most of what was proposed and even budgeted. Despite these limiting factors, mostly man-made, Punjab remained peaceful and tension-free. The credit for the Punjabis being able to go on, despite the government, goes to the people themselves and their spirit of resilience. In fact the year-end reflections on how events unfolded and on men and matters should normally help the state to improve upon its own performance and apply necessary correctives in the light of experience it gained and lessons it learnt from mistakes it made, wittingly or inadvertently. But all the time the aspirations and expectations of the people have to be kept in mind and articulated within the means available. The performance of a government has to be satisfactory; not necessarily to the entire satisfaction of one and all; either way Punjab seems to have failed. For Punjabis 1999 is of much significance. The year marks the Tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa. It was a mega-event. It was observed in the same spirit albeit with a fringe of bitterness and divisions within the religio-political outfits over which Akalis claim exclusive rights. While eulogising the message and sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh, who founded the Khalsa Panth, the Akali leadership ensured it acted quite contrary to the very spirit and essence of what the Guru had ordained. If Tercentenary itself was a historical event with all eyes focused on Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of Khalsa, and the worldwide hype created over the event, the Akalis themselves added another chapter to their own chequered history of splitting and uniting. Not only was the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, unceremoniously removed from the Presidentship of the mini-parliament and continues to be humiliated after expulsion from the Akali Dal itself by the powers that be, the Akalis installed Bibi Jagir Kaur, the first-ever woman president of the SGPC. Orchestered and engineered through political machinations, the turns and twists in the Akalis’ gameplan of religious and political manoeuvres saw heads roll, creating bitterness and diffidence in the Sikh circles. In the process of in-house eliminations and assimilations even the controversial Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh was shown the door. These developments have had a cascading effect on the rhythm of Punjabi’s life and economy. There is strong dissidence within the Akali folds; there is uncertainty in the administration (which finds itself doubly unblessed); and there seems to be total absence of political will to act and take decisions in the interest of the state which nurses may unseen and visible wounds. Punjab, entangled as it is in the web of political machinations and bureaucratic apathy is gasping for breath, a fresh lease of life eludes it. Thus, besides the Tercentenary celebrations and the hype it created, the ruling combine failed to cash in on the sentiments of the constituents. Due to its own failures, oscillating and vascillating attitude it failed miserably at the time of the Lok Sabha elections which even resulted in a humiliating defeat for the Chief Minister, personally, whose son, Mr Sukhbir Singh, too lost the election in the Faridkot parliamentary constituency. Despite a brave and an obstinate front put up by the political executive after the debacle, the fact remains the SAD-BJP combine is in a state of shock, a stupor. It, however, has not learnt any lessons from that. Punjab was in the news in 1999 for yet another reason; it was for the first time that the Prime Minister (Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee) was crossing the Wagah border by road to visit Pakistan on a "goodwill" visit and to open a new chapter in the peaceful coexistence of the two countries which were one just the other day, prior to partition in 1947. A sort of history was created when as a consequence of that visit a direct bus service between Delhi and Lahore was started. But later events overran that emotional moment when the Kargil conflict broke out. Mr Badal too had accompanied the Prime Minister. It may be recalled that 1998 was "bad" year for Punjab farmers. But 1999 saw a turnabout with both wheat and paddy yielding better returns to the growers. Even cotton, which had been devastated by nature and man for over three years, also saw a marginal improvement. Agriculture recovered somewhat in 1999. But tillers of the soil suffered economically. As agriculture is the mainstay of Punjab, Punjabis and their economy, the scientists have sounded an alarm bell. Unless steps suggested by them were to be implemented Punjab will die. In fact the proceedings of as many as 31 scientists after a two-day brainstorming session at PAU, Ludhiana in October, read like a "condolence" message. They warned that production and productivity may seem to improve. But growers were being pushed into a debt trap. Punjab faces a virtual "economic death" is the essence of their message. When one talks of economy could Punjab’s financial situation be ignored? Despite all the "reforms", "economy measures", high-sounding statements and commitments of there being "sab achcha hai", the fact remains that inflow of revenue is very poor and the outgo unstoppable. Punjab’s finances are so precariously placed that Punjab itself is simmering in the crucible of time. Come to think of the situation: here is a once no one state which today has no money to pay salaries and pensions in time; which stops all unessential payments through treasuries; which is nearly bankrupt; and all that one gets to know at the end of the endless meetings, reports, analysis is the government decision is to either rollback or completely withdraw taxes. Non-performance on the financial and other fronts is the common refrain; one wonders wither Punjab. The state’s time is also consumed by the worry of keeping the religio-political flock together and to stem the voices of dissent. There is a feeling of "insecurity" in the man at the top, despite the total control that he has achieved by means fair or foul. The relationship between the coalition partners too are under strain. Corruption is openly talked of and instances quoted. The drive and determination to weed out corruption has met a dead end even before reaching a logical destination. There is total despondency among people in all walks of life. The government’s plans have gone haywire. There is no accountability. Certain projects remain still-born, may be industrial or educational. So pitiable is the situation that even the Centre refuses to bail out Punjab. It does not understand the state’s psychology and requirements. Pending projects with the Centre are untouched despite tall claims of "achievements" of the SAD-BJP ‘sarkar’. While Lok Pal is freezed, the Governor has been changed (Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber having been replaced by Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob). Ambitious projects like Anandgarh City — a gift announced by the Chief Minister to commemorate the Tercentenary celebrations — remain on paper, and on-going projects, namely the international airport, the science city, the oil refinery, etc "look fine in blueprint". In sum, Punjab shows all symptoms of politic — administrative and religio-social schizophrenia. If allowed unattended, social tensions will grip the state sooner than later. It is a paradox that issues like the All-India Gurdwara Act and Nanakshahi calendar hang fire just as does the Thein Dam - Ranjit Sagar Multipurpose Hydro Electric Project, which developed technical snags. Yet no responsibility has been fixed on anyone. For Punjab to survive and reinvent itself, it will have to adopt a "service-cum-industrial development" pattern of policy with bureaucrats showing their administrative skills and initiative and the political masters their unbiased will by rising above petty personal and electoral considerations. The solution to
Punjab’s problems and requirements lies in
Chandigarh, in every district and in the heart of every
politician and bureaucrat and not in the files and
corridors of power in Delhi. Unless Punjab looked within
and pulled itself to brave the next millennium it will
get caught and hurt in its own snarl. As a jewel in the
country’s food basket its lustre is fading. The
state cannot allow itself to slip into an abyss nor let
dark phase of terrorism resurface. It has to protect
itself and its youth, and work for posterity. |
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Punjab donates fodder to
drought-hit Rajasthan CHANDIGARH, Dc 25 — As a severe drought has hit a large area of West Rajasthan, cattle have been perishing in a large number in that belt. Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagore, Badmer, Pali, Sarohi, Jaisalmer and adjacent districts are among the worst drought-hit areas. One could see hundreds of dead animals along the Jodhpur-Ahemdabad route. This was disclosed here today by Mr Buta Singh, a former Union Minister, while talking to The Tribune. Mr Buta Singh represents the Jalore constituency in the Lok Sabha. Mr Buta Singh, who was here to organise green and dry fodder, cattlefeed and other help for the drought-hit livestock said a special train having 40 wagons of "double" capacity would start from Kurali on December 27 for drought-hit area. The former union minister revealed that the Central Government would not take freight charges which otherwise would cost around Rs 5 lakh. Asked whether he had also appealed to the Punjab Government to extend help in this regard, Mr Buta Singh said he would like to make an appeal to the state government, but he had so far not got a chance to meet the Chief Minister or any other senior functionary. A large number of farmers unable to feed their milch cattle have started selling the same at throw-away prices to cattle traders from the North-East. Herd of cattle could be seen moving around. There is nothing out in the fields for the cattle to survive. Mr Buta Singh said earlier a similar situation had arisen in 1986 when he was a minister in the Union Government. Then he had directed all agriculture universities to provide green fodder to the drought-hit western Rajasthan and the Centre had paid the freight charges. Though the Chief Minister of Rajasthan has made a special request to the Centre Government and to the Prime Minister to announce a special grant for the drought-hit districts nothing has come out of the appeal. Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar had been given financial aid by the Centre but Rajasthan had been ignored, Mr Buta Singh alleged. He said farmers were also facing problems in the affected area. Though no death had been reported due to famine-like conditions in the area, certainly farmers were facing problem in arranging food for their family members. Crops had failed in the past two years in absence of rain. Mr Buta Singh, who was
accompanied by Mr Nirmal Singh Kandhola, a leader of
Ropar district, said he would go to Uttar Pradesh next
week to organise more aid for the drought-hit areas. |
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Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan opens JALANDHAR (Swaras): ma gaa, re, saa melted the chill on Friday night at Devi Talab as the 124th Shri Baba Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan opened. The atmosphere turned devotional with rose and marigold fragrance emanating from the pandal. Shehnai master Pandit Sham Lal of the Banaras-based Nand Lal gharana opened the sammelan. Vocalists Uday Bhawalkar, Sunanda Patnayak, sitarist Nildari Kumar and pakhawaj player Pandit Dal Chand also performed. The limelight was hogged by Pandit Sham Lal and party, comprising Mohan Lal and Manohar Lal, the two sons of the shehnai player. Their alaaps and taans were charming. What converted the whole event into soulful affair was the perfect syncronisation of the shehnai and the tabla. An ambience of a royal wedding in progress was created when Pandit Sham Lal’s party played puravi dhun, a typical Benaras countryside tune played on weddings and festivals. Nand Kishore Mishra accompanied the party on the tabla. The rendering of raaga puriya kalan rendered by the party touched a high with the clarinet player showing his wizardry. Harish Tiwari, a winner of last year’s first prize winner of the Harballabh Music Competition, rendered raaga puria. What appealed the audience the most was an effective studding of raaga chandrekauns, an off-shoot of the malkauns family with alaaps by dharupad singer Uday Bhawalkar. He was accompanied on the pakhawaj by Sri Kant Misra. Niladari Kumar, a
disciple of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, gave a
performance with Pandit Dal Chand Sharma on the pakhawaj.
This was followed by raaga bairagi by Sananda Pathak. |
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Sacrifices of Punjabis ignored, LUDHIANA, Dec 25 — Cine star and former member of Parliament, Raj Babbar today decried the failure of successive governments to acknowledge the supreme sacrifices made by Punjabis during the country’s freedom struggle. Mr Raj Babbar, who has played one of the lead roles in the newly released movie "Shaheed Udham Singh", was talking to mediapersons while on a promotional tour of the movie along with the director, Antararth, producer Iqbal Singh Dhillon and writer Atul Tiwari here today. They are also to participate in the first birth centenary celebrations of Shaheed Udham Singh at Moga tonight. Mr Raj Babbar said that no photographs of Punjabi martyrs had been hung on the walls of Parliament House nor were any memorials constructed for them although ‘samadhis’ had been made for the families of former Prime Ministers and Presidents. Talking about the movie, Mr Raj Babbar said that there had been much difficulty in getting information about the martyr with the British Government putting such information on hold. He, however, said that the story, though dramatised, was based on facts and there was no glorification of violence. He thanked the Punjab
Government for exempting this movie from taxes, but said
they had not asked for any financial aid from anyone. |
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Challenges in new century reviewed CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Top brass of the police and other law enforcing agencies have started discussing issues with regard to challenges that await the police force in next century. Mr Lalit Bhatia, Inspector-General of Police, Punjab, was deputed by Mr Sarabjit Singh, Punjab police chief, for taking part in such a discussion held for a week at Sardar Vallabbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad. The programme was named as "First strategic management programme" by the academy. Mr Sarajbit Singh has circulated among top police officers the main features of the discussion held in Hyderabad. Mr Bhatia had submitted a detailed paper as regards the discussions. Mr Bhatia when contacted told TNS today that the inference at the academy was that there would be the emergence of an "information society", leading to increased awareness level of the people in the next century as knowledge was spreading rapidly. Cyber crime, cellphone-assisted crime and other crimes made with the help of emerging new technologies would be the biggest challenge for the police force. It would require extensive reorientation and a total change in the mindset. These were the issues which were discussed in detail. Mr Bhatia, who also
presented a paper at the academy on the topic,
"Judicial activism and police" said more
emphasis would be laid on functions like policy making,
planning, developing systems, monitoring performance or
organisation, coordinating, rewarding etc in the next
century. |
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WSC happy at Jathedar’s
decision PATIALA, Dec 25 — The World Sikh Council today thanked the Akal Takht Jathedar for constituting a seven-member expert committee to study the Nanakshahi calendar to end the controversy on the issue. In a statement here, council president Baldev Singh Balluana said a resolution to this effect was moved in a meeting held here today. Mr Balluana said Giani Puran Singh had also made it clear to Sikhs after the meeting held at Amritsar on December 23 that the ban on new Nanakshahi calendar would continue till the final decision of the expert committee was taken. The council president
appealed to all Sikh organisations in particular and the
Sikhs all over the world in general to celebrate the
Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh on January 14, 2000 as per
traditions of the Sikh Panth. |
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Bofors papers not enough:
Joginder FEROZEPORE, Dec 25 — The former CBI Director, Mr Joginder Singh, said today that he does not see an early end to the Bofors controversy. Mr Joginder Singh told newsmen here today that the extradition of the accused would take time. The documents that have reached here were not the final set of papers. "The documents so far received here do not give enough clue, except the names of the accused in the case", he added. He said that he was planning a book on the Bofors controversy. The book would be titled "Inside Bofors". He would confine to documentary evidences and legal parameters. Referring to the Mattoo case in which the accused were acquitted on account of gaps in the CBI probe, Mr Joginder Singh said the "CBI has very good reasons to get the case reinvestigated". Asked if the proposal to appoint a Punjab cadre IPS officer, Mr Suresh Arora as DIG CBI will have some bearing on the on-going investigation into the unclaimed bodies’ case, involving the state police force, Mr Joginder Singh said Mr Arora’s selection was based on professional considerations. Claiming that the CBI
has never worked under pressure, Mr Joginder Singh ruled
out any serious fallout. "I know Mr Arora. He is
professionally competent to handle the CBI. |
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Sonia to flag off
‘sankalp yatra’ PATIALA, Dec 25 — Congress President Sonia Gandhi will visit Amritsar on December 28 to flag off the party’s ‘sankalp yatra’ from Jallianwala Bagh, besides paying obeisance at Darbar Sahib and the Durgiana Mandir. Stating this here today at a press conference, Pradesh Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh said the "sankalp yatra" would cover the entire country in one month before culminating at Rajghat on January 30. He said the yatra was aimed at expressing rededication to the country and there could be no better point to start the yatra than Jallianwala Bagh. Capt Amarinder said Mrs Gandhi would first pay obeisance at Darbar Sahib and then flag off the yatra at Jallianwala Bagh. Then she would visit the Durgiana Mandir. At Jallianwala Bagh, Mrs Gandhi would address the "yatris". He said yatra would conclude at Delhi on January 30 when a rally would be held at Rajghat. He said the following day, meetings would be held all over the country to discuss how to strengthen the party in the coming millennium. He said the Pradesh Congress led by its Parliament members would present a memorandum to the President shortly to demand financial emergency in the state. He said a memorandum in this regard had been submitted to the President in November last year. Capt Amarinder Singh said the state government instead of taking austerity measures was going in for a Cabinet expansion and was also using a helicopter "arbitrarily". He said both would have a serious effect on the exchequer. He cited how revenue in the form of excise and sales tax had decreased despite an increase in excise auctions and business. Capt Amarinder Singh also condemned the manner in which the government was selling its property. He said though the exchequer was supposed to benefit from this move, the opposite had happened with ministers cornering prime property, including canal houses. He said in Muktsar and Faridkot districts 351 acres and six rest-houses were being auctioned in January. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the manner in which Rs 400 crore was spent on tackling waterlogging in Malout and Muktsar. Asked about the election of the Rajpura Municipal Committee president with the help of four Congress members, he said district rural president Hardyal Singh Kamboj would conduct an inquiry into the matter. He said if it was proved that the Congress members had violated party discipline to vote for the BJP candidate, disciplinary action, including expulsion, could be taken against them. However, former minister
Lal Singh, who was also present, said it would be
ascertained whether "proper procedure" had been
followed for the Congress candidate’s nomination. |
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Irregularities found in awarding tender NANGAL, Dec 25 — Irregularities have been detected in awarding a tender by the management of National Fertilisers Ltd, (NFL), Naya Nangal. Mr R D Gahrana, Manager Personnel and Administration, a member of the tender-awarding committee, has filed a complaint to the Chief Vigilance Officer. Mr Gahrana has stated the NFL constituted a three-member tender committee on January 30 for providing cable connections to 2,000 houses of NFL Colony. On March 18 the tender was awarded to M/s Bains Cable Network at Rs 79.50 per connection, amidst protests by various contenders. However, Mr Gahrana, in his affidavit has alleged that no proper procedure in scrutinising quotations, certification of pre conditions as laid down in the NIT tender documents. Moreover, the quotations were revised at the last moment, he has alleged. Mr Gahrana has also said in his affidavit that no minutes of the tender committee meeting were prepared, that the cable network workers had been provided with accommodation, advance payments to the cable operator were being made by deducting the amount from the salaries of the employees. Mr Shanti Sawroop, the
chairman of the tender awarding committee, said the
allegations were baseless. The tender was awarded by the
Anand Bhawan Club (ABC). The club has NFL workers as its
members. All its assets are owned by the NFL. |
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Karan Singh addresses DAV
graduates AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — Renowned scholar Dr Karan Singh today exhorted students to have faith in humankind and the courage to change the world. Delivering the convocation address at the local DAV College, he said we should explore "new limits of consciousness, creativity and compassion to lead us to the avowed goals". He pointed out that the Indian civilisation had its seeds in the ancient Vedas and Indian thought was sure to dominate the world. "Material science seems to have reached the optimum limit and the answer to unlocking the saturation lies in exploring the realm of consciousness, the meaning and purpose of existence, the possibilities of spiritual evaluation, the potential of love, brotherhood, peace and co-operation", he emphasised. He said for this the world would have to look towards India and its philosophy. He cautioned if the youth today failed to come up to the expectations of the need of the hour, "we cannot — take meandering India to a steady end". Lauding the role of the DAV movement in the field of education, he said the dedication and zeal of seers like Maharishi Dayanand and Mahatma Hans Raj had helped emancipate India from the quagmire of illiteracy, superstition and the social ills. Mr Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, member of Parliament, in his address said concerted efforts were needed to make India complete in the world market and stabilise its staggering economy. He gave to the college Rs 20 lakh from his discretionary funds for the purchase of 10 computers. Principal M.L. Aeri
conferred degrees on 675 graduates and postgraduates and
called upon the young graduates to spread the "DAV
culture and Indian tradition among the masses". |
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Plan to export fruit through Amritsar FARIDKOT, Dec 25 (UNI) — Punjab, which has a surplus in vegetables and fruits has decided to export its produce. Agriculture and horticulture departments experts with visit various foreign countries to assess the marketing of produce according to state Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal who was talking to mediapersons here last evening. Mr Badal said that the expansion project of Amritsar international airport was going on war footing and on its completion atleast a dozen international flights would tough the air port. Export of vegetables and fruits would also be done through this airport and the state government was planning on cold storage facilities at the airport. It has allocated Rs 15 crore for the cold storages and will give subsidy to those constructing them. It will also provide
three lakh crates on subsidy basis to cold stores owners. |
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Conference to honour Manmohan Singh AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — The Punjab School of Economics, Guru Nanak Dev University, will most host a three-day 82nd annual conference of the Indian Economic Association from December 27 to 29. More than 800 economists of national and international repute will participate. This has stated here today by members of the local committee comprising Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, Dr Satish Verma, organising secretary, and Dr P.S. Raikhy, additional organising secretary. Dr Bawa told mediapersons the Punjab School of Economics of the university had been asked to host the conference because of its commendable contribution in the field of economics, especially in Punjab economy. He said eminent economist and former Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would inaugurate the conference on December 27 at Dasmesh Auditorium. Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob, Governor of Punjab, would be the chief guest. Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr C. Rangarajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and now Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Kamta Prasad, Mr D.L. Narayana and Mr Alak Ghosh, distinguished economists, will be honoured at the conference. Dr Satish Verma,
organising secretary, said a book entitled "Punjab
Economy: Emerging Issues" edited by Dr R.S. Bawa and
Mr P.S. Raikhy would be released. |
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Clash in exam dates worries
students BATHINDA, Dec 25 — The academic career of about 45 students (20 according to official sources) of the local Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology has been jeopardised due to clashing of dates of various exams in the date sheets issued by Punjab Technical University (PTU) authorities. The students of the college who are to take both supplementary as well as regular exams on these days are worried at the authorities failure to respond positively to their representations. Students also said date sheets were announced just one or two days before the date of examination against the rule that it should be displayed at least 15 days before the start of examinations. They also claimed that at times the question paper did not reach exam centres in time. They charged PTU authorities with not declaring the result of the examinations in time. As a result students with a compartment in any of the subject found it difficult to appear in the first session of supplementary exams. Dr Narinder Singh, Principal of the College, when contacted said that some of the allegations were baseless. He added that when dates of exams clashed they were rectified. As for date sheets being sent late by PTU or delay in the declaration of results, PTU authorities were responsible for this. He pointed out that only
those students who had to appear for more than ten
supplementary exams were creating a hue and cry to gain
illegal benefits. He added that supplementary exams were
also being held at Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib,
but there was no problem there. He said that to conduct
two exams in one day was a compulsion in some cases. |
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Three narcotics smugglers
arrested NAWANSHAHR, Dec 25 — The police claims to have busted a gang of narcotics smugglers with the arrest of these persons — Piara Singh, Dalbir Singh and Jagdish Ram during naka at Mubarkpur village near here, last night. They were unloading bags of poppy-husk from a truck and loading them on tractor-trollies, the SSP, Mr Jatinder Singh Aulakh said. He said Sarabjit Singh, alias Kala of Mohalla Pansrian (Garhshanker), who was a smuggler of narcotics had absconded, adding that the police had seized 53 bags of poppy husk and impounded a truck, two tractors and two scooters. A case has been registered under Section 15, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. The SSP said Piara
Singh,one of the arrested, died here at Civil Hospital
after consuming poison. |
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DIET students hold dharna ROPAR, Dec 25 — Students of the local District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) and unemployed ETT students staged a dharna and held a rally in front of the residence of Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee from Anandpur Sahib here today. They were demanding immediate and unconditional release of 79 students and withdrawal of cases registered against them by the police after a lathi charge and bursting of tear-gas shells on them on December 18 near Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib here. The rally was addressed
by Mr Gurcharan Singh Alowal, Mr Satish Kumar Khamano,
both student leaders from the local DIET, and Mr Raman
Mittal, president of the old students club of the DIET. |
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Cop asked to pay damages TARN TARAN, Dec 25 — Mr Ravinder Singh, Additional Senior Civil Judge, here has passed a decree for the recovery of Rs 40,000 as compensation in favour of Baba Sewa Singh, head manager of Dera Kar Sewa, Khadoor Sahib, from Inspector Suba Singh, former SHO of Verowal and from the Punjab Government through the Collector, Amritsar. Baba Sewa Singh in his suit filed in the court of justice Ravinder Singh had charged that on May 30, 1994 SHO Verowal, Suba Singh had taken away a truck, PID-9950, containing 13 bages of wheat donated by the devotees for dera to an unknown destination. The truck was driven for
over 5500 km and its tyres, tubes and other accessories
removed, causing a loss of Rs 40,000 to the dera. |
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CM for martyrs’
memorial AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said a national memorial should be set up for all the martyrs of the Independence struggle. Mr Badal made these comments while presiding over the state-level function on the 100th anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh at the Guru Nanak auditorium here. Mr Badal said anniversaries of all great freedom fighters should be celebrated at the national level at Delhi. The Chief Minister also advocated a memorial for the victims of the 1984 riots. He said that he would discuss the issue with the Prime Minister shortly. The Chief Minister said a plot of 3000 sq yards would be given for raising a suitable memorial for Shaheed Udham Singh at Amritsar. A number of Cabinet
Ministers, MLAs and members of the SGPC addressed the
gathering. |
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Cong postpones rally BATHINDA, Dec 25 — Mr Surinder Kapoor, a former minister and senior Congress leader, said today the party rally, which was to be organised in the local court complex on December 27 in protest against the "rampant corruption" in the state, had been postponed for an indefinite period. In a press note issued
here, he said the rally had been postponed on the
directions of the state Congress leadership as the
workers were to participate in the state-level party
conference at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 27 organised in
connection with Jor Mela. |
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