Monday, February 1, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, February 1, 1999 |
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Kewal Singh's salvo against
Takht chief TALWANDI SABO, Jan 31 — Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, today fired the first salvo against Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh by asking him why he (Bhai Ranjit Singh) had not taken any action against the SGPC, chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Water
still sold in Talwandi Sabo |
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Lure of
Punjabi language Govt
to follow CAT orders: Badal
Urea
sale frozen in Punjab Poet
falls off moving train Language
learning centres sought PUCL
had warned PM about attacks Governor
asks clubs to adopt villages |
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Kewal Singh's salvo against
Takht chief TALWANDI SABO, Jan 31 — Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, today fired the first salvo against Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh by asking him why he (Bhai Ranjit Singh) had not taken any action against the SGPC, chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, for attending a function organised by the Nirankaris at Patiala during the last parliamentary elections. Addressing a press conference here today, he said that when Mr Tohra and Mr Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief were summoned to Akal Takht for taking the decision on the Nirankari episode why all other Jathedars were invited for their views in this regard. It may be mentioned here that before taking the charge of PPCC presidentship, Mr Amarinder Singh had made a complaint to Akal Takht regarding the visit to Mr Tohra to the Nirankari function during electioneering for the 12th Lok Sabha to seek support for his loyalist, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra. Bhai Ranjit Singh after considering the complaint filed it without taking any action against Mr Tohra. In a letter written to Bhai Ranjit Singh, the "Panj Piaras," including Giani Kewal Singh, alleged that the written confession of Mr Tohra that he (Mr Tohra) went to Nirankari Bhavan was changed by him (Bhai Ranjit Singh) without taking other Jathedars into confidence. They asked Bhai Ranjit Singh to clarify whether he changed the written confession of Mr Tohra on his own or under pressure from Mr Tohra. They also asked Bhai Ranjit Singh to clarify whether his action had not violated the sanctity of Akal Takht. They asked Bhai Ranjit Singh not to take any decision in the February 2 meeting convened by him regarding the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa till he replied all questions posed to him in the letter by February 8, to Takht Damdama Sahib. In a separate letter written by these "Panj Piaras" they have asked SGPC president to explain to the Sikhs the circumstances under which he (Mr Tohra) changed his written confession regarding his visit to Nirankari Bhavan. They also asked Mr Tohra to submit proof regarding his statement made at Chandigarh on January 28 that only Jathedar of Akal Takht was authorised to issue a "hukamnama". They alleged that Mr Tohra's statement had lowered the dignity of other institutions of the Sikhs. They added that if the Akal Takht Jathedar alone could issue "hukamnama" then what would be the meaning of principles of the Panth. They asked Mr Tohra why he had not contradicted the statement of Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, senior secretary, SGPC, regarding the status of Takht Damdama Sahib. In another letter, they
asked Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to
work out the modalities of tercentenary celebrations. |
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Tohra wants to end tussle AMRITSAR, Jan 31 — The SGPC chief, Mr G.S. Tohra, who is at loggerheads with the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said he had repented over his statement made on December 10 that Mr Badal should, step down from the post of party president but the opposing group had not stopped its criticism till date. However, he reiterated that Akal Takht is supreme and he will abide by the hukamnama issued by Prof Ranjit Singh, in total. Talking to mediapersons here today, after having a close door meeting with the Jathedar, he said he had great respect for Mr Badal and always stood for unity. The SGPC chief said despite having repented over the issue, the Badal camp had flared it up and not putting an end to the entire controversy which was affecting the entire Panth, specially at the time of tercentenary celebrations. "If I would have been in his place (Badal) I would have also felt bad after reading the news since it clearly said I asked him to step down. It was a wrong interpretation of my ideas, he added. Mr Tohra said he had no fear from any person but believed in God. When asked that they might ask him to step down, he said if they had asked my resignation earlier before the hukamnama was issued, I would have stepped down, but now I would abide by the hukamnama at all costs. He further added that he was still hopeful that a compromise would take place and there would be an end to the ongoing tussle. When asked if he still favoured that both should unite, he categorically stated that he had no objections, but on one condition that first they should stop the attacks. If there was a split, naturally it would affect the government and help the rivals, like Congress," he added. Replying to another question that Mr Badal had said there was no interference of government in religious matters, he said it was clear why they changed members of the judicial commission and approached the court, and see what happened in the case of Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, which was a direct interference of the government. He further said the court had even refused to give the copy of the decision, saying that it had been closed and at the same time added that they would approach the high court in this regard. When asked if he would postpone the meeting of the executive called by him on February 15, if this commission gave a decision in the regard, he said he would only comment after a decision was given, but also clarified that the date of the meeting could not be changed. Regarding the hukamnama issued by the Jathedar of Hazur Sahib saying that the Jathedar should withdraw the edict summoning Prof Manjit Singh, he said only Akal Takht could issue edicts on Panthic issues, and other hukamnamas held no validity. Mr Tohra refused to state the contents of the meeting he had with the Jathedar, but he reportedly discussed the complications that could emerge from the decisions taken by the commission. According to sources, they also discussed that whether they should appeal in the high court against the decision of the commission in Mr Calcutta's case and planned a strategy to counter the move of the Badal camp. Mr Tohra said he would participate in the meeting called by the Jathedar on February 2. According to a SGPC
official, the judicial commission has changed the date of
hearing of Mr Calcutta's case to February and had not
made the SGPC, a party to it. |
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Badal woos hardliners AMRITSAR, Jan 31 — The ongoing tussle between Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and the beleaguered Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC chief, has "compelled" Mr Badal to woo the hardliners. Attending of the ninth death anniversary of Bhai Harminder Singh Sandhu, former General Secretary of the AISSF and close confidant of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, is viewed as part of Mr Badal’s strategy to corner Mr Tohra, who has already started mobilising the Sikh masses to checkmate Mr Badal in the religious field. The leaders of opposition parties have described the new approach of Mr Badal as "suicidal" as he had committed to promote "Punjabiat" before the assembly elections. Mr Hardev Singh Arshi, leader of the CPI in the Punjab Assembly, has alleged that Mr Badal had made a "one-point programme to register supremacy in the religion sphere". He has virtually forgotten the promise to give better governance. Not even a single demand of the state had been accepted by the Central Government so far. Mr Arshi said that Mr Badal should give more time to redress the genuine grievances of the public so that the communal forces should not raise their ugly head again. Ruling party MLA Laxmi Kanta Chawla said that the state government should not take any step which could revive militancy. On the other hand, all eyes are fixed on the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission which would take up the case of the 10 of the 15 SGPC executive members of the Badal camp who had sought suspension of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Vice-President, and Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Secretary-General, SGPC, respectively, on February 2. Significantly Prof Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, has already convened a meeting of representatives of various Sikh bodies on February 2. The Punjab police is making elaborate preventive security arrangements so that no untoward incident occurs on February 2. Prof Ranjit Singh has
convened the meeting to formulate programmes regarding
the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa
in an "organised" manner. The representatives
of Sikh institutions are likely to authorise him to
organise a parallel programme to mark the tercentenary
celebrations. In view of the probability of any
confrontation, the administration has been taking
possible preventive measures. |
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Summon Badal, Tohra to Akal
Takht: Mann SANGRUR, Jan 31 — Mr Simranjit Singh Mann while referring to the ongoing feud between the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, said both Mr Badal and Mr Tohra should be summoned to Akal Takht as by their utterances and actions, they had lowered the image of Akal Takht. He was talking to mediapersons at Mastuana, near here today. Mr Mann said despite the massive majority in the Punjab Assembly, the Akali-BJP government led by Mr Badal would soon fall and not be able to complete its five-year term. The history of Akali governments proved that Mr Badal was not a good administrator and the bureaucracy was out of his control. Corruption and nepotism were rampant in Punjab, he added. Mr Mann alleged that the Chief Minister only wanted to install his son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, as the Chief Minister of Punjab. Referring to the attacks on Christians and the killing of an Australian missionary and his two sons, Mr Mann urged the President of India to dismiss the Vajpayee government as it had failed to protect the minorities in the country. He sought the banning of
the Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and the RSS. |
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Water still sold in Talwandi
Sabo TALWANDI SABO, Jan 31 — Drinking water is sold in this holy city as the authorities have allegedly failed to provide potable piped water to more than 50 per cent population of the town. This is the second holy city of Punjab where drinking water is being sold to residents. In Muktsar too most of the residents have to buy drinking water from the rehriwalas. As the underground water in Talwandi Sabo is not fit for consumption due to a high concentration of fluoride, only a small population is covered with piped water supply. Banta Singh, a rehriwala who supplies drinking water at the residents' doorstep told TNS that for the past many years he had been eking out his livelihood by selling drinking water. He fills his tank from the Shaheed Baba Deep Singh well and charges Rs 20 per tank from the residents: "Some of the residents take one tank daily, some after two days and some after a week. In winter, the demand is low while in summer, I find it difficult to fulfil the demand", he added. Raj Singh, a gold smith, says "I have been buying drinking water for the past five years. My family uses the underground water only for washing clothes. Our repeated pleas to the authorities for making arrangements for potable water supply have not yielded any results". Jugraj, another resident of Rori Road Colony, says that as water from 'rehriwalas' is expensive, so he himself fetches water from the sarovar of historical Gurdwara Takht Sri Damdama Sahib daily. Bhola Singh, a farmer, says that he brings drinking water from his tubewell installed in his farm located 3 km from his house, on the tractor trolley daily. He adds that apart from drinking water, the authorities concerned have also failed to make arrangements for draining out the rainy water from these areas. A senior official of the Public Health Department of Punjab who wished not to be quoted said only 40 per cent population of this holy city had been covered with the potable piped water supply. He informed that a scheme worth Rs 3.87 crore had been approved by the Punjab Government for covering the entire population of the town with potable drinking water supply by constructing a new tubewell. He says that he has written a number of times to the district authorities to arrange suitable land on the Natt road for constructing a new tubewell. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said that Punjab Government has sanctioned Rs 1.70 crore for the construction of a new tubewell. Talks for taking land from the SGPC in lieu of panchayati lands were going on and a suitable piece of land would be arranged shortly. He added that he would
make arrangements of potable water supply to the
residents of this town through water tankers. |
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A Tribune follow-up CHANDIGARH, Jan 31 — The Akalis and amoeba have several similarities: both keep splitting and reuniting. But the former seem to have an edge over amoeba: besides engineering their own divisions Akalis have the killer-instinct to even divide their very institutions, religious, political, academic and what have you. These divisions have become amply discernible ever since the SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, committed the cardinal sin of suggesting an "acting" president to run the day-to-day affairs of the Shiromani Akali Dal, headed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. It is, perhaps, a kind of first in Akali politics that two key posts — SAD President and Chief Minister — are held by one man. These developments and divisions have thrown the state, its people and its administration into turmoil. Counting some long-pending industrial projects sanctioned now as "achievements" is one thing, seeing its own vaunted projects, ideas and policies implemented quite another. If that be so, one wonders what has happened to the reforms in the cooperatives which the Chief Minister had suggested and was a report presented to him within the stipulated time frame? A committee was specifically constituted for the purpose in April 1998. It had only two reference points: one, a revision of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, to strengthen the democratic structure of cooperative societies in the state and free them from undue controls; and two, structural reforms in the working of the cooperative banks for professionalising their working and bringing it on commercial lines. The reforms were suggested by the committee, which was headed by the then Financial Commissioner, (Cooperation), Mr Rajan Kashyap, now Principal Secretary (Finance). The same is to be placed before the Cabinet sub-committee and later approved by the Cabinet and implemented. The reforms were submitted way back in June 1998. Nothing has been heard on them since then. The 10-member committee had stated even then that only a "strong" political and administrative will can "revive" the cooperatives and pull them out of the quagmire of inefficiency. It is pertinent to mention that the Union Finance Minister had in his Budget speech last June, stated that the system of agricultural cooperatives in our country "is plagued by bureaucracy and political interference at many levels. As part of a concerted programme to revitalise the cooperative sector, the government will shortly bring forward a model cooperative law to replace the multi-state Cooperative Societies Act, 1984, and will encourage the states to make similar amendments in their own acts". Punjab has made those amendments. The reforms file is gathering dust in the Chief Minister's office. Were these "reforms" to be implemented it could make a sea change because during the past two years the government has failed totally to create an "air of ambience" to make its development projects show results. Lack of firmness and extraneous activities of the political executive leave little or no time for the Chief Minister and his ministers to care for governance. The government has spread its works, sans money, on too large a canvas that nothing stands out giving the administration a poor rating. Cooperatives is just one aspect. At least two other issues need mention here one, in respect of farmers' woes and the other on technical education or vocationalisation. Mr Parkash Singh Badal had a two hour meeting with the Prime Minister at his residence on October 20, and spoke in anguish about the losses suffered by farmers whose paddy and cotton crops had been destroyed. His demand was a package of Rs 300 crore for paddy cotton relief since farmers' loss was beyond Rs 1,000 crore. His "warning" that if Punjab suffered, the nation could not escape the consequences on the food front was ignored either with impunity or inadvertently by New Delhi. The Prime Minister remained silent on the farmers' suffering even at Bathinda a on November 13 when he laid foundation stone by the oil refinery. Punjab still awaits a proper assessment before any financial help can be expected. The matter did not end at the Prime Minister's residence or at Bathinda. The State Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, later took up the issue with the Planning Commission. A two-page note was prepared encompassing all aspects of the agricultural loss and farmers' indebtedness. Capt Kanwaljit Singh had stressed a "comprehensive agricultural policy" with specific reference to stepping up investment in the agriculture sector, and ensure a reasonable return or profit to farmers as in the industrial sector. He wanted the policy to give a second look to land ceiling laws, price structure of agricultural produce and inputs, incentives for import of the latest technology, knowhow, etc. One wonders where is the "joint study group" which was to work out the policy? As regards technical education or vocationalisation, what has happened to the committee report on vocationalisation appointed in March, 1998? The report of the committee headed by former vice-chancellor Amrik Singh was submitted on October 6 last. From the ongoing confabulations on the religious and political front and given other "engagements" of the political executive, one wonders if the state administration would be able to pay any attention till the tercentenary celebrations in April. Punjab is today in a web
of unimplemented tall promises, self-aggrandising claims,
empty coffers, and aimless administration and a political
will hanging in a vacuum. |
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Lure of Punjabi language PATIALA, Jan 31 — Foreign students, including women, dressed in pristine white with a turban-like headgear, no longer turn heads in Punjabi University here. The students belong to the second batch of foreign followers of US based preacher Mr Harbhajan Singh Yogi, who have come here to learn Punjabi language. "We want to learn Punjabi as we feel all Sikhs across the world are our brothers and sisters and we want to be in a position to be able to communicate with them", says Ms Haridharan Kaur from New Mexico who works as an accountant in the Sikh Dharma Corporation of Mr Harbhajan Yogi and has been a baptised Sikh since the last 15 years. Ms Haridharan and other students of different nationalities are here to learn Punjabi at the Department of Anthropological Linguistics and Punjabi Language in a one-month course, so that they can understand the teachings of their guru and the Punjabi ethos. Ms Tarang Kaur, also from New Mexico, says it was also important to learn Punjabi for them as their foundation had centres in 120 countries across the world, "besides this we visit India frequently to pay obeisance at the Darbar Sahib and Anandpur Sahib for which too we need to be conversant with the language". Dr Kirpal Singh, Director of the Miri Piri Academy at Cheherata, near Amritsar, is, however, learning Punjabi for different reasons. "I need to study and understand Punjabi as our school lays stress on teaching Sikh traditions to pupils for which the knowledge of Punjabi is a must", says Dr Kirpal Singh. The students while talking about their experiences in the country and the city, say they have received a very positive reaction, "people have stopped us to tell how enthused they were to know Sikhism was taking root abroad and that we had come to learn Punjabi here", says Ms Haridharan. Dr S.S. Joshi, Head of the Anthropological Linguistics Department, said emphasis was laid in the course on the teaching of Punjabi language for functional use in social and cultural situations. He said the students were put in a natural Punjabi setting and very less English was used by teachers in the classroom. This forces the students to use Punjabi. He said inquiries regarding the teaching of Punjabi as a foreign language had been received from Germany, Singapore, Australia and the USA. The course fee is $ 70 and
accommodation is provided free of cost to the students by
the university. |
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Extension to DGP MALOUT, Jan 31 — The Punjab Government will follow the CAT orders quashing the second extension in service given to DGP, P.C. Dogra. Making a categorical statement in this regard here today, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state government would not challenge the CAT orders in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. "The law will take its own course. The Punjab Government would take only those steps which are legal," he added. He said he was personally against the hike in the prices of urea and other essential commodities made by the Central Government. He said he would meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to press him for withdrawing the hike. When asked what the Punjab Government was doing about Sikh youths languishing in jails without trial, he said a committee comprising the Chief Secretary, the DGP and other officers of Punjab was doing the needful. He claimed that most of the detained Sikh youths had been released in the past two years. He kept mum when asked whether the interference of Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, in Sikh politics was justified. He, however, said that there was no crisis in the Akali party and there was no danger to the SAD-BJP Government. He disclosed that Guru Ravi Dass bhavans would be constructed at each district headquarters. The state government would give Rs 20 lakh for constructing such a bhavan here. Earlier, Mr Badal visited
the family of Vir Chakra holder Major T.S. Chahal at
Bathinda who died recently in Delhi. He announced that a
memorial to Major Chahal would be built and Rs 1 lakh
given to next of kin of Major Chahal. |
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Attack on Christians a
conspiracy: Mittal SAS NAGAR, Jan 31 — The resignation of Union Minister Madan Lal Khurana is an "internal affair" of the BJP and as he is still in the party, the leadership will sort out the matter. Stating this at a Press conference here today, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, said that Mr Khurana had reacted on a particular issue and it was only a "war of words". Mr Mittal said the attacks on Christians was a deep-rooted conspiracy to tarnish the image of the country in which both external and internal forces were involved. He ruled out the hand of the RSS and the VHP in the incidents as their programmes did not include violence. Such issues were being raised by opponents of the BJP, which was in power. In Orissa, he said, a judicial enquiry had been ordered into the attack on Christians. The Congress did not want this as it feared its activities would be exposed. Facts, he said, were being distorted. The government was open and transparent and wanted the truth to come to the fore and, therefore, the probe was being conducted by a Supreme Court Judge. Mr Mittal said justice would be done in the case relating to the killing of Australian missionary Graham Steins and his two children in Orissa. The Indian Government had assured the Australian Government that a report on the incident would be ready within two months. The minister flayed the agitational approach of Punjab rice sheller owners. He objected to the abusive language used by them in advertisements relating to their problems. This attitude was worse than that of trade unions. The Punjab Government, he said, had taken up various problems with the Centre and got relief and concessions for farmers. The rice sheller owners had failed to come for talks on their demands. The government was always ready to come to the negotiating table. He regretted that even at the time of paddy procurement, the rice sheller owners had adopted an agitational approach which harmed farmers as their produce kept rotting in mandis for days. Mr Mittal said the
increase in the prices of items supplied through the PDS
would not have much effect on consumers in Punjab. Those
above the poverty line rarely bought the items, and there
was also not much demand from persons below the poverty
line. |
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Integrated medicos seek recognition HOSHIARPUR, Jan 31 — The Punjab Council of the National Integrated Medical Association at its 29th annual conference in the local Government College here today sought the creation of a separate cadre and recognition of the status to the integrated medical practitioners practising in state on the basis of their qualification. Dr Satish Kakkar, President of Council, said in view of the recent judgement of the Supreme Court, the Punjab Government should take adequate and effective steps in this regard. He said the association was a registered body which had over 5 lakh institutionally qualified integrated medical practitioners in the country, out of which nearly 25,000 were practising in Punjab. He added that its members included only those practitioners who had undergone concurrent institutional training in all subjects of ayurveda, unani or sidha system of the Indian medicine along with the modern medicine (allopathy) for five years or more, for which modern subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, etc were also included in their respective syllabi. These practitioners were also possessing degrees such as vaid vachaspati, GAMS, Bhishagacharya, DIMS, BIMS, etc, from various recognised colleges of the country. Dr Kakkar said the integrated class of medical practitioners did not fall in the sub clause (i) or (ii) of Rule 2 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (XXIII of 1940), essential for practising modern medicine. Punjab, in an attempt to provide efficient health services to the general public and in order to safeguard the interest of these practitioners, exercised its power, conferred on the states by sub clause (iii) of clause (ee) of the same Rule-2 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules, and issued a notification bearing number 10449 HB III-66/30375 on October 25, 1966, granting them the right to practise modern scientific system of medicine (allopathy). He said the aforesaid degrees from various recognised Indian faculties and universities instituted under the prevailing laws, which had now been taken over a centralised degree of BAMS all over India after its introduction under the IMCC Act, 1970. He said they were always the victims of all strictures. This led to their mental torture leading to harassment. The integrated class of practitioners which had solely been created by the government itself should be defended by it at all levels. He sought separate recognition and registration procedure for this class on the pattern of Kerala and Tamil Nadu by creating separate department for handling all matters related to them. Mr Tikshan Sud, MLA,
inaugurated the conference and conferred mementoes to the
participants. |
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Urea sale frozen in Punjab CHANDIGARH, Jan 30 — While the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has conveyed his unhappiness over the hike ordered by the central government in the urea price, the authorities concerned in Punjab have frozen the sale of the urea for the time being. Informed sources said here today that Mr Badal had taken up the matter with the central government and urged them to withdraw the hike immediately as it would adversely hit the farming community not only in Punjab but in other parts of the country also. The feeling in the Punjab Government is that the farmers in Punjab are not in the capacity to bear any hike in farming inputs. The community is already reeling under the burden of debt and repeated crop failures. The central government with an objective of cutting down subsidies on fertilisers had increased the urea price to Rs 400 per tonne yesterday. (per bag increase would be Rs 20). The sources said 20 lakh tonnes of urea were used in an year in Punjab and it would put a burden of nearly Rs 75 crore on the farming community in the state. The sources said if the central government did not withdraw the hike, Mr Badal would take up the issue directly with the Prime Minister to convince that a wrong decision had been taken by the government. In the existing political scenario, Mr Badal could not afford to take any adverse decision affecting the farming community as the Shiromani Akali Dal, headed by him, was also a coalition partner in the central government. Meanwhile, Mr R.N. Gupta, Financial Commissioner (Development) said the sale of old stocks of urea lying with dealers and various state government-owned agencies had been frozen. He said the Chief Agriculture Officers in the district had been told to count such stocks immediately and send the report to the state government or the authorities concerned. He said such a step had
been taken to sell the old stock of urea on a pre-revised
price. The state government would ensure that old stocks
of urea lying with dealers were sold at the old price and
the fresh stock at the new price. |
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Poet falls off moving train ABOHAR, Jan 31 — The organisers of an Indo-Pak mushaira at DAV Auditorium here were unmoved when an eminent poet and invitee Mr Rifat Sarosh was injured while trying to get of the intercity express here last night. Mr Sarosh had come from Noida to participate in the programme on a special request from the organisers. As per his routine the driver of the Delhi-Sriganganagar intercity express slowed the train near the railway canteen to let his assistant to fetch a cup of tea. The poet, who had been told the train would stop here for two minutes, tried to get off. But by then the driver had speeded up and Mr Sarosh fell on the platform and was dragged several metres before the train stopped near the outer exit. Three local journalists, Mr Om Parkash Kaushik, Mr Neeraj Sharma and Mr Virender Sharma and Dr Sunil Takkar of Fazilka, who were in the same coach took the injured poet to the civil hospital. Two of the journalists then went to the auditorium to inform the organisers. But only the SDM, Mr Darshan Singh Grewal accompanied them back to the hospital while the mushaira continued on. Interestingly the Indian
High Commission denied visas to a 25-member delegation
from Pakistan, and the only Indian poet of note present
was Dr Bashir Badr. |
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Language learning centres sought PATIALA, Jan 31 — The Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship (ISCUF) yesterday called for setting up of an inter-state language learning centres to promote national integration. Members of the society at its first meeting of the Punjab chapter here said the main problem faced by people of different regions, when they travelled across the country was of language. They said these language centres should be established in all states. Mr Raj Kumar, General Secretary of the society, called for the reconstitution of the National Integration Council. He said this was urgent in order to give the council the much needed momentum as none of the agendas passed by it had been implemented so far. He urged the government to implement the agendas of the council. Mr Joginder Dayal, General Secretary of the CPI, urged the people to stop the hatred being perpetrated by vested interests against minorities in the country. He said political parties should understand that this was a dangerous game. He added that political parties should make it clear that communalism could not be allowed to spread because some parties wanted to please certain vote banks. Mr Gurbaksh Mehta
highlighted how ISCUF had been derivated from the earlier
Indo-Soviet Cultural Society. |
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PUCL had warned PM about
attacks BATHINDA, Jan 31 — The Punjab Branch of the People's Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) has condemned the murder of Christian missionaries by fanatics and apprehended a danger to the unity and integrity of the country from such acts. In a press note issued here today, Dr Vineeta Gupta, member of the National Council and Mr Ved Parkash Gupta, general secretary of the PUCL, said some fundamentalist forces were behind these attacks and the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister were made aware of the activities of fundamentalists in advance by the PUCL. They said, "Had the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister given attention to the information supplied to them by the PUCL, the attacks on Christians could have been prevented." They said the PUCL had also appealed to the democratic and secular forces to organise themselves to protect India from divisive and dangerous elements who pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. The PUCL urged the
government to take measures to nip the evil of communal
forces in the bud and ensure the safety of the
minorities. |
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Governor asks clubs to adopt
villages KAPURTHALA, Jan 3 — Punjab Governor B.K.N.Chhiber today stressed the need of having those missionaries whose services did not create social tensions in society. Presiding over a function organised by the Lions Club regarding rehabilitation of widows and destitute here, he said even after Independence, 50 per cent population of the country was living below the poverty line and faced problems of illiteracy and lack of medical facilities. He called upon the social and voluntary organisations to come forward in a big way as the government alone could not solve these problems. Lauding the services of Lions Clubs in rendering service to society, the Governor asked the club members to adopt villages for providing education and health facilities among ruralites. He appreciated the role of the Hind Samachar group of newspapers for setting up a Shaheed Parivar Fund for the rehabilitation of women and children widowed and orphaned by terrorist violence. Group chief editor Vijay Chopra urged Lions Clubs to adopt widows and grant monthly pension of Rs 150 to each widow as the state government did not have sufficient funds to give them regular pension. He lauded the services of the club for adopting 74 villages and opening 14 clubs in the rural areas. The Governor distributed 230 sewing machines and woollen garments to needy women and mentally-retarded children. The Governor also honoured
freedom fighters, veteran athletes and prominent
citizens, on the occasion. |
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First night, last night PHAGWARA, Jan 31 — A UK based NRI, Narinder Singh and his new bride were found dead in their bedroom, to which they had retired for consummating their marriage, at Gandhra village near Nakodar two days ago. It was learnt here today that the couple had placed a coal-burning stove in the room for heating it and were asphyxiated by it in the closed room. When the couple did not come out even late the next morning, Pooran Singh father of Narinder Singh and neighbours broke open the door to find the bride dead on the bed and the bridegroom dead on the floor near the door. The couple was given a
tearful cremation yesterday. It was the second marriage
of both the NRI and of his 28-year-old bride. |
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Pensioners ask CM to accept demands MOGA, Jan 31 — Members of the Punjab Pensioners Association, at a meeting held here today, urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Finance Minister, Mr Kanwaljit Singh, to immediately accept their demands as per the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission. They said adequate
provisions should be made in the budget for fulfilling
the demands of the pensioners. They said the Centre had
notified that the pre-January 1996 pensioners be brought
on a par with the post-January 1996 pensioners and their
pensions be revised up to 50 per cent of the grades of
the post held by them at the time of retirement. They
also demanded old-age allowance, travel concessions,
gratuity and revision of pensions. |
||
Aided-school teachers plan mass
leave ROPAR, Jan 31 — About 10,000 teachers working in more than 500 aided schools in Punjab will go on mass casual leave and hold demonstration in Chandigarh on February 5. Mr Manohar Lal Chopra, General Secretary of the Punjab State-Aided Schoolteachers and other Employees Union, said here today that the union had decided to launch this statewide agitation against the state government because of its failure to implement the demands of the teachers, employees and pensioners accepted on August 27, 1998. Mr Chopra, while assailing the state government for its failure to grant the Fourth Pay Commission scales and benefits to the teachers and pensioners of aided schools, further added that the union had earlier suspended its agitation in June, 1998, on the assurance of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Later Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, settled the issue with a deputation of the union and announced the acceptance of three major demands on August 27, 1998, which included granting of the Fourth Pay Commission scales, increase in medical allowance from Rs 100 to Rs 250 and house rent as per the new classification of cities. The general secretary also said the union's deputations called upon the Chief Minister, Finance Minister and Education Minister in December, 1998, and January 1999, but failed to get any positive response. He held the state government responsible for the teachers' agitation. An ultimatum had been given to the state government to accept their demands by January 31. A meeting of the State Action Committee will be held on February 5 in Chandigarh to consider the course of action. He said the SAD manifesto had promised to grant complete parity in the service conditions of the aided school staff with their counterparts in the government service. Mr Chopra said the Punjab Privately Managed School Employees Act-1979 also puts a statutory duty on the state government to maintain the parity. He also urged the Punjab
Chief Minister to intervene before the start of first
phase of their agitation on February 5. |
||
Religious bias ‘won't be
allowed’ SAS NAGAR, Jan 31 — India is the only country with so many different religions in which everyone is free to pray as he wants. Despite this, society has remained one. Speaking on the concluding day of the three-day celebrations of the 622nd Prakash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidass here today, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, and the chief guest, said discrimination on the basis of religion would not be allowed. A kirtan darbar and langar were organised at Sri Guru Ravidass Bhavan in Phase VII. The minister announced a
grant of Rs 50,000 for the Sri Guru Ravidass Naujwan
Sabha, Punjab. |
||
Badals lay stones and forget
projects MOGA, Jan 31 — All development works undertaken by various departments in this district several years ago have been shelved due to paucity of funds. Officials of almost all departments here have not yet received the money for the development work the government had earlier announced. The mini-secretariat, a stadium and about half-a-dozen community projects have not gone beyond the foundation stone laying stage by the three Badals: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal and Union State Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. In fact, the foundation
stones of the six community centres laid last year have
been demolished by certain persons allegedly in protest
against the non-cooperaton of the government in
completing them. |
||
Akal Takht supreme, says Bains LUDHIANA, Jan 31 —
"We have always considered Akal Takht as supreme and
will always abide by its orders", Mr Balvinder Singh
Bains, President of the youth wing of the Shiromani Akali
Dal (Amritsar), said addressing a state-level meeting of
the youth wing. Mr Bains alleged that certain people were
trying to lower the prestige of Akal Takht by issuing
statements against it. He announced that they would
participate in the February 2 meeting called by the Akal
Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh. He also appreciated Mr
Simranjit Singh Mann's decision to celebrate Sant
Bhindranwale's birth anniversary at Fatehgarh Sahib. |
||
Trader’s house burgled ROPAR, Jan 31 — The house of Kuldip Singh, a karyana merchant in Ali Mohalla, was allegedly burgled on Friday night, when the family had gone to Fatehpur Tajowal village. A member of the family here last evening alleged that the thieves had stolen articles and cash to the tune of about Rs 1 lakh by unbolting the locked rooms with the help of an iron rod. They also broke open a steel almirah and decamped with gold articles, including a bracelet, necklace, rings, 1 kg silver articles, two watches and some clothes. The police has been
informed about the theft. |
||
Mazdoor union flays price hike JALANDHAR, Jan 31 — The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies came under severe criticism for burdening the poor by increasing the prices of essential commodities under the public distribution system by nearly 30 per cent. The Pandu Mazdoor Union General Secretary, Mr Tarsem Peter, and convener Kishmir Singh. While addressing a gathering of weaker sections here yesterday said the daily wage earners were the hardest hit by this increase in the prices of essential food commodities like wheat, sugar and rice. Small and marginal farmers
felt let down by the State Government for not raising its
voice against the increase in price of urea especially
when it lays its claim to farmer friendly posture. Mr
Beant Singh a farmer of Sultanpur, claimed that the input
of the price of farming was at an all-time high, compared
to the procurement price of the crops. |
||
Lovers commit suicide JALANDHAR, Jan 31 (UNI) — A young couple, related by blood and who had affair before their alleged marriage a month ago, yesterday committed suicide to escape social ostracism, police sources said here today. The sources said Jatinder, 23, eloped with his cousin Raji, 22, about a month ago and allegedly married her without the consent of their respective parents. They returned to a relative home in New Govind Nagar in the city yesterday, and allegedly consumed poison. They were rushed to civil hospital here last night, but their condition deteriorated. While one of them died at 1.50 a.m., the other died at 5.10 a.m. Raji’s father has
requested the hospital to conduct the post mortem only
after the arrival of Jatinder's parents from Calcutta.
The boy had been living with a relative, Gopal Kishan
here. |
||
Ravidass jayanti celebrated AMRITSAR, Jan 31 — Birthday of Guru Ravidass was celebrated here today at the Guru Ravidass Mandir outside Hallgate. Mr J.P. Birdi, IG Police (border range), while speaking on the occasion laid stress on the education of children. Mr Khushiram presided over the function Mr Birdi was honoured by
Mr Sohan Lal Amrohi, president of the Dr Ambedkar Sabha.
The temple complex was decorated and illuminated on the
occasion. |
||
Protest rally LUDHIANA, Jan 31 — YC
workers led by PPCC member and senior Youth Congress
leader Parminder Mehta took out a protest march here
today. They were protesting against the central
government's decision to increase the prices of essential
items distributed through the public distribution system. |
||
FCI employees to stage dharna PATIALA, Jan 31 — The Food Corporation of India employees and its affiliate union has decided to stage a dharna on February 4 in front of the district FCI headquarters here in protest against the anti-employees attitude of the management. Stating this in a release
issued here today, Mr K.K. Sharma, state secretary
Bhartiya Khadya Nigam Karamchari Sangh and Mr S.P. Sood
vice-president FCIEU said that management had not ignored
various long pending demands of the employees which
include, direct recruitment at the officer level,
implementation of a timebound promotion policy, wage
revision from January 1, 1997 onwards and fixation of
scientific norms for storage loss and transit loss etc. |
||
PYC to gherao Jalandhar MC PHILLAUR, Jan 31 — The Punjab Youth Congress will start its agitation against "corrupt and wrong working" of the Municipal Corporations in the state on February 8. The Punjab Youth Congress president, Mr Navinder Singh Babboo, told newsmen here today the party would gherao the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation office on February 8 and organise demonstrations at Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala. He said the party would
also start a state-level agitation against the price rise
of essential items. |
||
Bus driver dies in mishap PATIALA, Jan 31 — A bus driver died and 13 were injured in a head-on collision between two PRTC buses near Kakrala village on the Patiala- Samana road at about 8.30 this morning. Three among the injured are stated to be in a critical condition at Rajindra Hospital here. Seven were discharged in the evening. The accident occurred when a bus (PB-11-9505) heading towards Samana could not see a parked tractor- trailer due to dense fog. To avoid a collision, the driver swerved the bus to the right but only collided with the Patiala-bound bus number PB-11-9059. Sham Lal, one of the drivers, died on the spot. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, and Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, Deputy Commissioner, visited the hospital to enquire about the health of the injured. A case under Sections
304-A and 279 has been registered. |
||
Year of Jawan begins with
run-for-fun BATHINDA, Jan 31 — To commemorate the 50th year of the Indian Army, the Bathinda military station organised a 'run for fun' today. According to an Army press
note, the 'run for fun' was flagged off by Lt-Gen. G.K.
Duggal, GOC, 10 Corps. Defence personnel along with their
family members participated in the event. The event also
marked the beginning of the activities to celebrate 1999
as the 'Year of the Jawan'. |
||
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