Tuesday, February 9, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Tuesday, February 9, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Captain of
Malta boat held |
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Verdict
reserved in Dogra case It's
only 'routine' deployment
Petrol
stations closed for a day Delink
BJP from RSS: Netaji's kin Surjeet's
clarion call to farmers ACR
claims on use of Punjabi to be verified |
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Captain of Malta boat held HOSHIARPUR, Feb 8 — Mr Balwant Singh Khera, Chairman of the Malta Boat Tragedy Probe Commission, disclosed to mediapersons here today he had received a fax message from Greece yesterday regarding the arrest of the captain of the vessel, Johan, who was wanted for the Malta boat tragedy of December 25, 1996. At least 300 persons were killed while attempting to get illegal entry into Greece. Mr Khera said it was all due to the recent visit of the probe panel to Greece, Malta, Italy, Switzerland and other European countries and related places of this incident. He said the panel had successfully created international public opinion in European and Asian countries against this ghastly tragedy due to which criminal cases against the Mafia and other conspirators had been initiated. Mr Khera said Italy, which was previously denying the occurrence of the mass killings, had now issued arrest warrants against 13 persons involved in this tragedy. This was possible only due to the efforts of the voluntary organisations and certain persons, including Ms Tana de Julueta, MP, who raised her voice for the prosecution of those responsible for the tragedy. The press of the aforesaid countries also played a major role in finding out the truth. Mr Kamal Tayal, a German national based in Frankfurt collected evidence and prepared a documentary film regarding this incident. He was successful in interviewing the captain, Mr Youssof Hallal, of the Yeohan ship which collided with a small ship on December 25, 1996, in the Malta-Sicily channel. The evidence of the captain of the ship had established the occurrence of this tragedy. At present, the ship is in the custody of Sicily in the sea port of Regeo Clabria. He said a body found on the sea shore and examined by the forensic experts plus other belongings of the ill-fated persons who drowned and other evidence convinced the District Judge, Sargura, Sicily, of the occurrence of the tragedy. He further said a Pakistani, Mr Turab Ahmed Sheikh who was married to a Maltese woman and was running a restaurant in Malta during police interrogation admitted he had arranged the crew for boat and directed the crew on the phone till it sank. He stressed upon the central government to avail of the services of Interpol and bring Mr Turab Ahmed and the captain of the ship to India for judicial trial. He said the main aim of the commission was to get relief released to the parents/guardians of the victims. A writ petition had already been filed and the Punjab and Haryana High Court had admitted it. The commission had also got registered a case in the International Court of Justice based at Hague in this connection. The future programme of
the commission was to mobilise the voluntary
organisations in other countries against this new form of
slave trade. The commission would also seek the
cooperation of international agencies, including the
International Human Rights Commission, the International
Labour Organisation and the International Refugee
Rehabilitation Service of the UNO. He said Ms Julueta,
Convener of the anti-Racist Forum based in Rome was going
to hold an international conference in Naples in June
1999 in which the probe panel of the commission would
also take part. He said the commission had decided to
send delegations to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to
coordinate, organise and guide the organisations of these
countries already working in this direction. |
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Threat to lock up rice mills LUDHIANA, Feb 8 — In an unprecedented show of protest and resentment, 2,500 rice millers of Punjab have decided to lock up their mills and hand over the keys to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Mr Tarsem Saini, president of the Punjab Rice Millers Association, has asked all rice millers of the state to assemble at Grain Market, Kharar, in Ropar district on February 15. They have been asked to bring along with them keys of their mills for handing these over to Mr Badal. "We have been left with no alternative but to resort to this extreme step," complained Mr Saini while talking with TNS here today. "We have been pleading with the government, both at the state as well as the central level, to listen to our grievances and concede to our demands, but to no avail. It is difficult for our trade to survive under the present circumstances. Hence, the decision to close down en masse," he explained. Mr Saini said the Union Government as also the state government had been adopting "dilatory" tactics as regards their genuine demands. With the result, only seven lakh tonnes of paddy purchased by state agencies and the Food Corporation of India had been milled so far. The total purchase in Punjab was about 61 lakh tonnes. He pointed out that the rice milling generally ended by February 28. But this year, because of the uncertainty created by the government, it was yet to start in right earnest. This was bound to result in a serious damage to paddy stocks causing a loss in crores to the government. Mr Saini and Mr Prem Dirba, general secretary of the association, pointed out that due to late milling of the paddy, rice derived from the paddy would become discoloured. The broken percentage would also increase by as much as one and a half times. The rice yield, too, which was already down by up to 5 kg, would decrease still further. The Punjab Government had already sent a comprehensive proposal to the Centre to allow relaxation in specifications for the acceptance of rice from the paddy purchased during 1998-99 with effect from September 15, 1998, owing to unseasonal rains which damaged the standing crops and also stocks lying in mandis and farms. The two leaders said although the relaxations were available in Uttar Pradesh, these were being withheld as regards Punjab for some "obscure" reason. Rice milling, which was an agro-based industry, was passing through difficult period in Punjab for the past several years. Rice millers of Punjab had refused to store paddy during 1998-99 for milling. But the Punjab Government persuaded them to do so by assuring them that their "genuine" demands, especially with regard to fixation of yield of rice, would be examined by a committee. But no such committee had
been constituted so far. Arbitration cases launched
against rice millers who had purchased the paddy crop in
1994-95 as per the policy of the Government of India had
not so far been withdrawn in spite of repeated
assurances, the leaders lamented. |
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Verdict reserved in Dogra case CHANDIGARH, Feb 8 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today reserved judgement on the appeal preferred by Mr P.C. Dogra, Director-General of Punjab Police, questioning the verdict of the Central Administrative Tribunal quashing the second six-month extension in service given to him. Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Amar Datt, who constituted the Bench, held: "Arguments heard. Order reserved. Since the order is reserved after hearing arguments in length, we extend the interim order till the announcement of the judgement." Earlier, the Bench heard arguments for and against the verdict of the tribunal. The stand of Mr Dogra's counsel was that the amended rules came into force retrospectively. Being a member of an all-India service he was entitled to remain in service up to the age of 60. Even if it was assumed that Mr Dogra was not covered under the amended rules, and he attained superannuation at the age of 58 on March 31, 1998, he was entitled to get extension. He told the court that the government notification laid down that hence forth extension in service would not be given to any member of the service after the age of 60. However, there was no bar on giving extension to those officers whose retirement age was 60 years. The stand of the three
respondent Additional Directors-General of Police, who
had questioned Mr Dogra's extension in service was that
he (Mr Dogra) had retired on March 31, 1998 on attaining
the age of 58. Therefore, he was not entitled to get
extension in service under the amended rules. |
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It's only 'routine' deployment PATIALA, Feb 8 — The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh (retd), has said that unfounded apprehensions are being raised in the Press that peace was in danger of being disturbed in Punjab. Talking to newsmen here yesterday, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said contrary to the projections being made, the government was in full control over the situation. He said the government would deal sternly with any person trying to disturb peace and communal harmony. He said no security personnel had entered the Darbar Sahib complex as had been claimed in the Press and only routine deployment had taken place in Amritsar. There was no move to deploy the police force in strength outside Darbar Sahib. The Finance Minister
expressed surprise at the locking of the offices of the
SGPC in the Darbar Sahib complex. He, however, said only
the SGPC authorities could comment on this move. |
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Mohan Singh denies police
deployment LUDHIANA, Feb 8 — Giani Mohan Singh, head priest of Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, today denied that the police had entered the Golden Temple complex recently. Talking to newsmen here, he, however, said that policemen in plainclothes and personnel of the task force were present in the Golden Temple complex with the approval of the SGPC. He said the police presence did not create any apprehension in the minds of the Sikh sangat, which had turned up in large numbers yesterday. He criticised the 'quaumi
agenda' announced by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal
Takht, a few days ago. Giani Mohan Singh said he did not
participate in the meeting convened by Bhai Ranjit Singh
in this connection on February 2 as he was opposed to the
demand for Sikh personal law. |
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Commission order: plea withdrawn CHANDIGARH, Feb 8 — Mr Dara Singh, a former member of the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission, today withdrew his application from the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioning the order of the commission dated January 29, restraining Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta from acting as Senior Secretary of the SGPC. This application was pending before the Division Bench headed by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi. Counsel for Mr Dara Singh,
however, revealed that the former member of the
commission would pursue his main writ petition
questioning two notifications issued by the Punjab
Government. The first notification was issued to dissolve
the judicial commission which was later withdrawn. The
second notification related to the constitution of a new
judicial commission. |
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‘Feud may result in
militancy’ SANGRUR, Feb 8 — Mr Birdevinder Singh, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), talking to mediapersons here today, said the ongoing tussle between Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra had created an "alarming" situation in which peace and communal harmony would be the victims. The "quami agenda" announced by the Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, would create divisions in Punjab and his threat on a "bloody Baisakhi" was most unfortunate. The PPCC general secretary feared that militancy may be revived in Punjab. He alleged while Punjab had become bankrupt, the Chief Minister and his family members were becoming richer by the day. Answering a question, he said a majority of SGPC members were competent to take any decision regarding the removal of Akal Takht chief. On the entry of policemen
in plain clothes in the Golden Temple complex, Mr
Birdevinder Singh said Mr Parkash Singh Badal owed an
explanation to the people of Punjab whether the situation
in the temple complex was such that warranted the entry
of policemen. |
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Petrol stations closed for a day AMRITSAR, Feb 8 — The petrol stations in the district remained closed today in response to the strike call given by the president of the Punjab Petrol Dealers Association, in protest against the difference in the rates of petrol in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as compared to that in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The president of the association, Mr J.P. Khanna, told mediapersons here today that the difference in prices of petrol was over Rs 1.85 per litre and this had led to a virtual closure of the petrol stations in the periphery of Chandigarh, including Patiala, Ropar, Panchkula and Ambala districts. Mr Khanna added that the association had earlier urged the governments of Punjab, Haryana and HP to seek parity in the sales tax levies in all northern states. The petrol dealers who had represented their case with the Punjab and Haryana governments for the past two months were left with no choice but to go on strike to register their protest. He claimed the strike in all states was complete. BATALA: Petroleum dealers of Gurdaspur district also went on strike today. Mr Mohinder Singh Sachdeva, president of the Gurdaspur District Petroleum Dealers Association, said here today that difference in sales tax had resulted in illegal trade of petroleum products. FEROZEPORE: The petrol stations remained closed here today in response to a strike call given by the Petroleum Dealers Association. The residents were informed about the strike a couple of days ago through public address system and heavy rush of vehicles was seen at the petrol stations yesterday. MOGA: The 50 petrol
stations in the district today observed strike against
the failure of the government to concede their
longstanding demands. Member of executive of the Moga
District Petroleum Dealers Association, Mr Sushil Thapar,
said the strike had been observed against the failure of
various government departments to make them payments
against their bills for the past several years. A meeting
of petrol station dealers was also held here. |
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Delink BJP from RSS: Netaji's kin
ROPAR, Feb 8 — "If the BJP has to survive and really serve the interest of the nation, it must delink itself from the RSS which is following undemocratic and orthodox approach," said Mr Pradeep Bose, a nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Talking to this correspondent here today he alleged that there was a clear-cut division in the BJP between the orthodox and liberals. Mr Bose said the delinking of the BJP from the RSS was a must as the latter represented only Hindus whereas the former claimed to represent all sections of the society. He said, if the BJP failed to do, it would suffer electoral setbacks in the future. He cited the example of the recently held assembly elections in four states. Commenting on the prevailing plight of the country, Mr Bose said it all happened because the successive governments at the Centre not refused to follow Netaji's advice of having no struck with the imperialists forces. Since the country had adopted the imperialist structure, it had suffered the evil effects of the system. The evils included communalism, divide and rule policy, corruption, economic disparity, illiteracy, unemployment, poverty etc. He said that after 50 years of Independence, the country even today was placed at 135th position out of 175 countries while in the list of developing countries of 110, its position was 89. Mr Bose said the country was being run on the 'sab chalta hai' (everything works) philosophy. This was the main reason that the democracy had failed to deliver goods in our country though it had managed to survive. He said, the 'sab chalta hai' policy had led to the institutionalisation of corruption in every field and lack of political values and commitments. Mr Bose asserted that if the nation had followed the principles of Netaji, it would have been in a better position. He said Netaji wanted a Socialist India in the true sense, in which equality, justice, discipline and human love had to play a decisive role. He said by adopting these principles, the country could even now become a model for the world. Netaji had been able to translate these principles in totality in the organisation and administration of the Indian National Army which played a dominant role in the freedom struggle of India, he added. Mr Bose regretted that
there was an alarming shortage of nationalistic and
committed leadership in the country and expressed the
hope that in the near future the followers of Netaji may
fulfil the vacuum and create an India of Netaji's dreams.
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Surjeet's clarion call to farmers NAWANSHAHR, Feb 8 — Mr Harkishan Singh Surjeet, general secretary, CPM, and vice president of the All India Kisan Sabha, while inaugurating the 33rd state-level delegate conference of the Punjab Kisan Sabha here today, gave a clarion call to the farmers to participate in the "karza mukti sangram" to be launched by the sabha from February 15 to focus the attention of the Badal government on the problems of the farmers. He reminded them that they had fought such a "battle" during 1931-32, when under the burden of debts they had to sell their holdings and launched a vigorous struggle under the aegis of the Punjab Kisan Sabha. The farmers had also struggled during the Kairon regime, when he burdened them with taxes of about 142 crore, but now the situation had reached an alarming stage due to the wrong economic policies of the World Bank, the IMF and the GATT, which would provide benefits to only a few big farmers but would ruin the marginal farmers. Mr Surjeet blamed the policies of successive government at the Centre bringing the country to such a sorry state. He particularly criticised the Vajpayee government for its failure in foreign diplomacy. Mr Surjeet came down heavily on Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and said that even the SAD was supporting the BJP government at the Centre but he could not raise any issue regarding the interests of Punjab. Speaking about the recent feud between Mr Badal and Mr Tohra the CPM leader said he had seen a number of splits in the Akali Dal but had never seen a tussle between the Akalis and Akal Takht. He said the SGPC was a supreme organisation as it represented the Sikhs above party politics and no single jathedar of any takht had the right to issue 'hukamnamas'. He lamented that the present crisis had lowered the image of religious leaders. The rally was also addressed by Mr Rachpal Singh, Mr Chand Singh Chopra and Mr Balwant Singh. The conference will
continue up to February 10. As many as 450 delegates are
participating in the conference. |
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ACR claims on use of Punjabi
to be verified PATIALA, Feb 8 — In a bid to enforce the use of Punjabi language in real terms in government offices in the state. The Languages Department, Punjab, is gearing itself up to check the veracity of the claim made by officials in the annual confidential reports of their subordinates about the use of the language. Earlier, it had been made mandatory for all departmental heads to comment on whether personnel working under them were using Punjabi language in official working or not. The Languages Department will start making random checks immediately on receipt of the annual confidential reports at both the state headquarters and at the district level. Disclosing this here today, the Languages Department Director, Mr M.L, Hasija said while a team comprising the state Education Secretary, himself and other senior officers would check the use of Punjabi language at the secretariat level at Chandigarh special teams comprising Joint Directors and Deputy Directors would make random checks on the use of the language at the state level. Mr Hasija said in case any official was found not using Punjabi it would be ascertained what was written about the medium of his working in his ACR. He said departmental heads who had confirmed the use of Punjabi by their subordinates in the ACRs would also be hauled up for "misconduct". He said action would be taken against both the departmental heads and employees found not working in the Punjabi medium. Mr Hasija said the department would side by side also act on reports submitted by District Language Officers each month. He said each District Language Officer would submit a report of a minimum of 30 offices per month. The Languages Department Director said in another action to curb the use of English except where absolutely necessary such as giving replies in court cases the government had decided not to buy any new English-medium typewriters. He said all departments had been told to disclose the utility of the English typewriters with them. He said departments not having sufficient utility of English typewriters would be asked to get them exchanged with Punjabi ones. He said steps were also
being taken to popularise Punjabi books published by the
Languages Department. He said while earlier departmental
books could only be purchased from its own outlets now
books published by the department would be available at
private book stores. This was being done to make the
books easily available to the public, he added. |
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MC chief accused of hindering
work NAWANSHAHR, Feb 8 — Mr Jagdish Bali, junior vice-president of the local municipal council, and municipal councillors Sat Pal and Harmesh Kumar Puri, in a letter to the Secretary, Local Bodies, Punjab, copies of which were released to the Press here on Saturday, alleged that the president and the senior vice-president of the council had been hindering development works. They claimed that they had got about Rs 15 lakh sanctioned for providing water supply and sewerage system to ward no 12 and 15 and had got released Rs 6.36 lakh as first instalment from the District Development and Planning Board. Though, the president of the council, Mr Chamkaur Singh Kauri, had inaugurated work for laying sewer pipes, he had later issued verbal orders to stop the work, they alleged. Mr Bali said though Rs 5.28 lakh was to be spent on providing water supply and sewerage facilities in these wards, till now only Rs 1.5 lakh had been spent. They also accused the president of flouting the municipal Act while conducting general meetings and ignoring resolutions passed at the meetings. However, Mr Kauri, when contacted, denied the allegations and said Rs 6.36 lakh was received for laying water supply lines from Parsinni Devi to the Balmiki chowk, and from Bhucheran chowk to Ghas Mandi. These were also to be laid in Ward No 12 and 15. As the funds were not exclusively meant for these wards, they were spent proportionately. However, the three
municipal councillors have threatened to stage a dharna
in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner from
February 17 if no action was taken in this regard. |
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Opposition condemns lathi charge MOGA, Feb 8 — Several parties, including the Congress, The CPI and the Bhartiya Kisan Union, today condemned the police lathi charge on Congressmen in Pandori village in Kapurthala district. While talking to mediapersons here today general secretary of the PPCC, Dr Malti Thaper, the president of the PPCC (kisan wing), Mr Satnam Singh Sandeshi; and general secretary of the Punjab Deshyam, Mr Pardeep Bharti, demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister, as he had failed on all fronts. They also said all opposition parties in the state would launch a joint drive against the government for its failure to redress grievances of the people of state and to control corruption in government departments. GURDASPUR: Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, a senior Congress leader, condemned the police lathi charge on a peaceful demonstration at Pandori village in Kapurthala district on Sunday. She described the incident as severe blow to the democratic rights of the people. Mrs Bhinder warned the
Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal that more
demonstration would follow if the state government failed
to fulfil its election promises. |
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PSEB staff defer strike PATIALA, Feb 8 — The Punjab State Electricity Board Council of Junior Engineers today decided to defer its proposed strike on February 10 following a settlement arrived with the board management regarding its demands. The decision by the junior engineers closely follows a settlement made by the PSEB employees struggle committee which had also threatened to go on strike on February 10. Disclosing the details of the settlement reached with the board management, council president Sukhdev Singh and general secretary P.K. Alipuria said the management had accepted various demands of the council, including implementation of the agreement of March 14 last year. This involved an agreement
on pay and allowances, early finalisation of finance
committee report, extension in task forces up to June 30
for settlement of shortages in damaged transformers,
including oil, constitution of a committee headed by
administration member to formulate procedure for current
cases, and issuance of clearance certificates to junior
engineers on a yearly basis. |
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Aided school staff to court
arrest ROPAR, Feb 8 — The Punjab State Aided School Teachers and Other Employees Union has decided to launch a ("Satyagrah" and a jail bharo andolan' as part of its ongoing agitation against the state government. Giving this information here today, Mr Manohar Lal Chopra, General Secretary of the union said teachers, other employees and pensioners of the aided schools shall court arrest at Chandigarh from February 10. On the first day, the state president of the union, Mr Teja Singh would lead the first batch of employees from Ludhiana district. Mr Chopra said the employees and pensioners from Ropar, Sangrur, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib would court arrest on February 11, from Jalandhar, Amritsar, Moga and Bathinda on February 12, and from Hoshiarpur, Faridkot, Muktsar and Mansa on February 15. He said the teachers of aided schools would boycott all duties in connection with the middle standard examinations to begin from February 16. He also threatened that
the union would further intensify its agitation, if the
government failed to implement the Fourth Pay Commission
recommendations. |
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Two arrested for offering
bribe AMRITSAR, Feb 8 — The Majitha district police today arrested Gurdial Singh and Narinder Singh for offering Rs 65,000 as bribe to the SHO of Majitha police station, Mr Lakhwinder Singh. The Majitha SSP, Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, in a press note issued here today said that the two whose sons were involved in number of cases offered bribe to the SHO for withdrawing the cases. The SHO informed Mr Piara Singh, DSP, who caught them red-handed while offering money under the Prevention of Corruption Act. During last week, the
Majitha police recovered a country-made pistol, about 50
cartridges of AK-47 assault rifle and stolen motor
cycles. |
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Demand to fill SC vacancies JALANDHAR, Feb 8 — The Punjab unit of the Republican Party of India has alleged there was discrimination with a section of Scheduled Castes and backward classes in recruitments. Mr Mukhtiar Singh Arshi, president of the state unit of the Republican Party of India said here today when any political party came to power it ignored the promises made to the people at the time of elections. He said thousands of vacancies meant for Scheduled Castes and backward classes were unfilled in different departments. No action was being taken to start the special recruitment drive for completing this backlog of Scheduled Castes and backward classes. He pointed out that the government-aided private schools were getting 95 per cent grants from the government but the policy for reservation was not adopted in these schools. He demanded that as per the government policies reservation should also be enforced for recruitment in the private educational institutions. Mr Arshi demanded that the
Governor of Punjab should do his constitutional duties in
the special drive to recruit Scheduled Castes and
backward classes in different posts lying vacant. |
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Symposium explores war of future AMRITSAR, Feb 8 — An exhaustive symposium delving into the complexities of fighting in a futuristic battlefield with its technological and exponentially devastating aspects was conducted at Jalandhar yesterday under the stewardship of Lt-Gen Kamal Davar, the Vajra Corps Commander. It was attended by Lt-Gen H.B. Kala, PVSM, AVSM, GOC-in-C Western Command, and other defence analysts, including Mr K. Subramanyam, convener of the recently constituted National Security Advisory Board and Gen (retd) V.N. Sharma, former chief of the Army Staff. The symposium helped
broaden the horizons of the participating officers and
synthesised the views of the academicians and
professional soldiers. The interaction helped entrance
the combat skills of Vajra Corps officers. |
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YC protest against poor law
and order JALANDHAR, Feb 8 — President of the Punjab Youth Congress and other members of the congress today held demonstration in front of the office of the Municipal Corporation here. Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, President, Punjab Youth Congress, said the protest was against the deteriorating law and order situation, hike in power tariff, bus fare, octroi and essential commodities, which affected people belonging to the lower income group. He said the Akali-BJP alliance came to power with a promise to provide clean administration, reducing the rates and to provide better services which it had failed to keep. Mr Babbu said the Akali-BJP alliance had captured the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation Mayorship by indulging in undemocratic and unprincipled means. The Akali-BJP alliance had failed on all front, and had no moral right to remain in power, he said. Later, a memorandum
addressed to the Chief Minister was submitted to the
Deputy Commissioner. |
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Punjab Budget session from Mar 9 CHANDIGARH, Feb 8 — The Budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will commence on March 9, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, said here today. A formal notification in
this connection will be issued in a day or so. The Budget
session is likely to continue for a month, according to
an official press note. |
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Class I status for school
Principals MALERKOTLA, Feb 8 — The Punjab Government will give Class-I status to school Principals before Baisakhi as a mark of tercentenary celebrations. This was assured by Mr Tota Singh Education Minister, Punjab, to a deputation of the Gazetted School Officers Association which met the minister in his office at Chandigarh recently according to a press note released by Mr Joginder Singh Aulakh, President of the Association, here today. Mr Swarna Ram, Ms Vidyawati DPI (Schools), Mr Sukhpal Singh Gill, Special Secretary, School Education, and Mr Jagjit Singh Sidhu, Secretary, Punjab School Education Board, were also present at the meeting. The deputation was
represented by Mr Joginder Singh Aulakh president Mr
Sarbjot Singh Gill, general secretary, Mr Chaman Lal,
general secretary and other office bearers of the
association. According to press release, it was also
decided to award the grade of Rs 10025-15100 to all
categories equivalent to school principals within 15
days. It was also agreed to change the designation of
District Science Supervisor to Deputy DEO (School
Education), decentralisation of powers to controlling
officers regarding long leaves and to leave 50 per cent
share of sports fund with the schools. |
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| Diary | ||
Rail
stations' downgrading to hit area HOSHIARPUR: The Ferozepore division of Northern Railway recently downgraded the railway stations of Garhshanker, Saila Khurd and Jaijon Doaba on the Nawanshahr-Jaijon Doaba section in Hoshiarpur district from B class status to just flag stations. These stations had been created in 1914 to meet the needs of people of kandi and bet areas of Hoshiarpur district. After Independence these areas remained undeveloped and the facilities enjoyed by these stations were extended. The downgrading of these stations would result in the removal of all staff members, except a ticket clerk, and withdrawal of loading and unloading facilities for goods trains. The parcel traffic facility would also not be available in future. The passengers may also face difficulties in getting information on trains. With the withdrawal of these facilities at these stations, the middle class and the poor, particularly of the kandi and bet areas, would suffer a lot. Besides, it will also affect the employment generated by these stations in the adjoining localities. More than 150 panchayats around these stations, Beopar Mandal, Bar Council and Municipal Council of Garhshanker made many representations to the authorities concerned to restore the B class status of all these stations. The Hoshiarpur district administration also approached the Railways. A deputation of various political parties also met Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar and apprised him the situation. The Chief Minister has also discussed this issue with the Railway Minister. The residents of these areas are agitating for restoration of the old status of these stations. But nothing has materialised so far. Though the first phase of kandi canal, which is the main source of irrigation in this area of Hoshiarpur district, has been completed in 1998 but the construction of second phase has yet to be taken up. The construction of first phase of this canal in the semi-hilly terrain of kandi area of this district has now created a big potential for development. This 59.50-km-long canal which takes off at RD 5575-L of Mukerian hydel channel from Talwara to Hoshiarpur has a 600-km-long water course which would now provide assured irrigation facilities to 22,600 hectares of land. This would increase the foodgrain yield. The second phase from Hoshiarpur to Balachaur from RD 59.50 to 130.00 would cost an estimated Rs 148.68 crore. With the completion of second phase, the assured irrigation facility would be provided to 29,527 hectares covering 218 villages. Mr M.S. Atwal, Superintending Engineer of kandi canal, told this reporter that the state government had sent this project to the Central Water Commission for approval. As soon as the approval and funds were received, construction of the second phase would start. * * * * Prerna, a social welfare organisation, is doing a commendable service for the uplift of the weaker sections. Right from its inception, this organisation explored opportunities for the downtrodden by extending help socially, medically and morally. Mrs Renu Maheshwari, Chairperson of this organisation, said the organisation had recently organised a fete at JCT Complex, Chohla, where members arranged stalls of selling various goods. A baby show sponsored by Prerna and Lions Club was also organised on the occasion. * * * * Mai Malan Trust,
Piplanwala, has been rendering commendable service in
education, literature, sports, social service and
cultural activities for the past 18 years in Hoshiarpur.
The trust runs the Govt High School, Piplanwala, where
scholarships worth Rs 45,000 were given to meritorious
students from the weaker sections. Those who get 80 p.c.
or above marks in the matriculation examination are given
special cash prizes of Rs 5000 each. Besides, students
who top the merit list in school board exams in Class V,
VIII and X and plus two classes are given cash prizes of
Rs 500, Rs 1000, Rs 1500 and Rs 2000 respectively. A
youth award of Rs 50,000 and a science fund of Rs 10,000
had been set up for best all-rounders in the academic and
sports field. Similarly scholarships varying from Rs 50
to Rs 100 per month are given to the economically weaker
students from class V to X. |
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