Sunday, January 3, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, January 3, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Bhai
Ranjit's rule by decree Interference
"not in Panth's interest" |
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Economic
crisis on rice front Crop
insurance: Centre working on modalities VIPs
to have less guards HPCL
announces rehabilitation package CBI
probing land deal by officer Badal
remembers college days State
of school education alarms MLA 56
p.c. spurt in poison deaths |
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12 'hukmnamas' in 1998 AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — Bhai Ranjit Singh created history through issuing 12 'hukmnamas' this year, the maximum number issued in the 392-year history of Akal Takht. The 'hukmnama' directing Akali leaders to stall any action against Mr Tohra, the twelfth in the series was issued on the last day of the year (December 31, 1998). The Akal Takht (the throne of almighty) was created by the sixth Sikh Guru Sri Hargobind Sahib in 1606 opposite the Golden Temple at Amritsar as the supreme temporal and spiritual authority of the Sikhs. Some 'hukmnamas' issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh created controversy, especially abroad. Thus some Canadian Sikhs were excommunicated by the Akal Takht through a 'hukmnama' when its earlier edict on "Guru ka Langar" was defied by them. The first 'hukmnama' was issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh on March 16, 1998, banning the Sikh clergy from conducting of "Anand Karj" in marriage places or hotels. The second 'hukmnama' was issued by Akal Takht on April 20, 1998 on Guru ka Langar (community kitchen) in directing Sikhs not to partake of langar on tables and chairs'. As many as three 'hukmnamas' were pronounced by Akal Takht on May 9, 1998. The first 'Tankha' was awarded to Bibi Amarjit Kaur, a former Member of Parliament, for justifying controversial Operation Bluestar in the Parliament. In the second significant 'hukmnama' issued on the same date. The Sikh clergy also banned publication of Guru Granth Sahib by publishing houses other than the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. In another 'hukmnama' issued on May 9, 1998, the Sikh clergy pronounced "tankhah" on five Sikhs for blasphemous acts. On June 25, 1998, the Sikh clergy, through another 'hukmnama' ex-communicated Mr Tara Singh Hayer, Editor, Indo-Canadian Times and five other Canadian Sikhs for defying its earlier 'hukmnama' on Guru ka Langar. In another significant 'hukmnama' on June 25, Akal Takht exonerated Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC President of charges that he had visited Nirankari Bhavan to seek votes for his protege, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, during the parliamentary elections. Mr Amarinder Singh, a Congress leader, in his petition supported by negatives and photographs of the alleged visit, had urged Akal Takht to take action against Mr Tohra for violating 'hukmnama' issued by the Akal Takht in 1987 directing Sikhs not to have any relations with Nirankaris. The Sikh clergy rejected the allegations made by Capt Amarinder Singh for lack of documentary proof. A 'hukmnama' issued on August 17, found one Harbhajan Singh, Chairman, Vishav Sikh Council Delhi guilty of violating the edict of the Akal Takht regarding the banning of "Anand Karj" in hotles and marriage palaces. He was directed to clean utensils and dust shoes in any gurdwara, apart from offering prayers at Akal Takht. On September 14, Mr Atma Singh Lobana and Mr Avtar Singh Hit, president Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi were reinducted into the Sikh panth. They were earlier excommunicated for beating up Bibi Darshan Kaur of Delhi, a witness in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. An NRI Sikh, Moninder
Singh, a former SDO, was excommunicated from the Sikh
Panth on November 28 for blasphemous acts. The last
'hukmnama' of the year issued on Thursday directed Akali
leaders not to precipitate action against one another
till April 15, 1999 so that Sikhs could celebrate the
tercentenary of the Panth in a befitting manner. |
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Interference "not in Panth's interest" JALANDHAR, Jan 2 (PTI) — In a significant development, Jathedars of two Sikh Takhts who were excluded from the December 31 Akal Takht ‘hukumnama’ to warring Akali leaders directing them to stop all infighting till April 15, today said the need of the hour was rather for the religious leadership to resolve its own differences. "Instead of the efforts to bring about unity among political leaders and political institutions, the need of the hour is for religious leaders to first resolve their own differences and have more cordial ties," Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib told reporters at Chehlan village near Amloh. Asked about the December 31 hukumnama issued by Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh asking Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra to end intra-party strife till April 15 in view of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa, Prof Manjit Singh said the interference in political affairs was not in the interest of the panth. "In view of the tercentenary celebrations, it is imperative that the religious leaders first put a stop to the daily bickering among themselves which has become a ‘tamasha’ before the entire world," Prof Manjit Singh said, adding these leaders had a very important role to play at this juncture of the Sikh history. "Morality demands
that those who are preaching unity should first set their
own house in order," Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of
Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), added. |
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Crop insurance CHANDIGARH, Jan 2 — Crop insurance to mitigate the suffering of farmers is in the offing. The Government of India and major agriculture states are discussing modalities to work out a detailed scheme. According to officials here, since the Centre has accepted in principle that crop insurance be introduced from this financial year, the detailed modalities must be worked out fast. Agriculture Minister Som Pal has held detailed discussions with the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal on the issue. Both Punjab and Haryana have suffered huge losses during the past two years. The states do not have the necessary wherewithal to help the farmers. According to Punjab's Development Commissioner, Mr N. Gupta, the current thinking is that a block should be considered as a unit while assessing crop damage due to natural calamities. The compensation should be more for marginal and small farmers. One proposal is that marginal farmers should be paid at a fixed, reasonable rate depending on the assessed damage in a particular block. The middle and big farmers could be provided for 50 per cent of the loss. It could be 70 per cent for marginal and small farmers. For insurance premium too there could be similar differentiation. Both the Centre and states could contribute 70 per cent in case of small and marginal peasants and 50 per cent in case of the other category. At present the proposal finding favour with the Centre is that the government contribution should be 50 per cent in case of marginal and small farmers and 25 per cent in case of middle and big farmers. Officials are hopeful, that this time the crop insurance scheme will work out as the political executive in Delhi hit hard by the recent electoral defeat wants to show support for the farming community to win it over. The Haryana Government has in mind some kind of "risk foundation " to which both the government and farmers could contribute, besides banks, the Marketing Board and cooperatives. Punjab is also actively
considering setting up a provident fund for the farming
community. |
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VIPs to have less guards SERAI AMANAT KHAN (Amritsar), Jan 2 — Police headquarters has received confirmed reports that most of the special police officers SPOs or Home Guard jawans attached with VIPs in the state for security are being misused as "domestic servants". Mr P.C. Dogra, Director-General of Police, inaugurating a police station here today, said deployment of security guards had become a status symbol while most police stations lacked in adequate personnel for patrolling and other duties. Hence, it had been decided to prune the security of VIPs, including political leaders and bureaucrats. Mr Dogra said when he joined as DGP more than 9000 policemen were deployed as security guards with VIPs. Their number was brought down to 4,000. Now this would be further reduced to 3,000. Mr Dogra directed all DIGs and SSPs to revise the list of smugglers so that those grown old and feeble were not harassed at interrogation centres. However, he said a vigil would be kept on the activities of smugglers. Mr Dogra said the abuse of drugs and narcotics had assumed an alarming proportion in the state as schools, colleges and universities had become centres for the same. He sought the cooperation of the general public to combat the menace of drugs. Giving details, Mr Dogra said in Amritsar district as many as 84 cases were registered against drug paddlers last year while 48 drug traffickers, including three women and an SPO were arrested. Of the 84 cases registered in 1998, seven were related to recovery of injections of morphine while the rest were related to drugs. Mr Dogra said Rs 120 crore would be spent on police housing colonies and police stations. He had already urged the Chief Minister to release the amount. To a question, he said senior medical officers may be empowered by the state government to enable them check chemist shops. Replying another question,
he said he had directed all district police chiefs not to
encourage "police cats". Instead, they had been
directed to strengthen their own intelligence network. |
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Economic
crisis on rice front CHANDIGARH, Jan 2 — An economic crisis on the rice front is knocking at the doors of the Punjab Government which is already facing an unprecedented financial crunch. Several hundred crores of rupees of state government agencies raised as loan from banks for procuring paddy have been blocked because of the slow pace of milling of paddy to convert it into rice for the Central pool. While earlier untimely rain had played the spoil sport, this time the Union Ministry for Food is playing the villain. Despite having Mr Surjit Singh Barnala from the Shiromani Akali Dal as the Union Food Minister, the recently procured paddy in Punjab is awaiting its custom milling while a very precious time of three months has been lost. So far, out of the 59 lakh tonnes of paddy procured by the Food Corporation of India and the state procurement agencies during the current kharif season only one lakh tonnes has been milled into rice while three months of milling period have already passed . According to figures available from the Punjab Food and Supply Department till date 59,417 tonnes of rice have been developed by custom milling and 1,30,000 tonnes of rice from levy quota. In all about 1,90,000 tonnes of rice has been prepared for the Central pool so far from the paddy procured during the current season in the state and this figure is alarmingly low compared with the corresponding period last year when 7,62,737 tonnes of rice was developed from paddy. Rice millers of Punjab have put their foot down as far as milling of paddy into rice is concerned as they are awaiting the relaxation of rice specifications. Both the Punjab Government and millers are clamouring for relaxation in the specifications of rice and for lowering of the prescribed yield of rice from paddy. By issuing instructions, the Union Government in the last week of November had relaxed the specifications with effect from November 27, allowing 27 per cent broken rice, 4.5 per cent damaged rice and 8 per cent discolouration. However, rice millers have demanded the implementation of these relaxations from September 15. Millers argue that two heavy spells of rain — first from September 18 to 20 and again from October 15 to 18 — caused a heavy damage to paddy. In the light of this, specifications should be relaxed from September 15. The State Government is backing the millers to the hilt for getting the specifications relaxed as it would also serve the purpose of its agencies in getting the rice accepted easily for the Central pool. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Madan Mohan Mittal have led many a deputation of the rice-milling industry to the Union Food Ministry to plead for relaxation in the specifications with effect from September 15 but the ministry is yet to concede the demand. When contacted, Mr Mittal said a Central Government team of officials concerned had recently visited Punjab and it took some samples of the paddy procured after September 15. Already these samples had been tested in the laboratories. Mr Mittal said he had contacted Mr Barnala on the phone yesterday to request him for deciding the issue of relaxation in the specifications at the earliest as milling of paddy had been affected in the state. Even Mr Tota Singh, Punjab Education Minister, who is considered close to Mr Barnala has met him for pleading the case of the state and the millers. Informed sources said paddy was a perishable commodity and it would start deteriorating soon. Moreover if the paddy wasn't milled before the coming monsoon season, the government would have to face another problem of saving it from the rain. This year more than 98 lakh tonnes of paddy had arrived in the state 's markets and about 38 lakh tonnes was bought by private traders mostly millers, most of it is stacked in the open. Sources said millers were also pressing the government now to procure non-levy rice from them as the price of rice in the international market had come below the price of levy rice fixed by the Union Government. This year millers have bought a large stock of paddy as the government had exempted them from levy rice on the stock of paddy procured by them till October 31. At that time the price of rice in the international market was higher than the price of levy rice and millers were expecting that they would mint money by exporting the rice. But now their hopes are turning bitter. Sources said the milling industry in the Punjab was a divided lot and due to this reason it had failed to press the Central Government collectively to get its demands conceded. Different groups of millers have made their different political leaders in the Punjab Government and the Central Government as their godfathers for availing benefits. Sources said the problem is further complicated by the prevailing uncertainty and adhocism in the regional office of the FCI here which deals with Punjab. In the last seven months, after the transfer of Mr Sarvesh Kaushal following promotion to his parent Punjab cadre, as many as three regional managers made their exit in quick succession from the local regional office of the FCI. Mr D.P.Reddy, a Punjab
cadre IAS officer, who is currently posted as senior
regional Manager of FCI here, has requested the state
government to recall him to his parent cadre. He is on
leave for the past two months. In his place a Deputy
Zonal Manager is officiating. In such a situation hardly
any initiative is expected at the level of subordinate
functionaries to meet the challenge. |
HPCL announces rehabilitation
package BATHINDA, Jan 2 — Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) which is setting an oil refinery in the district has announced a rehabilitation package for those whose land has been acquired for the project. Official sources said the HPCL management and the Punjab Government have agreed to give employment to a member of each family in the project whose land has been acquired. In case, the employment is not given, the HPCL will give one time cash compensation of Rs 1.50 lakh plus inflation till the time of the actual disbursement. The HPCL has also agreed to give Rs 10,000 per family for the transportation of goods where the entire or substantial land holding (75 per cent or more) has been acquired. For the residents of villages where the land for Guru Gobind Singh Refinery has been acquired, the HPCL will provide civic amenities, construct community centres etc. Apart sum of Rs 1 crore for each village will be arranged to provide the better amenities to the residents. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, talking to TNS said the HPCL had also announced some package for the benefit of the affected landless labourers and tenants in the area. He said he himself would identify such persons. He added that a package would be finalised after consulting such persons. He said 80 per cent
compensation of the land acquired for the project had
been given to the landowners. The remaining 20 per cent
compensation would be paid shortly. |
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CBI probing land deal by
officer AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — The CBI has sought the record of the land purchased by senior Punjab IAS officer Bikramjit Singh on the Beas-Rayya road in this district. The DSP, CBI, Mr S.L. Gupta, in a letter dated November 11 last year had requested the Deputy Commissioner here to send him the entire record pertaining to the purchase of land by the officer under the name of Baran Brewery to be set up by JRB Associates Private Limited. The land was purchased from Kapur Singh, son of Charan Singh, and Giani Jit Singh, both hailing from Wazir Bhullar village. Mr Gupta had requested the Deputy Commissioner to direct the patwari of the area to visit the CBI office with the relevant documents on November 23. The chairman of the Punjab Anti-Corruption Forum, Mr Hari Singh Thakur, in a press note here today, alleged that the government was purposely delaying sending the documents pertaining to the land deal. Mr Hari Singh said Mr
Bikramjit Singh may be using his influence to
"tamper" with the revenue records and demanded
that he should be immediately transferred till the
completion of the inquiry pending against him. |
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Gujral flays attack on minorities CHANDIGARH, Jan 2 — The rising population could be tackled by eradicating illiteracy and this has been proved in states which have diligently pursued the cause of literacy. This observation was made by Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, a former Prime Minister of India. He was addressing a select audience at the presentation ceremony of the Punjab Rattan Awards at the IMTECH auditorium in Sector 39 here this evening. The function was organised by the Punjab chapter of the All-India Conference of Intellectuals. Mr Gujral said that states like Kerala, Goa and Mizoram had reported a decline in their population after literacy campaigns were relentlessly pursued by the state governments over a period of time. This fact had also been substantiated by certain Third World countries in this part of the world. Recalling a book by Mr Mahboob- ul-Haq of Pakistan on the matter, he said the writer had reached the conclusion that wherever education suffered, the population rose. This also proved that while resources rich states with higher per capita income levels could face a population boom, states with a low per capita could rein in population by advocating literacy. In a lighter vein, he commented that when he was the Prime Minister he had asked the Punjab Chief Minister to wipe out illiteracy by the year 2005, and he (Mr Gujral) was prepared to grant him anything. On the targeting of minorities in Gujarat, he said; "It is a shame that we are on the threshold of the 21st century and sending the wrong signals to the world community. We should instead be proud of our secular credentials and keep democracy alive. The awards were presented by him to the Punjab Chief Minister, an NRI, Mr Jessie Singh; an eye surgeon, Dr Daljit Singh; folk singer Gurdas Mann; and golfer Jeev Milkha Singh. Dr Manmohan Singh and cine star Preeti Sapru could not attend the function. Dr Daljit Singh in his speech drew the attention of the audience towards the failure of our family planning policy and stressed that corruption should be eliminated and the arms race brought to an end. Conviction in the people to carry out a campaign to meet this end was missing today, he lamented. Mr Jessie Singh said that Punjabis anywhere in the world were doing well and this went to prove that if right working conditions were provided to these hardy people, the sky was the limit. He is a graduate of Agriculture Engineering College and is at present the largest memory chip distributor in the USA. An emotional Gurdas Mann while expressing surprise at being chosen for the honour by the intellectual quipped: "Main kamli yaar di sianian de wich phas gayee," and reiterated to do everything to promote Punjabi culture and Punjabiat in the world. Mr Bhishma Narain Singh, president of the conference, said that the country should keep up its peace diplomacy and prepare itself for the technological revolution awaiting us at the turn of the century. Intellectuals would have a major role to play now than ever, he added. Mr KTS Tulsi, patron of the organisation, and Mr Kewal Dhillon, chairman of the reception committee, also spoke. The function started two
hours behind schedule. |
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Badal remembers college days CHANDIGARH, Jan 2 — Reminiscing about his days at Sikh National College, Lahore, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, turned a bit nostalgic during his address at the reunion programme of his alma mater at Punjab Bhavan here today. During the programme which was organised by the old students of the college, Mr Badal, released a book on the college , "The Blossomed Bud", authored by Dr Shamsher Singh Babra, a former Adviser to the World Bank. As many as 70 former students and teachers of the college attended the programme. "It is a golden day in my life. I am sitting with you, I am with teachers who taught me, and even in my wildest of dreams I had never contemplated that such a nice thing would happen during my lifetime," said an overwhelmed Badal. He said he would personally visit those who could not attend the reunion due to one or the other reason. Mr Badal went on to say that facing his teachers he was still feeling as if he was a student and was still learning in the college which in spite of a short life span of nine years from 1938 to 1947 contributed a lot, particularly to the freedom struggle. Even today, there was no college of the like of Sikh National College as far as educational standards and teaching of moral values were concerned, he added saying that he remembered every bit of time he passed in the college. "I am unfortunate in the sense that in spite of knowing that their student is the Chief Minister, none of my teachers ever turned up to me," said Mr Badal, and offered to host a dinner at his place in honour of former teachers and students of the college. While suggesting that the Sikh National College Association should initiate plans for setting up of a college or a library in memory of their alma mater, Mr Badal said he would extend every help to realise such venture. "I am always at your beck and call, " he said. Commenting on the state of education in the state, Mr Badal, said it was unfortunate that the education system had nothing to offer to rural students. About 70 to 80 per cent of people of rural areas were without adequate facilities. "Look at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, which was set up for farmers. It had not even a single student belonging to a farmer family of the state," he said. Among others who spoke on
the occasion included Dr Shamsher Singh Babra, Brig
Avtaar Singh Mann and Mr Gurnam Singh, all former
students of the college. |
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State of school education alarms
MLA AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — The BJP MLA, Mrs Luxmi Kanta Chawla, said the main reason for the deteriorating standard of education in the state was the large number of teachers' vacancies at the primary and secondary level. Mrs Chawla, in a press note issued here today, quoting statistics, said the government had admitted in the state assembly on December 22 that there were over 1,811 vacancies in 800 senior secondary and 1,800 primary schools. The vacancies in subjects like economics, political science, mathematics, science, English and commerce had caused widespread resentment among the parents. She ridiculed the policy of upgrading 500 more schools while the old ones lacked in both teachers and infrastructure. Mrs Chawla pointed that according to her knowledge some of these schools had been running without trained staff for the past over 15 years, making a mockery of the education system. She demanded that the
government accord top priority to school education. |
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56
p.c.
spurt in poison deaths PATIALA, Jan 2 — The past year witnessed an alarming rise of 56 per cent in the number of poison deaths, both by accident and suicide, in Punjab and Chandigarh. Incidents of rape and sodomy shot up by nearly 12 per cent. Data accrued from the state chemical examiner's laboratory Qila Mubarak here, where the visecra of suspected poison cases and swabs collected from rape victims bodies and are examined, has revealed this disturbing trend. While the number of cases received for examination at the laboratory has risen by 30 per cent (from 1815 in 1997 to 2353 last year) the number of those tested 'positive' for evidence of poison has increased by 56 per cent. In 1997 it was 1307 while last year it went up to 2040. The pesticide aluminium phosphide commonly known as 'Celphos', was the most commonly used poison with 98 deaths caused by consumption of this easily available pesticide. Next in the list was the insecticide 'orgonophos', which caused 331 deaths. Excessive alcohol intake was also a major cause of death, accounting for 402 deaths in comparision with 268 last year. Other commonly used poisons were the rat poison zinc phosphide, and chloros compounds. Death from drugs like diazepam and acids were also reported along with death from consuming kerosene and petrol. A monthly break-up of cases reveal that the wheat harvesting season recorded the maximum incidence of poisoning cases. The increase in poison death cases was also indicative of a spurt in suicides. Another contributory factor was increased awareness among doctors and police of evidence of poisoning. Sources said the reasons behind poison deaths were varied. In suicides marital disputes, financial difficulties especially of farmers, loss of a loved one or breaking of a love affair prompted victims. In dowry deaths cases girls were usually 'administered' poison. As far as incidents of rape and sodomy were concerned, there was an increase of nearly 12 per cent to 33 this year. Cases of sodomy more than doubled from less than 10 in 1997 to 22 last year. Sources in the department
said incidence of rape and sodomy of minors was more
prevalent in big cities, especially industrial ones. 66
cases were reported from Ludhiana alone while Mansa was
free of such crime. |
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SGPC seeks apology from Cine
Blitz AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — The SGPC had lodged a strong protest with the film magazine Cine Blitz, published from Mumbai, for carrying blasphemous remarks by actor Javed on its religious slogans "wahe guruji ka khalsa" and "wahe guruji ki fateh" in the issue dated November 15, 1998. The secretary of the SGPC, Mr Surjit Singh, in a press note released here today said by distorting the slogan the writer actor had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs. The secretary has demanded
an apology from the Editor of the magazine and the actor
in its next issue otherwise the committee would file a
suit against them. |
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Four die as matador plunges
into canal PATIALA, Jan 2 — Four persons were killed when the Matador in which they were travelling plunged into the Bhakra Canal at Lachhar Khurd village near Ghanaur in this district yesterday evening. Two other persons who were also travelling in the ill-fated vehicle were, however, rescued. The Matador, numbered HPA 6792, was going to Ambala from Ghanaur. Divers were pressed into service with both Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir and district police soon chief Parampal Singh Sidhu reaching the site after the accident. However, the operations had to be halted. This morning, the Matador and four persons trapped in it were taken out. The deceased have been identified as Madador owner Rimpa of Ratangarh in Ambala, Gian Chand of Aslampur, Harnek Singh of Surla Kalan and Karam Singh of Kapuri. The two persons who were rescued are Balwinder Singh of Aslampur and Karmo of Panjkhera. Official sources said the
incident occurred due to overspeeding. |
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CM to lay college bhavan
stone SAS NAGAR, Jan 2 — A Khalsa College, Amritsar, Centenary Bhavan is to be built in Phase III A here, the foundation stone of which will be laid by the Punjab Chief Minister on January 5. Addressing a Press conference here today, Mr Swaran Singh Boparai, president, Khalsa College, Amritsar, Old Students' Association, said the Rs 10-crore bhavan would come up on 2.25 acres near the microwave tower. The amount would be collected from association members and other voluntary donors. The building would have a
community hall, a Punjab history research centre, a
centre for higher studies, educational and cultural
wings, a library, a charitable dispensary, a senior
citizens' home, an indoor sports stadium and other
facilities. |
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Copies of Punjabi daily burnt SAS NAGAR, Jan 2 — Copies of a Jalandhar Punjabi daily were burnt in public here today in protest against the publication of extracts from a book banned by the Punjab Government. On a call given by Mr Hardeep Singh, SGPC member, representatives of various Sikh organisations, including the Gurmat Chetna Coordination Committee, apart from the Shiromani Akali Dal, set afire copies of Ajit for publishing material from "Vanity Incarnate." The angry protesters, who
gathered first at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, later burnt the
copies of the daily at the nearby Amba Wala chowk. They
described the publication as "irresponsible"
and said it had hurt Sikh sentiments even more than the
blasphemous book since lakhs of people had read the
extracts. |
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Halwais to boycott govt functions LUDHIANA, Jan 2 — The sweet shop and bakery owners and bread manufacturers have decided to boycott all government functions by not supplying any of their products for these functions in protest against the imposition of sales tax on them. This was announced by Mr Avinash Chander, President of the Punjab Halwai Association, Mr S.S. Bindra, President of the Punjab Bakery Association and Mr Ramesh, President of the Punjab Bread Manufacturers Association, at a press conference here today. These associations have also decided to gherao the state Secretariat at Chandigarh next week. The leaders of these
associations denounced the imposition of the 1 per cent
sales tax on their products and said that 10 per cent of
the ingredients used by them like sugar, refined, flour,
vanaspati ghee reached them after sales tax had been
charged on these. |
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2 chain snatchers arrested JALANDHAR, Jan 2 — The police has arrested two chain snatchers, who had created a panic in the city. They have been identified as Manish Kumar 'Lucky' and Vinod Kumar and recovered gold from them. The police said here today, that it has not only been successful in arresting these chain-snatchers, but it had recovered a stolen truck loaded with 200 bags of paddy. The owner of the truck Mr Karnail Singh had loaded 200 bags of paddy, and was enroute to Faridkot. When the driver of the truck, Narinder Singh drove off with the truck. An FIR was registered against him at Makhu police station. The Nakodhar police intercepted the truck at a naka point. However, the driver escaped. The district police has
arrested four persons and recovered 139 bottles of IMFL
from them. They have been identified as Shami, Budh
Prakash, Gurmukh Singh and Deepak Kumar. |
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NRI convention begins today JALANDHAR, Jan 2 — The third three-day annual non-resident Indians convention will be held here beginning tomorrow. Sport events, seminars and an exhibition will be organised by the NRI Sabha on the occasion. The NRI unit of Kapurthala
will hold its meeting at Guru Nanak Stadium. Mr B.K.
Shrivastava will preside. The Nawanshahr unit will hold
its meeting at Doaba Club and the Hoshiarpur unit at Zila
Parishad Hall. |
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Minister warns Food and Supplies
staff BATHINDA, Jan 2 — Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, State Minister for Food and Supplies today said that five flying squads had been constituted to check malpractices at fair price shops of Punsup. Talking to TNS here, he said, all staff-members of the Food Supply Department dealing with the fair price shops had been warned against malpractices and that action would be taken against them and the inspector of that area. He said he and Punjab Food Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal would visit all the districts this month to apprise staff members of new policies. Employees of the Food and Supply Department had been instructed not to furnish eatables at minister VIP-visits to their area. Mr Garg said to probe
bungling in paddy procurement, a three member committee
including Mr R.N. Gupta, Financial Commissioner
(development), Mr K.S. Janjua, Secretary Cooperation and
Mr P. Ram, Secretary, Food and Supply had been
constituted. |
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Show-cause notice to doctor
flayed BATHINDA, Jan 2 — The local unit of the Lok Morcha, the PCMS Association, and the Association for Democratic Rights (AFDR), Punjab, has condemned the issuance of show-cause notice to Dr Ajit Pal, senior medical officer, Civil Hospital, here for authoring a book 'Sehat Sambhal' by the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab. In separate press notes today, these organisations condemned the issuance of the show-cause notice, and described it as government's interference in individual's right of self expression and academic liberties. The Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, had issued a show-cause notice to Dr Ajit Pal for not taking government's permission before authoring the book. These organisations claimed that for spreading scientific knowledge prior permission of the government was not required. Mr Amit Mitter, Manager Tarak Bharti Parkashan, which published the book, in a press note claimed that Dr Ajit Singh had not been given any monetary benefit for the book. Dr Bawa Ram, Civil
Surgeon, when contacted said a complaint against Dr Ajit
Pal was made to Director, Health and Family Welfare, who
issued a show-cause notice to him. He said no action
against Dr Ajit Pal was initiated in the local office. |
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Plea to withdraw hike in phone
tariff BATHINDA, Jan 2 — The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal today urged the Union Communications Minister to withdraw the hike in the monthly rent of telephone and local calls. In a letter to the
Minister, Mr Banarasi Dass Goyal, General Secretary of
the mandal, pointed out that hike in monthly rent and
local call charges would burden the common man and
keeping this in view the hike should be withdrawn
immediately. |
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