Tuesday, January 19, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Tuesday, January 19, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Akali Dal
image takes a beating Akali
squabbles hit governance |
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SAD using
religion to mislead people: Cong Shifting
of office key issue Engineers
flay PSEB move Doctors
demand vaccination HC
satisfied with CJM's explanation Probe
illegal commission, says ex-MD Free
coaching for ex-servicemen |
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Akali Dal image takes a beating LUDHIANA: The ongoing clash of the Akali titans is sending out negative signals all around: it is being widely perceived not only as a watershed in panthic politics but also as the beginning of the end of the Akali rule in the state. The Akali Dal, which won an unprecedented three-fourths majority in the Punjab Assembly in alliance with the BJP barely two years ago, appears to have lost much of its lustre now mainly due to the rather unimpressive performance of the Badal government. Perhaps people's expectations had been raised very high during the elections. It is no longer seen as a formidable combine which may be able to keep the Congress at bay at the next Assembly elections. The Badal-Tohra feud is further tarnishing its image and eroding the Dal's mass base. The Akali Dal is being seen as a party overcome by a death wish and, therefore, on the decline. And if this slide is not checked, it is widely apprehended that it may eventually destroy the Dal as a credible political force over a period of time. These are some of the interesting upshots of a survey on the current Badal-Tohra feud conducted by TNS in and around Ludhiana. In Kila Raipur, nestling in the shadow of Ludhiana, there is a perceptible hostility towards Mr Badal who first got himself elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha from here as well as Lambi constituency and then quit the Kila Raipur seat in order to retain Lambi. Barbed remarks and sarcastic comments about his preference for the Moga-Muktsar belt for developmental activity are common during meetings of village elders. Not many are willing to believe that Mr Badal could be facing any difficulty at the hands of Mr Tohra. "An Akali Dal without Mr Tohra will be like a cart without one wheel", says Mr Baldev Singh Bhagat, a wizened old farmer of Kila Raipur. "It will not run". There is little doubt that the unedifying spectacle of the two top leaders of the Akali Dal, who have dominated the panthic scene and the political firmament of the state for the past more than a quarter of a century and have managed to stick together through thick and thin, now engaged in a no-holds-barred internecine warfare, has saddened more hearts than it might have gladdened. There is also a feeling that perhaps the dominant Badal group is making mountain out of a molehill. Even if Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra was wrong in openly suggesting that Mr Badal should step down as the Akali Dal chief and concentrate on running the government in the wake of the electoral debacle in Adampur, Mr Badal should not have made such a big issue out of it. Capt Gurbachan Singh, a former international hockey player in Kila Raipur, remarked: "A political party cannot function without team work. And in a team, some times even a good player can turn in a bad performance. But that does not mean that he should be condemned and turned out for all times to come. It is the duty of the team captain to manage the show by taking everybody along. Mr Badal should understand that. Team work alone will see them through thick and thin." However, Dr Tejinderpal Singh, principal of a local homoeopathic medical institution, holds Mr Tohra and his "advisers" responsible for the present crisis in the Akali Dal. While Mr Badal has been able to provide a reasonably clean and efficient government to the state, Mr Tohra had been needlessly needling him, forcing Mr Badal to do whatever he is doing now, he feels. There is a mixed reaction to the intervention by the Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh and the "hukamnama" issued by him. There is a general feeling that perhaps the jathedar should have kept himself above petty politics and not allow himself to be used as a political tool in defence of an individual. "Bhai Ranjit Singh should remember that he occupies the seat of Akali Phoola Singh who taught Maharaja Ranjit Singh a lesson but did not try to unseat him", says Prof. M.S. Cheema, a retired college teacher. "Bhai Ranjit Singh should not, therefore, try to sweep a burning issue under the carpet by issuing an edict that everything should be put off till April 15". Those interviewed in Ludhiana feel that the jathedar should confine himself to religious affairs only. Dr Tejinderpal Singh and Ms Pappu Avinash Singh, chairperson of Luxmi Ladies Club, feel that such edicts have little relevance in modern times. However, those in rural areas say even though Bhai Ranjit Singh has been rather liberal in issuing "hukamnamas", these should be honoured by all. Prof Cheema says that the Akalis have failed to realise that there is a world of differences between "jaikaras" at political conferences and hard economics with the result that the state is now on the brink of bankruptcy. Populist measures have undermined the performance of the Badal government. The panthic politics revolves around the SGPC over which Mr Tohra has been able to establish a hegemonistic control. Mr Tohra's public image is relatively clean but he, too, like Mr Badal and Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi suffers from the same malady of promoting their sons and wards in politics. And they are all highly ambitious and suspicious of each other. Hence, the present problem. While Mr Tohra is a better
manager of men and material, it is Mr Badal who commands
a majority in the state Assembly, the Akali Dal and the
SGPC and has, therefore, been able to drive Mr Tohra into
a corner. |
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Akali squabbles hit governance CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, are getting sucked into the quicksand of religion and politics. Among the many casualties the worst affected, at present is the state administration. It is the governance which is showing signs of neglect. This has added to the predicament of the bureaucracy, caught as it is in the crossfire between the camp followers of the two Akali leaders. The absence of "monitoring" by the political executive has weakened the grip of the Chief Minister as well as other Ministers, who spend more time elsewhere on other issues unrelated to the day-to-day functioning of the government. The tercentenary celebrations have begun to consume more time of the Chief Minister, who is now saddled with portfolios of five more ministers (who have resigned) in addition to his own heavy administrative and political (add religious too) satchel. The present crisis has erupted at a time when the SAD-BJP government is about to complete two years (mid-February) and when 300 years of the founding of the Khalsa is at the doorstep. It being close to the end of the present financial year, it is time when the undivided attention of the Chief Minister is required in framing of the state's annual plan as well as the Budget for 1999-2000. Both require an incisive review of the policies and programmes which have gone haywire in past months either due to paucity of money or absence of politico-bureaucratic commitment so that correctives are applied in the next year's plan. With the political executive caught in the religio-political cleft, important tasks have been left to be handled and decided upon by the bureaucrats without the desired political input. It is the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who is to handle the sensitive issues. But he being engrossed in the given imbroglio the policy matters are left to the bureaucrats. So much so that the much flaunted and vaunted "action plan" on fiscal reforms is yet to be finalised and approved by the Council of Ministers. It now appears that the middle and lower-middle rung administration is highly politicised. The "target shooting" as a consequence of the political feud between Mr Parkash Singh and Mr Gurcharan Singh was done on the field officers of Patiala, where the latter enjoyed clout, albeit courtesy the government. Now no officer is willing to stick his neck out, not knowing what the morrow will bring. In the process despite the strong numerical strength from which Mr Parkash Singh draws sustenance he has, in reality, become "weak". Today to cope with the new challenges which have emerged he needs the MPs, district presidents, SGPC executive and general house and members of the Vidhan Sabha. He already has an
advantage of numbers, which do matter in a democratic
process, may it be vote politics (or religious issues?)
But he will have to cope up with more demands from these
worthies. Already one of the points repeatedly hammered
at by Mr Gurcharan Singh was that party cadre, ordinary
workers, stand "ignored" in "our" own
Panthic government. Unwritten instructions and signals
from political platform are now clear to the field staff:
accommodate the SAD and SGPC men. |
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Congress plans gala
celebrations CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said here today that the party was determined to celebrate the Khalsa birth tercentenary on a grand scale and there was no rethinking on this issue in the party. He said the PPCC at its meeting held under his chairmanship here today once again endorsed the programmes chalked with regard to the celebrations. He said a copy of the programmes would be handed over to Mrs Sonia Gandhi on January 24 at Delhi as she was taking a keen interest in the celebrations. He said in fact, the holy "jyoti" which would be brought to Takht Sri Patna Sahib by the Congress leaders would be kept at the head office of the All India Congress Committee for some days and it would be received by Mrs Sonia Gandhi at the office. Asked if his party would re-invite the Jathedar of Akal Takht for participation in the celebrations organised by his party, Capt Amarinder Singh said there was no use extending the invitation again and again. Once the Jathedar of Akal Takht had refused to entertain the invitation of the Congress party, there would be no use extending him another invitation, he said. Capt Amarinder Singh said his party would also not invite Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the SGPC Chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, as they did not deserve to be invited. They were abusing us and using the worst kind of expressions against our party, Capt Amarinder Singh said. In such a situation how could one invite Mr Badal and Mr Tohra. He said the Congress party would start the celebrations from Patna Sahib and these would conclude at Takht Sri Hajoor Sahib, where the 10th Guru laid down his life. He said he was a chairman of the celebrations committee and Mr Birdevinder Singh was its general secretary. Asked why Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, who was earlier assigned this task, was not in the picture now, Capt Amarinder Singh said Mr Brar was given the task to chalk out the programme and he had submitted the programme to the party. Mr Brar was not at today’s meeting. Why did he not turn up? Replying to this question, Capt Amarinder Singh said he was fully with the party but he was busy elsewhere today. Even some other leaders could not attend today’s meeting, perhaps due to inclement and foggy weather. Capt Amarinder Singh said the main function with regard to celebrations would be held either on April 13 or 14. A final decision would be announced shortly after consulting Mr Sharad Pawar and Dr Manmohan Singh, who were members of the National Celebrations Committee constituted by the Central Government . He said all members of the Congress Working Committee, eminent party leaders from other states, Chief Ministers would be invited for participating in the main function. He said the party would continue the celebrations for a full year and during this period various activities with regard to philosophy of the 10th Sikh Guru, supreme sacrifices made by him for humanity would be highlighted. An inter-faith seminar would be held at Delhi in which eminent religious personalities in the country and abroad would participate. Mrs Sonia Gandhi would also take part in it. He said Mrs Sonia Gandhi would also be associated with other programmes of celebrations chalked out by the party, including blood donation camps. Religious marches, raghi
and Dhadi darbars would be organised and Sikh relics
would be exhibited. Even the Pakistan Government had
agreed to provide some important Sikh relics, he added. A
delegation from Pakistan led by former Prime Minister,
M.M. Khalid would also participate, he added. Descendants
of Muslim families who provided any sort of help when
Guru Gobind Singh fought a war against injustice, had
also been invited from Pakistan for participation in the
celebrations, he added. |
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SAD using religion to mislead
people: Cong SAS NAGAR, Jan 18 — The ideologies of the BJP and the Akalis are different but they have joined hands merely to grab power. Stating this at a press conference here today, Ms Gurkanwal Kaur, President of the Punjab Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee and daughter of the late Chief Minister Beant Singh, said Akali leaders criticised the Congress to hide their weaknesses. However, the fact was that the Akalis tried to mislead the people in the name of religion. She said after coming to power the SAD had done little for Punjab, unlike the late Beant Singh who rooted out terrorism and brought about development in the state. Even in areas which were considered strongholds of the Akalis people had begun to change their views, and the result of the Adampur byelection was one example of this. The Mahila Congress
president said roads were in bad shape in Punjab and
corruption and unemployment had increased. SAD's
policies, she said, were wrong. |
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Shifting of office key issue NAWANSHAHR: It has become a prestige issue for politicians, the administration and the PWD (B&R) Ministerial Services Association of the district to get back the divisional office of the PWD (B&R) here which had been shifted in 1988. That time it had uprooted about 350 ministerial and field employees, allegedly due to the whims of the bureaucracy which formed a policy to divide the construction work of roads between the PWD and the Punjab Mandi Board in 60: 40 ratio. Afterwards, this policy was also changed and the work of construction of link roads of Nawanshahr subdivision was entirely entrusted to the Punjab Mandi Board. Since then, the affected employees have been running from pillar to post to get the office shifted back. After the upgradation of the town as district headquarters in November, 1995, the Chief Engineer, PWD (B&R), Patiala, on November 22, 95, ordered the shifting of a division from Ludhiana here and the office remained here for about three months. But as the then Agriculture Minister Dilbagh Singh, preferred the Punjab Mandi Board to the PWD (B&R) Department and reportedly had written a letter to the then Chairman, Punjab Mandi Board, to undertake all the construction and repair work of roads falling under Nawanshahr district. Though the divisional office remained here for about three months, it was not assigned any work, so the office was again shifted back to Ludhiana. Since then PWD employees, Deputy Commissioner, SAD-BJP leaders and MP Satnam Kainth have been raising the demand by submitting memorandums to the CM officials concerned. The present Deputy Commissioner, Dr Roshan Sunkaria, has been taking keen interest in getting back the office as the roads are in a bad shape. He has written to the secretary, PWD (B&R), in this regard. At present two XENs looking after the development work of the district have headquarters at Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. This issue was also raised with the chairperson of the District Development and Planning Board, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, who also directed the DC to actively pursue the matter. The Secretary, PWD (B&R), Mr Mohinder Singh, issued orders in October, 98 to shift the provincial division number 2, PWD (B&R), Amritsar, to Nawanshahr along with the staff. But again, these orders could not be implemented as the employees of the said division started an agitation on the plea that the families of about 150 families would be dislocated. Ultimately, the orders were stayed by the Secretary. The district unit of the PWD (B&R) Ministerial Services Association at its meeting has expressed its resentment over the staying of the orders. Mr Ajit Singh, general secretary of the employees union, said a list of employees who were ready to work in the Divisional office, Nawanshahr, had already been submitted to the secretary. Dr Rohan Sunkaria, DC,
when contacted on phone, said he had again taken up the
matter with the Secretary, PWD (B&R), who had assured
him immediate action. The XEN, PWD (B&R) would be
posted here within a few days. A sum of Rs 2 crore had
been sanctioned for improving the condition of roads in
the district and with the setting up of the divisional
office of the PWD (B&R) here, the work would be
started on war footing. |
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Engineers flay PSEB move LEHRA MOHOBBAT, Jan 18 — Even though commercial production has started from the second unit of Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, the PSEB Engineers Association has expressed apprehensions that in the absence of trained operation and maintenance staff, accident can't be ruled out. The association has pointed out that unit No 1 of the plant had already suffered due to lack of proper operation and maintenance staff. The turbine of unit No 1 got jammed few months ago as the lubricant oil leaked from it in the absence of operation and maintenance staff. Mr Arun Arey, regional secretary, the PSEB Engineers Association, told TNS that two posts of Superintending Engineer, 11 posts of Executive Engineer and 24 posts of Assistant Executive Engineer were still lying vacant. He added that the post of the Chief Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, was also lying vacant. He alleged that the GHTP continues to suffer due to the indifferent attitude of the PSEB management. He said at a meeting held recently, the association had also criticised the management for not starting construction work on stage-II of the plant. He said by shifting the staff of the construction wing to the operation and maintenance wing would not serve the purpose. Mr T.L. Paika, Chief Engineer, GHTP, when contacted, said at present staff position was comfortable and added that operation and maintenance of unit II was manned by trained staff. He said staff from the construction wing was being shifted to other jobs as the construction of both two units had finished. He disclosed that unit I,
of the plant which was closed due to the jamming of
turbine was being repaired and it would be commissioned
next month. |
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Doctors demand vaccination BATHINDA, Jan 18 — Even as a rapid response team (RRT) of the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC) led by Dr Amarjit Singh, surveillance officer, visited Faridkot-Kotli village today to find the reasons behind the spread of jaundice, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other employees have demanded that they and their family members should be vaccinated against hepatitis immediately. Dr Ajit Pal Singh, President of the Bathinda unit of the PCMS Association, in a press note said as the health staff was prone and vulnerable to hepatitis-B while handling the patients so they should be vaccinated immediately. On the other hand, the local health authorities today launched a vaccination campaign in Faridkot Kotli village where 41 cases of jaundice, including 18 of hepatitis-B, were detected recently. At least 1000 persons were vaccinated today. Official sources said one special medical team under the supervision of the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) had been stationed in the village for preventive and curative measures. Three medical teams also visited Chak Attar Singh Wala, Bandi, Dhunike, Doomwali, Pathrala and Chak Rulduwala villages today and examined 424 persons and collected 28 blood samples for detection of more cases. These three teams also educated the residents regarding the preventive measures to be taken against hepatitis-B. Dr R.N. Maheshwary, Deputy Medical Commissioner, when contacted said no new case had been detected so far. He said vaccination of affected families had been started. He said the PHSC was vaccinating the medical field staff handling hepatitis-B patients. He added that nine water samples had been taken for analysis and reports were awaited. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy
Commissioner, said he had also been holding talks with
the voluntary organisations for organising
anti-hepatitis-B vaccination camps in rural areas. |
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HC satisfied with CJM's
explanation CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Mr Justice RL Anand, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today summoned the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Ferozepore, Mr DS Malwai, to his court for not implementing the High Court order granting bail to Mr Ashwani Kumar. The Judge observed: "The state and Chief Judicial Magistrate state at Bar that the person has already been released on bail. I have gone through the explanation furnished by the CJM. It is accepted after giving advice to the CJM to be careful in future by showing full respect to the High Court order. No further action in the matter is called for. Dismissed." On October 13, 1998, the Judge had directed the CJM to admit the petitioner (Mr Ashwani Kumar) on bail in a case registered at the Jalalabad police station (West) under Section 6 (1) (c) of the Punjab Excise Act. The CJM had, however, not released the petitioner on bail on the ground that the order did not contain the FIR number and the police station. The petitioner had moved an application in the court dated December 21, 1998, saying that the bail order was not executed by the chief judicial order. Taking note of this
application, Mr Justice Anand had ordered: "The
Magistrate who earlier did not entertain the bail bond
and the surety bond of the petitioner in compliance with
order dated October 13, 1998, shall appear in person to
explain to the court why he should not be hauled up for
contempt of courts proceedings." |
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Probe illegal commission, says
ex-MD BATHINDA, Jan 18 — Mr Sukhdev Singh Chahal, former, Managing Director, Central Cooperative Bank, Bathinda, has urged the Punjab Government to include the issue of illegal charging of Re 1 per paddy bag by officials of procurement agencies on the agenda of the high-powered committee constituted for probing the bungling in paddy procurement in this season. Talking to newspersons here, he alleged officials of procurement agencies had collected Rs 30 crore from paddy growers and rice mill owners in the shape of illegal commission. He pointed out that advertisements given by the state high-powered committee in various newspapers on January 10 inviting complaints from the paddy growers regarding various bunglings during procurement did not include the item of charging of illegal commission of Re 1 per bag. He claimed that if the committee members were willing to collect proof regarding the charging of illegal commission he was ready to provide the same. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, state Minister for Food and Supplies, when contacted by TNS said he would talk to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal for including this item in the agenda of the committee. He said the state government would not spare any one who had "robbed" the paddy growers in any shape. Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhillon,
Joint Secretary, Federation of Arthiyas Association,
Punjab, when contacted denied charging paddy growers Re 1
per bag by the arthiyas on behalf of officials of
procurement agencies. |
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Free coaching for ex-servicemen PATIALA, Jan 18 — Ex-servicemen and their dependants in the state will now be entitled for free coaching of IAS, PCS, executive and judiciary and bank probationary officers' examination in various courses being run in state universities. This has been made possible with the approval of the Defence Ministry to a proposal in this regard mooted by the Director, Sainik Welfare Board, Punjab. Capt Manjeet Singh Dhindsa, Deputy Director, District Sainik Welfare Board, disclosed here today he had received a communication from the Ministry of Defence regarding its clearance to the plan. In the communication, the ministry had demanded the expenses to be incurred in this project. According to rough estimates nearly Rs 14 lakh would be the cost of the project. The expenses on the coaching would be borne on a 50-50 basis by the Punjab Government and the ministry. Under the plan 10 seats had been reserved for ex- servicemen in each of the 15 faculties in which coaching was available. Capt Dhindsa informed the plan was mooted by the Sainik Welfare Board about a year back as ex-servicemen, especially those who retire after short commission, were making a beeline for a lucrative career in civil administration and were demanding such a facility for themselves. Capt Dhindsa said as part of this strategy the Ministry of Defence had also recently directed the District Sainik Welfare Boards to organise seminars in universities for those who had missed the opportunity to join the armed forces after plus two or graduation stage. The first such seminar is
being organised tomorrow at the students home in Punjabi
University. He said the armed forces were also organising
special exhibitions of weapons, ammunition and life in
the armed forces in major cities to attract the youth,
especially those in schools and colleges. |
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Report on Malta boat tragedy soon JALANDHAR, Jan 18 — The Malta Boat Tragedy Sufferers Association has claimed of having collected clinching evidence with regard to the boat tragedy after touring more than 10 countries and will be submitting an exhaustive report soon to the central and state governments as well as the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The probe panel members have recently returned after a two-month tour of over 10 European countries. They made investigations into the tragedy, which took place two years ago on Christmas eve, drowning more than 172 Punjabi youth, and many other nationals also. Briefing the media here today, the association leader, Mr Balwant Singh Khera, said after visiting various countries the association had been successful in collecting clinching evidence about the tragedy. While the Government of Italy, had finally acknowledged that, this tragedy took place and a case had been initiated against the owner and captain of the ship-along with 13 others in a Sicilian court. So far, a Pakistani national has been also identified for organising this voyage to send the "human cargo". The association has effectively recorded a videotape of a few survivors of this tragedy. Nationals of Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who survived have also given evidence in this tape, he said. This would enable them to approach the International Court of Justice. In its two-month tour, the
association called on Governments of France, Denmark,
Italy, Germany, Malta, Greece, and Switzerland and will
be soon submitting an exhaustive report. |
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Netaji Foundation floats new
outfit ROPAR, Jan 18 — On the eve of the 102nd birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which falls on January 23, the Netaji Research Foundation here has floated 'Jai Hind Parivar' as its sister organisation with the motto "Jai Hind Kaho, Jai Hind Kahao and Jai Hind Karo' (salute others with Jai Hind, request them to reciprocate with Jai Hind and work for the victory of India). Giving this information here today, Mr V.P. Saini, Chairman of the foundation, said Mr Triloki Nath Gupta of Ambala had been appointed national convener of the Jai Hind Parivar. The parivar would function under the patronage of Mr Pradeep Bose, the nephew of Netaji, Mr Debabratta Biswas MP and general secretary of All India Forward Bloc; and Dr Purobi Roy, a research scholar. Mr Saini said that Mr Kamal Dutta had been appointed convener for the north eastern states. The convenors for some other states are: Major Des Raj Singh (UP), Mr D.K. Sharma (Haryana); Major Sohan Singh (Chandigarh), Mr Vaidyalingam (Tamil Nadu); Mr Bachittar Singh (J&K); Mr Bakshi Pritam Singh (Himachal Pradesh); Mr P.S. Pathania (Punjab); Mr M.S. Saini (Delhi) and Mr Raj Kumar (Karnataka). Mr Saini said 'Jai Hind'
had been coined by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, when he
tried to have common salutation for the people of
different communities and religions in the INA. |
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Daily wage earners denied salary GURDASPUR, Jan 18 — More than 5,000 daily wage employees of the Public Health Department are a worried lot due to the alleged step- motherly treatment meted out to them vis-a-vis regular employees of the department. These employees have reportedly not been paid salary for the month of December. The salary is paid from the letter of credit fund for the maintenance of water supply. These funds have not been released so far. Mr Gurcharan Singh Kahlon, district press secretary of the PWD Field and Workshop Workers Union, today said that despite the high court orders issued in April, 1996, discrimination regarding the payment of wages to daily wage earners continues to exist. Mr Kahlon said the department had not framed any rules regarding the regularisation of services of daily wage earners. He said the Haryana
Government had regularised the services of daily wagers
after three years, West Bengal after 240 days and Tripura
and Kerala after an year of service. |
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Revision of poll rolls CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Punjab State Election Commission today issued instructions to all Sub-Divisional Magistrates to proceed with the revision of electoral rolls pertaining to panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads with January 1, 1999, as the qualifying date. For this purpose, according to the State Election Commissioner, Mr C.D. Cheema, the existing rolls published on May 31 last will be treated as basic rolls. The elections to panchayats and samitis are due in September next. The commission has given the following programme for the preparation and revision of the electoral rolls: preliminary date of publication: February 8; last date for filing claims and objections: February 23; disposal of claims and objections: March 3; preparation of supplementary and printing thereof: March 23; and final publication of electoral rolls: March 26. Those who attained the age
of 18 as on January 1, 1999, are eligible to enrol as
voters. |
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Mobile dispensaries for villages CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Under operation "Umeed" the Khanna Foundation has decided to cover villages in Sangrur by providing mobile health services. These dispensaries on wheels will be free of charge. According to Mr Arvind Khanna, who is chairperson of the foundation, these mobile health clinics will function in 252 villages. Making a beginning with only 24 villages last year, the expansion is programmed to coincide with the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. Doctors and paramedical staff tour the villages in mobile dispensaries examining patients and providing them medicare. Besides health cover the
foundation is preparing a plan for opening schools to be
managed by sarpanches. Funds permitting, the foundation
proposes to institute training facilities for women and
sport for the youth to wean them away from drugs. |
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Demand to probe fraud on banks BATHINDA, Jan 18 — The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Punjab, today demanded a CBI probe into a Rs 950 crore fraud committed by a Mumbai-based company on different banks. In a press note issued here today, Mr M.M. Behal, Senior Vice-President of BEFI, Punjab, said such a big amount involved in a fraud was cause for worry. He pointed out that BEFI had been urging the central government to launch probes into different bank frauds for the past three years as some corrupt bank officials were involved in these bunglings. He said bank employees and
people should also raise their voice against the bank
frauds so that the bank industry could be saved. |
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Dogra's statement challenged BATHINDA, Jan 18 — The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has challenged the statement of the Punjab police chief, Mr P.C. Dogra, that there is no effort to play down crime in the state by not registering cases as published in a section of the Press. In a press note issued here today, Dr Vineeta Gupta, member, National Council, PUCL, said the PUCL was ready to prove that a large number of cases of theft, robbery and accident were not registered. She alleged that during the past four months the crime was rising in Bathinda district. She added that in a number of cases, inquiries by police officials took many months and ultimately the cases were hushed up. The PUCL had appealed to
the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Mr
Dogra to reorganise the police. |
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Devinder
Satyarthi
gets award PATIALA, Jan 18 — Devinder Satyarthi, a writer and former Director-General of Languages, Punjab, has been conferred with the Giani Lal Singh Memorial award — 1999 for his novels and poems, both in Punjabi and Hindi languages. The award carries a silver plate, phulkari, citation and cash prize. It was received by his daughter at a function organised by the Giani Lal Singh Memorial Trust at the Languages Department here today. The chief guest, Mr G.P.S. Sahi, Principal Secretary, said Punjabis were indebted to Devinder Satyarthi for his contribution to the field of literature. He described the writer as a protector of Punjabi culture, tradition and values. He promised full help in renaming the Language Department after Giani Lal Singh. Mr Amrik Singh Pooni a former Chief Secretary, Punjab, said the works of Devinder Satyarthi could be rightly termed as documents recording the cultural history of the state. Mr Madan Lal Hasija,
Director, Language Department, Dalip Kaur Tiwana, a
writer, Dr Brahm Jagdish and Prof. Kulwant Grewal read
papers on the works of Devinder Satyarthi. |
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Schools ‘must have’
professional courses CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen B.K.N Chhibber (retd), today called for sharpening the professional skills of students and prepare them for challenges ahead. Presiding over the Board of Governors meeting of Punjab Public School, Nabha, held here today, he said beside regular teaching, the school should introduce coaching classes in vacation to prepare the students for the competitive examinations. He asked the management to frame a programme for introducing professional courses to be run during the school vacation period. It was decided to continue the scholarships equivalent to 100 per cent and 75 per cent school fee for the wards of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and junior commissioned officers of the defence services in the school. Raja Narinder Singh,
Public Health Minister, who is also a member of the Board
of Governors, suggested frequent interaction of
management of the school with the parent teachers'
association in order to involve the parents in the
decision-making process of the school. |
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SDM's orders ignored MOGA, Jan 18 — Mr Karamjit Singh Gill, Development Officer (retd), LIC, in complaint to the Deputy Commissioner alleged that the police had not registered a case against Balwinder Singh, Mohinder Singh and Gurdev Singh of Landheke village who had looted his harvested crop on April 18, 1997. In his letter Mr Gill mentioned that the case was not registered against the accused despite the fact that orders had been passed in this regard by the SDM. He added that the accused were trying to disposes him of his land, despite the injunction orders passed by the court in this regard. Mr S.S. Chauhan, SSP, when
contacted said the ownership of the land was disputed
between Mr Gill and others and the case was pending in
the court. He said Mr Gill should get his land demarcated
by the revenue authorities before approaching the police.
He added that the police could not interfere in property
disputes. |
||
Veterinary officers to launch stir LUDHIANA, Jan 18 — Veterinary officers of Punjab have decided to launch a statewide agitation, jointly with PCMS doctors and engineers, for the implementation of time-bound scales. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association held here yesterday under the presidentship of Dr G.S. Chahal, state president of the association. The Punjab Government had
issued a notification on May 19, 1998, regarding
time-bound scales for different categories of employees,
but the Finance (personnel) branch issued a letter on
September 23, directing the stoppage of release of the
scales till fresh instructions. But four months have
passed and no clarification in this regard has been
issued by the government, says Dr Paramjeet Singh,
secretary of the PSVOA. |
||
Effigies of PM, Delhi CM burnt PHAGWARA, Jan 18 — About 300 activists of the Hindu Shiv Sena, Punjab today made a bonfire of the Pakistani flag and burnt effigies of the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dixit, here in protest against the holding of the Indo-Pak cricket series (50) and the bus service between Lahore and Delhi. Mr Pawan Parbhakar, State
Secretary, and Mr Inderjit Karwal, President, Phagwara
unit of the Shiv Sena, alleged that the Indian Government
was shaking hands with the country’s enemy by
allowing the cricket series and the bus service. |
||
Protest by safai mazdoors HOSHIARPUR, Jan 18 — Members of the Safai Mazdoor Union of the local municipal council staged a demonstration here today in protest against the orders of the Director, Local Bodies, Punjab, regarding the forming of mohalla sanitation committees here and for not making a residential colony for them. They were demanding
withdrawal of the orders and setting up of a residential
colony in the municipal land for them. Mr Satpal Sareen,
president of the local municipal council, assured
protesters that all vacant posts of safai mazdoors in the
council would be filled soon. |
||
Minorities ‘feeling unsafe’ JALANDHAR, Jan 18 — The Ambedkar Mission Society, Punjab has condemned the recent attacks on Christians in Gujarat and other parts of India. Mr H.D. Sampla, secretary
of the society said here yesterday that the minorities
were not feeling safe as the government had failed to
check the activities of the RSS, the Hindu Jagran Manch,
the Vishva Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and other
communal organisations. |
||
Arms arsenal found in pond GURDASPUR, Jan 18 — The police found an arsenal of arms in a pond near Jhabkara village under the Dinanagar police station today and found 80 SLR cartridges and 85 cartridges of 9 mm. The district police chief, Mr Varinder Kumar, said the recovered ammunition belonged to Baldev Singh Dorangir, a terrorist and senior activist of the Babbar Khalsa, who was killed in an encounter in January, 1993. Mr Varinder said the recovery was the result of the special drive launched by the police to maintain law and order in view of the Republic Day celebrations. The police also arrested
Amarnath of Dakhla village and found one .12 bore
revolver and three cartridges from him. |
||
Ashok Dhir CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Punjab Government has appointed Mr Ashok Dhir, advocate from Gidderbaha, as Chairman of the Punjab State Seed Development Corporation (Punseed). He was installed today as
Chairman by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. |
||
Fashion
show SAS NAGAR, Jan 18 — A fashion show-cum-musical evening will be organised here tomorrow by Doubleloon in association with the Punjab branch of the National Federation of the Blind. Addressing a Press conference here today, Ms Jonita, Miss Himachal-98, said the models who would take part would include Jaspreet (Miss Delhi), Kritika (look of the year-98), Kavita (Siyaram Star Miss Chandigarh), Ruhi Baruah (Miss North India), Sonia Aggarwal (Miss Punjab and Chandigarh) and Kiran (Femina Miss photogenic). The choreography would be by Ms Jonita. She said blind persons,
including children, would present musical items. |
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