P U N J A B | Saturday, July 3, 1999 |
weather n
spotlight today's calendar |
BJP
compulsions come into play Keep vigil on graft, Badal tells
DCs |
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GRP
officer booked Increase in cable charges resented No takers for patwar khanas BKI militant arrested 3 arrested for spying Punjab floats war heroes' relief
fund Settle petty disputes amicably :
SSP Resentment against 6-hour power
cut Gastroenteritis: 43 more cases
reported Allegation against AISSF leader |
Notification on Punjab Rent Bill CHANDIGARH, July 2 Political compulsions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a junior partner in the coalition government in Punjab, have finally held sway over the issuance of a formal notification to give effect to the Punjab Rent Bill, 1995, which had received the President's assent in March, 1998. In other words, the age-old tug-of-war between owners and tenants will continue at least for some time more. As there was neither "legal obligation" nor a "time bar" on the issuance of the notification, the SAD-BJP Government took advantage of this and bid time on the implementation. Arguments for and against put forth finally led to the appointment of a Cabinet subcommittee to "study" the Bill afresh after it had received the assent of the President. This was much to the chagrin of the owners as well as tenants to an extent. Was the new Punjab Rent Bill crafted on the "model" rent control legislation by New Delhi heavily loaded in favour of the owners? How will tenants react if it was notified? These plus other electoral considerations came in the way of issuing a notification. Therefore for all practical purposes the existing East Punjab Rent Restriction Act, 1949, remains effective and in force. Enquiries by TNS at appropriate levels in the government revealed today that the 1995 Bill stands shelved permanently. In its place the Cabinet subcommittee, in its wisdom, has decided to incorporate several "amendments" in the East Punjab Rent Restriction Act, 1949, itself so as to have a "balanced" regulation. In other words, some provisions of the 1995 Bill and some politically necessitated changes have been included in the 1949 Act. Sources told TNS that the Cabinet subcommittee has now finalised the necessary amendments. Against the existing 25-odd sections the incorporation swelled the Sections to 59. A second reading was done and finally about 35 sections have been included in the 1949 Act. That draft proposal, which the BJP considers to be "balanced", is to be placed before the Council of Ministers shortly and later introduced in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha's next session in the form of a Bill. All this will, of course, take time. Till then the owners and the tenants will have to bear with one and other. Enquiries have revealed that the following important changes or amendments have been prescribed in the amended 1949 act: -Compulsory registration of tenancy agreements, stamp duty between Rs 100 and 1,000; registration fee up to Rs 100, etc, have been recommended. The government has been authorised to prescribe exact rates; -Exemption to newly constructed buildings from the preview of the Act for 10 years; -Registration of tenancy agreements and streamline legal procedure, provision to be made for appointment of rent authorities, additional rent authorities, rent tribunal. -Provides for grant of right to non-resident Indians, retiring and retired government employees, persons aged about 65 and widows to recover immediate possession of rented premises applicable for residential buildings only; -Right of inheritability of tenancy of non-residential premises may devolve on son of the deceased tenant working with him and on tenant's widow dependent on him; -Inheritancy of tenancy of non-residential building may devolve on widow only if dependent on deceased tenant at the time of his death; -Year 1950 or year of occupation to be base year and rent paid and accepted or prevailing rate of rent in locality to be basic rent; -Increase of rent to be binding, otherwise increase to be 10 per cent every five years for residential and 15 per cent every five years for non-residential purposes; -Landlord (owner) and tenant to be bound by terms of tenancy agreement regarding payment of rent and increase in rent or period of tenancy; -Owners to give written receipt for rent; -Default for non-payment for more than two months to be condoned only once; -Rate of interest on arrears of rent and other liabilities 12 per cent per annum; -While ordering eviction, the rent authority to simultaneously pass decree for arrears of rent, interest etc; -Increase in rent agreed in the rent deed and if not so decided for residential buildings it will be 20 per cent every five years and 30 per cent every five years for non-residential buildings; and -Landlord (word substituted with "owner") will not cut off electricity, water supply, sewerage, drainage etc. These are some of key amendments proposed in the existing act. Of late, the Tribune has been flooded with letters from owners on the fate of the rent Bill. Being a state subject, it is the power and whims of the states concerned to act on the matter meaning model rent control legislation. By delaying the notification has the government tended to subvert democracy by suggesting amendments even before the notification is issued after the president gave his assent? The courts have the powers to give a directive to the state(s) to notify bills having President's assent. No one has done so in Punjab, perhaps, out of hope something will be done by the SAD-BJP government. Given the present
position, it seems the amended Act will take some time
before it becomes effective. |
Keep vigil on graft, Badal
tells DCs CHANDIGARH, July 2 The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today held separate meetings with the civil and police officers at Punjab Bhavan. Addressing the Deputy Commissioners, the Chief Minister reminded them that an individual's own conduct invariably sent the right signals to the staff and "honest, efficient" functioning itself helped "control" if not "eradicate" corruption. There should be no room for any malpractices and success or otherwise of a Deputy Commissioner lay in keeping a vigilant eye on corrupt practices, particularly, in public dealing departments, he added. The Deputy Commissioners were also appraised of the thinking of the government when it came to the welfare of the people. They were asked about flood preparedness. All premptive steps must be taken, namely, cleaning, repair of drains, etc to ensure in the eventuality of floods minimum damage was done. Another issue on which Mr Badal laid stress was "sangat darshan" programme to be undertaken jointly by the deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police in their respective districts. In fact in the meeting with the SSPs there was a brief mention of some DCs and SSPs not make a "compatible team". In fact one of the financial commissioners at the DCs' meeting suggested that the Chief Minister should "revive" the old practice of addressing a joint meeting of the civil and police officers. The Chief Minister appealed to the officers to get donations for the war heroes fund. Money contributed was exempt from income tax. Another point which cropped up at the Deputy Commissioners meeting was in respect of pensions and other benefits for old people, widows and handicapped persons. Some of the DCs told TNS later (mention was made in the meeting also) that since September, 1998, no money had been received for widow, handicap and destitute pension cases and since December, 1998, no money was available for old-age pension. The Chief Minister said funds would be made available soon. The meeting was informed that a sum of nearly Rs 15 crore was needed every month for the schemes. Mr Badal sanctioned Rs 41 crore to clear backlog. Some of the Deputy Commissioners wanted funds for carrying out repairs and cleaning works of drains. There was, however, no specific agenda for the meeting of the SSPs, who were told in general terms to lend their ears to the people and pay greater attention to the border areas to solve the peoples problems. The Director-General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh, told TNS it was the first meeting the Chief Minister had after he took over. It was a review of the crime situation, law and order, flood preparedness and poll arrangements. The Chief Minister complemented the officers on the good work done by them. Meanwhile, the Information Minister (who looks after the Revenue Department as well), Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, also addressed the Deputy Commissioners. He confined himself to the patwaris strike. He told DCs not to show any laxity and asked them to implement the no-work, no-pay policy. The Minister hinted at fresh recruitment of patwaris so that the public was not affected. He made an oblique reference to a letter written by the Commissioner, Ferozepore division to DCs and said such letters should be avoided. The letter was addressed to Deputy Commissioners on the subject of patwaris. Out of curiosity DCs of other districts also wanted to have a look at it. One of the Deputy
Commissioners suggested to the minister this was the best
time for the Akali party to
infiltrate into the patwaris
union and set up cells just as other trade unions had
done. |
Militants trying to regroup:
police CHANDIGARH July 2 The Punjab Police believes strongly that the remanants of the militants are trying hard to group and assert once again. A comprehensive report prepared by the state intelligence and other agencies lists several incidents and the efforts at the national and international level to assert that the Punjab militants would be making concerted efforts to get together once again. "They have not given up their cause or their fight and hard information that we have suggests that they would be targeting VIPs and key installations, besides soft targets. The present war in Kargil, they think is the ideal time to strike and create some impact", a senior intelligence officer told TNS on the condition of anonymity. Since 1997, the police arrested 131 alleged militants while eight surrendered and one was killed in an encounter. Similarly, the police seized 91 AK 47 rifles and over 200 other small arms and three LMGs. But more important is that the recovery of several quintals of RDX and other explosives. The police also recovered 80-odd rockets. One assessment is that Pakistan is putting a lot of pressure on different militant groups still holed up in that country and those who live either in Germany, England, Canada or the USA. The idea is that they can help increase the trouble in this border state. The creation of Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is viewed by the police as part of the game to strengthen the militants. "The militants could have funds from that body and also have legitimate shelter", another intelligence officer said. But the police assessment lists a positive side. "The militants are finding it extremely difficult to establish hideouts and take new recruits." The people just do not want the return of the days of endless violence. We get hard information and act fast. Sources work well and we have even nabbed certain militants in far away Baroda in Gujarat and in Calcutta too", the officer said. Giving details, the police said that after the Akali-BJP Government coming to power, there were five major blasts and people thought that old gory days are back. But the police claims to have worked hard to stop that. Details available from the police tell a deadly story about efforts by the militants. While human right activists strongly believe that all those arrested by the police are not militants and some innocents too have been booked, the police denied the charge. In fact some senior officers assert that the judiciary at some levels has let off hard-core militants and this had created problem for the government. The veracity of such allegations is however, hard to check as the courts function as per the law. Reports with the police said with the arrest of a four-member module of ISYF in Gurdaspur district in October 1998 a major mischief to revive terrorism in Doaba by foreign-based militants was foiled, leading to the recovery of 15 kg of RDX, two pistols and a variety of other gadgets. In the follow-up operation two more terrorists with two pistols were arrested. With the recovery of 18 kg of RDX, two assault rifles, two pistols and a large number of other small gadgets a major conspiracy by Pak-based terrorists to activate Punjab border was foiled, leading to the arrest of four persons. In the follow-up of operation launched in Ferozepore district against smugglers assisting Punjab militants, a comprehensive net working of narcotic smugglers linked with Punjab militants at the behest of Pak ISI was exposed in Ferozepore district on December 5,1998, which led to the arrest of four top smugglers including Sukhdev Singh Sukha of Muthianwali who was absconding ever since the arrest of four terrorists in Ferozepore with explosives and weapons. A six-member gang of terrorists planning sensational kidnappings for ransom exposed in Patiala district in the beginning of September 1998 leading to the recovery of about half a dozen small weapons. The Punjab Police recovered nearly three quintals of high quality of heroin. Three major recoveries of weapons and explosives made in Amritsar, Kapurthala and Fatehgarh Sahib in September/October, 1998, resulted in the recovery of 30 sophisticated weapons. Gurnam Singh Bandala, a member of the Panthic Committee, who was living in hibernation since 1994 was arrested. One assault rifle, one pistol, six grenades and two pencil bombs were recovered from the possession of this terrorist who played the most active role as a militant ideological and courier of weapons in the mid eighties. In an extended operation a top Babbar Khalsa coordinator arrested in Fatehgarh Sahib district led to the recovery of 10 kg of RDX, two assault rifles, 17 stick bombs, one walkie-talkie remote, one revolver and other gadgets. A four-member group of Babbar Khalsa was arrested on July 10, 1998, in Batala headed by Amarjit Singh Sohal, a surrendered hard-core terrorist and his associate Darshan Singh, 34 kg of explosives, including nine kg of PETN besides other weapons and gadgets were recovered from this group. A six-member gang of newly raised terrorist outfit "Tigers of Sikh Land" was arrested on July 18, 1998, leading to the recovery of six small weapons. This exposure thwarted a major conspiracy to spread communal violence and other acts of terrorism in and outside Punjab. As much as 20 kg of explosives (RDX 10 kg, PETN 3 kg and low explosive 7 kg) were recovered with the arrest of Deputy Nath, a notorious smuggler of J&K and two of his associates in an operation in Ludhiana district on August 27. In the follow up operation 13 kg of RDX and two imported revolvers were recovered. An eight-member gang of ISYF-Chaheru group and Kama Ghata Maru Dal arrested in Punjab while two top operators were nabbed in Haryana on the basis of inputs given by the Punjab Police. This gang busted on the eve of elections, had highly disruptive agenda for Punjab, Delhi and several other states including targeting of top VIPs. The recovery included 43 kg RDX, 11 mousers, some hand-grenades and electronic time devices. Also 15 kg of PETN, a large number of small weapons and electronic time devices, one bottle of cyanide and one bottle of flouthene were seized. Yet another major blow to Babbar Khalsa International was with the arrest of Sukhpal Singh Narangwal, an akhand kirtani activist in November 10, 1997. The police recovered 15 kg of PETN besides a large number of small weapons and sophisticated electronic time devices. Investigations have revealed that these consignments were to be used for VIP targeting in and outside Punjab besides securing the release of Babbar Khalsa activists in jails. In July, 1997, the ISYF (Rode) group led by Sewa Singh was smashed. It had a Pak National pushed by ISI under the cover of a Hindu. Recoveries from this group were 40 kg of RDX and 40 kg of Heroin. A case of narco terrorism. Same way, the police said Dal Khalsa of Gajinder Singh hijacker and Babbar Khalsa Parmar group planned major operations in India on the eve of Independence Day, in 1997. One Gurnam Singh Pehalwan, a UK national was arrested while his Muslim counter part Ramzan Ali Dalip Singh, a Pak national, and an ISI agent committed suicide. The recoveries included 12 kg RDX, two Pistols and a large number of electronic time devices. Three major modules of the Babbars were neutralised in the last quarter of 1997. A Babbar Khalsa International attempt was foiled with the arrest of Sarabjit Singh Chachowali and five of his associates in October, 1997, the police said. Another attempt by the
Babbar Khalsa International was foiled in October, 1997,
with the arrest of Satnam Singh. |
GRP officer booked ABOHAR, July 2 The city police has booked Mr Bahadur Singh, S.H.O, G.R.P. under Section 354 of the IPC and under the Anti Corruption Act for allegedly teasing a minor Dalit girl and accepting illegal money from her mother. Earlier, the GRP had registered a case against SHO city police, an ASI, the Editor of a local daily and six members of an alleged poppy husk smuggler's family. Police sources said Ms Navneet, alias Neetu, in an affidavit given to a senior district official on oath had alleged that SHO, GRP, Sriganganagar, Mr Bahadur Singh, reportedly visited her residence here on June 22. He allegedly threatened her mother Paramjit Kaur Pummy, that she had been booked under Section 306, IPC, for abetting suicide of Saroj Rani Bajaj, wife of a retired Army personnel. She could avoid arrest by allegedly paying Rs 60,000 to the police party. As per the affidavit Mrs Pummy expressed her inability in arranging such a huge amount and offered to pay Rs 10,000 at that time. Neetu was quoted having stated that when her mother went to the neighbour's residence to arrange Rs 10,000 Mr Bahadur Singh allegedly misbehaved with her and when she objected she was allegedly beaten up. In the meantime her mother returned with Rs 10,000 and allegedly paid it to Mr Bahadur Singh. Neetu had given the registration number of the official jeep used by the GRP for visiting her residence. Mr Bahadur Singh, has refuted the allegations. He said had the GRP found Mrs Paramjit Kaur Pummy or her daughter they would have been arrested in connection with a case registered under Section 306 of the IPC registered on the basis of a 11-page suicide note left by Saroj Bajaj. It was alleged that Mrs Bajaj was tortured and given electric shocks during her alleged illegal detention at the city police station here for five days. It was further alleged that the police pressurised Mrs Saroj Bajaj to endorse Pummy's statement given in an affidavit on oath regarding a sex scandal and confirm the list of certain residents blaming them for raping the minor girl. Mrs Bajaj refused to oblige the local police. The police had earlier registered a case under sections 376, 363, 120-B, 34 of the IPC against five persons, including a senior office-bearer of a truck union on the basis of Neetu's statement reportedly recorded by the city police on June 9 but fresh reports said she had changed her statement now and identified only two 'culprits'. The GRP had not been
able to arrest any of the culprits named in the FIR
registered on the basis of the suicide note reportedly
left by the deceased and her husband's statement. Now
Neetu, in her affidavit, had tried to involve Shanti Lal
Bajaj and his married son Rinku. |
Increase in cable charges
resented PATIALA, July 2 Local residents have expressed resentment against an increase in subscription charges by cable operators. Complaining of poor service and the formation of a syndicate by the cable operators. The residents have urged Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir to intervene in the matter. However, the cable operators have expressed helplessness about the rise due to a new entertainment tax levied by the Punjab Government. The Urban Estate Residents Welfare Association has alleged in a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner that the cable operators have arbitrarily increased the monthly charges from between Rs 75-100 to Rs 150-160. The memorandum alleged that the operators had formed a syndicate to monopolise the market. The association urged the Deputy Commissioner to check tax evasion and ensure better service. The association alleged that the cable operators were not issuing receipts for the payments made by consumers. Mr Pritam Singh Sehgal, president Cable Operators Union defended the sudden increase in the charges and said the Punjab Government had levied an entertainment tax of Rs 15000 annually on each cable operator due to which the charges had been increased. He said the government had also sent notices to them to pay tax for the past five years also. Regarding the allegation
of non-issuance of receipts to avoid income tax, Mr
Sehgal said business was already slack and many operators
were winding up the trade. |
No takers for patwar khanas
PATIALA: One government proposes the other disposes. This is exactly what has happened with the scheme of building central patwar khanas in rural regions for the benefit of villagers. Conceived during the late Beant Singh's regime, the scheme has gone sour today. According to sources 80 such patwar khanas were planned in the state. The majority of these are lying unused and neglected. They do not have even electricity connections. According to the sources, lakhs were spent on the construction of these patwar khanas. But after four years a number of these are even awaiting inauguration. While the formal opening is awaited, the building are gathering dust. Termites have eaten into the doors and the windows. A survey of 10 such patwar khanas in this district revealed their pitied state. Only five of these are in workable condition. While construction of others is still to be completed. Every patwar khana had a provision for 10 rooms for patwaris, one for kanungo and one for record room. The patwar khanas at Ghagga, Mardanpur, Jakhal, Ajnoda are not operating as no one has taken procession. The patwar khanas at Sangholi, Malihaan and Shatrana are still under construction. Residents of Ajnoda village told this correspondent that the patwar khana was constructed four years back but had not been inaugurated, the building is crumbling due to ill-maintenance, roofs are leaking. The walls and windows are infested with termites. The sewer system has also collapsed. The walls were being used by villagers to bake cowdung cake in the sun. Mr Sandha Singh, former sarpanch of the village, said the patwar khanas had more or less become bhoot banglas. According to Mr Amrik Singh, president, District Patwar and Revenue Union, the patwar khanas were opened in rural areas with the objective of providing comfort to the rural population who had to visit district and sub-division tehsils for property related matters. The District Record
Officer, Mrs Areena Duggal, when contacted said she was
seeking a report about the bad condition of the patwar
khanas. She said she was in correspondence with the
government regarding completion of construction work on
these patwar khanas. |
BKI militant arrested FARIDKOT, July 2 The Faridkot police claimed it have arrested a militant belonging to Babbar Khalsa International from Sikhanwala village yesterday. He has been identify as Karamjit Singh son of Baltej Singh. A .32 bore revolver and a number of cartridges were recovered from him. During investigation he admitted that he had constituted a large number of Sikh kirtani jathas of baptised Sikh youths at the instance of B.K.I. chief Wadhawa Singh. According to the police Karamjit Singh admitted that he had got a telephonic message in April from BKI chief to recruit more Sikh youths in the organisation and he was involved in the distribution of pamphlets at Anandpur Sahib describing the tercentenary celebrations a "sarkari drama". The police said Karamjit Singh was associated with militants like Gurpal Singh, Harbhajan Singh Dalianwali, Balwinder Singh Ganga and Sukhdev Singh Fauji, who were killed during militancy days. In 1986 a Thompson
machine gun was seized from Karamjit Singh at Bathinda.
He was, however, acquitted in the case. |
3 arrested for spying AMRITSAR, July 2 (UNI) Three persons roaming around under suspicious circumstances near security force installations and Harike Barrage were arrested by the police near Harike town in Tarn Taran police district last night. Police sources here said that interrogation of the arrested would reveal their true identity and establish whether they were spying for the enemy country. The sources told UNI here that one of the arrested was identified as Bhola who pretended to be deaf and dumb. He was picked up by the security force personnel on the Harike barrage bridge and handed over to the police. Two others whose
identity had not yet been disclosed were picked up near
security installations and they were dressed in saffron
robes and pretended to be sadhus. All the
three were today handed over to the Makhu police in
Ferozepore district as they were picked up in the area
under its jurisdiction. |
Punjab floats war heroes' relief fund CHANDIGARH, July 2 (PTI) The Punjab Government has set up the Punjab War Heroes' Family Relief Fund to help the families of victims of Operation Vijay and other actions in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of State for Defence Services Welfare, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon said here today. Mr Sekhon said the relief would be given to the families of all Army personnel who have laid down their lives in Jammu and Kashmir since January 1 this year. Financial assistance would be provided to widows, spouse, children and dependent parents. An ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh and a plot at reserve price of Rs 5 lakh would be given to a martyr's family and Army personnel getting 75 per cent to 100 per cent disability. A job to a member of the family would also be given. An ex-gratia of Rs 2
lakh and a job would be given to defence personnel
getting disability between 50 per cent and 75 per cent
while an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 would be given to 25 per
cent to 50 per cent disabled soldiers, he added. |
Settle petty disputes amicably
: SSP KAPURTHALA, July 2 The district legal services authority on Thursday organised a seminar for spreading legal awareness among people on the premises of the district courts. Mr Baldev Singh, District and Sessions Judge, presided over the seminar. Mr Baldev Singh said that 4166 cases were decided in 41 Lok Adalats in the district. In motor accidents claim cases compensation was awarded to claimants on the spot through Lok Adalats. He said in order to provide free legal services to the needy and poor 30 seminars had been organised. Mr V K Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said besides performing their duties people should also be aware of their rights. Cheap and quick justice could be obtained through Lok Adalats, he said. Mr Iqbal Singh, Senior
Superintendent of Police, said people should decide their
petty disputes amicably through parleys. |
Resentment against 6-hour power cut MALERKOTLA, July 2 Resentment prevails among local residents against the Punjab State Electricity Board for imposing six-hour power cut here for the past two days. Two hours' power cut is imposed in the morning, two hours' cut at noon and again two hours' power cut in the evening. The residents are not informed about these undeclared power cuts by the P.S.E.B. authorities. Mrs Sajida Begum, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and former MLA of Malerkotla in a statement here yesterday strongly criticised the Punjab government for imposing undeclared power cuts here. Mrs Sajida Begum also
criticised the state government for its "false
promises" of supplying 24-hour power supply in the
villages. She claimed that the situation of power supply
in the villages was rather dismal where the power was not
supplied for more than 10 hours. |
Gastroenteritis: 43 more cases reported MANDI GOBINDGARH, July 2 (PTI) A total of 43 cases of gastro-enteritis were reported in the civil hospital here yesterday a hospital spokesman told PTI here yesterday evening. The people complained that they contracted it after drinking contaminated water. The hospital spokesman said that the total number of patients admitted in hospital stood at 55. Besides these 50 others had been discharged from the hospital since the outbreak of the problem last week. Municipal Committee
sources said that steps were being taken to provide clean
drinking water to the residents. |
Allegation against AISSF leader AMRITSAR, July 2 Mr Niranjan Singh, a resident of Diamond Avenue here has alleged that a senior leader of the All India Sikh Students Federation (Gill) had indulged in a land fraud. In an affidavit, copies of which were distributed to the press here yesterday, Mr Niranjan Singh alleged that the AISSF leader had not returned him Rs 37.39 lakh which he had taken as advance for the land deed. In this land deed loss of worth Rs lakh was caused to government revenue as the stamp duty was not as per the market value of the property. Mr Niranjan Singh alleged that the AISSF leader had been threatening him of dire consequences. He urged the administration to provide him adequate security. Mr Harminder Singh Gill,
president of the AISSF was not available for comments. |
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