Sunday, June 6, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, June 6, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Tohra's
memo against Badal 4.3 cr given to border farmers |
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A road to
prosperity Tight-rope walk by Mayor PPCC chief visits families of
Kargil martyrs Withdrawal of cases against
Bhattal sought Info-tech course in govt colleges SHO suspended Baba in court custody till June 18 Act of aggression, says Sikh
Council PCC constitutes poll panel CM not to participate Pak Army effigy burnt JEs await promotion for 34 years |
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Tohra's memo against Badal CHANDIGARH, June 5 — After breaking away from the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the former SGPC Chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, who a few days ago floated his own Shiromani Akali Dal, has intensified his campaign against Mr Badal. Along with senior Akali leaders, including Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, Mr Jasbir Singh Rode and representatives of the Sant Samaj, Mr Tohra today submitted a memorandum against the Badal Government to the Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd). Seeking a CBI probe into an incident involving Sant Darshan Singh Dhakki (Maksudra), Mr Tohra said Mr Badal had unleashed a reign of terror against those sants and political activists who were supporting Bhai Ranjit Singh and him. Mr Tohra has attached a report of the Human Rights Organisation which has collected details on Dhakki incident and alleged police lathi charge on followers of the Sant. Mr Tohra said such attitude of the Punjab Chief Minister could create problems in the state. Mr Tohra and the Sant Samaj will organise a procession from Ludhiana to Chandigarh on June 18 and stage a dharna here to protest against what happened with Sant Darshan Singh. He said harassment of religious leaders and political leaders would not be tolerated. Mr Tohra has not only made Mr Badal his main target, he has also started attacking the BJP, a political ally of the Chief Minister. Having a dig on the performance of the Vajpayee Government, especially its handling of the Kargil crisis, Mr Tohra said while brave jawans were sacrificing their lives for the country, both the Prime Minister and the Defence minister were making divergent and gutless statements. He went to the extent of seeking the resignation of the Defence minister, Mr George Fernandes. He should go immediately, Mr Tohra said a lot of confusion had been created by the union government among the defence personnel Mr Tohra said. Dwelling on political issues, Mr Tohra said that he was prepared to enter into an alliance with any party except the SAD (Badal), the BJP and the Congress. Already I have clinched an electoral alliance with the BSP headed by Mr Kanshi Ram, Mr Tohra said. "I would go to Uttar Pradesh to campaign for the BSP", he revealed. Asked about the party
organisational set-up, Mr Tohra disclosed that it would
be announced soon. |
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Infighting in Tohra faction FATHEGARH SAHIB, June 5 — Mr Kirpal Singh Libra, chairman, Punsap, and a close confidant of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, presided over a meeting of Akali workers here today. Meanwhile, sharp differences seem to have cropped up among the members of the district unit of the Akali Dal (Tohra) over the formation of a five-member committee to run the affairs of the party. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Mr Libra said the meeting scheduled for today had been postponed to June 9. He said Mr Tohra would be honoured at Sirhind in June-end. Mr Libra claimed that nine of the 13 circle Jathedars of the Akali Dal were with Mr Tohra. He cautioned Youth Akali Dal leaders not to interfere in SAD affairs. Meanwhile, a group of Tohra supporters said today's meeting was a personal show of Mr Libra and the party had not called any such meeting. They alleged that till today, Mr Libra had not attended any public meeting organised by the Tohra faction and had instead attended a conference at Anandpur Sahib organised by the Akali Dal ((Badal). According to sources, Mr
Tohra had asked both the groups to postpone their
meetings scheduled to be held today and fixed June 9 as
the date for the meeting. |
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4.3 cr given to border
farmers ATTARI (Indo-Pakistan Border) — June 5 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said here today that there was no threat to peace on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Operation Bluestar tomorrow as the administration was fully prepared for the situation. Mr Badal was talking to newsmen soon after attending an official function in the grain market here to distribute cheques to farmers having land along the border beyond the wire fencing. A sum of Rs 1.65 crore was distributed among 7400 beneficiaries of Amritsar district at the rate of Rs 3000 per acre per year, as sanctioned after the two visits to the border areas by the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, early this year. Similar functions were held at Dostpur in Gurdaspur and Ferozepore districts today. The compensation given to farmers in these districts totalled Rs 4.31 crore. Replying to a question, he said he was not attending the function to mark Operation Bluestar's anniversary at Akal Takht, where a bhog of akhand path was being organised by the SGPC, as he had not received an invitation for it. He said he would pay tributes to those killed during the Army action in the temple during the operation in 1984 by performing ardas for them. Mr Badal said the date for the visit of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to Punjab to inaugurate the Thein Dam had not yet been finalised. He would meet the Prime Minister at Delhi on June 9 to finalise this programme. On action against party leaders loyal to the expelled SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the Chief Minister said that a series of meetings would soon to decide this issue. He denied that there was any decision to field the Prime Minister from the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier, addressing people from the border areas, Mr Badal, hinting at the new party formed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, said it comprised people who "set the state on fire" in the past. He claimed that he never wanted a rift in the party and to avoid this he had been meeting Mr Tohra and requesting him "not to harm the party". However, Mr Tohra conspired to become the Chief Minister and all his efforts wre directed towards this aim, Mr Badal alleged. He praised Mr Sharad Pawar and Mr P.A. Sangma for raising their voice against Mrs Sonia Gandhi "to prevent foreigners from occupying key posts of President, Vice-President and Prime Minister." Addressing a public meeting in Dostpur village of Gurdaspur district, the Chief Minister shared the concern of the people on the border in view of the Kargil disturbance. "Our security forces are doing an excellent job to push the infiltrators of Pakistan and there should be no cause of worry," he assured them. Mr Badal said an ambitious project for the repair and construction of border roads in the districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Fereozepore was being prepared. Under this scheme, emphasis would be given to strengthening the network of roads in the border areas. A scheme of Rs 150 crore had been sent to the Central Government for recondditioning and remodelling of Shakki nullah. Earlier, the Chief
Minister laid the foundation stone of a focal point in
the village which will be completed at a cost of Rs 60
lakh. It would provide facilities like a marketing yard,
veterinary hospital, dispensary and complaint centres
under one roof. |
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May boycott LS poll AMRITSAR, June 5 — The "vanwaas" of Sri Ram had ended after 14 years but our exile continues even after 15 years of the Operation Bluestar. Small traders around the Golden Temple complex who send their entire business reduced to ashes when they returned to their shops on June 6 after the relaxation of curfew are a disappointed lot today. The state government led by the Congress and the Akalis, which formed after Operation Bluestar in 1984 failed to redress their grievances. The chairman of the Golden Temple Galliara Grievances Committee, Mr S S Uppal, claims that at least two small traders had committed suicide as the respective governments (except the Governor's rule) had failed to redress their grievances even after 14 years of their dislocation. He threatened that the small traders who were not compensated adequately so far might boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as no party had come to their rescue. Narrating the tale of woes, Mr Uppal said June 1 was the fateful day when traders of the crowded bazaars around the Golden Temple complex fled due to sudden crossfire between security forces and terrorists. Many of the traders had left their shops open for obvious reasons. Curfew was imposed, which was relaxed for a while on June 3 when traders saw fire engulfing the entire southern area. However, on June 6 they virtually found themselves without means of livelihood. Mr Uppal said seven years of Governor's rule was better than the "so called popular" governments. The case, which was heard at length during the Governor's rule was allegedly filed by the successive elected governments. He said the Galliara Yojna being faulty and ill conceived" sowed the seeds of their misery. Actual sufferers were nearly 850 small time traders. The Improvement Trust had done door-to-door survey. Instead of about 850 shops for the oustees more than 1150 shops were built but the trust under the Galliara Yojna in as many as 13 complexes. The 13 sites included Green Plaza, Pink Plaza and City Centre. From petrol pump to Ajit Nagar Idh sites, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Market and Guru Nanak market. Most of the small traders who were doing good business around the Golden Temple complex before Operation Bluestar were left high and dry as their business could not take off. With the result, most of the small traders disposed of their allotted shops. While the traders who were allotted shops in Idh complex, Shaheed Bhagat Singh complex and Guru Nanak Dev market are in a better position, 70 to about 90 per cent of original allottees disposed of shops in Pink Plaza, Green Plaza and the prestigious City Centre. The Golden Temple
corridor oustees now have decided to boycott the
forthcoming election if the state government failed to
concede their genuine demands. Their demands included
identification of actual small traders, who were ousted
from the 'galliara' declaring them weaker section under
special circumstances for at least five years. They have
demanded that interest-free loans be given to them so to
enable them to stand on their feet. The traders have also
demanded implementation of the I.S. Bindra report which
was got complied by the then Governor Mr Nirmal Mukherjee
by conducting door-to-door survey. However, this report
was filed by the following "popular"
governments. Mr Uppal alleged that while under the
Galliara Yojna ample benefits were given to owners but
the small traders had been going from pillar to post, but
in vain. |
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A road to prosperity ROPAR: Three decades ago, Nurpur Bedi area was known as the 'Kala Pani' of the region. It is now heading towards prosperity and development. With the construction of 10 bridges on khads (seasonal rivulets) on the Ropar-Nurpur Bedi-Jhajj route, this 35 km stretch has now become an all-weather road, vital in bringing prosperity to the area. The construction of the bridges started four years ago and the last bridge was completed in February this year on 'Sau khad' at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore. Earlier, this area was so short of transport facilities, health services, drinking water and education facilities that government employees considered transfer to this area a punishment. Before the construction of these bridges, floods in these khuds kept traffic suspended for days together in the rainy season and villages remained cut off from the rest of the district. This was one of the main reasons why the Nurpur Bedi area remained backward in all respects. The residents had to live in poverty and deprivation. The people have now found a ray of hope and are looking forward to better days since the area has enough potential for development. A resident of Takhtgarh village, Mr Darshan Kumar, says traffic now runs on the route 24 hours. Those needing medical help can easily be taken to Ropar or Anandpur Sahib for treatment. The prices of land have gone up. Employees prefer to be transferred to this area because of rural area allowance as well as house rent that the posting earns. Parents are now ready to send their wards, especially girls, to colleges at Ropar and Anadpur Sahib from the next academic session. Cultivators of baggar grass, vegetables, and wheat are now able to sell their produce at remunerative prices in urban markets. A resident of Abiana village, Mr Sukh Ram, says vehicular traffic on this route has increased manifold. A brickkiln at Haripur village has started functioning recently while another is coming up at Madhowal village. Children will not have to miss school during the rains because of flooded khads. Job opportunities are also increasing. Due to the all-weather road, people are showing an interest in purchasing land in this area and the prices are rising. Another resident of Abiana village, Mr Onkar Singh, says the number of cattle head brought to fairs has increased. New telephone exchanges in the villages are being installed. Two milk dairies by Haryana Milkfood and a private milk products company near Bains village have been set up. All this has happened because of the new road. A resident of Sarthali village, Mr Net Ram, says the area has seen a marked increase in the number of vehicles, especially two wheelers. The construction of bridges on this route started after the foundation stone laying ceremony of three bridges by the late Beant Singh on May 2, 1995, on persuasion by Dr Ramesh Dutt Sharma, the then MLA. During the previous Congress regime, six bridges on Bathlor khad, Tibba Tapprian khad, Raipur Munne khad, Asmanpur khad, Singhpur khad and Pachranda khad were completed at a cost of Rs 3.75 crore. The remaining four bridges on the lower Garhbagah, khad, upper Garhbagah khud, Bhatton khad and Sau khad were completed at a cost of about Rs 2.50 crore by the present Akali government. These four bridges were constructed as part of development projects in view of the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. These 10 bridges, besides connecting villages with Ropar and Anandpur Sahib, also provide an alternative route from Ropar to Anandpur Sahib in addition to the Ropar-Anandpur Sahib route via Kiratpur Sahib. Though 10 bridges have
been constructed, yet culverts on two choes in Bhinder
Nagar and a span on two minor bridges near Dollian
village remain to be constructed. At present there are
causeways on these khuds. |
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Tight-rope walk by Mayor LUDHIANA, June 5 — The split in the Akali Dal (Badal) about a week ago has put a question mark on the continuance of Mr Arpinder Singh Grewal as Mayor of Ludhiana. Mr Grewal is known to belong to the Tohra faction. But he now seems to be trying to distance himself from Mr G.S. Tohra and doing his best to keep councillors of both factions in good humour. "Right now, I am in no man's land", said Mr Grewal when asked by TNS which Akali faction he belonged to "I am not in any camp. I am just doing a job assigned to me by the Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, about two years ago. I was in the USA, where I am a greencard holder, when I got the summons to return home and take up this responsibility..." When pointed out that Tohra loyalists had held a convention at Gurdwara Alamgir on May 30 where they had removed Mr Badal and "elected" Mr Tohra as the Dal chief, Mr Grewal said he had kept away from the convention. As a matter of fact, he had been keeping away from all conclaves of both sides. "I am a sportsman not a politician...," he said, adding that as a loyal Dal worker, he wanted to get on with the job assigned to him. Mr Grewal is trying to do a tight-rope walk between the two factions, but the arithmatic of the corporation is such that it will not be any easy task. The House has a total strength of 70 councillors plus five MLAs. Before the split, the Akali Dal had 23 members, the BJP 17 and the Congress 17. The BSP and the BSM had one seat each. The rest are Independents. After the split, the Tohra loyalists claim a strength of 18. The BJP is now said to be keen on removing Mr Grewal so as to instal a BJP councillor as the new Mayor. But this is easier said than done. Under the law, a Mayor can be voted out only by a two-thirds majority of the members present. The BJP together with the Dal (B) and a few Independents can barely command a simple majority. Mr Grewal claims that he has the support of the most of the councillors, including those belonging to the Congress and Independents. But Mr Kulwant Singh Dukhia, a prominent councillor belonging to the Dal (B), says that he is in touch with the Dal (B) chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, as regards the next course of action on the matter. Mr Dukhia is sure Mr
Grewal cannot be allowed to travel in two boats. "He
will have to take a stand. We plan to issue a statement
soon expressing faith in the leaadership of Mr Parkash
Singh Badal. If he refuses to sign it, he will have to
go." He claims more than half of the 23 Akali
councillors are with the Dal (B) and it will be no
problem for the Dal (B) BJP alliance to muster a
two-thirds majority when the chips are down. |
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PPCC chief visits families of
Kargil martyrs MANSA, June 5 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, President, Capt Amarinder Singh, today visited the families of two brave Indian Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives combating infiltrators from Pakistan in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The PPCC, in a statement issued here today, said Capt Amarinder Singh handed over a cheque of Rs 50,000 to each of the families.The money, which was collected by the Mansa district Congress, according to the PPCC chief has been presented as only a small gesture on behalf of the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Capt Amarinder Singh personally conveying his condolences to the bereaved families of Lance Naik Buta Singh of 14th Sikh Regiment at Danewala village and sepoy Rashvinder Singh of 8th Sikh Regiment in Gurkani village of this district said the Congress party would extend all help to the jawans who laid down their lives for the country. Earlier, the Bathinda District Congress had handed over a cheque worth Rs 2 lakh to Mrs Alka Ahuja, widow of Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja who was killed by Pakistan army personnel after he bailed out of his MIG-21 which was hit by a missile. Twentytwo year-old Rashvinder Singh was killed while his company was advancing on a high altitude position held by Pakistan-backed terrorists and some regular army soldiers. Rashvinder Singh was leading from the front when a hail of bullets fired from Universal Machine Guns hit him. Rashvinder's mother told Congress leader that her son was a brave boy and a natural leader of men not only in his unit but also back in the village. "I am filled with sense of pride though loss was irreparable," she said. Rashvinder Singh's body was recovered after six days when the infiltrators were finally forced into backing off. At Danewala Village, Lance Naik Buta Sisngh’s family narrated a similar tale about how their boy met his end. Buta Singh has left behind a young widew, Amritpal Kaur and two and-half-year-old daughter Komal. Buta Singh’s father has requested Capt Amarinder Singh to get some sort of memorial raised for his brave son. It could be naming of village school or dispensary after his name. Capt Amarinder Singh was
accompanied by PPCC functionaries, sitting and former
MLAs and exministers belonging to the Congress. |
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Withdrawal of cases against Bhattal
sought PATIALA, June 5 — A Congress delegation led by Pradesh Congress General Secretary Ramesh Singla today called upon Patiala Range DIG Sanjeev Gupta and submitted a memorandum demanding withdrawal of cases against former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and traders who had allegedly protested against the police inaction in the case of murder of businessman Bant Ram Goel at Nabha on May 27. The delegation, which was led by Mr Singla, also included PPCC Organising Secretary Vishnu Sharma, District Rural Congress President Hardial Singh Kamboj and District Mahila Congress President Bhupinder Kaur, besides Congress workers. Talking to newsmen after submitting the memorandum to the DIG, Mr Singla said the delegation had been assured that no arrests would be made regarding the cases registered against Mr Bhattal, journalist Sushil Jain and traders. He said the DIG told the delegation that the police was concentrating on solving the murder first. Mr Singla said the memorandum said that false cases had been registered against Mrs Bhattal and prominent businessmen of the city who had gone to the dharna site to pacify the mob which had collected to protest against alleged police inaction. It said the FIR should be cancelled. Mr Singla also said he had requested the DIG to investigate the role of the family members of the deceased also, while carrying on investigations into the case as nothing was revealed by the arrest of two brothers Mashoor Singh and Gurnam Singh who had been named by family members. Earlier, Mr Singla had
claimed that Mrs Bhattal should not have gone to the
dharna site on May 27 without taking any local leaders
into confidence, Mrs Bhattal had visited the dharna site
accompanied by senior Congress leader Brij Lal Goel. |
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NSUI chief comes out in
Bhattal's support PATIALA, June 5 — The president of the Punjab unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), Mr Samarjit Singh Sammy, yesterday said former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal did not need anyone's permission to visit any town nor needed to collect local leaders before going to sympathise with any affected family. Reacting to a statement in this regard made by PPCC general secretary Ramesh Singla after a visit to Nabha, Mr Sammy said certain persons were issuing statements which would help the accused in the murder of local businessman Bant Ram Goyal. The NSUI chief said Mrs Bhattal had stopped at Nabha while travelling from Amargarh to Chandigarh on May 27 and was accompanied by Congress leader Brij Lal Goel. He said on coming to know of the brutal murder of the businessman, she had gone to express her sympathies with the aggrieved family. He said even while speaking to the people who had gathered to protest against alleged police inaction in the matter, Mrs Bhattal has demanded a high-level probe into the issue. He said moreover it was not necessary for the Congress to express sympathy with only its workers. It could not discriminate between workers of different parties while trying to give succour to any one. Mr Sammy also demanded that the false case registered against Mrs Bhattal and journalist Sushil Jain be taken back. He said the police should strive to solve the case instead of finding scapegoats to hide its own failure. He also cautioned that
the Congress should take the sentiments of traders into
consideration while giving their reaction on the case. He
said the traders were by and large disillusioned with the
Akali-BJP government and now they were happy that the
Congress party was standing by them. |
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Info-tech course in govt
colleges AMRITSAR, June 5 — The Punjab Government will introduce a new course of information technology in 25 government colleges of the state from the new academic session. Dr H.S. Deol, DPI (Colleges), Punjab, announcing this, said the Punjab Government would give full financial support for introducing this course in the colleges. Dr Deol was delivering his presidential remarks in the inaugural session of a one-day workshop of principals of colleges affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University and subject-coordinators here today at the Guru Nanak Bhavan of the university. The workshop was arranged by the Dean of College Development Council of the university. Dr Deol said two private-aided colleges affiliated to three universities of Punjab would also be included in this scheme. Giving details about this scheme, he said the state government would float tender notices in the leading newspapers inviting rates for setting up infrastructure and providing faculty for this course in different colleges from the firms having a annual business of over Rs 3 crore. The government would then decide the fee structure accordingly. He also suggested to introduce industrial microbiology and pharmaceutical chemistry courses keeping in view the needs of the state. Dr Inder Pal Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating the workshop said in this era of competition there was a knowledge explosion at the international level. He said that education should be need-based and generate employment for the youth. Dr (Mrs) R Puri, Convenor, Northern Indian Universities, in her key-note address, informed that regional sub-groups had recommended 119 institutions from across the country to extend support for introduction of 200 vocational subjects. Dr Ravinder Kumar, Deputy Secretary, Regional Centre of UGC, Ghaziabad informed about the UGC schemes. Earlier, Dr SP Singh, Dean, College Development Council of the university, provided statistical data about the vocational subjects introduced in various affiliated colleges of the university. Dr R S Bawa, Registrar, presented a vote of thanks. More than 20 principals
and subject coordinators of the university participated
in the workshop. |
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SHO suspended LUDHIANA, June 5 — The SHO of the Raikot police post falling under the Jagraon police district Mr Ramji, has een suspended following the submission of an inquiry report which held him responsible for the alleged illegal detention and torture of two Dalit brothers of Basravan village on the night of May 30. The suspended SHO has been sent to the Police Lines. The SSP of Jagraon has written to the district administration requesting for a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The preliminary inquiry was conducted by DSP Ashok Puri. The two Dalit brothers, Jagroop Singh and Darshan Singh, were rounded up by the police on the night of May 30 at the instance of a local Akali leader, Mr Dharam Pal Singh, and subjected to torture. It is learnt that the miscreant had sneaked into their house and tried to outrage the modesty of their sister-in-law. The two raised an alarm and the miscreant was caught by the villagers. Later, the police came to the village along with the Akali leader and instead of arresting the culprit, took both Dalit brothers to the police station where they were beaten up. While Jagroop Singh have been discharged from hospital, Darshan Singh is still at the Pakhowal Civil Hospital. The case came to light
when the two brothers approached the Senior
Vice-President of the Janata Dal, Mr Harish Khanna. Mr
Khanna led a deputation of Janata Dal workers to the DIG,
Ludhiana Range, who ordered an inquiry into the incident. |
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Baba in court custody till
June 18 LUDHIANA, June 5 — The judicial remand of Baba Darshan Singh of Dhakki Sahib, Maksoodaran, was extended till June 18 today. Since morning, a large number of supporters of the detained Baba had gathered at the district courts. But the Judicial Magistrate, Mr HJS Tiwana, took up the case at the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police. The Baba was arrested on May 7 for land grab. Meanwhile, a five-member delegation of supporters of Baba Darshan Singh met the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arjun Goel, and complained that they were not being allowed by the police to pay obeisance at the dera gurdwara. Mr Goel assured them that the matter would be resolved after he talked to the SSP, Khanna. The Sant Samaj has
announced its decision to hold a "Dharmik
Samagam" at the dera at Dhakki Sahib on June 13. |
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Act of aggression, says Sikh
Council CHANDIGARH, June 5 — The Sikh Intellectual Council said today that Pakistan was violating the spirit of Lahore declaration by sending intruders into the Kargil sector. Prof Baldev Singh Baluana, President, Sikh Intellectual Council, said the Pakistan had committed an act of aggression against India in the Kargil sector. The recent statements by the Defence Minister, George Fernandes were highly objectionable. Paying tributes to jawans who laid down their lives while protecting the territorial integerity of the country, the Council appealed to the state governments to raise memorials for them. The Council has urged
the union government to release all Sikh youth detaines
by quickly processing their cases. It has also sought
speedy distribution of compensation for the 1984 riot
victims. |
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PCC constitutes poll panel CHANDIGARH, June 5 — Capt Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, has constituted a 15-member state election committee and an eight-member manifesto committee for the coming Lol Sabha elections. Both committees have the approval of Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The poll committee includes Mrs Ambika Soni, Mr Jagjit Singh, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr R.L. Bhatia, Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, Mr Surinder Singla, Mr H.S.Hanspal, Mr Gurmail Singh, Mr Lal Singh, Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, Mr Mohinder Singh Gill and Mr Ashwani Kumar. Mr Surinder Singla will
be a convener of the manifesto committee. Its other
members are Mr H.S. Hanspal, Mr Gurmail Singh, Mrs
Santosh Chowdhary, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, Mr Ashwani
Kumar and Mr Harminder Singh Jassi. |
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CM not to participate AMRITSAR, June 5 (UNI) — Chief Minister and Akali Dal (Badal) president Parkash Singh Badal will not be participating in the 'ghallughara divas' (genocide day) function meeting being organised by the SGPC at Akal Takht here tomorrow to mark the 15th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. Talking to mediapersons at the border village of Attari today, Mr Badal said he had not received any invitation in this regard. "Nor did Bibi ji (SGPC chief Jagir Kaur) make any mention of tomorrow's function to me," he quipped in reply to a query. Asked how he proposed to
observe the ghallughara divas, particularly as the Akalis
had always criticised Operation Bluestar, the Chief
Minister replied he would perform 'ardas' as all Akalis
do. |
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Pak Army effigy burnt LUDHIANA, June 5 (PTI) — An effigy of the Pakistan Army was burnt here today at Clock Tower Chowk by activists of the Hindu Shiv Sena. After a protest procession, it was converted into a rally. Demonstrators were led by Mr Pawan Sharma, General Secretary of the sena and Mr Ravinder Arora, president of the Ludhiana unit of the Hindu Shiv Sena. The demonstrators raised slogans against Pakistan. Mr Pawan Sharma, addressing the rally said the Kargil issue was a sensitive one the invaders, had to be punished so that they did not dare repeat their misadventure. He urged political parties not to politicise the issue. "This, however, is
not the time for emotional outbursts or apportioning
blame that can wait till the invaders are driven out of
our land," Mr Sharma said. |
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JEs await promotion for 34
years ROPAR, June 5 — As many as nine Junior Engineers (Civil), working for the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), have been awaiting their first promotion for the past 34 years since their appointment in 1965 as Sectional Officer (SO), redesignated as Junior Engineer in 1979. It is feared that due to stagnation many of them may retire without any promotion in their long service career in the next couple of years. Mr Surjit Singh, who joined in December 1965, retired as JE in March 1999. These JEs also reportedly feel they also have to meet such a fate if the PSEB does not take appropriate steps to end stagnation in a year or two. It has been suggested that these JEs can be promoted by implementing the Puri Committee's report. The recommendations of this report include posting of Assistant Engineer (Civil) at 132 KV and 220 KV substations which now fall under the Protection and Maintenance Organisation. The PSEB has so far posted Assistant Engineers only at 33 KV and 66 KV substations which fall under the operational wing of the board. Earlier, the PSEB had done promotions to end the stagnation of JEs (Civil) by creating 18 posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil) in each operation circle in July 1998. Meanwhile, the PSEB has promoted three more JEs, who were recruited in 1964, as Assistant Engineer. After the promotion of these three JEs a few days ago, the promotional quota of the JEs (Civil) is now fully exhausted. It means that the nine JEs of the 1965 batch will have to wait for long or till fresh quota is available. Hailing the decision of the PSEB for promoting all JEs (Civil) of the 1964 batch, Mr Rajinder Saini, state general secretary of the Association of JEs (Civil) of the PSEB, said the board had so far accepted one part of the Puri Committee report. He said the board should now immediately implement the remaining reccomendations of the committee for creating new posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil) in the Portection and Maintenance Organisation. Mr Saini said this was
the only solution which could satisfy the Junior
Engineers serving the PSEB for the past more than 34
years. He also urged the PSEB management to take
immediate steps to put an end to desperation among the
JEs, working in the board. |
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9-yr-term for spying LUDHIANA, June 5 — A Pakistani spy, Daniel Masih, alias Peter Parkash, who was caught by the Sarabha Nagar police on August 19, 1997, has been sentenced to nine years of rigorous imprisonment by Judicial Magistrate Rakesh Kumar. Daniel Masih, a resident of Haibowal, was involved in stealing confidential documents pertaining to the maps of the Indian Air Force bases. He has been sent to the Nabha jail. Meanwhile, the cases of
two others accused of spying, Shiv Nath and Pawan Kumar,
have been scheduled for hearing on June 17. |
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Punjab Govt to transfer
teachers from FARIDKOT, June 5 — The Punjab Government has decided to start transfers of all categories of teachers from June 10 in the state. A team of senior officers of state Education Department headed by D.P.I. (Schools) will visit each district headquarter and issue the transfer orders on the spot. The entire process will be completed by the end of this month and no further transfers will be made afterwards. This was stated by the Education Minister Tota Singh, while talking to newspersons here yesterday. Efforts will be made to adjust windows, couple cases and handicapped at the stations of their choice. Steps are also being taken to fill the vacant posts of teacher, headmaster and principal before the schools reopen after the summer vacations, he added. He said special flying squads had been constituted to make surprise visits to institutions to ensure the presence of teachers and other staff. He made it clear that no leniency would be shown to those who were found absent from their duties. Mr Tota Singh stated
that special funds were being allocated to the Education
Department for the construction of primary school
buildings besides to meet other basic needs for the
promotion of education. |
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Labourers in bondage JALANDHAR, June 5 — An insensitive administration has not spared a thought to the plight of 13 bonded labourers and initiate an inquiry despite an application by the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee into the matter. The chairperson of the NGO Peoples’ Vigilance Committee Mr Jai Singh, had moved an application to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Som Nath, on April 12 on the bonded labourers. Out of them five are children. They have been kept captive since October last year by one Preetam Singh, a resident of Ponnia village in Shahkot tehsil at his brickkiln at Kang Kalan. A copy of the application was also sent to the Labour Commissioner, Punjab. But even after two
months, no help has come from the authorities to free
them. The youngest captive, Ajay, is eight months. He is
suffering from acute dysentry. "But the owner does
not allow me out of the compound", says his
distraught mother. |
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Rs 17 cr set aside for cane
growers TARN TARAN, June 5 — The Punjab Government has set aside an amount of Rs 17 crore to be paid to sugarcane growers as part of their arrears pending towards the cooperative sugar mills in the state. Mr Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Minister for Cooperation, Punjab, while distributing cheques amounting to Rs 2.10 crore to cane growers of the area which pending with the local coop sugar mills as their arrears disclosed this yesterday. Addressing a well-attended rural gathering on the occasion, Mr Brahampura highlighted the different development schemes of the Punjab Government. Mr M.P. Singh, MD,
Sugarfed, inaugurated the registered cane growers’
scheme to be launched in Punjab to secure the interests
of the cane growers. Under this scheme, sugarcane crop
will be secured to be lifted by the mills concerned till
April 15 every year otherwise the mills would have to pay
10 per cent penalty to the cane growers. Mr Tarlochan
Singh Tur, sitting MP, and others also spoke on the
occasion. |
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Dukhi's death mourned PATIALA, June 5 — The Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, yesterday led people from various spheres in mourning the death of eminent social worker Sohan Lal Dukhi. Speaking at the bhog ceremony of the deceased social worker, Mr Atwal said Dukhi besides being a tireless worker of the Shiromani Akali Dal had served the downtrodden his whole life. The Finance Minister,
Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said Dukhi had always worked with
boldness and impartiality which should be taken as an
inspiration. Others who spoke on the occasion were Mr
Charanjit Singh Walia, BJP district unit president,
Pitamber Dutt, senior Akali leader Manmohan Singh Bajaj,
former minister Surjit Singh Kohli and Subordinate
Services Selection Board Chairman Jasdev Singh Sandhu. |
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Stir threat by farmers MOGA, June 5 — Thousands of farmers from various towns of this district last evening picketed outside the offices of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to press acceptance of their demands for at least 16-hour uninterrupted power supply to them daily, replacement of the burnt out transformers, setting right all electric poles, eradication of largescale corruption in the board, issuance of inflated power bills to farmers. Besides giving power connections to farmers the applications of whom had been pending in the offices of the boards for several years etc. While addressing farmers the District President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Mr Hardev Singh said a meeting had been called at Ludhiana on June 20 where farmers had gathered to prepare agitational programme against the Punjab Government and also the PSEB if their demads were not met. Mr Baj Singh said keeping in view the unavailability of DAP, and costly insecticides, the prices of paddy and that of sugarcane had been increased to Rs 636, Rs 3600 and Rs 132 per quintal respectively. They also said the Badal government had failed to meet the demands of farmers and honour the promises it had made before the Lok Sabha elections. If the demads of the
farmers were not met with they would launch a statewide
agitation and the entire responsibility would rest on the
government, they said. They later submitted a memorandum
to the Deputy Commissioner, Moga. |
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Boycott threat over appointments CHANDIGARH, June 5 — The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers’ Association has opposed strongly the way appointments are being made in the Baba Farid Medical University from outside. Dr A.S. Sidhu, president, and Dr Ravinder Singh, general secretary of the association, said the university had been set up to look after the affairs of the medical and dental students of Punjab but no one on its faculty had been taken from amongst the senior professors of the state medical and dental colleges. Most of the appointments had been made from among retired professors of the PGI and Dayanand Medical College. Warning the authorities
concerned in this regard the association said if the
appointments were to be made this way the faculty of
state medical and dental colleges would have no option
but to boycott the affairs of the medical university. |
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