Sunday, March 7, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, March 7, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Panel
adjourns hearing till March 10 10
SGPC members assail Tohra |
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Are Akali
groups heading for split? No
truck with Tohra: Mann Selection
rules given go-by? Principal
booked for embezzlement Residents
distressed over foul odour ‘Jan
sansad’ draws crowds |
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Panel adjourns hearing till March 10 AMRITSAR, March 6 (PTI) — The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today adjourned hearing till March 10 on the application moved by pro-Badal executive members for suspension of the SGPC president Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, senior vice-president Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and three pro-Tohra executive members. The commission further adjourned hearing and reply for March 10 on the contempt proceedings against the president, senior vice-president, SGPC secretary and "restrained" senior secretary, Manjit Singh Calcutta for not complying with the commission's orders on holding an executive committee meeting on February 10. This application was also moved by the pro-Badal executive members. Mr Manpreet Singh Sood, who appeared as defence counsel, prayed for adjournment of these cases for at least two weeks as he could not contact his client, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. The commission Chairman, Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, however, did not agree with the lawyer and observed that the commission had already given enough time to the respondents as these cases were earlier adjourned thrice. The commission, however, adjourned the hearing till March 10. The court did not agree with the defence lawyer that it had given ex parte decision in rejecting two applications of pro-Tohra SGPC members Sarup Singh Dhesi on March 4 when the applications were "dismissed on default as neither the counsel nor the petitioners were present in the court." The lawyer argued that a telegram was sent to the court seeking adjournment of the proceedings as it was highly "unsafe for him to appear in the court following a physical attack" on him and Mr Surjit Singh Sood in the precincts of the court on February 26 by the SGPC general secretary, Mr Balbir Singh Pannu. The judge pointed out that the telegram had not made anything clear. The court, however, told the lawyer that Mr Dhesi's application could be restored within a month as required under the law. Mr Manpreet Singh told
that the that he would file an application for
restoration of the original application but did not state
when he would do so. |
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10 SGPC members assail Tohra CHANDIGARH, March 6 — Ten members of the SGPC, including Junior Vice-President Kewal Singh and General Secretary Balbir Singh Pannu today described the general house meeting convened by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra on March 22 as a ploy to befool members, the Panth and the people at large. They said that it was a last-ditch attempt by Mr Tohra to escape the verdict of "history" against him by throwing dust in the eyes of law. In a statement here these members said that the meeting did not even fulfil the mandatory requirement of a notice of 20 days. Besides, the offer to convert the agenda of the said meeting into a no-confidence motion lacked legal validity as the notice for the purpose had not been served either through registered post, courier or through a public notice as required under the law. Members had only learnt about the change in agenda through the print media. These members said the meeting to discuss the no-confidence motion could be convened under Section 63 with the requisition signed by minimum 20 members of the general house. Whereas the March 22 meeting had been cleverly convened under Section 57 which made it a routine affair in which confidence motion could solely be on a single point agenda and no other issue could be discussed therein. The members have urged Mr
Tohra not to resort to such tricks and to show the
courage to face the no-confidence motion. They said that
the meeting convened by members on March 16 would be held
as scheduled as this was strictly in accordance with the
rules and norms of governing the SGPC. |
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Khalsa celebrations to begin on
April 6 CHANDIGARH, March 6 — The tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa will begin on April 6 with an Akhand Path at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib. The mega event will be formally inaugurated on April 8 by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. Announcing the detailed final programme with regard to celebrations chalked out by the Anandpur Sahib Foundation, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who is chairman of the Programme Planning and Implementation Committee of the foundation, said that the celebrations would continue till April 14. Mr Vajpayee, after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, would inaugurate an exhibition of historical Sikh relics at Khalsa College, Anandpur Sahib, and also inaugurate a kisan bhavan built by the Punjab Mandi Board there. The Pakistan Government had agreed to loan Sikh relics for display in the exhibitions, according to Capt Kanwaljit Singh. The exhibition would be organised with the collaboration of National Museum. Relics were also being collected from private sources, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said. He said that the foundation was given 11 projects with regard to celebrations. It may be mentioned here that the pro-Gurcharan Singh Tohra youth wing of the Akali Dal and the All-India Sikh Students Federation have also announced a parallel programme with regard to celebrations. Under the leadership of Bhai Ranjit Singh, an international youth conference would be held from April 6 to 14, according to a statement issued by Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, general secretary of the Youth wing of the Akali Dal. The "pavittar joyati procession" organised by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Party will also reach Anandpur Sahib on April 13, according to Mr Shamsher Singh Rai, convener of the SC and ST cell of the party. He said as Dalits had played a major role in the Sikh history, especially during Guru Gobind Singh's time they would be participating in a big way. Mr Rai said that meetings were being held at various places to mobilise Dalits and making them aware about the significance of this event. Meanwhile, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the Vice-President of India would visit Anandpur Sahib on April 12 for participating in the celebrations. The President of India would not be able to participate as he would undergo an eye operation on March 22. But the President would release a set of stamps with regard to the celebrations on April 9 in Delhi. He said countries like the UK, USA, Canada and Malaysia have contacted the Punjab Government through proper channel about the celebrations. High-level delegations from these countries were expected to participate in the celebrations at official level. On April 13 a function would be organised to honour those who have achieved excellence in various fields with the "Order of the Khalsa". A committee had been set up for preparing a list of those who deserved to be honoured with the "Khalsa Order". Khalsa marches started from the birth places of "panj piaras" would reach Kiratpur Sahib on April 10 and after a day’s rest these would come to Anandpur Sahib on April 12. The jathedars of all the five Takhts would also participate in the celebrations on this day, he added. A Gurbani concert would be held in the evening on April 13 in which melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Jasraj, Singh Bandhus, Hans Raj Hans and Bhai Lalji from Pakistan would sing shabads. A serial with 26 episodes was also being finalised by producer-director B.R. Chopra. Its script had been handed over to the SGPC for approval. It would deal with Sikh history. A laser show would also be held on April 13. Sports events would also be held from April 9 to 13. This part of celebrations would conclude on April 14 with a message to the Panth by the Jathedar of Akal Takht. But celebrations in various forms would continue for one full year. Apart from a light and
sound programme, cultural programmes, dhadi and ragi
darbars would also be held during this period. From April
8 to 14 a special session would be held at Divan Hall
where VIPs, including Chief Ministers from other states,
would be participating. |
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Are Akali groups heading for
split? CHANDIGARH, March 6 — Are the Akali groups in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha heading for split? Both the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his arch rival, SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, are trying hard to upstage each other. Mr Tohra's camp claims that in Rajya Sabha out of the five members, it has at least two members. Mr Tohra and Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra. This was amply demonstrated here today as Mr Libra issued a strong statement alleging that Mr Badal has usurped all powers and was only benefiting his family. He called him a dictator and an anti-Sikh and anti-Punjabi leader. The same way, Mr Tohra had been having long meetings with the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala. Mr Barnala has made some protest noises also, but as yet not clearly marked himself out of the Badal camp. He could be closer to Mr Badal as far as moderate political line is concerned, but feels hurt the way he has been treated by the Chief Minister not only in the past, but even now. To add to Mr Badal's woes is the attempt to wean away two Lok Sabha members, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur from Tarn Taran and Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal from Ludhiana. Mr Tur is unhappy that Mr Badal after having married his daughter to Mr Aidash Partap Singh Kairon, now an MLA has been building up the Kairon family. Old Akali guards who have fought long battles with the Kairon family, particularly with the Congress leader Mr Surinder Singh Kairon now feel let down. This feeling is pronounced in Amritsar district. The allegation is that it is the Kairon family which is ruling the roost. The same way Mr Aliwal is unhappy the way he has been treated by the junior Badal, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, now a Minister of State at the Centre. Akali Dal has eight members in the Lok Sabha. But Mr Badal who is acutely aware of these developments and their political fallout is making hard efforts to keep his flock together. He too had meetings with Mr Barnala to appease him a bit and also with Mr Tur. The Badal camp is confident that except Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Lok Sabha member from Patiala, Mr Tohra can claim the support of none else. This camp is also examining the option that once Mr Tohra has been squarely dealt with expelled from the Akali Dal and SGPC Presidentship is taken away, Mr Chandumajra could be expelled from the Dal. He would be then a non-attached member in the Lok Sabha. The same way, Mr Tohra would be expelled from the Rajya Sabha group. Mr Libra can be dealt separately. Today, Mr Libra told Mr Tohra's line and said that Mr Badal had humiliated the Akal Takht, misused his majority and downgraded the Sikh Panth and is dividing the people and the leaders down the line just as to build his son as his successor. Side by side, in his
undated statement released today he alleged that Punjab's
economy was in ruins and fiscal situation very poor.
'Farmers hard hit by crisis were committing suicides
while Mr Badal was busy fighting small battles," he
said. |
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No truck with Tohra: Mann PATIALA, March 6 — Akali Dal (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann today said there was no question of his party having any truck with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Talking to newsmen here after a meeting of party workers to mobilise people for filling the Satluj Yamuna link (SYL) canal on March 20, Mr Mann said the SGPC chief was a "discarded" leader who did not interest his party. "We want to infuse fresh blood in the politics of the state and do not want to rely on someone who failed in his capacity as SGPC chief", he added. Mr Mann, however, admitted that he had had political discussions with the SGPC chief at Alamgir recently. "However, there was no meeting ground as Mr Tohra is not in favour of a separate political goal for the Sikhs", he said. Castigating both Mr Tohra and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for diverting the Punjabis through a needless controversy, he said the need of the hour was a solution to the economic, political and social issues concerning the people of Punjab. He said instead of delving seriously into these issues on the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa, the Akali Dal was only interested in erecting gates and preparing for marches. The Akali Dal (Amritsar) president said the fight between the SGPC President and the Chief Minister had resulted in all party, religious and government powers resting with the latter which was an ominous sign. "Never before have the powers of the SGPC, Akal Takht, the party and the government rested with one individual", he said. He said Mr Badal was trying to fool the people of the state by raising the bogey of terrorism for his vested ends. On one hand militants are still surrendering and the state police chief does not apprehend any such development but the Chief Minister is hinting of the return of such days, he said. Mr Mann also condemned the
Akali Dal for issuing a whip to its MPs to vote in favour
of imposition of President's rule in Bihar. He said while
Mr Badal had opposed the clause in the conference of
chief ministers, he had played into the hands of the BJP
to protect his personal interests. |
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Selection rules given go-by? LUDHIANA, March 6 — Rules and regulations seem to have been given a go-by for the selection of the Director, Students Welfare, and the appointments of various department heads at Punjab Agricultural University. It is learnt from reliable sources that a memo (REC AU. 98/R-1/45878-993) dated December 11, 1998, was issued to all Deans, Directors, Additional Director, Extension Education, heads of departments and Associate Directors wherein applications were invited to fill the post of Director, Students welfare, from among the professor-level teachers of the university. Subsequently, 22 applications have been received for this. However, the dispute arose when it was pointed out that the university statutes had been changed and the procedure for filling the post of Director, Students Welfare, had once again been made different from other posts of officers on the academic side (like Director of Research and Director of Extension Education) and would be filled from among the university's faculty only. Earlier, the post of DSW was held by a member of the university faculty. Later, this statute was changed and the new rules laid down that this post be open to professor-level teachers from all over India. For reasons unknown, this statute was again reversed to the original one. When contacted, Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor of the university, denied the charge that the statutes for selection were being changed at convenience to accommodate certain people. "After the rules for selection of DSW were changed for the first time, we realised that only a faculty member of the university, who was well-acquainted with the system here, would be the ideal person to hold this office. The rules were thus again reverted to the original ones", he explained. Contrary to the Vice-Chancellor's claims that rules were not being flouted for the appointment of various heads of departments, the teachers feel otherwise. On condition of anonymity a senior professor of the university said although the rules lay down that selection would be made on seniority-cum-merit basis both the conditions were being flouted with impunity. Recently, Dr Amrik Singh Sandhu was appointed Head of the Horticulture Department although he was fourth in line according to seniority. He superseded Dr J.S. Kanwar, Dr Sarwan Singh and Dr G.S. Bajwa. In the Soil Water Engineering Department the case of a senior professor, Dr H.S. Gulati, was ignored although he had been officiating as the head of the department. Dr N.K. Narda was appointed as the head of the department. According to highly placed sources, the criteria of seniority have been ignored for the appointment of two other heads in the Departments of Zoology and Entomology. The selection committee has recommended the names of two junior professors to be taken up in the board of management meeting for its approval on March 12. For the appointment of the Head of the Zoology Department, Dr M.L. Sood, who has been officiating as HoD has been ignored and Dr V.R. Parshad, who is much junior and had done his masters degree under the guidance of Dr Sood has been selected. Similarly, in the Department of Entomology a junior professor, Dr Darshan Singh, has been selected for the post of HoD, ignoring the seniority of Dr G.S. Dhaliwal. According to informed sources, the two professors — Dr M.L. Sood and Dr G.S. Dhaliwal — have also given their representation to the Vice-Chancellor and urged him to look into the matter. However, Dr G.S. Kalkat
maintained the appointments of various HoD were being
done according to the statutes for selection. "We
also have to take into account the merit of the
candidates, which also includes their managerial
abilities and not just the number of research projects
accomplished or research papers published. Moreover, the
selection committee comprising certain seniormost faculty
members of the university, is an unbiased body and only
the best suited candidate is selected," he said. |
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Principal booked for embezzlement TALWANDI SABO, March 6 — The Principal of the local Dashmesh Public Senior Secondary School being run by the Punjab State Defence Security and Relief Fund Educational Society, Chandigarh, has been booked by the police for alleged large-scale bungling of school funds. The Principal, Mr Surinder Singh Gill, who has been making foreign jaunts and indulging in other luxuries after collecting lakhs of rupees from the public in the garb of donations for the school was booked under Sections 406, 409, 420, 468 and 471 of the IPC. He was indicted in an inquiry held by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Mr Alok Shekhar. Official sources said that the inquiry, conducted on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.R. Ladhar, who is also chairperson of the school management, found that the Principal had embazzled about Rs 19 lakh of the school money. The sources said that Mr Gill got printed fake donation slips in the name of building fund and school bus fund and collected money from the students. The slips were printed without taking permission of the chairperson or the manager of the school management. The inquiry found that Mr Gill used about Rs 2 lakh of the school for making frequent private foreign trips. He had made cash payments of about Rs 11 lakh to contractors without taking any bill or voucher from the parties concerned. He did not maintain the log-book of the official car. The 250-page inquiry report also revealed that the Principal had no general receipt books up to 1994 which contained the accounts of large donations taken from the public. He had also bungled Rs 2 lakh in the bus fund. Mr Gill had also auctioned a car, van and a bus of the school and purchased a new bus without permission of the chairperson. The inquiry report revealed that he organised a 'star nite' on behalf of the school management but did not maintain the accounts. He had also collected lakh of rupees for opening a lucky draw on behalf of the district Red Cross Society but did not hold a draw. He had also violated the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) by depositing $ 2,000 belonging to him into the school funds for conversion into rupees. He had transferred money from the school fund to another school located in Badal village. He also allowed six students of Dashmesh School, Badal , to study in this school without authorisation and without payment of the prescribed fee. Mr Gill is on leave till
March 10, 1999. |
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Residents distressed over foul odour KAPURTHALA, March 6 — Panic prevails among residents over the rising foul odour from discharge of a distillery situated at Hamira for the past few days. The residents after feeling suffocated came out of their houses to find out the cause of the bad odour last night. Vasant Vihar association president S.L. Suri told mediapersons that he and his family members had a sleepness night on March 4 due to foul smell and started vomiting. Most of the residents to whom mediapersons contacted apprehended the outbreak of some epidemic if this foul odour continued. The SSP, Mr Iqbal Singh, who also experienced the foul smell, ordered the registration of case for the rising foul odour in the city last night. He told mediapersons that he would send the report to the Pollution Control Board for taking action against the factory. The intensity of the foul odour was so strong that residents living within a radius of about 20 km from the factory had a bad experience of this smell. The affluent discharge of the factory has even affected underground water near Hamira village and drinking water has become unfit for human consumption for the past many years. On the other hand, the distillery vice president, Mr Vijay Kapoor, when contacted on phone, said factory had installed all anti-pollution devices. When his attention was drawn towards the foul odour, he said he would look into the matter. Production Manager of the factory J.K. Sharma, who also resides in the town, when contacted admitted that he also experienced the foul odour. He said it was due to the direction of the wind and change of temperature which resulted in the spread of foul odour in the city. Meanwhile anti-pollution committee chairman Surjit Singh Bhatti in a statement here, today demanded strict action against the distillery for spreading foul odour and polluting the air. He alleged that officials of the Pollution Control Board were hand in gloves with the management of the factory who had greased their palms for not taking any action against them. He warned if the
distillery did not check the air pollution the committee
would be forced to launch an agitation. |
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‘Jan
sansad’
draws crowds CHANDIGARH, March 6 — The ‘People’s parliament’ (jan sansad) convened by the Bharti Kisan Union called for making up for lack of enthusiastic response to the programmes related to the golden jubilee of ’India’s Independence. Mr Prem Singh Dahiya, president of the All-India Kisan Committee, was unanimously elected ‘speaker’ for the session. Homage was paid to the martyrs of the freedom struggle and kisan movements by observing two minutes of silence. The aims and objectives of the ‘sansad’ were also read out to the gathering. The tempo for the deliberations in the ‘parliament’ were set by the speech of the deputy speaker, Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann, President of the union, who remarked that while the countrymen went overboard in wishing each other a happy new year, no one wished anybody a happy golden jubilee of the Independence. This he said, was because no one felt happy about the way the country is being run today. Every section of society is disillusioned. The ‘parliament’, the second such function being held at the national level, at the Sector 17 Parade Ground here today, saw participation of thousands of persons, referred to as sansads, from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. A large number of women activists also took part in the deliberations. Mr Mann said the need of the hour was to highlight the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle so that the people could know the cost at which the freedom was won. He then highlighted the contribution of Punjabis, since the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Ghadar Party, and the Babbar Akalis in the struggle. He also highlighted the dual policies pursued by the British and the cruel way in which dissidence was put down. Mr Baldev Singh Mianpur, President of the Punjab unit of the BKU, read out a paper on the contribution of Punjabis in the freedom struggle and the way the country was being run by a handful of families. The Chandigarh Administration was condemned for the alleged detaining of a large number of participants in Sector 6 by the police. The organisers alleged that though the proceedings were peaceful, the participants were being allowed to reach the venue in small batches only. Others who spoke included Mr Surjit Singh Kanhuwan, Mr Mange Ram Malik, Mr Gurbachan Singh Bajwa and Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal. They also recalled the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, most of whom belonged to Punjab. Commenting on the plight of farmers , they said the people who made the country-self reliant in foodgrains were today being forced to commit suicide. The farmers had failed to get their due in 50 years of Independence and the lack of enthusiasm in the celebrations was understandable, they said. They said even if a person wanted to do something useful for the people, he would not be able to afford it. The instances of the use of muscle power, liquor and other means of coercion and intimidation of the voters were well known, they said. The farmer of today is being exploited and has to survive on loans to make both ends meet due to the wrong policy of pricing of farm produce. The gap in meeting the costs of raising a crop and its selling price is bridged by borrowing from commission agents. The achievements of Sir Chhotu Ram and the Unionist Party and the factors that made the freedom struggle a movement of the masses, were also discussed. Tomorrow’s agenda
includes drafting of a ‘charge sheet’citing
reasons for the downfall of the nation, diagnosis of the
political set-up and an analysis of the separatist
tendencies in the post-Independence period. A plenary
session is also scheduled for tomorrow. |
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Erosion worries farmers GURDASPUR, March 6 — Farmers having their land holdings across the Ravi opposite Makaura Ferri in Bharial Bulge are a worried lot in view of continuous erosion in the area due to fast currents of the Ravi. The matter has been repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities but in vain. As many as 1,600 acres of fertile land, including 300 acres of Raju Billa, 600 acres of Toor, 400 acres of Mamka, 100 acres of Nikka and 200 acres of Manjwal, have been washed away so far. If land erosion is not checked immediately, it might spread to the fertile land of Chebe, Nikka, Mammi, Chakranga, Lasian and Bharial villages thus endangering 2,000 to 2,500 acres of fertile land in the trap of erosion. The Drainage Department has started the construction of two spurs with a length of 200 feet each on the Ravi near Lasian and four spurs near Mammi Chahranga which are likely to be completed by the end of March. Villagers of the area told this correspondent the flood protection measures under way were insufficient to contain the erosion. They wanted adequate flood measures to be undertaken near Chebe village and the Nikka BSF checkpost. According the Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, a Rs 2.68 crore plan to check erosion in the area has been approved by the Centre but the work undertaken is to the tune of Rs 1.04 crore. As soon as the remaining amount is released by the Centre, the balance plan will be implemented and lead to stoppage of erosion in the area. Moreover, the extent of floods in the Ravi has decreased due to storage of water in the reservoir of Ranjeet Sagar Dam. The villagers of the area, however, said the works taken in piecemeal were not as effective as considered by the Drainage Department. These should be taken as a whole and much before the rainy season. They further said the process of storage of water in the reservoir of Ranjeet Sagar Dam would not effect the erosion in a big way as many local drains and rivers, including Basentar, Jalalia and Ujh, join the Ravi opposite Makaura Ferri and have no connection with the reservoir of the dam. Mr Sandhu said the Punjab Government would undertake the paving work on a 31-km link road in the area. Meanwhile, resentment prevails among residents of Mohalla Islamabad, Stuti Mandir area, Kahnuwal road, the area of the back of Geeta Bhavan Mandir, the Improvement Trust Colony, Kothe village and Qadrian here for the government's failure to resolve drinking water crisis faced by the residents of the area in spite of repeated representations. The area has a population of more than 15,000. Water supply in the area is polluted clothes turn yellow instead of white after washing. The residents of the area said this had happened because the water of the area had mingled with the water flowing in the Ganda nullah passing through the area. The residents of the area said when the nullah was built more than four decades ago there was hardly any population in the area. The land in the area had waterlogging problem and the nullah was built to resolve the issue permanently. The residents said the current drinking water crisis could be resolved if the nullah was built away from the population. The nullah flowing at present in the populated area was filled with earth. Many samples of drinking
water of hand pumps and individual sources of water had
failed in the past. Residents feared if the water crisis
was not resolved it might lead to an outbreak of jaundice
and other water-borne diseases. |
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I
want
to work with Bhatti: Shilpa LUDHIANA: The Bollywood sex siren, Shilpa Shetty, has expressed a desire to work with well-known humourist-cum-actor from Chandigarh, Jaspal Bhatti. "I would love to work with him", she said in a talk with TNS here on Friday evening. "I have always admired Jaspal Bhatti. I have liked his TV programmes very very much.... I would like to work in a Punjabi movie if I get a good role. I understand that a Punjabi movie, 'Shaheed-e-Mohabbat' starring Gurdas Mann, is doing good business these days." She asserted that she knew "a little of Punjabi" when pointed out that fluency in language would be a pre-requisite for acting in a Punjabi movie. "Mainu wee Punjabi andi hai. Aisi gal koi nahin", she said with a slight trace of accent. Shilpa, along with th etop heroine of yesterday, Zeenat Aman, were in town in connection with the inauguration of Vandana Luthra's Curls and Curves health and beauty institute for men and women on the swank Mall Road. Both flew, along with Vandana Luthra and a group of journalists, from Delhi by a chartered plane. After landing at the Sahnewal aerodrome, they drove to Ludhiana. After the inauguration of the institute, they drove to Chandigarh to fly back to Delhi by the chartered plane. Shilpa answered most questions readily and confidently, evading an answer only once when asked for views on the controversial movie, "Fire" dealing with lesbianism. She looked rather uncertain when pointed out that movies sometimes exercised a baneful influence on the youth and many of the girls might be imitating her jerky dance movements. "I will take that as a compliment", she said rather tamely. "Imitation is the best form of flattery..." She said she had always regarded Helen as the best dancer on the Indian film screen. Shilpa then looked quickly at Zeenat Aman sitting quietly by her side and exclaimed: "And of course, Zeenatji. She danced so well in her number "Ap jaisa koi meri zindagi mein aye, aur baat ban jaye". Zeenat responded with laughter. Zeenat declined to respond to questions about her possible re-entry into the movies, saying that she had been out of it for long. "I am a mother now," she said with an air of finality. Asked to comment on the current accent of nudity in the movies, Shilpa claimed that things were improving. "There are different phases in the world of movies. Sometimes people go for action movies, sometimes they prefer family dramas. These days the emphasis is on young entertainment-oriented love stories. Not long ago, there was this phase of dirty, double-meaning songs. It is over now. Nudity is also diminishing. Bombay movies are becoming cleaner". "As regards 'fire' I have not seen the movie, but I have heard a lot about it. There is so much hard work which goes into the making of a movie but people see only the glamour in it. It is a very touchy subject, so I won't say anything more on it". She said no heroine could stay at the top for long. The competition is so tough. "I think 10 years is rather long for a heroine to remain number one. Very few persons like Hema Malini and Sridevi have exceeded 10 years. Let us see for how long do I last. I plan to work for five, six or may be seven years more". She does not fear competition from other actresses. "There is enough room for everybody in the film industry. Competition is good so long as it is not negative. Each heroine has her own 'khasiyat', 'ada' ... her own forte. I think what I can be others can't, and what others are, I can't be". As regards marriage, she has no such plans. "Everybody seems to be marrying me off", she exclaimed. "I am not getting married and if I do, I will let you know. Her message to the people
of Punjab: "I love you all". |
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Blood donation catches up in
Bathinda BATHINDA: Bathinda district came to limelight as far as blood donation was concerned on January 30, 1993, when about 1,568 units were collected in a mass blood donation rally held in SSD Girls College here. Besides, the district has been maintaining the first position in the field of blood donation for the 14th consecutive year (from 1983 to 1996). This was the second largest camp in the country, the first held at Pune a few years age in which 5,000 units were collected in one day. Earlier, Rampuraphul, small town of this district, created a history of sorts by winning the second position in Asia in blood donation the first being Tokyo (Japan). The Blood Donors Council (BDC), the first such organisation of its kind set up on October 1, 1978, in Rampuraphul has carved out a niche for itself by organising 115 camps, collecting 9,700 units and saving the lives of more than 4,000 persons in the past 20 years. With the sincere efforts of Mr H.L. Bansal and Mr Anil Saraf, founders of the Blood Donation Council in Rampuraphul, blood donation has become a movement in the district. Mr H.L. Bansal, winner of the National award of merit by the Indian Red Cross Society and the State award from Punjab Government and Mr Anil Saraf, winner of the Punjab state award and three state-level awards by the Indian Red Cross Society, have succeeded in getting the status of "town of blood donors" for Rampuraphul. The district Red Cross Society branch has also collected more than 4,700 units of blood by organising various camps in the past 15 years. It has won the first prize for blood donation in the state a number of times. In India, women are not so actively participating in the blood donation movement. In India, women's share in blood donation is only 5 to 8 per cent as compared to 50 per cent in Australia. To motivate women for this nobel cause, the NSS wing of local SSD Girls College took the lead and organised its first blood donation camp in 1978. According to Mrs Raj Gupta, programme officer, NSS wing, SSD Girls College, who herself has donated blood 33 times about 4,000 units of blood have been collected so far in 75 camps organised by the college. The NSS wing of this college has been contributing 90 per cent of the total units collected from women in this district. Taking inspiration from the BDC, Rampuraphul, the Young Blood Club was formed in this town about two years ago. In the past two years, volunteers of this club have collected 1,600 units. Having branches at Goniana and Jaito towns, the club donates blood in emergency conditions only. Another organisation, the United Welfare Society, has enrolled 100 donors who donate blood in emergency situations. The society has also formed an emergency blood council. Besides the Goodwill Society, the Peer Club, the Rotaract Club, Rotary Club, colleges and schools, the Nehru Yuva Kendra, the Sahara Welfare Club and many other voluntary organisations are contributing immensely in the blood donation movement. Mr H.L. Bansal, who along with his associates has pioneered the blood donation movement in this area, and members of his family have donated about 110 units so far. Other distinguished donors of Bathinda district are Mr Surinder Garg, who has donated blood 61 units, Mr Vinod Bansal (61 units), Mr Gian Tanwar (56 units). Twenty members of the BDC, Rampuraphul, have donated blood over 25 units each. As many as 100 members have donated blood more than 10 times. It is pertinent to mention here that even though 12 per cent of the residents of Rampuraphul town are blood donors, the town lacks a blood bank and donors here face a number of difficulties in organising camp. Mr H.L. Bansal is now
taking the blood donation movement to rural areas by
organising seminars and lectures there while Mr Anil
Saraf has started educating the masses about AIDS. |
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College scuffle: ex-minister
arrested LUDHIANA, March 6 — Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, a former Punjab Minister belonging to the Akali Dal, his brother, Dr Gurinder Singh Grewal, and Mr Prithipal Singh were arrested today following an altercation in the office of the Principal of the Guru Nanak Girls College here. According to the police, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh along with his brother went to the college this morning where they came across Mr Gurbir Singh, son of the first Akali Chief Minister of Punjab, Justice Gurnam Singh, with whom they have enmity over the ownership of the college. Mr Gurbir Singh was accompanied by Mr Prithipal Singh, who entered into a heated argument with the Grewal brothers. According to the police which had cited the Principal of the college, Mrs Jasbir Kaur Minhas, as an eyewitness, the Grewal brothers and Mr Prithipal Singh exchanged blows in her office. The police has booked all three under Sections 160, 323, 148 and 149 IPC and Section 107/151 Cr PC (Apprehension of breach of peace). The city police chief, Mr Kuldeep Singh, said the offences were bailable and the accused would be presented before the Executive Magistrate in due course for bail. Mr Mahesh Inder Singh
Grewal is a close lieutenant of the SGPC chief, Mr
Gurcharan Singh Tohra. |
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Coronary heart disease largest
killer LUDHIANA, March 6 — The Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the largest cause of death worldwide and almost 50 per cent of the CHD risk is not explained by the known risk factors. This was stated by Dr J.S. Kooner, consultant cardiologist at the National Heart and Lung Institute and Hammirsmith Hospital, UK, while delivering the second annual Sat Paul Mittal Lecture on "New Insights into Pre-Mature Coronary Heart Diseases in Indian Asians", here today. The annual lecture was jointly sponsored by the Nehru Sidhant Kendra Trust and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. Dr Kooner said the
incidents of heart disease had risen drastically in the
past five years. He said apart from the known risk
factors like cigarette smoking, elevated cholestrol
levels, hypertension, obesity and physical inactivity, a
new risk factor evident in Indian Asians was the insulin
resistance syndrome and the elevated levels of
homocysteine, an amino acid, which had an adverse effect
on blood circulation in the body. |
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Octroi evasion racket unearthed PATIALA, March 6 — The municipal corporation here has unearthed a racket involving octroi evasion to the tune of lakhs of rupees through fake octroi receipts. Disclosing this to newspersons here today, Mr Harkesh Singh Sidhu, Commissioner of the municipal corporation, alleged two persons here had been evading octroi on electronic goods since 1997. They had to pay the municipal corporation nearly Rs 10 lakh. The total compounding fee comes to Rs 2.10 crore. Mr Sidhu also alleged the accused got printed fake octroi receipts and took reimbursement of octroi (which they had never paid) from companies manufacturing electronic goods. When the municipal corporation got wind of the racket it got an inquiry conducted by Octroi Superintendent Amrik Singh who verified the records from two companies —Texla Electronics, Ludhiana, and Videocon, Chandigarh. Thus the racket of submission of fake octroi receipts came to light. The kotwali police has registered a case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120 B of the IPC. Meanwhile, the accused have got an interim arrest stay order from a district court citing apprehension of arrest by the police for some false case registered against them. The municipal corporation
has also written to the Principal Secretary, Local
Bodies, Punjab, for communicating necessary instructions
to all corporations, committees and councils and nagar
panchayats to take care of the fake Octroi receipts by
duly verifying the vouchers of reimbursement of octroi. |
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FCI staff being 'harassed' LUDHIANA, March 6 — A meeting of the FCI Staff Union, north zone, held here yesterday expressed concern over the "terror let loose by the management in shape of charge sheets, vigilance cases, suspensions and transfers, especially in the Punjab region. The union said the staff
were being penalised for shortages and quality complaints
without enquiry or investigation. It also passed
resolutions against the "evil intentions" of
the management in proposing heavy reduction in staff
strength, stagnation in promotion at certain levels and
delaying agreements. |
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Orders to remove encroachments LUDHIANA, March 6 — The state government has chalked out a special plan to provide civic amenities, including roads, sewerage, water supply, parks and streetlights in all cities and released each city's share in taxes for this purpose, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies, said after laying the foundation stone of the missing link of the inner bye-pass near Arora Palace to be constructed on the land vacated from the encroachers here today. Mr Tandon said the government had also submitted a proposal to the National Development Council for provision of centre funds for the development of cities. The government had issued strict instructions to the authorities in each city to remove all kinds of encroachments from government land, particularly parks. said. All parks in cities would be properly developed. The state government had
prepared a plan for the management of solid waste and
sewerage discharge in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar
and big companies had been given these assignments. |
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21 children adopted AMRITSAR, March 16 — The Citizens' Forum, a voluntary organisation, has adopted 21 children from Maqboolpura locality where about 30 persons had died due to drug addiction in the past three years. The victims were adopted following the publication of a report "Maqboolpura — locality of widows" in The Tribune recently. According to a press note
issued by Mr Brij Bedi, president of the Citizens' Forum,
the organisation would bear all expenses on education and
basic needs of these children. |
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Technical services union conference JALANDHAR, March 6— Mr E. Balanadan, Electricity Employees Federation chief and Member of Parliament, held the state governments responsible for the "financial crisis" facing the electricity boards, while alleging that "privatisation" would have serious ramifications making the consumer pay much higher power tariff. Mr Balanadan, prior to inaugurating the 33rd State Conference of Technical Services Union, PSEB said here today that the electricity boards in the country had enough resources to meet the national power demands. The nation is self-reliant in hydel, thermal, nuclear power generation sectors. In the fifties the power generating capacity was 13,000 MW which now stood at 90,000. Reasoning that the main factor responsible for the electricity boards facing bankruptcy was the direct control of the state governments, even though the "boards" are autonomous bodies. To revive them state control should go. In the Power Supplies Act,
1948, the stipulation of profit is 3 per cent. Now with
subsidy the electricity boards could not maintain their
economic viability. The profit margin should be enhanced
to 8 per cent. A 16 per cent guaranteed profit was being
allowed to the private sector, which would burden the
consumers. |
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CPI leader’s plea to CM
on OCM mills CHANDIGARH, March 6 — Dr Joginder Dayal, secretary of the Punjab State Council of the CPI, has urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Labour Minister, Punjab to intervene personally to ensure that justice was done to workers employed in OCM wollen mills at Amritsar. He said the management of the mills was making a ‘false’ propaganda that Communists and trade union leaders were responsible for the closure of the mills. he said that, in fact, indifferent attitude of the management towards its employees was responsible for unrest in the mills. He said that the
management was treating workers as "bounded
labour" and due to this reason they went on a
strike. He said that Labour Department authorities
concerned were doing nothing to protect the rights of
workers. He said at the management was not giving even
mandatory wage to the workers. |
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CM gives 1 cr for Durgiana Temple AMRITSAR, March 6 (PTI) — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced a Rs 1 crore grant for the famous Durgiana Temple here where he participated in the ongoing kar seva along with Union Home Minister L.K. Advani. Mr Badal said the Rs 1 crore offering by the Punjab Government was a "humble contribution" towards the historic shrine. The Chief Minister and Mr
Advani also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here. |
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Punjab Budget session CHANDIGARH, March 6 —
The Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd),
has summoned the Budget session of the Punjab Vidhan
Sabha on March 9 at 2.30 p.m., according to a press note
issued here today. |
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Pilgrims to visit Hazoor Sahib CHANDIGARH, March 6 — About 5,000 pilgrims from Punjab will be visiting Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib and participate in the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Gurdwara Bhajangarh Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra on March 18. Mr Bhajan Singh, secretary
of the Sant Khalsa Dal, said here today that the
pilgrimage had been organised in connection with Khalsa
tercentenary celebrations. |
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Sewer pipe blocked KHARAR, March 6 — Residents of Govind Colony here have been living in inhospitable conditions as dirty water has accumulated in the colony in the absence of proper arrangements. A few residents said that
the sewer pipe had been blocked as a result of which
sewage had overflowed. The local municipal committee has
been apprised of the problem. |
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Prem Aboharvi dead ABOHAR, March 6 — Prem Aboharvi, eminent Punjabi and Hindi poet, died of a massive heart attack at his Nai Abadi residence here yesterday. He was 54. The Lekhak Parishad,
Punjab, of which the deceased was the President, mourned
the death. |
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