Friday, March 19, 1999
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Friday, March 19, 1999 |
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Tohra loyalist quits AMRITSAR, March 18 — On the eve of the first meeting of the SGPC executive which takes place tomorrow, Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgir, Director Sikh History Research Board and head of the Sikh reference library, a confidant of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra resigned from his post today. Punjab Assembly walkouts mar session CHANDIGARH, March 18 — The morning session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today was marred by verbal duels and cross-talk among Treasury and Opposition members and a spate of walkouts from the House by both benches. |
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Akali factions to forge third front JALANDHAR, March 18 — Opponents of the SAD (Badal) will launch a third front after April 15 unifying the three other Akali Dal factions. Issuing an "open invitation: to the ousted SGPC president Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, to join hands to raise an effective third front, Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala, president, SAD (Democratic) said here today that within two days a "political front" will be formulated. Petitions against Tohra: hearing
adjourned till March 31
Tohra
men being "victimised"
ASI
booked for killing friend Cotton
worth 85 lakh destroyed in fire Woman
kills son, daughter, commits suicide Dalits
protest ‘threats’ by MLA Naik
sacked, gets RI The
Army does it again PYC
names state office-bearers Students
attack teachers US
diplomat visits Punjab Forum
for bridge at Mandi Gobindgarh Raj
Babbar writes to PM on martyrs Lathi
charge on traders decried Three
robbers arrested Lawyers
demand 5-day week |
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| SGPC member hurt in collision |
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Teachers firm on exam boycott |
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Tohra loyalist quits AMRITSAR, March 18 — On the eve of the first meeting of the SGPC executive which takes place tomorrow, Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgir, Director Sikh History Research Board and head of the Sikh reference library, a confidant of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra resigned from his post today. Meanwhile after the removal of Mr Tohra as SGPC chief things have started changing very fast. The office telephone of Mr Ranvir Singh, personal assistant to the former SGPC chief and assistant secretary has already been transferred although a formal decision on his replacement is yet to be taken possibly in the executive meeting tomorrow. The SGPC has also asked the Telecom Department to remove the residential phone of Mr Ranvir Singh immediately. This has happened even as Bibi Jagir Kaur, president and Mr Hardilbir Singh Shah, General Secretary SGP C made it clear that no official of the committee would be harassed on the basis of past loyalties. When contacted by TNS, Dr Dilgir confirmed reports of his resignation. He, however, refused to give the reason for his resignation. However, sources said that Dr Dilgir in his letter said that he was resigning from his post due to "change of administration". Ms Kiranjot Kaur newly appointed SGPC executive member also confirmed the resignation of Dr Dilgir. She, however, said that Dr Dilgir was likely to withdraw his resignation as the new executive had no intention of harassing any employee on the basis of past loyalties. She further said that the resignation submitted by Dr Dilgir had no meaning as she was not the authority to accept it. "It could be a pressure tactic", she said. The resignation of employees should go to the president instead of other office-bearers as per the Gurdwara Act 1925, she said. We need the services of the employees for streamlining the SGPC, she added. According to sources, Dr Dilgir has submitted his resignation following a brief verbal altercation with Mr Kulwant Singh, Assistant Secretary, SGPC over the official vehicle. While Dr Dilgir wanted his official car back but was refused by Mr Kulwant Singh. When contacted, Mr Kulwant Singh said that Dr Dilgir was asked to wait for some days to get the official vehicle back, but refused. On the other hand, Mr Kulwant Singh, Assistant Secretary (a Badal loyalist) is likely to replace Mr Surjit Singh, Secretary, SGPC who is confidant of Mr Tohra tomorrow. In administrative matters, the post of secretary is considered very important. When contacted Mr Kulwant Singh confirmed the probability of his being appointed as the next secretary by the executive which will meet here tomorrow. He claimed that Mr Badal had already sounded him out for the post much earlier. Meanwhile, Mr Surjit Singh has reportedly handed over the keys of the SGPC treasury to Mr Ajaib Singh, another assistant secretary of the committee. Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, a
former senior vice-president, SGPC and ally of Mr Tohra
visited the SGPC complex and paid obeisance at the Golden
Temple today. He also held a close door meeting with Mr
Surjit Singh. Sources said that Mr Bhaur has suggested
that Mr Surjit Singh not to resign from his post under
duress. |
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Punjab Assembly walkouts mar
session CHANDIGARH, March 18 — The morning session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today was marred by verbal duels and cross-talk among Treasury and Opposition members and a spate of walkouts from the House by both benches. While the House, since March 9 when the present Budget session commenced with an Address by the Governor, has become used to watching Congress members walk out on each working day, it was quite an occasion to see several ruling party members also walk out. The main grouse of the SAD and BJP members was that the Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, did not give them an opportunity to speak during the customary zero hour. The ruling SAD members who walked out included Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, Mr Bikramjit Singh Khalsa, Mr Jagtar Singh Rajla, Mr Hira Singh Gabria and Mr Prem Singh Lalpura (unattached member). Mr Zira as well as Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla were heard remarking, "What use is it to sit in the House when we can not even speak?" As the members left their seats, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, continued to speak and present to the House various reports. Earlier, during zero hour, the leader of the Opposition, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, raised the issue of lathi-charge on those who had assembled for the auction of octroi in Bathinda. He protested against the high-handedness of the authorities and criticised them for raising the octroi rates. The Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Charanjit Lal Garg, was on his feet on a 'point of order' wanting to speak on the issue claiming he represented the Bathinda constituency. He wanted to nail the lies spoken by Ch Jagjit Singh. The Speaker, however, had called upon the Minister of Local Government, Mr Balramji Das Tandon, to speak. Mr Garg, however, refused to calm down or take his seat. He went on speaking, much of what he said was lost in the din. At least twice Mr Tandon rose to speak, but could not. As all this cross-talk and verbal duel between Treasury and Opposition benches continued, the Congress members walked out raising slogans, though, Mr Tandon called out to them to at least first hear him before going out. This resulted in complete chaos and pandemonium in the House with several members ministers speaking simultaneously. Mr Hardev Arshi and Mr Ajit Inder Singh Moffar, CPI and SAD (M), members, respectively, also joined the issue. Mr Arshi said his only point was that octroi rates should not have been raised 400 to 500 times. Mr Tandon contested this and said only the rates of octroi on luxury items had been enhanced. In the same breath, he blamed Congressmen of Bathinda for creating trouble there and engaging in stone-throwing. At this Treasury benches chanted "shame! shame!" Mr Tandon justified the system of auctioning of octroi collection through private parties and said the "System was introduced by the Congress in 1994". The SAD-BJP government was only following the same. He gave statistics to show how octroi revenue had gone up. Some members talked of decorum and maintaining dignity of the House even as at least three ministers were on their feet having joined in the slanging match. Mr Arshi was heard saying that for the Congress it should not be a routine habit to walkout on every conceivable pretext. He also raised the issue of gunmen of a ruling party MLA having beaten up three Dalit families in Chak Fateh Singhwala in Bathinda and the latter having to spend the night in gurdwara. Protesting against "political interference", the CPI and SAD(M) members trooped out. The BJP member, Mr Jagdish Sawhney, was also agitated for not being given an opportunity to speak, but he did not walkout in protest. All ruling Akali Dal MLAs who walked out owe allegiance to the former SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. The morning session had as many as eight resolutions listed for the day's business. The first one was moved by the Congress member, Dr Harbans Lal, to review the current welfare schemes for the uplift of the scheduled castes and backward classes and take steps for the effective implementation of such schemes. Several speakers spoke on this resolution and the Speaker towards the end did not allow voting on the resolution as demanded by the Opposition which once again staged a walkout. The attendance in the
session was rather thin today. Even the leader of the
House, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and several of his
colleagues did not turn up. The question hour was equally
insipid. |
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Supplementary demands for grants passed CHANDIGARH, March 18 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today passed the supplementary demands for grants for the current financial year (1998-99) involving gross additional expenditure of Rs 3,39,595.09 lakh which comprises Rs 94,135.35 lakh on the revenue account and Rs 2,45,459.74 lakh on the capital account. After taking into account the related receipts and recoveries, these demands will involve a net additional outgo of Rs 84,282.05 lakh from the consolidated funds of Punjab. The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, presented these demands in the House for seeking its approval and the Chairman of the Committee on Estimates, Mr Hira Singh Gabria, presented the report of the committee on estimates on the supplementary demands for grants. Initiating a discussion over the supplementary demands for grants, the CPI leader in the House, Mr Hardev Arshi, took the state government to task. He said the government had failed to control the non-plan expenditure which was increasing every year. The failure of the government on this front was responsible for sinking the state into a financial crisis. Urging a heavy cut in the cadre of the IAS and IPS officers in the state, Mr Arshi said the bureaucracy was proving too costly. He said Punjab could do with half the number of the existing cadre of IAS officers. Having a dig on the state government in this connection, Mr Arshi said a majority of the IAS officers had no work to do and they passed their time by remaining on the golf course here. The same was true in the case of IPS officer, he added. He said IAS and IPS officers should be sent on deputation as per rules to save the state from financial burden. The government should be bold enough to tell them that they would have to go on deputation. When already the Punjab Government was over-burdened by the IAS cadre, it was surprising that from other states IAS officers were coming on deputation to Punjab, he added. He said one IAS or IPS officer cost more than Rs 2 lakh per month to the state government. He asked the Finance Minister to take strong steps in this connection. IAS and other such officers should be told to buy their own cars and the Punjab Government should provide loan for this purpose. He drew the attention of the House towards the misuse of official cars by IAS, IPS and other officers and their families. Due to such wasteful expenditure even legislatures had a taste of the financial crunch as payment of their TA/DA bills was delayed. He said even relatives were being taken as attendants by ministers on foreign tours. Unnecessary burden was being put on the state exchequer. The Punjab Cabinet should be downsized to 10 ministers and one Chief Minister. A state like Punjab could not afford a big size Cabinet. Quoting facts and figures, Mr Arshi said telephone bills of ministers were running in lakhs of rupees. The expenditure of telephone bills was Rs 1.73 crore during the past months. The Punjab Government should look into the matter as to why Rs 22 lakh was spent to provide a new accommodation to the DC at Mansa. Many Deputy Commissioners posted in the past years did not occupy the house built for the DC as they felt it was below their status. He said even he had written to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary in this connection asking why the Deputy Commissioner was not occupying the house built for him when already the SSP and the Additional District Sessions Judge had occupied the same type of houses. But he did not get any reply from both. Mr Arshi said there was no need of the law commission when already there was an office of Legal Remembrance. He also referred to the Rs 28 lakh paid as fee to private advocates. He alleged that this was done by the government to protect certain officers. He said there was no transparency in the functioning of the government. "What was the need of buying new jeeps for MLAs when they had already new gypsies?" he asked. He said "kake" (sons of politicians and officers) were moving around with dozens of gunmen in official vehicles. "Who would stop such misuse of public money?" he asked. There was no uniformity in providing security to Deputy Commissioners. There were Deputy Commissioners who had as many as 22 security guards, while others had only six or so. He said before getting grants approved, the government should have examined all such grants minutely. Mr Ramesh Chand Dogra, a Congress MLA, while taking part in the discussion said many cooperative mills were running at a loss. He demanded that professional executives should be appointed to run such mills. He also criticised the top heavy administrative set up in the state and urged for its downsizing. There was a several fold increase in the posts of Financial Commissioners, he said. Replying to the discussion, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said the government had done an elaborate exercise for reducing the government expenditure and the proposal prepared in this connection had been put up before the Cabinet for approval. He said an inquiry would be held into the non-occupying of official accommodation by the previous Deputy Commissioners at Mansa. He justified that certain
grants were used on development projects like the
completion of the Ranjit Sagar Dam etc. He said the
government wanted to cut the number of police force in
the state, but it could not be done due to legal
hindrances. He said 90 per cent of the Budget allocated
to the Police Department was spent on salaries etc of the
police force. The government would provide funds to local
bodies as per the guidelines laid down by the House, he
said. |
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Akali factions to forge third
front JALANDHAR, March 18 — Opponents of the SAD (Badal) will launch a third front after April 15 unifying the three other Akali Dal factions. Issuing an "open invitation: to the ousted SGPC president Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, to join hands to raise an effective third front, Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala, president, SAD (Democratic) said here today that within two days. a "political front" will be formulated. Indicating that Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and his loyalists would join the front he said it would be formulated on the miri piri concept which, was allegedly being destroyed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Claiming that Mr Badal had lost the "moral right" to rule, by offering "unconditional support to the BJP, he said that, Mr Badal had destroyed the Akali Dal's political ideology, on Article 356, by issuing a whip to his party MPs while in the last two years rule not a single important issue pertaining to the state's demands had been raised, leave aside resolved. On the other hand the BJP's senior leadership had gone on record that Chandigarh and the river water disputes were a dead issue now he said. Urging Mr Tohra to join the "front" Mr Wadala, however, cautioned that by April 15 Mr Tohra should clarify his stand in the BJP. Meanwhile, the three Akali Dals are deliberating the Anandpur Sahib Resolutions, 73, 78, 86 which asks for a federal structure, acceptable to all political outfits. Mr Wadala said on March
20, the SAD (Democratic) and (Amritsar) will start
filling up the SYL canal at "Dhoomcharri" near
Morinda. |
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Petitions against Tohra AMRITSAR, March 18 — The legal battle between pro-Badal and pro-Tohra SGPC members being fought before the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission here, was adjourned today till March 31 as the commission will take up all the pending petitions and applications from both the parties on that date. The Commission, headed by Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, adjourned hearing on the application of ten former pro-Badal executive members for starting contempt of court proceedings against former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, former senior vice-president Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and secretary. Surjit Singh for failure to comply with the orders of the commission for calling an executive meeting of the SGPC on February 10 and further action on other application under Section 152 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act for placing under suspension and restraining from functioning on their respective offices of Mr Tohra, Mr Bhaur and three former executive members aligned with Tohra. The commission suggested that the application for suspension and restraining Mr Tohra and others had become infertial with the removal of Mr Tohra and others by the general house of the SGPC on March 16 and election of new office bearers on March 16, and as such it be withdrawn. The council for the petitioner told the court that he could not do so without consulting his clients and would reply at the next hearing fixed on March 31. Earlier the defence counsel contended before the commission for service of notice to Mr Tohra on the application of pro-Badal former executive members for starting contempt proceedings against Mr Tohra. The commission will hear on March 31 the main petition moved by pro-Badal members against Mr Bhaur and three executive members to disqualify them for a period of five years as they were guilty of having committed grave acts of malfeasance, misfeasance, breach of trust, neglect of duty and abuse of power. The commission would also
take up on that day for regular hearing petition filed
under Section 142 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act for
declaration of the pro-Badal former executive members,
including Mr Balbir Singh Pannu and Mr Hardalbir Singh
Shah who had been made senior vice-president and general
secretary of the SGPC, respectively, in the new elections
held on March 16 as "patits" and disqualifying
them as members of the SGPC. |
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SGPC affairs JALANDHAR, March 18 — The SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur said that with her appointment as the SGPC chief, a new tradition had been established and more women would be involved in the "sewa" of Harmandir Sahib and SGPC matters. Promising that witch hunt and bars will have no place in her tenure she said here today that as the tercentenary celebrations were around the corner she would focus on arrangements for it as her predecessor had not made any formal plans to celebrate the birth anniversary. Answering a query on whether suspended Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh will be allowed to address the sangat from Akal Takht she said the SGPC will deal with the situation when it arises although she hoped that he would act responsibly. Claiming that she would execute her duties with responsibility and expected all employees to work under the guidelines of the SGPC, she said action would be taken against errant employees. Expressing confidence about her ability to handle the SGPC she said that she will confine herself to religious affairs while not omitting her duties as an MLA. From Our Correspondent PHAGWARA: In a significant statement here today, Bibi Jagir Kaur, the new President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sought the cooperation of ousted SGPC Chief G S Tohra, hoping he would accept the "sewa" assigned to her by SGPC members the SAD chief and Mr Badal. Talking to newsmen at the local gurdwara Akalian after a tumultuous reception on her first visit as SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur said she had been elected unanimously and thanked Mr Tohra for not doing any "kintu-prantu" over her election. When told that Mr Tohra had said that she may have been elected legally but she was not acceptable to the Sikh sangat, she quipped the query should be directed to the sangat but added that the sangat had given an overwhelming response to her election. Claiming her election was a victory of the Badal-line of thinking, Bibi Jagir Kaur called upon Sikhs the world over to unite on one platform and further strengthen "soch" (thinking" of Punjab CM and SAD President Parkash Singh Badal. Though religion and politics were one in the Sikh ethos her election also meant rejection of over-politicisation of the SGPC, she said. The SGPC will now have a religious-orientation and she will leave no stone unturned to ensure that religion does not become subservient to "rajniti" (politics), declared Bibi Jagir Kaur. Any Amritdhari Sikh who nursed greed, jealously and casteism, was not true Khalsa, she asserted. Admitting that the SGPC had not made adequate preparations for Khalsa's tercentenary celebrations, she gave a clarion call to Sikhs globally to dedicate themselves day and night for the coming celebrations. When asked as to whether suspended Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh will be socked in tomorrow's meeting of the SGPC executive, she dodged the question. She also parried a query on whether the March 22 SGPC general house meeting convened by Mr Tohra will be cancelled. She quipped you will come to know tomorrow." However, she did not rule out any option. Earlier, addressing the
congregation, she called upon Sikhs to abide by
"Gurmat" and abandon "marmat". Over
one dozen Sikh bodies & leaders including Jathedar
Sohan Singh Baggi, Jarnail Singh Wahad and Gurmukh Singh
presented siropas to Bibi Jagir Kaur. |
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Tohra men being
"victimised" CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, senior Akali leader and a close confidant of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, in a statement issued here today, said the Punjab Government was "victimising" employees considered close to Mr Tohra. He said a senior officer of the Punjab Pollution Control Board had directed Mr Gurdarshan Singh Bahia, Public Relations Officer in the board, to "pack up" as the board had decided to remove him from the post. Mr Bahia is said to be close to Mr Tohra. Mr Chandumajra said the board had decided to abolish the post of Public Relations Officer. A meeting of the Directors of the Board would be held tomorrow. The move of abolish the post was on the agenda of the meeting. He said this was being done with the sole aim of removing Mr Bahia. He said the board had kept
a PRO on deputation from the Punjab Public Relations
Department before appointing Mr Bahia against a regular
post on December 9, 1997. |
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Calcutta tops TA list CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Going by travelling allowance claimed by ministers in the past two years — 1997-98 and 1998-99 — Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, who has since resigned, tops the list. He claimed Rs 3,35,067 in the first year and Rs 1,07,085 in 1998-99. The Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who holds the strings of the state's purse, collected a sum of Rs 2,81,616 in 1997-98 and another sum of Rs 48,540 in the current year. This information was given in the House in a written reply to a question by the Congress MLA, Mr Ramesh Chander Dogra. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, claimed a sum of Rs 43,258 in 1997-98 but did not claim any sum in 1998-99. The figures supplied are till March 15. Another minister, whose TA bill is high is Mr Nusrat Ali Khan. For the current year he had already drawn Rs 2,01,627 against Rs 11,800 drawn in 1997-98. The House was also told that Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka is using his private vehicle since mid-December last and not the official car. The details in respect of all ministers for the two years are as follows: Mr Parkash Singh Badal — Rs 43,258, Mr Balramji Das Tandon — Rs 98,233, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura — Rs 1,27,200, Mr Parkash Singh Majitha — Rs 41,300, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal — Rs 1,16,120, Mr M.M. Mittal — Rs 1,24,800, Capt Kanwaljit Singh — Rs 3,30,155, late Mr Sarup Singh — Rs 75,415, Dr Upinderjit Kaur — Rs 1,18,950, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon — Rs 69,365, Mr Harmel Singh Tohra (ex-minister) — Rs 77,310, Bibi Jagir Kaur — Rs 67,800, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal (ex-minister — Rs 1,40,184, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta (ex-minister) — Rs 4,42,152, Mr Manoranjan Kalia — Rs 1,01,185, Mr Mohan Lal — Rs 1,19,841, Raja Narinder Singh — Rs 51,400, Mr Raghbir Singh — Rs 73,000, Dr Rattan Singh — Rs 4,40,397, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur — Rs 55,000, Mr Tota Singh — Rs 76,805, Mr Ajit Singh Kohar — Rs 70,600, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla — Rs 96,200, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira (ex-minister) — Rs 54,400, Mr J.S. Sekhon — Rs 66,500, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan — Rs 2,13,427, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan — Rs 55,645, Mr Sikandar Singh Maulka — Rs 44,700, Mr Sucha Singh Langha — Rs 87,230, Mr Surjit Kumar — 78,750, Mr Surjit Singh Kohli — Rs 72,250, Mr Swarna Ram — Rs 1,00,200, and Mr Chirnaji Lal Garg — Rs 68,440. In reply to a written question by Mr Hardev Arshi of the CPI, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, said the police was in occupation of the Mandi Board rest houses in 11 districts without paying any rent to the board. Mr Makhan Singh of SAD was
informed by the Minister for Food and Supplies, Mr Madan
Mohan Mittal, that 50.90 lakh tonnes of wheat and 49.21
lakh tonnes of paddy was stored in various godowns owned
by the state procurement agencies and the Food
Corporation of India. |
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ASI booked for killing friend PATIALA, March 18 — An assistant sub-inspector Suriqbal Singh, son of a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, allegedly shot dead his friend and business partner at his house here last night. District police chief Parampal Singh Sidhu said the incident took place at 9.30 pm. A case under Section 302, IPC, (murder) had been registered against the accused. Suriqbal Singh, alias Sonu fired two shot at his friend Sarvpreet Singh, alias Jugnu, from his service revolver in his house in Model Town. Mr Sidhu said Guriqbal was serving in the 36th Battalion at Bahadurgarh. He had been selected from the sports quota as a karate expert. Two empty shells had been recovered from the room along with two glasses and a half-empty bottle of liquor. According to an FIR filed by the victim's father, Mr Surinder Singh Nanda, a renowned political science professor, the two friends had left for Chandigarh in connection with a business meeting. When Sarvpreet did not return home till late in the evening, he along with a cousin, went to Model Town to inquire about his whereabouts. Mr Nanda when they reached Guriqbal's house, they heard heated arguments. As they reached for the front door, they heard a shot followed by another. Once inside, he saw his son lying inert on a bed and Guriqbal standing besides him with a revolver. Mr Nanda said he and his cousin overpowered Guriqbal and phoned the police. However, when TNS contacted Guriqbal's uncle, Mr Gurdev Singh, in the absence of his father and mother who are away to Patna, he said Guriqbal was innocent and a case had been fabricated against him. He claimed both boys consumed liquor together. Sarvpreet Singh was killed when he accidentally pressed the trigger of Suriqbal's service revolver. He said the second bullet was fired by Guriqbal in an attempt to commit suicide after the death of his friend. Mr Gurdev Singh also claimed that contrary to the FIR, Guriqbal had himself taken the body of Sarvpreet to Preet Nursing Home. He brought the body back when the doctors declared his friend was dead. He also claimed a relative of Sarvpreet was present when Sarvpreet's body was taken to the hospital. However, the victim's
father, Mr Nanda, contested the claim, saying his son had
been murdered. |
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Cotton worth 85 lakh destroyed in
fire DERA BASSI, March 18 — Cotton and raw material, worth Rs 85 lakh, stored in the godown of Vatika Spinning Mills Limited, Saidpura, was destroyed in a major fire which broke out about 10.45 pm last night. The fire reduced about 350 tonnes of raw cotton and cotton waste to ashes, stored in the first godown of the mill before it could be controlled at about 6 am, almost after eight hours of fire-fighting by six tenders, 30 firemen, 35 police personnel and some workers of the mill. Mr Kishan Kumar, "pujari" of the temple situated within the premises of the mill, was the first person to notice flames and smoke coming out of the roof of the godown. He sounded the alert and intimated the security guards and the managerial staff. The factory workers informed Dera Bassi police station, the local Fire Brigade and the Managing Director of the mill, Mr Ashok Goel, residing at Panchkula. Fire engines from Chandigarh, Panchkula, SAS Nagar, Patiala and Rajpura were also requisitioned. The DSP, Mr H S Bhullar, along with Mr Jassa Singh (SHO), Dera Bassi, reached the spot with a police team and helped control the flames. According to sources as the workers were trying to control the flames an explosion occurred inside the godown which smashed the roof of the godown. Had the fire engines not reached the spot in time, flames might have gutted the second godown, said Mr S.N Jha, store in charge of the mill. Mr Sham Lal, purchase officer, said villagers, who rushed to the spot after witnessing the flames, helped in retrieving some material from the godown. When contacted Mr Goel,
Managing Director, said a cigarette butt thrown by a
labourer while grading cotton might have caused the fire.
The godown had not been given power connection to avoid
such incidents. |
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Woman kills son, daughter,
commits suicide MALERKOTLA, March 18 — Mrs Jasbir Kaur (25), wife of Harpinder Singh of Khurd village in Malerkotla subdivision reportedly committed suicide along with her two children by consuming some poisonous substance on Tuesday. She was taken to Civil Hospital Malerkotla from where she was referred to Ludhiana where she died along with her children. According to police report, Jasbir Kaur daughter of Harnek Singh resident of Naudhrani village, 5 km from here was married to Harpinder Singh four years back. She had two children Navneet Kaur (2) and Kulbir Singh (1). On Tuesday, she consumed some poisonous substance and also gave it her both children at her in-laws' house. Mr Harnek Singh, father of deceased, at Civil Hospital Malerkotla today alleged that her daughter had been harassed by her in-laws asking her to bring money from her parents. A case has been registered
in Sadar Police station, Malerkotla. |
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Dalits protest
‘threats’ by MLA BATHINDA, March 18 — More than 100 Dalits of Chak Fathe Singh Wala village took out a protest march in the city today after the police did not allow them to submit their memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner regarding alleged threats to their lives by Nathana MLA, Mr Balbir Singh. The MLA has however denied all the charges. Most of the families alleged that Mr Balbir Singh had framed five of their men in a false criminal case and now threatened their lives. They alleged that they spent last night at the village gurdwara with two policemen from Nathana police station protecting them. They demanded that the district administration make foolproof security arrangements for the Dalit basti and demanded that the MLA, Mr Balbir Singh be stopped from misusing his gunman. They also demanded that all their five men implicated in false criminal cases be released. Mr Balbir Singh, when contacted said that the residents of the basti had been instigated by the BKU (Ekta) and Lok Morcha to launch a false campaign against him. He also charged the Dalits with trying to defame him and spoil his relations with Mr Badal. He alleged that a group of Dalits had severely beaten up his gunman and they were now staging protests for hushing up the case and to get their men, named in the case, released. Mr H.S. Sran, SSP, when contacted said that Mr Balbir Singh, had not issued any threats to the Dalits and this had been confirmed by SP(D), Mr Hardeep Singh after an on the spot inquiry today. Mr N.K. Jit, President, Lok Morcha, Punjab in a press note condemned the high-handedness of MLA and demanded that the Dalits be given justice. Meanwhile, Dr Dhana Singh,
Circle Jathedar, SAD, Mr Sikander Singh Lehrabegga,
member, State Committee, Youth Akali Dal and Mr Angrej
Singh a panchayat member of Chak Fateh Singh Wala talking
to TNS alleged that the Dalits were making false
propaganda against Mr Balbir Singh, to extract
concessions. |
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Dalits protest against land grab BATHINDA, March 18 — Thirty scheduled caste residents of Ganga village in Nathana block have appealed to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. S.R. Ladhar to save their cremation ground from being grabbed by some influential persons. In a representation made to the DC, they alleged that certain influential persons of the village wielding considerable influence in the state government were trying to grab the land even though the district court had granted a stay on changing the status of land. They also alleged that Nathana police, under the pressure of the influential persons, detained three Scheduled Caste persons and challaned them without any reason. Mr. Ladhar, when contacted said that the SDM had been asked to probe the matter and submit his report within 15 days. Mr. H.S. Sran, SSP, when
contacted said that the SHO, Nathana police station had
been asked not to allow any body to interfere as the case
was pending in the court. |
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Naik sacked, gets RI CHANDIGARH, March 18 — A gunner of a Field Regiment, held guilty for the murder of two gunners and attempted murder of a third one somewhere in the forward area of Western Sector, has been sentenced to be reduced to ranks, dismissed from service and undergo rigorous imprisonment for life by a Summary General Court Martial. The Summary General Court Martial was presided over by Lieut-Col Kondal Rajinder Singh of Mahar Regiment. The sentence of the convict, Naik Man Singh, is subject to confirmation. The prosecution was conducted by Maj Shiv Darshan Singh Ahluwalia (retd). According to the prosecution, Naik Man Singh in an agitated frame of mind opened fire with his SLR (7.62 mm) at a forward location and injured gunner Dharampal, havildar Dip Chandra Yadav, besides another person. While Dharampal was declared "brought dead" to the hospital, Dip Chandra Yadav succumbed to his injuries the next day. The third victim, however, survived after he was operated upon. The provocation for the crime, according to the prosecution, was the demand of the convict to relieve a civilian boy, employed to work in the sub-unit cook house. Before the crime, the prosecution held, the convict gunner had an argument with the Assistant Instructor Gunnery (AIG) maintaining that the boy might be stealing ration from unit langar. The AIG, however, left the venue, the "gun position" of the sub-unit located in a combat zone, by saying that he would look into the matter the next morning. It was at about this time (around 10 p.m.) that the havildar reached the "gun position" and suo motu interfered in the conversation. Hav Dip Chandra reportedly remarked why Naik Man Singh was bothering about the civilian boy as he (convict) was already under orders of movement from the location. A heated discussion followed after which the accused Naik picked up his SLR and started firing on the havildar, who was sitting on his cot. Then, he swung his SLR and fired at the sentry on duty, gunner Dharampal. He continued firing and shot at another sentry, gunner Harday Narayan. By now his back was towards the other cots. Two other gunners ran from behind and overpowered him. The victims were evacuated to the nearest military hospital where Dharam Pal was declared brought dead while Hav Dip Chandra Yadav died the next day. Gunner Harday Narayan, however, survived after a surgery though the bullet had pierced his stomach. Major Shiv Darshan Singh Ahluwalia argued that it was a "cold blooded murder" and a "rarest of the rare incident". Defence counsel, Mr J. Chaudhary, however, refuted the prosecution charges on the plea that the gunner was not guilty and also contested the prosecution claim that the accused had not voluntarily confessed the guilt. The Summary General Court
Martial, however, upheld the prosecution theory and held
Naik Man Singh guilty of the charges of murder and
attempted murder. |
||
The Army does it again ROPAR: During peace times, the role of the Army is well known for its contribution to the welfare of the society and help to the district administration at various places in the completion of various projects. The Army has once again done a commendable job by constructing a temporary "Pathu bridge" within 36 hours over the Sirsa river near Gurdwara Pariwar Vichhora, about 13 km from here, to facilitate an undisrupted flow of vehicular traffic to be plied on the Ropar-Anandpur Sahib road during the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. Col PC Sadashiv, under whose command the temporary bridge was completed on March 5, said on March 4 last at about 7 am, 200 jawans, JCOs and officers started work and completed the 125-metre-long and 4.2 metre-wide bridge on 46 steel cribs. Any vehicle loaded with 40 tonnes of material could ply on this bridge, he added. The jawans, JCOs and officers of the Engineering Regiment, Vajra Corps, worked round the clock to complete the project. About 250 tonnes material was used. It was brought here in about 50 vehicles of the Army from the stores. During the construction of the bridge, the Army faced numerous problems like levelling the bed of the river to achieve the desired slope. Besides, the Army could not unload the material where it was required and was forced to unload it in the river bed. The length of the bridge could be kept at 100 metres, but it was increased to 125 metres due to the passing of HT electricity lines over the river. It is worth mentioning here that on the National Highway No. 21 from Ropar to Kiratpur Sahib, three railway-level crossings cause major obstacles in the smooth plying of vehicular traffic at Ropar, Ghanauli and Sirsa-Nangal as about 20 goods trains and four mail and passenger trains pass through this track in 24 hours. To remove the obstacles of two railway-level crossings at Ghanauli and Sirsa-Nangal, the government has been constructing a high-level bridge over the Sirsa river at a cost of about Rs 12 crore for plying the traffic smoothly during the period of tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. But how, it was felt that this bridge could not be completed before the commencement of the functions of the tercentenary celebrations in April. So, the administration initiated a dialogue with the Army authorities to procure their help in the construction of a temporary bridge. The kutcha approach roads on both sides of the river have already been prepared. Colonel Sadashiv said,
"The motto of the Army is: Once a piece of work is
assigned to the Army, it shall be done". The Army
had done it here also, he added. |
||
PYC names state office-bearers JALANDHAR, March 18 — Not complying with party guidelines, the state Youth Congress President announced office-bearers giving only 13 per cent representation to women, instead of the promised 33 per cent. Representation for women is maximum in the executive while only one woman has been appointed as vice-president. Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, YC President said that Schedule Castes had been given 22 per cent representation in the state body of the party. The new state body constitutes of 11 vice-president, 18 general secretaries 28 secretaries and 10 executive members. A three-member disciplinary committee of Mr Darminder Kumar, Mr Sushil Kumar and Mr Sukhwinder Singh has been constituted. PTI adds: Mr Babbu said "every care has been taken to include only those who filled certain prerequisites set by the Indian Youth Congress and no one with a shady past has been included. Issuing a list of 67 office bearers, including 11 vice presidents, 18 general secretaries, 28 secretaries and 10 executive members, Mr Babbu said while 10 women have been included in the organisational set up, more would join soon in keeping with Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s promise for 33 per cent representation to the gender. However, a number of Youth Congress leaders claimed that Mr Babbu has failed to take along factions loyal to his predecessors Jasbir Dimpa and Maninderjit Singh Bitta. "Even the criteria set up by the high command have been flouted in certain cases", a vice-president included in today’s list told PTI. The new office bearers include: vice presidents — Dharminder Kumar (Jalandhar), Amarjit Tikka (Ludhiana) Balwinder Kaur (Patiala), I.P. Singh (Jalandhar), Bhupinder Singh (Bathinda), Anish Sidhana (Ferozepore), Parminder Mehta (Ludhiana), Jagpal Singh (Muktsar), Malwinder Singh Chahal (Kapurthala), Sachinda Anand (Hoshiarpur), and Rajinder Singh (Patiala). General secretaries —
Raminder Singh (Jalandhar), Sushil Kumar (Ludhiana),
Rajiv Bhagat (Amritsar) Sukhwinder Singh (Ropar), Rimple
Midda (Muktsar), Harish Kumar (Ludhiana), Harinder Singh
(Kapurthala), Harvinder Singh Sidhu (Ropar), Rajinder
Beri (Jalandhar), Harcharan Singh (Muktsar), Sunil Puri
(Ludhiana), Shekh Inder Singh (Ropar), Ashwani Papu
(Amritsar), Harinder Singh Khatra (Patiala), Sukhdev
Singh Randhawa (Batala), Avtar Singh Jhajj (Fatehgarh
Sahib), Gurvir Singh Raju (Gurdaspur), and Didar Singh
(Muktsar). |
||
Students attack teachers JALANDHAR, March 18 — Teachers on duty were stoned by agitated students as they were not allowed to cheat at Lyallpur Khalsa Senior Secondary School here. During the examinations being conducted for matriculation today, both Mr Gian Sultanpuri and Mr Mukhtiar Singh were attacked by students and when they tried to escape, they were pelted with stones at the gate. Meanwhile, the Government
School Lecturers Union senior vice-president, Mr Jewan
Prakash, has demanded that the school should be cancelled
as a centre. The SSP Mr Gaurav Yadav, later deployed
police force at the centre. |
||
US diplomat visits Punjab JALANDHAR, March 18 (UNI) — Mr Mathew A. Spivak, Third Secretary in US Embassy in New Delhi, made an extensive tour of Punjab during his two-day visit on March 16 and 17 to study the political situation in view of ongoing crisis in Sikh polity triggered by the Badal-Tohra feud. Mr Spivak, who was accompanied by embassy's political analyst Shareen Bhatia, visited Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar on March 16 and spent the next day at Jalandhar interacting with important Akali and Congress leaders and a media baron. Mr Spivak along with Ms
Bhatia had breakfast meeting with senior Akali leader
Sukhjinder Singh at his native Ramgarh village in
adjoining Kapurthala district yesterday while coming to
Jalandhar from Amritsar sources closed to the Akali
leader confirmed the meeting. |
||
Forum for bridge at Mandi
Gobindgarh CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Mr Satya Dev Garg, Chairman of the Punjab Forum for Industrial Revival, said the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, had not kept his promise with regard to constructing a railway overbridge at Mandi Gobindgarh. When last year he had come to Mandi Gobindgarh, Mr Vajpayee had promised to get the overbridge constructed. He said Mandi Gobindgarh was a leading steel industrial town in the country and in the absence of an overbridge there were a lot of problems. He said the steel town was also facing problems on the telecom department front. Several requests had been made to provide the facility for tracing obnoxious calls but so far nothing had been done in this connection. He said as it was a town where big businessmen and traders reside the facility was required to eliminate the possibility of anyone playing mischief. He said forum members
would again write to the Prime Minister reminding him
about the promise made by him at Mandi Gobindgarh. |
||
Raj Babbar writes to PM on
martyrs CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Noted film star and member of the Rajya Sabha Raj Babbar has written an open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, urging him to install portraits of martyrs of the freedom movement, Sardar Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukhdev and Udham Singh, in the Ashoka Hall of Parliament House. The letter penned in Hindi said these martyrs had sacrificed their lives at the altar of motherland to free her from the shackles of slavery from colonial rule. Raj Babbar said, "Who
can forget April 8,1929, when Bhagat Singh Batukeshwar
Datt had given a jolt to the British and raised such
slogans as "Inquilab zindabad", "British
rule murdabad." After raising these slogans they had
courted arrest in a non-violent and fearless manner. |
||
Lathi charge on traders decried BATHINDA, March 18 — The Congress office-bearers of the Bathinda district unit at a meeting here today condemned police lathi charge on traders and party workers protesting peacefully against the auction of octroi posts to private parties yesterday. In a press note here, Mr Krishan Kumar Sharma, General Secretary District Congress Committee, said that the police prevented a number of traders from entering the venue of auction as the authorities concerned wanted to grant this contract of octroi to their "favourites". He said that at the
meeting the SAD-BJP combine government was urged to
abolish the octroi as promised by them in election
manifesto released before last general Assembly
elections. |
||
Three robbers arrested SANGRUR, March 18 — Three persons, claimed to be members of an inter-state gang of robbers were arrested, stated Mr Arpit Shukla, District Police Chief. The gang was operating in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. The arrested have been identified as Minsi, Goldi and Mahavir. Mr Shukla added that on January 3, five members of the gang hired a Tata Sumo from the Sangrur taxi stand for New Delhi. On the way they stopped at several places to consume liquor. On entering Sonepat in Haryana they are alleged to have killed the driver, Satish Kumar. They threw his body after disfiguring his face in the adjoining fields, Mr Shukla said. Later they went to Uttar Pradesh but fearing arrest, they abandoned the vehicle at a deserted place under the Islam Nagar police station in Badau district. The SHO concerned, wrote a letter regarding the recovery of the vehicle to its owner, Mr Shiv Kumar Goyal and this brought the matter to light. Mr Shukla said that 11
cases of theft of vehicles are registered against Goldi
in different states, eight against Mahavir and six
against Minsi. |
||
Lawyers demand 5-day week PATIALA, March 18 — The District Bar Association has demanded a five-day week, change in hours of work in summer, more chambers for lawyers in the judicial complex presently under construction here and space for a bar room. In a press release, Mr Vijay Vatrai, secretary of the District Bar Association said a charter of demands was submitted yesterday to Mr justice VK Bali of the Punjab and Haryana High Court who had come here to attend an official function. The statement urged the high court for intervention in solving various problems being faced by the lawyers. According to the charter of demands the lawyers demanded uniform pattern of hours of working by ordering a five-day week in the trial courts on the pattern of five-day week in the Supreme Court of India, high court, Punjab Government offices, Corporations etc. The lawyers have also demanded a change in hours of work from 7 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. As it was difficult to work in summer. The statement said courts in Haryana and Bathinda district in Punjab also change working hours in summer. The statement also
demanded an increase in the number of chambers for
lawyers, from 350 to at least 600, at the judicial
complex which were under construction here. The statement
argued that the number of lawyers practising in district
courts here was increasing and might swell to more than
1000 when the judicial complex was completed. |
||
SGPC member hurt in collision BATHINDA, March 18 — Mr Sube Singh, Member, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) was injured and his gunman Mehar Singh was killed when the Tata Sumo in which they were travelling collided with a bus on the Bathinda-Muktsar road last night. Police sources said that
four other persons travelling in the Tata Sumo suffered
minor injuries. A case has been registered. |
||
Teachers firm on exam boycott LUDHIANA, March 18 — A coordinate committee meeting of representatives of associations of university and college teachers was held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today. Office-bearers of the Punjab Government College Teachers Association (PGCTA) and presidents and secretaries of GNDUTA, PAUTA, PUTA (Patiala) and PUTA (Chandigarh) attended it. In view of the ongoing dialogue between PCCTU representatives and the government, the coordination committee meeting unanimously resolved that the previous decision on the boycott of examinations would continue till the Punjab Government issued an amended notification in accordance with UGC notification of December 24. The teachers were strongly critical of the exclusion of various provisions from the UGC notification of December 24, in the Punjab Government's notification issued for the third time on March 12. It was felt that this was
the result of the Punjab government not taking the
initiative to involve teachers' representatives in the
implementation of pay revision. |
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