Monday, May 31, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, May 31, 1999 |
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Amritsar
Diocese Bishop installed Mann, Wadala reach poll pact |
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‘India
victim of Pak deception plan’ 7 killed, 8 hurt in road accident Demand to withdraw case against
Bhattal Congressmen want Governor to call
all-party meeting 3,500 kg of poppy husk seized; 2
held SDO: no damage to bridge Daughter burnt to death |
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Amritsar Diocese Bishop installed AMRITSAR, May 30 — Reverend Pradeep Kumar Samantha Roy was installed the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar (CNI) at an impressive ceremony held at Christ Church Cathedral, Ram Bagh, here today. The bishop was ceremoniously ushered into the cathedral by Rev V. Jagan Nath, the presbyter in charge, together with representatives of the clergy in a procession. Bishop Pradeep was presented the bishop's staff, symbolising his duty as the shepherd of the flock of believers. He was also presented with a ring, signifying his authority as the spiritual and temporal leader of the believers in the diocese. A silver cross with a chain was put around his neck. Bishop Pradeep, accepting the symbolic gifts of the office of the Bishop, vowed to fulfil his duties by the grace of God to the best of his abilities. The bishop stated he was aware of the different areas of the diocese and the plurality of its cultural and ethnic composition. It would be his effort to carry forward with diligence the excellent model set up by Rt Rev Dr Anand Chandu Lal, the outgoing Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar. At the end of the installation service, all present were given time to felicitate Bishop Pradeep. Both the clergy and the laity who were present in large numbers felicitated Bishop Pradeep with garlands and gifts. The ceremony concluded with a reception when the newly installed bishop was given an opportunity to meet those present over a cup of tea. Bishop Pradeep was born on March 1, 1957, at Phulbani (Orissa). After graduation, he joined Serampore College, Calcutta, where he qualified for the Degree of Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) and subsequently Master of Theology (M.Th). During 1980-82, he served as a librarian of Serampore College. He was a lecturer in theology in the same college from 1984-89. In 1989, he joined the CNI Diocese of Cuttack as a presbyter in the Baliguda pastorate. He also held the additional charge of area superintendent. He was the secretary of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Cuttack from 1991-94 and treasurer of the same from 1994-95. Bishop Pradeep was vice-president of the Cuttack Diocese from 1996-98. He successfully carried out the duties of the secretary of the Diocesan Board of Social Services and was the liaison officer of the CNI administered H.A.C.I. homes. Bishop Pradeep’s wife Lilly Samantha Roy has been assisting him in his pastoral as well as other administrative duties. Bishop Samantha Roy is blessed with two daughters Samarki (13) and Preeta (8). Bishop Pradeep was elected the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India, today. Earlier, at a solemn ceremony St Paul’s Church, Court Road, here, the Rev P.K. Samantha Roy was consecrated as the Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar by the Most Rev A.R. Vinod Peter, Moderator of the Church of North India The ceremony was attended by the Rt Rev Dr Anand Chandu Lal, the outgoing Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar, Bishop S. Joshua, Bishop Sunil Cak and Bishop Karam Masih. This was followed by a
fellowship meal in which all persons who attended the
consecration service participated. The food was served in
the lawns of the St Paul’s Church. |
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Mann, Wadala reach poll pact JALANDHAR, May 30 (PTI) — In a significant development, two major radical Akali factions, the Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the Akali Dal (Democratic), today arrived at a poll alliance and expressed confidence that the Akali Dal (Panthic) and the Tohra faction would also soon join the alliance against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, Presidents of the Amritsar and Democratic factions, respectively, told PTI here that they had decided to join hands against Mr Badal and were confident of getting support from ousted SGPC chief G.S. Tohra and the Sant Samaj. "We will be meeting Mr Tohra and Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa next week and are fully confident of hammering out an understanding to put up a joint front in the Lok Sabha polls," Mr Mann said. News of the alliance comes on a day when Mr Tohra was "elected leader" of the SAD at an Akali convention at Alamgir. While Mr Wadala said the Akali Dal (Democratic) had already reached an understanding with the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha, Mr Mann claimed support from the Janata Dal. "Within days, we will present before the people a joint broad based front which will contest all 13 seats against the ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the Congress," the radical leaders said. Mr Wadala said Mr Mann had given an assurance that he would not raise the "Khalistan" issue during the poll. "Mr Mann has agreed that he will keep the separatist issue in cold storage," he said. Mr Mann confirmed the assurance saying election strategies were different from the parties’ larger goals. Mr Mann had raised the separatist demand at the parallel Khalsa tercentenary celebrations but soon became "politically untouchable" — a phrase which he coined himself to describe his party’s predicament. Mr Wadala said the understanding between him and Mr Mann had been arrived at mainly on the issue of "reinstating" Bhai Ranjit Singh as the Akal Takht Jathedar and bringing about unity among all Panthic forces. The two leaders also welcomed the decision of Bhai Ranjit Singh not to attend today’s Akali convention organised by the Tohra faction at Alamgir. "By staying away
from the Tohra-backed function, Bhai Ranjit Singh has
ensured that he is not identified with any particular
faction. This will help him now to bring about larger
Akali unity among various factions," Mr Mann and Mr
Wadala said. |
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Punjab farmers 'ill-equipped' ABOHAR: Even as Punjab boasts of making the highest contribution to country's granary, the farmers here are still less advanced, technically ill-equipped and unaware of modernised farming as compared to their counterparts in Maharashtra and Karnataka. This conclusion was drawn by a group of progressive farmers and leading cooperators who visited the southern states under the ICDP scheme sponsored by the fertiliser giant IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd.) recently. Mr Gulshan Brar of Khuyiansarwer village and Mr Suresh Kurar, giving an account to newsmen in the presence of IFFCO Chairman Surender Kumar Jakhar here, said the farmers in Maharashtra cared much more for irrigation as they had less water at their disposal than Punjab. No doubt climatic conditions were favourable there for farming but farmers too had developed a taste for integrated multi-dimensional farming techniques. They were able to get a yield of Rs 15 lakh from an eight-acre farm. Even prosperous farmers there did not mind living in a two-room set inside their farms. They felt Punjab farmers were wasting money on maintaining a high lifestyle. The members of the team said in the opinion of Maharashtra and Karnataka farmers, the Punjab farmers had created problems for themselves by not involving themselves and young members of their families in farming. The Punjabis were becoming more lethargic day by day. More rest with less or even no work had become a way of life for families of well-to-do farmers in Punjab. In their opinion the Agriculture Department in Maharashtra was more active than its counterpart in Punjab. Different cells had been created for different crops which provided the latest knowhow and guidance to farmers. Citing an example of the young generation's interest in farming, the team said an agriculture science graduate who had started farming on a small scale in Maharashtra 25 years ago was now looking after an 110-acre beautiful farm. A cooperative agriculture society had set up soil testing laboratory at a cost of Rs 18 lakh. The lab charged Rs 35 per acre as testing charges and the farmers happily paid the amount. On the other hand in Punjab, there was an arrangement for free testing of soil but farmers rarely availed of this service. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and some southern states farmers were swiftly adopting sprinkle, drip irrigation system to save water and better their crops. The farmhouse owners maintained computerised record of each section of their fields in terms of inputs, spray, seed etc. Punjab was yet to take such steps. Farmers in that part of the country preferred cash crops. They were aware of the balanced use of fertilisers and systematic spray of insecticides. In Punjab farmers generally believed they would get a higher yield by increasing the quantity of chemical fertiliser. No agricultural scientist had suggested that DAP fertiliser should be used for sugarcane but you could find Punjabi farmers using DAP for this crop also. The climate was definitely better in Maharashtra for grapes but they had modernised the grape growing by using the pre-cooling system, packing the fruit beautifully for export. In Punjab many varieties of grapes were tried but dust-storms and untimely rain damaged the fruit during picking. Arrangements for marketing were not proper here. The cooperators and farmers were surprised to see that beginning from Bindi to bi-cycle every article of common domestic use was available at cooperative super bazaars in Maharashtra but these stores had faced liquidation in Punjab allegedly due to misappropriation of assets and red-tapism. The members of the cooperative societies in Maharashtra had been issued cards which entitled them to purchase goods from super markets and avail of loans easily. Punjab had developed a bad name for bureaucratic interference in the day-to-day working of cooperative organisations. This had been the prime reason for unsuccessful working of the movement. In Maharashtra there was no complaint of official interference. The team visited an educational complex spread over 100 acres. Admission was available to farmers' children there. On getting admission to the nursery class, they could study up to postgraduation level in the same complex. Education was free for girls. The admission fee was just Rs 110. The institutions were supported by a trust formed by Mr Sharad Pawar's family. The visitors were surprised to note that the students instead of roaming about in vacant periods were spending their time in library and reading room. Many students hailing from farmers' families preferred farm education and joined their parents in working at the farmhouses with their own hands. They understood the dignity of labour. This was nowhere seen in Punjab here: almost every matriculate son of a farmer would fall victim to urbanisation or struggling for a white collar job. In the educational complex at Pune, there was hostel for more than 1,000 girls which charged a nominal fee for lodging and boarding. The cooperators and
farmers found that Mr Sharad Pawar had a strong grip over
farmers at baramati, Nasik, Pune, etc, it was because the
family had made historic contribution in creating 300
water check dams in hundreds of villages which had
earlier no water for irrigation. This project had changed
the lives of farmers there. Very few farmers used cars
there, they preferred to use motorcycles. They were not
confined to farming only but had developed non-farming
projects like poultry, goat farms, etc. They worked hard.
The team met an agriculturist who had developed tissue
culture for growing bananas, which had been brought from
Belgaum. In fact hard work, the latest technology and
simple living were the farmer's path to prosperity. |
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‘India victim of Pak deception
plan’ LUDHIANA, May 30 — Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the Punjab Congress, said here today that India had fallen a victim to an elaborate deception plan hatched by Pakistan to annex Kashmir by force. Talking to mediamen at the residence of a former Congress MLA, Mr Rakesh Pande, he said it was now clear that while Mr Nawaz Sharif was embracing the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and offering peace to India, preparations were being made by Pakistan to send infiltrators across the LoC to capture Indian territory in Kashmir. "On the very day Mr Vajpayee travelled by bus to Lahore, 42 innocent persons were massacred in Kashmir by terrorists. Several Indian Army jawans also died in exchanges with Pakistani troops that day. This should have served as a warning and alerted the Indian Government to the nefarious designs of Pakistan", Capt Amarinder Singh said. The PCC chief pointed out that infiltrators could not be sent across the LoC overnight. Preparations must have begun in Pakistan months ago. "You require enormous logistics in support". The Punjab Congress president pointed out that what was happening in Kashmir now was a repetition of what had taken place in 1949 when Pakistan sent in infiltrators to capture Kashmir. The Indian Government now must make sure that all infiltrators were eliminated from Indian soil. There should be no peace talks with Pakistan till that was achieved. He was critical of the statement by the Defence Minister giving a clean chit to the Pakistan Government. "It was most foolish on Mr George Fernandes' part to have made these remarks. It is a complete failure of the Vajpayee government and its foreign policy." He expressed full support and sympathy with the Indian armed forces and said the Congress would do all it could to provide succour to the families of those who laid down their lives in the defence of the country. During his day-long visit to Ludhiana today, Capt Amarinder Singh addressed a series of 15 Congress workers' meetings, including those at the residences of Mr Anand Saroop Singh, Mr Rakesh Pande, Mr Surinder Dawar, Mr Harnam Dass Johar and a few others. He said the morale of the Congress workers was high and they were ready to fight the forthcoming electoral battle under the leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi. He claimed that the Congress was now united as never before after the expulsion of Mr Sharad Pawar, Mr P.A. Sangma and Mr Tariq Anwar. He asserted that his party would contest and win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. He had no intention of entering into an electoral alliance with any other party but a final decision in this regard would be taken by the Congress high command. He said the Congress would announce its candidates for all seats shortly. "We are not going to allow the Akalis to steal a march on us on this score." Capt Amarinder Singh ruled out the possibility of the Congress entering into an alliance with Tohra loyalists or any other Akali faction. "We regard Badal, Tohra and Mann as birds of the same feather. All three of them are actively encouraging terrorism, attending the bhog ceremonies of slain militants and providing political cover to the violent activities of misguided youth." The Congress leader also
claimed that the resignation and then its withdrawal by
Mrs Sonia Gandhi had strengthened the Congress. She had
been able to generate a lot of support and sympathy for
herself and the party. |
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Bitta calls for fight to the
finish LUDHIANA, May 30 — Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, a former president of the Indian Youth Congress, yesterday called for a "fight to the finish" against the Pakistan-backed infiltrators in the Kargil-Dras sector of Kashmir. Talking to newsmen here, he said the infiltration constituted the biggest challenge to the sovereignty and integrity of the country and must be met with all the force at India's command. He saw the development as an opportunity to solve the problem of terrorism and separatism once and for all. "Had such a decisive action been taken 20 years ago, the problem of infiltration and terrorism from across the border would have been solved a long time ago," he said adding that thousands of lives and a lot of bloodshed would have been avoided in the event of such action. He called upon the Government of India to inflict a crushing blow on the infiltrators and teach them a lesson of a lifetime so that anybody having an evil design on this country would think twice before embarking upon such a misadventure. Mr Bitta asked all political parties to sink their differences and rally round the government so as to present a united face to the enemy. He also wanted the US Government to openly support India as the infiltrators were the same Afghan mercenaries who had at one time bombed US embassies. He also expressed full
sympathy with the families of those Army personnel who
had laid down their lives for the sake of the country. He
demanded suitable and immediate relief to the families. |
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7 killed, 8 hurt in road accident KAPURTHALA, May 30 (PTI) — Seven persons were killed and eight seriously injured in a collision between a Tata Sumo and a truck near Subhanpur on the Amritsar G.T. Road here this morning, the police said. The victims were travelling in a Tata Sumo which was going from Bhaini village, near Anandpur Sahib to a religious dera at Beas. The injured have been admitted to hospital at Beas. Their condition was stated to be serious. The SHO of Subhanpur police station, Mr Kuljinder Singh, told mediapersons that the cause of the accident could not be ascertained as the truck driver was missing. He said vehicular traffic on the G.T. Road was obstructed due to the accident for more than half an hour. The traffic was, however, restored after both vehicles were removed with the help of a crane, he added. The deceased have been identified as Gurdas Singh (35), his daughter Nirmal Kaur (11), Gindu (8), Swaran Kaur (49), Jit Kaur (50), driver Varinder Pal and Batan Ram, all residents of Bhaini village. The injured included Kamla Devi, Paramjit Singh, Jaswinder Kaur, Jit Ram, Jagtar Singh, Gurjinder Singh and Karnail Singh, all residents of Bhaini village. The police said four persons died on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries in the hospital at Beas. The police has
registered a case against truck driver. |
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Demand to withdraw case against
Bhattal PATIALA, May 30 — A number of Congress leaders have threatened to launch an agitation if a "false" case registered against Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and traders of Nabha is not withdrawn immediately. Mr Raval Singh Sethi, PPCC, and Mr Rachpal Singh Jarromajra, senior Youth Congress leader, have threatened to sit on a fast in front of Mr Parkash Singh Badal's residence if the name of Mrs Bhattal is not cleared in the case. Dr Satwant Singh Mohi, a former M.L.A. and organising secretary, condemned the "framing" a case against Mr Sushil Jain, a leading journalist of Nabha and Mrs Bhattal, former Chief Minister of Punjab. He said it was an attack on the freedom of the press and strict action should be taken against the erring officials. Dr Mohi warned that dharnas and protests would be held at the district headquarter if the case was not withdrawn and no action taken against the police officials concerned. Mr Ajinder Pal Singh, organising secretary, PPCC, condemned the district administration for registration of the case against Mrs Bhattal. He said the incident itself spoke of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Mr Tarsem Saini, president, Punjab Rice Millers Association, said resentment prevailed among the traders against the police "failure" in the murder case of an arhtiya, Bant Ram Goyal. Mr Brij Lal Goyal, a former legislator, said the action of the police against Mrs Bhattal and Mr Sushil Jain was an attempt to "curb the voice of the masses." LUDHIANA: The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal has criticised the Nabha police for registering a case against former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in the alleged kidnapping and murder of a Nabha-based businessman. The meeting held in Industrial Area here under the presidentship of Mr Jagmohan Sharma, was attended by Senior Vice-President of the Punjab Youth Congress Parminder Mehta, Mr Darshan Dawar, Mr Raman Nayyar, Mr Somnath Grover and Mr Vinod Jain. Mr Parminder Mehta
warned the government to withdraw the case against Mrs
Bhattal or be ready to face a statewide agitation. |
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Congressmen want Governor to call
all-party meeting CHANDIGARH, May 30 — Making law and order situation in issue, several Punjab Congress leaders have petitioned to the Governor Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd) to convene an all-party meeting for further course of action. The memorandum has been submitted by Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Mr Mohinder Singh Gill, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Mr Ajaib Singh, Mr Brahm Mohindra, Mr Brij Lal Goel, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, Mr Baldev Loomba and Mr Kulwant Singh. The undated memorandum, of which a copy was made available to The Tribune today, inter alia, recounts some recent incidents, including the killing of Mr Bant Ram Goyal, an arhtia and ex-chairman of the market committee, Nabha, and how a false case has been registered by the police there against the relatives of Mr Goyal. A case has been registered against Ms Bhattal as well besides involving a journalist, Mr Sushil Jain, for his coverage of the happenings at Nabha. The memorandum also said
the people were fed up with the policies of the SAD-BJP
Government. From farmers to employees there was total
dissatisfaction. Modesty of women and minor girls and
Scheduled Castes was at risk. The people's confidence in
the government of Mr Parkash Singh Badal stands
shattered, hence appeal for action and an all-party
meeting. |
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3,500 kg of poppy husk seized;
2 held JALANDHAR, May 30 — The police has seized 3,500 kg of poppy husk from Phillaur and arrested two persons. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today that information was received by Mr Upinderjit Singh, DSP, Phillaur, that smuggling of poppy husk was taking place on a massive scale. Trucks of poppy husk were being procured from Rajasthan and brought to Punjab for sale. He said the police had received information that a truck (PB08-8247) containing a huge consignment of poppy husk belonging to Sital Singh of Akalpur village (Phillaur) had moved from Rajasthan towards Phillaur. Jaswinder Singh and his son, Sital Singh, were guiding the truck by moving ahead in a Maruti van. The police had organised a special naka on the Phillaur-Apra road near Nagar village. The truck was intercepted at the naka on May 29. During a search of the vehicle, 100 bags of poppy husk weighing about 3,500 kg were seized and Saudagar Lal of Akalpur village and Dyal Singh of Sargundi village (Goraya) were arrested. Sital Singh escaped, he said. The SSP said the estimated value of the seized poppy husk in the black market was Rs 11 lakh. The prevailing rate in Rajasthan was lower. A case under Section15
of the NDPS Act had been registered at Phillaur police
station, he said. |
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SDO: no damage to bridge ANANDPUR SAHIB, May 30 — Except for the damage to the metalled approach road on one side of the wing walls of the high-level bridge built at a cost of Rs 1.41 crore about two months ago on the Charan Ganga khud near the local bus stand, no damage has been done due to the recent rain to the bridge. It had appeared in a section of the press that due to rain, the bridge had sunk by 10 ft. Talking to this correspondent at the bridge site yesterday, local residents said during the rain, the approach road on the side of the bus stand was damaged as the earth sank by a foot in an area of about 12 to 15 feet in length and 8 to 10 feet in width. Besides, a creek also developed along the wing wall. This affected the plying of traffic on the bridge. Now the PWD (B and R) authorities have repaired the damaged portion of the approach road. The creek has also been plugged. The bridge is now open to traffic. This bridge was built as part of a four-lane project from Kiratpur Sahib to the town. Mr M.S. Nijjar, SDO, Ropar Sub Division, PWD (B&R), said the bridge was fully in tact. Though a part of the approach road to the bridge was damaged in the rain, it had now been fully repaired. Due to the rain, the
berms on the approach road had also been affected at some
places. |
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Daughter burnt to death JALANDHAR, May 30 (UNI) — A teenage girl was burnt to death allegedly by her parents at her home in Atti village under Phillaur police station, police sources said here yesterday. Mona Devi (17), in her dying statement in Phillaur Civil Hospital, charged her parents with having set her ablaze after dousing her with kerosene, the sources said. The police had earlier
registered a case of attempt to murder. It would now be
converted to a case of murder under Section 302, IPC, the
sources said. |
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Former MLA rejoins Cong ROPAR, May 30 — Mr Bhag Singh, former MLA of Chamkaur Sahib, who left the Congress and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in December, 1996, following differences with senior Congress leaders, rejoined the party in the presence of Mr Balbir Singh Brar, General Secretary, PPCC, here yesterday. Mr Bhag Singh was elected on the Congress ticket from the Chamkaur Sahib Assembly constituency in 1985 when he defeated Ms Bimal Kaur Khalsa. Mr Bhag Singh said he
had rejoined the Congress as he felt the SAD government
had failed on every front. He also said workers and
leaders were being ignored by top leadership of the SAD. |
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45 bags of poppy husk
seized MOGA, May 30 — A CIA police party headed by Inspector Balwinder Singh organised a raid on the house of Dalip Singh a resident of Butter Kalan under Badhnikalan police station in Moga, and recovered 45 bags of poppy husk valued at over Rs 5 lakh. The accused had concealed the contraband in a specially designed bunker in his house. Stating this here today,
SSP Sharad Chauhan the raid was conducted on a tip off.
He said while being interrogated, the accused had
confessed he had been dealing in the nefarious trade with
the help of certain transporters. |
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Farmers’ protest on June 4 MOGA, May 30 — An emergency meeting of members of the Punjab unit of the Bharti Kisan Union chaired by its president, Mr Hardev Singh, at Mahesari village in this district last evening decided to hold rallies and dharnas on June 4 in front of the office of the Xen, Moga, in protest against large-scale "corruption" in the Punjab State Electricity Board and "failure" of the board to supply uninterrupted power to farmers. The meeting expressed
resentment over the loss the farmers had suffered when
their harvested wheat crop was burnt on account of short
circuiting of transformers. It demanded compensation for
the same and urged the officials of the PSEB to re-erect
electricity poles uprooted during the recent duststorm. |
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