Sunday, November 7, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, November 7, 1999 |
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Giani
Kewal Singh’s participation flayed Charges baseless, says Ravi Inder |
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Octroi
evasion on sugar: Billa for CBI probe
Decline in dengue cases Rape allegation
"concocted" MC shops’ possession to be
probed Fight for justice pays at last
Anti-employee attitude flayed Freeing of undertrial: one held,
car seized Sit to probe St Joseph’s
robbery PTU admission procedure resented CPI to give relief to cyclone-hit Withdraw provision on prosecution,
say traders
Cooperative banks to be
computerised Khalsa College wins overall trophy Dental college convocation 2 held for taking bribe |
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Giani Kewal Singh’s
participation flayed BATHINDA, Nov 6 — The meeting of the five Sikh high priests held at Akal Takht on Thursday, which was attended by Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, has created a new controversy in the Sikh religio-political affairs. In a press note issued here, a Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) senior leader and senior Vice President of the Khalsa Diwan Singh Sabha, Mr Gurkirpal Singh Advocate, has criticised the participation of Giani Kewal Singh in the meeting. Expressing deep shock and anger, he said Giani Kewal Singh was booked under Section 304-B, IPC following a directive of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for allegedly killing his daughter-in-law, Sharanjit Kaur, for dowry. He pointed out that Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, has violated the "maryada" (code of conduct) of the highest temporal seat of Sikhs by allowing Giani Kewal Singh to participate in the meeting. He asserted that the decisions taken at the meeting were legally improper. The statement by the SHSAD further demanded that Giani Kewal Singh should have been forced to resign instead of allowing him to attend the meeting. It was asserted that Giani Puran Singh, Giani Kewal Singh and Giani Manjeet Singh (Jathedar, Takht Kesgarh Sahib) had defamed the Sikh religion. This damage to the Sikh Panth was in connivance with the anti-Sikh forces. While demanding the
immediate arrest of Giani Kewal Singh and the
resignations of the three Jathedars, Mr Gurkirpal Singh
said he would expose their misdeeds by revealing the
details and evidence of their malpractices. If they
refused to resign then he would take up the matter with
the Human Rights Commission, other Sikh institutions and
intellectuals. |
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Charges baseless, says Ravi
Inder CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Mr Ravi Inder Singh, MLA, against whom the SAD is proceeding for his alleged anti-party activities and serving a "show-cause" notice on him, said today that such acts were unthinkable by him since his family had been associated with the Akali politics for the past three generations. As a member of the Political Affairs Committee of the SAD, Mr Ravi Inder Singh was today confronted at the meeting, chaired by the party president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, on the reported activities attributed to him which were a pointer to his ambition to become chief minister and his lobbying with the Congress and Tohra group MLAs. Replying to such charges, Mr Ravi Inder Singh told TNS he had informed the meeting that he had not made any statement to the press. Media reports were mere conjectures. He told the PAC that "even my relations with the press are far from cordial. Since he had not met or talked to any newsman on the subject there was no reason for him to contradict what was appearing in the press". Mr Ravi Inder Singh said aspiring to become the chief minister was neither his temperament nor he was lobbying for the same. The SAD MLAs visiting his house did discuss party matters. Such discussions were aimed at finding ways and means to unite and strengthen the party, not create factions and divisions. "Let even one MLA say that I desired to be the Chief Minister. Such allegations are baseless". What to talk of hobnobbing with MLAs owing allegiance to the party floated by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, with whom, he said, he never had any such relations, it was a figment of the imagination to say that he was in touch with the Congress for support. "If that was to be, I would have gone to the Congress when Capt Amarinder Singh joined that party by leaving the Akali Dal". As such issues were
likely to be mentioned in the show-cause notice, Mr Ravi
Inder Singh said he had already made it clear to the PAC
about his stand and position. "It is absurd to
suggest that I was mustering support to dislodge anyone
or weaken the party from within", he averred. |
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Redraft Gurdwara Act, say Sikh
intellectuals CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The World Sikh Intellectual Council favours redrafting of the All-India Gurdwara Act and wants the same to be adopted by the SGPC after due consultation with Sikh intellectuals, professional Sikh sampardas and the five Singh Sahibans of the Takhts. The Council at a seminar today on Gurdwaras Act adopted three resolutions: It demanded release of a stamp of Bhai Ghanya during the 300 years celebrations of the creation of the Khalsa and appealed to the Punjab Government to name all emergency wards in hospitals in the state after him. The Council sought release of all innocent Sikhs languishing in jails. The third resolution appealed to the SGPC President to withdraw the Nanak Shahi Jantri and observe all gurpurbs on old jantri's basis. The seminar on the Gurdwaras Act, held in the Sector 38 gurdwara was addressed by several prominent Sikhs. The chief guest was Mr Ravi Inder Singh, MLA and a former Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker. In his address he suggested that the SGPC should consult Sikh intellectuals to define and draft the act and leave no scope for the government to exploit the management of the gurdwaras. The need was to strengthen the existing act, not dilute at. The Council President,
Mr Baldev Singh Baluana, welcomed the participants.
Several papers were presented, including by Mr Gur Rattan
Pal Singh and Mr S.S. Nishan, former Akali MP. Mr
Harinder Singh Khalsa was also present. |
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Octroi evasion on sugar: Billa
for CBI probe AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — Mr Surinder Kumar Billa, president, All-India Hindu Shiv Sena, has urged the central government to order a CBI inquiry into the octroi evasion of crores of rupees with the alleged connivance of the Municipal Corporation while importing sugar from Pakistan during the Nawaz Sharif government. In a press release issued here today, Mr Billa alleged that despite repeated reminders to the authorities concerned there had been no headway in the case. Billa claims that the state intelligence inquiry found the corporation guilty of conniving with the importers in evading octroi duty. But still the culprits remain are free. Billa claims that 821281,8 metric tonnes of sugar was imported from February 1998 to August 1999 from Pakistan and the importers paid octroi for a few thousand quintals only. Octroi on rest of the sugar was evaded by bribing the high officials of the corporation. According to figures provided by Billa, 13886.850 mt of sugar was imported from February to March 1998. Its value was Rs 191643250 and a duty of Rs 1944150 was paid to the Customs Department. From April 1998 to March 1999, 381076.75 mt of sugar and its value was Rs 4688647108. Customs Duty paid was Rs 676828801. Similarly the import of sugar from April 1999 to August 1999 was 426318.2 mt and its value was Rs 429749871. Rs 151658362 was paid as duty. He alleges that there was discrepancy in the records maintained by the Customs and the Municipal Corporation over the quantity of sugar imported. To prove his point, he stresses that from February 1 to August 31, 1998, the Customs Department registered an Import of 17,81,310 quintals of sugar. The Municipal Corporation showed to have issued transit permits for 1710478 quintals of sugar and receipt of octroi for 91921 quintals during this period. Billa says that the records of this period do not match as 21089 quintals of sugar in the corporation records is in excess of the Custom records. Mr Billa alleges that
the corporation’s claims of having given transit
permits to 1710478 quintals of sugar is a farce as most
of the sugar imported was sold in the city of Amritsar.
To substantiate his point further, he says that most of
the importers have their godowns at Sangrana Sahib on the
outskirts of the city and the sugar was sold in the
wholesale market of Amritsar after having been routed
through the godowns. He disclosed that an importer was
caught red-handed for selling about 200 sugar bags on
which octroi had not been paid in the Dal Mandi area of
the city last year. To save face, two octroi clerks were
suspended, but they were reinstated later. However, no
action was taken against the importers he claims. |
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Chhibber, Badal greet people CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut. Gen. BKN Chhibber (retd), and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today extended their greetings and warm felicitations to the people on the eve of Divali. In separate but identical messages, they said Divali was one of the most colourful captivating festivals of India celebrated by millions, irrespective of caste, colour and creed. They appealed to the people to remember the plight of cyclone victims of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, who had been marooned due to unprecedented natural calamity, and called upon the Punjab to contribute their mite for relief to the victims. "This feeling of love, care and compassion for our fellow countrymen in distress will add new joy to the real spirit of Divali," the messages said. Students of the
Institute for the Blind here today called on the Governor
to wish him and presented a pack of hand-made artistic
wax candles to him. |
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Decline in dengue cases LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — Dengue fever, which broke out here in near epidemic proportions about two and a half months ago, is finally showing signs of receding. The probable and confirmed dengue patients have already crossed the 1000 mark. According to official figures available here today, the disease has so far claimed 1,062 victims, of which two have died. However, the number of fresh cases of dengue being reported from different hospitals in the city, including major medical centres, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC) and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC), which at one time touched the figure of 35 in a day, has come down to a single digit. Dengue is an emerging tropical disease in the world today. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 100 million cases of dengue fever (DF) and about 5,00,000 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) which require hospitalisation. In 1996, the first recognised epidemic of dengue fever and DHF took place in the North. A total of 385 patients were admitted to the DMC, according to Dr Gurcharan Awasthi, Head of Medicine Department. There were as many as 36 death. In 1997 and 1998, 26 patients and 44 patients, respectively were admitted to this hospital. This year, the first dengue case was admitted to the DMC on August 27. This was the beginning of the continuous stream of dengue patients turning up at CMC, DMC, BRCH. Civil Hospital, GTBH, ESI, Oswal, Pahwa and a large number of small nursing homes in the city. Serology kits for detecting dengue virus were rushed to Ludhiana from all over India. Each kit costs about Rs 5,500 and can undertake 90 tests for DF and 20 tests for DHF. The country has since run out of serology kits. "We are now treating every fever case as DF case if the platelets count in blood falls below a lakh", says Dr Gurkirpal Singh, a virologist. According to Dr Alex Zachariah, coordinator of the Rapid Response Team constituted by the district health authorities, CMC and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the sole responsibility of the dengue outbreak here rests with its residents. The sole responsibility of the dengue outbreak here rests with its residents. The dengue causing mosquito is a household breeder. Budha nullah and heaps of garbage which abound in the city have nothing do with it. The mosquito breeds in fresh clean water. "You can find it in coolers, in small amounts of water collected in abandoned cars and even in mineral water bottles," he says, adding that unlike other mosquitoes which operate at night, these se mosquitoes attack during the day. Dr Gurkirpal Singh processed blood specimens from patients admitted to the CMC with suspected dengue and isolated viral agents. This was done with the help of PAU scientists in viral laboratories of the PAU. In order to combat the
disease, four rounds of intensive fogging operations were
undertaken under the directions of the Deputy
Commissioner, the municipal commissioner, the civil
surgeon, and a health officer. While the CMC formed a
Rapid Response Team, the DMC constituted a dengue
surveillance and prevention team. Intensive house
visiting by five teams of inspectors was undertaken for
checking sources of vector and educating people. |
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Rape allegation
"concocted" CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — In a 68-page reply filed by the State of Punjab in the Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday to the petition filed by Ms Gurpreet alias Sonu who has made allegations of rape etc. against Mr Sube Singh, son of Agriculture Minister, Punjab, the state described the allegations and statement made by the petitioner' as totally false and concocted. The reply was filed by the Advocate General, Mr H.S. Mathewal, before Mr Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi. The state annexed with the reply the alleged love letter of Gurpreet alias Sonu written to Krishan Bhaiya, a tenant, the photographs of alleged marriage of Sonu with Krishan Bhaiya allegedly solemnised at Gohlu Devata Temple at Bhawali, District Nainital. An affidavit to the effect that she was a major and had married Krishan Singh Bhaiya on her own sweet will and was happily living with him has also been annexed. The reply also contained a cancellation report of FIR No. 108 dated May 2, 1999 registered at Police Station Sarabha Nagar Ludhiana, got registered by Mr Paramjit Sharma, father of Sonu, which has been sent to authorities for forwarding the same to Illaqa Magistrate for cancellation of FIR for having been found false during investigation. It has been described in the report that the statements of the complainant and his daughter and also other witnesses are contradictory. In the reply the state has no objection to providing security to Sonu by the State or by outside agency. It has however, pleaded for dismissing the petition seeking CBI probe into the FIR dated May 2, 1999. The case was adjourned
to November 19, for arguments. |
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MC shops’ possession
to be probed BATHINDA, Nov 6 — The local municipal council (MC) authorities have constituted a five-member subcommittee to probe the alleged illegal possession of its (MC’s) shops in Gole Market by certain persons having political patronage. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, President of the council told TNS that the subcommittee was constituted on a complaint by certain municipal councillors at a meeting held on November 4. Mr Bhullar said that the committee would identify the illegal "owners" of the shops and the duration of the possession. He said action in this regard would be taken after the report of the panel. The committee would be headed by Mr Mohan Lal, municipal councillor and president of the district unit of the BJP. He said there were about 35 shops belonging to the council in Gole Market, out of which 11 were given on rent while 14 had been submerged in the basement. He said about seven shops were said to be in illegal possession. He said a society running the affairs of Gole Market was also claiming certain amount from the council as money spent on the maintenance of the market. This issue would also be looked into, he added. Earlier, the demolition
of a council’s wall in front of a mill in the city
has raised eyebrows as it was demolished while the case
was still pending in the court. |
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Fight for justice pays at last AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — Persistent fight against injustice can yield results despite the corruption-ridden administration. This has been proved by the case of Mr H. Suresh Kumar an engineer from Kerala who was shot dead by Punjab terrorists in Sangrur district on March 11, 1992. He was the only son of his old parents. His mother was sanctioned Rs seven per month as subsistence allowance by the government of Punjab. Mrs Vimla Dang, then an MLA (CPI) took up the case against the cruel joke. From 1997 onwards the fight was carried on by Mr Hardev Arshi MLA. At last justice is proposed to be done. After a long fight the
Deputy Commissioner Sangrur was directed by the
government of Punjab to ensure payment "at the rate
of Rs 2500 pm with effect form January 1997 and to ensure
up-to-date payment along with arrears". |
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Civic body fouls up river RAMPUR: The Municipal Committee of Rampur town is polluting the river Sutlej by dumping filth and garbage into it. The mechanised garbage bins are off-loaded onto the banks of the river every day. The filth including, even hospital waste, flows into the river. The contaminated river water is consumed by residents of villages downstream. Tonnes and tonnes of debris of the Nathpa-Jhakri Power Project, under construction in the area, are also being dumped into the river and the authorities have failed to take any action. Pollution of the Sutlej is increasing at an alarming rate due to construction of hydroelectric projects upstream. A test on river water at Rampur some time ago found the quality so poor that the coliform count was about 500 per 100 millilitre. The count downstream was worst with 721 per 100 ml. Safe drinking water should be completely coliform free. Not only the Sutlej, but also the Beas and the Ravi are equally polluted. Most of the civic bodies of towns around these rivers are dumping even raw sewage in to them and the same water is pumped in to taps without proper treatment. A survey of water-borne diseases was conducted in Shimla, Dharam-sala, Manali, Mandi, Solan and Chamba by a group of senior doctors. Nearly one-third of the water samples were found to be contaminated with enteric bacterial pathogens. The municipalities of
Manali, Kulu and Mandi were also throwing waste into the
Beas, the drinking water source for several towns. |
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Anti-employee attitude flayed JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — The Punjab Roadways Workers Union (INTUC) has criticised the callous and anti-employee policies of the state government at a meeting here yesterday. The meeting was jointly addressed by the president and joint secretary of the union. They alleged that they were suffering from indifferent and anti-employee decisions of the state government like stopping of DA payment, blanket ban on all payments, including GPF, pensionary benefits etc. They also assailed the government for not allowing time-bound promotional scale after four, nine and 14 years of service. They said a protest
march would also be organised in front of the office of
the Director, State Transport, Punjab in Chandigarh on
November 11. |
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Freeing of undertrial: one held,
car seized JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — The Nakodar police has achieved a breakthrough in the case of escape of an undertrial prisoner with the arrest of one person and the recovery of the vehicle used. SSP Gaurav Yadav, stated here today that a police party headed by SI Prit Singh, SHO, police station Nakodar today arrested Nirmal Singh son of Hazara Singh, resident of Dhade, police station Sadar, Jalandhar and recovered a blue coloured Maruti car PB-08G-3168 from his possession. Nirmal Singh disclosed during interrogation that he was using this car as a taxi and the same was hired by two persons namely Sarabjit Singh alias Chaba and Baljit Singh from Khalsa taxi stand, Jalandhar and taken to Nakodar. Mr Yadav stated that Nirmal Singh disclosed that the two accused who had hired the car made their intentions clear to Nirmal Singh during the car journey and said that they were going to attempt to free one of their friends from police custody. Nirmal Singh stated that he continued to be with Sarabjit Singh and Baljit Singh as he did not want to lose his car which was purchased by him. According to Nirmal Singh he was a silent spectator and not an active participant in the crime. This is contradicted by the evidence of several eye witnesses who have stated that the three persons got out of the blue car on the morning of November 5 outside courts complex Nakodar and freed the undertrial prisoner from police custody. After the escape, the handcuffs of the undertrial were cut using a sharp-edged saw and the three culprits were dropped by him near Kular village from where they caught a bus for Amritsar. According to Nirmal
Singh, one of the accused was wearing a police uniform
and carried an SLR while the second one had a pistol of
0.32 bore. The description of these two persons matched
perfectly with those of Sarabjit Singh and Baljit Singh
and they have disclosed their names to Nirmal Singh. A
massive manhunt has been launched to arrest the three
accused including the escaped undertrial prisoner and
police parties have been deputed to conduct raids at
Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jagroan, Nakodar, Phillaur,
Nurmahal, Amritsar and other locations. Security
arrangements have been beefed up by deployment of one
additional company of police commandos in Nakodar. One
company of police commandos is already based in Nurmahal
and is being used for nakas, ambushes and combing
operations. These preventive arrangements are being
supervised by Mr Amit Prasad, SP Operations while the
task of detecting the case has been entrusted to a
special investigation team (SIT) headed by Mr Dilbagh
Singh, SP detective. |
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Sit to probe St
Joseph’s robbery JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — A Special Investigation Team (sit) has been formed to look into the robbery which took place in St Joseph’s Convent Phillaur on the night of November 3, 1999. The SSP Mr Gaurav Yadav, stated here today that a team of three officers headed by SP Detective Mr Dilbag Singh and included DSP Phillaur Opinderjit Singh Ghuman and DSP detective R.S. Cheema has been formed. The SSP visited the scene of incident and met Sister Valentine, who is admitted in a private nursing home at Phillaur. Security has been provided at the St Joseph’s Convent and also for Sister Valentine. Mr Yadav stated that the police was working on two theories of crime (1) crime occurred due to the connivance of persons working in the convent and the second that the crime the handiwork by a group of robbers from outside who could be members of a denotified criminal tribe like Pardhis or Bawarias. So far 46 persons have been questioned in connection with the robbery which includes 16 construction workers and other casual employees of the convent and 30 persons residing in Phillaur who are from Bihar (UP) or are from Pardhis, Bawarias or other tribes. Preliminary investigation revealed that two construction workers hailing from Orissa were missing since the morning of November 4 a few hours after the incident. There is suspicion towards these two employees and a police party is being despatched to trace these persons. Mr Amit Prasad, SP Operations has been deputed for the task of coordinating and maintaining the liaison with the Christian missionaries and he held a meeting with the representatives of bishop at the Bishop House Jalandhar to assure them that the police and civil administration were committed to safeguard life and property of all citizens. Special security measures have been initiated to cover Christian institutions through patrolling. The preliminary investigations do not reveal the hand of any religious or social organisation and the incident appears to be a criminal action. UNI adds:
Disappearance of two Oriya construction workers just
hours after the robbery at Phillaur’s St
Joseph’s convent school on Thursday last had raised
suspension of their involvement in the crime in which a
nun-teacher was assaulted and over Rs 1.29 lakh besides
gold ornaments were looted by a gang of at least six men
with muffled faces. |
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PTU admission procedure
resented GURDASPUR, Nov 6 — The future of 600 students is in jeopardy due to alleged failure of Punjab Technical University (PTU) to admit students strictly according to rules framed by the university for admission to various courses in engineering in 14 colleges and four universities — Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana and Thapar College of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. The joint entrance test is held every year for admission to engineering courses in the said colleges and universities and admission is made according to merit by counselling in the respective colleges and universities. Vacancies if any are filled through recounselling. During the current academic session the students holding merit up to the rank of 3,700 were admitted in the respective institutions. For rank holders above 3,700 Punjab Technical University violated the rules and instead of filling vacancies above the rank of 3,700 followed the method of upgradation instead of recounselling. In this way the student with rank number 3,745 was admitted against payments and student with rank no 4,673 was admitted against free seat. Payment for free seat is Rs 34,500 per year and payment against the paid seat is Rs 63,500 per year. More than 12 students who met this correspondent said Punjab Technical University through advertisements in newspapers on August 20 and September 2 had said recounselling of the students having rank above 3,700 would be held from September 10-12. In the mean-time students admitted under the upgradation scheme in the said institutions filed a writ in the Punjab and Haryana High Court who ordered the stay on recounselling. The University on September 13 through an advertisement said recounselling would not be done till further notice in view of the orders of the court. These students said at present there were 600 vacancies in various courses in engineering in the said institutions. But the university through advertisement in newspapers on October 28 said there would be no admission against the vacant seats. These students said if these seats remained vacant, it would not only affect the career of 600 students but would also cost the government a loss of Rs 10 crore in terms of payment of fees for four years. These students have
appealed to the Chief Minister, Technical Education
Minister and Human Right Commission to intervene and
ensure admission to the students. |
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CPI to give relief to
cyclone-hit CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — The CPI's state executive today expressed its sympathy with the people of Orrisa who are hard hit by the unprecedented cyclone, resulting in hundreds of deaths, loss of cattle and property. The CPI will collect money, foodgrains, clothes and medicines for the victims, according to party secretary, Dr Joginder Dayal. The executive discussed the prevailing political situation in the state and concluded that the Akali-BJP Government had failed miserbably to implement its poll promises, bring transparency in administration and get the long-standing Punjab demands conceded. Instead of giving relief of the people it had put a lot of economic burden on them by hiking sales tax on kerosene, diesel and LPG. This was an additional burden put on the people already by the Central Government by hiking the diesel prices by 40 per cent. The CPI has decided to
launch a movement to protest against the anti- people
policies. |
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Withdraw provision on
prosecution, say traders CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Various delegations of traders who met the Punjab Local Government Labour and Employment Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, in past few days against the recent amendment in the Sales Tax Act, have urged for the withdrawal of the recent provisions providing for "prosecution". Mr Tandon told them that the government always consulted them in the past before arriving at any decision. In the recent past, in the light of the directions of the high court on the report submitted by the CBI for better realisation of taxes, when certain stringent measures were proposed by the government on realisation of taxes, the government again held a meeting with the trading community, he reminded them. Subsequently, a proposal was submitted to the Cabinet to be put before the high court. Mr Tandon, however,
assured the representatives that the government would
take the trading community into its confidence before
arriving at any decision as was done earlier on
rationalisation and waiving of ST on certain items. |
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College still awaiting grant PADIALA (Ropar), Nov 6 — The infighting within the ruling Akali Dal appears to have affected the prospects of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Khalsa College for Women that was assured 95 per cent government grant by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here two years ago. Mr Badal had announced that the college was awaiting a notification in this regard. Though Higher Education Department officials give the financial crisis as a reason for the delay, college insiders attribute it to the Akali Dal infighting that saw the former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Mr Badal locked in a political tussle. Since, Mr Tohra is the head of the society that governs the college, the delay is being attributed to the annoyance of the faction led by Mr Badal. Besides, Kharar MLA Daljeet Kaur, who is one of the legislatures owing allegiance to Mr Tohra, is Honoray Secretary of the society. In fact, the college was the brain child of her husband. Bachittar Singh, a former MLA, who was murdered. Significantly, Mr Badal had announced the grant at a function organised to mark Bachittar Singh's first death anniversary in 1997. However, it has remained a promise till date. In 1998, Mr Badal blamed it on the bureaucracy and announced that Rs 5 lakh would be given as fine for the delay. The fine was, however, paid, according to the Principal, Ms Ravinder Kaur Gill. The delay in the sanctioning of grant has forced the college authorities to hold back several important decisions, like the construction of a library, an additional staff room and a girls' hostel. "The construction of a hostel has always been our concern to accommodate girls from far-flung villages", Ms Gill said. The college also needs a bus for students from distant areas. Though it has a fleet of three buses, one has been hired on lease. Sources in the college revealed that both teaching and administrative staff frequently got half pays and at times had to do without salaries. Both Mr Tohra and Mr Rajbir Singh, son of Bachittar Singh, have been airing their resentment at various public meetings. Mr Rajbir Singh charged the authorities with giving similar grants to colleges affiliated to Punjabi University much later than Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. When contacted, Higher Education Principal Secretary G.P.S. Shahi expressed the government's inability in taking over the college on account of financial crisis. Refusing to comment on the allegation of suspected political motive behind the move, he said. "We are not even in a position to provide grants to other colleges due to a paucity of funds". The college was
established in 1974 and was affiliated to Punjabi
University in 1979. The panchayat of Padiala village
donated 11 acres for the college which has a strength of
about 4,500 students from over 100 villages. The
institution, according to Ms Gill, meets all conditions
for 95 per cent grant. It has more than the required area
of six acres, besides teachers are appointed as per the
eligibility norms laid down. |
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Cooperative banks to be computerised JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — The Financial Commissioner, Cooperative, has announced that within 12 months, the state’s 784 cooperative banks and five urban cooperative banks will be computerised. Addressing a conference on urban cooperative movement in Punjab, Mr K.S. Janjua, Financial Commissioner, said the present economic scenario had posed many challenges and keeping in mind the pending recovery of loans, "a one time settlement has been presented to the state government for approval". He also announced that model bylaws would soon be drafted for a smooth and viable banking system. The Adviser to the cooperatives and Director, Urban Cooperative Bank, Mr K.K. Sharma, said the cooperatives were the only one, in the banking sector with a strong social content. Consequent to economic liberalisation, the entire organised sector, particularly the private sector and the MNCs were targeting the rich and the upper middle class of the country while the cooperatives had a specific role to play for the lower middle class and marginal income groups, which incidentally constituted a major portion of the country’s population, he said. He said in the agriculture sector, Punjab had a very strong and active cooperative credit sector with both long and short run credit systems known as architects of the green revolution. However, the urban cooperative movement in the state had not developed as per expectations, he said. Among others who spoke
at the seminar were Mr Suresh Kumar, Registrar,
Cooperative Societies and Mr J.C. Khurana, AGM, Reserve
Bank of India. |
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Khalsa College wins overall
trophy AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — The Local Khalsa College won the Guru Nanak Dev University (zone-A) youth festival (men) overall trophy while DAV College, Amritsar, came second. The third position was won by Hindu College. A rural colleges trophy was won by SGAD College, Khadoor Sahib. Commissioner (Customs) D.S.Sra gave away the prizes. The results are as follows: Shabad/Bhajan: Khalsa College (1) GNDU campus, Amritsar (2), and DAV College (3). Geet/Gazal: GNDU campus (1), SGAD College Khadoor Sahib and Khalsa College (2); and Hindu College, Amritsar (3). Folk song: SGAD College (1), GNDU campus (2) and SGAD Government College, Tarn Taran (3). Classical instrumental (percussion): Khalsa College (1), DAV College (2) and Guru Nanak College, Batala (3). Classical instrumental (non-percussion): GNDU campus (1) and DAV College (2). Classical vocal: DAV College (1), Khalsa College (2) and GNDU campus (3). Western vocal: Khalsa College (1), DAV College (2), BUC College, Batala (3). Western group song: DAV College (1), Khalsa College (2) and BUC College (3). Orchestra: DAV College
(1). |
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Dental college convocation LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — The local Christian Dental College, a constituent of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, held its convocation here today. Fiftythree students of 1992 to 1994 were conferred with the bachelor degrees on the occasion. Dr L.S. Chawla, first Vice-Chancellor of the Baba Farid university of Medical Sciences, Faridkot, was the chief guest. Lauding the role of Christian medical institution, Dr Chawla said these institutions were a boon for residents here. Dr Silas J Charles, Director of the Christian Medical College and Hospital, welcomed the chief guest. He said the college which was founded in 1992, was playing a pivotal role. Dr J. L. Joshi, founder
principal of the college, awarded the degrees to the
students. Addressing the gathering he said the college,
affiliated with the Baba Farid University of Medical
Sciences, was established with the aim to train dental
surgeons to work in rural areas and various mission
hospitals around the country. |
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Police remand PHAGWARA, Nov 6 — The police has arrested Balbir Kaur, sister-in-law of Balwinder Kaur, for allegedly trying to set ablaze Balwinder at nearby Hadiabad yesterday. She has been booked under Sections 307 and 511 IPC. She was remanded into police custody for two days today. Kerosene was reportedly
poured over Balwinder by her husband, Jarnail Singh, Des
Raj, and one other. However, Balwinder managed to escape. |
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MP asks BJP to snap ties
with SAD AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — Mr R L Bhatia, Congress member of Parliament and Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, president, district Congress Committee (Urban) have urged the Bharatiya Janata Party to snap ties with the Shiromani Akali Dal and support the proposed agitation of the Congress party against the increase in various types of taxes by the state government. In a press release, here
today, the Congress leaders strongly condemned Mr Parkash
Singh Badal, Chief Minister Punjab for talking
‘anti-trader’ decisions. They alleged that it
was pity that people of Punjab were being burdened with
taxes on one or the other pretext. They said the Congress
would launch an agitation against the increase in taxes. |
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Spend less on crackers: MLA AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP MLA, said that instead of spending too much on crackers at the time of Divali, people should come forward to give financial help to the victims of Orissa cyclone. Mrs Chawla said that
while celebrating the festival of lamps, countrymen must
go to the houses of those who laid down their lives for
the sake of country, especially during the Kargil
episode. |
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2 labourers drugged PHILLAUR, Nov 6 —
Two migrant labourers were found unconscious at Phillaur
railway station today. The two were admitted to the local
Civil Hospital. The police suspect that some unidentified
persons gave something laced with drugs in order to loot
them. Their condition was stated to be stable. |
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Subedar cremated with honours LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — Subedar Brahmdass Sharma of the 17 J and K Rifles, who made the supreme sacrifice during the attack on the Defence PRO office on November 3 in Srinagar, was cremated with full military honours here today. He was 47 and survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Rakesh, son of the
martyr lit the pyre. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun
Goel, laid wreath on behalf of the Chief Minister, Mr
Parkash Singh Badal. The SSP, Ms Gurpreet Deo, also laid
the wreath on behalf of the Punjab police. |
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Traders threaten fast LUDHIANA, Nov 6 — Various trader organisations in the city have threatened to go on a 24-hour fast at Vishwakarma Chowk on November 15 in protest against the recent amendments in the Punjab General Sales Tax Act. At a meeting of the
representatives of various associations held here today
it was decided ot have similar fasts in other district
headquarters also. Mr Harish Khanna, President of the
Industry and Trade Forum stated that if the Punjab
Government did not withdraw this "black law" of
capital punishment to traders, they would intensify their
agitation by organising Ludhiana bandh and later on
Punjab bandh. |
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PSEB order on allowances soon PATIALA, Nov 6 — The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Engineers Association today claimed that the orders regarding the enhancement of the shift duty allowance and hardship allowance to employees working at Lehra Mohabbat and allowances to newly recruited assistant engineers would be issued soon. In a statement issued
here the association General Secretary, Mr H.S. Bedi,
said a meeting of the association with the board
management had discussed a number of the pending demands
of engineers and decision on some had been taken by the
management. |
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2 held for taking bribe JALANDHAR, Nov 6 — In an anti-corruption drive the Vigilance Bureau has caught an Xen of the Punjab State Electricity Board and a revenue assistant red-handed for taking bribe. The Superintendent of Police, Mr R.P.S. Bajwa, said here today that the Xen, Jugal Kishore Bhatia, had taken Rs 500 from Mr Sukhdev Singh of Rahana Jatta village on November 5 for giving an electricity connection for Sukhdev Singh’s new shop in the village. The revenue assistant in the PSEB, Chaman Lal Jassan, was caught at the same village for taking a bribe of Rs 1500. A case has been
registered under Sections 7, 13 (2), 88, IPC. |
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Dr Malkiat Singh CHANDIGARH, Nov 6 — Dr Malkiat Singh, a former Principal of Government Dental College, Patiala, has taken over as Dean, College Development, at Baba Sheikh University for medical Sciences, Faridkot. Dr Malkiat Singh had
earlier worked at Government Dental College, Amritsar. |
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President urged to abolish death
penalty AMRITSAR, Nov 6 — The Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Khalon) has urged the President of India for taking necessary steps to abolish the death sentence. In a press note, issued
here yesterday, the Youth Akali Dal has urged to commute
a death sentence to one of life imprisonment before the
end of this millennium. Many western countries had
already abolished the death sentence, it stated. |
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Differences in alliance denied PHILLAUR, Nov 6 — Dr Baldev Chawla, Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, yesterday claimed complete unity in the Punjab BJP and denied the reports of any groupism and differences in the BJP and the SAD-BJP alliance. Talking to reporters
here yesterday, Dr Chawla said the SAD-BJP alliance was
strong and all BJP legislators headed by Mr Balramji Das
Tandon were standing behind Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal as alliance symbolised Punjabi unity and
brotherhood and it was not for power only. |
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Drinking water top priority: MP NANGAL, Nov 6 — Mr Charanjit Singh Chani, MP from the Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency, yesterday visited various villages in the area and addressed public gatherings. Later Mr Chani said his first priority as an MP of the area would be to provide drinking water to the ‘kandi’ areas of Hoshiarpur. He said he would also try to expedite the work on the Kandi canal project which could solve the irrigation and the drinking water problems of the hilly areas of Hoshiarpur. He criticised the Punjab
Government for burdening the common man with taxes. The
financial crisis in the state was due to the
mismanagement in the tax collection and the subsidies
schemes meant to benefit the influential people, he
added. |
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