Friday, September 10, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, September 10, 1999 |
weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
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Rs 42 cr
policing cost awaits recovery Poppy husk racket busted |
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Draft
changes: SGPC chief's plea to Centre CJM directed to probe pick-up
charge CPI, CPM to move HC against
Sukhbir Varsity don removed for
misbehaviour Badal hosts dinner for Chautala Badal wants Punjab rent Act
amended Batala abattoir closed for 15
years Tributes paid to Assal Uttar hero Tampering with EVMs feared Prospects of better crop boost
farmers’ morale |
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CAG report on Punjab Police CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — In the absence of a proper monitoring system and due to lack of control over assessments and collection of revenue, cost of policing amounting to Rs 42.33 crore was pending for recovery and the demand for recovery of Rs 31.58 crore had either not been raised or under-assessed by the Punjab Police department. This has been revealed in the CAG report tabled in Punjab Assembly yesterday. Several other interesting revelations have been made in the report pertaining a period up to March 31, 1998. In its concluding remarks the CAG authorities have stated that the department needed to introduce a stringent system and devise a suitable reporting procedure to monitor the police revenue receipts. As per rules, 50 per cent of the cost of police force deployed for the security of the Railways within Punjab was to be reimbursed by the Railway Board provided the strength of the Government Railway Police is determined with the approval of the board. For the purpose of calculating the Railway’s share the expenditure, all types allowances, office expenses, office contingencies, cost of pensionary benefits are to be included in the claims. During the course of scrutiny of records of Additional Director-General of Police (Railway Police), it was noticed that the state government created a post of IGP and ADGP and 111 other posts under the state action plan during 1993-94 to 96-97 and deployed them for the protection of railway property in the state. As much as 50 per cent expenditure with regard to pay and allowance of these posts amounting to Rs 1.01 crore could not be got reimbursed as these posts were not created with the approval of the board. Neither the board reimbursed its share of telephone bills. The matter was brought in the notice of ADGP (Railway Police) but no reply was received till September last year, according to the CAG report. In the course of the records of SSP, Ropar, it was noticed that the department incurred an expenditure of Rs 97.85 lakh on the police deployment at Cricket Stadium in SAS Nagar at the time of six cricket matches organised by the Punjab Cricket Association between February, 1995 to 1997. The bills raised in this connection were submitted to the DGP by the SSP Ropar. Likewise the SSP, Jalandhar, while providing police force for kabaddi matches incurred an expenditure of Rs 1.35 lakh. The cost of police force has not been recovered till September, 1998, according to the report. Revealing another interesting story, the CAG report says that a private firm in Patiala district requested the SSP, Patiala, in 1989 for providing a police post at its factory and agreed to bear the cost of deployment of the police. Till September 1992, the firm made advance payment. In October, 1992, and April 1993, the Chief Minister instructed the police that security to the firm had been provided on government expenses and may be continued till further orders. The firm stopped payment as the police department failed to inform the Chief Minister that police picket had been provided to the firm on the basis advance payment. The report says in eight districts one to 11 security men were provided to 2869 individuals on their request in the year 1992-93 to 1996-1997 but the cost of deployment of police personnel amounting to Rs 16.19 crore had neither been recovered in advance nor bills for the same raised. In five police districts, security of 798 individuals was withdrawn during 1993 to 1997 but the demand amounting to Rs 4.03 crore had not been raised. An analysis in the audit
revealed that police cost of over Rs 10 lakh each from
relatives of Mr Buta Singh (Rs 26.39 lakh), Mr Simran Pal
Singh (Rs 22.29 lakh), Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi (Rs 20.62
Lakh), Mr J.S. Mann (Rs 14.71 lakh), Mr Ranjit Singh
Talwandi (Rs 10.61 lakh) were recoverable as per the
report. |
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Poppy husk racket busted JALANDHAR, Sept 9 — The police here has busted a well-organised racket in the trade of narcotics by arresting three persons and seizing a large quantity of poppy husk from a godown in Tilak Nagar. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today information was received by SI Vijay Kumar of the CIA staff here that a well-organised gang of smugglers of poppy husk headed by Robert, alias Sat Pal, was operating in the state with bases in various cities, including Jalandhar. It was further revealed that the gang was obtaining poppy husk from Rajasthan and storing it at various godowns which were shops taken on rent. The stored poppy husk would then be sold to a middle-level retailer who would further sell it to the so-called consumers. Robert, s/o Kishan Lal, is stated to be the kingpin of this racket and operates a well-oiled machinery using mobile phones, pagers, cars and maintains houses in several cities. It was revealed by the source that a large amount of poppy husk was stored at one such godown located at Tilak Nagar and a major transaction of poppy husk was going to be effected. Mr Yadav said a police party headed by Mr Ajit Singh, DSP (Detective). members of the public were also in the raiding party. During the raid three persons were arrested by the police party from the Tilak Nagar godown. They have been identified as Manjit Singh, son of Chaman Lal, a resident of Taspur, Sukhwinder Singh, son of Malkit Singh, a resident of Sohal, and Sukhjit Singh, son of Malkit Singh, also of Sohal. During the police raid, Robert and his associate, Haqim, alias Akram, a resident of Hoshiarpur, managed to escape. A total of 11 bags of poppy husk weighing about 400 kg were seized from the godown. It was disclosed during the preliminary interrogation of the arrested persons that Sukhwinder and Sukhjit had come to collect a consignment of poppy husk from Robert and his associates in a Maruti van and were in the process of taking away the consignment. A Maruti van (PB-10N-1307) another van (UPA-8950) and a Bajaj Chetak scooter without number were also seized by the police. The arrested persons are
being produced in the court of the magistrate. The
investigations are being carried out by Mr Dilbagh Singh,
SP (Detective). It is expected that more seizures and
further arrests are likely. |
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Bid to ‘hush up’
1.5 cr medicine scam LUDHIANA, Sept 9 — The Rs 1.5 crore medicine scam in the office of the Civil Surgeon here unearthed in October 1997 has taken a new turn with the Punjab Health Department Subordinate Offices Clerical Association alleging the police was making allout efforts to get the main accused in the case of the hook during its investigations. Talking to The Tribune the state president of the association, Mr Sukhwinder Singh and the cashier, Mr Bikramjit, alleged that an FIR had been registered under Section 409, 120-B of the IPC and under Section 7/13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dr P.K. Narang, Additional Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation, Dr G.P. Chander, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana (now retired), Mr Budh Singh, chief pharmacist, Dr Harcharan Singh, SMO, Phagwara, Mr R.K. Thaman, Accounts Officer, Mr Satish Kumar, senior assistant, and Mr Gurnam Singh, pharmacist, on May 4, 1999, but till date no arrest had been made. They alleged that the police had been intimidating key witnesses in the case to get Dr Narang and Dr Budh Singh evicted from the case. It is learnt that Dr Narang, Mr Budh Singh, Dr G.P. Chander, Mr R.K. Thaman and Mr Satish Kumar had applied for an anticipatory bail in the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr M.R. Batra on May 14, which was denied to them. Meanwhile, the police case was shifted from the Vigilance Department here to the Crime Branch, Chandigarh, with the DSP, Crime, Mr Amarjit Singh, being entrusted with the inquiry. The Crime Branch obtained arrest warrants against the accused from the court of the Illaqa Magistrate, Ms Sukhwinder Kaur, on June 14, but still no arrest was made. The accused then moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for an anticipatory bail, which was denied to Mr Budh Singh on July 16 and to Dr Narang on July 21. Dr Chander, was, however granted the bail. After a delegation of the Punjab Health Department Offices' Clerical Association met the Health Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann and the DGP, Mr Sarabjit Singh, alleging that the inquiry officer from the Crime Branch was hand-in-glove with Budh Singh one of the accused and was trying to get him evicted. The case was again shifted to the office of the SP (Detective), Ludhiana, on July 14. Strangely the case was again entrusted to the Crime Branch, Chandigarh, on August 4. It is rumoured that Dr Narang, Budh Singh and Dr Harcharan Singh, main accused in the case, had already been given a clean chit by the Crime Branch and their suspension orders, issued by the Health Minister on April 30, 1999, were likely to be revoked. When contacted, DSP, Amarjit Singh, refused to comment on the case and maintained that the case was now being handled by the internal vigilance. It is to be noted that
an FIR against all accused was registered almost 19
months after the scam had come to light and during this
period departmental inquiry teams had found the accused
involved in the embezzlement of funds. |
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Draft changes: SGPC chief's
plea to Centre AMRITSAR, Sept 9 —Bibi Jagir Kaur, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, in a communication to the central government has urged it not to take any "hasty decision" on the draft notification regarding some essential amendments to the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, as the same would be discussed at length in the forthcoming meeting scheduled for third week of this month. In a letter to Mr Shiv Basant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Afairs, Bibi Jagir Kaur has asked him not to issue any notification on the basis of the draft sent by Justice Harbans Singh (retd), Chief Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections, in which he had recommended modifications in the definition of Sikh. The draft notification reads that only a Sikh should have the right to vote in the SGPC elections as in the case of the Delhi Gurdwara Act of 1971 and the word Sehajdhari should be omitted. The draft notification had also recommended doing away with all kinds of reservation in the SGPC. It had also suggested that the term of the SGPC president should be five years instead of one year. The SGPC chief had to
write to the central government to stall any action on
the draft notification after the publication of a news
item in this regard in these columns. |
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CJM directed to probe
pick-up charge CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate to conduct an inquiry into the allegation made by Mohammed Shamshid that his younger brother, Anish Ahmed, had been picked by the Patiala police from their house in Manimajra on September 8 and released in the evening. Mr Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi, who issued these directions, also directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate to submit his report within three months. The Judge directed that the petitioner, Mohammed Shamshid, and the respondents were at liberty to adduce evidence before the Chief Judicial Magistrate. They were ordered to appear before the CJM on September 13, on which date the date for the recording of evidence would be fixed. The Judge adjourned the case to December 20. Earlier, the Director-General of Punjab Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh, who was present in the courtroom pursuant to the Judge's directions denied that Anish Ahmed had been picked up by the police and that he was in its illegal custody. In his petition that came up before the High Court earlier this week, Mohammed Shamshid had alleged that he was kept in illegal custody by the Patiala police, tortured and was coerced into paying Rs 1.30 lakh. He was released on the condition that he would pay Rs 1 lakh by March 23. Mr Justice Chalapathi had ordered the Director-General of Police to conduct an inquiry into these allegations of the petitioner against Inspector Baksha Singh, in charge of the CIA staff, and DSP Gulshinder Singh. He had alleged before
the court yesterday that the Patiala police was agitated
against him for getting an inquiry ordered against them.
Therefore, he came to his house in a jeep and picked up
his brother. |
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CPI, CPM to move HC against
Sukhbir CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The state secretary of the Punjab unit of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dayal and the state secretary of the Punjab unit of the CPM, Mr Balwant Singh, in a joint statement here today said they would file a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court if case is not registered against Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal with regard to the Kotkapura incident. They alleged that Mr Sukhbir Singh had slapped a news photographer, Mr Ajay Verma, on September 5 at Kotkapura. However, Mr Sukhbir Singh had denied that he was not involved in this incident in any way. Both communist leaders said they would wait till Monday for the registration of a case by the police authorities concerned. They alleged that the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, misled the Vidhan Sabha yesterday by making a distorted statement as regards Kotkapura incident. Both leaders said the issue with regard to the photographer was unsettled so far contrary to the claims by the Chief Minister in the Assembly. They said they had evidence to prove that Mr Sukhbir Singh was involved in the slapping incident. Dr Joginder Dayal whose party has two MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha, said a privilege motion would be moved against the Chief Minister in the House in the next session by his party for making a "wrong" statement in the House. They said efforts were being made to hush up the incident. When mediapersons asked
the Communist leaders whether they were trying to
politicise the issue, they said there was no harm in
doing so. |
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Varsity don removed for
misbehaviour AMRITSAR, Sept 9 — Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, today removed Dr Sewa Singh as Head, Department of Library Sciences, for allegedly misbehaving with a girl student of the department. Dr Ranjit Singh Rana is the new Head, Library Sciences. The orders were issued by Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor. This is the third such case in the university in the past few years. Earlier, a Professor in English Department was reverted by the university on same charges. A woman coach had also complained against the Director, Sports, for misbehaviour. The Vice Chancellor has also ordered a high-level probe into the matter and asked Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr Sutinder Singh, to conduct the inquiry. Earlier, girl students of the university had held a protest rally in front of the office of the Vice Chancellor and demanded strict action against Dr Sewa Singh. The student had lodged a written complaint to the university authorities that the Head of Library Sciences, had allegedly misbehaved with her. Meanwhile, the protesting girls and security staff of the varsity manhandled Mr Dharminder Ratoul, a local scribe when he was clicking the photographs of the demonstration. Mr Ratoul alleged that the girl students ‘manhandled’ him in the presence of Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr Sutinder Singh. However, when contacted by TNS, Dr Singh claimed that he had ‘saved’ Mr Ratoul when he was being manhandled. In a written complaint to the Vice Chancellor, Mr Vikas Kahol, News Coordinator, Amritsar Newsline, alleged that Mr Ratoul was manhandled. Instead of taking action against the protesting girls, the security chief, Mr Arjun Singh, objected to his taking the pictures of the demonstration. Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar,
confirmed that Dr Sewa Singh had been removed as Head,
Library Sciences. |
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Badal hosts dinner for
Chautala CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — Both Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers have expressed the hope that all outstanding issues between the two states will be resolved amicably. Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, at his residence to felicitate Mr Om Prakash Chautala for becoming Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Chautala said God had given both Chief Ministers an opportunity to settle all outstanding issues between the two states in a brotherly manner. Expressing similar hope, Mr Badal said "matters" between Haryana and Punjab would now be resolved amicably. Earlier Mr Chautala had stated that "Haryana was like a younger brother of Punjab. At the dinner Mr Badal's Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, senior officials, Mr Chautala’s Cabinet colleagues Speakers and Deputy Speakers of both states were present. Mr Badal honoured Mr
Chautala and his colleagues with traditional Punjabi
gifts. |
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Badal wants Punjab rent Act
amended CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal has directed the local government authorities to enact a law to enable the defence personnel to get their rented out premises vacated after retirement. He has urged the authorities to make a suitable amendment in the East Punjab Urban Rent Registration Act, 1949, by issuing an ordinance. Many representations have been received by the Punjab Government from defence personnel for enacting the law. Mr Badal has also
instructed the Deputy Commissioners to visit the families
of defence personnel who laid down their lives recently
every month. |
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Batala abattoir closed for 15
years BATALA, Sept 9 — Municipal councillors Mr Mohan Singh Sagguan and Mr Mohan Lal told mediapersons here today that for the past about 15 years the municipal council's slaughterhouse had not been functioning. Earlier, the municipal council used to charge Rs 5 for every animal slaughtered. The average earning of the municipal council under the head used to be between Rs 400 and Rs 500 every day. The two municipal councillors said, as the slaughterhouse was not functioning there should be no sale of meat in the local market. However, it was surprising to see meat shop in the town. According to a rough estimate, the total number of meat shops in Batala at present may exceed 100. From where these shops were getting their supply of so-called fresh meat was anybody's guess. According to a veterinary doctor the carcass must be stamped as a proof. Mr Saggu pointed out that despite there being no-slaughterhouse the municipal council was still continuing to show five or six animals slaughtered per day in its revenue books. Mr Saggu further alleged that in the absence of a proper check by a veterinary doctor, no one knew the quality and source from where the meat was coming. In the absence of proper supervision by a veterinary doctor unscrupulous meat sellers may pass off the meat of a dead or diseased animal to a customer, thereby causing a public health hazard which may lead to an epidemic. Mr Saggu demanded a
through probe into the whole affair which, he alleged,
may uncover many a dead skeleton. He urged Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal and the MP from Gurdaspur to look
into the matter personally and book the guilty whoever
they might be. |
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Tributes paid to Assal Uttar hero ASSAL UTTAR (Amritsar), Sept 9 — The 35th death anniversary of Param Vir Chakra winner Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid, was observed here near the Indo-Pak border today. A "memorial service" was performed under the aegis of the Panther Division and the Khemkaran Brigade. It was presided over by Lieutenant General Kamal Davar, General Officer Commanding of the Vajra Corps, and was attended by the widow of late CQMH Abdul Hamid. A large number of civil and defence officers, ex-servicemen and residents of nearby villages attended the ceremony. The ceremony commenced on a solemn note with the "memorial service" at the mazar of late CQMH Hamid. A brief narration of the Battle of Assal Uttar in 1965 was followed by all-religion prayers. The 13th Battalion Brigade of the Guards presented guard of honour. The chief guest Lieut-Gen Davar, Major General Avtar Singh, AVSM, General Officer Commanding Panther Division and other officers laid wreaths on the mazar. The widow of the martyr also paid tributes to her late husband. The ceremony was
followed by a ‘high tea’ where Lieut-General
Davar met the civil officials, ex-servicemen, village
sarpanches and other villagers. |
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Tampering with EVMs feared FARIDKOT, Sept 9 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Congress candidate from this parliamentary constituency alleged yesterday that the ruling party was trying to tamper with the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in connivance with the police. In a complaint faxed to the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Dr Barjendra Singh, the Congress candidate alleged that for this purpose, Mr Bhupinder Singh, DSP, had been assigned supervisory duty of one of the consignment rooms of the EVMs. He also alleged that Mr Bhupinder Singh Nussed a personal grudge against him as he had been responsible for the DSP's transfer during the 1998 Lok Sabha elections also. Mr Brar said on the day of repolling on both number 28, Mr Bhupinder Singh had misbehaved with his brother-in-law, Mr Amarjit Singh Dhillon. The Congress candidate also requested the Chief Electoral Officer to get Mr Bhupinder Singh shifted from the supervisory duty keeping the past record in view. Mr G.S. Grewal, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer, however, said the DSP had not been assigned any election-related duty and that the security of the consignment rooms had been entrusted to police officers keeping in mind the sentiments of all candidates. He added that he had written to the Secretary Election Commission and the Punjab Government for making arrangements for the deployment of one company of para military forces for the security of the consignment rooms. He further stated that he had allowed Mr Brar to station more than one persons of his party in the consignment rooms for his (Mr Brar's) personal satisfaction. Mr A.S. Rai, SSP, said
he would verify the incident relating to the alleged
misbehaviour with the brother-in-law of Mr Brar by the
DSP. |
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Cotton arrival in markets RAMPURAPHUL (Bathinda), Sept 9 — After a gap of about five years, the cotton crop has started arriving at the markets in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan in September and it has lifted the morale of farmers, traders and ginning mill owners. According to official sources about 1090 bales of cotton, including Desi and Narma varieties, had arrived at the markets in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan till September, 8. In Punjab alone, about 300 bales had arrived so far. Cotton trade sources said the crop reaching the markets this year was unaffected by heliothesis (American bollworm) and if the weather remained favourable, the farmers would get a bumper crop. According to Mr Ashok Kapur, Vice-President of the North Indian Cotton Association (NICA), the arrival of the crop was picking up steadily. On September 1, only 70 bales of cotton had arrived but by September 8 the number had gone up to 470 bales. He added that the cotton crop arriving in the markets in this month was of the early maturing variety and the farmers were not taking any chances in the picking up of the bales as rain in the coming days could harm their "white gold". For the past six years, the cotton crop had not been good in the state. The area under cotton cultivation had been reduced to 4.50 lakh hectare this year from over 10 lakh hectare six years ago. The farmers in the state had opted for other crops, including paddy, after suffering heavy losses due to destruction of crop because of American bollworm. Sources in the Agriculture Department maintained that the area under cotton cultivation had gone down by about 3.5 lakh hectare in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan because of low profitability of the crop. Mr Kapur said in anticipation of a better and good crop, the mood was upbeat in the cotton trade circles and it would also help the ginning and pressing mill industry to bounce back in no time. He added that at
present, cotton crop was arriving in Mansa, Maur Mandi,
Budhlada and the local market while in the neighbouring
Haryana and Rajasthan the arrival of cotton had started
in almost all markets. |
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Polling staff get on-the-spot
honorarium ROPAR, Sept 9 — Honorarium was paid to the polling staff on the spot during the recently held Lok Sabha elections in the district. In all five assembly segments — Nagal, Anandpur Sahib, Kharar, Morinda and Chamkaur Sahib of the district, as many as 852 presiding officers and 2556 polling officers were paid honorarium in cash. Earlier, the payment of the honorarium was given to the polling staff after the submission of bills and it used to take a couple of months. Honorarium to the polling staff, who perform polling duties in the Anandpur Sahib segment in February 1998 Lok Sabha elections, was made on July 1. It is learnt that to avoid inconvenience in getting poll duty honorarium later, the polling staff during election rehearsals in different segments had demanded the payment of honorarium on the spot at the polling stations. Talking to TNS, the
Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, Mr
Kulbir Singh Sidhu, said today that he had assured the
polling staff during an election rehearsal at SAS Nagar
recently that their election duty honorarium would be
paid on the spot. |
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Removal of road dividers sought PATIALA, Sept 9 — The 22 Number Railway Crossing Market Association has demanded the removal of road dividers in front of their market, besides allowing parking on both sides of the road. A delegation of the association made this demand following challaning of some vehicles parked in front of the market day before yesterday. The traders had protested against the challaning saying that they had created parking space in front of their shops by shortening the footpath and it had been duly approved by the district administration. The association’s President, Mr Joginder Singh Kohli, said they were constantly being harassed on one pretext or the other. He added that the district administration had only served to compound the problem by constructing dividers which had become a nuisance instead of helping the smooth flow of traffic. Mr Kohli said they had
appealed to the administration several times not to allow
heavy traffic to pass through the market in the evening
but no concrete steps had been taken in this regard. |
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Sonia comments 'reprehensible' CHANDIGARH, Sept 9 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today criticised the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, for casting aspersions on the integrity, commitment and patriotism of Prime Minister Vajpayee. Reacting sharply to what he described as "most reprehensible comments" by Mrs Sonia Gandhi during the course of one of her election speeches, Mr Badal said by making such highly irresponsible allegations against the Prime Minister, the Congress and its leaders were only exposing "how low they could stoop in pursuit of power." Mr Badal in a statement said the country need not take lessons in patriotism from a party which could not find a person of Indian origin to lead it. Faced with one of the
major defeats, the Congress had actually lost "its
sense of balance", Mr Badal added. |
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Rice millers' plea to
government PATIALA, Sept 9 — The Punjab Rice- Millers Association has appealed to the state government to reconsider its decision to start paddy procurement from September 15. In a statement here
association president Tarsem Saini said the paddy stock
of the past two years was still lying unmilled. Mr Saini
said in case the decision was not reconsidered, the rice
millers would not store unripe paddy. |
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Wadala's appeal to EC JALANDHAR, Sept 9 — The President of SAD (Democratic), Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala and a contestant of the third front for this parliamentary seat, has expressed fears about possible tampering of ballot boxes by the state police. Making an appeal to the
Chief Election Commissioner, Mr M.S. Gill, Mr Wadala
sought the deployment of the BSF and the CRPF at centres
where the ballot boxes have been kept. |
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Holiday today in Amritsar AMRITSAR, Sept 9 — All state government offices in Amritsar district will remain closed tomorrow on account of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. All teaching and
non-teaching departments of Guru Nanak Dev University
will also remain closed, according to Dr R.S. Bawa,
Registrar. |
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