Wednesday, September 15, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, September 15, 1999 |
weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
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Badal
going to Delhi today Contempt notice to Irrigation
Secretary |
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Oil depot
closed after fault Frescoes damaged during
renovations CPI, CPM activists stage dharna Attwal to represent Asia at
conference Take ‘political sanyas’,
Manch urges Badal Punjab cops give 1.2 cr to war
heroes' fund Scribes who covered Kargil to be
honoured Ex-Akali minister joins Cong Cane growers stage rally |
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Paddy procurement CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — As the Centre has not given the green signal to the Punjab Government to start paddy procurement so far, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal will rush to Delhi tomorrow to press the Union government to allow the start of the process. Mr Badal will be accompanied by the Food and Supply Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal. The minimum support price cannot be given to farmers until the date for starting the procurement of paddy is announced by the Union government by issuance of an order. Following a Cabinet decision, the state government authorities had announced the start of paddy procurement from September 15 and had moved the Central Government, seeking its permission to set the ball in motion. However, till this evening, the Centre had not allowed the start of paddy procurement from September 15 though paddy has started arriving in a number of state's grain markets. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Supply Minister, when contacted said the government procurement agencies were ready to start procurement but the Centre's clearance was being awaited. Tomorrow a meeting would be held with the Union Food Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, he added. Normally procurement of paddy starts from October 1 but last year the Central Government had advanced the procurement date to September 15 as the Punjab Government pleaded that paddy had started arriving in the state's markets two weeks earlier. Mr Mittal said according to Agriculture department's estimate, nearly 100 lakh tonnes of paddy would arrive in the state's markets for procurement and the state government has made arrangements for procurement of 90 lakh tonnes. Last year government agencies procured nearly 60 lakh tonnes and private traders 34 lakh tonnes in the state. The target for different procurement agencies has been fixed. The FCI will procure 40 per cent and state government agencies will buy 60 per cent of the paddy available. A proposal to the RBI had been sent for the the release of Rs 3700 crore as cash credit for procurement purpose. It may be recalled that before the paddy transplantation this year the Punjab Government had started a campaign in the media for late transplantation of paddy. Mr Mittal said the campaign proved successful as more than 50 per cent farmers transplanted paddy rather late. The minister announced
that defaulter rice millers would not be given paddy this
year for milling. Those having a backlog of about 20 per
cent paddy stock for milling from last year's paddy would
be given paddy under bank guarantee for milling. But
those holding more than 20 per cent of the paddy stock
given to them for milling would not be given paddy for
milling this year. |
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Rice shellers: defer paddy procurement JALANDHAR, Sept 14 (PTI) — A number of rice sheller owners have urged the Punjab Government to defer the purchase of paddy by government agencies till October 1 to allow proper time for the crop to mature for milling. "The government should defer the procurement date for paddy from September 15 to October 1 as the crop is still not ripe enough and if put to milling, will not yield the desired results as per government specifications," sheller owners told Food and Supplies Minister Madan Mohan Mittal and his deputy Chiranji Lal Garg at a consultative meeting here yesterday. They said the crop being brought to the market was too raw to yield proper amount of rice. "Unless the paddy procurement date is deferred by at least a fortnight, the government will only be courting disaster as neither the crop will get sufficient time to dry nor proper milling will be possible, "the sheller owners said. The sheller owners also demanded that the government should de-link the milling process from levy purchase to facilitate timely payment to them. They urged the ministers and Director, Food and Supply Department A S Chatwal, who was also present at the meeting to stem the corruption at various levels in the procurement process. The state government was expecting 10 million tonnes of paddy this year and was gearing up to purchase at least nine million tonnes with 5.6 million tonnes to be procured by state government agencies and 3.4 million tonnes by the FCI, Mr Mittal said. The government had made arrangements at 1467 grain markets for procurement season, the minister said. The state government had
declared the minimum support price of paddy as Rs 490 per
quintal while for ‘a’grade paddy, it would be
Rs 520 per quintal, he said. |
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Contempt notice to Irrigation
Secretary CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — Notice of motion for contempt was issued today to Mr Bikramjit Singh, Irrigation Secretary, Punjab, on a contempt petition filed by Mr Puneet Kumar Dhingra and 12 other nehri patwaris working at the Canal Sub Division, Gurdaspur. Mr Justice V.S. Aggarwal issued notice for November 17, directing the respondent to show cause why proceedings for contempt should not be launched against him for his alleged violation of the High Court's directions. The grievance of the petitioners was that the Irrigation Department had recommended the names of 200 nehri patwaris rendered surplus on account of abolition of abiana vide letter dated April 23, 1987 for their training as revenue patwaris in the Revenue Department. The respondent sent the names of the petitioners to the Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, who selected the revenue patwaris on a pick-and choose basis. On July 6, 1997 some of the revenue patwaris filed a writ petition in the High Court for direction to the respondents that they be absorbed as patwaris in the Revenue Department in preference to nehri patwaris, who were junior, and for quashing the letter dated June 5, 1997. On July 23, 1997, the writ petition was disposed of in view of the statement by department's counsel that a state-wise seniority list on the length of service of nehri patwaris who may not opt for absorption in the Revenue Department should be prepared and persons would be absorbed in order of their seniority keeping in view their preferences and vacancies available in particular district. It was alleged that the respondents without implementing the order sent the nehri patwaris by pick and choose policy nor cared to prepare the seniority list. On a writ petition filed by the petitioner the court directed the respondents to implement the order dated July 23, 1997. The respondents thereafter without following the directions issued a seniority list showing those junior to the petitioners as senior. They were again forced to file contempt petition. The court directed the respondents to implement the order within six months. It was alleged that neither was the claim of the petitioners considered nor any intimation to this effect given to them. It was alleged that
respondents had wilfully and intentionally committed the
contempt of the High Court's order. |
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Low turnout upsets
calculations LUDHIANA, Sept 14 — Election managers of various political parties in Punjab are going through post-poll jitters, thanks to the election fatigue witnessed in all major towns and cities of the state. A record low polling percentage in the urban areas throughout Punjab has upset their calculations and put a question mark on the results in the state’s 13 parliamentary constituencies which went to the polls on September 5. Both the major contenders in Punjab, the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress-CPI-CPM combine were depending on the urban Hindu voter in a big way for their victory. But as things turned out, the poll percentage was extremely low in all major towns and cities of Punjab. For instance, in Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, only 52,641 out of a total of 1,39,156 registered voters in Ludhiana (north) assembly segment exercised their franchise. This gave a low poll percentage of 37.83 despite the fact that the constituency was simultaneously having a byelection for the state assembly. In Ludhiana (west), only 49,000 out of a total of 1,47,202 registered voters constituting just 33.29 per cent, turned up to cast their votes. In Ludhiana (east), just 35,306 of the total of 1,12,709 voters (31.31 per cent) cast their votes. Similarly, in Ludhiana (rural), just 37.20 per cent of the electorate cast its vote. Although all political parties have been claiming an edge in the elections in all 13 constituencies, the general assessment by independent observers is that the Congress party, which drew a blank in the previous elections in February, 1998, would improve its performance. The anti-incumbency factor combined with the split in the Shiromani Akali Dal led by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is expected to lead to a fall in the share of votes of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance. The appearance of the SHSAD led by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and the cobbling together of a third front consisting of various splinter groups of the Akali Dal and the BSP is further expected to queer the pitch for the ruling alliance. The observers feel that both the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress party could share the seats 50-50 with an odd seat going the way of the third front. But the low turnout of
voters in the urban areas has upset their calculations.
"This has thrown a spanner in the works",
observes a political activist. "Now we just
don’t know on whom Lady Luck will smile when the
counting of votes begins next month..." |
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Oil depot closed after fault BATHINDA, Sept 14 — Oil depot of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) here has been closed by the authorities concerned after a fault developed in its internal supply pipes. Official sources said internal supply pipes which were changed recently had been giving trouble for the past one week and the supply was erratic. BPCL authorities closed the oil depot after they failed to locate the fault. However, oil tanker owners who came to take the supply of diesel and petrol alleged that the diesel and petrol contained water and refused to take the supply. They observed a one-day strike yesterday. The BPCL authorities have started supplying petrol and diesel to the oil tankers from the depots owned by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). Mr Raj Kumar, a driver of the oil tanker, told TNS that at present about 25 per cent water was coming along with diesel in the supply pipe lines while the quantity of water was less in the supply pipes of petrol. A senior official of
sales wing of the oil depot who did not wish to be quoted
said higher authorities of the BPCL had been informed
regarding the problem. Men were on job to locate the
fault and rectify the same in the supply pipes, he added.
He denied that any water had been mixed with diesel and
petrol. |
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Frescoes damaged during
renovations AMRITSAR, Sept 14 — Art historians and critics have not been much concerned about the study of the art and architecture of Akal Takht, the Golden Temple, Baba Atal Sahib and other Sikh shrines. This is the reason that many murals, frescoes and other artistic works have not been preserved while carrying out ‘kar sewa’ (renovation) of various Sikh shrines in Punjab and other parts of the country. On entering the ground floor of Gurdwara Baba Atal, situated to the south of the Golden Temple, one is surprised to see the glazed tiles fixed on it. During the renovation, the invaluable murals on the ‘darshani deori’ and ground floor of the nine-storeyed octagonal tower disappeared. However, as one climbs to the first floor of this 40-metre high building, the frescoes on the walls of this highest building of this holy city provide an enriching experience. Most of the devotees and artistes of Amritsar are ignorant about this great artistic treasure. The paintings on the walls depict the ‘janamsakhis’ of Guru Nanak Devji. Various murals show Guru Nanak Dev with his disciples. Dr Kanwarjit Singh Kang was perhaps the first art critic to highlight the damage caused to murals at Baba Atal Sahib. Dr Kang had written, "The interior walls of the first floor are adorned with murals. Unfortunately, many of these have been obliterated beyond recognition and at present only 42 panels survive. A large series of paintings unfold, stage by stage, the life of Guru Nanak. The first painting in this series represents all the gods requesting the Almighty to send a holy person to earth to relieve it of the burden of Kalyuga". Dr Sheharyar, a Punjabi poet and art critic, and Mr Brij Bedi, who had a chance meeting with each other, have highlighted the need of preserving this artistic treasure. Both have taken an initiative to write a book on the murals of Baba Atal Sahib and written to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and the SGPC to take necessary steps to preserve this cultural heritage. Dr Sheharyar blames the SGPC for destroying the murals and frescoes at Akal Takht. Akal Takht was renovated after Operation Bluestar in 1984 by Baba Santa Singh. However, it was demolished on the orders of then SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra and then the new building was reconstructed through ‘kar sewa’. In this process, the murals and frescoes were destroyed. He says that to mark the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth, efforts should be made to ‘repaint’ the murals and frescoes with the help of the old paintings preserved by Guru Nanak Dev University. Besides, though the Sikh masses all over the world are happy that the gilding of the Golden Temple was done by the UK-based Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewa Jatha, yet they allege that the original craftsmanship could not be preserved. However, members of the jatha claim that all efforts were made to preserve the heritage and that they have all records with them, including drawings taken before starting the gold-plating. Mr Brij Bedi, who claims to be a descendant of Guru Nanak Dev, says that it is a matter of concern that murals of the first Sikh Guru at Baba Atal could not be preserved. He alleges that the entire painted area of Baba Atal was repainted in gaudy colours in the name of renovation in the seventies. Even though the Sikhs are celebrating the tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa, no efforts have been made to popularise the murals of Sikh shrines. Interestingly, a resident of Pakistan who crossed the Wagah border at the time of the tercentenary celebrations, brought a letter of his grandfather, who had painted murals on the walls of Baba Atal before Partition, urging the SGPC authorities to preserve these murals. Apart from the paintings of Guru Nanak Dev, there are murals of martyrs, including Baba Atal. Sikh scholars have also
expressed concern that while renovating
‘bungas’ near the Golden Temple, the heritage
was not preserved. These ‘bungas’ were
constructed to give a ‘better look’, but the
old design should have been preserved. Similarly, the
murals and paintings of ‘deras’ near the Golden
Temple are in bad shape. |
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CPI, CPM activists stage
dharna RAMPURA PHUL, Sept 14 — Hundreds of activists of the CPI, the CPM, the Congress and the Lok Bhalai Party today staged a dharna in the local court complex in protest against the alleged implication of party activists in "false" cases by the police on the diktats of ruling SAD-BJP alliance leaders. In a memorandum submitted to the SDM, the activists demanded that all those leaders and workers of the SAD-BJP should be punished who had beaten up the workers of the Congress, the CPI, the CPM and Lok Bhalai Party on the day of polling on September 5. They also demanded that an independent probe by the CBI should be held into the use of money and muscle power by the leaders of the SAD-BJP during the elections to influence voters. They added that the probe should also be held into the role of the police which played into the hands of the alliance. The dharna was addressed by former minister, Mr Harbans Singh Sidhu, Mr Nachhatter Singh Sidhu, President, Lok Bhalai Party, Bathinda, and Mr Darshan Mehraj, District Secretary, CPM. The workers also demanded the resignation of state Agriculture Minister Gurdev Badal. They condemned the
recent attacks by politicians on mediapersons and alleged
that during the Akali government corruption was rampant
and farmers had committed suicide in large numbers. |
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Attwal to represent Asia at
conference JALANDHAR, Sept 14 — Mr Charanjit Singh Attwal, Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, will represent the Asian region at the 45th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. He will attend the conference at Trinidad and Tobago from September 15 to 23. Mr Attwal will speak on topics — has the globalisation of justice superseded national legal system, debt relief is not an effective mechanism for eradicating world poverty, democracy and trade agreements, the role of common wealth parliamentarians in defending and enhancing human rights. He will also visit UK,
Russia, the USA, Malaysia, Switzerland and China. |
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Take ‘political
sanyas’, Manch urges Badal CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The Panthic Vichar Manch at a meeting here today has asked Mr Parkash Singh Badal to take political 'sanyas' in the light of "great harm he has done to the cause of the Sikhs and the Panth." Over 150 members of the manch, who met here, represented different Panthic organisations and outfits which had come together under the umbrella of Mr G.S. Tohra's Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal. As part of the strategy evolved, a resolution was passed, wherein, Mr Badal was held "guilty" of having entered into an unholy alliance with the BJP and later turning his back to the 1998 mandate from the people on the manifesto and minimum common programme. He was charged with working against the interests of the state and the people. The "front" of Mr Tohra gave a befitting reply during the Lok Sabha poll since he had united the Panthic and Dalit power. This had given rise to a Third Front in Punjab and paved a new way for the country as well. The meeting appreciated the role of Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Akal Takht Jathedar. Prominent among those
who attended the meeting were Col Jasmer Singh Bala
(retd), Mr Bharpur Singh, (president of Panthic Vichar
Manch), Jathedar Kartar Singh Takkar, Mr Didar Singh
Habri, Mr Joginder Singh Sawhney, some members of the
SGPC, Mr Bhag Singh, Dr Balkar Singh, Dr Mehar Singh and
Dr Sinderpal Singh. |
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Punjab cops give 1.2 cr to war
heroes' fund CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal was presented with a cheque for Rs 1.20 crore by the Director-General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh today as the contribution of officers and employees of all ranks of the Punjab Police for the Punjab War Heroes' Family Relief Fund. The Deputy Commissioner,
Sanjay Kumar, presented a cheque for Rs 8 lakh, which was
the contribution of Mansa district employees for the
fund. Children from Pathankot contributed Rs 69, 615 for
the fund and a cheque of this amount was presented by Mr
Mohan Lal, Minister for Forest, to the Chief Minister. |
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Scribes who covered Kargil to be
honoured CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The Punjab Government has decided to honour those journalists who had covered Operation Vijay at Kargil. This was announced here today by Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Punjab. Mr Sekhwan said during
this operation armed forces had shown exemplary courage
and certain journalists also did an excellent job.
Journalists played a vital role in highlighting the
supreme sacrifices of jawans, he added. |
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Ex-Akali minister joins
Cong MALERKOTLA, Sept 14 — Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, a former Minister of State for Jails during the Barnala ministry in Punjab, has joined the Congress along with his daughter, Parveen. This was declared by Mr Khan at a Press conference at his residence here yesterday. Ms Parveen, who had
remained active in politics while he was minister, was
also present on the occasion. Mr Khan was considered to
be very close to Late Balwant Singh, a former Finance
Minister, Punjab. |
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Cane growers stage rally PHAGWARA, Sept 14 — Cane growers held a rally here today and threatened direct action on September 27 in case the local sugar mill management failed to give in writing within a week regarding cane crushing to be started in the first week of November. Mr Balbir Singh, president, Cane Growers Cooperative Society, said they were also demanding hike in sugarcane commission. The agitators presented
a memorandum to the local authorities. |
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Governor for plan to face
disasters CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen Mr B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), today called upon non-Government and voluntary organisations to jointly chalk out a disaster preparedness plan so that relief operations in case of any disaster could be launched without delay. Presiding over the
annual general meeting of Indian Red Cross, Punjab, and
allied organisations, the Governor said the Red Cross,
voluntary bodies and the state government should jointly
work out such a plan. |
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Speaker inaugurates exhibition CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Punjab Speaker, today inaugurated an exhibition of paintings by Yuriv Dyakonov and Susan Dyakonova at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, according to a press note issued here today by the Punjab Public Relations department. The exhibition has been
organised in connection with the 10th anniversary
celebration of Jawaharlal Cultural Centre, in Moscow. |
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