Monday, September 27, 1999
|
P U N J A B | |
Monday, September 27, 1999 |
weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
 |
||
|
Plea to
CM on Principal’s selection |
 |
|
||||||||
|
Parties condemn custodial death Girl’s brother kills lover Gurdwara Act proposals reviewed Attacks on minorities condemned PSSF threatens agitation Revolt brewing in INTUC unit Cong set to win 10 seats: Sathi Jail manual violated |
||||||||||
 |
||||
Amritsar Medical College AMRITSAR, Sept 26 — As the departmental promotion committee (DPC) meets at Chandigarh tomorrow to select the regular Principal of the local Government Medical College, the name of Dr O.P. Mahajan, the senior most-Professor and Head of the Physiology Department, figures at number one on the panel of the five Professors to be considered for the post. The post has been lying vacant since July 25, 1999, and Dr Mahajan was asked by the Punjab Government to look after the work of the office of principal till a regular Principal was appointed. However, in a fax message to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang has urged that a man of integrity should be made the Principal of the prestigious college. He has stated that he had learnt that the Principal Secretary, Medical Education, wanted to appoint a Professor of the college as the new Principal, who had earned serious adverse remarks in his annual confidential report (ACR) for two consecutive years (1992-93 and 1993-94) casting aspersions on his honesty. The fax message states that the adverse ACR was conveyed to the Professor concerned during the years concerned but he did not respond. There is an entry in the ACR stating that he is fit to hold the post of a Professor only. Mr Dang claims that in 1998, the Professor concerned had represented to the Punjab Government against adverse entries in his ACR for 1993-94. His representation was considered but rejected and the government ordered that he "may be kept away from confidential matters and other matters, including money, etc". When contacted, Dr Mahajan claimed that the then Principal of Government Medical College, Chandigarh, had given adverse remarks in his ACR as he (Dr Mahajan) was aspirant for the post of Principal. "Not only me, but more than 20 doctors earned adverse remarks in the ACR due to similar reasons," Dr Mahajan claimed and said that the Director, Research and Medical Education (DRME) had "expunged" the adverse remarks in his ACR. He said the then Principal of the Government Medical College, Chandigarh, had wrongly given adverse remarks in his ACR as he was not concerned with any financial matters at that time. He claimed that his last five ACR’s were ‘excellent’. On the other hand, Mr Dang said he would write against the Principal Secretary, Medical Education, for showing ‘undue favour’ to Dr Mahajan. He said despite adverse remarks in the ACR, Dr Mahajan was designated as Vice-Principal of the college. He claimed that only the minister in charge had the right to "expunge" the ACR. Mr Dang demanded that
the Principal Secretary, Medical Education, should be
asked to explain the circumstances under which he was
reported to have "expunged" remarks, when he
did not have the authority to receive any representation
from the Professor concerned. |
||
Pensioners want pay report
implemented CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — A general meeting-cum-seminar of pensioners held here under the chairmanship of Mr K.D. Vasudeva, a former Chief Secretary of Punjab, attended by 140 delegates of 30 pensioners’ associations of Punjab and Haryana. It was resolved unanimously at the meeting to request the Punjab Government to implement immediately all the outstanding recommendations of the Fourth Punjab Pay Commission. These include an increase in pension for service exceeding 33 years, grant of old-age allowance at the rate of 5 per cent and 10 per cent on attaining the age of 65 and 75, respectively, revised rates of family pension to be made applicable to the pre-1996 retirees as per the Nakra case judgement, dearness allowance as on July 1,’93 to be treated as dearness pension for computing gratuity for those who retired on or after that date, pension/family pension to be not less than 50 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively of the minimum of the revised scale, counting special pay at the 1986 rates for updating pension of pre-1996 retirees, increase in the expenses incurred on dentures, spectacles etc., reimbursement of expenses on treatment of chronic ailments and release of dearness relief instalment due from July 1,1996. The Haryana Government was also requested to issue orders immediately for the updating of pension/family pensions of pre-1986 retirees on the Central pattern and also pension/family pension being not less than 50 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, of the minimum of the revised scale, and release of DR instalment due from July 1,1996. Mr K.D. Vasudeva, president of the GPA, on behalf of the pensioners honoured Mr Gurnam Singh, adviser, by presenting to him a souvenir for his dedicated services to pensioners. Mr P.R. Nair, Deputy Accountant General, Punjab, claimed that the cases of pre 1986 pensioners received in his office up to July 31 had been cleared. Those who had not received the revised authority could write to him directly, giving full particulars of the case. According to the general
secretary, Mr Chandan Singh, the meeting unanimously
elected Mr Vasudeva as president of the association and
authorised him to appoint the office-bearers. |
||
Follow ideals of Gurus: CM LUDHIANA, Sept 26 — The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has asked people to jointly celebrate the commemorative occasions of Gurus, saints and sages of different faiths and sects as "sarvdharam sammelans" which would go a long way in strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between different communities. Speaking at a function to mark the 118th birth anniversary of Acharya Samrat Jain Atma Ram here today, Mr Badal said degradation in social, moral and ethical values had taken place because people had deviated from the right path shown by our Gurus and saints. Selfish motives and vested interests had given rise to social evils like violence, casteism, hatred and ill-will. The need of the hour was to carry forward the precious legacy of our forefathers to our present and future generations to help establish a healthy and harmonious society. The Chief Minister also sounded a note of caution against the nefarious designs of certain external and internal forces and said these were bent upon creating dissensions and driving a wedge in society for their selfish ends. He appealed to the people to extend full cooperation to the government in curbing such elements. Mr Badal noted that all religions stood for tolerance, non-violence, brotherhood and mutual love. He appealed to the social and religious leaders to educate the masses about the centuries-old rich heritage of the country. He also criticised the opposition parties for their negative attitude and said they must play a constructive role. Only healthy criticism should be voiced for bringing about improvement in the system. Cooperation of the people was paramount in the creation of a clean and healthy environment, he remarked. Mr Badal also inaugurated the operating theatre of a charitable eye hospital run by the Jain Sabha and also a free eye operation camp. The Chief Minister was honoured by the organising committee of the Jain Sabha on the occasion. Others present included
Dr Archana Maharaj, Rattan Muni Maharaj, Kranti Muni
Maharaj, Mr Ram Kumar Jain, Mr Ajit Kumar Jain,
president, Shri Atma Ram Jain Charitable Hospital and Mr
Sadhu Singh Ghudani, MLA |
||
AIATF to protest against PGPC AMRITSAR, Sept 26 — Members of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front, headed by Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, will organise a rally in front of the Pakistan High Commission next week to protest against the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC) to control the Sikh shrines in Pakistan. In a press note issued here today, Mr Bitta alleged that anti-India activities were being launched from Sikh shrines in Pakistan as alleged by the Shiromani Gurdwara Committee. A bulletin of the SGPC had also pointed out such anti-India propaganda, the press note said. Mr Bitta, however, said Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC, had taken a bold stand against the formation of the PGPC headed by a former chief of the ISI. Mr Bitta urged the representatives of all political parties to rise above political considerations and condemn the formation of the PGPC. He also appreciated the SGPC for its decision of not sending a jatha to Pakistan till the PGPC was disbanded by the Pakistan Government. The AIATF urged Bibi Jagir Kaur to take up the issue of anti-India propaganda and abetting of terrorism from across the border during her proposed meeting with Mr Nawaz Sharif. Mr Bitta also said the
Centre should not issue any notification regarding the
amendment in the All-India Gurdwara Act, 1925, which
could revive terrorism in the state. He alleged that such
an amendment must be made after a recommendation of the
SGPC. |
||
Parties condemn custodial death HASANPUR (Ropar) Sept 26 — Cutting across party lines, leaders of various political parties, including the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, the BSP, the SAD (Amritsar) and the CPM condemned the death of Devinder Singh, alias Bhola, of this village in the custody of CIA staff at Ropar on September 18 and demanded that culprits should be given exemplary punishment. The leaders were addressing the gathering at the bhog ceremony of the deceased here today. Some of the speakers condemned the doctor, who had performed medical examination of the three youths, victims of alleged police torture, in the civil hospital at Kharar on September 19 and had issued fitness certificates. The youths-Inderjit Singh, Karnail Singh and Sapinder Singh had been arrested along with Devinder Singh and were medically examined a second time on September 22 at Ropar by a board of doctors following a court order. Later the same day they were admitted to the Ropar Civil Hospital. While some speakers praised the SSP, Mr Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, for taking immediate action by registering an FIR on the same day against the alleged guilty police officials and for their arrest before the bhog ceremony. However, the solemnity of the occasion was marred for some moments when a former Congress minister of Punjab, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, had a heated argument with Mr Amar Singh Chahal, an advocate and a human rights activist, Mr Kang had objected to the comments made by the SAD (A) President, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, regarding the ‘eliminating’ of youths during the previous Congress governments. Later, Mr Kang and other Congress men left the pandal in protest. Mr Kang told the mediapersons that he had boycotted the function in protest against the use of derogatory language against Beant Singh, former Chief Minister of the state. Addressing the gathering, Mr Simaranjit Singh Mann, said he had no faith in the present SAD-BJP government as it had failed to control the police machinery. Mr Ravi Inder Singh, SAD MLA from Morinda, said the state government should extend financial assistance to the family of the deceased and own responsibility for the death. Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, a former MP from Ropar, condemned the incident and said she would work to get the guilty punished. Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang described the death of a youth in the custody of CIA staff as a "blot" on the name of the Punjab Police. He also demanded that the SSP should hold an inquiry to dismisses the guilty police officials. Mr Rajbir Singh, Vice-President of the SHSAD, condemned the incident and also demanded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the deceased. Mr Tarlochan Singh Rana, District Secretary of the CPM, alleged that the Kharar doctor issued fitness certificate to the youths who had allegedly been tortured by the police and were not fit. He praised the SSP for registering a case against the suspects under Section 302 of the IPC. Mr Mata Ram Dhiman, BSP
candidate for Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency; Mr Amar
Singh Chahal, human rights activist; Mr Anil Kaushik, an
advocate; Mr Kaka Singh, Nambardar of Hasanpur village
and Mr Bachittar Singh, Vice-Chairman of Morinda Sugar
Mills also spoke on the occasion. |
||
Custodial death: 3 policemen
remanded ROPAR, Sept 26 — Malwinder Singh Malhi, SI of the CIA staff, Manjit Singh, a constable, and Devinder Singh, an SPO, all suspects in the custodial death of Devinder Singh, alias Bhola, of Hasanpur village, were today remanded in police custody upto October 4. They were produced in the court of duty magistrate Mr Dharam Singh, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, by the police here. These suspects had surrendered before the SP (D) and investigation officer of the case, Mr Jagdish Singh Kahlon, yesterday. Other two suspects
— Didar Singh, SHO of Anandpur Sahib, who headed the
police party that brought the youths from Hasanpur to
Ropar for interrogation, and Gurcharan Singh, a
constable, were already in police custody upto September
28. Gurcharan Singh had surrendered while Didar Singh had
been arrested by the police. |
||
Girl’s brother kills lover JALANDHAR, Sept 26 (UNI) — The mysterious disappearance of a youth belonging to Kartarpur last month has turned out to be a case of murder in the name of saving family honour. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav said today that Rajinder Kumar, alias Sonu was allegedly killed by the brother of a girl who was in love with Sonu. When Charanjit Kumar, alias Babbu found that Sonu had not severed ties with his sister, Savita, in spite of repeated warnings, he enticed Sonu and took him to Chintpurni on the pretext of pilgrimage to the famous temple there on August 9. Babbu, accompanied by his friend Kishan Lal alias Don, a resident of Dayalpur village near Kartarpur town, went with Sonu in his Tata Sumo to Chintpurni but on their way back they stopped the vehicle near Chuhal on the Hoshiarpur-Gagret Road and pushed Sonu into a deep gorge, and smashed the victim’s face beyond recognition with a stone, the SSP added. After committing the crime, the two returned to Kartarpur. The body of Sonu was recovered several days later by Hoshiarpur police but it could not be identified as it was highly decomposed. Meanwhile, in order to mislead the worried family of the victim Babbu pressurised his sister to make telephone calls pretending to be Sonu’s friend. In one of the calls she identified herself as Preeti and told Sonu’s parents that their son had eloped with her and they had got married and were fine. On getting a wind of this the police mounted pressure which led to the surrender of Babbu before a Judicial Magistrate on September 15. His interrogation unravelled the mystery shrouding the abduction and subsequent murder of Sonu. The SSP said Babbu confessed to having hatched the conspiracy to eliminate Sonu to protect the family honour. He also confessed to having roped in Don in the conspiracy to abduct and kill Sonu and having forced Savita to make the telephone call to mislead the victim’s family. Mr Yadav said both Don
and Savita were arrested today. The police has now
converted the earlier case of abduction into a case of
murder and attempt to destroy its evidence under Sections
302 and 201 of the IPC. |
||
Gurdwara Act proposals reviewed CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — A meeting of the local members of the recently formed Core Group (S) was held here today with Justice Ranjit Singh Narula (retd) in the chair. The issues related to the proposed amendments to the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, and the draft All-India Gurdwara Bill, 1999, were deliberated upon. The members unanimously appreciated the dedicated efforts of Justice Harbans Singh (retd) in preparing the proposals after prolonged, laborious and extensive consultations with all connected and concerned entities. The meeting realised that as the necessity of an all-India Gurdwara Act has been acutely felt by the Sikh sangat for the past many decades, it was essential that the initiative now taken was not frittered away in needless controversies. In fact earlier moves had proved abortive due to inordinate hold-ups and lack of will to surmount procedural intricacies. The case now appropriately rests with the SGPC for further action and this opportunity must not get dissolved in unproductive internecine controversies. On specific provisions contained in the draft, the views of the members were: — The All-India Sikh Gurdwara Act is indispensable. — Definition of Sikh: It must be realised that the definition given in the draft is only for the purpose of this Act. It is, therefore, for the process of elections. It is not intended to be a comprehensive description of a Sikh. — Reservations: The purpose of the constitution of the proposed Central and state boards is efficient management of Sikh gurdwaras and planning and implementation of religious programmes. The emphasis should, therefore, be only on merit of the candidate. The gender and socio-economic status being irrelevant to the requirement of the mission. The reservations for women and Backward Classes has, therefore, been rightly dispensed with in the proposed draft. — The Electoral Colleges: The present system of elections based on adult franchise has been tried for almost three quarters of a century and the opinion is almost unanimous that it has been widely misused and has led to corrupt practices, like alleged distribution of liquor and bribery all the time of elections. The expenses involved also do not encourage really committed and sincere Sikhs to contest the elections. The system of elections based on suggested electoral college is an unavoidable necessity and should, therefore, be adopted in all states, including Punjab and Delhi. — Central Religious Committees: The suggested constitution of the Central Religious Committee is considered very purposeful. The members also felt that services rendered by Justice Harbans Singh should be accorded suitable recognition by the SGPC. The meeting was
attended, among others, by Justice Kuldip Singh (retd),
Dr Kharak Singh, Brig Gurdip Singh (retd), Principal
Gurbaksh Singh Shergill, Dr Malkiat Singh Rahi, Mr
Mohinder Singh and Col Perminder Singh Randhawa. |
||
Attacks on minorities condemned JALANDHAR, Sept 26 (UNI) — The Indian Minorities and Dalit Front, headed by Punjab Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, today condemned the continuing attacks on Christian missionaries in Orissa, Gujarat and Bihar and demanded high-level inquiries into such incidents and stringent punishment to those found guilty. A resolution adopted to this effect at a meeting of the central committee and district presidents of the front held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Sekhwan also appealed to the central government to ensure the safety and security of minorities in these states. In another resolution the front strongly opposed the amendments proposed in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, by the gurdwaras’ Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Harbans Singh, and demanded that any amendment, to the Act should be effected only after the approval by the SGPC. Meanwhile, the front has
decided to organise a state-level rally at historic Baba
Bakala town in Amritsar district soon, which would be
addressed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. |
||
PSSF threatens agitation JALANDHAR, Sept 26 (UNI) — The Punjab Subordinate Services Federation (PSSF) today threatened a statewide agitation if the government decided to pay salary without dearness allowance (DA), as was being contemplated in view of the financial crisis bedevilling the state for quite some time. PSSF state president Subash Sharma said the Punjab Government had not yet paid June-December, 1998, DA to its employees in spite of having made the announcement in January. Similarly, the government was still silent on January-June DA payment though the Central Government had already announced a 5 per cent increase in DA to its employees. Mr Sharma said since the state government had already freezed bonus and leave travel concession (LTC), employees apprehended the government might stop paying DA and pay only the basic salary to them in view of the "mounting financial crisis’’. But the PSSF leader warned that if the government stopped the payment of DA with salary, it would be left with no alternative but to launch a statewide agitation against its "anti-employee measure’’. The PSSF leader asked the government to reduce the size of its ministry and bureaucracy and other wasteful expenditure to overcome the crisis instead of going in for "anti-employee measures’’. Mr Sharma said the PSSF
would hold its state level meeting at Mansa on October 2
to discuss the strategy for agitation.The meeting would
also be addressed, among others, by INTUC state president
Dr S.C. Sharma. |
||
BJP workers’ protest
makes doctor flee HOSHIARPUR, Sept 26 — BJP workers led by Mr Tikshan Sud, MLA, Sat Pal Sareen, President, Municipal Council, Mr Nipun Sharma, President district unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Mr Kamal Satia and Mr Moti Lal Sud, both Municipal Councillors, Mr Gian Bansal, President Beopar Cell, of the BJP and Mr Suresh Batia spokesman for the BJP, staged a demonstration in protest against Dr Tejpal, Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, for his alleged misbehaviour with Ranjit Singh, Municipal Councillor, while he was doing his duty in the emergency ward here today. An inquiry into the episode revealed that Dr Tejpal Singh was on duty in the emergency ward from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. He left the hospital at 10.30 a.m. Dr Karamjit Kumar, civil
surgeon, Hoshiarpur, Dr Tejpal told him that he had not
showed any disrespect to the health minister. He said Dr
Tejpal had got verbal sanction for four-hour leave today
for some urgent work. He said Dr S.S. Chohan was doing
duty in his place. |
||
Revolt brewing in INTUC unit MOGA, Sept 26 (PTI) — The Punjab unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), labour wing of the Congress, appears to be heading for a split with the team of outgoing office-bearers refusing to accept the ad hoc committee under presidentship of Mr Subhash Sharma. Mr Balwant Rai Kapoor, president state unit of INTUC, Dr Shiv Kumar, general secretary Punjab INTUC, Mr Swaran Singh, president Punjab Subordinate Services Federation (INTUC), and others in a communication to Congress President Sonia Gandhi urged her to take immediate steps to save the Punjab INUTC unit from groupism and imminent split, Mr Kapoor and others told reporters here yesterday. This groupism and
possible split follow recent decision of Mr Sanjeeva
Reddy, all-India president of INTUC, abolishing the
elected Punjab unit and appointing an ad hoc committee to
look after the affairs of the unit with Mr Subhash Sharma
as its president. |
||
Cong set to win 10 seats:
Sathi MOGA, Sept 26 — Former Punjab Janata Dal President and MLA Sathi Vijay said here today that the Congress would win at least 10 seats out of 13 in the state with majority. Mr Sathi while talking to mediapersons here said the people all over the state, particularly farmers and business community, were displeased with the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Prakash Singh Badal, for not keeping his pre-poll promises and because of this the BJP-SAD alliance in the state would suffer a defeat. He also criticised the
Badal government for his anti-people policies and said
the farmers in Punjab had suffered heavy losses due to
the supply of spurious insecticides. He alleged the sum
of Rs 5,100 to be given to SC/ST girls at the time of
their marriages had also not been given in a number of
cases. |
||
Jail manual violated GURDASPUR, Sept 26 — Various provisions of the Punjab Jail Manual were violated by the Central Jail authorities here leading to suicide by undertrial Tarlok Singh last month, an inquiry report states. The prisoner had been
confined to a cell though his history sheet was yet to be
entered. Moreover no written orders had been issued. A
195-cm iron pipe in the cell had not been removed.
Regular visits by jail authorities of the rank of Deputy
Superintendent and doctor were not made to the cell.
Above all the request of deceased’s spouse, who
visited her husband a day prior to his death, was ignored
by the jail authorities. |
||
All for a water connection GARHSHANKAR, Sept 26 — Martyr Havildar Baldev Raj's widow, Soma Devi, and his old father, Ram Dass, of Binewal Garhshankar block applied for a water connection to the Xen, Public Health. The Xen asked him to get the application recommended by the SDM, Garhshankar. After getting the recommendation, the Xen asked them to get the application recommended by the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur. After having brought the recommendation, the Xen asked him to get the Chief Minister's recommendation. The martyr's kin are
wondering whether it would be worthwhile to procure the
Chief Minister's recommendation as the Xen may ask for
yet another recommendation. |
||
Varsity to organise seminar
series PATIALA, Sept 26 — Punjabi University has decided to organise a multi-faculty millennium series of seminars and lectures starting from tomorrow. Addressing a press conference here, Vice-Chancellor Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia said all faculties would be involved in the series of seminars on ideological, philosophical, religious, social, cultural, economic and political subjects. He said the first of the
seminars would focus on "Punjabi language,
literature and culture — 21st century challenges and
possibilities". |
||
Govt job for kin of 20 martyrs HOSHIARPUR, Sept 26 (UNI) — One eligible member from the families each of the 20 Kargil martyrs in the district would be given appointment letters for government jobs on October 1. Stating this here today,
the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Iqbal Singh Sandhu, said free
gas connections would also be given to such families at a
function to be held at the Zila Parishad here on October
5 after a meeting of the district Sainik Welfare Board. |
||
 |
||
 |
| Nation
| Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | Chandigarh | | Editorial | Business | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
