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| Tuesday, January 18, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
MLAs
scoff at expulsion Secretariat
staff threaten stir BJP rebels may face action Centre to set up power plant at
Khatkar Kalan |
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Kariha SAD nominee for Nawanshahr Tohra constitutes 11-member panel Groupism in DCC comes to fore Leaders flay govt move on auction DCC threatens stir
Wetlands on verge of extinction Engineers back UPSEB employees BBMB gears up to face power crisis Mehra, Majumder given genetics
award Kukas’ sacrifices recalled AVRC set to be reactivated Drive to remove encroachments Dharna by SC, BC employees School board fined Rs 15,000 Sewing school for poor opened MC drive to make Patiala clean
Baba told to join investigations Four remanded in police custody Liquor vendor murdered
‘White gold’ regains
glitter Gas agencies for Punjab villages ST on karyana items reduced
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MLAs scoff at expulsion CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The three former ministers expelled from the primary membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal today scoffed at the decision of the party taken at the behest of the President-cum-Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. In a joint statement the three MLAs, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Mr Harmel Singh and Mr Inderjit Singh Zira said the action was a sure sign of growing frustration and fear within the decision-makers. It also showed Mr Badal was feeling "weak and insecure" despite having a massive peoples’ mandate. The expulsion, coming close on the heels of December 31 last expansion of the Council of Ministers, had not surprised them because Mr Badal’s "self-interest" had eclipsed other interests. "We do not need a certificate to be Akalis. We were, we are and we will remain Akalis working more vigorously to safeguard SAD principles and constitution and exposing the growing cult of corruption and nepotism in the party", the three said. Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, who did most of the talking to the mediapersons, said it seemed the very purpose for which the people had voted overwhelmingly for the SAD had been defeated by Mr Badal and his coterie. They said the in-house suggestions given to Mr Badal by them after having replied to the show-cause notices served on them in June, 1999, were on how to improve the internal functioning of the party, reviving its democratic character, and the functioning of the government. The same were not heeded. The result was delivered by the humiliating defeat at the hustings, during the Lok Sabha elections. The expulsion was only a coverup against his (Mr Badal) own weaknesses and wrong doings as corruption and nepotism had touched a peak. The people were not that ignorant as to not to see the gameplan. "We will launch a relentless struggle to uphold the principles and the constitution of SAD". It was pointed out that the expelled ministers and the other MLA, Mrs Daljit Kaur, would remain members of the SAD legislative party inside the Vidhan Sabha. Moreover, there was no provision of either a Political Affairs Committee or a disciplinary committee in the SAD constitution. The party President had given an affidavit to this effect in the court, where a separate battle was being fought with Mr Ravi Inder Singh, a former Speaker and SAD MLA from Morinda, currently under "suspension". Though the expelled members wished to fight politically and had no intention of taking recourse to any legal remedy, the fact remained that legally they could not be expelled from the party. "Such a decision vested in only the SAD working committee — comprising 31 members," they added. The three former ministers also ridiculed the manner in which the expulsion news was given out. It was SAD Secretary-General Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who broke the news at Ludhiana later in the evening on January 16, while, in Chandigarh, SAD Secretary, Kirpal Singh Badungar, in a signed statement had said that a decision on show-cause notices served on 10 MLAs would be taken by the SAD disciplinary committee in Chandigarh on January 17. Meanwhile, Mr Badal when
asked if more expulsions were on the anvil, said
"anyone engaged in anti-party activities or breaches
discipline will meet the same fate". Asked if such
an action will curb dissidence in the party, he said
there was no dissension, "our party is a cohesive
unit." |
Secretariat staff threaten stir CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The decision to allocate personal staff to certain ministers from the office of the Financial Commissioners is being opposed by staff at the Punjab Civil Secretariat. Opposing the office order of the Chief Secretary to provide the entire personal staff from the F.C. office to four ministers. The Punjab Secretariate Personal Staff Association and other organisations said today that they would not allow the decision to be implemented. The stand off between the Secretariate staff and employees of F.C. office on the issue has been continuing for the past few days with both groups lobbying with various ministers and even the Chief Minister. Personal staff from the F.C. office was allocated to Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Sujan Singh, Minister for State for Rural Development and Panchayats and Mr Guljar Singh Ranike, Minister for State for Agriculture and will such staff be allocated to the Revenue Minister. A spokesman of the Punjab Secretariat Personal Staff Association said today that employees of the secretariat services had met the Chief Minister, and he had assured them that he would do the decision. But nothing has been done in this connection so far. He said that
representative of various organisations have also met
most other ministers. In every state the affairs of the
Council of Ministers and general administration of the
secretariat is handled by the secretariat services, which
has a distinct cadre. |
BJP rebels may face action CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The fate of two rebel BJP legislators in Punjab will depend upon what kind of reply they submit to the show cause notices served on them, but the dominant group right now is determined to teach them some lesson. " We do not approve of such dissident activity and indiscipline in the BJP. It is different from the Congress. Harsh action has to be there", a senior BJP leader here said. But he hastened to add that much would depend upon the reply and the attitude of the Central leadership. "After all they are MLAs. No party would like to lose its strength in the Assembly and create enemies out of its own partymen," he added. Reports indicate that two MLAs, Mr Jagdish Sahney from Batala and Mr Satpal Gosain from Ludhiana, are talking to their supporters and senior leaders in Delhi to decide about the line they adopt in the reply. Mr Sahney may wilt but Mr Gosain who has been a harsh critic of the Badal government from day one, is made of a different stuff. Mr Balramji Das Tandon, Local Bodies and Labour Minister, who leads the legislature party, and Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, who heads the organisational wing, are also in touch with the Central leaders. In fact, today Mr Tandon is in Delhi. Food and Supply Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, who has led the party during the worst phase of the Punjab crisis, has avoided making any public statement, but his sympathy obviously is with the two dissident MLAs. The BJP Legislature Party is divided. Another rebel MLA who has not made any personal allegation, but has been generally critical of the way the government functioned is Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla. She too has publicly criticised the government in which her party is a shareholder. Meanwhile, mr Tandon has taken strong exception to the statement issued by a Congress MLA, Mr Rakesh Pandey, levelling charges against him. Mr Tandon said Mr Pandey had issued a baseless statement and "it seems he has not checked the facts which have been provided to him by someone". the minister said Mr Pandey by virtue of being an MLA is an ex-officer and member of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. Had he gone to the corporation office and checked the facts the truth would have come to light. "It will serve well for Mr Pandey to know that all the accounts of municipal committees and corporations are audited by auditors of the government and no private individual is involved or hired. Mr Pandey shows bankruptcy of imagination on his part. It proves an age-old saying that "little knowledge is a dangerous thing", he said. Regarding appointment of his son Mr Sanjay Tandon on the Board of the NHPC, Mr Tandon said he had been appointed as he was a successful chartered accountant with a standing of more than 13 years. He further said that his son was not drawing even a single paisa as salary from the corporation and was working in an honorary capacity. He only attended the meetings of the board generally held once in two months. On recruitments to the department of Local Government, Mr Tandon said, it had become a fashion to challenge all the recruitments from that of the peon to the higher ones in the courts and likewise these recruitments too had been challenged. Mr Tandon said he would not like to comment further on this issue as the matter was sub-judice. Mr Tandon blamed the two
BJP MLAs, Mr Satpal Gosain and Mr Jagdish Sahney, for
creating indiscipline in the party ranks and hobnobbing
with the Congress which was borne out by the statements
being issued by Mrs Pandey and others. He further said
that the party high command had taken serious note of the
irresponsible actions and utterances of these people. He
said, "In the past 50 years of my political career,
I have not come across any MLA of any party making claims
for cabinet berths through newspapers, instead of
pressing the same at party forums. Although grumbling
always continues as part of political lobbying by such
people, it is for the first time that these two MLAs have
gone to the Press claiming Cabinet berths. It has not
only exposed their own lust for power, but has brought a
bad name to the party." |
Centre to set up power plant at
Khatkar Kalan CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The Union Minister of State for Non-conventional Energy Sources, Mr M. Kannappan, today announced setting up of a 200 KW photovoltaic power plant at Khatkar Kalan, native village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, in Nawanshahr district. The project will be formally approved in the next year's Budget. This followed a request from the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who inaugurated a national seminar on "Small hydro power projects" on the premises of the CII here today. Mr Kannappan also assured full central support and assistance for the already sanctioned National Institute of Renewable Energy Sources being put up at Jalandhar. The seminar was a joint venture of the Punjab Energy Development Agency and the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources with integrated rural energy development authority as an active participant. Essentially, the occasion was to provide a forum to the private entrepreneurs and the policy-makers so as to encourage involvement of private sector in this venture. The Principal Secretary, Science, Technology and Renewable Sources, Mr Rajan Kashyap, aptly said that the present seminar was in fact the inauguration of the state government programme for involving private sector in building a sound infrastructure for the future. "We are rolling out a red-carpet to the entrepreneurs". He reeled out facts and figures to show the existing potential and the kind of enthusiastic response already received by PEDA. All 130-odd sites (falls in canals) selected for putting up small hydro power projects will be in private sector, involving an investment of over Rs 250 crore with the state not having to spend any money. Mr Kashyap went on to give the advantages of such a project, which was both "environment and economy friendly." At the technical sessions during the day, people from the private sector agencies concerned and experts presented their views on the role of small hydro projects. Both the Union Minister as well as the Chief Minister urged the organisers to submit their recommendations so that appropriate action could be initiated on the projects. The Punjab Adviser on Energy, Mr N.S. Vasant, sounded a discordant note in his speech on the "role of small hydro projects." His observations, in a nutshell, were to give up the concept of small hydro projects since this was not in tune with the time. It was left to the PEDA Chief Executive, Mr P.S. Aujla, to reply to the "criticism" made by Mr Vasant. Describing him as an "old wise man", Mr Aujla said the observations of Mr Vasant should not be taken as "criticism" but as a word of caution. "We shall keep his point of view in mind while executing the projects. There will be no cost or time over run in executing the same as apprehended by Mr Vasant," he assured. The occasion was used for unfolding the Punjab Government's policy on the small hydro projects. It was stressed that this was a part of the state's policy on industry. In fact, Mr Badal in his speech gave a bird's eye view of the need for tapping non-conventional energy sources and referred to the worldwide programmes. It was Mr Kannappan who underlined that Punjab must take the lead. Given an opportunity it should undertake a study of Orissa and Karnataka as well. Punjab must have a "single window" for providing all assistance in this field. Later, Mr Kanappan
inaugurated the solar photovoltaic grid interactive
system of 50 KW installed at Punjab Mini Secretariat by
PEDA with financial and technical support from New Delhi. |
Kariha SAD nominee for
Nawanshahr CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) headed by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today set the ball rolling for the Nawanshahr byelection by declaring Mr Jatinder Singh Kariha as SAD-BJP common candidate. Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, secretary of SAD, said today that Mr Badal had nominated Mr Kariha on the basis of authority given to him by the Political Affairs Committee of SAD, which met here yesterday. Mr Kariha is president of the district unit of the party in Nawanshahr and he had earlier contested in 1977 from the same seat and had won, according to Mr Badungar. However, no other party has announced candidate for this byelections scheduled to be held on February 17. Lot of tug-of-war is going on nominating the candidate for the Nawanshahr byelection in Congress party. Informed sources said that there were serious differences among the top party leaders of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee over this issue. While Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, who had won last time from Nawanshahr and later had resigned to contest Lok Sabha election from Hoshiarpur is trying his best to put his own confidant from Nawanshahr, Mrs Santosh Chowdhary, who was elected MP for the Lok Sabha from Phillaur is trying her best to secure party ticket for her protege. Decision may be taken at the high command level to decide the nominee for Nawanshahr keeping in view the tussle among various groups of the Congress in the state over this issue. The CPI has already announced not to put up its candidate. There are reports that the BSP, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra may put up a common candidate for this election. It is a stronghold of the BSP and Dalit voters outnumber all other voters of different communities like Saini, Gujjar and Jat Sikhs. Meanwhile, Mr Amrik
Singh Aliwal, President of the youth wing of the
Shiromani Akali Dal, said today that a meeting of the
youth wing would be held here on January 20. |
Tohra constitutes 11-member
panel CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The President of the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHAD) Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today constituted an 11-member committee to formulate strategy for contesting the Assembly elections in Haryana. Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, General Secretary of the party, said today that except the BJP and the Congress, the SHSAD would be prepared to enter in an election alliance with any other political organisation in Haryana. While Mr Prem Singh Chandu-majra has been made chairman of the committee its other members would be Mr Bhupinder Singh, Mr Tara Singh, Mr Bharpur Singh, Mrs Daljit Kaur, Ms Jaswinder Kaur, Mr Kartar Singh Takkar, Mr Didar Singh, Mr Manmohan Singh, Mr Manjit Singh, Mr Surjit Singh and Mr Joga Singh. The committee would meet on January 19 Singh Sabha Girls High School in Ambala. Meanwhile, the SHSAD has
sought applications from party activists interested in
contesting the Nawanshahr byelection till January 21.
They have been asked to send applications to the office
at Ludhiana. |
Groupism in DCC comes to fore LUDHIANA, Jan 17 — The 13th death anniversary of former Punjab Minister Joginder Pal Pandey to be held on January 19 seems to be turning into another occasion for a show of strength between the two factions of the District Congress Committee (Urban) — one led by the DCC (U) chief, Mr Surinder Dawar and the other by former President of the DCC (U) Rakesh Pandey. For the first time, this occasion is being commemorated separately by the two groups. While Mr Dawar will organise a function at Congress bhavan on the occasion, Mr Rakesh Pandey will be holding another function at Lions Bhavan. Senior Congress leaders like Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, AICC General Secretary Motilal Vohra, former Punjab Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa are expected to be present at the function organised by Mr Pandey. Meanwhile, at a meeting of the District Mahila Congress (Urban) held here today, president Usha Malhotra expressed solidarity with Mr Pandey and urged Mr Dawar to join in the function being organised by Mr Pandey. Senior Congress leader
Amarjit Singh Tikka, while alleging that both Mr Dawar
and Mr Pandey were promoting groupism in the party, urged
both the factions to sink their differences. |
Leaders flay govt move on
auction ALIKE (Ferozepore), Jan 17 — Leaders of the Congress, BSP and CPM have warned the government on its proposal to auction the land owned by the Irrigation Department in 20 villages, including Dulchike, Alike, Gatti Rajoke, Gatti Khunder and Kilche, along the Indo-Pak border, near here. Addressing a gathering of affected villagers at Alike village today, leaders of these parties while condemning the policies of the Badal Government alleged that the state was being ruled by feudal forces. They said that if the land was auctioned many cultivators would become jobless. The leaders called upon the villagers to get untied in this regard. Among those who addressed the rally included Mr Bal Mukand Sharma, a member of the AICC, Mr Gurnaib Singh Brar, a former Chairman of the PPCC (Kisan Cell), Mr Harminder Singh Bhullar, President, DCC, Mr Mohan Singh Phallianwale, ex-MP and a senior leader of the BSP, and Mr Hansa Singh, District Secretary of the CPM. Later, the villagers
submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. |
DCC threatens stir PATIALA, Jan 17 — The District Congress Committee (Urban) today warned that it would resort to an agitation if the district administration did not book the culprits responsbile for desecrating the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajindra Tank in the city by January 30. In a statement here, DCC (Urban) President Ved Prakash Gupta said the party had submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner on January 3 to protest against the desecration of the statue on January 1. The administration had assured the delegation that the culprits would be arrested soon, but nothing had happened till now. Mr Gupta said it was
unfortunate that the government had not taken up the
issue seriously and no senior Akali-BJP leader had
reacted to the incident. |
Shiv Sena threatens to gherao
Mayor AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) President Raman Pehalwan has threatened to gherao the Mayor, Mr Subhash Chander, in case the latter did not take steps to keep the city clean. In a meeting held here
today, Mr Raman said the sewerages in city were choked
with garbage and no consistent efforts were being made by
the Mayor to improve the situation. Mr Sanjeev Kumar,
General Secretary and Mr Satish Kumar, District
Vice-President and several activists of the Shiv Sena
were present. |
Arrest culprits, demands Cong PATIALA, Jan 17 — The District Congress Committee (Urban) today warned that it would adopt an agitational approach if the district administration did not book the culprits responsible for desecrating the statue of Mahatama Gandhi at Rajindra Tank here by January 30. In a statement here, the
DCC (Urban) President, Mr Ved Prakash Gupta, said the
party had submitted a memorandum to the Deputy
Commissioner on January 3 to protest against the
desecration of the statue on January 1. He said the
administration had assured the delegation that the
culprits would be held soon but nothing had happened till
now. |
Wetlands on verge of extinction FAZILKA: The fate of three natural wetlands here remains uncertain in the absence of any mechanism to save them from extinction. Despite the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) recommendations on saving the wetlands by implementing long-term conservation measures the state government has not yet swung into action. The three wetlands — Jhangar, Badha and Ganj Bakhash, near here — are among the 32 natural wetlands in the state. These are now on the verge of extinction, mainly due to the development process that has transformed these sites into dry farmlands. For instance, Jhangar wetland near the Nirmal Checkpost on the international border has been substantially claimed by the local farmers. Although some birds arrive here around this time every year, their number is now declining due to changing ecological conditions. "Not much variety of birds can be seen now", an aged farmer of Nuran village, Khushal Singh, said. Karnail Singh, a professional fish poacher, laments that his business has been adversely affected on account of the declining species inside water. "We earlier used to refer to it as Chappan (a beating site in local parlance), when the water level was much higher", he recalled. Even the PSCST report warns that the conservation of these wetlands is essential. Ganj Bakhash is a wetland located at the Sadiqi checkpost near Pakha Chisti village. Interestingly, the site has now shrunk into a small lake, where a few ducks can be seen. No other bird was seen when this correspondent visited the lake, that falls beyond the border fencing. A Border Security Force (BSF) official observed that this could be on account of the movement of civilians, who come here to watch the ceremonial retreat between two countries. Badha wetland appears to be the worst hit, as it has no sign of natural water. Senior residents recall that Badha remained an attraction for hunters till the late 60s due to the arrival of migratory birds at a vast lake there. However, the area has now been transformed into agricultural fields, while a part of it has been converted into a fish farming pond. A veteran resident pointed out that the lake had dried up during the late 60s on account of changing ground conditions. An earlier proposal to beautify the lake and make it into a tourist spot has also been put into cold storage, largely due to paucity of funds, an official pointed out. However, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, assured of all efforts to retrieve these sites as the natural habitats of migratory birds. Sources in the PSCST,
however, suggest ways and means to engage the local
farmers in evolving a mechanism to save the three
wetlands. They suggest that the farmers should be given
subsidy to implement conservation measures in the areas
where the lakes can still be saved from extinction. |
Engineers back UPSEB employees ROPAR, Jan 17 — About 200 engineers of Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant held a rally here today in protest against the action of the Uttar Pradesh Government regarding the splitting of the UP State Electricity Board into three separate corporate entities. Mr Charanjit Singh, Secretary of the PSEB Engineers Association describing the action of the UP Government as a step towards the privatisation of the power sector said the engineers appealed to the public to oppose the nefarious designs of the politicians and bureaucrats. He said the engineers had also resolved to take any step under the guidance of the Northern India Power Engineers Federation. Meanwhile, the Association of Junior Engineers (Civil) of the Punjab State Electricity Board, condemning the splitting of the UPSEB has urged the UP Government to withdraw the notification issued in this regard. Mr Rajinder Saini, State General Secretary of the association, said the UP Government should invite representatives of the agitators to resolve the issue. He also demanded that the National Security Act should immediately be withdrawn and the arrested leaders should be released without any delay. He also cautioned the Centre to initiate steps to resolve the issue otherwise the northern grid might trip at any time. BATHINDA: The PSEB Engineers Association today expressed its solidarity with the members of the UP State Electricity Board Engineers Association who had been on strike for the past four days against the UP Government decision to privatise the department. CHANDIGARH: The PSEB Engineers Association has opposed privatisation of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Board. A meeting of the association was held here today, according to Mr V.K. Gupta, Regional Secretary of the association. Mr Gupta said the UP Government had divided the state board in three corporations under pressure from the World Bank. All thermal power stations had been handed over to the UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam and all hydel power projects to the UP Jal Vidyut Nigam, and the remaining part to the UP Power Corporation. He said since 1991 no power plant was sanctioned in UP resulting into acute power shortage there. Further, Unchhahar power station in UP was transferred to the NTPC to write off dues. The association has
urged state governments to make power boards viable and
not to resort to privatisation. |
BBMB gears up to face power crisis NANGAL, Jan 17 — The BBMB authorities have alerted its staff in the wake of strike by employees of the UP State Electricity Board. The authorities said they were constantly monitoring the situation. The sources said the precautionary measures had been taken contemplating a higher load on the northern grid due to decline in power generation in UP. If the load on the grid increases beyond the generation capacity in the northern region it could lead to failure of the northern grid. At present the Bhakra
unit is generating power between 220 and 210 lakh units
against it’s capacity of about 660 lakh units per
day. The authorities said that they were capable of
generating extra electricity but they were not sure that
the system in UP was fit for receiving extra electricity. |
Mehra, Majumder given genetics
award AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — The Prof Gurdip Singh Randhawa Oration award in human genetics was given to Prof N.K. Mehra, from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and Prof Partha P. Majumder from the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, at Guru Nanak Dev University here today. Dr H.S. Soch, presented the award. Dr J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, was the chief guest. Almost 6000 diseases and disorders were either genetically controlled or have a genetic pre-disposition, he said. There was hardly any sphere of medicine which has not been influenced by genetics. Almost every disease was now being traced to genes or manifestations controlled by genes. He further informed that the research being undertaken to decipher the whole genome under the human genome project was likely to develop new ways to treat, cure and prevent the recurrence of gene-controlled diseases. The outcome of this project was going to promote molecular medicine, gene-based pharmaceutical products and sensitive diagnostic tests. Dr Gujral congratulated the Centre for Genetic Disorders of Guru Nanak Dev University for identifying the gene responsible for congenital cataract. Prof Partha P Majumder, recipient of the 1997 award, spoke on "anthropology and genomics some recent results and future prospects." Prof Majumder spoke about reconstructing with genetic markes the origin and evolution of the various population groups of India. The prevailing view on global human evolution was that modern humans evolved in Africa and moved out in waves about a 100,000 years ago to other regions. One of the earliest waves reached India. He provided evidence that the Austro-Asiatic speaking populations of India were the closest representatives of these early migrants from Africa. He also provided evidence in support of an ancient demographic expansion within India. Subsequent to which there was migration from India to the South-East Asia. Using Y-chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA evidence, he showed that the female genetic lineage of Indian populations is quite homogeneous. But the male genetic lineage is quite structured. These findings were explained on the basis of some dominant social customs of marriage and marital migration. Prof N.K. Mehra, recipient of the oration award for year 1996, spoke on "perspectives in immunogenetics and transplantation immunology", Prof Mehra dwelt on the role of transplantation. He also highlighted the role of HLA (human leuccyte antegene) and susceptibility to various diseases. He highlighted the importance of transplant immunology and informed about the "Asian Indian Donor Marrow Registry" which has been established at Delhi to help the patients needing transplants. Prof Dr Jai Rup Singh,
coordinator, Centre for Genetic Disorders, in his welcome
address informed that this award which was instituted in
1990 by Guru Nanak Dev University is open to all
researchers. in human genetics. |
Kukas’ sacrifices recalled MALERKOTLA, Jan 17 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, today sought the blessings of the Namdhari Guru, Baba Jagjit Singh. Participating in the 129th state-level shaheedi conference in memory of 66 Kukas (Namdharis) who were gunned down by the British in this town, the Chief Minister said the sacrifices of the Namdharis were unparalleled in the history of the world. Thousands of Namdhari men and women in spotless white had gathered at the sprawling lawns of the Kuka memorial raised in honour of the Kukas, who were killed by the British on this day in 1872. Leaders of other political parties, including the Congress, were also present on this occasion along with religious leaders of different faiths. Paying tributes to the Namdhari martyrs, Mr Badal announced that the government would publish a book on the Kuka martyrs. Mr Badal announced grant for the Kuka memorial. Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also paid floral tributes to the Kuka martyrs. Baba Jagjit Singh, head of the Namdhari sect, called for the unity of all people. The Chief Minister also
handed over a draft of Rs 45 lakh for the development of
the town to the president of the local municipal council.
|
Drive to remove encroachments FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 17 — A drive has been launched to remove encroachments in the district, Mr V.K. Janjua, Deputy Commissioner said presiding over a meeting of district officials here today. He said encroachments would be removed from panchayat and shamlat lands. The sub-divisional magistrates have been directed to initiate campaigns in their respective areas. Meanwhile, several social organisations of Sirhind in letters to the Chief Minister and various officials, including the Deputy Commissioner, have complained that a councillor of Sirhind had encroached upon the prime land in Sirhind in spite of the court orders in favour of the council. They demanded action by the council, including resumption of the control on the land. Mr V.K. Janjua told
reporters that 30 per cent old age and widow pensions
have been found bogus. The District Social Security
Officer has been directed to stop the disbursement of
pensions and recover the amounts advanced. |
Dharna by SC, BC employees NAWANSHAHR, Jan 17 — The Gazetted and Non-gazetted SC/BC Employees Welfare Federation, Punjab, organised a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today. The federation also took out a protest march in the town. Addressing the employees, state president of the federation Jasbir Singh Pal said the reservation was the constitutional right of the Dalits. The reservation on the basis of the caste should be continued as long as caste system prevailed in the country, he pleaded. He criticised certain SAD-BJP ministers and legislators for ‘instigating’ general category employees by addressing their rallies. The federation also
submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. |
School board fined Rs 15,000 PATHANKOT, Jan 17 — Mr K.K. Kareer, Additional Civil Judge (Senior division), here has imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, in a civil suit filed by a student Sanjeev Ghai. The student in his complaint stated that he appeared in the Board’s plus one annual examinations as a private candidate in April, 1991. The Board declared the plus one results on July, 1991. But, his result was shown in the result later category in the board’s official gazette. The student however, requested the board to declare his result but it was withheld without assigning any reason. Thus, the student filed a civil suit against the board. After hearing arguments
of both parties, the Judge observed that the board was at
fault as the student had lost one year and his career too
was affected. |
AVRC set to be reactivated PATIALA, Jan 17 — The Audio Visual Research Centre (AVRC) in Punjabi University here, which has not been functioning for nearly two years now, is set to be reactivated with the university authorities getting the go-ahead from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to produce documentary films for it for one year. The AVRC will now produce tele-films for the UGC distant education scheme, which will target graduates as well as produce films which can be exploited commercially. In the first phase of the scheme, the AVRC will produce one documentary for the UGC Understanding Anger, and two other telefilms on Punjabi culture, which will be marketed commercially. To use maximum facilities available with the university, the help of the Fine Arts, Theatre and Television and Music Department will be taken in the making of the films. Jalandhar producer Harjit Singh has also been hired by the university on a contract basis for the project. University Vice-Chancellor Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, while speaking to TNS, said a meeting of heads of the Fine Arts, Music, Theatre and Television Departments and the AVRC had been held a few days back in which it was decided to complete the first three films planned by the university by March 31. AVRC Director Gurcharan Singh Arshi will look after the UGC film, which Mrs Sunita Dhir of the Theatre and Television Department will coordinate for films which are to be marketed commercially. Giving details of the project, Dr Ahluwalia said while planning for the first project was at an advanced stage, the two commercial films would portray the history and culture of Punjab from the Dravidian civilisation to the national freedom struggle encompassing the Gupta age, the Medieval times and the Bhakti movement and Gurus. He said both films would either be sold to Doordarshan or would be telecast after getting sponsorship. Giving details of the understanding achieved with the UGC, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had given the UGC a definite three-year programme of the subjects it wanted to portray on film. He said while distant education would be at the top of the list, the culture of Punjab would also be given importance. He said two subjects on distant education, which would be taken up, included decoding of chromosome-21 and covering the phenomenon of meteriorite showers. The Vice-Chancellor said the Centre had been reactivated after the university took up the need for the same with the UGC which had stopped giving it any funds after a hot exchange of words between the two nearly two years back. AVRC Department Director
G.S. Arshi, when contacted, said the centre hoped to
produce around 24 telefilms in one year. |
Sewing school for poor opened PATIALA, Jan 17 — The Lions Club Patiala Central has opened a sewing school at Basti Daru Kutta for poor girls and widows. Smt Shakuntla Devi, Lions Free Sewing School was inaugurated by Mr Paramjit Kohli, District Governor, District 321-F. Club Secretary B.C. Sethi said one such school was already being run by the club at Community Centre, Tripuri, for the past 10 years in which more than 500 poor women and widows had been trained in sewing, embroidery and painting. The club also organised
a family welfare camp at Civil Dispensary, Sanaur,
yesterday in which every beneficiary was given five steel
utensils. Another such camp will be organised on January
20 at the same venue. |
MC drive to make Patiala
clean PATIALA, Jan 17 — The Municipal Corporation has launched a special sanitation drive in some areas of the city which could not be properly cleaned due to varied reasons. The drive, which began on Saturday, would continue for more than a month, said Mr J.S. Punia, in charge of sanitation. He said if needed, it would be extended further. The MC would undertake such drives every few months to keep the city clean. The city has been divided into five zones, each under one sanitary inspector supported by 25 safai sewaks. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. the safai sewaks would clean the earmarked zone daily. Mr Punia said that today areas around Dharampura Bazaar, Rajpura Colony and the Nullah near it were taken up. On January 18, the drive would take place in selected areas of Desi Mehmandari, Jatan Wala Chautran, Shaheed Kuldip Singh Marg, Hira Nagar, Thikriwallah Statue to Aviation Club, Tellian Muhallha and the area around Kalgidhar Gurdwara. On January 19, it would take place at Factory Area, Sumania Gate, Chhoti Baradari, Ajit Nagar and around Lady Fatima School. On January 20, the areas would be Hira Nagar, Arorian Colony, near Dukhniwaran Sahib Gurdwara, Nabha Gate and colonies inside Baradari. On January 21, the drive would be undertaken at main bazaar near Nabha Gate, Bahera Road, Nihalbagh, Bank Colony and Gobind Nagar near Sirhind road. On January 22, the drive
would concenterate around Gandhi statue, near Rajindra
Hospital, Balmiki Colony, Tripuri and areas behind Kali
Devi Temple. |
Blankets, clothes distributed PATIALA, Jan 17 — The Ayurvedic and Unani Sabha, the Tarna Dal Punjab and the All-India Sant Samaj celebrated the 124th birth anniversary of Sant Harnam Singh Quile Wale by distributing blankets and clothes among needy persons, here today. Mr Gurbhajan Singh
Sanyasi said in a press note that at a function held at
Sanyasi Ashram, Ragho Majra, a number of citizens and
mediapersons, including Jaspal Singh Dhillon and Raju
Timriharan, were also honoured. He said participants
condemned killing of cows in the country and gave a call
to close down all butcher shops. |
175th Sarvhitkari school
opened PATIALA, Jan 17 — The 175th Sarvhitkari school — Bundela Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir — to be run by the Sarvhitkari Educational Society, Chandigarh, a unit of the All-India Vidyabharti was inaugurated by Mandi Gobindgarh Furnace Association President Mohinder Gupta yesterday. Mr Surinder Atri,
Organising Secretary of the Punjab unit, said admission
would be open for nursery only. |
Baba told to join
investigations ROPAR, Jan 17 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr Maghar Khan, today directed Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala, head of Dharam Kala Asthan in Dhamana village, about 10 km from here, to join the investigation in the case registered against him by the Nurpur Bedi police under Sections 342, 365, 506, 323, 148 and 149 of the IPC. The Public Prosecutor for the State has said the Baba had not joined the investigation so far. The Sessions Judge has also further stayed the arrest of the Baba till January 24. He has also directed the Public Prosecutor to produce the investigation officer on the next date of hearing that is January 24 to state as to whether the Baba has joined the investigation or not. The case was registered
against the Baba on a complaint filed by Mr Kamaljit
Singh, a medical practitioner of Bains village that he
was beaten up by the Baba, his security guards and his
driver. |
Four remanded in police
custody PATHANKOT, Jan 17 — Mr K.K. Kareer, Subdivisional Judicial Magistrate, here today remanded Ram Lubhaya, his sons Pawan and Suman and his brother Subhash in police custody till tomorrow. Earlier, the four were
arrested under Sections 452, 420, 406, 323 and 34, IPC,
on a complaint lodged by Kailash Kaur and her husband
Surjan Singh. The complainants had alleged that Ram
Lubhaya had sold four shops to them for Rs 7 lakh. Later
on Ram Lubhaya allegedly took possession of three shops
forcibly and attempted to grab the fourth shop also. The
accused threatened to liquidate the complainants if the
shops were not vacated by them. |
Liquor vendor murdered JALANDHAR, Jan 17 — A liquor vendor was stabbed to death by three miscreants at Mehsampur village under the Noormahal police station last night. According to the police, the miscreants, all in their early 20’s, purchased liquor from the shop around 8.30 p.m. When Pyare Lal, a vendor, demanded the money they allegedly stabbed him with sharp-edged weapon. He died on the spot. A case under Sections
302 and 34 of the IPC has been registered. |
‘White gold’ regains
glitter BATHINDA, Jan 17 — Farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have got the much needed relief as the prices of cotton have started showing upward trend. The prices of "white gold", which were keeping low since the beginning of the current cotton season in October, started picking up during the past week. At present the price of narma variety range between Rs 1575 to Rs 1875 per quintal and the desi variety is being sold at Rs 1300-1400 per quintal. The farmers were earlier selling their produce at much lower prices in various markets of the region as the demand for domestic cotton was very low. The cotton traders and textile mills were preferring to import cotton as its rates were cheaper than the rates of cotton available in the domestic market. Trade sources said the farmers had to suffer heavy losses amounting to crores of rupees in the current season due to low prices. The demand for domestic cotton was low as the Centre had allowed textile mills to import their requirements. The sources said in the past one and half year, nearly 10 lakh bales of cotton had been imported by the traders and textile mill owners and it led to sharp fall in the prices of domestic cotton in the markets. At one time the growers had to sell their crop at lower prices than the minimum support price of Rs 1575 per quintal. The sources pointed out that the central government, which remained indifferent to the repeated pleas of the farmers for banning the import of cotton, took the decision of banning its import when the farmers of the region had already sold more than 17 lakh bales of cotton out of estimated production of 27 lakh bales in the current season at the rates fixed by local purchasers. The central government had issued an order banning the import of cotton from Pakistan last week. Pakistan was the main suppliers of the cotton to the textile mills of India at cheaper prices. Mr Ashok Kapoor, Director, export panel, Northern India Cotton Association, said the prices of cotton in domestic markets were also keeping low due to negligible purchase by Markfed and the CCI. He pointed out that import of cotton and negligible purchase by the government agencies left the growers at the mercy of traders who bought their produce at the prices which were "most suited" to them. Mr Kattar Singh Jeeda, president, North India Cotton Growers Association, alleged that the central government always "played with" the economic interests of the farmers by favouring the textile mill owners by deliberately allowing them to import cotton when the production was sufficient in the country to meet its requirements. He said during the past five years the cotton growers had suffered heavy losses due to attack by American bollworm and other diseases on cotton plants as the state government had failed to take adequate steps to prevent the attacks. He demanded that the
central government should compensate those farmers who
had to sell their crops at low prices in the current
season. He added that the central government should
formulate a permanent cotton policy to watch the economic
interests of the growers. |
Gas agencies for Punjab
villages PHAGWARA, Jan 17 — The Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Punjab, Mr Sohan Singh Thandal, said here today that gas agencies would be allotted on priority to villages having focal points. He was talking to a group of newsmen after a civic reception accorded to him by wellknown people of this area here on his being inducted into the Punjab Cabinet. The minister also announced that ration cards of pending applicants would be made, and the public distribution system further streamlined. Kerosene per ration card had been increased from six litres to 11 litres in villages and from 11 litres to 14 litres in cities, he added. On the current strike by
rice-sheller owners, the minister claimed that moisture
rate had been raised from one per cent to two per cent
and 95 kg bag would also continue along with 50 kg bags. |
ST on karyana items reduced SAS NAGAR, Jan 17 — The Punjab Government will reduce sales tax on karyana items, shoes and aluminium untensils. This was stated by the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, in a chat with reporters after the inauguration of the oil conservation fortnight here today. While the tax on karyana items has been reduced from 8 per cent to 4 per cent, the sales tax on shoes, which earlier varied from 8 to 12 per cent, will now be 4 per cent. There will now be no tax on the aluminium utensils, he said, adding that the notification in this regard would be issued soon. Reacting to expulsion of
four party MLAs, the minister said he was away to Delhi
and did not have the details. Since it was a party
decision it will be respected, he added. |
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