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| Wednesday, January 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Calendar row turns vicious Controversy blamed on CM Plea filed against Bibi Jagir Kaur BKI plan to strike on R-Day foiled
SAD ‘show’ in Ravi
Inder’s bastion Darshan Ram files nomination |
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| Sant Samaj to aid SAD nominee JALANDHAR, Jan 25 — The Gurbani Gurmat Sidhant Pracharak Sant Samaj headed by Baba Kashmira Singh has decided to support Mr Jatinder Singh Kariha, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) candidate from the Nawanshahr Assembly constituency.
Honoured for action in Congo BKU warns against cheating farmers GND varsity to honour Hans Raj
Hans Der aaye, par drust aaye Harrowing time for Army hopefuls Teachers flay new exam rules District admn building opened Lump-sum ST payment option for
Punjab halwais MP grants aid to blast victims Call for better road management 7 hurt in bus mishap Music programme by jail inmates
Burnt to death by sister Man held with RDX, arms Action recommended against doctor Minor gang-raped Antiques stolen from house Dowry death alleged Cover-up alleged in taxi case
NABARD to give funds for Dasmesh
canal
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Calendar
row turns vicious CHANDIGARH, Jan 25— The Akali Dal President and the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, least expected the sudden unprecedented ex-communication of Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC. This is the first time that the Takht chief, Giani Puran Singh irked by the actions of the SGPC chief regarding Nanakshahi calendar ordered her ex-communication and also summoning of the entire SGPC executive at Akal Takht. This is the first time in the 75-years-old history that an SGPC president has been summoned like this. Mr Badal who was in Delhi and told about the latest crisis hitting this religio-political party and the SGPC, immediately rushed by road to Amritsar. With the Nawanshahr Assembly byelection just three weeks away, this could cast its dark shadow on the trend of that poll, Akali leaders here conceded. Akali circles also described both Bibi Jagir Kaur and Giani Puran Singh, Akal Takht chief who replaced Bhai Ranjit Singh after Mr Badal ousted Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra from the presidentship of the SGPC, the main gurdwara management body, as not much wise. “We had expected some such thing. We had told Mr Badal when Giani Puran Singh was chosen to head Akal Takht. He is least concerned with the ‘maryaada’ and is not consulting chiefs of other takhts on this vital issue of the introduction of the new calendar,” a senior Akali leader here said. He did not wish to be quoted as he too could be summoned. Mr Badal, according to Akali circles, was not happy with the SGPC chief whom he had personally chosen. She should not have introduced the new calendar without building up a consensus. At one level, the SGPC executive approved the new calendar and even published it, but withheld its circulation. The Punjab Government too went by it without giving much thought. The calendar controversy and the way it has been handled and now the ex-communication of the SGPC president must gladden the hearts of all those Akali leaders who are opposed to Mr Badal, particularly Mr Tohra who knew how to handle even tough Akal Takht chief like Bhai Ranjit Singh. They would soon be jumping into the fray, making it more tough for Mr Badal to find a solution. If it was that an SGPC president has been ex-communicated in this fashion, it is also rare for Akal Takht chief to rescind his decision regarding ex-communication. This decision was faxed from Guna in Madhya Pradesh. After this order, Bibi Jagir Kaur cannot remain the president of the SGPC even for a day. Bibi Jagir Kaur also knew the opinion of Giani Puran Singh and how touchy he was, yet she went ahead. And then she set rumours that, well, the Takht chief could be removed as was done in case of Bhai Ranjit Singh. After all he is not superior to the elected body like the SGPC and its president. Giani Puran Singh who was in Madhya Pradesh struck straight and hard. It would indeed require
a great deal of skill for Mr Badal to sort out the
post-calendar issue and make Giani Puran Singh accept an
apology and end the matter. This is the only course open
to Bibi Jagir Kaur. But the big question is will Giani
Puran Singh accept that. |
Controversy
blamed on CM AMRITSAR, Jan 25 — Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, has blamed the Punjab Chief Minister and SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal for on-going Nanakshai calendar controversy “as he has been systematically working for lowering the “man maryada of this supreme authority of Sikhs”. Talking to newsmen here yesterday Bhai Ranjit Singh described the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh, as “sarkari Jathedar” and said he was being used both by the government and the pro-Badal Sant Samaj faction “he is not free to take decisions concerning Sikhs.” His latest stand on the calendar issue, restraining the 11-member committee, had damaged even the Sikh tradition of Panj Piaras since he had taken the decision on his own without consulting the other four Jathedars. Making an appeal to the
Sikh masses to ignore the directives of Giani Puran
Singh, the former Jathedar said such directives were in
violation of Sikh traditions. He was of the view that
both the seven-member committee and the subsequent
11-member committee, which were entrusted with the task
of resolving the calendar issue, were against the Sikh
“maryada” as the Akal Takht Jathedar was
capable of tackling this issue with the help of other
Jathedars. |
Plea filed
against Bibi Jagir Kaur AMRITSAR, Jan 25 —Mr Satpal Singh Wadali, senior vice-president, Sarb Hind Youth Akali Dal today filed a petition before the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission against Bibi Jagir Kaur, President Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee for “misusing” SGPC funds at the World Religious Conference at South Africa by taking her two daughters and brother-in-law along. In his petition, Mr Wadali said “the respondents be ordered to be removed and declared to be unqualified and unfit to be members of SGPC/executive of Shiromani Committee/ gurdwaras and SGPC services”. The petition was filed under Section 142 of Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 regarding acts of “malfeasance, breach of trust, neglect of duty, abuse of power by the president and secretary SGPC and misusing the funds of SGPC and holy Darbar Sahib by the information officer, assistant secretary of Shiromani Committee and manager Darbar Sahib.” The commission, comprising of Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, Mr Amrik Singh Randhawa and Mr Ajwant Singh Mann — fixed hearing of the case for January 27. As per the petition, Bibi Jagir Kaur gave ‘oral directions’ to the Assistant Secretary, SGPC that a sum of Rs five lakh be sent by demand draft/bank draft from the religious fund account of the SGPC with Punjab and Sind Bank, Amritsar for purchase of air tickets and other expenditure for the religious conference. Bibi Jagir Kaur allegedly directed that the amount be sent to her at room number 13 at Punjab House, New Delhi through the information officer of the SGPC. The petitioner mentioned the relevant office order of December 3, 1999. The petitioner said that the secretary, SGPC, sanctioned Rs 5 lakh from the religious accounts fund even though it was not “permissible under the law”. Another sum of Rs 5 lakh was allegedly transferred from the bank account of the Sri Darbar Sahib through a transfer voucher number 153 dated December 15 to the account of the information officer for the use of Bibi Jagir Kaur. The petitioner claimed the money was withdrawn without “lawful sanction” and without the permission of the executive committee of the SGPC. The petitioner said Bibi Jagir Kaur’s taking her daughters and brother-in-law to South Africa “was not only unethical and against all norms of propriety but also against the law”? Mr Wadala, in his petition, said that since the expenditure was inconsistent with the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act. The judicial commission pass a decree directing the respondents to deposit Rs 10 lakh with the SGPC along with interest of 18 per cent per annum from the date of withdrawal till the time of deposit. However, Dr Gurbachan
Singh Bachan, talking to TNS, said the funds were not
misused and the petition was filed to gain
‘political mileage’. He claimed that Bibi Jagir
Kaur took her daughters and brother-in-law to South
Africa at her own expense. He said, he and other members
of the SGPC were dropped from the list of delegates to
ensure that the SGPC was not ‘burdened
unnecessarily’. Bibi Jagir Kaur took three other
SGPC members, Mr H.S. Gill, Mr Raghujit Singh and Major
Jeewan Singh Bhandal along and travelled in “economy
class”. However, she returned by first class at the
request of the “sangat” of South Africa. |
BKI plan
to strike on R-Day foiled AMRITSAR, Jan 25 — Two activists of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) were arrested from the Batala border area yesterday. The DGP, Mr Sarabjeet Singh, briefing newsmen here today said that the arrested terrorists Balbir Singh, a resident of Bachiwind and Kabul Singh, a resident of Chack village, were imparted extensive training in the handling of weapons and explosives in Pakistan and had been motivated by their mentors to carry out subversive activists especially on Republic Day. Besides 5 kg each of RDX and PETN the recovery from the terrorists, included two AK-47 Chinese rifles with 4 magazines and 115 cartridges, one .30 bore Mouser with magazine and cartridges, four hand grenades, six pencil bombs, three timers, seven fuses, fuse wire, detonator batteries, lighters and one wireless set and Rs 5000 in cash. The DGP said the two were travelling in a vehicle in the Batala Sadar area when they were nabbed. Their interrogation revealed that Balbir Singh had assumed a new name as Bagicha Singh after his initiation into the terrorist cadre through Didar Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, who had met him at Kartarpur last year. Balbir Singh was taken to Pakistan and introduced to top BKI leaders Wadhawa Singh and Mehal Singh. Balbir Singh stayed in Pakistan for over three months and was motivated to establish an operation base in the border areas of Punjab. During his stay in Pakistan, Balbir Singh also met several top terrorist leaders like Paramjit Singh Panjwar, chief of the KCF, Ranjit Singh Neeta, chief of the KZF, Parshotam Singh, who is wanted in Beant Singh Assassination case, Lakha Singh Haryana and a number of other activists. The DGP said that both Balbir Singh and Kabul Singh were imparted extensive training in the handling of explosives and making improvised explosive devices. The training was imparted by ISI agents and mercenaries whose chief was “Khan Afgani”. The training was imparted as per a well-defined and disciplined schedule which started from early morning till evening. The group was introduced and familiarised with various types of explosives like RDX, PETN. The training was interspersed with pro-Khalistani and anti-Indian lectures. The training was similar to which was imparted to Manjit Singh and Amrik Singh who were sent to India as “human bombs” and were arrested by the police from the Tarn Taran and Batala areas, respectively. The interrogation of the terrorists revealed the involvement of the BKI in smuggling of fake Indian currency and narcotics. They said a large number of fake Indian currency notes were kept in the house of Wadhawa Singh at Lahore. Before returning to India the terrorists were given several code-words to be used in telephonic conversion with their masters in Pakistan. Balbir Singh was given a contact number of one ‘Pehalwan’ in Germany and was told to contact Wadhawa Singh through this contact number. He was given money and was escorted to India by two ISI agents and crossed the border through the Jammu and Kashmir area. After returning to India, Balbir Singh started operating independently in making fresh recruitments for the outfit, in this process he met some Pakistani fundamentalists in Delhi where he received fresh directions. Strategy to recruit fresh members and selection of vulnerable targets to carry out acts of sabotage were also discussed. Balbir Singh visited Pakistan again twice. The second trip was in September and October and he was accompanied by Kabul Singh, a woman and two other youths. Kabul Singh returned to India in November and he too was escorted by ISI agents. Balbir Singh, however, went to Pakistan again for the third time and returned around January 15, the DGP said. Answering a question he said latest reports suggested that the BKI and the KCF-Panjwar groups were working for the revival of terrorism in Punjab as they were under pressure from their Pakistani masters. The targets assigned to the terrorists included the killings of VVIPs, VIPs and senior functionaries of the government and the area of operation being Punjab and Delhi. The DGP ruled out any political pressure on the police in dealing with terrorists and other anti-national elements. Meanwhile, the father of Kabul Singh, Gurnam Singh who was present outside the venue of the news conference, contested the claim of the police that his son was arrested from the Batala area. He alleged that Kabul
Singh was lifted from his house in Chack village located
on the Indo-Pak border on January 20 and his whereabouts
were not disclosed. |
SAD ‘show’ in Ravi
Inder’s bastion MORINDA, Jan 25 — To show its strength in the political base of Mr Ravi Inder Singh, a suspended SAD leader — MLA, the SAD leadership in collaboration with the Sarpanch Association of the Morinda block organised a ‘sanman samaroh’ at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj here today and honoured Union Urban Employment Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, and Punjab Printing and Stationery Minister, Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu. They were honoured with a memento and a ‘siropa’ on behalf of the Sarpanch Association of the Morinda block, the Municipal Council, and Capt M.P. Singh, a Vice-President of the Ropar district unit of the SAD. Citations were read in honour of the two. Talking to newsmen before the function Mr Dhindsa indicated that the holding of the ‘sanman samaroh’ in Mr Ravi Inder Singh’s constituency was not a show of strength. Despite the denial by Mr Dhindsa, a spokesperson for the Sarpanch Association claimed that about 55 sarpanches out of 73 of this block, were with them to honour Mr Dhindsa and Mrs Sandhu, both SAD leaders. Besides this a number of SAD leaders were also present at the samaroh. This gave an impression that it was an SAD function. BJP leaders were also present. The SAD and BJP leaders included Jathedar Pritam Singh Sallomajra and Jathedar K.S. Chanarthal, presidents of the SAD units of Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, respectively; Mr Surinder Sood, district president of the BJP; Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, a member of the SGPC; Mr Paramjit Singh Lakhewal, an office-bearer of the SAD; and Capt M.P. Singh, a vice-president of the SAD unit of Ropar district. Answering a question Mr Dhindsa said there was no move to have a compromise with Mr Ravi Inder Singh at this juncture. However, anything could happen in politics, he added. Mr Dhindsa said the SAD would welcome all those parties and individuals who would oppose the Congress in the Nawanshahr byelection. The doors of the SAD were open for this he added. All inter-state issues relating to Haryana would be settled after Assembly elections in Haryana as the BJP would be a ruling partner in the state, Mr Dhindsa said. Addressing the gathering, Mr Dhindsa said the SAD had always fought for the cause of the Sikhs and the issues of Punjab. He cautioned the gathering against the designs of the anti-SAD forces, who wanted to tarnish the hard earned peace. He said his ministry had drawn up schemes for Punjab worth Rs 3000 crore and HUDCO would give loan for these schemes. He said sewerage, water supply, roads and modern bus stand would be provided in the state. HUDCO would give Rs 200 crore for the setting up of ‘Anandgarh Sahib’ he added. The Union Petroleum Ministry had decided to give gas agencies and petrol stations to the families of martyrs of the Kargil conflict. He asked the three ministers of this district to take up the matter of creating a sub-division at Morinda or Chamkaur Sahib. Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu asked the Union Minister to take initiative for the development of Chamkaur Sahib and Morinda in view of the 300th martyrdom anniversary of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh in 2004. Earlier, Mr Sukhdev
Singh Dhindsa and Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu, paid obeisance
at Gurdwara Kotwali Sahib here. Mr Dhindsa also
inaugurated a block of six rooms built at the second
storey of the government primary school in the gurdwara
complex. |
Darshan
Ram files nomination CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — Mr Darshan Ram filed his nomination papers as the Bhujan Samaj Party candidate for the February 17 Nawanshahr Assembly byelection in Punjab, on the second day of submission of papers today. No nominations were filed for the byelection yesterday. The nominations will close on January 31. The scrutiny will take place on February 1 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 3. The byelection has been
necessitated due to the resignation of the Congress
legislator, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, following his
election to the Lok Sabha from Hoshiarpur in October last
year. |
Sant Samaj
to aid SAD nominee JALANDHAR, Jan 25 — The Gurbani Gurmat Sidhant Pracharak Sant Samaj headed by Baba Kashmira Singh has decided to support Mr Jatinder Singh Kariha, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) candidate from the Nawanshahr Assembly constituency. In a statement issued yesterday, Baba Kashmira Singh said the Sant Samaj had been supporting the SAD and would continue to do so. He said the Sant Samaj would ensure Mr Kariha’s victory. Meanwhile, the Gurmat
Sidhant Parcharak Sant Samaj headed by Baba Sarbjot Singh
Bedi denied that is was hobnobbing with the BJP and
holding secret meetings to topple Badal Government. The
Baba said the BJP had never been fair to the minorities
and was even trying to “establish” people of
other states in Punjab. He said the Sant Samaj was not
ready to substitute the Badal Government with any of the
BJP’s agents. |
Honoured for action in Congo BATHINDA: On December 5, 1961, the 3/1 Gorkha Rifles was ordered to clear a roadblock established by rebels at a strategic roundabout at Elizabethville in Congo (Africa). As Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria with two sections of Gurkhas and two Swedish armoured personnel carriers approached the roundabout, they came under heavy automatic and small-arms fire. Capt Salaria led a charge with bayonets, khukris and grenades supported by a rocket launcher. In this gallant engagement, he killed 40 of the enemy and knocked out two armoured cars. Though mortally wounded, his gallant action ensured success of the battalion's action at the roundabout and prevented encirclement of the UN headquarters at Elizabethville. This account is a summary of the gallant act done by Capt Salaria, whose bust was unveiled by Major-Gen C.S. Panag in the Bathinda military station on the occasion of Army Day. The late Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria was awarded the nation's highest gallantry award — Param Vir Chakra — posthumously for his act of gallantry and bravery on the battlefield during operation at Elizabethville while securing them as a part of the United Nations peace keeping contingent. The chowk was named
Salaria Chowk to honour the brave son of India who made
the supreme sacrifice for the honour of nation. The
unveiling ceremony was attended by large number of
people. Top Army officers (both serving and retired) and
civil dignitaries laid a wreath in memory of those who
laid down their lives in the service of nation. |
BKU warns
against cheating farmers SAMRALA, Jan 25 — Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, General Secretary of the BKU today condemned the Punjab Government for cheating the farmers by not paying to them Rs 120 crore received from the Centre against the paddy stock damaged in the rice shellers two years ago due to rain. Mr Rajewal said the government had assessed the loss of more than Rs 1,000 crore worth of paddy in the grain markets lying for the sale, but it only demanded a compensation of Rs 700 crore. The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, had agreed to pay Rs 300 crore as compensation. The state government received Rs 120 crore from the Centre, but withheld the amount and was going to settle arbitration cases of rice millers with the same amount. He condemned the government for imposing Sales Tax on fertilisers, pesticides, weedicides, agricultural machinery, tyres and petroleum products. He said farmers were
under debt and are unable to bear the burden. He warned
the government that if the amount of Rs 120 crore was not
disbursed amongst the farmers. If it fails to withdraw
the Sales Tax on all agricultural products, farmers would
boycott the Nawanshahr by-election. |
GND
varsity to honour Hans Raj Hans AMRITSAR, Jan 25 — After Washington State University granted fellowship to Hans Raj Hans for singing sufi kaav and carrying forward the mantle of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Guru Nanak Dev University has decided to honour the 36-year-old singer with a gold medal. The honour would be conferred on him at the annual convocation by the Union Human Resources and Development Minister, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, on February 12. The sufi kaav singer would be the first Punjabi singer to be awarded a gold medal and made honorary visiting professor to preserve and promote sufiism. Earlier the singer performed at a local school on the invitation of SPICMACAY. Hans, hails from Jalandhar, said he belonged to a gharana of musicians. He had learnt sufiana kalaam from Ustad Puran Shah Koti and stayed at the sufi durbar of Murad Shah for years to learn music. “Even wearing sufi ‘pehrava’ (dress) and following sufi customs and rituals,” he added. The singer has jumped on
to the pop bandwagon with his top of the charts number
‘Jhanjhar’, “Jawab Nahi Koi Uska’,
said he did not want to limit his singing to sufiism.
“I want to break man-made borders with my singing.
Sufiana kalaam remains my first love, no matter what I
sing.” said Hans Raj. |
Der
aaye, par drust aaye PATIALA, Jan 25 — Der aaye, par drust Aaye was the response of many relatives of martyrs of Army personnel as they received badges of sacrifices at a simple yet solemn function held at the local Army formation headquarters. “I was one-year-old when my father was martyred at the border in Nepha during the 1962 Chinese aggression”, said Dilbagh Singh an assistant of the Panjab University, Chandigarh. My mother and other relatives brought me up but my desire to be compensated by being given a job for the sacrifice of my father was never fulfilled . Though I built up a large file I could not get any job being a dependent of an ex-service-men who had died for the country. However, today I feel at least the Army is recognising the sacrifice of my father by giving us this badge of sacrifice. Der aaye par drust aaye”, he adds. Widows , fathers and mothers of martyrs belonging to the Samana, Rajpura and Patiala subdivisions whose relatives died in the 1947, 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars and the counter-insurgency operations had stoic expressions and brimming eyes as they received their badges from Brigade Commander D.S. Sandhu today. While most like Dilbagh were happy at the recognition given to them, some were still disappointed at not being able to get their due. Gurmeet Kaur, widow of Gopal Singh, who died in the 1971 conflict, related how she was yet to get possession of ten acres of land allotted to her in Jodhsinghwala village in Amritsar district. Brig Sandhu assured her that he would take up her case with the Army authorities and try to get her possession of her land at the earliest. Gurmeet had another problem. Her son Charanjit Singh who is 25 years old is without a job. Charanjit says he has been registered with an employment exchange since long but could not find a job till now. Other families of martyrs are awaiting the Rs 50,000 announced for each family by the Central Government. While some have received letters starting the procedure whereby they will get the money, others were seen enquiring about the letters. District Sainik Welfare Deputy Director Capt M.S. Dhindsa said the district office had traced 34 families out of the 69 entitled to the badge of sacrifice . He said badges to the families of those who had been martyred recently would be given at their residence once they were received from the Army Headquarters. Among the martyr
families were relatives of late sepoy Pritam Singh of
Four Sikh and late Grenadiers Gurbax Singh of Four
Grenadiers who laid down their lives while fighting
Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 operations for which
both had been awarded Vir Chakras posthumously. |
Teachers
flay new exam rules MALERKOTLA, Jan 25 — The Gazetted School Officers Association, Punjab has condemned recent decisions of the Punjab Education Department on "Sikhia Karmi Scheme", conduct of house tests of the sixth to tenth standard and annual tests for the sixth, seventh and eighth standard, appointment of ex-servicemen as incharges of flying squads for the annual examinations of March, 2000 and to not appoint centre controllers. Mr Joginder Singh
Aulakh, state president said that he also demanded end to
the convention of declaring holidays in schools
frequently and the use of school teachers for
non-educational tasks. |
District
admn building opened JALANDHAR, Jan 25 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen JFR Jacob, has expressed concern over lack of educational and other facilities in the rural areas of the State. The Governor, who was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new district administration building here today, said though villages were the backbone of the economy of the State, yet, these have been ignored as far as basic infrastructure was concerned. He said educational institutions were crying for the attention of the State government. In addition to this, there was lack of drinking water and civic amenities in rural areas, he added. General Jacob suggested that the State government should focus its attention on the all-round development of the rural areas. Emphasis should be laid on the development of sports talent in rural areas. General Jacob said possibility of setting up of the single-window clearance system should be explored so as to reduce difficulties of people in government offices. Among those who spoke
were Punjab Ministers Bibi Upinderjit Kaur, Mr Sewaks
Singh Sekhwan, Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka and Mr Ranjit
Singh Balian. |
Lump-sum
ST payment option for Punjab halwais CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — The Punjab Government has promulgated an ordinance, namely “Punjab General Sales Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000”, amending certain provisions of the Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948, today in respect of levy of tax on halwai and bakery products in the state. Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Excise and Taxation Department, Punjab, said the dealers of halwai and bakery products had been given the option to pay lump-sum tax, in lieu of actual tax leviable, on the basis of the number of persons employed by them. The rate of tax has been fixed in three slabs of Rs 100,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 8,000 per annum, respectively, for the three categories i.e. more than 20, between 10 and 20, and below 10 employees and such a tax is be leviable with effect from April 1,1999. The gross turnover for
liability of registration of the dealers of halwai and
bakery products under the Act has been fixed at one lakh
rupees under the new provision, he added. |
MP grants
aid to blast victims BATHINDA, Jan 25 — Mr Bhan Singh Bhora, MP, yesterday granted Rs 10000 each from his discretionary funds to two residents of Aggarwal Colony who a were injured in a bomb blast in a junk shop a few days ago. One of them had lost his leg and the other his eye in the mishap. He also attended the
bhog ceremony of six persons killed in the blast. |
Call for
better road management AMRITSAR, Jan 25 — The Indo-German Orthopaedic Foundation will focus on stricter implementation of guide lines to prevent road accidents through concerted efforts of different agencies involved in it. The Organising Secretary of the foundation, Dr Shivinder Singh Sandhu, in a press note issued here yesterday said a recent survey had shown that an alarming rate of casualties took place on the G.T. road stretch from Jalandhar to Amritsar in the past few years. Dr Sandhu added that more than 10 casualties were reported every week. He said that Punjab with the highest density of vehicles had made urban planning go haywire. Calling for better road management, he said that the bad condition of roads, drunk driving had increased the rate of fatal accidents. The foundation would
hold a two day conference from January 26. The meeting
would be inaugurated by Professor Emeritus, Dr
I.C.Pathak. |
7 hurt in
bus mishap ROPAR, Jan 25 — Seven persons, including a girl child, were injured when a mini bus in which they were travelling fell into the Sirhind canal near new bus stand here last night. According to information, the mini bus (Tata 407) fell into the canal when its driver lost control after the vehicle was hit by a truck. The mini bus was coming from Mehatpur Ladhni village near Balachaur and was bound for Delhi airport. They were leaving for Sydney. They were discharged after treatment at the local Civil Hospital. The Ropar police has
registered a case under sections 279, 337 and 427 of the
IPC. |
Harrowing
time for Army hopefuls PATIALA, Jan 25 — Youngsters wishing to join the Army from nine districts of the state had a harrowing time here today as they had to undergo physical fitness tests in biting cold weather and continuous drizzle. The recruiting ground in the cantonment saw hopefuls running in near slush in many parts of the ground as they tried to outdo each other in the one mile fitness test. They were all stripped down to their shorts in biting cold . While there were no injuries despite the slippery ground , the conditions proved to a real test of the determination of the candidates to join the Army. Besides running a one mile race the candidates went through a physical check-up as well as measurement of their height and weight. The recruitment drive brought the eagerness of the candidates to join the Army to the fore. Candidates came up to the recruiting officer whenever they had any doubt about the manner in which they were found ineligible. A few candidates who said they had been rejected on height grounds were remeasured and their height was found to be less. The recruitment staff did a commendable job despite the adverse conditions . The recruiting officer
disclosed that recruitment was taking place under the
Jalandhar zone Army selection . He said the recruitment
was for Ramdasis and mazhbis of nine districts today . He
said the entire process was being conducted in a
transparent manner with every candidate eligible to clear
any doubts as to why he had not been selected. |
Music
programme by jail inmates PATIALA, Jan 25 — Some inmates in the Central Jail here today joined a programme of music, dance and drama, organised by the National Theatre Arts Society (NTAs). The programme, presented on a stage built in the open space between a temple and a gurdwara on the jail premises, enthralled about 2000 persons, including 1400 prisoners. The chief guest, Mr G.S.
Sidhu, Superintendent, Central Jail, Patiala, applauded
the effort for social reform through theatre and made an
appeal to Pran Sabharwal, Director, NTAs, to organise a
prisoners’ theatre workshop in the jail to produce a
play, involving the jail’s talent. |
Burnt to death by sister BARNALA, Jan 25 — Kuldeep Kaur a young bride, was allegedly burnt to death by her husband Jagdev Singh, father-in-law Gurbachan Singh and elder sister Manjit Kaur on January 22 at Ramnagar Channa village of this police district. Interestingly, Kuldeep Kaur’s father cremated her without informing the police at Ghanaurikalan village. Mr Ishwar Singh, SSP, said both Manjeet Kaur and Kuldeep Kaur were married in the same house to two real brothers. Manjeet Kaur had arranged the marriage of her younger sister Kuldeep Kaur with her brother-in-law, Jagdev Singh, about 11 months ago. He said after the marriage, Kuldeep Kaur was harassed by her husband Jagdev Singh, father-in-law, Gurbachan Singh and her elder sister Manjeet Kaur for not doing household chores. On January 22, Manjeet Kaur had a fight with Kuldeep Kaur. At this the Gurbachan Singh poured kerosene on Kuldeep Kaur and Manjeet Kaur set her on fire. Earlier, on January 21, Jagdev Singh, husband of the deceased had tried to strangle his wife. Kuldeep Kaur, who was in flames, raised the alarm and certain villagers, who tried to save her, got her admitted to Civil Hospital, at Sherpur. As the condition of Kuldeep Kaur deteriorated, her father decided to shift her to Government Rajindra Hospital at Patiala, Kuldeep Kaur died on way to Patiala. The father of Kuldeep Kaur took the dead body to his village Ghanaurikalan and cremated her so that his elder daughter, Manjeet Kaur could be saved. The SSP said the police had registered a case against the three accused under Sections 307, 34, and 120-B for attempt to murder Kuldeep Kaur. Later, the offence was converted to murder when Kuldeep Kaur died. He added that father of
Kuldeep Kaur would also be booked under Section 201 of
the IPC for destroying the evidence in the murder case.
The three accused had been arrested, he added. |
Man held
with RDX, arms PATHANKOT, Jan 25 — The Pathankot police has arrested Sarup Singh of Mahmoodpur village under the Explosive Act and Arms Act. He was detained at a police naka and a pistol, 7 bullets, four detonators, two hand grenades, a timer battery and a huge quantity of RDX was recovered from him. On interrogation he admitted to bringing the explosives from a contact across the border, Sanju Mohammad. The consignment was to be distributed to Punjab terrorist groups. He was produced before Mr Karnail Singh, Judicial Magistrate, First Class Pathankot and remanded to judicial custody. Sarup Singh is an
associate of Wadhawa Singh of the Babbar Khalsa who is
based in Pakistan. |
Action
recommended against doctor FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 25 — The Deputy Commissioner, Mr V.K. Janjiua today recommended to Principal Secretary, health, immediate action against Dr M.L. Matto of the local Civil Hospital for preparing a false MLR in connivance with an ASI. Mr Satnam Singh, sarpanch of Brass village had complained that Mr M.L. Matto of the Civil Hospital had made a false MLR on which an FIR against him was registered. The sarpanch complained that Dharm Paul of the village had abused the sarpanch and members of Panchayat for ordering earth work on a road. The sarpanch reported the matter to the police. When Dharm Paul came to know that a report had been lodged against him, he got himself admitted to the Civil Hospital, Fatehgarh Sahib, and a false MLR was prepared by Dr Matto and on the basis of which the FIR was registered against the sarpanch. He said on the basis of that complaint he ordered the civil surgeon to re-examine Dharm Paul and also marked an inquiry to the ADC. The ADC in his report held that the FIR against the sarpanch was not registered as per the facts. Dr Tarsem Lal Matto and the ASI had connived in getting the case registered. Dharm Paul did not appeared before the board, even after being summoned thrice. The statements of the ASI and Dharm Paul were also found to be contradictory by the ADC. The Deputy
Commissioner said he has also written to the SSP to take
strict action against the ASI for his role in the
registration of the false case. |
Minor
gang-raped LUDHIANA, Jan 25 — A case of assault and gang-rape of a 13-year-old girl of Jawaddi village, allegedly by two persons, has been reported in the Model Town police station. According to the FIR registered under Sections 363, 366, 376, 343, 342, and 506 of the IPC, the girl was returning home from school around 11.15 a.m. on January 22, when she was abducted by Raja and Jassi. She is a class VIII student of a local government school. The girl was allegedly taken to a vacant house in Vikas Nagar by the two youth and repeatedly assaulted and raped. She was later let off near Jawaddi. When contacted, the SHO,
Model Town, police station, Mr Jaswinder Singh, said a
massive manhunt had been launched to nab Raja and Jassi.
He said that while Raja was doing his graduation through
correspondence, Jassi, was a taxi driver. |
Antiques
stolen from house KAPURTHALA, Jan 25 — Two swords of World War-II era and a silver crown of German origin were stolen from the house of Brig (retd) Sukhjit Singh, a former ruler of the state. The house is situated on the bank of the Kanjli, 4 km from here. According to the FIR lodged with the police, four persons entered his house on January 23 after climbing its outer wall. They tied, Sunder, a ward of the house and entered the room where the antiques were kept. They smashed the door glass as it failed to open. Brigadier, was awakened by the noise and raised an alarm. However, the thieves slipped away with two swords, a surya patra and a German made silver crown. The Brigadier reported
the matter to the police. A case has been registered
under Sections 379 and 452 of the IPC. Dowry death alleged AMRITSAR, Jan 25— Members of various women organisations have demanded a CBI probe into the brutal killing of a young bride by her husband and in-laws last month. The PPCC general secretary, who spearheaded a campaign against the murder, said 18 year-old Palka, married to Kaushal Mahajan in November last year, fell victim to dowry within a month. Mrs Poonam Khanna, the victim’s mother said she was informed about the death of Palka while she was in Delhi on December 26. Mrs Khanna pointed out that she and her other relatives were allowed to see Palka’s body only after they raised a hue and cry. The right side of her face was found crushed and there were scratches on her body and broken legs. Palka’s husband and his parents alleged that Palka had fallen from a bus near Pathankot and later died in hospital. But there were conflicting versions by Palka’s in-laws which made her suspect that Palka was actually killed and her death was made out to look like an accident. Mrs Khanna alleged that Palka’s husband hurriedly cremated her body in spite of their protest and pleadings. A large group of women
later met senior police officers here and demanded the
registration of a murder case against Palka’s
husband and his family. Cover-up alleged in taxi case AMRITSAR, Jan 25 — Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a local taxi driver. Sukhdev Singh alias Sukha, drove the Sumo of Mr Harinder Singh as a taxi. The taxi was booked by one Mr Amrit Singh over the phone for 10-12 days to go to Hazoor Sahib. Amrit, accompanied by another man, two women and a child were last seen when they boarded the taxi on November 15, 1999. Since then the driver has been missing although the two women were spotted some days later. They were apprehended after the father reported the matter to the police. However, the inspector at B division let the women off without interrogation, according to the driver’s father and the taxi owner, Harinder. They claimed the two women were let off following the intervention of a powerful minister in the Badal Cabinet. They said the women could have provided vital clues to the whereabouts of Sukhdev Singh. There has been an increase in the incidence of taxi thefts with at least 3 cases being reported in the media. Sources say these could
be part of a greater plan to disrupt Republic Day
celebrations. |
NABARD to give funds for Dasmesh
canal CHANDIGARH, Jan 25 — The National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development has agreed to provide funds for the construction of the Dasmesh canal. The canal has been proposed to provide water for irrigation and drinking purpose to the barren belt in Patiala, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. Areas along the Shivalik foothills and near Chandigarh are to be fed by the canal, which is expected to terminate near Lalru in Patiala districts. Besides, the NABARD authorities have agreed to provide funds to set up a cold store chain in the state to promote the export of vegetables and other perishable commodities. An assurance to provide funds by NABARD has been given to a special team of senior Punjab officers which held a meeting with the bank's chairman in Mumbai. "The team was led by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister. Capt Kanwaljit Singh told TNS today that various agriculture projects were discussed with the NABARD chief and he agreed to provide funds in the next annual plan, which will start from April 1, for two major projects. Other members of the team were Mr K.R. Lakhanpal, Finance Secretary, and Mr C. Roul, Special Secretary, Finance, and two Chief Engineers. As much as Rs 300 crore is required for the canal. In the absence of proper irrigation facilities, a major portion of Patiala, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib area along the Shivalik foot hills is barren. The Farming community depends on rain to grow crops. Drinking water is also a major problem in this belt. In fact due lack of irrigation facilities, this belt has remained underdeveloped. A special team of the Reserve Bank of India will visit Punjab next month. Team members will interact with senior officers of the Punjab Finance ministry and Treasury. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said he had met the RBI Governor, Mr Bimal Jalan, in Mumbai to request him to sent an RBI team to Punjab for interaction with state officers as regards financial issues. The RBI has a special cell to provide guidance to the states with regard to financial management. The Punjab Finance
Minister said modern financial management was different
from the previous one. "We want to update the
knowledge of all concerned in the state's finance
department in this connection."s |
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