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| Thursday, February 10, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Jethuke tense on bhog eve Tactful retreat by Jagir Kaur? Oust Akal Takht Jathedar: forums PPCC-CM row hots up Kehar Singh is board chief again |
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NRI tenant restored house
possession Idle domestic market ‘cause
of ills’ |
Cong for observers at Nawanshahr RSS “a social
organisation” Walkout over MC election
Plot allotted through forgery Panel formed to oppose Anandgarh Need to develop cultural values
Holiday in Ludhiana
Mob manhandles officer ASI suspended Charge against police 1 dies in mishap
Varsity’s interim Registrar
likely Students want more teachers Shifting lab to college kicks up
row
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Jethuke tense on bhog eve JETHUKE (Bathinda), Feb 9 — To prevent any untoward incident during tomorrow’s bhog ceremony here of two Dalit youths, allegedly killed in police firing on January 31, policemen in hundreds were deployed by the district authorities in this village today. Official sources said that policemen from Faridkot and Mansa districts had been summoned by the district police authorities to make fool-proof arrangements for the bhog ceremony, which would be attended by leaders of various political parties and human rights organisations, apart from BKU (Ekta) activists. The villagers alleged that the police had also occupied that particular site where the bhog ceremony was to be held. The village had been converted into a police cantonment to prevent people from attending the function, they alleged. Mr Mithu Singh, father of the deceased Gurmeet Singh, said that his family wanted to hold the bhog ceremony in an open space and added that the panchayat was being contacted in this regard. On the other hand, Mr Narinder Jit, President, Lok Morcha, Punjab, in a press note issued here alleged that policemen were not allowing any resident of the village, who was injured in the alleged police firing, to go outside for their medico-legal examination and to approach the courts. He added that the Lok Morcha had written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to send a special inquiry team to probe the alleged-firing on innocent villagers, who were protesting against the overcharging of fare by mini bus operators. Mr Isht Pal Singh Khialiwal, General Secretary, Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), and Mr Narinder Jit had demanded a probe by a sitting judge of the high court or the CBI into the matter. On the other hand, Mr Balwant Singh, President, Yuva Lok Tantar Morcha, Punjab, in a press note issued here today alleged that the fact-firing team of the morcha had found that BKU (Ekta) activists had pressurised the Scheduled Caste women and men to stage a dharna along with them on the rail line and threatened that otherwise they would not be allowed to enter their fields. He alleged that agitators attacked the police first and if the police did not resort to firing on that day, a large number of policemen would have died in the attack. Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, General Secretary, DCC warned that if the policemen interfered in any way in the bhog ceremony of two victims of police firing, Congress would court arrest. Mr H.S. Sandhu, SDM, Rampuraphul, said nobody would be prevented from attending the bhog ceremony. He claimed that villagers were willing to hold the bhog ceremony at the site of the purchase centre of the Punjab Marketing Board but they did not apply for formal permission. He pointed out that villagers had also not taken permission for holding any assembly despite the fact that prohibitory orders were in force in the district. Mr Bhan Singh Bhora, MP, and Mr Hardev Singh Arshi, Leader of the CPI in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, alleged that by occupying the site of the bhog ceremony, the police was offering provocation to the villagers, who were already agitated over the January 31 police action. They added that if any untoward incident took place there tomorrow, the police authorities would be held responsible for it. Mr Mohinder Kumar, Station House Officer, Rampuraphul, when asked that the telephones of some residents had been disconnected, allegedly by the police, denied the allegations and added that some anti-social elements were trying to create a problem for the police. He added that policemen
were taking all preventive measures. |
Jethuke firing: AFDR holds police guilty AMRITSAR, Feb 9 (UNI) — The January 31 firing in Bathinda district was a deliberate act on the part of the police to terrorise Bharatiya Kisan Union activists who had launched a campaign against forcible recovery of loans from farmers of the Malwa belt by the government, according to a social rights organisation here. The Association for Democratic Rights (AFDR), which looked into the situation preceding and following the police firing at Jethuke village, claimed that over-charging of fares by private transporters in the area was only an “immediate cause” for the incident which left two BKU leaders dead. Despite holding negotiations with BKU leaders, the Bathinda district administration took no steps to check over-charging of bus fares, a fact-finding team of the AFDR noted. The report, submitted by Dr Praminder Singh, a local lecturer who headed the team, maintained that four Kisan leaders were detained by the police of Gill Kalan village “without any provocation.” This led to a spontaneous ‘dharna’ by the villagers on the railway tracks, the report added. The report said the police initially used tear gas to disperse the villagers who were sitting on a ‘dharna’ on the rail track. They later opened fire from behind the protesters even as they had agreed to leave the tracks, it added. “The police went berserk. This is clear from the fact that Gurmit Singh, a dalit youth, was not killed at the site of the dharna but in Jethuke village and close to his house,” the report noted, adding that the deceased had not participated in the stir but was “returning home after his daily work” when he was killed by a police bullet. The report further claimed that after killing Gurmit Singh and another youth of the village, the police sealed off the entire village and forced the residents to cremate the bodies only the next day. That the firing was not duly ordered was amply clear from the fact that no competent civil officer or magistrate was present in the village on that particular day, the report added. The report demanded an
immediate registration of a criminal case against the
police officers responsible for the firing which killed
two persons and injured several others. |
Tactful retreat by Jagir
Kaur? CHANDIGARH, Feb 9 — Is Bibi Jagir Kaur, excommunicated president of the SGPC, playing cool politics or is there some deeper meaning to her decision to go into retreat to a secluded place. Since she carries a mobile phone, her whereabouts are known to senior Akali leaders and intelligence officers. But not many have attempted to talk to her except the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and some of his close aides, Akali sources here said. During her retreat some emissaries of Mr Badal had met her in Ludhiana district and urged her to pay heed to what Mr Badal had told her during a long meeting. These leaders have found her adamant. She was sticking to her earlier stand that she was not guilty. One meaning which many Akalis read into her so-called retreat that she was keen to avoid any embarrassment to the Chief Minister and the Akali Dal till the Nawanshahr byelection is over on February 17. It is pointed out that Bibi Jagir Kaur had taken a hard position despite Mr Badal making big efforts to persuade her to present herself before the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Puran Singh. She felt that she has been wronged and the ‘hukamnama’ issued by the Takht Jathedar from Guna in Madhya Pradesh was against ‘maryada’ and Sikh traditions. The jathedar should have consulted the other four members of the Sikh clergy and issued a ‘hukamnama’ summoning her before Akal Takht. There is no way that he could straightaway issue an edict, excommunicating her from the Sikh Panth. And, now everyone wants her to present herself meekly, seek pardon and accept any punishment that the Takht chief chooses to award her. This is not acceptable. The other view is that Bibi Jagir Kaur has realised that she has been badly cornered and no one from the Akali Dal or the SGPC would stand by her. So in order to buy time and escape from any harsh punishment, she chose to go into ‘ekantwas’. She issued a highly emotional statement. While stating that she was going into retreat for introspection at the same time she threatened to come out at an appropriate time and present before Sikhs her programme. As the SGPC is the custodian of the Sikh faith and its followers, she would defend that. Mr Badal and his advisers have read some meaning into her statement that she might cause further embarrassment to the Akali Dal and the Chief Minister. So some leaders met her at her retreat. Bibi Jagir Kaur has, however, denied any such meeting. A statement issued by deputy secretary of the SGPC, Mr Kirpal Singh, here today said: “Bibi Jagir Kaur has not met anyone, including persons from the media. Reports are not based on facts. It is also wrong to say that she had closed-door meeting with some important personality (read Mr Badal) in Gurdwara Panjoana Sahib in Lame Jatpura village near Jagraon’’. But a sant of the gurdwara, Balbir Singh, had admitted that Bibi Jagir Kaur was there in that gurdwara. To queer the pitch, for the excommunicated Bibi Jagir Kaur, Giani Puran Singh has claimed that before taking the action from Guna he had not only talked to Mr Badal, but also to the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh and a Rajya Sabha member, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder. This meant that they were taken into confidence, and then he excommunicated her. This must have, indeed, hurt her the most. This is also clear that once Bibi Jagir Kaur has undergone punishment and she is readmitted into the Sikh fold, Mr Badal would not like to retain her in that sensitive and important post. Already supporters of Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, have started lobbying for him. Akali sources assert that Bibi Jagir Kaur is totally isolated and there is no support for her even in the Political Affairs Committee. It is her lose language and poor administrative qualities which are causing concern to Mr Badal and other leaders. In fact many are now using not so charitable language for her. Akali leaders are keen on seeing that she does get any support from the sants. All in all, this new
headache for Mr Badal would not end without causing more
damage to him and the ruling Akali Dal. |
Resignation of Jagir Kaur
sought JALANDHAR, Feb 9 — Mr Sukh Pal Singh Khaira, Secretary of the PPCC, has demanded the resignation of Bibi Jagir Kaur from the presidentship of the SGPC and asked her to surrender before Akal Takht. In a statement here yesterday, he alleged that the recent announcement of “ekant waas” by the ex-communicated SGPC president was nothing but a gimmick and a ploy to mislead the sangat. Instead of submitting to the authority of Akal Takht, she had been constantly trying to challenge the edict issued by the Jathedar. She was not only
arrogant but was also lying to the sangat on this issue,
he said. |
Oust Akal Takht Jathedar:
forums AMRITSAR, Feb 9 — Certain national and international Sikh organisations have launched a tirade to seek removal of the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh, for excommunicating the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur. The organisations which have voiced this demand include the Khalsa Tercentennial Foundation, Berkeley, USA, Sahebzada Fateh Singh Study Circle, Amritsar, Miri-Piri Khalsa Sewak Sabha, Akalpur Ki Fauj, Anandpur Sahib and Sri Akal Sahai Society (registered). The statements of these organisations were released to the Press here by the SGPC. The Khalsa Tercentennial Foundation in a fax message to the SGPC president has praised her for her stand and said that it was time for the SGPC to remove Giani Puran Singh. The chief of the foundation, Mr Hardev Singh Shergill, alleged that Giani Puran Singh was part of the group that was determined to destroy Sikh community. The foundation claimed that it was a terrible mistake on the part of the SGPC to have allowed Bhai Ranjit Singh to get away with “excesses”. Now Giani Puran Singh was on the same course. The foundation suggested to the SGPC to stop using terms like high priests and sants as “Sikhism has no priests nor any bodily sant. We have only one sant and that is Sri Guru Granth Sahib”. The Sahebzada Fateh Singh Study Circle expressed concern over the ongoing crisis in the Sikh Panth and alleged that this was the result of the interference of organisations like the RSS and anti-Sikh forces in the Sikh Panth. The society called upon Sikhs to make efforts for the restoration of Sikh ‘maryada’. The Miri-Piri Khalsa
Sewak Sabha has asked the Jathedar to reconsider his
actions as they had harmed the Sikh traditions. |
Unpleasant incident at
Akal Takht chief’s house AMRITSAR, Feb 9 — Two youths today made an attempt to “misbehave” with Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht at his official residence here. They reportedly questioned the issuance of the “hukamnama” (edict). The two youths Charanjit Singh and Surinder Singh entered the residence of Giani Puran Singh on the pretext of conveying “some important message” to the Akal Takht Jathedar. However, on meeting the Jathedar, the youths started questioning Giani Puran Singh the reasons for issuing “hukamnama” which had been questioned by a section of Sikh masses. When they tried to use “harsh words” with Giani Puran Singh, his bodyguards started beating them up. They then were handed over to the B division police station. Mr Parampal Singh Sidhu, district police chief, however, denied that the youths tried to assault Giani Puran Singh, he, however, confirmed that they entered the residence of Giani Puran Singh, he said Mr Naresh Arora, SP (City) has been deputed as inquiry officer to probe the incident. He said antecedents of the youths who hailed from Hoshiarpur district were being confirmed. The case would be registered on the basis of inquiry report only, he said. Talking to The Tribune, the two youths admitted that they sought the reasons for issuing the “hukamnama” whereby Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief was excommunicated from the Sikh Panth. They said they sought blessings of a sant of their village — Mona Kalan (Hoshiarpur) before going to the residence of Giani Puran Singh. They said the bodyguards of Giani Puran Singh had “unnecessarily beaten them”. However, the family
members of Giani Puran Singh are silent on the incident.
Meanwhile security at the residence of Giani Puran Singh
has been tightened and no unidentified person is being
allowed to enter. |
PPCC-CM row hots up JALANDHAR, Feb 9 (UNI) — The wordy duel between Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and PPCC President Amarinder Singh on corruption charges against each other intensified today with the latter announcing setting up of a “fact-gathering committee” to “collect information” about the charges he made. A five-member committee would gather facts on alleged deeds of corruption committed by Mr Badal, his family members, ministers, MLAs and Akali leaders, Capt Amarinder Singh told a press conference in Phagwara. The committee, headed by party MP Jagmeet Singh Brar with PPCC General Secretary Partap Singh Bajwa as its secretary, has been asked to submit its report next month. The Congress move comes at a time when the Chief Minister has slapped a defamation suit against Capt Amarinder Singh on a news report in which he claimed that Mr Badal and his family were involved in several corrupt activities. Capt Amarinder Singh, whose party is currently involved in a tough electoral battle against the ruling Akali Dal in the February 17 Nawanshahr byelection, said: “I have asked the party legal cell separately to prepare a reply to the defamation suit strangely filed by four Akali leaders and not Mr Badal himself against me.” He alleged that the Congress ministers and MLAs got 25 per cent cut for every Rs 1 lakh grant released to village panchayats during their party rule in the state. The Chief Minister had alleged that the Congress had immortalised politics by “their war of mean allegations” against him and his family members. Replying to Mr Badal’s charge that the Congress was threatening government officers in Nawanshahr, Capt Amarinder Singh admitted that he had indeed “warned Nawanshahr Senior Superintendent of Police to check his men from browbeating the Congress supporters and voters”. The PPCC chief said they had already named Nawanshahr DSP Satinder Singh on the charge of harassing Congressmen in their complaint to the Election Commission. He threatened to name a senior police officer if he did not desist from “browbeating” the partymen being allegedly picked up and produced before him by a team of four Sub-Inspectors who had been tasked to prepare list of “influential” Congressmen who could help tilt the electoral scale in favour of the ruling Akali party candidate. “Each Sub-Inspector is in charge of a zone in Nawanshahr Assembly constituency divided into four zones by the Akalis,” he pointed out. The Congress leader said the police officers must remember the fate of Superintendent of Police Jaskaran Singh who had allegedly gone out of his way to help the ruling Akali party in the November, 1998, Adampur Assembly election. Meanwhile, the Chief
Minister had denied that he had threatened any Nawanshahr
officer. He alleged that it was Capt Amarinder Singh who
had been threatening government officers. “Go and
ask Nawanshahr SSP,” he told reporters to verify his
charge. |
Attempt to defame
Amarinder: PYC LUDHIANA, Feb 9 — The legal cell of the Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) has decried the services of a legal notice on the PPCC president, Capt Amarinder Singh, for levelling corruption charges against the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. In a joint statement
issued to the press here yesterday, Mr Raminder Richi,
Vice-President of the PYC, and Mr Harpreet Sindhu, former
General Secretary of the cell, said it was an attempt to
defame Capt Amarinder Singh, especially when the
Nawanshahr byelection was round the corner and called it
a “mean act” of the Punjab Chief Minister and
his aides. |
Kehar Singh is board chief
again SAS NAGAR, Feb 9 — In a new development, Dr Kehar Singh today again joined as the Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). The way for his re-appointment was paved after the Punjab Government relaxed the eligibility condition for the post of Chairman of the board. According to the new conditions, the chairman should have served as principal of a college or head of department of a university for a period of not less than a year. Earlier, the eligibility period was five years. Meanwhile, the Punjab School Education Board (Non-teaching) Employees Association held a rally in support of its demands in the board premises here today. The union leaders lamented that the board authorities were not dealing with the examination forms of private candidates of Class XII. While the forms of the regular candidates had been processed, those of the private candidates were gathering dust. The union also hailed
the re-appointment of Dr Kehar Singh as the Chairman of
the board. |
NRI tenant restored house
possession CHANDIGARH, Feb 9 — Evicted by the landlord, bashed up by Nihangs and denied justice by the police, Mr Amarjit Singh, a Norway-based NRI today heaved a sigh of relief when the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Ropar police to restore to him possession of the ground floor of the house reoccupied by him. Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Iqbal Singh, who handed down this interim order, adjourned the petition filed by Mr Amarjit Singh to February 17. In his petition Mr Amarjit Singh had stated that he had been living in the house owned by Mr Joginder Singh at Mohali. He had been staying there with his daughter, a student of the local Government College. The landlord had asked his tenant to vacate the house. The tenant had told him that since his daughter was left with one year to complete her studies, he could be allowed to live there for that period. The landlord, however, disconnected power and water connections of the portion in which Mr Amarjit Singh lived. The tenant preferred a suit praying for injunction in a civil court which ordered temporary injunction in his favour. However, this order of the court was not complied with by the landlord. Mr Amarjit Singh alleged that on September 5, 1999, he was called by Nihangs of Harianbalewale and told him to leave the premises or "face the consequences". On September 6 the petitioner reported the matter to the police but no action was taken. He also sent a representation to the SSP who, too, did not pay any heed. On October 5, he was however, dispossessed of the premises by the Nihangs and his household items, including his Esteem car were retained. His servant, Mohan, was bashed up, packed in a jute bag, bundled in the car and dumped at a far-off place. The matter was again reported to the police but no action was taken. Later he filed a writ petition in the High Court. Plea for staying verdict withdrawn The High Court today allowed the Punjab Government to withdraw its application praying for staying the operation of the judgement quashing the appointment of Dr Kehar Singh as Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board. This order was handed down by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mrs Justice Bakshish Kaur. The appointment of Mr Kehar Singh was questioned by one Mr K.C. Sharma on the ground that the Punjab Education Act laid down that the minimum qualifications for the post of board chairman was that the candidate must have teaching experience of 20 years, including five years as head of department in any university. Dr Kehar
Singh did have the 20 years' teaching experience.
However, his experience as head of Political Science was
only for one and a half years. Therefore, he was not
eligible for appointment. Therefore, his appointment was
quashed. |
Idle domestic market
‘cause of ills’ CHANDIGARH, Feb 9 — A three-day conference on biotechnological strategies in agro processing envisaged to provide research leads in agro processing and suggest measures to fill in the gap areas for future research and development, scale up, commercialisation and promotion got underway here today. The conference, organised by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology will focus on "Emerging biotechnologies in agro processing" and "agriculture". In addition, two special sessions on ‘Financial back-up for entrepreneurship development in agro-processing' and 'Information technology back up for promotion and commercialisation of agro processing' have also been included. More than 200 eminent scientists technologists of national and international repute from research institutions/industry are attending the conference. In his welcoming address, the council's executive director, Mr N.S. Tiwana, said success depends upon the integration of modern and traditional tools besides proper planning, political will and public awareness. A report of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, revealed that most of the units in agro-processing sector worked only during the flush season of fruit and vegetables and closed down thereafter. This affected the optimum utilisation of investment made on industrial infrastructure. There was also lack of coordination between the processors and the farmers to supply the materials. The farmers provided it to the processors only in the absence of sale in the open market which affected adversely the agro-processing sector. There was also a need to develop cold storage chains and proper transportation systems. Besides this, industry experts say that the main reason for lack of dynamism in this industry was 'somewhat stagnant domestic market'. Consumption by defence services was at present, the major domestic market for processed foods in India, too was limited. Therefore scientists need to play a major role in terms of ensuring availability of raw materials of desired specifications for processing to meet demand for canned food, Mr Tiwana added. In his presidential address, Principal Secretary, Science, Technology, Mr Rajan Kashyap, said development had always been synonymous with advancement in science and technology and the progress of any country was associated with the extent to which technologically that country had advanced. There was a lot of potential in biotechnology in Punjab; one major thrust area selected by the council. While India was a major producer of primary foods in the world, the levels of processing and value addition were fairly low as compared to many other countries. Hence the future emphasis in agriculture would move from self-sufficiency, through subsidies and concessions, to small and marginal farmers towards prosperity of the nation through maximisation in agriculture by adopting the most advanced technologies agriculture has to be placed on a commercial footing. Both expansion and diversification were two components in any growing industry. Besides a good technology base supported by R and D were equally essential ingredients of industries looking forward for expansion and diversification in this sector. The Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, who inaugurated the conference on behalf of the Chief Minister, said agricultural development was crucial to India's overall progress and this could be achieved by intensifying the farm sector and allied activities as well as by diversification and commercialisation of agriculture. A strong and effective agro-processing sector could play a significant role in diversification of agricultural activities. This would lead to value addition of agricultural produce, increased job opportunities and create avenues for the export of surplus agro/food products. All efforts were being made to take benefit of technological advancements agro-processing to the users. Four low-cost nutrients as "food supplements," developed through biotechnological approaches, were released for school-going children by the Prime Minister in November, 1998. These food supplements provided more than 400 calories and cost less than Rs 5 a 100 gm packet, added Mr Mann. The agro or food processing sector has, however, not always found favourable consideration by the banks and financial institutions since it was rated as a high-risk prone area, where the gestation period was long and the returns relatively lesser. While the bank credit in the country has grown to more than Rs 3,00,000 crore, the processed food sector claims a meagre Rs 4,000 crore out of this amount. If loans given to the sugar industry were excluded, the share of the sector would be considerably lower. A cross-section of participants said the impact of modern biotechnology has added a new dimension to agro-processing. Across the board there were eco-friendly biotechnological inputs, namely, Biofertilisers, Biopesticides, Organically produced crops etc. The conference will
deliberate on agro/food processing — scope and
relevance to Punjab, problems faced by biotech ventures,
and much more. |
Cong for observers at Nawanshahr JALANDHAR, Feb 9 —In order to prevent the “misuse” of government machinery by the SAD-BJP combine in the Nawanshahr Assembly constituency, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), has urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to depute observers immediately. In a letter to the CEC Mr Sant Ram Singla, Vice President of the PPCC, has alleged that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was threatening the voters and it appeared that the whole secretariat had been shifted to Nawanshahr. Mr Singla alleged that Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, was touring the constituency along with officials of his department and was offering bounties to panches and sarpanches of the area. Mr Singla said he tried to contact the observer, but was told by the SDM’s office that the latter had not reached the constituency so far. Mr Singla said not most
of the public buildings and offices had been covered with
SAD-BJP flags and posters. He said in view of the
prevailing circumstances, observers should be deputed to
check the “violations” of the election code. |
Cong observer LUDHIANA, Feb 9 — Mr Rakesh Pandey, MLA, has been appointed “observer” for the Solan Vidhan Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh by the All-India Congress Committee. Ms Krishna Mohni is the
Congress candidate for this seat. Mr Rakesh Pandey today
proceeded to Solan for campaigning. |
RSS “a social
organisation” AMRITSAR, Feb 9 — The president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Punjab, Mr Tarun Chugh, yesterday lashed out at those who had dubbed the Rashtriya Swayam Sangh (RSS) a political outfit and harmful to the country’s secular character. In a statement here, Mr Chugh opined that the RSS “is purely a cultural and social” organisation meant to create “brotherly relations between different communities”. Supporting the contention of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that the RSS was a cultural and social organisation and had nothing to do with politics, he said it was “correct and reasonable”. Those who described the
RSS as a communal organisation of the Hindus were
misleading people, Mr Chugh said. |
Walkout over MC election FEROZEPORE, Feb 9 — The much-awaited election of the Senior Vice-President of the local Municipal Council sparked off a controversy, with at least 10 councillors today staging a walkout and blocking the Mall Road in protest against alleged irregularities during voting. Tension prevailed outside the council office this evening, when 10 councillors blocked traffic on the Mall Road, seeking re-election. They threatened self-immolation if the election of Kinder Hans as Senior Vice-President was not cancelled to pave the way for fresh polling. Terming the election as a ‘farce,’ one of the agitating councillors, Mr Ashok Gupta, claimed that cutting across party lines both the BJP and the Congress camps had resolved not to lift the blockade until fresh elections were held. He alleged that today’s election was held after two earlier postponements. However, Mr Aulakh denied the charge, saying, “They are frustrated with the election of Kinder Hans, who bagged 15 votes”. It is on their insistence that the election was held through secret ballot, he claimed . Mr Aulakh also admitted
that two BJP councillors were supporting the opposition
Congress. |
Plot allotted through forgery LUDHIANA, Feb 9 — Forgery in the allotment of a plot to a temporary employee of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation by violating the rules and the alleged subsequent attempts by the accused to prevent the lodging of a first information report, despite orders for the same being given by the state Chief Minister, has come to light. However, the FIR against the three prime accused in the case, Daljit Singh Saini, Landscape Officer, Ashok Kapoor and Ashok Kumar alias Avtar Singh has now been registered in the Kotwali police station nearly two and a half years after the case was first reported. According to the information available, accused Daljit Singh Saini, branch head of the MC’s Horticulture Department recommended the allotment of a plot measuring 100 square yards in Barewal near Ludhiana to one Ashok Kapoor on September 9, 1982, by verifying him as a confirmed and regular employee of the Municipal Corporation, when in fact he was temporarily employed as a supervisor and thus not eligible for this allotment benefit. In 1992, the Local Bodies Department had started a scheme for its regular and confirmed employees, wherein they were to be allotted a plot on easy instalments. Subsequently, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation asked for applications from its employees and through an order number 4041 dated 17-3-83 clarified 10 per cent of the total value of the plot could be recovered from the salary of the allottee from the month he was allotted a plot. Ashok Kapoor was allotted a plot on February 2, 1983 and he allegedly gave his first instalment of Rs 550 (10 per cent of the value of plot) vide G-8 receipt number 5458/1, the second instalment of Rs 100 vide G-8 receipt number 5512/5 on May 4, 1983 and the third instalment of Rs 100 on June 22, 1983 vide G-8 receipt number 5869/12. After this, no instalment was paid for six years and then on August 22, 1989, the balance amount of Rs 4750 was deposited vide receipt number 1922/41. After all instalments were paid by the allottee accused Daljit Singh Saini along with an aide Bachittar Singh attested that all instalments had been paid and handed over the registry of the plot to Ashok Kapoor. When this case was reported to the then Municipal Commissioner, Mr S.P. Singh, in 1995, he asked the head of the Horticulture Branch, Mr Sukhdev Singh Gill to inquire into the matter. Accused Daljit Singh Saini, meanwhile, had already been placed under suspension in another case of forgery. Mr Gill, in his report to the Commissioner mentioned that there had never been any permanent employee by the name of Ashok Kapoor in the branch and confirmed the forgery. Sources in the corporation inform that after this other departmental inquiries, were also conducted against Daljit Singh and allege that, he, through his political influence got himself exonerated and thus no action was taken against him. Meanwhile, an employee of the corporation gave two affidavits on August 8, 1998, alleging foul play by the accused — one to the local MLA Mr Satpal Gosain and another to the Vigilance Bureau here. The affidavit given to Mr Gosain was forwarded by him to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who in turn marked the same to the Crime Branch, Punjab. The crime branch, after investigation into the case gave its recommendation to the Chief Minister to register a case against Saini and Ashok Kapoor and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana was asked to register a case. The charges pressed by this MC employee against the accused to the Vigilance Bureau, too, were found correct. It had been alleged that it was one Avtar Singh son of Janak Singh of Hoshiarpur district, who was enrolled as a gardener in the MC in the name of Ashok Kumar, allegedly through the help of Daljit Singh Saini. Mr Gosain later sent another fax message to the Chief Minister and said that he did not want to proceed with his charges against the accused. In wake of this, the district attorney (legal), too, gave his opinion that the case need not be registered and a departmental inquiry against the accused be initiated. However, the ADGP
(crime), Mr S.V. Singh, in his letter dated 14.12.99
pulled up the local police and asked them to register a
case immediately. He observed.... it is not a case of
personal grievance of Mr Gosain against Daljit Singh
Saini,but he has raised two issues of public interest in
his complaint. After thorough inquiry by the SP (crime
branch) there is proof of forgery and a case be
registered. Subsequently a case under Section 419, 420 of
the IPC was registered on January 13. |
Panel formed to oppose
Anandgarh KHARAR, Feb 9 — Residents of 29 villages of Kharar tehsil, where the Punjab Government plans to set up the new city of Anandgarh at a meeting held in Mullanpur Garibdas village today formed the Anandgarh Hatao Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee. The committee passed a resolution opposing the new scheme of this city and resolved that the villagers would not allow the government to uproot them. According to a press note issued here this evening, the new committee has 300 members from all these villages and a working committee of 28 members had been formed. The following were elected the office-bearers of the new committee: President — Mr Karnail Singh Mullanpur; Vice-President — Mr Jagjivan Lal Tira; Secretary — Mr Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal; Cashier — Mr Gulshan Kumar Mullanpur; Joint Secretaries — Mr Baldev Singh Ferozepur and Mr Rishi Kumar of Mullanpur; Press Secretary — Mr Jagtar Singh Tira; and Publicity Secretaries — Mr Prem Singh Togan and Mr Naib Singh Mullanpur. Opposing the proposed
city rather, they reminded the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash
Singh Badal that in 1995 when the then government planned
to set up New Chandigarh, they opposed the plan and why
was the government now determined to set up this new
city. |
Need to develop cultural
values BATHINDA, Feb 9 — Mr K.C. Tandon, an eminent educationist, said today that the education system should be oriented to develop social and cultural values among the students. Mr Tandon, who was here to inaugurate a school, said the present system of education could not produce the desired results and creates in frustrations among the students. He said the students should be infused with so much confidence that they could easily compete with the students of the developed countries. While rejecting the
concept of corporal punishment, he said the students
should be groomed in such a way that education became
their first love. |
Casteless society
“vital” for progress BATHINDA, Feb 9 — Mr Ram Raj, chairman, All-India Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Organisation, yesterday said the birthday of Dr B.R. Ambedkar would be celebrated as “save Constitution day”. Addressing a press conference here, he said a rally would be held at Delhi on April 14 to press the central government to stop move to restructure the Constitution. He pointed out that the Constitution was strong enough, but it had not been implemented in letter and in spirit. He added that nobody would be allowed to make unjustified changes in the Constitution. Mr Ram Raj, who was here to address the rally organised by the local unit, said the country could progress only when there was a casteless society. He pointed out that according to the Constitution, 22.5 per cent of the jobs were reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but the quota was not being offered to people belonging to this section. Mr Jasbir Singh,
president, Punjab unit said the organisation would hold a
rally at Nawanshahr on February 13. |
Holiday in Ludhiana CHANDIGARH, Feb 9 — The Punjab Government has declared a local holiday in Ludhiana district tomorrow on account of the birthday of Satguru Ram Singh. According to a
notification issued here today, all the Punjab Government
offices, boards, corporations and educational
institutions within the jurisdiction of Ludhiana district
would remain closed. |
Mob manhandles officer PATIALA, Feb 9 — An angry mob today damaged the private car of an Additional District Transport Officer (ADTO) near the Sadar police station on the Patiala-Chandigarh road and blocked traffic for some time. The mob comprising around 200 persons, mainly members of the local transport union, also allegedly boxed and abused the ADTO and snatched and tore his challan book, district police chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu disclosed. According to the complaint registered by the police under Sections 353, 427, 341, 186, 323 and 389 of the IPC in the Kotwali police station, here, the mob turned turtle the car of ADTO Karanvir Singh Chhina in the evening. The complaint added that Mr Chhina was manhandled by the mob and his challan book snatched and torn. Mr Chhina said he had been given charge of Patiala district even though he was posted in Sangrur. He said he had been directed to conduct checking by the DTO today. The incident occurred when he put a naka near the Sadar police station. He said when he challaned a truck driver for using a pressure horn, the trucks owner Billu arrived at the spot and instigated a mob against him. Meanwhile, Mr Major
Singh, Manager of the Truck Union, Patiala, alleged the
ADTO was in the habit of cutting challans outside his
area of operations. The truck union had taken up the
matter with him, but he did not heed their pleas. |
One body, two claimants PATIALA, Feb 9 — The Rajpura police is in a quandary over the real identity of the dead body of a female cremated a few days back as two families have claimed the body to be of their missing daughters. Asha Rani, a 22-year-old daughter of Mr Bhagwan Dass, had been reported missing since January 29 and Sarbjeet Kaur (31), wife of Mr Maljit Singh of Pathri village, near Rajpura, had been disappearing since January 31. On February 6 the police recovered a female body from the Bhakra Canal near Mandauli village. Mr Jarnail Singh, father of Sarbjeet Kaur, identified the body to be that of his daughter. While the face was not totally recognisable, the clothes matched. Mr Jarnail Singh had in his complaint alleged that his daughter had been killed for dowry by her in-laws. After the recovery of the body the police registered a case against the in-laws of Sarbjeet Kaur under Section 304, IPC. The in-laws had also lodged a complaint of disappearance of Sarbjeet Kaur. They had said that she had gone out early morning for a walk and not returned. After registering a case and completing other formalities, including the post mortem, the body was cremated. Then the parents of the other missing girl, Asha Rani, turned up demanding they should have been shown the body. The police showed them the clothes of the deceased. Mr Bhagwan Dass said the dead body was that of his daughter as she wore clothes of the same colour. Asha had on January 29 gone to Sangrur. From there she had talked over the telephone to the owner of a computer centre in Rajpura in the afternoon. Nothing was heard of her after that. Mr Rajiv Ahir, ASP, when contacted, admitted that the case was a tricky one. He said the body had remained in water for a few days. It had disfigured and recognition was difficult. He said the claimant families had their own convincing arguments. He revealed that the parents of Sarbjeet Kaur, who cremated the body as that of their daughter, later found a similar blue-coloured suit worn by the deceased in her in-laws’ house. Mr Ahir said the police
had decided to take the help of forensic experts to
establish the identity. He said the police had started
investigation. A DNA test would also be conducted, he
added. |
ASI suspended MOGA, Feb 9 (UNI) — An Assistant-Inspector, who allegedly harassed vehicle owners while on traffic duty, has been placed under suspension, the police said today. The ASI was suspended after being caught “red-handed” by a Dharmkot police team while he was challaning vehicles, without authority. A departmental inquiry has been ordered against him, sources said. The SSP said here that a
special police officer had been deputed to detect similar
acts done by some other policemen on duty. |
Charge against police LUDHIANA, Feb 9 — Mrs Sudharshna Jain, mother of Sunil Jain, who died in December under mysterious circumstances, has alleged that her other son, Anil Jain is being falsely implicated in a case at the instance of some “enemies of the family”. In a signed statement
issued here yesterday, she complained that cases under
Section 452 of the IPC and the NDPs Act had been
registered by the police to harass her son. She urged the
district administration to intervene in the matter. |
1 dies in mishap NANGAL, Feb 9 — Choutu Ram, a labourer was killed and three were injured in an accident on the construction site of SVSD College, here today. According to
information, the accident occurred due to the collapse of
a temporary structure. The injured have been admitted to
the BBMB Canal Hospital. |
Varsity’s interim Registrar
likely PATIALA, Feb 9 — Punjabi University is likely to appoint a Registrar on interim basis in anticipation of approval by the Syndicate as the term of the incumbent ends on February 24 and no advertisement for the post has been placed so far. This looks imminent as the process of selection of Registrar takes nearly three months, with an advertisement being put up around one month before an incumbent is to retire and a selection committee being constituted to select an appropriate candidate. According to the university Act, a Registrar cannot continue beyond 60 years of age and Dr Ranbir Singh Sarao, the incumbent, reaches the age limit on February 24. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, said he was yet to receive the file for appointment of the new Registrar and he would take action when the file was put up before him. He said a temporary arrangement could be made in anticipation of approval of the Syndicate. There was no set provision making it mandatory for the university to advertise the post before the tenure of the incumbent ended, he added. The university is agog with speculation on this issue. Among those said to be in the race are Dr Daljit Singh, Director, Youth Welfare, Dr Dalbir Singh Dhillon, Dean, Students, and Dr Baltej Singh Mann, Reader coordinator, IAS training centre. There is speculation that Dr B.S. Bhatia, recently divested of the charge of dean, colleges, may be given this post. The Secretary of the Punjabi University Teachers' Association, Dr Hari Singh Boparai, is a dark horse. The putting off of the appointment of the Registrar has drawn flak from the forum for educational action and reform. According to the forum, important university functionaries, including Dean, academic affairs, dean, research, dean, colleges, and director, audio visual research centre, had been appointed till further orders, which was humiliating for the appointees. The forum said as per Section 9-13 of the university Act, the Registrar was appointed by the Syndicate only and he was a whole-time officer of the university. It said duties of the Registrar had also been prescribed, which included being a custodian of records, performing jobs assigned by the Syndicate and keeping minutes of meetings. The forum urged Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob, the Chancellor of the university, to get the post of Registrar advertised without loss of time so that a person of merit could serve the university for a full term of four years. It also appealed to various candidates not to accept temporary appointment to the post.
|
Students want more teachers BATHINDA, Feb 9 — Students of the Law Department of the local Punjabi University Regional Centre have been boycotting classes for the past eight days in protest against inadequate strength of teaching staff. The students, who have been on strike for the eighth day today, alleged that for about 150 students of three-year-law course, Punjabi University authorities had appointed only one regular lecturer. They pointed out that local regional centre authorities had engaged local lawyers for teaching but even then studies were suffering as few teachers were not enough to teach them about 18 subjects. Official sources said Punjabi University authorities did not take proper care of the local regional centre here ever since it came into existence a decade and half ago. Punjabi University authorities had posted only one regular teacher for law students since 1995. Also Punjabi University authorities had failed to get recognition of law course being run here from the Bar Council of India. A number of students, who had passed their courses, was finding it difficult to take licence required for practising their profession, sources added. After waiting for positive response from Punjabi University authorities to their problems, the law students today got the support of students of arts classes who also boycotted classes today. Dr S.S. Bhatti, Director, Punjabi University Regional Centre, when contacted said that he had raised the matter with the university authorities a number of times but without any positive response. He pointed out that Punjabi University authorities had posted two teachers on an ad hoc basis here sometime ago and these two teachers had left for also better placement. He said that he had talked to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr J.S. Alhuwalia and Dr Alhuwalia had told him that university authorities were not willing to do any recruitment of ad hoc teachers. He added that he had urged the university authorities to send some teachers immediately so that studies of the students did not suffer. The students on the other hand alleged that Punjabi University authorities had so far failed to provide them hostel facilities. They said that they were being discriminated against by the university authorities though they were paying the same fee being paid by the students of law department located in the campus of Punjabi University, Patiala. They added that students of Law Department of Patiala campus had got adequate strength of teachers and hostel facility. They said that they would approach higher state authorities if their problem was not solved by the Punjabi University authorities. Dr Bhatti, on the other hand said that he had apprised the university authorities of the prevailing situation on the campus of local regional centre. He added that situation might go out of their hands.
|
Shifting lab to college
kicks up row PATIALA, Feb 9 — The State Chemical and Examiner’s Laboratory housed against a court order in the historic Quila Mubarak has now become a headache for the State Department of Health Services as Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital here, has protested the move to shift the laboratory to its premises. Apparently, reacting to a press report on the illegal housing of the laboratory in the old fort, the department had ordered the shifting on February 4. The college authorities are, however, up in arms against the department’s decision which they said had been taken without consulting them. They fear that they may face disaffiliation from the Central Council of Indian Medicines (CCIM) if the shifting is allowed as it will reduce building space of the college. The college officials have even questioned the authority of the department to direct them to house the laboratory. Dr P.C. Kansal, Principal of the college, and Dr Romesh Jain, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said the college and hospital did not come under the control of the department. “It is under the control of the Ministry of Medical Education and thus, the Health Department has no locus standi to direct us,” they said. In a protest letter to the Director Medical Education and Research, the Medical Superintendent, Mr Romesh Jain, has urged him to intervene in the matter and save the college and hospital. The letter says that if some part of the premises is given away the bed capacity as well as student-bed ratio will fall and not meet the standards of the CCIM. It also says that housing a chemical laboratory here will have a damaging impact on the condition of the patients, besides affecting the environment. The letter is also appended with a notice of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, prohibiting hospitals to have chemical laboratories on the premises. A meeting between the ayurvedic hospital officials and the chemical laboratory representatives was also held yesterday under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, but the matter remained unresolved. Dr S.S. Brar, an official of the laboratory, said its officials had gone to the ayurvedic college-cum-hospital with the orders of the department, but, the college staff had refused to oblige. He said the laboratory had been shifted here because the college had ample space and only a few patients. With this fresh row, the controversy surrounding the shifting of the laboratory from Quila Mubarak, an over 300-year-old protected monument, has come a full circle. About five years ago, the department had implemented a High Court order to save the fort from further damage by ordering the shifting of the laboratory to the college. The college at that time, came under the control of the Health Department. The college authorities, however, had protested violently against the orders, when the laboratory staff, with bag and baggage, had come to take possession. The college staff had blocked their way and the police had to be called. Later, the Health Department ordered the laboratory to shift to the Mata Kaushalya Hospital, which also denied it entry. It eventually went back to the fort. However, after a news
report about the damage caused to the fort by chemicals,
the shifting out was again needed. It has met the same
fate. |
Medical teachers’
strike from today PATIALA, Feb 9 — Medical and dental teachers in three government colleges in the state will stop teaching work from tomorrow. Dr Ravinder Singh, Secretary, Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association, said the strike had been initiated as the state government had not given arrears of the revised pay scales to the teachers, while other government employees had received them. Dr Ravinder Singh said the strike would have far-reaching effect as the students won’t be able to finish the curriculum as per norms of the Medical Council of India and may not be able to sit in examination. He said even interns shall not be able to finish the internship in time. He said though the association had full sympathy for the students and interns. The teachers had been forced to adopt the line of agitation due to the alleged apathetic and step-motherly attitude of the government. The association has
further threatened that if this impasse was not broken,
the teachers would stop hospitals from functioning on
February 18. The association said the government had been
duly informed about the strike, but there was no response
from the state machinery. |
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