 |
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| Saturday, February 19, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Cong
not to back rebel Akalis Pre-Harappan
Age houses found
Schoolgirl charges DSP with rape Vector-borne
diseases ‘back in Punjab’
Probe
Nawanshahr poll violence: Cong Anil
Datta expelled from PPCC |
|
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Women
take fancy to EVMs Huts
demolished Hav
Dilbagh Singh cremated Railway
overbridge opened End
sale of spurious insecticides: BKU Farm
staff not to verify sales Punjab
to hold series of Lok Adalats ‘Follow
teachings’ of Guru Ravi Das Fountains
add colour to lake
Tuberculosis
patients nobody’s baby
3
Cong men booked for poll violence Villagers
thrash policemen
Medical
teachers boycott OPDs Seminar
on human settlements held
|
Cong not to back rebel Akalis AMRITSAR, Feb 18 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee will not support rebel Akali MLAs to form a government in the State. The PPCC chief predicted here today that, “in all probability, Mr Badal would be ousted by his own men after the result of the Nawanshahr byelection. He claimed that the SAD would lose the byelection though it had used “muscle power, money power”. Mr Amarinder Singh alleged that musclemen of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, a son of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, were behind the poll-related violence. He claimed that four Congress leaders had been implicated. It were Akalis who opened fire in Pili Chikki yesterday. He said the Nawanshahr police had registered false cases against, Mr Darshan Singh Brar, Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa, general secretary PPCC, Mr Satbir Singh, President District Youth Congress and his brother Jasbir Singh. He alleged that he had seen Mr Sukhbir Badal heading towards Pilli Chikki. A few minutes later he received a telephone call that “musclemen of the SAD” had opened fire. Lashing out at Mr Badal, Mr Amarinder Singh said he had done “Biharisation” of Punjab as no poll-related violence had been reported from any part of the State in the past. Mr Amarinder Singh denied that there was any dissension in the party. He said the party was united. It could be seen in the intensive campaigning by all senior Congress leaders, including Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, and Chaudhary Jagjit Singh. “There could be some difference of opinion which should not be described as dissension”. Mr Amarinder Singh
alleged that the State Government had spent more than Rs
250 crore on Development works in the Nawanshahr
constituency in the past two months which was a gross
violation of the election code. He expressed regret that
the Chief Election Commission did not take any action on
the complaints of ‘violation of the code’ made
by the Congress party. He said the PPCCI had urged the
Election Commission to send at least five election
observers, but it did not pay any heed. He, however,
appreciated the voters of Nawanshahr who could not be
wooed by the ruling party in spite of the fact that they
were offered huge money in cash at the time of polling. |
Pre-Harappan Age houses
found DHALEWAN (Mansa), Feb 18 — The excavation team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered a pre-Harappan civilisation housing complex at Dhalewan village from a mound. In the excavation, which started here on January 3, a fortification wall of a housing complex, rooms and pits for storing waste material were discovered. Mr Vishnu Kant, in charge of the excavation team, told Tribune News Service that this was an evidence of a non-Aryan habitation at the place. He added that full details regarding the type of settlement would be known after the full excavation of the mound which was identified by a senior official of the ASI, Mr J.P. Joshi, in 1984. The other items which had been discovered from the site had established the proof of a settlement of people belonging to Kushan dynasty to post-Gupta period (from 1 AD to 500 AD). The evidence had established that non-Aryans were the first one who had settled here and the settlement was 4,500 to 5,000 year-old. Such excavations had been done in many parts of the country and pre-Harappan civilisation’s evidence had been collected at Kali Bangan (Rajasthan) and Dholaveera (Gujarat). The houses were made of sun-baked bricks and rectangular in shape. At some of the places hearths had also been discovered, added Mr Vishnu Kant. The other items which have been excavated included pottery belonging to different periods. Pottery with paintings on it, bangles (green in colour), terracotta bangles, stone and shell bangles, steatite beads, micro and stone beads including carnelian, agate, lapislazuli, quartz and terracotta, stone blade with parallel sides, copper coins belonging to Kushan dynasty period and animal bones were also excavated. Some of the terracotta figures and lumps with finger impressions (mustica) and weight belonging to pre-Harappan period had also been discovered. The terracotta bowls, sprinklers, lamps, water pots and containers of different shapes were also found. The beads discovered were of red, green, blue and white colour. Some shells were also recovered from the site. Mr Vishnu Kant said the width of the fortification wall was yet to be measured as it was running almost through the entire mound. He added that some parts of the mound had been cultivated in 1960 by the villagers for agriculture purpose. Mr Kant added that the
mound was about 8-metre high and to study the types of
civilisations which were established here, excavation up
to the depth of 4.5 metre would be carried out. The first
phase of excavation would come to an end in March. |
Vector-borne diseases
‘back in Punjab’ PATIALA, Feb 18 — Vector borne diseases are returning to Punjab as the ecology has been disturbed due to large-scale paddy sowing. This was stated here today at the concluding function of the three-day international symposium on vectors and vector-borne diseases organised by the Department of Zoology at Punjabi University by Punjab Government Principal Secretary K R Lakhanpal. He said there was a limit to the use of insecticides. If used beyond it, serious health problems were created. To fight this problem which was more prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries, there should be a concerted effort with active community participation coupled with the use of new technology. He urged the scientists to take steps for dissemination of awareness among the masses so that the necessary preventive steps were taken before the situation went out of control. Prof K.S. Rai, Professor of vector biology and parasitology, University of Notredame, USA, offered to fund the establishment of visiting professorship on vector biology in the Department of Zoology at the university. In this presidential remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia declared that the university would establish a research centre of an international standard to undertake research in various subjects related to health. He underlined the efforts being made by the university in updating courses of study, providing new directions to research activity and encouraging development of new priority areas. The steering committee of the symposium comprising eminent scientists recommended that as the elementary information concerning the vector fauna of the region of Punjab and their diseases was completely lacking priority should be given to the monitoring the fauna through surveys. It recommended the setting up of a nucleus centre on medical entomology at the department of Zoology. Both the University and the State provide infrastructure and other resources needed to accomplish this goal. The proposed centre should undertake the study of fauna of vector in the transmission of diseases and a study of emerging vector-borne disease such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis and the problem of resistance in malaria control was needed. It should also frame policy issues concerning containment of these new infections for which an advisory body including renowned scholars from all parts of the country be established to guide the scientific programme. The six participating delegates from India and abroad shared their views and experiences. Dr Jasbir Singh, organising secretary of the symposium, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the National Academy of Vector and Vector-Borne Diseases. Meanwhile, a large number of vector-borne diseases had been reported in recent years and the problem was likely to increase worldwide. Giving these views at the symposium, Dr Karamjit S.Rai from the university of Notre Dam, USA, yesterday said mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria, filariasis, yellow fever, dengue continue to pose serious public health problems in the world. Malaria alone causes clinical illness, often severe, in 300-500 million people, causing about two million deaths each year, Dr Rai said. He said high rates of reproduction, and a relatively short generation span in mosquitoes present a genetic paradox, whereby the population tend to rapidly evolve resistance to any introduced mechanism. Dr Sarala K. Subbarao said the success that was achieved with DDT in reducing vector population and consequently the reduction in disease incidence created confidence among malariologists that malaria could be eradicated. Dr Subbarao emphasised that today major vector populations were resistant to most insecticides used in the programme and parasites were also exhibiting resistance to anti-malarial drugs. Added to this there was human resistance to the control measures that were being used. Dr Christine Dahl from Uppsala University, Sweden, spoke on the feeding patterns of Larvae and their ecology. Dr C.J. Babu of Mumbai emphasised the need for more effective and target-oriented tools for vector control. Dr Anil Kumar Makkapati,
Manager, Product Development from Bayer, a multinational
company, said impregnation of mosquito bed nets with an
insecticide, which had rapid knock down action, was more
effective in preventing man-mosquito contact. This
development has emerged as an important development in
the control of malaria, he added. |
Schoolgirl charges DSP with rape LUDHIANA, Feb 18 — A 16-year-old schoolgirl has accused a deputy superintendent of police Jagraon of raping her, in connivance with her mother and step-father. The girl alleged that she was raped by the police officer, at his official residence at Jagroan on January 22 and January 23. She also accused her mother, Mohan Kaur and step-father, Darshan Singh of forcibly taking her to the police official’s residence and leaving her to his mercy while they themselves waited outside. In a complaint to the Senior Superintendent of Police Jagraon, Mr Jaskaran Singh, the victim and her elder brother, Gurbhajan Singh, alleged that the DSP had had an eye on the victim for a long time after her family came into contact with him following a property dispute with their step-father’s brother. They alleged that their mother, Mohan Kaur, had entered into a relationship with the officer to win his favour and get him to ‘take their side in the dispute.’ She took her daughter to the DSP on January 22, when he demanded that she be brought to him and waited outside while he raped her. Talking to this correspondent here today, the victim said, on January 23, the DSP again came to our house at around 8.30 pm. His bodyguard “Jaadu” came inside and said that the DSP had called all of us, (mother, father, younger brother-Mohan Singh and myself to his residence) regarding our land dispute case. While everyone else went, I refused to go. But my father beat me up and forcibly took me to his residence. There, he (the DSP) first offered tea to all of us and then asked everyone, except me to wait outside. While they sat outside, the DSP again beat me up on my offering resistance and raped me. In a voice choked with emotion Gurbachan Singh the elder brother of the victim, who is a “raagi” said, “When the entire episode occurred I was away to perform kirtan. Since a long time I have been aware of my mother’s misdeeds and had also warned my sister to be on guard. Our step-father, Darshan Singh, is a drug-addict and had tried to molest my sister. Since I came between my sister and our parents, they planned everything for when I was away. Gurbhajan Singh said that on his return on January 26 his sister informed him of the entire series of events. I was so enraged that I could not think straight. I then approached an MLA, who asked us to give a complaint to the police which I did on February 16. He also said that he and his sister were due to meet the SSP later in the evening to present their case and urge him to take appropriate action. The victim, a student of class VIII at the Lala Lajpat Rai Kanya Pathshala, added “they (parents) have been threatening us with dire consequences if we complained about the incident to anyone. Both of us make up stories even to go to the SSP’s office. Come what may I want to see both of them behind bars, alongwith the DSP, for ruining my life.” Questioned about their relationship with their mother Gurbhajan said ever since their father died in 1984, Mohan Kaur had never shown maternal affection towards any of her four children. “Three years after our father’s death she sent all three brothers —myself, Mohan Singh and Gurdeep Singh to a dera in Seengla on the Karnal-Kaithal road. Our sister was sent to a maternal uncle’s house and our mother would rarely visit us. Then she got involved with our step-father, Darshan Singh, who was also a resident of the dera. Both of them eloped and started living together. After a few years they got married and a male child was born. However, Darshan Singh’s sister sold this child to a childless couple.” He said that while his sister stayed on with their maternal uncle, he was forced to leave the dera at Seengla after word of his mother’s “poor character” spread. He went to stay with a friend at Maakhu village near Harike Pattan but later returned to look for his mother. When he finally traced her in 1997, his sister was already staying with his mother as his maternal uncle had abandoned her a year earlier. He then went looking for his younger brothers, and brought them to Jagroan. “However, despite finally being together, our mother and step-father never cared for us, even though we three brothers were the only earning hands, who provided food for the entire family”, he said. All we sought was love
from her. But after the way in which she exploited my
sister, I have given up on her. All I now want is that
she be punished for her misdeeds, he says. |
Probe Nawanshahr poll violence:
Cong PHAGWARA, Feb 18 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, Capt Amarinder Singh, today asked the Election Commission to probe poll violence in the Nawanshahr assembly byelections yesterday. Talking to newsmen at the local JCT Mill guest house, he alleged that the ruling party engineered violence and other electroal malpractices and a representation seeking a probe into these had been sent to the Election Commission. Commenting upon the
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr Chandrababu Naidu’s
statement that he would take up with the Prime Minister
the issue of the SYL canal’s completion, Capt
Amarindar Singh quipped that Mr Naidu had nothing to do
with it. Besides, Punjab had no surplus water, he
continued. For the 105 lakh acres of agrarian land in the
state, 52 MF of water was required, while only 26 MF was
available, he claimed. |
SAD plans memo on fiscal
autonomy PHAGWARA, Feb 18 — The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said here today the Shiromani Akali Dal would submit a memorandum to the Constitution Review Commission for amendment in the statute to grant total fiscal autonomy to States. Talking to newsmen at the residence of Jagjit Singh Chahal, his close relative Capt Kanwaljit Singh said except income tax, custom, Central excise all other taxes, including corporate tax, should be transferred to States. Even residual financial powers should also be transferred to states, he said. The union list of subjects should be shrunk and the state list widened, he said. This alone was panacea for economic ills of States. The 50-year-old Congress theory that strong Centre meant strong country had now failed and new concept of strong State meaning strong India had come to stay, claimed Capt Kanwaljit. The centralised fiscal policy had led to economic crisis and lopsided development in all States, he said. The result of excessive centralisation has been that 50 crore population in India lived below the poverty line and had a purchasing capacity of one rupee a day. Maintaining, that the
Soviet model of planning adopted by the Congress 50 years
ago had failed. The finance minister demanded
decentralisation of the Planning Commission. |
Anil Datta expelled from PPCC JALANDHAR, Feb 18 (UNI) — Punjab Congress Organising Secretary Anil Datta was expelled from the primary membership of the party for six years for anti-party activities . The expulsion order of February 16, signed by state party president Capt. Amarinder Singh was faxed to the UNI bureau here this evening from party headquarters at Chandigarh. Mr Datta, who had been associated with the party for almost three decades, began his political career as block Congress president in the early seventies. He held the office of district Youth Congress president for six years and was later promoted as general secretary of Punjab Youth Congress. He was elected to the
PPCC from Rurka Kalan and had been holding the office of
organising secretary of PPCC for the last one-and-a-half
year. |
Women take fancy to EVMs NAWANSHAHR, Feb 18 —Women voters were fascinated by the novelty of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Nawanshahr constituency which went to polls on Thursday. These machines were used for the first time in the constituency. Women, particularly in rural areas, made a beelines for polling booths as the gates of polling booths opened at 8 a.m. During the first half of the day, they outnumbered men at almost all 179 polling booths. For men voters EVMs were nothing but a ‘thing of convenience’. The polling was brisk. More than 50 per cent of the electorate had cast its votes till 1 p.m. In the afternoon men dominated the scene. According to official figures, 52312 of the total 71807 registered female voters exercised their franchise. Total registered votes in the constituency are 1,50,130. Out of which 106297 were polled. A woman, originally hailing from Musapur village but married at Garhshankar said she got curious as soon as she came to know from her brother that people had to cast their votes through some machines. “ After confirming that my name still existed in the voter list, I decided to come here to meet my parents, to cast my vote and to see the machines as well”. Ms Jaswinder Kaur, another resident of the village said. It was too easy and did not involve stamping and any other cumbersome procedure. I just enjoyed the process.” She said another reason behind strong presence during the first half was that they were relatively idling in their houses and their menfolk were out. Ms Indu, a who exercised her franchise for the second time, said these machines were convenient for people and polling officials. She said it was a new experience for her. Congress worker Gurjeeto said at her party office in Rahon “instead of spending so much on machines, the government should have spent on civic amenities. Ms Davinder Kaur, another voter at Rahon, had to go back to her house as violence broke out at the main chowk forcing her to stay indoors for over one and half hours. Poll officials on duty in the constituency hailed EVMs. “ In addition to brisk voting the biggest advantage of the machine is that it will ensure fast counting,” he added. For 179 polling booths,
the district administration had requisitioned as many as
478 EVMs. All of 179 machines which were actually used in
the polling, were sealed after the voting was over at 5
p.m. yesterday and were stored at Radha Krishan Arya
College in Nawanshahr under surveillance of the Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and will remain there till
counting starts on February 25. |
Huts demolished KAPURTHALA, Feb 18 (UNI) — The Municipal and Public Works Department (PWD) authorities today demolished more than 100 huts of migrant labourers in its drive against encroachment on government land on Sultanpur Lodhi and Nakodar roads. Municipal council Executive Officer Raj Kumar Mittal said the demolition was carried out on the direction of Deputy Commissioner V.K. Singh. The council staff also demolished three shops. Slum dwellers, however, refused to leave the sites and were still camping in front of their demolished huts when reporters visited the two sites. Yad Mohammad and Vinod, who claimed they had been living in the huts for the past one decade, criticised the administration for carrying out demolition without serving them any notice and providing alternate sites for their rehabilitation. The demolition decision was taken at a meeting which was attended among others by SSP Iqbal Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner S.S. Bains, besides officers of the PWD and the Council. Meanwhile, the Deputy
Commissioner banned the use of orchestra in marriage
palaces which had, however, been allowed to play soft
music till 10 p.m. The palace owners were asked to remove
encroachments and make arrangements for parking of
vehicles. |
Hav Dilbagh Singh cremated FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 18 — People from every walk of life bid adieu to another Army martyr of Panaichan village in Khamano sub division of the district, who was killed in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Havildar Dilbagh Singh (35) of 9 Sikh Light Infantry along with three other jawans died on February 15 in an ambush. Naib Subedar Shingara Singh, who along with four other colleagues brought the body said on February 15 he along with Dilbagh Singh were on duty when the enemy laid an ambush and opened fire which was returned and four of our jawans and six Pakistan soldiers were killed. The body of Dilbagh Singh rolled into the Pakistan side. He along with his colleagues brought the body to the Indian side. He is survived by his wife two children, besides his old parents. The pyre was lit by his
son, Jasbir Singh. |
Railway overbridge opened LUDHIANA, Feb 18 — The completed portion of the railway overbridge near the general bus stand was opened for traffic today by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Goel. This overbridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 8.49 crore. With the opening of this bridge, vehicular traffic from Bharat Nagar Chowk and Gill Chowk will now be able to flow uninterrupted. Work on the remaining portion of the bridge along the bus stand side will be completed by March 31. The bridge has been
completed in three years. Another major bottle-neck for
traffic at railway crossing on Dhuri line, a new railway
overbridge, would be constructed by the Municipal
Corporation Ludhiana within a record period of one year
from its commencement. |
End sale of spurious
insecticides: BKU MOGA, Feb 18 — The president of the Punjab unit of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, and general secretary of the party, Mr Bhupinder Singh, yesterday urged the state government to take stern action against insecticide dealers in various towns for allegedly selling spurious chemicals to farmers. Talking to newsmen here, they said that farmers in the state had suffered losses worth crores due to the supply of spurious insecticides and the government had ‘failed’ to take measures to deal with this situation. They also accused certain employees of the Agriculture Department of conniving with such dealers to make money. They also claimed that the government had failed to compensate the farmers of Muktsar, Moga and Faridkot districts for the losses they had suffered due to spraying of spurious insecticides and due to the waterlogging problem for the past three years. They said if the state
government did not redress the problems of the farmers,
they would launch an agitation. |
Farm staff not to verify
sales LUDHIANA, Feb 18 — The Agriculture Technocrats Action Committee has said that it shall no longer verify the sales of subsidised fertilisers, seeds and other agricultural inputs till a fool-proof method is evolved for ensuring actual availability of these inputs to farmers and job security of officers. In a press note, Dr Satnam Singh Pardhan, general secretary of the association, said an emergency meeting of the association was held here wherein the role of Agriculture Minister, Gurdev Singh Badal was condemned for granting sanction for prosecution of officers of the department even after his assurance that this would not be done. They alleged that the officers had been falsely implicated by the Vigilance Bureau in a case regarding verification of phosphatic fertilisers. The association has also
decided to start a relay fast on February 29 in front of
the office of the Director, Agriculture, if their demands
were not met by then. |
Punjab to hold series of Lok
Adalats CHANDIGARH, Feb 18 — The Government has decided to hold a series of Lok Adalts commencing February 26 at Ferozepure, Kapurthala, Patti, Gidderbaha, Nakodar, Rajpura and Dhuri for free and speedy justice to the people of Punjab at their door steps. A spokesman of the Punjab Legal Services Authority said today that another Lok Adalat would be held at Jalandhar on March 11; at Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Talwandi Sabo, Phillaur and Phagwara on March 18; at Bathinda, Amritsar, Malout, Zira, Pathankot, Balachaur, Amloh, Samrala and Kharar on March 25 for the quarter ending March 31. For labour court cases, these would be held at Gurdaspur on March 17, Bathinda and Amritsar on March 24. Such Lok Adalats for the quarter April 1 to June 30 would be held for the work of judicial courts at Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Phul, Sultanpur Lodhi, Khanna, Samana on April 1, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ajnala, Fazilka, Garhshankar, Jagraon, Malerkotla on April 8; Nabha, Mansa, Muktsar, Baba Bakala, Dasuya, Sunam on April 22; Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Abohar, Batala, Barnala, Anandpur Sahib, Nawanshahr, Patiala on April 29; Ferozepore, Kapurthala, Patti, Gidderbaha, Nakodar, Rajpura, Dhuri on April 20; Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Talwandi Sabo, Phagwara, Kharar, Jalandhar on May 27; Bathinda, Amritsar, Malout, Zira, Pathankot, Balachaur, Amloh, Samrala and Phillaur on June 3. For labour court cases, Lok Adalats would be held at Ludhiana and Patiala on May 28; Gurdaspur and Jalandhar on May 26; Amritsar and Bathinda on June 2. Of the 104323 cases,
76799 have been settled in 1,250 Lok Adalats till
December 31 last. Compensation to the tune of Rs 99.18
crore was given to the claimants under motor vehicle
claims and decree awards. |
‘Follow teachings’ of
Guru Ravi Das CHANDIGARH, Feb, 18 —Both the Punjab Governor, Lieut- Gen J F R Jacob, (retd) and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today extended their warm greetings to the people and requested them to follow the teachings of Guru Ravi Das in letter and spirit. It is 623rd “ Parkash utsav” of Guru Ravi Das. In a separate but identical messages they said that throughout his life, Guru Ravi Das had laid stress on the principles of dignity of labour, recognising that it was the only way to free the downtrodden from the economic servitude. Each effort should be made in fighting the distortions prevailing in society and help in the fulfilment of Guru Ravi Das’s dream of building a classless society. Giving an account of the steps taken by the present Government Mr Badal said that in the past three years, a sum of Rs 191 crore had been spent under various schemes for promoting social and economic status of the scheduled castes families besides Rs 9.78 crore on upgrading the educational standard of the students of these sections. A stipend of Rs 50 a month for girls at the primary level and Rs 30 to Rs 75 to the poor students in higher classes was being given. Coaching facilities for post matric, postgraduate professional courses and for the IAS and the IPS were given to 618 students by spending another Rs 43 lakh, he added. A shagun scheme was introduced for Scheduled Caste girls and eligible Christians and grant for the Construction of new dharamshalas enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Ambedkar Bhavans have
been constructed at Ropar, Patiala, Gurdaspur,
Ferozepore, Faridkot, Moga and Bathidna and work in the
remaining districts was in progress, the Chief Minister
added. |
Draughtsmen meet Principal
Secy CHANDIGARH, Feb 18 — A deputation of the Punjab Irrigation Draughtsmen Engineers' Association today met Mr Bikramjit Singh, Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Power. Mr Balwinder Singh,
chairman of the association, urged the Principal
Secretary to promote draughtsmen as subdivisional
engineers as per their quota. He sought an amendment in
the Punjab state employees Class-I rules for safeguarding
the interests of draughtsmen. |
Fountains add colour to
lake PATIALA, Feb 18 — New attractions are being added to the historic Rajindra Lake which is fast earning the status of a popular tourist spot of the city. Two fountains with submersible motor pumps which throw water at a height of 90 meters and even more began functioning today. Work on the third fountain has begun. The fountains have livened up the dull corners of the water body. The scene is especially alluring during the evening hours when colourful lights which change hues automatically are switched on. The Municipal Corporation here and the Punjab Adventure Sports and Water Sports Association, a private organisation which manages the lake, have also initiated steps to construct a swimming pool at the hospital end of the lake. Mr K.S. Kung, Commissioner, MC, said tenders for the project have been called and the work will start soon. Rajindra Lake has immense interest among the residents of this city who have in the past usually seen the decaying of beautiful monuments, palaces and even lakes. This city, an erstwhile princely state, possesses as many as four lakes. Three of them — the DCW Lake, Sheesh Mahal Lake and National Institute of Sports Lake — are already lying dry. Rajindra Lake had also been abandoned for the past more than 50 years. It was only last year that the glory of the lake, which was a favourite excursion spot for the erstwhile Maharajas and a regular haunt of migratory birds, had been put on the path of revival. Unfolding the plans for its beautification, Mr Yashpal Handa, General Secretary of the club managing the lake, said work had already started for running a train for children at the lake. Work has also started
for erecting a barbed wire along the Mall end of the lake
to discourage throwing of garbage in the area. |
Tuberculosis patients
nobody’s baby GURDASPUR, Feb 18 — As many as five TB patients admitted to the local Civil Hospital have nobody to look after them. The Health Department has earmarked no definite funds for their treatment and diet. According to this correspondent, the Hospital Welfare Association, District Red Cross Society and philanthropists in the town provide food to the patients. The Rotary Club (Midtown) has adopted the patients for giving them medicines. The patients have been housed in a building near the hospital which has no place for their attendants to stay for the night. Dr S.S. Sohal, Civil Surgeon, when contacted said the patients would be shifted back to the TB hospital, provided a boundary wall along with staff quarters was constructed on the premises of the hospital. The hospital, which is in a bad shape, also needs funds for renovation. He said the hospital
could start working with the earnings made from the
attached land after getting it vacated. |
3 Cong men booked for poll violence JALANDHAR, Feb 18 (UNI) — The police today registered a case of attempt to murder and rioting against three Congressmen, including former minister Darshan Singh Brar, in connection yesterday’s poll violence in Nawanshahr. Three persons suffered gunshot wounds and some others were injured in free-for-all at a polling booth near Pallijhikki village in the constituency towards the close of balloting. The Banga police registered the case on a complaint by Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) leader Iqbal Singh Tung. Besides Mr Brar, others named in the FIR were village sarpanch and Nawanshahr District Youth Congress President Satbir Singh and his brother Jasbir Singh. While Satbir Singh was alleged to have fired a few revolver shots, the FIR was silent on heavy firing with a service carbine, allegedly by the security guard of Mr Tung. Witnesses said the guard had emptied a magazine of his carbine into the air to scare away rioters. Mr Resham Singh Boxer
and Mr Pritam Singh, said to be Akali workers, besides an
unidentified Congress worker, were wounded in the firing,
according to witnesses, who alleged that the Congressman
was chased and shot at in his thigh. |
Villagers thrash policemen LUDHIANA, Feb 18 — Around 12 policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector of police, were allegedly beaten-up and detained by residents of Kakowal village 10 km from here late last night, when they went to the village to conduct a raid. According to information available a plain clothed police party led by the incharge, CIA staff, Mr Joginder Singh had gone to the village upon receiving information about drugs. It is alleged that during the raid on the house of one Harbhajan Singh, alias Rimpu the police abused his mother and manhandled his pregnant wife. Upon this the women raised an alarm. A crowd soon gathered and surrounded the police personnel. Taking them for dacoits they thrashed them and later detained them. The villagers also alerted the police control room and the Senior Superintendent of Police at Ludhiana. The DSP, Sadar, Mr Harmohan Singh and the SHO, Basti Jodhewal rushed to the spot and got the police personnel released around at 1.30 a.m. last night. Residents of the village today staged a dharna in front of the office of the SSP and demanded action against the erring policemen, who they alleged had barged into the house of one Manjinder Singh in a drunken state. When contacted, Mr
Joginder Singh said the entire drama had been staged by
Harbhajan Singh a ‘drug supplier’, to evade
arrest. |
Medical teachers boycott OPDs PATIALA, Feb 18 — Teachers at the Government Medical and Dental College and adjoining hospital today boycotted out patient departments (DPDs) to begin the second phase of their agitation, demanding arrears of new pay scales. Dr Ravinder Singh, Secretary, Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association, said the strike was total and it shall continue till the government accepts the demand of release of arrears. He said they had to adopt this line of action with a “heavy heart” and remorse for the patients as the government was unnecessarily delaying the payment of arrears. He said the third phase
of the agitation which will involve mass resignation of
the teachers will be announced shortly. |
Inter-polytechnic youth
festival PATIALA, Feb 18 — Government Polytechnic for Women, Patiala, and GPW, Jalandhar, won first and second overall positions, respectively at the 4th Punjab inter-polytechnic (girls) Youth Festival-which was held here today. Students from various polytechnic colleges participated. In the folk song competition girls in traditional Punjabi costumes, sang recent and old songs. Skits were interesting with most of them based on the present situation in India. Sold dances were performed well and the songs were catchy. Mono acting and fancy dress competitions were presented well. Giddha was the last competition. Winners were awarded by the chief guest, Punjab minister, Mr Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur. In his address, he congratulated the winners and expressed his pleasure. The function was inaugurated by Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Commissioner Appeal. Results were as follows
—Folk songs — Reena (GPW), Jalandhar 1,
Akashdeep Bhullar (GPW), Amritsar 2, Ravinder Kaur
(Government Polytechnic, Bathinda ) 3; Skit — GPW,
Jalandhar 1, GPW, Patiala 2, GPW, Ludhiana, and PITT,
Amritsar 3; Choreography — GPW, Amritsar 1, GPW,
Patiala 2, GPW, Jalandhar 3; fancy dress — Geeta
Sethi (GPW), Patiala) 1, Khushwinder (GP, Bathinda and
Jasmeet (GIGF), Amritsar 2, Cherry Bhalla (GPW, Ludhiana)
and Shivi Nagpal (GPW), Jalandhar 3’ Monoacting
— Taranjit Grover (PITT), Amritsar 1, Reena Sharma
(GPW, Jalandhar) and Amandeep (GPW), Patiala) 2, Renu
Bala (GPW, Ludhiana) and Ramandeep (GPW, Ropar 3; Solo
dance — Arpana (GPW, Patiala); 1, Sukhwant Kaur (GP,
Bathinda) and Shivani (GP, Batala) 2, Deepika (GPW,
Jalandhar) 3; Giddha — GPW Patiala) 1, GPW,
Jalandhar, and GPw, Amritsar 2, GP, Hoshiarpur, and GPW,
Ropar 30. |
Folk dance, song contests
held PATIALA, Feb 18 — The Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, while inaugurating the folk dance and singing competition yesterday declared that the university would award the Chancellor’s Gold Medal to the best team. The Government College for Girls, Patiala, won the first cash prize in the folk dance competition for women and the Punjabi University campus team won the second position. In the competition for men, DAV College, Bathinda, was declared winner whereas the performance by the Punjabi University team was adjudged second. In poetry rendition S D
College, Barnala, was adjudged the best and the
Government College for Girls, Patiala, stood second. |
Seminar on human settlements
held AMRITSAR, Feb 18 — Social scientists should accept the challenges of the new century and direct their activities to respond to the emerging demands on the social sciences. This appeal was made by Prof Yogesh Atal, former Regional Director of Asia Pacific of UNESCO while delivering his keynote address at the inaugural session of the international conference on “Habitat Agenda and Human Settlements in South and South-East Asia in 21st century” being organised by the Forum of Researches on Human Settlement and Guru Nanak Dev University here today at the Guru Nanak Bhavan Auditorium. Dr H S Soch, Vice-Chancellor of the university, presided. Prof Atal said if the last century had been the century of science and technology, the century would be a century of social sciences. Prof Atal analysed the prevailing paradigms of development which were characterised by the modernisation and homogenisation. He said it was the cultural diversity that had become an inseparable element in any paradigm. Dr H S soch, Vice-Chancellor, in his presidential remarks emphasised the need for equity and dignity for all residents in the cities. Prof Charles Chougill of the International Urban and Environmental Management at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne (Australia), highlighted the urban problem which he opined was going to be the problem of 21st century. While referring to his own research study of Manila (Philippines), he pointed out that a city of 10 million people was also facing a change as well as crisis. The need of the hour was to talk about poverty eradication, he added. Prof S K Chandoke, School of Planning and Architect, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the forum. Giving detailed introduction about the conference, Dr Ranvinder Singh Sandhu,coordinator, said the forum of researchers was a network comprising 307 research institutions and individuals from 76 different countries. Prof Sarup Singh of Guru Ramdas School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, thanked the delegates and sponsors of the conference. More than 100 delegates from India and abroad participated. Dr H S Soch also
released a souvenir on this occasion and also honoured
Prof Yogesh Atal, Prof S K Chandoke and Prof Charles
Chougill by presenting each of them a set of university
publications. |
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