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| Saturday, March 4, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Chandumajra
seeks Bibi Jagir Kaur’s removal High
Priests to meet soon: Puran Singh Punjab
MC polls on May 28 Rebel
MLAs smearing party: Tandon
Scrap
Anandgarh plan, CPI asks CM Rally
planned in Badal village
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| Bid to sabotage rally alleged LAMBI (Muktsar), March 3 — The local police today detained former minister Hardipinder Singh Badal when he along with hundreds belonging to the native village of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal staged a dharna in front of local police station in protest against the impounding of tractors, truck and canters bringing tents for the rally of suspended Akali legislator Ravi Inder Singh scheduled for tomorrow at Badal village. Left parties to hold
rally CPI
(ML) convention on March 7
PWD
suffers as drums rot Ravi
Inder complains to Governor Addiction
‘affects’ family members Promise
to widow not kept Mangal’s
next film on Golden Temple Sidhu
to continue as PESCO chief Clipping
of Sikh names opposed Golden
jubilee of Vajra Corps Farmers'
interests ‘not protected’ Kisan
convention on March 10
MC
tenants encroach on hospital land
College
teachers threaten stir Check
drug abuse, say PAU ex-VCs Salary
grant not given to colleges
LIC
officers
|
Chandumajra seeks Bibi Jagir
Kaur’s removal CHANDIGARH, March 3 — A direction for the removal of Bibi Jagir Kaur from the office of the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) was sought from the high court in a writ petition filed by Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, former MP and general secretary of the Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal; and Giani Kartar Singh Bhoglan, an SGPC member both belonging to Patiala. The main plea of the petitioners for the issuance of a writ of quo warrant to Bibi Jagir Kaur is that she has been ex-communicated from the Sikh Panth by Jathedar Puran Singh, Head of Akal Takht, and as such she has ceased to be a Sikh as well as a voter for the SGPC. Referring to the history of Akal Takht, it was contended that it was founded by the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, who was the first Jathedar of Akal Takht and that every Sikh was amenable to the edicts issued by the Jathedar of Akal Takht as was evident from the example of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who had to undergo punishment of 21 flogs on an edict issued by the then Jathedar of Akal Takht, Phula Singh. The petitioners said Bibi Jagir Kaur, because of her ex-communication from the Sikh Panth, had incurred disability under Section 52 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which provided that if after being elected any person incurred a disability he or she would cease to be a member of the board (SGPC). As per Section 45, a person who ceased to be a voter on the basis of ceasing to be a Sikh under Section 40 of the Act, was no more eligible to be a member of the SGPC. It was pointed out that prior to the case of Bibi Jagir Kaur, eminent Sikh persons like the them Union Home Minister, Buta Singh and the then Chief Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, were ex-communicated from the Panth in the 1984 and 1986, respectively. Their disqualification was removed only after they had served the punishment awarded to them. Recently, on June 25, 1998, Mr Tara Singh Hayer, Editor of Indo-Canadian Times,and five other Sikh persons were ex-communicated by Akal Takht for defying an earlier edict on guru-ka-langar. Similarly, on November 28, 1998, an NRI Sikh, Mohinder Singh, was ex-communicated. The petitioners said Bibi Jagir Kaur should be directed to vacate the office of the President of the SGPC, as according to them she was a usurper of the office from January 25, the date a hukamnama was issued against her. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice N.K. Sood adjourned the case to July 4. Plea on appointment The controversy regarding the appointment of Mr Kehar Singh as the Chairman of the Punjab State Education Board again erupted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court when Mr K.C. Sharma, on whose writ petition earlier the high court had quashed the appointment of Mr Kehar Singh as Chairman of the board, moved an application on the ground of his lacking the qualification prescribed for the post of chairman. In the petition, which came up for hearing before a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Bakhshish Kaur, today the petitioner alleged that the respondents, the state of Punjab and Mr Kehar Singh, had scandalised the proceedings of the Court. The appointment of Mr Kehar Singh was quashed by the court on February 2 on his writ petition and on February 3 the state government filed a petition seeking the stay of operation on the judgement for two weeks. However, on February 9 the state withdrew the petition for stay and reappointed Mr Kehar Singh Chairman after changing the necessary qualifications through an ordinance. It was further alleged that the state government was guilty of contempt of court as Mr Kehar Singh was allowed to continue illegally as Chairman from February 2 to 7. According to the petitioner, the government was guilty of grave civil and criminal contempt because despite the February 2 order of the court the Chairman was allowed to function till February 7. scandalising the authority of the court within the meaning of Section 2 (2) of the Contempt of Courts Act. The petitioner sought initiation of proceedings against the respondents for allegedly scandalising the proceedings. The division Bench issued notice of the application to the state of Punjab and Mr Kehar Singh for March 31. Notice to Punjab DGP Mr Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices to the Director-General Police, Punjab; the DIG (Border Range), Amritsar, Mr Jasminder Singh; the SSP Gurdaspur, Mr Varinder Kumar; and the SP, Pathankot, Mr Mohinder Singh Sidhu, on a petition filed by Inspector Surinder Singh of the Pathankot police station (division 2) for his frequent transfers and illegal detention. The petitioner alleged that on February 19, he was picked up by SP Mohinder Singh Sidhu accompanied by his Reader and gunman and he was kept in illegal detention by the SP at the instance of DIG (Border Range). It was further alleged that the DIG had transferred him from the Norote Jaimal Singh police station to the police line, Gurdaspur. From there he was sent to PAP Jalandhar. However, the SSP Gurdaspur, again posted him to police division 2, Pathankot. The grouse of the petitioner was that he was transferred six times in one and-a-half-month. The petitioner sought
the registration of criminal case for his harassment,
illegal custody and criminal conspiracy against the DIG
(Border Range) and the SSP Gurdaspur. |
High Priests to meet soon:
Puran Singh AMRITSAR, March 3 — Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, said today he would call a meeting of Sikh High Priests of all Takhts shortly to resolve the Panthic crisis. Talking to the press at his residence, he said the proposed meeting would be held at Akal Takht on the basis of the request made by Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC, Chief, who had desired to appear before the Takht. He said he had faxed letters to the Jathedars of the five Takhts including Bhai Kulwant Singh, the newly installed Jathedar of Hazoor Sahib (Nanded) and Giani Mann Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Bihar). Bhai Kulwant Singh is a confidant of Giani Puran Singh. He was present at his installation ceremony. Giani Puran Singh was on his way to attend the installation ceremony of the Jathedar of Nanded Sahib when he issued the controversial “hukamnama” from Guna in Madhya Pradesh on January 25. As per practice, the Jathedar of Nanded Sahib and Patna Sahib are not invited at the meetings of the Sikh High Priests at Akal Takht. However, Bibi Jagir Kaur had said she would appear before Akal Takht only if directed by the five High Priests of all Takhts. These Takhts had
implemented the traditional Bikrami calendar. However,
Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedars of
Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, respectively, may
reject the controversial “hukamnama” at the
proposed meeting. |
Sant Samaj meets Akal Takht
chief AMRITSAR, March 3 — Mr Avtar Singh Hit, President of the SAD, Delhi unit, and Dr Puran Singh Jassi, both emissaries of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, met Giani Puran Singh at the latter’s residence. Meanwhile, Giani Puran
Singh and office-bearers of the Gurmat Gurbani Sidhant
Parchark Sant Samaj held a closed-door meeting to take
stock of the situation arising after the presence of Bibi
Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief, at the delegates session which
re-elected Mr Badal as President of the SAD. |
Organisers fear violence JALANDHAR, March 3 — The supporters of Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht can create trouble in they world Sikh Council’s seminar being held at Jalandhar tomorrow, organisers fear. After becoming the President of WSC Giani Puran Singh not only dissolved the 10 zonal units of the council but also imposed ban on the seminar being organised by the Amritsar unit of the Council headed by Kulbir Singh Kaura. The Amritsar zone refused to accept Giani Puran Singh as the president of WSC saying that he was not being elected as per the constitution of the council. When asked about the special security arrangements for the seminar Mr Kaura said since they were holding the seminar in Red Cross Bhavan with the prior permission of the administration. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, said they have not received any instructions from the administration to make any special security arrangements for tomorrow’s WSC convention at Red Cross Bhavan. AMRITSAR (FOC): The Akali Dal (Amritsar) announced today to defy Akal Takht ban on holding the seminar. The announcement regarding the participation in the seminar was made by the party President, Mr Simranjeet Singh Mann, was conveyed to The Tribune here on the telephone. It is being considered as a big booster to Bhai Ranjit Singh who too had said that he would defy this ban and hold the seminar as scheduled. Besides the Akali Dal-Amritsar, the Sant Samaj headed by Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi and eminent scholars have already announced their participation in the seminar. Mr Mann on the one hand
decided to defy the ban but on the other hand he strongly
condemned Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC for
participating in the general body meeting of the ruling
Akali Dal where Mr Parkash Singh Badal was reelected
president in defiance of the hukamnama issued by the
jathedar excommunicating her from the Sikh Panth and not
allowing her to participate in any Sikh gathering. |
Dissolution of WSC councils questioned CHANDIGARH, March 3 (PTI) — The Working General Secretary of the World Sikh Council (WSC), Maj-Gen Narender Singh has challenged the reported dissolution of all regional councils and the constitution of the new executive committee of international Sikh body by Akal Takht Jathedar Puran Singh as patron of the WSC. General Narender Singh, in a letter faxed to the Akal Takht Jathedar, copies of which have been provided to the Press, has said: "We have come to know that regional branches of the WSC have been superseded by you. This action on your part is not only against the law of the land but is also against Sikh tenets and gurumaryda". The letter said the supersession of the regional branches was against the Societies Registration Act, 1887, under which the WSC had been registered. "For these reasons we do not accept your directive", he said in the letter. The patron had no powers under the constitution of the WSC to supersede the council, he said. "When Justice Kuldip Singh met you on February 26, 2000, at your residence, you, in the presence of Dr Puran Singh Jassi, assured him that you had not superseded the WSC", the letter reminded him. The newspapers had also
mentioned about the accounts of the WSC, he said. |
Punjab MC polls on May 28 ROPAR, March 3 — The Punjab Government today announced general elections to three municipal councils and 32 nagar panchayats, and byelections to various wards of 10 municipal councils and one nagar panchayat in the state. These elections will be held on May 28. A notification to this affect was issued today by Mr N.K. Arora, Principal Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Department of Local Government. The copy of the notification has also been sent to the State Election Commissioner for taking necessary steps for holding the general elections and byelections to the municipal councils and nagar panchayats under the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911. The general elections on May 28 will be held for three municipal councils, Nangal, Dharamkot and Amloh. The general election to the SAS Nagar Municipal Council was also due along with the three above-mentioned councils, but the name of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, whose five-year tenure expired about two months ago, has not been included in the notification. When TNS contacted Mr N.K. Arora on phone late this evening about his comments on the exclusion of SAS Nagar Municipal Council from the notification, Mr Arora said he would enquire as to how the name of the municipal council was omitted from the notification. The 32 nagar panchayats for which general elections will be held on May 28 are: Khemkaran, Rayya, Ajnala, Raja Sansi, Bariwala, Dhilwan, Bhulath, Bagowal, Mahilpur, Balachaur, Machhiwarra, Sahnewal, Mulanpur Dakhan, Maloud, Makhu, Shahkot, Bhogpur, Goraya, Bagha Purana, Badhni Kalan, Patran, Ghagga, Ghanaur, Zirakpur, Khanauri, Moonak, Cheema, Dirba, Handiaya, Bhikhi and Kalanaur. The municipal councils
and nagar panchayats where byelections in different wards
will also be held on May 28 are: Sham Churasi (Ward No
6), Khanna (Ward Nos 8, 12, 25), Gurdaspur (Ward No 11),
Moga (Ward No 27), Guru Harsahai (Ward No 8), Patti (Ward
No 13), Jandiala Guru, (Ward 1 and 3), Sanaur (Ward Nos 1
to 13), Maur (Ward No 1), Lohlan (Ward No 9) and Batala
(Ward No 6). |
Rebel MLAs smearing party:
Tandon LUDHIANA, March 3 — Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Punjab Minister for Local Bodies, today accused two dissident BJP MLAs Mr Satpal Godain and Mr Jagdish Sahni, of launching a smear campaign against the state BJP leadership. Talking to newsmen here, Mr Tandon said that the two MLAs who could not be included in the Badal ministry when it was last expanded in December by the Chief Minister, had become frustrated and in a fit of anger, levelled a series of charges of corruption and misuse of official position against him and the state BJP chief, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi. They had even addressed a press conference at Ludhiana to repeat the charges in clear breach of party discipline. The party leadership was thus left with no option but no serve them with a show cause notice. They had replied to the notice but made no reference to the charges against him and Mr Sodhi. This tantamounts to indirect retraction of these charges. However, Mr Tandon said, they were now instigating others to criticise the party leadership. The memorandum submitted to the Governor earlier this week by certain trade and industrial organisations of Ludhiana had to be seen in this context. Everybody knows that the submission of this memorandum has been inspired by these two MLAs, he said. However, in reply to a question, Mr Tandon indicated that the doors were still open for a reconciliation with the two MLAs. In politics, nothing is final. If they have missed the bus today and failed to join the ministry, that does not mean the end of the road for them,” he said. The party leadership did
not want a rift in the BJP. Therefore, it was not keen on
expelling anyone from the BJP. He, however, said that if
the party leadership was forced to act, it would have to
expel the recalcitrant MLAs with a heavy heart. |
Scrap Anandgarh plan, CPI asks CM ROPAR, March 3 — The Punjab unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) while opposing the acquisition of land by the Punjab Government for Anandgarh township near Chandigarh and a cantonment at Anandpur Sahib today demanded the scrapping of both these schemes to safeguard the interests of thousands of villagers who had already small land holding in this district. Talking to reporters here, Mr Bhupinder Samber, Member Secretary of the Punjab unit of the CPI, also appealed to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to stop immediately land acquisition process in the villages which would be hit following the implementation of these schemes. Mr Samber also warned the state government if it failed to scrap these schemes, the state unit of the CPI would launch an agitation in Ropar district with the help of other political parties. He said the CPI had already started talks with the CPM and the Congress to force the state government not to go ahead with its schemes which were anti-farmer. Mr Samber also described the proposed Anandgarh township as the New Chandigarh which was proposed by the Beant Singh government a few years ago. He said land of nearly 53 villages would be covered in two phases under the scheme. Land of 36 villages would be acquired in the first phase, he added. He also alleged that Mr Badal’s relatives had purchased land in these villages at cheap rates which would be purchased by a government agency at high rates in second phase. He also said the government had served notices to on the residents of Sohana village area near Chandigarh to demolish their houses on the plea that these were built in the periphery area. He urged the Badal Government to clarify to the people of the Ropar district whether it wanted to ruin them by acquiring land in the district who had suffered a loss of thousands of acres several times in the name of acquisition of land for different projects. Meanwhile, the Ujjarra Roku Action Committee set up against land acquisition in the villages —Lakherr, Dhanaurra, Tarapur, Jhuinjri and Mindwa in Anandpur Sahib tehsil for setting up an Army cantonment there had also strongly opposed land acquisition in these villages. The committee stated that the land in these villages was now fertile which had suitable for farming with hard work by the small farmers. The committee has also
warned the government if it did not give up scheme, mass
agitation would be launched in this regard. |
Rally planned in Badal village CHANDIGARH, March 3 — The General Secretary of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, said here today that his party would hold a rally in Badal village tomorrow come what may. The use of offical
machinery by the Chief Minister to sabotage the rally
would not serve any purpose, he added. He alleged that
Akali activists who had taken tents and other material
for holding rally at Badal village had been detained by
the police. |
Bid to sabotage rally
alleged LAMBI (Muktsar), March 3 — The local police today detained former minister Hardipinder Singh Badal when he along with hundreds belonging to the native village of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal staged a dharna in front of local police station in protest against the impounding of tractors, truck and canters bringing tents for the rally of suspended Akali legislator Ravi Inder Singh scheduled for tomorrow at Badal village. Mr Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhillon, a confidant of Mr Ravi Inder Singh told TNS on the telephone that Mr Hardipinder Singh Badal resorted to dharna when policemen refused to release the impounded vehicles. He alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal had directed the policemen to stop those on their way to attend the rally. Mr Hardipinder Singh Badal alleged that his tractor which was being used to carry tents and chairs for tomorrow’s rally was impounded by the police on the directions of ruling politicians. Mr Dhillon said they would file a suit against all those police officials who were trying to “sabotage” the rally being organised with the aim of bringing about a change in the leadership the SAD and the administrative set up in Punjab. The SHO of the local police station, when contacted said some vehicles had been challenged for violating traffic rules as per the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The SHO, who refused to
give his name, denied that Mr Hardipinder Singh Badal was
detained by the police. He said no dharna was staged in
front of the police station. |
Left parties to hold rally PHILLAUR, March 3 —
The budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will start
from March 6. This was stated here today by Parliamentary
Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, while talking to
newsmen. Mr Mittal said to present the Punjab Budget, the
date would be decided by the Business Advisory Committee
of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The minister said the Budget
session would start with the Address by the Governor. |
CPI (ML) convention on March
7 ABOHAR, March 3 — The CPI (ML) will be organising a state-level convention on March 7 at Nehru Park, Gurdaspur, to mobilise public opinion against the World Trade Organisation. This was announced by Mr Gurmit Singh, state secretary of the party, and Mr Raj Singh state general secretary of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions, after attending a district level meeting of the party workers and allied organisations here today. The conference at
Gurdaspur would be addressed by Dr Yitender Kumar general
secretary of CPI (ML), Mr Darshan Khatkar of Janshakti,
Mr Mukhtiar Puhla, president, Inqlabi Kendra, Mr Jagjit
Singh Layalpuri, general secretary of the CPM, Mr
Rajwinder Rana, Mr Narbhinder Singh, president, Shaheed
Bhagat Singh Vichar Manch, Haryana, Mahesh Maherishi,
president, IFTU, Rajasthan, and other eminent leaders.
The three-member presidium had been formed to a preside
the conference. Ms Iqbal Udasi, daughter of Sant Ram
Udasi would be honoured on the occasion. |
PWD suffers as drums rot BATHINDA: March 3 — Thousands of empty bitumen drums lying at the PWD (Building and Roads) office here have started decaying. Sources say the value of these drums has been falling day by day as these were rusting, having been kept in the open and exposed to the vagaries of weather. Official sources say thousands of drums had accumulated over the past few years as the authorities concerned had not held any major auction to sell the drums. In an auction held two months ago, a small number of drums were disposed of. In the past three years, the PWD authorities had suffered a loss of lakh of rupees on the account of the rusting of these drums. Sources say the local authorities had written a number of times to the state PWD authorities to auction the drums so that the state could earn from it, but there has been no positive response. The local authorities had also been sending regular survey reports regarding the empty drums to its head office since 1997 and only a few thousands drums had been auctioned about two months ago. Thousands of drums, worth Rs 20 lakh, had been lying in the vacant space available at the office, the sources added. Official sources say whenever a letter was sent to the higher authorities for disposing of the drums, the letter always came back to the Junior Engineer for necessary comments and after he gave his comments, the letter started gathering dust in the files. Sources add that due to encroachment of space by the empty drums, the local B and R authorities had been finding it difficult to find space for storing other material. Mr R.C. Singal,
Executive Engineer, when contacted, said the higher
authorities had been approached time and again for
auctioning the drums. He pointed out that a committee
comprising two officers of the rank of Superintendent
Engineer could hold the auction. |
Ravi Inder complains to
Governor CHANDIGARH, March 3 — Mr Ravi Inder Singh, a dissident MLA from Morinda, today complained to the Punjab Governor that the State Government had taken “illegal” steps to thwart the constitutional rights of the people to hold a peaceful assembly at Badal village in Muktsar district on March 4. A fax message that Mr Ravi Inder Singh sent to the Governor said the meeting was being organised to discuss certain “vital matters pertaining to the financial crisis faced by the State which resulted in the non-payment of salaries, pensions, grants and other statutory payments as manifested in the sale of government lands and buildings.” He alleged that Lambi police in Muktsar district had detained nearly 200 persons with tractor-trolleys carrying tents, loudspeakers and furniture for tomorrow’s assembly. He appealed to the
Governor to intervene in the matter and restore normal
democratic and constitutional rights and civil liberties
enshrined in the Constitution. |
Addiction ‘affects’
family members GURDASPUR, March 3 — Many housewives, whose husbands and children became drug addicts, have committed suicide. This was revealed in a survey conducted on the families of 300 addicts at a drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre here. The survey reveals that addiction not only affects the individual but others in the family also become victims. Some problems of the addicts and their families are similar while others may vary from family to family. The similar problems include feelings of hurt, confusion, shame, being scared, embarrassment, stress and financial crunch. The addict numbs his feelings by using drugs whereas members of the family are left in anguish. According to Dr J.P. Jalota, Project Director, Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, here, in 50 per cent cases wives of addicts have deserted their husbands. In 10 per cent cases the wives have not returned to their husbands. Nearly 5 per cent divorce cases are pending in courts and the number is on the increase. Dr Jalota said in 5 per cent cases the father of the addict blamed his wife for not caring properly for the child. In a majority of the cases, the wife suffered the most and the suppression of anger and stress lead to physical problems like headache, migraine and at times ended up in suicide. Dr Jalota said in a
majority of cases the mother of the addict kept her
husband in the dark about the child’s aberration. In
2 per cent cases the brothers of the addict had become
addicts and a few of them had even expired. |
Promise to widow not kept LUDHIANA, March 3 — The widow of a police Sub-Inspector who laid down his life fighting militants in the state in 1986, is waiting for relief from the state government and the Police Department. Chaman Lal was killed on January 16, 1986, while he was posted in Ludhiana. At the time of his bhog ceremony, senior police officials had assured the widow, Mrs Kaushalya Devi, that a member of the bereaved family would be appointed Assistant Sub-Inspector at the earliest. Says a disgruntled Kaushalya Devi: “For 14 years now, I have been running from pillar to post to get may dues, but to no avail. I had been promised that my son, Davinder Kumar, would be given the job of an ASI if he fulfilled the statutory conditions.” She says after her son, Davinder Kumar, cleared matriculation, he submitted an application in December, 1986, for appointment as ASI, but was informed that the minimum qualification for the post was BA(I). “My son cleared the BA (Part I) examination in 1988-89 and again applied for the post in November 1989. He, along with three more was called for a physical examination vide a memo (no 5519-22/E-3) dated April 26, 1990, under priority list instructions,” she says. Mrs Kaushalya Devi claims that her son cleared the test but was offered the post of a constable. “We did not have any other source of income. I had no other option but to accept this. Since my son was fit for the post of a constable, there was no need for any relaxation or priority list instructions,” she explains. “There have been instances of candidates appointed as police officers after the death of a member of their family, even when another family member was working in the Police Department,” she points out, lamenting that only her son has been discriminated against. She says departmental instructions for appointment on a priority basis have not been followed in his case. “All these years, I
have written to successive Chief Ministers,
Director-Generals of Police and other senior officials
regarding the matter. The supreme sacrifice by my husband
should be acknowledged and my son’s case be
considered sympathetically,” she says. |
Mangal’s next film on
Golden Temple PATIALA, March 3 — After the success of his first film, Khalsa, Mangal Dhillon will make another film on the history of Golden Temple. Mr Dhillon was here today at a show of his film in open grounds of Rajpura Colony. Talking to mediapersons, said the film had run over 60 shows and had been well received, the film would be shown tomorrow at Mehar Singh Colony. He said he was making films on Sikhs because he wanted every Sikh and Punjab to understand that their total population is less than 2 per cent and their sacrifices during the Independence struggle and in the couple of wars fought with the neighbouring countries was much higher. This needed to be highlighted and nobody would do it for them, except themselves. He said he had put all
his savings in the making of Khalsa. But he had now
realised that showing it to the masses through open shows
was a much bigger task. He said he had spent Rs 75 lakhs
on the production and more than Rs 1 crore on showing it
to the public. |
Sidhu to continue as PESCO
chief CHANDIGARH, March 3 — The Punjab Government has reappointed Maj-Gen U.S. Sidhu as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (PESCO) for a further period of two years. General Sidhu was first
appointed in March,1998. Since then, the PESCO has
undertaken many new ventures and projects to provide
additional employment and economic assistance to
ex-servicemen, war widows and their dependants.
Leather-cum-rubber factory at Dera Bassi, security cover
to the Department of Telecommunication in Punjab and
Chandigarh and training of guard dogs, both for
paramilitary forces and private agencies, are some of the
new projects started during his first tenure. |
Clipping of Sikh names opposed AMRITSAR, March 3 — Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, Chairman, Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission, Mr Mohinder Singh Romana, Chairman of the legal cell of the SGPC and three other senior members of the SGPC and certain Sikh intellectuals have objected to the clipping names of Sikh religious and other personalities. In a statement here
today they pointed out clipping of their names amounted
to insult to Sikh personalities and hurting the Sikh
sentiments. |
Golden jubilee of Vajra Corps JALANDHAR, March 3 — The Vajra Corps celebrated its golden jubilee somewhere in the Western sector on Wednesday. Lt Gen H.B. Kala, GOC-in-C, Western Command and Lt Gen Kamal Davar, GOC, Vajra Corps, and other senior Army officers laid wreaths at the Vajra Corps was memorial and paid homage to the martyrs. Ms Rasulan Bibi, wife of late company quarter master, Havildar Abdul Hamid, Param Vir Chakra winner and eight other Mahavir Chakra winners were present on the occasion. Gallantry award winners were honoured by General Kala, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, GOC-in-Chief, Western Command and General Davar. Medical camp at Una
district of Himachal Pradesh, eye and blood donation
camps at Military Hospital, Jalandhar Cantonment, and on
the spot painting competition were also organised on the
occasions. |
Farmers' interests ‘not
protected’ CHANDIGARH, March 3 — The former Punjab Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, has expressed concern over the increase in the price of fertilisers by the Union Government. In a statement today Mrs Bhattal said already prices of diesel and other agriculture inputs had been jacked by the Centre and the Punjab Government in the past months and the increase in fertiliser prices would hit the farming community hard. She said the Badal
Government, which described itself as a government of
farmers, had failed to protect the interests of farmers.
Urging Mr Badal to break his silence over the issues
pertaining to farmers, Mrs Bhattal said that Mr Badal had
even failed to get Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas
for Punjab. |
Kisan convention on March 10 AMRITSAR, March 3 — Mr Buta Singh Bajwa, Executive Chairman of the Farmers’ Forum, Punjab, has said in a statement that a state-level kisan convention will be held on March 10 at Batala. Dr Bal Ram Jakhar, a former Union Agriculture Minister and Chairman of the Bharat Krishak Samaj, would be the chief guest, while Mr R.L. Bhatia, a former Union Foreign Minister, will preside over the function. Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, a former Chief Minister, would be the guest of honour. During the convention
problems and grievances of kisans and ”khet
mazdoors” will be discussed and the resolutions
passed. |
MC tenants encroach on hospital
land ABOHAR: The Municipal Council had not taken any action against its tenants for ‘‘misusing’’ land owned by the Health Department. This came to light during the hearing of a case filed by the council against one such tenant. The case, filed on April 2, 1998, was recently decided by Mr Rajinder Aggarwal, Additional Civil Judge (Sr Division), here in favour of the council. The Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore, had directed the council on March 13, 1996, to stop the tenant from misusing the land of the TB Hospital by opening a passage towards the hospital complex. The council was further directed to submit a report of compliance with its orders within four days but it did not bother. The matter had been raised at the District Grievances Committee meeting and the SDM kept on issuing reminders to the council, but all such communications were thrown into the dustbin. Mr Aggarwal observed in his landmark judgment that even if the Health Department had not objected to misuse of its land, the council tenants had no right to create a passage by opening their doors towards the TB hospital. They had not been given permission for such action. The defence witnesses, themselves tenants of the council, confessed that they had been using the passage (by opening the door) for the past 25 years. Neither the council nor the Health Department had ever raised any objection. The Judge observed that no one had a right to open any gate or window towards the someone else’s property. Even if the department had not made any complaint to the council against the offenders, the council could ask its tenants to permanently seal all illegal doors and windows. The judgment inter alia says: ‘‘It appears that some people had even started placing their articles on the land of the TB Hospital by using their openings on the northern side. If such misuse of government property is not stopped, the people may start claiming that the property belonged to them or was a public street. The Municipal Council should initiate action for getting the gates of the tenants sealed.” The court directed that a copy of the judgment should be sent to the Deputy Commissioner so that he might direct the municipal officials to take action against those involved for getting their gates or windows closed. The council has already launched a drive to remove encroachments on main roads but no action had been initiated in markets like Sadar Bazar and Bus Stand Market, where 75 per cent of the municipal road had been encroached upon by shopkeepers, making it difficult for motorists to pass. The citizens pointed out
that the council was still charging encroachers tehbazari
giving them an incentive to put the people in trouble.
Buses for link roads were also being allowed to pass
through congested city. |
College teachers threaten stir LUDHIANA, March 3 — The joint action committee comprising managements, principals, teaching and non-teaching staff of 162 non-government affiliated colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh has threatened to stage a dharna and organise a rally at Matka Chowk, Chandigarh, on March 9. During a meeting of the committee held at GGN Khalsa College here today, it was decided that if the state government did not concede to their long-standing demands by then, a batch of 21 members would begin a relay fast on March 16. During the last leg of the programme, teachers would boycott the ensuing annual university examinations. The meeting was presided over by Dr Ishwar Singh, President of the Non-Government Colleges Management Federation of Punjab and Chandigarh. Mr S.S. Hundal, President, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, and Mr Tarsem Raj Bahia, Principal, A.S. College, Khanna were also present. The committee is
demanding grants under the 95 per cent grant-in-aid
scheme and release of 80 per cent share of central
assistance for the implementation of the revised UGC pay
scales. |
Check drug abuse,say PAU
ex-VCs LUDHIANA, March 3 —A high level meeting of the principals, hostel wardens, academicians and social workers was held at Punjab Agricultural University today at which an appeal, signed by four former and present Vice-Chancellors hailing from Ludhiana, regarding evils of drug abuse, was released. A press note said that the appeal had been signed by Dr G.S. Kalkat, VC, PAU, Dr Khem Singh Gill, former VC, PAU, Dr Sukhdev Singh, former VC, PAU and Dr S.S. Johl also former VC, Punjabi University, Patiala. The four academicians have appealed to the citizens of the country to remain vigilant about drug abuse and try to wean others away from this evil by forming voluntary organisations. In his presidential address, Dr K.S. Aulakh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, PAU noted that the menace of drug addiction had assumed serious proportions among hostel students and could be tackled by joint efforts of all principals, hostel wardens, academicians and social workers. Studies have shown that intravenous drug abusers has become vulnerable to infections like hepatitis and HIV . He called for a check on easy access to intoxicants at the students. Principal Ram Singh, chief organiser, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle in his inaugural address appreciated the role of WHO in launching a sustained campaign to reduce drastically the consumption of tobacco by giving a call for tougher anti-smoking laws. The mushroom growth of chemist shops as well as tobacco selling shops around educational institutions and hostels must be checked urgently to save our youth from disaster. On this occasion, Medi
Sewa, a news letter of the Directorate of Social and
Health Services, GGSSC was released by Dr Aulakh. An
exhibition by Aas Kiran de-addiction centre was also
organised. |
Salary grant not given to
colleges NAWANSHAHR, March 3 — Resentment prevails among the managements, teaching and non-teaching employees of private, government aided colleges as they have not received the 95 per cent salary grant from the government for the past four months. Dr Dev Ichha, Principal, DAV College of Education for Women, Nawanshahr, Mr Bhupinder Thakur, Secretary, PC NTEU (GND varsity wing) and Mr Ashok Sharma, President of the district unit of the PCNTEU, while talking to this correspondent alleged that the negative attitude of the state bureaucracy towards these colleges had brought them to the verge of closure. They added that they had
urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Mr
Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, to immediately
intervene to save the colleges from closure and ruin.
They have demanded continuation of the 95 per cent salary
grant, release of arrears, grant of Rs 40 crore received
from the Centre, immediate release of
pension-cum-gratuity, and grant of HRA, medical allowance
and other emoluments on a par with government teachers. |
LIC officers JALANDHAR, March 3 — The class-I officers of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India of the Jalandhar division observed strike and held demonstration in front of the local divisional office here today. Addressing the strikers
Mr SM Singh, vice-president of the Class-I Officers of
the LIC of India Jalandhar division, said that though the
top-management had invited them for negotiation, but the
proposal given for wage revision was below as compared
with public sector undertaking as recommended by the
Justice Mohan Committee. |
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