R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

ABOHAR
Link disturbed: The SFT channel, linking Abohar with Chandigarh via Ferozepore, remained disturbed for the sixth consecutive day on Saturday forcing the local authorities to send the telegrams by ordinary posts. Sources said the same situation prevailed at Faridkot.

AMRITSAR
Donation: Mr Rajmohinder Singh Majitha, Rajya Sabha member, while presiding over the annual function of the agricultural faculty of Khalsa College here announced Rs 1 lakh of grant for Cultural and Sports facilities of the faculty. Mr M.S. Dhillon, Principal, also announced Rs 50,000 for the purpose. More than 400 students participated in the function. The principal, welcomed the chief guest, Dr T.S. Chahal, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture.

BATHINDA
19 arrested: The police arrested 19 persons in the past month for different offences. Mr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, in a press note here on Friday said in February, 95 duplicate watches, two pistols with seven cartridges and 29 kg of poppy husk were seized from the accused. Two persons were also arrested while they were trying to sell a truck and three others for gambling, he added.

FEROZEPORE
BSP agitation: The state unit of the BSP will launch an agitation if a case of snatching registered against one of their activists, Parkash Doshi, was not withdrawn by the Gidderbaha police. Disclosing this here on Saturday, the party's convener, Dr Mohan Singh Phallianwala, alleged that the case registered against Parkash Doshi was fabricated.

GARHSHANKAR
Suicide: Resham Kaur, a married woman of Chakk Guru village, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance. According to an FIR, Resham Kaur's husband Paramjit Singh allegedly used to beat her.

HOSHIARPUR
Sentenced: Mr L.R. Roozam, District and Sessions Judge, here on Thursday sentenced Narinder Singh, Gurnam Singh and Jaswinder Singh, residents of Galowal village, to life under Section 302 of the IPC. According to Mr Maninder Singh Multani, public prosecutor, these accused had killed Charan Singh, son of Teja Singh, at his house on August 15, 1998.

Held for murder: The police has arrested Gurdip Singh, son of Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Manankalan, and Rachpal Singh son of Harbans Singh, a resident of Mastiwal, for killing Sohan Singh son of Tahil Singh, of Raghwal village. Mr R.P.Mittal, SSP, said here on Friday that Sohan Singh was murdered on February 27. The accused had decamped with Sohan Singh's .32 bore revolver and five cartridges. A case under Sections 302, 382 and 34 of the IPC, was registered at Hariana police station. Mr Mittal said Gurdip Singh was related to Sohan Singh.

JALANDHAR
Eye camp: More than 800 patients were examined at an eye check-up camp organised by the Madan Mohan Lal Sodhi Charitable Trust at Phillaur on Friday. The camp was inaugurated by Dr D.P.S. Sandhu, Civil Surgeon. He also led the team of doctors who examined and operated upon the patients.

Pensioners demand: A delegation of the central government pensioners and family pensioners led by Mr V.S. Jolly, general secretary, All-India Central Government Pensioners Association (North zone) met officials of Central Pension Ministry in Delhi on Thursday on the invitation of Mr P.K.Brahma, Additional Secretary Pensions, Government of India. Mr Jolly said here on Friday that various demands of 33 lakh pensioners were discussed, including the reduction in pensions of hundreds of pre-1986 Northern Railway pensioners. Setting up of pension adalats in Information and Broadcasting, Telecom, Post Offices, Income Tax and Central Customs and Excise Departments were some of the demands put before ministry officials.

KAPURTHALA
Compensation: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed to pay a compensation of Rs 3,000 to a senior lawyer, Mr Gurmukh Singh Sidhu, for issuing an electricity bill of Rs 4,337 and recovering the same under the threat of disconnection.

LUDHIANA
Anjuman-200 inaugurated: The annual festival of Department of Business Management, Punjab Agricultural University "Anjuman -2000" , was inaugurated by Mr Vijay Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Cycles, here on Friday. Dr K.S. Aulakh, Pro Vice-Chancellor, PAU, presided over the inaugural function. Students from more than 10 colleges of Punjab participated in it. As many as 18 events of different categories were organised on the occasion.

Block inaugurated: Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister, Local Self Government, Punjab, inaugurated a block at Acupuncture Medical College and Dr Kotnis Hospital, Salem Tabri, here on Friday. Mr Sohan Singh, president , Indian Workers Association, and Mr Joginder Singh, chairman, Josh Trust, were present on the occasion

Price hike flayed: The state unit of the BJP and the Kisan Morcha, has condemned the increase in the price of urea and fertilisers like DAP. In a press note issued here on Friday, Mr Sukhminder Pal Singh Garewal, party Secretary, informed that a delegation soon would meet the Prime Minister, the Union Finance Minister and the Agriculture Minister and prevail upon them to roll back the price hike.

Elected: Dr Asha Dhawan, Department of Fisheries, Punjab Agricultural University, has been elected an Executive member of the Asian Fisheries Society (Indian branch) at its general body meeting held at the Central Institute of Fresh Water Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, for a period of three years.

MOGA
Generation tax: Residents of this town on Friday criticised the Punjab Government's move to impose fresh taxes on generators installed by them and the industrialists. They alleged that the generators were installed due to frequent power breakdowns.

Safai karamcharis: The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has asked the local nagar council to give property rights to its sweeper class employees who have been occupying their quarters in the Indira colony since the past several years. This was announced here on Friday by Mr Sardip Singh Ghagga, commission member. The commission has also asked the council to provide plots to the karamcharis.

Farmers' camp: With farmers being made aware of improved technical know-how, the district expects a record wheat production of 7,73,000 tonnes this year, according to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kanwal Bir Singh. The estimated production of wheat would be 1,08,000 hectares. This was stated by the Deputy Commissioner while inaugurating a district level farmers training camp for kharif crop, here on Friday.

PHAGWARA
Elected: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local PCCTU Unit of Guru Nanak College: president — Prof Jaswant Singh Gandham; secretary — Prof Jasbir Singh Johal; delegates from various regions are: Prof Kulwant Kaur, Prof Balwinder Singh Sekhon and Prof Kulwant Singh.

Eye camp: As many as 375 patients were checked and 16 operated upon at an eye camp organised by the Rotary Club (Chachoki). Mr Pritam Singh, SDM, presided over the concluding function, according to an official press note issued here on Friday.

Operation camp: Late Nanak Chand Sethi memorial eleventh eye operation camp will be organised at Geeta Bhavan here on Sunday by the City Junior Chamber.

PHILLAUR
Sarpanch attacked: Gurnam Singh, a sarpanch of Rawan village, was attacked by some persons here on Saturday. He was admitted to the civil hospital. A case has been registered.

Cyclist killed: Parkash Chand, a cyclist was crushed to death by a vehicle on the G T Road near Goraya on Saturday. The driver of the vehicle has absconded. A case has been registered and the body sent to the Civil Hospital for the post-mortem examination.

CHANDIGARH

Mass marriages: The Sector 34 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sewa Society has decided to organise a mass marriage ceremony here on April 23 to facilitate marriages of poor and needy girls. The expenses for the marriages will be borne by the society. The needy and poor families can contact the Sector 34 Joda Ghar of Gurdwara Sahib, Mr Baghel Singh (Tel 716056); Mr Sharanjit Singh Bedi (Tel : 687268) and Mr Baljinder Singh (Tel: 675658) on or before March 15.

Market body chief: Mr R.D. Garg has been elected Chairman of the Sector 29-D Market Committee. Other office-bearers are : President — Mr Om Dutt Sharma; General Secretary — Mr Prem Juneja; and Cashier — Mr Rajinder Chohan.

Suspended: Mr Kulbhushan Gupta, officiating president, Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, has suspended Mr Surinder Bhatia, Mr O.P. Verma and Mr Sandeep Singh — all office-bearers of the CTCC — and served show cause notices on them as to why they should not be expelled from the party for their anti-party activities. Mr Gupta said they had been suspended as they disrupted and sabotaged the meeting of the CTCC called on Friday.

Association: Mr Nirmal Singh and Mrs Daya Babbar have been elected President and Secretary of the DRDO Clerical Staff Association of the Sector 30 TBRL branch here. Other office-bearers are Vice-President — Mrs Sanyokta Bhargava; Joint Secretary — Mr Bai Singh; and Treasurer — Mr Tilak Raj Sharma.

Function: The Bodhotsava of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was celebrated by all Arya Samaj institutions at the Sector 22 Arya Samaj temple here on Saturday. After Agni Yajna, there was bhajan singing, which featured Pt Asha Ram and Pt Pyare Lal bhajan mandlis. Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Vikram Viveki, Dr Virendra Kumar, Dr Vasundhara Rihani and others delivered discourses on Arya Samaj. Mrs Shanta Abhilashi, Mayor, was the chief guest.

Medical conference: A one-day medical conference will be organised on March 5 at the PGI, followed by a scientific programme. It will be inaugurated by Dr J.L. Bhatia from Amritsar and the guests of honour will include Dr B.K. Sharma and Dr N.K. Ganguli.

Students' problems: The Students Welfare Council of Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College, Sector 46-B, here presented the problems faced by the students to the Adviser to the Administrator, Mrs Vinita Rai. The Students Union President, Mr Ripudaman, alleged that there were no teaching facilities available to the students in spite of paying tuition fees of more than Rs 50,000 p.a.

KHARAR
Eye-operation camp: A free eye-operation camp is being organised in the nearby Sacrulapur village on March 5 in which Dr Jatinder Singh, Dr Pawan Sharma, Dr Sunita Sharma and Dr H.S. Kalra will examine patients.

Anti-rabies camp: An anti-rabies and de-worming vaccination camp for dogs is being organised by the SPCA at Kharar Civil Veterinary Hospital on March 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pets and stray dogs will be vaccinated free of cost on the occasion.

PANCHKULA
Bar panel: The District Bar Association, Panchkula, has lauded the decision to appoint an Additional District and Sessions Judge in the district. The President of the association, Mr RS Bhadhran, said in a press note that the lawyers’ agitation for the cause had yielded results. The new Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr Darshan Singh, will assume charge on March 7.

HARYANA

KURUKSHETRA
Punjabi Samaj Sabha: The local Punjabi Samaj Sabha at its meeting under the chairmanship of Dr A C Nagpal, here on Saturday, thanked the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, for inducting two Punjabi Ministers into his Cabinet.

"Millennium literati": While inaugurating "The Millennium Literati" — a national-level three day symposium organised by the local Regional Engineering College, Dr V.M. Sharma, Chief consultant , Advanced Technologies and Engineering Services emphasised on the importance latest technological developments and experimenting with new ones. He also released the souvenir. Students from various colleges of the country took part in the symposium.

SONEPAT
Attacked: Lalit, a trader's son was allegedly robbed of Rs 6,000 by four youths near the Gohana Bus Stand, 35 km from here on Friday. According to a report, Lalit was waylaid while he was returning from a bank. A case has been registered.

Arrested: The Mohana police on Friday arrested five persons namely Vinod, Ram Niwas, Ganga Ram, Satish and Krishan for allegedly murdering one Dilbagh Singh of the same village on March 1. According to the police, a dispute over the stealing of some diesel engine equipment was stated to be the cause behind the murder.

Killed: Ramesh Kumar was trapped in a rice sheller machine and killed on the spot along the G T Road near Baya Village, 20 km from here, on Friday. According to the police, the victim belonged to Rampur village of Ambala district.

Strike: Members of the District Bar Association continued their strike on Saturday in protest against the move to amend CPC and the alleged lathi charge on lawyers in Delhi.

YAMUNANAGAR
Recruitment drive: The Army will launch a recruitment drive at Cantonment area here on March 9. This was stated by Mr Vinod Kumar, recruitment officer, on Saturday. He said recruitments would be made amongst the residents of Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Panchkula and Chandigarh. Majhbi Sikh, Gorkhas, Ahir and Gujjar youths would be recruited on March 9.