 |
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| Wednesday, March 8, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Pakistanis
avoid Lahore bus Badal
seeks PM’s intervention Infighting
in state BJP continues Reopening
of dug-up GT Road delayed
SGPC
meeting on March 16
I-cards
compulsory for next poll |
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| Police to build memorials FATEHGARH SAHIB: The sacrifices made by the police personnel during the height of terrorism are no less than those of the Army men in Kargil. Though Army men have to fight the enemy they know, but the policemen have to fight the hidden enemy, Mr Rajdeep Singh Gill, IG, Patiala zone, said while addressing a gathering at Havara Kalan village after inaugurating a memorial built to commemorate the sacrifice of Ranbir Singh, a police constable of the village. Protest against inquiry officer HC
quashes Punjab order on ex-Army men Women
still deprived lot: survey Insurance
staff observe strike Punjab
Assembly pays homage Guru
Kashi centre to be developed Delhi-Amritsar
rail traffic disrupted Rail
bridge sanctioned
Aulakh’s
inclusion in vigilance cell raises eyebrows “Raise
outlay for Health”
DSP
dismissed 2
vehicle thieves arrested Gold
biscuits seized
Smart
card scheme for patients soon ETT
entrance test Question
paper printing bungled
|
Pakistanis avoid Lahore bus WAGAH, March 7 — The number of Pakistani passengers on the Delhi-bound Pakistan Tourism Corporation luxury bus has come down in wake of attack by Shiv Sena activists on the bus near Phagwara on March 4. Out of a total of 40 passengers who crossed the joint check post here today only seven were Pakistanis. As many as 30 passengers were Indians, most of them have reportedly decided to cut short their visit fearing retaliation by fundamentalists in Pakistan. As many as three passengers were foreigners while three were crew members. Narrating the unsavoury incident near Phagwara, Zahid Shah, driver of the Lahore-Delhi bus praised the security staff of the Punjab police who countered the attack of the Shiv Sainiks and said: “Had they not saved us, the Shiv Sainiks would have set the bus on fire.” The security staff led by Mr Harjinder Singh, Sub Inspector, who were only six in number, had risked their lives while saving us from the fundamentalists. The crew of the bus claimed that the Government of Pakistan had made elaborate security arrangements for escorting the bus as it apprehended counter attack by the Pakistani fundamentalists. Zahid Shah said instead of two escort jeeps, four Gypsies, would escort the bus from Lahore to Wagah checkpost. Mr Ishtyak Hussain, liaison officer of the Pakistan Tourism Corporation said that the government of Pakistan had asked the Government of India to ensure ‘safe journey’ in its territory. He alleged that though there were confirmed reports about the possibility of the Shiv Sainiks attacking the bus yet the Punjab police did not make adequate security arrangements. The escort team had confirmed that the route of the bus was changed twice in the past two months after getting prior information about the attacks. Mr Hussain said despite the attack only one Gypsy would escort the bus today. However, the high police officials said all SHOs had been instructed to make elaborate security arrangements in their respective areas on the GT Road for the safe passage of the bus. Abid Khan, a resident of Jaipur who returned from Sheikhupura after meeting his relatives said he had approached the Indian Embassy in Islamabad before boarding the bus. “They told me that the Government of India would ensure full security of life and property during journey in the Indian territory”, he said. Another Indian passenger said it was the last day of his visa so he was taking the risk of travelling by bus. “Had I some more days with me I would have come by Samjhauta Express in wake of the attack on bus few days ago,” he said. Azim Ali, a resident of Multan who was travelling along with his family members said a sense of insecurity was certainly in his mind. He, however, said that “allah” would take care of everything. He said the bus should not be stopped due to the attacks by fundamentalists on either side. Meanwhile, Customs
officials have stepped up checking at Wagha. |
Badal seeks PM’s
intervention CHANDIGARH, March 7 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has urged Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee to get the proposals for reducing the fertilisers and food subsidies dropped in the Union Budget. In a two-page demi-official (D.O.) letter written to the Prime Minister, Mr Badal has stated that the plight of Punjab farmers was such that any additional input cost would jeopardise the viability of farming operations in the state. The increase in the prices of various fertilisers due to the reduction in subsidy would put an additional burden of Rs 163 crore on Punjab farmers annually. The farming community was already under a debt of Rs 5,700 crore and paying Rs 1102 crore as interest on bank loans. Each family was paying Rs 11,000 as interest to banks on agriculture loans. While in the past 15 years input cost had gone up manifold, the income in the farming sector had increased only by 1.5 per cent. Raising the issue of cut in subsidy on food-grains issued through the PDS, Mr Badal said that if the food subsidies were drastically reduced, the issue price would go up and there would be a lesser off-take of wheat and rice from surplus states, especially Punjab. This would indirectly hit the minimum support price mechanism, affecting Punjab’s agriculture-based economy. Earlier, Mr Badal had
met the Prime Minister in this connection on March 3. |
Infighting in state BJP continues LUDHIANA, March 7 — The rift in the Punjab unit of the BJP which came in the open after the last round of ministerial expansion more than two months ago, shows no sign of ending. Instead, there are indications that in the days to come, situation may take a turn for the worse. Informed sources in the party said here today that the BJP MLAs, Mr Satpal Gosain and Mr Jagdish Sahni, did not seem to be in a mood for a compromise despite peace overtures from the leader of the 18-member BJP group in the Punjab Assembly, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, who is also the minister for local bodies in the Badal Cabinet, in recent days. The two MLAs were issued a show cause notice by the state BJP chief, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, for alleged breach of party discipline for publicly levelling a series of allegations of corruption and misuse of office against Mr Tandon and Mr Sodhi. It was then alleged on behalf of the party leadership that Mr Gosain and Sahni were attacking the party leadership due to frustration at not being included in the Badal Ministry. The two MLAs have since replied to the show cause notice which is still pending with the party leadership. During his recent trip to Ludhiana, Mr Tandon claimed that the two MLAs had made no mention in their replies to the allegations against him and Mr Sodhi which tantamounted to a retraction. He indicated that since the two MLAs were no longer publicly campaigning on the issue the party leadership was not very keen on taking strong action against them. Mr Tandon also claimed that there were many “mediators” which were trying to bring about a reconciliation between the two sides. “In any case, nothing is final in politics. If they have failed to make it to the ministry this time, there is always a next time....,” he quipped. Sources close to the two MLAs, however, insist that they were not in a mood for compromise despite the offer of the post of deputy speakership to one of them. The recent visit to Chandigarh by a delegation of leaders of Punjab’s trade and industry to submit to the governor a memorandum containing several charges against Mr Tandon is a clear indication of this uncompromising mood. It is widely surmised here that the memorandum to the Governor may have been “inspired” by the two MLAs. As a matter of fact, Mr Tandon said as much here the other day. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is aware of the infighting in the BJP, but he has adopted a strictly hands-off policy towards the internal affairs of its coalition partner. He has stated that he was aware of the charges against Mr Tandon, but those who had levelled those should go to the Lok Pal. Sources in the BJP here
indicate that another deputation may soon go to New Delhi
to submit a memorandum to the President of India. If that
too does not evoke a positive response, a public interest
litigation petition may soon he filed in the Punjab and
Haryana High Court. |
Reopening of dug-up GT Road
delayed BATHINDA — A major portion of the Bathinda-Goniana Grand Trunk Road falling in this city, which used to carry a major share of the traffic, has been closed to vehicular traffic for the past one and half years due to sewerage work. Though the Punjab Sewerage Board has been laying sewer pipes, the Building and Roads wing of the Public Works Department is yet to start repairs of those portions where work has been completed. The closure of the main road has increased traffic congestion in several areas and traffic bottle-necks have become a common phenomenon here. Those portions of the road where sewerage work had been completed could not be repaired so far as there was no coordination between the Punjab Sewerage Board and the PWD authorities. On the other hand, the Punjab Sewerage Board has started digging up Amrik Singh Road for laying pipes without making any arrangement for making the Bathinda-Goniana road traffic-worthy. The road which has been left disused after the sewerage work completed has become a paradise for stray animals and a dumping place for garbage. Some of the shopkeepers are also using it as parking space. A senior official of the Punjab Sewerage Board told TNS that the department had deposited the requisite money with the PWD authorities for carrying out the necessary repair of the GT Road to make it traffic-worthy. He added that about Rs 12 lakh had been deposited and the PWD was being urged time and again to start the work. On the other hand, a senior PWD official said as per the terms of work, the Punjab Sewerage Board was required to do levelling of the road after filling it up. Despite their repeated requests, the board had failed to start levelling work so far. Sources said the PWD authorities had prepared the estimates of the work of metalling the dug up portion of the Bathinda-Goniana road and would start the work, the moment the levelling was completed. Bathinda city is known
for sewerage problem. For the past three decades, parts
of the city have been dug up repeatedly for laying
sewerage pipes. Owing to defective sewerage system, it is
also facing insanitation. |
SGPC meeting on March 16 AMRITSAR, March 7 — A crucial executive meeting of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee will be held here on March 16. This is the first formal meeting convened by Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was restrained from functioning as the SGPC chief by Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, till she “rejoins” the Sikh Panth. Giani Puran Singh had already warned the Sikh leadership not to allow Bibi Jagir Kaur to attend any social, political or religious meeting. Though SGPC officials claim that the forthcoming meeting is of ‘routine nature’ yet the current panthic crisis ‘could be discussed’ with the permission of the President. Apart from this, the meeting will recommend the budget to the general house which will meet by the end of the current financial year. Meanwhile, Bhai Kulwant Singh, Jathedar, Hazoor Sahib, and Giani Mann Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, are holding a meeting in Patna to discuss the ongoing controversy over the ‘hukamnama’. They have been invited by Giani Puran Singh to attend the meeting of five Sikh high priests which is proposed to be held in near future to discuss Bibi Jagir Kaur’s letter. The SGPC chief, in her letter, had expressed a desire to appear before the high priests of all five takhts. The controversy over the
‘hukamanma’ has to be resolved before the
concluding functions of the tercentenary celebrations of
the birth of the Khalsa Panth as it is considered
necessary that both the SGPC chief and the Jathedar, Akal
Takht, must be present on the occasion. |
I-cards compulsory for next poll ROPAR, March 7 — Photo identity cards issued by the Election Commission have been made compulsory in Punjab for the next Lok Sabha and vidhan sabha elections. This was disclosed here today by Dr Brajendra Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, while reviewing the progress report of identity cards of Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts. The meeting was attended by Mrs Usha R. Sharma, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Mr G.S. Grewal, Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu and Dr Roshan Sunkaria, Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers of Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts respectively. Fatehgarh Sahib district was represented by Mr A.S. Bhatti, Additional Deputy Commissioner. Dr Brajendra Singh said this was the last opportunity for the voters to get their identity cards to become eligible for voting. He said a programme had been worked out by the Election Department to provide identity cards to those who did not have these. Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Fatehgarh Sahib districts would be covered under programme on a priority basis. He appealed to about 49 lakh remaining voters of the state to make use of this opportunity and get the identity cards made. Dr Brajendra Singh said out of 1,57,23949 voters in the state, as many as 1,08,03963 had already been issued identity cards. He said Ferozepore district lopped in the preparation of identity cards while Patiala district was at the bottom. Dr Brajendra Singh said compared voters in the urban areas, voters in the rural areas were more enthusiastic in getting identity cards made. He urged the Deputy
Commissioners to pay special attention in the urban areas
during the amusing campaign for preparing identity cards.
|
Police to build memorials FATEHGARH SAHIB: The sacrifices made by the police personnel during the height of terrorism are no less than those of the Army men in Kargil. Though Army men have to fight the enemy they know, but the policemen have to fight the hidden enemy, Mr Rajdeep Singh Gill, IG, Patiala zone, said while addressing a gathering at Havara Kalan village after inaugurating a memorial built to commemorate the sacrifice of Ranbir Singh, a police constable of the village. To commemorate the sacrifices of the police personnel, it has been decided to erect memorials in the villages of police martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Mr Gill said the community which throws its martyrs into oblivion, can never progress and is not remembered. He said Punjab was perhaps the only place where terrorism had been almost eliminated. Mr Sanjeev Gupta, DIG, Patiala range, said the Punjab police had set an example of sacrifices by exposing not only themselves but also their families to great risks and danger. He further said to save the life and property of the citizens from ruthless terrorists the police personnel sometimes had to fight with their back to the wall, making their job more tougher and demanding. He said if we failed to recognise their sacrifices then terrorism may revive because nobody would come forward to sacrifice his life. He also urged the people to respect the families of martyrs. Mr Paramraj Singh Umranangal, SSP, said the district had taken the lead to implement the proposal to erect memorials for martyrs. He said earlier a gate in the memory of late Constable Netar Singh was erected at Mirpur village in the district. He added that the panchayat and the people of the area had contributed for the noble cause. He announced that the police would bear the cost of education of their wards and help in the marriages of their daughters. On the occasion the
families of police martyrs in the district were given
gifts and cheques. |
Protest against inquiry officer AMRITSAR, March 7 — Balmikis gathered here today at Shree Ram Tirath temple to protest against the appointment of Mr B.K. Srivastava, Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar division, as an inquiry officer in connection with a demolition incident. However, the Commissioner met the mahants, whose houses had been demolished, but refused to meet the Balmikis. The mahants expressed fear for their lives and demanded security . The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, accompanied the Commissioner in connection with the February 19 incident in which Mr J.P. Singh, SDM, Ajnala, was allegedly held responsible for the demolition of 25 rooms belonging to mahants on the periphery of the temple. Thereafter, the SDM was suspended and transferred. It may be mentioned that March 5 was the deadline for all applications, complaints and grievances relating to the above incident and for this reason Mr Srivastava had come to conduct an inquiry. It is not known as to how many applications were received by the Commissioner. However, Mr Srivastava left half-an-hour later. Meanwhile, the Balmiki Tirath Action Committee in a press note took strong exception to Mr Srivastava being appointed as the inquiry officer. They demanded a non-Hindu to conduct an impartial enquiry. Mr Narinderjit Singh was
not available for comments. |
HC quashes Punjab order on
ex-Army men CHANDIGARH, March 7 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed the Punjab Government order of August 4, 1999, withdrawing the monetary benefits granted to former Army officers in the Punjab Public Works (B and R) Department. Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice N.K. Sood, who handed down this order, ruled that this conclusion of the department was based on the seniority list of April 2, 1999. It was the common case of the parties that this seniority list qua the petitioners had been quashed by the High Court in the Bal Krishan Thapar Vs the State of Punjab and others. The department had been directed to determine the seniority of the petitioners afresh in accordance with the courts observations. "Since the seniority list has been quashed, the necessary consequence is that the impugned order of August 4, 1999, cannot be sustained" the Judges held. The decision of the
Punjab Government was questioned by Maj B.K. Thapar, a
former Chief Engineer, and Maj B.D. Gupta, Superintending
Engineer in the PWD (B and R). |
Women still deprived lot:
survey LUDHIANA, March 7 — The women today have come a long way from being a second-grade citizens becoming the symbols of reassertion of womanhood. These were the views expressed by some of the local women,who were contacted by the Tribune team, on what it meant to be a woman of the millennium on account of the millenium’s first International Woman’s Day. Not only did the women stressed the need for social and economic liberation for their emancipation, but also their emotional independence so that they become a part of the decision-making process. However all of them favoured their families to be their topmost priority. Ms Sheetal Thapar, an assistant professor of Journalism at Punjab Agriculture University said, “The movement for women’s liberalisation so in the country has come a long way and women are now becoming more self-reliant financially and emotionally. But the need is to have more women as part of the psycho-physical environment and have them participate in the socio-political process of country.” She feels that though she does not favour the fire-brand kind of feminism, but the fact remained that women were still a deprived lot in most countries. She says a recent UN General Assembly report has stated that though 50 per cent of women accounted for the world’s population, yet they did only two-third work, and got a mere one-tenth salary as compared to men. Mrs Rajni Bector, proprietor of Cremica Industries and who has come long way from being a housewife in a conservative business family to being a “bread and ice-cream baroness,” said women should have a freedom in ideas and a broader prospective towards life. “Women are and have always been good finance managers while managing the family’s budget, and top of the line human resource managers when it comes to managing husbands, children, etc. Mrs Bector feels that other than being bold, flexible in their ideas and exercising their right to say no, women have now to learn to maintain a proper balance between her freedom and her family. Dr Rajinder Kaur, Civil Surgeon, when contacted said women still faced the challenge of having to assert themselves before their male counterparts and were expected to prove their competence. “I agree that women
are coming forward in all spheres of life, but she has to
fight a lot more battles than men. In work places, men
still try their best to stop them from coming up. So she
has to be strong enough to face such challenges. |
Insurance staff observe strike AMRITSAR, March 7 — On a call from the All-India Insurance Employees Association, employees of the GIC and the LIC here observed a two-hour strike before lunch in protest against the management and the government’s adamant attitude in settling the wage structure which is due from August, 1997. Employees of both organisations staged demonstrations in front of their divisional offices. Mr Ashok K. Sharma of the GIC and Mr J.S. Randhawa of the LIC addressed the employees. They asked them to get ready for an agitation to save the industry from the privatisation threat. NAWANSHAHR: On a call given by the Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association, Class III and IV insurance employees observed a strike on Tuesday for two hours and organised a dharna and a rally in front of the local LIC office to protest against the negative attitude of the government towards their demands. Mr Madanlal, Mr Piara Singh Garcha, president and secretary, respectively, of the local unit of the association and Mr Swatantar Kumar, general secretary of the Trade Union Council, among others, addressed the rally. PATIALA:
Responding to a call given by the All-India Insurance
Employees Association (AIIEA), LIC employees on Tuesday
observed an hour-long strike. They also staged a
demonstration in front of the LIC office at Chotti
Baradari demanding an early settlement of their charter
of demands.Mr Narinder Walia, divisional president of the
Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association, addressed
the rally and said the employees would continue their
struggle till their demand of wage revision was met. |
Bank staff feel let down BATHINDA, March 7 — Mr M.M. Behl, General Secretary, State Bank of Patiala Staff Union, today alleged that leaders of various bank employee unions had harmed the interests of employees agreeing to accept conditions of wage revision of the managements. In a press note issued
here, he said leaders of the bank employee unions had
agreed to accept 12.25 per cent increase in wages despite
the fact that a memorandum to the managements was given
for 58 per cent increase in the wages. |
LIC policy holders to get
better service AMRITSAR, March 7 — All six branches of the LIC here, including the one at Chheharta in Amritsar, have been approved to be connected through MAN (metro area network) very shortly. It will enable the holders to deposit premiums of policies with any of these branches irrespective of the issuing branch. It marks entry into a new era of technology upgradation in the Amritsar division of the LIC. The ground work for implementing MAN has been initiated and is likely to be completed in 2000-2001. Divisional Manager Rajesh Kandwal said this in a press note here yesterday. It has also been decided
to extend interactive voice response system to the city
where the policy holders can get information pertaining
of policies on phones. This system will improve service
to policy holders in this new era. |
Punjab Assembly pays homage CHANDIGARH, March 7 — The Punjab Assembly today paid homage to eminent personalities who passed away since the last session. Among those whom tributes were paid were former President of India S.D. Sharma, ex-MP Krishan Lal Sharma and Ms Geeta Mukerjee, a sitting MP three former MLAs — Kanwar Manjitinder Singh, Mr Parshotam Singh, Mr Mohinder Singh Brar; Col Partap Singh Gill, a former Lt-Governor of Goa; Mr B. Rachaiya, a former Governor of Himachal and Kerala; Mr Hazara Singh Humdam, Mr Pritam Singh, Ms Durga Devi and Giani Charan Singh, all freedom fighters and victims of the Orissa cyclone and the Sirhind bus bomb blast on February 3. The House was led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal in moving a resolution to pay homage. The House observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect. The Chief Minister also reiterated Punjab’s pledge to fight terrorism and asked the Centre to give all possible help to the states engaged in fighting terrorism. Earlier, the newly elected member of the House from Nawanshahr, Mr Jatinder Singh Kariha, was administered the oath of office by the Speaker. The House was adjourned
till March 9. |
Guru Kashi centre to be
developed PATIALA, March 7 —Punjabi University has decided to develop its Guru Kashi Centre at Bathinda into an open education institute. In a statement here, the university Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, said after studying the deficiencies at the centre, the university had drawn up a detailed plan to remove them. Dr Ahluwalia said the university had already received Rs 25 lakh to develop the infrastructure and to upgrade the facilities. He said Dr B.S. Bhatia, Dean, Research, was specially sent to the centre to make an in-depth study of the problems and the university was considering his findings and recommendations. He further said in future this centre would develop into a vibrating institute and play its role in the academic transformation of the area. The Vice-Chancellor said the university authorities had already held two meetings with the secretary of higher education regarding the selection of a suitable site for constructing a building which would house the regional centre and the B.Ed college, he said. He suggested that the faculty of Punjabi University in Punjabi, English, economics and law should visit this centre by turn and teach the students. He added that this should be made a regular feature. Dr Ahluwalia said not one but two teachers of the Law Department from the university were already imparting instructions to the students. He suggested that it should be the responsibility of the respective departments to meet the teaching needs of the students at Bathinda. He added that the
university had already advertised four posts for the Law
Department at Bathinda and if necessary the university
would relax the conditions regarding the recruitments
against the posts of teacher as not many applicants
fulfilled the eligibility conditions. He said the
university was making efforts to upgrade the facilities. |
Delhi-Amritsar rail traffic disrupted JALANDHAR, March 7 (PTI) — Rail Traffic between national capital Delhi and Amritsar was disrupted for over five hours this morning as an enraged mob laid siege to the railway tracks here protesting against sewerage water inundating several residential colonies on the city’s outskirts. Hundreds of enraged residents of Bashirpurakamal Vihar, Thakar Colony, Bharat Nagar, Guru Nanak Pura West and Chugitti blocked the tracks at around 8 a.m. stopping the New Delhi-Amritsar Chattisgarh Express and other trains. The residents, who had been protesting for several weeks demanding a solution to the sewerage problem in the Bashirpura area, took to the roads after sewerage water flooded their houses last night. Deputy Commissioner Som Parkash, accompanied by senior civil officials, visited the Bashirpura disposal site in the wee hours today for a first hand appraisal of the problem. Later, the DC and Mayor Suresh Sehgal assured the agitating residents that work was on at war-footing to complete the Garrha-Bashirpura sewerage section which would solve the problem. Among trains that were delayed were Chattisgarh Express, Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi, Shane Punjab, Dadar Express, Amritsar-Barauni Express, Paschim Express, Flying Mail and Sealdah-Jammu. Later railway authorities said the siege was lifted at 1 p.m. and normal rail traffic restored after the Deputy Commissioner and the Mayor assured the people of immediate action. The DC said immediate steps were being taken to pump out water from the inundated areas and pumps had already started functioning. Meanwhile, some of the residents also blocked the Delhi-Amritsar highway for a few minutes near Chugitti bye-pass leading to a traffic snarl-up. A bus belonging to Moga
depot of the Punjab Roadways was stoned by some
miscreants who were chased away immediately. Some window
panes of the bus were broken. |
Rail bridge sanctioned BATHINDA, March 7 — The central government has sanctioned the construction of a Railway overbridge in the city to link trans-Railway colonise with main town. Disclosing this here today Punjab Science and Technology Minister, Chiranji Lal Garg said that the central government had also allocated Rs one Crore for the bridge in the next financial year. He pointed out that Rs 20 crore would be spent on the Railway overbridge and with the construction of bridge distance between the city and many villages of the district would be reduced. Mr Vijay Sharma,
president and Mr M.M. Behal, General Secretary,
respectively of Khooni Phatak Sangharsh Committee, have
hailed the sanctioning of overbridge by the central
government here. |
Freedom fighter dead BATHINDA, March 7 (PTI) — Veteran freedom fighter and former Parja Mandal leader Mahasha Durga Dass Jaito died here following a heart attack yesterday, family sources said. Jaito, who was associated with Bhagat Singh and took part in the freedom struggle, had been ailing for some time. He was cremated with
full state honours and the local tehsildar placed wreaths
on his body on behalf of the Punjab Government. |
Aulakh’s inclusion in
vigilance cell raises eyebrows CHANDIGARH, March 7 — A vigilance cell to check market fee evasion has been created in the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board with Mr Darshan Singh Aulakh, Mr Satish Kumar Gupta, Mr Rajinder Pal Singh and Mr Triloki Nath as its members. The step, taken on December 3 last in “administrative interests” of the mandi board, has raised eyebrows over the inclusion of Mr Aulakh in the vigilance cell. Insiders say he (Mr Anlakh) was caught on August 27, 1997, by the flying squad of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a rice sheller owner. After he was remanded in police custody, the board placed Mr Aulakh, General Manager, Marketing under suspension on August 27, 1997. Mr Aulakh was demoted as Deputy General Manager on September 3. Promoted on December 15, 1995, he had been on probation for two years. His conduct during that period was recorded as “not satisfactory”. The arrest was then made by the present SSP of Chandigarh, Mr Prag Jain, who was then the chief of the flying squad of the Vigilance Department. Later under political pressure, Mr Aulakh’s suspension was revoked. But he was not given charge of the enforcement wing. When on December 3, the
news was first reported in The Tribune about Mr Aulakh
being put on the vigilance cell the board decided to
maintain a profile for two months or so. But again on
February 18, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, President of the mandi
board passed the orders under which the two earlier
members of the vigilance cell, Mr Shakti Prasad and Mr
Gurbaksh Singh were replaced by three new members
mentioned above. |
“Raise outlay for Health” PATIALA, March 7 — The Punjab Paramedical Staff Association, PSEB, has urged the board authorities to transfer two posts to the allopathic dispensary at the head office and increase budget for medical facilities. In a representation to Mr G.S. Sohal, Chairman, Punjab State Electricity Board, Mrs Jagdish Kaur and Mr Avinash Gupta, president and general secretary, respectively, of the association, said the present budget allocation of Rs 1 lakh was not sufficient for providing quality medical services to the employees. They reminded the Chairman that budget allocation was reduced to Rs 1 lakh two years ago despite opposition from the association. They said due to increased price of medicines and other equipment it was necessary that the budgetary allocation be increased to Rs 2.5 lakh. The association demanded
that two posts of medical assistant and pharmacist were
shifted from the dispensary to other duties last year.
The shifting had affected the working of the medical
unit. The association said as staff was required in the
three dispensaries in the city the two posts should be
immediately returned. |
DSP dismissed LUDHIANA, March 7 — DSP Ashok Puri, who has been accused of physical assault and raping a minor girl in Jagraon, was today dismissed from service on the order of the Governor of Punjab, Lt-Gen, (retd) JFR Jacob. DSP Puri had been
suspended from service on the basis of the FIR registered
against him. He surrendered before the SSP, Jagraon on
March 5 and was remanded in police custody for two days.
He was remanded in judicial custody for 10 days. |
2 vehicle thieves arrested MUKTSAR, March 7 — The district police has arrested two members of an inter-state gang of vehicle thieves. The police has also found two cars, two motor cycles, two scooters and one moped from the two accused. They have been identified as Rajinder Kumar and Rachpal Singh. Two pistols and eight cartridges have also been found from the accused. Mr Kultar Singh, SSP, said the accused used to steal vehicles in one state and to sell those off in another state after changing the registration number. The rubber stamps of transport department of different states were found from the two. The gang of eight members operated in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The accused used to hire the car as taxi and after reaching a secluded place they would push out the driver at pistol point. The SSP said that yesterday a police party signalled to stop a car near city bypass when occupants were questioned it was found that the car had been stolen and the occupants were members of an inter-state gang. He said the accused came into contact with gang members in the Ferozepore jail. Three other vehicles, one jeep and two cars were still in possession of the other members of gang. The accused were earlier booked into number of theft cases by Gidderbaha and Ferozepore police. About six scooters stolen from Muktsar and Ferozepore districts were found in their possession. The SSP said a case
under Section 411 and the Arms Act had been registered
against the accused. |
Gold biscuits seized AMRITSAR, March 7 (UNI) — The local Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 29 gold biscuits worth Rs 15 lakh from two smugglers during a special operation launched at Ludhiana last night. An official spokesman said a special team of the DRI, while working on a specific tip-off, nabbed Manjit Singh, alias Pamma, a resident of Ludhiana and Satpal Singh, alias Mohinder Singh, from Dholewala Chowk of Ludhiana and seized gold from them. He said it was the fourth success of the DRI during the past two months. Earlier, electronic equipment worth lakhs of rupees was seized by the DRI authorities in this region. The spokesman said both
the accused who were booked under the Customs Act were
produced before the Ilaka Magistrate who sent them to
judicial custody till March 21. |
Smart card scheme for patients
soon PATIALA, March 7 — Ambitious plans, including a multi-crore information technology package for the medical and dental colleges of Punjab involving smart cards to record the medical history of patients, have been given the nod as it is the only interconnectivity between the institutions by the Research and Medical Education Department. The department has finally taken a decision in this connection, which included computerisation of the libraries of the institutions as well as Internet facilities. While this was the original plan for which Rs 66 lakh had been given to PUNCOM, the department had decided to go in for an ambitious project which included smart cards as well as the computerisation of hospital records and linkages with laboratories and other facilities which were to be maintained by PUNCOM in perpetuity. The revised project has been given the nod as the department was not able to generate the required funds. It was felt that the initial scheme for which funds were already present should be executed as the funds had virtually lapsed two times and were with PUNCOM since September, last year. It was felt that students were suffering due to lack of Internet facility. Some professionals were sceptical of the smart card project as the card would put an additional burden of Rs 15 on the patient and could not be used as a reference in any other hospital or institution. The Director, Research and Medical Education (DRME), Dr S.S. Sidhu, when contacted said the department was signing a contract with PUNCOM within 10 days. He said following that any further delay in getting the project on the rails would be on the part of PUNCOM. He added that the department expected the implementation time of the scheme to be between eight to 10 weeks. When asked why the
revised project had been shelved, Dr Sidhu said the
department was not able to generate funds and some funds
had been taken back. He said under the present scheme
PUNCOM would give direct reserved lines from its
headquarters to all institutions. He further said the
scheme would benefit postgraduate and research students
most as they would have an access to research material on
the Internet. He said all inter-office communications and
with the directorate would also be done through computer
which was expected to curtail expenditure. |
ETT entrance test CHANDIGARH, March 7 — The Punjab Government said today that Punjab domiciles living in Chandigarh would be eligible for appearing in Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) entrance test in Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. They could submit their admission forms for the purpose till March 10. The entrance test would
be held on March 26. |
Question paper printing bungled FATEHGARH SAHIB, March 7 — An ambitious scheme of Jathedar Tota Singh, Minister for School Education, appears to be ending in a fiasco because of the inefficient and the haphazard manner in which the question papers for Class VI have been got printed. A glaring example is the mathematics question paper which was distributed to the students at Government High School, Tibbi, in the district on the opening day of the examination today. The question paper was not only incomplete, it also carried excerpts of the social studies paper on the back page which is to be held at a later date. The bungling will not only cause inconvenience to the students and their parents, the state government will have to incur heavy expense for getting these papers printed again and conducting the examination afresh. The DEO(S) was not
available for comments, but Mr Satvinder Singh Heera,
Controller, Examinations, said this was a printing
mistake. “We have brought the matter to the notice
of the authorities”, he added. |
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