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| Friday, April 7, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
US
Nagar issue: SAD in a fix Panel
meeting on Anandgarh held Rs
2 lakh grant for martyrs’ parents Edict
on ‘langar’ not to be reviewed: Vedanti Vehicles
bought with cattle fair funds
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| Agriculture Dept staff bid to
withdraw plea CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The fertiliser scam, the investigation of which is being monitored by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a public interest petition filed by the kisan wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took a new turn with the kisan wing and the agricultural officers of the Punjab Agriculture Department, accused in the scam, seeking reinvestigation into the case on the ground that it was not the field staff of the Agriculture Department, but the higher officers of the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Agriculture Department and the Union Government who were the culprits.
Bhattal,
Bhatia hold meeting Hamdard
serves notice on Amarinder
CPI,
NCP hold rallies against price hike Ropar
plant workers hold protest march Jatti
Umra plunges into sorrow Colonies
of vultures sighted Sensitising
people to child abuse Develop
slum kids’ personality: Jacob Relocation
of mental hospital approved Heat-struck
Patiala thirsts for a peg — of H2O Awareness
key to dispute resolution: Judge Need
for better blood Pollution
board website launched
Murder
case solved
IAS
coaching from April 10
Rice
millers’ plea to save industry
|
US Nagar issue: SAD in a
fix CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The BJP-led government at the Centre has conveyed to Akali leadership in Punjab that it should not ‘‘unnecessarily rake up’’ the issue of Udham Singh Nagar. According to well-informed sources, Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal who heads the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has been told that the Union Government has no option but to include Udham Singh Nagar district in the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal. The BJP leaders, at the political level have also made it clear to the Akali leaders that they have their political compulsions and the SAD as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) should not press hard as it had done earlier to exclude this area. The people in the Garhwal hills, who had been demanding a separate hill state and had led a major agitation would not concede this demand. In fact, if this prosperous district is taken out, there is nothing left to sustain the new state economically. Informed sources also said the Akalis have been advised to demand and get some safeguards for the Punjabis and other landowners of Udham Singh Nagar. This Tarai land, once a jungle made cultivable after years of struggle by the Punjabi settlers, is now a prosperous area. The farmers fear that since the land holding size permitted under the Tribal and Hills Land Reforms Act in the hills would mean that they shall have to lose the land. This fear has been the major reason for the opposition. SAD leaders, CPM General Secretary, Harkishen Singh Surjeet, former Defence Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and former Union Minister, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia had built up pressure on the Centre regarding this. How would they react is not known, but the CPM would oppose the inclusion. The SAD has been told that at best it could get a protective law enacted along with the creation of Uttaranchal that the land holding size could remain intact. In the hills, the ceiling varies from three acres to five acres, but in the plains of Uttar Pradesh, the ceiling allows farmers to retain up to 18 acres. How Mr Badal and other SAD leaders react is as yet not clear. But the way, Mr Barjindar Singh Hamdard, Editor of daily Ajit has reacted by writing a front page commentary and telling Akalis not to press the case any longer is a clear indication. He has also advised other political parties not to attempt making any political capital out of this demand. This means that they should go the Akali way. Mr Hamdard is considered very close to the Chief Minister. This is one serious attempt by a leading daily that has been supporting the demand of the Punjabi settlers there to water down the issue and build sympathy for the BJP. But this does not make Mr Badal’s job easy. There are host of Akali leaders like former SGPC Chief and leader of the rival camp, Gurcharan Singh Tohra to build up a movement against this. Mr Tohra has already threatened to announce a public protest from Punjab on many issues on the Baisakhi day. It is possible that Mr
Badal may keep making appropriate noises and finally
accept the creation of the new state with Udham Singh
Nagar as part for the sake of harmony. But how would the
Akali representative in the Union Cabinet, Mr Sukhdev
Singh Dhindsa support the inclusion of this district when
the issue comes before the Central Ministry. |
Panel meeting on Anandgarh
held CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The first meeting of the Project Approval Committee of the Anandgarh Development Authority was held here today under the chairmanship of Dr Upinderjit Kaur , Housing and Urban Development Minister, Punjab. Besides, three other members, namely Mr J.R. Bhalla, architect and former President, Indian Council of Architecture, Mrs Veena Garella, Professor, School of Planning and Architecture, and Mr N.S. Sodhi, former Chief Engineer, Punjab, participated in the meeting. Foutyfour eminent architects and town planners have submitted applications for pre-qualification, says a Press note. A sub-committee was constituted to scrutinise the applications and short-list a panel that would be invited to take part in design competition. The committee also
approved the proposal to computerise the work relating to
land acquisition so as to make it speedy and efficient.
It will also provide access to information to the public.
It was also decided that boundaries of the new town would
be determined by physical features, namely, bundh on the
southern side, Siswan choe on the western side, nature
reserve area on the northern side and the Chandigarh
periphery. |
Reports unfounded, says minister CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister, Dr Upinder Kaur, today termed the media reports on the impact of census operations on the development of Anandgarh project as ones emanating from “lack of knowledge” about the import of the notification of December 29 last issued by the Punjab Government. The instructions pertaining to freezing of administrative boundaries of districts, tehsils, towns and villages in Punjab w.e.f. January 1,2000, till March 2001, as contained in the notification, did not bar the acquisition of land for the Anandgarh project in any manner, according to a press note. The minister clarified that the Director, Census Operations, had given a green signal to the Anandgarh Development Authority to go ahead with the acquisition, and the development works could also be carried out in the area falling within the project. The only restriction under the notification was that the area could not be declared as “urban local body”, namely a municipal corporation or a committee or a nagar panchayat till March, 2001. She said apprehension
voiced in certain quarters that the government was
prohibited from acquiring land and carrying out
development works in the project on account of the
ongoing census operations was unfounded. |
Rs 2 lakh grant for
martyrs’ parents CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The Punjab Government has identified parents of 58 soldiers killed in action for payment of an additional ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh. This amount will be besides the Rs 7 lakh grant and other benefits extended to the next of kin of the deceased. The State Government had decided to pay ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh exclusively to the parents of soldiers hailing from the state who are killed in action. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had announced the government’s decision publicly at an Army show organised here in December to commemorate Vijay Diwas. The Director, Sainik Welfare, Brig K S Kahlon (retd) said that following the government notification, 58 such cases had now been identified and the modalities for payment were being worked out. Their documents and claims were also in the process of being verified. The parents of only those soldiers who were killed on or after January 1, 1999, are eligible for the additional ex-gratia payment. Meanwhile, a proposal to expand this scheme to provide additional relief to parents of pre-January 1, 1999, fatalities is also under consideration. The decision for ex-gratia grant exclusively for parents follows claims by some parents that since the ex-gratia grants are paid to the next of kin, these in most cases went to the deceased’s wife and they got no relief. Meanwhile, four cases of LPG distribution to the next of kin of martyrs have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas out of the first batch of about 50 cases forwarded from the state. While two of the cases hail from Hoshiarpur district, the other two are from Amritsar and Ropar districts. The ministry has also directed oil companies to provide assistance for retail outlets (RO) and LPG distribution from their funds with an investment of Rs 50-60 lakh in case of RO and Rs 20 lakh in case of LPG distribution. The ministry has also directed that the companies provide the beneficiaries working capital to start the business. Further, the ministry
has recommended that the State Government should set up a
state level mechanism under the direct control of the
Chief Secretary to monitor the progress of the scheme and
ensure the availability of land and grant of requisite
licences and permission within a definite time frame. |
Edict on ‘langar’ not to be reviewed: Vedanti JALANDHAR, April 6 (PTI) — Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti today ruled out the possibility of reviewing the edict issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh, including the controversial ‘hukamnama’ on ‘langar’. Giani Joginder Singh, who was appointed to the top post following Giani Puran Singh’s dismissal by the SGPC last month, had scrapped all ‘hukamnamas’ issued by his immediate predecessor but had remained mum about those issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh. Bhai Ranjit Singh, who had issued the edict prohibiting the use of chairs and tables for partaking ‘langar’ and had excommunicated seven Canada-based NRI Sikhs for defying the edict, was also sacked by the SGPC last year. “As of now, no other ‘hukamnama’ was under review, not even the ‘hukamnama’ issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh,” Giani Joginder Singh told reporters at Maqsoodan near here last night. Meanwhile, Mr Balwant Singh Gill, President of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey (Canada) who was ex-communicated from the Panth on the ‘langar’ issue, has appealed to Giani Joginder Singh to withdraw the ‘hukamnama’ prohibiting the use of furniture in ‘langar’ halls saying it was issued under pressure from fundamentalists. “I appeal to the
Akal Takht Jathedar, the SGPC and the Dharam Parchar
Committee to review the controversial edict and scrap it,
“Mr Gill, who heads the largest Sikh temple outside
the Indian subcontinent, said. |
Vehicles bought with cattle fair
funds CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The Department of Rural Development and Panchayats in Punjab is the subject of discussion these days, following reports that the money of the Cattle Welfare Fund has been used for purpose other than those intended. It all started with the tabling of the report of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Public Accounts Committee, (PVC) which had looked into the working of the department.The all-party committee was headed by the Congress MLA, Mr Harminder Singh Jassi. The report was tabled in the House on March 28. What has stirred a hornet’s nest is the revelation in the report that rather than spending the money that accrued from cattle fairs for the welfare and good health of the cattle in terms of equipping veterinary dispensaries with medicines and equipment, the department chose to spend the money on the purchase of four Ambassador cars, two Gypsies, two air-conditioners, coolers and fans, besides accessories for the vehicles purchased. Besides, the funds were used for the running of the vehicles. Even the petrol and other expenses were met out of the said funds. The issue was first pointed out in the Comptroller and Auditor-General report on the department for the years 1996-97. The department sent a reply to this on January 25, 2000. Later, the PAC took cognisance of this misuse and diversion of the funds rather than using the same for the intended purpose. For reasons best known to the department, now suomoto an “explanation” on the issue has been sent to the Chief Minister’s office by the department with a request that the “clarification” on the subject be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. It is maintained that purchases made by diversion of funds were done with the “approval” of the officers concerned (secretaries) as per the rules. Now that the matter forms part of the PAC report, the next course of the department action will follow on receipt of the report and again as per the rules. Interestingly, the approval for the purchase of the four cars was given by the then Secretaries, Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr C.L. Bains, Mr Rajan Kashyap and Mr Ram Gopal (since retired). When Mr Ram Gopal approved the purchase of a car and two Gypsies, the then minister, Mr Umrao Singh, endorsed the same. The argument and justification for the purchases was that the same had been done to “check” and inspect the cattle fairs as and when these were held. All purchases were done between 1985 and 1995. After 1995, the report to the Chief Minister says no money was diverted from the fair accruals. It was also argued that the vehicles were for the “flying squad” and for the checking and inspection of fairs. But those who have been using these did not form part of any such squad, if there was one indeed. Interestingly, the air-conditioners were used for the residence of the then Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Chaudhary Santokh Singh, who was also in charge of the department. The report says the two air-conditioners were installed at his residence since official meetings used to be held there. Subsequently, these were removed and installed at the residences of the next ministers. At present one air-conditioner is knocked off and the other is at the residence of the present minister. The coolers and fans were for the Controller Panchayati Raj Funds’ office. All four Ambassador cars, the department letter to the CMO office says, stand condemned, but could not be disposed of through auction as the bids were below the reserved condemnation price. Fresh price has been fixed and re-auction will be done soon, says the report. In respect of the Gypsies, while one Gypsy met with an accident and is a case property, for the other auction procedure has been started. One wonders if there is
an inbuilt mechanism in the government system to check
such diversions. Such purchases, the sources said, were
fairly common practices. |
Fertiliser scam CHANDIGARH, April 6 — The fertiliser scam, the investigation of which is being monitored by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a public interest petition filed by the kisan wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took a new turn with the kisan wing and the agricultural officers of the Punjab Agriculture Department, accused in the scam, seeking reinvestigation into the case on the ground that it was not the field staff of the Agriculture Department, but the higher officers of the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Agriculture Department and the Union Government who were the culprits. However, in a mysterious move, the application submitted by the kisan wing was sought to be withdrawn on the ground that it was unauthorisedly filed by an advocate, but the Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Bakhshish Kaur, did not take notice of the plea and adjourned the case for April 19. The stress of both applications was that it was in 1993-94 when super-phosphate along with other fertilisers was put under the decontrolled list and the state government was asked to evolve its own mechanism for verification of quality and quantity for giving subsidy. It was during this period that the state government decided to appoint the PAIC as the nodal agency for implementation of the scheme and the Agriculture Department staff was not assigned any task. The petitioner added that during 1994-95, 80 per cent of the subsidy claims of manufacturers were cleared at the level of Director of Agriculture without any verification and the complete processing was allegedly done in one day (November 21, 1994) and sanction was sent to the central government the next day after changing the verification in performa ‘A’. Later 50 per cent of the claim was similarly sanctioned by him without any verification. The inquiry into the
scam, which started with an FIR at Patiala is now being
conducted at the state level relating to all the six
manufacturers in the state. |
Bhattal, Bhatia hold meeting AMRITSAR, April 6 — Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, a former Chief Minister and member of the Central Election Authority, AICC, held a closed-door meeting with Mr R.L. Bhatia, veteran Congress leader and MP, here today. They have reportedly discussed at length important party matters. The meeting of both leaders assumes significance in the wake of the organisational elections of the Congress scheduled for June 30. Before the election of the party president, the election of district Congress chiefs and pradesh Congress committees will be completed. Both the loyalists and detractors of Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the PPCC, have launched their respective campaigns for the elections. A group within the Punjab Pradesh Congress will oppose the candidature of Capt Amarinder Singh, who would seek re-election as PPCC President. Capt Amarinder Singh, who was nominated to the post by Mrs Sonia Gandhi, may face rough weather this time. Mrs Gandhi, too, would be facing some opposition in the organisational elections of the party. Mrs Bhattal, however, claimed that organisational elections would be completed smoothly. She further claimed that the PPCC was united. She, however, said that there could be difference of opinion on the ‘working style’ of somebody in the organisation, but the party stood united to face any challenge of the ruling party in the state. She said after tasting defeat in the previous Lok Sabha elections, the ruling SAD had improved its position in the recently held Nawanshahr byelection. She further said that the PPCC would chalk out a programme to oust the Badal Government in the coming elections. Replying to another question, Mrs Bhattal alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal had taken some ‘anti-religious’ steps in the recent past. She alleged that Mr
Badal had mortgaged the interests of Punjab to the
Centre. The Indian Government, which signed many
agreements with the Clinton Administration were
‘anti-farmer’. |
Hamdard serves notice on
Amarinder JALANDHAR, April 6 — Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, editor of the daily Ajit has served a legal notice on the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Capt Amarinder Singh, for defaming him by making a statement that the former has vacated his Rajya Sabha seat to make room for Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. In his notice, Mr Hamdard said Capt Amarinder Singh’s statement to the effect that Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal had requested the Lok Sabha Speaker not to get his official residence vacated as he would be elected to the Rajya Sabha as a result of the “sacrifice” made by him (Mr Hamdard) was false and irresponsible. He said Capt Amarinder Singh’s allegation that Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal had explained to the Lok Sabha Speaker that the accommodation was in his possession was also not true. The notice said the
allegations had tarnished the image and reputation of a
fearless journalist and sought damages of Rs 1 crore
besides a public apology from Capt Amarinder Singh. |
CPI, NCP hold rallies against
price hike LUDHIANA, April 6 — The district unit of the CPI held a rally here today to protest against the rising prices of the essential commodities. Mr Kartar Singh Bowani, secretary of the party, in a press note, alleged that present policies of the government helped only the rich. This had been proved by the reduction in subsidy in the essential items like kerosene, LPG, Sugar, urea and other imputs used by the common man while the rich traders had been provided promotion like opening of the special export promotion zones (EPZs). The party alleged that the small scale industry, had been hard hit as a result of libralisation of the import and removal of duty from large number of items. The public sector had been privatised. Punjab Government employees were not paid their salaries and the wages in the unorganised sector was below sustenance level. The party further alleged that to increase the revenue, the government was retrenching the employees and not creating any jobs rather they had come out with voluntary retirement scheme. The subsidies were being removed as a result of diktats of the WTO and the IMF. The rally demanded immediate removal of cuts in subsidies in essential commodities reduction in prices of urea, creation of jobs in the public sector and to stop privatisation of the public sector. The rally was addressed by Mr Bharat Prakash (CPI), Mr OP Mehta, Dr Arun Mitra and Mr Vijay Kumar and among others. Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also organised a protest march today against the steep hike in prices of cooking gas, kerosene, diesel, fertilisers and food products. The march, lead by NCP’s district unit president Rashpal Singh Gill started from Bhadaur house towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office in a peaceful manner. The party activists were carrying banners with slogans expressing their resentment. Later, leaders of the
NCP handed over a memorandum to Mr Arun Goel, Deputy
Commissioner, Ludhiana in this connection. |
Ropar plant workers hold
protest march ROPAR, April 6 — A large number of members of the Ropar Thermal Project Contractor Worker Union led by its president, Mr R.K. Tiwari today took out a protest march from the main gate of Ropar Thermal Plant (RTP) to the mini secretariat here. They were demanding abolition of contract labour system in the thermal plant, absorption of workers into the PSEB, issuance of EPF pass books to each worker after depositing workers entire EPF amount in the EPF account number of the PSEB, and cancellation of contracts of those contractors who are allegedly involved in the EPF embezzlement case. The protesters on their way to the mini secretariat also held demonstrations in front of the residence of Mr Tara Singh Ladhal, Minister of State for Education, Punjab, at Ladhal village near here and Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supply Minister, Punjab, here. While in front of the main gate of the local mini secretariat, they also held a rally and union leaders submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner regarding their demands. The protesters were addressed among others by Mr R.K. Tiwari, Mr Kanwaljit Singh and Mr Surinder Kumar, president, general secretary and secretary of Ropar Thermal Project Contractor Worker Union respectively, Mr Radhey Shayam, Vice-president of PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC), Mr Kuldip Singh, Secretary of Ropar Circle PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC); Mr Mann Singh Manherra, a senior BSP leader, and Mr Ranjit Singh, President of Ropar Division PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC). Meanwhile, the indefinite fast by Mr Kashi Nath, deputy general secretary of the Ropar Thermal Project Contractor Worker Union, in support of the workers’ demands at the main gate of the plant today entered its 17th day while the indefinite fast by two workers-Naresh Kumar and Ramesh Chander has entered its 11th day. Mr Kashi Nath said two workers Mr Uma Shankar Singh and Mr Satwant Singh — observing indefinite fast had been forcibly lifted from the main gate of the plant the previous day by the police with the help of thermal authorities and they were admitted to the local civil hospital on health grounds. He also said he had lost about 9 kg weight in the past 17 days while Ramesh Chander and Naresh Kumar had lost five and eight kg weight respectively in the past 11 days. Mr R.K. Tiwari, president of the union, said they had given an ultimatum to Mr Tara Singh Ladhal to arrange their meeting with the Punjab Chief Minister in five days to settle their demands otherwise they would start an indefinite fast in front of his residence at Ladhal village. Mr Tiwari also claimed
that the Chairman of the PSEB was not ready to hold a
meeting with the agitating workers and their leaders. It
had deteriorated the situation. He said a meeting with
the Chairman was their fundamental right to resolve the
ongoing crisis. |
Jatti Umra plunges into sorrow JATTI UMRA (Amritsar), April 6 — This village of 2,000 was plunged into sorrow when former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Karachi today.The residents, however, expressed a sigh of relief that Mr Sharif, who was born in this village and migrated to Pakistan on partition, was spared from being hanged. The residents of the
village thronged the local gurdwara and performed prayer
for the welfare of Mr Sharif.The villagers glued to their
TV and radio sets for getting details of the sentence. |
Colonies of vultures sighted JANDWAL (Hoshiarpur) April 6 —This small village on the Jalandhar-Pathankot highway may be on the world wildlife map soon because of — the presence of a number of colonies of the world’s best natural scavenger, vulture, which has been on the verge of extinction for more than a decade. The gradual disappearance of the white-backed bird, which had been one of most commonly seen birds in Punjab till a few years ago, had caused a great deal of concern among rural folk, nature lovers, wildlife experts and veterinary officers as well. So much so, that the vanishing of the bird had led Dr Asad R. Rehmani, Director Bombay Natural History Society, to sound a nation-wide “vulture alert” under which he had urged nature-lovers to spot the birds so that the conservation measures could be initiated at the earliest. As a part of the project, Dr V.S. Vijayan, Director of the Coimbatore centre of the society had held a number of round of parleys with officials of the Punjab Wildlife Department and had even visited some animal carcasses dumping sites in Punjab and Haryana to envisage means for the conservation of the bird. Conservationists apart, the major sufferers had been people of the rural areas of the two states. They had been expressing apprehensions that the absence of the birds and the consequent prolonged presence of stinking carcasses could result in the spread of diseases. But the large presence of these birds, nearly 1000, in this village and in the nearby village of Mehmoodpur is enough to belie the apprehensions of nature lovers and rural folk on the one hand, and estimation of the Punjab Wildlife Department which had been putting the total number of the birds left in the state to a mere eight-10, on the other. A sense of jubilation was prevalent in the Punjab Wildlife Department when some of its officials spotted just eight such birds near Makhu in Ferozepore district in November 1999. Expressing worry over the dwindling number of birds, the department had also promised to honour any those who could, provide information about the bird. And, it was a moment of joy for this correspondent who he spotted hundreds of these birds perched on high eucalyptus trees along the road and at walls of an animal dumping ground near Jandwal village situated on the Jalandhar-Pathankot road. When this correspondent reached the spot at about 10 a.m. some of the giant birds were seen to be busy in playful acts and some others were just idling with their wings fully spread and wide open, in fields adjacent to the dumping ground. Most of the giant white-backed birds, putting up in large nests on the trees around, were extremely shy. And this was evident when they aborted a number of attempts made by this correspondent to capture them in lens by running helter-skelter and flying away from the place. The effort proved to be successful when after flying in the sky for about half an hour they settled on the wall and in the nearby fields. Same was the case in Mehmoodpur village where one could see a colony of hundreds of birds. The presence of these birds in such a large number may generate curiosity among conservationists and other national and international organisations, but that is not the case with residents of the two villages. “What is new in that? Hundreds of them are there for the past over 10 years,” remarked Mr Ved Kumar, the villager. “Their number is much less at this point of time, while hundreds of them descend on tree-tops during evening and rest, there for the night. If you want to see them in thousands come here after twilight,” said an unfazed Rajeshwar Singh, a class 10 student of Jandwal Government High School. Besides this the bird has also been seen in some villages near Pathankot and a few falling in the Dhar block of Gurdaspur district. The wildlife officials attribute their large presence in areas adjoining the semi Shivalik hills to comparatively lesser use of deadly pesticides in these areas of the state.” Another factor responsible for this is that unlike other areas of the state the birds had not been indiscriminately killed by people,” said a senior wildlife official. Though the society had
shown interest to ascertain the reasons for the decline
of the bird and had sought the cooperation of the Punjab
Wildlife Department in this direction, the presence of
the birds in these areas in large numbers has apparently
failed to enthuse the latter. “We know that there
are large colonies of these birds in some specific areas,
but we have not taken any step to ensure their protection
and conservation so far,” admitted a wildlife
official on condition of anonymity. Mr V. Mohindra, Chief
Wildlife Conservator, Punjab also admitted that no action
had yet been taken to protect or to ensure the
conservation of the birds in these areas. |
Sensitising people to child abuse CHANDIGARH, April 6 — “India may be lagging behind as far as awareness about child and women’s rights are concerned but there are areas where it can teach the world a lot. It’s hearty to learn that even amidst a recurrent political crisis, the people here are still politically sensitive. That’s one area where the politically apathetic Britons can learn from India.” This was the British Council’s Press Officer, Ms Ruth Brander, speaking in an interview with The Tribune during her visit to the city today. Ms Brander who was here to review the progress of child rights and child development project being undertaken by the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) in collaboration with the British Council said she was encouraged to see the response to the exercise which has covered 12 districts of Punjab and that she planned to give extensive coverage to the same back home in the British media. Ms Brander said, “I am very happy to see the people of the state getting sensitised to the issues of child abuse and women empowerment. Thanks to the commission’s strategy, people have even started sponsoring poor children. Involving police officials this exercise was a great idea. This will help in preventing children from being illegally detained. Now that 2,500 persons have already been made aware of child rights violations, the future of their rights protection is going to be much bright.” She today discussed the project with the PSHRC’s Additional Director-General of Police, Mr A.P. Bhatnagar. The project, which aims at creating awareness about child abuse is being funded by the British Council and has already sensitised about 2,500 people in this regard. Ms Brander, whose job relates to keeping a track of the developmental works being undertaken by the British Council all over the world, is visiting India for the first time. She who has already toured Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi to discuss various project in progress, reached the city today and talked to PSHRC officials about the child rights project which aims to make at least 5,000 persons aware about sexual abuse of children. When asked why she chose India for her tour, she replied, “There is no denying the fact that India is the richest country as far as culture is concerned. Another reason is that the British Council has its largest operation here. Chandigarh was particularly chosen because it is shortly going to be an important centre as far as the council’s activities are concerned. We are already opening up a library here which will not just stock books but will gradually turn into a full fledged information centre which will provide guidance to city residents on one and all aspects of British life and culture.” Although Ms Brander agreed that women and child related issues held a backstage in India, she seemed quite assured in this regard by her India’s tour. She said, “From the commission officials I have come to know how businessmen of the states are coming forward to sponsor poor children and also how trained people are saving children who are detained against the law.” When questioned about
what impressed her the most in India, she said,
“Indian hospitality is unmatched. Moreover, Indians,
I feel are people of courage and conviction. Once they
feel strongly about something they go to extremes to see
it happen.” Develop slum kids’
personality: Jacob CHANDIGARH, April 6 — the Punjab Governor, Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob (Retd), today underlined the need for evolving a comprehensive plan for the overall personality development of a children, especially those living in villages and slums. Presiding over the general body meeting of the Punjab Child Welfare Council at Raj Bhavan, in which Deputy Commissioners of all districts participated, the Governor said with over 70 per cent children living in rural areas, there was an urgent need to ensure education, health and sports facilities and proper nutrition. During his visits to several villages he noticed that not much importance was given to sports and games among children. The health infrastructure also needed improvement. The council in association with non-government organisations should launch comprehensive programmes for the rural areas. The council should open its own orphanages in all districts and run special schools for mentally retarded and handicapped children. Appreciating the school health scheme under which 35 lakh children in 16,000 schools were examined last year, the Governor said there should be mandatory dental check up of children as 85 per cent of them suffered from dental problems. The Governor said the council should focus on the education of the girl child and also open night schools. It was decided to hold the next children’s day function at Raj Bhavan. Mrs Gurbinder Kaur Brar,
Chairperson, of the council, informed the Governor that
Roti Mora, village near Nabha in Patiala had donated six
acres for the construction of a bal bhavan. It was
decided to release a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh for the
construction of the bhavan in Nabha, she added. |
Relocation of mental hospital
approved AMRITSAR, April 6 — The preliminary report prepared by PUDA to go into the proposal sought by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to ascertain whether the surplus land surrounding Dr Vidya Sagar Punjab Mental Hospital here could be sold off to generate founds for its better functioning and improved infrastructure has got the assent of the Chief Minister. According to reports available here, the Chief Minister accorded his assent in principle at a meeting held at Chandigarh on March 2 at his residence which was also attended by the top officials of the Department of Health and Housing and Urban Development. The mental hospital is housed in an plot of 80 acre near the plush Civil Lines area of the city, The report says the area of the hospital could be planned for the construction of a commercial complex in the front, while its central portion and the land in its periphery could be used for residential purposes. Sources connected with the proposed project revealed at the land could fetch between Rs 50 crore and Rs 60 crore. The world class sanatorium, with latest equipment for health care as desired by the Chief Minister, could be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore and the remaining amount could be treated as a corpus for funding its working and maintenance. The high-level team associated with the preparation of the feasibility report have suggested that in case the total relocation of the hospital was not acceptable the periphery vacant land situated at the rear of the complex or only the front portion should be earmarked for commercial purposes. Besides, these two, the front and the rear could be developed together while leaving the central portion intact on which the complex at present situated. The Principal of the
local Government Medical College, Dr BL Goyal and
Professor and Head of Department of Psychiatry when
contacted by The Tribune about the proposal of shifting
mental hospital said though the proposal seemed to
provide the much-needed funds but the government must
look into the causes of the chaotic conditions prevailing
in the hospital. He added that according to a number of
reports submitted by various commissions and committees
the hospital urgently needed to improve medical care and
treatment for the mentally ill patients with better and
trained staff which, he opined, did not require funds but
a better perception of its basic needs. |
Heat-struck Patiala thirsts
for a peg — of H2O PATIALA, April 6 — Shortage of water signals the advent of the summer in the city and this year is no different. With the summer yet to strike with full force water has already started trickling off in taps in the city. A new system of distribution has been drawn and the Municipal Committee is working against time to set up three big tubewells and eight small ones to augment water supply. “There was no water for the whole day on Sunday” says Mr Hukum Chand of Tripri. “Now it is coming in fits and bursts with the pressure also having decreased. I draw water from a hand pump in the locality. Others have started using their motors.” This seems to be the trend all over the city. With the Municipal Committee failing to maintain a sufficient supply during the peak summer months, more and more people are going in for installing their own hand-pumps and jet pumps so that they can avail of ready supply whenever needed. Mr Harbans Singh of Lehal says he installed a jet pump at his house as the water pressure was so less last year that only taps at very low heights were functioning. Residents of Sheranwala Gate Khu Wali Gali said the water pressure had started decreasing since the last ten days. They said while water supply was ample earlier, now it stated petering off at around 8.30 a.m. in the morning. The municipal tap at Sheranwala Gate is functioning from 10 to 12.30 p.m. and two to five p.m. now. They complained of having received very poor quality water recently also. Municipal Committee Commissioner K.S. Kang said reports of muddy water had been received from some parts of the city recently as a new system of distribution involving giving eleven hours of assured supply had been tried for some time. He said this scheme had however been withdrawn as it involved cutting off supply for a long period in pipes which led to rust and complaints of poor quality supply. The Municipal Committee is racing against time to complete work associated with setting up three big tubewells and eight small ones. Work has been delayed as water table has receded further than expected which means more time spent on boring. At present boring has been completed in only three small tubewells at Chhatta Nanu Mall, Suhi Gram Mohalla and at the fire brigade. The Corporation Commissioner said formalities for getting connections for the three tubewells had been started and they were expected to become operational by April 30. Work on the three big tubewells at Arjan Nagar, Factory Area and Charan Bagh as well as the smaller ones at Ahluwalia Park, Red Cross Bhawan (Old Bishan Nagar), Dhiru ki Majri, Old Police Kotwali and Neem Wala Chowk is likely to be over only sometime in May. Mr Kang said two rigs were on the job doing bores for the tubewells. However commissioning may yet take some time as after boring is completed the water samples have to be tested and electricity connections applied for. He said ten of the 13
overhead tanks in the city were also functional at
present and that the Corporation proposed to tackle the
problem of low pressure by releasing water from both
overhead tanks as well as tubewells during peak hours. He
said 38 big tubewells were already functional in the city
and water supply would be further augmented with the
commissioning of the other tubewells. |
Awareness key to dispute
resolution: Judge PATIALA, April 6 — Mr K.S. Grewal, District and Sessions Judge, said here today that proper awareness about settling legal disputes through conciliation, mediation, arbitration and Lok Adalats holds the key for a speedy dispensation of justice in the new millennium. Delivering a lecture on
“Dispute Resolution in the New Millennium”
organised by the Department of Law, Punjab University, on
its premises, Mr Grewal highlighted various aspects of
the system which provide for a speedy and convenient
settlement of disputes without having to undergo the
ordeals of regular legal procedure. He pinpointed various
lacunas and complications in the legal procedures at
present which led to an inordinate delay in settling
cases. |
Need for better blood PATIALA, April 6 — A one-day workshop on safe blood organised by the Department of Transfusion, Rajindra Hospital, called for the need of better quality of blood rather than quantity of blood. The workshop organised in collaboration with the Punjab State Aids Control Society, Chandigarh, was part of the week-long activities regarding the celebration of World Health Day on April 7. Chief guest Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Director of research and Medical Education, Punjab, while inaugurating this workshop emphasised the importance of managing blood properly at the individual and at the global level. The quality of blood is more important because of transmission of various diseases through blood, which indicates that “our country is not only facing quantitative shortage but also qualitative shortage of blood”. While speaking at the occasion guest of honour Ravinder Singh, Principal of GMC, Patiala, appreciated the role of the transfusion Medicine Department of this college. He said that his department had done commendable work by preparing a blood donor’s directory. He exhorted the faculty members and the students of the college that they should also prepare such sort of record which can be useful for the safe blood movement. Dr Jagdish Chander, founder of the blood bank at Rajindra Hospital, also shared his experience. Dr Kulbir Kaur Walia, organising secretary of this workshop and head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, while welcoming the chief guest emphasised the importance of the quality of blood and blood products. During the day-long
workshop four scientific sessions were held. In first
session Dr G.S. Chahal presented the paper on
“Present Scenario of Blood Banking in India and Role
of National AIDS Control Organisation”. The second
paper was presented by Dr Kulbir Kaur regarding”
Transfusion Transmissible Diseases, New Emerging Viruses
and Screening Policy:” The last paper of this
session was presented on “Prevention of Transfusion
Transmissible Infections” by Dr A.S. Sekhon. |
Pollution board website launched PATIALA, April 6 — The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has launched its 'dynamic' website which will make all forms, including consent to establish and consent to operate, online, besides ensuring transparency in board working. The website, which was inaugurated by the Principal Secretary, Department of Science Technology, Environment and Non-Conventional Energy, will make all relevant forms needed to obtain a pollution-under-control certificate available online. Other details regarding fee as well as the level at which the form of the applicant was at present will also be displayed in the site. Talking to newsmen , Mr Kashyap said the website would also specify the time period in which a particular file was to be cleared at each level and the name of the officer who was processing it. He said the board stands to benefit economically through this move as all reports would be sent to the Secretariat through e-mail . Board Chairman Ajay Kumar Mahajan said the PPCB was the third such board after Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka which had established its own website. He said supplementary information would be added every three months. Earlier, Mr Rajan Kashyap said district environment committees were proposed to be formed which would meet on a monthly basis. Also, the government would insist that Deputy Commissioners use powers vested in them to tackle the problem of pollution. He said a crisis management group would also be formed in each district to tackle any eventuality. Mr Kashyap said stress would also be laid on ensuring that the municipal corporations and committees do their duty in tackling pollution. Funds of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department would also be used to control pollution. Science, Technology and
Environment Special Secretary Viswajeet Khanna
highlighted that the next phase of the plan would be to
inter-connect all regional offices of the board to ensure
speedy transfer of data and disposal of cases. |
Murder case solved HOSHIARPUR, April 6 — The district police has solved the murder case of Bimaljit Kaur (8), daughter of Surinder Kaur of Kharodi village. The body was found in a bag from the house of Kesar Singh in the village on April 2 for which a case under Sections 302, 201 and 34, IPC, was registered. Mr R.P. Mittal, SSP, said here yesterday that Surinder Kaur and Shingara Singh of Nangal Kalan were arrested in this connection. Both culprits confessed that they had murdered Bimaljit Kaur because of their illicit relations. The SSP said in her complaint Surinder Kaur had deliberately given the names of Gurmeet Singh, Tarsem Singh and Jhalman Singh of Kharodi village. During investigation it was revealed that the aforesaid persons had registered a case against Surinder Kaur and her husband Gurdial Singh leading to their arrest. While Gurdial Singh was still in jail, Surinder Kaur was released on bail. To take revenge she mentioned their names in the FIR. The SSP said that investigation further revealed that Surinder Kaur had developed illicit relations with Shingara Singh of Nangal Kalan. Bimaljit threatened her
mother that she would tell her father about relation, if
they did not stop. Fearing that the threat may become
true, both gave sleeping pills to Bimaljit, who became
unconscious. After killing her they dumped the body in a
bag and left it at the house of Kesar Singh, who was
living abroad, the SSP added. |
IAS coaching from April 10 PATIALA, April 6 — The IAS and Allied Services Training Centre in Punjabi University, Patiala, will start coaching for the fortnightly personality development-cum-interview. The course will commence on April 10, 2000. Giving this information,
Dr G.S. Bajwa, Director of the centre, said the course
would conclude with mock interviews. Last year, seven
trainees of the centre got selected. |
Rice millers’ plea to save
industry PATIALA, April 6 — Punjab Rice Millers Association president Tarsem Saini today said the Union Government had unjustifiably burdened the rice millers of the state resulting in a loss of Rs 85 core. In a statement here, he said initially the driage allowance which continued to be given as 2 per cent for the past 20 years was reduced to 1 per cent for the custom milling of paddy crop in 1999-2000. He said this loss would ultimately accrue to the state agencies and they would not be in a position to procure paddy during the coming season and farming community of the state who are already facing economic hardships due to indebtedness, too, would face more difficulties to dispose off their produce. Mr Saini said Mr Shanta Kumar, Union Food Minister, in the presence of the Chief Minister, Punjab, had agreed to restore the driage allowance so reduced by the Union Government and assured that the Central Government would do its best to solve the problems of the rice milling industry and farmers of Punjab. He said with their assurance the millers had called off their strike to take up the job of custom milling, but no decision had been taken so far on this account. He said, now, a Punjab
Government circular had fixed the recovery rate of gunny
bags left surplus with the millers as Rs 18.96 per gunny
bag plus sales tax and surcharge, which would be
approximately Rs 20 per gunny bag. |
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