 |
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| Saturday, April 8, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Badal inducts 2 MLAs Consternation
over Kansal Punjab
revises lumpsum tax on brickkilns Flying
virtually grounded in Patiala Inter-state
meeting on minimum wages |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Punjab
YC executive panel dissolved
CJM
told to probe contempt case Where
Satyagraha was born World
Health Day observed Rally
by PCMS doctors Machines
defeat reform process “Medical
Sankat Saraansh” released Pingalwara
warns disgruntled elements Legal
Services Authority meeting held PSEB
to award honest employees Decline
in HIV positive cases
Rajpura
tehsil office computerised
Image
crisis for Punjab police 3
booked for printing currency Another
accused held in hijack case
|
Badal inducts 2 MLAs CHANDIGARH, April 7 — In order to stem the tide of dissidence in the ruling Akali Dal, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and president of the Akali Dal today inducted one senior MLA, Mr Jagir Singh Bhullar as Chief Parliamentary Secretary and another MLA, Mr Manmohan Singh Sathalia as chairman of the loss making PEPSU Road Transport Corporation. Out of 73 members of the Akali Dal Legislature Party, Mr Badal has already inducted 33 ministers. Another set of four MLAs occupy cushy positions as chairman of public sector boards and corporations. There are eight ministers from the BJP, a coalition partner in the Badal government. Last night the crisis managers of the Akali Dal had pressed all panic buttons to ward off the crisis. Even the police channel was used to contact the MLAs and rush them to Chandigarh. Informed sources here said that at least two MLAs, Capt Balbir Singh Bath and Mr Ajayapal Singh Meerankot refused to become either chairmen or parliamentary secretaries. Both of them have been critical of the government functioning in the state assembly. They had repeatedly raised issues which embarrassed the government. They wanted free power for the poor and the Scheduled Castes on the pattern it was being given to the farmers. Informed sources revealed that Mr Badal and his senior colleagues got panicky as there were reports that the major adversary of Mr Badal, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, had collected the support of some 30 MLAs. They did not want to take chances. Hence the haste in adjusting the MLAs. ‘‘We have to be careful because we know those who are eager to destabilise are active’’, one senior minister commented. He conceded there was a crisis, but played down its magnitude. Another minister felt that Mr Badal can not sit on his oars any longer. ‘‘One position of Deputy Speaker lying vacant with the elevation of Mr Baldev Raj Chawala as a minister should have been filled. But Mr Badal thought that this would lead to some game playing by the dissidents’’, he added. Both of them did not wish to be quoted. Mr Ravi Inder Singh when asked to comment said, ‘‘this game of distributing fishes and loaves would not succeed. The Akali MLAs know very well and some ministers who have their ears close to the ground also know that Mr Badal can not get them re-elected. Lack of performance is the real issue. Let the government come out its bankruptcy and perform. There is neither good governance nor any development’’. Asked whether he and other dissidents were trying to upstage the Badal government, he shot back, ‘‘We need not. It would go under its own weight. When we make some serious attempt, you would know the results. In any case, where is the government? It is a one family rule and even ministers are without any real power.’’ But ruling Akali circle asserted that Mr Ravi Inder and his friends were not sparing any effort. It is only that so far they have not succeeded except that some MLAs have got positions of power. Informed sources also said that both the camps were in touch with the top leadership of the BJP. The way Mr Ravi Inder Singh supported the BJP line on Jammu and Kashmir while participating in the debate on the massacre of the Sikhs revealed this. Contrary to Akali Dal’s of repeated stand, Mr Ravi Inder Singh said that ‘‘the article 370 should be abrogated if we wished to keep India as one country. There cannot be two sets of laws’’. Clearly coming days
would be hard for Mr Badal who has been slipping on
performance all this time. |
Consternation over Kansal CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Punjab Government’s move to include Kansal village in the proposed Anandgarh project has raised many an eyebrow. The village, located at the back of the Capitol Complex, is without a direct link to other parts of Punjab. It has been notified for acquisition for the new project. Will the government regularise hundreds of structures raised in the village in violation of the Periphery Control Act? The government has announced to regularise constructions in the periphery till December 1998. Karoran and Nadha villages are to be included in the second phase of land acquisition notification for the Anandgarh project. According to government sources areas of Karoran and Nadha villages were being acquired for setting up a green reserve along the proposed Anandgarh city. The land of the villages being acquired for the green reserve is covered under the Land Preservation Act. Relations of at least two senior Punjab ministers and a Member of Parliament are raising structures in the village. The sources say that a society of legislators of the ruling party, with over 100 members, has purchased a big chunk of land in the village. Will this influence the future action of the government regarding acquisition of land for the project? Some senior officials in the Badal Government were reportedly interested in purchasing land in the village owing to its proximity to the Punjab and Haryana Secretariat. They said Kansal village was included in the list of 29 villages to be acquired at the last moment. Investigations reveal, of the over 400 acre area of Kansal village — under the control of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) — a major part had been sold out to private colonisers. Earlier PUDA had plans to acquire the village to put a check on the unauthorised construction activity. Now pressure is being built up on PUDA to check any further construction as the village has been notified under the Land Acquisition proceedings. The sources said some senior functionaries in the Government had visited Kansal village. An official questioning the logic of including Kansal in the Anandgarh city said one had to go through Khuda Ali Sher village, located in Chandigarh, to reach the village. The Housing and Urban Development Minister, Punjab, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, said “Kansal village had been notified for acquisition to put a check on the mushrooming of unauthorised tenements”. On the issue of use of village land (once acquired), she said various project approval committees had been constituted to examine various issues related to the project. “The issue of
Kansal village will figure before the project approval
committee’ she said adding that human angle would
certainly be taken into consideration. |
Punjab revises lumpsum tax on
brickkilns CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Punjab Government has revised lumpsum tax on the Brick Kilns. With effect from April 1, 2000 rates have been enhanced to Rs 2,00,000, Rs 1,50,000 and Rs 1,00,000 on A,B,C categories, per annum, respectively. This was disclosed today by the official spokesman of the Excise and Taxation Department. Vide a notification issued on March 31 last an amendment has been made to the effect that lumpsum tax should be payable in lieu of actual tax leviable on the sale of Halwai and Bakery goods by dealers except those dealers who were registered before January 25 last with the Department and were paying tax on turnover basis. He also said that as agreed to at the national level for minimum rates of the sales tax, the rate of sales tax on molasses, rectified spirit and yarn of all types has been notified to be 20 per cent, 20 per cent and 4 per cent respectively from April 1 this year. As announced in the Excise Policy for the year 2000-2001, the sales tax has been imposed at the first stage on the converted Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (maximum up to 15 per cent of Punjab Medium Liquor quota). The spokesman added that
a provision for minimum prior payment of 25 per cent of
tax/penalty/interest before filling an appeal in any
Court of Law has been made in Section 20 of the Punjab
General Sales Tax Act, 1948 so that appeals are not filed
on frivolous grounds and the revenue does not get blocked
unnecessarily. That shall come into force with immediate
effect. |
Flying virtually grounded in
Patiala PATIALA, April 7 — A grounded aircraft, another ill-maintained one, low student intake and non payment of salaries to employees for months altogether are among the woes of the Patiala Aviation Club founded in 1962 with the mission to take Punjabi youth forward in the field of aviation. Today the Aviation Club is a shadow of its hoary past with only one quality Cessna-152 trainer. An Indian made Swati aircraft is grounded due to a crack on its spar while the staff work overtime to keep the age-old Pushpak in working order as there is no material support to maintain it after Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) stopped giving material support for the aircraft. Those maintaining the aircraft are also up in arms against the management as they have not been given salaries intermittently since 1996. Besides this, the employees have not been paid arrears for 22 months since January 1986, no arrears accumulating due to grade revision since January 1996, besides not being given increment arrears of 13 months due on January, 1993. Student intake is also at its lowest as no one from Punjab comes to log hours here to acquire a commercial pilot licence . This is because the government has not increased the scholarship of Rs 250 per hour for Punjab has no meaning now with the students being charged Rs 2,500 per hour of flying. There are a few regular students with many coming to the club to get the required number of flying hours from other clubs in the country as and when there is a problem there . The main reason for lesser number of students being attracted to the club is the growing unemployment among persons who have acquired a commercial pilot licence. This degree is no longer enough as every airline asks for twin and turbo engine experience and better training can be got from abroad at a little extra cost from the Rs 6 to Rs 7 lakh spent to acquire the licence here. Another reason is the steep increase in fuel charges which have been hiked nearly three times over to Rs 59 per litre at present. The fact that the Northern India Flying Club based at Jalandhar has been operating from here since the last five years has also divided revenue and caused bitterness between employees of both clubs. The only silver lining is the dedication of the staff which continues to attract students from far-off places who choose to log in the required number of hours needed to comply with their course requirements from here . The only sign of hope
— setting up of the Punjab Civil Aviation Authority
— has long been coming since 1995 but not set up
till now. All flying clubs of Amritsar, Jalandhar,
Ludhiana and Patiala were to come under its fold and
their functioning modernised with more advanced training
aircraft being acquired. Employees of all the clubs,
including both the clubs based here presently were
looking towards the Authority to free them of their
suffering. Employees however do not have much hope now.
“We suggest that the club be closed down and we be
adjusted in some other department if the present
situation is to continue”, said Flight Assistant
M.K. Goel. Patiala Aviation Workers Union President
Balinder Singh said most of the workers had more than Rs
1.50 lakh outstanding with the club and were even ready
for a golden handshake rather than letting things dither
like this. |
Inter-state meeting on minimum
wages CHANDIGARH, April 7 —A committee, comprising members of seven States of the Northern Region, met here today to make recommendations for the fixation of National Minimum Wages. The Punjab minister, of Local Bodies, Mr Balramji Das Tandon who presided said the committee recommended that there could be no unanimity on the fixation of norms keeping in view the different economic conditions in different states. The guidelines issued at the 15th session of Indian Labour Commission (ILC) were not feasible in this perspective. The committee agreed in principle that the revision of wages should take place after two years, where linkage was not provided and after five years where linkage had been provided. The committee rejected
to adopt the standard norms for the fixation of wages but
all the states agreed to bring down the disparities. The
members were of the view that in the absence of standard
norms, the states may fix minimum wage, as per them own
system. But at the same time wages should be more than
the Minimum National Level floor wage i.e. Rs 40. The
states of HP and Rajasthan opined that they were not in a
position to compete with metropolitan states and the
union territory due to price level variations. |
Punjab YC executive panel
dissolved JALANDHAR, April 7 — The 92-member executive committee of the Punjab Youth Congress has been dissolved by the president, Mr Davinder Singh Babbu. Mr Babbu said the decision to dissolve the executive committee had been taken on the direction of Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, president of the Indian National Youth Congress. Mr Babbu said the district and block unit presidents of the PYC would however continue to function. He said the new executive committee would be constituted within a period of two weeks. Mr Babbu added thousands
of workers of the PYC would participate in the gherao of
Parliament on May 2 being organised by the Indian
National Congress to protest against rising prices and
“anti people” policies of the BJP-led central
government. |
CJM told to probe contempt case CHANDIGARH, April 7 — Directing the Nawanshahr Chief Judicial Magistrate to hold a fact- finding enquiry into the allegations of taking the petitioner to a police post despite directions otherwise from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. Justice V.S. Aggarwal today fixed July 21 as the next date of hearing. In his petition, Ashok Kumar of Nawanshahr, had earlier alleged that he was confined at Aur police post despite informing the police about the High Court order against him being called to the police station unless booked in a criminal case. The High Court had directed that police stations at Nawanshahr “or any police post of Aur tehsil and Nawanshar district shall not call the petitioner unless a criminal case is registered against him”. Alleging harassment, he had stated that the police was inimical towards him as the former SHO of Nawanshahr police station was suspended after he got a corruption case registered against him. Pronouncing the orders in the open court today, Mr. Justice Aggarwal observed: “The grievance of the petitioner is that on December 18, 1998 while he was sleeping. The respondents along with four or five constables entered the house of the petitioner. The petitioner was captured. His gold ring weighing three tolas, and a bracelet were removed from his person”. The Judge added:
“The facts are in controversy. It is directed that
the CJM, Nawanshahr, will hold a fact finding enquiry
with respect to the assertions made in the petition and
submit a report”. |
Where Satyagraha was born RAYIAN/BHAINI SAHIB (LUDHIANA): With the turn of the new millennium, the two historic villages of Rayian and Bhaini Sahib, too, have undergone a sea change and boast of all modern amenities of living. But what makes them different is the fact that the residents of these villages have managed to maintain and uphold their importance by maintaining the relics of the past. For a casual visitor, the rustic surroundings of the two villages, located next to each other, makes these look like any other village located in the heartland of Punjab. Go a bit deeper into the two villages and one realises that this is one place where modernity and history go hand in hand. While on one hand, these villages boast of concrete roads, underground sewerage, clean drinking water supply, computers at the Satguru Partap Singh Academy (a school up to the plus two level) and other civic amenities quite unheard of in villages, places of historical importance like Parkash Sthan of Satguru Ram Singh, founder of the Namdhari sect, the dera at Bhaini Sahib, Akal Banga, and the ancient sarovar, believed to be from the time of the treta yuga exist side by side. It was from these two non-descript villages, around 25 km from Ludhiana, that the non-cooperation movement against foreign rule was launched for the first time in history by Satguru Ram Singh in the later half of the 19th century. Much before Mahatma Gandhi had started this movement to rock the very foundation of British rule, Satguru Ram Singh was the first one to ask his followers to boycott government service, British educational institutions and courts and their goods. Considered as one of the pioneers of the country’s freedom struggle, he had managed to set-up an independent parallel government from here by setting up his own postal system and establishing diplomatic ties with the neighbouring states of Nepal, Afganistan and Russia. In fact, he also created a separate regiment, Kooka Platoon, in the state of Kashmir in 1869-70 and the sacrifices made by the followers of the Satguru during the country’s freedom struggle are also praiseworthy. At Bhaini Sahib, the management of the dera has made all-out efforts and succeeded in maintaining the “sarovar”, Akal Banga; where Satguru Ram Singh had meditated and Parkash Sthan of the Satguru in Rayian village. The “sadavart langar”, which has been carried on since 1871, still goes on regardless of the number of people there and everyone gets “parsade” Interestingly, a continuous recital of prayer has also been going on here for the past 66 years, with one granthi doing a two-hour shift at a stretch. While maintaining these
places of historical and religious importance, the dera
management with substantial help from the state
government, is now building a state of-the-art indoor
stadium of international standard and a college for
residents of the area is on the anvil. |
World Health Day observed AMRITSAR, April 7 — As India observes World Health Day, it continues to face multiple health problems that need urgent attention of the Central and the state governments as also of the various non-governmental organisations working in the health sector. Dr Dinesh Kumar, Director of Health and Development initiative, an NGO, said here today that there were apprehensions that within a decade India would have 8 Million HIV positive persons according to a survey. The figure at present is three and a half million. The Indian population had crossed the 1 billion mark. The two-child norm had been popularised in 8 to 10 states only. According to the Union Health Secretary, India would have to wait for another 45 years before the population stabilises. He said health had always been treated as a subject of “non-productive expenditure” and neglected by those at the helm of affairs. The state expenditure on health had varied from 1.2 per cent to 1.8 per cent of the gross domestic product all these years. NAWANSHAHR: The Punjab State Blood Transfusion Committee, in collaboration with the local Blood Donors Council, organised a seminar on Friday at Swarankar Bhavan here to mark World Health Day. The theme of the seminar was ‘Safe blood starts with me.’ Dr Ram Lubhaya Sharma, Civil Surgeon, was the chief guest. The Additional Director, Punjab State AIDS Control Programme, Dr G.S. Chahal, presided at the seminar. As many 12 social workers who had donated blood more than 50 times were honoured on the occasion. HOSHIARPUR: As many as 53 blood banks recognised by the government are functioning in Punjab out of which 29 are being run by the State Health Department and 24 by private organisations. This was stated by Ms Mohinder Kaur, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, while addressing the gathering at a function organised by the District Health Department to mark World Health Day. The function was held at the local JR Government Polytechnic. A blood donation camp was organised on the occasion at which 50 students of the polytechnic donated blood. BATHINDA: Twenty units of blood were donated by students of NIIT and Nehru Yuv Kendra at two camps organised here on the occasion of World Health Day. Ms Raj Gupta, state convener, ISBTI, in a press note issued here said the country required 80 lakh units of blood every year, but only 35 lakh units were collected. BARNALA:
A district-level function to mark World Health Day was
organised at the local Civil Hospital on Friday under the
chairmanship of Dr S.S. Toor, Chief Medical Officer at
the hospital. Dr Suresh, District Health Officer from
Sangrur was the chief guest at the function. Earlier,
school children held a procession on the occasion. |
Rally by PCMS doctors PATIALA, April 7 — A rally of PCMS doctors of the district was held in the local Rajindra Hospital in protest against the failure of the state government to implement the recommendations of the Fourth Punjab Pay Commission. Addressing the rally, Dr D.S. Bhullar, President, PCMS Officers Association of Govt Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, condemned the ban imposed on the implementation process of 4,9, 14 pattern of time scales to the PCMS doctors, which has been implemented in case of 10-15 per cent PCMS doctors but denied in case of the majority. Dr Hardeep Singh, a leader of the association from Ludhiana district, criticised the government for withdrawing the facility of rent-free accommodation admissible to the doctors, engaged in emergency and clinical duties. He further demanded that the revised rate of NPA should be implemented w.e.f. January 1, 1996, instead of September 1, 1997, as had been done by the central government. Dr Harmanjit Singh, state President of the Govt Ayurvedic Doctors Association, assured full cooperation to the PCMS doctors in their struggle. Dr O.P.S. Kande, state President of the Indian Medical Association, said the IMA would support all actions of PCMS doctors for the implementation of their demands and would soon approach the Health Minister for the same. Dr D.C. Sharma, state General Secretary of the PCMS Association announced that the protest rallies would be soon organised at other district headquarters. The issue of filing a legal case in the court was under consideration of the association. He demanded that the government should formulate proper transfer policy keeping in view the seniority and specialisation of the doctors concerned. He appealed to the government to provide sufficient drugs, especially in rural areas, and formulate a drug purchase policy which should be patient-friendly and scam-resistant. The doctors took a
pledge to work with more dedication in the service of
ailing community on the occasion. |
Machines defeat reform process PATIALA, April 7 — While a number of reforms have been initiated in the Central Jail here for the benefit of inmates , a number of machines used for vocational training of inmates have either been rendered obsolete or are lying out of order. Machines like powerlooms, handlooms printing press and carpenting and caning equipment are used to give training to the inmates so that they can find jobs outside or can start their business. Due to faulty machines, the purpose of reformation is defeated. Many of these regularly develop faults and spare parts are not available. Due to fast technological advancement in the world outside the jail, the machines have been rendered obsolete. The machines are now and then made workable by the jail staff but again a part gives way. Sources say for every breakdown of the looms, the staff has to rush to Ludhiana, causing huge expenditure to the jail. The condition of the printing press is deplorable. The equipment serves another purpose. It is a source of revenue for the jail and the inmates. The jail officials organise an auction-cum-exhibition annually to show the work of the inmates. The inmates also get payment everyday for working in the jail factory. The main cause behind the non-replacement of the old machines is paucity of funds faced by the jail. A few months ago the jail did not have money to buy wheat flour for rations of the inmates. The inmates have not received daily wages for the past several months. A commendable effort of
installing computers in the jail for the inmates has been
started recently. But due to faulty machines, all inmates
cannot be kept involved. Mr G.S. Sidhu, Superintendent of
the jail, says a plan for updating machines is under
consideration. |
“Medical Sankat Saraansh”
released CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today released a book entitled “Medical Sankat Saraansh” (in Punjabi) written by Dr Datar Singh Virk, Joint Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation. This is the first book in Punjabi in which the author has made effort to give basic information about allopathy. Appreciating the effort of Dr Virk, the Chief Minister hoped more such books in Punjabi would be brought out by experts. Dr Virk said the effort
was dedicated to the tercentenary celebrations of the
birth of Khalsa, which seeks ‘‘Sarbat da
Bhala’’. |
Pingalwara warns disgruntled
elements CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The All India Pingalwara Charitable Society, Amritsar, has taken exception to the misuse of the Bhagat Puran Singh’s name by some “disgruntled elements”. Dr Inderjit Kaur, President of the Charitable Society, said “Kirpal Singh had been forced to resign from the institutions for his misdeeds.” In a statement she said it was unfortunate that Kirpal Singh had stooped to such a level where he was claiming himself as a Bhagat. Reacting to the release of a book “Soch Da Waris” by Bibi Jagir Kaur of Kapurthala on April 4, she said Kirpal Singh had tried to portary himself as the true successor of the thought of Bhagat Puran Singh. She warned
“disgruntled elements” to desist from using any
Bhagatji’s phrase for their personal interests and
asked political leaders to verify the antecedents of such
people before attending their functions. |
Legal Services Authority
meeting held CHANDIGARH, April 7 — The Punjab Legal Services Authority convened a meeting here yesterday. Participants in the meeting included chief executives of nationalised banks operating in Punjab ways and means for the speedy settlement of loan recovery cases through Lok Adalat were discussed. Mr Justice H. S. Bedi, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman of the Punjab Legal Services Authority, who presided over the meeting, highlighted the vast statutory status of the Lok Adalat to settle disputes pending in the courts and at pre-litigation stage. It was decided at the
meeting that a special Lok Adalat should be held at
Ludhiana on May 20 for settling the bank loan cases,
according to the Member- Secretary of the Legal Services
Authority, Mr D.K. Monga. |
PSEB to award honest
employees PATIALA, April 7 — Adopting a carrot and stick approach, the Punjab State Electricity Board has decided to award honest and hardworking employees while issuing warnings to those guilty of dereliction of duty. This was announced by Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, Power Minister, in a high level meeting of the board at its head office here today. According to an official press release of the meeting the minister said no category of consumers was more equal than others and officials should see all with one eye. He said the demand for power would increase manifold in the coming paddy season and summer. He gave a direction to
the board to ensure uninterrupted supply of power to
farmers. |
Decline in HIV positive cases PATIALA, April 7 — The Department of Blood Transfusion of Rajindra Hospital has reasons to cheer on World Health Day today because the slogan given by the World Health Organisation ‘Safe blood starts with me’ has already been put into practice with positive results. According to a research
study done by Dr Kulbir Kaur, Professor and Head of
Department, samples of blood donors tested since 1993
onwards have shown a decline in the HIV positive
incidence. From a record high of 0.75 per cent in 1996,
the incidence of HIV positive cases has declined to 0.23
per cent out of sample testing of 9,394 donors. |
Rajpura tehsil office computerised RAJPURA (PATIALA), April 7 — All sub-division offices in Patiala district would be shortly computerised. Stating this after inaugurating computerised office of this tehsil here this afternoon, Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, Deputy Commissioner, said tehsil offices in Derra Bassi, Nabha, Samana and Patiala city were next on the agenda of the government for computerisation. Mr Bir also handed over the first registration copy of a property will processed through the computer to a person. Taking to newsmen, Mr Bir said in today’s fast paced world, computerisation can go a long way in removing red-tapism. He hoped that apart from ensuring speedy disposal of cases, the computerisation would curb chances of tempering of record as well as corruption. He said the move would also bring transparency in government offices. Mr Bir also informed
that on the occasion of World Health Day today, the
district administration had fed a list of voluntary
donors of the district in the Patiala web-site. |
Image crisis for Punjab police LUDHIANA, April 7 — A series of unsavoury incidents involving senior police officials over the past couple of months have created a serious image problem for the Punjab Police and put a question mark over their training process. During the past two months alone, at least three cases of alleged deviant behaviour of police personnel of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and above have been reported. The latest case relates to that of an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police and a former office-bearer of the PPS Association, now based at Khanna. The official concerned, Mr Hartej Singh Sekhon, was reportedly caught red-handed in a compromising position with a woman in a hotel room here yesterday. It is reliably learnt that the local police had knowledge of the SP’s “colourful activities” for some time now and plans were being formulated to nab him. A police party led by the CIA in charge, Mr Joginder Singh, raided the premises of Hotel Sanplaza yesterday and Mr Sekhon after having been caught is learnt to have confessed his guilt, but since no cognisable offence was made out no immediate action was taken against him and the woman. It is also learnt that the the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana, Mr Kuldeep Singh, had reported the matter to the Director-General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh, alleging that the incident was violative of the Punjab Civil Service (Conduct) Rules (Rule 3(1) (III). Meanwhile, police sources said Mr Sekhon had also been frequently bringing girls as young as 14 years to the same hotel. It may be recalled that a Muslim girl of Kalsian village, Raikot tehsil, had also alleged sexual exploitation at the hands of an officer of the DSP rank and an ASI, when she was caught in the infamous Moga sex scandal. The victim, in a petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 30, had alleged that a former Vice-Principal of a college near Ludhiana, who had hired her as a domestic help, had forced her into prostitution and that she was sexually abused by a few senior police officials for almost a year. The court has also issued notices to the state of Punjab in the case. However, no action has so far been taken against any of the alleged accused. When contracted, SSP, Moga, Mr S.S. Chauhan, informed that the police would react in this case only after receiving the high court notice. Apart from this, the incident relating to the rape of a 16-year-old Jagraon-based girl by DSP Ashok Puri, too, has tainted the image of the police. The DSP was suspended two days after an FIR was registered against him and later dismissed from service. Residents of Jagraon has raised a lot of hue and cry about this incident, wherein the victim has accused the DSP of sexually abusing her for almost six months, in connivance with her mother Mohan Kaur and step father Darshan Singh. The girl is now five month pregnant and DSP concerned is facing trial. Numerous other incidents involving high-ranking police officials have marred the image of the Punjab police like a Ludhiana DSP ordering a lathi charge on a large number of guests during a gathering at a resort near Phillaur allegedly after a minor altercation. The DSP was not even invited for the party. Another incident of a Ludhiana based SP resorting to physical violence in a city club, allegedly after he was asked by a club sentry not to carry his mobile phone inside the premises, was also reported a few months back. In spite of repeated
attempts to contact the Director General of Police, Mr
Sarabjit Singh, over the telephone. He was not available
for his comments. |
3 booked for printing
currency JALANDHAR, April 7 — The Bhogpur police has booked three city residents on the charge of printing fake currency notes to the tune of Rs 90000. According to the police,
acting on a tip-off, a police party was despatched to nab
the suspects identified as Naresh Kumar, a resident of
Ram Park area Diwakar Dass, a resident of Mohalla no 31,
both Jalandhar cantonment and Mohit Kumar, a resident of
Kot Kishan Chand. The accused were printing notes with
the help of a computer. The suspects managed to give a
slip to the police. |
Another accused held in hijack
case PATIALA April 7 — The CBI has arrested a third conspirator in the Indian Airlines I C-814 hijack case who was allegedly responsible for supplying arms to Yusuf Nepali and Abdul Latif who had been nabbed by the Mumbai police during the hijack drama. The CBI produced Dalip
Kumar before Special CBI Magistrate Amarjit Singh Virk
here on Wednesday evening and were able to procure a
police remand till April 10. The court proceeds were held
under camera .Sources, however, stated that arms
recovered from Dalip Kumar were brought to the Special
Court at Chhoti Baradari. There was a tight security
umbrella during the entire proceedings. The CBI
reportedly demanded the accused be remanded in police
custody so that he could be questioned about his role in
the hijack case. The CBI also told the court that Dalip
Kumar had supplied the weapons to Yusuf Nepali who routed
these to Abdul Lateef. |
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