 |
|
| Wednesday, April 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Harpreet’s
death puts CM in a spot Bibi
“must quit” as SGPC chief
Mourners
throng Begowal dera
Punjab
BJP “has full faith” in CM Stay
on coop bank board elections |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18th
century serai today houses cops, criminals But
where are the bridges? Give
DDOs power to fix pay: vets Forum’s
directive to pay compensation Chief
Secy assures PCMSA members Doctors
sought for allopathic dispensary
Funds
totalling 21 lakh ‘embezzled’
8
hurt as union groups clash AK-56
recovered from villager Woman
kills 2 children, self
Punjabi
University convocation on April 30 500
libraries for Punjab villages
Wheat
arrivals to mandis likely to be less this year Licences
of 8 commission agents suspended
|
Harpreet’s death puts CM in
a spot SAHOLI (Ludhiana), April 25 — The Punjab Chief Minister and president of the Shiromani Akali Da, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, finds himself in an awkward situation in the wake of the latest controversy over the death of Bibi Jagir Kaur’s daughter. Mr Badal, who was here today to inaugurate a few developmental projects in the village, 30 km from Ludhiana, when asked whether an inquiry was being ordered into the death of Harpreet Kaur, alias Rosy, said that law would take its own course and truth would be revealed. He, however, said that no one had given any application to the administration alleging foul play in the death of the 19-year-old daughter of the SGPC chief. When quizzed further on whether Bibi Jagir Kaur would resign as the SGPC chief after revelation of circumstances leading to Harpreet Kaur’s death, Mr Badal stated that on humanitarian grounds the issue should not be raised till the bhog ceremony was performed on April 27. Party sources indicated that with the revelations about the death of Harpreet Kaur, the move to remove Bibi Jagir Kaur as the SGPC chief was likely to gain momentum once again. It was with much difficulty that Bibi Jagir Kaur had earlier managed to gain an upper hand in the battle of one-up-manship between her and the now ousted Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Puran Singh, after her excommunication from the Panth. This time round, however, the SGPC chief is unlikely to get away and there would be pressure on Mr Badal to have her submit her resignation, the sources point out. However, it is not just the SGPC chief that is a cause for worry for the Chief Minister. The realignment of forces opposed to him, especially with dissident SAD leader Ravi Inder Singh joining hands with Akali factions led by Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Kuldip Singh Wadala, has also become a sore point for Mr Badal. When asked to comment on the realigning of forces opposed to him, Mr Badal today laughed it off and claimed that there was no threat to his government. “It is the same people who keep on clamouring about ousting the government, but what have they achieved so far? Even in the Nawanshahr elections, they could not even manage to secure more than 500 votes,” the Chief Minister said, making an indirect reference to the SHSAD led by Mr Tohra. However, with the SHSAD and Akali Dal (Democratic) likely to use Mr Ravi Inder Singh as a rallying point to overthrow the Chief Minister, who in turn claims to ensure that 45 Akali MLAs will switch their loyalties in his favour, Mr Badal is certainly in a spot. The Chief Minister also welcomed Mr David Bonior, a US Congressman and asked him to persuade Mr Bill Clinton to extend liberal financial assistance for the development of Punjab. The Chief Minister announced the construction of 4 km-long link road from Sahauli to Khandur Sahib, execution of drinking water project and starting of vocational classes in schools. Mr Badal presented a
book “The Khalsa” and a gold coin on the
tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth to Mr
Bonior. |
Bibi “must quit” as
SGPC chief CHANDIGARH, April 25 — Opinion in the ruling Akali Dal is veering round to the idea that Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC, who is now in the eye of a storm over the mysterious death of her young “married daughter” must quit the presidentship of the all important Sikh religious body. While no senior Minister is ready to come on record for obvious reasons, a cross-section of the those present here felt it was in the fitness of things that the Bibi tender her resignation to save the Akali Dal, the SGPC and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, from any further embarrassment. And in case she does not do so, Mr Badal should get her sacked. “This is the least the Akali Dal President and the Chief Minister, who had personally gone to the cremation of the young daughter, should do”, a senior Minister said. In his first reaction to the mysterious death of Bibi Jagir Kaur’s teenaged daughter, Mr Badal said the law would take its own course, and added that so far he had not received any application demanding an inquiry into the circumstances of the death. “I have not received any application so far,” Mr Badal told reporters at a school in Saholi village near Sudhar, when he was asked whether any inquiry was being ordered into the death of 19-year-old Harpreet Kaur alias Rose last Friday. When journalists pressed with the queries asking whether the controversy over the death, particularly after a report in The Tribune, would not result in a scandal for the ruling Akali Dal, Mr Badal, said, “All I want to say at the moment is that the law will take its own course.” Mr Badal, who also heads the Home Department, was present at the cremation in Begowal village. “The in-laws are frightened, yet the mother of Kamaljeet Singh, the reported husband of the hapless girl, rushed to the cremation. Political circles also expressed surprise at the statement of Mr Badal yesterday to a news agency that there is needless speculation over the death which was just natural. As Chief Minister who holds charge of the Home portfolio and has a network of good intelligence gathering, he should have been in the know of the real situation. Ever since Mr Badal chose Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was a junior Minister in his Ministry to head the SGPC known as the Parliament of Sikhs, she had landed him in one or the other kind of problem. First was the row with retired justice Mr Harbans Singh over the proposed Sikh Gurdwara Bill. But the worst crisis sparked off over the hukamnama issued by the then Akal Takht chief, Giani Puran Singh. This at one time vertically divided the Akali Dal. Even the existence of the ministry was under threat. Mr Badal got Giani Puran Singh out despite the majority opinion being contrary and saved Bibi Jagir Kaur. But all at this heavy cost since he is being charged with lowering the position of the Akal Takht and getting two Akali Takht chiefs removed in less than one year. But the present crisis has altogether different dimensions. Here is a question of rule of law and the government’s duty towards its citizens. One Minister pointed out that the law must be allowed to have its own course, though most of the evidence has been destroyed. If Bibi Jagir Kaur continued as President, she would be a source of much embarrassment to the Akali Dal in general and Mr Badal in particular. Police officials here
said that “this case has become very serious.” |
SHSAD wants Bibi to resign Chandigarh, April 25 — The Tohra-led Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) today demanded the resignation of Bibi Jagir Kaur as President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) following reports that the death of her 19-year-old daughter recently was not natural. Party General Secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra said here today that the report in The Tribune clearly showed that there was foul play in the death of Jagir Kaur’s daughter and the entire matter was hushed up by the family by hurriedly going through cremation and immersion of ashes. Mr Chandumajra said the party had decided to write to the National Women Commission, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC), the National Human Rights Commission and petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu notice of the report. He said Jagir
Kaur’s family had violated the Sikh traditions by
having the cremation and immersion of ashes on the same
day. “All this was done to hide the truth”, he
alleged and added that Akal Takht “Jathedar”
Ranjit Singh as also Joginder Singh Vedanti, appointed
Jathedar by Jagir Kaur, should also take action against
the SGPC chief. |
Pressure on Bibi to resign AMRITSAR, April 25 — Even as the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) has decided to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), pressure has mounted on Bibi Jagir Kaur to resign as the SGPC chief in the wake of the death of her daughter Harpreet Kaur under mysterious circumstances. Meanwhile, Gurmat Gurbani Sant Samaj has decided to write to the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Joginder Singh, for “excommunicating” Bibi Jagir Kaur for creating circumstances which led to the ‘death’ of Harpreet Kaur. Baba Mangal Singh, acting President of the sant samaj, demanded that an FIR should be lodged against Bibi Jagir Kaur in this connection. Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary, SHSAD, has said that his party will move the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the NHRC and women’s organisations for taking action against Bibi Jagir Kaur. He also demanded action against Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, who was present at the cremation of Harpreet Kaur. He alleged that Mr Badal was among those who tried to “hush up” the destruction of circumstantial evidence related to the ‘death’ of Harpreet Kaur. Professor Chandumajra has also demanded the resignation of Bibi Jagir Kaur as President, SGPC. Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, a former Akali minister and a close confidant of Mr Tohra, has demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter. Mr Harminder Singh Gill, President, All-India Sikh Students Federation, has said that the NHRC should take strict action against Bibi Jagir Kaur. He alleged that there were “concrete proofs” that the death of Harpreet Kaur was due to tension in the family. “Bibi Jagir Kaur does not deserve to be the President of the SGPC” in the wake of serious allegations against her. The Sikh Chetna Manch,
headed by Mr R.S. Bindra, has also sought registration of
an FIR and the resignation of Bibi Jagir Kaur as
President, SGPC. |
Bibi must quit: Istri Sabha
chief CHANDIGARH, April 25 — Ms Oshima Raikhy President, and Ms Mohinder Samber, general secretary, Punhab Istri Sabha, in a statement today said the disclosure in the press regarding mysterious death of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, had stunned all enlightened people. The undue haste in disposing of the body of the deceased and refusal to have the post-mortem done, lent weight to the serious apprehension expressed in the lengthy press report. “It is a very serious matter which injures not only the sentiments of the democratic forward-looking people, but also involves the rights, status and dignity of women as well as the general human values. It is also a serious crime against the law of the land committed to perpetuate the narrow feudal outlook, whims and prejudices”, they said. They strongly urged that
a high-level independent inquiry be held to inspire
confidence in all sections of the people. Due to
political nuances of the matter it should be conducted
without loss of time and Bibi Jagir Kaur should quit the
exalted office of the President of the SGPC, as the act
went against the very teachings and tenets of Sikhism. |
Amarinder Singh for CBI probe CHANDIGARH, April 25 — Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today alleged that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was involved in hiding evidence regarding the cause of death of SGPC president Jagir Kaur’s daughter and sought a CBI inquiry into the incident. Capt Amarinder Singh told newspersons here that the presence of the Chief Minister at Bibi Jagir Kaur’s residence within hours of the death of the girl was itself an indication that Mr Badal had ‘‘manipulated for not conducting a post-mortem of the girl’s body.’’ Demanding a CBI inquiry
into the whole episode, Capt Amarinder Singh said his
party would approach the judiciary to look into the
reasons why a post-mortem was not conducted. |
Vedanti against summoning Bibi to Takht AMRITSAR, April 25 (UNI) — Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti today rejected the demand of the Sant Samaj for summoning SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur to Akal Takht for her explanation about the death of her elder daughter Harpreet Kaur under mysterious circumstances. ‘‘When the time comes then we can go into the matter and take whatever steps are necessary’’, the jathedar, who was appointed last month after the un-ceremonious sacking of Giani Puran Singh by the SGPC executive, told UNI here. The demand for summoning Bibi Jagir Kaur to the Takht was made by the Sant Samaj Acting President Baba Mangal Singh, who alleged that the SGPC chief was responsible for her daughter’s death which occurred under mysterious circumstances as reported in a news report today. ‘‘I cannot summon anyone just merely on allegations and on the bases of news reports,’’ the jathedar added. It was human nature to point an accusing finger at an opponent and malign her or his name, he added. Baba Mangal Singh at a press conference here had also demanded immediate removal of Bibi Jagir Kaur as SGPC president and registration of a criminal case against her. He also demanded that the state government should hold an inquiry into the cause of the girl’s death. ‘‘The SGPC chief has to explain to the Sikh quam (community) the reasons and circumstances that led to the untimely death of her elder daughter on the night of April 20,’’ he said. ‘‘Bibi ji herself was responsible for taking her own daughter’s life’’, the Baba, close to sacked Akal Takht jathedar Giani Puran Singh, said while referring to news reports in this context. Meanwhile, the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) President, Mr Harminder Singh Gill, in a statement here demanded a CBI inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Harpreet Kaur. A case of murder and
destruction of evidence should be registered against Bibi
Jagir Kaur, he said. |
Mourners throng Begowal dera KAPURTHALA, April 25 — The Akhand Path for the bhog ceremony of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of the SGPC chief, began at Dera Baba Prem Singh Muralewale at Begowal and was attended by a large number of persons. Bibi Jagir Kaur today remained busy in attending to the mourners who visited the dera at Begowal. Among the mourners were Mr Natha Singh Dalam, Punjab Public Relations Minister, and Mr Ravel Singh, former Revenue Minister and a trustee of the Ajit. The SSP, Mr Iqbal Singh, and Mr S.S. Bains also visited Begowal to supervise the security arrangements at Begowal keeping in view the visit of VVIPs for bhog ceremony on April 27. Meanwhile, enquiries revealed that Darshan Singh, father of Kamaljit Singh, the alleged lover of Harpreet Kaur, has been convicted and sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment for duping youths of the area of a huge amount of money for sending them abroad by Mr Balbir Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate. He is on bail as his appeal is pending before the Sessions Judge, Kapurthala. PATIALA (TNS): The All-India Youth Akali Dal on Tuesday urged the state Governor, Lt Gen J.F.R. Jacob, to direct the state government to register a case of murder against persons responsible for the unnatural death and subsequent speedy cremation of Harpreet Kaur. In a press note issued here, Mr Karnail Singh Panjauli, president of the Dal, said Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, would meet the Governor in this connection shortly. He called upon Bibi Jagir Kaur to immediately resign from the presidentship of the SGPC. PTI adds from JALANDHAR:
A senior leader of the Sarb Hind Akali Dal Mr Jagjit
Singh Gaba, on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the
circumstances leading to the death of Harpreet Kaur. |
Punjab BJP “has full
faith” in CM FATEHGARH SAHIB, April 25 — The state unit of the BJP has full faith in Mr Parkash Singh Badal and there is no truth in reports that Mr G.S. Tohra and Bhai Ranjit Singh have met senior RSS leaders. This was stated by Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Minister for Medical Health, while talking to reporters after presiding over a District Planning Board meeting here yesterday. Earlier, presiding over
the board meeting, he released Rs 487.11 lakh for
development projects of the district. He released a grant
of Rs 415.42 lakh for the pension scheme and Rs 105.17
lakh to four municipal councillors under the urban
development schemes. |
Stay on coop bank board
elections CHANDIGARH, April 25 — On a writ petition challenging the election schedule of Amritsar Central Cooperative Bank, Amritsar and making allegations against Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Punjab Cooperation Minister, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the election of the Board of Directors scheduled for April 27. The petitioners — Bal Khurd Cooperative Agriculture Service Society and five other primary cooperative societies and members of the bank — challenged the action of the Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies rejecting their objections to formation of zones without giving an opportunity to the societies to go through the zonal lists prepared for election to the Board of Directors. The petitioners alleged that the Cooperation Minister being interested in the election and wanting of his choice in the bank, no notices have been issued to members before hearing objections. They submitted that the election programme had been announced on the basis of improper zonal lists. It was alleged that UPC notices for the election were to be issued only to member-societies which supported Mr Surinder Pal Singh Chhina, Managing Director of the bank. The petitioners sought a direction for holding the bank election as per rules and after serving 15 days notice to member societies. A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice H.S. Bedi and Mr Justice A.S. Garg stayed the election of the board and issued notice of motion to the Cooperation Minister, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and others for August 3. Notice to SSP on Tohra’s rally Tribune News Service adds:On a petition for prosecuting a Station House Officer for allegedly stopping three Muktsar district residents from attending a rally addressed by Mr. Ravi Inder Singh, Mr. G.S. Tohra and other Akali leaders in Badal village, the High Court issued notice to the SSP, Muktsar, for August 9. Claiming to have been beaten up also, the petitioners, Deva Singh and two others, had earlier stated that their belongings, including a gold bracelet, ring and wallet, too were taken away after they defied the orders of the SHO of Lambi police station directing them against attending the rally. Going into the background, the three had stated in their petition taken up by Mr. Justice Swatanter Kumar and Ms. Justice Bakshish Kaur that they were stopped just short of Badal village on March 4. Seeking directions to the competent authority for registering a first information report regarding the incident, the petitioners had also sought adequate compensation for the alleged loss of belongings. Transfer of Muktsar’s SSP and the SHO during the pendency of the case were also sought. Bribe case: Notice to Public Prosecutor The High Court issued notice to Punjab’s Public Prosecutor on a petition alleging that a Superintendent of Police, and a Head Constable had demanded Rs 50,000. In his petition, Assistant Sub Inspector Tarsem Lal of Dera Baba Nanak police station in Gurdaspur district had earlier alleged that the SP and the Head Constable, by accepting Rs 30,000 after demanding illegal gratification of Rs 50,000 from the petitioner and subsequently asking for the remaining Rs 20,000, had committed an offence under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He had added that the two by changing the police record, preparing false documents and criminally intimidating him, had also committed an offence punishable under Sections 201, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. Giving details, the
petitioner had alleged that the Head Constable, after
calling him to the police station in connection with
another case, had informed him regarding the SP’s
annoyance with him, besides demanding Rs 50,000. |
18th century serai today houses
cops, criminals PATIALA, April 25 — In the late 18th century, when Maharani Aas Kaur got a serai constructed at the main entrance to the then princely state of Patiala, she would never have imagined that the building meant for the comfort of the visitors would be one day used as an interrogation centre by the CIA wing of the district police. The Maharani, who used most of her treasure to construct the serai, would be today turning in her grave as well. The dilapidated condition of the once majestic edifice is cause for concern. A major portion of the historic inn has already crumbled. The remaining is breaking apart, thanks to official apathy and the vagaries of nature. If preservation measures are not taken at the earliest, the serai’s splendour would soon slip into the long list of the city’s historic monuments which have already passed into oblivion due to utter neglect. The serai was built in the late 18th century on the instructions of Maharani Aas Kaur, wife of Maharaja Sahib Singh. The Queen is said to have developed a philanthropic zeal in the twilight of her life. She found that visitors to the state who came from far and wide had no place to rest. At that time the Sanauri Adda side of the city, which today falls at the rear, used to be the main entrance to the Sirhindi Bazaar, a hub of trading activity. The serai is a specimen of Sikh architecture which has few other examples left today. According to Capt R.S. Randhawa, Additional Deputy Commissioner and art connoisseur, the serai is basically a haveli is one of the beautiful examples of Sikh architecture which has few parallels in the form of brick masonry. Mr Randhawa claims that Sikh masons took cues from the Rajasthani architecture and also evolved their own designs. He said the subtle brick work, jharokhas and the uniquely designed parks in the haveli can compete with the world famous havelis of the Rajasthan. A Conservation Department official wishing not to be quoted said that the department could not be held responsible for the decay of the building as the government has not declared the haveli to be a protected monument. A Supreme Court order says that all more than 100-year-old buildings should be declared protected monuments and conserved. The building was in good condition two decades ago, say Brigadier Sukhdev Singh (retd) and Mr B.K. Kapoor, senior citizens of the city. They say that it is a pity that the government was not preserving our history by protecting such monuments. If conserved, the haveli can be developed into a tourism interest site. While the SSP, Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, was not available for comments, police sources in the CIA said the haveli was given to the Police Department some time after Independence. The haveli, because of its fort-like structure, is ideal for interrogation of criminals. During terrorism days and even today, the mere mention to a criminal that he would be taken to the serai is enough to elicit information. The police department
has carried out some repairs in the inner portion. Some
cops, however, conceded that the fear that the roofs and
the walls would crumble suddenly over them is always
there. |
But where are the bridges? CHAKK SADDU ( Hoshiarpur), April 24 — Even after one year of laying the foundation stone for bridges across the Jamanwala rivulet in particular and three more such rivulets on the road linking Hoshiarpur with Himachal Pradesh nothing concrete has taken place yet. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had laid the foundation stone in October, last year, for the construction of a bridge on the Jamanwala rivulet on the 20-km-long stretch of road from Hoshiarpur up to the border of Himachal Pradesh, but it still remained a distant dream for the people of the area. The worst affected were the truck drivers transporting food and other items between the two states. The situation turns bad in rains when the absence of bridges forces vehicular traffic on the road to come to a standstill for hours together. For Milkhi Ram (90), resident of this village, sheer neglect reflects nothing but hopelessness. “During the past 50 years no government has ever taken care of us or of the road which was originally constructed by Mughal rulers for transporting their soldiers in this part of the erstwhile Punjab state”, he laments. Moreover, the foundation stone is seen lying on the rivulet bed. Apart from this, three other rivulets falling on the road are Kharkan Khudd, Dallewal and Pataudian, all of which are without a bridge. Residents of Chakk Saddu village maintain that though work on a check dam had been started a few years back but its pace was slow.” “Sometimes, you see a few workers on the project, and at times nobody is there to be seen for months together,” said another resident. He lamented that even the stones used in the construction of the check dam had started crumbling over the years. He demanded that the bridge or check dam should be completed at the earliest, preferably before the onset of monsoons so that residents of the area and truck drivers plying on the road, which offers shortest route to destinations like Baba Balak Nath temple in Himachal Pradesh from Hoshiarpur, do not face problems. Residents of Chakk Saddu
and other villages on the road said they were suffering
as the area was getting less attention of the
authorities, probably because of its proximity to the
hill state. “I think that the government is not
caring to set up a bridge as they think it will benefit
the people of the neighbouring state only,” said
Garib Dass, another resident. He said if there was any
financial crunch, the Punjab Government could impose toll
tax after constructing the bridges. |
Give DDOs power to fix pay:
vets CHANDIGARH, April 25 — The Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association has urged the Chief Secretary that the power to fix pay in the higher scale after four, nine and 14 years of service should be given to the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) in the state in all departments to avoid delay in the fixation of pay with effect from January 1, 1996. The government had issued instructions last week for such a fixation. A deputation of the association led by its president, Dr G.S. Chahal, today met the Director, Animal Husbandry, to take up the issue of fixation with him. The association demanded a uniform policy in the case of pay fixation and not adopt a pick-and-choose criterion. The association brought several instances of pick-and-choose policy being adopted by the department in this connection. Dr Chahal has urged the
Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister, Dr Rattan Singh, to
make a random checking of pay fixation cases and ensure
uniform implementation. |
Forum’s directive to pay
compensation KAPURTHALA, April 25 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment and the Department of Publications to pay a compensation and cost of Rs 2000 to Mr Tej Bahadur Puri, a senior advocate for causing mental tension and harassment due to unfair trade practices, and deficiency in service. In a complaint to the forum, Mr Puri alleged that he sent a subscription of Rs 585 for the supply of the Law Journal for the period between January 1999, and December 1999, but the Department of Publication noted him as a subscriber for the period from January, 1996, to December for which period he did not send the subscription. Mr Puri alleged that a year had passed and he had neither received any part of the law journal for 1996 or 1999. He demanded the refund of subscription amount of Rs 585 and Rs 5000 as damages for mental harassment and unfair trade practice and deficiency in service. The forum, in its
judgement on April 19 held the govt of India responsible
for defiancy in service and causing mental harassment for
not supplying Mr Puri in the law journal. |
Chief Secy assures PCMSA
members CHANDIGARH, April 25 — The PCMSA, Punjab, said here today that the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, had given assurance that the non-practising allowance would be treated as a part of pay for all service benefits . A notification in this connection would be issued by the government within next two days. A deputation of the association, including Dr M.S.Randhawa, Dr D.S.Gill and Dr Manjit Singh , patron, president and general secretary, respectively of the association, met Mr Mann today. Mr Mann also told the
association that for implementing the demands pertaining
to conveyance allowance, academic allowance, higher
qualification allowance, redesignation and advance
increment to administrative senior medical officers a
meeting of the implementation committee would be called
soon according to a press note of the association. |
Doctors sought for allopathic
dispensary PATIALA, April 25 — The Punjab Para-Medical Staff Association today urged the Punjab State Electricity Board management to appoint two more doctors in the allopathic dispensary to improve the medical services offered in the head office here. In a representation sent to board chairman G.S. Sohal here today, Mrs Jagdish Kaur, President, and Mr Avinash Gupta, General Secretary of the association, said there was an urgent need for a gynaecologist and a medicine specialist at the dispensary to offer all kind of medical help to the board employees and their family members. The representation also reminded the Chairman on a pending demand of the para-medical staff, urging the Chairman not to go ahead with the plans of introducing double-shift duty hours at the dispensary. The release said the double shift will not make any change in services provided to the employees and would cause harassment to the employees who will have to make four rounds of the dispensary. The association also
urged the board Chairman to provide with new stocks of
glucose drip, thread for stitches and other minor surgery
equipment to the dispensary. |
Funds totalling 21 lakh
‘embezzled’ FATEHGARH SAHIB, April 25 — A glaring case of misuse of government funds worth Rs 21 lakh has come to light at Khumana village in Amloh subdivision of the district as found out by the Deputy Commissioner. The DC has written to the government to immediately suspend and take stern action against the alleged culprits after a thorough probe of the incident.The DC has written that Mr Jatinder Singh Tung, District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO), Mr Lakhbir Singh, panchayat secretary and administrator of the village panchayat and Mr Rajinder Verma, Junior Engineer, Amloh block, were hand in glove with one an other and had misused panchayat funds by embezzling Rs 21 lakh. He has written that Mr A.N. Jindal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, had sanctioned a compensation of Rs 35,37,972 in his letter of April 20, 1999, in lieu of the land acquired by the government, with the condition that this amount would be spent by the village panchayat with the prior approval of the authorities concerned. Mr Tung, DDPO, appointed Mr Jaswant Singh, JE, as the administrator of the village panchayat on the recommendation of the BDPO, Amloh. But later on the DDPO on December 24, 1999, appointed Mr Lakhbir Singh, the panchayat secretary as administrator of the same village on the recommendation of Ms Gurmeet Kaur, the suspended Sarpanch, ignoring the recommendation of the BDPO, Amloh. The DC has said that one fails to understand how a panchayat secretary can be appointed as the administrator of the same panchayat. As soon as Mr Lakhbir
Singh was appointed as administrator, he started misusing
the panchayat funds by making huge withdrawals and
undertook “unnecessary” projects. up to
December 27, 1999, he passed 16 resolutions for
development works and within a period of three months, he
spent Rs 21 lakh from the panchayat funds. The DC said
when the SDM, Amloh, brought the matter to his notice,
the work were suspended and Mr Mukand Singh Sandhu,
Assistant Commissioner (Grievances), was entrusted to
conduct an inquiry into the allegations. In his inquiry
report, Mr Sandhu has alleged that all works initiated by
the administrator were substandard and were undertaken
without taking any technical sanction from any government
agency. He has stated that the BDPO, Amloh, on February
7, 2000, wrote to the administrator to suspend the works
and not withdraw any amount from the paychayat funds, but
interestingly the DDPO vacated the stay imposed on the
withdrawal of panchayat funds vide his letter of February
14, 2000. He also directed the banks to make payments to
the administrator from the panchayat funds. Mr Sandhu has
further written that the Mr Verma, JE, who is empowered
to sanction the development projects worth Rs 10,000
only, also sanctioned projects worth lakhs of rupees on
his own. |
8 hurt as union groups clash ROPAR, April 25 — At least eight persons were injured in a clash between the two groups of the local Ropar Public Carrier Union at its office near Nangal Chowk here today. A group of the union elected Mr Pritpal Singh as the President of the truck union in the complex of a nearby Grudwara today. All injured persons, except one, suffered minor injuries. Mr Balbir Singh, President of the truck union, and Mr Pritpal Singh who was today elected president by a group of the truck operators, levelled allegations and counter-allegations against each other with regard to the clash. Both claimed that the members of the other group used sticks in the clash. Mr Balbir Singh refused to accept the election of Pritpal Singh as president and claimed that Mr Pritpal Singh was not even a member of their truck union. He said majority of the members of the union were with him. He also claimed that during clash Mr Wariam Singh, Hardip Singh, Surinder Kumar Goldy and two others of his group were injured while Mr Pritpal Singh claimed that four of his men, including Bikram Singh, who was taken to the local civil hospital for treatment, had been injured. Interestingly, when the clash took place, about two dozen policemen, led by Mr Manohar Lal, SHO of the local police station, were present. Meanwhile, Mr Pritpal Singh talking to newsmen, also claimed that 85 per cent members of the union were with him. He also criticised the police for its alleged partial role and said the police today got conducted ‘pukar’ ‘forcibly’ for sending trucks to different destinations. He also alleged that Mr Tara Singh Ladhal, Minister of State for Education, Punjab, and the Anandpur Sahib-Ropar MLA, was favouring Mr Balbir Singh in this matter. Mr Pritpal said they met the Ropar SDM, Mr A.S. Shahi, this afternoon to resolve the issue and to get the charge of the union’s office. He claimed the SDM declined to intervene in the matter, saying that it was their private matter. However, when contacted, Mr Shahi said that he had only advised them to resolve the issue amicably as it was a matter of the union whose members had to work together. He said he had not said that he would not intervene in the matter if there was a question of law and order there. Even after the holding of two ‘pukars’ peacefully today, tension is still prevailing around the office of the union. About 50 policemen along with Mr Udham Singh, Tehsildar-cum-Duty Magistrate; Mr S.S. Uppal, DSP (Headquarters), and Mr Manohar Lal, SHO, were monitoring the situation there. Mr Sunil Bhatia, DTO, Ropar, who also visited the spot, said no one would be allowed to disturb the peace in the area. He said necessary steps would be taken to maintain peace. Mr S.S. Uppal, DSP, said
the police had not arrested any person in connection with
the clash or manhandling as no one had made any complaint
against any one. |
AK-56 recovered from
villager GURDASPUR, April 25 — The police yesterday recovered an AK-56 rifle from a villager. Senior Superintendent of Police Varinder Kumar said the rifle was recovered from the house of Geji Masih at Kaler Kalan village and the suspect was arrested under the Arms Act.The SSP said the suspect confessed that the assault rifle was given to him by the Khalistan Commando Force (Wassan group) “Lt-Gen” Jasbir Singh alias Baba Bullet (Zaffarwal group) with the message that either he or his accomplice would collect it from him. But when Jasbir Singh
was killed in the encounter with the police during
militancy, nobody turned up to claim the weapon. He told
the police that he had first kept the illegal arm buried
in a roadside ditch, but later removed it and kept it in
a heap of fodder at his residence. |
Woman kills 2 children, self BARNALA, April 25 — Harjinder Kaur (26), wife of Mr Nishan Singh, is reported to have burnt herself and her two kids, Honey (3) and Sumandeep, her one and a half year old daughter, to death at about 10 a.m. at Sanghera village. Harjinder Kaur is reported to have sprinkled kerosene over her self and her two children and burnt themselves alive. According to reliable
sources strife, discord and feud in the family was the
cause behind Harjinder Kaur taking the extreme step. |
Punjabi University convocation on
April 30 PATIALA, April 25 — The 27th convocation of Punjabi University will be held in Guru Teg Bahadur Hall on the campus on April 30. Dr B.S. Bhatia, Registrar of the university, said in an official release here today that Lt-Gen (retd) JFR Jacob, Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of the university, would preside over the convocation. Mr Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, would deliver the convocation address. Dr Bhatia added that 328 candidates would be conferred various postgraduate and graduate degrees. A total of 94 candidates would be given the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, whereas 91 candidates would be awarded the degree of Master of Surgery and Doctor of Medicine. A total of 75 candidates would given the degrees of MSc and MA, while around 150 candidates would be awarded medals for topping in different examinations and one candidate would be awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for excellence and outstanding performance. The Chancellor would
host ‘at home’ ceremony for the medallists at
the University Guest House the same evening. The full
dress rehearsal for the convocation would be held on
April 29. Dr Bhatia added that due to the convocation,
the university offices would remain open on April 29 and
30. |
500 libraries for Punjab
villages CHANDIGARH, April 25 — The Punjab Government has decided to open 500 new libraries in villages during the current financial year. A provision of Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for the purpose. While presiding over a meeting in this regard, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab said the Punjab Government was keen to inculcate the reading habit amongst the youth by setting up libraries in rural areas. Capt Kanwaljit Singh further said three or four libraries in each block would be opened and for this purpose the MLA of the area concerned would supply the list of villages through the Block Development Officer. He further said only those villages would be provided with a grant of Rs 15,000 for the purchase of Punjabi books and Rs 5,000 for subscribing magazines which would have one room, four chairs and two cupboards for setting up the library. The Finance Minister has
directed the Development Department to implement the
scheme by the first week of May, 2000. |
Wheat arrivals to mandis likely to
be less this year LALRU, April 25 — Even as the flow of wheat to different anaj mandis of Dera Bassi subdivision is picking up, the volume of arrival is expected to be less this time compared to last year. The local mandi is a beehive of activity with labourers unloading fresh produce from tractor-trolleys, while many are busy winnowing and cleaning it. The wheat is auctioned, weighed and packed into gunny sacks for its onward journey. Rana Sheesh Pal Singh, a farmer who was sitting on a freshly stacked row of wheat bags, said, ‘‘Last year the yield was less and many farmers preferred to sell at the mandis closer home instead of bringing it here’’. According to sources, so far more than 8.84 lakh quintal wheat has reached four main mandis — Lalru, Dera Bassi, Humanyunpur Tasimbli, and Samgoli — of the subdivision till date, which is about 3.75 lakh quintal less than previous year. Sources said the relatively poor arrival of wheat was on account of the delayed onset of summer, since harvesting started in Punjab about two weeks late than last year. Moreover, the migrant labourer also reached the area behind schedule. Mr Jagdev Singh, Assistant Food and Supply Officer, Dera Bassi, said that 57, 993 quintals of wheat had arrived in purchase centres at Lalru against 79, 265 quintals last year. 12,132 quintals of wheat had arrived at Dera Bassi purchase centre, compared to 15,000 quintals last year. Humanyunpur Tasimbli purchase centre had received 15,000 quintals as against 23,000 quintals last year. The Samgoli purchase centre only received 3,300 quintals of wheat, which is much more than the previous year. All wheat at these has been purchased by the Markfed, FCI and PUNSUP. Mr Jaswant Kumar, a commission agent, said the produce was selling at rates varying between Rs 580 to Rs 585 per quintal. This time the yield is good and they are looking forward to do sound business. The arrival has picked up in the past few days although the farmers have been bringing the crop since April 2 from the surrounding villages. This year the arrivals started more than two weeks late. Officials of market committee said the farmers were given genuine rates. Last year 1, 20,000 quintals arrived in Lalru and Humanyunpur Tasimbli purchase centres. But this time, the daily flow of wheat to these purchase centres is from 8,000-9,000 quintals. Over 58,000 quintals of wheat in Lalru and 18,000 quintals of wheat in Humanyunpur Tasimbli purchase centres has been sold. Some residents alleged that influential farmers had hoarded wheat as some purchasers had sold it at the rate of Rs 688 per quintal after purchasing it for Rs 550 per quintal last year. They say that after purchasing the produce at the rate of Rs 580 per quintal they will reportedly sell it for about Rs 900 per quintal. This is another reason for the less arrival of wheat in the mandis. Mr Ram Singh, who had
brought 60 quintals wheat from Bhudanpur village for
Lalru mandi, said due to the damaged village roads, the
farmers prefer to sell their produce at their nearest
purchase centres than coming to the licensed purchase
centres due to the cost factor. At times, influential
farmers also approach them for large quantity, he added. |
Licences of 8 commission agents
suspended PATIALA, April 25 — The Director Food and Supplies Punjab today suspended licences of eight commission agents in various grain markets of Sangrur district for various discrepancies found in wheat purchase in various grain markets of this district. A press note issued by Mr Jaswinder Singh, Deputy Director, Food and Supplies, Punjab, said that Mr G. Vajralingam, Director, Food and Supplies, visited several grain markets of Sangrur to take stock of purchases. The director accompanied by Mr S.K. Nagpal Joint Manager, FCI, Punjab, said few discrepancies were found. He said at Bhawanigarh licences of eight commission agents belonging to Bhawanigarh Gharachon, Mehlan Chowk and Cheema Mandi were suspended on the spot. The director has also directed the district manager, Punsup, Sangrur, to immediately suspend an inspector of Punsup posted at Gharachon Mandi. The release said barring
these isolated incidents the wheat procurement was going
on smoothly in several areas of Patiala and Sangrur
districts visited by the team here today. He said so far
the government has purchased in district Patiala 6,02,218
MT and 7,31,136 MT in Sangrur district. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
