 |
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| Wednesday, May 10, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
No move to remove SGPC chief :
Badal 11 Akali rebels may lose seats Jatha welcomes RSS into Sikh fold Pak women leave on happy note Markfed warns defaulters Plea to table film in Harpreet
case allowed
CM: Ravi Inder, Tohra Cong men in
disguise Congress launches dharnas |
|
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Threat
to gherao Speaker
FCI’s salvage scheme pays off Punjab’s record in wheat
procurement Rs 12 cr for better health
services Residents spend their own money on
street lighting JEs take PSEB to task Power workers hold dharna Sehkari Bank Bima Yojna launched Badal’s directive to
officials Excise officers found absent 200 prisoners released
Polygamist NRI booked for fraud Man burns house in suicide bid 3 killed, 35 hurt in road mishap Bank guard found murdered Life, not light extinguished
Students resent govt decision ETT students threaten stir
|
No move to remove SGPC
chief : Badal BATHINDA, May 9 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has said that there was no move to dethrone Bibi Jagir Kaur from the presidentship of the SGPC. Addressing a press conference here yesterday after flagging off a train consisting of 40 wagons of fodder for the drought-affected areas of Rajasthan, Mr Badal said that the question of removing Bibi Jagir Kaur from her post did not arise as she had not been found guilty in any case so far. While announcing that a separate cell had been established for helping the drought-affected people in Rajasthan and Gujarat and a special team would be sent to these areas for making an assessment, he said that the Punjab Government would rush all types of material to these areas. Regarding the loss caused to the farmers due to destruction of their wheat crop in the fire caused by the sparking of overhanging electricity wires, Mr Badal said that he had asked the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities to identify such farmers and pay compensation to them at the earliest. He said that he had asked the Central Government to speed up the movement of old wheat lying in the godowns of the state so that sufficient space could be created for storing the wheat crop which was being procured at present. When asked about his
reaction to the statement of Mr G.S. Tohra in which he
had asked Mr Badal to submit himself before Akal Takht
for seeking forgiveness for his ‘sins’, Mr
Badal pointed out that neither had he committed any
‘sin’ nor was he summoned by the Jathedar of
Akal Takht. |
11 Akali rebels may lose
seats CHANDIGARH, May 9 — Eleven rebel Akali legislators are most likely to lose their seats in the Punjab Assembly. Informed political sources here indicated that the dominant group in the ruling Akali Dal including, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, has made it clear that these MLAs should cease to be members of the Assembly. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, who served a show-cause notice on these MLAs on April 25, is said to be a party to the decision of the Political Affairs Committee of the ruling Akali Dal that informally decided that pro-Badal MLAs should approach the Speaker and get a quick decision. These MLAs have to reply to the notice by May 10. Mr Atwal is a member of the Political Affairs Committee and despite being the Speaker, is an active participant in the Akali Dal’s political affairs. Two petitions were filed. One is by Mr Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur and Mr Ajit Singh Kohar against the former Speaker and Akali MLA from Morinda, Mr Ravi Inder Singh. The second is by three MLAs, Mr Raghbir Singh, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka and Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha against 10 MLAs, who are Manjit Singh Calcutta, Inderjit Singh Zira, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Surjit Singh Kohli, Harmel Singh Tohra, Hira Singh Gabria, Jagtar Singh Rajla, Bikramjit Singh Khalsa, Gurdev Singh Sidhu and Mrs Daljit Kaur. They all belong to the camp of former SGPC President, Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Mr Badal had waited for quite sometime to allow these MLAs to return to his fold. But finding them openly siding with the rivals and holding conferences, it was better to see them out of the Assembly. Another reason was to stem the tide of revolt which Mr Badal had been trying to check by offering ministerial berths and other favours. This, as per the ruling Akali Dal, would be a deterrent and would provide some kind of permanent peace till February 2002 when the next elections take place. How strong will the Chief Minister emerge after this action is anyone’s guess. Mr Surjit Singh Barnala had tried this against 23 Akali MLAs in 1987 which resulted in the fall of his government. Mr Badal at that time was one of the victims. But there is one major lacuna which may stop Mr Atwal from taking direct action. The two petitions have been filed, by MLAs and not by the Akali Dal President. What is their locus standi is not clear? They hold no office and are just colleagues of these MLAs. Sources in the Tohra camp revealed that the replies to the petition are ready. Senior MLAs, including Mr Ravi Inder Singh and Mr Mahesh Inder Grewal, have drafted their replies in consultation with senior constitutional experts in Delhi. One of the grounds is that the petitions have not been filed by the Akali Dal President. Another is a strong rebuttal that they have gone against the Akali Dal’s programme and political doctrine. In fact, there are a host of allegations against Mr Badal for having departed from the declared programme and for denigrating Akal Takht. But the main ground is that under Article 191 (2) of the Tenth Schedule, the Dal President should have filed the petitions and second is that "the Speaker being a member of the PAC is party to the decision already taken". They also quote from the speech of Mr Badal which he reportedly made three days back saying these members would lose their membership. These petitions seeking disqualification under the anti-defection law state that they have voluntarily given up their memberships by their actions inside and outside the Vidhan Sabha against the party that has set them as candidates. They have to cease to be members. The Tohra group is also
getting ready for a long legal battle which could only
end in the Supreme Court. No legal expert is ready to bet
on the final outcome as the law is not that clear on the
issue and evidence could always be turned around. Mr
Badal has struck hard. Interestingly in July 1999, when
these 10 MLAs had revolted, a meeting was held at the
residence of Mr Ravi Inder Singh who was then close to Mr
Badal. Mr Atwal and his two senior staffers were also
present. There this issue was debated, but the final
opinion was against the kind of action throwing these
members out. But after nearly a year, same action is
being taken. |
Pak women leave on happy
note WAGAH (INDO-PAK BORDER), May 9 — The Pakistani women who spent a week in India have said that Indian women are enjoying more freedom and liberty than their Pakistani counterparts. The 26 delegates of the women’s initiative for Peace in South Asia (WIPSA), who crossed over to Pakistan from this joint checkpost today, said their mission for peace stood fulfilled as they were accorded a warm welcome wherever they went. Mrs Asma Jehangir, leader of the group, said that the delegates met three chief ministers, a former prime minister, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, and a cross-section of people and discussed the scope for strengthening common bonds of friendship between the people of both countries. The delegation included four Pakistani Hindus and three Christian women. Ms Jehangir said the people of both countries were facing similar problems. These could be solved jointly if they came on a common platform. The era of confrontation must end and people of both countries could play a significant role in bridging the gap. "Let the bitter past be buried and a new chapter of friendship be opened". The women delegates, who were in a happy mood, appreciated the hospitality of the Indian people. "We did not feel that we were in India". "Let us not discuss the ticklish issues like Kashmir. Let us not politicise everything. Instead, take up the issues which could usher in an era of amity and friendship". The delegates, including Ms Mala Lohana, a president of Miran Kot (Sindh province), and Ms Sidhu Batra, a doctor, denied the allegations that the minorities were being forcibly converted to Islam. They said Hindus and Sikhs were at liberty to marry within their communities. Ms Raushan Ali, a student, was happy to see the standard of education in India. She said education wise, India was more advanced than Pakistan. Most of the Pakistani women were for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. The WIPSA delegation urged the governments of both countries to liberalise the visa conditions for enabling more and more delegates to visit each other’s country. Ms Hena Jalali, a columnist, appreciated the Indian media for highlighting the visit of WIPSA. "We visited India as ambassadors of peace", she said. Our Correspondent adds" Ms Asma Jehangir, former chairperson of the Human Rights Organisation, Pakistan, is faced with the task of securing the release of an Indian national who inadvertantly strayed into Pakistani territory and is now presently facing a death sentence in a false case. Ms Jehangir had assured the complainant, Mrs Sukhpreet Kaur (35), whose husband, Mr Sarabjit Singh, has been languishing in a Pakistani jail for more than 10 years. Mrs Sukhpreet Kaur has alleged that her husband has been framed in a bomb blast case in the name of Manjit Singh, son of Mehnga Singh, and not in the name of Sarabjit Singh. In her application she
has stated that she was a resident of Bhikhiwind, in
Amritsar and that her husband left the house in August,
1990, without informing anybody. In May, Ms Sukhpreet
Kaur received a letter from him from Central Jail,
Lahore, stating that he has been awarded the death
sentence in a false case, naming him as Manjit Singh. |
Markfed warns defaulters CHANDIGARH, May 9 — The Markfed authorities today warned the defaulting rice millers to clear their dues or face criminal charges. Addressing a press conference here, Mr D.S. Bains, Managing Director of Markfed, said his organisation had already recovered Rs 50 crore from defaulter millers and yet Rs 11 crore were pending against them. Making it clear that the remaining dues would be recovered come what may, Mr Bains said the dues were pertaining to paddy given to millers for shelling in 1997-98 and 1998-99. Giving details, Mr Bains said taking advantage of the 20 per cent clause in the state government policy, the millers sold the rice prepared from Markfed’s paddy in the open market and did not account for it to Markfed for the past two years. He said when he became the Managing Director in November last year, he immediately took up the matter with the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who extended full support for recovering the dues. A member of Parliament, who has shellers in the Ferozepore belt, set the trend by paying dues worth Rs 70 lakh to Markfed. The maximum amount of Rs 7.5 crore was due against the millers belonging to Muktsar district. Already Rs 5 crore had been recovered out of this amount. As the millers did not account for the paddy on the due date in the past two years, Markfed had to pay Rs 15 to 30 crore as interest on the money it had arranged for procuring the paddy. Mr Bains said he had written to the Secretary, Food and Supplies Department, for removing the 20 per cent clause from the state government policy with regard to the milling of paddy. He said he had requested the Secretary that only those millers should be entitled for shelling the paddy procured by government agencies which accounted for 100 per cent paddy in a milling season which ended either in May or June every year. And proper bank guarantees should be taken from all millers. There were about 2,600 rice shellers in Punjab and almost the entire paddy procured by government agencies was shelled by these millers. Markfed was perhaps only organisation which had its own four mills. Mr Bains said the recovered of rice from Markfed mills was satisfactory so far this year. It had gone up to 64.83 per cent from Machiwara mill whereas from Rajpura and Bagapurana mills it was about 60 per cent. He said Markfed had procured 16.53 lakh tonnes of paddy this year and out of it 69 per cent had been milled so far and by the end of June this year the entire paddy stock would be milled. Markfed had procured 17.22 lakh tonnes of wheat which was 21 per cent of the total wheat procurement by state agencies. However, its allocated share was 18 per cent. Mr Bains said Markfed
would roll in a huge profit this year. It would be able
to fulfil all commitments made with the Punjab
Government, he added. A programme had been prepared for
the upgradation of rice mills owned by Markfed. |
Plea to table film in
Harpreet case allowed CHANDIGARH, May 9 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court here has allowed an application moved by Harpreet Kaur’s "husband", Mr Kamaljit Singh, for placing on record a video film of their "marriage" and a medical certificate showing SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur’s daughter to be pregnant. In his petition, taken up by Mr Justice Amarbir Singh Gill, Mr Kamaljit Singh also stated that he was in possession of certain photographs, letters and cards addressed by Harpreet Kaur, but the same were "not readily available". Quoting a newspaper reports, the petitioner also asked for summoning Bibi Jagir Kaur’s gunman, ASI Nishan Singh. Indications, he added, were available to show that the gunman beat up Harpreet. Seeking directions for registering a case against all those found responsible for causing the death of Harpreet Kaur and her child, Mr Kamaljit Singh had earlier asked for handing over the probe to an independent agency like the CBI. Directions for fixing responsibility on persons involved in the "disappearance of evidence" had also been sought. He had also alleged that
"on account of political power and influence wielded
by Bibi Jagir Kaur, the case relating to Harpreet Kaur
and her child’s death could be hushed up and all
those responsible for the same "will not be
touched". He had further added that the facts and
circumstances clearly indicated that efforts were being
made to hush up the case. |
Jatha welcomes RSS into Sikh
fold AMRITSAR, May 9 — The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (International) and All-India Sikh Students Federation (Pir Mohammad) has urged Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh not to take any hasty decision on the issue of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat — an offshoot of the RSS. Addressing a press conference here today, Giani Baldev Singh, deputy chief of the Jatha, said that if the RSS expressed full faith in Guru Granth Sahib, teachings of Sikh Gurus and shunned communalism, it would welcome its activities. However, the RSS would have to consider Sikhs as separate nation (quom). Giani Baldev Singh further said that Sikhism had a strong base and hence faced no threat from the RSS. He said some forces wanted to derive political mileage by creating a fear-psychosis. The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (International) however, said that distortion of the holy scriptures by the RSS would not be tolerated. To a question, Giani Baldev Singh said that some forces wanted to "torpedo" the SAD-BJP combine by raising the issue of the RSS. If RSS propagates Sikhism as per the teachings of Sikh gurus and tenets of Sikhism it will be a welcome step. Replying to another question, Giani Baldev Singh said the SGPC should constitute a panel to reach a consensus on Dasam Granth — a holy scripture. He said the controversy over the Granth was unfortunate and the findings of the panel should be acceptable to all concerned. The Akhand Kirtani Jatha welcome the call of the RSS that each Hindu family should baptise its eldest son Sikh. "The revivalism of the age old tradition would broaden the base of Sikhism and strengthen relations between both communities, he said. The Akhand Kirtani Jatha
also accorded religious patronage to AISSF (Pir
Mohammad). |
RSS intentions not good:
Tohra LUDHIANA, May 9 — The RSS has formed the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat to create a wedge among Sikhs and corrupt Sikh traditions, said Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President of the SHSAD here on Sunday. Addressing a gathering here he said intentions of the RSS were not good. He questioned the very purpose of forming the Sikh sangat. He said the RSS was now openly executing its hidden agenda which would poison the atmosphere in Punjab. He called upon the well-wishers of the Panth to oppose this RSS move. He said whenever an Akali government has been formed in Punjab, the fundamentalists have tried to destabilise it. Mr Tohra said he had 53
men in the SGPC and that they would oppose the designs of
the RSS. |
CM: Ravi Inder, Tohra Cong
men in disguise LUDHIANA, May 9 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today claimed that his government would not only complete its full term but would also win the next elections. Talking to media persons after flagging off a relief train for the drought-affected people of Orissa at the railway station here, he alleged that the propaganda of the Congress and rebel Akali Dal legislators that the ruling party was preparing for elections was aimed at misguiding the people. Asked about rebel SAD legislator, Mr Ravi Inder Singh’s claim that the dissidents would bring the government down, Mr Badal observed that the former and his supporters, including the SHSAD president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, were all "Congress men in disguise". Commenting on a call given by a former Akal Takht head priest, Prof Darshan Singh, to separate politics and religion, the Chief Minister maintained that religion had always been providing a direction to politics. "All religions preach amity, brotherhood and observance of moral values and if all these things could be inculcated in politics, we (politicians) can do better". Mr Badal refused to be drawn in to the controversy of sacking two head priests of Akal Takht in quick succession and merely remarked that this was not for the first time that the jathedars were replaced. He said the issue of the RSS was being blown out of proportion. "Punjab had undergone a prolonged turmoil and hard times and such needless controversies that could lead to communal tension should be avoided at all costs," he said and sought the cooperation of the media in this regard. Earlier, the Chief Minister flagged off a special goods train carrying relief material worth Rs 37.25 lakh for Surinder Nagar district of Orissa. The goods train carried 4000 bags of wheat, 100 bags of pulses, 32 coaches full of fodder and 200 bags of cattle feed. Freight charges to the tune of Rs 3.32 lakh levied by the Railways for transportation of wheat were borne by the District Red Cross Society. The Punjab Minister for
Technical Education, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, senior
vice-president of the SAD, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, DIG,
Ludhiana range, Mr P.S. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr
S.K. Sandhu, and the SSP, Mr Kuldip Singh, were among
those present. |
Threat to gherao Speaker JALANDHAR, May 9 (UNI) — Akali Dal (Democratic) today threatened an agitation if eleven MLAs of the ruling Akali Dal were disqualified by the Punjab Assembly Speaker under pressure from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Addressing a press conference here, party president Kuldip Singh Wadala said he along with his colleagues had met Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal at his Ludhiana residence on May one to plead the case of eleven MLAs who had been served notice by the speaker on basis of a memorandum by five ministers of the Punjab Government. The deadline of the notice issued to eleven MLAs, including dissident Akali leader Ravi Inder Singh, expires tomorrow but Mr Wadala apprehended their disqualification by ‘’misusing anti-defection law by the Speaker under pressure of the Chief Minister". Mr Wadala said though Mr Atwal gave them a patient hearing, they left the meeting with an apprehension that the Speaker would not act independently in the matter. Mr Wadala disclosed that Mr Inder Singh has completed the process of legal consultation with leading lawyers in Delhi and Chandigarh to challenge the possible disqualification order of the Speaker, if any, in Punjab and Haryana High Court. He said his party would fully support the dissident leader in spearheading "state-wide agitation’’ which would be launched if the Speaker disqualified the eleven MLAs in violation of the law. Mr Wadala alleged that the 90- page memorandum, submitted by five "puppet " ministers of the Badal government to the Speaker had been drafted by the Chief Minister in Delhi and handed over to the petitioner-ministers for submission to the Speaker. These Ministers, he claimed, neither knew the contents of the memorandum nor understood its meaning and were only made to carry out the "diktat of Badal’’. Mr Wadala said
anti-defection law was ‘’faulty’’and
has been misused by Speakers in the past and, therefore,
it should be scrapped.’’ Our party will make an
appeal to court for scrapping the law at an appropriate
time because we feel that it stifles inter-party
democracy and curb right of free choice by elected
representatives of people’’, he added. |
Congress launches dharnas FATEHGARH SAHIB, May 9 — The Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee under the launch of the state wide protests organised a dharna here yesterday against the policies and programmes of the government. The dharna was used more as a show of strength between the DCC president and the local Congress MLA rather than being a sign of protest. Both Congress factions had organised separate lunch and press conferences. At one occasion the DCC president and the MLA and their supporters exchanged heated words in the presence of Capt. Amarinder Singh, President, PPCC, and the entire state leadership. It was Mr Avtar Henry, in charge of the district, who intervened and saved the situation. Addressing a press conference here Capt Amarinder Singh, said the Congress had come to know that the Akalis were planning mid-term elections due to their infighting. He said the Congress was ready to face the elections and would give a befitting reply to SAD. He said when-ever the Akalis face any problem they start blaming the Congress. He made it clear that the Congress would not support Akali faction in the formation of government and would rather go to the people to get the strength to form government. He said the party was united. All senior leaders had sunk their differences and address the dharnas jointly. Answering a query about the absence of Mrs Bhattal, he said she was in Delhi to attend the election committee meeting. He urged Mr Sudarshan of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat not to give irresponsible statements. He further said by amending the Constitution the government wanted to destroy the basic structure of our Constitution and was an attempt to implement the hidden agenda of the RSS. He demanded a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of Bibi Jagir Kaur. He said both Bibi and Mr Badal should resign as they had allegedly to cover up the investigation. He termed the SIT as an eyewash. Capt Amarinder Singh alleged that the present Akali government had not fulfilled even a single promise of the 24 stated in their manifesto. They have ruined the economy and have done nothing for the development of the state. The only achievement of the government was corruption. He said if the present state of affairs continued the state would become bankrupt and its machinery would collapse. Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, leader of the Opposition alleged that Mr Badal was a liar. Mr Avtar Henry, vice-president. PPCC, Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, state president, PYC, Dr Harbans Lal, former minister, and Dr Sikander Singh, district president, also addressed the gathering at the Dharna. Later, a memorandum was
presented to the Deputy Commissioner. |
FCI’s salvage scheme pays off BATHINDA, May 9 — Under a ‘salvage reputation’ exercise the Food Corporation of India (FCI) authorities have placed more than 50 officials under suspension, banned 80 officials from rice acceptance duties and initiated disciplinary proceedings against delinquent officials. Perturbed over the low estimation of Punjab rice, FCI authorities launched this exercise during the procurement of paddy last year and had been continuing it in the acceptance of rice from millers. Official sources said that over the year, the reputation of Punjab rice had gone down because of its sub-standard quality. Rice millers, in connivance with the officials, would supply sub-standard rice to the FCI in lieu of paddy taken for milling while good quality rice would be sold in the open market. The millers would actually buy broken rice from Uttar Pradesh at very low rates, to pack it in gunny bags and supply it to the FCI as milled rice. While they made a fast buck it caused huge monetary losses to FCI, and the FCI authorities of Punjab an embarrassing situation each time the quality of Punjab rice was discussed. Mr D.P. Reddy, Senior Regional Manager (SRM), FCI, Punjab, talking to TNS, said that to salvage the reputation of Punjab rice, millers responsible for supplying BRL (Beyond Rejection Limit) rice had been asked to replace the supplied rice with rice conforming to specifications at their own cost. The rice acceptance of those millers was stopped who did not replace their stock of BRL. He said thorough inspections by senior FCI officials random checks and stopping acceptance of rice from ‘notorious’ centres, the FCI had been able to improve its quality of accepted rice. He said by adopting
these methods, the FCI in Punjab had accepted 49.48 lakh
tonnes of quality rice upto April 28, 2000. During this
period, 31090 tonnes of BRL rice was replaced with the
rice stock of better quality by millers. |
Punjab’s record in wheat
procurement CHANDIGARH, May 9 — All previous records of wheat procurement in Punjab have been broken and a new record in wheat procurement has been set by procuring 84.45 lakh tonne in various grain markets in the state till yesterday. Wheat procurement last year was 79.30 lakh tonne. This was disclosed by Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, here today. Mr Mittal said due to hard work by farmers this time wheat production was a record and heavy arrivals were reported from grain markets. Now the wheat procured was in the final stage, Mr Mittal was hopeful that the procurement would be over within a week. The Minister said that out of the total procurement (84.45 lakh tonnes) , government agencies had so far purchased 82.54 lakh tonnes, which was 97.8 per cent of the total procurement. The traders had bought only 1.89 lakh tonne, which was 2.2 per cent of the procurement. Whereas last year on this day, procurement agencies had produced 74.28 lakh tonnes. The minister also said payment to the farmers for their produce has been made within 72 hours, and no complaint had been received so far from any quarter. He and senior officers of the procurement agencies had made several surprise visits to various grain markets in the state. Since the procurement of wheat was at the tail end so the field staff has been instructed to move the wheat from the grain markets, store and cover it properly. Referring to the
district wise procurement of the wheat, the minister said
Sangrur district topped the list after procuring 11.43
lakh tonnes. Ferozepore and Amritsar recorded 10.57 lakh
tonnes and 8.01 lakh tonnes of wheat respectively. |
Rs 12 cr for better health
services BARNALA, May 9 — The World Bank will spend an amount of Rs 12 crore for improving health services and providing better medical care in Sangrur district. This fact came to light when the world bank team led by Dr Peter and accompanied by Mr Anuraag Gupta, Managing Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation-cum-Special Secretary, Health, Punjab, and Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, visited Barnala, Dhanaula and Sangrur Civil Hospitals to make an on-the-spot study of prevalent health care and medical services in the district on Monday. Dr S.S. Toor, chief medical officer, Civil Hospital, Barnala, informed The Tribune that the world bank team visited various wards of the Civil Hospital here, making a comparative study of the admission of patients, outdoor patients, surgeries, X-rays and laboratory tests during the past three years. Dr C.P Bansal, Civil
Surgeon, Sangrur, said that the World Bank would offer Rs
1.72 crore to Sangrur, Rs 1.17 crore to Dhanaula and
about Rs 77 lakh to Barnala for improving medical care
and health services. |
Residents spend their own money on PATIALA, May 9 — First it was Punjabi Bagh and Hira Nagar, then Bank Colony, and now Ekta Vihar and Gurbax Colony, more and more residents of the city are resorting to repair or replacing of streetlights in their localities, putting a question mark on the duty of the Municipal Corporation to provide this basic facility. Fed up with sending representations and making rounds of the MC office in the narrow and crowded Dharampura Bazar to get their streets illuminated once again, the residents have been forced to pool money and make arrangements for themselves. If Punjabi Bagh Colony has replaced 20 streetlights on their own, Hira Nagar has spent almost Rs 2,500 on the essential service, while residents of Gurbax Colony, Bank Colony and Ekta Vihar claim to have repaired or replaced 25 to 30 points each. While the residents were considerably irritated and frustrated at the failure of the Municipal Corporation to provide them with this basic facility, the corporation authorities have cited shortage of staff and their reliance on the Punjab State Electricity Board workers and vehicles as the major cause of delay in illuminating streets. “It was an endless wait for us”, says Dr, Tarlok Singh, President of the Punjabi Bagh Residents Association, “The corporation staff did not turn up for weeks to restore streetlights, forcing us to collect money. Now we no longer believe we are living in a welfare state”. Dr M.J.S. Thukral of Bank Colony and Mr H.S. Sodhi of Hira Nagar talk of similar problems. They say streets remain dark for several days as no one from the corporation has come to illuminate these. “A number of minor accidents and a few serious ones also occurred in our locality due to the darkness around”, they claim. Mr Harpal Singh Khangura of Gurbax Colony and Mr Vishal Mansi of Ekta Vihar are equally perturbed. They say they have approached the MC several times but no one seems to bother. They say sometimes they are told that there is no mechanic and at other times equipment is said to be out of stock. Representatives of residents say they have paid taxes and development charges and have regularly deposited the water supply and sewerage bills. They are saddened that the corporation has not acted upto its promise of providing basic facilities in return. The representatives have also sought to remind the corporation that they are still living in a welfare state and have full rights over getting such services. Mr K.S. Kang, Commissioner, MC, admits there are delays at times in restoring streetlights due to overload of work and shortage of staff but says there is no paucity of equipment, as claimed by residents. The corporation pays Rs
11 per point per month to the PSEB for maintenance of
streetlights, he claims. With 12,600 electric points, the
corporation is spending much and sometimes aberrations in
the working occur, Mr Kang adds, defending the MC. He
says there is only one vehicle with the corporation,
which cannot be made available at one given time in the
entire city. The corporation is planning to take some
measures for speedy repair of faulty lines in the city,
he asserts. |
JEs take PSEB to task PATIALA, May 9 — Council of Junior Engineers President Sukhdev Singh and Secretary P.K. Alipuria today urged the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to immediately scrap its power purchase agreements with GVK power company for the execution of Goindwal Thermal Power Project on ‘build own operate’ basis, which it claimed would be a suicidal for the state. They further said widespread resentment prevailed among junior engineers against the privatisation of the project. Council of Junior Engineer had decided to lodge a protest with the management by wearing black badges on May 11 and the next action would be finalised in the apex body meeting shortly, they added. The council also resented the recently issued general transfer policy, which is implemented, would cause large-scale shifting of junior engineers and other employees. The council apprehended that the power supply system would be seriously affected and many offices in the field may be left unattended. It urged the Chairman to review the transfer policy in the larger interest of consumers. Both leaders claimed that the main cause of deteriorating financial position of the board was the populist schemes of the government and various subsidies being given to various categories of consumers, for which the PSEB was not being suitably compensated. The council criticised
the government for not allowing the PSEB to increase and
rationalise its present tariff structure. |
Power workers hold dharna PATIALA, May 9 — On the call of PSEB Employees Struggle Committee, thousands of power workers from south zone, comprising Patiala, Sangrur and Ropar circles and Ropar thermal held a day-long dharna in front of the board’s head office here today. The dharna was organised in support of the national strike on May 11, after breakdown of negotiations with the PSEB management. The speakers warned the board management to scrap the agreement for Goindwal Sahib 462 MW thermal project with G.V.K., a private company with this agreement, the board was to buy costly power, which would further deteriorate the financial health of the board, they said. The committee appealed
to electricity workers to observe a complete strike on
May 11. |
Sehkari Bank Bima Yojna launched CHANDIGARH, May 9 — Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cooperative Minister, Punjab, said here today that the Punjab Government had launched a Sehkari Bank Bima Yojna. Under this scheme any individual, who opens a special saving bank account with Rs 1,100 was covered under the personal accidental insurance scheme with a minimum premium till he maintained account with the bank. The scheme was operating in the central cooperative banks and their branches in Punjab. The minister said in case of death due to an accident, Rs 1 lakh would be given to the nominee under this scheme. If a person lost both eyes, legs or arms, he would also be given Rs 1 lakh. In the case of loss of one limb Rs 50,000 would be given to him. The policy was applicable to individuals in the age group of 10-70 years. Accidents include road accident, fire, flood, snake bite, electric shock and death due to inhalation of spray. If a person died due to
any above reasons, the nominee of the claimant would have
to inform the bank and deposit the claim farm with the
death certificate, and police and post-mortem reports. |
Badal’s directive to officials SAMRALA, May 9 — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, speaking at Focal Point Mehdoodan, 9 km from here, instructed field officials not to sit in air-conditioned offices but go out in the field to listen to people’s demands so that they did not have to go to open darbars (sangat darshan) for minor difficulties. 102 panchayats and 63 individuals submitted complaints and 95 of them were resolved. Welcoming Mr Badal, SGPC member Jathedar Kirpal Singh Khirnian demanded that 25 villages of the region be included in Samrala subdivision. Mr Badal assured the office-bearers of Press Club Samrala of a club office and provision of a telephone, fax and furniture. Talking to mediapersons
in the house of Mr Darshan Singh Lopon, Director
Milkpoint, the Chief Minister said that market committees
will be given more financial powers in the near future. |
Excise officers found absent HOSHIARPUR, May 9 — Mr Tikshan Sud, State Minister for Excise and Taxation Punjab, yesterday conducted a surprise check at the office of the District Excise and Taxation Department here. He found an Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, four Excise and Taxation Officers, one Inspector six clerks, two peons and one driver absent from the office. He also checked the office of the local municipal council and found 24 employees missing from their seats. Talking to mediapersons,
he said the surprise checks were conducted following
public complaints. |
200 prisoners released AMRITSAR, May 9 — In perhaps the first-ever instance around 200 prisoners were released here today in the 42-year-old history of the central jail since it became operational in 1958. Mr Justice V.K. Jhanji, Punjab and Haryana High Court, while on an annual inspection of the jails formed three Lok Adalats on the spot. About 276 cases were heard at these adalats. Of the total 200 were found to be guilty of petty crimes, 130 were acquitted while 70 inmates of the jail were released on bail with a surety amount. The Judge was accompanied by the District Sessions Judge, Mr V.B. Handa, Mr Narinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Parampal Singh Sidhu, Mr Lok Nath, Mr Jagdish Chander SSPs of Amritsar, Majitha and Tarn Taran, respectively. During the inspection, Mr Justice Jhanji came out strongly against the delay in disposing of cases. He advocated the cause of speedy justice with an oft-repeated phrase "justice delayed is justice denied". During his visit he addressed the grievances of the inmates and gave necessary instructions to the staff. He also inspected the food provided to prisoners, their lodging and living environment. Later, Mr Jagjit Singh,
Jail Superintendent, stated that presently there were
1695 jail inmates and all were being provided food, clean
drinking water and ventilated barracks. |
Raveel appointed FEROZEPORE, May 9 —
The Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Badal) President, Mr Amrik
Singh Aliwal, has appointed Mr Raveel Kamal Singh
Takhtuwala, the party’s district president. He has
replaced Mr Kulwinder Singh Raja who has been appointed
the party’s state vice-president, according to an
information received here today. |
Polygamist NRI booked for fraud LUDHIANA, May 9 — The police has booked a Non-Resident Indian for marrying three women. In an FIR lodged by the first wife Ms Varinderpal Kaur, she has alleged that her husband, Avtar Singh had married two other women-Narinderjit Kaur and Rajwant Kaur, although he was married to her. Later he alleged even got a divorce in court by producing another woman in her stead. The complainant claimed she was married to Avtar Singh in February 1989 and had borne him two children. The accused migrated to Canada in 1992 and married one Narinderjit Kaur after forging her (Varinder Pal’s) death certificate. A son was born out of this union. Avtar Singh then returned from Canada with one Manjit Kaur with the intention of marrying her in India. However, when she learnt that Avtar was already married, she turned him down and returned to Canada. An unrepentant Avtar Singh then married one Rajwant Kaur and also managed to procure ‘divorce’ from a since ‘reincarnated’ Varinder Pal. The police has registered a case under Sections 494 and 420 of IPC. In an unrelated case a woman has accused her brother-in-law, his wife and another person of trying to kill her allegedly over a property dispute. According to the
information available, the police has booked Satta, his
wife Paramjit Kaur and Gurbachan Singh under Sections
307, 352 and 34 of the IPC on the complaint of Manjit
Kaur. Who alleged that the accused Satta and his wife,
Paramjit Kaur who were residing on the top storey of her
house tried to burn her to death by pouring kerosene over
her. She was rushed to the Civil Hospital with burn
injuries. |
3 killed, 35 hurt in road mishap KAPURTHALA, May 9 — Three persons, including two children, were killed and 35 others injured in a truck-tractor trailer accident near Adnawali village last evening. According to the police, Ajmer Singh and his wife of Adnawali went to Amritsar to pay obeisance at Darbar Sahib in a tractor-trailer along with 40 persons and on return from Amritsar a truck collided with their tractor-trailer head on resulting in the death of three persons on the spot. The dead have been identified as Rajwant Kaur, Baljit Singh and Gulshan Preet. The police has
registered a case under Section 304A of the IPC |
Man burns house in suicide
bid LUDHIANA, May 9 — A 25-year-old man, Ganesh alias Sukhram allegedly tried to immolate himself in his jhuggi in the Feroze Gandhi market area here this afternoon. According to the information available, Ganesh a resident of Gorakhpur, was working for a building contractor here. At around 3.00 p.m. Ganesh shut himself in his jhuggi and set himself afire. But his jhuggi too
caught fire and the fire brigade had to be called to
extinguish the flames. The victim was rushed to the Civil
Hospital by the fire officer, Mr Amarjit and he is
believed to have sustained 100 per cent burns. |
Bank guard found murdered BATHINDA, May 9 — Vishwanath, a guard with the local branch of Bathinda Central Cooperative Bank was allegedly murdered by certain unidentified persons on May 7. Police sources said Vishwanath was sleeping in the courtyard of the bank when he was attacked by the assailants with sharp-edged weapons. The body of Vishwanath bore injury marks on the neck. The sources said the assailants after attacking Vishwanath tried to break open the locks of the strong room however, they failed in their attempt. A senior official of the bank said Vishwanath was on the verge of retirement and the employees came to know about the murder when they came to the bank on Monday. He added that the police was informed about the incident immediately. He said the cash was counted in the presence of police authorities and nothing was found missing. The SSP, Mr Jatinder Kumar Jain, when contacted said different teams of the police had been conducting raids at various places to trace the culprits. A case had been
registered, he added |
Life, not light extinguished JALANDHAR, May 9 (PTI) — A man was killed when he was thrown off the roof by enraged migrant workers after he asked them to switch off a light at night, the police said here today. Lal Chand, a resident of local Laxmi Vihar locality, was sleeping on the roof of his house on Monday night when he asked some people playing cards on an adjoining rooftop to switch off a light bulb as the light from it was disturbing his sleep. Chand’s demand was apparently too much for the card players, who caught hold of him and threw him off the roof, Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav said, adding that Chand died from the fall. The police has arrested five persons — Pappu Chowdhuri, Naranjan, Mohinder Paswan, Anandi Kumar and Pankaj, all from Bihar. The hunt is on for one Srikant of Gharpari in Bihar who is absconding. A case under Section 302
(murder) of IPC has been registered after a statement of
the deceased’s son, Rakesh Kumar. |
Students resent govt decision BARNALA, May 9 — Students domiciled in Punjab and aspiring to take the Punjab Medical Entrance Test (PMET) have resented the Punjab Government’s recent decision regarding the eligibility condition of PMET. Students, who are living in Punjab but studying in colleges/schools of Chandigarh are surprised over the recent change in the test/admission eligibility condition stipulating that candidates must have passed plus I and II examinations as regular candidates from a recognised institution in Punjab. The condition will be effective from 2001. A large number of domiciled candidates in Punjab and doing plus 1 and 2 in Chandigarh have been left high and dry. Those affected by the decision have written letters to the Governor, Punjab, and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister and Mr A.B. Saharya, Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court, urging them to intervene in the matter. The students feel it is unfair on the part of Punjab government to change this eligibility condition abruptly just a fortnight before the last date (May 18) for the submission of PMET-2000 applications. They stated that the
state government should have effected a change in the
eligibility condition at the start of academic session. |
ETT students threaten stir BATHINDA, May 9 — Students of the Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) course today threatened to launch an agitation if the Punjab Government did not change its admission rules immediately. Mr Gagandeep Grover, president, ETT Students Union, Punjab, said here today that the decision was taken at a meeting of ETT students and their parents held here today. He pointed out that earlier there was no interview after the entrance test for ETT course. The Punjab Government had introduced it for the first time and 20 marks had been allocated for interview. He alleged that the state government had done so to extend favour to few privileged candidates and to open new avenues for corruption. Mr Grover said the mode
of agitation would be decided on May 12. |
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