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| Thursday, June 8, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Govt’s sops for morcha
activists SAD infighting comes to fore Executive Officer chargesheeted Suicide by cop in Ghuman’s
house Forcible possession bid: Brig
booked Brahmpura’s tour approved |
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Ministers of State feel humiliated Congressmen organise dharnas Sangrur BJP executive committee
announced Roll back price hike: Cong CPI to organise rallies from July
1 Congress attacks
“unfair” policies
PM’s help sought for
restoration of articles Panthic unity herculean task Dharna by thousands of PSEB
employees PUDA, trust eye vacant sites ‘Unhygienic’ ice-cream
units closed Promotion of block officer ordered Appointment of 3 chief engineers
quashed Desilting work in progress Demonstration by slum dwellers Brick-kiln owners oppose royalty 2 held for selling spurious oil Minister’s mother cremated 2 IGP swap places
Youth held for planning to kill
mother Two killed, five hurt in wall
collapse Vehicle thieves’ gang busted;
3 held A clash over 25 paise Factory blast: 1 more dies in
hospital
Punjab releases 18 cr as salary
grant Nabha school gets Wisconsin
scholarships College in border belt planned
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Govt’s sops for morcha
activists CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Punjab Council of Ministers today approved extending facilities to the “sangharashi yodhas”, who underwent more than three months’ imprisonment in the movements like “Sis Ganj Gurdwara morcha”, morcha against Emergency, “Dharam yudh morcha, 1981 (pani wala morcha)” and three Punjabi suba morchas’. These “sangharashi yodhas” will be entitled for “sanman patras” and formal invitations to district level functions besides reservation of their children and grandchildren in government services. Those who have undergone imprisonment for not less than six months in the above mentioned movements, will be given financial assistance of Rs 300 per month in addition to the above benefits. For the enforcement of this scheme, a district-level committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner concerned will be constituted, says a Press note. the Council of Ministers has also approved amendment in Rule 20 of the Punjab General Sales Tax Rules, 1949, in which it was provided that a registered dealer dealing in wheat, paddy, cement, petrol, diesel, kerosene, mobile and other lubricants, IMFL, auto mobile, auto parts, paint, refrigerators, TVs, sugarcane, aerated water, cooking gas shall furnish returns in form ST-VIII monthly, within 30 days from the expiry of each month if the amount of tax due as per returns is deposited in cash into the government treasury and within 20 days from the expiry of each month, if the amount of tax due is paid through cheque or bank draft. The council has also approved the change of name of Food and Supplies Department to Foods Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and the designation of minister, Secretary, head of the Department and the District Officers will be changed accordingly. The council has approved the proposal of acquisition of land by negotiations falling within the boundaries of municipal towns for the development of new housing or commercial schemes in a planned manner to provide better habitation to the residents. The council also discussed the issue of performance of government advocates in the Advocate-General office. A Cabinet sub-committee had already been constituted for a review of the performance of all such advocates in terms of their success rate in defending litigation against the government. The council has directed this Cabinet sub-committee to give its detailed report within 30 days. The council approved an
amendment in the Punjab School Education Class III
(School Cadre) Service Rules, 1978, under which it has
been provided that the government may in exceptional
cases, fill a vacancy by making appointment of person by
transfer (from other state) against direct quota post in
same cadre. |
SAD infighting comes to fore AMRITSAR, June 7 — Infighting in the ruling Akali Dal in the Majha region came to the fore when Jathedar Mohan Singh Mattian, special invitee of the working committee of the party, sought the resignation of Dr Rattan Singh as Animal Husbandry Minister and president of the District Akali Jatha. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Mattian alleged he was facing danger to his life as a consequence of the animosity with Dr Rattan Singh. He urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to direct the police to provide him security. Mr Mattian, who is also a member of the zila parishad and the redressal of grievances committee, announced that he would not be able to attend any meeting or political conference without adequate security. Mr Mattian urged Mr Badal to convene an emergency meeting of the working committee for taking disciplinary action against Dr Rattan Singh. Mr Mattian said he would also submit a representation to the Jathedar of Akal Takht to take appropriate action against Dr Rattan Singh as he could not baptise his family members so far. Mr Iqbal Singh Tung, vice-president of the Sikh Student Federation (Mehta-Chawla), was also present at the press conference Mr Mattian, who paraded seven persons, including his son and grandson, who were injured in the firing at Mattian village on June 5 at the press conference, alleged Dr Rattan Singh had been supporting his political opponents in the village. He alleged that those who opened fire, thereby injuring seven persons, were Congress party workers. He said Dr Rattan Singh had been supporting them. He alleged that the firing was done at the behest of the minister who was also present in the area on the fateful day. He expressed apprehension that Dr Rattan Singh would force the police to implicate some of his family members or supporters in false cases. Firing a salvo against
Mr Badal, Mr Mattian alleged he had done great
discrimination while distributing assembly ticket. He
said Dr Rattan Singh was given the ticket as he belonged
to a rich family while workers who had made sacrifices
for the party were ignored. He said he was also an
aspirant for the ticket as he belonged to a family of
those who had made sacrifices for the sake of the Panth.
He charged the party leadership with “selling
tickets”. He said the meeting of the working
committee of the party should examine all these things as
to why the common worker was disillusioned. If no
corrective measures were taken the party would suffer in
the forthcoming elections, he alleged. |
Forcible possession bid: Brig
booked JALANDHAR, June 7 — The police has booked a Kapurthala based Brigadier for allegedly trying to take possession of a restaurant in local Model Town market with the help of about 12 Army jawans late last night. Meanwhile, to protest against the “highhandedness” of the Army officer and indifference of the police towards the incident which had resulted in tension in the area, shopkeepers observed a bandh on a call given by the Model Town Market Association president, Mr Manoj Arora. Tension gripped the area when Brig Mohinder Partap Singh Bajwa came to the Model Town market at around 10.30 p.m. along with some Army personnel and his daughter Punit Bajwa, who had a share in the restaurant, and allegedly started thrashing her partner Ratul Sharma. He also allegedly forced Ratul Sharma, who was running the restaurant in a complex owned by the Bajwa family in partnership with Punit, to sign some blank papers in presence of Army personnel who had taken positions in the market by then. The Army personnel did not allow anybody, including shopkeepers and journalists to proceed towards the restaurant, which led the agitated shopkeepers to raise slogans against the Brigadier. The situation only cooled down when a police party led by two SPs reached the spot and intervened. Brigadier Bajwa, while talking to mediapersons later, said Ratul Sharma had been making alterations in his building without his consent and had even put up a shutter on the way to his second floor residence. He said he had to break open the shutter in “presence” of some policemen from Police Division No 6. But he was at loss of words when he was asked to explain why he had brought two Army gypsies and two Army trucks and some army personnel along with him. Mr Bajwa denied that Mr Ratul Sharma was beaten up by him or any of the armymen and maintained that he had brought only four to five of his securitymen along with him. Later addressing a press conference organised by Mr Anil Datta, former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee organising secretary, at residence of Mr Avtaar Henry, local Congress MLA, Brigadier Bajwa said the allegation of trespassing was baseless. He said he was shocked to know about the hue and cry raised all of a sudden by Mr Ratul Sharma when he proceeded along with five of his securitymen and son, towards his second floor residence. He said the whole issue has been blown out of proportion by the police, Mr Sharma and Mr Manoj Arora, who had offered to mediate between him and Mr Ratul Sharma. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP,
said the Army officer had been booked under Sections
448\451\506\148 and 149 of the IPC, on a complaint. He
said the possession of restaurant has been restored to Mr
Sharma. He said the Military Police had been intimated
about the incident. The investigation of the case has
been entrusted to Mr A.S. Chahl, SP (city). |
Executive Officer chargesheeted CHANDIGARH, June 7 — In a development which may have far-reaching consequences, the Local Government department, Punjab, has chargesheeted the Executive Officer of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council, Mr K.S. Brar, for allegedly overcharging octroi on an item during the period when the octroi was privatised. Sources in the Punjab
Government said though the octroi on CI pipes had been
reduced by the government, the octroi branch of the SAS
Nagar council continued to overcharge octroi on the item
at its collection posts in the town. The action had
reportedly been taken after the council officials failed
to act on the government order. |
Suicide by cop in Ghuman’s
house MULLANPUR DAKHA (Ludhiana), June 7 — Mystery shrouds the death of Constable Nidhan Singh, a member of the security staff provided to the Chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, who is alleged to have committed suicide at the residence of the Chairman this afternoon. According to information available from the police, the deceased allegedly shot himself in his chest with his SLR 7.62 rifle at pointblank range around 1:04 p.m. and died on the spot. It is learnt that the bullet pierced through his chest, passed through the back of his shoulder and hit the ceiling of the room. The police has registered a case under Section 174 of the Cr.P.C. and also informed the relatives of the deceased through a wireless message at his village, Chak Shareer, in Gurdaspur district. Till the time this report was filed, none of the family members of the deceased had arrived. The body of the victim had not been sent for a post-mortem examination. It is learnt that the deceased, who was reportedly absent from duty since June 4, suddenly put in an appearance last night and the munshi at the Chairman’s residence asked him to give his joining report in the morning. Sub-Inspector Gurmukh Singh, SHO of the Mullanpur Dakha, police station, says “Our investigation has shown that this morning Nidhan Singh got ready, put on his uniform and was ready to leave for Chandigarh( where the Chairman had gone) and join his duty as the member of the escort party. He was, however, informed that Mr Ghuman would be leaving for Mullanpur shortly and that he need not go to Chandigarh.” When Mr Ghuman’s convoy reached here and the rest of the policemen comprising the security staff went upstairs to their quarters, the deceased was still in his uniform Eyewitnesses reveal that he seemed to be in a cheerful mood. Says Charanjit Singh, another constable in the Chairman’s security, “He told us that he was absent from duty as he had gone to his village to be with his newly wed wife. He looked very happy. Since it was lunch time, all eight of us policemen contributed some money to buy some lunch for ourselves. All of us were very tired, we went out of the room to wash and change. The moment we went outside we heard a gunshot. When we reached there we saw Nidhan Singh’s body splattered in blood.” He says that they immediately rushed him down the stairs so that he could be taken to a doctor, but he was already dead. Charanjit Singh was, however, still in a state of shock and kept on asking,”why did he do this?” Meanwhile, Mr Ghuman, when contacted by TNS, expressed shock that one of his guards had taken such an extreme step of committing suicide.”I had just returned from Chandigarh and after a brief stopover at PAU., Ludhiana, was having an afternoon nap when I heard the noise and I was told by a sentry that Nidhan Singh had shot himself. I rushed out and and immediately sent one of my guards to the police station. The police arrived in no time but he had already died by then.”He said his son, Jaskirat Singh and other family members were also present in the house at the time of the incident. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mullanpur, Mr Vijay Sharma, when contacted by TNS, said the police had first taken the deceased to the nearby Pandori Hospital where he was declared brought dead. “Without wasting much time, we also sent a wireless message to the family of the deceased,” he said. Mr Sharma, however,
ruled out that the death of Constable Nidhan Singh could
be accidental. “The rifle has to be opened up and
some parts removed while cleaning, it which was not the
case here, and thus our conclusion is that the man
committed suicide,”he explains. |
Brahmpura’s tour approved CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Board of Directors of the Markfed has approved foreign jaunt by the Minister of Cooperation, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, the Financial Commissioner, Cooperation, Mr K.S. Janjua and the Managing Director, Mr D.S. Bains. The decision in this regard was taken by the board on June 2. Informed sources told TNS that besides these the Board has cleared the foreign visit of Mr Ravinder Singh, son of the minister as an “attendant” as well as that of his Political Secretary, Mr Charanjit Singh. Another official to accompany them will be Mr Birinder Singh , Chief Manager, International Trade. Interestingly, the proposed visit, beginning June 12, was first approved at the May 25 meeting of the BOD of Markfed wherein only three persons were to go . That is the minister, the financial commissioner, cooperation, and the managing director. That was from June 14 to 16 with 10 days marketing survey excluding journey days. The purpose recorded being participation in the International Grains Council Conference at Ragina , Saskatchewan (Canada). The team was to explore market for Markfed products in Canada, the USA and the UK.It was to visit Incon, Chicago to discuss arrangements for purchase, of technology for extracting rice bran and other oils Further to this the Board had recorded that any member of the Markfed board willing to go could do so at his own expense. At the meeting on June 2, on the other hand, the strength of the delegation going abroad was increased from three to six. The approved schedule shows — leaving India on June 12, the first halt at Ragina (from June 13 to 16). Visit to Vancouver and remain there till June 20 for the Food festival and marketing of sohna saag and basmati rice. Later they leave for Los Angeles for California for the same purpose.Later the visit will be to New York, Toronto and from there to London, where they stay till June 30. The purpose, saag and rice. They return home on July 5. Mr Bains told the Board that since June 17, 18, 24 and 25 will be either a Saturday or a Sunday, when no work will be possible, the tour of the delegation would end on June 30 in the U.K. Besides this tour abroad, Markfed has permitted Mr S.P. Singh, Chief Manager, Inputs, to officially attend International fertilizer marketing training programme at Muscle Shoals, Alabama (USA) from August 14 to 25. The approval of the Registrar Cooperative Societies is to be sought, say the Board meeting minutes. So much for a state
struggling for improvement of its finances and
compressing unproductive expenditure. |
Ministers of State feel humiliated CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal has a new problem at hand — how to convince the Cabinet rank ministers to involve their respective Minister of State in the functioning of the government. Informed sources told TNS that the Ministers of State today informally raised the issue with the Chief Minister at the Council of Ministers meeting complaining that they were seldom sent any files and not taken into confidence even for petty matters like postings and transfers what to talk of the major decisions. In case some of them did order some postings and transfers , the same were undone by their senior ministers. A case in point is the functioning of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Family Welfare. Mr Badal with a faint smile remarked that when he had asked some of his cabinet colleagues that why they did not involve their Minister of State in decision making,he was told that they were also treated likewise earlier by their senior ministers. The legacy perhaps continues much to the discomfort of the Chief Minister. Informed source said that the Chief Minister has told the Chief Secretary to sort out the matter which threatens to snowball into a major row. In fact, the Chief Secretary is already seized of not only this problem but also similar confrontations between certain ministers and their administrative secretaries, the later often not knowing the whereabouts of ministers for days. Sources also said that Ministers of State would meet the Chief Minister formally in a day or two to discuss their problems. Interestingly it is a woman minister who has taken the initiative to lead their men colleagues to air their grievances collectively. A Minister of State told
TNS that he was better as an MLA and could do more for
his constituents rather than being reduced to a non
entity. “ It is a humiliating experience”, he
sighed. |
Congressmen organise dharnas MAURMANDI (Bathinda), June 7 — The PPCC President, Capt Amarinder Singh, today alleged that the Punjab Government was deliberately not imposing the protective duty on those goods, which were being imported under the GATT agreement in the state. He said if the government did not impose the protective duty, the agriculture and industry of state would collapse within no time. He said though the GATT agreement was signed by the previous Congress government, the present government should implement the anti-dumping law and the protective tarrif clauses which were included in the agreement. Capt Amarinder Singh was addressing a gathering of Congress activists, who had staged a dharna under the nationwide agitational programme against rising prices, corruption and communalism. HOSHIARPUR: Congress workers led by Mr Ram Rattan and Mr Kuldip Nanda, vice-president and general secretary, respectively, of the District Congress Committee, Hoshiarpur, staged a dharna against the price hike of essential commodities and corruption in government offices in front of the office of the SDM here on Wednesday. Addressing the workers, Mr Rattan criticised the NDA and Punjab governments for their “anti-people” policies. Workers of Mukerian and Hajipur led by Dr Kewal Krishan, a former Finance Minister, staged a dharna in front of the office of the SDM, Mukerian. Mr Romesh Chander Dogra, MLA, led the workers’ dharna of Dasuya and Talwara. Similarly, workers of Tanda, Mahilpur and Garhshanker also staged dharnas at their respective places. KAPURTHALA: Congress workers of the Kapurthala Assembly constituency staged a dharna in front of District Courts on Wednesday in protest against the rising prices. Mr Gulzar Singh, a former minister, Mr Milkhi Ram Rattan, ex-chairman of the local improvement trust, also participated in the dharna. According to reports received from Bholath subdivision, Congress workers sat on a dharna under the leadership of Mr Sukhpal Singh Khera, General Secretary, PPCC. Congress workers also staged a dharna in Sultanpur Lodhi under the leadership of Prof Charan Singh, president, District Congress Committee. PHILLAUR: Hundreds of Congress activists led by Mrs Santosh Chaudhary, staged a day-long dharna outside the office of the local SDM and organised a protest rally against the 66 anti-people’ policies of the Centre and the state government on Wednesday. Addressing party men Congress leaders criticised both government for their “misrule and anti-people policies”. A rally headed by Mr Gurwinder Singh Atwal, ex-MLA, was also organised in Noormehal. TARN TARAN: Congress workers on Wednesday organised a dharna at the block headquarters. The workers were addressed by Mr Jagir Singh, Mr Dilbag Singh Daleke, a former Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and Mr Gurchet Singh Bhullar. BARNALA: Congress workers staged a dharna in the local courts complex in front of SDM’s office on Wednesday. Addressing party workers, Congress leaders flayed the Union Government for the “unprecedented” hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and the LPG and the Badal Government for rampant corruption and nepotism. GURDASPUR: Fissures in the Congress came to fore when Mr Chanderpal Singh, President, DCC, and Mr Khushhal Behl, a former minister, held separate dharnas of party workers at Congress Bhavan and Guru Nanak Park, respectively, in protest against the price hike. Mr Chanderpal Singh when
informed by newspersons of the parallel dharna said it
was unfortunate and would send wrong signals among the
people. Mr Behl, however, said the dharna organised by
him was the official one. Sangrur BJP executive committee
announced SANGRUR, June 7 — A 31-member executive committee of the district unit of the BJP has been announced by Thakur Jagdish Rai, President of the district unit. He was elected president along with general secretary Mr Prem Guglani (Sunam), on May 19 here. Thakur Jagdish Rai has
nominated three vice-presidents — Mr Naresh Kumar
(Bhawanigarh), Mr Jogi Ram (Sangrur), Mr Gurdip Singh
Bhola (Hasanpur); three secretaries — Mr Diwan Chand
(Sunam); Mr Tarsem Thapar (Malerkotla) and Mr Chamkaur
Singh Sehna; organising secretary and press secretary
Jatinder Kalra (Sangrur) and treasurer Dayal Chand.
Besides the 10 office-bearers, 21 members have been
nominated to the executive committee. |
Roll back price hike: Cong PATIALA, June 7 — The District Congress Committee organised two rallies here today condemning the anti-people policies of the SAD-BJP ruling combine, besides demanding a roll back on the recent hike in prices of essential commodities effected by the state government. While the Block Congress Committee (Urban-2) organised a congregation at A-Tank, near Anardana Chowk, the Block Congress Committee (Urban-1) organised its rally at the crowded Jaurian Bhattian Chowk. The rallies were attended by Mr Ved Parkash Gupta, President of the DCC, Mr K.K. Sharma, Secretary of the District Youth Congress, Mr Vishnu Sharma, Organising Secretary, PPCC, Mr Prem Krishan Puri, Vice-President, DCC, Mr Niranjan Dass, former Municipal Commissioner, Mr D.S. Ghuman, Vice-President of the DCC, and Mr Anuj Trivedi, President of the Block Congress Committee (Urban-2). Nearly all speakers,
apart from coming down heavily against the anti-people
policies adopted by the state government, also demanded a
roll back on the hike of prices of essential commodities
ordered by the Central Government recently. |
CPI to organise rallies from
July 1 CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Punjab State Council of the CPI said yesterday that it would start the next phase of agitation from July 1 by organising a rally in Mansa. Decision to this effect had been taken at a meeting of its state council. The Secretary of the state council of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dayal, while addressing a press conference here today said that the party would focus on the adverse affect of the economic polices pursued by the Union Government and the state government headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Dr Dayal said that the
NDA government in the Centre withdrew all subsidies and
Mr Badal was unable to oppose such measures. He said that
Mr Badal had no right to speak for farmers as his
party’s allies in the Centre were following
anti-people and anti-farmer and poor policies. |
Congress attacks
“unfair” policies PHAGWARA, June 7 —Activists of the urban and rural blocks of the Congress here staged a dharna today in front of the SDM’s office in the local courts complex in protest against the “anti-people” policies of both union and state governments. Former Punjab minister, Joginder Singh Mann, PPCC member Harjit Singh Parmar, block presidents Madan Mohan Bajaj and Mr Shangara Ram and Punjab Mahila Congress general secretary Kusam Sharma were among those who addressed the rally. The speakers accused the
Centre of “inviting” multinational companies
for “enslaving” the country. They charged the
Badal government with favouring feudal chiefs by taking
steps like the setting up of Anandgarh and giving a raw
deal to farmers and workers. A memorandum was also
presented to the local authorities. |
PM’s help sought for
restoration of articles CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today handed over a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, at Chandigarh Airport, during his visit, seeking his intervention for the restoration of invaluable articles removed from the historic Sikh Reference Library in the Golden Temple at Amritsar during the operation Blue Star in 1984. The letter indicated that these articles, including rare books, manuscripts and other literature, have a great historical significance and will go a long way in preserving the Sikh history, culture and traditions. The Chief Minister says
a press note reminded the Prime Minister that he had
discussed the issue with him during his meeting a few
days back in Delhi to personally intervene and expedite
the process of restoration. It was pointed out that the
Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, had recently
confirmed that these articles were in the possession of
the government of India. Panthic unity herculean task AMRITSAR, June 7 — The call made by Giani Joginder Singh, Akal Takht Jathedar, for forging Panthic unity notwithstanding, the task seems to be herculean. While some senior Akali leaders like Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, an MLA and close confidant of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, have welcomed the desire of Giani Joginder Singh for brining all splinter Panthic organisations on a single platform yet most leaders of warring factions are unlikely to respond to the call. Mr Calcutta is of the view that Panthic unity could be forged if the Jathedar took the initiative in taking measures with regard to the call made in his address yesterday. He said the “scattered force” of Akali factions could not win the forthcoming elections. It is after a gap of six years that any attempt to forge Panthic unity has been made by an Akal Takht Jathedar. In the recent Panthic history the first such attempt was made by Prof Darshan Singh, the then acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, in 1987 when the Barnala government was in power. As Mr Barnala refused to obey the directives of Akal Takht, he was declared “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct). Later, Prof Manjit Singh, the then Acting Jathedar, made a second attempt in 1994. In his directive he had asked chiefs of all Akali factions to disband their respective factions. The move fizzled out as Mr Parkash Singh Badal had refused to disband his faction while six presidents of other Akali factions had submitted their resignation to the Akal Takht Jathedar. Then the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) was formed at Akal Takht. A six-member presidium was constituted which comprised Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, Capt Amarinder Singh, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Col Jasmer Singh Bala, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Mr Badal had not joined the new Akali Dal as he felt he was being “cornered” by Mr Tohra in the name of Panthic unity. The Sikh circles feel that like his predecessors Giani Joginder Singh too will fail in forging Panthic unity. However, the common Sikh has widely welcomed the address of Giani Joginder Singh. Keen political observers feel many seats during the previous Lok Sabha elections were lost by the ruling Akali Dal due to division of the Sikh vote. This will be repeated during the forthcoming general election if unity is not forged, they feel. The leadership of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal wants the Akal Takht Jathedar to first take action against those who had disobeyed the directives of Bhai Ranjit Singh, the then Jathedar, for maintaining status quo till April 1999 to mark the beginning of the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa Panth. Mr Calcutta said if Giani Joginder Singh exposed the leadership of the ruling Akali Dal before the Sikh sangat for violating the directives of Akal Takht his desire for Panthic unity would certainly be fulfilled. Without taking any such initiative, the address of the Jathedar would be meaningless. Mr Calcutta said the need of the hour was to bring the entire Panth on a single platform. He said he had already made many efforts for bringing about a approchement between warring factions as he was a votary for unity. However, Mr Badal had promoted his family at the cost of the Panth which had caused a lot of damage to the community as a whole. The desire of the Akal
Takht Jathedar for Panthic unity could get materialised
only if he made serious efforts instead of “making a
simple suggestion”. However, the suggestion made by
the Jathedar in this regard would go a long way if he
took one more step and gave a categorical call in this
direction, he added. |
Dharna by thousands of PSEB
employees PATIALA, June 7 — Thousands of employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board held a dharna in front of the head office of the board here today. Employees from distribution circles, hydel projects and thermal projects from all over the state participated in the dharna. The dharna was held in protest against the proposed privatisation of the board and non-fulfilment of the long-pending demands of the employees. Employees alleged that the management was conspiring to break an important organisation of public utility by privatising it, and the management was not inviting representatives of employees for holding talks for sorting out their demands. Addressing the dharna, employee leaders said that the board had put aside the issue of pay scales of employees and had stopped the working of the wage formulation committee. The issue of ad hoc service had also not been settled. He said the daily-wage labourers of the board were being retrenched and the Goindwal project had been handed over to a private company. Employee leaders said that the agreement of November 9, 1999, arrived at between the board management and the employees’ struggle committee of the PSEB, according to which some demands of employees were accepted, had not been implemented even after six months. The dharna was addressed
by Mr H.S. Minas, Mr Mukhwant Singh Sidhu, conveners of
the struggle committee, Mr Mahindor Singh and Mr Jaginder
Singh Jindu, co-conveners, and thermal leaders, Mr Vasdev
Singh, Mr Gursewak Singh, Mr Karam Chand Bhardwaj, Mr
Amarjit Singh Sodhi and Mr Gurnam Singh Gill. In the
dharna, a decision of a token strike on June 21
throughout the state was also taken. |
PUDA, trust eye vacant sites PATIALA, June 7 — Under-utilised sites in prime areas of the city which have been identified for commercial utilisation by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) have become a bone of contention, with the Local Improvement Trust petitioning the government to allow it to develop them. The Improvement Trust has requested the government to allow it to develop five such sites, including the old Tehsil Complex comprising Kaur Sahib Ki Haveli, the old dispensary in Adalat Bazar, vacant areas opposite Sher-i-Punjab market, Kothi number 10-A near Dhaliwal Colony and quarters for fourth class employees in Chhoti Baradari. The trust has submitted a plea in this regard to the Chief Minister and is also taking up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner. According to Trust Chairman Manmohan Singh Bazaz, this was being done as PUDA, which had been appointed nodal agency by the state government to develop all government land which was lying under-utilised, had failed to take the lead in developing any site for more than one year after they were identified and transferred to the authority. The move also has political overtones. Though all sites have been transferred to PUDA for development, Mr Bazaz allegedly aims to utilise his closeness with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in his capacity as President of the urban unit of the Akali Dal (Badal) to get this scheme through. The trust has made its own scheme to utilise the properties which include constructing a Tehsil Complex free of cost at the Kaur Sahib Ki Haveli site and utilising the other land available there for shops-cum-offices and a bank. As the complex is situated in 4.50 acres of land, the trust hopes to earn a substantial revenue through commercialisation of the site. House Number 10 near the Head Post Office has 2.4 acres attached to it. In this, the trust proposes to build a hotel site, 22 shops-cum-offices and 19 booths. The land opposite the Sher-i-Punjab market is being targeted as a bank square along with adequate parking space. At the Old Dispensary site in Adalat Bazar, the Improvement Trust has proposed to create a parking space on the ground floor and commercial sites on the the first and second floors. The fourth class employees occupying quarters in Chhoti Baradari will, according to a proposal of the trust, shift to new quarters in Sewa Singh Thikriwala Nagar, with the site being utilised for a hotel. Even as the trust is going ahead with its plans, PUDA is in the process of finalising its scheme to utilise the sites. PUDA Additional Chief Administrator A. S. Miglani said a plan had been made to shift the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office to House number 10 near the Post Office on a temporary basis and start developing the site. He said a survey was being done in this regard. Modalities for the sale
of sites are being determined and their reserve prices
being fixed. Mr Miglani said PUDA had been made a nodal
agency in this regard following a cabinet decision. |
‘Unhygienic’ ice-cream units
closed PATIALA, June 7 — The Patiala Municipal Corporation authorities have, ordered the closure of Flora Super Ice-cream and Parry’s Ice-cream factories in the city as they were found to be manufacturing ice-cream in excessively unhygienic conditions. Corporation Health Officer D.C. Sharma disclosed that the factories were manufacturing ice-cream without getting the report concerned from the state bacteriologist regarding the water being used in the preparation of ice-cream. Dr Sharma disclosed that both the factories were using sub-soil water from their own sources and that action had been taken under Sections 302 and 344 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, licence of the factories have been cancelled. Dr Sharma said the Health Department, acting under the orders of corporation Commissioner K.S. Kang, conducted raids and inspected ice-cream and aerated water manufacturing units in the city. The Health Officer served notices upon 15 manufacturers for various offences, including poor hygienic conditions, use of uncertified water during processing and running factories and retail outlets without valid licences from the corporation. The factories have been asked to remove these deficiencies or face closures. The Commissioner has, meanwhile, directed the Health Department to continue raids as a precautionary measure against the possibility of any epidemic outbreaks. Besides ice-cream and
soda water manufacturers, the corporation Health
Department has also served notices upon some meat and
chicken sellers and some dairy owners. The corporation
will intensify the inspection of hotels, restaurants,
halwais and others selling/preparing food articles/drinks
of any kind to check the possibility of keeping them
uncovered and unprotected against flies. |
Promotion of block officer ordered CHANDIGARH, June 7 — Holding Block Development and Panchayat Officer Harbans Singh Gill to be entitled for promotion, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the state of Punjab and other respondents to implement the promotion orders within a fortnight from receiving the order’s copy. Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice J.S. Narang, also directed that the “petitioner shall be entitled to all consequential benefits from the date of his appointment as Deputy Director, which shall involve arrears of salary if any”. In their detailed order, the Bench observed: “We are of the considered opinion that the petitioner is entitled to promotion orders as per the orders passed in his favour on June 6, 1997 and the recommendation made by the DPC on August 13, 1998, which are not under challenge nor have been cancelled or withdrawn by any authority”. The Bench added: “A grave injustice would be done to the petitioner in the eventuality if Mr Joginder Singh, who is admittedly junior to him in the reserved category, is allowed to continue on the post of Deputy Director”. The petitioner, it may be recalled, was appointed BDPO in 1982 but his services were subsequently terminated. A Civil Court had, however, held his termination to be illegal. Notice issued On a petition against Punjab police officials alleging application of electric current to the private parts of a Moga district resident for filing a contempt petition against a Station House Officer, Mr Justice N.C. Khichi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Advocate General for July 18. Claiming to have been beaten up and “burnt” with a candle, petitioner Bhupinder Singh had earlier stated that he was illegally detained at Police Station Nihal Singh Wala after being picked up by SHO Sandeep Kumar and ASI Sukhmandir Singh from his residence in Khai village on June 6. He added that Rs 1 lakh was demanded in lieu of his release. The officials had told him that the same amount had been spent on engaging an advocate for contesting the contempt petition, the petitioner had claimed. Counsel for the petitioner had contended on his behalf that Mr Bhupinder Singh was released after he promised to make the payment “or face the consequences”. The contempt petition,
he had added, had earlier been filed before the High
Court. The Court, he had further added, had issued
warrants against the SHO after he had failed to appear. |
Appointment of 3 chief engineers
quashed CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today quashed the promotion of Mr D.P. Bajaj, Mr Sarbjit Singh and Mr B.K. Thakur to the posts of Chief Engineer in the Department of Public Works (B&R), Punjab, on a writ petition filed by ex-Major B.D. Gupta, who was working as Superintending Engineer in the Department of Public Works, Punjab, at Chandigarh. The judgement was handed down today by a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi and Mr Justice N.K. Sud. The petitioner had contended that even though he was eligible and more suitable than the respondents, his claim for the post was not considered. The D.P.C. for the promotion to the posts of Chief Engineer was constituted on April 16, 1999, which selected the respondents to the post of Chief Engineers. In the agenda circulated for consideration by the D.P.C. the names of only five officers had been circulated. The petitioner submitted
that as per the guideline issued by the Government of
India and adopted by the state of Punjab, the D.P.C. sent
the names of the next three persons only, including the
petitioners. But the petitioner was not evaluated while
the respondents were selected. The petitioner also stated
that one of the respondents was not eligible for the
post. |
Desilting work in progress GURDASPUR, June 7 — After a tour of the area around the Beas river in the district, Mr B. Vikram, Deputy Commissioner, said here today that 24,000 acres in the Kahnuwan area had been saved from waterlogging due to desilting of drains. Of the 732-km-long drains in the district, 167 km had been cleared last year. Mr Vikram said work of desilting of the drains was in progress and drag lines were working to desilt Man Goria and Noorhah drains. He further stated that the Dhussi bandh along the Beas river was strong enough to face the eventuality of floods. He also inspected the flood-protection measures at Fattu Barkat and at Rumala village to check erosion caused by the Chakki river. The Deputy Commissioner
said work on Gadrian drain was likely to be taken up
before the rains . Demonstration by slum dwellers AMRITSAR, June 7 — Residents of Karampura slum colony here held a demonstration outside the Civil Lines police station yesterday against the police “inaction” regarding the arrest of the culprits involved in the case of kidnapping of a minor girl, Rosy, from the locality last month. The demonstration was organised by the district unit of the CPM. The police foiled an
attempt of some women to enter the police station. The
DSP, Civil Lines, promised to bring the culprits to book
and said the girl would be recovered soon. |
Brick-kiln owners oppose
royalty HOSHIARPUR, June 7 — The SAD-BJP government has imposed a royalty of Rs 45 per 1,000 bricks. In a press note issued here today, Mr Yashpal Gupta and Mr Shiv Dev Singh Bajwa, president and vice-president of the District Brick-kiln Owners Association, respectively, said the mining officer had issued notices to all brick-kiln owners to deposit the royalty failing which action would be taken against them. This included a fine of Rs 2,500 and an imprisonment for three years. Brick-kiln owners are
sore over the decision and have decided to go on an
indefinite strike from July 1. They have criticised the
state government for the hike in the annual licence fee
from Rs 100 to Rs 2,000 and a security fee from Rs 2500
to Rs 10,000. Besides the government had not refunded the
old security fee even though the new security fee had
been deposited, they alleged. 2 held for selling
spurious oil GURDASPUR, June 7 — The police has busted a gang of cheats for allegedly selling spurious mobil oil. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, briefing newspersons here today said 17 boxes and 24 drums of spurious mobil oil of Castrol and Servo companies and a few drums of spurious mobil oil with no trade mark had been seized. He said Sunil Kumar of
Batala and Rajesh Kumar of Gurdaspur had been arrested
while their accomplice, Anil Kumar, was still at large.
The trio used to sell the oil in a car in Gurdaspur,
Dorangla, Behrampur, Dinanagar and Pathankot. |
Minister’s mother cremated KAPURTHALA, June 7 (PTI) — The mortal remains of Tej Kaur (85), widow of veteran Akali leader and former Minister Atma Singh and the mother of Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Upinderjit Kaur, were consigned to flames today. She died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. Her pyre was lit by her maternal grandson, Mr Jujwar Singh. Prominent among those
who attended the funeral included Punjab Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal, SGPC President Jagir Kaur, Mr
Raghbir Singh, Mr Ajit Singh Kohar and Ms Upinderjit Kaur
— all Akali ministers, BJP state general secretary
Narottam Dev Ratti and former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Surjit
Singh Minhas. The deceased is survived by two daughters. |
2 IGP swap places CHANDIGARH, June 7 — As per the posting and transfer ordered today by the Punjab Home Secretary two Inspectors General of Police, swap places. Mr R.K. Sharma goes as
IGP/Litigation, Chandigarh, while Mr R.C. Prasad become
IGP-cum-OSD to DGP, Punjab says a press note. |
Youth held for planning to kill
mother JALANDHAR, June 7 — The police arrested a youth and his accomplice yesterday whose desire for an easy life and a state of depression due to his alcoholic mother forced the Nakodar-based youth to seek help of another religious minded youth to kill his mother, who, however, was saved by her chance absence at her house. Harpreet Singh, a resident of Udham Singh Nagar in Nakodar, was under depression due to his alcoholic mother and who, allegedly was not having ‘good’ reputation. Frustrated, he left his house to seek peace by performing sewa in Baba Nidhan Singh Gurdwara in Amritsar, where he met Manjit Singh of Hazare Dhinga village in Hardwar district of Uttar Pradesh. Manjit Singh’s family had recently shifted to Paharganj in Delhi. Manjit, having a religious bent of mind, had left his house after passing class V to serve in Delhi’s Sheeshganj Gurdwara, where he learnt to perform, ‘‘path’’, and other religious acts like his brother, who is a granthi in Delhi’s Bhai Joga Singh Gurdwara. After coming in contact with each other Harpreet shared his frustrations with Manjit, who had ‘obtained’ a 38 bore Ruger revolver from a person during his stay at Hardwar. Consequently Harpreet and Manjit planned to eliminate former’s mother so as to end to his miseries. The duo came to Nakodar for the murder but were disappointed as except for Harpreet’s uncle, his parents were not at home. Frustrated, they tied the uncle with a rope and decamped with costly household goods, before heading for the bus stand. They were arrested at the bus stand by a police party, yesterday, which got suspicious about the manner they were roaming the place to board a night bus. Besides, a revolver with some cartridges, a toy pistol, a knife, a cordless phone, one and a half bottle of liquor, some sachets of pan masala and some religious books were also recovered from them. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said that during interrogation, Manjit confessed that he had planned to commit some robberies with the help of Harpreet, who had become a willing accomplice in exchange for killing his mother. They have been booked
under Section 25 of the Arms Act and for robbing
household articles, in two separate cases. Two killed, five hurt in
wall collapse FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 7 — Two labourers died and five were injured, two of them seriously, when a boundary wall of a factory collapsed due to strong winds and rain in Mandi Gobindgarh town of the district yesterday. The seriously injured were shifted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, after giving first aid. According to available information, the labourers were working in Sona Casting Steel Mills when the wall of Ashoka Steel Mills collapsed and fell on them. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, has announced Rs 20,000 ex-gratia to the next of kin of those killed. Meanwhile, Mr B.S.
Sudan, Deputy Commissioner has ordered an inquiry into
the case and has asked the ADC to present the report
within two days. |
Vehicle thieves’ gang
busted; 3 held AMRITSAR, June 7 — The police claims to have busted a vehicle thieves’ gang with the arrest of three of its members. The inter-state gang was active in Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh. Karanbir Singh, Raghubinder Kumar and Harjit Singh, all belonging to Guru Nanak Nagar, Verka, here have been arrested. Three vehicles were also recovered from them. On a tip off on Monday, Sub-Inspector Jarnail Singh, SHO, Khalchian, Beas, and his staff laid nakas and sounded a red alert on the GT Road. The next night a naka party was at Bhinder bridge, consisting of Inspector Sukwinder Singh, Sub-Inspector Jarnail Singh, SHO, under supervision of Mr Shamsher Jung Bhadur, DSP Jandiala. A car (PB-38/2858) coming from Amritsar was stopped. The occupants did not have valid documents with them and were subsequently arrested. Further investigations revealed the car was stolen from the Vinay Nagar area on June 3. Following the arrest of three members of the gang two more care were recovered — a Maruti (PIA 8680) and an Esteem without a number. The modus operandi of the gang was to pick up two wheelers from crowded places and then later steal cars while leaving the two wheeler behind. The other members were informed on the telephone about the theft. Instructions were then given to handover the stolen vehicle to a gang member Lovely, son of Davinder Kumar, president of Verka and Dab, resident of Paonta Sahib. Lovely and Dab then took the vehicles to Delhi and Dehradun and sold them after preparing fake documents. Five months back a
Maruti was stolen from Lawrence Road, Amritsar, before
this a scooter was stolen from Shivala Bhayan.
Subsequently a Maruti was stolen from Shivala Bhayan.
Another was stolen later from Muni Lal Chopra Hospital.
In one more theft Karanbir Singh and another gang members
Ravi Masih, son of Hira Masih of Verka area, stole an
‘Esteem’ from Lawrence Road. |
A clash over 25 paise MALERKOTLA, June 7 — Five persons were injured when two groups of pigeon fanciers fought using swords, sticks and glass bottles at Satta Chowk here today. According to eye witnesses, two groups of pigeon fanciers made a stipulation of 25 paise on pigeons flight. Members of the group which was losing every time started beating members of the other group with sticks. The injured persons were admitted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. The police has
registered a case against Anwar, Iftikhar alias Taaru,
Taaju, Liquiat Ali, Zahid and Tappu under Sections 323,
324, 148, 149 of the IPC. |
Factory blast: 1 more dies in
hospital PATIALA, June 7 — Another victim of the Mandi Gobindgarh alloy factory blast, Shankar (40) succumbed to his injuries in the local government Rajindra Hospital today afternoon. He belonged to Gorakhpur district. Hospital sources said Shankar succumbed to his injuries at 2 p.m. he had suffered more than 80 per cent burns in the blast, which occurred when iron scrap was put into the factory furnace. Earlier, one labourer Bansi, had succumbed to his injuries shortly after being brought to the hospital on June 4. Another labourer Jagdish died yesterday. Now there are eight
critically burnt labourers undergoing treatment in the
hospital. |
Punjab releases 18 cr as salary
grant CHANDIGARH, June 7 — The Punjab Minister for Higher Education, Mr Mohan Lal, today assured a delegation of the joint action committee of the non-government, aided and unaided colleges that the pension-cum-gratuity scheme would be implemented soon. The government was represented by Mr G.P.S. Sahi, Principal Secretary (Higher Education), Mr Amarjit Singh, Special Secretary, Dr HS Deol, DPI (colleges), while the joint action committee was represented by Dr Ishar Singh and Principal Subash Kumar, (Managements Federation), Principal Ashwani Kumar and Principal P.S. Sangha, (Principals Federation). The PCCTU was represented by Prof Charanjit Chawla, general secretary, and Prof N.P. Monocha. The JAC thanked the
Minister for releasing Rs 18 crore salary grants for the
month of March to May 2000 and grant of maternity leave
benefit under 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme. Nabha school gets Wisconsin
scholarships PATIALA, June 7 — Punjab Public School, Nabha, has been awarded 25 student scholarships for pursuing higher studies in the University of Wisconsin (USA). The University of Wisconsin has introduced two introductory three-credit courses at the school during the summer break till July. This pilot project has been accomplished due to the efforts of the school headmaster, Mr M.S. Bedi, and the Dean of Wisconsin University, Mr Joel Rodney. The university has sent two of its eminent professors, Dr Charles Leahy and Ms Naney Norris, to impart specialised knowledge to the students in communication skills. This is part of the pilot project whereby the students will also be familiarised with the social environment in USA and dispel some of the prevailing myths about that society. The pilot project was formally launched by the school headmaster in a special function in the school library today. Those present on the occasion included old Nabhites, former teachers and ex-headmaster, Mr G.S. Punnia. In his speech, the headmaster gave a brief information on the past practice of sending the school teachers to the foreign universities. Now it is the students who are being sent abroad to prestigious universities for higher studies. Mr Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, former student of the school had given five scholarships to the school students in Wisconsin University. Dr Charles Leahy,
Vice-President of Connected Learning Systems, is
responsible for the creation and designing of this
training programme. In his address, Dr Leahy said he
would lay stress on developing communication skills among
the students. Ms Nancy Norris emphasised that it was
imperative to acquire expertise in communication and
public speaking. |
College in border belt planned AMRITSAR, June 7 — Guru Nanak Dev University is committed to uplifting the status of educationally backward areas in the border belt and has taken a lead by establishing a college at Niari village in Dhar Kalan block of Gurdaspur distt, Vice-Chancellor H.S. Soch said here yesterday. Master Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, will formally lay the foundation stone of this newly established college on June 10 which would cater to the educational needs of not only Dhar Kalan block but also Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, students from this area had to come to Pathankot to pursue higher studies. Courses relevant to the needs of the area would be introduced in this college, he added. Dr Soch said the
university had already established the Guru Nanak Dev
University regional campus at Gurdaspur and prestigious
courses like law and MBA were available there. |
B.A./B.Sc. results today AMRITSAR, June 7 —
The results of the B.A./B.Sc. part-III examination
conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University in April will be
declared tomorrow, according to Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar
of the university. |
 |
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