 |
|
| Sunday, June 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Massive hunt on for killers Hiccups in transfer policy on
doctors SHSAD seeks Bibi’s
resignation Planned power hike “not
sufficient” Need to restore pristine glory of
Patiala by state government
Dimpa flays Chief Minister |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public health experts seek role Martyrs’ families await
relief Anti-TB drive for hotel workers BKU (Ekta), admn reach
‘compromise’ Tributes paid to Giani Kartar
Singh Powers to civic bodies promised 'Class IV staff harass patients'
1 killed, 27 hurt as bus hits tree Clerk held for taking bribe
|
Massive hunt on for killers JALANDHAR, June 10 — Even as the police has launched a massive manhunt to nab the killers of Hena and Abhishek, the two kids of a local dry-cleaner, the post-mortem examination of the bodies has established the two died due to asphyxiation as a result of their necks being twisted by the killers. Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today visited the aggrieved family at their Dhobi Mohalla locality and expressed his sympathy with them. Accompanied by senior police and civil officials, Mr Badal said no stone would be left unturned to nab the persons responsible for the heinous act. The post-mortem examination of the bodies, which was conducted last evening, has revealed there was no injury mark on the bodies of the two children. Death was a result of suffocation caused by choking of oxygen supply due to their mouths being gagged and breaking of their spinal chord by twisting of necks by the killers, sources in the civil hospital said. The police today cordoned off the Makhdoompura area from where the two kids were kidnapped. The operation, involving 70,80 police officials, took off at 4 a.m. today and continued for three hours during which the police rounded up seven to eight suspects whose looks resembled the description given by two kids who are the only witnesses to the kidnapping. The two kids, aged about 4 and 10, had told the police that the helmet wearing kidnapper, in his mid-twenties, whom Hena was addressing as her “chacha”, was riding a dark coloured LML Vespa scooter. In its effort to zero in on the culprits, the police has also prepared a list of suspects besides examining some Vespa scooters in the area. In addition to this the police authorities are also in the process of preparing computer sketches of suspects on the basis of description of the scooterist given by the two eyewitnesses, who were taking tuitions with the deceased. Interestingly though there is no definite clue in the case so far, during the investigation the police authorities came across an unusual fact which can read them to some conclusion in the case. The two-inch-wide adhesive tape used to gag the two kids is used only for the purpose of packing up heavy material in cardboard boxes. Only a few people use such tapes in the city, said a police official, who added that a number of users of the tape in the Makhdoompura locality had been added to the list of suspects. The process of identification of other suspects is on, while those rounded up are being questioned by the special investigation team (SIT) headed by the SP (City), Mr P.K. Uppal. He said in all probability the kids were not killed in the abandoned house in the backyard of the TV transmission tower. Rather their bodies were thrown in the house after they were killed elsewhere. This was evident from the way the bag containing the bodies was placed near the boundary wall of the house. He said the involvement of more than one person in the crime could not be ruled out since it was very difficult for one man to carry the bag or bodies to such a distant place, about 4 km away from the city. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, said computer sketches of suspects would be ready by tomorrow morning. Which will facilitate the on going process of zeroing in on the culprits. He said the police was working on many theories and the involvement of some relatives and acquaintances was not ruled out. Meanwhile, Bimla, the
mother of the two kids, was still in an extreme state of
shock and was not able to come to terms with the tragedy.
Refusing to weep and believe that her children had died
even after their bodies were laid to rest last evening,
she said, “They have gone missing and their papa
will find them out”. |
Hiccups in transfer policy on
doctors CHANDIGARH, June 10 — Punjab Government’s efforts to have doctors and other para-medical staff posted in rural areas and to have a rational need-based transfer policy have run into rough weather. Two weeks back the Health Department came out with a list of transfers which for the first time saw the doctors being moved to fill in vacant slots in villages, an end to the deputation system that has got corrupted and specialists being moved to the needy places. This list touched some 740 doctors. Of course there were some aberrations. But then the pressure started from the doctors, their powerful associations and from the MLAs and Ministers. Chief Minister Parkash Singh, the leader behind this wholesome policy, buckled. All the transfers were stayed. The department was asked to look into each transfer and seek the opinion of the ministers and the ruling coalition MLAs before effecting the transfers. “This only means the hard labour which the secretary and his juniors had put in would go waste”, a senior officer commented. When contacted, Mr P.K. Verma, Secretary Health, however, still maintained that the bulk of the transfers would remain and the exercise to fill the vacancies and rationalise the transfers would not be effected. the exercise started some months back. The Health Department prepared a status paper, giving details of the vacant positions, overstaffing and doctors concentrating in the urban centres. Mr Badal, who had been under pressure from the people and the MLAs to have doctors posted in the rural areas and semi-urban backward areas, was glad that the department was responding. So a transfer schedule was drawn up. It was placed before the Cabinet, where it faced tough opposition. So the matter ended there. Later, when the Chief Minister started his tours and people cried for help, he again asked the Health Department to redo the whole exercise. The officers prepared a complete list and put it before the new Health Minister, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, who supported the move. The Chief Minister too ordered the transfers. Once the list was out, first the associations, which always swear by working for the sick and needy, cried foul. Newspapers offices were flooded with press releases. Later, MLAs and ministers made a beeline for the Health Minister who directed them to the Chief Minister where the buck should stop. But the Chief Minister again developed cold feet and directed the department to hold the transfers. Now these transfers have neither been cancelled nor are being implemented.” We to have to take care of the human suffering that transfers cause and see that minimum harassment is done. But at the same time, doctors have to be there where they are needed the most”, Mr Verma said. While political sources here maintain that Mr Badal lacks the political will to stand by good and right decisions, the department has put forward a note giving details of what is to be achieved by these transfers. Neither a civil surgeon nor a district officer health, two crucial officers, has been transferred. Thirty odd vacant posts at the senior level were filled. Only 45-odd senior medical officers were transferred. Another major achievement was that vacancies in the backward districts of Ferozepur, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa, and Gurdaspur, besides Hoshiarpur, were filled. Doctors mostly wish to be in Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ropar districts. The government shifted those with longer stay. Seventyfour medical officers and 21 senior officers were declared surplus in the ESI and were shifted. These were clearly overcrowded and some doctors had been openly indulging in private practice. Interestingly before these transfers not a single hospital out of 151 had a complete team of doctors. There were 290 mismatchings in these hospitals which were sought to be set right by the authorities. The government also kept in mind that there should be minimum shifting distance. The government also took care not to disturb couples as far as possible. One more healthy thing was the end of the deputation system. A doctor worked at one place and drew salary from somewhere else. The result of this entire exercise was that 236 vacancies were filled, some for the first time and 249 were transferred to end mismatching. And, as senior officers
here said, “the ball is in the court of the Chief
Minister and would all depend upon how much political
will he is able to muster. On one side is Mr Badal who
wants to ease the suffering of the people and the other
side is Mr Badal who cannot afford to annoy the people in
power.” |
Review transfers, say doctors PATIALA, June 10 — The PCMS Association has demanded that "unjustified" transfers of doctors should be reviewed by the state government. A delegation of the members of the association, led by its Vice-President, Dr R.S. Sethi, and the General Secretary, Dr D.C. Sharma, met Mr P.K. Verma, Principal Health Secretary, and Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Managing Director of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. The members said the duration of the service of doctors, their seniority and stay at a particular hospital should be considered by the government before ordering transfers. The association said senior doctors who had already served in rural areas for a considerable time should be given a choice in the matters of transfer. However, the association
said the number of doctors in the ESI hospitals and
dispensaries should be maintained as per the norms. They
also said the present reduction in the strength of
doctors in ESI hospitals was unjustified. |
SHSAD seeks Bibi’s
resignation CHANDIGARH, June 10 — The Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra has sought the resignation of the Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC. Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, the General Secretary of the party, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, said that morally it was incorrect to continue as President of the SGPC for Bibi Jagir Kaur as the court had ordered a CBI investigation in her daughter Harpreet`s death case. He said that if the SGPC chief did not resign, public pressure would be built up to make her resign. "Bibi Hatao, Panth Bachao" campaign would be launched in the State,he added.People had a tremendous faith in the capability and impartiality of the CBI as far as investigation of controversial cases was concerned. Welcoming the decision of the court in this connection,he said that people wanted to know the truth and it would have been better had the Punjab Chief Minister himself handed over the investigation to the CBI earlier. Earlier, Akali leaders led by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Mr Ravi Inder Singh submitted a memorandum to the U.T Administrator, Leiut -Gen J F R Jacob, to seek his intervention for ensuring the neutral role of the Chandigarh Administration in the affairs of the Sikh Educational Society. Mr Chandumajra said that Mr Tohra and others had apprehended that the UT Administration may enforce Section 145 of the Cr.P.C a case pertaining to the society. Mr Jacob has been requested to restrain the Chandigarh Administration from interfering in the case. Akali leaders maintained that the case does not fall in the purview of the Sub Divisional Magistrate(SDM) and if any party had any objection with regard to affairs of the society, it can approach the judicial court. The delegation also
brought in the notice alleged deteriorating law and order
situation in the state. They told Mr Jacob that several
cases of robberies, looting and thefts had been reported
from the various parts of the State in the past days and
the Punjab Government had failed to check this menace.
The delegation members told Mr Jacob,who is also Punjab
Governor, that the Chief Minister,Mr Parkash Singh Badal,
had failed to give proper guidance to the police
administration to do the needful to deal with increasing
crime in the State. |
Harpreet case: probe by CBI
hailed CHANDIGARH, June 10 — The Punjab unit of the Congress party and the CPI in separate statements have hailed the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court with regard to CBI inquiry into the Harpreet death case. Mr Sant Ram Singla , General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee said that the stand taken by the party president, Capt Amarinder Singh on this issue had been vindicated. Alleging that the case was messed up at the behest of Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, the court had done justice in this connection. Dr Joginder Dayal,
Secretary of the State unit of the CPI said that the
court order had vindicated the apprehensions expressed by
many political leaders and parties about the holding of
the inquiry into this case under the control of the
Punjab Government. He said that it had already been
proved during the preliminary inquiry that Harpreet was
engaged to Kamljit Singh. He has sought the resignation
of both Mr Badal and Bibi Jagir Kaur in the light of the
CBI inquiry ordered by the court in this case. |
Planned power hike “not
sufficient” PATIALA, June 10 — The Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association yesterday said that the 15 per cent power tariff hike being contemplated by the Government has not sufficient to take the board out of the red and demanded a 35 per cent hike in tariff and re-introduction of tariff on tubewell at the rate of Rs 65 per horse power. In a statement here yesterday the association president M.S. Bajwa the general secretary, Mr Anil Miglani, said the engineers were ‘surprised’ that the government had once again failed to realise the desperate financial crunch that had put the PSEB on the verge of bankruptcy and was planning tariff revisions that were “too little, too late”. This said under the pretext of objections raised by industrial consumers, the entire exercise of tariff revision starting from agricultural, including domestic and commercial consumers, had been stalled which was wholly unjustified. The association leaders said even if the government, did eventually hike tariff by 15 per cent across the board, it would yield only Rs 540 crore per year whereas the budget estimate of board for 2000-2001 indicated a loss of Rs 1328.94 crore. The board’s own document showed that for achieving the mandatory 3 per cent surplus as prescribed in Electricity Supply Act, 1948, the additional revenue requirement would be Rs 1433.66 crore. The association leaders said tariff proposals were pending with the government for the past five months and even if a decision was taken now, the revenue increase would start flowing in after two months. On the other hand, they said the operational cash requirements were maximum during summer. They said the PSEB had to pay National Thermal Power Corporation and other central sector companies about Rs 80 crore per month on an average, but during summer the energy import bill shot up to Rs 120 crore per month. Similarly the fuel purchase bill for coal and oil supply to thermal stations of the PSEB which was on an average Rs 150 crore per month shot up to Rs 180 crore per month during summer due to increased thermal generation. They said on the other hand revenue receipts during summer did not increase since over 40 per cent power went to tubewells which did not fetch any revenue. They said through the government had decided to compensate the PSEB in cash when free power policy was announced, it did not pay the compensation to the board. Under the circumstances,
the PSEB Engineers Association warned that the policy of
strangulating the revenues of board would force the PSEB
to cut down its expenditures and lead to drastic
reduction of power supply through import from NTPC and
also seriously jeopardise coal supplies to thermal
stations. |
Need to restore pristine glory of Patiala by state government DURING my recent visit to Patiala an octogenarian of Arorian Da Mohalla, who happened to be a close friend of my late father, said in a hoarse vice that among the erstwhile princely states of Punjab those of Patiala and Kapurthala figured prominently on the tourist map of the world for their heights of glamour and glory in the domain of art, architecture, culture, education and sports. While the credit for such an unprecedented charm and glory of Kapurthala goes to Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, the city of Patiala can rightly boast of its illustrious founder Baba Ala Singh and its dynamic rulers namely Maharaja Amar Singh, Sahib Singh, Karan Singh, Narinder Singh, Mohinder Singh, Rajinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Yadvinder Singh in the chronological order. According to the British settlement reports those Maharajas ruled over a vast territory which included Patiala, Sirhind, Dera Bassi, Chail, Kandaghat, Nalagarh, Narnaul and Mohmindergarh with great pomp and grandeur with Patiala as their capital. In the modern history of Patiala the name of Maharaja Karam Singh has been mentioned in golden letters for his untiring efforts towards consolidating and strengthening the state administration on democratic footings. Maharaja Karam Singh is fondly remembered by the Patialvis for his initiative in introducing the culture and tradition of constructing the magnificent forts and palaces. After him it was Maharaja Narinder Singh who did his very best in this direction. Besides being a most successful administrator and a benevolent ruler like Emperor Akbar, Maharaja Narinder Singh was a great patron and promoter of Punjabi and Rajasthani traditions and styles of art, culture and metaphysical literature. During the period of his reign from 1845 to 1862 AD art, music, poetry and architecture developed and flourished to such an extent that even the British artists felt that they needed the patronage of a king of the stature of Maharaja Narinder Singh. It is worth noting that the Rajasthani, Pahari and Avadhi paintings developed simultaneously in a most eloquent style later known as Patiala School of Painting. Like Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he always felt that there should be a rapport between the ruler and the ruled so that administrative infrastructure could be streamlined according to the requirements of the time. He, therefore, frequently undertook the tours of his territories to have a dialogue with the people to record their problems to rectify them on the spot. He also ensured that the people of his state are economically well-off, and that none is living either in poverty. While delving deep into the history of the glorious traditions of the erstwhile Patiala state it comes to the fore that the contribution of Maharaja Narinder Singh in all spheres is indeed unparalleled. In the Gazetteer of India it has been authentically recorded that “instead of taking interests in expanding his empire he looked after other finer aspects of life with full patronage and encouragement given to poets, writers and artists. He also used to listen the religious discourses from the learned pandits and Gyanis, who used to narrate and recite Devi Bhagwat and Sri Guru Granth Sahib alike. An atmosphere of religious places like Vrindavan and Rishikesh was seen and enjoyed during his regime. Hence, he belonged to such a noble royal blood by wise training and modest behaviour that he might well be compared with the princes who were brought up and educated in Banabhatt’s time i.e. in and immediately after the downfall of the Gupta empire”. It was against this conspicuous historical and cultural background that the phenomenon of frescoes manuscript illustrations of painting, and religio-historical literature was profusely produced and translated during his classic reign. His major artistic achievements were the construction of the Sheesh Mahal, the Baradari, the Moti Bagh Palace and the Bahadurgarh Fort. Today while the magnificent the Sheesh Mahal is housing the world’s largest gallery of medals numbering 300 besides a rare collection of old coins, the fort of Baba Ala Singh, popularly known as Qila Mubarik, houses the wondrous Chandelier Gallery in which the collection from Paris reminds us of the high sense of aesthetics of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. The historic Moti Bagh Palace is now housing the world-renowned National Institute of Sports which has the privilege of nurturing sportsmen and women of national and international repute. Appreciably, the Department of Culture and Archives, Patiala, has been maintaining these buildings with utmost care and it is ensured that they don’t lose their pristine glory. A comparative assessment of the past and present of Patiala, however, bears testimony to the fact that there is absolutely nothing ‘princely’ about of the city. The overcrowded bazars and markets, huge crowds of rickshaw-pullers from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, poor drainage, stagnant water ponds, rapid growth of the dhabas in the city’s vicinity and around, unhygienic and polluted surroundings caused by the “ganda nullah” (dirty drain), and the herds of cattle moving on the main roads and in the localities with cow-dung scattered here and there leave the impression that the city of Patiala, which was once upon a time known for its majestic appearance with neat and clean roads and pavements flanked by beds of flowers, green grass and flowery trees, is in no way better than the other cities of Punjab. Some localities are even worse than Sharifpura and Hussainpura of Amritsar and Basti Gujan and Basti Sheikh of the city of Jalandhar. During a course of brief discussion the octogenarian, an eminent educationist of his times, expressed his regret over the decision of the Punjab Government to construct a new city of Anandgarh. “Instead of wasting money on such projects the government should give a facelift to Patiala — a city of gardens and palaces”, he asserted. To cap all, the
magnificent buildings of the present-day Patiala which
include the Olympic Stadium, the Moti Bagh Palace, the
Mahendra Maharani Club, the Army Headquarters, New
Rajendra Hospital, Mohindra College, Punjabi University,
and the historical places like the Qila Mubarik, the
Bahadurgarh Fort, the Baradari Gardens and the historical
Gurdwara DukhNiwaran Sahib present a queer amalgam of the
old and the new. It, therefore, needs apt attention of
the state government for an overall improvement and
development in all spheres so that its pristine glory
could be restored. — J.S. Bedi |
Dimpa flays Chief Minister RAYYA (Amritsar), June 10 — The newly appointed General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress, Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa, has announced to organise a protest march from Amritsar to Chandigarh next month against the alleged rampant corruption and “anti-people” policies of the state government. Talking to TNS after his appointment as one of the six general secretaries of the Indian Youth Congress here today, Mr Dimpa said the Youth Congress would also gherao the Chief Minister and the Punjab Assembly in the near future as corruption had “surpassed all previous records”. Himself a terrorist victim, Mr Dimpa said the Youth Congress wouldn’t allow the state government to revive the old “black days”. He alleged that “mishandling” of religious issues by Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his party might given energy to radicals to bring back militancy. It may be recalled that Mr Dimpa was injured by terrorists in 1987 when he was going from Rayya to his native village, Lidhar. Earlier, his father, Sant Singh, MLA, Beas, was shot dead by militants on April 28, 1986, when he was returning after paying obeisance at a gurdwara. The appointment of Mr Dimpa has been hailed by Capt Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Mr Varinder Kataria, both former PPCC chiefs, Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, Mr Balbir Singh, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, Mr Avtar Henry, Mr Harbans Lal, Mr Romesh Dogra, Mr Bhagwan Dass Arora, Mr Shamsher Singh Dulo and many other senior Congress leaders. They expressed the hope that Mr Dimpa would rejuvenate the Youth Congress. Replying to a question, Mr Dimpa said he was a true Congressman. He claimed that there was no groupism in the party adding that minor differences were being blown out of proportion by some vested interests. Mr Dimpa said the Youth Congress would gear up for elections as there was a possibility of a mid-term poll in the state. He said the performance of the Punjab Youth Congress was adjudged the best during the Nawanshahr byelections when he was its President. He said the Youth Congress would mobilise the voters by organising rallies and functions all over the state. Mr Dimpa said the Youth Congress would give all possible help to the families of police officials who were “jailed for fighting against terrorism”. He said it was the duty of every Indian to assist these “brave” policemen who fought the “battle of the nation”. Mr Dimpa alleged that the Badal government had failed on all fronts. He said the SAD-BJP alliance was “unholy” as they had joined hands to grab power and had “failed” to come up to the expectations of the voters. Mr Dimpa also flayed Mr
Badal for having “failed” on religious fronts.
He alleged that the activities of the RSS would give
energy to radicals which could prove dangerous. The
unceremonious removal and appointments of Jathedars of
Akal Takht had also defamed Sikhs all over the world, he
said. |
Public health experts seek role CHANDIGARH, June 10 — While cost of an individual’s medicare has escalated because of advances in technology, the general state of health of the people in Punjab has not improved. Even the focus of policy-makers has shifted to “curative” services from environmental oriented preventive programmes. In other words public health has been marginalised. An artificial division has been created between preventive and promotive services and curative aspects of medicare. Would it not be more worthwhile to take care of contaminated water and deal more effectively with sanitation rather than treating patients suffering from water-borne diseases. There is growing concern among teachers dealing with social and preventive medicine or those qualified in public health, community medicine and health the way public health services have been ignored. The experts feel they be assigned to handle specialised public health jobs rather than allowing “clinical” specialists to do the same. Says Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine, Dr A.S. Padda, “Poverty itself is a ruthless killer in any society. It affects at least one-third of the population and remains a major cause of human suffering.” Women, it has been observed, are more vulnerable since they carry a high-risk of reproductive diseases and death. While allocation for health remains a low priority (as percentage of the national budget) the country continues to endure ravages of health problems ranging from diarrhoeal diseases to malnutrition or under-nutrition besides emerging infections, encompassing HIV and AIDS. Many other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, plague etc are re-emerging with vengeance, adds Dr Padda, working at the Government Medical College, Amritsar. The high-risk behavioural syndrome of the people who indulge in smoking and drug abuse is another problem. Thus due to engineered degeneration of public health services, the country and the community get burdened with communicable and non-communicable diseases. It is here the role of specialists in public health comes in. Consequently, there is no coordination or net-working between public health experts and clinicians. Suggesting re-orientation of the health and medical teaching system, several doctors pointed out that while specialists like cardiologists and neuro-surgeons operate in their respective fields, the “other” specialists are posted against specific posts in public health services as if this branch is inconsequential. Unless public health administrative wing of the health department is also manned by the experts concerned coordinated planning would neither be possible nor situation improve. It was stated that effect of therapeutic medicine was “visible” in the growth of medical and pharmaceutical industry and associations which act as power brokers and lobby with the government. The role of public health specialists remained “invisible”, so did the gains, since it involved changing and modifying behaviour of the individual, institution, community and even environment which alone can ensure effective management of health services. All this would mean more stress on preventive and promotive actions. For meaningful and sustainable development of the economy and for equitable distribution of services, only trained public health experts can play a role since they have knowledge of epidemiology — a branch of science which deals with frequency, distribution and determinates of health and diseases. This field is neglected at present because of commercial interests . Not many students opt for public health specialisation. In the West, however, public health recognition is vital because of its importance as a preventive step. Expenditure on secondary
and tertiary health care is understandable. But the
government must ensure management of more funds for
primary health care through public health experts rather
than clinical specialists. Together, however, the two can
better supplement their roles in the interest of the
community, enveloped as it is by pollution and
insanitation. Martyrs’ families await
relief FATEHGARH SAHIB: Among the Kargil martyrs, six belong to this district. Mr Madho Ram of Jalbera village says his son Lalit Kumar, 19, of the 13 Sikh regiment was killed at the North Glacier base camp. On his Bhog ceremony Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, Minister for Defence Welfare, announced an aid for the family. The family got only Rs 2 lakh whereas other rehabilitation measures like house, gas agency or petrol pump, from the Army and civil authorities are yet to reach the family. Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Dr Harbans Lal, MLA, announced a grant, but it has not reached the family. Mr Ajit Singh, father of martyr Gurbax Singh of Bhadal Thua village told that his son had joined the 14 Sikhs regiment. He was killed at Chorbatla post in Operation Vijay. Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, gave ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the family on his Bhog ceremony. He said work on a gate in the memory of his son and the memorial, announced on his Bhog ceremony, is yet to start. With the efforts of Mr Balwant Singh Shahpur, MLA, the family got a cheque of Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister. The family still awaits the promised appointment letter to martyrs sister. Martyr Hav. Dilbagh Singh of Panechan village was killed in the Mendhar sector during Operation Rakshak. On his Bhog ceremony Rs 2 lakh grant was given to the family. His widow has been given a job in Deputy Commissioner’s office. A cheque of Rs 5 lakh for house has also been given to the family, whereas other grants announced are yet to be given. Martyr Sepoy Bhag Singh of the 7 Sikh Light Infantry of Pola village was killed during Operation Rhino. A dispute has erupted in the family. He was married to Lakhwinder Kaur, sister of his Bhabhi, but Muqlawa was yet to be finalised. Lakhwinder claims herself as the widow of Bhag Singh, whereas his parents deny the claim on the ground that she had stayed with their son. The widow and the parents have written to the authorities. The Branch recruiting office, Patiala has ordered verification. The grant of Rs 2 lakh and pension has been divided between the contestants. Two other martyrs Sepoy Najar Singh of Sidhwa village and Sepoy Kanwaljit Singh of Khera village, were also given an ex gratia of Rs 50,000 each with the efforts of Capt. Kesar Singh, Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare Board, Fatehgarh Sahib, from the Indo Canadian Time, a Canada-based new paper. Mr Balwant Singh
Shahpur, MLA, has taken the case of all families with the
Chief Minister and urged him to fulfil all the promises
made to martyrs’ families. |
Anti-TB drive for hotel
workers SANGRUR, June 10 — All restaurants in Punjab will soon have to ensure that their workers are not suffering from tuberculosis (TB). In a communiqué to all Civil Surgeons in the state, the Director, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab, has stated that as per the meeting of the Health Secretaries of various states held at New Delhi, the Principal Secretary, Health, has directed that a medical fitness certificate for workers of restaurants stating that they are “free from TB”, should be issued before issuing them licences. A survey of the workers of restaurants, hotels and cafeterias would be carried out to ensure that all workers were free from TB. Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, admitted that he was aware of the communiqué and had already taken steps to ensure that restaurants and hotels in the district had workers who were “free from TB”. Dr Bansal said he had written to all Executive Officers (EOs) of the municipal councils of the district to ensure that now licences should be issued only to those restaurants and hotels that procured “free from TB” certificates from the district authorities for their workers. He asked the EOs not to issue a licence to any new restaurant in future till it submitted the “free from TB” certificates for its workers. Dr Bansal said he had drawn up a plan to conduct a survey of the staff of restaurants and hotels. Under this plan, special camps would be organised across the district to detect TB patients among people working in restaurants, hotels and dhabas. Besides proper treatment, they would be persuaded not to work at the restaurants and hotels till they recuperated completely. Mr Nazar Singh, EO of the local municipal council, said the municipal councils did not consider workers’ health before issuing a licence to any restaurant, hotel or dhaba. Dr Surinder Singla, honorary secretary, Public Relations, Punjab unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and specialist in TB and chest diseases, urged the government to make it mandatory for all catering establishments to employ only “TB free” workers industrial units and farmers to prevent the spread of the disease. He said the IMA would soon launch a special anti-TB campaign in the state to make people aware of the disease, its diagnosis and its treatment. Dr Singla said he knew
that certain persons suffering from TB were working in
restaurants, hotels, dhabas and barber shops but in the
absence of proper guidelines from the government. He
expressed his inability to take action against them. |
BKU (Ekta), admn reach
‘compromise’ BATHINDA, June 10 — The BKU (Ekta) activists today reportedly decided to withdraw all types of agitations which were launched by them following the killing of two Dalit youths at Jethuke village in the police firing on January 31. Official sources claimed that the BKU (Ekta) leadership decided to withdraw its agitations when the district administration promised that one member of those families would be given government jobs whose members were killed in the police firing. The compromise between the district administration and the BKU (Ekta) activists was reportedly reached late this evening after a meeting. Two Dalit youths were killed on January 3, when the police allegedly resorted to firing to disperse a violent mob. The BKU activists who were protesting against the overcharging of the fare by the mini-bus operators on the rail track of Jethuke village had jammed the rail traffic. After the killing of two Dalit youths, who were earning members of their family, the Punjab Government also gave compensation of Rs 50,000 each to such families. In a press note faxed from Deputy Commissioner’s office here this evening claimed that all aspects of Jethuke firing incident were discussed and solutions to all problems had been arrived at. Sources said that the BKU (Ekta) activists and the district administration had decided to continue court cases which were related with the killing of two youths and jamming of rail traffic on January 31. The district administration had also accepted the demand of the BKU (Ekta) for charging the old fare of bus on certain link road routes. Sources added that the
district administration had also decided to make
arrangements for more monetary compensation to those
families which had lost their kin in this agitation. |
Tributes paid to Giani Kartar
Singh HOSHIARPUR, June 10 — Paying tributes to Giani Kartar Singh, a veteran leader of Akali politics, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, said Giani Kartar Singh rendered commendable service not only to the Sikh panth but also to Punjab and the country. Mr Badal was addressing a gathering at Giani Kartar Singh Memorial Government College at Tanda, 32 km from here, on the 26th death anniversary of Giani Kartar Singh today. He said Giani Kartar Singh, after the partition of the country in 1947, made tireless efforts for the rehabilitation of migrants from Pakistan. Later under the influence of Master Tara Singh he became active in politics. He remained a minister in the Cabinet of Partap Singh Kairon. The Chief Minister said a befitting memorial in Giani Kartar Singh’s memory would be built in Punjab. He announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the college. Bibi Mohinder Kaur, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Balbir Singh, Minister for Higher Medical Education and Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, SGPC, were among those who paid rich tributes to Giani Kartar Singh. JALANDHAR (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the Punjab and Haryana High Court decision to order a CBI probe into the death of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur, “is fine with us”. “Whatever decision the court has given is fine with us,” Mr Badal told reporters in the presence of Bibi Jagir Kaur. He said the government had entrusted the inquiry into Harpreet’s death to the Inspector-General of Police (Crime), Mr K.K. Attri, who was yet to submit his full report. The court ordered a CBI
probe into Harpreet’s death yesterday on a petition
by a youth Kamaljit Singh, who claimed he had married her
and fathered her still-born child and that she died under
“mysterious” circumstances. |
Powers to civic bodies promised PATIALA, June 10 — "More powers will be given to zila parishads, market committees, municipal corporations and panchayats in the state." This was stated by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, at the inauguration of a community centre at Model Town here toady. The Municipal Corporation handed over the charge of the centre to the Model Town Welfare Association today. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said from now, 60 per cent of the revenue generated by the zila parishads and market committees would be reserved exclusively for the development purposes. He also said the excise tax which was to be paid to the municipal committees and corporations of the state would be given directly to these local bodies. "This year, Rs 30 crore will be spent on the infrastructure and maintenance of schools by panchayats," he said. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the state government was working for the development of both rural and urban areas. He also said the the Municipal Corporation had drawn up a plan to develop the sewerage facilities in the highly-populated Model Town area. For this, the
corporation had received a Rs 45 crore loan from HUDCO
and work on improving the sewerage facilities in the area
would begin soon, he said. |
'Class IV staff harass
patients' PATIALA, June 10 — Mr Krishan Sharma, President of the Youth Club of Theri village, alleged that patients and their attendants in Government Rajindra Hospital were being harassed by Class IV employees of the hospital. Mr Sharma made these allegations at the Sangat Darshan organised at the Deputy Commissioner's office here today. Mr Gagandeep Singh, ADC (Development), listened to the grievances of the persons and referred these to the departments concerned. Mr Sharma alleged that when patients were either brought to the Emergency Ward or referred to the other wards, Class IV employees demanded money from them. He also criticised the attitude of the cycle-stand contractors, who he said, demanded more than the actual rates for parking bicycles. Mr Gagandeep Singh referred the complaint to the Medical Superintendent of Rajindra Hospital. Mr.Gagandeep Singh also asked the SDM to look into the complaint that in the office of the Patwari of Shutrana in the Samana tehsil, there was no proper arrangement to sit. In another case,
Karamjit Kaur, a resident of the Rajpura bypass, alleged
that her mother-in-law, Prem Lata, and father-in-law,
Puran Chand, were harassing her. Harbans Kaur of Akbarpur
Afghan village alleged that the local Gurdwara Committee
had encroached upon her land. Both these cases were
brought to the notice of the SSP. |
Society honours Madan PATIALA, June 10 — Mr Madan Lal Hasija, Director of the Languages Department of Punjab, was honoured by the National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS) at a function held here today. The NTAS National Millennium Award was presented to Mr Hasija for his services in the fields of languages and theatre. Among the prominent
persons who attended the function, were the Chairman of
the Improvement Trust, Mr Manmohan Singh Bajaj, Jigar
Jalandhari and Prof A.K. Shahi. |
Good Samaritan PHAGWARA, June 10 — In a noble gesture, Mr Gian Singh Sandhar has set an example by bearing the entire cost of metalling the “phirni” (kutcha circular village road) at the nearby Pandwa village. A PSSSB member, Mr Jarnail Singh Wahad, today inaugurated the road. While addressing a
public meeting on the occasion, Mr Wahad underlined the
importance of public cooperation with the government to
achieve better results. Mr Sarwan Singh Kular, chairman
of the local market committee, and Mr Mohinder Singh
Pandwa, organiser of the function, also spoke on the
occasion. Mr Sandhar was felicitated for his gesture. |
Thein Dam to start generation
from Sept PATIALA, June 10 — Punjab Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh yesterday said Thein Dam would start generating power from the first week of September. Addressing a function organised by the Employees Federation, Punjab State Electricity Board here, Capt Kanwaljit said the state government had given liberal financial assistance for the completion of the dam last year. The minister said the state government had spent Rs 1100 crore to give additional benefits to its employees and would continue to support their genuine demands. He urged that the PSEB employees should also work towards improving the financial health of the board. The federation
president, Mr Surinder Singh, listed the problems being
faced by the employees and urged for their speedy
redress. Others who spoke on the occasion were Manjit
Singh Chahal and Bikkar Singh Makhania besides
Improvement Trust Chairman and SAD (Urban) president
Manmohan Singh Bazaz. |
Handloom workers go on strike AMRITSAR, June 10 — More than 20,000 handloom and powerloom workers went on a strike today to press for the acceptance of their long-standing demands. Consequently, about 500 powerloom and handloom units remained closed. The workers have been
demanding a 20 per cent hike in their wages. Mr Amarjit
Singh Asal, Secretary, Punjab State Committee, AITUC, Mr
Jaikaran Singh Pathania and Mr Des Raj, President and
General Secretary of the Textile Mazdoor Exta Union, Mr
Vijay Mishra, Vice-President, Punjab CITU, were among
those who addressed the workers. They warned the owners
of the handloom and powerloom units to accept the genuine
demands of workers; otherwise they would be forced to
intensify their agitation. |
Halwarvi bereaved CHANDIGARH, June 10 — Giani Arjan Singh (80), father of Mr Harbhajan Singh Halwarvi, Editor, Punjabi Tribune, died at Leicester (UK) last evening. He was 80. He was suffering from cancer for the past some months. His cremation will take place after Mr Halwarvi reaches Leicester. Mr Halwarvi is scheduled to leave for the UK on Monday. Giani Arjan Singh, spent his most part of the life at Halwara town. For the past 10 years he had been living with his younger son Avtar Singh at Leicester. Giani Arjan Singh had participated in the Punjabi Suba movement. He had been interned in the Hisar jail for some time. He is survived by four
sons and two daughters. |
1 killed, 27 hurt as bus hits tree JALANDHAR, June 10 (PTI) — One person died and 27 persons were injured, eight of them seriously, today when a Punjab Roadways bus hit a roadside tree after its driver lost control near Bajwa Kalan village in Shahkot, the police here said. Superintendent of Police
(Headquarters) M.F. Farooqui said that the
Jalandhar-bound bus, belonging to Punjab Roadways’
Jalandhar Depot, was coming from Fazilka when the driver
lost control on the uneven road stretch between Shahkot
and Kawa the pattan. |
Clerk held for taking bribe JALANDHAR, June 10 — In a crackdown against corruption the Vigilance Bureau has nabbed a clerk of the District Transport Office (DTO) and three agents hired by him for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 150 for issuing registration certificate to a veterinary scientist. Ms Gurpreet Deo, SP, Vigilance, said Mr Vinod Sethi, the complainant, had gone to the DTO to get his scooter registered after completing all formalities. Harmesh Singh, a clerk demanded Rs 150 from him for getting the job done. He was arrested while taking the bribe amount one of rooms of old DC office along with three agents. Each agent had been hired by him for Rs 1500 per month. A sum of Rs 8700 was recovered from them. Similarly, two agents
Iqbal Singh and Harminder Singh involved in the racket
were arrested from Ladowali road and Rs 17,000 and stamps
of DTO office were recovered from them, while another
such agent was arrested from Machhi Market here, said Ms
Deo. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
