 |
|
| Thursday, June 29, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Aliwal sacks 5 YAD leaders 4 SAD leaders support Badal 79 cr released for Amritsar airport PU fee hike: students dharna today Plan to widen Ghaggar Nurses refuse to wear uniform
Cong Sewa Dal holds dharna
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jawans
help desilt tanks Vedanti lays
stone of dental centre Identity crisis hits road Society makes rural women independent by creating craft centres Showrooms remain without occupants Undeclared power
cuts ‘routine’ CM, DGP urged to solve tussle Seat reserved for Punjab in RIMC Punjab doctor
honoured Contract labourers
begin chain fast
Woman posing as ‘devi’ exposed Labourer held for raping infant Man kills father’s
murderer Man arrested for
raping niece Three held for
robbery, rape
|
|
Aliwal sacks 5 YAD leaders JALANDHAR June 28 — The ongoing bickerings in the Youth Akali Dal, an important frontal organisation of the ruling SAD, have intensified with the removal of five leaders by the YAD president, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, putting the number of leaders removed by him during the past one to 11 months. Mr Aliwal said the reason behind the formal dismissal of Mr Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, senior vice president, Mr Sarabjit Singh Dhillon, Mr Nidharak Brar, chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Mr Parminder Pal Singh Khalsa, president of the district unit of the YAD and Mr Gurlabh Singh Jhandeana, was their indulging in “indiscipline” and “anti-organisation activities, these leaders, however, alleged that Mr Aliwal was bent upon sidelining those loyal to the SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy. All five leaders and 11 district presidents had sent their resignations to Mr Badal after a meeting here yesterday to protest against the recent removal of six senior YAD leaders by Mr Aliwal, who, in turn, alleged that these leaders were misusing the name of Mr Sukhbir Badal and dragging him in to a controversy. Mr Aliwal said today that all those who had tendered their resignations had been issued show-cause notices and if they failed to reply within three days, they would be replaced with new office-bearers. He also claimed that a number of those who had been issued show cause notices had called him up and apologised for charting a “wrong path.” “They have assured of their support to me,” claimed Mr Aliwal. The rebels have been alleging that Mr Aliwal had no right to take any action against them since he was not the president of the YAD. They have been saying that though Mr Aliwal was made Head of a 21 member committee formed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal in connection with the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations, he was never renominated by the Chief Minister as president and hence Mr Aliwal could not have issued a list of office-bearers which he did during the Nawanshahr bye-elections. Mr Aliwal rejected the contention saying Mr Parkash Singh Badal had openly addressed him as the YAD president during a function at Dasuya immediately after the conclusion of the tercentenary celebrations. While rebels claimed support of 17 of 21 members of the committee, Mr Aliwal said the committee had ceased to function after the tercentenary celebrations and had no relevance at present. He went a step further by saying that these leaders were “publicity starved” and had never participated in any programme launched by the YAD leadership. |
|
4 SAD leaders support Badal CHANDIGARH, June 28 — Four senior Akali leaders today strongly supported the setting up of a true federal structure in the country and lauded the efforts of the Shiromani Akali Dal President and Punjab Chief
Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in bringing this dream on the doorstep of reality. In a statement released through the party secretary, Prof Kirpal Singh Badunagar, here, Jathedar Tota Singh, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Mr Ajit Singh Kohar described Mr Badal as a steadfast campaigner for more powers to the States. The leaders recalled that Mr Badal has continued his crusade for more powers to the States at various meetings of the National Development Council, Inter-State Council as well as other fora such as the Jaipur convention of Chief Ministers. These leaders ridiculed Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra for his demand for the passage of a resolution on federalism in the Punjab Assembly saying that this only showed political ignorance of the former SGPC chief. They pointed out that the issue of federal structure and more powers to the States had been repeatedly raised in the Governor's Address in at least four sessions of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and the same Address had been adopted by the House. Even the Punjab Accord which had been unanimously approved by Parliament spoke about the need for more powers to the States. Hence, Mr Tohra's demand is no more than a political gimmick. Mr Tohra's role had been confined to issuing press statements only. |
PU fee hike: students dharna today CHANDIGARH, June 28 — The Panjab University Campus Students Council today threatened that the new session will not be allowed to start in case the university didn’t withdraw the proposal of fee hike. The university is planning to raise the fee on the pattern of Guru Nanak Dev University. The council has given a call to students of colleges and the campus to join the dharna in front of the Administration Block during the syndicate meeting tomorrow. The decision was announced at a press conference here today. Apart from Dayal Pratap Singh Randhawa, President of the Council, the press conference was addressed jointly by Mr Chand Singh Madaan, Chairman of the Haryana Students Association (HSA) and Mr Surat Negi, President of the campus unit of the ABVP. Munish Anand, a former president of the campus council from the Panjab University Students Union was also present on the occasion. The students leaders were unanimous on the resolution about the dharna. Dayal Singh Randhawa, also president of the Students' Organisation of Panjab University, said it was probably for the first time that different student organisations ‘had come on a common platform.’ Without formal approval of the fee by the Senate how can an amount under the fee head figure in the budget proposals scheduled for tomorrow’s meeting. In case new fee was implemented, the figures would change he said. Randhawa said that syndicate had been careless in passing the issue in the house earlier. “Two members of the syndicate were with me on a committee studying fee hike. Both walked out with me on the hike issue. I would say that none of the members earlier had full information on the subject. This reduced the budget to nothing more than a cruel joke,” he added. Chand Singh Madaan said that coming together of various student organisations should send clear signals to the university. The agitation starts with a demonstration tomorrow. If the proposal gets a nod for implementation, there would be no alternative left but to force closure of classes. A memorandum of demands will be submitted to the syndics tomorrow. Even the Panjab University Teachers Association in a press note released yesterday has called the proposed fee hike unjustified. Surat Negi said that there was no need to bring PU on par with GNDU. Panjab University was Centrally funded and also the size varied vastly. If a decision in students’ favour was not taken tomorrow, the students will ensure that no meeting of the Senate takes place he said. Munish Anand said that following a student agitation, the university had earlier decided that no decision in matters pertaining to students would be taken without discussion with their representatives. This decision has been totally disregarded. Dayal added that earlier it was said the fee hike would be up to 10-12 per cent. “We would not mind even 20 per cent, but the proposed hike is totally unjustified,” he added.  |
|
Plan to widen Ghaggar SANGRUR, June 28 — The Punjab Government has drawn up a plan to widen the bed of the Ghaggar, to tackle the problems of floods which create havoc during the rainy season in some parts of the state. This was stated by Mr Bikramjit Singh, Principal Secretary, Irrigation, Punjab, while inaugurating a bridge at Kalia village along the Punjab and Haryana border near Lehragaga in the district, yesterday. The newly built bridge connects two villages Kalia and Sadhanwas — on the border. He said work on the widening of the river bed would begin this year. He said once the work was completed, loss of life and property due to floods would be checked. Mr Bikramjit Singh disclosed the state government was considering the problem of floods due to the Ghaggar near Khanauri. He said an amount of Rs 25.15 crore, taken from NABARD, was being spent to control the floods in the Khanauri area. He disclosed that the Punjab Government had earlier drawn up a plan to control the floods caused by the Ghaggar, but the Haryana Government had not given its assent to execute it. He said under the plan, bridges were to be constructed near Pinjore at a cost of Rs 350 crore and near Dera Bassi at a cost of Rs 60 crore. Mr Bikramjit Singh also claimed that the Thein Dam, built at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore, would soon start power generation. He said with the generation of 600 MW power by the Thein Dam, there would be no shortage of power in the state. Later, the Principal Secretary along with officials of the Irrigation
Department toured Moonak, Khanauri and Chandu villages to check the flood-control works. |
|
79 cr released for Amritsar airport CHANDIGARH, June 28 — The Central Government has released Rs 79.26 crore to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the upgradation of the Amritsar airport as per international standards. In a
communiqué addressed to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Union Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav said AAI planned to upgrade and develop the Amritsar airport in a phased manner. In the first phase it was planned to construct a new air conditioned international terminal building , new technical control tower, new cargo complex and to resurface the runway. Mr Badal said the completion of the project would usher in an era of socio-economic development and attracted a large number of Punjabis who were settled abroad and evinced keen interest for setting up their industrial ventures in the state. There had been an inordinate delay in the execution of the project, Mr Badal said adding that the upgradation of the Rs 120 crore Amritsar airport was decided in 1997. The funds, Rs 75 crore , were allocated by the Planning
Commission in the Ninth Five Year Plan. The state has already acquired 139 acres at an approximate cost of Rs 9 crore and given its possession to AAI. The Chief Minister urged Mr Yadav to complete the project on the priority. |
|
Nurses refuse to wear uniform AMRITSAR, June 28 — Posing a serious threat to security and discipline in government hospitals, nurses here are refusing to wear the uniform. The authorities in hospitals are in a quandary over how to impose the rule about donning the uniform. In the absence of any cooperation from the state government, the nurses refuse to budge from their stand. Consequently, more than a thousand nurses in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Eye and ENT Hospital in Amritsar, Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, Faridkot, and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, report for duty in informal salwar kameez. The approved uniform is a light blue-coloured salwar kameez with dupatta. The white skirt worn in the early
eighties was changed when fundamentalism and terrorism were on rise in Punjab. “This (not wearing the uniform) has been going on for a year now,” says Dr H.S. Gill, Medical Superintendent. The uniform allowance for all nurses was stopped in January which only made them more adamant. The nurses’ refusal to wear the uniform has caused a serious breach in security at government hospitals as was evident when a woman impersonating as a nurse abducted a new-born baby girl from Guru Nanak Dev Hospital a few months ago. Incidentally most of these hospitals have a Prisoners’ Ward which requires strict vigilance. It is learnt that a relative of a prisoner posing as a nurse met the prisoner without any hitch. After a while she became a familiar face and nobody suspected her identity till another prisoner exposed her. Doctors also fear that anything can be administered to patients by such impersonators. Petty crimes and thefts reportedly take place often due to such breach in security. Patients too have started harbouring suspicions in case of change of duties of nurses. “Discipline has been eroded because of nurses’ adamant attitude,” laments Dr Gill. Nurses call this a form of silent protest against the hospitals and state authorities for the promises that were made but never kept. Ms Gurcharan Kaur, general secretary of the Punjab Nurses Association, came out strongly against the policies of the state government citing last year’s strike. She said nurses’ representatives met the state Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, on June 4, 1999, to demand an increase in the nursing and uniform allowances. The minister had reportedly assured them of an increase on a par with nurses working in the Centre. “A nurse working under the Central Government is being given Rs 1,600 as nursing allowance (non-professional) and Rs 400 as uniform allowance, whereas we, under the Punjab Government, are being given just Rs 100 as uniform allowance. Why the difference?” questions Ms Gurcharan Kaur. She defended the nurses’ stand on not wearing the uniform as a “silent protest” that does not hamper the working in hospitals. Nor is this a major inconvenience to the patients, she added. |
Cong Sewa Dal holds dharna FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 28 — The district unit of the Punjab Congress Sewa Dal organised a dharna at the Sirhind railway crossing today to press its demand for the construction of a railway overbridge at Sirhind. Hundreds of Congress workers and residents of the town participated in the dharna. Addressing the gatherings Dr Harbans Lal, MLA and chairman of the sewa dal, criticised the Badal government for ignoring the Sirhind area on the pretext that it was the home town of Mr Tohra. He said the overbridge, which would be the life-line of the district, was badly needed as more than 600 trains pass daily through the town. Several patients who needed to be taken to Patiala and Chandigarh for treatment died while waiting at the crossing. Dr Harbans Lal said for the past two years, various ministers, Akali leaders and even the Chief Minister had been making announcements that the overbridge had been sanctioned, but nothing had been done so far. The overbridge, he said, was sanctioned during the regime of late Beant Singh, but the Punjab Government had not yet contributed its share. He said if the construction work on the overbridge did not begin next month, an indefinite hunger strike would be started on the railway crossing site. |
|
Jawans help desilt tanks ABOHAR: The water storage and purification tanks of the rural water supply scheme in Bakayanwala village in Hindumalkot sector had not been cleaned for 14 years. The water was giving a foul smell and this was noticed by Maj M.S. yadav of 19 JAK (J&K) Rifles when his troops were posted in this sector after they had shown valour in the Kargil operations. The Public health Department had no funds for this purpose and the panchayat led by the sarpanch, Mrs Balwinder kaur Chauhan, had started a kar sewa exercise, but for the villagers, it looked an uphill task. The Major put his men on the job, and the villagers, encouraged by the help from the Army also redoubled their efforts. In four days, the two tanks were completely desilted. now the 15000 gallon overhead reservoir is filled twice a day with the help of motors, giving drinking water supply to two segments of the village for two hours each. Besides, the silt removed from the tanks was found useful on the farms. According to the sarpanch, canal water was supplied to the water works once in a week for 11 hours. But the supply at the tail-end of the water distribution system was so meagre that it did not fill even half the tank. But recently even the supply of canal water had been streamlined. The scarcity of drinking water was further accentuated when water from this source was also used for the cattle. There used to be six ponds for the use of cattle. One of these has been encroached upon by farmers, and the other five are filled with sullage, since the village has no effective drainage system. So drinking water is also used for bathing the cattle. If the ponds are freed from the sullage, canal water can be stored there for the cattle. This can ensure enough water for human as well as cattle consumption, now that with the help of the jawans, the supply of potable water has been streamlined. |
|
Vedanti lays
stone of dental centre GURDASPUR, June 28 — Mr Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht on Moday laid the foundation stone of a Dental Science and Research Centre on the premises of the 100-bedded Ujagar Singh Sekhwan Memorial Hospital at Sekhwan, village 40 km from here. Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Rehabitation and Revenue Minister, and Baba Kashmira Singh, president Sant Samaj, were also present on the occasion. Mr Vedanti addressing a gathering on the occasion appreciated the working of the hospital built in the memory of
veteran politician Ujagar Singh Sekhwan. He appealed to the management of the hospital to allocate 10 beds for
de-addiction patients. He appealed to those present to make sure that their wards did not become drug addicts. Mr Sekhwan said the BDS classes would be started at the centre and admissions to the course would be made in September. In addition, paramedical and nursing classes are proposed to be started at the centre in association with a US university. He said 100 to 150 patients were being examined daily and given medicines free of cost at the hospital. The hospital has a team of specialists which treats patients suffering from various diseases. Mr Sekhwan said the hospital would soon have a facility for performing bypass surgery. He said the Punjab Government had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for setting up mobile health units at blocks level as part of the government’s programme to provide health care to the entire population at its doorsteps by the end of the year. Baba Kashmira Singh said the centre would prove a boon for the population of this backward area and announced a contribution of Rs 21,000 for the centre. Mr Vedanti and Baba Kashmira Singh were presented siropas on the occasion. |
|
Identity crisis hits road FROZEPORE, June 28 — The controversy over renaming of a road by the local Municipal Council has deepened. The Khai Road earlier known as Mandir Nainu Bhagat has been renamed as Pastor Karam Chand Road. Pastor Karam Chand was father-in-law of the council’s senior vice-president-cum-acting president, Ms Kinder Hans. In repose to a request made by Mr Jatinder Mehra, secretary of the Bhagat Narain Dass Mehra Mandir Trust, the road was named after Mandir Nainu Bhagat vide the council’s resolution (No 293) on December 12, 1992. The temple situated along the road, was founded by forefathers of Mr Mehra about a 100 years ago. The controversy started when the council vide its resolution (No. 88 dated June 22, 2000) named the road after Pastor Karam Chand who had died a few months ago. Mr Jatinder Mehra has submitted a memorandum in protest against the renaming of the road to the Deputy Commissioner, the Deputy Director (local government) and the SDM. In the memorandum, submitted on Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by The Tribune today, Mr Jatinder Mehra has said a large number of devotees used to visit the ancient temple where important Hindu festivals were held regularly. The renaming of the road has thus hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Mr Mehra apprehended that the execution of resolution No. 88 was likely to create communal tension. Talking to The Tribune, the RSS Mandal Secretary, Mr Dina Nath, said renaming of the road had hurt religious sentiments of members of one community. He alleged that the road had been renamed after Pastor Karam Chand merely because he was the father-in-law of Ms Kinder Hans. He added that if authorities wanted to honour Pastor Karam Chand then they could have named the locality to which he belonged after him. Mr Dina Nath urged the administration to intervene in the matter. Leaders of the Bajrang Dal and Mahavir Dal also criticised the move and demanded cancellation of Resolution No. 88. Meanwhile, the road was renamed after Pastor Karam Chand on request of Mr Rajinder Kumar who had claimed in his application that Pastor Karam Chand, a resident of Bhattiwali locality, was a very religious-minded person, therefore, the road should be named after him. Basti Bhattian is located along the road. Ms Kinder Hans, however, could not be contacted for the version. Interestingly, Dr Ravinder Marwaha, a resident of Bhattiwali locality revealed to The Tribune that about two decades ago, the road was named after his uncle — Major Balram Singh Marwaha in recognition of his services rendered during the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. Major Marwaha was also a renowned sportsman and member of the executive, technical and selection committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), he added. Mr Marwaha said he had taken up the issue with the authorities concerned several times during the past few years. But, authorities did not take any action in this regard. “This shows how war heroes and sportsmen are treated after their death”, he said in a choked voice. |
|
Society makes rural women independent by creating craft centres PATIALA, June 28 — Life has changed completely for 35 year old Maya since the last one month. She no longer has to trudge four to 5 km from her village to get raw material to make ‘rakhis ‘ or other nick nacks for city shop keepers. Today she is doing traditional embroidery work as part of the Patiala Handicraft and Handloom Society Limited. There are many others like Maya in her village of Darukota and nearby villages on the periphery of the city who have benefited by working for the Society which makes traditional Phulkari , Bagh and handloom items besides their own innovations. Maya and others are working for the society after literally starting from scratch, its president Rekha Mann disclosed. She said the women who were enrolled by the society were taught several stitches and handloom work before being asked to undertake embroidery and stitching work for the society. One of the women, Sudesh, when visited at a small centre opened by the Society in Darukota said now all the women who came to the centre were assured an honourable income while earlier they had to labour hard for a pittance, making handicraft goods for shopkeepers. She said anyone wishing to join the centre was trained for three months following which they started working regularly for the society. Society president Rekha Mann said the society also offered courses to women of the weaker section which were of three , six and one year duration. She said during the course trainees learnt cutting , tailoring and garment designing. She said following the course students could supply craft work to the Society , operate on their own or work in export-oriented factories. Rekha herself has started from scratch. Although she had done a course in designing , it took a long time for the society to take shape. ‘’ We first worked under a small tin roof ‘’ in the initial stages so that we would not have any overheads. She said the society, however, finally took shape when she was able to convince women in nearby villages that they could make a more fruitful and dignified living by working in the society. Presently, besides heading the Society she has also started a designing unit which has been essentially created to innovate upon handicraft designs. She says the society now had its own room in Darukota and other villages where women could collect everyday and work together. This she said created a better working atmosphere and the women also could be regulated in a better manner. She said the items being made included patch work and embroidery work on linen, Phulkari, Handloom bags, quilt covers and folders besides traditional ladies suits. Mrs Mann, who is also a Director of the Punjab State Industrial Cooperative Federation, Chandigarh, also has the Mahila Excellence award as well as the IMM NABARD award for rural women entrepreneurship. |
|
Showrooms remain without occupants PATIALA, June 28 — Even as the Improvement Trust is going ahead with the construction of the third floor of Beant Singh Shopping-cum-Office Complex here , there seem to be a few takers for the showrooms in the complex , many of which have yet to open shop despite being completed since more than two years . Commercial businesses have sprung up only on the ground floor of the complex which has more than 30 big showrooms, besides booths. However, even on the ground floor some showrooms are still not occupied . The situation of the booths on the ground floor is even worse . Not a single business has been opened in any booth except one which faces the front of the building . The situation of booths on the first floor is similar . Not a single booth has been opened to the public. This has resulted in a decline in the real estate value of the property with ‘ for sale ‘ being written on many booths. The sources said booths could not be opened in the building as they were to act as subsidiaries to the main showrooms . There is hardly any commercial activity in the complex with whatever slight activity there being in the shape of two-wheeler agencies being limited to the ground floor . On the first floor there is a computer centre, besides few offices of a bank and a public sector undertaking . None of the showrooms on the second floor have been occupied despite they being complete . People who own property in the complex say they invested in property in the complex as it is in the centre of the city , one of the only modern complexes of its size and the fact that there is ample parking facility both in front and behind the complex . Those who have taken showrooms have paid sums ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 22 lakh, besides overheads . It is difficult to get return from this as showrooms are not selling at a profit and they are not even being offered rent commensurate with their investment . Former Improvement Trust Chairman Ved Prakash Gupta said the aim behind construction of the complex was to collect all scattered government departments at one site . He said though some government departments , including the Department of Telecommunications, had established an office in the building , the required amount of persuasion was not done later . He said talks had been held with departments , including the Treasury Office which was housed in an unsafe building , to be shifted to the site but could not finalised. Mr Gupta said moreover the concept of a multi-storey commercial complex had still not been established in Patiala as land in various commercial areas was still not so expensive . He said private enterprise had taken advantage of this and set up their own complexes due to which the Beant Singh Complex found it difficult to attract the major players . While the complex has still to pick up , those who have set up shop inside it have their own series of problems . The main problem is that of sanitation and cleanliness . As the complex has still to be completed fully , it has still not been handed over to the Municipal Corporation . Due to this its cleanliness is nobody’s responsibility and it is ill maintained. |
|
Undeclared power
cuts ‘routine’ FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 28 — Residents of Sirhind, Fategarh Sahib and Bassi Pathana are facing undeclared power cuts, particularly at night. While there is occasional power failure during night, it is a routine matter during the day. No official of the local Electricity Department attends to the public complaints in this connection. Mr R.N. Sharma, president of the Citizens Welfare Council, Sirhind, alleged that in spite of repeated complaints, no satisfactory response is received from Electricity Department officials. At times people have to go without power the whole night. The situation in rural areas is worse. Power was restored at Reona Bholla village after 11 days. Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, has directed the PSEB, XEN, to take steps to improve power supply. |
|
CM, DGP urged to solve tussle CHANDIGARH, June 28 — The Punjab Police Services Welfare Association has appealed to the Chief Minister and the Director-General of Police to “intervene” in the on going tussle between the Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Virendra Kumar, and the Superintendent of Police, Mr Mohinder Singh. In a signed statement the association General Secretary, Mr Amarjit Singh, has said that a false case was got registered against Mr Mohinder Singh by the SSP on April 27 on a complaint by an ASI, Mr Tarsem Lal. The investigation was entrusted to the Crime Branch by the DGP the very next day. The case was being investigated by Mr P.S. Gill, AIG. The association wants action against the Gurdaspur SSP. The statement of Mr Amarijit Singh admits that such things in a disciplined force did not augur well as it created unpleasantness. |
|
Seat reserved for Punjab in RIMC CHANDIGARH, June 28 — To seek special status for the candidates of Punjab and Chandigarh taking the test of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehra Dun, the Punjab Government today urged the Director-General of Military Training to take appropriate steps. Mr K.S. Kahlon, Punjab Director, Defence Services Welfare, clarified that the candidates had to appear in the entrance test of the RIMC and in the interview. Seats were reserved on the basis of population of the state. Qualifying examination was conducted jointly for candidates of Punjab and Chandigarh by the Department of Defence Services Welfare. Due to better educational avenues in Chandigarh, candidates from the state were not given adequate opportunity for availing of the reservation facility. Mr Kahlon added that it was for the first time that one seat had been allotted exclusively for Punjab from the July 2000 session. Gurpreet Singh of Mohali had been selected for admission to the RIMC for the coming session. He said qualifying examination for the next session was scheduled to be held on August 1 and 2 this year. The last date for submitting the application forms to the Directorate of Punjab Sainik Welfare Department was June 30. |
|
Punjab doctor
honoured CHANDIGARH, June 27 – The 7th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery held in Singapore recently has given a certificate of appreciation to Dr Kuldeep Singh, a Punjab doctor known as pioneer in laproscopic surgery. Dr Kuldeep Singh, who is also the vice-president of the Indian Association of Laproscopic Surgery was invited to speak at the symposium held on the topic, “ How to tackle difficult gall bladders by laproscopic method”. The gall stone disease is one of the problems faced by almost every second patient visiting the hospital for surgery in the northern states. Dr Kuldeep Singh presented video tapes of hundreds of difficult gall bladder stone cases. other speakers too presented a few cases. The symposium resolved that a difficult gall bladder with previous infections and long-standing cases should be handled by a surgeon having a long experience in general and laproscopic surgeries . Dr Kuldeep Singh said the technique for surgery innovated by him had been accepted as safe and cost-effective for developing countries. |
|
Contract labourers
begin chain fast ROPAR, June 28 — The contract labourers of the Ropar Thermal Plant (RTP) have started chain fast at the main gate of the thermal plant. They are protesting against the decision of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to post surplus staff from the Mukerian and Anandpur Sahib Hydel project at RTP. The PSEB in an order on June 20, 2000, had ordered the creation of 396 posts in RTP to abolish the contract labour system here. However, as many as 1700 contract labourers working here since 10-12 years feel that the PSEB move would deny them the right to get their jobs regularised in RTP.@ |
Woman posing as ‘devi’ exposed AMRITSAR, June 28 — The Majitha police has registered a case against Amarjit Kaur, alias Baba Ambo who used to pose as a ‘devi’ and claimed to have — supernatural — powers. She allegedly robbed an innocent couple of Rs 3,94,600. Amarjit Kaur is famous in her area as one having supernatural powers. It is learnt that her husband Santokh Singh used to ensnare unsuspecting persons and bring them to his wife. One such couple, Amrik Singh and his wife, residents of Rayya, were lured by Santokh Singh. The couple was disturbed over some family problems when Santokh Singh persuaded them to visit his wife to find a solution. When the couple visited Amarjit Kaur, she predicted the death of their son Raja. To ward off the impending tragedy, the couple allegedly paid her Rs 35,000 to perform a ritual. Amarjit Kaur allegedly asked them for more money as some more rituals needed to be performed. The unsuspecting couple are reported to have given Rs 3,94,600 in cash to Amarjit Kaur. Even after parting with money the couple did not find a solution to their problems. Amrik Singh brought this to the notice of some eminent residents of the area. Thereafter he approached the police. Consequently, he was reportedly threatened by Amrjit Kaur that they would invite the wrath of God. The couple then contacted the Tarkshil Society and informed it about their predicament. In the meantime, the police arrested Santokh Singh. Amarjit Kaur and one of her accomplices namely Jagir Kaur, wife of Sadhu Singh, a resident of Dhoda district, are still at large. A case under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC, has been registered against the culprits. Mr Lok Nath Angra, SSP, Majitha, and several police parties had been dispatched to arrest Amarjit Kaur and Jagir Kaur. |
|
Labourer held for raping infant JALANDHAR, June 28 — A 44-year-old migrant labourer, who had allegedly raped a one-month-old girl at a brick kiln at Kanpur village, near here, last week, has been arrested by the police. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said the accused Somaru, a resident of Maharaj Ganj district of UP, who was working as a labourer at the kiln, raped the daughter of a fellow labourer on June 14. Somaru, who had meals with the family of the victim, committed the crime while the family was fast asleep in the other room. A case under Sections 376 and 511 of the IPC has been registered. Forgery: Two persons have been arrested for forging lottery tickets and claiming prizes against these. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said Vinay Kumar, a resident of Data Ganj in UP and Mahesh Kumar Gupta, who were working as lottery agents in Ludhiana, used to forge some digits on lottery tickets and claim prizes for small lotteries worth Rs 100 and Rs 50. A large number of forged tickets were seized from their possession. A case under Sections 420, 465, 474 and 476 of the IPC has been registered. Rioting: The city police on Wednesday identified 12 persons and arrested four of them for indulging in rioting and attacking police officials after the demolition of certain mazars by the municipal corporation on Tuesday. Mr Amar Singh Chahal, SP (City), said 12 residents of Bhargo Camp and Abadpura localities who threw stones at police officials and injured one DSP had been identified. He said Binder Pal and Amarjit, both residents of Abadpura, Sooraj, a resident of Lal Rattan Cinema area and Boota Ram of Johl village had been arrested and efforts were on to nab others. |
|
Man kills father’s
murderer BARNALA, June 28 — Jagtar Singh killed Major Singh, allegedly the murderer of his father Pritam Singh, in broad daylight in the cattle market at Dhanaula, about 10 km from here, with a sword on Tuesday. Mr Ajaib Singh Kaleke, Senior Superintendent of Police, Barnala police district, said the motive behind the murder was revenge and enmity. He said the deceased was sitting on a tractor in the cattle market when he was killed by Jagtar Singh. The SSP said Major Singh had killed Pritam Singh in September, 1987. The Dhanaula police has registered a case against Jagtar Singh and his accomplices Manjit Singh, Surjit Singh and Jagrup Singh under Sections 302, 324, 148 and 149 of the IPC. |
|
Man arrested for
raping niece GURDASPUR, June 28 — The police today arrested Pardeep Kumar, alias Nanda, of Pathankot for allegedly raping his niece, a 14-year-old girl of class VIII. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, in a press note said today that the girl was living with her aunt, who was an artist. Four months back in her absence her husband, the accused, raped the girl. This carried on till the victim shifted to her own house with her mother at Pathankot and narrated the whole story to her. The SSP said the accused offered his sister-in-law Rs 50,000 for not reporting the matter to the police. But the mother of the victim declined the offer and reported the matter to the police. An FIR under Section 376, IPC, was registered against the accused on June 26. The SSP said the accused during his preliminary interrogation confessed to having raped her niece. |
|
Three held for
robbery, rape KAPURTHALA, June 28 (PTI) — Three persons were arrested today on the charge of robbery and raping a married woman of Raipur Pir Bakshwala village under Bholath police station. Mr Iqbal Singh, SSP, today told mediapersons here that the three went to the house of the woman on June 22 at 12.30 a.m. by covering their faces with handkerchiefs after scaling the outer wall of the house. They demanded Rs 50,000 failing which her children would be done to death. The woman handed over six tolas of gold and Rs 5,000 in cash to them. They then raped the victim. The police has registered a case of rape and looting
and started investigation. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
