 |
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| Sunday, July 2, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Cabinet defers discussion on
report Punjab for change in road
alignment Notification of new power rates
issued Narcotic abuse on the rise in
Punjab Brick-kiln owners’ strike
begins
HC allows mother to meet children
weekly Choubachcha Sahib ‘not
gurdwara’ |
|
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Power cuts irk residents Staff shortage cripples
hospital’s working
Sirhind will be model town: DC Flood-control measures reviewed
Warrant
Officer rescues detainee Five injured in factory blast
Move to introduce IT as subject Producing toppers comes naturally
to YPS
|
Cabinet defers discussion on
report CHANDIGARH, July 1 — The withdrawal of the report of an open inquiry into the allegations of malpractices by procurement agencies in kharif 1998-99, placed before the Punjab Council of Ministers' meeting on June 7, by the Department of Food and Supplies is a subject of debate. Why was the discussion deferred when no one has been indicted by the high-level committee? This committee was constituted by the Council on December 16, 1998. Its report was available to the Council on December 1, 1999. A cabinet sub-committee to consider its recommendations was constituted on December 29. It finalised its recommendations on April 17, 2000. The reasons for an open inquiry were: complaints that paddy was purchased from the farmers at arbitrarily low rates and the same was sold to procurement agencies at the minimum support price; malpractices in the allotment of shellers by district food and supplies controllers to various procurement agencies and also in allocation/storage of procured paddy with various millers allocated to each agency; and poor facilities in mandis and irrational manner in which new mandis were opened in a hurry. The recommendations of the sub-committee, comprising Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr Tota Singh, Dr Rattan Singh and Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, are of general nature. These are on effecting improvement in the procurement process, namely, marketing and milling, and breaking the nexus between procurement agencies' and market committees' officials and commission agents (ahrtiyas) so that farmers were not fleeced and got the due price for their produce. The broad recommendations of the Cabinet sub-committee are: 1. discouraging sowing of un-recommended rice varieties like Pusa-44 and PR-103, which are low yielding and susceptible to blight attack; 2. educate farmers not to sow seedlings in advance or transplant before June 10; 3. procurement season will commence only from October 1, every year, and "under no circumstances would be preponed"; 4. a policy be evolved not to open purchase centres in a haphazard manner during the season but before procurement commences. Kutcha purchase centres posed problems. Brick-paved centres be provided; 5. to avoid glut farm-level cleaning be encouraged and bulk-handling system introduced; 6. poor lifting of stock retards procurement. When contractors fail to do their bit ahrtiyas should be involved and tractor-trolleys deployed at the same rate; 7. allocation of mandis to agencies and their procurement share be made on a permanent manner in consultation with MLAs; 8. for proper cleaning of the produce old system of market committees arranging power connections and ahrtiyas paying charges in equal proportion be restored; 9. during wheat season adequate storage space be provided in mandis where a minimum of 10,000 tonnes of produce is marketed. At least 25 per cent should be covered space; 10. in view of the quantum of procurement operations in wheat and paddy a long-term policy be evolved for diversification of crops, food processing and marketing of alternative crops, stress on research to improve per unit yield of sunflower, sugarcane, soybean, sarson, onion etc. The open inquiry was first headed by Mr R.N. Gupta and later by Mr Y.S. Ratra, who took over as Financial Commissioner, Development. The other members were Mr K.S. Janjua (Cooperation), Mr Jai Singh Gill (Rural Development and Panchayats) and Mr P. Ram, Secretary, Food and Supplies. This committee received 51 complaints. While 25 complaints were "mutually settled". Ten demanded compensation for damage caused by rain; but had no complaint against ahrtiyas or procurement agencies. In only five complaints the committee felt that farmers were entitled to payment of difference between price actually paid and the minimum support price. There were nine complaints by way of suggestions and two did not pursue their cases. Various aspects looked into by the committee and its recommendations can be summarised as follows: rice mills should be allotted to agencies on alphabet roaster basis and in a transparent manner; no purchase centre be opened after September 15; whenever new rice varieties are released, the Food and Supplies Department and the Central Food Technology Research Institute be associated; to control moisture, "manual harvesting" be promoted and moisture meters provided to mandis; no auction where purchase is totally by government agencies; set up dispute settlement committees in districts etc. Paddy transplantation is almost over in Punjab. Approximately 25 lakh hectares are sown every year. According to the Punjab Agricultural University's Director of Research, Dr M.S. Bajwa, the main paddy variety being sown is PR-114. Its average yield is 27.50 quintals per acre. It is short statured with stiff straw and narrow dark-green leaves. It has long slender grains and matures in 145 days. It is resistant to blight. Dr Bajwa told TNS from Ludhiana that limited quantities of seed of PR-116 and 115 varieties was sold this year.There is decline in sowing of varieties like IR -8 and Jaya. In Sangrur and Patiala sowing of Pusa-44 and Pr-06, both un-recommended varieties, is done. These are highly susceptible to blight attacks. For Gurdaspur and Amritsar Basmati 370 is recommended. It is a superfine variety with aromatic grains and excellent cooking quality. It lodges under high fertility conditions. Will the government take
cognizance of recommendations of its Cabinet
sub-committee's report and act even though the report is
eloquently silent on malpractices by procuring agencies
with no indictment? |
Punjab for change in road
alignment CHANDIGARH, July 1 — For linking the State’s capital Chandigarh with the four-lane national highway, the Punjab Government has urged the Union Government to alter the alignment of the National highway. Top Officials sources said that the State Government has proposed the diverting of the four-lane National Highway from Ambala to Chandigarh via Lalru and Dera Bassi and link it with four-lane highway at Phagwara via Kharar-Ropar-Nawanshahar and Banga. At present the four -lane highway enters in the State from Ambala through Shambu and passes through Rajpura, Sirhind, Khanna, Ludhiana, Phillaur and Phagwara and Jalandhar. Confirming the proposal mooted in this connection, the Punjab PWD Secretary, Mr Mohinder Singh, said the traffic volume on the Chandigarh-Ambala and Chandigarh-Kharar-Ropar-Nawanshahr and Banga road had gone up manifold in the recent years and there was a need of a four -lane highway to cater to the requirement of people on this route. Moreover, it said that the State capital ought to be linked with the four-lane road. The Union Government has in its kitty Rs 3100 crore and out of this amount 57.5 per cent is to be spent on the construction and improvement of the national highways by the Union Ministry of Surface Transport. The money has been collected from a special cess levied by the Union Government on diesel and petrol for improving the road infrastructure in the country. Meanwhile, the State Government has also urged the Union Defence Ministry and the Union Home Ministry to decide the issue of roads used by the defence forces in the border belt in the State. The State Government wants that the road network used by the defence forces should be repaired and improved by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the defence forces, as is done in case of other States. With facts and figures, the State Government has presented its case to the Defence Ministry. The Punjab Government has stated that the Defence Ministry is discriminating against the State on this issue. Only 58 Km of roads in the entire State is repaired by the BRO while in Jammu and Kashmir as many a s 5852 Km of roads are improved and upgraded by the BRO. In Rajasthan the BRO repairs 3150 Km, in Uttar Pradesh 1108 Km, In Himachal Pradesh 647 Km and in the entire North East 9000 Km of roads is constructed, repaired and upgraded by the BRO. Punjab has a most active border and roads within 14 Km of its border are extensively used by the defence forces. The State Government has told the Defence Ministry that it should be thankful to the State which has provided its network of roads to defence forces in the border belt. But it should now adopt this road network for repair and further upgradation. Top official sources said the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, and the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, had accepted the legitimacy of this demand principally but further action was awaited. When practically Defence Ministry would adopt these roads only the State Government would be convinced that its demand had been conceded, the sources said. Recently a team of the
Punjab Government’s officials of PWD department and
the military personnel had carried a joint exercise
within 14 Km of the border to identify the road network
used by the Army. Sources said that 4198 Km of roads were
identified by the joint team and it was estimated that Rs
982 crore were required for the upgradation of that road
network. |
Notification of new power rates
issued CHANDIGARH, July 1 — The Engineer-in-Chief (Commercial) of the Punjab State Electricity Board today issued a notification giving details of revised rates to be charged from different categories of the consumers. The new rates to be charged from big industrial units will be Rs 3.06 paise per unit, while off-season consumption rate for cotton, pressing, dailing plants, rice shellers, rice bran, stabilisation units will be Rs 3.55 per unit. The notification says that the new rates for medium-scale industrial units will be Rs 2.85 paise per unit and the small industrial units will have to pay at the rate of Rs 2.50 per unit. The domestic power supply rate will be Rs 1.50 per unit. In the case of schedule street lighting supply will be Rs 3.50 paise per unit. The domestic and non-residential supply flat rate will be Rs 4.85 per unit. For fairs, exhibitions,
and congregations the power rates will be bulk supply
tariff plus 50 per cent additional. |
Narcotic abuse on the rise in
Punjab CHANDIGARH, July 1— Narcotic drug abuse is on the rise in Punjab. And the State is in a serious grip of opium, poppy husk and synthetic drug abuse. Sources say that every month more than 10 quintals of poppy husk are seized by the Punjab Police. The fact is that narcotic abuse has assumed rather alarming proportion in the entire North and especially so in Punjab. According to Dr J.S. Lamba, Project Director, Drug De-addiction Centre, SAS Nagar,an extensive random survey carried out way back in 1996-97 had indicated that more than one million drug abuse cases needed intervention in Punjab. " There have not been any more surveys. However, it is obvious from the number of cases coming to our centre and those reported by the Red Cross in Punjab that it is progressively increasing since the last survey." According to the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Mr Rakesh Goyal, in Rajasthan and M.P the cultivation of poppy is permitted and the Central Bureau of Narcotics looks after its cultivation. " Opium is cultivated mainly for the manufacture of painkillers and drugs like morphine. However, elsewhere in the country its cultivation is banned." A person can be fined Rs 1 lakh along with 10 years rigorous imprisonment under the Section 18 of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, if found guilty. According to experts, whereas earlier most of the drug abusers used to be labourers, who used to start with the habit mostly after 40. Now it is increasingly becoming a matter of concern for the social workers and non-government organisations working in the field. Most of the addicts start the habit at 13 . " Nowadays most of the addicts are in the age group 13 to 27 years. In fact, the maximum belong to the teenage group." says Dr Lamba. The Centre in Mohali alone has treated 479 cases in 1997-98, 504 in 1998-99 and 778 in 1999-2000 . " Till June 26, this year we have received 230 cases," he said. According to Dr Lamba, teenagers are mostly into phensedyl, lomotil tablets , proxyvon capsules, morphine injections, diazapam and avil. " Smack is an extremely expensive option with Rs. 300 per gram. It is the more affluent class which is into heroin." In Punjab heroin would cost somewhere between five and 10 lakhs depending upon the place and purity. Sources say that it is cheaper near the border areas. The rate per kilogram increases as it is taken across borders. In the place of its origin in Afghanistan Heroin may cost Rs 20,000-30,000. By the time it reaches Lahore, it sells for Rs 40,000 -50,000. Once it crosses over the border the price increases to Rs 3-5 lakhs. In metropolitan cities and those nearing the coast it sells for Rs 8-10 lakhs. To increase volume, many additions are made in the way. The most common ones are talcum powder. Those controlling the trade are often very rich and powerful people. But the people actually acting as the couriers are mostly poor .Sources say that a courier takes Rs 20,000 to carry one kg. The business is highly lucrative and the margins, massive. With all this, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the police to nab the criminals involved. There are capsules which can encapsulate 500 to 700 grams for a specified period of time in the body. Now , cellular telephones and the Internet have become essentials for the trade. " Earlier naka points used to be quite useful now they have become more or less redundant," says one police officer. The most important fact is that those on the top always maintain a clean slate. Their records are clean. Their houses are clean and so are their income tax returns. " We had some information about this smuggler near Amritsar . He did not have any criminal background. On the night of January 7, this year we received specific information about him. We caught him and others as he had gone to the border to collect a consignment." The nights for such operations across the border are rather well chosen. Smugglers go in for dark and foggy nights. According to sources, those on our side usually do not work on Thursdays and those from across the border take a day off on Friday. Interestingly most of the smugglers are very religious people. They normally are under so much of tension that as a matter of principle they don't operate on certain days. Most of the narcotics from across the border comes via the train that operates between the two countries and the marshy areas in Gujarat The drugs are usually routed via various places to reach their final destinations. In 1998 alone $900 billion worth drug trade took place. Afghanistan produced 4,500 tonne of opium last year. However, the main problem for Punjab is poppy husk. Unlike cultivation of poppy which is looked after by the CNB, poppy husk is a State problem. It has a good content of morphine and costs less than Rs 10 per kg in Rajasthan and M.P. In Punjab though it can fetch up to Rs 400 to 500 per kg. Morphine content in poppy husk is usually about 1.5 to 2 per cent. Most of the workers in Punjab are given this drug in the form of Kehva. Another problem is the
growth of wild cannabis sativa Though its cultivation is
prohibited in Punjab, there are reports that besides wild
growth, it is being cultivated extensively . As a result
the NCB along with the Punjab Police is organising mass
destruction of the plant. |
Brick-kiln owners’ strike
begins SANGRUR, July 1 — Owners of about 275 brick-kilns in this district today began their strike by closing the brick-kilns for an indefinite period and stopping the sale of bricks for seven days. They are protesting against the imposition of royalty of Rs 45 after every 1,000 bricks, 76 per cent increase in the sales tax in the past one-and-half-years, implementation of the Bonded Labour Act and Factory Act on the brick-kilns. Mr Kewal Krishan Longowalia, president of the Sangrur district Brick-Kiln Owners Association, said here this afternoon that the strike in the district was total as no owner of any brick-kiln had sold even a single brick today. Mr Longowalia, however, regretted the inconvenience being caused to the general public on account of the strike but said it had become inevitable due to the indifferent attitude of the state government towards their genuine demands. He said they would not
call off their strike till the acceptance of their
demands by the government. |
Taxes on brick-kiln industry
flayed CHANDIGARH, July 1 — Mr Arvind Khanna, Treasurer, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, has strongly condemned the taxes imposed on brick kiln industry of Punjab. He appealed to the government to take the indefinite strike by brick kiln owners seriously. Mr Khanna said the taxes imposed on the brick kiln industry would not only effect the owners but also the general public for whom the construction of houses was already very difficult. Even the rates of cooking gas, diesel, fertilisers etc had been hiked recently. Today’s increase in electricity tariff would seriously effect the budget of the common man. He expressed his
apprehension that with the closing down of the brick kiln
industry all the developmental works relating to
construction would come to a standstill. |
HC allows mother to meet children
weekly CHANDIGARH, July 1 — A USA settled mother today was permitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court here to meet her children for two hours in a week during her stay in the country after the two expressed loss of love for her and preferred to stay with grandmother. The two — 17 year-old Erika and two-year younger Royan — told Mr Justice V.K. Bali of the court that they were “happily and willingly” living with their grandmother. After talking to them, Mr Justice Bali observed: “They do not appear to want to live with their mother, who, they state, has remarried after divorce and has not looked after them for a decade”. Claiming to be their “natural and legal guardian”, Ms Amrita Rani Luthra of Baypoint, California, earlier had stated in her Habeas Corpus petition that her children were in the illegal custody of her deceased husband’s younger brother Mahesh Chander Luthra at Amritsar. Seeking their release, she had stated that the uncle, with the help of Station House Officer of Police Station City Kotwali at Amritsar, had threatened to implicate her in a false case, besides eliminating her, when she went to get the custody of her children. She had also stated that even their place of residence was not revealed. Her counsel had added on her behalf that the uncle initially had misbehaved with her and her brothers after they came to India for mourning at her husband’s death. Going into the background, he had added that the husband and the children had returned to India to meet the grandmother. In July 1999, he had added, the husband was murdered at Amritsar. Today, Mr Justice Bali observed in the open court that there “was no occasion to interfere in the matter as the children are living happily with their uncle and grandmother. Mr Justice Bali added: “However, the petitioner, who is the natural guardian of the minors, can not be denied the right at least to meet the children. If she is allowed to meet the children, their affection towards her may change and they may ultimately be able to weigh the pros and cons to know their welfare which is of paramount consideration in such like matters”. In his detailed order, Mr Justice Bali directed: “As long as the petitioner is in India, she be permitted to meet the children, till such time they attain maturity, for two hours in a week”. Mr Justice Bali further
directed: “For that purpose, however, she shall have
to go to Amritsar and grandmother of the children as also
the uncle would ensure that she is given the custody of
the children from time to time. The children shall be
produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Amritsar,
at 10 a.m. every Saturday till such time, of course, she
is in India and wants to meet the children. |
Choubachcha Sahib ‘not
gurdwara’ AMRITSAR, July 1 — The Dal Khalsa has said the SGPC has reacted in haste over the reported use of a gurdwara in Pakistan as a mosque. Mr Kanwarpal Singh Bittu, spokesman of the Dal, in a statement here yesterday claimed that no gurdwara by the name of Gurdwara Choubachcha Sahib existed near Lahore Fort whereas a part of the Ram Rai haveli located in the Dharampura area of Lahore was known as Choubachcha Sahib. But this place in no way was related to Sikh Gurus. The Dal Khalsa, whose president, Mr Gajinder Singh Hijacker, is staying in Pakistan, further claimed that the haveli was connected to Ram Rai, elder son of Guru Har Rai, who had disowned him as he never remained loyal to the Sikh gurus. Ram Rai later extended his loyalty to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who gave him land in the hill areas where he founded Dehra Dun. He said the place was not being used as a mosque but on certain occasions some “nimazees” were being accommodated in the courtyard of the haveli. The SGPC executive had
passed a resolution without going into the facts about
the Sikh history. The SGPC reaction was in fact due to
its feelings against the newly formed Pakistan Gurdwara
Parbandhak Committee (PGPC), he added. |
Power cuts irk residents SANGRUR, July 1 — Owing to poor management by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities, frequent power failures and unannounced power cuts have made the life of the residents miserable in the town for the past several days. The power cuts have not only often paralysed the functioning in government offices but also adversely affected normal business at commercial establishments. The problem may aggravate if timely steps are not taken by the PSEB. Besides power failures and power cuts there is reportedly also a problem of low voltage in some areas in the town. All these factors have led to resentment among local residents against the PSEB authorities for not providing them with uninterrupted power supply in the summer season. Residents of the town have also expressed their concern over the sleepless nights they have to spend, especially infants and children, due to unannounced power cuts or power failure. According to information available the 66 KV substation at Badrukhan which supplies power to the town from three feeders, the hospital feeder, the DC road feeder and the Sangrur city feeder, had 48 tripping, including six breakdown during the past one month. Besides, power cuts were also imposed a number of times depending on the situation at Handhiaya grid substation which supplies power to the 66 KV grid substation. Sources claim that power cuts may increase in urban areas in the days to come as the paddy crop needs huge power supply for irrigation purpose in the rural areas in the state. Mr Baldev Krishan, Executive Engineer, PSEB here, while talking to TNS categorically claimed that there were no power failures in the town for the past 15 days. He however admitted to power cuts on different occasions during these days. Mr R.K. Bains, Deputy
Chief Engineer, Sangrur circle, said he would ensure
proper regulation of electricity supply in the town
during the next couple of days. |
Staff shortage cripples
hospital’s working ROPAR, July 1 — During the tercentenary celebrations, the Civil Hospital, Anandpur Sahib, was undertaken by the Punjab Health System Corporation and its capacity was increased from 30 to 100. A building was constructed for the hospital and was equipped with the latest facilities to cater to the 2.7 lakh population of Anandpur Sahib, Kiratpur and Nurpur Bedi. However, after one year, in spite of being equipped with ultra-modern facilities, the hospital has failed to achieve its objective due to the staff shortage. At present there are just nine doctors in the hospital whereas according to the norms a 100-bed hospital should have 20 doctors. To add to it, these doctors also have to go for VIP duty to Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib. Besides this, they have to cater to the post-mortems and emergencies due to which patients who come to the hospital suffer. Moreover, there are just seven staff nurses, three pharmacists and two laboratory technicians at the hospital, whereas according to the norms there should be at least 40 nurses, eight pharmacists and 10 laboratory technicians for 100-bed hospital. Due to the shortage the nurses cannot cater to in house patients as per the capacity of the hospital. Similar problem was being faced at the testing centre. Moreover, the equipment available at the hospital was hardly being used. The blood bank at the hospital had not been functional due to the shortage. The hospital sans the Class IV staff. At present there is just one regular sweeper at the hospital against the requirement of about 30 sweepers. Sources at the hospital
said no one wanted to come here due to over burden of
work and the political interference in the affairs of the
hospital. The government had appointed six doctors here
but none of them had joined so far. |
Special train returns AMRITSAR, July 1 — After covering more than 10,000 km in 11 states, the special train returned here today after 13 days of ‘spiritual journey’. The train, which was arranged by Gurdwara Nanaksar Kaleran with the active support of the Damdami Taksal, Guru Nanak Mission and other Sikh organisations as a part of 400th year of compilation of Guru Granth Sahib. As many as 26 programmes
were organised on platforms, during the ‘spiritual
journey’. Amrit parchar was also organised en route.
The representatives of various religious organisations
received the pilgrims. A religious function was also
organised at Dewan Hall of Manji Sahib to mark the
culmination of the ‘yatra’. |
Improvement Trust officer suspended AMRITSAR, July 1 — The controversial officer of the local Improvement Trust, who was in charge of the legal cell, Mr Vijay Dhawan, was placed under suspension for his alleged role in depriving the trust of crores of rupees. According to information, Mr Dhawan was said to be in league with influential persons who took the benefit of delaying payment of trust dues. Two cinema houses owe
more than Rs 8 crore as these have failed to pay the
instalments since these sites were allotted to them more
than 30 years ago. |
Daleke’s cremation today TARN TARAN, July 1 — The cremation ceremony of Dilbag Singh Dalake, senior Congress leader and former Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, will be performed on Sunday after the arrival of his Canada based sons — Mr Gurbir Singh and Mr Harbir Singh. A condolence meeting was
organised today here by Congressmen. It was presided over
by Mr Surinder Singh Kanwal, freedom fighter. |
Sirhind will be model town: DC FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 1 — The development works in rural areas in the district will be conducted through panchayats and the sarpanches will be involved in these projects, Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, said while addressing a sangat darshan programme at Sirhind yesterday. He said shamlat and panchayat lands were the best source of income and the sarpanches were the custodians of these lands, so they should make all-out efforts to save the lands. He warned that if any sarpanch was found grabbing panchayat lands, he would not be spared. He said to sort out the problems related to pensions, an ADC had been deputed for reverification of pension cases and the eligible beneficiaries would get pension within 10 days. He further said the town would be developed as a model town and all roads would be recarpeted and the municipal park be renovated. He said the foundation stone of the railway overbridge would be laid by the Chief Minister soon. On the occasion more than 100 complaints were resolved on the spot. Jathedar Devinder Singh
Bhappu, general secretary, district Akali Jatha, Mr Amar
Singh Nalini, an Akali leader, also addressed the
gathering. |
Flood-control measures
reviewed PATIALA, July1— Flood control measures initiated by the administration in the city were reviewed by the State Irrigation Minister, Mr Janmeja Singh, senior officers of both the district administration and Drainage Department at a meeting held at the circuit house here today. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, said that there was no danger from the floods in the city because there was a concrete embankment on the right side of the flood-prone Patiala nadi, but there was no embankment on the left side due to which there was a possibility that flood waters may enter those areas which are on the outskirts of the city, which included Punjabi University campus, All India Radio complex, Heera Bagh Colony and Urban Estate. Mr Janmeja Singh instructed the Superintending Engineer of the Drainage Department to prepare an estimate within three days regarding the construction of an embankment on the left side of the nadi. Mr Janmeja Singh also
instructed officials of the Drainage Department to
immediately remove encroachments which had sprung up
along the Urban Estate drain and the drain which passes
through the thickly populated areas of Guru Nanak Nagar,
Bishen Nagar and Gurbaksh Colony. The Drainage Department
officials have also been told to keep a vigil on the Dadu
Majra Village regulator so that timely measures may be
undertaken in case of a flood. |
Warrant Officer rescues detainee LAMBI (Muktsar), July 1 — Mr Harcharan Singh of Mana village in Muktsar district was rescued from the “illegal” detention of the Lambi police when Warrant Officer Desh Pal Singh Rana, raided the local police station last evening on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Official sources said Mr Rana was assigned to raid the police station by the Punjab and Haryana High Court when Ms Daljeet Kaur, wife of Mr Harcharan Singh, filed a habeas corpus writ in the court yesterday. Acting on the directions of the court, Mr Rana conducted a raid and rescued Mr Harcharan Singh from the residential quarter of Constable Gurdas Singh. Mr Kultar Singh, SSP, while confirming the raid at the police station last evening, said though Mr Harcharan Singh had been rescued from the Constable’s quarter, the Station House Officer (SHO) was responsible for Mr Harcharan Singh’s detention. Mr Harcharan Singh while talking to TNS alleged that six more persons, along with him, were also rescued from the police station. The SSP, however, said that out of the six two persons were arrested by the police lawfully while the other four were called to the police station for questioning them in a case. Mr Rajan Parminder, SHO Lambi, police station, denied that Mr Harcharan Singh was illegally detained at the police station. He said Mr Harcharan Singh deliberately came the residential quarter of the Constable and sat there as he (Mr Harcharan Singh) had made plans to get the police station raided by the Warrant Officer. Mr Harcharan Singh was trying to implicate him in a false case, he added. The SHO pointed out that
some time ago, a criminal case was registered against Mr
Harcharan Singh, at the local police station as a working
still was seized from him. He alleged that Mr Harcharan
Singh had done all this to put undue pressure on the
police. |
Five injured in factory blast MANDI GOBINDGARH, July 1 (PTI) — Five persons were injured, two of them seriously, in an explosion in a furnace factory in Mandi Gobindgarh town today, the police said. The seriously injured persons in the explosion which took place in Alpine Steels Limited have been admitted to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana.Three persons with minor injuries were discharged after first aid in a private institute here. The cause of the blast
is yet not known. The police has started an investigation
into the incident. |
Move to introduce IT as
subject PHAGWARA, July 1 — The Punjab Higher Education Minister, Master Mohan Lal, stated yesterday that higher education would have professional orientation with one professional subject being made compulsory in colleges and subjects like information technology and e-commerce would be introduced in new colleges being opened in border and Kandi areas. The higher education policy was being reviewed so that it could measure up to requirements of the new millennium while the allocation for higher education had been hiked to Rs 207 crore this year, he told mediapersons. The minister added that pension and gratuity schemes would be implemented soon for the affiliated private colleges. Earlier, Master Mohan
Lal addressed the gathering at a three-day personality
development camp being organised by local branch of the
Bharat Vikas Parishad. |
Producing toppers comes naturally
to YPS PATIALA, July 1 — Yadavindra Public School (YPS), one of the landmarks of Patiala, has achieved 100 per cent success in both ICSE and ISC this year. Talking to this correspondent, the Principal of YPS, Mr A.S. Jawanda, attributed the brilliant results to the faculty members who took personal interest in each student through interaction. Out of 120 students who appeared for the ICSE this year, as many as 61 got distinction, 114 secured first division and five got secured second division. As for the ISC results, out of 95 students, 37 secured distinction and four students got second division. Mr Jawanda said the school provided every facility to build all-round personality of the students. Besides providing facilities for horse riding, swimming, various sports and debates, the school had also started an exchange programme with the United Kingdom. He said the school treated all students alike, saying any special programme for gifted children or slow learners did not work in a country like India. Mr Jawanda said the school did not encourage tuitions. He said stress was laid on completion and revision of the entire course in the classroom. He said, however, extra classes were organised wherever required. Mr Anil Goyal and Mrs Rishi Goyal, the proud parents of this year's ISC topper Neha Goyal, who is also the all-India topper, attributed their daughter's success to the school. "YPS gave her the exposure one requires to make it to the top.The school had tremendous influence over her personality," said Mrs Goyal. Dr T.P. Singh Malik and Mrs Jagdip Kaur, parents of this year's ICSE topper from YPS, Manpreet Malik, are all praise for the school. The parents, who are academicians, said the ICSE was a board that gradually moulded the child's intellect through it's curriculum. "The good academic side coupled with superb extra and co-curricular activities makes YPS a great school," said Mr Malik. Mr Maheshinder Singh Sodhi, whose daughter has passed her ICSE exams from the school this year, said sports facilities provided by the school motivated him to shift his daughter to YPS from another local school. Another parent, Mr Jagir Singh Banger, said the school helped in building his son's overall personality which ultimately had helped him to clear a number of national level competitive exams. However, a few parents feel there is still room for improvement academically. "The teacher-student ratio has increased during the past couple of years which needs to be corrected," said Mr Amarjeet Singh Brar. Comparatively there had been a decline in the number of first divisioners in the ICS exams, he said. Mr A.S. Bhinder, whose
son also passed out from YPS this year, echoed the same
feeling. With the student-teacher interaction getting
minimised, the need for tuitions was increasing, he
added. |
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