 |
|
| Wednesday, July 12, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Tohra for special House
session Pak-trained
militant surrenders
KMC shows copies of
letter Brar for waiving of
loan to poor |
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Rinwa drops claim
over seats Ferozepore BJP
heads for revolt
Of missing rice and
certificates Health dept’s
directive on
transfers Sikh clergy discusses
langar edict Ban sought on
Daler Mehndi’s
‘Ek Dana’ Forum set up to
fight fascist
forces Irked residents
block traffic Acute shortage of
power in Moga Mobile vans to
check traffic violations Seminar on banking
scheme Campaign for
rural women
Criminal gang
busted, 3 held In-laws booked
for torture Proclaimed
offender arrested FCI official held for
stealing wheat
PSEB step on
English medium Dr Gurum is
technical university
VC College admissions
postponed 
|
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Autonomy
resolution CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The President of the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to convene a special session of the state Vidhan Sabha to pass the autonomy resolution to prove that he (Mr Badal) was sincere and honest for the creation of a true federal structure in the country. He said that his party would extend full moral support to Mr Badal in this connection. He said that if Mr Badal failed to do so in the state Assembly, it would prove that Mr Badal was only rhetoric in speeches and fooling people on this issue. Mr Tohra said that the resolution endorsed by Mr Badal and passed in the 1978 Akali conference was clear about the demand of autonomy and more powers to the states and the same resolution should be passed by the state Assembly. Going into the background, Mr Tohra said that in fact 1978 resolution was prepared in the light of Batala conference held in 1968. The resolution moved in the Batala conference was endorsed by the then Jan Sangh leader, late Mr Yagya Dutt Sharma, who was present at the conference. He said the state Assembly should also pass the resolution condemning the Operation Blue Star. A number of times this demand had been made asking the Parliament to pass such a resolution, he added. Mr Tohra said that he would submit his party’s viewpoint before the commission personally but not set up a committee as was being done by the SAD headed by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Badal. Agreeing with the points raised by Capt Kanwaljit Singh in terms of reference of the Commission for the Review of the Constitution, Mr Tohra said that there was no mention of autonomy in the terms of reference. Neither there was anything with regard to the safeguarding the interest of the minorities. He said that not safeguarding the interest of minorities in a democratic country could lead to very dangerous consequences. He said that the Christian community had been made target in the past days. Like wise other minorities could face the similar situation. He said that though the Union Government was talking about protecting the Christians, but none involved in the attacks on them had been arrested so far. He said that democracy could turn into fascism for minorities if their rights were not protected. Mr Tohra said that the Kashmir autonomy was rejected by the Union Government under pressure from the RSS. He said that in reality the Union Government was being run by the RSS. Soon regional parties like the Telugu Desam and, the DMK would realise that which forces were running the Union Government. He said the cover had already been lifted because of the rejecting the J and K autonomy resolution. He said that the Sheikh Abdullah, father of Farooq Abdullah had made a supreme contribution for the country by keeping the J and K with India . The same family was being pushed into the corner by the Union Government now, he added. It would have been better if the autonomy resolution had been discussed in the Parliament before taking any final decision. He said that his party would hold a
convention next month to debate on the autonomy issue. Leaders of all
like-minded parties would be invited for participation in the
convention. |
|
Pak-trained
militant surrenders NAWANSHAHR, July 11 — The Nawanshahr SSP, Mr Ishwar Singh, in a press conference here on Tuesday announced that a Pak-returned Babbar Khalsa activist, Satinder Singh, alias Lalli, alias Palli, of Sarhal Quazion village, had surrendered before the Nawanshahr police, on June 19. During interrogation Satinder Singh said terrorists’ organisations in Pakistan were facing an acute shortage of new recruits and were resorting to various inducements to recruit youths. He also exposed linkages between Punjab militant leaders and representatives of Muslim fundamentalist groups in Pakistan saying top functionaries of both groups held regular meetings. Giving details of the surrender, Mr Ishwar Singh, SSP, said that the police had received reliable reports that a group of terrorists from Pakistan was planning to revive militancy in Punjab through new recruitment. Following this suspect areas were monitored, leading to the surrender of the Babbar Khalsa activist. Satinder Singh, who was indoctrinated into militancy by Gurcharan Singh Kala of Nurpur (Nawanshahr), last year was subsequently sent to Pakistan for training under the tutelage of Wadhawa Singh Babbar. He crossed over into Pakistan from the Jammu sector with the help of one Nanju, a top ISI operative. After spending eight months in Pakistan, during the course of which Satinder Singh underwent extensive training in the use of arms and explosives, he was sent back to India in the second week of April via Jammu along with a Babbar Khalsa activist, who is still absconding. During interrogation, Satinder Singh gave a vivid account of the thinking, targets and future planning of various terrorist organisations. He said Wadhawa Singh’s camp had virtually split with the revolt by Didar Singh Dari and two of his associates — Manjit Singh and Narinder Singh Saplani. Dari was instrumental in raising around a dozen boys, mostly associated with religious places and Nihang establishments, for terrorist activities and was trying to send them back over the border. He said militants supporters in the
west were raising funds, a part of which were being sent to Pakistan
for reviving terrorism. Pakistan based terrorist leaders were also
inciting Sindhi Sikh youth for militancy. |
|
Abohar
topper’s record ignored ABOHAR: Even when a student had brought laurels to this sub-division in the matriculation examination after a gap of 37 years, no sub-divisional or district civil officer could spare a minute to congratulate her even on the telephone so far. Perhaps they had "overlooked’’ the detailed report on her sterling performance carried by all regional and even some national dailies early last month! It was in 1963 when B.K. Chhabra, a student of Govt Senior Secondary School here, was just one mark short of the girl from Ambala Cantonment who had topped the matric in the combined Punjab. Dr Chhabra, now an eye surgeon, topped not only in the district but also in the present ‘‘Punjabi suba’’. He had secured 763 out of 850 marks. This time Jyoti Mittal of a private model school here has topped the matric exam by securing 627 out of 650 marks. She is a daughter of Mr Bhim Sain Mittal, a bank employee posted at DAV campus branch. Since the publication of the merit list in newspapers the family had been receiving uncountable number of telephone calls at the bank office as well as their small residence at Nanak Nagri. Even strangers had been congratulating Mr Mittal. They said Jyoti was pride of the sub-division. ‘‘I had drawn inspiration from my late grandfather, Mr Om Parkash Mittal, who was a good teacher himself and ran a model school after retirement. I always topped my class even after taking admission at Amrit Model School. In the middle exam, I topped in the school and got third position in the district", a confident Jyoti told this reporter with a smile. She answered a volley of questions in the presence of her father and grandmother, Mrs Kamla Devi, with unusual clarity. On her reaction to the news Jyoti said: ‘‘I was at my relatives’ residence at Sirsa as it was the summer vacation. A relative at Bathinda read the news in this daily and called. The PSEB had procured 20 copies of my photograph two or three days back; I was expecting second or third position and never imagined the top one. I was stunned and equally overjoyed on hearing that I had topped and that too with 627 marks. There was an unending number of phone calls when I rushed to my home town here’’. On her schedule, Jyoti said after spending five hours in school, she regularly studied for five to six hours at home. The duration was extended to 11 hours when the annual exam was nearing. I didn’t get bored; mummy had been very careful in serving me cold or tea besides snacks, in my room. My younger brother, Deepak, a student of class VI, was considerate in not disturbing me. Pappa not only helped in studies but always boosted my morale also. He would say Jyoti even if you are placed second in merit, for me you will be a topper. Pappa allowed us to watch DD serials of my choice. Deepak differed with me in selection of serials only in ‘‘Shaktimaan’’. We have no satellite disk and cable TV not only polluted rich and clean culture but also made the viewers addicts. Students had to pay price for it. Jyoti is fond of Indian pop music but likes to listen to old Hindi film songs while studying. Shahrukh Khan and Kajol are her favourite stars. Her favourite subject, besides maths, is science. The family politely had turned down admission offers in prestigious colleges in the metros. Even though the results of +2 (science) students in the local college were not encouraging, Jyoti had taken admission here. She could not afford to lose the affection of her family. She aspired to join IIT and become an IAS officer to fulfil her father’s wishes. She knew it was not easy but had developed confidence besides faith in God, her father said. Jyoti is neither interested in
cooking nor in sports but helped her mother in dusting and cleaning
rooms regularly. She is fond of excursions but complained there is no
good place here. On Sundays her family has no option but to visit
Nehru Park. The municipal council had not been maintaining it properly
— either the lawns were filled with dirty water or foul smell
spoiled the environment. The family had recently visited tourist spots
in the south on her initiative. Jyoti is interested in meeting friends
and relatives also. She had started reading magazines, in addition to
newspapers, for improving general knowledge, which she considered
would matter in the future, Mr Mittal pointed out. |
|
Punjab
CPI favours ‘controlled’
autonomy AMRITSAR, July 11—Dr Joginder Dayal, CPI chief, Punjab, has favoured more rights to states for the purpose of "controlled autonomy". On ‘limited’autonomy, Dr Dayal said the states should be given more powers to mobilise resources and generate income so that these become at least partially self-sufficient. He favoured decentralisation and devolution of powers in a manner that would create an agenda for a stronger India. Talking to this correspondent, Dr Dayal advocated continuation of Article 370 of the Constitution with regard to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Elaborating on the issue, he said Jammu and Kashmir had acceded to India on conditions as envisaged under Article 370. Hence, the controversial Article should not be abrogated. Instead it should be kept permanently. On issues of government policy on agricultural products and imports, the CPI chief criticised the Congress and the BJP governments for allowing agricultural imports. Remedial measures in the present scenario, he suggested, was an "import duty" on foreign goods equal to the percentage of subsidy for such goods. The import duty, thus, worked out at 63 per cent of the price of the product. Alleging that foreign nations had "expansionist" designs in India, he said the MNCs would first monopolise the market and subsequently control prices. This would eventually spell disaster for the Indian economy. Dr Dayal suggested that the government should impose some restrictions on the "quantum" of foreign goods entering Indian markets. He lamented that successive governments had surrendered the interests of the country at the altar of "short term gains". The small scale industry, especially textiles, had been the worst hit. The present government should, suggested, aggressively pursue the policy of subsidies. He termed the government policies as
"anti-poor, anti farmer and anti-national". |
|
KMC
shows copies of letter AMRITSAR, July 11 — Copies of a letter purportedly written by Sant Harchand Singh Longowal to Mr R.K. Dhawan, private secretary to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, dated April 25, 1984, was circulated among mediapersons in the wake of the demand by the Khalra Mission Committee (KMC) that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should resign. The KMC chief in a press statement has alleged that a conspiracy was hatched between Mr Dhawan and Sant Longowal to send security forces into the Golden Temple to "flush out" Jarnail Singh Bhindran-wale and his followers. According to KMC, Mr Parkash Singh Badal acted as an emissary of Sant Longowal and held talks with Mr Dhawan on the eviction of Sant Bhindranwala from the Golden Temple premises. The letter in English addressed to Mr Dhawan reads: "As you know that Sardar Gurcharan Singh’s life is in great danger ... Sant Jarnail Singh (Bhindranwale) is not going to give up and I strongly feel now that we have to do what we had planned earlier. Sardar Parkash Singh Badal has already explained it to you in details. Most of Bhindranwale men will run away when they see the Army and most probably he will too". The letter written on Shiromani Akali Dal Sri Amritsar letter head displays a five-digit telephone number (42909). The letter mentions Maj-Gen Jaswant Singh Bhullar and Prof Manjit Singh Sidhu having agreed to go to the USA to meet Dr Jagjit Singh Chauhan and Sardar Didar Singh Bains in an attempt to stop Sikhs living abroad from organising themselves and supporting Sant Jarnail Singh. The letter further says: "Please let your people know to support these men with all assistance in every form... We will soon provide you the names of those Sikhs who live abroad and supporting Sant Jarnail Singh. I am sure that our plan will work and this ordeal will be over in no time". Meantime, the KMC has demanded that
either Mr Badal clarifies his stand regarding the letter or resigns
with due apology to the Panth failing which the committee would take
up the matter with the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Joginder Singh
Vedanti. |
|
Brar
for waiving of loan to poor FAZILKA, July 11 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Member of the Lok Sabha from Faridkot and Senior Vice-President of the PPCC, talking to reporters here yesterday revealed that 1,100 party workers from all 17 districts of Punjab would leave in buses for Amarnath, Naina Devi and Hemkunt Sahib on July 21 to pay obeisance. He said during Lok Sabha polls last year the party had resolved to visit these shrines in event of his victory. Mr Brar said representatives of all sections of society, particularly poor and backward classes, would participate in this goodwill pilgrimage because they constituted the real strength of the party. Besides this, in view of the demand of autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, it is the prime duty of all Punjabis to visit the state, added Mr Brar. Jathas of pilgrims would be flagged off from Devi Talab, Jalandhar, by senior party leaders like Mr Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, former External Affairs Minister. Launching a scathing attack on the Badal government Mr Brar said financial health of the state was grave. Farmers considered to be the backbone of Indian economy today were in heavy debt in Punjab while the government was not making any efforts to improve the economic condition of the farmers. He pleaded for waiving of interest of loans to farmers and realisation of principal in easy instalments in 10 years. He also urged for waiving loan of Rs 50,000 advanced to the poor. Uplift of Punjab farmers was essential to improve the financial health of the state, added Mr Brar. The PPCC Senior Vice President further disclosed that a Maha Panchayat of farmers and poor would be formed on December 5, this year in Ludhiana in which a large number of farmers and poor people of the state would participate. A comprehensive programme for their uplift would be worked out at this Maha Panchayat. He said Scheduled Tribes which constituted nearly 30 per cent of the Punjab population, and did not have their grievances redressed by any political party an effort would be made for their uplift at the meeting in Ludhiana. In reply to a question Mr Brar said power supply condition in the state was in shambles. He suggested the constitution of a committee technocrats under the guidance of Mr N.S. Vasant, former Chairman, Punjab State Electricity Board, to minimise the deficit of several crores of rupees faced by the PSEB. Mr Brar said if the Congress came to power, it would continue to supply free power and canal water to farmers and along with the party would consider supplying free power to those below the poverty line. In response to yet another question Mr Brar refuted news appearing in a section of the press that he ever demanded the transfer of Mr Sultan Singh as party observer for organisational elections in the state before the party high command. He clarified that he had neither written any letter in this regard nor made any recommendation. He described Mr Sultan Singh as an honest leader, dedicated party leader and a patriot who had cordial relations with his late father. Mr Brar said he was ready to don the mantle of party chief in the state if so decided by the party high command. But if the party leadership decided to re-elect Capt Amarinder Singh as PPCC chief, he would support him. The PPCC leader charged the Badal regime of setting dangerous trend of politicising state administration, particularly the police. He said the manner in which Mr Badal was desperately issuing instructions to senior officers it appeared that mid-term poll in Punjab was imminent. Mr Brar alleged that SSPs of Ferozepore, Faridkot and Muktsar districts were committing excesses on Congress party workers and was implicating them in false cases and party workers who were taking out peaceful protest processions were also arrested without any reason. The Congress leader lamented that farmers whose fields were located on tail-ends did not get canal water because the entire water was stolen in an organised manner by big and influential farmers having patronisation of the ruling party. The water theft was carried out dauntlessly with the connivance of police officials. Mr Brar alleged that a large number of non-resident Indian Punjabis were keen to invest in industrial sector in Punjab in a big way but they were hesitant due to corruption and harassment by state government officials and prevailing red-tapism. On the demand of residents of Fazilka
and Muktsar areas to commence a direct train from Fazilka to Delhi via
Muktsar, Mr Brar revealed that Ms Mamata Banerjee, Union Railway
Minister, would visit Fazilka on August 9 this year and make a formal
announcement in this regard. |
Rinwa
drops claim over
seats FEROZEPORE, July 11 — Has Mr Brij Lal Rinwa, BJP state president, dropped claim for 50 per cent share in the nominations for the party from its political partner, the SAD (B) in the forthcoming Assembly elections? An indication to this effect was given by senior Akali leader and the Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, while talking to mediapersons at the PWD Rest House here today. Mr Kahlon claimed that Mr Rinwa had withdrawn his party’s claim for 50 per cent seats in the ensuring Assembly elections, saying that the BJP would claim tickets for the seats from where it would be certain of victory. Mr Kahlon said it was the Press which had flared-up the issue, as there were no differences between the SAD (B) and the BJP. Regarding the claim of the BJP on the Chief Minister’s post, Mr Kahlon said, "This is not the time to discuss the issue." Mr Kahlon said the
Anandpur Sahib resolution would not be tabled in the Punjab Assembly
as was being expected in certain circles. "The Chief Minister has
already said so", he added. |
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Ferozepore
BJP heads for revolt FEROZEPORE, July 11 — Resentment is brewing among the BJP rank and file over the unexpected appointment of Mr D.P. Chandan as the district president, allegedly in violation of the party norms. Mr Chandan’s appointment has sparked off a row, with resentful BJP leaders contemplating to press the party high command to reconsider its decision in view of his "tainted" past. Expressing disappointment at Mr Chandan’s appointment, these leaders asked why experienced party activists were denied the position to accommodate a person who was earlier suspended from the BJP for ‘indiscipline.’ Their resentment also stems from the fact that Mr Chandan is a new entrant to the party after having left the Congress and the Janata Dal. Besides, he was also accused of corruption during his previous tenure as the district BJP vice-president. Agitated BJP leaders, who were also in the race for the post, allege that his appointment is a "drawing room decision" of the top party leaders in Chandigarh. Among those in the race for post were Mr Ganesh Tully, Mr Chandan Dass Handa and Mr Ashwini Mehta. All three leaders not only expressed shock at the appointment of Mr Chandan, but also charged him with having developed close ties with the top party leadership. The secretary of the Ferozepore Mandal of the BJP, Mr Premjit Kakkar, said that though they would not go against the party line, they would ask the high command to reconsider its decision in accordance with party norms. He pointed out that if BJP MLAs like Satpal Gosain and Jagdish Sahney have not been taken as Cabinet ministers since they were suspended, why was Mr Chandan given an important post. However, Mr Chandan denied the charge of pleasing any senior leader. He added that the reaction of the agitated leaders was natural as any change in the party is expected to generate some resentment. Denying the charges of corruption, Mr
Chandan claimed that it was a part of a larger conspiracy against him
and the party high command had assigned him the responsibility only
after satisfying itself about his ‘clean’ image. |
Of
missing rice and certificates FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 11 — A certificate alleged to have been issued by the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC) to the District Manager, Markfed regarding the-dumping of five trucks of rice by a Rice Mill at Sirhind has become a bone of contention between both departments. The PSWC has denied having issued any such certificate, whereas Markfed claims it is their certificate. The certificate relates to an alleged case of embezzlement of rice worth Rs 15 lakh by a mill owner of Sirhind with the connivance of the District Manager (DM), Markfed, which was highlighted by Mr Harbans Singh Mehmoodpur, senior vice-president of the SAD(B) and member of the District Grievances Committee. In a letter to the Chief Minister, he has alleged that during the last kharif season, the District Manager allotted over 1,754 quintal of paddy to a rice mill at Sirhind for shelling, in spite of the fact that the mill was already a defaulter of Markfed. He alleged that in order to carry out the embezzlement, the paddy was intentionally stocked there. According to the Markfed record of March 31, the mill owed over 1,163 quintals of rice to the department. However, with the connivance of the District Manager, Markfed, the rice stock was shown to be dumped in godowns of the PSWC and fake paddy rice statement was prepared, showing the stock of rice pending against the mill as nil, he alleged. The rice stock did not exist in the godowns of the PSWC but a fake certificate was issued in this regard, he added. He urged the Chief Minister and the Deputy Commissioner to suspend the District Manager, Markfed, and to register a case against him. When contacted, Mr C.G. Dhawan, Manager, PSWC, said the rice mill had neither stored nor dumped five trucks of rice with the PSWC nor had the PSWC issued any receipt to the mill owner. He had also given this statement in writing to the Deputy Commissioner. When contacted, Mr S.S. Jaswal, District manager, Markfed, said the milling period was extended to June 30 from March 31 and the mill owner was directed to deposit rice by June 30 as he had failed to deposit the rice, in lieu of government security the department had obtained a cheque worth over Rs 11 lakh from him and on July 4 the cheque was presented in the bank, however, it was dishonoured. He said the notice had been served to the mill owner to deposit the rice by July 13 else legal action would be initiated against him. He could not explain why the paddy was stored there as the mill was already a defaulter of the department. Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner,
said an enquiry had been ordered. |
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Health
dept’s directive on
transfers CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department today issued strict instructions to the recently transferred doctors/para-medical staff to assume charge of their new postings positively by July 13. In case of non-compliance of these orders disciplinary action would be initiated against the erring doctors/officials. A spokesman of the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department said the entire process of the general transfers had been completed. Henceforth no doctor/official should request for transfer and visit the headquarter for this purpose, the spokesman warned. He further said the department had also issued detailed to the officers concerned to relieve the employees who have been transferred to enable them to join at their new places of posting. Intimation about the
employees who failed to join at the places of their posting by July 13
be sent by fax to the state headquarters by July 14, the spokesman
added. |
|
Sikh
clergy discusses langar
edict AMRITSAR, July 11 — Although Bhai Ranjit Singh, former Jathedar, Akal Takht, reiterated recently that a "hukumnama" (edict) once pronounced could not be withdrawn, the Sikh clergy is discussed his edict on "langar" at length at its meeting, at Akal Takht secretariat yesterday evening, with a view to its possible withdrawal. Some Canada-based Sikhs had urged the Sikh clergy to find a "way out" of the "hukumnama" on langar as it had divided the non-resident Indian community. The "hukumnama" issued on April 20, 1998 by Bhai Ranjit Singh, then Jathedar, directed that Sikhs eat "langar" while seated on the floor, instead of on tables and chairs. Two ragis Bhai Balwinder Singh and Bhai Harjinder Singh who, recently returned from a foreign tour told the Sikh high priests that they had faced problems in perform kirtans at some gurdwaras due to opposition to the hukumnama on langar. The meeting presided over by Giani Joginder Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht was attended by Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Mohan Singh Head Granthi, Golden Temple and Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi Akal Takht. The Sikh clergy reportedly decided to discuss the issue again at a forthcoming meeting to evolve a consensus. The Sikh clergy also decided that the SGPC should constitute a sub-committee to investigate the controversy over the authorship of "Dasam Granth". Reacting to the meeting Bhai Ranjit Singh, said the two ragis who presented themselves at the meeting were not allowed to perform kirtan at some gurdwaras abroad after they performed at gurdwaras where langar was being served on tables in violation of the hukumnama. Bhai Ranjit Singh claimed that most foreign Sikhs had neither accepted his sucessor Giani Puran Singh, nor did they now accept Bhai Joginder Singh as Jathedars of Akal Takht. He said Giani Joginder Singh had no
right to readmit Dhirmalias into the Sikh panth as they were
excommunicated during the time of the Gurus. |
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SHSAD seeks return
of Sikh relics PHAGWARA, July 11 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) will take the help of like-minded parties to raise the issue of retrieval of Sikh relics, rare documents, manuscripts and scriptures taken away by the Army from the Sikh Reference Library at Amritsar after "Operation Bluestar" in the next Parliament session. The relics are in the custody of the CBI, according to Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary of the SHSAD and former acting president of the SGPC. Talking to reporters at the residence of Mr Rajwant Singh Jhikka, district president, SHSAD, here yesterday, Jathedar Bhaur supported the decision of Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, to send Sikh jathas to Pakistan. When told that the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat had opposed it, he asserted that the Sangat had nothing to do with it. The issue was between two countries and Sikh pilgrims went to Pakistan only after obtaining valid visas and not by crossing the border illegally, he said. |
|
Ban
sought on Daler Mehndi’s
‘Ek Dana’ PHAGWARA, July 11 — An emergency meeting of the local circle Akali jatha of SAD chaired by Jathedar Gurmukh Singh today adopted a unanimous resolution demanding ban on Punjabi Singer Daler Mehndi’s latest album "Ek Dana" released by the TIPS cassette company as it allegedly hurts the sentiments of the Sikh community. Jatinder Pal Singh Palahi, circle
secretary-general, said the meeting called upon the SGPC chief, Bibi
Jagir Kaur, Akal Takht Jathedar, Joginder Singh Vedanti and SAD
President and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to initiate
action against the singer and the company and get the cassette banned
from all TV channels. He said the song particularly showed Sikh
children in poor light. It also called for legal proceedings against
Daler Mehndi. |
|
Forum
set up to fight fascist
forces BATHINDA, July 11 — A new joint forum of minority communities, United Minorities of India (UMI) has been launched to fight the fascist forces in India. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Mr Joseph D’Costa, President of the forum, said the aim of the UMI was to preserve and promote the spirit of brotherhood, secularity, peace and religious tolerance. Mr Joseph said the unity and integrity of the country was in danger as the fascist forces were trying to spread disharmony. He said a handful of people whose aim was to get power were out to destroy minority communities. When asked about the means of fighting, he said the UMI would adopt peaceful methods. Mr Joseph said the forum would organise rallies and marches in other parts of the country and added that units of UMI would be established across the country. The UMI would support Insaaf International which was going to organise "sadbhavna march" and rally on July 15 here, he said. Dr Vineeta Gupta and Mr Ishtpal Singh
were the general secretary and treasurer, respectively, of the UMI. |
|
Irked
residents block
traffic SAMRALA, July 11 — Traffic was blocked on the GT Road in front of SDM courts here today for more than one hour in protest against the hike in water supply charges. Under the leadership of local MLA, Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon, more than 500 persons demonstrated against the hike. The call for the demonstration was given by different parties, including the Congress, BSP, CPI and the Raj Mazdoor Union. The demonstrators raised slogans against the government. The speakers of the rally gave a call for not depositing the water supply bills. In the absence of the SDM, the
protestors submitted a memorandum to the Naib Tehsildar, Mrs Jaspal
Kaur. |
|
Acute
shortage of power in
Moga MOGA, July 11 — Following an acute shortage of power and also unannounced power cuts in this district for the past two months, residents of certain villages in this district have started using cooking gas cylinders to run motors to draw water for irrigation instead of power engines. If this practice becomes successful , a large number of farmers will adopt this practice to meet the demand of power for irrigating their already sown paddy crop. A deputation of farmers of this district, headed by Lachhman Singh, a resident of Bhekha village, said their paddy crops had started withering for want of irrigation in the absence of power and if the PSEB failed to meet their demands they would suffer huge losses because of the crop failure. The farmers urged the government to
give uninterrupted power supply. |
|
Mobile
vans to check
traffic violations JALANDHAR, July 11 — The Punjab Police has envisaged a plan to introduce sophisticated mobile traffic patrol vans to check traffic violations on the highways in the state. These vans, fitted with equipment like radars and breath analysers, would keep a round-the-clock vigil on the activities of traffic violators, including those indulging in drunken driving on the highways. Announcing this, Dr G.S. Aujla, the Inspector-General of Police (Jalandhar Zone), said each of the vans would be controlled by an officer of the rank of DSP, who would be assisted by a team comprising officials of the rank of ASIs and constables. Without specifying the time-frame, Dr Aujla said patrol vans would be launched soon. Earlier,
addressing mediapersons after inaugurating a block of 80 housing units
meant for other ranks and non-gazetted officers in the local police
lines here, Dr Aujla said the units had been constructed at a cost of
Rs 2.5 crore. He said 56 more such units would be ready for handling
over to cops by September. With this, the total number of housing
units would rise to 340, said Dr Aujla. |
|
Seminar
on banking scheme AMRITSAR, July 11 — A seminar on banking ombudsman scheme, 1995, held here today emphasised the need for customer satisfaction. The seminar was organised by Punjab National Bank and was presided over by Mr S.A. Rahman, banking ombudsman for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. Senior executives from zonal and regional offices, Punjab National Bank and local senior bankers participated. Mr Rahman
reviewed the position of complaints referred to the banking ombudsman,
Chandigarh. He asked the participants to adopt a positive approach in
solving grievances of customers. |
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Campaign
for rural women SANGRUR, July 11— The Umeed Khanna Foundation celebrated World Population Day by launching its awareness campaign for women at Jodhpur village of Barnala sub-division. The campaign will cover five nodal villages and will be completed on July 15. It will involve the participation of women from 40 villages in the first phase. This campaign is being organised with the support of the Punjab Social Welfare Advisory Board. Birth control and other issues to
empower women with knowledge will be discussed . |
Criminal
gang busted, 3 held GURDASPUR, July 10 — The police has busted an inter-state gang of criminals and arrested three members of the gang identified as Julfi, his son Kailaso alias Kaisho and Niranjan Singh, all residents of Burgar in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Two of their accomplices managed to escape. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP in a press release issued here today said that the police recovered a 38 bore revolver, 2 live cartridges, swords and iron rods from their possession. During the interrogation the accused confessed to having formed 3 gangs from among their relatives. Each gang had 10-15 members. All of them were from the Bangala sub caste. The SSP said that one gang was led by Julfi, another by Pappu and third by Mithu and they were involved in more than 100 burglaries in Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ferozepore districts. They were also involved in crime in U.P. and Rajasthan. The gang members would survey the area in the day while posing as toy sellers to identify targets. The SSP said that the SHO police station sadar here yesterday laid a Naka near Kothe Ghurala village on specific information that a gang of criminals had assembled near Babehali village to commit the crime. The SHO raided the spot and arrested the accused. The SSP said that after committing
crimes the accused would disappear into the forest and survive on game
animals. When they ran out of money they would regroup and commit
other crimes. |
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In-laws
booked for torture TARN TARAN, July 11 — On the instructions of the local court of Mr Nirmal Singh, Subdivsional Judicial Magistrate, the Chabal police has registered a case under Sections 406, 498 of the IPC against the husband of Ms Manjit Kaur, Angrej Singh, alias Kala, and five other members of her in-laws’ family for allegedly torturing her. Ms Manjit Kaur, the daughter of Mr Mohinder Singh of Dhotian village, in her complaint submitted in the court of Mr Nirmal Singh that she was married to Angrez Singh, son of Bhajan Singh, a resident of Chabal village, about three years ago. She alleged that soon after the marriage, her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, Veer Kaur, brother-in-law (jeth), Gurbhej Singh, brother-in-law’s wife (jethani), Surinder Kaur, and sister-in-law, Rani, began torturing her mentally and physically. They demanded Rs 1 lakh to purchase a truck and were forcing Manjit Kaur to bring this amount from her parents. Manjit Kaur lodged a complaint in the court and the sub judge instructed the police to register a case in this regard against all these six persons. JALANDHAR (UNI): A man and his parents have been booked in a case of dowry death in Mulsian town, the police said on Monday. Balbir Singh of Ajtani village, in his complaint lodged with the police, alleged that his daughter, Sukhjit Kaur was forced to commit suicide by poisoning at her in-laws’ home on Sunday because of harassment. A mother of two sons, Sukjit Kaur was
married about five years ago and hence a case under Section 304-B of
the IPC has been registered against her husband, Malkiat Singh, and
his parents Shingara Singh and Chanan Kaur. |
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Proclaimed
offender arrested BARNALA, July 11 — Raj Kumar Garg, a proclaimed offender who had allegedly been duping firms and people of crores of rupees, and who was facing trial in a case of embezzlement under Section 406 of the IPC was yesterday arrested in another case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120B of the IPC. In this case the accused, who was
secretary of the Sangrur Congress unit, was yesterday produced before
Mr D.S. Johal, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Barnala, who
remanded him in police custody till July 12. |
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FCI
official held for stealing
wheat GIDDERBAHA, July 11 — The local police has arrested Basant Singh, AG-II, Food Corporation of India (FCI), allegedly for stealing wheat from his department and selling it in the open market. Bhupesh Kumar alias Anu, owner of Bharat Rice Mills, has also been booked in the case. Sources said that acting on a tip off, the police got the godown used by the FCI authorities for storing wheat purchased from grain markets opened and the stock checked. The physical verification showed a shortfall of 203 bags. Mr Ashok Baath, DSP, when contacted, said that the FCI had stored its wheat bags in premises hired from Bharat Rice Mills and Basant Singh and Bhupesh Kumar of the mill had colluded is stealing the wheat. Mr Baath said that the buyer of the wheat would be identified only after Bhupesh was arrested. The accused had planned to ‘adjust’
the stolen wheat when it was transported in this regard in the record
to other states. |
PSEB
step on English medium SAS NAGAR, July 11 — Starting from the next academic session, students of Classes IX and X in government schools will be allowed by the Punjab School Education Board to appear in the science and mathematics papers in the English medium. A policy in this regard was formalised at a meeting of board members held here today. Earlier the students of the government schools could appear in the Punjabi medium only. Students of the affiliated and aided schools were earlier given permission by the board to appear in the English medium, as opted by them. In another significant decision private candidates will not be allowed to opt for certain subjects with practical tests. The Chairman of the board, Dr Kehar Singh, said it had been observed in the past that private candidates used to procure certificates relating to practical papers like painting, physical education and dance from some institutions . This had led to unethical practices. Now only regular students would be allowed to opt for these subjects. The board members also cleared a policy to penalise schools which violated the terms and conditions of affiliation. If a school admits students to streams other than those permitted by the board, a fine of Rs 2,000 per student will be levied. Schools which admit more students to a class than permitted by the board will be fined Rs 500 per student. Sources in the board said the examination results of some schools which had admitted more than the permitted number of students were given after payment of the penalty. During the meeting
punishment given to certain employees of the board was upheld. In at
least two cases stronger punishment was advocated. Most of the items
on the agenda were approved. |
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Dr
Gurum is technical university
VC CHANDIGARH, July 11 — Dr H.S. Gurum has been appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Technical University at Jalandhar for a period of one year. The notification regarding the appointment was issued by the Chancellor on Monday. Dr Gurum had earlier retired as the Head of the Astrophysics (Space Sciences) Department from Punjabi University at Patiala. After Dr Anup Singh quit as
Vice-Chancellor, the Principal Secretary of Technical Education, Mr
N.S. Rattan had been functioning as the Vice-Chancellor. |
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College
admissions postponed CHANDIGARH, July 11 — Regular admissions to colleges affiliated to Panjab University have been postponed indefinitely, sources said here today. The regular admissions were scheduled to commence from tomorrow. The university also received a note from the Punjab School Education Board suggesting that the interviews should be rescheduled as the examination results of plus two (arts) were yet to be declared. Official sources said the new schedule would be announced at the earliest. A number of principals thronged the university campus earlier during the day. However, till late
afternoon no communication had been forwarded to those concerned. |
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