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| Friday, July 14, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
SHSAD denies defection report Urban crime worries Punjab police chief Bowled over by Punjab Status quo on Anandgarh land purchases |
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SHSAD panel
meeting
Separate rank of
SP to be created from PPS cadre Giving dignity to abandoned kids Bir’s stress on human values
Army recruitment rallies
Mother, son murdered Father rapes stepdaughter Stove mechanic hit with bottle, dies Prostitution case:
4 more arrested
PHRC notice to Education Dept M.Ed, B.Ed admission dates announced
Minister seeks report on paddy stocks Industrialists to gherao PSEB Insurance staff
hold stir
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SHSAD denies defection report KHARAR, July 13 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal has denied news published in newspapers that its Ropar unit president Mr Ujjagar Singh Badali, who joined the SAD of Mr Parkash Singh Badal yesterday had taken all the circle jathedars and office-bearers of the unit along with him. They claimed that Mr Badali and two other leaders, one of them a circle president had joined the SAD. Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary SHSAD and Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, state president of the youth wing talking to mediamen in Padiala village near here today paraded seven of the eight circle jathedars before mediamen who were still with the party. Mr Gurdial Singh Bedi (Sant Samaj leader) and Mr Bhagat Singh circle president Anandpur Sahib) who were present yesterday in Chandigarh along with Mr Badali when he joined the SAD, talking to mediamen in Padiala today said that they were still with the SHSAD and said they were tricked into going by the ruse of a meeting with Mr Badali. Mr Bhaur and Mr Panjoli said that Mr Badali, who just a few days ago had announced that he would never leave the SHSAD left the party for personal gains. They said his departure would not effect the party.
Badal, Rinwa meet to improve ties CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the President of the state unit of the BJP, Mr Brij Lal Rinwa, had a one- hour-long meeting this evening to remove the irritants between the two coalition partners — the SAD and BJP — as the differences had started growing between the two coalition partners in the Punjab Government. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, who accompanied Mr Rinwa to the official residence of the Chief Minister for holding the meeting told TNS that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Both parties have decided to set up joint coordination committees of senior leaders at all district headquarters to strengthen the relations between the workers and activists of both parties at the grassroots, he said and added that the task to form the committees would start soon. Mr Mittal said measures to be taken to remove the irritants among activists of both the parties were discussed in detail in the meeting. He said senior leaders of both the parties would strive to hold joint meetings of grass root level workers of both parties whenever they visited the district headquarters and countryside to ensure better coordination between the two parties. For the past few weeks, Mr Rinwa had made several statements criticising the functioning of the Punjab Government and lack of coordination between the two partners in the Punjab Government. Mr Rinwa had also raised questions about some sensitive issues like giving free power to farmers for tubewells and had asked for the reversal of such decisions. This had led to an undercurrent of uneasiness among the top leadership of the two parties. Today’s meeting between Mr Badal and Mr Rinwa is a significant development in the light of Mr Rinwa’s statements in the past few days and Mr Badal’s reaction to these statements. Mr Badal had stated that Mr Rinwa should use restraint and not make statements in the public regarding the two coalition partners. Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, a senior BJP Minister, was also to attend the meeting but he was unable to attend it due to some important engagement elsewhere. According to sources even though the meeting had been held in a cordial atmosphere, Mr Badal had lodged his protest in a very mild and polite manner by telling the BJP President that the statements made by him (Mr Rinwa) had sent wrong signals among the people of the state and had created unnecessary problems for the two coalition partners. However, sources said neither Mr Rinwa nor Mr Badal discussed the issue of free power to farmers.  |
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Urban crime worries Punjab police chief CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Urban crime involving violence, crime for ransom, gangsterism and attempts to introduce “supari killings” are the new trends of crime in Punjab where concerted attempts by foreign agencies to “revive terrorism” have been successfully thwarted by the information and intelligence network of the police, says the state police chief, Mr Sarabjit Singh. In an interaction with The Tribune at his residence, Mr Sarabjit Singh, the seniormost Best Trainee of the National Police Academy serving as Director-General of Police in any state or union territory, said one of the “disturbing phenomenon of violent urban crime is the involvement of first-timers, especially those from affluent families”. Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana had been ahead in this category of crime where one incident of kidnapping of a child for ransom led to the death of the kidnapped boy. “We are trying to analyse the causes for this spurt in violent urban crime. Recently, we were successful in nabbing a person with suspected links with the Mumbai underworld, who had been on a mission to kill someone in Phagwara for ‘supari’, he said maintaining that the IT revolution notwithstanding, no incident of cyber crime had been reported from anywhere in the state. “We are aware of the threat and potential of cyber crime. We have proposed to the state government to relax the rules so that we can recruit cyber-savy and IT experts in the department direct as Inspectors and Deputy Superintendents of Police. We need specialists, who are experts in IT and the cyber world. We want these recruitments against the existing posts. “In fact, Punjab has been the pioneer in the field of information technology. One of my illustrious predecessors, Mr K.P.S. Gill, had approved a scheme in 1993 for recruiting young computer professionals as constables in the department. They were trained on computers at the Chandigarh computer cell of the state police. “Now these trained policemen are in the districts, five in each district, where computerisation is at an advanced stage. Besides, we have three trained men for each additional machine in the districts. We are primarily using computers for administration and also for crime detection and the data bank. “Our scheme for the Integrated Police Form (IPF) , a computer-generated document, which is the equivalent of the First Information Report (FIR), is pending before the state government. Legislation is needed before it can be introduced. The Police Rules have to be amended to grant legal sanctity to the IPF. Some neighbouring states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, have already done it,” Mr Sarabjit Singh said. Another scheme pending before the government was the Police Net Scheme which would provide a link to police stations all over the country online, facilitating immediate access to each and every FIR registered anywhere for quicker crime detection. This was basically a satellite-based networking system which provide for audio-video conferencing besides instant data transmission from one police station to another throughout the length and breadth of the country. This scheme was scheduled to be completed by 2002. Talking about cyber crime, Mr Sarabjit Singh said the police was studying the Information Technology Act. “For the time being, we are trying to counter pro-‘Khalistan’ propaganda on the Net by giving out correct information in the proper perspective to Net users. There is no way to block or stop anti-India or pro-‘Khalistan’ propaganda. “Then we have to introduce some system to check cyber crime, especially pertaining to financial transactions where e-signature verification will be a major thing. At the same time, we want more and more officers to break their mental barrier and take to computers. That is why the department is now planning to set up two cyber cafes, one at the Police Training College, Phillaur, and the other in Chandigarh, for the benefit of officers. “Keeping pace with advancements in technology, the Punjab police has discontinued the use of teleprinter lines from July 1. The money so saved, from payment of rent for the lines, will be ploughed back into new technology,” the DGP said. “We agree that the budget of the Police Department has been growing. But unfortunately 94 per cent of our financial allocation of Rs 900 crore per annum goes to the payment of the salaries of the 70,000-strong force. With the remaining 6 per cent, we have to train the force, replace old vehicles, buy ammunition and also go in for new technology. Some of the vehicles we have are of 1988 vintage,” he said. The Punjab police, he said, would continue with the present police districts. The work of the Zonal IGs had been streamlined as the Ferozepore Range had been transferred to the IG, Border Range, thus giving each Zonal IG two ranges each. Mr Sarabjit Singh did not agree with the idea of posting senior officers, like IGs or ADGPs in the districts. This would not only dilute the authority of the district administration but also the accountability of the district police chiefs and the Range DIGs. For the past few years, he said, there had been no promotion courses because of promotions already ordered during the peak of the militancy years. As such, now there was stagnation as no senior positions were available. Six of the IPS officers of the 1970 batch were awaiting their promotion to the rank of Additional DGP. In fact, after 30 years of service, they should be in the rank of DGP. The DGP said that there were clear instructions that in the case of any custodial death, a case of murder would be registered against the SHO concerned. “There is no compromise on discipline. Any police officer involved in any crime will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said while
referring to recent cases of involvement of policemen in heinous crimes. The Union Government had not accepted the suggestion of the Punjab Government for posting a trained National Security Guards squad at Raja Sansi International airport for anti-hijacking operations. The NSG had also not agreed to the other proposal of the Punjab Government to train its officers in anti-hijacking operations. The situation was the same as before the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight to Kandahar in Afghanistan in December last year. In any eventuality, the Punjab police would be advised by the Crisis Management Group of the Centre for any action, Mr Sarabjit Singh added. |
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Bowled over by Punjab CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Punjab, a land of sturdy farmers, has made its presence felt in the House of Representatives of the USA, thanks to Congressman David E. Bonior. Bowled over by the “limitless potential” and “diligence” of its people, Mr Bonior while speaking in the House, described Punjab as a “naturally breathtaking place”. Mr Bonior said “Punjab is an agricultural state, home of the Green Revolution”. Though Punjab comprised only 1.5 per cent of India’s territory, farmers from the state had provided 65 per cent of India’s wheat and 45 per cent of its rice for the past 25 years. He stated in the House that he was most inspired by the “limitless potential of its people”. They (Punjabis) were hard-working men and women, striving to better their families and neighbours and sharing a deep devotion to God. Mr Bonior visited Punjab last month along with an NRI, Mr Gurmail Singh Grewal, a native of Sahouli village, near Ludhiana. Mr Gurmail Singh has done charitable work in his village, provided the Internet connection to the school there and computers for training students. Referring to his visit to Amritsar in the House, Mr Bonior said it was truly an honour to witness the Sikh faith within the walls of their holiest temple. “After experiencing the Punjabi people’s intense spirituality first hand, I now understand why Punjab today enjoys peace and stability”, he further stated. He exhorted his Congress colleagues and all Americans to welcome the Punjabi people with open arms. Appreciating President Bill Clinton’s visit to India, Mr Bonior said Mr Clinton displayed great foresight and wisdom by visiting India. “I believe it is our obligation to follow the President’s lead and work to establish strong ties between our two nations’ governments, businesses and citizens.” He hoped that his Congress colleagues would join his efforts to broaden and extend personal and economic collaboration with the people of Punjab indefinitely. Mr Bonior had also a word of appreciation for Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He observed that the Chief Minister was working hard to improve the lives of all Punjabis. He said Mr Badal had sought the help of the House of Representatives to build a strong and lasting relations with the USA. Mr Bonior has sent a copy of the speech he made in the House to the Punjab Chief Minister and also to Mr Gurmail Singh Grewal. Mr Bonior, who is Minority Whip in the House, started his speech by telling the members: “I rise today to recognise the extraordinary people of the Indian state of Punjab”. He made the speech on July 10. Meanwhile, in the letter sent to Mr Badal, Mr Bonior gave an assurance that he would continue to work to strengthen the ties between the USA and Punjab. He has also written to Mr Peter McPherson, President of Michigan State University (MSU), regarding the potential exchange programme between the MSU School of Agriculture and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He has also briefed Mr Clinton on his visit to Punjab. Mr Bonior stated in the letter that the President was very responsive to his observations and suggestions. |
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Status quo on Anandgarh land purchases CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Issuing notice of motion on a petition for quashing a notification for building Anandgarh, a new township, adjacent to Chandigarh, Mr Justice J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice K.S. Garewal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the maintenance of the status quo regarding the possession of the petitioners. In their petition, Mr Supinder Singh and his three brothers, residing at Palheri village in Ropar district, had earlier stated that certain “powerful bureaucrats and politicians who had purchased land in villages had succeeded in persuading the Punjab Chief Minister to build Anandgarh, instead of Anandpur Sahib, at the same place where new Chandigarh was to be built”. The petitioners had also enclosed a list of “influential persons” having land in the villages covered under the Anandgarh scheme. Going into the background, they had stated that the same “influential persons” had earlier “hatched a scheme to construct a new city in the adjoining villages of Chandigarh”. The purpose behind the scheme, the petitioners had added, “was that the very land purchased at throwaway prices by the influential nexus, should be acquired at very high prices and they should be able to make tons of money as profit out of the calculated scheme”. The project, the petitioners had added, was opposed by all opposition parties. They had added that “the Shiromani Akali Dal was the major single political party which made it a prestige issue of life and death to oppose the construction of the new city”. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, they had stated, had made a statement to newsmen asserting that “lakhs of people would be adversely affected and moreover it would damage Punjab’s claim to Chandigarh. As far as farmers, whose land was being acquired, who had worked day and night to make it fertile, no amount of money could compensate them”. In a similar petition, Mr Jasvir Singh Dhaliwal and Mr Gurdial Singh of Ropar district had earlier claimed that the notification was “without jurisdiction and politically motivated”. The two had stated that “the state of Punjab had no constitutional power to build a new township on its own”. Quoting an article appearing in these columns on April 6, the petitioners had also stated that the “reading of the article would clearly establish the futility of constructing a new town”. It was added that proposal to build up a new town within the periphery was illegal “on the face of it” as changing the use of land under the New Capital Periphery Control Act was forbidden. |
SHSAD panel meeting CHANDIGARH, July 13 — A meeting of the Working Committee of the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) and its district jathedars will be held on July 21 at Gurdwara Amb Sahib at SAS Nagar, according to a press note issued by Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary of the party. He said the current political situation, the strategy for starting the second phase of the “Badal hatao” campaign and other issues pertaining to Punjab would be discussed. |
Separate rank of SP to be created
from PPS cadre CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The Punjab Government today agreed to create a separate rank of Superintendent of Police from the PPS cadre in the state. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, asked the Home Department to implement this decision within one month. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by the Chief Minister and attended by senior officers of the state government and members of the Punjab Police Services Welfare Association. The Chief Minister also agreed to include the wards of gallantry awardees in the list for admission to the PMT and the CET by the universities in the state within the ambit of 2 per cent reservation already allowed to the children/widows of defence personnel who were killed or disabled to the extent of 50 per cent or more in action and children of serving personnel and ex-servicemen. It was also decided at the meeting to frame a suitable policy on the allotment of land to the PPS Officers Cooperative House Building Society in urban areas. The Chief Minister directed that this decision should also be implemented within one month. |
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Giving dignity to abandoned kids RAJPURA, A child abandoned in a garbage bin, an unwanted one, an orphan. Will she end up as a rag picker, street wanderer or a troubled kid in a filthy orphanage? None, but a responsible citizen if she is lucky enough to get a family like SOS. “Save Our Souls” (SOS) is a non-Governmental organisation (NGO) which has been running a chain of orphanages with a difference, called SOS villages. The only SOS village in Punjab is at Rajpura. Built in June, 1996, the SOS village celebrated its annual day here on June 23. Justice V.K. Khanna, Chairperson, Punjab Human Rights Commission, and Mr A.P. Bhatnagar, Additional Director-General of Police, Punjab, were the guests of honour. Songs, gidda, bhangra, recitation and shabads were part of the cultural programme presented on the occasion. Built over an area of 6.5 acres and equipped with a school, a library, a yoga room, a play room, and lush green lawns, the village has as its Director Mr Jagdeep Singh whom the “villagers” or inmates address as “Papa”. A vocational training centre and a hostel for boys above 14 is under construction. In 1996, it had five houses and 31 children. Today it has 14 houses and 144 children aged between 4 months and 14 years. Each house has a kitchen and rooms each of which accommodates 10 to 11 children. Each house has a warden or supervisor whom the children address as “mom”. Thus each child in the village has a family. Proper education, training and grooming shape their lives. Of the 79 girls and 65 boys, most came to the village when they were just a few hours old, like Diksha. She was found abandoned in a dustbin at Nabha with a cleft palate and a hare lip. It is difficult to imagine her fate had she not been brought to the SOS village. Now, looked after by a tender mother and in the company of affectionate brothers and sisters, she is growing up as a healthy and happy baby. The “mothers”, aged between 25 and 40 years, live in the village permanently. Started by Dr Harman Minor in Austria in 1939, this organisation has now a chain of SOS villages in 133 countries. Mr J.N. Kaul, who was honoured with Padam Shri, is the President of the Indian division. The first SOS village in India was built in 1964. Now their number is 32. The head office for Northern Zone is in New Delhi. |
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Bir’s stress on human values PATIALA, July 13 — Human values should be inculcated in the education curriculum so that children may grow up into good citizens and work towards the betterment of society. These views were expressed by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jasbir Singh Bir, after inaugurating a general medical check-up camp held in memory of noted philanthropist, Bir Dasondhi Ram, at the Atma Ram Kumar Sabha School here today. Mr Bir said that the Bir Dasondhi Ram foundation in collaboration with the district Red Cross would be holding state-level debates and declamation contests for students and the winners would be awarded a running trophy apart from cash prizes. Mr Bir appealed to various social service organisations to make the people aware of the ill-effects of the rising population. He added that the Red Cross and the Health Department would shortly be holding dental check-up camps in all schools of the district in which doctors would be spelling out the need for regular dental check-up for children. Mr Bir also said that the blood groups of students in all the schools of the district would be identified so that in an emergency situation this could prove to very useful. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bir said that free medicines would be distributed to all the students of Atma Ram Kumar Sabha School here.
Army recruitment rallies JALANDHAR, July 13 — The Army will organise recruitment rallies at Khanna from July 15 and at Nabha Cantonment from July 25. The rally for soldiers general duty, technicians and soldiers nursing assistant only will be open to Sikhs, other Sikh categories (Majhbi, Ramdasia, Adharmi and Valmiki), AIAC, Brahmins and Muslims, belonging to Ludhiana, Ropar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh districts. The candidates must be a matriculate and between 16 to 21 years of age for soldier general duty and 16 to 23 years of age for soldier technician and soldier nursing assistant. The candidates belonging to Ludhiana, Ropar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts should report at the Madan Gopal Chopra Stadium, Khanna, and the candidates belonging to Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib districts should report at Nabha Cantonment. |
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Bus drivers to
wear uniform GURDASPUR, July 13 — Encroachments and hoardings along roads will be removed soon in this district. This was stated by Mr B.
Vikram, Deputy Commissioner, in an emergency meeting held here today to implement traffic rules as per the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High
Court. Mr Vikram said uniforms bearing the names of drivers and conductors of the buses for both in public and private buses had been made compulsory. All vehicles would henceforth carry first-aid boxes and pressure horns. Musical horns had been banned. Dark film on windows would not be allowed. Refresher courses for drivers and conductors would he held from time to time to keep them abreast of traffic rules. Drivers had been asked to furnish medical fitness certificate once in every five years while overloaded buses would be liable for
“challan”, he added. |
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Rly stations get voice
response system PHILLAUR, July 13 — The railway authorities have installed interactive voice-response system for arrival and departure information of passengers at
Jammu-Tawi and Ludhiana railway stations. Railway sources told this correspondent here yesterday that six dot lines would be available on the system and any citizen could dial 470314, 470315, 470316, 470317, 470318 and 470319 for information. The sources said this facility could be accessible on 1331 number also. |
3 IPS officers transferred CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The Punjab Government today transferred three IPS officers. Mr Suresh Arora, DIG, Chief Minister’s Security Staff, will be the new DIG, Jalandhar Range. He is succeeded by Mr S.K. Goel, DIG, Prov. and Transport, CPO. Mr G.S. Mann, DIG, PAP, becomes DIG, Prov. and Transport, CPO, Punjab. |
Mother, son murdered LUDHIANA, July 13 — In a shocking incident, a mother- son duo was strangulated and done to death allegedly by a relative in the New Simlapuri area this evening. Davinder Kaur, 40, and her teenage son, Dharminder Singh, 15, were found dead in their Daba Road, New Simlapuri residence at around 4 p.m. today. A sister- in-law of Davinder Kaur discovered the two bodies when she came to visit them this evening. It is learnt that the woman came to the house and went in a bedroom after she thought that Dharminder Singh was sleeping there. She sat in the room, waiting for him to get up or Davinder Kaur to come there. However, when she could not find her, she began looking for her and found her body in a bathroom. The police is suspecting the involvement of a relative of the family in the murders. |
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Father rapes stepdaughter FARIDKOT, July 13 — The police has arrested, Sant Ram a local resident, for allegedly raping his minor ‘Dalit’ stepdaughter and then forcing her to give the child, born out of this relationship, for adoption. Dr Arun Oaron, SSP, when contacted, said a case under Sections 376, 317, 506 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered on the complaint of Mr Surjeet Singh. According to the FIR, the girl, who got pregnant due to sexual abuse by her stepfather was admitted to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital a few days ago. Paramjit Kaur, in whose house, the victim was working as a domestic help, got her treated from two gynaecologists identified as Dr Manjeet Kaur and Dr Jeewan Jot Kaur. The two doctors who performed a caesarean operation for the delivery did not inform the police. The child was born on June 16. Paramjit Kaur along with the two doctors, contacted Uttam Singh, who adopted the child. The police sources said all expenses incurred on the treatment of the girl were borne by Uttam Singh. The sources added that the girl was married to Raju hailing from UP, about three years ago. After the death of her husband, she came to Faridkot to stay with her mother. Her mother in the meanwhile had started living with Sant Ram after deserting her first husband about a year ago. The girl’s nightmare started soon after she started living in Sant Ram’s house. She brought it to the notice of her mother who ignored her. This then began a regular feature. The sexual abuse led to pregnancy and when it became visible she approached Paramjit Kaur, in whose house, she was working as a domestic help, for abortion. She was made to give her consent for the delivery on the pretext that her child would be given to an issueless couple. The police sources said the statement of the girl had been recorded and the child had been traced. The medical examination of the victim had been conducted. The X-ray examination had been conducted to ascertain the age of the girl. Dr Oraon said a special investigation team, including Mr Rakesh Kaushal, DSP (City) had been constituted to investigate the case. Sant Ram, had been remanded in police custody by the Judicial Magistrate today, he added. |
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Stove mechanic hit with bottle, dies JALANDHAR July 13—An LPG stove mechanic died after he was allegedly hit by one of his
acquaintances with a soda water bottle following a verbal duel between the two over a trivial issue. According to the police, Tilak Raj, a stove mechanic and a resident of Basti Danismandan died after he was allegedly hit by one Jaipal Singh Pala, of the same locality. Pala got infuriated over Tilak Raj’s refusal to send his servant to fetch something for the former from the market and allegedly hit the latter with a soda water bottle on his head. Tilak Raj, who had received serious injuries died on his way to the hospital. A case under section 302 of the IPC was registered against Pala, who has absconded. Crushed to death Semi, a resident of Banda Bahadur Nagar was killed after he was hit by a motorcyclist near his house last night. After committing the crime, the motorcylist fled away. A case has been registered. Two hurt in mishap Scooterists Ashwani Kumar and Balwinder, both residents of Kapurthala were injured after being hit by a car on the outskirts of Nakodar township this morning. Scooterists Ashwani Kumar and Balwinder, both residents of Kapurthala were injured after being hit was admitted with serious injuries. |
Prostitution case:
4 more arrested GURDASPUR, July 13 — With the arrest of Gurwinder Singh, Tarlok Chand, Manbir Singh, all residents of Ghurala, 2 km from here, and Harjit Singh, alias Khan of Gurdaspur, the number of persons arrested in the trafficking in women case has risen to seven. The case came into light on June 30. Rajesh Kumar of Sahowal, Kashmir Kaur and Shashi of Ladhupur were arrested earlier. According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, Kashmir Kaur and Renu were sex workers. They have been accused of arranging a minor for a number of persons. Police parties are raiding the possible hideouts of the
suspects. |
PHRC notice to Education Dept LUDHIANA, July 13 — The Punjab State Human Rights Commission( PHRC ) yesterday issued instructions to the State Education Department to file a reply before the commission by August 2, in connection with a complaint by Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, President, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, regarding the non-implementation of the pension-cum-gratuity scheme. The complaint, first of its kind, was placed before the commission last month. The complainant pleaded that the non-payment of pension and gratuity amounted to the violation of human rights. Prof Sodhi had alleged violation of human rights in a case pertaining to retired staff of non-government colleges of Punjab. He had pleaded that the Punjab Government was under obligation to pay pension and gratuity to those who were covered under the Act passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on March 31, 1999, and a gazette notification was passed on April 26, 1999 in this regard. Out of 7,000 employees of 132 non-government colleges covered under the Act, on an average 15 expired annually, leaving behind their widows and
dependents. Prof Sodhi said since the Act was passed, more than 700 persons had retired and a number of them had expired. He said their widows and dependents were living a life in penury in the absence of pension and gratuity. The commission has ordered the registration of a case and asked the state government to file a report. |
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M.Ed, B.Ed admission dates announced AMRITSAR, July 13 — Guru Nanak Dev University has announced its admission schedule for B.Ed and M.Ed courses for 2000-2001. Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar of the university, said yesterday the normal dates of admission for B.Ed classes would be from August 30 to September 9. With the late fee of Rs 50 on the approval of the principal the admission dates would be from September 11 to 18. He said with a late fee of Rs 100 and with the permission of the Vice-Chancellor, the admission dates would be September 19 to 26 and with late fee of Rs 1000 it would be September 27 to October 5. The dates for admission to M.Ed class would be August 10 to 14. With a late fee of Rs 50 and with the approval of the principal, the dates would be August 16 to 23, with a late fee of Rs 100, it would be August 24 to 31 and with a late fee of Rs 1000, it would be September 1 to 7. |
Minister seeks report on paddy stocks CHANDIGARH, July 13 —The Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, today took a serious view of the shortage of paddy stocks in godowns of different procurement agencies. He asked the officers concerned to prepare a detailed report in this regard and submit it to him for taking appropriate action against the erring officers. The minister was reviewing the milling of paddy in the state with officers of the Food and Supplies Department at a meeting held here. The minister asked the officers to ensure that the milling of paddy was completed by July 31. |
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Industrialists to gherao PSEB JALANDHAR, July 13 — To register their protest against the steep hike in power tariff, traders and industrialists from all over the state will gherao the office of the Punjab State Electricity Board at Patiala on July 21. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Harish Khanna, president of Industries and Trade Forum, Punjab and Mr Balwant Rai, president of Northern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there was no justification for raising the tariff at this point of time as PSEB was not suffering losses on account of consumers. They said according to the PSEB’s own estimate, a unit of power cost it Rs 2.53, while on average industrial consumers were paying Rs 2.83, hence there was no need for the hike. Mr Khanna said whatever losses were being suffered by PSEB were due to overstaffing, short-sightedness and mismanagement. He said if PSEB was suffering a loss of Rs 1800 crore it was due to transmission and other losses and its army of 30000 ‘surplus’ employees. He said it was not justifiable to burden common consumers for the “misdeeds” of others and added if PSEB failed to defer the hike even after the gherao, traders and industrialists would observe a Punjab bandh. |
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Insurance staff
hold stir AMRITSAR, July 13 — A lunch-hour demonstration was held today in front of the LIC divisional office building here by the Insurance Employees Union, Amritsar division, affiliated to the All-India LIC Employees Federation, in protest against the alleged uncooperative, vindictive and dilly-dallying attitude of the Divisional Manager. Resentment prevails among the employees over the non-issuance of transfer orders already agreed upon with the union representatives on the behest of other unions and ‘flouting’ of the set criteria with the unions. The attitude of the divisional manager was condemned by the
general secretary of the union, Mr G.S. Walia. He urged the divisional manager to do ‘justice’ to the affected employees — Sunita Rani, Hardial Singh and Santokh Chand. |
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