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| Saturday, July 22, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Red alert in Samana Local Bodies Dept moots separate account Vajpayee failed to meet Sikh aspirations: Tohra Barnala flays VC’s article Dhand in Patiala police custody? Give steps taken on aliens’ deportation |
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MLA-minister row intensifies Nagar panchayat chief removed
Radiation level in
Bathinda high Performing seva a mission Dam staff union seeks CBI inquiry ‘Consensus emerging on devolution of powers’ PUDA move to
‘save’ govt land Sales tax: traders for
formal notification
DC’s appointment kicks up row
Man gets 2-yr RI
for killing desert hare Residents resent police ‘inaction’ Cigarettes worth
2 lakh seized
‘Topper’ not called for interview Govt urged to fill
school posts
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Red alert in Samana PATIALA, July 21 — The district administration has issued a red alert in and around 20 villages in Samana sub-division following a rise in the water level at RD 460 at Khanauri in Sangrur district where syphons taking the Ghaggar river underneath the Bhakra main line are not equipped to handle the heavy discharge in the river. The water level at RD 460 at Khanauri is 753.2 feet. This is only one per cent less than the highest level of 753.3 feet recorded there during the 1993 floods. The state government has also sent an SOS to Haryana urging that water should not be released from the Bibipur lake in Kurukshetra district. This is because water is released from the lake into the Sagra Para, a seasonal rivulet, which flows into the Ghaggar near Khanauri. This would only put further pressure on the syphons at Khanauri which are capable for handling a flow of 15,000 cusecs and have to counter with one lakh cusecs or more during the rainy season. Sources disclosed that the level in the Bibipur lake had already reached the danger mark of 810.95 feet. The Haryana Government has been requested not to release any water from the lake for a few days and to warn Punjab in case releasing water into Sagra Para becomes a necessity. Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir disclosed that the Haryana authorities had assured that they would not release water from the lake tonight keeping in view the grim situation in Khanauri. The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that four teams had been established at Badanpur, Badshahpur, Shatrana and Tejpur which included medical officers, veterinary officials and police personnel. He said to meet with any eventuality boats
requisitioned from the Army had also been placed at strategic spots to meet with any eventuality. He said the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Samana, was heading the team at Tejpur which is next to the most seriously affected villages of Guru Nanakpura, Taipur Sagra, Chhicherwal and Kangthala. Mr Bir disclosed that the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary had also been briefed about the situation and were constantly monitoring it. He said all villages in the danger zone had been informed that they must be ready to evacuate at short notice in case there is any breach in the Ghaggar tonight. Meanwhile sources disclosed that the Ghaggar was spilling over at some spots upstream of Khanauri. They said water had spilled over from near Rasauli village and had also affected agricultural crop of Sarkapra village. Officials, however, disclosed that water spilling over from near Rasauli was going towards Batisdara, a natural drainway of the Ghaggar, which would ease some of the pressure from RD 460 at Khanauri. They said water, which was flowing across agricultural land in many villages in Samana sub-division near Khanauri, had however not entered any village. Meanwhile official sources disclosed that both the Markanda and the Tangri were flowing in spate in the district. Observation posts on both rivers are monitoring the situation.
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Local Bodies Dept moots separate account CHANDIGARH, July 21 — Sick of the Punjab Government’s indifferent attitude, the state Local Bodies Department has sought permission to open its personal ledger account (PLA) for depositing the octroi collected on the sale of liquor in the form of additional excise duty. Informed official sources told TNS that the case for granting permission had been moved at the level of Accountant-General of India. About Rs 60 crore collected as octroi on the sale of liquor by the Excise Department in the previous financial year was not transferred to the local Bodies Department by the Finance Department. Even Rs 20 crore collected during the current financial year has also not been given to the Local Bodies Department so far. If permission is granted, the PLA will be operated by the Director, Local Bodies, and the money collected as octroi will be deposited direct in the PLA at the district headquarters. The money will thus not have to be routed through the Finance Department to the Local Bodies Department. For the past several months, the Local Bodies Department has been engaged in a verbal duel with the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister on the release of funds. Sources told TNS that the Chief Minister was bluntly told that development works in urban areas had come to a halt for want of funds. Contractors had been pressing for payment for works executed by them. As the government did not budge on this issue, the Local Bodies Department authorities mooted the proposal for opening a separate PLA. “When even our own money is not being released by the authorities concerned, we have been left with no alternative except to moot the proposal on the PLA”, a senior official of the Local Bodies Department said. The diversion of money meant for municipal councils to other departments had become routine with the state government, sources said. The authorities concerned have also not transferred funds allocated for the Local Bodies Department. As per the recommendation of the Punjab Finance Department, Rs 58 crore was to be allocated to the Local Bodies Department as devolution from state government funds last year. However, only Rs 40 crore was allocated and only Rs 12 crore was released. How can one expect urban development with such a meagre release for over 100 local bodies and cities like Ludhiana with a population of nearly 30 lakh? The Union Government has given about Rs 50 crore to Punjab for the implementation of certain programmes. But this money has also not been transferred to the Local Bodies Department. Under a slum clearance scheme, Rs 35 crore was given by the Union Government. Besides, Rs 7 crore has been given for the Sutlej Action Plan. There were other schemes too, like the rozgar plan under which money was allocated by the Centre. There was no release of funds from the discretionary grant for the local bodies. Normally, Rs 15 crore is given as discretionary grant for executing emergency or other important works to the Local Bodies Department in urban areas by the state government. The Union Government is ready to allocate more funds, but it has sought the utilisation certificate (UC) for the money allocated earlier. As the money has not reached the Local Bodies Department, it is unable to give the required certificate. It is not a loss to the department only but also to the state as such. Following pressure from the Local Bodies Department, the state government has directed the Finance Department to pass on the money given by the Union Government under various schemes straight to the state nodal agencies concerned. Informed sources said the government had agreed to release Rs 25 crore from the liquor octroi fund shortly. The Local Bodies Department has also asked for the clearance of other dues in
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Vajpayee failed to meet Sikh aspirations: Tohra CHANDIGARH, July 21 — The President of the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra said here today that his party would stand by the Anandpur Sahib Resolution passed by Working Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal on October 17, 1973 at Anandpur Sahib and adopted by the party’s general house as its policy and programme on August 28, 1977 at Amritsar. Rejecting the autonomy resolution passed by the Farooq Abdullah’s government in J and K, Mr Tohra said that his party would submit the memorandum based on the Anandpur Sahib Resolution to the Commission for the Review of the Constitution. He said that in fact the party would submit two representations to the commission. Through second representation, provisions of safeguards in the Constitution would be sought to protect the religious and political interests of minorities in the country. Attacking the RSS, Mr Tohra said in the absence of religious safeguards, bodies like the RSS were hurting religious feelings of the Sikhs by equating the Guru Gobind Singh with Maharana Partap and Shivaji. He objected to the putting of picture of Guru Gobind Singh with kings etc by the RSS. Mr Tohra said that the government led by Mr Vajpayee at the Centre had failed to live
up to the expectations of the Sikhs. “We are disappointed as forces like the RSS are dictating terms to the Vajpayee government on all important issues”, Mr Tohra said. He said that the RSS made Mr Vajpayee reject the autonomy resolution sent to the Union Government by the J and K government. He said that the Union Government should have not withdrawn the powers and privileges given to the J and K state in the 50s and 60s by making special provisions in the Constitution. Asked about the reports in the print media with regard to efforts for a rapprochement between him and the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Tohra said that his fight with Mr Badal was not personal one. It was based on certain principles. He would be prepared to stand by Mr Badal, if he (Mr Badal) accepted supremacy of the Akal Takht. Earlier, the working committee of the party which met under Mr Tohra’s chairmanship here today passed 12 resolutions. Giving details in this connection, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary of the party, told reporters that the party wanted that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha should pass a resolution seeking autonomy for the states in the light of the Anandpur Sahib resolution. It also sought the framing of the All-India Gurdwara Act in consultation with the SGPC. The party has also sought regular power free of cost to farmers for 16 hours daily, conceding the demands of Punjab by the Union Government, check on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, release of Sikh youths detained in various jails, roll-back of fee hike in all sort of educational institutions and reviewing of the GATT like agreements. |
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Barnala flays VC’s article PATIALA, July 21 — The Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, today asked former Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala to explain whether he subscribed to the demand of Punjab having “a sovereign right to make its own constitution” as contained in the 1973 Anandpur Sahib resolution. Mr Barnala criticised an article written by the Vice-Chancellor in a Punjabi newspaper as untimely and false. The article conveyed that the Anandpur Sahib resolution had been written by former ICS officer Kapur Singh and that the former Union Minister, who was the convener of the committee, was responsible for framing the resolution, and other members, had signed the resolution without being aware of its consequences. Mr Barnala spent nearly 40 minutes of his 45-minute speech at a seminar in the University to denounce the article. He said there was not much difference in the Anandpur Sahib resolution and a subsequent resolution adopted by the Akalis in 1978 at Ludhiana as there was only a change in word usage. The Vice-Chancellor, while talking to TNS, said now that Mr Barnala had acknowledged the drafting of the Anandpur Sahib resolution by a team led by him and also reiterated his commitment to the 1973 draft, he owed an explanation to the Sikh community on whether he stood by the demand for “a sovereign right of the Sikhs to frame their own constitution”. Dr Ahluwalia said if the answer of the former Union Minister to this question was in the affirmative, he could not politically and morally escape responsibility for the fundamentalist movement whose seeds were sowed in the 1973 draft. |
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Dhand in Patiala police custody? LUDHIANA, July 21 — A piquant situation has arisen with reliable sources saying a Ludhiana based Youth Congress leader suspected to be involved in a murder case here has been detained by the Patiala police and the latter denying the same. Although the Patiala police has denied that the Youth Congress leader, Mr Nirdosh Dhand, had been picked up by them, highly placed police sources revealed that Mr Dhand had been picked by a sub-inspector of the Ropar police and taken to Patiala for interrogation in the murder case registered at Ludhiana. The Patiala police, allegedly using some ‘extra legal’ powers, picked up Dhand in a case of murder of Malkiat Singh, brother of Baba Ajit Singh Poohla, which took place on February 12, 1999. Family members of Nirdosh Dhand alleged that he was detained in Patiala. They said they were making efforts to get him back. But he had not been released, said a close family member, till the filing of this report. According to sources this had been done at the behest of a DIG of Police, currently posted at Chandigarh and believed to be close to Baba Ajit Singh Poohla. They also alleged that this game plan was a result of the politics afflicting the Punjab Police, with the senior police officers using their own favourites to get their personal work done. After this work allegedly could not be executed by the local police, the Patiala police reportedly was given explicit instructions for rounding up Nirdosh Dhand. The sources further alleged that the Ludhiana police was not keen on arresting Nirdosh Dhand because of his close association with top police officers of the city as well as the police range. The DIG Patiala Range, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, said, “I checked out the case after I heard this rumour. But the person has not been rounded up by the Patiala police.” He, however, confirmed that he had also learnt that Nirdosh Dhand had been picked up by an SI of the Ropar police, which did not fall in his jurisdiction. Meanwhile, family sources of the deceased, Malkiat Singh, while talking to TNS here today alleged that both Malkiat Singh and Nirdosh Dhand were together in the business of money lending. However, both of them fell apart and Malkiat Singh started his business separately and thus the seeds of rivalry were sown. However, it was after a man, Sanjeev Kumar, was tortured by the accused Dhand for being unable to pay back the interest or the principle on the loan of Rs 25000, sought the support of and joined hands with Malkiat Singh, that things reportedly worsened between the two. It is learnt that Sanjeev had been lent Rs 25000 at an exorbitant rate of interest and even after he had allegedly paid over Rs 30 lakh as interest. The interest money was raised to double each day if the borrower failed to pay back the interest due each month. When Sanjeev approached Malkiat Singh , he helped him get an FIR registered against Nirdosh Dhand under Sections 365, 384, 393,452, 506 and 148 of the IPC, after which Dhand was arrested and had to spend time in the jail. Family members of Malkiat Singh allege that it was in order to settle a score that he got Malkiat Singh eliminated. |
Give steps taken on aliens’ deportation CHANDIGARH, July 21 — Directing the Union of India and the state of Punjab to inform the court regarding the steps being taken for deporting foreign nationals lodged in Amritsar jail, Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar and Mr. Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the state counsel to furnish information on their passports. Pronouncing the orders, the Judges observed: “Counsel for the petitioners states that Pakistani nationals in jail are having passports and most of them have been convicted for over-staying in India. If this position is correct, then they must be having visas also.... The state of Punjab must verify whether they were having passports and visas and that they had over-stayed in India”. About 120 foreign nationals — 54 Pakistanis, 50 Bangladeshis, 13 Burmese, two Iranis and one Afghan — were initially ordered by Mr. Justice V.K. Jhanji to be deported to their respective nations. The directions were passed after they were ordered to be released by the Chief Judicial Magistrate while holding a camp court at the jail. Mr Justice Jhanji had observed: “All the foreign nationals arrested confessed their guilt and after recording their confession and also finding that they had already undergone imprisonment for more than three months, they were ordered to be released”. Mr Justice Jhanji also observed: “I ordered the Jail Superintendent to deport them immediately to their respective nations. The jail superintendent told me that they will have to be kept in the camp being run by the government on the jail premises till such time they are deported to their respective countries. He told that their deportation would take a long time, that is seven to eight months more”. Mr Justice Jhanji had concluded: “To avoid delay in deportation of the foreign nationals and also to safeguard human rights, I think it is proper to treat their representations as civil writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution for issuance of writ to the Union of India to take up their matter with their respective governments for their early deportation”. Notice to AG on
house attack On a petition alleging attack on the house of a Patti resident on “instructions” of Punjab Chief Minister’s daughter for grabbing the land purchased by her son, Mr. Justice
V.M. Jain of the High Court today issued notice of motion to Punjab Advocate General for July 27. Seeking the registration of an attempt to murder case against Nirpinder Singh and 13 other Patti residents under Sections 307, 452, 390, 391 and 34 IPC. Harbhajan Kaur had earlier stated that the accused on July 1 took possession of the plot after firing with the intention to kill. Giving details of the incident, she had added that armed accused, on instructions of the Chief Minister’s Daughter Ms Parneet
Kaur, entered the house before looting it. The reason behind the attack, she had added, was a 15-marla plot in Patti purchased by her son on September 22, 1999. The
accused wanted to grab the land or else force them to sell it at a low price. Alleging inaction, her counsel had stated on her behalf that the petitioner approached the Station House Officer of Patti City police station, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Senior Superintendent of Police, with a request for saving her family’s life, but the same was not accepted. He had added that the petitioner’s family was on the road as no one was permitted to enter the house. Stay on probe
against Markfed employees Our Legal Correspondent adds:
On a writ petition filed on behalf of the Punjab State Coop. Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. Employees Union, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notice of motion and stayed the inquiry proceedings against Markfed employees pending before the inquiry officers. The main contention raised by counsel for the petitioner-union was that the inquiry proceedings are not being conducted in accordance with the services rules governing the employees. During the course of arguments, it was stated that there was no provision under the rules to appoint a person from outside the department to conduct the inquiry. The grievance of the petitioner-union was that Markfed had appointed several retired IAS officers on a contract basis to conduct inquiry proceedings and this would lead to bias against the employees and secondly these officers had no knowledge of functioning of the federation field work. Taking cognizance of issue, a Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar and Mr Justice M.S. Gill, stayed the proceedings against the employees and directed counsel for Markfed to file an affidavit containing the criteria adopted for the selection of persons from outside the department as inquiry officers. |
MLA-minister row intensifies FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 21 — Infighting in the district unit of the SAD has further intensified. District president Jathedar Swarn Singh Chaharthal in a press note issued here today appreciated the efforts made by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, in making Mr Baldev Sedha, a social worker, president of the Amloh Municipal Council. He criticised the local MLA for his “unruly” behaviour during the poll process. He said the MLA had been playing a “double role”. On the one hand he had been in constant touch with Jathedar G.S. Tohra and on the other hand approached the Chief Minister on several occasions for personal gain. He urged the Chief Minister to take stern action against the legislator as he had begun to constitute a “parallel” organisation. In a separate press note Mr Avtar Singh Bhalmajra, general secretary, district unit, alleged that the MLA had damaged the reputation of the party by indulging in corruption. He said the MLA often kept cheques of grants for various development projects in villages issued by the district administration with him and handed these over to only those panchayats which conceded to his “demands”. On the other hand, supporters of the MLA have called a meeting of party workers on July 23 at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to oppose the “unnecessary interference and dictatorial attitude of Capt Kanwaljit Singh in Amloh constituency”. In a press note issued here today, Mr Harmel Singh Madhopur and Mr Harnek Singh Badali, president and general secretary of the Dalit Front, alleged that Capt Kanwaljit Singh had forcibly made a general category candidate as president of the Municipal Council of Amloh though the post was reserved for B.C. They appreciated the local MLA for his efforts to serve the cause of the downtrodden. Mr Balwant Singh Sahpur, MLA, talking to The Tribune on the phone, said he had brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister and would continue to fight against “repression.” He denied being involved in anti-party activities.  |
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Nagar panchayat chief removed FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 21 — Mr Dharm Paul, president of the Khamanon Nagar Panchayat, was removed from his post following a no-confidence motion passed against him at a meeting held today. Mr Rajesh Paul Singh Lalli, a senior Akali leader, told reporters that Mr Dharm Paul belonged to the Congress MLA Amrik Singh Dhillon group. The members were not satisfied with his working, he alleged. He said a new president would be elected soon after consultations with the high command. |
Radiation level in
Bathinda high AMRITSAR, July 21 — The level of radiation due to natural radio-activity is the maximum in Bathinda. This is the conclusion of the survey conducted as a part of the national coordinated radon project sponsored by the Environment Assessment Division (EAD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, (BARC), Mumbai. As per the report, internally deposited alpha radiations are most damaging. The main health hazard associated with radon is lung cancer. According to Prof H.S. Virk, Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, various case control studies in different parts of the world suggest a co-relation between enhanced radon levels and lung cancer. Prof Virk has completed a radiation survey of about 300 villages of Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, including towns like Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. He says though the radiation level in Bathinda district is the maximum, yet it is within safe limits. Prof K.S. Thind of the same university has found an adverse impact of radiation on food items in Bathinda and adjoining districts. However, the varsity professors conclude that though the radon exposure is not a significant health hazard for the population of Punjab, yet efforts should be made to minimise radiation levels in Bathinda, Mansa and Gurdaspur as the national average is much less than in these districts. |
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Performing seva a mission NAWANSHAHR: The local Five Star Friends (the Sri Amarnath and Mani Mahesh Seva Dal), which was constituted by five youths in 1983, has taken the shape of a mission. Set up by Mr Mohinder Kumar Sharma, Mr Vineet Kaushal Lovely, Mr Harikishan Chopra Ghungher, Mr Pawan Kumar and Mr Raman Bhatt to organise langar for Amarnath pilgrims, the seva dal now has hundreds of members and volunteers. The dal, with the cooperation of philanthropists, has been providing food, shelter, medicines and blankets to pilgrims. Mr Sharma, president of the dal, says in 1982 he went on pilgrimage to Amarnath. While he was returning after paying obeisance at the shrine, he and other pilgrims were not allowed to stay at Sheshnag due to inclement weather and the absence of arrangements for food and shelter. He then thought of organising langar on a regular basis for yatris and discussed the plan with his friends, who supported the idea. Langar is organised by the volunteers at Baltal, Pahalgam, Panch Tarni, Gauri Kund, Goth and other places en route to the Amarnath and Mani Mahesh shrines. The seva dal has also built three sarais on the way to Mani Mahesh by collecting about Rs 6 lakh as donations. Besides, the organisation has more than 1,000 blankets, a generator set, tents and other items. Every year the volunteers collect donations from the local philanthropists. This year the dal activists will organise langar at Panch Tarni (from July 21 to August 15) and at Goth (from August 28 to September 8). The seva dal has collected donations totalling Rs 10 lakh both in cash and kind, and nearly 100 dedicated volunteers will perform seva. The dal will also arrange 10 trucks carrying rations, LPG cylinders, blankets, medicines, tents, polythene sheets, generator sets and other items for the
yatris. |
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Dam staff union seeks CBI inquiry GURDASPUR, July 21 — Mr Natha Singh and Mr Harinder Singh Randhawa president and secretary respectively, of the Ranjit Sagar Dam Workers Union demanded a CBI inquiry into rampant corruption during the construction of Ranjit Sagar Dam. These leaders also demanded fixation of responsibility caused due to delay in completion of the Ranjit Sagar Dam and said that if the assets of ‘suspicious’ officers from junior engineers to general manager were examined, the truth would come out. They opposed an inquiry by any state agency as they feared that the state agency would not be fair in its probe in view of vested interests of state politicians. This was the reason why no one had been punished so far in spite of various
scandals reported by the media earlier, they said. The union leaders said that the government exchequer suffered loss of revenue to the tune of Rs 6000 crore due to delay in completion of the dam by at least 12 years. However, Mr J.S. Randhawa, General Manager, and Mr N.S. Chawla, Chief Engineer, said that the main reason for delay in completing the dam structure was lack of adequate resources during construction of the dam. The actual work picked up momentum only in 1985 when sufficient funds were made available in this regard. The union leaders added that large scale corruption was also one of the reasons for its delay besides escalation in the cost with the passage of time. They alleged that the delay was intentional to get the commission increased from 20 to 25 per cent on carrying the river bed material to the dam site. The amount of commission in this regard was stated to be Rs 120 crore. When the General Manager was asked to comment in this regard, he said that, that was the
purview of the government and the Vigilance Department to look into this matter. The union leaders said that in 1988, 60 gazetted officers of the Vigilance Department raided the dam site and in their report they said that out of Rs 500 crore spent on dam work till then, Rs 200 crore had been
embezzled. However the General Manager feigned ignorance regarding the raid. Besides, an FIR was also registered against the then SP of Pathankot and four policemen, four junior engineers of the dam and some suppliers in a spare part
scandal at the dam site. Some employees were also suspended on the dam site in 1996 but no one had been sentenced so far in any of the
scandals that delayed the completion of the Ranjit Sagar Dam. |
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‘Consensus emerging on devolution of powers’ PATIALA,
July 21 — The centre-state relations is a sensitive and highly debatable topic and the erosion of the one-party system in the Indian Democratic set-up, coupled with the rise of regional parties which command a say in Parliament, has resulted in effective political power being diffused to the states. These views were expressed by Mr H.S. Mattewal, Advocate-General, Punjab, while speaking on the concluding day of the seminar on Indian Constitution and changing social, political, economic and cultural realities, organised by Punjabi University here today, after inaugurating the business session of the legal aspects of the Constitution. Mr Mattewal said a consensus was slowly emerging regarding the greater devolution of powers to the states, but the question was how soon would the centre agree on giving the states more powers A number of scholars advocated a complete reappraisal of subjects among the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List in tune with the changing world order and the changed aspirations of the citizens on the basis of federal principles. Another point which was brought in focus was the institution and role of Governor, his power, functions and duties. Article 356 came into sharp criticism by a large number of speakers, who gave examples of how the Centre had misused this provision during the past 50 years. In a separate session on economic issues, economists were of the view that there was need for an immediate and comprehensive recasting of the Constitution with regard to the devolution of resources to the states. They said over the years, the Centre had eroded the financial powers of the states and the lop-sided devolution formula of financial resources to the states had weakened their ability to undertake any major development work. In the changed global scenario, they demanded greater say for states in generating and using the country’s resources and demanded not only fiscal autonomy but planning autonomy also for the states. |
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PUDA move to
‘save’ govt land JALANDHAR July 21 — The decision to sell vacant government land has been taken to save these from land mafia and to eliminate the possibility of their encroachment by unscrupulous elements. Stating this here yesterday, Mr K.B.S. Sidhu, Chief Administrator, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Authority (PUDA), said that the criticism regarding this move in certain quarters was uncalled for as the decision to sell any government land was taken by a high level committee headed by the Chief Secretary. He said PUDA had decided to auction 13.21 acre of prime government land in Jalandhar and Phillaur. This included the main bus stand at Jalandhar measuring 3.21 acre and a 10 acre PWD godown at Phillaur. The auction would be held on August 9 in the local tehsil complex after the fixation of a minimum price, by the Deputy Commissioner. Mr Sidhu said PUDA had identified about eight more such properties, including the old DC and SSP offices, for auction. He said PUDA was planning to construct residential flats at the local ganna farm land and at the 700 acre land on the Jalandhar-Kapurthala road. |
Sales tax: traders for
formal notification AMRITSAR, July 21 — The Punjab Pardesh Beopar Mandal, in a letter to Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Minister for Excise and Taxation, Punjab, has sought a formal notification on the hike in the rate of sales tax on all types of yarn. Mr Amrit Lal Jain, president, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, reminded the minister of a statement in the media regarding hike in the sales tax from 2 per cent to 4 per cent that appeared on April 11 this year to be effective from April 12. According to Mr Jain, Mr Kairon had assured him that the change in the structure of sales tax would be ‘notified’ shortly. There was, however, no notification in this regard. The association is demanding the early notification as the yarn dealers have to file their sales tax returns. |
Reserve seats for wards
of decorated cops CHANDIGARH, July 21 — The Home Department of the Punjab Government has asked the State Technical Department to make a provision of 2 per cent reservation of seats in Engineering Colleges and other Technical Education Institutions for the wards of police officers who are recipients of the Presidents police medal for gallantry. This has been done to implement one of the demands of the Punjab Police Services Officers Association by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Such reservation is also to be made in the medical colleges. |
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ESI dispensary
waits for salvation TARN
TARAN, July 21 — Unpaid power bills have become a major headache for the ESI dispensary at Goindwal Sahib with PSEB threatening to cut power supply. According to information the Health Department has not sanctioned a single paisa for the ESI dispensary since 1995. In the meanwhile electricity and other bills have mounted and the power bill alone has crossed over Rs one lakh. With no money forthcoming and PSEB poised to cut power supply the ESI dispensary staff themselves be in need of health care soon. |
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Death condoled PATIALA, July 21 — The Chairperson and members of the faculty of the Department of English passed a condolence resolution for Professor B.M. Razdan, who was a teacher in the department. He had passed away recently. |
DC’s appointment kicks up row JALANDHAR, July 21 — The appointment of Mr Keshwa Prasad, an IAS officer of the 1993 batch, as Deputy Commissioner has raked up a controversy with Mr Raminder Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, a 1992 batch officer, who is senior to Mr Prasad, proceeding on leave in protest. Though the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner is considered to be the prerogative of the government and there are a few such precedents but what creates a piquant situation for anyone superseded this way, is the provision of the service rules specifying that the annual confidential reports of all officers in the district are to be written by the Deputy Commissioner. But the practice of writing of ACR of a senior officer by an otherwise junior officer is normally not liked by many senior officers, who prefer to seek transfer than serve under a junior officer. Though jumping of the seniority list has been quite common in case of appointment of SSPs and other plum posting like that of Chief Secretary, there have been very few incidents of suppression or adoption of a pick-and-choose policy by the government while appointing Deputy Commissioners. Even if this is done, it has been a practice to shift the senior officer to the other district to save him from any embarrassment before appointing somebody as Deputy Commissioner. But it was not allegedly followed by the authorities concerned while appointing Mr Keshwa Prasad as Deputy Commissioner, thus raising many an eyebrow. Mr Raminder Singh, who is five times senior to Mr Keshwa Prasad as per the 1999 civil list or seniority list of IAS officers issued by the Department of Personnel, Government of India, was officiating as Deputy Commissioner in the absence of Mr Som Parkash, who had proceeded on leave before his transfer as the Managing Director of the Punjab Financial Corporation. Another known case of a tug of war between a senior and a junior was at the time of the appointment of Ms Usha Sharma as DC, Kapurthala, in 1997. Her appointment had also raised a great deal of dust since, Mr S.S. Sandhu, the then ADC, Kapurthala, who was otherwise senior to her, was ignored by the government, sources said. Even as rumours are rife that Mr Raminder Singh has proceeded on leave to register his protest against the manner in which he was ignored, officials sources said after realising the anomaly. Mr Raminder Singh has been directed by the Department of Personnel to proceed on leave till a solution is in sight. Mr Raminder Singh, when contacted said Ms Kusumjit Sidhu, Secretary, Personnel, has assured him that the anomaly in the appointment would be removed soon. In this connection, the case has already been referred by the department to the Chief Secretary, sources said. Earlier, the appointment of Mr R.S. Mann, a 1965 batch IAS officer as the Chief Secretary by the ruling SAD-BJP combine government way back in 1997, had generated a lot of heat since he reportedly stood 13th in the list. So much so that senior officers of the 1964 and 1963 batches, including Mr V.K. Khanna, Mr N.K. Arora, Mr Ajit Kumar, Mr Shavama Maan, and others were ignored. |
Man gets 2-yr RI for
killing desert hare TALWANDI SABO, July 21 — Mr Jatinder Pal Singh, Judicial Magistrate, has convicted Sohan Singh of Shergarh village, for killing a desert hare and sentenced him to two years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on him. According to a copy of judgement procured by TNS today, Sohan Singh killed a desert hare in a hunting dog race organised at Phulokhari village on January 12 last year. An FIR was registered against him in this regard by the Wildlife Inspector, Mr Gurcharan Singh. The prosecution proved that Sohan Singh had no licence to hunt the hare which was a wild animal. By killing it the accused violated the provisions of Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibit the hunting of wild animals. The accused was found in possession of the dead hare but he refused to hand it over to wildlife officials when they demanded it from him. By doing so, he also violated the provisions of Sections 39 and 49 of the Act. It may be mentioned here that about 200 desert hare were killed in hunting dog races organised by “influential” people in January, 1999, at the same site where the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, had laid the foundation stone of an oil refinery. The Tribune then broke out the story and based on it an FIR was lodged at Rama Mandi police
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Residents resent police ‘inaction’ AMRITSAR, July 21 — Resentment prevails among the residents of the Chheharta area here against the police. They said an FIR was lodged against some persons of the area who had been accused of being involved in the flesh trade. Though raids were conducted after the FIR and four persons were also arrested, but they were soon released on bail. Area residents, who had been hoping to see end to these immoral activities after the raid in the premises which were allegedly being used for flesh trade by Jagir Singh, alias Chowdhary, a woman reportedly his wife and others, were shocked to find the duo and two other accused roaming freely in the Chheharta area on the July 18 just a few days after the raids (July 13). The accused Chowdhary reportedly enjoyed clout with some high officials and also among the police. Consequently, two earlier representations in 1994 made to then the ADC and the SSP had proved to be fruitless. But the recent raids by the police and arrests emboldened the area residents who promised cooperation to the police to evict the accused from their area. But the release of the accused had send shock waves in the areas. The residents said they had informed the police authorities about rumours that the accused were being bailed out. Mr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader, too, talked to SSP, Param Pal Singh Sidhuy, and claimed that the SSP had assured him that there was no question of the accused being bailed out. Interestingly, all accused were given bail without any notice to the investigating officer in the case or other police officials. The interim bail order dated July 14 for release by Judicial Magistrate I Class (D) reads “The accused have already been remanded to judicial custody. No useful purpose would be served by keeping the accused in custody as presentation of challan and the conclusion of trial will take some time. There is also no apprehension of accused tampering with evidence. In these circumstances I order the accused/applicants be released on bail”. The accused were required to furnish bail bonds as well as surety bonds of the sum of Rs 15000 each. Mr Dang brought this to the notice of the SSP, who said the session court had the power to give interim bail without notice to the police and this might have been exercised in this case. However, residents were not willing to believe the police’s contention. In a letter today to SSP and investigation officer in the case, DSP Sukhminder Singh relating to the case registered on July 11 under Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1956. Residents of the area raised questions as to why no objection was raised by the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) present when the bail was given. The residents demanded that why the APP did not ask for “extra time” to study and review the case. Everything it seems has been done in utmost hurry” they accused. Residents, along with Mr Dang, demanded to immediately move court for cancellation of bails and also to move court to allow the police to seal the house used for the flesh trade. |
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Cigarettes worth
2 lakh seized LUDHIANA, July 21 — Imported cigarettes worth Rs 2 lakh in six parcel packets have been seized by sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at the Model Town post office. According to information, six parcels were sent through speed post addressed to a person in Model Town and these parcels were received here two days ago. The address of the recipient was fake and so the team of DRI officials opened the packages and found 70 cartons of cigarettes in each package. As many as 420 cartons of “Gold Tiger” and “Peacock” brands of cigarettes were seized. It is learnt that the parcels had been sent from Imphal and the Deputy Director, DRI, Mr. R.C. Sankhla, had been tipped off about the packets. |
‘Topper’ not called for interview AMRITSAR, July 21 — Swaraj Deep Singh cleared the entrance test, for admission to LL.B (three years course) of Guru Nanak Dev University but did not get interview call on Wednesday. His roll number was notified in the official notification of the Law Department number 32/LD/17-07-2000 signed by Dr Gurjeet Singh Coordinator, law entrance test 2000. He was graded ‘first’ in the rural area merit list and ‘second’ in the backward class merit list. Swaraj Deep, in a written complaint alleged that the authorities concerned had scrapped his ranking from the rural area and didn’t call him for the interview. According to the university notification the final merit of the candidates would be determined at the time of interview after giving due weightage to the marks secured in the entrance test and the qualifying examination. Efforts to contact Dr Gurjeet Singh, head of the department, failed. |
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Govt urged to fill
school posts AMRITSAR, July 21 — Although the Education Department has promoted 792 government school teachers as lecturers, hundreds of posts of lecturers in various subjects continue to remain vacant in government senior secondary schools. A large number of senior B.Ed teachers who have been working in government schools since 1972 onward have not been promoted as lecturers against these posts leading to resentment. While there have been no promotions in the science subjects, there have been only a few promotions in history and economics. Vacancies exist in all the subjects. As a direct fallout students of weaker sections of society confined to studying in government schools are suffering due to the lack of teaching staff. Mr Sucha Singh, general secretary Amritsar unit of Government Teachers Union, Punjab demanded that vacant posts of lecturers be filled without further delay. |
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