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| Monday, July 24, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Minister
stalls efforts to check graft "Call
US Nagar panel meeting" Modi
refutes charges against BJP
Providential escape for flood-prone villages |
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Low
defence outlay won’t do: Gen Oberoi NIS brawl: security lapse blamed
Ban on
Congress functions decried
Sheesh Mahal tank dries in
neglect No. 11 in
Golden Temple design
SGPC may
change ritual Bhattal
for girdawari in flood-hit areas Aerodrome
promised for Pathankot Badal
says no to return of leaders Religious
march by Rode
MC
men flouting regulations: CPM
FEROZEPORE, July 23 — Regretting the "lethargic" attitude of the police in arresting the prime accused allegedly involved in the killing of Congress activist Kapil Saluja within the city police station on the night of July 11, the Punjab Congress vice-president, Mr Bal Mukand Sharma, said today that despite repeated assurances by the police, all accused had not been arrested so far. SI
booked for retaining money "Mahant"
found dead
PATIALA, July 23 — Patialvis got a taste of the latest in fashion with the National Institute of Fashion Design, Patiala, organising a “Spice winners fashion parade” here last night. 
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Minister
stalls efforts to check graft CHANDIGARH, July 23 — In the Punjab cooperative institutions embezzlement involving of Rs 102.51 crore, in the last five years, has been detected. This people’s money has been siphoned off right from village cooperative societies up to district and state level cooperative and agricultural development banks, involving members, staff and officials. This much money having been pocketed was detected during a recent special study got conducted by the Financial Commissioner, Cooperative, Mr K.S. Janjua. On the face of it, this sum may appear to be a small fraction of the vast financial spread (business turnover of all cooperatives) — Rs 116,000 crore — but it amply reflects the extent of corruption, fraud, misappropriation and theft of public finances by both members of the societies and officials of the cooperative institutions. Though the functioning of the cooperatives is highly bureaucratised, it is also an acknowledged fact that political interference often provides a protective shield to those against whom action is initiated. A case in point is of Mr Kundan Singh, Manager, Primary Agriculture Development Bank, Rajpura. Informed sources told The Tribune that an inquiry against him revealed that he had allegedly overshot the sheep-loan disbursement target several times over. A close scrutiny of the beneficiaries disclosed that of 76 cases given loan only two were genuine, the remaining 74 — were "bogus". The loan sum involved is around Rs 20 lakh. The inquiry report contains several other charges as well against him. The Managing Director of the bank place Mr Kundan Singh under suspension. That was the beginning of action initiated by the alleged accused through his "contacts" that had easy access even to the Minister of Cooperative, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who is reported to have intervened. The MD had no choice but to carry out the wishes of the Minister and reinstate Mr Kundan Singh. He was since been transferred to Ghanaur. This, sources say, is not an isolate incident. Another case pertains to a woman Branch Manager of the Central Cooperative Bank branch in Chandigarh. She was transferred on administrative grounds and for other reasons. But under "pressure" from certain quarters was transferred back in a short period. In a recent case she allegedly disbursed "consumer" loans to 62 persons, all of whom were found to be "bogus" during the inquiry. Under consumer loans, each is entitled to a loan of Rs 30,000. The sum involved is Rs 18.60 lakh. Though her suspension order are ready due again due to pressure the same are not being executed. It is learnt the disciplinary action
has been initiated against nearly 130 department officials for their
alleged involvement in embezzlement cases. Action has been taken
against 70-odd. On an average two-to-four employees get suspended
every day or are proceeded against for different offences in the
cooperative department. Yet the reports of misappropriation of public
money in the cooperative institutions keep pouring in. |
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"Call
US Nagar panel meeting" CHANDIGARH, July 23 — The Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today asked Mr George Fernandes, convener of the three-member committee on Udham Singh Nagar, to call a meeting of the panel and organise a visit to the district, immediately, so that the process of ascertaining the sentiments, views and aspirations of the people of the district could start at the earliest. Regretting the inordinate delay in the calling of the meeting, Mr Badal in a letter to Mr Fernandes said that introduction of the Bill on the creation of new hill state of Uttaranchal Pradesh could have meaning only after the committee submitted its report, says a press release. The SAD president is one of the three members of the panel set up by the Central government to facilitate a decision on the future of Udham Singh Nagar that is to be in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the region. Mr Badal has made it clear that his party not only fully supported but actually hailed the creation of new states, including Uttaranchal Pradesh, as it was consistent with the party’s stand that the people must be the final arbiters in such matters. The creation of the new hill state of
Uttaranchal Pradesh, he said, met the criterion of popular sentiment
of the locals. The same yardstick must be applied in the case of the
people living in the plains of Udham Singh Nagar. |
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Modi refutes charges against BJP LUDHIANA, July 23 (PTI) — The BJP national General Secretary, Mr Narinder Modi, today refuted the charge that atrocities against the minorities had increased during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule. He said that some pseudo- secularists had brought a bad name to the country in their attempt to malign the image of the BJP. The recent arrests of persons involved in the series of bomb blasts in the churches and mosques in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa had proved the involvement of the Pakistan intelligence agency in these incidents, he said. In all these states having non-BJP government, a lot of incriminating publicity material aimed at inciting people against the minorities had been seized by the police, he said. Mr Modi was here today in connection with the centenary birth celebrations of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherji organised by the local unit of the BJP. He was addressing a press conference after the function. Mr Modi charged that the BJP detractors were bent upon dragging the party in any such communal happening any where in the country in order to keep the minorities away from the BJP and the RSS. A section of the media also did not hesitate from carrying these "concocted stories", he said. In reply to a question regarding the impact of the WTO agreement on farm and industry sector, the BJP General Secretary said that the NDA government had inherited this agreement. No new government could go back on it or undo the international commitments of its predecessor. Some of the problems being raised were born out of the insufficient knowledge of the exact nature of the agreement, he added. In reply to a question regarding the
autonomy asked for by the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, Mr Modi said his
party stood for the devolution of powers to the states. |
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Low
defence outlay won’t do: Gen Oberoi AMRITSAR, July 23 — Commander of the Western Command Lieut-Gen Vijay Oberoi, commenting on the low budgetary allocations, has pointed out that whenever the government has reduced funds for defence, India has faced wars. Citing the example of the 1962 war with China, he told a meeting of the Rotary Club (Midtown), here yesterday, that during that period defence spending had dropped considerably, resulting in China attacking us. Another example was that of Kargil. He said the government had dithered on funds for its security forces last year which had proved "very costly" for the nation. Favouring a political solution for the insurgency-ridden states of Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, General Oberoi said the militancy had a limited role in restoring normalcy. It could curb militancy till a certain level but beyond that, a strong political will was needed. He wanted a long-term defence perspective and higher budgetary allocation which alone could sustain the combat readiness of the Indian armed forces. Lamenting the large-scale use of the Army to curb insurgency and its involvement in internal security, General Oberoi said prolonged deployment not only hampered the training schedule of the soldiers but also affected their morale. The General felt a need for the paramilitary forces and the state police to be trained and equipped in handling internal security. He said the Army should be left to safeguard national borders. Although the Indian Army was the fourth largest in the world, it lacked in modern equipment, whereas Pakistan with a five lakh strong force had been updating its equipment on a regular basis. The General felt that India must allocate to the defence sector about 35 per cent of the gross nation product on a term basis to equip its forces. The present allocation was very low and barely enough to meet the establishment cost. What the country needed was a continuous inflow of new and the latest weaponry which could only be possible with higher allocation in the coming decade. He favoured an integrated ministry of defence with a professional team consisting of top officers from the three forces to coordinate with political leadership. It was for the civil authorities to take the defence forces into confidence on the perceived threat to national security, he added. General Oberoi said there was an urgent need for revamping the national intelligence network. He stressed on the need for involving all kinds of professionals for collecting intelligence, its analysis and proper presentation. India had already been a victim of its "collective failures" but time had come when the recommendations of the Subramanyan Committee report needed to be looked into carefully to paln a new intelligence setup which was not only foolproof, but could be effectively used to meet any eventuality. Commenting on the newly formed National Security Council, he said it should have a professional approach and must involve the defence forces at various levels of decision-making to make it an effective body. A galaxy of senior Army officers, including the GOC, 11 Corps, Lieut-Gen K. Davar, Maj-Gen Avtar Singh of 15 Infantry Division, Brigadier Seghera, Deputy GOC, Brig Suresh Arora and Brig Rajinder Singh attended a two-hour-long presentation of video slides by the Army commander. The rotary president, Dr K.C. Kirpal,
past district governors Arun Kapur, Avinash Mohindru and Harminder
Singh and a large number of dignatories attended the meeting. |
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Providential escape for flood-prone villages KANGTHALA ( Patiala), July 23 — The residents of this village and along with that of six adjacent villages are resigned to seeing their crop submerged in flash floods ever since they shifted here after partition. This year not a drop of flood water has entered their fields. However, while the people of these villages slept soundly for the first time in years, it was the turn of people of the Shatrana area to face the fury of the Ghaggar which has submerged around 25,000 acres of land and marooned many farm houses. Ironically this area is rarely flooded having been submerged in floods only in 1993 and 1995. Officials, relief workers and even newsmen used to visiting this village every year to witness the flooding caused by the Ghaggar were in for a surprise this year with the Ghaggar sparing the villages. The villagers, who are affected every year, say it is the will of the God that they have been saved . ''Though a bandh on the Sagra Para has spared us from the misery of floods this year, it is still a miracle that water has not breached the bundh to enter our villages as an enormous mass of water accumulates near our village every year due to heading up at RD 460 at Khanauri in Sangrur district'', Karnail Singh of Kangthala stated. The Ghaggar goes from underneath the Bhakra main line through siphons at Khanauri which are incapable of taking the heavy discharge in the river during the monsoons. The miracle happened due to the breaching of the Ghaggar at Sadharanpur and Badshahpur villages yesterday. Due to this a large amount of the Ghaggar water which would have gone ahead to Khanauri made its own natural path to the Batisdara, a natural drainway of the Ghaggar which bypasses Khanauri and rejoins the river a little ahead. The breaches have ensured that a disputed bundh built at Hotipur village in Sangrur district did not act as a deterrant for the water to flow to the Batisdara as was happening every year. Due to this for the first time in many years more water is flowing in the Batisdara than through the siphons at Khanauri. Villagers of Shatrana, however, feel the Drainage Department should have also taken up flood protection measures in their area instead of only raising a bundh on the Sagra Para from the Haryana border to Khanauri which ensured spilling of the water ahead of the villages. They said flood protection works at Khanauri started only after Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir visited the site and gave directions in this regard adding the situation could have been worse if the administration had not taken precautionary steps. Presently agricultural fields of more than 20 villages have been inundated at Shatrana and nearby areas. The villages which have been seriously affected are Shatrana, Rasuali, Kartarpura, Shadipur Momian, Jalalpur Seona, Sadharanpur and Dwarkapur. In many of the villages farmers are likely to suffer huge losses. Many others who had grown vegetables are also likely to be affected. Jaswant Singh of Harchandpur village said he had planted chillis in a two acre plot which had been ruined by flooding . Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir said a survey of the loss would be carried out after a few days. He said there had been loss to agricultural produce in Sadharanpur and Badshahpur villages where the Ghaggar had breached its banks. He said there would have been minimum loss to agricultural crops after these breaches and rushing of water to the Batisdara but for the disputed bundh at Hotipur village. He said the bundh was at a height of around 760 feet and did not allow water spilling over the Ghaggar near it to go smoothly to the Batisdara. |
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NIS brawl: security lapse blamed PATIALA, July 23 — A major security lapse on the part of the authorities is being pinpointed as the main cause leading to the assault on two wrestlers by a group of outsiders at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) a couple of days ago. Although more than 72 hours have elapsed since the brutal assault on the grapplers took place, the first of its kind ever since the inception of the institute in 1961, the incident has sent shock waves among various national campers preparing for the Sydney Olympics. Fear psychosis has gripped the employees of the institute residing in the NIS complex and diploma students alike. The two matmen, Anuj Chowdhury and Sandeep Rathee, who suffered multiple head injuries, have been declared out of danger and are being kept under strict observation at the local Rajindera Hospital. Another grappler, Rajeev Tomar, had also sustained minor injuries in the incident. While the authorities have downplayed the security angle, it remains a mystery as to how nearly a dozen persons entered through the main gate of the complex in an open Jeep carrying hockey sticks, iron rods, knives and other lethal weapons, without entering their names and the number of the vehicle at the main gate. It is mandatory for all persons, barring employees of the NIS, to get their names and numbers of their vehicles entered, apart from furnishing other information, into the regisiter kept at the main gate which is manned by security person. Moreover, according to eyewitness, the Jeep remained parked near the handball ground for nearly 45 minutes during which the scuffle broke out in front of scores of campers and employees. The police, on a complaint made by Anuj Chowdhury, has registered a case under Sections 307, 323 and 148/149, IPC, and investigations are in progress. On the other hand, the NIS authorities have set up a committee to inquire into the sequence of events leading to the dastardly incident. The three injured matmen have been ruled out of the forthcoming junior Asian Freestyle Wrestling Championships to be held in New Delhi from August 9 to 13. Three others — local lad Palwinder Cheema, Ramesh Kumar and Sadan Pal suspected to be involved in the fracas — disappeared from the scene of the incident immediately after the assault. Barring Sadan Pal, the other five grapplers involved in the assault have won medals in international events in the past. Although it is mandatory for all national campers to reside in the NIS hostels, it is intriguing as to how three of them —Palwinder Cheema, Ramesh Kumar and Sadan Pal —were not staying in the hostel meant for them. What action the Wrestling Federation of Indian (WFI) takes against the matmen remains to be seen. |
Ban
on Congress functions decried CHANDIGARH, July 23 — Mr Gurcharan Singh Dadhahoor, member, AICC and a former Punjab MP, reacting to the reported ban on state-level functions of the Congress party by the Pradesh Congress Committee, has said this was tantamount to a dictatorial and whimsical decision which could harm the party. Mr Dadhahoor in a signed statement today said elements behind such decisions were fellow-travellers trying to damage the Congress party. They could also be black sheep aiming at splitting the party with such acts. Putting a ban on the utterances criticising the party has some sense. Certainly banning the public meetings of the Party without the permission of the PPCC made no sense. There could be no political activity without public interaction, he added. Mr Dadhahoor said that the AICC had been sending directives to its state units to organise state-level functions. The latest was to observe ‘Quit India Day’, Independence Day and "Rajiv Gandhi Birth Day" all during August. If the PPCC itself did not organise functions on such occasions, would it look proper that the devoted and sincere Congress men should also not observe these days? Mr Dadhahoor asked. The fact was that PPCC leadership had no time for organising public meetings and preferred to live in its ivory towers. Other sources in the Congress said
the ban was purported to thwart a function in Patiala where PPCC
president, Capt Amarinder Singh apprehended Congress men could speak
out against him. |
Sheesh Mahal tank dries in
neglect PATIALA, July 23 — The huge tank with a suspension bridge which once complemented the beauty of Sheesh Mahal, is being neglected by the State Cultural Affairs Department. The department is not utilising the potential of the monument as a tourist attraction. The tank retained its glory till 1985, after which, it dried up once Sirhind Canal, the main source of water supply to it, was encroached upon. Nothing has been done so far to revive its past glory. Though plans to fill up the tank were initiated a couple of years ago, nothing concrete has come out of it. Although this monument still generates about Rs 7 lakh in revenue every year, nothing has been done so far to make the place more attractive to tourists. Mr Jaswinder Sharma, Programme Officer of the North Zone Cultural Centre, recalled how in 1993, flood waters had filled up the tank. He said the tank should be filled up again and boating facilities should be introduced here after filling it up and installing fountains in it. A lot of tourists who visit Sheesh Mahal are disappointed at the lack of facilities here. Mr N. Banerjee, a tourist from Calcutta, said the place needed a cafeteria and a qualified guide. The museum that houses stuffed birds and animals is also in a poor shape. Most of the exhibits were damaged in the 1993 flood. Some of the exhibits, especially sambhar and deer, are being restored by the Cultural Affairs Department. "The museum needs a proper maintenance to enhance the beauty of the exhibits," said another visitor, Mr K.S. Chawla of Uttar Pradesh. Raveena Sharma, an Allahabad University student of ornithology, said with a little more care, the museum could be developed into a major tourist attraction. "Considering the high entry fee, the place does not have much to offer to visitors," said Mr Jaswinder Sharma. "To attract youngsters, the oval road around the tank can be used for roller skating," he said. |
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No. 11 in Golden Temple design AMRITSAR, July 23 (UNI) — Number 11, which is considered a symbol of unity, strength, community life and sangat (congregation) has been extensively used in planning and designing Harmandir Sahib. According to a research paper published and entitled "Heritage of hollowed dimensions, Harmandir Sahib", by Prof Manjit Singh of Guru Ram Dass School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, in the medieval period the system and scale of measurements were "anguals (fingers)," "hasta" (hands) and "karams" (steps). As per the traditional measurement, 17 feet was approximately equal to 11 hands, the paper claims. According to the paper, the depth of amrit sarovar of the Golden Temple from the level of the "parkarma" is 17 feet or 11 "hasta". Likewise, the distance between the burjis (pillars) abutting "Har-ki-Pauri" from where devotees partake ‘amrit’ is also 11 hands. "Parkash Asthan" earmarked by four pillars and supporting arches which is the holiest place in the complex where Guru Granth Sahib is placed during the day, has 11 as a common unit of measurement, the paper claims. As per the paper, 11 hands was probably chosen as the unity of measurement because the physical dimensions of ‘akal purakh’ (the almighty) was conceived as being 11 times the average dimensions of human beings. According to the paper, the height of Harmandir Sahib, the sanctum sanctorum, is also 11 times the height of an average man of five feet six inches. Consequently, the height of Harmandir Sahib is 61 feet and six inches (11 x 5.6). The paper claims that by choosing 11 hands as the basic unit, Guru Arjan Dev designed the "Harmandir" to reflect "clarity, simplicity and logic of the new movement". According to the paper, the 11-hand measurement not only has a symbolic and socio-cultural value, but is also, functional, economical and convenient from the construction point of view. While pointing out that the structure of Harmandir Sahib and of ‘‘Parkash Asthan" is square, the research paper says it is so designed because a square is a symbol of perfection and it highlights unchanging qualities of the omnipresent god. As per the paper, the platform over which the "Harmandir" is constructed is 64 feet x 64 feet (without projections), which is again a square. The number 64 was chosen by Guru Arjan Dev because it stands for 64 arts related with man’s decoration and ornamentation which helps in fulfilling the creative urges. So Harmandir Sahib is a synthesis of all concepts and techniques related with decoration and ornamentation, the paper says. Making another interesting revelation, the paper points out that the distance between Harmandir Sahib and Darshani Deori is approximately 68 yards. The number suggested that a visit to "Harmandir" was equivalent to visiting 68 pilgrims centres existing in the contemporary period. As per the paper, another belief is
that the distance between Harmandir Sahib and Darshani Deori in terms
of steps is 85, considering one step equal to 2.4 feet. These steps
symbolically represent salvation from 84 lakh life cycles with each
step standing for one lakh life cycles. |
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Living
with water scarcity GARHSHANKAR: When the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal held a "Sangat Darshan" programme in Achalpur village in May last, he realised that the simple people of these villages had a simple demand — water. He announced that the villages of Achalpur, Malkowal, Nainwan and Mehandwani would soon get a tube-well each. The villagers had heard such promises before and had learnt to treat them with stoic indifference. But the mood somewhat changed when work on a tubewell started in Achalpur. Perhaps there still was hope. These foothills of the Shivalik range have for generations been living with water scarcity. Rainfall is insufficient and the sub-soil water level is very low. In the past, they have been storing rain water in ponds. But silt and the pressure of population have combined to make this system ineffective. The 22 villages in this tract have been waiting ever since the dawn of independence for some scheme that would bring them sufficient drinking water. In the absence of even this basic facility, they have come to regard independence as a mere change of rulers. Not that there has not been any effort to bring this basic necessity to them. A scheme known as " Tahli Wala" was initiated in 1946, a year before the advent of independence. It was intended to sink tubewells in 44 villages. The 22 villages that were provided with the facility under this scheme are now all part of Himachal Pradesh. The remaining 22 that are in Punjab continue to cry for water. The inhabitants of six villages — Pandori, Binewal, Kokowal, Manewal, Bhawanipur and Tabba — through their own efforts, dug wells in nearby choes. But those wells were far away from the inhabited areas. Besides, most of them have now dried up. In 1969, 20 years after independence, the then Public Health Minister, Mr Jagdev Singh Sandhu, launched the Haripur water supply scheme for these 22 villages. But the supply has been such that the villagers have to wait for hours for the trickle of water that comes for just two hours in a day. Long queues at the hydrants are a common sight, and many have to return disappointed. Years later, in 1986, during the Chief Ministership of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Rampur Bilron scheme was set into motion to provide water to five villages — Mehandwani, Bhadiar, Panori, Kot and Mera. This scheme in fact never really took off even if it cost Rs 1.70 crore. The disappointed villagers have been demanding an enquiry into the fiasco. It does not yield water even for 10 days in a month and the reservoir has not been cleaned ever since it was built. Residents of these villages had pinned their hopes on the dozens of IAS, IPS and Army officers who belong to this area. But they allege that these persons who could have exerted some pressure on the powers that be, have said good-bye to their native land and settled in big cities. These villages, however, constitute a
politically sensitive area, and are often the deciding factor in
Assembly elections. The candidates woo them with promises of solving
their problems, particularly the water problem, but they all remain
just promises and the villagers continue to wait for better days. They
point out that an MLA from this area remained chairman of the Punjab
Tubewell Corporation from 1980 to 1985, but not a single tubewell was
dug in this area during his chairmanship. They are now pinning their
hopes on the Chief Minister’s promise but are keeping their fingers
crossed. |
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SGPC
may change ritual JALANDHAR, July 23 — The SGPC is considering parting with the age-old ritual of the use of "gutkas" and recitation of "path" by the sangat inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. It has invited suggestions in this regard from Sikh scholars, SGPC members and intellectuals. The basic idea behind the move is to stop the "path" by devotees with the help of "gutkas" since a section of the SGPC is of the view that "path" by devotees in this manner creates a hindrance in the process of "kirtan" and either "kirtan" or "path" should be done at a time inside the sanctum sanctorum. Though no timeframe has been fixed for doing away with the practice and for removal of "gutkas" from inside the sanctum sanctorum, the SGPC authorities are consulting Sikh scholars and intellectuals on the issue. "We are seeking the views of persons from different walks of life. Any decision will be taken only after serious deliberations on the subject. Only the SGPC president is competent to take a decision in this regard. I will implement it whenever asked to do so," said Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, secretary of the SGPC. The SGPC is planning to construct two separate halls for the benefit of devotees in the "parikarma". Meanwhile, the long-standing tiff between the SGPC authorities and a group of local residents, which daily conducted a "chowki" inside the complex, has come to an end. Dr Bachan said the
main objection of the SGPC was the chanting of a "shabad"
— "Satguru hamre kaaj saware" — by the group, whereas
the orignial "shabad" was "Satguru tumre kaaj saware".
He said the group had agreed to make the change and chant the "shabad"
in its original form. |
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Bhattal
for girdawari in flood-hit areas SANGRUR, July 23 — Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, a former Punjab Chief Minister, today demanded a girdawari in the villages of Moonak and Khanauri areas soon where floodwaters had damaged thousands of acres of standing crop in the past few days. Talking to TNS at the PWD Rest House here before leaving for flood-hit areas in the Khanauri Moonak belt, Mrs Bhattal asked the Punjab Government to waive instalments of cooperative loans and domestic power bills of the affected farmers. Mrs Bhattal said had Mr Parkash Singh Badal spent half of the money which he spent on removing water logging in Muktsar district to solve the Ghaggar problem the loss to property and the standing crop could have been avoided. She accused the Badal government of not taking timely steps to prevent the loss to crops due to floods. She alleged discrimination and victimisation with the Moonak area as she represented this area in the Punjab Assembly. Mrs Bhattal said during her tenure as Chief Minister, she had got constructed a bridge near Makror Sahib to benefit the residents of about a dozen villagers to reach Moonak through a short route. But the Badal government had failed to construct approach roads on both sides of the bridge even after more than three years. Mrs Bhattal criticised the Badal government for its alleged failures on the economic and administrative fronts. She described the Badal government as "directionless". The former Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP government had no other worry except to keep itself in power. Mrs Bhattal said the Congress would
contest the byelection for the Sunam Assembly constituency as and when
the date for the byelection was announced. |
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Aerodrome
promised for Pathankot GURDASPUR, July 23 — Mr Vinod Khanna, MP, while talking to newsmen at Pathankot today said that development of the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency, which he represents, was his top priority. He claimed it was due to his efforts that a pantoon bridge each on the Ujh river opposite border village Khojki Chack and on the Ravi river opposite Kathlaur would come up in the near future. Mr Khanna said construction of the bridges would start after the rainy season. As much as 85 per cent of the material needed in this regard has reached the sites. Mr Khanna said the long-pending demand of the people of the bet area of the Beas to have a bridge over the river near Naussehra Ferri would also be met in the near future. A sum of Rs 30 crore has been sanctioned in this regard by NABARD. The total cost of the bridge is expected to be Rs 50 crore. The balance would be met by the state government. The department concerned has been directed to float a tender in this regard. Mr Khanna also
informed that the Civil Aviation Ministry has consented to open an
aerodrome for civil passengers at Pathankot. The Himachal Government
has agreed to contribute the required land in this regard close to the
military hospital. The ministry has approved to launch a flight from
Delhi to Pathankot. |
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Badal
says no to return of leaders ROPAR, July 23 — Leaders who have relations with the Congress and have similar style of functioning will not be allowed to come back into the SAD," said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal while addressing a public gathering at gurdwara Batha Sahib here today. Reacting to the requests made by a section of leaders to include those ousted back into the SAD, Mr Badal said earlier also the party had suffered due to some people and inducting them again into the party would mean repeating the mistake. He, however, said but for leaders who were associated with the Congress, any other person was welcome to join the party. Mr Badal was here to formally induct Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadali and other office-bearers of the district unit of the SHSAD into the SAD. Giving details of various development projects, Mr Badal said Rs 30 crore would be spend for providing drinking water in the Kandi area and work on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana railway line would be started soon. He also said he would
spend atleast a day each in every Assembly constituency to listen to
the problems of people. |
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Religious
march by Rode HARSHA CHHINA (Ajnala) (Amritsar) July 23 — Mr Jasbir Singh Rode, former president, Akali Dal (Panthic), who is currently holding a religious awareness march "Khalsa niyarapan" addressed Khalsa gatherings at a dozen villages here today. The march is aimed at spreading awareness among Sikhs, especially the youth, to adopt the Sikh culture and traditions. While the Damdami Taksal and Gurmant Sidhant Sant Samaj had joined hands to propagate the message of Tenth Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh’s call for "Khalsa mera nayara", other Sikh and Khalsa organisations, too were invited to spread the message of the gurus. Mr Jasbir Singh Rode, along with Bhai Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal and Bhai Sukhchain Singh Dharampura of Sant Samaj, addressed gatherings at villages. The religious march, which started on
May 15 after ardas at Akal Takht, proposes to continue for two and
half years in a phased manner. |
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Vanmahotsava
celebrated PATIALA, July 23 — The Bharat Vikas Parishad here today celebrated Vanmahotsava at Khalsa College, according to the press secretary of the parishad, Bharat Bhushan Sirhindi. He said 500 saplings were planted on the occasion. The function was presided over by the Principal of the college, Prof Gulshan Rai Bhutani. The project in charge, Mr R.C. Modi, a retired Superintending Engineer of the Punjab State Electricity Board, said the trees were planted in Khalsa College, Sarv Dham Sarv Hit Vidya Mandir Sanaruri Adda, Patiala, Amar Muni Jain Park, Sanaur Road, Patiala, Civil Hospital Sanaur and Rajpura Colony-Gurbax Colony Road, Patiala. The president of the parishad, Mr Harender Gupta, said the plants would be protected with iron guards and members of the parishad would look after for their overall growth. |
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Rs
37 cr marked for animal husbandry AMRITSAR, July 23 — The Punjab Government is contemplating allocating a piece of land for dead domestic cattle in the district shortly where bones could be used to make poultry feed and the hide to extract oil besides, the government had marked a grant of Rs 37 crore for the animal husbandry and agricultural authorities to prevent diseases, increase milk production in milch animals and for better animal care. This was announced by Mr Rattan Singh Ajnala during a visit of Saragdev, Fatehwal, Chackdora and Tera Rajputa villages today. He also announced a hospital at
Ajnala at a cost of Rs 1.73 crore. |
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Effigies
of Sonia, Pawar burnt AMRITSAR, July 23 — Inflammatory speeches marked the protest rally of Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) group where effigies of Mr Sharad Pawar, Ms Sonia Gandhi, Mr Ram Vilas Deshmukh and Shagan Bhujkal were burnt at Hall Bazar here today. The rallyists in trucks and trailers started from Islamabad Road. They carried saffron flags and banners. Speeches were mainly
against the Congress that was "creating dissensions between the
BJP and the Shiv Sena to rejuvenate its defunct leadership". |
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Move to split RSEB
condemned PATIALA, July 23 — An emergency meeting of the constituents of the national coordination committee of electricity employees and engineer of the PSEB was held here today. It was attended by the representatives of the PSEB Engineers Association, the PSEB Employees Federation, the Technical Services Union and the Ministerial Services Union Council of Junior Engineer of the PSEB. The decision of the Rajasthan Government to divide the RSEB into different corporations at the behest of the World Bank was condemned. Engineers and employees of the PSEB resolved to support any call given by the RSEB employees against this decision of the state government. |
MC
men flouting regulations: CPM AMRITSAR, July 23 — The city unit of the CPM has alleged officials of the municipal corporation had been flouting the directions of the Punjab Government in regard to the demolition of illegal constructions and occupation of government lands in the city. Senior CPM leaders, Mr S.C. Sood and Mr Tarsem Singh, councillor, in a joint letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary yesterday alleged that the Commissioner, Municipal Corpora-tion, instead of checking the illegal constructions in the city, had been indirectly helping the culprits in misappropriating government property worth crores of rupees. They referred to the government’s
directions to the commissioners issued under letter no 919 dated July
22 in which they had been asked to prevent illegal occupation for
which the DC would provide necessary force but it was a matter of
regret that the Corporation Commissioner ignored it due to which some
influential persons, including political leaders, grabbed such lands. |
Saluja
killers still at large: Cong FEROZEPORE, July 23 — Regretting the "lethargic" attitude of the police in arresting the prime accused allegedly involved in the killing of Congress activist Kapil Saluja within the city police station on the night of July 11, the Punjab Congress vice-president, Mr Bal Mukand Sharma, said today that despite repeated assurances by the police, all accused had not been arrested so far. At the "antim ardas" ceremony of the deceased Congress activist, Mr Sharma said he had met the DIG and the SSP concerned. They had assured him that the accused would be arrested soon. "But the officers have not fulfilled their promise so far", he lamented. Mr Sharma said, "I know the whereabouts of the accused". He said the incident was not a small one but indicated the revival of militancy in Punjab. He announced Rs 20,000 for the family of the deceased. He warned if the accused were not arrested by July 25, Congress men would be constrained to take some "stringent" action. Among others who spoke were Mr Hans
Raj Josan, Mr Harminder Singh Bhullar, Mr Gurnaib Singh Brar, Mr
Gurdip Singh and Mr Dhian Singh Mand, former MP and vice-president of
the SAD(A). |
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SI
booked for retaining money HOSHIARPUR, July 23 — The police has registered a case against Sub-Inspector Sukhpal Singh, in charge, Saran police chowki under the Tanda police, under the Anti-Corruption Act for allegedly pocketing Rs 25,000 from a jeweller of Hoshiarpur. However, the Sub-Inspector has not been arrested so far. Mr R.P. Mittal, SSP, told mediapersons here yesterday that Sunil Kumar, son of Surinder Kumar, a local jeweller, was going on his scooter to Tanda with Rs 2 lakh to buy gold ornaments. On the way, Sukhpal Singh checked him at a naka and found Rs 2 lakh in the tool box of the scooter. Sukhpal Singh tried to confiscate the amount under the plea that Sunil was doing Hawala business. The SSP said Sunil’s father approached Mr Rajinder Singh, DSP, Dasuya, and told him that the money was meant for purchasing gold ornaments. The DSP ordered Sukhpal Singh to
return the money to Sunil. Sukhpal Singh returned Rs 1.75 lakh and
kept Rs 25,000 with him. Later, Sunil’s father lodged a complaint
along with an affidavit against Sukhpal Singh with the SSP. On his
orders, the DSP, Dasuya, probed the allegation and found it to be true
following which the case was registered. |
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"Mahant" found dead LUDHIANA, July 23 (UNI) — A 65-year-old "mahant" was found murdered at his "dera" in nearby village Raayian under Sahnewal police station today, the police said. The murder of Sant Atma Ram came to notice this morning when village women went to the "dera" to deliver breakfast to the "mahant", the police added. Police suspects a migrant of having
allegedly killed the priest in his sleep. A stereo deck and a few
silver utensils were found missing. |
NIFD showcases
students’ creations PATIALA The show was presented to display garments created by budding designers of NIFD during the course of their study. Every year, this show is organised by the institute for the designers completing their education at the institute before taking up a professional career in design field. Reputed models sashay down the ramp, clad in the creative ideas put into shape by these students. The show was led by leading model of the country Shefali Talwar, who is also a television host. Other attraction was a Georgian model Ladda Singh. In all, there were 12 rounds exhibiting the creativity of the students. The garments consisted of designer suits, sarees, lehnga cholis, swim suits with sarongts, denim casuals, evening gowns, night wear, wrap round skirts. One of the most appreciated rounds consisted of dresses made out of non-conventional dress materials like jute and beads, bottle caps, cooler pads, tea bags and straws. The emphasis of the round was on maintaining a healthy environment around us and recycling waste material. The momentum of the show picked up with the MTV fame dance troupe Dynamites, whose performance was appreciated by the audience. |
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