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| Tuesday, August 1, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Badal
honours Udham Singh’s kin Cops
promoted for nabbing militants Scrap
dealers flay police action 30
houses washed away along border Panel to review subsidy to farmers
Maharani Club heralds Sawan with expulsions
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Call to
BSP men to join morcha Bhattal’s
plea to party men Effigies
of Badal, Zora Singh burnt
24-hour
animal shelter inaugurated
‘Coal
dumps may pose health problems’ PPCC
member flays Amarinder’s stance Steps for
welfare of cops under way Gen
Malik visits Jalandhar Cantt PYC
leaders hold meeting Army
team scales Lungser peak AIDS
awareness workshop begins Balmiki
chief lays claim to temple
Mayor
takes councillors on ‘sponsored tour’ ‘IT dept-taxpayer
ties need boost’
Cell-savvy
smugglers Telecom
strike on Aug 24, 25
Abysmal showing by primary school kids in survey
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Badal
honours Udham Singh’s kin SUNAM, July 31 — The state-level function to mark the 60th martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh today was virtually converted in to a political function and a platform to seek support for the SAD for the Sunam Assembly byelection to be held in near future by the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP. The function was presided over by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, while Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister, Haryana, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Union Minister for Sports, and, Mr Raj Babbar, an MP and film actor, were among the dignitaries who attended the function. The leaders of the SAD and the BJP, including ministers, touched a large number of political and developmental issues which include victory for the SAD in the ensuing Sunam Assembly by-elections, indication of a prospective SAD candidate from Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s family for the Sunam seat, the holding of ‘sangat darshan’ by the Punjab Chief Minister, the achievements of the SAD-BJP government, the criticism of the Congress, the setting up of various development projects in the state, and concessions to the farmers and welfare schemes for the Dalits etc. Paying tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh, Mr Parkash Singh Badal lashed out at the Congress and held it responsible for poverty, unemployment and lack of basic amenities like drinking water and roads in the country. Mr Badal also appreciated the Vajpayee government for providing big projects to Punjab and waiving Rs 8500 crore loan. The Chief Minister announced that the birth place of Shaheed Udham Singh — Sunam — would be made a model town. He also promised that a bronze statue of the martyr would be installed in the town before his next martyrdom day. Mr Badal expressed regrets that Mr Raj Babbar’s film ‘Shaheed Udham Singh’ had faced certain difficulties in getting tax-free facility from the Punjab Government. Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Haryana Chief Minister, lauded the role of the Punjabis in the freedom struggle. He also said the BJP and its alliance partners should urge the Prime Minister to hang pictures of martyrs like Shaheed Udham Singh in Parliament. He also urged the people to follow the path shown by Shaheed Udham Singh to pay him true tributes. Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said the Prime Minister had fulfilled two main demands of SAD by constituting a commission to probe the anti-Sikh riots in 1984, and the Constitution Review Committee to examine more powers for the states. Mr Dhindsa said due to the SAD-BJP alliance the Sikhs in the country now felt themselves secure. He also said the BJP and SAD had a nail and flesh relationship. Mr Raj Babbar expressed anguish about bureaucrats of Punjab creating hurdles in providing tax-free facility for his film "Shaheed Udham Singh". He also said he was making a film "Ghadr di Goonj" to give exposure to the Ghadr movement which played a key role in the freedom struggle of the country. Among others who also spoke included Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Sucha Singh Langah, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Mr Gobind Singh Longowal, Mr Ranjit Singh Balian and Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, all Punjab Ministers, Mr Parkash Chand Garg, Chairman, Land Reclamation Corporation, Punjab, and Mr Gurbachan Singh Bachi, Chairman, Punjab Cooperative Bank. Mr Badal and Mr Dhindsa before attending the function visited the Shaheed Udham Singh memorial at the local stadium and laid wreaths there. Later, they also paid floral tributes to a portrait of Shaheed Udham Singh at the function site. On the arrival of Mr Chautala and Mr Raj Babbar tension arose at the stage when Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Minister for Social Security, Punjab, took over charge of the stage on his own from the stage secretary, Mr Gurbachan Singh Fatehgarh, Sangrur district president of SAD, and announced that a siropa would now be given to Mr Raj Babbar. Mr Fatehgarh protested loudly on the mike and virtually snubbed Mr Kanjhla for his action. In the meantime, Mr Badal honoured Mr Babbar by presenting him with a shawl and a sword. Mr Badal released a booklet edited by Giani Narinder Singh, DPRO, Sangrur, titled "Achievements of the SAD-BJP Government in Sangrur District During Past Three Years". He also handed over two cheques worth Rs 64 lakh to Mr Hardev Singh Hanjran, president of Sunam Municipal Committee, for development works in the town. Mr Badal honoured four members of Shaheed Udham Singh’s family, namely Mr Inder Singh, Mr Bachan Singh, Mr Khushi Anand and Ms Inder Kaur by presenting them shawls. Mr Badal also honoured Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, a son of Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is now being considered as a prospective candidate for Sunam Assembly constituency’s byelection. Mr Badal also held a sangat darshan
in the local PWD rest house where he met more than 50 deputations of
local organisations and about 25 village panchayats to redress their
grievances. An official spokesman claimed that Mr Badal redressed more
than 75 per cent grievances on the spot. |
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Cops promoted for nabbing militants BATALA, July 31 (PTI) — The Punjab police has promoted all the police personnel who foiled an attempt by Pakistan’s secret agency, the ISI, to send arms and ammunitions and militants across in the Dera Baba Nanak sector in Gurdaspur district last week. Director General Punjab Police Sarabjit Singh has promoted ASI Arwinder Singh, chowki in charge Charamkot Randhawa to sub-inspector, and constables Santokh Singh, Dharm Singh, Pargat Singh, Balwinder Singh, Gurnam Singh, Jaap Singh and Major Singh to head constables. The DGP also presented appreciation letters to all gazetted and non-gazetted police officers who took part in the operation in which three Pak militants were apprehended and two were killed in the Dera Baba Nanak sector. Meanwhile two militants of Pak-backed Harkat-ul-Jahade-e-Islam Mohammad Akram alias Tahir and Jakub Alla and a courier Hanif Mohammad were remanded to police custody up to August 4 by a local court here yesterday. They were produced by the Dera Baba Nanak police before judicial magistrate Rajiv Malhotra. Tow of their accomplices, Hafis Alla and Rafia, are dreaded militants of the same outfit and a courier Sammual Masih alias Sher Khan were killed in an encounter with the police and 16th battalion of Border Security Force on Thursday night. Jakub Alla and courier Hanif Mohammad
were apprehended during the encounter and Mohammad Akram who was
absconding was nabbed during another encounter with security forces at
Gola Dhola village on Saturday night. |
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Scrap
dealers flay police action MALERKOTLA, July 31 — A case of severe beating of a local scrap dealer by the Khanna police has come to light. Scrap dealers and many local social, political and religious organisations condemned the conduct of the Khanna police and demanded a high-level inquiry from the Punjab Government in this regard. Mr Abdul Shakoor today met the Tribune correspondent and narrated the incident with a heavy heart. He added that in case residents of Malerkotla had not approached the Punjab Sports Minister, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, and a telephone call from Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, had not come to the SSP, Khanna, then this case would not have come to light. Mr Shakoor said he had supplied iron scrap for steel rolling mills and on July 26 when he was returning from Mandi Gobindgarh with Rs 2 lakh in cash as payment of the scrap supplied to Mr Ashwini Kumar Sood, he left his bus at Amloh chowk, Khanna, to take lunch. A white Maruti car stopped near him and two young men in police uniform nabbed him. He was asked to come to the police station for some inquiry. He said among four youths in the car three were wearing police uniforms and one was in civil dress. They took him near the Doraha-Rara-Sahib canal and snatched Rs 2 lakh from him and pushed from the car. Mr Shakoor came to Doraha police station to lodge an FIR the policemen there did not listen to him. Then he went to Khanna city police station and narrated the whole story to the SHO, Mr Balbir Singh. The scrap dealer alleged that instead of taking any action he was beaten up mercilessly and he was made to write that he had forgotten his bag containing the money in a bus. After this he was pushed out from the police station. Then somehow he came to the Malerkotla-Khanna road and from a PCO he contacted his relatives on telephone. A few persons reached Khanna and got him examined at the civil hospital in Khanna. After the intervention of the Chief Minister the Khanna police has registered a case. Mr Shakoor alleged the incident
happened with the involvement of the police otherwise the SHO would
not have beaten him. Many social organisations and Mr Munshi Ashraf,
president of the Muslim wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar),
has demanded stern action against the culprits and threatened that if
no action was taken against the erring police officials they would be
forced to resort to an agitation. |
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Tributes
paid to Udham Singh FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 31 — Tributes were paid to Shaheed Udham Singh on his martyrdom day today. A function and "sarb dharam sabha" was organised at Rauza Sharif here. Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, along with district officials, political and social leaders paid obeisance at his memorial. Addressing the gathering, he said it was our moral duty to always remember great martyrs of the nation. People from every walk of life laid
wreathes at the memorial. The Deputy Commissioner said the memorial
would get a facelift. |
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30
houses washed away along border GURDASPUR, July 31 — As many as 30 houses of Kajle village on the border beyond the Ravi in Bharyal Bulge were washed away when the river Ujh which joins the Ravi opposite Bharyal registered a discharge of 70000 cusecs in the area yesterday. The villagers have been sitting out in the open at a distance of half a kilometre from Kajle in the hope that the administration will come to their rescue. Bharyal bulge had 9 villages Bharyal, Taash, Kajle, Mamm Chackranga, Cooker, Chod, Toor and Rajji Bela, Tagsh and Rajji Bela have been eroded by floods in the Ravi. Which is now eating away at Cooker village. Some 1500 acres of fertile land in the area has been washed away thus far. According to the latest report received here today 150 acres of land of village Kajle has been washed away by the sudden flood in the Ujh river and land erosion is continuing. Official sources said that the central team which visited the area in the month of May this year had recommended construction of spurs and studs to prevent floods but flood-protection measures were not taken in time. Mr M.S. Grewal Executive Engineer, Drainage asked to comment attributed the absence of measures to non-availability of funds. The Deputy Commissioner has directed
the concerned revenue and drainage officials to rush to the spot to
assess the situation and arrange remedial measures as soon as
possible. |
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Panel to review subsidy to farmers PATIALA, July 31 — The Punjab Planning Department will constitute a committee of experts to look into the proposal to withdraw subsidies from the agricultural sector, said Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, at a felicitation function organised by Punjabi Vikas Manch here yesterday. Talking to newsmen after being honoured by the manch, he said the farmers of the state would be adversely affected if subsidies were withdrawn. However, the farmers would continue to enjoy free power for agricultural operations in the He said that there is no possibility of mid-term election and the rumours to this effect are just a propaganda by the Opposition. Stressing the need to revolutionise the industrial sector of Punjab through indigenous technology, Capt. Singh said that technology exported from the West is not relevant for a country with one billion population. Labour intensive technology which generates employment is needed for our nation, he said. On the issue of Udham Singh Nagar, Captain Singh said the Shiromani Akali Dal would oppose the proposed Bill as it overlooked the sentiments of the people of the area. A book titled, Guru Manio
Granth, by Gurdeep Singh was also released at the function. |
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Maharani Club heralds Sawan with expulsions PATIALA, July 31 — After a two-months respite the Maharani Club here has opened with the expulsion of six members from its executive committee. The expulsions have taken place after the club was opened by the rebel group led by Vice-President Dolly Sadhana which organised Teej celebrations on July 19. The ruling group led by President Pratibha Jain is now officially reopening the club by organising another Teej function on August 2. The acrimony between both sides started after its former Vice- President Biba Brar, who was in line to become President this year, went abroad and disclosed that she would not be able to assume her new responsibility. Following this, then club Secretary Pratibha Jain took over as President of the club. However, there was dissension on whether the new Vice-President should be elected or nominated. An election saw dissident group leader Dolly Sadhana being elected Vice-President. The group led by the Vice-President carried through a no-confidence motion against the President at a meeting of the Club shortly afterwards. The Gymkhana Club, with which the Maharani Club is affiliated, however, sided with Pratibha Jain, saying the President could not be removed from office. Though Ms Pratibha Jain had already expelled 16 members from the club earlier, in the latest move six executive committee members of the rival group have been expelled for not attending three mandatory consecutive meetings according to club laws. Ms Jain told TNS that the expelled members had not attended four to five consecutive meetings of the club due to which they had been expelled. She said although the committee members already stood expelled from the primary membership, they had been expelled from the committee as they were trying to disrupt the functioning of the club on account of their executive status . Ms Jain disclosed that the expelled members were Meeta Kukreja, Dolly Sadhana, Shubhchint Sodhi, Pummy Sodhi, Jasvinder Kaur Paul and Gurbinder J.B. Singh. She said new members had been appointed on the committee by her in consultation with other committee members. Dolly Sadhana said though the President was within her right to take action against committee members who did not attend three consecutive meetings, proper procedure had not been applied in expelling them. She said instead of one committee meeting taking place every month the procedure had been rushed through with meetings taking place at short intervals so that action could be taken against them. Gymkhana Club Secretary J.P.S
Walia, when contacted, said the club recognised Ms Pratibha Jain as President of the Maharani Club along with the executive committee duly formed at the beginning of her term. He said the recent removal of certain members from the committee was an internal matter of the club. |
Call
to BSP men to join morcha PHILLAUR, July 31 — Bahujan Samaj Morcha president, Mr Satnam Singh Kainth, has appealed to all Bahujan Samaj Party leaders "who have self-respect" to come under the banner of Bahujan Samaj Morcha to work for the uplift of Dalits and weaker sections of society. Talking to this correspondent here today, Mr Kainth was commenting on BSP chief Kanshi Ram’s remarks about Punjab BSP leader, who called them loafers" during his recent visit to Jalandhar. Mr Kainth while refusing to comment on Mr Kanshi Ram said every politician should work with self-respect. When asked to comment on the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Kainth said the BJP, especially leaders in power, had forgotten their slogan of corruption-free administration. He asked BJP leaders to show the reflection of their slogans in their action. Mr Kainth said the morcha was holding constituency wise meetings in the state to mobilise the workers and strengthen the morcha. He said 64 constituencies had been covered so far and the remaining would be completed till September. Mr Kainth said, a meeting of workers from Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts would be held on August 6 at Phagwara. He said the morcha would soon become an impressive political power in the state. He, however, denied to comment on the
functioning of the SAD-BJP government. He said the morcha would take
part in the next Assembly poll in Punjab. |
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Effigies
of Badal, Zora Singh burnt FEROZEPORE, July 31 — Members of the action committee constituted in protest against the killing of Kapil Saluja, a Congress activist inside the city police station on July 12, today burnt effigies of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Mr Zora Singh Mann, MP. Charging the two leaders with shielding the murder accused, the protesters marched through the city and later blocked traffic at the Udham Singh crossing for more than one hour. The protesters also raised slogans against the two leaders and the district police chief, accusing him of corruption. Shopkeepers of the area too closed their shops as a mark of protest. All roads leading to the crossing were blocked by the police to prevent any untoward incident and the traffic was diverted through alternative routes. The rally, organised by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Secretary, Major Harminder Singh Bhullar, was attended by the widow of Kapil Saluja. Significantly, the mentor of the deceased and Punjab Congress Vice-President, Mr Balmukand Sharma, did not participate in today’s agitation. Mr Sharma had earlier organised a parallel agitation and announced the formation of a separate action committee, indicating factionalism in party. Addressing the protesters, Major Bhullar alleged that the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine was trying to drop the name of Ashwini Mehta, alias ‘Tiddi’, a BJP activist, from the case. The police he said, was trying to drop his name from the case at the behest of Mr Zora Singh Mann. He threatened to hold an indefinite
fast outside the city police station, if an attempt was made to
protect Tiddi, at the time of filing of a challan in the court. He
sought the immediate arrest of Tiddi, whose whereabouts were allegedly
known to the police. |
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Cong
Seva Dal dharna today ABOHAR, July 31 — The Punjab Congress Seva Dal will stage a dharna at Jagraon Bridge in Ludhiana tomorrow. This was announced by Mr Rajinder Rasrania, chairman of the recently nominated 21-member Action Committee, set up to pursue the brutal killing of Kapil Saluja, Congress activist, inside a police station at Ferozepore earlier this month. Financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh
will be given to Mrs Saluja, widow of the slain worker. |
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Bhattal’s
plea to party men CHANDIGARH, July 31 — Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Punjab Chief Minister, today alleged that certain party colleagues were issuing misleading and motivated statements against her. She said she was proud to be a Sikh and had full faith in the Sikh religion. " I do not require anyone’s advice or guidance about Sikhism", she asserted. She was reacting to a statement made against her by certain Congress leaders. But as an Indian and worker of the
Indian National Congress, she said that she was committed to the
principle of secularism and nationalism and strongly opposed to communal
parties like the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal." She
said that she strongly believed that religion and politics should be
separate . |
24-hour
animal shelter inaugurated JALANDHAR, July 31 — Pashupalika, Punjab’s first round-the-clock animal shelter-cum-rehabilitation centre run by the Punjab police, was inaugurated yesterday. Residents and police officers joined hands to set up Pashupalika, India’s first animal shelter. But what was unusual was the involvement of the police authorities in this novel project. "Time must stop to register the moment, which is historic and unparalleled. Police doing animal service? None has ever heard it, but it has happened now. It’s a great day," said Mr Donald Banerjee, Chief News Editor of The Tribune, who addressed the gathering at the Police Lines yesterday, after inaugurating Pashupalika. Wishing great success for the project, he said the best part was that the police had the requisite infrastructure to convert the dream into a reality. Stressing upon the need of involvement of residents in the project, Mr Banerjee defined that the real animal lover was the one whosoever served animals without any selfish motive. Dr Promilla Kakar, Deputy Director (Health), Haryana, who flagged off the animal helpline van, said love for animals had been an intrinsic part of the Indian culture, but the concept was crumbling down fast due to introduction of nuclear family system. While visualising grand success for the venture, Dr Kakar said in addition to providing treatment and care to animals, the police authorities should also check cruelty against them. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said, besides undertaking normal policing he was visualising an expanding role for the police force. Mr M.F. Farooqi, SP (Headquarters), expressed hope that having set the project the police authorities were looking for support of people. Among those who were present on
the occasion included Chandigarh-based Ms Nandini Kakar, Mr G.S.
Bhatti, president of the local unit of the People for Animals (PFA),
and Mr S.S. Bhatti, president of the local unit of the Society for
Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA). |
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TB
Hospital now a home for cattle ! GURDASPUR: The TB Hospital at Babri, once a ray of hope for TB patients, is lying closed for over six months. The condition of the building is deteriorating with every passing day. It has become a home for stray cattle and insects. Farmers from nearby villages are using it as a godown to store their implements and straw. When Mrs Kavita Khanna, wife of MP and Bollywood star Vinod Khanna, accompanied by social worker Veena Kondal, visited the building last week she was so upset at its condition that she took video photographs of the building to impress upon her husband the need to restart medical services there. The building bears a weary look with all window-panes broken, the kitchen and bathrooms, already in bad shape, have further deteriorated. Electricity fittings and hospital beds have turned into junk. The main gate of the building is locked but visitors can easily sneak into the building through its broken windows. Mrs Kavita Khanna and the social worker entered the building through the broken window-pane to get first-hand information about the building. In front of the building under shadow of trees cattle of farmers of the nearby Aujla village are seen tied to the trees. Cow dung scattered in front of the building emits a foul smell. An acre of land surrounding the TB Hospital has been dug six-ft deep and earth from there has been removed either for sale in the market or for personal use. When Mrs Khanna tried to enquire about those misusing the building and land, those present on the site promptly named Jassi and Mika of Aujla village. As much as 15 acres of land outlying the TB Hospital has been occupied and used for cultivation by Jassi and his group for several years without payment to the TB Association or the Health Department. The land encroachment case is pending in the court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate here. Rumours are rife that a local politician has floated an education society and is eyeing the hospital building and land. He is marking time to get it allotted in the name of the society on the plea of starting an educational institution in this building. The politician is allegedly shielding the encroachers. Mrs Khanna visited the TB ward of the local Civil Hospital also and found it in bad shape. The ward has eight TB patients, all cooped up in one room along with their attendants. The sewer of the bathroom adjacent to the ward is choked and stinking. Mr B.Vikram, Deputy Commissioner, is aware of the condition and as chairman of the district TB Association, is keen to revive TB Hospital. He approached Mr Vinod Khanna, who announced a contribution of Rs 5 lakh from his fund for to revive the hospital. The visit of Mrs Khanna to the TB ward of the Civil Hospital here and the TB Hospital is part of the exercise provide nature cure to TB patients. The employees of the Health
Department dealing with TB are reluctant to shift to the Babri
hospital. Besides, repair of the building and provision of adequate
bathrooms and upkeep of the building, the employees demand the
construction of boundary walls for the hospital and residential
quarters on the hospital premises so that they can discharge their
duties efficiently. Since the hospital is located about 3 km from the
town at an isolated place, their security is also of concern. |
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‘Coal
dumps may pose health problems’ ROPAR, July 31 — Heavy metals present in coal dust, which is dumped near the residential areas may damage ground water and drinking water sources. Heavy metals like barium and mercury are carcinogenic in nature and will have a detrimental effect on the health of people, once they reach drinking water sources in the areas surrounding coal slurry dumps of various industries. Mr Anil Kumar, Deputy Director, All India Council of Technical Education, (AICTE), while speaking at a seminar organised by the Shivalik College of Pharmacy, under the national environment awareness campaign, said there was a need for long-term planning to tackle such problems of industrial waste. If not taken care of in time, disaster might strike the areas surrounding the disposal sites of such toxic waste, he said referring to the coal slurry disposal sites of the NFL and the now closed PNFC units at Nangal. It is pertinent to mention that at Nangal, there are huge dumps of coal slurry on the banks the Sutlej. These dumps are separated from river just by earth partitions. The experts at the seminar were of the view that during rainy season, toxic wastes from these slurry dumps might be contaminating the river water. The slurry dumps of PNFC are more dangerous as they are open and since the factory has been closed down there is no one to look after them. These dumps have become a source of nuisance for the residents of Bela Dhiani village. Despite repeated representations made by the villagers to the district administration and the pollution control authorities to get these coal dumps lifted, no action has been taken. The Deputy
General Manager, Personnel and Public Relations, NFL, when asked
declined having any knowledge about the presence of toxic material in
the industrial waste of the company. |
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PPCC
member flays Amarinder’s stance BATHINDA, July 31 — Mr Kulbir Singh, Executive Member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said today the statements of the state Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh against the proposed "garib-kisan mahapanchayat" would prove detrimental to the party in future. In a press note issued here today, he pointed out that any ban on the holding of "garib-kisan mahapanchayat" to be hold by Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, MP, at this juncture, would cause damage to the party’s prospects in the next Assembly elections. He stated that Congress workers were disappointed with Mr Amarinder Singh as he hardly found any time to meet them. He further said
that he, along with other party workers, had urged the AICC President,
Ms Sonia Gandhi, to empower Mr Brar to manage the affairs of the
Punjab Congress. |
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Steps
for welfare of cops under way FARIDKOT, July 31 — The district police authorities have initiated a number of steps for the welfare of police personnel and their families. In a press note issued here today, Dr Arun Oraon, SSP, said about 407 police personnel along with their family members were given vaccination against hepatitis-B yesterday. He said in a medical camp organised in the local Police Lines, the blood pressure, sugar and blood groups of police personnel were tested. The authorities had also decided to organise an eye checkup camp shortly, he said. Dr Oraon said
apart from the medical camp, the problems of police personnel relating
to civil amenities, including potable water and sewerage, were also
being removed under this campaign. |
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Gen
Malik visits Jalandhar Cantt JALANDHAR, July 31 — Gen V.P. Malik, Chief of the Army Staff, visited the Cantonment here today as part of his farewell visits to the operational formations. General Malik was accompanied by his wife Ranjana Malik, who is president of the Army Wives Welfare Association. He addressed officers, junior commissioned officers and other ranks and exhorted them to maintain a high standard of operational readiness at all times. He also met parents and the next of kin of the martyrs. The Army chief also visited Army Public School, Beas. Mrs Ranjana
Malik met the wives of the officers. |
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PYC
leaders hold meeting KHANNA, July 31 — A meeting of Punjab Youth Congress leaders was held at Purewal under the chairmanship of the Vice-President, Punjab Youth Congress, Mr Gurkirat Singh Kotli, here yesterday. At the meeting it was decided that the martyrdom day of Beant Singh would be observed on August 31 at the grain market, Payal, near his native village Kotli. Mr Kotli told mediapersons that Mr Moti Lal Vohra, Mrs Ambika Soni, Mr Gulam Nabi Azad and Capt Amarinder Singh would attend the function. Mrs Sonia Gandhi has also been invited. Mr Nazar Singh,
Mr Amardeep Singh Purewal, Mr Jaswant Singh, Mr Surinder Kumar Dhingra
and Mr Harchand Singh were among those who attended the meeting. |
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Army
team scales Lungser peak GURDASPUR, July 31 — Major-Gen A.J.B. Jaini, General Officer Commanding, Pine Division, commended a 10-member Army mountaineering expedition sponsored by the Army adventure wing, at a "flagging-in" ceremony at Tibri Cantonment, near here, today. The expedition scaled the Lungser and Chhamser Kangri peaks with a height of 6666 metre and 6622 metre, respectively, on July 1 and 5, respectively, in the remote Rupshu region of eastern Ladakh. The team members belong to 9th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment and were flagged of from Jalandhar on May 30 by Lieut-Gen Kamal Davar, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps. A unique
feature of the expedition was cleaning of the banks of Tso-Moriri lake
in Eastern Ladakh. |
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RSS
to observe protest day PHILLAUR, July 31 — All members of the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) will observe a protest day on August 7 to protest against the failure of the Union and Tripura Governments to get the four RSS activists released. They had been kidnapped by the Terrorists Group NIFT on October 10, last year. Talking to this
correspondent here today, RSS divisional vice-president Lala Balwant
Rai Gupta, district secretary, Dr Yogender Paul Sharma and district
president Raj Paul Kochhar said RSS activists would stage dharnas in
all district headquarters in the state and memoranda would be
submitted to the district authorities. |
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AIDS
awareness workshop begins CHANDIGARH, July 31 — The Punjab State AIDS Control Society today started a three-day State-level training workshop for technical capacity building of NGOs. The workshop will provide technical know-how to NGOs working among truck drivers, students, youth, industrial workers, migrant labourers. The Additional Project Director, Dr G.S. Chahal, highlighted the role of NGOs in creating AIDS awareness. So far 2,400 HIV positive cases in Punjab have been reported by various blood banks on the basis of screening tests. Dr Chahal gave details of various projects being started by the Punjab State AIDS Control Society, including, awareness, check-up for sexually transmitted diseases and supply of free medicines. The project also includes counselling and behaviour change communications for various groups. The students of class 9 and 11 from all the schools of Punjab will be covered under AIDS School Education Programme. "Education on sexual health is the main objective of the programme", he added. The workshop has been organised
in collaboration with the British High Commission’s Department for
International Development, New Delhi. Its expert, Mr S.M. Afsar,
advocated safe sexual relationship to avoid HIV infection. Another
expert, Ms Sumita Taneja, talked about the role of various workers in
AIDS projects run by NGOs. |
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Balmiki
chief lays claim to temple AMRITSAR, July 31 — Mr Rattan Ravan of the Adi Dharam Samaj (Balmiki) in a press note demanded to be given possession of Sri Ram Tirath Temple which according to Balmikis historically belongs to them. He said the demand was first started by Satguru Gian Nathji Maharaj in 1930 and the rulers then had conceded to Balmikis the right to bathe in the holy sarovar of the temple. Addressing a gathering here at Mirankot village, Mr Ravan said that it was seen as a deliberate move of the administration not to give importance to Balmikis by discounting the historical connection of the community with the temple. Mr Ravan said the ongoing agitation for their rights in Punjab would be further extended to Haryana. The Adi Dharam Samaj chief
threatened that if any political personality tried to thwart their
plans or create hurdles they would be suitably taught a lesson in the
coming Vidhan Sabha elections. All support to such political leaders
would be withdrawn by the Balmikis. |
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RSS
to expose NLFT 'nexus’ with Church AMRITSAR, July 31 — The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has decided to launch a nationwide movement to draw the attention of the central government and countrymen towards the alleged nefarious activities of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) in connivance with the Church. The terror created by the actions of this militant organisation has disrupted the social, religious and commercial life of Tripura and the state administration exists only in name. As a part of this nationwide movement people from all walks of life will hold silent demonstrations on August 7 at all district headquarters to demand action by the central government to end this extremist and separatist movement. The proposed demonstration
would mark the completion of one year of kidnappings of four senior
office-bearers of the RSS. The state government has been unable to
secure the release of these leaders despite repeated appeals made by
the RSS to the state and central governments and the National Human
Rights Commission. |
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Jail
bharo divas on August 9 ROPAR, July 31 — The All-India Forward Bloc, will observe August 9 as jail bharo divas against the wrong policies of the NDA government. This was stated by Mr Debabratta Biswas, MP of the Forward Bloc, at a press conference at the first north India conference of the party held at Ambedkar Bhavan in Ropar. Mr Biswas criticised the previous Congress government and the present NDA government for failing to tackle problems like poverty, corruption etc. He also appointed Mr V.P. Saini as the convener of the North India Steering Committee of the Bloc. Mr Saini said the Constitution not only needed to be reviewed but replaced, as the people who drafted it were not the true representatives of the people. Mr Sanjeev Mahato, general
secretary of the Bloc, said a massive membership enrolment campaign
for the party would be launched throughout the country. |
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Dhillon made President of manch PATIALA, July 31 — The Chairman of the Punjabi Vikas Manch, Mr Hardev Singh Rosha, presided over a special meeting of the office-bearers of the manch held here, during which, Mr Kushaldev Singh Dhillon was unanimously elected the President of the manch for two years. Mr Navinderjit Singh, IAS, had proposed his name. Addressing the office-bearers, the newly-elected President of the manch said that along with his coworkers, he would work for the development of the manch. He said that for the promotion of Punjabi language and culture, functions would be organised in community halls of villages in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre. The membership of the manch will be open to all persons from July 17 to August 15 in every district. |
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Cops
demand new houses MOGA, July 31 — Policemen of Baghapurana town in the district have urged the state government to demolish their residential quarters built during the British rule, about 80 years ago, as they had become unsafe for living. Similarly, employees of the
block development office at Baghapurana town have demanded that their
buildings should also be demolished as these were in a dilapidated
condition and posed a serious threat to their lives. They have
requested the government to rebuild these houses. |
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SGPC
chief to visit Maharashtra PHILLAUR, July
31 — SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur will visit Maharashtra to solve the
controversy regarding Nanded, which arose with the suspension of
Nanded committee president. SGPC sources told this reporter that Bibi
Jagir Kaur would reach Mumbai on August 3 and participate in a
function of Guru Nanak Engineering College there. |
Mayor
takes councillors on ‘sponsored tour’ AMRITSAR, July 31 — Confusion prevails among councillors who availed an all-expense paid trip to Chandigarh, some of them for the second time, on Tuesday July 25. The trip was sponsored reportedly by Mayor Subhash Sharma for about 40 BJP and Akali councillors who went to the state capital as a show of strength for their demand for the purported transfer of the Municipal Commissioner, Mr S.S. Rajput. While a few say that they did not know about the transfer demand that was placed before the Chief Minister, therefore, "misled" to accompany the Mayor’s entourage on a supposedly business-cum-pleasure tour. A few others say that although they knew the purpose of the visit yet they feared that their wards would be ignored if they refused to toe the line of the Mayor and thus obliged. Most councillors, who were contacted, however, could not clearly state the purpose behind the tour to Chandigarh. However, sources amongst councillors seeking anonymity were surprised when the husbands of six women councillors, mostly from the Akali faction, accompanied their wives on the trip and also to the meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who was not available to the Amritsar delegation on the first trip on July 20. The zerox copies of the resignation letter were reportedly distributed in the video luxury bus and the councillors were told that the resignations were just a show of strength. However, the purpose of the inclusion of Akalis, including senior Akali leader, Mr Jasbir Singh Sham was not lost when the demand was placed before the Chief Minister. It was to show that the more had the backing of the Akalis. Mr Subhash Chander, Mayor, when contacted denied that the transfer of the Municipal Commissioner was the purpose for the trip. He said their demand was for a "share" in taxes for the corporation for development works. It is learnt that the immediate provocation for a fallout of the Commissioner and the Mayor was the recent dispute regarding the approval given to a residential building for use as a commercial building and a case of an LIC building on the Mall Road owned by a kin of the Mayor which was refused permission for change of land use. Both buildings were approved by
the Mayor before orders to the contrary were issued by the
Commissioner. Repeatedly calls to Commissioner’s office failed to
elicit any response. |
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‘IT dept-taxpayer
ties need boost’ PATIALA, July 31 — A meeting of the Regional Direct Tax Advisory Committee was convened by Mr B.B. Singh, Commissioner, Income Tax, Patiala, here today. It was chaired by Ms S.P. Kaur, Chief Commissioner, North West Region, Chandigarh. Ms S.P. Kaur, emphasised the need for developing a healthy relationship between the collector and the tax payer. She also highlighted the achievements of the department in the fields of computerisation, allotment of PAN cards and the increasing use of information technology. Mr D.S. Kahla, Excise and Taxation Commissioner, said the promotion of a common economic zone and sharing of information among various state government was vital. |
Cell-savvy
smugglers FARIDKOT, July 31 — While the district police has intensified its campaign against opium smugglers, the smugglers have hit back with mobile phones to keep track of their movement. The district police arrested three smugglers on the night of July 30, who were using mobile phones to keep track of the movement of consignments from Rajasthan and police movements. Dr Arun Oraon, SSP, said smugglers kept in touch with their local counterparts about the location of police ‘nakas’ and police parties over their cell phones. The smugglers identified as Jugraj Singh, Baljit Singh and Mander Singh would change their route whenever they came to know of nakas or cops along a particular route. The accused have been using cell phones for the past two years. They would bring in bags of poppy husk in trucks piled with other commodities. On the night of July 30, acting on information, a police team led by Mr Bhupinder Singh, DSP, Kotkapura laid a ‘naka’ on the Deviwala road and stopped a truck being driven by Mander Singh. The truck carrying cement bags was searched and 30 bags containing 12 quintal of poppy husk worth Rs 7.20 lakh was recovered from it. Three smugglers were arrested on the spot while a fourth, identified as Tara Singh, managed to escape. A fake number plate was also
recovered from the truck. |
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Telecom
strike on Aug 24, 25 PHILLAUR, July 31 — All employees of the Telecom Department will go on a nationwide strike on August 24 and 25 in protest against the corporation of the department. Stating this, a spokesman of the
National Action Committee said here today that the Union Government
was determined to corporatise the department by October this year,
which would be a step towards the privatisation of the department. |
Abysmal showing by primary school kids in survey PATIALA , July 31 — Bihar, Delhi, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajpura and Nabha are the major districts of Punjab. Two kilograms and 20 grams add up to 22 kilograms.These are the stock answers of a majority of children tested in an independent survey of five rural and urban schools of Patiala block after they were admitted to Class VI on the basis of result cards issued to them by the Punjab Education Department. The students were tested in Punjabi and mathematics, the purpose being to assess their basic abilities. The syllabi of the State Education Department in the subjects were studied by a team of 12 primary teachers who had taught class V for more than five years. Three rural schools — Government School, Lachkani, Government Senior Secondary School, Lang, and Government Senior Secondary School, Seona, besides two urban schools of Government MP Senior Secondary School for Boys, Patiala, and Government MP Senior Secondary School for Girls, Patiala, were chosen at random for the survey and tests conducted with the cooperation of the school teachers. The test results , which were evaluated by former Punjabi University Department of Education Head, Mr T R Sharma, revealed the abysmal low level of the students in both subjects, with the maximum failing in them. In case of Punjabi test, students could not name nine prominent districts of Punjab. The purpose behind this question was the ever present map of the state in primary schools in the area. Only three to four per cent of the students could answer this question correctly, with 95 per cent of the students giving the names of the districts as Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi and Bihar, besides names of other cities. Some students also gave names of mohallas in answer to this question. In case of mathematics, the results were worse. Students had no idea of a kilogram or a gram. Not a single student could multiply 0.3 by 0.2 correctly and they had no knowledge of simple area or average or percentage. Only one per cent of the students could read the wrist watch correctly. In case of the results, the average score of boys and girls in Punjabi stood at four and six out of 35 marks. The highest score out of 30 was 17. The pass percentage in case of boys was 12 per cent and in case of girls, 14 per cent. In case of mathematics, only two per cent of the boys tested and four per cent of the girls could pass the test. The highest score in mathematics stood at 12 out of thirty. The survey also revealed that 85 to 90 per cent of the students were poor in handwriting in Punjabi and did not have a clear picture of the correct shape and form of different letters. The survey revealed that most of the teachers also had poor handwriting skills. The District Education Officer (Primary), Mr Harnam Singh Bajaj, said some students could have had difficulty in detailing the districts of the state as maps may had not been properly displayed in their schools. He said as the survey was a random check, it could not ascertain the exact position. Mr Bajaj disclosed that in the past year, a quantum jump had been made in streamlining primary education in the district. He said progress cards of students were being made for the first time, the syllabus had been divided month-wise, a consolidated register had been made to list all school
activity and provisions which were a must in all primary schools were being listed in black and white.  |
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