 |
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| Wednesday, August 2, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
SAD may
pull out of NDA BJP
against change in Preamble PUDA housing scheme falls flat
States
perpetual beggars: draft memo |
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Centre
accepts Punjab’s plea CBI to
probe mill owner’s ‘murder’ Action
suggested against 2 officials
Hoshiarpur
water unsafe
Punjabi musical play
staged Pest
outbreak in cotton Implement
Factories Act: union DGP
Sharma retires Rally by FCI
staff Ujh
river threatens more villages
Plan
on community policing launched Income tax
collection service Revival
of militancy ruled out Bharti joins as SDM
Child kidnapped, 10 lakh demanded Man
falls into gutter, dies
PAU
to have vet medicine testing lab Dy
Director, Colleges Technical
Education Department website
Octroi collection privatised 
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SAD
may pull out of NDA CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — There was shock and disbelief here over what Union Defence Minister, George Fernandes who as Chairman of the three member committee had studied the mood of the people of Udham Singh Nagar district eventually said in his report. He has recommended inclusion of the district despite people leading a big agitation opposed to its merger in Uttaranchal over the last three years. The committee, formed at the behest of the Akali Dal leader and Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, comprised besides Mr Badal and Mr Fernandes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Ram Prakash Gupta as members. Mr Badal today said that the report was one-sided and represents the opinion of Mr Fernandes alone. " We have been betrayed and made a sacrificial goat by the Defence Minister who clearly played the BJP’s game", a senior Akali leader commented here. This single issue will redefine the Akali Dal’s relations with the BJP, which otherwise too are not very happy these days. "For the BJP, its narrow political interests are more important than allies. They share power here, hold plum positions, criticise us daily. Yet our simple demand to keep Udham Singh Nagar district out of the proposed hill state was treated in this manner. We are not even distant cousins", this senior Akali leader said. He did not wish to be quoted, but asserted that the Akali Dal would formulate its position and redefine its relationship on August 5." The things will be very clear to all", he said. Mr Fernandes has clearly ignored the majority opinion while making his brief recommendation to the Prime Minister. The committee that visited Pantnagar on July 29 consisted of Mr Badal and Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister and the state BJP president Mr Om Parkash Singh was to meet in Delhi today. No meeting took place and Mr Fernandes on his own submitted the report. It clearly violated the understanding among the committee members. An Akali Dal press release described the report as " a report by Mr Fernandes, and not a report of the Committee. No discussion took place among the committee members following its one-day visit to the area. As per the understanding among its members, the Committee was to have met on August 1 to deliberate on the issue and prepare a joint report before it could be submitted to the Prime Minister. However, neither did the Committee meet nor was the matter discussed among its members before Mr Fernandes made his recommendations". A large number of delegations consisting of farmers, traders , industrialists, political leaders cutting across the party lines and community leaders from among the Punjabis, Haryanavis, Bengalis, Muslims and others met the committee during its six-hour-long sitting on July 29. It was an open gathering at two halls of the Pantnagar University. There was also a massive demonstration by those who opposed the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar district in the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal. A clear consensus emerged that as the district was a plains area and had nothing in common in terms or culture, economic relations and social bonds with the hills. It should be retained in Uttar Pradesh. And if at all it was to be included in the proposed state then contigious areas from the Terai, the foothills of the adjoining areas of Saharanpur, Rampur, Hardwar, Pilibhit and other districts be made part of the state to balance the demographic structure of hill people with plains people. This would also reduce the fear of Punjabi settlers and make the state fiscally viable. Memorandum after memorandum said this. Even those like MLA from Kashipur, Mr K.C. Singh Baba who is a staunch supporter of the inclusion, agreed that he had no objection if more areas were made part of the hill state. In fact, the idea was thrown up by the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Lok Sabha member from the area, Mr Narain Dutt Tewari in order to break the impasse. This idea, as observed by this correspondent, had the support of the local BJP, Congress, Samajwadi party and the left parties, besides the settlers and Akalis. Yet why Mr Fernandes, without holding any meeting of the committee rushed to submit the report, is no mystery. Mr Om Parkash Singh of the BJP had clearly indicated that his party was for the inclusion of this district, and nothing more." We do not want to waste any more time and all these suggestions have little meaning". So two members of three, had already made up their mind and this whole exercise, where thousands of people had collected were a mere eyewash. If finally, this district is included as planned by the BJP, the Akali Dal may have no choice but to part company. But with the Akali Dal split into two, Mr Badal can ill afford to keep the 18-member strong BJP group away. Mr Badal must either to play down this issue now or settle with the Akali Dal lead by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and bid goodbye to the BJP. Interestingly, the BJP leaders in Punjab have not welcomed Mr Badal’s "needlessly poking his nose in the affairs of Uttar Pradesh". Mr Badal has competition from
the rival Akali Dal, CPM and Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and the
Congress on the US Nagar issue. CPM General Secretary, Mr Harkishen
Singh Surjeet was the first along with former Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav to launch the US Nagar agitation in
1998. The people of Punjab and Mr Badal can ignore the issue only at
their own peril. |
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BJP
against change in Preamble CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — The BJP, an ally of the Shiromani Akali Dal in the Punjab Government, is strongly opposed to the proposed change in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. The change in the Preamble has been proposed in a 40-page draft prepared on Centre-state relations for discussion by a committee of legal luminaries, experts, intellectuals and ministers of the SAD and the BJP set up by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, under his own chairmanship. It has been set up to present the state government’s viewpoint before the Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution. The draft has been circulated among all members of the committee for their opinion. Mr H.S. Mattewal, Advocate-General, Punjab, is a convener of the committee. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, and Mr Tikshan Sood, Minister of State for Excise and Taxation, are the BJP nominees on the committee. A senior leader of the BJP told TNS today that his party’s stand was very clear. It would not approve any change in the Preamble. Inclusion of the word "federation of states" replacing the word "Union" has been proposed in the draft circulated among the members of the committee. The BJP leader said that there was no similarity between India and the USA on this issue. In the USA, there were already states in existence but no Centre. The states in the USA formed a confederation of states to create a Centre with a presidential form of government. In India, the Centre already existed and the states merged in it. So, there could not be a federation of states. However, the SAD wants a true federal structure in the country and is in favour of including the word federation of states" in the Preamble. The BJP was also against using the word autonomy for the states. "Autonomy" was very vague term and it could be stretched to any length. So such vague terms could not be used to define Centre-state relations. There could be the use of the words devolution of powers or more powers to the states, said the senior BJP leader. The BJP had informally discussed this issue at a top level. But now it would prepare its opinion pointwise to put its views across at the next meeting of the committee. The Punjab Government has been allowed to submit the memorandum to the commission till August 31. Earlier the due date was July 31. "Our party has taken a stand at the national level on the autonomy issue. Look at the case of Jammu and Kashmir where the state assembly had passed a resolution seeking autonomy and the Union Government rejected it." There could be a devolution of fiscal powers and also the transfer of certain subjects from the Union and the Concurrent Lists to the State List for legislation purposes, said the senior BJP leader. The BJP was also against the appointment of the Governor from a panel of names submitted by the Chief Minister. Such a provision amounted to handling over the appointing authority to the state governments. This could not be possible. The BJP’s view was that the Governor should be appointed by the Union Government with the consent of the state government. The institution of Governor should stay. Otherwise who would oversee the functioning of the state government concerned. Moreover, Opposition parties get a chance to present their viewpoints to the Governor if the popular government does not respond to their representations. The BJP also had reservations on the deletion of Article 356. It should not be deleted. But its use should be contained by putting legal curbs. The BJP leader said that these were
the main points in the draft. The others were minor issues. |
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PUDA housing scheme falls flat PATIALA, Aug 1 — The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority has decided to readvertise the Phase I Urban Estate HIG flats scheme after it has attracted a lukewarm response. The failure of the scheme has also dashed PUDA's hopes of developing any other part of the Urban Estate. In a major policy shift, PUDA has decided to only market freehold plots in the area henceforth. The scheme, under which, 44 plots were offered to the public in Phase I of Urban Estate here, has failed like no other scheme introduced before this. The Additional Administrator of PUDA, Mr Arunjit Miglani, said only two or three applications for the allotment of flats under the scheme had been received from Patiala. He said he did not know the exact number of the applications received because banks in the other towns of the state which had been authorised to collect the applications, had not submitted their reports. He, however, said PUDA was not expecting a good response to the scheme from outside the town as well. He said, due to this, the body had decided to readvertise the scheme. However, sources said it would be difficult for PUDA to sell the flats even after readvertising the scheme because these were overpriced. They said the flats had been priced at about Rs 11 lakh each. They said the price was not justified according to the cost of the construction or the land. They said, according to PUDA estimates, Rs 3 lakh should be charged for every 175 square yards of land. They said people generally thought Rs 7 lakh charged for construction was too high a price as PUDA was offering only one bedroom, drawing room, bathroom, kitchen and garage to prospective customers. Each buyer has, however, been allowed to construct the first floor. Mr Sohan Singh, a resident of Phase I, said the scheme had been destined to fail as PUDA had stuck with its price for the flats even after failing to sell most of the MIG flats built adjacent to these. He said the public reaction had been lukewarm also due to the poor construction of the MIG flats. Sources said PUDA could have found customers for the HIG flats if it had priced these reasonably, considering that flat culture was still alien to Patiala. They said most occupants of the MIG were persons who had settled there after retirement and did not belong to Patiala. They said most residents of the town believed that they could get freehold property in the other parts of the town at the price of the MIG flats. They said residents had ignored the scheme for this reason. Mr Miglani said PUDA had hoped the scheme would attract buyers as it offered single-ownership flats. He said, “The original plan was to build 117 houses, but this number was later reduced to 44. Presently, 80 per cent of the construction work has been finished.” He said there had been no decision on whether there should be any cut in the price of the flats when the scheme was readvertised. He also said PUDA was now planning to allot only freehold residential plots in Phases I and III of Urban Estate. |
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States
perpetual beggars: draft memo CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — In Centre-state relations, besides finance, the other "irritants" include the role and functions of central agencies, the power of the Union to issue directions under various Articles of the Constitution and the monopoly over a variety of subjects. So frustrating is the experience of the states that these have been reduced to the level of "perpetual beggars", an expression used in the draft memorandum the SAD-BJP government is processing to present to the Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution. The heavy financial dependence of the states on the Centre is at the root of all problems which the states face. This monopoly is often misused to destabilise opposition governments in the states. Usually, state governments highlight their achievements and underplay failures. It is seldom that a government introspects. A reading of the draft indicates how the SAD-BJP government perceives the present politico-economic scene and what it expects. Much has been said on finances. A word on central agencies. Alongside the Constitution several central agencies were created whose activities relate to Concurrent and State matters. The Centre, over a period of time, has made in roads into the states and infringed upon their autonomy. Therefore in the interest of harmonious relations between the Centre and the states these in roads should be blocked and the agencies’ role redefined. Some of the agencies named are: the Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission, the Food Corporation of India, the Bureau of Industrial Costs and Prices, the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, the Director-General of Technical Development, the employees’ provident fund organisation, the national savings organisation, the University Grants Commission, the Central Water Commission, the Central Electricity Authority and the Bhakra-Beas Management Board. The power of the Centre to issue directions to the states under Articles like 256, 257, 339, 350 (A) and 365 are not in tune with the dynamics of the federal process and need to be deleted. Amendments to the Constitution to omit all such provisions will be a positive step. Punjab’s major concern is about the "imperatives" of the global economy. In its view, the changes will have a bearing on inter-government relations necessitating the placement of economic policy responsibilities at the appropriate levels, both at the Centre and in the states. When the Union shifted from planned development to market-driven economic strategy in July, 1991, quick changes came about. The impact of the new world trend — LPG (liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation) and the World Trade Organisation regime — will be felt after January 1, 2005. This requires a greater regulatory role of the states, including panchayati raj institutions. There is a reference to the "crisis" in the Punjab economy. Its growth engine has slowed; it will stop if not attended to. The pace of slowing down has been fast since the mid-90s. There are signs how the gains of the grain revolution, too, have withered. The process of diminishing returns has begun. The distortion is visible. Industrial development could not keep pace with the Green Revolution. The Centre apportions the blame for this on monopoly control over industrial development and the industrial licensing policy. On the foodgrain front, despite being a major player and supplier to other states, Punjab has gained little. As a result, inter-sectoral and intra-sectoral diversification in the economy has not taken place. Punjab also advocates "region-specific" policies on labour welfare, employment, social security and social welfare. Being on the Concurrent List these are applied uniformly in the country. Unlike the BIMARU (Bihar, Madhaya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) states, Punjab has to provide "quality" employment and not generate "any type" of jobs. The state is faced with 14-15 lakh educated jobless. Without greater political economic autonomy nothing can happen, the draft paper argues hinting Punjab agriculture and industry are in for a deeper crisis. Another concern of the farmer-friendly government is the declining demands for Punjab wheat and rice elsewhere. This poses a new challenge to agriculture, the backbone of the state economy. The challenge is from within and outside; the latter comes from the WTO regime, lower tariff rates and the abolition of quantitative restrictions (QRs). Recently, the Centre abolished QRs on 714 items. It will be abolished on 715 more items by March, 2001. Out of these 825 relate to agriculture and dairy. Thus, everything depends on the Centre and Parliament: relaxations, the safety net and a way out. The Centre may or may not do what Punjab wants. After all, trade and commerce with the outside world is with the Centre. The draft poses the question: Why can’t states have say in trade and commerce outside India? The Centre’s hold in every respect: political economy, central agencies, financial autonomy, power to issue directives, certain provisions in the Constitution, the deployment of paramilitary forces or controlling small savings, etc, give little "freedom" to the states to work in and articulate the people’s aspirations. The focus of the government
draft is on the "bias" of the Centre towards Punjab. It
reflects the views of other states when seen through the prism of the
Anandpur Sahib Resolution and the memorandum the Akalis submitted to
the Justice R.S. Sarkaria Commission on Centre-state relations. |
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Paddy
procurement CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — The Union Government has accepted the Punjab Government's plea for discussing the paddy procurement issue. The Union Food Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, has invited the Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, to discuss the issue. Mr Mittal said here today the meeting with Mr Shanta Kumar was expected to be held on August 3 in New Delhi. The main issue to be discussed at the meeting was the procurement of paddy during the coming procurement season. The FCI had informed the Punjab Government it would not enter the market in the state for the procurement of paddy. The FCI wanted to procure levy rice for the Central pool. Shocked by this decision of the FCI, the state government immediately took up the issue with the Union Food Ministry. Mr Mittal said Punjab would press the Union Government to direct the FCI to enter the market for procuring paddy during the coming procurement season. As paddy was procured for the Central pool in the state, it was moral responsibility of the FCI to procure paddy as per its allocated share. The Punjab Government would also press for enhancing the covered storage capacity in the state. The state required covered space to store about 150 lakh tonnes of foodgrains while the existing capacity was only 120 lakh tonnes. The FCI has a storage capacity of 90 lakh tonnes only. The government would ask the Union Government to direct the FCI to have more godowns. Another issue, under discussion
at the meeting, would be extending the date to shell the remaining
stock of paddy till August 31. There was about 6.5 lakh tonnes of
paddy yet to milled. The Centre had allowed the state to shell all
pending stock of paddy by July 31. Already 64.22 lakh tonnes of rice
had gone to the Central pool from Punjab. |
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CBI
to probe mill owner’s ‘murder’ CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Mr Justice V.M. Jain of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today entrusted the investigation of the "murder" of Mr Des Raj, proprietor of Hari Om Rice Mill, Jhill (Patiala), to the CBI and also directed it to probe the possible role of Mr H.S. Bains, District Manager and Mr Ashwini Kumar field officer both Markfed, in the crime. The direction was given on a petition filed by Mrs Raj Rani, widow of the mill owner, who claimed in the petition that police investigation was not done properly as it was overlooking the role of the above-mentioned persons. The murder of Mr Des Raj took place on March 7. An FIR dated 9 was registered at Sadar police station, Patiala, for alleged kidnapping while he was travelling in his car. Later on when his body and car were found, the charge was converted into murder. According to the petitioner, although Om Rice Mill held a licence, the rice mill was controlled by state agencies, but no paddy was supplied to the mill. The mill owner filed a writ petition in court which a Division Bench ordered that paddy should be supplied to the petitioner within seven days. It is alleged that despite the order passed by the High Court, Mr Bains refused to release the paddy without a bribe. The petitioner made this allegation in an affidavit filed along with a contempt petition for disobeying the High Court’s orders. It was urged by the petitioner that
the alleged murder of her husband had been committed because he
exposed the two Markfed officials. |
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Action
suggested against 2 officials TARN TARAN, Aug 1 — The Director Public Instructions, (primary) Punjab, has recommended disciplinary proceeding against Mr Davinderpal Singh Dhillon, District Education Officer (primary) (DEO), Amritsar and Mr Baldev Singh, Office Superintendent, who helped Mr Rajinder Singh, a local Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), to get pension and other pensionary benefits in spite of committing a fraud of Rs 2 lakh on the department. The DPI (primary) had ordered an inquiry by Ms Harcharanjit Kaur Brar, Deputy Director (Est.), against Mr Rajinder Singh, local BPEO. It was revealed that under the mid-day-meal scheme Mr Rajinder Singh from December’ 97 to March’ 98 received 767.96 quintals wheat from the FCI. Out of which 539.10 quintals was distributed and the remaining 228.86 quintals was pilfered. When a news item in this regard was published in a section of the press the department ordered an inquiry and the BPEO, Mr Rajinder Singh, deposited a sum of Rs 1,40,606 on April 29, 1999, against the undistributed wheat (228.86 quintals). According to the inquiry report, which was sent by the DPI (primary) Punjab, to the Secretary Education, Punjab, vide his office memo no. 7/18-99E1(4) dated Chandigarh April 5, 2000 Mr Rajinder Singh, a centre head teacher, Government Primary School, Rasulpur block, Naushehra Pannuan, who was given the charge of local BPEO, committed the crime. According to which from December’ 97 to March’ 98 he withdrew an amount of Rs 3,27,760 to be distributed among Schedule Caste students as stipend. Mr Rajinder Singh distributed an amount of Rs 2,70,810 in four educational centres in the block and kept the remaining amount of Rs 56,950 with him. Rajinder Singh gave this amount to Mr Davinder Pal Singh Dhillon, the DEO, when the matter was published in the press, and confessed to the crime. Mr Rajinder Singh was retired on April 30, 1999, and got his pension and his other pensionary benefits. The DPI (primary) in its inquiry
report has observed that Mr Rajinder Singh embezzled an amount of Rs
1,97,556. The DPI (primary) has held responsible Mr Davinder Pal Singh
Dhillon, DEO (primary), Amritsar, and Mr Baldev Singh, Office
Superintendent, who helped Mr Rajinder Singh to get pension and
pensionary benefits, when it was their duty to intimate the Accountant
General, Punjab, about the fraud committed by Mr Rajinder Singh, BPEO
(now retired). |
Hoshiarpur
water unsafe HOSHIARPUR, Aug 1 —Inhabitants of Hoshiarpur city have been consuming polluted drinking water for months this came to light when all the eight water samples taken by the Health Authorities, Hoshiarpur from different water supply sources of the Municipal Council and Mount Carmel School on Hariana Road were declared unfit for human consumption by bacteriologists of the Punjab Health Laboratory, Chandigarh. A spokesman of the Health Department, Hoshiarpur said here today that the health authorities had served notices under Section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897 to the Municipal Council, Hoshiarpur and authorities of Mount Carmel School to make arrangements for safe drinking water. The authorities suggested mixing bleach in the water through cholorinators at the water supply sources. The authorities have also informed the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur. There are 42 water supply tubewells in the city from which water is drawn. All the overhead water tanks
constructed years ago have been in disuse after the supply system
collapsed due to technical faults years ago. Now water is pumped
directly through inter-linked connections all over the city. |
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Steps
to arrest drop-out rate NAWANSHAHR: With a view to creating awareness among masses about the open school system the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, organised a seminar at Shahee-de-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Adarsh School, Khatkar Kalan, about 10 km from here recently. The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Roshan Sunkaria, was the chief guest. Mrs Gurjit Kaur, District Education Officer presided. Dr Satish Manon, in charge, open school system of the board, was the main speaker. The sarpanches, panches, school teachers and parents of wards of nearby schools attended the seminar. Dr Satish Manon said though Punjab was one of the most prosperous states in the country, but it had a poor literacy rate. Though there was a primary school, after every kilometre in the state, yet it stood 17th in the country as far as literacy was concerned. The drop-out rate was about 40 per cent. In such a situation it was very difficult to achieve the goal of complete literacy. So, with a view to spreading literacy by breaking the rigid system of formal education, which was not suitable for all, the Board had started the open school system, which had flexibility in choice of subjects’ besides being economical and free of educational and administrative restraints of the formal school system. This scheme was suitable for unsuccessful candidates in the matric examination and sportspersons was based on the credit carry system. Candidates had as many as six chances to pass six out of nine subjects he said adding that the scheme would also put an end to the exploitation of students by academies. He said the Board had set up study centres throughout the state. Students at these centres would be provided with the study material and guidance. In order to make the scheme popular among masses, especially rural people, the Board had planned seminars in rural areas. Earlier, seminars were organised at the district level, he further added. Dr Roshan Sunkaria, Deputy Commissioner, said the Board should involve school teachers, panchayats and NGOs in popularising the scheme. He also stressed the need of bringing in reforms in the education system to check drop-out cases. The school syllabus should be oriented towards creating awareness about problems like population, illiteracy, AIDS, environment pollution, seminars, discussion, cultural programme should centre on these problems, he suggested. Mr Shailender Singh, a school teacher said the Board should spread information about the open school system through school teachers. He said ambiguities in the prospectus should be removed. Mr Satnam Singh, a sports official in Calcutta, said the scheme was useful for players for continuing their studies. Mr Lal Singh Bains, a former sarpanch of nearby Bains village, said the government and the Board should take concrete steps to overhaul the education system, especially the primary school education system, so that the problem of drop-outs could be solved. He suggested that the education policy should be based on the local needs. Mr Didar Shetra, block project coordinator, Zila Sakharta Samiti, said the education system should be kept free of political interference. Mr Pritam Singh Johal, SDM, Mrs
Gurjit Kaur, DEO, Mr Kashmira Singh, President, PTA, Adarsh School
Khatkar Kalan, Mrs Sukhjit Sohil, Principal, Adarsh School, Khatkar
Kalan and Mr Harjinder Singh Gulpur also presented their views. |
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Punjabi musical play
staged PATIALA, Aug 1 — Mr G.S. Sohal, Chairman, PSEB, inaugurated the staging of Salvaan — a Punjabi musical play written by Ajmer Singh Aulakh and directed by Pran Sabharwal and Sunita Sabharwal — at Central State Library Auditorium here today. He also gave cash awards to 30 participants. This play was staged by the National Theatre Arts Society and the North Zone Cultural Centre. The main performers were Jyoti Kapoor (Loone), Surjit Singh (Pooran), Davinder Mann (Salvaan) Sunita Sabharwal (Rajji), Rubal Preet Kaur (Achhro), Davinder Singh (Qadar Yaar) and Sominder Laroia (Bhagwan). Other characters were portrayed by Kirandeep Kaur, Jimmy, Jaswinderjit Singh Julka, Gurbinder Singh Bhangu and Sukhjit Singh. Mr R.T. Jindal, Director, NZCC, honoured Mr Sohal, by presenting him with a ‘NTAS’ memento. Mr Suresh Gupta, Mr A.K. Kundra and Mr D.K. Tiwari were also honoured on the occasion. Earlier, the play was dedicated to Kargil heroes. A patriotic song — Aai Mere Watan Ke Logo — was sung by Maina and group. A skit on power theft and wastage was also presented. |
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Pest
outbreak in cotton MANSA, Aug 1 — Fear has gripped cotton growers of this region following a mild attack of sucking pests on cotton plants after two days of heavy rain which lashed the region about two weeks ago. Though agriculture experts claim the attack was under control as it was under economic threshold level (ETL), the farmers have started spraying pesticides and insecticides. Official sources said that so far ‘tela’ disease had attacked the cotton plants. Reports of attack of American boll worm were also coming in while attacks by white fly had also been noticed. Agriculture Department officials said as moisture content in the air was high it could aggravate the problem of pest attacks. The use of pesticides and insecticides was favourable for the smooth growth of cotton plants. Official sources said that attack of white fly and ‘tela’ (Aphid) had been noticed on hybrid seed plants and plants of early-sowing variety of cotton. The attack was also noticed on those plants which had started bearing bolls. For the past six years, the area under cotton had been declining every year and last year it touched five lakh hectares in Punjab. After an encouraging yield last year, the farmers brought an additional one lakh hectares under cotton this year. The farmers had also sown expensive hybrids to avoid pest attacks. A cross section of cotton growers talking to TNS said that if the attack of white fly and ‘tela’ was not controlled at this stage they would suffer huge losses. They pointed out that if more rains lashed the region in September, they would suffer further losses from American boll worm. Mr G.S. Khehra, Chief Agriculture Officer, Bathinda, when contacted, said that surveillance teams had been constituted at the block level which filed reports every third day. Mr Jagtar Singh Brar, Agriculture
Development Officer (ADO), Mansa, when contacted, said farmers whose
crop was under attack were being advised to use suitable insecticides.
He added that situation was not alarming. |
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Implement
Factories Act: union BARNALA, Aug 1 — The Lal Jhanda Punjab Bhatha Mazdoor Union flayed excesses on labourers working in mills and at brick kilns by mill owners in Punjab, anti-employee policy of SAD-BJP combine government and an attempt to get the Factories Act finished at a meeting of the Sangrur Lal Jhanda Bhatha Mazdoor Union held here at the local new grain market yesterday. Mr Sat Pal Bharati, a leader of the union, warned the state government that they would continue the stir till their demands including the implementation of provident fund and Factory Act and health and education for their kids were acceeded to. Meanwhile, Mr Beant Singh Muhala and
Mr Jagtar Singh were unanimously elected president and general
secretary, respectively, of the Sangrur district Lal Jhanda Bhatha
Mazdoor Union. A 35-member-executive committee was also elected. |
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DGP
Sharma retires CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Mr K.K. Sharma, Director-General of Police, Punjab Home Guards, retired today on attaining superannuation after 36 years of distinguished service. An officer of the 1964 batch of the
IPS, Mr Sharma held several important and prestigious positions in the
training, management and command wings of the police and paramilitary
forces in the state. |
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Rally by FCI
staff PATIALA, Aug 1 — The FCI Staff Union held a rally during lunch hours today against the victimisation of the employees of the Food Corporation of India by way of mass transfers on flimsy grounds, besides serving of charge sheets on account of storage and transit losses. The rally was addressed by Mr Raghbir Singh, General Secretary, Mr G.S.Virk, District Secretary, Mr C.M. Bhardwaj, district President, Mr Gulzar Singh, Additional District Secretary, Mr J.S. Butter, district Vice-President, and Mr Narinder Kumar, district Cashier. Mr Virk said recently about 48 employees from Patiala district were under transfer from Punjab to other regions. He said the case of these had been decided earlier and punishment was given by way of transfers and other penalities. He said officers had been penalised by shifting them from the Punjab region to other states. Condemning such actions, he demanded immediate cancellation of transfer orders and withdrawal of charge sheets on account of storage and transit losses. He said such losses had occurred due to lack of scientific norms for calculating the above mentioned
discrepancies. |
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Ujh
river threatens more villages GURDASPUR, Aug 1 — With Kajle and Rajpur Jattan villages inundated by the Ujh river, other villages Samailpur, Jainpur, Sherpur also face inundation if the flow of Ujh is not checked immediately. Mahinder Singh, husband of the Sarpanch of village Kajle said only 2 rooms of a primary school and panchayat ghar of the village have survived the floods. They are now just 30 feet from the Ujh. Meanwhile, officials of the drainage department have rushed sandbags to the area to protect spurs and studs in front of Mammi Chakranga and Cooker on the Ravi. It may be mentioned
that residents of villages beyond Ravi are often dislocated by floods
and many of them have made second homes at places like Morara on this
side of river Ravi for the monsoon months. |
Plan
on community policing launched PHILLAUR, Aug 1 — Mr Sarabjit Singh, Director-General of Police, Punjab, inaugurated a special orientation programme on community policing at the Punjab Police Academy here today. All district SSPs and Range DIGs of the state participated in the one-day sensitisation programme. Mr Sarabjit Singh, said a new communiting policing programme would be launched in Punjab shortly with a view to ensuring peaceful and healthy environment in the state. The DGP observed that active support of the public was essential for ensuring desirable public-police interaction in a progressive society. All the police officers in the state should ensure proper implementation of the new programme, he said. He also appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Police Academy in undertaking modern training programmes in an effective manner. Mr Sanker Sen, a retired DGP and a Special Reporter of the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, in his key note address, explained the concept of community policing existing in various parts of the world. He also highlighted the need and importance of public cooperation in facing the existing crime threat in the country. He called upon the police officers to extend full cooperation and help to ensure successful implementation of the new programme on community policing. Mr A.A. Siddiqui, Director, Punjab Police Academy, in his welcome note, explained the outlines of the new community policing programme as well as the action plan to be implemented shortly. He highlighted the importance of positive media projection for the success of the programme. The programme coordinator, Dr D.J.
Singh, Deputy Director (Social Sciences), disclosed that the new
programme was being briefed to all field officers. He said nearly half
of the SHOs of the state had already been covered under the new
sensitisation programme and the rest would be covered soon. |
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Income tax
collection service PATIALA, Aug 1— The local Mall Road branch of the Punjab and Sind Bank has been authorised to collect income tax and other direct taxes from the public with effect from today. The branch was also designated as a nodal branch for collection of taxes in the city. The service was inaugurated by Mr B.S. Rattan, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Patiala Range. Officers of the Income Tax department and the Zonal Manager, Mr Tarlok Singh, along with members of the local Taxation Bar were also present. Mr Rattan highlighted the importance of the scheme and said an extended facility of depositing income tax in seven computerised branches of different banks in Patiala would also be offered to tax-payers. Mr Tarlok Singh appreciated the steps taken by the department and assured full cooperation in the matter of collection of direct taxes. |
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Revival
of militancy ruled out PHILLAUR, Aug 1 — The Punjab police has found some important clues about the bus bomb blasts on a bus outside Jalandhar recently and should be able to nab those responsible. The Director General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh talking to The Tribune at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, today said the revival of terrorism would not be allowed. Replying a question he said he had
full coordination with the DGPs of neighbouring states. |
Bharti joins as SDM CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Mr Gianeshwer Bharti, a UT cadre officer of the 1998 batch, joined the Chandigarh Administration as SDM today. It is yet to be decided where his place of posting will be. There are three posts of SDM in UT. |
Child kidnapped, 10 lakh demanded KHANNA, Aug 1 — A six-year-old child was kidnapped today afternoon here and ransom of Rs 10 lakh demanded by the kidnappers. According to information, Aman Sood, a student of Radha Watika School, was returning home from school at about 12.30 pm. When he was only 40 or 50 feet away from his house, he was kidnapped by some persons in a car. According to the police, the kidnappers were in two cars — a red Zen and a white Esteem. Mr R.L. Bhagat, SSP, Khanna, who reached on the spot, told that as soon as information reached the police, it sealed all the roads of the city. The kidnappers phoned the parents of Aman and demanded Rs 10 lakh as ransom for the release of
Aman. |
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Man
falls into gutter, dies ABOHAR, Aug 1 — Vijay Kumar, son of Ram Krishan of Thakur Abadi here died after falling into a manhole of a sewerage line here while removing its lid. His assistant, Amar Singh, raised an alarm. Many persons rushed and dragged out the victim dead. Amar Singh also fell unconscious and
was admitted to the civil hospital here yesterday. His condition was
described as stable. In another incident wife of Joginder Singh, who
had been brought to the Civil Hospital here on Sunday, succumbed to
her burns today. Family sources said her clothes caught fire while she
was cooking food. Her husband, who tried to save her, was also
injured. |
PAU
to have vet medicine testing lab HOSHIARPUR, Aug 1 — The Punjab Government will soon set up a laboratory to test veterinary medicines at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. The laboratory, would be first of its kind in the country where veterinary medicines would be tested before their use. This was disclosed by Mr Rattan Singh Ajnala, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Punjab, while addressing a gathering after inaugurating a veterinary dispensary at Hussainpur village today. He said the laboratory would ensure the quality and standard of medicines to be given to the animals. He said another laboratory would soon be set up at Jalandhar for animals suffering from chronic diseases. Mr Ajnala said to provide better veterinary facilities in Punjab, appointment letters to 250 pharmacists would soon be given and they would be posted against the vacant posts in rural veterinary dispensaries. Vacant posts of veterinary doctors would also be filled soon through the Public Service Commission. He said that as many
as 183 veterinary dispensaries were looking after 4.93 lakh animals in
Hoshiarpur district alone. |
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Dy
Director, Colleges CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — Prof S P Dhawan took over charge as Deputy Director, Colleges at the office of the DPI Colleges here today. He was formerly Principal, Government
College for Boys, Ludhiana and Government College of Science
Education, Jagraon. |
|
Technical
Education Department website CHANDIGARH, Aug 1 — The Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab, has launched a website (http:\www.dte.punjab.com.) with facilities for technical manpower to register for job opportunities in India and abroad. While inaugurating the "Job
Bureau" website, the Technical Education Minister, Mr J.S. Garcha,
said the site would facilitate better job placement. |
Octroi collection privatised KHARAR, Aug 1 — The collection of octroi of the local Municipal Committee has again gone into private hands as a private contractor started the work of octroi collection today. Mr Gian Chand Gupta, Executive Officer of the committee, said that the auction for octroi collection was held recently and it was given to the highest bidder for Rs 1,21,10,000 for one year starting today. The work of octroi collection was in municipal hands for the past about one month. |
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