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| Monday, August 7, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
US Nagar panel meets Badal Aided colleges: where’s the pension? 60-lakh tubewell scam detected 1500 FCI Class III staff promoted Gurdwara building at Harike regularised
Badal’s ‘sangat darshan’ to project Wadali
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PSSF factions merge
Operation Pink
Rose uncovered 100 crore Badal met CEC in
Delhi: Dimpa Immigration agencies target farmers Punjabi pop dominates channel launch Ex-servicemen
threaten stir Bitta to organise
rath yatra Nayar to go ahead with peace vigil
PSEB engineers threaten stir PNB sets up fund for going hi-tech Officers back stir of jobless vet graduates Employees decide to intensify stir Voters’ card drive ‘meaningless’ Power scheme starts in
two villages ACRs of Dalits
being spoilt, says Kainth
Special grant for Muktsar
Murder charge denied
School sans basic facilities
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US Nagar panel meets Badal CHANDIGARH, Aug 6 — A large delegation of the Udham Singh Nagar Raksha Samiti, which has been fighting for the exclusion of the plains district from the new hill state of Uttaranchal, met the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, at Punjab Bhavan here this afternoon. To dispel the controversy surrounding his role in the issue, the delegation gave him a memorandum thanking him for his support on the issue and condemning the George Fernandes Committee report as the opinion of Mr Fernandes alone which, it said, must be recalled in the interest of justice and a new report, based on the views of all its three members, submitted. Later, at a press conference, Mr Harbhajan Singh Cheema, head of the delegation, explaining the US Nagar issue, said residents of the area were not against a hill state but opposed to their inclusion as they shared neither geography, ethnicity nor culture with the people of Uttaranchal. He deflected pointed questions on a recent samiti demand for the expansion of the new state by including five neighbouring districts, but admitted that past BJP governments in UP had been more hostile to Punjabis than other party governments. However, he refused to be drawn into the SAD’s ties with the BJP or whether the SAD should withdraw from the NDA, saying his interest was limited to the US Nagar issue. Interestingly, the demand for the inclusion of more areas that was first voiced before the Fernandes panel, though intended as a compromise, has confused the issue and divided the samiti, with most members rejecting the demand for the inclusion of sugarcane command areas or a few tehsils as specious as it would neither meet the aspirations of the hill people nor of the plain areas which would be tagged on against their will, and repeating their demand for exclusion from the new state. A senior Akali leader from US Nagar admitted that while expansion was a last-minute improvisation to work out a compromise it would probably not bear fruit either as the Centre had little interest in arriving at any accommodation with the SAD on the issue. He said the unequal SAD-BJP relationship was bound to break, whether it happened today or at some point in the future. Meanwhile, reports from Udham Singh Nagar say that rather than dying down the three-day bandh called by the samiti got sharper today, after yesterday’s arrests of samiti leaders and lathi charges, with women and children taking part in blockades and bandhs throughout the district, with most towns observing a complete bandh. No details were available. Brar for referendum on US Nagar issue JALANDHAR, Aug 6 — The ongoing war of wits between the Punjab Pradesh Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and the PPCC vice-president and MP Jagmeet Brar entered a new phase today with the latter suggesting the former to contest the forthcoming Sunam byelection for which he was the “most suitable” candidate. The firebrand MP also attacked the SAD president for “betraying” the Sikhs of Udham Singh Nagar district on the issue of its inclusion in the proposed Uttaranchal state and demanded a referendum to settle the issue. Mr Brar, who was addressing a press conference here today, said winning the Sunam byelection was important for the survival of the state unit of the Congress and it could be achieved only by a strong candidate. He said Capt Amarinder Singh was the most suitable choice since the Assembly constituency fell in his area of “influence” and was part of the parliamentary constituency of his wife Parneet Kaur. “Of course we need a top candidate, particularly when the Akalis are in power, and in my view there will be no better candidate than the PPCC president himself,” said Mr Brar, who assured that he along with the former Chief Minister, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, would support Capt Amarinder Singh. Referring to the organisational elections of the PPCC, in November, Mr Brar said he would contest the poll but was not satisfied with the recruitment process of the PPCC. “Regarding my contesting the poll, the final decision lies with the party high command, he said. Criticising the Badal government for its failure to help Udham Singh Nagar Sikhs, Mr Brar said the Chief Minister had betrayed the Sikhs of that region and was party to the decision of the three-member committee headed by Mr George Fernandes, which had recommended the inclusion of the district in the proposed hill state. “Mr Badal was exposed when Mr Fernandes clarified in the Lok Sabha that the decision was unanimous, but now he is saying he was consulted. How can this happen?” questioned Mr Brar. He said Mr Badal should resign and should not make Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa a scapegoat for his failures. 
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Tarlochan Singh hails US Nagar inclusion JALANDHAR, Aug 6 — Unlike other politicians, Mr Tarlochan Singh, Vice-Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, and a close aide of late Giani Jail Singh, has hailed the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar district in the proposed Uttaranchal state. Mr Tarlochan Singh, who was here to attend a function in connection with the launch of Doordarshan’s Punjabi channel, is the first political figure from Punjab to welcome the inclusion of US Nagar in the proposed hill state. He said the hue and cry raised by some quarters over the inclusion was baseless and the Sikhs would rather prosper and would have more say in the affairs of the new state. “They will have at least nine MLAs in the 24-member House to represent the 70 constituencies of the state, whereas no one represents the community in the Uttar Pradesh House at present. Moreover, the traditional fight of supremacy between the Garhwalis and Kumaons will benefit them since people of both regions will look forward to them and will seek their support,” he said. The Sikhs should not worry about their lands since the Union Government had already amended the Uttaranchal Bill and there would be no new land ceiling. MOGA (UNI): Senior Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann, MP, has alleged that the ruling SAD president Parkash Singh Badal betrayed the people of Udham Singh Nagar district which has been included in the hill state of Uttaranchal. “The truth is that Mr Badal was party to the decision to include Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal,” Mr Mann said at a “Dalit awareness rally” here on Saturday. He said Mr Badal had betrayed Punjabis, particularly the Sikhs, who would be deprived of their agricultural land holdings due to the land ceiling up to 2.5 acres in the new Uttaranchal state. Later talking to reporters, Mr Mann expressed resentment that he was not allowed to raise certain issues concerning Sikhs and other minorities in Parliament. “Single party leaders like Mr Ajit Singh and Mr Chandra Shekhar were liberally give time to speak on problems relating to minorities, but I being a representative of Punjab was not given time to speak,” he said. |
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Aided colleges: where’s the pension? CHANDIGARH, Aug 6 — This is the story about the pension-cum-gratuity scheme for aided colleges, which depicts how the government decides, delays and denies the benefits which accrue. It all started with the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union conceiving the scheme nine years ago. Its beneficiaries were to be the teaching and non-teaching staff of 165-odd non-government aided colleges. The struggle resulted in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha passing the requisite Bill on March 30, 1999. The Governor accorded his assent on April 19 and the Act was notified on April 26. Officially it is called The Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service of Employees) Act, 1999. The scheme has not been implemented yet much to the consternation of the intended beneficiaries. The union, on its part, says the general secretary, Mr Charanjit Chawla, has met all concerned: politicians and bureaucrats. A detailed representation was made even to the Governor. The result, so far, is nil. This style of functioning of the government has convinced the non-government aided colleges that despite there being constitutional and statutory mandate, the bureaucracy is capable enough to delay the implementation of a scheme. Piqued by the lackadaisical attitude of the government, the affected persons, led by the union, now propose to converge on Chandigarh on August 9 to hold a state-level rally to demand the immediate implementation of the scheme. The latest, it is learnt, is that the Finance Department has written to the Education Department to (1) prepare a fully self-financing pension scheme in keeping with the objectives and reasons (Preamble) of the amendment to Act No 8 of 1999 and for this purpose, may examine the employees’ pension scheme of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, Government of India; and (2) the scheme should provide for the judicious investment of its funds in the interest of present and future pensioners. It is estimated that the pension beneficiaries number approximately 4,000 teaching staff and 2,500 non-teaching employees. Though the scheme was to be implemented from April 1, 1992, keeping in view the state’s poor financial health it was agreed that it should be implemented with “immediate effect from the date of notification.” The notification date is April 26, 1999. In the meantime, several retired persons, who would have got the benefit, have died. An interesting aside is that retirees from aided colleges have received official letters that their dearness allowance rate had been enhanced taking pension as the base while, actually, this has not happened. Informed sources say that about Rs 114 crore (as on March 31, 2000) is in the provident fund accounts of the teaching and non-teaching staff which will eventually be transferred to the government, which is not keen to accept this. In fact, union leaders were quite amused when the Minister for Higher Education, Master Mohan Lal, suggested the “exclusion” of gratuity from the already notified pension-cum-gratuity scheme. “This seems to be a typical case wherein an elected government proposes and the bureaucracy disposes”, remarked Mr Chawla. Though pension is a major issue, several other demands already accepted by the government have not been implemented due to the usual bureaucratic delays and dithering. These include condoning a 26-day strike period, bunching increments, the fixation of Rs 14,940 as pay for DPEs and college librarians, the implementation of the career advancement scheme and the grant of two additional increments to teachers who obtain the PhD degree while in service. |
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60-lakh tubewell scam detected GURDASPUR, Aug 6 — A tubewell scam involving more than Rs 60 lakh has come to light. In 1993, the Centre launched a scheme to give financial aid to small and marginal farmers for the installation of deep tubewells. Under the scheme, the money was to be spent by cooperative societies with the farmers as their members. A sum of Rs 23 crore was allocated as subsidy for the installation of deep tubewells in Punjab. Gurdaspur district was allocated Rs 1.5 crore. The cooperative society had to contribute Rs 2 lakh while Rs 6 lakh were to be contributed by the Centre. According to official sources, as many as 18 deep tubewells were to be dug at Kahnuwan, Mann, Beri, Jagowal Bangar, Bharcli, Chhorian Bangar, Kaleejpur, Rasoolpur, Chack Madho Singh, Sioti, Pangoli, Kunde Dalowal, Chaunta, Sikander, Hambowal, Jalalpur Bedian, and Dhaki villages in this district between 1995 and 1999. The sources said the contract was to be given by a committee with the Deputy Commissioner as its chairman and the Agriculture officer as its convener. The contract was given to Unitech Engineer, Pathankot, and another firm both of which were owned by the same individuals. Members of the cooperative societies where the tubewell were dug complained to the authorities that the tubewells did not conform to ISI standards as required in the contract. Pipes, cables and other materials used in this regard were below the specifications. As many as eight tubewells in this district are unfunctional so far. The Deputy Commissioner ordered an inquiry into the matter. The sources said the entire payment against the digging of tubewells had been released to the contractors without getting the bills signed by any technical authority. The utilisation certificates essential to release the full payment had not been obtained by them. The farmers have demanded a CBI
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1500 FCI Class III staff promoted BATHINDA, Aug 6 — The Food Corporation of India (FCI) management has created a history of sorts by promoting more than 1500 class-III employees to class-II posts in one go in the North zone alone. Official sources said this was for the first time, since the FCI came into existence about three decades ago, that such a large number of promotions had been done in one go. Sources added that large-scale promotions of class-III, class-IV employees were being done by the FCI management after signing the memorandum of settlement (MoS) with the Food Corporation of India Executive Staff Union in April 2000. The process of promotion of class-III and class-IV employees would continue and it was expected that more than 30,000 employees would get the benefit from the memorandum of settlement signed between the FCI management and the executive staff union. Official sources said the zonal promotion committee (ZPC) for the North zone had started the work of promotions while the constitution of the ZPC for South, West, North-East and Eastern Zones was under process. Sources added that some of the employees had been working on the same post for the past 20 years. The union had been fighting for getting promotion for the employees since 1995. Mr Vinod Kumar, General Secretary, Food Corporation of India, Executive Staff Union, when contacted at Delhi on the telephone, pointed out that union activists had gone on fast, dharnas, demonstration and rallies to bring the FCI management to the negotiation table. He added that after the relentless fight of four years, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the union and FCI management in April 1999. He added that after an year, a memorandum of settlement was signed between the union and the FCI management after it got the approval of the Central government. Mr Gian Chand Bansal, Press Secretary of the union, pointed out that the union had made the FCI management to agree to give at least three promotions to all employees in their service career. He added that the FCI management had also started implementing this clause of memorandum of settlement. He added that the FCI management had also been urged not to deny promotions to those employees who were involved in petty cases. He added that the FCI management had also agreed for inter-cadre deployment of employees. |
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Gurdwara building at Harike regularised HARIKE (Ferozepore), Aug 6 — Ending suspense on the status of encroachment by the Ishar Dham Nanaksar Gurdwara on the banks of Harike wetland lake here, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today announced that it would be regularised. The gurdwara was unauthorisedly constructed on the land owned by the Punjab Irrigation Department and drew criticism from several quarters. As the gurdwara authorities had been demanding that its building be regularised, the Chief Minister’s statement has ended all speculations. Today’s development stunned many in the official circles, besides environmentalists, who felt that the gurdwara would disturb the bird sanctuary. The announcement came during an address to the gathering to mark the beginning of the Army operation to clear the lake of water hyacinth. Later, at a press conference, Mr Badal was unable to answer a query whether this would set a precedent for others, who had also encroached upon government lands. The explanation offered by Mr Badal was that there was nothing wrong in regularising a building that had been constructed for a noble cause. Earlier, the state government’s notification to exclude the gurdwara from the wetland had also evoked criticism. The argument offered by some wild life officials was that they might not be able to check the human movement inside the gurdwara premises to check violations. Only a few months ago gurdwara inmates had an argument with the Ferozepore Divisional Forest Officer who tried to prevent them from filling up a marshy pocket of the sanctuary to raise a platform for holding a function. The forest authorities had objected to the earthfilling as it would have denied migratory birds their natural habitat. That the gurdwara head, Baba Madho Singh, enjoyed political patronage was visible at today’s function. His name was repeatedly referred to by speakers who thanked him for cooperations during the Army operation. He and his supporters were also given an opportunity to flush out hyacinth from one part of the lake. Interestingly, the Punjab Council of Science and Technology had agreed to patent a mechanical belt used by him for this purpose. |
Badal’s ‘sangat darshan’ to project Wadali ROPAR, Aug 6 — “I have left the SHSAD due to the projection of Mr Ravi Inder Singh as Chief Minister by the party”, said Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadali, former district president of the SHSAD, who recently joined the SAD at a public function held at Gurdwara Batha Sahib. Mr Wadali was ousted from the party for six years, after he contested elections against the SAD candidate, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, in the last assembly poll. However, when Mr Tohra fell apart with the SAD, Mr Wadali was made the president of the district unit of the SHSAD. Later Mr Ravi Inder Singh also joined hands with Mr Tohra. The close aides of Mr Badal, including the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, then started efforts to bring Mr Wadali back into the party to create a political rival for Mr Ravi Inder Singh in his constituency. Mr Wadali who had polled 15,000 votes in the last assembly elections as an Independent, is now being projected as candidate for the next assembly elections by the SAD. Initially at public function held at Kurali, Mr Badal declared that he had committed a mistake by preferring Mr Ravi Inder Singh over Mr Wadali in the last assembly elections. Mr Wadali, declined to join the SAD at that time. However, the growing prominence of Mr Ravi Inder Singh in the SHSAD later forced him to join the SAD. Venting his ire on Mr Ravi Inder Singh, Mr Wadali said he had left the SAD because of him and now he had left the SHSAD for the same reason. Mr Wadali said he would continue his efforts to bring Mr Tohra and Mr Badal together. About the plight of villages being acquired for Anandgarh, he said that he would take up the matter of the villagers, especially the case of the land-less labourers, who won’t get any compensation. Mr Wadali, who before joining the SAD was opposed to the Anandgarh project, said the villagers were demanding more compensation and plots in the proposed Anandgarh. He said he would ask Mr Badal to meet and listen to the problems of the affected villagers. Mr Badal is holding a sangat darshan in the constituency of Mr Ravi Inder Singh, at Morinda on August 19. Mr Wadali is contacting the village panchayats of the area and asking them to enlist their problems so that he could get their redressal expedited by the Chief Minister during the proposed sangat darshan. |
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PSSF factions merge PATIALA, Aug 6 — The group of the Punjab State Services
Federation (PSSF) led by Mr Malvinder Singh merged with the group led by Mr Charanjit Singh
Walia, former Member of Parliament. The merger took place at a convention organised by the Punjab State Services
Federation, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Employees' Federation and the Punjab Mazdoor Dal, at the State College of Education here today in which hundreds of employees took part. The merged body urged the Punjab Government to enhance the house rent allowance to 15 per cent for government employees living in
Patiala. Among the other demands of the federation were the enhancement of the income tax slab to Rs 1 Lakh and the regularisation of ad hoc employees. The convention was chaired by Mr Charanjit Singh Walia and was attended ,among others, by the Patiala Improvement Trust Chairman Mr Manmohan Singh Bajaj, Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra, SGPC members Joginder Panjrath and Kamlesh Kaur and SAD working committee member Chajju Ram
Sofat.
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Operation Pink
Rose uncovered 100 crore PATIALA, Aug 6 — Hawala transactions worth more than Rs 100 crore have been uncovered and recoveries worth a few more hundred crores are in the pipeline following the launch of Operation Pink Rose in the capital on Thursday , Income Tax Department Director General ( Investigations ) S. C. Parija disclosed here
yesterday. He was speaking at a seminar titled 'Search and seizure under the Income Tax Act'. Mr Parija, who was here on the invitation of the
Northern India Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, said 10 warrants had been issued in Delhi and the modus operandi which had been uncovered included giving hawala money to individuals for companies which issue cheques in its lieu. Investigations had revealed that cheques were issued by the parties for a fixed commission. He said the beneficiaries under the scheme would be scrutinised. The Director General, while speaking about the raids being conducted on the houses of various cricketers by his department, said cash transactions done by various cricketers in investments had been uncovered. The investments were in lakhs of rupees. He said it had also been revealed that many cricketers had undervalued their properties . Mr Parija when asked about the status of the raids, said some lockers were still to be opened and the documents seized were being analysed. He said the cricketers who were being investigated had been told to fill in their block income tax returns for the past 10 years. They would, however, not be allowed revised returns. He said any discrepancy would invite a penalty of 100 to 300 per cent besides prosecution. Speaking on the occasion, Mr B.M Singh, Commissioner, Income Tax Department, Patiala Division, said that the department was streamlining the process for updating tax laws keeping in view the latest e-commerce developments. More than 200 delegates from Patiala and surrounding areas attended the seminar. Badal met CEC in
Delhi: Dimpa GARHSHANKAR, Aug 6 — The general secretary of the AIYC, Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa, condemning the Pahalgam massacre, alleged that it was a conspiracy of the ISI. He said the incidence was aimed at creating a rift among the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in the country. Talking to mediapersons here today, he said the NDA government could not ensure the safety of its people, all its energy being spent on saving itself. He said despite the denial by the Chief Minister elections to the state Assembly would be held in February, 2001. He said Mr Parkash Singh Badal along with top-level bureaucrats had held a secret meeting with the CEC in Delhi in this regard. Addressing a rally of Youth Congress workers, Mr Dimpa said the people under the NDA government were reeling under the soaring prices of essential commodities. Wheat purchased at Rs 270-Rs 500 per quintal was being sold at Rs 900 per quintal. He said the Centre was not worried about the pitiable condition of its citizens. Rather it was thinking of decreasing subsidies on fertilisers and pesticides. He accused Mr Badal of adopting a dual policy as regards Udham Singh Nagar. He said he had sold his land before the decision regarding the status of the district was declared. Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi and former minister Thakur Naresh also addressed the rally.
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Immigration agencies target farmers AMRITSAR, Aug 6 — While farmers in Punjab are crying hoarse over the hike in prices of fertilisers and diesel, and lack of measures to save their crops during floods, immigration agencies are taking advantage of the discontent and targeting affluent farmers to migrate to “greener” pastures. A seminar held by Punjland Canwest Alliance here to spread awareness about immigration and career opportunities in Canada and New Zealand, emphasised on a “new segment” of society apart from professionals in information technology, finance, advertising, marketing and, engineering etc. This new field targets rich farmers owning up to 10-15 acres of land, sportspersons (presently competing), artistes and folk singers of some standing. This comes as no surprise as a majority of immigrants to Canada and New Zealand are from Punjab which include Pakistani Punjabis. Human resources in foreign countries are concentrated in cities as most of them prefer white collar jobs while very few opt for farming in villages or their suburbs. British Columbia is being “touted” as the place for farmers where attractive opportunities for the outright purchase of land and long-term lease are available. Persons belonging to these categories should not be above the age of 44. Mr Anoo Lal, president and CEO, Alliance Canada Inc, member OPIC (Organisation of Professional Immigration Consultants) and Commissioner of Oaths Province of Ontario, Canada and Ms Uma Venkatraman, former Canadian immigration programme coordinator, Canadian High Commission, New Delhi, addressed a gathering of about 150 prospective immigrants. Mr Lal said due to lack of knowledge, several Punjabis used illegal ways and unauthorised agents to migrate. Talking to this correspondent, Mr B.S. Bhullar, Director, Punjland, said the agency was targeting only Punjab. He said among the applications that they received it was found that more than half misled them to get their migration certified. “Screening by our agency since 1997 has revealed that 60 per cent of the candidates that apply give false data about themselves. Obviously, these persons seek illegal ways through bogus travel agents etc,” he said, adding that the aim behind targeting Punjabis was that they were hard-working and had a rich cultural heritage to boast of. An “affluent” farmer could arrange enough money to purchase land which was lying unused in those countries. A Punjabi farmer was anticipated to grow food items catering to Punjabi pallette, thereby providing revenue to the country. The fact that people of Punjab were robust made them good sportspersons but lack of facilities and financial insecurity eventually made them give up their pursuit. Same was true for artistes who were ignored and relegated to the background for want of financial assistance and recognition. The governments of these countries had, therefore, passed an immigration Bill in 1993 to open the doors for these sections of society in addition to professionals, he added. |
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Punjabi pop dominates channel launch JALANDHAR, Aug 6 — Punjabi pop dominated the star-studded night at the launch of Doordarshan Punjabi at the PAP grounds last night. President’s Award Winner Puran Chand Wadali brothers rendered sufiana qalam. Though the Doordarshan authorities had promised to promote Punjabi-language and culture through its channel, what disappointed its viewers was the absence of legendary Punjabi singers and the “hijacking” of the show by pop music. Punjab’s “koyal” Surinder Kaur was nowhere to be seen. Similarly “kalian da badshah” Kuldip Manak was missing and loud pre-recorded music was played. Jasbir Jassi of the “Ek kudi kudi” fame and Hans Raj Hans of course enthralled the younger generation. The only solace for classical music and Punjabi culture lovers was the presence of Puran Chand Wadali brothers and Barkat Sidhu and to some extent Gurdas Mann and presentation of some good numbers by them. It was a pleasant change for the audience when after a number of Punjabi pop songs, Puran Chand Wadali brothers rendered a soulful number, “Tere naal preetan pakkian, sohna mukhda takdian akhian...udhar zulfon mein kanghi ho rahi hai, hamara dum nikle,” in their peculiar style reminiscent of their Pakistani counterpart Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The low key but legendary Puran Chand Wadali brothers, who are considered to be sole custodian of pure classical and folk Punjabi music, were recently awarded the President’s Medal. Their effort was complimented by Barqat Sidhu, who along with his companions, touched a spiritual note with a Sufiana Qalam, “Bande di rab zaat hai, jiven kapde di zaat hai roon.” Gurdas Mann’s voice was refreshing when he sang “Punjabi-e-zubane, ne rakkane,” a touching song. Though the comperes claimed that the new channel will offer family programmes, girls wearing tight jeans and body-hugging tops danced and hopped around Jasbir Jassi and Hans Raj Hans, when they presented their not-so-inspiring numbers, “Ek taara vajda ve ranjhanan noormahl di mori,” Dil chori saada ho gaya, ki kariye ki kariye,” respectively. Though Balwinder Vicky and Gurpreet Ghuggi, of the “Chacha Raunqi Ram” fame were able to impress the audience with their rustic humour, Preeti Sapru who conducted the stage for some time was a disappointment as she could not speak in chaste Punjabi. In stark contrast, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr Arun Jaitley, won a lot of applause when he spoke in pure Punjabi. His speech was, however, marred by a power failure. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who inaugurated the channel by pressing a button, expressed hope that the channel would offer entertainment and education to lakhs of Punjabis here and abroad. He said the stress of the channel should be on agriculture-related programmes. The Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Vinod Kumar, actor-turned-politician and Mr Raza Murad were also present on the occasion. |
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threaten stir JALANDHAR, Aug 6 — Lieut Col Inderjit Singh
(retd), Chairman, All India Ex-Services Welfare Association, said that the Union government rejected one rank, one pension despite an announcement by Mr George Fernandes the Defence Minister, at a function held at Anandpur Sahib last year. Though the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had promised to accept the 21-year-old demand of ex-servicemen in its election manifesto during last general elections, yet the ministry of finance had rejected the proposal, said Mr Inderjit Singh, who was on a tour of
Punjab. Lieut Col. Inderjit Singh (retd) criticised the bureaucracy for creating hurdles in the acceptance of their demands. Ex-servicemen leaders were not being allowed to meet the Prime Minister for the past two months by bureaucrats of the Prime Minister’s office, he said. He said the association would till August 15 for a meeting with the Prime Minister. They would go for more rallies in Delhi from October 20, he threatened. |
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Bitta to organise
rath yatra PHILLAUR, Aug 6 — A former All-India Youth Congress President, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, will soon organise a rath yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Talking to this correspondent here today, Mr Bitta said photographs of Army men and police men who sacrificed their lives for the country, besides political and social leaders would be displayed during the yatra. He said meetings would be organised at educational institutions. He opposed government’s initiative to hold dialogues with militants in Kashmir and demanded “bullet for bullet policy” while dealing with terrorism. He alleged that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, was trying to create “mini Pakistan” in Kashmir by raising the autonomy issue. He said the demand would send out wrong signals to other states. Mr Bitta, however, supported more rights for the states. He demanded immediate dismissal of the Farooq government and imposition of the President’s rule and giving free hand to the Army to curb militancy in the valley. Mr Bitta who was also the Chairman of the Anti-Terrorist Front, said the district units of the front would be announced on August 25. He appointed Mr Jagmit Bawa of Fatehgarh Sahib as state President of the Front. |
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Nayar to go ahead with peace vigil AMRITSAR, Aug 6 (PTI) — Noted columnist and President of ‘Pak-Hind Dosti Forum’, Kuldip Nayar today said his forum would hold a candle-light vigil at Wagha border on the intervening night of August 14-15 to foster people-to-people contact to spread message of love and peace among the people of India and Pakistan. Nayar, who was in the city to interact with the people on the issue of holding candle-light vigil in view of the recent killings in Kashmir, said his forum had decided to go ahead with the programme as people of India wanted friendly relation with their Pakistani brethren. Urging the Pakistanis to come forward in large numbers to the border on August 14, Nayar, who is also a Rajya Sabha Member, said the Forum would light candles till the point where the government allowed them to go. A seminar on Indo-Pak friendship would be held on August 14 at Guru Nanak Dev University here before proceeding to the border to hold the march in which film actors Raj Babbar and Nandita Sen were expected to take part, Nayar said. Nayar said he had called on Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf a month back and had mooted the idea of holding a ceasefire for six months between both the countries, and added Gen Musharraf had agreed for such a move and he had delivered this message to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Nayar expressed the hope that if India opted to go in for a ceasefire, the peace process could start and all thorny issues be discussed during the deliberations.
ROPAR, Aug 6 — The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Engineers Association of the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSSTP), has threatened strike in the plant, if the board management does not cancel the transfer orders of the senior Executive Engineer, Mr S.C. Chaba, from Ropar to GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat. In a press note issued here today Mr Charanjit Singh, the Regional Secretary of the union, has alleged that, Mr Chaba was being victimised for exposing corruption in the Board. They have alleged that a Chandigarh-based contractor had been engaged by the Board to construct 132 houses in GGSSTP Colony at a cost of Rs 58 lakh. He completed just 100 houses by July 1984, but collected the entire payment of Rs 58 lakh. The PSEB Engineers Association protested against the extra payment to the contractor. In 1990 the contractor filed a plea for an arbitration award before the PSEB. The Board, however, rejected his plea. The contractor went to the court which directed the PSEB in 1995 to hear his case. The contractor was awarded an arbitration award of Rs 22 lakh on April 9, this year. The PSEB Engineers Association, however, resisted this move of the Board under pressure from the engineers association, the Board challenged the arbitration award to the contractor, through the Senior Executive Engineer in the GGSSTP, Mr S.C. Chaba. Mr Chaba was being victimised because certain high officials of the Board were peeved at the challenge of the arbitration award to the contractor, in the court. They have demanded immediate cancellation of the transfer orders of Mr Chaba, and a CBI inquiry into their allegations.
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PNB sets up fund for going hi-tech HOSHIARPUR, Aug 6 (PTI) — Punjab National Bank (PNB) has set a new fund with an investment of Rs 250 crore for setting up hightech banking systems like Internet banking, telebanking, V-sat. Other services are also likely to be introduced in the banking sector in coming days, Assistant General-Manager of the bank H.L. Arora said this while addressing a customer meet organised on the inauguration of the first seven days working branch of the bank here. He said that the bank had done a business of Rs 70 thousand crores during the last financial year and it was more than Rs 408 crore as compared to others. The bank had got 486 branches in Punjab with a 12,800 crores’ business. The bank is the leading bank of the state and has got a 22 per cent deposit share along with 28 per cent loan share and a 39 per cent of exports market dealings. Also there are 10 international banking branches and out of them three are in three major cities of Punjab. At least 66 branches have been computerised in the state and further 137 more will be, computerised
up to December this year. Presently 10 branches are conducting online dealings too. Talking on the local business in the district, he said the first seven-day working branch was started in Hoshiarpur city which is also the first ISO 9002 certified branch having normal working hours from 10 am to 4 pm. He said an ATM will be installed here soon. The bank has launched a chief host scheme under which customers may bring their complaints to chief host’s notice directly, for easier and quicker solutions to the problems faced by them while dealing with the bank. The problems brought to his notice will be solved within 48 hours. Officers back stir of jobless vet graduates LUDHIANA, Aug 6 — Veterinary officers of Punjab have supported the ongoing agitation of the unemployed veterinary graduates and students of the College of Veterinary Science, PAU, who are on strike since August 1. According to Dr Paramjit Singh, Secretary of Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association (PSVOA), a meeting was held here today under the presidentship of Dr Gurcharan Singh Chahal. Dr Chahal asserted that despite Punjab being the highest milk producing state, the veterinary graduates were jobless. The veterinary dispensaries are being run by pharmacists. To provide better health services to the livestock, the association has been demanding that veterinary officers be posted in more than 1,500 dispensaries of the Animal Husbandry Department. Dr Paramjeet Singh said as per Section 30 (b) of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, "No person other than a registered veterinary practitioner shall practice veterinary medicine in any state." It further reads, "A person holding a certificate or diploma, under the supervision and direction of registered veterinary practitioner, can give minor veterinary services." This means that even for providing minor veterinary aid in dispensaries, the post of a veterinary doctor is must. A pharmacist cannot be posted alone in a dispensary, as it is violation of the IVC Act.
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Employees decide to intensify stir JALANDHAR, Aug 6 (PTI) — The state level employees convention held here under the banner of the Punjab Mulazam Sangarsh Committee (PMSC) decided to intensify the united struggle of state government employees against the continued policy of closing all doors of negotiation for settlement of their 14-point demands. The demands included higher ACP pay scales for all categories of employees on completion of four, nine and 14 years service on the pattern of doctors and engineers, among others; publication of pay anomalies committee report; restoration of allowances withdrawn unilaterally; cancellation of orders of recoveries from employees in three border districts and other anti-employees notifications and regularisation of services of daily wagers. The convention decided that thousands of employees would organise a rally at Chandigarh and march to Vidhan Sabha in September on the third day of Vidhan Sabha session. |
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Voters’ card drive ‘meaningless’ BATHINDA, Aug 6 — The Congress Party and the Communist Party of India have alleged that the voters’ identity cards (VIC) campaign being run by the district administration is meaningless for most of the villagers. In a joint letter written to the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Bhagat Singh Dhaliwal, district president of the Congress Party and Mr Jagjit Singh
Joga, district secretary of the Communist Party of India, alleged that about 30,000 to 60,000 voters of four to seven villages were being called at one village to prepare VICs but the time being given to the voters was only eight hours which was not enough for the huge gathering of voters. They alleged that most of the villagers were being deprived of their democratic right in this way. They added that the voters lists. up to January, 2000, had not been given to the political parties. |
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Power scheme starts in
two villages JALALABAD, Aug 6 — The Punjab State Electricity Board has amended the Urban Supply Pattern Scheme. Now village panchayats can deposit Rs 5.5 lakh instead of Rs 10,000 to get the benefits under the scheme. The amendment will also stand for the villages panchayats which have already applied for such connections. After completion of the work the actual cost of the project would be deducted and the remaining amount returned to the applicants. This was announced by Mr
H.S. Randhawa, Assistant Superintendent Engineer, on the occasion of switching on ceremony of the urban pattern power supply scheme to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Chak
Manewala. Earlier, Zora Singh Mann, MP, Ferozepore, switched on the power connection.
Mr Sher Singh, MLA, Jalalabad and Mr Prem Kumar
Valecha, President, Municipal Council, Jalalabad, were also present. Mr Zora Singh Mann announced a grant of Rs 3 lakh out of his discretionary fund for the development of these villages. ACRs of Dalits
being spoilt, says Kainth PHILLAUR, Aug 6 — The Bahujan Samaj Morcha president, Mr Satnam Singh Kainth, has alleged that confidential reports (ACRs) of Dalit officers, including IAS, and PCS officers, are being spoilt to prevent them from getting promotions. Talking to this correspondent today, Mr Kainth said Dalit officers were being terrorised and conspiracies were being hatched to deprive them of their constitutional rights by the formation of different commissions. He said the morcha would not tolerate any political or social conspiracy against the Dalits. He called upon the followers of Dr Ambedkar to come join hands and work for the protection of the interests of the Dalits. He alleged that the Punjab Government was not providing sufficient funds for the Dalits welfare schemes. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of hike in fees for professional colleges. Later he addressed meeting of morcha workers of Jalandhar Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahar districts. |
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Oorja Club PATIALA, Aug 6 — To sort out domestic problems of the families of PSEB employees, the Oorja Lady’s Club (Phulkari) has opened branches in all major cities of Punjab. Announcing the expansion of the club here yesterday, the President of the club, Mrs Balbir Sohal, said the club had taken steps to tackle social and domestic problems which were the direct outcome of the breakdown of the joint family system. The future agenda of the club includes educating the rural masses regarding health care and cleanliness.
FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 6 — The Guru Nanak Truck Operators’ Union, Khamanon, has alleged that the District Manager, Markfed, is not making payment for loading and unloading of paddy during the last paddy season and is demanding commission for releasing the earlier amount. In an affidavit submitted to higher officials and in a complaint to the Chief Minister, Mr Hari Chand, president of the union, has said the union transported paddy from Barwali Mandi to Khanna Mandi at the rate of Rs 14.71 per quintal and the bill for the transportation totalling Rs 10,8222 was submitted to the DM, Markfed. The DM made part of the payment and had been demanding commission to clear the remaining sum. The DM is already facing an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of paddy worth Rs 15 lakh in connivance with a rice mill owner of
Sirhind.
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‘Media can bring
about change’ BATHINDA, Aug 6 — The print and electronic media was the only tool which could bring about social change for the betterment of society. Stating this here today after releasing the first issue of “Aggarwal Sewa
Patrika”, a monthly magazine brought out by the Maharaja Aggarsain Trust, Punjab Science and Technology Minister, Chiranji Lal Garg said the media had made the world a colony. He said it could play a vital role in the eradication of social evils and in uplifting the poor sections. He said the monthly magazine should be used to create communal harmony and establish universal brotherhood. Mr Garg announced a grant of Rs 31,000 for the Aggarwal Sabha. |
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Tulsidas Jayanti
celebrated JALANDHAR, Aug 6 — The 503rd Jayanti of the noted Indian saint and poet
Tulsidas, the author of “Shri Ramacharitmanas” was celebrated by the Goswami Tulsidas Jayanti Samaroh Samiti at Ram Hall of the Devi Talab
Mandir, here today. Mahant Ganga Dass presided over the function, while mahant Balmukund Dass of Yamunanagar was the chief guest. Couplets from the Ramayana were recited on the occasion. Those honoured by the samiti were Mr Sita Ram
Pathak, Mr Irwin Khanna, Mr Parikshat Wadhwa, Mr Om Parkash Wadhwa and Prof
V.S. Jolly. |
Special grant for Muktsar MUKTSAR, Aug 6 — The Union Government has given a special grant of Rs 2 crore to this district after selecting it for the implementation of rural afforestation scheme. Mr K.J.S. Cheema, Deputy Commissioner, in a press note issued here yesterday said that under this scheme saplings would be planted along the 1350 km long link roads of this district. He pointed out that income from four lakh saplings to be planted under this scheme would be divided between farmers on whose land these would be planted and the village panchayat concerned on fifty-fifty basis. He said that the entire project would be executed in two years. |
Murder charge denied FEROZEPORE, Aug 6 — One of the alleged accused in the Kapil Saluja murder case, Ashwani Mehta alias “Tiddi”, denied the allegation of murder levelled against him and said that he had been falsely implicated in the case. Talking to this correspondent on phone from an undisclosed place, he said “I am being made a victim of political vendetta by my adversaries, who want to settle personal scores with me”. Mehta who is a local BJP leader and president of the local beopar mandal is one of the three suspects whose names have been registered in the FIR Rajesh Mehta, younger brother of Ashwani “is already behind bars. Ashwani Mehta pleaded that a fresh inquiry should be ordered either by the crime branch or by the CBI to reveal the true facts. Narrating incident he said that he was not present near the scene when the murder took place inside the police station. Meanwhile Congress leaders again demanded immediate arrest of Ashwani Mehta and Satpal Bajaj and all other accused allegedly involved in the murder of Congress activist. |
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Rioting case: 3
more held PHAGWARA, Aug 6 — Three more math activists, including Sanjeev Duggal, Girish Duggal and Kishan Duggal were arrested today in connection with rioting at Hadiabad on the night of August 6. The police continued raids on the hide-outs of other wanted leaders of gurdwara Chhevin Patishahi and Swami Shankar Nath Parbat Math Hadiabad. Meanwhile those arrested on August 4 had been sent to judicial lock up till August 18. They include Piara Singh, Rajinder Singh and Dr Vijay Popli. |
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Rs 40,000 looted
from labourers JALANDHAR, Aug 6 — Two unidentified persons looted an amount of Rs 40,000 after scaring away labourers with an air gun at a farm house at Sohal Khalsa village early this morning. According to the police, the looters attacked the farm at 1.30 a.m., fired two shots from their air guns and snatched away the amount from Lachman, a Nepali labourer of Hardev Singh, a farmer. |
School sans basic facilities GARHSHANKAR: When one visits Government Senior Secondary School at Binewal, a few kilometres from here, it becomes evident that the Punjab Government in merely making tall claims about the facilities available in schools. The institution does not have basic facilities like proper drinking water supply, toilets for the students and a playground. The building, too, is on the verge of collapse. The school, with a student strength of 600, was taken over by the government in 1974. It has remained neglected for a long time. The institution was named Shaheed Baldev Raj Senior Secondary School after the man who laid down his life fighting for the country in Kargil. However, even at that time nothing was done to make improvements. In fact, even after one year dirty water from some neighbouring houses still enters the premises. The building, which was constructed before 1974, is in bad shape. Even after moderate rain all rooms, including that of the principal, leak. There are no electric fittings except in one room. There is only one tap in the school which runs for about an hour during the supply period. Since there is no tank for storing water, students and teachers face a difficult time, especially during the summer. There is no toilet for girl students. The toilet for the staff is in a deplorable condition. However, there is a silver lining. Despite a shortage of staff, the school has been showing good results in the examinations. |
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