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| Thursday, August 31, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Cases against patwaris
withdrawn Police clears Tiddi
of murder charge Now cell phones worry police Amendments to Stamp Act okayed Of forgotten village & unkept promises No mid-term poll, says Sukhbir Badal |
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Stir may cast shadow
on Sunam byelection Cong dissidents asked
to maintain discipline SAD wrests control
from Congress Tohra's threat to CM CM has failed
Sikhs: Bhan Singh Punjab ministers
feel ignored
Premature retirement
of DMC docs stayed Martyr’s daughter
to get PCS job Stress, sedentary life
‘causes’ heart problems Speedy procurement
of wheat sought Ayurvedic officers get licensing powers MCPI rejects paddy support price ‘Sex education must to fight STDs’ Workshop on artificial
insemination Land erosion
worries residents Employees’ rally
on Sept 6 SGPC appeal
to scribes
Encroachment
demolished
70,000 litres of
adulterated kerosene seized Gold worth 60 lakh
seized, 4 held 4 cops suspended
College with problems galore Teachers’ proposed stir ‘unjustified’ Teachers to stage
dharnas 
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Cases against patwaris
withdrawn CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — The Punjab Government has decided to withdraw the criminal cases registered against nearly 300 patwaris. The cases, under various sections of the IPC, were registered against them when they were on strike a few months ago. Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Revenue Minister, told TNS that the issue was discussed with the Deputy Commissioners concerned and also with senior officers of the Revenue Department at a meeting held on August 7. Following the meeting, all cases were scrutinised at the department level and finally a decision was taken to withdraw these. The allegations against the patwaris were refusal to hand over records and documents to the state government during the strike period, violence against senior officers and violation of the prohibitory orders. Most of the cases pertained to Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar and the Majha belt. However, the strike period would not be condoned. The “no work, no pay” rule will be strictly followed in this connection, it is learnt. The government has kept the cases pending of those patwaris who were dismissed from service during the strike period. “We have not decided to revoke the dismissal orders of the patwaris concerned so far”, said a senior officer of the department. The appeals of dismissed patwaris were pending with the government and they were being examined at the appropriate level, the officer added. As the charges against certain dismissed patwaris were serious, it was not possible take a lenient view in their cases at this stage. The government has also decided to give two special “ loyalty” increments to 38 patwaris who did not take part in the strike and stood with the state government during the strike period. Mr Sekhwan said that it was duty of the government to honour such employees who remained with the government when it was dealing with the strike. The government has also decided to promote them to the rank of kanungo on the seniority basis against the vacant posts available in the districts in which they are posted. The government has also decided to change the cadre of naib tehsildars. At present they are recruited at the divisional level and remain in the divisional cadre. Now they would be brought into the state cadre on the pattern of tehsildars. Mr Sekhwan said that the recruitment of naib tehsildars would be made at the state government level and not at the divisional level. The government was not satisfied with the recruitment of naib tehsildars at the divisional headquarters. The powers to transfer naib tehsildars would also vest with the state government. Mr Sekhwan said that with the computerisation of the revenue records and the process of registration of land deeds, the revenue of the department had gone up. In the first quarter last year the department had collected Rs 114.50 crore as revenue from the registration of land deeds and related revenue work, but during the same period this year the department had collected a revenue of Rs 165 crore. The target for the first quarter was Rs 159 crore. He said the annual target of the department was Rs 450 crore and it would be achieved. |
Police clears Tiddi
of murder charge FEROZEPORE, Aug 30 — The police is learnt to have given a clean chit to the BJP leader, Ashwini Mehta, alias Tiddi an accused in the murder of Kapil Saluja, in its challan report submitted at the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court here. Sources in the Police Department revealed that Tiddi, who was earlier accused of having assisted his brother Rajesh Mehta in the murder, has now been absolved of the charge in the challan report. While no senior police officer was available to give details of the report, it is learnt to have been filed yesterday evening. Although the police has denied political pressure in absolving Tiddi of the charge, both the opposition Congress party and the relatives of the deceased have accused the Lok Sabha Member, Mr Zora Singh Mann, of helping Tiddi through his influence. However, for many others the development is not shocking, as they had expected that Tiddi would be absolved by the police. Tiddi, who remained underground till now has come out of hiding and returned to the city yesterday. Talking to The Tribune, he claimed that a fresh police inquiry had found him innocent. Denying political hand in his being absolved, Tiddi remarked, “Had there been any political pressure, the FIR should not have been filed against me in the first place. Even my own party had disowned me after the incident”, he added. He, however, admitted that his colleagues and friends had approached all senior political leaders, including Mr Mann for help, when he was “falsely implicated” in the murder case. He added that Mr Mann was being defamed, only because he had tried to help him as a leader. He claimed that the police had been forced to re-examine the case only on his colleagues’ insistence and it had recorded the statements of more than 100 witnesses to establish the truth. Tiddi, who is learnt to have been accorded a warm reception by his supporters, hoped that his brother, who is currently behind the bars for stabbing Kapil Saluja, would also be set free one day. Adding that the deceased was associated with the RSS, he said, the Congress has no reason to give a political colour to the incident. Condemning the incident, he alleged that Kapil may have been done to death by someone else, whereas the police had implicated him and his brother in the case. |
Now cell phones worry police CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 —Brazen use of cell phones and sophisticated electronic gadgets by hardened criminals and certain militants languishing in various jails in Punjab and Chandigarh to keep in touch with their contacts, both within the country and abroad, is worrying the police. During the past two weeks, there have been at least two cases — one at Nabha and the other at Chandigarh — where the involvement of prison staff in assisting exchange of information have been reported. The problem is not only limited to the Punjab and Chandigarh jails. In Uttar Pradesh, the state government is contemplating to import six electronic jammers from Israel for high security jails where hardened criminals are lodged. Investigations reveal that the Punjab Government had cautioned both Central jail authorities at Chandigarh and various other jails within the state about the connivance of the prison staff in undercover activities against the security interests of the state. The famous jail break case of Burail, police officials maintain, was only the beginning. The arrest of Omvir Singh at Morinda a few days ago has proved that no remedial measures were taken to check the recurrence of such activities. Cases of Jind, Nabha and Jalandhar and Amritsar jails are being quoted by intelligence authorities to substantiate their charge. Besides the use of cell phones, the intelligence agencies do not rule out the possibility of the use of laptops for e-mail between inmates — both undertrials and convicts — and their contacts outside. The escape of Jasbir Singh Jassa from Nabha jail on August 21 is quoted as another example. The intelligence agencies maintain that conspiracy for escape of Jassa from the police custody inside the Nabha courts was hatched in the Jalandhar Central jail. The agencies maintain that in the name of organising meetings with relatives of the undertrials or convicts, certain abetters also visit jails. Such meetings are both permitted and not-permitted. In certain cases, they say, such meetings, which are not officially permitted, are organised by the jail supervisory staff in its rooms. Other forum used by undertrials is the time of their production in various courts. This has been used as an opportunity for some of the dreaded criminals to escape. In most of the cases, the undertrials release pamphlets and brochures, pass on their messages, get the latest feedback from those who come and meet them at the time of their production. The agencies want not only stricter enforcement of provisions of jail manuel but also special measures for production of such dreaded undertrials. |
Amendments
to Stamp Act okayed CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — The Punjab Council of Ministers today approved certain amendments to the Indian Stamp Act, 1889, to check the evasion of stamp duty and bring about uniformity in the evaluation of property. Giving details of the proceedings of the meeting, the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, said in a press note that the decision empowered the Deputy Commissioners to fix the minimum value of property prevailing in the relevant locality and prescribe the minimum market price of land or buildings. Once the minimum price was fixed, the Registering Officer would be duty bound to refer the instrument to the Deputy Commissioner in case the value set forth in the instrument did not match the minimum market value fixed by the Deputy Commissioner. It was further provided that in the case of stamp duty, an appeal against the order of the Deputy Commissioner shall be allowed to be made before the Commissioner of the division instead of the District Judge. The existing provisions of the law shall be suitably amended for this purpose. It was also decided to make a proviso that the power of attorney given for consideration and /or authorising possession would be liable to stamp duty as was leviable in the case of the sale of immovable property. Similarly, in the case of agreement to sell followed by or evidencing delivery of possession of the property agreed to be sold, it would be chargeable as in the case of sale deeds. The duty so paid would be adjusted at the time of the actual execution of the sale deed for the same property. The Financial Commissioner, Revenue, has been told to ensure the clearance of the backlog of cases immediately and to fix deadlines to reduce the pendency of revenue cases before all categories of revenue officers. The council granted approval to transfer land, measuring 104 kanals and 16 marlas, belonging to the Irrigation Department to Gurdwara Isher Dham Nanaksar Harike at a nominal price of Rs 10,000 per acre keeping in view the larger public interest. It also granted its approval to transfer 40 acres of land of the Central Jail, Patiala, to PUDA out of which 10 acres would be utilised for the construction of the district administration complex, 10 acres for a residential complex and the remaining would be at the disposal of PUDA. A sum of Rs 1 crore would be given to the jail authorities by PUDA for upgrading the infrastructure within the jail. The council also approved, in principle, to close down the Punjab Women Child Development and Welfare Corporation (PUNWAC) and absorb its 27 employees in the Integrated Child Development Scheme, which is a 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme, and give retrenchment benefits to three employees of the corporation — the Additional Managing Director, the Project Officer and one helper — under the voluntary retirement scheme. It was also decided to set up a committee comprising representatives of the Finance Department and the Public Works Department (B&R), the Secretary Social Security, and the Director, Social Security, to dispose of the fixed assets of the corporation. The council approved the enactment of the Punjab State Women Commission Act to give the commission a constitutional status so that effective action could be taken in cases of discrimination/injustice to women. The council also decided to stay the recovery of house rent- allowance in lieu of rent free accommodation from employees who had drawn house rent allowance at the higher rate, and in addition in lieu of rent free accommodation, through erroneous interpretation of the rules. The council approved an amendment to the Social Security Act, 2000, by substituting the words “10 per cent of the tax payable on all the sales and purchases of taxable goods” in place of “10 per cent on all the sales and purchases of goods made” in the Act under Section 3. It also gave its approval to finalise the Social Security and Women Child Development Class I Service Rules 2000. The council approved a proposal to place before the Vidhan Sabha the Punjab Dairy Board Ordinance for conversion into a Bill. The council also granted its approval for dropping the proposal to levy an annual fee for registered dealers at the rate of Rs 2,000 per annum proposed in the Budget for 2000-2001. |
Of forgotten village & unkept promises LUDHIANA: About 20 km from here lies the now nondescript village of Kotli, the ancestral village of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb attack outside the Punjab Secretariat in Chandigarh five years ago. Time has come to a standstill. Nothing seems to have moved after August 31, 1995, when Beant Singh died. Villagers still remember the promises made at the bhog ceremony. Leaders who had come to pay homage to the slain leader had promised so much. While the villagers cannot forget the promises, those who made them have already forgotten them. Mr Harcharan Singh Brar, who succeeded Beant Singh as Chief Minister, had promised to rename Kotli Shaheed Beant Singh Nagar. He had also promised to name the road between Doraha and Payal after Beant Singh. Although Mr Brar remained in power for more than a year and was followed by another Congress Chief Minister, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who stayed in office for a few months, the two promises remained unfulfilled. And the residents have no expectations from the Akali-BJP government for obvious reasons. Kotli is a small village with a population of about 10,000. It has the necessary facilities, thanks to Beant Singh. His son, Sukhwant Singh Kotli, who served as the president of the Ludhiana Zila Parishad, stays in the village. The village falls in Payal tehsil and subdivision. Payal is about 2 km from Kotli. Beant Singh had changed the profile of the small town into a prosperous area. The people of Kotli and Payal rue the indifference of those in power in general and Congressmen in particular to the sacrifice of Beant Singh. According to Mr Amarjeet Singh Tikka, vice-president of the Punjab Youth Congress, those in power today enjoy it only because of the brave and bold initiatives of the late Beant Singh. He pointed out it was Beant Singh who heralded an era of peace and prosperity after over a decade of violence and bloodshed in Punjab. In the process he sacrificed his own life and yet most people seem to have forgotten him. Mr Tikka said Beant Singh was not just a hero of Punjab but of the entire nation. He ended terrorism and “won back” Punjab for the country. Mr Tikka also referred to the CBI inquiry which had been ordered into the assassination of Beant Singh. he pointed out that the guilty were yet to be punished. He regretted that the case appeared to have been forgotten by most people, even by those who claimed to be the closest to Beant Singh. The Congress leader said it was officially announced that Kotli and the Doraha-Payal road would be named after Beant Singh, yet nothing had been done, although these steps did not involve any financial liability. Besides, the owners of several tent houses, who had set up the pandal at the bhog ceremony of Beant Singh, still await their payment. They have been moving from pillar to post for all these years and have almost given up hope of realising their dues. Meanwhile, the Pradesh Congress Committee will organise a political conference on the martyrdom day of Beant Singh on August 31 at Payal, and that, too, in the same grain market where so many promises had been made to keep alive his memory by none other than the Congress leaders who succeeded him. |
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No mid-term poll, says Sukhbir Badal BHAGPURA (Ludhiana), Aug 30 — The Former Union Minister of State for Industries Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, has asserted that the SAD-BJP government in Punjab, headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has no intentions to go in for mid-term elections as is being made out by certain political parties in the state. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune at the residence of Akali Dal youth wing general secretary, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, in this village on the Kohara-Machhiwara road late last evening, he observed that it was mainly the Congress, which had been raising the bogey of mid-term assembly elections to curb faction-fighting in the party and to keep its flock together. Mr Badal, who arrived here from Kot Gangu Rai village in a big cavalcade and the security arrangements, normally made for the Chief Minister, with senior district and police officers in tow, maintained that the series of sangat darshan programmes being organised all over the state by the Chief Minister were a routine exercise to bring the administration to the door step of the masses. The same went for the liberal distribution of government grants. “In fact, the government, for various political and administrative reasons, could not act in this manner earlier; and now when we (read the government) are doing, what we were supposed to do, our intentions are being doubted.” Claiming that the SAD still enjoyed the support of the people, he said let the Sunam byelection be a test case. The SAD would win the election by a handsome margin and apprehending its defeat, the Congress had already started levelling allegations that the ruling party might misuse the government machinery, which went on to prove that they had lost the battle, even before it had begun. Mr Sukhbir Badal, even though holding no official position in the ruling party or the government, dwelt upon various policies and programmes of the government. Asked on the prospects of starting computer education in schools, he said Punjab was emerging a major centre of IT development. The government had already taken up 2500 schools for computer education during the current year and over the next one- and-a-half year, all government schools would be covered. He agreed that there might be some problems and bottlenecks with the plan but these would be overcome and the government would ensure that children in the rural and government schools received the quality education. The apprehensions among the farmers over the procurement of paddy and other kharif crops, he added, were unfounded. The state government had already taken up the matter with the Union Food Minister, as well as the prime minister and the farmers should rest assured that the government would not leave in a lurch. Earlier, presiding over the concluding function of 54th annual sports festival organised by Sri Guru Nanak Dev sports club at Kot Gangu Rai village, Mr Sukhbir Badal said the state government had chalked out a comprehensive plan to divert the Punjabi youth from agriculture to industrial sector, where enormous employment opportunities were going to be created in the near future, with a large number of new big industrial units coming up in the state and thousands of ancillary units to follow them. Referring to the Budget being kept for the sports in India, Mr Badal said when the Union Government headed by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee had taken over, the total annual national Budget for sports was just as Rs 150 crore and in the first Budget of the new government, it was doubled to Rs 300 crore. He informed that the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, had assured that the coming budget for the sports would be so encouraging that it would definitely change the sports scenario in the country. Recounting the efforts of present SAD- BJP government in Punjab for the promotion of sports, he claimed the main stress had been laid to provide international level infrasturctural training facilities to the younger players, who were being picked up from the primary level. He said the government had also decided to provide excellent job opportunities to national and international players in the state. He assured that he would get released from the state government grants of Rs 2 lakh for village development, Rs 1 lakh for sports stadium and the high school of the village would be upgraded. He also assured that the link road from village to Chandigarh road would be constructed in the near future. Addressing the function, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Director Milkfed, Punjab said that the rural youth would be properly trained in different vocations and liberal loans would be made available to them under self employment schemes. |
Stir may cast shadow
on Sunam byelection SANGRUR, Aug 30 — The ongoing agitation of the PCMS Association, Punjab, may cast its shadow over the Sunam Assembly byelection to be held on September 29 if any solution to the problem is not found immediately. The PCMSA has been agitating since August 18 against the alleged “misbehaviour” with four women doctors at a special old-age pension camp at Nadampur village on August 16 by Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Social Security Minister, Punjab. The PCMSA seems to be in no mood to withdraw its agitation till Mr Kanjhla apologises publicly while Mr Kanjhla is also adamant on his stand not to bow to the pressure stating that he will not apologise as he had not “misbehaved” with any doctor. Sources in the PCMSA yesterday indicated that the platform of their agitation would now be at Sunam as the political bosses of Mr Kanjhla had “failed” to resolve the issue amicably so far. They said the doctors felt that even the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in the presence of Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Cabinet Minister, showed his helplessness in resolving the crisis. Talking to TNS here yesterday, a spokesman of the PCMSA said the association had been left with no option but to move to Sunam to intensify the agitation and get “justice”. He said the agitation in Sunam should not be linked with any political motive. He said the association would organise a silent protest march in Sunam in the first week of September in which doctors from all parts of the state would participate. Later, a rally would also be held there to expose the “misdeeds” of the government. Sources in the association said in case Mr Kanjhla did not apologise or action was not taken by Mr Badal against him in a couple of days, doctors might take “harsh steps” to defeat the SAD-BJP alliance candidate. The step could be propaganda against the ruling party candidate in the shape of “no vote and no support” to the candidate of a party which does not bother about the honour and respect of women. |
Cong dissidents asked
to maintain discipline PATIALA, Aug 30 — The All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer Mr Praveen Dabur, who is responsible for organising cadre-based training camps in Punjab, today said the Congress High Command had directed all dissidents in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee to maintain discipline. Talking to TNS here after presiding over a district-level training camp and political convention organised by the urban and rural units of the district Congress, Mr Dabur said in the unlikely event of the dissidents not falling in line the party would have no alternative but to take disciplinary action against them . He said there may be a little difference in opinion among party leaders but all party leaders of the state would unitedly fight the forthcoming Assembly elections. Giving the example of Delhi, he said there had been difference of opinion among party leaders but they had fought the election unitedly once Ms Sheila Dixit was nominated as the party’s candidate for Chief Ministership. He said the training camps-cum- political conferences were drawing a huge number of party workers and there was enthusiasm in the Punjab Congress members. When asked whether he had got any complaints regarding the inaccessibility of the top PPCC leaders, he said in fact the opposite was true. The PPCC chief, Capt Amarinder Singh was easily accessible to the workers. He said due to this there was good response to the political convention held in Nawanshahr which was attended by the PPCC chief. He said the PPCC chief will also depute two office-bearers of the party to attend all training camps and political conventions adding Mr Harnam Das Johar from Ludhiana and Mr Hans Raj Josan from Ferozpore had attended today’s convention. Patiala Lok Sabha Member, Parneet Kaur, who attended the convention held here, urged the party workers to gear up to defeat the Akali-BJP forces in the forthcoming Sunam assembly byelection. She said the party had the initiative as it had led from the Assembly segment even in the last Lok Sabha elections. She said party workers must work in the same manner to increase the lead in the seat . Ms Parneet Kaur urged party workers to capitalise on the all round failure of the Akali-BJP government and the present mis-rule in the state. She said though the Akali- led government called itself pro- farmer, it had not done anything to improve the lot of the agriculture sector. Party vice-president Lal Singh, general secretary Sant Ram Singla and senior leaders Birdevinder Singh and Prem Gupta, PPCC organising secretary Vishnu Sharma, district urban president Ved Prakash Gupta and district rural president Hardyal Singh Kamboj also spoke on the occasion. |
SAD wrests control
from Congress KAPURTHALA, Aug 30 (UNI) — The ruling Akali Dal today wrest the control of Dhilwan Nagar Panchayat from the Congress after having won the Begowal Nagar Panchayat last week in spite of lack of majority in both the Houses of 11 members each, allegedly because of the influence exerted by SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur, who in her capacity as the MLA of the area, is ex-officio member of both the nagar panchayats. In both nagar panchayats, the Congress had won six seats each but lost control of Begowal panchayat because of defection of its one member who was elected president in spite of the protest by the remaining five members who objected to the election saying it was held even without the mandatory quorum in the House. But today at Dhilwan, the president and vice-president of ruling Akali Dal were elected ‘‘unopposed’’ even during the presence of six members of the Congress in the House. These six members — Darbara Singh, Darshan Singh, Jaswant Kaur, Ravinder Kumar, Raj Rani and Guranditta Mal — presented themselves before Deputy Commissioner V.K. Singh here to protest against the ‘‘bulldozing methods of Returning Officer N.S. Bath’’ who, they alleged, declared Mehar Singh and Mohinder Kaur of the Akali Dal (Badal) as president and vice-president without holding the secret ballot. Bibi Jagir Kaur was present at the election meeting in her capacity as ex-officio member of the House. |
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Tohra's threat to CM SAS NAGAR, Aug 30 — Mr G.S. Tohra, President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) has threatened to go to court if the Badal government intervened or influenced the process of selection of the President of the SAS Nagar Municipal Council. Mr Tohra, who was at the house of an SGPC member, Mr Hardeep Singh, here to meet the new municipal councillors, owing allegiance to the SHSAD, said he was hopeful that his party would play an important role in the selection of the President of the civic body. On being asked why the party had not fielded candidates on its party symbol, he said: "it was a low-level politics in which the issues concerning local people were important. Such elections are an opportunity for the locals to decide their leaders and the political parties should not force their candidates on the masses". He said the use of official machinery by the Badal government in the elections to the civic body was an example of the low-level politics in which the SAD was involved. It was a bad precedent and against public opinion. Charging the Chief Minister for neglecting the Uttaranchal issue, he said the Badal government was working against the principals on which the Akali Dal was formed. |
CM
has failed Sikhs: Bhan Singh BATHINDA, Aug 30 — Mr Bhan Singh of the CPI, member, Parliament, today criticised the policies of the BJP-led National Democratic Allinace (NDA) government at the Centre and said as well as the Cheif Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal too had failed to protect the interests of the Sikh community on the issue of Udham Singh Nagar. Addressing a rally organised at the Paras Ram Nagar Chowk, last evening, he alleged that the Central Government was making efforts to implement the RSS manifesto of establishing a religious state and to privatise Indian Industries, boards and corporations. While on the issue of the over-bridge at railway crossing 245A, he said that the Punjab Government was fooling the people of the area and added that he would donate Rs 10 lakh from his discretionary fund if the construction of the railway flyover started. Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, former president, Municipal Council, alleged that the local minister had ignored the area where one-third population of the city was residing. He added that the demands of the people were not being fulfilled. Mr Jagdish Singh Ghai, former Senior Vice-President, Municipal Committee, criticised the Punjab State Electricity Board for increasing the electricity rates and imposing surcharge on all meter holders. He added that although the government had increased the rates but supply of the electricity was still very poor in the city where the electricity was being generated. |
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Punjab ministers
feel ignored CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — A number of Ministers of State today tried to meet the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. They wanted to make him aware of the difficulties being faced by them in discharging their duties. Most of them have complaints against their respective senior ministers. They feel ignored and sidelined as far as taking vital decisions in their respective departments is concerned. Sources said that some of them had made up their mind to frankly tell Mr Badal about the problems
faced by them immediately after the Cabinet meeting. However, as Mr Badal was to go to Sunam in connection with byelection, he was unable to meet the ministers concerned, it is learnt. |
Premature
retirement of DMC docs stayed CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — Staying the operation of orders issued by Dayanand Medical College and Hospital’s Governing Board at Ludhiana retiring Dr. Kuldip Singh and Dr. A.S. Khurana “compulsorily and prematurely”, Mr. Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr. Justice K.C. Gupta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion for October 4. Terming the orders as “totally illegal”, Dr. Kuldip Singh, working as reader with the Department of Surgery, had earlier stated that a letter was received containing allegation regarding his giving an interview to a newspaper about the techniques of performing Laparoscopic Surgery. The letter, the petitioner stated, had mentioned that giving interviews and demonstrations was against the norms of private practice. Seeking the quashing of the order, counsel for the petitioner stated on Dr. Kuldip Singh’s behalf that the norms of the institute were not being disobeyed. He added that the petitioner was only making Laparoscopic Surgery popular in the State of Punjab. A reply to the allegations was also filed by the petitioner, counsel added. The petitioner received another letter soon after mentioning that his explanation was under consideration and the decision would be communicated to him, counsel claimed. Dr Kuldip Singh, counsel stated, was, however, shocked to read a news item on August 25 stating that he had been retired compulsorily. He added that the inquiry officer was never appointed, nor were the allegations against him probed into by the competent authority. He was not even given the opportunity to explain his position. Giving details of the petitioner’s credentials, counsel stated that Dr. Kuldip Singh was a Senate member of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, besides being member director of Punjab Health Systems Corporation. The petitioner, counsel further stated, was also a member of the Governing Council of Association of Surgeons of India and Vice President of the Indian Association of Endoscopic Surgery. He was also presented with the State Award for contribution in the surgical field by Punjab Chief Minister. |
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Martyr’s daughter
to get PCS job DANGARH (Barnala), Aug 30 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today announced a PCS job for the elder daughter of Brigadier Balwinder Singh Shergill who laid down his life for the unity and integrity of the country on August 21 in the Kupwara sector in the Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Badal was here at the native village of the martyr to express his sympathy with the bereaved family. Besides Mr Badal, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, a senior SAD leader, and Mr Malkiat Singh Keetu, MLA, Barnala, also visited the family here today. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Badal said a suitable memorial in memory of the martyr would also be set up in the village. He said the modalities regarding the memorial would be finalised after discussions with the village panchayat and the family. Mr Badal described Brigadier Shergill as a great son of Punjab who sacrificed his life for the country. He said the family had not only lost its member but the country had also lost a brave soldier. He said this was a great loss of the country, especially Punjab. Mr Badal said all other benefits, including ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for a house or a plot as per the state government’s policy would be provided to the family. He also said it was the duty of the state to look after the families of martyrs. Mr Badal remained with the family for more than 20 minutes. Brigadier Shergill is survived by his wife and two daughters. |
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Stress, sedentary life
‘causes’ heart problems AMRITSAR, Aug 30 — Stress and sedentary lifestyle were the main reasons because of which people of younger age groups suffered from coronary heart problem. This was stated by the Director of Malhotra Heart Institute, Dr Rahul Malhotra, while talking to newspersons here on Monday. Dr Malhotra said at present more than 8 per cent of the Indian population had some kind of coronary disease which was rather alarming in comparison with the other Western nations. He stated that the statistic collected by the institute revealed that people in the age group of 20 to 30 were found suffering from hypertension, diabetes, high cholestrol level and blood pressure which led to blockage of arteries resulting in heart attacks. Dr Malhotra added that in advanced countries due to medical health care and awareness among the people the problem was being delayed at least 10 to 15 years. He felt that in India with a large number of heart patients had to have fully equipped cardiac-care centres in the periphery towns, besides improving the infrastructure of such centres in metropolitan cities. He favoured awareness among school and college children regarding the problem. He suggested that Indians must lead a more active life with proper exercises and yoga, besides changing their eating habits. The cardiac surgeon from Malhotra Heart Care Institute, Dr Virender Sarwal, said in India heart care and bypass operations were less expensive than in the advanced countries. He added that the Indian cardiac surgeons were not only better trained but they had 99 per cent safety record. Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association here has organised a free heart check-up camp. The president of the association, Dr P.C. Arora added that more than 150 patients were thoroughly examined and echocardiography and blood tests were conducted. |
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Speedy procurement
of wheat sought FAZILKA, Aug 30 — Dr Mohinder Kumar Rinwa, former MLA and Secretary, PPCC, while reminding Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, and Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, Punjab, of their promise made to farmers for the purchase of their wheat uptil February 28, 2001, has demanded speedy procurement of wheat stocks lying in the Fazilka grain market. Dr Rinwa said scores of farmers of the area had brought their wheat to the grain market in view of the government’s assurances. He said the farmers were sore over the “indifferent” attitude of the government, which had not yet come forward for purchasing the wheat. He urged Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, to look into the matter and ensure prompt procurement of about 50,000 quintals of wheat before the arrival of paddy, which is expected next week. Meanwhile, a deputation of office-bearers of the Commission Agents Association, Fazilka, met the District Manager, FCI, Ferozepore and the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore, demanding immediate purchase of farmers’ wheat. |
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Ayurvedic officers get licensing powers BATHINDA, Aug 30 — The Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab, has given all licensing powers to the district ayurvedic and Unani officers. In a press note issued here yesterday, Mr S.S. Romana, senior vice-president Punjab Ayurvedic Medical Services Association (PAMSA), said the state government, through a notification, had appointed all district ayurvedic and Unani officers as licensing authority. He said the decision was in favour of the various pharmaceutical concerns manufacturing ayurvedic medicines in the state as it would save their time and expenses. He appreciated the decision saying it would prove to be a milestone in the development of ayurvedic system of medicine. He said the government should give Class I status to all ayurvedic medical officers. |
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MCPI rejects paddy support price SAS NAGAR, Aug 30 — The Marxist Communist Party of India (MCPI) has rejected the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy announced by the government. Mr Prem Singh Bhanu, member of the Central Committee of the MCPI, said the increase of Rs 20 announced by the government was inadequate. He said the prices of agricultural inputs like fertilisers, diesel, insecticides and seeds had been sharply increased burdening the farmers. Mr Bhangu urged the government to take the necessary steps to give relief to the farmers. |
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‘Sex education must to fight STDs’ PATIALA,
Aug 30 — To talk freely about sexuality is the only way to generate awareness about the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among the adolescents, said Dr Rameshwar Chander, Civil Surgeon, while conducting a lecture on "Reproductive and child health" at Mata Kaushalya Hospital here yesterday. Presenting the theme paper, Dr S.P. Singh,in charge, Ranbaxy Community Healthcare Society, said while AIDS grabbed the headlines, other STDs were going unnoticed. To bring awareness about these diseases, age-old socio-cultural taboos need to be done away with and sex education has to be given a serious thought. Emphasising the importance of mother-child comunication on the subject of safe sex, Dr Singh said educating the womenfolk about such diseases was the prime focus for the policy makers. To tackle the growing problem of the STDs, an STD control programme is the need of the hour, he said. Such a programme should incorporate a structure to support STD services in primary health centres, a reliable drug supply, referred clinics and epidemiologic surveillance to identify the most prevalent STDs, and to track the effectiveness of various antibiotics, he said. Besides, training suited to every practitioner to keep pace with the latest technology was also required, he said. STDs could lead to pelvic inflatory diseases causing life-long pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy, and cancer in genitals. Mass media had an important role to play, said Dr Singh. To alert people about STDs, media should encourage the people to seek treatment, promote condoms and support mutual monogamy, he added. To identify STDs and other infectious diseases among the migrant labourers, the Civil Surgeon has undertaken a project to conduct free check-ups of these labourers every six months. The project would involve senior medical officers who would also provide councelling in the slum areas. |
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Workshop on artificial
insemination PATIALA, Aug 30 — The Punjab Animal Husbandary Minister, Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, today said that the State government would focus on genetic upgradation of its cattle stock to make its products competitive in the global market. Inaugurating a three-day workshop on ‘Advances in artificial insemination, semen preservation and evaluation’ here, the minister said the government had taken up various projects to provide good shelter facilities, quality fodder and improvement in breeding. He said Punjab had been chosen as one of the five “disease-free zones” , for which the Centre had sanctioned Rs 320 crore to conduct research and treatment of various diseases. A diagnostic laboratory is also coming up in Jalandhar for this purpose. To improve the variety of cattle and buffalo, good quality semen from Australia and New Zealand are being imported, said Dr Singh. A series of training programmes for the doctors involved in artificial insemination have also been chalked out, he added. Highlighting the aim and objective of the cattle and buffalo breeding project, Dr G.S. Chahal, Director, Animal Husbandary, Punjab, said that SWOT analysis carried out by the department on the artificial insemination and breeding programme showed that the bulls and the semen available were not of international standard. Earlier attempts on artificial insemination had failed due to the non-availability of funds and other inputs like supply of good quality semen and liquid nitrogen gas. More than 80 guests participated in the workshop. Dr Har Surat Singh, Joint Director, Animal Husbandary, delivered the welcome address. |
Land erosion
worries residents GURDASPUR, Aug 30 — Residents of Kajle, Asmailpur and Rajpur Jattan located across the Ravi and the Ujh rivers in the district are an angry lot. On August 27, the Ujh, which joins the Ravi opposite Bharyal on the Indo-Pakistan border, recorded a sudden flow of 3,000 cusecs of water resulting in the washing away of six houses on Rajpur Jattan and 30 acres of fertile land in Kajle. The persons whose houses were washed away are Balwinder Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Ajaypal Singh, Sucha Singh, Gulzar Singh and Wassan Singh. Nearly a month ago, 12 houses and 150 acres of fertile land of the area were washed away due to floods in the Ujh. A deputation of the residents of these villages lead by Mr Dayal Singh, member, Kajle panchayat have met the Deputy Commissioner demanding immediate measures to save the area from floods and land erosion. Mr B.Vikram, Deputy Comm-issioner, has assured the deputationists that adequate flood-protection measures will be taken after the rains are over. Meanwhile, land erosion is continuing in villages opposite Makura Ferri in the district. Villages, including Taash and Rajji Bela have been washed away and land of Mammi Chakranga village in also getting eroded. |
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Employees’ rally
on Sept 6 CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — The Punjab Mulazam Sangharsh Committee will organise a state-level rally here on September 6 in support of its demands. Mr Ranbir Singh Dhillon, general secretary of the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation, said here today that the rally would be organised in protest against the “anti-employees” policies of the state government. He said the Badal government had closed the door to negotiations with the government employees. There was no response to a memorandum submitted to the Government with regard to the demands. The demands include the grant of the promotional scale to all employees after four, nine and 14 years of service, rent-free accommodation, removal of the anomalies in pay scales and regularisation of the services of ad-hoc employees and daily-wage workers. |
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SGPC appeal
to scribes AMRITSAR, Aug 30 — The SGPC has appealed to editors of various newspapers not to publish any article on “Dasam Granth” as the Sikh clergy had banned any discussion by Sikh intellectuals on this sensitive issue. In a press note issued here yesterday, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Secretary, SGPC, said the SGPC would constitute a committee of Sikh intellectuals for a consensus on the issue. He said any views or comments by anybody in the press may complicate the matter. |
Encroachment
demolished AMRITSAR, Aug 30 — The Improvement Trust yesterday effected the demolition of a 25-year-old structure encroaching upon a thoroughfare. Mr Bakshi Ram Arora, Chairman, Improvement Trust, said a “mazar” erected by vested interests was slowly being extended but the trust was able to tactfully take possession of the area, without causing hurt or creating a scene. |
70,000 litres of
adulterated kerosene seized SANGRUR, Aug 30 — The Sangrur police has caught red-handed Sushil Kumar and Jatinder Kumar, both local residents, while adulterating kerosene during a raid at their godown situated on the Upali-Chathe road, near here. Giving this information in a press note here today, Mr Jatinder Singh Aulakh, SSP, said the police seized 70,000 litres of adulterated kerosene, a tanker, 40 kg sulphuric acid and a machine used to prepare white kerosene from the blue kerosene which was supplied to the public through PDS depots. The SSP said the accused purchased blue kerosene from Jagdish Oil Company, Sunam, and Baljit Oil Company, Sangrur. Then they changed the colour of the kerosene from blue to white with the help of sulphuric acid and other chemicals to supply the white kerosene to the petrol stations for mixing it in petrol and diesel. The police has registered a case under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act and Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC against the accused at the local police station. |
Gold worth 60 lakh
seized, 4 held JALANDHAR, Aug 30 — A team of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), regional unit, has seized 102 gold biscuits worth Rs 60 lakh and arrested four persons on the Jalandhar-Pathankot bypass here today. Mr R.C. Shankhala, Deputy Director of DRI, said here that 102 Swiss-made gold biscuits, each weighing 11 tolas, worth Rs 60 lakh, had been seized from the four arrested persons, who were carrying them to Ludhiana in a Maruti van (DL-1C-C9680). These gold biscuits were concealed in a bag kept in the Maruti van. According to Mr Shankhala, the culprits were smugglers carriers, who were paid Rs 25000 per trip, per head and this could have been their third or fourth assignment. He further told that all accused were Indian and belonged to Ferozepore and Amritsar districts. A mobile phone was also seized from them. He claimed that this was the biggest catch in the recent times. |
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4 cops suspended FEROZEPORE, Aug 30 — All the four police personnel who were on duty at the time when a prisoner Balbir Singh escaped from the local Civil Hospital have been placed under suspension. Balbir Singh was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine under the Anti-Narcotics Act in 1998. The suspended policemen are Head Constable Mehtab Singh, Constables Resham Singh, Sher Singh and Balwinder Singh. Balbir Singh is still at large. |
College with problems galore TARN TARAN, Aug 30 — Government College, Patti, has been facing administrative and other problems about which the civil administration, the Education Department and the Punjab Government has allegedly shown an indifferent attitude. According to information from college sources, the college caters to the need of higher education up to graduation level in humanity group, B.Sc (medical) and non-medical, besides a new vocational course of non-conventional energy course up to graduation level started with the help of UGC from 1998. There are 500 students for which 19 posts of teacher have been sanctioned, which is not in accordance with the norms of the UGC. Ten teachers are appointed on regular basis in the college while for the remaining posts the college authorities are to make temporary arrangements. Besides these, the posts of senior lecture, assistant and lab attendants too are lying vacant. Moreover, the post of a regular principal is also vacant. There is lack of coordination between the staff. There is no sign of sanitation in the class rooms, college campus or at any corner in the college. A portion of the college campus has congress grass on it. Hostel facility for more than 100 students has been provided here but not a single student is residing here. As a result the, hostel building is a shambles. The college has 35 acres of which 5.35 acres has been encroached upon by the people of the nearby localities, 6 acres by the Punjab Roadways workshop and 2 acres by a government primary school, Patti. The non-conventional energy degree course started two years back has been stopped due to lack of staff as there are only two students each in the first and second year. |
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Teachers’ proposed stir ‘unjustified’ JALANDHAR, Aug 30 — The All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation’s (AIFUCTO) call for observing “betrayal day” and “satyagraha” on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on September 5 has come under a cloud with a cross section of local students, their parents and Principals of some local colleges dubbing the move as a “cruel joke” with students and their careers. The AIFUCTO secretary, Dr V.K. Tiwari, has called upon college teachers to observe “betrayal day” on September 5 and court arrest in front of the office of the Ministry of Human Resource Development in New Delhi. (AIFUCTO) has also decided to hold rallies in various colleges throughout the country. Criticising the frequent holding of strikes and dharnas, a large number of students, their parents and some college Principals said such things should not have any place in a pious profession like teaching. By resorting to such a step, teachers, instead of setting an example of discipline for students, and up inculcating a spirit of indiscipline among them. They expressed anguish over the increasing tendency among teachers to resort to strikes. Dolly (22), a student of Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Applications at Llyalpur Khalsa College, said AIFUCTO’s strike in September, 1998, which continued for 26 days, caused great harm to students. The syllabus could not be covered and the exams had to be delayed resulting in delay in the start of the next session, she said. Harpreet Singh, a student of Bachelor of Information Technology at the local Apeejay College of fine arts has termed the proposed strike as an “unjustified” act. He said teachers should discuss their demands with the government and settled the matter amicably instead of going on a strike. Mandeep Kaur, a student of Llyalpur Khalsa College for Women, alleged that the bad results in recent years were due to the teachers’ strikes. Rupinder Kaur, a plus-two (Arts) student of H.M.V. College and sportswoman, said, “We players have little time for studies because of our sports engagements. Now when we have time for studies teachers have decided to go on a strike.” Manpreet Kaur, a student of Bachelor of Business Administra-tion in H.M.V. College, said she was not aware of the teachers’ demands, but one thing she knew was that ultimately students would be the losers in this “strike politics”. Parents have also aired their ire over the proposed strike. Mr Gurdial Singh, a retired Army officer, and Mr Prince Verma, both parents, termed the strike as unjustified and said teachers must perform their duties for which they were sufficiently paid. They said the government should set up a tribunal to settle the demands of teachers. They said the teachers should quit the “dharna politics” and maintain their respect in society. Dr Sucharita, Principal, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, termed the strike as a “national damage” and said. “This is not the way. The teachers should sit on a negotiating table and discuss their demands”. Similarly, Mr Sukhbir Singh Chatha, Principal, Llyalpur Khalsa College, said the strike by teachers would certainly harm students. |
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Teachers to stage
dharnas CHANDIGARH, Aug 30 — Nearly 2,000 teachers of 70-odd colleges affiliated to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will hold dharnas in front of their principals’ offices on September 1. This was stated by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union general secretary, Mr Charanjit Chawla, today. The proposed action was to protest against the delay in the implementation of the pension scheme already approved by the legislature. Two other demands, which had also been conceded but not implemented, were the non-introduction of University Grants Commission pay scales in respect of 25-odd colleges which opened after November, 1981, and the non-payment of house rent allowance to teachers of 48-odd rural colleges in the state. Mr Chawla said the government was yet to pay salaries for the 26-day strike period. |
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