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| Thursday, September 14, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
FCI not to compromise on quality of paddy Riot victims still traumatised Parmeshwari firm on contesting Directive to Punjab on Thein Dam delay |
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Byelection dominates Chhapar mela SAD to readmit deserters Congress man elected civic body chief Congress elections postponed
300 taken ill,
probe ordered Pashupalika gets going Conservative Patiala slams door on night discos
Failure to move paddy stock draws flak Sessions Court in Fatehgarh Sahib Plan to transfer police
officers deferred Special campaign for fish farming
Most murders committed in rural areas Students’ gang held for thefts
College principals to meet on Sept 21
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FCI not to compromise on quality of paddy LUDHIANA, Sept 13 — In a bid to improve the acceptability of Punjab paddy and rice in other states in the country, the Food Corporation of India will enforce stringent quality control measures during the paddy procurement operations slated to commence from September 21. The image and acceptability of Punjab rice had suffered a serious setback during the past two years because of poor quality control exercised by the Centre and food officials. As a matter of fact, the Centre relaxed the specifications of paddy and rice a couple of years ago to such an extent that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rice and paddy procured in Punjab was rejected wherever it was sent because it was regarded as substandard. This time, an attempt is being made not to compromise on the quality of paddy. “We are going to lay as much emphasis on quality as on quantity of paddy purchased”, said Mr D.P.Reddy, Senior Regional Manager, FCI, Punjab, while talking to TNS here today. “As a matter of fact, we are going to insist that the paddy should be properly cleaned, dried and stored before making the purchases”, he said. Mr Reddy also addressed a meeting of the FCI officials concerned with the quality control at Nehru Sidhant Kendra where he laid emphasis on strictly following norms and specifications as laid down by the Centre while making paddy purchases. The meeting was attended by over 700 food officials, including DMs and AMs (Quality Control). The officials were told to inspect the mandis and check the infrastructure there. Special attention was being paid to the installation of mechanical driers, availability of tarpaulines and storage space, arrangement for proper weighment and prompt payment to the farmers. Mr Reddy said the farmers would be paid within 48 hours of the purchase of their produce. Although the Punjab Government expected the paddy arrivals in the markets to be about 125 lakh MTs this year against last year’s figure of 119 lakh MTs, his own estimate about the likely paddy arrivals varied between 115 and 120 lakh MTs. He expected private millers to purchase about 20 lakh MTs this year, leaving the remaining 100 lakh MTs for procurement by official agencies, including the FCI. Although the Punjab Government wanted the FCI to purchase 40 per cent of the total arrivals, the Centre had directed the FCI to buy only 30 per cent. There is a shortage of storage space in the state. Punjab’s godowns are packed with 52 lakh MTs of foodgrains. An addition of another 30 lakh MTs this season will further worsen the situation. In view of the shortage of storage space, the FCI had requisitioned the premises of defunct sugar mills, spinning mills, compounds of ITIs and polytechnics for the purpose. The FCI planned to store about 10 lakh MTs there. Another 10 lakh MTs would be stored along roads and “pharis” in mandis. “It is a crisis situation. We are going to store paddy wherever space is available,” Mr Reddy said. The FCI was also toying with the idea of sending paddy to other states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where adequate milling facilities were available. |
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Riot victims still traumatised ROPAR, Sept 13 — Around about 100 victims of the 1984 riots, who are now residing in Ropar have filed affidavits alleging atrocities. 3799 riot victims migrated to the district after the 1984 riots. Most of the victims in their affidavits claimed they were still
traumatised at the thought of going back to Delhi. The Nanawati Commission, which has recently been constituted for a fresh probe into the riots, had directed the Chief Minister’s secretariat to provide affidavits of the riot victims who had migrated to the state. The secratariat authorities in turn directed the deputy commissioners, to collect affidavits from migrant riot victims residing in their respective districts. The victims, in their affidavits, have alleged varying degrees of atrocities ranging from the loss of property to torture. Mr Raminder Singh a riot victim, who had migrated from New Delhi to village Toder Majra in Kharar tehsil of Ropar, has alleged that all his belongings were burnt or damaged by rioting mobs. He had applied to the
MAD office in Delhi for compensation but to date, no compensation has been paid. Another victim, Heera Singh a truck owner from Abhipur village in Kharar tehsil of Ropar alleged that during the riots, he was plying his truck in
Dhabi (Bihar) for loading and un-loading of coal. On the day when the late Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi was murdered, an angry mob set his truck on fire at
Chan Mari Kantar, under police station Sinha in Bihar. Though an FIR was lodged and he filed a number of applications no compensation was given. Another victim, a taxi driver from
Guam Nagar, New Delhi, who has now migrated to village Majra in Ropar, alleged that on the day of murder of the late Prime Minister, he was coming back to Delhi from a trip to Agra. Near the
Tuglakabad Railway Colony-1 near Roadbed, a rioting mob burnt his taxi and he himself escaped with difficulty. He too was not paid compensation. An official in the district cell to help riot victims said most of the affidavits relate to compensation and won’t be of much use to the commission. In anticipation of getting compensation they have stressed on giving accounts of the loss of property rather than
circumstantial evidence to help the commission in its findings, he said. The district administration has now contacted the leaders of the riot victim organisations, to collect maximum evidence. |
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Pashupalika gets going JALANDHAR: Most people may refuse to believe that there can be any relation between “danda” wielding burly policemen and sick, injured and abandoned animals. But such people may have to eventually change their opinion on seeing the Jalandhar police-run
Pashupalika, an animal shelter-cum-round- the-clock- rehabilitation centre, gaining strength after its inception on July 30. Pashupalika is the first such venture in the country to have been launched by any armed force. The Union Welfare Ministry has already lauded the initiative of the SSP, Mr
Aura Yadav's, for converting a dream into reality. Pashupalika, the brainchild of a Chandigarh -based animal lover, consists of an animal shelter-cum-rehabilitation centre and the Animal
Help line, a van used for the transportation and treatment of injured and sick animals. The wireless-fitted ambulance is linked to the police control room, with phone numbers 0181-221045 and 221046, which any resident can contact and get help to rescue a sick or injured animal anywhere in the district. Nearly 12 police officials, headed by a
DIP, have been deputed to take care of animals in the district. While Pashupalika was dedicated to the city residents by Mr Donald Banerjee, Chief News Editor of The Tribune, the Animal
Help line ambulance was flagged off by Dr Romila Kaka, a Chandigarh-based animal lover. The response to the Animal
Help line has been a bit lukewarm so far, primarily due to the lack of awareness among people about animal welfare or the existence of an arrangement in the city under which invalid animals can be treated or rehabilitated without any charges. “We have treated 50-odd sick or injured creatures during the past one month”, said Dr
G.S.Bedi, a veterinarian and city-based animal rights activist who is one of a number of volunteers associated with Pashupalika. Talking about the low occupancy rate in the shelter, Dr
Bedim said: “You don’t see many animals in the shelter as we provide treatment on the spot and only a few have been seriously ill during this time.” During a visit to the shelter, this correspondent came across a calf with fractured front and hind legs which was rescued by officials from the
Goral Nagar area about a fortnight ago and a small pup with its hind legs completely crushed in an accident. “It ( calf ) may stay here for a long time for its multiple fractures could take two to three months to heal properly. The pup may not survive for many days as it cannot take even liquid food properly,” said Dr
Bedim adding that people should come forward to inform the Pashupalika authorities if they come across any sick , injured or abandoned animal in any part of the district. Mr
Yadav's said the police planned to involve more people, particularly animal lovers, to make the project more successful and beneficial to animals. “We will do it in a phased manner. After being successful in catering to emergencies pertaining to animals, we will explore the possibility of using the centre for the rehabilitation of abandoned pet and stray animals, particularly the small ones”, said Mr
Yadav's. He said a campaign would be launched to create awareness among people about facilities like free treatment and medicines available at the centre.
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Directive to Punjab on Thein Dam delay CHANDIGARH, Sept 13 — The Punjab Service Anti-Corruption Council through its chairman, Mr A.D.S. Anandpuri, today approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court by filing a PIL and sought directions for an inquiry through an independent agency, into the non-completion of the Ranjit Sagar Dam within the prescribed period causing a financial loss of Rs 1200 crore and also a non-recoverable power generation loss of about Rs 2100 crore, in addition to irrigation, water and allied benefits. The benefits could not be earned due to delay in commissioning the project and due to snag which developed two days before the scheduled commissioning. A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice
K.C.Gupta directed the counsel for the state of Punjab to inform the court about the progress of the inquiry and fixed the case for further hearing on September 28. It was prayed that the respondents should be directed to fix the responsibility over the irregularities and illegalities committed during the course of construction of the dam for which the Central Government had sanctioned Rs 400 crore initially. In addition, the contents of the inquiry report on the snag or for the faulty job done by the engineers concerned should be made public and properly investigated so that officials might be penalised for causing the loss. The petitioner submitted that though Thein Dam project was launched in 1993 and in 1998, the Punjab Chief Minister had announced that the project would be commissioned by November 4, 1998, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, but till now it had not been done. besides, 13 MPs belonging to various political parties had urged the Prime Minister to order a CBI probe into the scam.
Denial of
university affiliation contested On a petition filed by Shahid Kartar Singh Sarabha Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, a Division Bench of the High Court issued notice of motion to the Baba Farid University of Health and Science, Faridkot, for September 14. The petitioner sought affiliation with the university which was not given despite it having completed all formalities. It was stated by the petitioner’s society which ran the college sought permission for affiliation with Panjab University, which in turn asked it to obtain permission from IMA’s Central Council, New Delhi and a no-objection certificate from the Punjab Govt. After getting a no-objection certificate, the IMA gave permission to the institute to conduct a professional course in Ayurveda for 1998-99 by admitting 40 students. Thereafter the petitioner society again wrote to the Panjab University for affiliation, which asked the petitioner to seek affiliation with Baba Farid University. The petitioner further submitted that Baba Farid University asked it to deposit a fee of Rs 30,000 which it deposited but on December 6, 1999, the university wrote to the petitioner that since the society was affiliated provisionally with Panjab University, the students could not be issued examination letters for May and June. Even as petitioner-society was considering holding an examination in September, but it is not being permitted by the respondent university despite its having deposited the inspection fee.
Polytechnic staff challenge grades A number of principals, lecturers, workshop instructors working in various government polytechnics challenged the Punjab Government's instructions issued on October 1, 1999, providing various benchmarks of “outstanding”, “very good” and “good” for promotion to various higher posts ignoring their seniority. A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Mr Justice M.L. Singhal and Mr Justice
R.S. Kathuria issued notices to the state of Punjab and selected candidates for various posts for December 20. It was contended by Mr Kapil
Kaka, counsel for the petitioners that in the seniority lists framed by the department the petitioners were senior but were ignored for promotion to higher posts merely on the ground of some average reports in their
Acres which were never conveyed to them.
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Byelection dominates Chhapar mela CHHAPAR (Ludhiana), — The Sunam byelection dominated the various political conferences held at the historic Chhapar Mela here today afternoon, about 35 km from Ludhiana. All the political parties launched frontal attack against each other and referred to the election as a harbinger of the future government in the state. Peace, communal harmony, and development apart from the old standby, Congress-bashing was the main plank of the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Announcing this while speaking to reporters before addressing his political conference Mr Badal said the victory of his party was end sured as the people were happy with his performance. Mr Badal scoffed at his political opponents allegations of his using official machinery for the Sunam byelections. In response to a question he said from the date of the notification he stopped using government money for party purposes. He claimed he had already deposited Rs 20,000 in the state government accounts as payment for expenses incurred on his vehicles. Though Mr Badal stressed that Mr Surjit Singh Barnala was supporting the candidature of Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa and there was no division in the party over its choice of the candidate he did not specified when Mr Barnala will start campaign for the party’s candidate. He said the active campaigning of Mr Sanmukh Singh Mokha in favour of their candidate would weigh heavily in the party’s favour. Mr Badal said it was premature to announce the names of senior BJP leaders who may campaign for Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s son. Later, addressing the gathering, Mr Badal sought more time from the people for more development. He said his party cannot undo in about three-and-a-half-year all the many wrongs of the Congress. He openly challenged the Congress to tell of anyone development work they had undertaken. Meanwhile Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, President of Lok Bhalai Party, today strongly hinted at his party’s support to Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, candidate of Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) for the Sunam seat. Though the SHSAD had claimed it had the support of Lok Bhalai Party, no official confirmation from the latter had come so far. Talking to reporters Mr Ramoowalia said his party will support a candidate who rejects the Anandpur Sahib resolution and supports the Ludhiana resolution. He said so far Mr Chandumajra fulfills this parameter. He also announced that the party will meet tomorrow in Ludhiana to decide the issue. He said the main issue of his party in the Sunam poll would be the end of dynasty rule and feudalism.  |
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SAD to readmit deserters FEROZEPORE, Sept 13 — The ruling Akali Dal expect more desertions in rebel factions before the next Assembly election and the party is willing to readmit those who wish to come back. Disclosing this to mediapersons, a senior Akali Dal leader and Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said his party hoped for homecoming by rebels as the next Assembly election drew near. The minister, credited for roping in a number of rebels from the factions led by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra in the past, said: “We hope the number of rebels defecting to the Akali Dal to mount before the next Assembly election”. A lot, however, depended on the outcome of the Sunam byelections as the rebels had faced a humiliating defeat in the previous Nawanshahr byelection. Asked whether the ruling Akali Dal was not discriminating between the rebel factions while doling out pensions for participating in various “morchas” although they were together during agitations, the minister lauded and said: “To pocket the pension money, all will unite”. Asked whether his party like the National Conference would press upon the BJP for cordial relations with Pakistan in view of Punjab’s proximity to that country, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said his party wanted this matter to be dealt with by the Central Government. He, however, said the Akali Dal had always wanted friendly ties with Pakistan.
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Parmeshwari firm on contesting PATIALA, Sept 13 — The Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI ) have not been able to reach any agreement on a joint candidate for the Sunam byelection even though the confusing signals generated by Congress candidate Parmeshwari Devi, who also filed her papers as an Independent candidate on Monday, have been somewhat cleared with the Congress stating yesterday that there was no move to withdraw from the race in favour of the CPI. Mrs Parmeshwari Devi, who had earlier already filed her nomination papers on September 7, had sent out confusing signals by filing another set of nomination papers as an Independent candidate along with her son Kamaldeep Arora and son-in-law Rajinder Deepa. Observers felt Mrs Parmeshwari Devi took this step as she apprehended that the seat may be left to the CPI by the Congress. They said as the family of former Minister Bhagwan Das Arora wanted to contest the seat at all cost Mrs Parmeshwari Devi, her son and son-in-law had filed their papers as independents. The candidature of Mrs Parmeshwari Devi was in doubt on Monday with speculation that veteran leader Raj Vashist, who was earlier the covering candidate of the party, was replaced by Parmeshwari’s son Kamaldeep to ensure the former could get the Congress ticket at the last moment by withdrawing Mrs Parmeshwari Devi. Pradesh Congress vice-president Sant Ram Singla told TNS yesterday that Mrs Parmeshwari Devi had filed her papers as an Independent as the party apprehended that her official set of papers on the Congress ticket, might not be cleared. However her papers as a Congress candidate had been cleared yesterday. He said Mrs Parmeshwari would fight the byelection as a Congress candidate and her papers as Independent would become infructious automatically. He said the candidate’s son-in-law Rajinder Deepa, who had also filed his papers as an independent candidate, had withdrawn from the field yesterday. He said replacement of the covering candidate was a normal thing. The party had also made it clear that it was not considering leaving the seat to the CPI. Mr Singla said talks were still on with the CPI to pursue them to support the Congress candidate, but it had been made clear to the party that the Congress would not withdraw from the race at any cost. Meanwhile, sources said the CPI was in no mood to oblige the Congress and withdraw from the race. They said the thinking in CPI circles was that the support base of the party should be proven to the Congress so that the party could get a better deal during bargaining of seats for the Assembly elections in case there was an alliance. They said the present confusion in Congress circles was also due to the Sunam ticket with one group in the pradesh Congress alleging that the other was prevailing upon the CPI to ensure its candidate, Sampuran Singh, did not withdraw from the race. There was also speculation that the CPI was pressing that it would support Mrs Parmeshwari Devi in case she stood as an independent.
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Congress man elected civic body chief JALANDHAR, Sept 13 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir
Kaur, today suffered another jolt when the rival Congress candidate got elected to the post of president of Bholath Nagar panchayat. Bholath Nadala and Begowal are considered to be strongholds of Bibi Jagir Kaur. The election to these nagar panchayats were held on June 17 but election to the post of president had been held up. The Shiromani Akali Dal has three members in the 11-member House. The election process took off at 10 a.m. and concluded at 2 p.m. with the Presiding Officer declaring Mr Ved Parkash of the Congress elected to the post unopposed. Bibi Kuljit Kaur and Master Karmjeet Singh were elected Senior Vice President and Vice President respectively. Both of them owe allegiance to the Congress. |
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Congress elections postponed CHANDIGARH, Sept 13 —The organisational elections of the Congress in Punjab have been postponed indefinitely. This was stated here today by Mrs Rajinder Kaur
Bhattal, a member of the central election authority set up by the All-India Congress Committee. The organisational election process, including the election of the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), was to have been completed between November 1 and 4. Mrs Bhattal said that the elections had been postponed because of the Sunam by election. She said the fresh date for the elections would be announced in a few days. Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the
PPCC, had urged the party high command to advance the date for the organisational elections. But it seems his plea has been rejected. Mr Brahm Mohindra, a former minister from Patiala, has announced that he will contest the post of president of the
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300 taken ill,
probe ordered AMRITSAR, Sept 13 — At least 300 persons who had attended a “dastar bandhi” ceremony at Sakhi Farms were taken seriously ill on Sunday night. As many as 100 of them were children. The party was thrown by Mr Arvind Pal for his son. He is the owner of Bhola Industries. Guests complained of acute stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. Most of those who attended the party were hospitalised. The wife of one Mr Bhupinderpal said her husband and her two children were in a bad state and were at the moment in Bhimsen Hospital at Katra Sher Singh. The food poisoning came to light after the news was shared yesterday by some of the guests in the party. It was then found a majority of the people who had attended the party that day were taken ill. Owners of Sakhi Farms could not be contacted. However, Mr Narinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, when informed forwarded the inquiry to the CMO (Health Department), Dr Rajinder Singh, and the SDM, Mr B.S. Multani and assured action against those found
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Conservative Patiala slams door on night discos PATIALA,
Even those who can tell their parents they are attending a dance party prefer to reach home by seven in the evening. Seven o’clock is also generally the time for hostel residents of Punjabi University besides other college-going students of the city to be back at their places. Patiala may have come a long way but it is still to acquire any night life worth its name. No girl likes to be seen alone in the city after seven, so except a few who come to the market at railway crossing number 22, one hardly sees any young looking “chick” in the town after dark. And it has been futile for entrepreneurs wanting to cash in on this market to create a night life in the city. The first and only regular discotheque was opened at Club Sixteen near the Yadvindra Public School in the city. It is destined to go down the history as the only eatery to try such a bold step. The club management tried to run a regular disco on Saturdays for many months but all efforts proved to be a damp squib. It even tried a membership drive. In a last ditch effort, a Wednesday disco which would run in the afternoon was mooted but this idea also could not pick up. Today things have come to such a pass that the management is serving dinners for parties in the discotheque . Night life may not be in but afternoon life is. Both Club Sixteen and Food Square, which also rents out its premises for parties, have realised that now. Both largely cater to the afternoon crowd consisting mainly of youngsters. Realising that Patiala continues to be a conservative place despite signs of modernity in dress and
behaviour, both outlets are now hiring their premises for parties only. The arrangement is welcome for teenagers of the city who are more comfortable not telling their parents about the dance parties they attend . Youngsters of various institutions get together, pool in money and start dancing at four or five. They are on their way out by seven. “I am interested in good clean fun’’, says
Deepika, adding that her parents would not think so, due to which she would rather live with the guilt than tell them about the dance parties she attends. Dr Naveen Sarowala of Food Square is probably more in tune with reality in Patiala . He says he never tried to start a disco in his premises and that he was clear that he would only rent out his hall for parties. He says the move had been successful and that sometimes parents of teenagers also joined them in the fun at birthday parties. However, when it comes to teenagers booking the hall alone it is the same principle — shoot off to your respective houses before it gets dark. Compared to teenagers it is couples in their thirties who enjoy the night life in Patiala, says Dr
Sarowala. He says it is this group which usually hires the dance floor mixing dancing with eating. |
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Delay in
clearance of cheques
alleged AMRITSAR, Sept 13 — In a letter to the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, the local Shastri Market Association, comprising members from trade and industry, has taken exception to the delay in the clearance of non-MICR (non-computerised)
cheques.They sought to bring to the attention of the Governor that clearance of non-MICR cheques being done once a week was causing financial losses to the traders. They also complained there was no clear demarcation about a bank accepting MICR or non-MICR
cheques. Undue delay in the clearance of non-MICR cheques was causing financial loss and harassment to the business community, alleged Mr Piara Lal Seth, president of the association. |
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Baba Farid
festival begins
tomorrow FARIDKOT, Sept 13 — The Baba Farid Society, in collaboration with the district administration, will celebrate “agman purab” of Baba Farid from September 15 to 23. The festival will start with national-level hockey, football and basketball tournaments. A light and sound programme depicting the life and teachings of the sufi saint will be presented by artistes of the Punjab Public Relations Department, Chandigarh, on September 15. According to Mr A. Venu Prasad, Deputy Commissioner and chairman of the celebration committee, rural sports competitions will also be
held. Artistes from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab will present cultural programmes on September
22. |
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Undertrial dead JALANDHAR, Sept 13 — Surinder Singh, an undertrial, of the local central jail died at the civil hospital here late last night. According to jail sources, Surinder Singh, had been suffering from an illness for the past two or three days. |
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Failure to move paddy stock draws flak PATIALA, The coordination committee held a meeting here that was attended by state-level leaders of employees like Mr Hardev Singh Rosha and Mr Hardeep Singh (Food and Supplies Department), Mr Bhupinder Singh and Mr Ashwani Kumar (Markfed Field Union), Mr Gurnam Singh and Mr Akshar Kumar (Punjab State Warehousing Corporation), Mr Krishan Sangruri and Mr Vidhu Shekhar Bhardwaj (Punsup), and Mr Gurmeet Singh of Punjab Agro. The spokesman of the committee, Mr Ashwani Kumar, told newsmen here that the FCI and the Centre had discriminated against the state government and its agencies regarding FIFO movement of the wheat stored in Punjab. He said, whereas, the FCI wheat stocks of the current crop in Punjab had been moved to the other states in violation of the FIFO policy, those of the state agencies had not been moved since July 2000. The employees feared that penalties would be imposed on them for the late liquidation of wheat stocks and the resultant excessive replacement of gunnies. They also feared deterioration of the grain that was stored for a long period using unscientific methods. The committee demanded that before the onset of the paddy-procurement season, norms regarding loss during storage should be laid down clearly. Hundreds of employees of the foodgrain agencies have been “unduly chargesheeted” for the loss due to storage of rain-affected paddy crop for long. The employees demanded that the joint custody policy of paddy in private rice mills should be scrapped because it was not practical. Paddy stored with the private rice millers was at the mercy of millers and employees had virtually no control over it. However, in the event of embezzlement of paddy stocks by the miller, employees were implicated in criminal cases on the basis of this policy. Mr Ashwani Kumar said, at present, the state government did not have any space to store rice that would be produced from the next paddy crop. He said 51 lakh metric tonnes of rice was still lying in the state. The committee demanded that Centre and the state government should hold talks with it and arrange for the liquidation of the long-stored
foodgrains. |
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Arhtias want Mittal
to resign PATIALA,
In a statement here, association President Bal Krishan Singla said Mr Mittal had miserably failed in ensuring proper storage of foodgrains, besides their efficient procurement. He said the announcement to purchase wheat up to March 31 at the minimum sale price of Rs 580 per quintal was a cruel joke on the farmers. He said almost no paddy was being purchased by the government agencies and the farmers were compelled to sell their produce at between Rs 490 and Rs 520 per quintal.
Paddy
procurement CHANDIGARH, Sept 13 — Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, today directed all heads of procurement agencies, including the Food Corporation of India, to complete the arrangements relating to the posting of staff at purchase centres and mandis, gunnybags, tarpaulins, polythene covers and other articles by September 14 to avoid any problem during the procurement of paddy. Mr Mittal appealed to farmers to bring dried and cleaned paddy for sale. |
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Sessions Court in Fatehgarh Sahib FATEHGARH SAHIB, Sept 13 — With the appointment of Mr M.L. Malhotra as the district Sessions Judge by the Punjab and Haryana High Court a full fledged Sessions Court started functioning here from today. Earlier Mr Malhotra was Additional Sessions Judge at the CBI Court, Patiala. After assuming charge, Mr Malhotra addressed the district bar association, urging the lawyers as well as members of judiciary to maintain the high traditions of the judicial system. Mr A.N. Jindal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, in his address appreciated the efforts of the High Court and said now the people of the district will not have to go to Patiala. Mr Devinder Singh
Chaska, President, District Bar Association, said the long pending demand of the residents and advocates had been accepted. He assured the lawyers full co-operation. |
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Plan to transfer police
officers deferred CHANDIGARH, Sept 13 — The Punjab Government is understood to have deferred the proposed transfers of police officers posted in the border range until the completion of the Sunam byelection. Sources revealed that the department had proposed some changes in the Border Range. Meanwhile, the government has released the posting orders of all five newly promoted ADGPs.Mr Lalit Bhatia, the seniormost of the new ADGPs, becomes ADGP, Rules, at Chandigarh. He was earlier IG, Rules. Mr S.C. Jain, IG, Railways, on promotion has been posted as ADGP, Computers, at Chandigarh. Mr D.R. Bhatti, IG, Training, Punjab Armed Police, Jalandhar, becomes ADGP, Training. Dr G.S. Aujla, IG, Zonal-II, at Jalandhar, on elevation becomes ADGP, Operations, at Chandigarh. His place as IG, Zonal-II, will be taken by Mr J.P. Birdi, IG, Commando Battalion, Bahadurgarh. Mr M.P.S. Aulakh, IG, Intelligence, now becomes ADGP, Intelligence, at Chandigarh. Meanwhile, Mr R.N. Dhoke, SP, Anti-Smuggling, CID, at Amritsar, has been appointed SSP, Khanna.
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Special campaign for fish farming CHANDIGARH, Sept 13 — With a view to propogating fish culture activities in the state, the Punjab Fisheries Department has launched a special campaign to speed up its extension services. Dr M.L. Kaushal, Director and Warden of Fisheries, said under this programme rural masses would be educated about fish farming by arranging exhibitions, film shows and supply of literature free of cost. He added that 70 exhibitions and 100 film shows would be arranged during the current financial year. Dr Kaushal said this programme had already been started with film shows in Padiala, Khizrabad, Nukku Nangal and Dher villages in Ropar district from September 6. He claimed that there was tremendous response to fish farming. |
Most murders committed in rural areas CHANDIGARH, Sept 13 — Continuous increase in the incidence of murder notwithstanding, the tendency to use firearms in taking life has shown a rapid decline in Punjab during the past four years. Against 708 murders in 652 cases registered in the state in 1996, firearms were used in 84 cases. This year, until
yesterday, of 624 murders in 564 cases registered so far, firearms were used in 45 cases only. If one looks at the figures relating to murders in Punjab during the past three years, the incidence has shown an increase of nearly 20 per cent. From January 1 to September 13 in 1998, 521 murders were reported. The number for the corresponding period of 1999 increased to 544. This year, for the same period, the number is 624, 103 more deaths than in 1998. Interestingly, two-thirds of the total number of murders in Punjab continue to be in rural areas while the rest have been reported from urban areas. For example, until last evening, of 624 murders in Punjab, only 196 took place in urban areas and 428 in rural areas. An analysis of these murder cases this year makes an interesting revelation. Personal enmity, though on the decline compared to previous years, has claimed 271 lives while dowry murders figure next in the list with 124 deaths. Land disputes have led to 94 murders so far while adultery was the motive in 28 cases. There has been one political murder in Punjab this year after a gap of several years while in the remaining 45 cases, sudden death was mentioned as the main cause. It is not firearms alone but also sharp-edged weapons which are now used less in taking life. For example, in 1996, of 708 murders in 652 cases, firearms were used in 84 cases and sharp-edged weapons in 236 while only in 13 cases, the victim was strangled. In 1997, the number of murders went up to 771 in 723 cases. Of these, firearms were used in only 47 cases while the use of sharp-edged weapons was almost the same in 243 cases. Twentysix victims were strangled. In 1998, the number of murders increased marginally to 780 in 737 cases. In 49 cases, firearms were used in committing the crime while in 263 cases, the use of sharp-edged weapons was made. The number of cases of strangling dropped to 10. In 1999, the number of murders and cases dropped compared to the previous year. Of 762 murders in 731 cases, the use of firearms was in 56 cases only while in 326 cases, sharp-edged weapons were used to kill the victims. Twentytwo victims were strangled. Personal enmity continues to be the main cause of murder in Punjab. In 1996, 319 persons lost their lives because of personal enmity while 104 others died because of land disputes. Besides there were 149 dowry-related murders and 14 murders due to illicit relations. Miscellaneous reasons, including fraud and cheating, accounted for 96 murders. The situation was more or less the same in 1997 when there were 343 cases of enmity, 48 of land dispute and 183 of dowry murder in Punjab. Twentyfive murders took place because of illicit relations while there were 114 miscellaneous cases. While dowry murders increased to a whopping 211 in 1998, personal enmity accounted for 344 murders and illicit relations for 27. In 1999, personal enmity accounted for 336 murders, land disputes for 83, dowry for 169 and illicit relations for 30 cases while miscellaneous cases increased to 131. Land dispute-related murders, which have been gradually on the rise again since 1997, have till now accounted for 94 of 624 murders while personal enmity accounted for 271 cases. Dowry was responsible for 124 cases and illicit relations have led to 28 murders so far. Miscellaneous cases have dropped to 61 this year so far. (To be concluded) |
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Students’ gang held for thefts AMRITSAR, Sept 13 — The lure of easy money and lavish lifestyle has led a group of chain-snatching college-goers from posh streets to the police lockup. The SP city, Mr Kewal Kumar, told mediapersons the police had been under tremendous pressure to nab a gang of scooter-borne chain-snatchers active in the Civil Lines area for the past six months. The police nabbed all the seven members of the gang today. The SP said that they were all in the age group of 18 to 22 and were studying in various colleges. All of them belonged to lower-middle class families with limited means and most of them lived in the Mohini Park area opposite Khalsa College. The gang leader Paramjit Singh, alias Pamma, and his deputy Rajinder Singh, alias Bhola, formed the group some time ago. Initially they began by stealing petrol from parked
scooters and graduated to stealing stepneys and car stereos. As they grew bolder, they began targeting women on relatively quiet roads and lanes in the Civil Lines area and snatch purses and chains to finance their lavish tastes. The police has recovered a Tata Sumo which the SP said, had been brought with money raised through various thefts. Besides, the Tata Sumo, a Maruti car, a motor cycle, a scooter, three mobile phones, 150 gms in gold ornaments, and Rs 80,000 in cash was also seized from them. The police today produced all the accused in the court and got their remand to investigate various cases of robbery. |
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IB didn’t question
hotel owner AMRITSAR, Sept 13 — The management of hotel Sun City Towers has denied that the Intelligence Bureau
(IB) had questioned Mr Binny Chatha, a partner of the hotel, as published in a section of the press on September 12. A joint written press statement, issued by Mr Binny Chatha and Mr Sarbjit Singh
Raju, partners of the hotel, denied that the Mayor, Municipal Corporation, visited the hotel with the “same girl”. The management said that the Mayor was an “honoured” guest like any other guest, but he never brought any girl to the hotel nor any girl visited the hotel. |
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Inter-dist gang of robbers busted JALANDHAR, Sept 13 — The Jalandhar police chains to have busted a nine-member inter-district gang of robbers with the arrest of six gang members, and the seizure of sophisticated weapons from them. Mr
Aura Yadav's, SSP, said the suspects identified as Kuldip Singh, Amandip Singh, Raju, Baldev Singh, all residents of Dhatt village near Mullapur Dakha, and Satbir Singh of Baba Jiwan Singh Nagar Ludhiana, and Surjit Singh of Chack Bandala near Lohian were arrested near Balkona village last night. They were reportedly planning to commit a robbery in the area. |
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College principals to meet on Sept 21 PATIALA, Sept 13 — The Punjab Minister for Education, Master Mohan Lal, will address the principals of colleges affiliated to Punjabi University in the Senate Hall on the university campus on September 21. Giving this information, Dr Janak Raj Gupta, Dean, College Development Council, has said that the minister would interact with the principals to understand and solve the problems of the colleges so as to raise the standard of education in Punjab. Dr Gupta added that the Punjab Government was keen on improving the functioning of all colleges, especially the rural colleges which were facing the infrastructural and staffing problems. Dr Gupta added that the Punjabi University Vice- Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh
Ahluwalia, had been making sustained efforts to improve the working of the affiliated colleges so that the students of Punjab were prepared to face the new challenges in the rapidly emerging age of information technology. |
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