Officials pulled up for flouting rules
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, Sept 24 — The district attorney and several others living in mansions within the cantonment limits here have been pulled up for unauthorised constructions by the Cantonment Board authorities.

The board officials in an anti-encroachment drive are learnt to have detected illegal constructions inside a few mansions on the Mall Road. These included the residence of the District Attorney, Mr S.S. Sooch, who was building a porch, a bedroom and a kitchen and has been asked to stop it immediately. Sources in the Cantonment Board revealed that these residents did not seek permission for constructions from appropriate authorities.

On being contacted, Mr Sooch said that he was authorised to make alterations within 10 per cent area of his house. Although he admitted not having applied for the construction, he said, the rules permit him for raising anything within the prescribed limits and later deposit some remuneration for it with the board. He also assured that the construction now has been stalled.

However, the drive has drawn criticism from more than 30 mansion owners in the area. The resentful members of the Bungalow Owners’ Association are accusing the Army of meddling in civic matters. Although it is the board that independently deals with construction activities in the cantonment area, they allege that certain Defence officers were going out of the way to stop them from making alterations in their houses.

The owners have resolved to meet the Defence Minister to apprise him of the matter and convened a meeting on October 2 to prepare the future course of action.

However, the Defence authorities deny having interfered in the board affairs. The Defence officials say that they have been noticing certain objectionable alterations in the cantonment area and only brought these into the knowledge of the board authorities for further action.

Sources in the Cantonment Board also maintained that the Defence officials at no point of time interfered into their activities and had only informed them of unauthorised constructions.

Accusing the bungalow owners of spreading wrong information under the influence of political masters, the sources feel that they fear their houses being resumed by the Army.

Seeking to allay fears of the residents, senior military officers assured that there was no move as of now to resume these bungalows. It is felt that the controversy has been trigerred by the stay of the octroi collection contract in the cantonment area by the Army. Since the Defence authorities have blocked the contract, following complaints of irregularities, certain vested interests are annoyed inside and outside the Cantonment Board and resorting to arm twisting by threatening to approach the highest political level.

Chautala seeks votes for Dhindsa

UBHAWAL (Punjab), Sept 24 (UNI) — Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Prakash Chautala today lambasted the Congress and praised his counterpart Parkash Singh Badal’s government in Punjab while campaigning for ruling Akali Dal candidate Parminder Singh Dhindsa for the September 29 Sunam Assembly byelection in Sangrur.

Addressing a large election meeting at the native village of the Akali Dal candidate, who is son of Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Chautala said the Congress had ruled the country “on divide and rule policy” for over four decades and was responsible for the backwardness of the country.

The INLD supremo said the Congress had always watched the interests of the rich and never cared for the downtrodden. He said economic disparities between the rich and poor were the gifts of the Congress.

Mr Chautala said if a poor farmer, labourer and worker wanted loan for starting his own venture for improving his infrastructure, he had to pay 19 per cent interest after mortgaging his property whereas a big industrialists could get loan at a lower rate of interest for setting up a big industry.

The INLD supremo said he had not come here to seek the vote for the SAD candidate but wanted to caution the people to vote against the Congress which had humiliated them and was responsible for the miserable condition of the people. He said the Badal government in Punjab and his Government in Haryana were relentlessly working for improving the condition of the farmers and people living in rural area.

Mr Chautala, who also addressed rallies at Bahadurpur, Duggan, Namol, Dharamgarh and Ganduan villages of the Sunam Assembly segment, lauded the development activities in Punjab during the regime of Mr Badal. He said Punjab and Haryana farmers were fulfilling the foodgrain needs of the country through hard labour.

The Chief Minister said despite enhanced foodgrains stocks in the country they (Badal and Chautala) were able to convince the Union Government to raise the price of paddy by Rs 20 per quintal this season. The SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur appealed to the people to vote for the Akali Dal candidate as the party had been working for the prosperity of the state.

She said the Punjab Government had initiated several welfare schemes for the people of the state.

Haryana Agriculture Minister Jaswinder Singh and Punjab Ministers Gurdev Singh Badal, Tota Singh and Ranjit Singh were among those who accompanied Mr Chautala.

Mr Chautala and Mr Jaswinder Singh were given a warm welcome by people of the area and presented with siropas. The INLD supremo was weighed against coins by the people of Ubhawal village. 

Mobikes help increase MC octroi collection 
From Jangveer Singh 
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Sept 24 — The newly introduced high-performing 100cc mobikes have been used to advantage by the Patiala Municipal Corporation which has increased its octroi collection by Rs 9 lakh in comparison to the corresponding period last year ever since they were introduced in the city on August 15.

The corporation had gone in for the purchase of four motor cycles which were to function as flying squads as it found itself on the losing end trying to stop octroi evasion by traders coming into the city in fast moving Sumo and Maruti vehicles. This is because the corporation is manning all octroi posts itself as the posts could not be auctioned after negotiations with traders to sell them at around Rs 13 crore for the entire year broke down and the traders boycotted the auction proceedings.

Presently while two motor cycles form a flying squad and are stationed on the corporation premises, the other two have been given to corporation inspectors. While the flying squad gets into action on any tip-off received from the public or information from the octroi barriers, the inspectors have been given the task of making regular rounds of the various octroi posts.

Corporation Commissioner K.S. Kang said the introduction of the motor cycles had resulted in an increase in the octroi collection. He said while the corporation had suffered a loss of Rs 14 lakh in July, collections had picked up in August. He said though the corporation introduced motor cycles in mid-August, there had been an increase of Rs 3 lakh as compared to the revenue collected last year.

He said in September though there was an increase in octroi revenue due to the forthcoming festive season, a substantial increase occurred in the first 17 days of the month itself helped by stricter vigilance due to introduction of the new vehicles. He said while Rs 56 lakh had been collected from September 1 to 17 last year, Rs 62 lakh had been collected during the same time this year.

Mr Kang said the two motor cycles, which remained at the corporation office, were manned intermittently by different employees. He said whenever needed employees were deputed on mobike duty and were given a policeman each. He said these mobike personnel also combed the inner city to check any suspicious vehicle or rehra which was carrying goods whose octroi had not been cleared.

He said under the present system the central barrier and other spots were connected through a wireless system with the corporation headquarters. He said immediately on getting any information the motor cycles were put on duty. He said, besides this, experienced staff had been put on duty at the central barrier and a meeting had also been held with transporters in which it had been made clear to them that they would be blacklisted in case they carried goods without proper certification.

The corporation was forced to start collecting octroi on its own when the traders failed to attend the auction of the posts. Though negotiations were held with traders' representatives they fell through with all the traders taking a united stand on the issue. The Commissioner said he hoped to achieve the octroi target set for the year.

Christian forum asks for safety 
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Sept 24 — Taking a strong notice of the alleged threats of demolition of a church and provocative statements made by leaders of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishav Hindu Parishad which appeared in certain sections of the Press, the Pastors association and the Joint Action Christian Forum, Punjab have urged the district administration and the state government to ensure the safety of the church as well as the Christian community and to safeguard their religious freedom.

The controversy erupted following a scuffle between Christian preachers and Bajrang activists over the construction of church at the Hazara Singh Wala village of Jalalabad division. Members of the Bajrang Dal alleged that government land had been illegally acquired by the church through fraudulent means whereas church priests claimed that it had been built on the panchayat samiti land only after obtaining due permission from the authorities concerned.

Meanwhile, a segment of people had accused Mr Karnail Singh, sarpanch of the village, of accepting Rs 25,000 in lieu of the transfer of land to the church. An inquiry in the matter is already on and is being conducted by the BDPO. According to the information available, no resolution had been passed by the village panchayat either to give land to the church or to get it back. The Bajrang Dal members have also accused the Christian priests of forceful conversions and luring people to adopt Christianity.

The Christian forum general secretary, Mr Alvin Bhatti, said that in a memorandum submitted to the DC, SSP, and SDM, Jalalabad, the forum has demanded action against those who wanted to create fear among the minorities and damage chords of mutual understanding. He alleged that certain activists of the Bajrang Dal were disturbing peace and harmony by raising provocative slogans. He, however, admitted that the conversion of around 25 families had taken place. He maintained that it was, without any allurement and “on their own will". He denied that the representatives of Christian community had reached a compromise with the Bajrang Dal as claimed by the administration.

Leaders of the Bajrang Dal refuted the allegations against them.

Railway station needs more facilities
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA: Even as the number of passengers at the local railway station has been increasing day by day, the facilities provided at it are inadequate to cope with the rush.

Residents say as the town is developing fast and has the biggest cantonment in Asia, a fertiliser plant, a thermal plant and oil depots, more express trains connecting it to the national Capital and other cities are required immediately. In fact, two express trains — Fazilka-New Delhi and Jodhpur-Dehra Dun — had been sanctioned by the Central Government but have not yet been started. The residents say that due to the coming up of an oil refinery and a cement plant in this area, the number of passengers has been on the rise.

The Public Grievances Association has urged the Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, to take the necessary steps to make the railway station one of the best in the region.

Mr Dharamvir Walia association president, and Mr Sadhu Ram Kushla, general secretary said that more coaches should be attached to the Sriganganagar train. It had been attracting more passengers than before, being the only superfast train in this area. There was also need for more coaches in the Sriganganagar-Hardwar train as thousands of devotees visited Hardwar daily from places like Abohar, Malout, Bathinda, Tapa, Barnala, Patiala and Ambala. They demanded that the schedule of this train should be drawn up in such a way that it also suited commuters.

Owing to inadequate computerised booking counters, long queues can be seen in the waiting hall of the railway station from morning till evening. The computer, which sometimes develops problems, creates difficulties for those who want to book berths. The railway station, the biggest junction in this region, has no platform with facilities for handicapped, infirm and sick passengers.

The association has brought the problems relating to booking to the notice of the Railway Minister a number of times but to no avail. It has demanded that a special reservation counter should be opened for defence personnel. Besides, computerised reservation counters should be set up in other parts of the town.

Mr Harbans Lal, Station Superintendent, said two trained persons had been put on the job at the reservation counters. Efforts were on to make travel comfortable, he added.

Parleys on for Mayor’s post 
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Sept 24 — Hectic parleys are on in political parties to project a suitable candidate for the post of a Mayor while the Congress President, Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, has proposed the name of Mr Sunil Dutta for the coveted position.

The BJP circles are still in a give and take situation with its coalition partners Shiromani Akali Dal members who were allegedly sore over both important positions going to BJP candidates, of the Mayor and of the Improvement Trust Chairman.

While it is certain that the Mayor will be from the ruling party coalition as they command majority in a House of 66 members and six MLAs.

According to BJP circles, the current Improvement Trust Chairman, Mr Bakshi Ram Arora (also a councillor), is being touted as strong contender with the others in the fray being Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, former BJP President, and Mr Om Parkash Kalia, district chief.

On the other hand the Congress is trying its hand in garnering the position of Mayor with the help of six members of the CPI and the CPM besides some independents to the Congress total of 21 members.

While four members of the former Mayor Om Parkash Soni faction are swearing loyalty to the Congress, the condition laid for their support oppose the former Minister, Mr R.L. Bhatia’s leadership.

Meanwhile, various political parties, including the Communist Party of India and the Congress, are contemplating to launch a campaign against Mr Subash Sharma, who resigned as mayor on Friday over allegations of unbecoming conduct.

The leaders of various political parties including some senior leaders of the BJP have demanded a high-level probe into the alleged charges of corruption and irregularities against him. They have alleged that prime lands were encroached upon, and land-use was changed at his behest.

Mr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader has said he was in agreement with the statement of Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP MLA, that a probe should be held into sources with which Mr Sharma built his property. Criticising the role of the Amritsar police for its ‘studied silence’ in this case, Mr Dang said it must act now.

Mr Dang alleged that some hotels in the city were being used as “brothels” for “VVIPs”. The police should conduct regular searches of such hotels.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Istri Sabha has postponed its agitation, proposed to be held here tomorrow to press for the resignation of Mr Sharma. A meeting was called by CPI leader Vimla Dang here and it was resolved to organise women of the city to seek a high-level probe into the episode.

The political leaders have also sought action against the leaders and “VIPs” who visited the hotel along with the mayor.

Certain senior leaders of the BJP have been approaching the party high command against the proposed plan of high command for revoking expulsion of Mr Sharma.

Misuse of govt machinery in Sunam: Vora 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The All-India Congress Committee general secretary, Mr Moti Lal Vora, today said that following complaints from the party, the Election Commission had initiated various effective steps in the Sunam assembly constituency to ensure a fair poll.

Talking to mediapersons on his return from Sunam, Mr Vora said there was enough evidence to show the misuse of government machinery and the violation of the model code of conduct, particularly by ministers camping there.

He said the handling of paddy in mandis by the procurement agencies was poor.

He was confident that his party would win the Sunam seat and recalled the work done by the late Mr Bhagwan Das Arora, whose, widow, Mrs Parmeshwari Devi, was now the party candidate.

In reply to a question, Mr Vora blamed the CPI for not cooperating with the Congress and putting up its own candidate. The Congress had approached the CPI for a joint candidate to effectively fight the “communal forces”.

He denied there was any factionalism in the state party unit.

He said because of the byelection, the party’s organisational poll had to be rescheduled. In any case, it would be held before November 4, when the poll of the AICC president was due.

Mr Vora said the SAD-BJP stood “totally exposed” in the state for its “failure” to perform on every front.

Sahay sure of landslide win 
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Sept 24 — A former Union Minister of State for Home, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay, and Congress observer for the Sunam assembly byelection today claimed that his party was headed for a landslide victory as the ruling alliance had ‘failed’ to come up to the expectations of the people.

Mr Sahay, who is camping in Sunam, told TNS that there was general disillusionment with the ruling alliance in the state and it was bound to be reflected in the electoral outcome in Sunam. He claimed that everyday different sections of society were openly coming against the Badal government and extending support to the Congress.

Bahujan Samaj chetna rally held 
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Sept 24 — The Democratic Bahujan Samaj Morcha today organised a Doaba-level chetna rally here to observe anniversary of Puna pact done between Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi in 1932. Morcha’s national president and former MP Satnam Singh Kainth addressed the rally and a press conference that the morcha had launched a drive to mobilise and awaken Dalits and the poor by broadening the ambit of morcha by enrolling small farmers and secular Hindus. Since graph of the Bahujan Samaj Party had declined and its president Kanshi Ram was speaking the language of a “frustrate” leader, the Bahujan Samaj Morcha was the only alternative for amelioration and upliftment of the deprived and the Dalits, claimed Mr Kainth.

Mr Kainth called Mr Kanshi Ram the author of present miserable plight of Dalits in Punjab. Mr Kanshi Ram failed to field any candidate for the Sunam Assembly by-polls even though morcha had offered to consider extending support in case it was sought, alleged Mr Kainth.

Mr Kainth said zonal conference would be held at Moga and Amritsar on October 1 and 15. Such a conference would also be held at Bathinda climaxing into a state-level conference at Jalandhar in December. Today’s rally adopted 11 resolutions.

Camp fails to attract people
From Our Correspondent

ABOHAR, Sept 24 — In spite of the fortnight-long publicity and personal persuasion by Health Department workers and social organisations only 81 persons turned up for family welfare operations at a long-awaited camp organised by the local unit of Bharat Vikas Parishad at 100 bedded Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital here on Friday.

Medical experts expressed concern over lack of interest among the masses, particularly the oversized downtrodden families, towards the family welfare campaign. This was the first camp organised in the new millennium in this sub division. The organisers had kept attractive gifts for those going for the operation.

The Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, who was the chief guest of the function, expressed serious concern over the fast increasing population and he listed the challenges which the country of 100 crore people was going to face. Even when the state government had planned to open 30 new hospitals every year, the majority would be deprived of medical facilities due to imbalanced growth in population. The downtrodden sections were further multiplying their poverty by not adopting family planning measures, the minister regretted. He, without referring to the steps the government proposed to take to rehabilitate the almost abandoned family planning drive, gave a call to the voluntary organisations to come forward for educating the people to check the problem.

The minister was told by the citizens that drug culture had caught on in Abohar sub-division. It was as good in Abohar as in metropolitan cities of the country.

The alleged a nexus between drug traders, chemists and the drug controlling authorities and the police. Dr Chawla said the recent surveys had revealed that 53 per cent urban and 48 per cent rural population was becoming drug addicts. Every second male and every tenth female student in the college hostels had confessed to having tasted one or the other drug.

He warned the chemists to strictly sell medicines only on the prescription of doctors.

The minister turned down the plea of the local BJP MLA, Dr Ram Kumar Goyal, for upgrading the local Civil Hospital from 100 beds to 200 beds. He advised the MLA to try to get the sub-division upgraded first. Dr Chawla expressed concern over the complaint preferred by the MLA and other citizens that some doctors at the Civil Hospital had not reportedly been attending their duty from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. regularly and that even EMOs were not found on duty during emergency. The minister promised to take action against the erring employees.

Governor interacts with disabled kids 
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, Sept 24 — Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (Retd), Governor of Punjab, visited Asha Kiran School of mentally disabled children being run by the Asha Deep Welfare Society, here today. He spent time interacting with the children.

Dr Kuldip Singh, President, and Mr A.S. Arneja, General Secretary of the society, told the Governor that there were 32 mentally disabled children in the school and 18 more had been registered. But due to lack of accommodation these had not been given admission so far. They said that the school was being run purely on public donations.

Lt-General Jacob appreciated the contribution of the society and the school Principal in making mentally disabled children self-sufficient. He announced that he would make arrangements for the purchase of one acre land for the school building and provide requisite funds to the school soon. The Governor appealed to the people to give donations to the Society.

Earlier, Lt-General Jacob was received by Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.P. Mittal, SSP, and other senior officers at the PWD Rest House on his first visit to this district after taking over as Governor of Punjab.

The Governor said that the present state government was stressing on rural development to provide basic facilities to villagers. These included primary education, health services, self-employment, water supply and roads. He said that keeping in view the importance of computer and English, the state government had introduced computer education and English in primary schools.

Later, the Governor visited the Swami Shardanad Institute of Technology being set up by an NRI, Mr Lajpat Rai, at Bajwara. He also listened to the problems of the inhabitants of the Kandi area at Government School, Kharkan, and inspected the drip irrigation scheme at Chatha farm.

Plan to spend 1000 crore on conversions: VHP 
From Our Correspondent

ABOHAR, Sept 24 — The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has warned the NDA government at the centre that the increasing activities of 'fundamentalist' Christians and Muslims in the areas along the international border can pose a serious threat to the internal and external security of the country. Such activities are being funded by the ISI, the parishad has alleged.

Mr Vinayak Rao Deshpande, national secretary, and Mr Mohan Upadhyay, state organising secretary of the parishad, said at a press conference here yesterday that they had evidence to substantiate their allegation that under Operation Plug the missionaries planned to increase the number of followers from 0.5 per cent to 5 per cent among the 40 crore population of north and central India by converting Hindus to Christianity. They alleged that Rs 209 crore and Rs 438 crore received by the missionaries in 1980 and 1986, respectively, was primarily used for this purpose. The amount was going to be increased to Rs 1000 crore during next year.

Mr Deshpande said that the parishad would be celebrating the golden jubilee of the renovation of Som Nath Mandir on May 11 next year as Dr Rajinder Prasad, the first President of India, had launched renovation work on May 11, 1951. The ninth annual session of Dharam Sansad would be organised at Allahabad in June next year to decide on the construction of a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. The sadhus had resolved that when 50 per cent work on the marble stones for the temple was completed, a decision on the matter would be taken. The work was bound to be completed by May 31, 2001.

The parishad would also celebrate Amrut Mahotsav to mark the 75th birthday of its president Mr Ashok Singhal next year. Two functions would be held at Ludhiana and Amritsar on May 13 and 21, respectively. The parishad planned to increase the number of its units from 21,000 to 50,000, satsangs from 10,000 to 25,000, and membership from 10 lakh to 25 lakh. The parishad's unit in Punjab was going to be expanded in a big way, he added.

The parishad had taken a serious view of the spurt in construction of 'mazaars' in the border villages of Punjab and adjoining states. It was suspected that the ISI was planning to install its agents at such structures in future.

Mr Deshpande said the Swadeshi Jagran Manch had planned to start a Dandi March' on October 2 this year to mobilise public opinion against the government on the swadeshi issue.

Inadequate water supply resented 
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Sept 24 — Resentment prevails among residents of the town for the failure of the municipal committee here to provide them regular water supply. Out of the six tubewells installed by the municipality, four are not functioning and the two are running under capacity.

According to official sources the tubewells require 50 horse power motor for proper functioning where-as motors of the capacity of 5 horse power and 10 horse power only have been installed. One tubewell does not have power connection.

Residents complain that water does not reach the first floor and therefore, sewerage tanks don’t work.

The municipal committee has reportedly received no funds from the government to effect improvement in water supply for the past three years.

Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies gave a cheque for Rs 67 lakh for the municipal committee at the planning board meeting held here about a week age. The municipality has also spent about Rs 55 lakh from the provident fund of the municipal employees.

Meanwhile only half of the town is covered under water supply and sewerage so far. Heaps of garbage can be seen everywhere in the town.

Erratic power supply in Lalru 
From Our Correspondent

LALRU, Sept 24 — Residents and industrial units here are facing frequent power cuts at odd hours for the past couple of months. The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has virtually forced them to use kerosene, candles and generators for some light in their houses.

Residents of the area complain that erratic power supply has affected their daily routines adversely. Due to power cuts at odd hours, students are unable to prepare for examinations.

They complain that the power supply from the urban feeder remains suspended for more than eight hours daily to Lalru Mandi and industrial units of the area now. The power supply from the rural feeder to Lalru and its surrounding areas remains out of order for more than 20 hours a day.

Power cuts are not only paralysing the normal life here, but also making it difficult for farmers to irrigate the paddy fields.

Moreover, low voltage affects the water supply adversely. Residents have to draw water from handpumps as tubewells often fail to function in the absence of a regular power supply to the area.

Mr Surinder Pal Singh, a former member of the Zila Parishad of Patiala, said that the power-supply situation had worsened in the past one month. He said, despite repeated complaints to the PSEB authorities, there had been no improvement.

“The power cuts are mostly unscheduled, which further causes inconvenience to consumers,” said Mr Bhag Singh Jandli, President of the Dera Bassi unit of the BKU Eketa.

The PSEB officials at Lalru were not available for comments.

Adopt orphans, DC appeals to NGOs 
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Sept 24 — Social organisations should adopt orphans and ensure their education. A survey is on in the district to identify the poor, needy and handicapped, so that they could be given help said Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, at the installation ceremony of Rotary Club Sirhind today. He appealed to social organisations to start their social activities in rural areas also. He said that active non-government organisations would be involved in the execution of public welfare schemes.

Earlier, Mr R.N. Sharma gave information about various projects initiated by the club. Dr Mohinder Singla secretary of the club said Rotary Club, Sirhind was known as blood donors club. Seven members of the club have donated blood more than 20 times and he himself donated it 50 times. The club won Presidential Citation Award from Rotary International, Best Club award in Rotary District 3090. On the occasion Mr Samsher Singh was installed president and he announced his team. 

New maize variety to be imported 
From Our Correspondent

MANSA, Sept 24 — Capt Kamaljeet Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, had said Rs 200 crore will be spent on various schemes for the welfare of farmers. He was speaking at a press conference at Kalipur village in the district.

He said seeds of a new variety of maize would be imported from the USA. The new variety would yield 20 to 25 quintals more per acre, he said, adding that the government was making plans for the export of agriculture products from Punjab.

Raj Babbar to attend Bhagat Singh mela 
From Our Correspondent

NAWANSHAHR, Sept 24 — The gram panchayat of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s native village, Khatkar Kalan, and many organisations associated with the martyr, which include the Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Sports Club, Khatkar Kalan, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial College, Banga, will organise a two-day mela from September 27 to mark his birth anniversary at his village. 

AG’s comments irk IAS officers 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The observations of the Punjab Advocate-General (AG), Mr H.S. Mattewal, on the functioning of administrative secretaries, have irked IAS officers, who have decided to raise the issue at the next meeting of their association.

Reacting to today’s newspaper reports quoting Mr Mattewal, who reportedly said, “I am sure that the number of cases will go down if a secretary spend 10 attentive minutes on every case instead of leaving it to the mercy of babus”, several IAS officers took cognisance of such “generalised and sweeping” remarks by the AG.

A cross-section of IAS officers said that this amounted to casting aspersions on their professionalism. “This is an irresponsible charge”, some of them said.

An association spokesperson said that proper homework and sensible arguments before courts by advocates in the AG’s office was the need of the hour more than anything else.

Referring to his comments on the working of his office and the possibility of political interference, the association spokesperson said the very appointment of an AG was of a political nature. He quoted the case of the removal of the predecessor of Mr Mattewal. Even the appointments of advocates in the AG’s office were political. The place was used as a launching pad by some “brief-less” advocates, he added.

Mr Mattewal had said there was no interference from Mr Parkash Singh Badal and that “we are professionals and not politicians and know our job, a major part of which is to defend the government.”

Elaborating, the spokesperson asked why the Council of Ministers had to appoint a high-level Cabinet subcommittee on the functioning of the Punjab AG’s office if all was well and there was no dissatisfaction. For obvious reasons, the committee had been restrained from going ahead.

There were nearly one lakh Punjab cases pending in various courts and tribunals and several factors, including the shortage of judges in the high court and the rising population, were responsible, as outlined by Mr Mattewal. But rather than making sweeping comments on the secretaries, the AG would do well to make public the complete break down, periodwise and categorywise, of the pending cases and the reason thereof, he added.

It was clarified that, more often than not, the association tended to ignore such remarks. Nevertheless, these populist outbursts created a negative impression in the public mind about IAS officers.

Making an oblique reference to writings by judges in newspapers, the spokesperson said at times there was a diatribe against IAS officers which, if controverted, could create avoidable bad blood between the institutions of the Judiciary and the Executive.

The next meeting of the IAS association, being convened shortly, would be a trendsetter as a strong demand was emerging from within to set up a system of responding to such general statements which tarnished the image of an institution, the spokesperson added.

Aid for disabled in 3 Punjab districts 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The Union Ministry for Social Justice has selected three Punjab districts, namely Patiala, Jalandhar and Ferozepore, for comprehensive rehabilitation of the disabled under the Persons with Disabilities (Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

A total of 10 districts have been selected countrywide.

Disclosing this here today a government spokesman said the Centre would help utilise the existing available infrastructure, both in the government and non-government sectors, by upgrading and strengthening it instead of creating totally new infrastructure.

The spokesman further said that the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development would approach the Deputy Commissioners of the district concerned for the provision of premises for the proposed composite rehabilitation and fitment centres.

Patiala will be taken up by the Institute for the Physically Handicapped, New Delhi, and the Fitment and Rehabilitation Centres at Jalandhar and Ferozepore will be under the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Kanpur.

The ALIMCO had finalised 700 square feet of space in the new building of the old hospital, Ferozepore. In Jalandhar, premises in the new building of the Civil Hospital have been finalised.

Another scheme, the National Programme for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (NRRDP) had been started in Ropar and Sangrur districts. The Indian Red Cross Society, Ropar, has been nominated by the state level research centre to implement the scheme. An amount of Rs 12.50 lakh for meeting non-recurring expenditure would be released shortly.

PSEB threatens tough stand 
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Sept 24 — Mr N.S. Deol, Superintendent Engineer, Punjab State Electricity Board, Bathinda division, said that the Essential Services Maintenance Act would be implemented strictly if the Technical Services Union (TSU), the PSEB Employees Federation and other unions created hurdles in the electricity supply.

At a press conference organised here yesterday, Mr Deol said the PSEB authorities were ready to talk to activists of different unions on the condition that they would not create any problem.

The dissatisfied employees of the PSEB have been organising dharnas against the authorities which were not ready to listen to them. But Mr Deol denied all the allegations and said that all the linemen were being given the safety kit.

He said that mobile squad would be formed to check whether the consumers were getting the electricity supply properly or not.

Mr K.S. Mann, organising secretary of PSEB Engineers Association, Punjab, admitted that the consumers were not getting the electricity supply properly.

Plan to develop Harike as model village
From Our Correspondent

HARIKE (Amritsar), Sept 24 — Harike, keeping in view its importance as gateway to Majha region and national wetland area, will be developed as a model village.

This was stated by the Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, here yesterday after inaugurating a new building of the primary health centre constructed at a cost at Rs 36.69 lakh. The minister announced various developmental schemes for Harike.

He said a sum of Rs 25.75 lakh and already been given to the gram panchayat for the pavement of streets and drains, construction of roads and providing clean drinking water. Mr Adesh Kairon presented cheques for Rs 14.36 lakh to the panchayat on this occasion.

The minister disclosed that a Rs 22-lakh scheme for school upgradation had been initiated by the government and assured that the funds would be released soon.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, informed the gathering that Rs 20 lakh had been provided to the Civil Surgeon for purchase of equipment and medicines from the newly constructed primary health centre.

The minister also announced the construction of a bridge at border-village Bainka and construction of two 20-km roads between Bainka-Sursingh and Ghariala-Dubli. Mr Adesh Kairon also held a sangat darshan programme during which he listened to complaints and grievances of people. He instructed government agencies to step up the purchase of paddy.

Later, the minister visited Tung and Parringri villages in Patti subdivision. He distributed 69 tricycles to the poor and the handicapped persons at Harike.

PSCST executive panel reconstituted 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 24 — The Punjab Government has reconstituted the eight-member Executive Committee of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) for another terms of two years after the expiry of its term.

A government spokesman said the committee would comprise of Dr V.K. Vinayak, Adviser, Department of Bio-Technology, New Delhi, Dr Rupinder Pal Singh, Principal, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Dr Naresh K. Gupta, Adviser, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Dr J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Mr Kirpal Singh, Member (Operation), Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala, Mr Baldev Kaushal, Engineer-in-Chief (Retd), Punjab State Electricity Board and Air Marshal K.S. Bhatia, PVSM, AVSM and Bar ADC (Retd).

11 Kale Kachchhewale gangsters held 
From Chander Parkash 
Tribune News Service

MUKTSAR, Sept 24 — The police has arrested 11 members of the Kale Kachchhewale gang that was involved in eight murder cases and countless burglaries and dacoities in Punjab.

The police has also seized gold and silver jewellery items weighing 1.5 kg, one pistol, cartridges and other traditional arms from the persons who belong to the Kalandar-tribe of Uattar Pradesh districts Dabora, Bans Bareli, Saharanpur and Muzzafarnagar.

Mr Hardip Singh Dhillon, DIG, Ferozepore, and Mr Kultar Singh, SSP, Muktsar, talking to reporters here today said with the arrest of the members of the Kale Kachchhewale gang headed by Dhira Kalandar had confessed their involvement in the killing of two persons in Bhucho Mandi. One Rakesh Kumar had confessed his involvement in the killing of one person in Killianwali town.

They added that all criminals had, so far, confessed their involvement in 57 crimes committed in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Jammu and UP.

The gang members also confessed that about 1,000 members of their tribe had been committing burglaries and dacoities in these states. The accused had been identified as Dhira, Banna, Choota, Hasam, Rashid, Jhabal, Geega, Gulla, Rajesh and Rakesh.

The modus operandi of the accused was that they would commit crime on dark nights about five to seven days before or after ‘Amavas’ (full moon light night). On the day of commission of crime, they would go to cinema hall for the matinee show and other shows to take sleep. After that they would proceed towards their mission and would commit dacoity and burglary with in a radius of 50 to 60 km from their temporary dwellings.

Mostly they would choose the house located on the outskirts of town or a village during day time by performing a show of juggler. After entering the house, they would post one member of the gang near every sleeping member of the family.

Whenever any member of the family tried to raise alarm, the member of gang posted near their beds would strike them with some weapons on the head. After that they would lay their hands on the valuables, including gold and jewellery items, camera, watches and cash.

After committing the crime, they would part and assemble again in the morning. In between, they would bury the booty at a secluded place. Next day, they would commit another crime. They would sell the booty to the goldsmith of Punjab and UP.

Mr Dhillon said these criminals used to live in tortoise-shaped cottage near the cremation ground, grain market, bus stand and railway stations. Some of the criminals had made Punjab their permanent place of living while the others would shift places.

He pointed out that the team which succeeded in arresting nine accused comprised of Mr Balkar Singh and Mr Dharam Singh (SPs), Mr P.B.S. Parmar, DSP, Malout, Mr K.J.S. Sandhu, DSP (D), Muktsar and various other police officials. The accused were arrested from the cremation ground of Malout.

He added that these criminals would buy horses and mules by the money earned through these illegal means. In Punjab they were living in Mirch Mandi, Rajpura, Banur, Sadiq chowk, Faridkot, Sultanwind, Ramdas, Chola Sahib and Dujowal area of Gurdaspur district. Some of them resided in Hanumangarh, Delhi and Pillian Bangan area of Rajasthan.

Computer centre inaugurated 
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 24 — The first Authorised Training Centre (ATC) of Tata Infotech was inaugurated at the Government College for Girls by Mr S.S. Rakhra here today.

The ATC has been opened with the collaboration of the DPI (Colleges), Punjab, and Tata Infotech.

The ATC is the first ever computer centre opened in any girls college in the state. The Punjab and Tata Info Tech (TIL) is an advanced venture in the information technology (IT) with operations in India and in other countries of the world. It has also been voted as the world’s best small companies in the reputed magazine, Forbes Global Business and Finance, published from the USA. After inaugurating the centre, Mr S.S. Rakhra said the ATC would provide best quality courseware. Earlier Ms G.K. Jaggi, Principal of the college, welcomed the guests. A cultural programme was also presented at the occasion which was compered by students of the college.

GND University festival from Oct 30
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Sept 24 — The Department of Youth Welfare of Guru Nanak Dev University will organise the youth festival from October 30 to November 25 as approved in the Youth Welfare Advisory Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr H.S. Soch. According to the schedule released here, the A-zone comprising the colleges in Amritsar and Gurdaspur shall hold the youth festival for men from October 30 to November 1. The A-zone festival for women in these districts shall be organised from November 4 to 7 Dashmesh Auditorium in the university.

Govt policies likely to hit banks 
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Sept 24 — Due to the wrong economic policies adopted by the government at the dictates of the IMF and the World Bank, banking services are in danger to become a distant dream for the general public in the coming days. Prof Balwinder Singh, President, CITU, Punjab, said while inaugurate the fifth conference of the All-India Punjab and Sind Bank Federation.

Mr Jagir Singh, General Secretary of the federation, alleged the connivance of top officers in banks with big defaulting borrowers. “The big industrial houses are not repaying loans of whopping Rs 65,000 crore to the banking industry. This huge amount was given on contracts. The borrowers are breaking the contracts deliberately to get gains which will cause losses to the banks and people at large.” he said.

The banking industry is loss-making, and eventually it will have to be privatised and handed over to the big defaulters who will deny loans to government and unemployed.

He said he may file a PIL petition in court to pressurise the managements to file criminal cases against the borrowers for recovery of loans instead of civil suits. The chief guest of the conference, Prof Balwant Singh and other speakers criticised the government for its anti-people economic policies. 

‘Subsidies needed to boost agro-cultivation’ 
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Sept 24 — Special subsidies and research is needed, in case the Punjab Government is serious about popularising vegetable and fruit propagation in the state.

These views were expressed by the agro expert, Mr K.V.S. Sidhu, while giving a special lecture on ‘Globalisation and Punjab agro economy’ organised by the Thinkers Forum at Amar Ashram recently.

Mr Sidhu said vegetables, flowers and fruits could be exported only if special subsidies were given by the government. He said indigenous research needed to be carried out to improve the seed quality in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary of the Young Farmers Association, Bhagwan Das Arora, said if the World Trade Organisation had its way milk and agro products produced in the country would have to compete against Australian and the United State’s products. He said as land holdings in the country were fragmented, the agriculturists could not compete against foreigners in this field.

The Thinkers Forum Convener, Mr T.C. Gupta while speaking on the occasion said if the farmers of the country were not protected

from outside competition, the whole society would be in danger. He said efforts should, however, be made by policy makers to introduce new technology to farmers in rural areas.