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| Thursday,
October 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Seizures unveil ISI hand ‘Hukamnamas,’ a record of sorts in three years List of PPCC delegates Border farmers allege coercion Steps to improve wheat quality Commission agents shortchange farmers |
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Agencies begin lifting paddy
Past catching up with Bibi: Mann
Police to help
militancy-hit cops’ families Ayurvedic college suspends employee leaders Hospital charges hiked, service not improved Action against traffickers in women sought Bibi’s ‘gift’ to
SGPC staff New Amritsar
scheme okayed FCI employees
stage dharna Martyr cremated
with honours Col H.S. Bolina dead
Grabbed land reclaimed Orders issued not
to harass vendors
One arrested for cheating 4 members of inter-district gang arrested RAJPURA, Oct 25 — Jagpal Singh, a policeman in Rajpura sadar thana, was yesterday arrested by DSP Vigilance Department, Patiala, Ranjit Singh, while accepting a bribe of Rs 5000. A court today ordered to keep him in judicial custody till November 3.
Panel to unearth conspiracy PATIALA, Oct 25 — Students of Punjabi University have decided to form a probe committee to unearth the “conspiracy” under which some stalls were burnt on the campus during the Divali mela held there on October 18 . 
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Seizures unveil ISI hand CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — If the recovery of more than 5 kg of RDX and certain other gadgets, including detonators, from Kapurthala district today is any indication, the intelligence sources maintain, the ISI has been desperate to disrupt peace in North in general and in Punjab in particular. The recoveries were made at the instance of Narinder Singh, alias Shahbaz Singh, a hardcore militant belonging to Babbar Khalsa International, who was apprehended by the Kapurthala police last week. Intelligence sources point out that during the past couple of months, the security forces have been successful in not only apprehending couriers carrying huge quantities of arms and ammunition but also arresting certain hardcore militants to defeat the plans of the ISI. The major setbacks suffered by various militant organisations in the north include the interception of a big consignment of arms and ammunition in New Delhi which was meant for large-scale destruction in the region. Besides the arrest of Narinder Singh, alias Shahbaz Singh, the Babbars, one of the three active militant organisations in Punjab these days, the major success of the security forces has been Didar Singh, alias Dari, also of the Babbar Khalsa. The sources reveal that the ISI has been relentless in building pressure on militants now camping in Pakistan to strike and disrupt the peace process in the north. Besides Babbars, other groups which have been comparatively active to step up their activities, include Paramjit Singh Panjwad’s Khalistan Commando Force, and the International Sikh Youth Federation. Another dangerous or disturbing phenomenon witnessed in the recent past has been that one of the groups intercepted by the police in Punjab was an all-Pakistan group. The group was tracked down in Baba Bakala sector and huge recoveries of arms and ammunition, including RDX, sophisticated weapons and gadgets were recovered. Simultaneously, a similar group was tracked down by the security forces in Jammu giving credence to the intelligence reports that the ISI was desperate to destabilise the peace process. Though the ISI wanted to strike “big” on or on the “eve” of Independence Day but the arrest of the five-member group in the Baba Bakala area and another group in Jammu area thwarted its game plan. The security forces have established that it is the KZF which was behind the bomb blasts in Sirhind and Jalandhar. Besides militants from Punjab, other organisations active in the region or looking for an opportunity to strike, the sources point out, are Kashmir-based Lashkar-e-Thoiba and may be some Pan-Islamic militant organisations. Intelligence sources say the recovery of RDX and other gadgets at Kapurthala clearly indicate that some acts were planned for “Divali”. Since recruitment of militants in Punjab has almost ended, the chances of mercenaries being used to cause incidents of violence cannot be ruled out. The security forces, including the Border Security Force, have been on full alert to prevent militants, mercenaries or ISI agents from striking in the region. |
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‘Hukamnamas,’ a record of sorts in three years AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — Hukamnamas and directives, issued by Akal Takht in the past three years have created history of sorts. The relaxation given to handicapped and sick persons in the “hukamnama” issued on langar is considered as “un-precedented” in the 397-year history of Sikhism. Sikh circles say that the ‘self-contradictory’ directive on the ‘langar’ issue is first such directive ever issued by the Akal Takht would create more problems than solving the ticklish issues like “langar”. The directive, issued by five Sikh high priests has clearly mentioned that the Sikh traditions compel a devotee to partake of ‘langar’ while sitting cross-legged’ on the floor. However, the directive gave ‘un-precedented’ relaxation to the handicapped and sick persons for using chairs and tables which could be arranged by local managements of gurdwaras in country and abroad. Earlier, Bhai Ranjit Singh had issued 12 hukamnamas in the year 1998 which was a record in the history of Akal Takht. Later, Giani Puran Singh the then Jathedar Akal Takht and issued hukamnamas from Guna in Madhya Pradesh on January 25 this year where in SGPC. Bibi Jagir Kaur was excommunicated from the Sikh panth. Again this was unprecedented the issue hukamnama from outside to state (from a PCO). However, after taking over as Jathedar of Akal Takht in March this year by replacing Giani Puran Singh, the five Sikh high priests revoked the hukamnamas including that of excommunicating Bibi Jagir Kaur. All hukamnamas issued by Giani Puran Singh were revoked in one go which has no precedent in the Sikh history. Sikh circles say that the hukamnamas were never amended in the history of Akal Takht earlier. |
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The following is the list of newly elected Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee delegates to the Indian National Congress: GURDASPUR
DISTRICT : Mr Mehar Singh, (Bamlal), Mr Lakhmir Singh Lodinangal, (Batala — Ry), Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, (Dera Baba Nanak), Mr Ajay Verma, (Dina Nagar), Mr Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, (Dhar Kalan), Mr Devinder Singh, (Dhariwal), Mr Lakhmir Singh Randhawa, (Fatehgarh Churian), Mr Ashwini Kumar, (Gurdaspur — R), Mr Ashwini Kumar, (Gurdaspur — U), Mr Kushal Behal, (Gurdaspur — U), Mr Pratap Singh Bajwa, (Kanuwan), Mr Om Prakash, (Kalanaur), Mr Brij Mohan Puri (Narot Jaimal Singh), Mr Chanderpal Singh, (Pathankot — R), Mr Tripit Singh Bajwa, (Qadian), Mr Fatehjung Singh Bajwa, (Sri Hargobindpur), Mr Ashwini Saikri, (Batala — U), Mr Raman Bhalla, (Pathankot City). AMRITSAR
DISTRICT (RURAL): Maj Ranbir Singh, (Ajnala), Mr Balbir Singh Brar, (Bhikiwind), Mr Sher Singh Gagowal, (Chogawan), Mr Prem Gupta, (Chola Sahib), Maj H.S. Bhullar, (Harsa Cheena), Ch Rajbir Singh, (Gandiwind), Mr Sardul Singh (SC), (Jandiala), Mr
S.S. Shabhazpuri, (Khadoor Sahib), Mr S.S. Kathunangal, (Majitha), Master Jagir Singh, (Naushera Panuwan), Mr Gurinder Kairon, (Patti), Mr Jasbir Singh Dimpa, (Raiya), Mr Harbans Singh Sidhu, (Tarn Taran), Dr Dalbir Singh (SC), (Tar Sikka), Mr Gurchet Singh Bhullar, (Valtoha), Mr Sukhi Mansa, (Verka) AMRITSAR
DISTRICT (URBAN): Mrs Satinder Kaur, (Sultanwind), Mrs Ratna (Kot Baba Deep Singh), Mr Joginder Dhingra (Gopal Nagar), Mr Rupinder Singh, (Verka), Mr Ravinder Singh Bularia, (Haripura), Capt Rajender Kumar, (Chheharta), Dr Manmohan Singh, (Golden Temple), Mr R.L. Bhatia, (Ranjit Avenue), Prof Darbari Lal, (Nimak Mandi), Dr Raj Kumar, (Jallianwala Bagh). SANGRUR
DISTRICT : Mrs Roop Kaur, (Amargarh), Mr Ajaib Singh, (Andana), Mr Onkar Chand, (Barnala — R), Mr S.P.S. Sibia, (Bhawanigarh), Mr Dhanwant Singh, (Dhuri), Mr Abdul Gafoor, (Lehra), Mrs Sajida Begum, (Malerkotla — 1), Mr Rajnish Guddu, (Malerkotla — 2), Mr Jasbir Singh (Mehal Kalan), Mr Gurdial Singh, Chatha (Sangrur — R), Mr Gurcharan Singh Dadhahoor, (Sehna), Mr Gurcharan Singh Dirba, (Sunam — R), Mr Jumman Ram (SC), (Sherpur), Mrs Razia Sultana, (Malerkotla — U), Pandit Som Dutt, (Barnala — U), Mr Arvind Khanna, (Sangrur — U), Mr Bharat Bhushan, (Sunam — U), LUDHIANA
DISTRICT (RURAL): Mr Gurdev Singh Lapra, (Dehlon), Mr Gurkirat Singh, (Doraha), Mr G.S. Ghalib, (Jagraon), Mr Darshan Singh Brar, (Jagraon — U), Mr Harbans Kaur Dullo, (Khanna — R), Mr Bhalinder Singh, (Khanna — U), Mr Malkait Singh Dakha, (Ludhiana — 1), Mrs Harinder Kaur Alamgir, (Ludhiana — 2), Mr Ishar Singh (SC), (Machhiwara), Mr Gurmeet Singh (Pakhowal), Mrs Malkiat Kaur, (Samrala), Mr Gurdeep Singh Dhaini, (Sidhwan Bet), Mr Nirmal Singh Talwandi, (Sudhar). LUDHIANA
DISTRICT (URBAN): Mr Rakesh Pandey, (Block 1), Mr Nahar Singh Gill, (Block 2), Dr Harbans Kaur, (Block 3), Mr Mewa Singh Chohan, (Block 4), Mr Gursant Singh Brar, (Block 5), Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur, (Block 6), Mr Harbans Singh, Chandi (Block 7), Mr Anand Swarup Mohi, (Block 8), Mr H.S. Hanspal, (Block 9), Mr Rajinder Singh Saini, (Block 10), Mr Rajanbir Singh, (Block 11), Mr K.K. Bawa, (Block 12), Mr Harnek Singh Mangewal, (Block 13), Mr Harnam Dass Johar, (Block 14), Wg Cdr Paramjit Singh Sibia (Block 15). JALANDHAR
DISTRICT (RURAL): NAWANSHAHR DISTRICT: FATEHGARH SAHIB DISTRICT: ROPAR DISTRICT: PATIALA DISTRICT (RURAL): PATIALA DISTRICT (URBAN):
Mrs Praneet Kaur, (Block 1), Mr K.K. Sharma, (Block 2), Mr Vishnoo Sharma, (Block 3), Mr Ravinder Sohi, (Block 4), Mr Kabir Dass (SC), (Block 5). |
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Border farmers allege coercion Along the Indo-Pak border, Oct 25 — Civilians with lands in frontier villages have again levelled allegations of harassment by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Farmers with land across the security fencing raised to check infiltration claimed soldiers forced villagers to work for free. Independent
enquiries in villages near Hussainiwala, Mamdot and Fazilka border revealed
that the BSF guards allegedly ask farmers to cut elephant grass, catch fish from the river and use their tractors for levelling land along the fencing. At times, they make such work a precondition for permission to cross the fencing for tilling their fields. The headman of atleast two villages — Hazara and Rajo Ke near Hussainiwala confirmed that such complaints were common. Likewise,
farmers of Pakka Chisti village near Sadqi border post in Fazilka charged the BSF of forcing them to level uneven tracts along the fencing. Harnam Singh, a farmer alleged that he was frequently forced to run his tractor on these stretches. Instead of using their own tractors, they take our srevices forcefully”, Hari Singh, another farmer added. Hakam Singh of the same village alleged that he was forced to cut wild grass along the fencing. “Our protests before senior BSF officers have fallen on deaf areas”, he said as defiance, usually invites retaliations. In a recent incident two farmers of Bahadar Ke village in Mamdot, were forced to catch fish from the Sultaj river on the Pakistani side of the border. They were detained by the Pakistanis, but freed at the intervention of the BSF. Sources in the BSF admitted that the soldiers were now facing a probe. However, BSF officers vehemently denied these charges and said they would look into the matter if a specific complaint was made. A senior BSF officer claimed that the matter has never been raised by the farmers in any of their annual and quarterly meetings with the
BSF. |
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Steps to improve wheat quality CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — The Punjab Government appears to have learnt a lesson from the controversy generated by the alleged substandard quality of paddy. The hard-hitting statement made by the FCI Chairman, Mr Bhure Lal, challenging the quality of paddy in Punjab has made the state government wake up. Because of Mr Bhure Lal’s statement, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had to face a tough time to make the Union Government agree to relax the specifications for the procurement of paddy. The state government has become extra conscious to improve the quality of the foodgrains in the state. As wheat sowing season has started, the government has decided to provide a good quality three lakh quintals of seed of different varieties of wheat to farmers Agriculture Department officials concerned are trying hard to send the message across the farming community that the quality matters most at the time of marketing of any foodgrain produced by them. A senior functionary of the Punjab Government told TNS today that the state government would also provide Rs 200 per quintal as subsidy on the 1.25 lakh quintals of wheat seed to enable small farmers to sow the good varieties wheat. In the national and international market, quality of wheat has become a very significant component. It is very difficult to compete for the countries like India as certain wheat exporting countries maintain a very high nutritional level of their foodgrains especially wheat and rice. When contacted, Mr Deep Singh Sahota, Director,
Agriculture ,Punjab said that the department had organised farmer camps and workshops to educate them about the farming practices pertaining to Rabi crops especially wheat which was major crop of this season. Farmers would also be provided 40,000 mini kits, each weighing 5 Kg, of some best quality wheat seed. At training camps farmers have been told to stick to PBW-343, WH-542, PBW-34, PBW-154 varieties of wheat during the current sowing season. Last year about 91 per cent area was covered under PBW-343 variety of wheat in the state. It has proved a very high yielding good quality variety. Farmers have been given a wheat sowing schedule starting from the current week of this month till the last week of next month. The Department has recommended PBW-373, PBW-138 and TL-1210 varieties for the late sowing, that is after the last week of November, of wheat. For rainfed areas, the department has recommended PBW-396, PBW-299 and PBW-175 varieties of wheat. The Punjab has fixed a target to produce wheat over 150 lakh tonnes. Mr Sahota said that the government would also give subsidy on 150 multipurpose threshers and 150 sprinkler sets. It would be Rs 5000 and 25000 on each piece. |
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Commission agents shortchange farmers FEROZEPORE, Oct 25 — One of the six nominated directors of Punsup, a state government agency today vowed to expose commission agents and rice millers, who were buying paddy at low rates from farmers to later resell it to agencies at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 540. Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Mr Daulat Ram Kambhoj, a BSP nominated director said that he was collecting affidavits from farmers who had sold paddy for between Rs 440 to Rs 480 to commission agents. After having toured 10 mandis in Ferozepore and Moga districts, he alleged that despite the relaxation in paddy specifications distress sale of paddy continued with commission agents in connivance with certain procurement inspectors cheating farmers. He said commission agents, instead of issuing authentic receipts to farmers were giving them ordinary slips to pocket the MSP. He added that he would document the affidavits and table them before the Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal for necessary action. A senior BJP youth wing leader, Mr Jagdeep Rai Kantor, who was present at the press conference said that he would collect affidavits from farmers in Ferozepore to help Mr Kambhoj in his task. Mr Kambhoj said that this was necessitated by the central government’s move to compensate farmers who had suffered losses due to the distress sale. He also said he would urge the government to extend the deadline for considering of compensation. |
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Agencies begin lifting paddy MANSA, Oct 25 — With the Punjab Government declaring more than 80 per cent of rice mills in the district as defaulters, the state and central procurement agencies have to shift paddy procured in the current season to other districts for milling. Sources said that this means increased transportation costs of several lakh per day. Under the present policy mills which have not cleared their due of previous years and in certain cases have not delivered rice to procurement agencies in lieu of paddy are ineligible to mill agency paddy. With procurement picking up the authorities are also finding it difficult to find space for storing paddy. Mrs Raji P. Srivastva, Deputy Commissioner, told TNS, that out of 2,67,578 MT paddy that had arrived in different grain markets and purchase centres in this district, 2,25,546 MT of paddy had been purchased. By November 10 total purchase of paddy in the district would cross 3.80 lakh MT. Activists of BKU today organised a traffic blockade on the Bathinda-Mansa and Mansa-Sirsa roads to protest against “slow procurement.” Mrs Srivastva said that the protesters lifted the blockade after talks. She claimed there was no distress sale in any centre of the district. Private traders have purchased only 565 MT of paddy so far of which 265 tonnes was purchased at a price above the minimum support price
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Past catching up with Bibi: Mann AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Member Parliament has sought the immediate resignation of Bibi Jagir Kaur. Talking to the press on his return from the USA, Mr Mann alleged that Bibi Jagir Kaur had adopted a ‘criminal approach’ and the death of her daughter Harpreet Kaur under mysterious circumstances was part of this. Saying, Bibi Jagir Kaur had got the office of the SAD (Amritsar) demolished in the SGPC complex he said, “She is responsible for demolition of Sikh heritage, which is an international crime as per the ordinance of UNO”. Speaking on the formation of an American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (AGPC), Mr Mann said though it (AGPC) was constituted to look after Sikh shrines in America it would work under the direct control of Akal Takht. He said the SGPC should expand itself at the national and international level to fulfill the aspirations of the Sikh masses and SGPC members should be nominated from Britain, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Australia and other countries with large Sikh populations. He demanded a CBI inquiry against FCI chairman Bhure Lal claiming Mr Bhure Lal had sent paddy from Uttar Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir at the expense of Punjab paddy for ‘reasons best known to him’. Mr Mann alleged that Mr Harkrishan Singh Surjit, CPM supremo was the main architect of a separate Sikh state as was proven in a recent publication and said he failed to understand why such leaders adopted double standard. Replying a question, Mr Mann said that during his visit to America he was told that most of American Sikhs were in favour of separate Sikh state. He also criticised the directive on relaxation to handicapped persons or sick persons partaking of langar (community kitchen). He said Akal Takht should have sought reports, from the foreign countries before making any amendment to the hukmnama issued on April 20, 1998. Taking exception to the stoppage of clothes and ration to the detainees of Nabha jail by the SGPC, Mr Mann said the Sikh youths had joined the militancy at the call of Mr Parkash Singh Badal and now he (Mr Badal) had stopped supporting them. |
Police to help militancy-hit
cops’ families JALANDHAR, Oct 25 — The Punjab Police has decided to reach out the families of the police officials killed by militants during the decade-long turmoil in the state to solve problems of their family members on-the-spot. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr J.P. Virdi, IG Jalandhar Zone, Mr Suresh Arora DIG and Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said 174 such families in the Jalandhar Range had already been identified under the ongoing rehabilitation scheme and senior police officers would visit them to know their problems and strive for finding on the spot solution. Mr Virdi said 174 families were in Jalandhar district, 51 in Hoshiarpur and 28 in Kapurthala
district. He said keeping in view the fact that some kin of victims and other police officials had failed to apply for police jobs at various levels, the time period for filing applications in this regard has been extended till the end of
February 2000. Mr Virdi said the police had also decided to provide facility of free computer education to wards of those officials who had been killed in militant violence. |
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Ayurvedic college suspends employee leaders AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — The SLN Ayurvedic College today suspended Dr Suresh Chauhan, Dr Amitabh Singh and Dr Umesh Mehra who were spearheading the staff agitation over the past nine days. Following this an emergency meeting of the joint action committee of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the college decided to observe ‘black divali’ in front of the residence of office bearers of the Durgiana Management Committee and Durgiana Education Foundation which runs the college. The joint action committee decided to meet the Chief Minister, Governor and Health Minister for taking over the college by the government. The Jac alleged that both managements were illegally running colleges. Talking to TNS, Dr Chauhan said that the Punjab Ayurvedic Officers Association, headed by Dr Manjit Singh had expressed its solidarity with the agitating staff. He further claimed that students of the college would also join the agitation. Meanwhile the management of the college broke locks of the college put up by agitating staff. Dr Chauhan said that the management took away the record of the college to tamper with it. He alleged that the management acted ‘illegally’ in breaking the locks as only the chowkidar of the college could open the locks. The staff staged a protest dharna in front of the office of Mr Lakshmi Kant Sridhar and Mr O.P. Aggarwal, financial and general secretary of the management respectively. |
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Hospital charges hiked, service not improved PATIALA, Oct 25 — Even as the local Government Medical College is struggling to maintain basic facilities in its hospital, the government is not allowing it use of Rs 2.63 crore collected by way of admission to Non-Resident Indians besides Rs 53 lakh collected under the Punjab Professional Services Scheme (PPSS). The Medical College has earned Rs 2.63 crore from Non-Resident Indians from the time it started taking them in last year, to September 30. Funds from NRIs are likely to touch Rs 3.50 crore by the end of the current year. While last year the medical college asked for sanction to spend Rs 44 lakh from NRI funds, this year it has asked for sanction to spend Rs 47 lakh. It has been unable to spend any money from this account till yet. Similarly the very nature of funds under the PPSS has been changed to the disadvantage of the College. The scheme was introduced when charges in hospitals attached to the Medical Colleges was increased in May last year. Under the scheme it was notified that the enhanced fee collected would be at the disposal of the College to spend on the institutions and would not be used for other purposes. However the government has, in a surprise, move has changed the very nature of the funds by including them in the budget scheme and reducing its grants to the institutions. Doctors said now whatever was earned by way of PPSS was included in the budget and the funds could not be used to create new infrastructure or conduct proper maintenance. This they said was because nearly 80 to 85 per cent of the budget was spent on salary bills and only the remaining part was available for the institutions. However this could also not be spent as the dispensation of the remaining funds was curtailed. The sources said due to this the institution faced difficulty even clearing electricity bills in time. They said electricity bills formed the major expenditure besides salary with the hospital yearly bill touching Rs 50 lakh and the Medical College bill being about Rs 30 lakh. After payment of electricity bills there were hardly any funds to carry out other works, they said. The sources said the situation was such that the institution had spent Rs 5.50 lakh on payments in this financial year. It is still to use Rs 65 lakh accumulated in its account under the PPSS. They said among the sanctions for this year included two vehicles, including a staff bus and an ambulance for which Rs 11 lakh had been sanctioned, PWD work for which Rs 23 lakh had been sanctioned, CT Scan repair for which Rs 21 lakh had been sanctioned and Rs 13 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively, for making phaco-surgery and endoscopy facilities available in the hospital. They said while the staff bus had been delivered to the hospital, nothing else could be done as the treasury was not clearing the bills of the sanctioned items. They said even the PWD Department had refused to start the building works as the treasury is not clearing any bills unless they are given the nod by the Finance Department. As this situation continues, the Government Rajindra hospital is facing an acute problem of shortage of medicine in the Emergency Wing, including life-saving drugs, the hospital CT Scan is lying in- operational and even the Radiotherapy unit which is, a must for cancer patients, is closed as changing of the Radiotherapy source would require Rs 48 lakh. Except for some efforts by dedicated doctors the hospital is rendering the same service as it did before the charges were hiked last year and before it started getting NRI money. |
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Action against traffickers in women sought CHANDIGARH, Oct 25— A state-level one-day workshop on the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, organised by the Punjab State Commission for Women, was held here today. In her inaugural address, the Principal Secretary, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Mrs Romila Dubey, stressed the need for initiating stringent action against those who encouraged trafficking in women. State govern-ment machinery had to involve non-government organisations (NGOs) to identify illegitimate children. A programme to rehabilitate such children must be taken up on priority. She favoured vocational training for them. Mr S.V. Singh, Additional Director-General of Police (Crime), said crimes against women in general and sexual offences in particular required more coordinated action among the law enforcement agency, NGOs, the women commission and the Social Welfare Department. New ways of organised prostitution had developed in society through hotels, guest houses, PCOs, etc. The offenders should be blacklisted and their activities curbed. |
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Bibi’s ‘gift’ to
SGPC staff AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — The increase of Rs 200 in the monthly salaries of SGPC employees by its President Bibi Jagir Kaur has raised eye-brows in Sikh circles. The increase, which would cost the SGPC lakhs of rupees is aimed at winning over the “sympathy” of the employees. Interestingly, this announcement was made during her ‘secret’ visit to Amritsar as a Diwali gift. The sources, however, said that the SGPC chief had made this announcement in violation of the bylaws of the Shiromani committee as she was entitled to giving such benefit up to Rs 25 only. However, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan said that the increase in the salaries of the SGPC employees would be passed at the forthcoming meeting of the executive. |
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New Amritsar
scheme okayed CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — The Punjab Government has decided to develop an “ultra-modern” urban estate, spread over 599 acres, and name it New Amritsar. The Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister, who is also the chairperson of PUDA, said today that the scheme had been approved. The site was between the GT Road and the Upper Bari Doab Canal, within the municipal limits of Amritsar city. A demand survey would be done soon. However, applications for plots measuring 250 sq yd or more would have to be accompanied by an adjustable fee of Rs 20,000. The fee would be Rs 10,000 for smaller plots. A special feature of the demand survey would be that a specific number of plots and houses would be reserved for members of the public who respond. |
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FCI employees
stage dharna CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — Thousands of supporters of the Food Corporation of India Employees Democratic Front (Punjab) staged a dharna to demand the drawing up of norms on scientific storage and transit losses, in consultation with agricultural scientists, at the FCI regional office here today. The agitating employees said that in the absence of such norms, the penalty imposed and charge sheet issued in connection with transit and storage losses should be withdrawn. Leaders warned the FCI management that if their demands were not met, employees of the Punjab region would go on a pen-down, shutter-down and tools-down strike on November 10. Other demands related to the dropping of a case framed after a lapse of 20 years, formulation of a transfer policy, promotion of Class IV employees and cash payment for buying uniforms. The dharna was addressed by Mr Raghbir Singh, convener of the front, Mr Barjinder Bawa, Mr S.P. Sood, Mr C.M. Bhardwaj and others. |
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Martyr cremated
with honours BARNALA, Oct 25 — Naik Pargat Singh (33) of a Rajput Rifles who laid down his life fighting militants in the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir a couple of days ago was cremated with full state honours at his Thuliwal village (20 km from here) today. Rahul Bhandari Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Barnala laid a wreath on his body and paid tributes to the valiant soldier of this region on behalf of the Punjab Government. Mr Mohinder Singh SP (Headquarters) Barnala Police District represented Security Forces in cremation ceremony paying respects to the departed soul. Deceased-martyr Pargat Singh is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. |
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Col H.S. Bolina dead CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — Lt-Col Harkrishen Singh Bolina (retd), a recipient of the Vir Chakra, died in his native village some days ago. Colonel Bolina (87) was a pioneer in potato cultivation in Punjab. He was also a Director of the Bhogpur Cooperative Sugar Mills and member of the Punjab Agricultural University Board. He leaves his wife, two daughters and a son. One of his sons-in-law is a Wing Commander in the IAF and also a recipient of the Vir Chakra. After graduating in science, Colonel Bolina joined the Army in 1942 and served with 4 Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment. During the Kashmir operations in 1948, he was decorated with the Vir Chakra for gallantry in Mahura. He also commanded 2 Rajput and the J&K Militia Training Centre in 1962 before retiring from the Army in 1963. The antim ardas will be performed in his native village, Binpalkay, in the Bhogpur area on October 29. |
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Manchanda’s
death mourned CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — The Punjab Information and Public Relations Officers Welfare Association today mourned the death of Mr Sanjay Manchanda, Public Relations Officer of the Chandigarh Administration. |
Grabbed land reclaimed JALANDHAR, Oct 25 — In a joint operation, the District Administration and the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) managed to take possession of 76.4 marlas of Central Government land worth Rs 2 crore, which allegedly was occupied by some city-based land-grabbers at Bulandpur village on the Jalandhar-Pathankot road today. Although apprehending trouble from the side of those occupying the 109 marlas of land, the administration and the police authorities had made adequate security arrangements, but the entire four-hour exercise ran off peacefully and the possession was formally given to the PUDA authorities in the evening. The piece of land had been allotted by the Revenue authorities in the eighties to some people who had got displaced from Pakistan under the Displaced Persons Act, but they had allegedly sold it to five persons, who eventually were declared to be “ghost allottees” by the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Punjab, who had also ordered the district administration to get it vacated immediately. According to Mr H.S. Nanda, the Additional Chief Administrator of the PUDA, the land in fact was usurped allegedly by such well known persons as Charanjit Singh Channi and G.B. Singh of the Dhillon group. He said an inquiry had also been ordered against officials who had allotted the Central Government land to the five persons. He said the land would be utilised under the PUDA’s Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands Scheme. |
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Orders issued not
to harass vendors BATHINDA, Oct 25 — Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Law and Legal Affairs, said there was complete communal harmony in the state and people were celebrating Divali with traditional fervour and gaiety. Earlier this morning, Mr Garg addressed a huge gathering at
Sunam. He said he had issued orders to his officers not to harass traders and the roadside vendors during the festival. He added that he was himself making surprise visits in this regard and redressing grievances of the public on the spot. |
One arrested for cheating BATHINDA, Oct 25 — Rajnish resident of Abohar town has been arrested for cheating people of the area by making different promises to them for money. Sources said that the accused had been deceiving the people for the past many years and collecting money from them. The accused had cheated a widow of Rampuraphul and took Rs 4.50 lakh from her for sending her son abroad. In another case, the accused had taken Rs 4 lakh from Rajiv Kumar, a local resident for getting him a licence for petrol station outlet. Sources said that accused had also been indulging in the evasion of sale tax by floating fake business firms. The accused had caused loss to the state by issuing bogus bills to the traders of the area. The accused had been indulging in such activities for the past many years. Sources added that accused had opened bank accounts of bogus business firms in different towns including Mansa, Budhlada, Sardulgarh, Samana, Bareta, Jagraon, Gurdaspur, Ferozepore, Gidderbaha and Sunam. The accused had been issuing bogus bills of food grain items to the traders and thus also been evading market fee. Ms Bimla Devi, a local resident, in a complaint lodged with the police alleged that accused also involved in a bank scam which came to light in this region in the recent past. She added that accomplice of the accused had flied to the USA. She said that she had also been cheated by the accused and when she demanded her money from him she was threatened with dire consequences. She added that the accused had also indulged in the evasion of Income Tax to the extent of crores of rupees. She pointed out that number of business firms floated by the accused in bogus names had been cancelled. She added that to escape harassment, the accused used to cater whims and fancies of officials to keep them happy. Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, when contacted, said that a case against accused under Sections 420 and 34 of the IPC had been registered in the Rampura Phul police station while another case under Sections 406, 420 and 506 of the IPC had been registered by the city police station. He added that investigations of the activities of the accused would be made to bring the total truth into light. The police was also trying to nab the associates of the accused. A senior official of the Sale Tax Department told The Tribune that an inspection was made on the accused’s business premises a long ago but he was not aware of the details. |
4 members of inter-district gang arrested JALANDHAR, Oct 25 — The police has busted an inter-district gang, which used to loot people after giving intoxicant laced sweets to them by arresting all of its four members today. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP said the accused, identified as Satpal alias Satti of Narial village in Hoshiarpur district, Monohar Lal, a resident of Alawalpur, Kulwant Singh, a resident of Kapurpind near Adampur and Jagjiwan Singh also of same village, were intercepted while they were travelling in a Maruti car on the Nakodar road. Looted goods including a washing machine, a Chetak scooter, six brief cases, one video camera, three wrist watches, suit lengths and one kilogram of ladoos paced with intoxicants have been seized from them. They had committed a number of robberies near religious places like Chintpurni, Baba Balak Nath temple, Pir Nigah near Una in Himachal Pradesh and people near towns of Hoshiarpur and Tanda by using common modus operandi under which they would offer ladoos to their preys as “prasad.” |
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Award-winning cop held taking
bribe RAJPURA, Oct 25 — Jagpal Singh, a policeman in Rajpura sadar thana, was yesterday arrested by DSP Vigilance Department, Patiala, Ranjit Singh, while accepting a bribe of Rs 5000. A court today ordered to keep him in judicial custody till November 3. A complaint was lodged against the policeman by Mr Anil Kumar of Dhakansu village in which it was mentioned that the policeman came to the latter’s house, asking for Kumar’s brother against whom a summon had been issued. Upon hearing that his brother did not live there, he demanded something in lieu of his “expenses” and allegedly took Rs 200. He again came to the place and threatened to put the family in trouble. The family paid him Rs 2000, but had to finally settle the matter at Rs 5000. This money was to reach the cop in the tea canteen of the tehsil complex. Mr Anil Kumar sought help from various officials. On not being heard, he went to the Vigilance Department. They marked the currency notes to be delivered. The accused was then caught red-handed with the money. Jagpal Singh had earlier been rewarded by a minister on the Independence Day function. A case has been registered against him under Sections 7, 13 (2) 88 of the IPC. |
Panel to unearth conspiracy PATIALA, Oct 25 — Students of Punjabi University have decided to form a probe committee to unearth the “conspiracy” under which some stalls were burnt on the campus during the Divali mela held there on October 18 . A joint press release by the Organisation of Punjabi University Students, the Punjabi University Students Association, the All-India Sikh Students Federation and the Punjabi University Sabhyacharik Manch said they had met the Vice Chancellor and assured him to form a congenial and peaceful atmosphere in the university . The release said the members of the committee opposed the “elements” on the campus who, it alleged, were trying to disturb classes. |
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