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| Sunday, October 29, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
PPCB serves notices on 40 more
hospitals Badal visits blast
victims DGP shielding Bibi,
Nishan: Cong Farm front: challenges ahead-I Farmers block rail
track |
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Contractors suspend
work Langah faces detractors’
ire PSEB bait to check power
theft
Charge penal rent
from doctor: BMS HC upholds man’s
conviction Muslim personal
law in English Crowd browbeats
demolition staff Police camp with a
difference Languages Dept
awards writers Tax on vegetarian
food items resented Communists ‘failed’ Ghadri
movement Ramgarhias
seek share in power Jogis, Dhahas
lift dharna SGPC member
Bhatia dead Sangat urged
to reject amendments Memorial to Giani
in his village Trains suspended Christians celebrate
“Masih Jayanti”
Holiday in Bathinda
on October 30
Dacoits strike house, kill 1, injure
9 2 killed in truck-car
collision Four killed in
road mishaps Residents
stab constable Gang leader
arrested Heroin worth 3.1 cr seized from
Samjauta Express Man
posing as CBI officer arrested Four injured in firing 2 arrested on murder charge
College teachers to
go on mass leave ‘Make’ education more
relevant Teachers resent
non-payment of salary B.Com results
tomorrow AIIMS rejects
Amritsar students
Brickkiln owners
not to pay tax
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PPCB serves notices on 40 more
hospitals PATIALA , Oct 28 — The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has broadened its net to force more hospitals in the state to adhere to the Union Government
stipulations on management of bio-medical waste, by serving notice to 40 more hospitals. Earlier, the board had served notices to seven 500-bed hospitals, including three government hospitals at Patiala, Faridkot and Amritsar, Christian Medical College and Dayanand Medical College at Ludhiana and the two military hospitals at Jalandhar and Pathankot. The local Government Rajindra Hospital was in the process of starting its incinerator unit while other hospitals were also taking steps to manage medical waste. With the latest move, the PPCB had broadened its net by issuing notices to 200-bed hospitals and even those with less capacity to fall in line or face action. All hospitals would be given a hearing by the board in which they would have to stipulate the steps proposed to be taken by them to follow the bio-medical waste guidelines for managing it. While the board has served notices to the 500-bed hospitals, saying that they would be inviting prosecution if they do not fall in line, but the recent notices do not state this. The board officials said this was due to the fact that the hospitals having 200 beds or less still had time to conform with the bio-medical waste regulations while the deadline in case of the 500-bed hospitals had passed. Though the government makes land available for the disposal of hazardous chemical waste, there is no provision of doing so under the Act instituted for managing the medical waste. This means that the hospitals will have to create facilities for disposing of their medical waste themselves. PPCB Chairman Ajay Kumar Mahajan stated that the board was discussing with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation for the creation of a central facility for disposing of the medical waste of a large number of small hospitals in the city. He said this was being done as it was not feasible for many small hospitals to create their own facilities. He added that a similar proposition might be worked out for Jalandhar and that discussions would take place with medical practitioners there soon in this regard. Mr Mahajan said the small hospitals were being encouraged to assist in the setting up of a common site for disposing of the medical waste for which they would pay a fixed amount. He said this experiment had already been tried successfully in the South and that the rough cost for the hospital for disposing of its medical waste in this manner would be between Rs 3 to Rs 5 per bed. He said the creation of a common facility would be advantageous to the respective hospitals as hiring of special labour to handle the medical waste would not be their responsibility. Under the rules, the hospitals are to segregate the medical waste by dividing them into 10 categories through the use of colour coded envelopes which are to be treated and disposed of in different ways. The manner of disposal includes shredding, disinfecting, putting waste in secure land fills or ensuring deep burial and use of incinerators. |
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Badal visits blast
victims BATHINDA, Oct 28 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, while claiming that law and order situation in state was under control, said that an inquiry would be conducted into the blast that took place in the Bathinda-Rewari passenger train near Raman Mandi town in this district on October 26. Ruling out that terrorism was raising its head again in this border state, Mr Badal said: “it is too early to comment on the reasons of blast”. Mr Badal disclosed that the Punjab government had decided to treat the victim of Kale Kachhewale gang members on a par with the victims of terrorist-related violence. The police had been directed to stop the crime by the gang even as 90 per cent of them had been nabbed. He further disclosed that the government had sought permission from the Central Government to get those who figured in the list of the police as terrorists and living in foreign countries to visit their motherland. He added that such lists would be reviewed and cases of those who had committed no crime would be considered sympathetically. Mr Badal visited the local civil hospital to inquire about the condition of the victims of train blast. Mr Badal said ENT specialists from medical colleges of the state would attend to the injured who had been complaining of ear problems could get better treatment. He gave a cheque for Rs 1 lakh to the local Red Cross unit for treatment of the victims who had been shifted to hospitals in Ludhiana. Meanwhile, three more injured, identified as Jasvir Singh, Kaka Singh and Happy Singh were today admitted to the local Civil Hospital. Jasvir Singh and Kaka Singh have suffered internal injuries in the ear and Happy Singh has suffered injuries on the leg. Dr Deepak Saxena said 12 injured had been discharged after treatment while eight had been shifted to Ludhiana and 14 were getting treatment in the local Civil Hospital. Meanwhile, Mr Bhan Singh Bhora, Member of Parliament, and Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, MLA, Talwandi Sabo, and Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, General Secretary, DCC (I), have demanded a high-level probe into the blast. Mr Bhora visited the victims in local Civil Hospital today. Mr Amritpal Singh Brar, Member, National Council, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), also condemned the blast which claimed two lives. Mr Makhan Singh, MLA and Mr Jassi visited the injured in the hospital. |
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DGP shielding Bibi,
Nishan: Cong JALANDHAR, Oct 28 — Mr Sukhpal Singh Khaira, the Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee
accused the Director-General of the Punjab Police and the Punjab Chief Minister
of shielding the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir
Kaur and her gunman Nishan Singh, who have been booked by the CBI in the case related to the mysterious death of
Bibi's daughter. Mr Khaira, who was addressing a press conference here today, alleged that though five persons had been arrested in the case, no one had dared touch Bibi Jagir Kaur and Nishan Singh, who were facing similar charges. Instead DGP Sarbjit Singh who had claimed that Nishan Singh was with the Punjab Police and would be produced before the CBI when desired by it had not handed him over to CBI despite three reminders. Similarly, Mr Badal has been claiming Bibi will not be removed from the post of the SGPC chief as mere registration of a case was not enough for the arrest of a person. |
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Farm front: challenges ahead-I LUDHIANA: There are lessons for policy-makers in the predicament paddy farmers faced during the present procurement season. The glut of paddy and lackadaisical attitude of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has shown weaknesses of agricultural policies pursued over the years. Emphasis all along has been on production of foodgrains. No steps have been taken to galvanise the market system. If a beginning is made now, it will take at least five to six years to stabilise the production-procurement routine. It is not difficult. All it needs is will, not policies aimed at “vote-banks”. The situation will be no better when wheat arrivals begin in April next. Economist Dr S.S. Johl says: “The problem is of excess supply over demand, not of excess availability over need”. Dr Johl is a proponent of “diversification” from the wheat-paddy rotation. More than paddy it is wheat that will cause acute problems. It is a serious matter. The country has 42 million tonnes of grains. It is likely to rise to nearly 60 million tonnes. Its holding cost alone will be Rs 18,000 crore per year. It sounds absurd in a country where 300 million cannot afford to buy foodgrains. The policies, framed when the country was deficit in food were being pursued. Dr Johl says foodgrains production has to be consistent with the national food scene. There is glut in the domestic market. The scope of export has diminished due to poor quality of farm produce and products. One of the solutions is to alter cropping patterns and reframe the subsidies distribution system. This can be achieved by introducing a system of incentives and disincentives. There are ways to do so without scrapping the subsidies and taking care of the surpluses. Dr Johl suggests that farmers be discouraged from sowing rice and wheat. They are paid to do so, say, at the rate of Rs 2,000 per hectare for each crop. Where will money come from asks Dr Johl. The answer is simple: freeze the supply of “free” electricity and “regulate” irrigation. Even if other crops are grown in 10 to 20 per cent area at present under wheat, paddy cultivation the money thus saved can be disbursed. For every 10 per cent area “retired” there is a saving of Rs 240 crore, an amount which the Punjab State Electricity Board says it incurs as a loss per annum. If the area retired is 20 per cent, the amount saved is Rs 480 crore. This can be given to farmers for not sowing these crops. Farmers, he says, are not interested in “free” power. They ask for assured power supply at proper voltage. Power supply on flat rate will not help achieve the objective of reducing production. Power supply has to be metered. Let the Board “auction” transformers to interested persons, say rural youth. Give “bulk” supplies and leave it to them to recover the charges. “We generate employment and save on power while the
production continues”, he adds. To reduce the area under paddy, give water on staggered days. This will discourage early sowing, transplantation and corresponding problem of moisture. This can be achieved in one season. But for that a beginning has to be made now. It will take five to six years for production and procurement to stabilise. It is high time, he says, research at Punjab Agricultural University is oriented towards evolving bakery or hard wheat varieties which are in demand in the international market. So far wheat breeding was confined for bread or soft varieties of flour. In fact all research in all farm-related disciplines must keep quality in view, he adds. Dr Johl’s suggestions are endorsed by the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr G. S. Kalkat. He sees a paradox. The government finds food procurement an expensive exercise. If it withdraws, prices crash below the cost of cultivation, but it cannot for it has to ensure social equity. The question is, should the government lose or farmers suffer? Dr Kalkat is candid, when he says “all policy issues” are with the government. The PAU can act as a catalyst providing solutions to the vexed problems. He is also for promoting green box agriculture. But wants a foolproof mechanism to identify farmers who actually reduce the area under wheat and paddy cultivation. The fallow or retired land can be used for green manuring to improve ecology, soil health and fertility, save on electricity, water and other costly inputs. The Head of Economics and Sociology Department at PAU, Dr Joginder Singh, is disturbed by the off the cuff remark by the FCI Chairman, Mr Bhure Lal, who dubbed 80 per cent of Punjab paddy as “defective”. This message has gone global. It is a serious matter. Punjab will have to prove him wrong and retrieve its image. He says cotton cultivation has to be revived and dairy propagated. The export quality basmati has to be sown in a large area. All future planning has to focus on region and climate zones. Dr Joginder Singh asks why should other states compete with Punjab by sowing wheat and paddy? The Centre must intervene to ensure that only crops suited to a given agro-climatic zone are sown. The construction of scientifically designed silos for bulk handling and storage of odd grains is also suggested to overcome procurement problems. These silos should be declared “market yards” where farmers should directly take their cleaned up produce from their farms. This will cut down on transportation and handling costs, wastage, pilferage and even overhead charges. |
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Farmers block rail track MOGA, Oct 28 (PTI) — All the five farmer unions including BKU Ekta, Kirti Kisan Sabha, two Punjab Kisan Sabhas and Punjab Kisan Union supported by Lok Morcha, here started rail blockade at Ajitwal railway station from 5.30 pm. About one thousand farmers including more than one hundred women started an indefinite blockade of rail traffic on the Moga-Ajitwal and Ludhiana-Ajitwal station of the Ferozepore section of Northern Railways. Tirlok Singh member state committee Lok Morcha said on the phone that the dharna and blockade will continue for an indefinite period until their demands including withdrawal of criminal cases registered against 14 farmers, a high-level probe of the lathi charge on unprovoked farmers on October 25, compensation to farmers whose paddy was procured on distress sales and procurement of discoloured and damaged paddy at MSP of Rs 465 were conceded. The Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Shard Satya Chohan, when contacted, said that a police contingent including commandos under the supervision SP City Paramdeep Singh Sandhu were rushed to Ajitwal to meet any untoward incident. In the meantime railway authorities suspended train services on Ferozepur-Ludhiana section and Ferozepur-Ludhiana bound trains were not allowed to proceed to Ludhiana. Earlier, the Mehna police has registered a criminal case against 14 farmers of the BKU (Ekta) on the complaint of assistant sub-inspector of police Mangat Singh under various IPC sections including attempt to murder, and inflicting injuries, wrongful confinement and hindrance in performance of official duty. According to official information available here, the agitated farmers had beaten up the ASI when he and other police officials stopped the farmers from blocking road traffic at Ajitwal on October 25 when the police was trying to clear the road to allow a private jeep to pass. The jeep occupant, Darshan Singh, was also manhandled and the jeep damaged and thrown into a nearby pond. Superintendent of Police (City) Paramdeep Singh when contacted at Ajitwal this evening said that farmers were again staging a dharna in the premises of the market committee there and added that no arrest had yet been made. Meanwhile, more than seven hundred farmers, including one hundred women, today staged a dharna, organised by the BKU (Ekta) supported by the congress, here. The farmers were protesting against the “unprovoked” lathi-charge at Ajitwal on October 25. They served an ultimatum to the administration that if their demands were not conceded they would continue their struggle and chalk out their next line of action at a meeting convened by the BKU Ekta executive at Ajitwal late this evening. BKU (Ekta) vice-president Sukhdev Singh said the demands included procurement of damaged and discoloured paddy and compensation to farmers who resorted to distress sale of their produce after
October 14 without any delay. A thorough probe into the Ajitwal lathi-charge was also sought. |
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Slow procurement
frustrates farmers MOGA, Oct 28 — All tall talk of paddy stocks being cleared by the end of the current month seems to be just so much hype with huge stocks of the crop still lying in the open in grain markets and purchase centres in this district. A large number of farmers can be seen guarding their stock and waiting for their turn at procurement. Many were noticed moving their paddy from one centre to the other in the hope of getting the MSP. But their hopes are usually belied by slow procurement and rejection of the paddy on flimsy grounds. A large number of farmers whose stocks were still lying in the open in various villages including Wandai Thathibhai, Bambihabhai and Charik claimed that their stocks were rejected on non-specific grounds. They claimed that if the palms of the purchase agency inspectors were not greased their stocks would be immediately purchased. The rate of illegal gratification per quintal runs from Rs 10 to Rs 20. They felt that if this state of affairs continued it would not be possible to clear their stocks even next week. Several political leaders both of the ruling as well as of Opposition parties also expressed concern over the pace of procurement and urged the government not to play with farmers. Otherwise, they said, farmers would be forced to restart their agitation. |
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Contractors suspend
work NAWANSHAHR: The claims of the SAD-BJP
Government that there is no dearth of funds for development notwithstanding, it has not been making payments to contractors here. This has brought the development work to a grinding halt in the district. Mr Amrik Singh Panesar, president of the District Nawanshahr Contractors Association while talking to this correspondent said that the Government. had not released their payments amounting to lakhs of rupees for the past three years. It had also laid down such conditions for release of the payment which were against the small contractors. Mr Panesar said the construction work of district administration complex started in May 98. The construction work costing Rs 50 lakh has been done out of which a sum of Rs 12 lakh had not been paid by the Government so far. He said a sum of Rs 35 lakh was needed to complete the district administration complex. The contractors had not been paid Rs 4.50 lakh for carrying out the construction work of judicial quarter number 3 at a total cost of Rs 14.68 about more than a year ago. Mr Prem Chand Sethi, another contractor, said the construction work of 10-bedded hospital at Sujjon village at a cost of Rs 42 lakh had almost been completed but his payment amounting to Rs 15 lakh had not been released. Mr Shamsher Singh, another contractor said as a sum of Rs 7.5 lakh was not being released against the construction of residential quarter in the tehsil complex. Mr Jagmohan Singh Sehmbi, a contractor said the approach road to the tehsil complex, Balachaur, had been completed, but he had not paid Rs 1.25 lakh. Similarly, he had completed 90 per cent work of platform and parking place at the tehsil complex, Garhshanker at a cost of Rs 2 lakh but he had not received even a penny yet. Even, a payment of Rs 6000 (due for the construction work done at the PHC, Beenewal in 1993), Rs 25,000 (due for the construction work done at sub-centre Naitwan in 1994) by his late father, Kulbir Singh Sehmbi, he alleged. Mr Joginder Pal, a contractor, said a sum of Rs 5 lakh had been spent on the construction of sports stadium at Government Senior Secondary School, Garhsanker, and the development work had come to a halt due to scarcity of funds. Mr Gurcharan Singh a contractor, said the construction of a
bridge over a nullah on the Mahilpur-Phagwara road had been lying incomplete. A payment of Rs 5 lakh was still due. |
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Langah faces detractors’
ire DHARIWAL (GURDASPUR), Oct 28 — While 501 paths of Ramayana being recited by Hindus, Sikhs and Christians presents a unique picture of communal harmony, the detractors of Mr Sucha Singh Langah, PWD Minister and member, SGPC, may approach Akal Takht for violating the Sikh “rehat maryada”. The Langah, who is also the district president of SAD, is the main organiser of this great event which has been organised in the state for the first time. This is the first attempt by an SGPC member to organise such a thing though there are similar instances of holding of such religious programmes for promoting communal harmony. So much so that radical leader like Mr Simranjit Singh Mann would visit the temples, especially at the time of elections. Mr Onkar Singh Arora, member, SGPC, and district president SHSAD (Urban), said he along with other SGPC members would meet Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, regarding the violation of the Sikh “rehat maryada” (the code of Sikh conduct and convention) published by the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC. The Sikh code of conduct (section one, page seven) clearly mention that “who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh”. The code of conduct further reads that any human being who faithfully believes in one immortal being, 10 Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib, the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, is a Sikh. Mr Arora said by organising Ramayana path, Mr Langah was trying to take political mileage by appeasing the voters of other communities. However, the organisers claim that Mr Langah had took a pledge to organise 501 paths, of different religious books at the time of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib. The “bhog” of Ramayana paths would be held tomorrow. Mr Parkash Singh Badal would also participate. Giving details of the path Mr Brij Bhushan Malhotra, coordinator, said about two lakh devotees belonging to different communites would participate. As many as nine “kunds” had been arranged for the path. The Vishav Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Shiva Sena, BJP, SAD, Durga Vahini and other social, religious organisations have taken active part in
organising the event. Saints and religious personalities have come from far-flung places, including Jammu, Mumbai and other places. Dhariwal is the home constituency of Mr Langah, who had won his assembly seat with a thin margin during the previous general elections. Earlier, the Sikh clergy on October 24 had
exonerated Mr Langah on the pretext that Akal Takht had not received any complaint that the PWD Minister had been organising Ramayana paths. However, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti had indicated that the Sikh high priests could take action only on a written complaint. Meanwhile, Mr Amrinder Singh, member, SGPC, from Chandigarh has sent a written complaint to Akal Takht today. He urged the Jathedar to take immediate action against Mr Langah as no Sikh could propagate any other religion. |
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PSEB bait to check power
theft FEROZEPORE, Oct 28 — To check power theft, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) is now offering to reduce the penalty for those who admit to tampering their electricity meters under an amnesty scheme. Under the new scheme, the PSEB will slap only one-third of the actual penalty, if an offender voluntarily admits to having tampered with his electricity meter. Disclosing this to TNS, PSEB Superintending Engineer B.D. Sharma said the recently floated scheme aimed to check tampering of domestic and commercial power meters through volunteer efforts. The new scheme comes in the wake of an increasing number of complaints of tampering of electricity meters. Offenders are to be given two months time to make the disclosures. The local PSEB authorities have also lodged complaints with the police department for the registration of cases against six citizens of the Ferozepore city for tampering with their power meters. The PSEB has also detected cases of tampering with power meters in the Mamdot area. Sources in the PSEB said tampering of meters was even a source of income for some unscrupulous electricians. Experienced power “mechanics” engaged in the practice to charge anything between Rs 800 to 5,000 from their clients in the domestic and commercial sectors. Industrialists are charged even more heavily for ensuring that their meters slow down or even reverse direction. The connivance of some retired PSEB employees in promoting the practice is also suspected. In Ferozepore city a former PSEB lineman, allegedly in connivance with a private electrician, tampered with the meters of six civilians. The faulty meters were detected during special raids. Subsequently, the board lodged a complaint for registration of criminal cases. Although the cops are investigating the cases, the PSEB is contemplating meeting senior police officers to expedite legal action. |
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Charge penal rent from doctor:
BMS AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — Mr Dev Raj Sharma, president, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), in a press note expressed concern at the intervention of the Principal Secretary, Health, for forestalling the recovery of the penal rent amount of Rs 1,50,000 from the salary of Dr H.S. Mahal, SMO, Rajoke at Khemkaran. According to the press note, the doctor in question has been occupying a bungalow on the campus of the hospital over the past many years. He allegedly did not vacate it even when he was transferred to Bathinda and Ferozepore. Mr Dev Raj said the Medical Superintendent of the hospital had written to the Treasury Officer, Patti, for effecting deduction from his salary. The BMS observes that the Principal Secretary does not have the authority to withhold recovery of the rent/penal rent for the house in question is the property of the ESI Corporation. The sangh also urged the Regional Director, ESI Corporation, to seek deduction from the salary of Dr Mahal and the building occupied by him vacated. The Civil Surgeon, Amritsar, Dr Raj Inder Singh, when contacted, said the matter concerned the ESI authorities and the Principal Secretary only. Meanwhile, talking to The Tribune reporter, Dr Mahal said the BMS was trying to vitiate the inquiry being conducted by the Director, Health Services, ESI, on the directions of the Principal Secretary to whom the case had been represented, and awaiting decision. Dr Mahal also stated that the penal rent was for three months only whereas the case represented by the BMS states that the rent was for three years. |
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HC upholds man’s
conviction CHANDIGARH, Oct 28 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice K.S. Grewal today accepted the state appeal against the acquittal of 36-year-old Lakhwant Singh and not only upheld his conviction but increased the fine imposed on him by the trial court from Rs 3000 to Rs 2.5 lakh. On October 23, 1989 Lakhwant Singh, a resident of Kaheru village in Patiala district had attacked and injured his brother Narain Singh with an axe who later succumbed to his injuries at Civil Hospital, Dhuri. Lakhwant Singh was booked under Section 304 (part second) for which the trial court had awarded him five years’
rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3000 was to be paid to the widow and her son. The Bench while handing down the order observed “It is felt that the award of Rs 3000 is a pittance when a woman has lost her husband even though it was a case of injuries inflicted on account of sudden fight. Principles of Section 357 of the criminal procedure code were not considered by the trial court. Moreover, the compensation should be awarded in order to adequately compensate the widow and the son. In the present case, it would be
appropriate that an award of Rs 2.5 lakh as fine be made. Consequently, the appeal of Lakhwant Singh must fail and state appeal against appellant convicted under Section 304 (part second) must succeed. Conviction upheld, Lakhwant Singh is directed to pay a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh and in default he had to undergo further imprisonment of two years. Fine, if recovered, shall be paid to widow Jaswinder Kaur and her son in equal shares,”, the Bench observed further. |
Muslim personal
law in English MALERKOTLA, Oct 28 — India is the first country to get a completely codified Muslim personal law in English. A renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Fuzail-Ur-Rahman Hilal Usmani who has done the codification and compilation of the Islamic law said the codification took several years and was first completed in Urdu. An Arabic edition was later published and now an English edition has also been brought out. The Registrar of Darus Salam Islamic Centre Tariq Umair Usmani and Prof Murtaza Hussain of Gujarat have rendered the English translation of this book titled “The Islamic Law.” Mufti Usmani started codifying the Islamic law after divergent views were expressed on Muslim personal law following a Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano vs Muhammed Ahmed divorce case. The aim is to present Islamic tenets and laws in their true perspective and codification has been done in the style of law books with detailed references from their main sources — the Qur’an Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammed) and Fiqh (works of experts on Islamic jurisprudence). The book is said to be the one of its kind in the world. The need for such a scholarly work has been felt for decades but no one could muster courage to undertake the responsibility, because codification required strenuous efforts by a dedicated team. An attempt on the subject was made in Turkey resulting in the publication of “Majallatul Ahkaam”. But this work does not have detailed references. The book is in a simple form and can be consulted by anyone. Mufti Usmani claims that he has endeavoured to present and explain every law concerning marriage, divorce and inheritance in a logical manner keeping the spirit intact. For instance, when he discusses the marriage laws, he explains that marriage is not just a contract between a man and a woman to live together as husband and wife, but also has a third factor — their accountability to God. He describes marriage as a kind of worship. The book has been published by The Research Department of Darus Salam Islamic Centre, Malerkotla (Punjab). Apart from this work, the Centre has successfully completed projects related to the commentary and translation of the Holy Qur’an and Seerah (the life of Prophet
Muhammed). |
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Crowd browbeats
demolition staff JALANDHAR, Oct 28 — Municipal Corporation move to remove nearly 25 unauthorised structures in the Bhargo Camp locality fizzled out today allegedly because of lack of timely action by the police party accompanying the Municipal Corporation staff. The Municipal Corporation authorities, who had planned to remove all the illegal structures, mostly toilets and verandahs, have deferred the move till October 30. The civic body staff, including the Commissioner, Mr Bidhi Chand Thakur and Assistant Commissioner Babita and about 30 officials of the corporation police reached the spot along with five ditch machines. But the entire exercise crumbled when a large crowd, led by the BJP MLA, Mr Chuni Lal Bhagat, converged on the spot to oppose the move. Mr Bhagat argued that the residents should be given time since the High Court had ordered that measurement be done before removal of structures. But Mr Thakur said measurements had already been done. But once Mr A.S. Chahal, the city SP, started negotiations with the residents instead of helping the corporation staff. |
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Police camp with a
difference HABIBWAL,
(Kapurthala), Oct 28 — Police officials and villagers interacted with one another and discussed problems related with law and order and social evils like drug menace during an eyecamp organised by the Kapurthala police under its community policing scheme. Though four such camps have already been held in the remote areas of this district, including Talwandi
Chaudharian, and Saiflabad, it was a pleasant surprise for the residents of this village to see the police officials so willing to serve. Medicines were given free of cost. After check-up the villagers discussed problems and issues with policemen. In some cases, remedial measures were taken on the spot by SSP Iqbal Singh. The SSP said after such camps they encouraged people to speak about their problems and if possible, these would be solved. |
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Languages Dept
awards writers PATIALA The department will observe a ‘Punjabi Saptah’ from November 1 to 7, according to Mr Madan Hasija, Director of the department. Mr Hasija said during the ‘Punjabi Saptah’, a ‘chetna rally’ will be held which will pass through the main roads of the city and will culminate in front of the office of the Commissioner, Patiala Division. The rally will be flagged off by the Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh. It will comprise renowned Punjabi writers, educationists, intellectuals, principals of various schools and colleges and other associated with Punjabi culture. The main purpose of the rally will be to emphasise on the need to teach Punjabi in government schools and colleges and its use in offices. Various Punjabi plays will be staged on the occasion and story-writing
competitions will also be held. A book fair will also be organised by this department in the office of the department near Sheranwala gate. |
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Tax on vegetarian
food items resented AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — Ms Laxmi Kanta
Chawla, BJP MLA, has raised the issue of partisan treatment to non-vegetarian food items as compared to vegetarian food items like cereals, gram etc. In a statement she said our culture had in many texts which consumption of non-vegetarian food items like meat and fish whereas these were exempted from Sales Tax. The vegetarian
dals, grains etc, all come under the purview of Sales Tax. Recently, she said, the government had given exemption of octroi to the non-vegetarian food items. She criticised the attitude of the government which was giving additional exemptions to sellers of non-vegetarian food items. |
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Communists ‘failed’ Ghadri
movement JALANDHAR, Oct 28 — The five-day ninth “Ghadri Babbian Daa Mela” took off with an important seminar,” Heritage of Ghadar Movement and Present Day concerns” at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall here today. The Communist leadership came in for a sharp criticism at the hands of most speakers for failing to carry forward the heritage and for not handing it over to the present generation in a proper manner. If the objectives of the movement were to be fulfilled, the communist movement needed to be revived they felt. In his paper, Prof Randhir Singh from Delhi, said that the Ghadar movement was the golden period of communism, but it was sad to note that nothing much had been done to carry forward the rich legacy of those who participated in the movement. He said the post independence “national project” has collapsed and the ruling classes have opted for “globalisation” as their strategic option. He said the ultimate question was whether the Ghadarite heritage will be carried forward as an effective, revolutionary political intervention in the interests of the people or will end up as a ceremonial celebration. The latter would indeed be a tragedy for the people of Punjab. Mr Praful Bidwai, a columnist, said besides communism and equality, communists should take up important issues such as pollution the environment, decline of the public sector, rural areas and lack of facilities, unplanned urbanisation and upliftment of Dalits. Eminent journalist, Kuldip Nayar, said the struggle of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh also carried traces of the Ghadar movement. He said the role of Mahatma Gandhi should not be under-estimated. Mr Harish Puri, a scholar, said the dreams of Ghadarites was not realised in its original form and in a way the Communists were responsible for it. Mr Mangat Ram Pasla, of the CPM, Mr Jagjit Singh Anand and Mr Satpal Dang also spoke. |
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Ramgarhias
seek share in power PHAGWARA, Oct 28 — Mr Gurminder Singh Matharu, president, All-India Ramgarhia Federation, has demanded that either seats be reserved for Ramgarhias/Dhimans in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas or tickets be distributed to them as per the proportion of their population Mr Matharu, a Delhi based industrialist, while addressing a two-day Bhagwan Vishvakarma, Maha Puja utsav at the oldest temple in country here, left no one in doubt that the community would demand its due share in power. Mr Parsharan Singh Lall, general secretary, Shri Visvakarma Dhiman Sabha told this reporter on the concluding day of the utsav today that the community would consolidate itself at the national and international level to emerge as a formidable political force. A global conference would be held here in February next year as step towards bringing the community on one platform. The sabha also demanded a gazetted holiday for Vishvakarma day. |
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Jogis, Dhahas
lift dharna DHURI, Oct 28 — More than 100 men and women belonging to the Jogi and Dhaha communities lifted their dharna organised today in front of the local police station against the rounding up of 12 persons of their communities in connection with a looting incident which occurred on October 25 near Malerkotla bypass here. In the incident, Mr Sukhwinder Singh and his wife Gurmeet Kaur were attacked and seriously injured by 10 persons, who forcibly entered in their house, armed with lathis, and later decamped with Rs 5000 and jewellery worth Rs 15,000. After registering a case under various sections of the IPC the police rounded up 100 persons for the identification parade. The wife of Sukhwinder Singh reportedly identified certain persons and the police rounded up the suspects for investigation. There was a rumour that the police had killed a suspect in its custody during investigations, but the police and president of the Punjab Jogi and Dhaha biradari, Mr Mewa Singh, said no such incident had occurred. Mr Mewa Singh also persuaded those staging the dharna to lift it on the plea that no custodial death had taken place. |
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SGPC member
Bhatia dead AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — Jathedar Pritam Singh Bhatia (85), senior executive member of the SGPC, today passed away after a prolonged illness. He was fighting cancer for the past three months. Only two days ago, he was brought home from the hospital which is about 10 km away from Batala. Mr Bhatia was a Sikh intellectual and proponent of the Sikh religion. He was attached with many religious, social and intellectual organisations. He is survived by two sons and four daughters. Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, SGPC, has condoled the demise of Jathedar Pritam Singh Bhatia. In a press note, she expressed her condolences to his
family. |
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Sangat urged
to reject amendments AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, has urged the Sikh sangat to reject the amendments in the hukamnama (edict) made by Sikh high priests on the langar issue. Talking to the Press at his residence here today, Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that the amendment in the hukamnama was “unprecedented” and in gross violation of the Sikh traditions. Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that the hukamnama was amended at the behest of Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He questioned Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, whether any Sikh had raised the demand for arranging ‘chairs or tables’ at any gurdwara of the state. If it was not, as to why the Sikhs of Canada were demanding arranging of tables and chairs there. He asked the Sikh sangat to ignore the ‘so called amendment’ in the hukamnama on the langar issue as it was ‘anti-Panthic’ and could create problems in future, once implemented. |
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Memorial to Giani
in his village PHAGWARA, Oct 28 — An 80-feet high memorial of a former President, Giani Zail Singh, will be built at his native village, Sandhwan. The memorial will be constructed on the pattern of Ramgarhia “Bungas”. The high-rise rounded minarets built during Jassa Singh Ramgarhia’s period as check posts-cum-dwelling places. This was stated here yesterday by Mr Joginder Singh, son of Giani Zail Singh. The structure would come up before December 25, the death anniversary of Giani Zail Singh, he said. He further said the Punjab Government had released a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the memorial and his family would spend the rest of the money. He regretted that the “samadhi” of Gianiji was yet to be built in Delhi, though a piece of land had already been allotted for the purpose. |
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Trains suspended BATALA, Oct 28 (PTI) — All trains in the Amritsar, Pathankot and Amritsar-Qadian railway sections of Ferozepore division of Northern Railway were suspended following the derailment of a train on the Pathankot-Jalandhar section last night. The suspended trains included the superfast train Ravi Express and ABP 1, ABP 2, ABP 3, ABP 4, ABP 5, ABQ 1 and ABQ 2. Meanwhile, Northern Railway today diverted all trains on the Jammu-Pathankot-Jalandhar section, including the Swaraj Express from Jammu to Pune, Jammu Mail, Jhelum Express, Pooja Express and Jammu Tawi Express through the Amritsar-Pathankot railway section. |
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Christians celebrate
“Masih Jayanti” JALANDHAR, Oct 28 — A group of 50 Christian cyclists from Amritsar ended their expedition after they reached Saint Mary Church in Jalandhar cantonment today with an aim to spread the message of peace. The cyclists who were carrying flags and placards with a message of world peace, had started their expedition from Sacred Heart Church in Amritsar at 7.30 a.m. today. They reached Saint Mary Church here in the evening. Mr Sadiqe Masih, a member of the group led by Father Daniel, said the expedition was a part of the ongoing “Masihi Jayanti” celebrations. |
Holiday in Bathinda
on October 30 BATHINDA, Oct 28 — Mr Jaspal Singh, District Magistrate, here has announced a local holiday on October 30 on the occasion of the death anniversary of Sant Baba Fateh Singh. A state-level function will be held at Badiala village on the occasion and all government, semi-government and educational institutes would remain closed on that day. This was stated by Mr Jaspal Singh in a press note issued here today. |
Dacoits strike house, kill 1, injure
9 PHILLAUR, Oct 28 — A gang of dacoits killed one person and injured nine others at Goraya in this subdivision last night. They decamped with cash and valuables. Seven dacoits struck the house of Piara Singh in
Goraya, the police said. Ms Surinder Kaur, sister-in-law of Mr Piara Singh, told the police that nine members of two families were asleep in the house when the gangsters, armed with iron rods and pipes, struck at around 2 a.m. She said when she, her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law who were sleeping in one room, raised the alarm on hearing the sound of footsteps in the verandah of the house, three gangsters entered the room. She said the intruders asked them to remove
jewellery. Despite handing over ears rings, a gold chain, a bracelet and five rings, they were hit with iron roads, she said. The Hindi-speaking gangsters, in their twenties and of medium built with cloth tied around their heads, then hit her brother-in-law, her father-in-law and the servant in the verandah, wounding them. They later assaulted Piara Singh’s sons Harvinder Singh and Pardeep Singh and her son Gurjit Singh. With all of lying wounded, the gangsters broke open all cupboards and ransacked the entire house and decamped with whatever cash and valuables they could
find. Piara Singh was shifted to Ludhiana’s DMC Hospital where succumbed to his injuries yesterday. The remaining eight were in a private hospital at
Goraya. The police, who had earlier registered a case under Sections 459 and 380 of the IPC would now revise the FIR after the death of Piara Singh. |
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2 killed in truck-car
collision TALWANDI SABO
(Bathinda), Oct 28 — Two persons were killed and two others injured in a truck-car collision that took place on the Talwandi-Maur road, about 6 km from here, yesterday. The deceased have been identified as Paramjeet Singh and his son Damanpreet Singh (6), who along with other members of the family were coming from Delhi to pay their obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib when the mishap
occurred. Mrs Kuldeep Kaur and Ms Ramit Kaur, wife and daughter of Paramjeet Singh, respectively, were injured. Sources said the driver of the truck had absconded. The sources added that Damanpreet Singh, who was sitting with his father in the front, died on the spot. The driver has been arrested from Maur Mandi and a case has been registered. |
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Four killed in
road mishaps MOGA, Oct 28 — Four persons were killed in different road accidents around the district during the past 24 hours. According to reports, two persons were killed on the Moga-Ludhiana road when a car and a truck collided head-on about 34 km from here. The deceased have not been identified so far. In another
accident, a farmer was killed when his tractor collided with a vehicle near Rajeana village, about 20 km from here, on the Moga Kotakpur road. A child was killed near Charik village in the district when he was run over by a scooter, according to reports reaching here. The police has registered a case and the bodies of the deceased have been sent for
post-mortem. |
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Residents
stab constable ROPAR, Oct 28 — A police constable, Pratap Singh, was seriously injured, after he was allegedly beaten up and stabbed in the stomach by residents of the Ucha Khera locality, when they found him roaming under mysterious circumstances and questioned him. The police reached the spot and took the constable to the Ropar Civil Hospital from where he was shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh. His condition is stated to be serious. A resident of the locality said the constable had illicit relations with a woman of the area and the residents had already warned many times on the issue. The SSP Ropar, Mr G.P.S. Bhullar, said the police was investigating the case. A case under Section 324 of the IPC has been registered against Dharminder Kumar, alias Babu, Jatinder, alias Bablu, and two more persons. |
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Gang leader
arrested AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — Kulbir, a leader of an inter-state gang of vehicle thieves, was arrested by the Majitha police and a Tata Safari, Maruti Zen, a .32 bore revolver with cartridges were seized. The accused of Sansra Kalan village, is also involved in a double-murder case committed in 1996. Mr Lok Nath Angra, SSP, said Kulbir Singh and his former accomplice Sukhdev Singh, alias Sukha Fauji of Khatrai Kalan village, had killed Kashmir Singh and Paramjit Singh in the Civil Lines area of Basant Avenue about four years back. The victims were going on a scooter when they were hit by a Gypsy driven by the gang. When the two fell down they were mercilessly beaten up with rods and sharpedged weapons and both succumbed to their injuries. Kulbir had faced a trial while Sukha absconded. The two got together after the trial in 1997 to from gang involved in stealing cars. Kulbir has been booked under Section 379/411, IPC. |
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Heroin worth 3.1 cr seized from
Samjauta Express AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — The customs staff seized about 3.1 kg of heroin worth Rs. 3.1 crore, from the Samjauta Express during an intensive checking drive yesterday. An Afghan national of Indian origin, Savinder Singh, has been arrested in this connection. The heroin was concealed in the layers and hidden pockets of two leather jackets. The soles of two pairs of shoes were also compartmentalised to stock the heroin. Addressing newspersons, Mr Rakesh Jindal, Deputy Commissioner, Customs, said the detection was possible because of intensive check and surveillance of the customs staff. Earlier on July 25, nearly 18.5 kg of heroin was seized from the Samjauta Express. |
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Man
posing as CBI officer arrested AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — A
person, allegedly posing as a CBI officer, has been caught by the
police. Bhupinder Singh (45) of Tehsilpura, allegedly posing as a high-ranking CBI officer, had asked Mr Gurinder Pal Singh, a dairy farm owner, to give him Rs 60,000 or face an inquiry on charges of adulteration. Gurinder gave him Rs 10,000 as advance payment. He later informed the police who caught the imposter from the Sharifpura dairy complex, when he came to collect the balance amount. According to the police, an amount of Rs 10,000 was recovered from the suspect, who is at present lodged in Central Jail. A case under Sections 171 and 420 of the IPC has been registered. |
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Four injured in firing PATIALA Police sources said some old enmity was the reason for the incident which occurred at around 8 p.m. They said four persons had been injured when hit by pellets of a .12 bore gun. They were identified as Rajinder Kumar, Rachhpal Singh and Rajinder Singh and Ram Pal. The sources said Dev Raj allegedly fired from the gun on the victims. They said earlier one of the party of the injured was called out of the Maharaja Marriage Palace by a son of Dev Raj. They said an altercation occurred following which the person was beaten up. This reportedly incensed those collected inside the marriage palace and they came out in a group following which Dev Raj first fired in the air and then hit the persons coming at him. The sources said Dev Raj had been arrested but three of his sons were absconding. They said a case had been registered under Sections 307, 143 and 149 of the IPC, besides Sections of the Arms Act. Meanwhile, doctors at the Government Rajindra Hospital here disclosed that one of the injured Ram Pal had been shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh, as his one eye had been badly affected by the pellets. |
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2 arrested on murder charge PATIALA District police chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu disclosed that two persons namely Shiv Kumar and Siri Ram, who are residents of Jattan Walla Chountra and Bishen Nagar, respectively, had been arrested by a police party led by Inspector Varinder Singh, SHO, Kotwali, and Sub-Inspector Amarjit Singh, in charge, Division Number 4. |
College teachers to
go on mass leave FEROZEPORE, Oct 28 — Irate members of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) have decided to go on mass casual leave to participate in a state-level protest rally to be held here on October 30. The PCCTU has threatened to cease work in eight colleges of Ferozepore and Moga districts. The rally is being held in protest against the state government’s “reluctance” to meet the accepted demands” of college teachers. These include payment of pension, gratuity and arrears, besides a grade of Rs 2,200 and Rs 4,000 to demonstrators and tutors, respectively. Apart from the payment of HRA to 48 rural colleges, UGC pay scales to 25 affiliated colleges are also being demanded by the teachers. Reminding the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine of the election promises, the district president of the union, Prof J.R. Prashar, said the state government had failed to bring a number of unaided colleges on the 95 per cent grant-in-aid list. On the day of the rally, the teachers have threatened to cease work at the local RSD College, Dev Samaj College, DAV College for Women, AD College at Dharamkot, DAV College at Jalalabad, DM College, GN College and SC College in Moga. |
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‘Make’ education more
relevant JALANDHAR, Oct 28 — The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prof P.K. Dhumal, today said that there was need for strong political will be transform education and make it more relevant to the needs of an individual, community and the nation. Prof Dhumal, who was the chief guest on the occasion of the convocation of the local MGN College of Education, said development in the field of higher education was uneven, hence a thorough reorganisation and reconstruction was essential. “All political parties must cooperate and join hands together in bringing about essential reforms in the interests of the country,” he said. The Chief Minister said though the national policy of education had laid emphasis on the removal of disparities, it was observed that 150 universities and 5,000 colleges in the country did not have the required infrastructure. For this, the State Council of Higher Education needed to prepare coordinated programmes to develop higher education in each state. Prof Dhumal said education had been accorded top priority by the Himachal Pradesh Government and the annual budget had been increased from Rs 350 crore in 1997-98 to Rs 778 crore in 2000-2001. He said in all 13,612 rooms would be constructed at a cost of Rs 126 crore by the end of 2002. He conferred degrees on students of the college. Mr R.S. Kumar, Principal of the college, read out the annual report. |
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Teachers resent
non-payment of salary TARN TARAN, Oct 28 — Resentment prevails among teachers of the Tarn Taran primary block education office as they have not been given October salary before Divali despite special instructions from the Punjab Government. Mr Ajmer Singh local block president, Government Teachers’ Union Punjab, in a press note issued here yesterday demanded departmental action against the BPEO, who failed to abide by the government instructions as a result of which the teachers could not get the salary. |
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B.Com results
tomorrow AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — The results of
B.Com. (I, II, and III) supplementary examinations of Guru Nanak Dev University held this month will be declared on October 30. According to Dr
R.S. Bawa, Registrar, copies of the gazette will be supplied to the registered book sellers the same evening. |
AIIMS rejects
Amritsar students AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — The AIIMS has rejected some MBBS students of Amritsar medical college who applied for admission in postgraduation courses on a technicality. Their certificate of internship does not have a completion date but merely states that the internship course started in January 1 and is a one year course. Taking a technical view of the matter AIIMS is rejecting all such cases. “A number of applicants face the predicament,” said Mr Satpal Dang veteran CPI leader. He added that more rejections were expected. Mr Dang has urged the Union Health Minister to intervene and ensure justice to students who are suffering for no fault of theirs. |
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Brickkiln owners not to pay tax AMRITSAR, Oct 28 — The Amritsar Brickklin Owners Association has decided not to pay Sales Tax for the month of November in protest against the “wrong policies” of the state government. A press statement, issued by Mr Inderjit Verma, president of the association, alleged that the Factory Act should not be enforced on brickkilns. He said the increase of 75 per cent of Sales Tax on brick- kilns was uncalled for. He also criticised the state government for imposing Rs 45 royalty on per 1000 of bricks. The press not threatened to gherao offices of Deputy Commissioners if the “just” demands were not met. |
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