Kanwaljit warns of WTO dangers
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 5 — “It is time India decides whether to be self-sufficient in foodgrains or to depend on food imports. It has also to choose between giving direct subsidies to farmers or importing agricultural products at poor farmers’ cost. Is the problem at hand one of food surplus? Or is it one of poor purchasing power of people in the matter of food? The shadow of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) portends dangers ahead for agriculture. If it poses new challenges, it also signals new crises, particularly for agriculturally developed states like Punjab”.

This is a quote from an interview with the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, here today. He has initiated a process to check decay in the agricultural economy, protect the interests of small farmers and ward off dangers ahead.

He said the Indian agricultural landscape was grey. While the “big” India lived in villages, a “small” segment of the urban elite had been administering it since Independence. Consequently, the nuances of agriculture, the plethora of problems that beset it and the requirements of rural development had never been comprehended in the right perspective. Agriculture “hasn’t had a pragmatic policy”.

“Punjab has now decided to speak up on behalf of the Indian peasantry and prepare a blueprint for New Delhi”, said Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who exploded the myth of the problem of surplus. It was a problem of deficit. he quoted a UNICEF report. “In India nearly 5,000 children die of malnutrition and related diseases every day”.

A recent estimate suggested that the poor spent about 40 per cent of their meagre incomes on cereals. Their well-being was directly related to the pricing of foodgrains, whose availability in India was a mere 180 kg per capita per annum compared to 308 kg per capita per annum in China.

Studies and surveys at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, indicated that India might have to start rice imports by 2005. The demand for rice would be as high as 132 million tonnes by 2020, as estimated by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

The cost of production of foodgrains was high. Profitability was low. Market and weather uncertainties persisted making agriculture a gamble. Farmers were denied direct subsidies. Yet India talked of competition and quality. There was an imbalance between agriculture and industry. The galloping population was another factor. The Economic Survey for 1996-97 showed the compound growth rate in food crop production, at the rate of 1.7 per cent between 1991 and 1996, was lower than the annual population growth rate of 1.9 per cent. For the first time since the advent of the Green Revolution the food production had failed to keep pace with the burgeoning population. India would have to double its food production.

If the fragmentation of holdings was on the rise due to population pressure, there was also an increase in the number of the landless. Against an average land holding of 2 hectares in 1976-77, the present size had shrunk to 0.2 hectares. The rapid expansion in the number of land holdings with less than 1 hectare under the plough meant an additional 6 lakh farmers opting out of land every five years or so. The number of rural landless had multiplied over the past few decades at an estimated rate of 2 million every year.

The terms of trade for agriculture had turned negative since 1971. Rural incomes declined by 12 per cent in real terms every year. The result more and more people migrated daily to the cities, which were getting choked. Slums were their gift.

The implications of the WTO on agriculture were being neither understood nor the realities appreciated despite danger signals from the approaching WTO regime.

The Finance Minister said: “Rice, milk, milk products and other agricultural commodities are highly protected in Japan, the USA, the European Union, Canada, etc. In India the tariff wall is low. In Japan, 700 per cent protection is on rice and 557 per cent on milk products.

“Therefore, the tariff rates of other countries should either be lowered (so that India can have access to those potential markets) or India should raise its tariffs and protect the agricultural economy to stop being treated as a dumping ground. India is bound for agricultural tariff at 100 per cent for raw commodities, 150 per cent for processed agricultural products and 300 per cent for edible oils”.

“We spent a staggering Rs 13,052.35 crore on the import of various agricultural commodities between April, 1998, and March, 1999, and Rs 12,881.50 crore between April, 1999, and March, 2000, as per Ministry of Commerce figures. Can we spare so much foreign exchange at the cost of our agricultural economy?” he asks.

Farmers would have to keep producing to survive. They needed “export” subsidies in addition to the existing incentives. Investment in agriculture had to increase and agriculture treated on a par with industry. Its role and contribution to the national economy and politics could not be ignored. It had to be accepted. The share of agriculture in the Five Year Plan was peanuts compared to industry. It was Rs 367 crore and Rs 801 crore, respectively, in the Eighth and Ninth Plans. For industry it was Rs 3,608 crore and Rs 2,765 crore, respectively.

Agriculture was the mainstay of the country’s development and political economy. But it had not been accorded the desired priority. The question was not how to deal with the surplus but how to eradicate poverty, end hunger and accrue purchasing power to the poor to get food at an affordable price. The interests of the producer were also to be protected.

Large food imports from countries in which the percentage of the population engaged in agriculture was very small and the available subsidies very large would destabilise India’s agricultural and political economy. There were apprehensions of cascading social tensions. India must debate on such issues, he warned.

SGPC election on Nov 30

chandigarh, Nov 5 (PTI) — The election for the presidentship of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) will take place on November 30, the day the term of its controversial incumbent, Bibi Jagir Kaur ends, a committee spokesman said today.

The filing of nominations will begin on November 9 with the issuance of a formal notification for the election to be held at a general body meeting at Teja Singh Samundari Hall in Amritsar, SGPC secretary Gurbachan Singh Bachan said in Amritsar.

Besides the president, the senior vice-president and junior vice-president will also be elected.

Asked about the whereabouts of Bibi Jagir Kaur, who has been named by the CBI in the fir registered in connection with the mysterious death of her daughter Harpreet Kaur, Mr Gurbachan Singh said, “She is somewhere in Punjab”.

She has remained incommunicado ever since the fir was registered last month. The other six named in the fir have been arrested.

The SGPC secretary said the election schedule has her approval. “She contacts me twice daily to pass on instructions,” he claimed.

He said 185 persons were on the SGPC electoral roll, including the five high priests.

Talwandi may not be the only candidate: Dhindsa
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Nov 5 — Union Sports Minister and senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa today said there could be other candidates besides senior Akali leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi in the race for the post of the SGPC chief.

Mr Talwandi, critic of the present incumbent, Bibi Jagir Kaur, whose term expires on November 30, had indicated yesterday at Chandigarh that he was ready to take up responsibility in the capacity of the SGPC chief.

Mr Dhindsa, who was speaking to mediapersons at the local Circuit House, said though a final decision regarding the selection of the candidate would be taken by the Political Affairs Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal, the possibility of other candidates in addition to Mr Talwandi could not be ruled out.

He said the PAC would discuss the issue during its forthcoming meeting to be held on November 19 or 20 after the return of Mr Badal from his foreign tour.

Exemption to pilgrims irks SGPC
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 — The SGPC has taken exception to the purported rail fare exemption to Sikh pilgrims who will be visiting Pakistan despite a ban by the SGPC.

Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Secretary, SGPC, said he would send a letter to the Central Government in this regard as such a move (exemption of rail fare) would strengthen the hands of ‘anti-national’ forces and the ISI since the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was headed by Mr Javed Nasir, a former ISI chief.

He said the SGPC had stopped sending jathas since April, 1999, in protest against the formation of the PGPC.

Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) has also decided to send a jatha to Pakistan would leave tomorrow from the Attari railway station.

The 101-member jatha will be led by Mr Jaswant Singh Rajindergarh an SGPC member. The deputy leader of the jatha would be Mr Bhag Singh, district jathedar (Ropar).

Besides, a jatha of 1,000 devotees being sent to Pakistan by Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna, a former president of the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, the Gurmat Gurbani Parcharak Sant Samaj and the Mardana Society.

The jatha would return on November 11.

No suitable claimant to honesty award!
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 — A sum of Rs 4 lakh has been announced in prize money for officers on vigilance duty who had helped to nab those indulging in corruption and bribery.

Interestingly, only two out of 16 caught while accepting bribes are officers. Both had accepted a bribe of Rs 2,000 each. While Amrik Singh, Tehsil Welfare Officer, Tarn Taran, had accepted a bribe of Rs 2,000 to clear a cheque for grant for an inter-caste marriage, the second officer Surinder Randhawa, Traffic Manager, Punjab Roadways Depot II, was also caught after he accepted bribe to write an inquiry report in favour of Sukhdev Raj a conductor from Mustafabad.

The others who landed in the “vigilance net” were patwaris of the revenue unit, clerks, draftsman of the Improvement Trust, three persons from the Punjab State Electricity Board. While the highest amount accepted as bribe was Rs 3,200 and the minimum was Rs 200, each of the 16 officers of vigilance was awarded a sum of Rs 25,000 each for nabbing the culprits.

However, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award for Honesty which has been announced by the Badal government has found no suitable candidate since the year 1997 when the award was announced.

Meanwhile, public awareness and cooperation at a higher scale was sought during the week-long vigilance and public awareness campaign initiated by the Vigilance range of Amritsar and Gurdaspur under the Superintendent of Police, Mr Rajinder Kumar Sharda, to eliminate the menace of corruption at all levels.

The Vigilance Department organised a prize distribution function in collaboration with the Rotary Club and the Anti-Corruption Board to honour those civilians who had helped in nabbing the corrupt officials and cash prizes were distributed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Mr Jaswinder Singh Ramdas, here.

Mr Ramdas exhorted people to unite to eradicate corruption. He reiterated the Government’s resolve to check and remove corruption at all levels.

Mr Rajinder Kumar Sharda, S.P. (Vigilance range, Amritsar) and Gurdaspur), said during the week- long campaign special seminars and painting competitions were organised in various schools, colleges, youth clubs and gram panchayats to create awareness among the people and to motivate them to join hands with the administration to nab the corrupt elements. He said a reward of Rs 50,000 will be given as a cash prize to a person who will help to nab a gazetted officer and Rs 25,000 each to a person for nabbing a class III employee.

Curb big papers’ hold: Jacob
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 — Expressing concern over the continued domination of big papers over small, medium and regional newspapers, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), Punjab Governor and Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, inaugurated a one-day seminar on “Future of print media — problems of regional press” at the university.

The Governor opined the tendency towards monopoly in the print media by large newspapers over smaller ones needed to be curbed.

“The print media has a great responsibility towards society and the people and it must respect the privacy of the people. The print media should be careful, not to indulge in conscious disinformation and character assassination. Yellow journalism should be completely discouraged. Fortunately, these apparitions are fairly rare today,” he said.

This seminar was jointly organised by Guru Nanak Dev University and the Press Council of India.

He stressed it was the duty of the newspaper to highlight the problems of health, education, housing, employment and general welfare. They also have a special responsibility towards women, children, the under privileged, economically backward segments of society, particularly people living in rural areas. Surely, they deserve priority, he added.

Talking about the print media in Punjab, he said it was very heartening to note that the newspapers being published in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English languages are playing an important role in the dissemination of information as also progress and prosperity of the state. He said Punjab and the brave Punjabis suffered the tragedy of Partition and other upheavals with courage and determination. The newspapers from Punjab played a commendable role in this complex developing environment. Newspapers in the state in the past few years deserved praise for fighting the forces of disruption and disharmony. They had contributed immensely to the rapid progress of this vital and progressive border state.

Justice P.B. Sawant, Chairman of the Press Council of India, in his keynote address emphasised that newspapers should act as teachers of society as they had social responsibility to educate the masses and not just concentrate on making profit.

Justice Sawant highlighted that the print media had an important role in bringing necessary changes in society to make it modern and scientifically oriented. This purpose, he opined, could be fulfilled by working on social reforms, inculcating the spirit of inquiry, scientific temper and independent thinking on every subject.

Mr Natha Singh Dalam, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Punjab, said the expansion of the Press has cast a great responsibility on those who run newspapers, particularly the editors. He said selection of facts in building up a story was as important as suppression of material points or overplay of certain facts may altogether affect objectivity. In writing news, apart from interpretation and evaluation one’s own point of view could lead to distortion and dilution of objectivity. He further said criticism of the government was unavoidable in a democratic society. Different points of view could be expressed and must prevail. Criticism should be healthy and constructive aiming to yield positive results in the larger interests of society. Criticism, he said, ceased to be objective when it did not take note of achievements alongside shortcomings.

Welcoming the Governor and other dignitaries and delegates taking part in the seminar, Dr H.S. Soch, university Vice-Chancellor, said the print media had played an important role in the freedom struggle and today was trying its utmost to highlight the problems facing the common man and the dangers posed by the electronic media and entrance of foreign media. Dr Soch said the future of the print media was bright as the reading habit continued.

Mrs Manorama Dewan, regional convener of the seminar, said the Press Council decided to hold the seminar in this historic city of Punjab. She thanked Guru Nanak Dev University, especially the Vice-Chancellor, for extending full cooperation for organising this important seminar here.

In the afternoon technical session, three research papers were read by Prof Avinash Singh, a noted journalist, Mr Kamlesh Duggal, in-charge of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Guru Nanak Dev University Regional Centre, Jalandhar, and Mr Satnam Manak from the Daily Ajit. This session was presided over by Mr Jagjit Singh Anand, chief editor of Nawan Zamana.

Communist leaders decry SAD-BJP govt
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, Nov 5 — The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal are two sides of the same coin, and both parties besides the Bharatiya Janata Party were adopting anti-people and playing “dirty selfish” politics in the state. These allegations were made by several Communist leaders addressing the death anniversary function of Comrade Sarwan Singh Cheema at Cheema village near here today. Comrade Mangat Ram Palsa, Lehmber Singh Taggar, Balwant Singh, Pishoura Singh and Comrade Bhagat Singh Bilga in their addresses made serious allegations on the working of the SAD-BJP government in Punjab.

The Communist leaders alleged that the Badal Government had failed to solve any problem, but it worked only to complicate the issues. They said after paddy crops, now wheat crop would also have to face similar situation. Communist leaders stressed the need for Third Front in present political situation of the country.

They appealed to all nationalist forces to come forward to the join third front to face the complicated situation.

‘Ripudaman was to play host to CM’
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 — Mr Simranjit Singh Mann has alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, had cancelled his visit to Canada at the eleventh hour as Mr Ripudaman Singh Malik, arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was one of his hosts.

Talking to TNS on the phone today, he described Mr Malik as a “great philanthropist” who could not indulge in inhuman activities like the bombing of an Air-India jet which was being piloted by a Sikh and when most casualities were those of Punjabis.

He further claimed that Mr Malik had been arrested at the behest of RAW to ‘lower’ the prestige of Sikhs all over the world. He said Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, and many other ministers would stay with Mr Malik whenever they visited Canada.

BKU decries Punjab Govt for corruption
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Nov 5 — At an emergency meeting of the members of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Kisan Union held here today and chaired by former president of Punjab unit of the BKU, Mr Kuldeep Singh Sandhu, criticised the Punjab Government for large scale corruption in almost all departments of the state governments and also government’s failure to check it. Mr Sandhu said that works of farmers and also other persons of all categories were done in the government offices only after the palm of officials of these departments was greased.

He said that largescale corruption in almost all departments particularly Police, Civil Supplies Department, Income Tax, Excise and Taxation, the Food Corporation of India, Markfed and in other various departments including Revenue Department and the PSEB had been reported and the government had failed to check it and also take action against corrupt officials stop.

He said, that if no action was taken against the corrupt officials in these departments the state’s, economy would be ruined and entire responsibility would be on the government he said. He said that it was high time to make those departments corruption-free otherwise people of the state will not tolerate it.

Precious gems missing from Temple store?
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 — Mr Puran Singh Josh, a senior ruling party member of the SGPC has alleged that precious stones, including diamonds, and ornaments had been found missing from the store of the Golden Temple. Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Secretary SGPC, however denied this.

In a press statement here today, Mr Josh alleged that the jewellery, given as offering by the ‘sangat’, had remained untouched till Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra was President of the SGPC. He said the precious jewellery was kept in the store on August 23 and 24, 1996.

He alleged five of the six trunks were taken atop ‘Darshani Deori’ and opened in his presence. However, the keys of the sixth box were found missing. He claimed the lock on the trunk was broken on his insistence. To the surprise of everybody, the box was found empty.

The press note alleged that the box was opened in the presence of 20 or 25 staff members of the SGPC.

Mr Josh said he had sent a note to the Secretary, SGPC, on October 31 and warned him to “reveal all” by November 4 or else he would go to the press.

“To my surprise, I have received a reply that the precious stones and jewellery in the toshakhanna are in tact whereas I had mentioned jewellery in the inner storehouse of the Golden Temple, Mr Josh said.

He alleged that the President of the SGPC and senior staff members of the SGPC were involved in the ‘missing’ of precious stones but the matter was being hushed up. He demanded that the “toshakhana” items be counted.

However, the Secretary of the SGPC denied that the precious stones were missing.

“Punjabi week” celebrated
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 5 — The district Likhari Sabha celebrated the “Punjabi week” at Bachat Bhavan here today. Mr B.S. Sudan Deputy Commissioner inaugurated the district level function. He stressed the need to promote the mother tongue. He said since our birth, whatever we learn in the leap of mother is called mother tongue. He said national language had its own importance, but we should not disown our mother language. He assured to use Punjabi in official work.

On this occasion Dr Harchand Singh Sirhindi, a renowned writer read his paper on “The Importance of Mother Tongue”. He said Punjabi is a complete language and had been considered on 14th position and should change our thinking towards Punjabi language.

Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha, a Punjabi writer and head of the Commerce Department Mata Gujri College, Prof Anoop Virk from Mohindra College Patiala and Sudhir Kumar Sudhir also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the district Press Club has strongly criticised the behaviour of District Language Officer towards Mr Jai Krishan APRO. The Language Officer allegedly used indecent language forwards the APRO when he visited his office. The Press Club in a resolution said that he, who himself uses foul language, how he can be a District Language Officer.

Income tax counter for senior citizens
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Nov 5 — The Income Tax Department opened a special counter for senior citizens at the receipt counter of the department's head office here today.

In a press release, Mr R.K. Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Income Tax (Administration) said that all senior citizens above the age of 65 will be able to file their returns at this counter without having to stand in the general queue and their applications would be dealt strictly on a priority basis. 

Kids given polio drops 
From Tribune Reporters

MANSA, Nov 5 — The pulse polio immunisation programme to administer polio drops to children between the age 0-5 years was carried out vigorously in the region with help from voluntary organisations today.

Reports of administering polio drops to children were received from Fatehgarh Sahib, Panipat, Bathinda, Phagwara, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Barnala, Faridkot, Phillaur, Goraya and Ropar.

In Haryana, state Governor launched the campaign at the MD University campus, Rohtak today. Reports of the campaign have been received from Sirsa and Sonepat.

Eye donation gives sight to two
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Nov 5 — Mr Kaur Singh (33) and Mrs Gyan Kaur (25) who had turned blind 10 years and one year ago, respectively, now can see the world with their both eyes. Thanks to late Dogar Das Dhawan whose eyes were transplanted to both of them after his death.

Doctors of the local Mahavir Dal Hospital transplanted corneas of late Dhawan to both patients. Mr Kaur Singh and Mrs Gyan Kaur who hail from different places of this district were the happiest persons on earth when bandages were removed from their eyes after one week.

Mrs Gyan Kaur who had lost her left eye due to an injury said that now she could see the world with her both eyes and added that earlier it was very difficult for her to move. “Now I will make efforts to inspire people to donate their eyes after the death”, she said.

Residents’ plea to issue new notes
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Nov 5 — A large number of local residents, including businessmen and industrialists, complained yesterday that almost all local branches of National Bank were refusing to accept the soiled currency which in was circulation for the past several months.

They told mediapersons that the currency notes of Rs 1 and 10 denomination which were in circulation were in very bad condition and the government had failed to issue new currency to banks in this district.

They urged the government to issue new currency notes or to direct these banks to accept the old soiled notes.

Farmers complain of canal water shortage
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Nov 5 — Farmers of various villages in Moga district today complained that they have been facing an acute shortage of canal water although farm operations for rabi sowing in this district had started by them. 

They further said that the Kingwan canal passing through several villages in this district including Bhekha Wadaghar Chhotaghar Jaimalsingwala Langaananwan Langaanapurana and others did not have sufficient water which could serve their purpose. They have demanded that the Kingwan canal should be made perennial and if it was not done the farmers in this region would be hit hard due to an acute shortage of canal water.

3 get burns as cylinder leaks
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Nov 5 — Three persons of Mehmasawai village of the district suffered severe burns when gas leaked from a kitchen cylinder and caught fire.

Civil Hospital sources said Sandeep Kaur (25), her daughter Sarbjot Kaur (5) and son Navjot Singh (3) suffered severe burns on their faces. However, they were saved by other members of the family on raising an alarm.

The injured were taken to Goniana Health Centre immediately and given first-aid. All injured were then shifted to the local Civil Hospital.

Rotarians vow to serve humanity
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Nov 5 — Mr Rajinder Taneja, District Governor, Rotary District 3090, which includes nine districts of Punjab, four of Haryana, and eight of Rajasthan, said the Rotary Clubs, this year, would undertake 12 development projects, while addressing a press conference here yesterday.

He said the Rotarians, should work with the motto of the Rotary i.e. “Create Awareness and Take Action”. He also gave details of the number of clubs working under the R.I. District 3090.

The Club is celebrating Dental Care fortnight at the local Civil Hospital Mr Taneja said the Club would provide dentures to 100 persons.

Rotarian Taneja said for the pulse polio drive every club had been given a grant of Rs 4000 and added that more monetary help would be given for this kind of project.

Rotarian Parshottam Bansal, President, Rotary Club, Bathinda Cantonment, gave the details of the development activities and said the club and the members were ever ready for the service of the people and the community and that the club would take-up immunisation programmes for different diseases in the near future.

AIYF to hold rally on Sarabha’s anniversary
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Nov 5 — The All-India Youth Federation (AIYF), Punjab unit, will hold a state-level “Prapti Chetna Rally” on the eve of birthday of martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha on November 17 at Ludhiana to impress upon the state government to formulate a comprehensive policy for the upliftment of the unemployed youth in the state.

Mr Pawan Preet, general secretary, AIYF, Faridkot unit, at a press conference here today said nearly 50,000 youth from all over the state, would participate in the rally. The rallyists would demand from the state government an allowance for the unemployed.

The protesters would also lay stress on improving the educational system besides providing free education to all up to senior secondary. A demand to appoint a teacher against the strength of 22 students in each class would also be put before the government, said the general secretary.

Shadipur is convenor of Kamboj Sabha 
Tribune News Service 

PATIALA, Nov 5 — Social worker Bhupinder Singh Shadipur has been nominated convenor of the Punjab Kamboj Sabha and entrusted with the responsibility of setting up district and block level bodies of the dabha throughout the state.

Mr Kamboj said the bodies of the Punjab Maha Sabha would be elected both at the district and block level within six months. He said following this, elections to the state body would be held on the pattern of the Haryana Kamboj Sabha.

Mill to start cane crushing
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Nov 5 — Boiler-firing has been ignited at the local sugar mill be start the cane crushing from November 14.

Mr Jarnail Singh Wahid, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the new management, Wahid Sandhar Sugars Ltd, and Mr Arun Bhagat, mill’s Executive Director, today said 45 lakh quintal of cane would be crushed clearing the arrears of cane growers. Already, Rs 1 crore had been paid and the remaining about 5 crore would be cleared by the end of this month, said Mr Bhagat.

The mill deals with 27,000 cane growers. The old management had declared to close the mill and cane growers had been protesting against it. They were worried over the payment of their arrears.

The new management, with a view to improving cane quality and developing early seed varieties, would set up seed-cum-research farms at Nihalgarh, Uchapind and Pandwa villages, added Mr Wahid.

Naik cremated with honours

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 5 (UNI) — Body of Naik Gurmit Singh of Rasoolpur village, 27 km from here, who died fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir, was brought to his native village here today.

Last rites were performed with military honours. The Punjab police also paid their tributes. Deputy Commissioner B.S. Soodan was present at the cremation ground to pay respects to the martyr.

Several villagers, panches and sarpanches also attended the cremation. 

Lok Adalat settles 311 cases
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Nov 5 — A total of 311 cases were decided in the Lok Adalat held here today. The Lok Adalat was presided over by the Mr S.N. Aggarwal, District Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority.

Mr A.K. Singla, Secretary of the Legal Services Authority, and Civil Judge (senior division), informed that Rs 2.5 lakh was disbursed in cases which were related with motor accidents. Fifteen marriage cases and five cases pertaining to bank loans were also decided on the occasion.

Mr Singla added that in such adalats sensitive cases relating to crime were normally not taken up but all other cases, including those relating to matrimonial disputes, bank loans and those falling under the Motor Vehicle Act were decided on the spot.

Lok Adalat settles 116 cases
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Nov 5 — Rupees 52.34 lakh by way of compensation was awarded by three Lok Adalats which settled 116 cases out of 154 cases here yesterday. Mr Harbhajan Das, Additional Civil Judge Senior Division, Mrs Anshul Kakkar, Civil Judge Junior Division and Pritam Singh SDM presided over these lok adalats respectively, according to a press note Mr Gurdev Singh District and Sessions Judge Kapurthala declared that these lok adalats aimed at settling cases through “razinamas”, added the Press note.

RSS awareness drive starts
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Nov 5 — The RSS started its rashtra jagran abhiyan throughout the country from today. Claiming this, the RSS’s divisional assistant president, Lala Balwant Rai Gupta, and the district general secretary, Dr Yogender Paul Sharma, told mediapersons here today that Sangh activists would reach all localities, towns and cities, besides all villages of the country to contact people during this month. They claimed literature of RSS activities was being distributed to the people. Dr Sharma claimed the rashtra jagran abhiyan and gaon gaurav abhiyan would continue even after the completion of this campaign on November 26.

Faux pas on AIR
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Nov 5 — In a goof, the Punjabi news bulletin broadcast at 1.10 pm today from All India Radio, Mr Amarjit Singh Chawla, the newly appointed member of the Punjab Public Service Commission, was mentioned as a member of the Punjab ‘Police’ Service Commission.

Mr Chawla was sworn in yesterday.

The gaffe was neither regretted nor corrected during the five-minute news bulletin.

Border vigil intensified
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Nov 5 — Taking a serious note of the spurt in the cross-border activities and the sinister designs of the ISI, the vigil along the Indo-Pak border has been intensified. This was stated by Mr Bakshi Ram, IG, Border Range, Amritsar, during an informal chat with newsmen here today.

The IG admitted that there were some vulnerable spots along the border which were sometimes successfully used by infiltrators and other anti-social elements. He said most of the infiltration was being done in the Jammu sector in Jammu and Kashmir and fencing would be done there soon. About the increase of the army movement on the Pakistan side of the border, he said that it was a routine affair during the winters when the Army on both sides start exercise. He said the vigil along the border had been intensified.

Proposals to check GT Road mishaps
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Nov 5 — Mr S.P. Sethi, former district unit secretary of the Rotary International, in a representation to the DGP, Punjab, Mr Sarabjit Singh, has mooted four suggestions for checking avoidable accidents on the G.T. Road.

Mr Sethi suggested that the tractor-trailors plying without tail-lamps should be allowed to run only in the day and, if possible, prohibited on the G.T. Road. There should be no relaxation for tractor drivers, majority of whom are untrained, underage and without licences, continued Mr Sethi, presently principal aide to the District Rotary Governor.

Spot fines on traffic rule violators, manning of unmanned road crossings and a dividing line on the G.T. Road for fast and slow vehicles have also been demanded by Mr Sethi. He also drew the DGP’s attention to truck drivers who don’t give side to overtaking vehicles. A copy of the representation had also been sent to the Chief Secretary, Punjab.

Panel formed to verify NGO claim

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 (UNI) — The District Commissioner has constituted a panel of experts to verify the authenticity of claims made by the Punjab Environment and Heritage Society, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the restoration of historic sites, which says it has identified the hillock on the banks of the Sutlej where Maharaja Ranjit Singh had positioned his cannon to check the British.

The hillock facing the bridge over the Sutlej near Ropar district was identified on the basis of broken flagposts found there pertaining to the Maharaja’s period. An Urdu couplet dedicated to Ranjit Singh was found written on one of these posts, society president Gurbax Singh Shergill told UNI. A former Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board said the society had asked the Punjab Cultural Affairs Department to take steps to conserve the hill and declare it as Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hill Park.

He claimed that members of the society had also discovered two wells, dating back to the 18th century, within 3 km of the hill. As per historical records, these wells were used by the army of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur during his struggle against the Mughals.

The society has already taken up for conservation the fort and haveli of Sham Singh at Attari village close to Wagah border. Sham Singh, a general in Ranjit Singh’s army, fought valiantly against the British at the Battle of Sabhraon in Ferozepore district.

Trader cheated of 16 lakh, 1 held
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Nov 5 — A local businessman, Mr Sandeep Gulati, owner of Gulati Electronics, has accused two traders of Moga, Narinder Bajaj and Kishore Bajaj, of duping him. He alleged that he had given them more than Rs 16 lakh for getting him agencies of Whirlpool India Limited and Voltas Limited Allwyn unit.

According to Mr Gulati, the traders approached him and asked if he wanted the said agencies. Mr Gulati arranged the money, which was given to them in the form of demand drafts worth Rs 14.5 lakh in favour of the said companies. he alleged he gave Rs 2 lakh as bribe to them to secure the agencies for him.

After a few months, when there was no intimation from the companies, he grew suspicious. Mr Gulati approached Bajaj but first he kept evading the issue and finally refused to return the amount.

According to Mr Gulati, he contacted the local police station but no action was taken. He then moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The high court directed the local Senior Superintendent of Police to look into the complaint and take necessary action. The police registered a case under Sections 420, 120-B and 406 of the IPC, raided the residence of the traders and took Narinder Bajaj in custody whereas Kishore Bajaj escaped.

The SP (H), Mr Narinder Pal Singh, said that the case had been entrusted to the Anti-Fraud Department for further investigations and Narinder Bajaj had been given two-day police remand. he has been admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

Start night school for beggars: Jacob
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 5 — An emotionally charged Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), today directed the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, to start a night school for child beggars who have been ‘weaned’ away from a life of begging towards education. The 54 children presented a small skit at the Circuit House wherein they gradually made a transition from raunchy filmi numbers like ‘Tamma Tamma’ to ‘Jai Hind and Jai Desh’, thanks to the education they are now getting in Gol Bagh Government School.

The Governor suggested a night school for such children so that they could meet the financial needs of their families in the mornings and study at night.

Besides, 12 parents of girls who had become victims of dowry death and the persons who are to be displaced from the mental hospital area met the Governor to seek redressal of their problems. Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, BJP MLA, also apprised the Governor of the fact that cases by certain aggrieved families had either not been registered or were being delayed by the police.

For instance, the case of murder of bank manager Naresh Mahajan has till now not been solved and no arrests have been made in the case so far.

In a statement she said she was forced to bring such cases to the notice of the Governor as the local administration and police did little to mitigate crime in the district. She claimed that at latest 45 dowry deaths had taken place in the district this year.

Regarding those fearing displacement after the completion of the proposed road to the mental hospital, the Governor directed the Deputy Commissioner to look into their problem sympathetically and rehabilitate those who had been staying in the area for the past 40 years.

Both the SSP, Mr Parampal Singh Sidhu, and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinder Jit Singh, were given instructions to monitor crime.

Drawing to be elective subject again
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Nov 5 — The Punjab government has decided to restart drawing as elective subject in the middle and matric level examinations.

Disclosing this, Mr Harbhajan Singh Dhindsa, state president of the Government Classical and Vernacular Teachers Union Punjab, said here today the government had accepted the demand of teachers union to reform the education system. He said the Secretary, Punjab Government Education Department, had issued official letter to the Secretary, Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, to make arrangements to implement the government’s decision. Mr Dhindsa said separate instructions were also issued to resume the examination of health physical education. He thanked the Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, and the Education Secretary for accepting the demand of union in letter and spirit. The union has summoned a convention at Patiala to chalk out further line of action for the implementation of other demands of the union.

‘Youth parliament’ concludes
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Nov 5 — The 13th Chandigarh region one-day ‘youth parliament’ debate among the students of Central schools organised by the Union Parliamentary Affairs Ministry concluded here yesterday.

During the three-hour proceedings, the ruling party members highlighted the achievements, future plans and policies of the Central Government while the Opposition speakers criticised the Union Government for its failure on all fronts. They particularly decried the Centre’s poor economic policies and rise in corruption. They also criticised the attacks on minority communities in the country.

In his presidential address, Mr Joseph Zacharias, Section Officer, Parliamentary Affairs, New Delhi, said the Union Government had launched a special programme to inculcate a sense of discipline, social service and patriotism among youngsters by organising debates and seminars regularly.

As many as 13 regional centres — Chandigarh, Bhohal, Lucknow, Calcutta, Silcher, Jabalpur, Jammu and Kashmir, Jaipur, Chennai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad — have been selected to monitor the programme regularly. Students from 54 Kendriya Vidyalayas in the Chandigarh region participated in the debate.

The local Kendriya Vidyalaya got the first prize.

Teachers to hold protest march
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Nov 5 — Teachers of non-government colleges of Bathinda and Mansa districts will organise a “save higher education march” in the city to press for the acceptance of their demands.

Stating this in a press note issued here today, Mr Y.R. Handa, district president of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, alleged that higher education had been reduced to a business and the government was not encouraging higher education.