Thursday, November 16, 2000,
Chandigarh, India





punjab
P U N J A B

Court orders Nishan Singh’s medical check-up
PATIALA , Nov 15 — The CBI’s Special Magistrate, Mr Jaspinder Singh Heyer today ordered the medical examination of Nishan Singh , the personal security officer of the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur who is an accused in the Harpeet death case , after his counsel claimed that he had been up badly beaten by the CBI during investigation of the case .

Common enemy made Kukku, Sheetal close
DHARAMKOT (Moga), Nov 15 — Enmity with slain Congress leader Harmesh Kumar Mukhija brought ruling Akali Dal legislator Sheetal Singh close to Gurbux Singh Kukku, who is wanted in the murder of the deceased.

North zone state CMs to meet in Dec
RAMPURA PHUL, Nov 15 — The Chief Ministers of states falling in the North zone will meet in December at Chandigarh to discuss matters relating to economic development, infrastructure development and production, marketing and storage of surplus foodgrains in the zone.

POLITICS

Mittal rules out mid-term poll
SUNAM, Nov 15 — Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, Punjab, announced that the SAD-BJP alliance would contest the next general assembly elections. He said the alliance would again form the government in the state as it had a common programme.



YOUR TOWN
Amritsar
Bathinda
Chandigarh
Jalandhar
Kapurthala
Moga
Patiala
Sangrur


EARLIER STORIES

 
COMMUNITY

Railways to develop new toilet systems
JALANDHAR, Nov 15 — The Indian Railways is considering to replace open-ended toilets in trains.

Cracks develop in houses
BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Residents of Poojanwala mohalla of this town have started leaving their dwellings following cracks in the roofs and walls of their houses.

‘Fight criminalisation of politics’
CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Dr Joginder Dayal, Secretary of the Punjab unit of the CPI, has given a call to all democratic and progressive forces in the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and other political parties to come together to fight against criminalisation of politics.

Visas being refused to Ahmadiyas
AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — Mr Krishan Ahmed spokesman for the Anjuman Ahmadiya has said that several persons from foreign countries desirous of attending the two-day conference at Qadian from tomorrow were being refused visas by the Central Government.

PSEB staff hold rally
CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Thousands of employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board here today held a demonstration and rally to protest against the Union Government’s move to introduce the Electricity Bill 2000 in the forthcoming session of Parliament.

BSF-Pak Rangers meeting from Nov 20
AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — A 10-member delegation of BSF, the CPWD and the Survey of India will visit Lahore form November 20 to 23 to participate in the bi-annual conference of the BSF and the Pak Rangers.

50,000 workers to be examined at free medical camps
CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Punjab Government, as a goodwill gesture, has decided to extend the facility of free one-time medical examination of workers employed in hazardous industries in the state.

Addl Central aid for Punjab
CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Planning Commission has approved additional Central assistance of Rs 6.40 crore for the Punjab Government for the creation of infrastructural facilities in border areas .

Book released
CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Punjab Local Government Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, today released a book, “Municipal Administration”, written by S.S. Dhaliwal, Technical Director, State Urban Development Authority.

ADMINISTRATION

Construction of 16 shops stopped
JALANDHAR, Nov 15 — The Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has ordered halt on the construction of 16 shops allegedly being built by two Congress councillors on the Waqf Board land at the Gazigulla road here.

Residents urged to help check thefts

CRIME

Insurance companies defrauded
BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Insurance companies must ensure that claims filed for the compensation of stolen vehicles, are genuine.

Theft in Durgiana Temple
AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — A theft took place at Durgiana Temple last night. The golak of the temple was found broken near the back of the parikarma. The theft came to light when the doors of the temple were opened at 4 a.m.

EDUCATION

Students’ unions come together
BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Various students’ unions of this district at a meeting decided to come together in support of students’ demands. 

Apeejay wins trophy at women’s fest
AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, won the A-division championship at the Guru Nanak Dev Univesity women’s youth festival which concluded here today on the university premises.

BUSINESS

‘Sunday sale’ a big draw
BATHINDA: Although two and four-wheelers have always been sold in the second-hand market but the trend of Sunday sale is fast catching up in this city. One can get any second-hand vehicle through contacts such as workshops, mechanics, spare-part dealers, etc but the Sunday sale offers a wider choice and one can check a large number of vehicles at one place. Hence it becomes easy to pick the best.

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Court orders Nishan Singh’s medical check-up
Tribune News Service

PATIALA , Nov 15 — The CBI’s Special Magistrate, Mr Jaspinder Singh Heyer today ordered the medical examination of Nishan Singh , the personal security officer of the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur who is an accused in the Harpeet death case , after his counsel claimed that he had been up badly beaten by the CBI during investigation of the case .

Nishan ‘ s counsel Satnam Singh Cler submitted the affidavit of Kamaljit Singh , a friend of the accused who had met him at the Central Jail , in which it was claimed that Nishan had bruises all over his body . The affidavit said Nishan had shown blue marks on various parts of his body to Kamaljit when he went to meet him in jail yesterday .

The affidavit claimed that Nishan had not told the court of the beating given to him by the investigating agency as he had been threatened that the CBI would ask for his further remand if he complained in this regard . The affidavit claimed that Nishan had bruises on his shoulders , back and hands .

Following submission of the affidavit , the Special CBI Magistrate ordered the medical examination of Nishan Singh . The examination will be conducted by a panel of doctors of Government Medical hospital here . The court directed that the medical examination be conducted today itself.
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Bibi’s supporters hold ‘deepmala’
From Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

BEGOWAL (Kapurthala), Nov 15 — Jubilant over the grant of interim bail to the SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, in the Harpreet murder case, her anxious supporters organised a “deepmala”, distributed “laddoos” and burst fire-crackers in some parts of the townships on Wednesday night.

A group of nearly 200 supporters described the development as “victory” of Bibi Jagir Kaur and expressed hope that she would come out of the crisis. They criticised Kamaljit Singh, a youth from Begowal who had claimed that he had married Bibi Jagir Kaur’s daughter, Harpeeet, for raking up the issue of Harpreet’s “natural death”.

The SGPC chief’s sister Ravail Kaur, said she had talked to her sister and she was in high spirits.

Kamaljit’s family has been facing boycott by the supporters of Bibi Jagir Kaur. Yesterday afternoon, tension gripped the town after Kamaljit asked a TV channel crew to interview a relative of Nishan Singh staying in a house opposite to that of Kamaljit’s. This was followed by a verbal duel between Kamaljit’s mother and Nishan Singh’s aunt, who has been named by the CBI as a chief co-conspirator in the Harpreet death case. The situation was brought under control only after the SSP, Mr Iqbal Singh, asked the DSP to visit the spot.
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Mood upbeat in SGPC office
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — Mood at the SGPC office is upbeat after anticipatory bail was granted to Bibi Jagir Kaur today. Sweets were distributed to visitors at the SGPC office.

However, speculation abounds about the chances of Bibi Jagir Kaur continuing as SGPC president.

SGPC members who visited the office, when asked about their support to Bibi Jagir Kaur for a second term, said they would abide by the decision of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Even SGPC general secretary Hardalbir Singh Shah did not wish to speculate on her second term. He said he would follow the orders of Mr Badal.

The return of Mr Badal is being eagerly awaited. He is expected to land in India at midnight. On conditions of anonymity, the SGPC members said Bibi Jagir Kaur’s political career lay in the hands of the political affairs committee (PAC). The meeting of the PAC is likely to take place by November 21 to decide the candidate for the post of SGPC president. This was stated by Mr Sukhbir Badal, General Secretary, SAD, during his visit here on November 11.
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Mann: quiz Badal in Harpreet case
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, Nov 15 — Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President of the Akali Dal (Amritsar) and MP from Sangrur, has demanded the interrogation of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in the Harpreet death case.

He has also asked the Punjab police to hand over the SPGC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, to the CBI since it knows her whereabouts.

Talking to mediapersons here last afternoon, Mr Mann alleged that Mr Badal was also involved in the conspiracy of destroying evidence related to Harpreet’s death. He alleged that Mr Badal had “influenced” the authorities not to conduct a post-mortem examination of the deceased and should thus be interrogated.

He also appealed to Bibi Jagir Kaur to surrender in view of the registration of a CBI case against her under Section 302 of the IPC.

He urged the Union Government to increase the MP’s Local Area Development Fund from the existing Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore. He said Rs 2 crore was insufficient as it did not allow him to serve all 740 villages of his parliamentary constituency.

Welcoming the allocation of the Chemicals and Fertiliser Ministry to Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, he urged the Prime Minister to give him an important portfolio like defence, foreign affairs, home and finance. He also demanded one more berth of a minister of state in the Union Cabinet for an Akali MP.

Mr Mann also asked the Punjab Government to announce the price of sugarcane immediately. He said this price should be at least Rs 120 per quintal.

He demanded the appointment of a Sikh judge to the Supreme Court.
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SSF (Mehta) seeks Bibi’s resignation
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Nov 15 — The pro-Shiromani Akali Dal Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) has advised SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur to resign in the wake of framing of murder charges against her.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Sarchand Singh alleged that Bibi Jagir Kaur had taken “undue advantage of the laxity” shown by the SAD chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal.

He said the only way left for her to win the sympathy of the Sikhs was to tender her resignation at the first instance.
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Common enemy made Kukku, Sheetal close
From Gurpreet Singh
Tribune News Service

DHARAMKOT (Moga), Nov 15 — Enmity with slain Congress leader Harmesh Kumar Mukhija brought ruling Akali Dal legislator Sheetal Singh close to Gurbux Singh Kukku, who is wanted in the murder of the deceased. Kukku is one of the five assailants, who allegedly murdered Mukhija here on November 13 and has absconded. Although he is also a Congress activist, a personal grouse against Mukhija brought him closer to the SAD MLA.

The relatives of the deceased leader have accused him of teaming up with Sheetal Singh to settle old scores. They allege that both Sheetal Singh and Kukku found a common enemy in Mukhija and struck an unholy alliance to eliminate him. While Sheetal Singh felt a potential threat to his political career from Mukhija, Kukku was annoyed with the deceased for getting a case of murder registered against him several years ago.

The Dharamkot Municipal Council elections held here in June last saw the two men teaming up against Mukhija to wrest control on the nagar panchayat. During that period, a case of attempt to murder was also registered against Mukhija, allegedly at the behest of these two men.

Des Raj, a brother of the deceased, alleged that Mukhija was deceived by Kukku. Interestingly, Sheetal Singh has also admitted that Kukku was his supporter. These developments have baffled both the police and political observers.

While the police says that its immediate priority is to catch Kukku and the other accused in the murder, sources in the department do not rule out the possibility of Mukhija being a victim of conspiracy within the Congress.

A section of police officers pointed out that Mukhija also had a tussle with serveral colleagues within the Congress. “Possibility of somebody having taken the advantage of Mukhija’s dispute with Sheetal Singh cannot be ruled out”, the district police chief, Mr Sharad Satya Chauhan, said. He, however, hastened to add that the immediate concern of the police was to arrest Kukku and his accomplices.

Asked whether Sheetal Singh would also be questioned, he replied, “Let us arrest Kukku and interrogate him first”. Sheetal Singh, who had pleaded not guilty, has alleged the involvement of a third force to malign his image in public eye. He had earlier expressed willingness to face a probe.
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MP to raise murder issue in Lok Sabha
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Senior Vice-President of the PPCC, and Member, Parliament, yesterday said that he would raise the matter relating to the murder of Congress leader Harmesh Mukhija at Dharamkot allegedly by his political rival in the Lok Sabha in the coming session.

Talking to TNS from Delhi on phone, he alleged that he would also meet the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and urge him to ensure the security and safety of Congress workers in Punjab who were being murdered under well-planned conspiracies by their political rivals.

He said if the Punjab Government did not make any arrangement for stopping the physical elimination of Congress workers, the party would launch an agitation. He added that there were no human rights of Congress workers in Punjab under the rule of Mr Parkash Singh Badal.

He pointed out that the murder of Mukhija who was under threat from his political rivals took place because of the fact that the authorities concerned denied him adequate security on the one hand and on the other, the persons involved in the murder of his son were never arrested by the police.
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North zone state CMs to meet in Dec
Tribune News Service

RAMPURA PHUL, Nov 15 — The Chief Ministers of states falling in the North zone will meet in December at Chandigarh to discuss matters relating to economic development, infrastructure development and production, marketing and storage of surplus foodgrains in the zone.

For preparing the agenda of the special meeting, the Punjab Government has been consulting the CII, and other trade, industrial and agricultural organisations. Matters relating to economic planning of the zone will also be discussed at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has constituted a disinvestment commission headed by Mr Ashok Lahiri to study the present state of state-owned corporations. The commission will present its report regarding corporations which are running into loss.

The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who was here yesterday to preside over the annual prize distribution function of a local school, said in the annual plan for 2001, there would be a considerable increase in the funds as compared to funds earmarked for the current annual plan.

The Punjab Government had been making special efforts to reduce the expenditure and due to these efforts, the financial position of Punjab had become strong, he said. In the next plan, Rs 1,500 crore would be spent on the construction of over 22 bridges and six main roads, he added.

He said the state government’s policy regarding crop rotation would be announced only after the Central Government announced its food production and agriculture policy. He said a high-level committee headed by Mr Y.K. Jha had been formed which would hold talks with the Agriculture and Commerce Ministries of the Central Government.

Earlier, the Finance Minister said the state government would start computer courses in 700 schools. More than 1,000 government schools would be upgraded in the current financial year, he added.

Mr Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, was present on the occasion.
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Mittal rules out mid-term poll
From Our Correspondent

SUNAM, Nov 15 — Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, Punjab, announced that the SAD-BJP alliance would contest the next general assembly elections. He said the alliance would again form the government in the state as it had a common programme.

Mr Mittal talking to mediapersons here on Monday said the statements of the Congress leadership regarding mid-term poll in the state were baseless.

Regarding various problems being faced by the rice millers, Mr Mittal said he had a meeting with the representatives of rice millers yesterday and discussed the shortage of space, damage and discolouring of paddy with them.

Mr Mittal said he had a meeting with the Union Food Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar, regarding the shortage of space for storing rice. The union minister had assured him that the rice lying in the stores in Punjab would be shifted to other states in the near future.

Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, the local MLA, urged the minister to provide funds for the development of the Sunam assembly constituency.
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Railways to develop new toilet systems
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Nov 15 — The Indian Railways is considering to replace open-ended toilets in trains.

According to environmentalists human faces causes pollution and diseases in the areas along the railway tracks.

In a letter to the Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, a local environmentalist, Dr H.R. Sehdeora, had suggested that the Railways should attach stainless steel tanks, resembling the ones used in aeroplanes, to store human waste, which could be discharged later on into sewerage systems on railway stations or converted into organic fertilisers.

Admitting that the old toilets were not environment-friendly, the Ministry of Railways, in a communication to Dr Sehdeora, said it was in the process of developing modern toilet systems.

The secretary of the Railway Board said several alternatives like the bio-toilet system, the controlled discharge system and the vacuum toilet system were being considered.

Tests on the systems were being carried out, the secretary said.
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Cracks develop in houses
From Chander Parkash and Pushpesh Kumar
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Residents of Poojanwala mohalla of this town have started leaving their dwellings following cracks in the roofs and walls of their houses.

As many as seven families have shifted to rented accommodations or to their relatives houses in the past week.

The residents alleged that the foundations of their dwellings had been sinking for the past several years due to sewerage of underground water and seepage in sewers. Apart from this, open drains along the streets were in bad shape and had become a source of seepage.

They said when the streets were being made, the authorities concerned did not take care of the underground water and sewers pipes which had now affected the foundations of the dwellings.

Even the newly constructed houses had developed cracks in the roofs and walls. In certain cases, the cracks had separated the roof from the walls. About two years ago, some of the residents had carried out major repairs of their dwellings.

Mr Jeewan Kumar, one of the residents, said he had lodged a complaint with the authorities concerned in connection with the leakage in sewers and water pipes about 10 days ago. Two men from the department concerned had come and dug out a spot where no leakage could be detected. They claimed that there was no leakage in underground pipes.

Mr Darshan Garg, a municipal councillor, said the municipal council would rectify the leakage if the residents pinpoint the spot where the leakage was taking place.

Mr Shiv Kumar Mittal, Executive Officer of the council, said there was no leakage in underground pipes laid by the council. He claimed that leakage was taking place from those underground pipes which had been laid by the residents themselves.

He said he had asked an engineer to examine the spot and take necessary action.

Meanwhile, the residents have urged the authorities to consider the cracks as a natural calamity and give them compensation.

They added that most of the affected families belonged to the poor section of society.
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‘Fight criminalisation of politics’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Dr Joginder Dayal, Secretary of the Punjab unit of the CPI, has given a call to all democratic and progressive forces in the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and other political parties to come together to fight against criminalisation of politics.

Referring to the murder of Harmesh Mukhija, a Congress leader in Dharamkot, Dr Dayal said the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, should resign because of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. He said it was clear from the murder of the Congress leader that jungle law prevailed in the state and the law enforcing machinery had broken down.

He said Mr Badal should explain to the people the growing criminal tendencies in his party. Dr Dayal said if the Punjab and Haryana High Court had not ordered a CBI probe into the alleged murder of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the entire incident would have been swept under the carpet by the law enforcing agencies working under the command of Mr Badal.

He said it was unfortunate that Mr Badal continued to defend Bibi Jagir Kaur though the CBI had levelled serious charges against her. Dr Dayal said Mr Badal’s explanation that he had gone to attend the cremation of Harpreet as part of social obligation had failed to convince the people.
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Visas being refused to Ahmadiyas
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — Mr Krishan Ahmed spokesman for the Anjuman Ahmadiya has said that several persons from foreign countries desirous of attending the two-day conference at Qadian from tomorrow were being refused visas by the Central Government.

Last year too visas were issued to such persons at the last minute, the spokesman added.

Two superfast trains one from Howrah another from Andhra Pradesh will specially run for Qadian. Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab will attend the conference on the concluding day.Top

 

BSF-Pak Rangers meeting from Nov 20

AMRITSAR, Nov 15 (PTI) — A 10-member delegation of BSF, the CPWD and the Survey of India will visit Lahore form November 20 to 23 to participate in the bi-annual conference of the BSF and the Pak Rangers.

Led by an Inspector-General of the BSF, the delegation will discuss border disputes and illegal constructions on the border.
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PSEB staff hold rally
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — Thousands of employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board here today held a demonstration and rally to protest against the Union Government’s move to introduce the Electricity Bill 2000 in the forthcoming session of Parliament.

While addressing the rally , several leaders of the employees unions of the PSEB said main objective behind the Bill was to privatise the power sector. They said the power sector would be handed over to the multinational companies. Such institutions would not have accountability to legislature and would increase the power tariff at their will.

Among those who addressed the rally were Mr H.S. Minhas, vice-president of the Electricity Employees Federation of India; Mr M.S. Bajwa, president of the PSEB Engineers Association; Mr Sukhdev Singh, Council of Junior Engineers of PSEB, Mr Surinder Singh, Employees Federation of the PSEB; Mr Vasdev Singh Gill, a leader of the Thermal Employees Coordination Committee and representatives of the Punjab Raj Bijlee Majdoor Sangh and the UT Powermen Union.

Leaders at the rally announced that the National Coordination Committee of power sector employees, which had given a call for today’s rally, had resolved to continue the struggle to oppose the privatisation of the power sector . A call has been given to observe strike on December 12 to protest against the proposed Act.

Leaders demanded that the state electricity boards should be allowed to work autonomously and three per cent rate of return in these institutions should be assured. There should be no political interference in the boards and these should be given necessary support by the state governments concerned to curb the theft of energy in the states.

Leaders said the Union Government had completely discarded the sacred principle of self reliance, self sufficiency and independence in the policy making and was bent upon enslaving the entire power sector of the country to the multinationals. They said the electricity workers in the country would oppose the so called reforms in the power sector as these were being done at the behest of certain international organisations interested to capture the Indian market.
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50,000 workers to be examined at free medical camps
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Punjab Government, as a goodwill gesture, has decided to extend the facility of free one-time medical examination of workers employed in hazardous industries in the state. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held today. Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Punjab Labour Minister, and Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Punjab Health Minister, were present.

Mr S.S. Channi, Labour Commissioner, said instructions would be issued to all field officers concerned of both departments to work out the modalities for organising medical camps.

As many as 104 camps sites had been identified in the state and about 50,000 workers would be examined there.
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Addl Central aid for Punjab
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Planning Commission has approved additional Central assistance of Rs 6.40 crore for the Punjab Government for the creation of infrastructural facilities in border areas .

The commission has directed the Department of Expenditure of the Union Finance Ministry to release Rs 6.40 crore to the state government during the current financial year.
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Book released
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 15 — The Punjab Local Government Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, today released a book, “Municipal Administration”, written by S.S. Dhaliwal, Technical Director, State Urban Development Authority.

The minister emphasised that adequate attention had to be paid to providing basic civic amenities in towns. To improve the deteriorating conditions in slums, Rs 13 crore had been spent during the past two years, he added.
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Construction of 16 shops stopped
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Nov 15 — The Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has ordered halt on the construction of 16 shops allegedly being built by two Congress councillors on the Waqf Board land at the Gazigulla road here.

According to sources, two Congress councillors had not got the building plans approved by the municipal authorities.

Mr Tarsem Kapur, a local BJP leader, had earlier complained to the Chief Minister against the illegal construction.
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Residents urged to help check thefts
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Nov 15 — The Moga district administration has urged the residents here to identify all the labourers coming from adjoining states before giving them accommodation on rent. A spokesman for the administration said here today this step has been taken to check thefts and robberies in the district.
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Insurance companies defrauded
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Insurance companies must ensure that claims filed for the compensation of stolen vehicles, are genuine.

Laxity while processing the claim may cost the insurance companies dear. The claimants may have engineered the theft of the vehicle.

This fact came to light when the district police busted a gang of vehicle thieves and found that the accused pocketed insurance claims of vehicles stolen by them.

Police sources said the modus operandi of the thieves was that they would get a vehicle financed from a finance company and then get it insured. After that they would show it as stolen and register an FIR with the police.

After six months of lodging of the FIR, the thieves would get the “not traceable” certificate from the police and file a petition for compensation with the insurance company.

The accused who were members of an inter-state gang of vehicle thieves, after getting the insurance money, would sell the same vehicle in car bazaar by preparing fake bills and registration certificates and changing the engine and chassis numbers.

Some times the accused made money third time. They get the insurance claim after showing the vehicle as stolen. After that they would prepare fresh bills of the vehicle and get it financed from a finance company and then show it as stolen and sell it off.

Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, said the gang had been doing these crimes for the past three years.

The information of all the stolen vehicles recovered from the 10 accused, had been given to insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers and vehicle dealers, he added.
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Theft in Durgiana Temple
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — A theft took place at Durgiana Temple last night. The golak of the temple was found broken near the back of the parikarma. The theft came to light when the doors of the temple were opened at 4 a.m.

Though halwais and other shopkeepers confirmed the theft, however, Durgiana committee members are mum on the issue.

A complaint has been lodged with the police.

A security person and two sewadars of the temple have been rounded up for questioning though no FIR has been registered.

Temple committee members even refused to disclose the amount in the golak.
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Students’ unions come together
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Nov 15 — Various students’ unions of this district at a meeting decided to come together in support of students’ demands. The meeting was attended by Avtar Singh of the Punjab Students Union, Harvinder Singh Harry of the Dalit Students Federation, Mr Balbir Singh of the DSE and Mr Mansukhjeet Singh of the DIET Students Welfare Association.

Harvinder Singh said the Punjab Government had betrayed students by withdrawing the facility of concessional bus passes.

Avtar Singh condemned the lathi charge by the police on unemployed ETT students. He said the students were holding a protest march in a peaceful manner.
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Apeejay wins trophy at women’s fest
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Nov 15 — Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, won the A-division championship at the Guru Nanak Dev Univesity women’s youth festival which concluded here today on the university premises.

HMV College, Jalandhar, lifted the runners-up trophy, while KMV College, Jalandhar, stood third. The top three positions in the B-division were won by GNBL Ramgarhia College for Women, Phagwara, SHD KMV College, Kala Sanghian and DAV College, Phillaur respectively.

Mr G.P.S. Sahi, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Punjab, presided over the valedictory function and gave away trophies and certificates to the winners.

Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor of the university, presented a memento to Mr Sahi.
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‘Sunday sale’ a big draw
From Jaswinder Paul Singh

BATHINDA: Although two and four-wheelers have always been sold in the second-hand market but the trend of Sunday sale is fast catching up in this city. One can get any second-hand vehicle through contacts such as workshops, mechanics, spare-part dealers, etc but the Sunday sale offers a wider choice and one can check a large number of vehicles at one place. Hence it becomes easy to pick the best.

Although no exact figures are available but going by a rough estimate 50 motor-cycles and about the same number of scooters change hands every Sunday. The commission charged from the seller and the buyer varies with the vehicle. For example, a motor-cycle fetches a commission of Rs 400. The commission charged for four-wheelers is much more.

Most buyers of new and trendy vehicles are youngsters. The dealers of these second-hand vehicles claim to give good service to the clients. Mr Baldev Krishan, president of the local Super Car and Scooter Dealers Association, said Sunday sale offers a good platform for both buyers and sellers.

he added the dealers who get commission are also responsible for ensuring that all the papers of the vehicle are in order. The vehicle is sold by the original owner, and it is not a stolen vehicle.

But not everything is in order. The dealer is not responsible for any mechanical, or any other problem in the vehicle, he adds. One buys a vehicle only after due satisfaction and verification done by a mechanic. “So we are in no way responsible for poor performance of the vehicle”, Mr Krishan stated.

The buyers of vehicles from Sunday sale often face problems after the purchase of the vehicle often are related to the poor performance of the vehicle. Some of the faults go unnoticed during the first few days. A first-time buyer can often end up purchasing a faulty vehicle, and that too purchased well above its market price.

Mr Sudarshan Kaushal of S.V. Automobiles claims that the second-hand market is a reflection of the quality and respect a vehicle commands. If a vehicle commands a good resale value, the sale of the new vehicles also increases, he adds.

Almost ever automobile dealer claims that their sales are improving and that with the easy availability of finance people prefer to go for a new vehicle. The “exchange melas” offered by the companies are on a similar track but are more genuine, claim one of the managers of an automobile firm.

Although one can always hope to get a good bargain but a stitch in time saves nine, say the wise. Some of the complaints of Sunday Sale customers may well serve as eye openers.

Mr Nitin, who sold his bike in the weekly sale recently, says the vehicle should be inspected properly before entering into an agreement, preferably with the help of a trained mechanic. The physical condition of the vehicle, electrical components, colour patches, accident and ownership etc should be confirmed, and only after due satisfaction should the vehicle be bought.

If the vehicle companies step in to help, the ownership of a second-hand vehicle can be a good experience, he adds. The ownership of the vehicle should be transferred as early as possible to avoid legal complications, he asserts.
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