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| Saturday,
November 18, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Arhtiyas delay full payment to
farmers Lecturers’ future hangs in balance Tourists pose threat to Harike
Dhindsa’s election challenged Jagat may be moved to
Centre Maulana calls for
tolerance |
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Sycophancy prevalent
in Cong: Bitta Minister flays
IPS officer
Problems
galore for potato growers Una-Nanded train sought Mission for vision Mukhija case: Cong leaders to meet Advani Lawyers
observe strike SDO gheraoed ‘Contract labour system to go’ NRIs seek minority community status JEs serve notice on Chief Engineer
Plan to set up airport
near Anandgarh Common economic zone for north
planned Road in bad shape, probe ordered Double-storeyed market
demolished
Gangs of robbers,
killers busted Advocate ‘harassed’ by husband
PTU students awaiting results
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Arhtiyas delay full payment to
farmers FEROZEPORE, Nov 17 — Farmers of at least 12 villages continue to accuse commission agents (arhtiyas) of delaying the full payment for paddy despite warnings from the administration. Although the administration had warned that criminal cases would be registered against the commission agents found guilty of delaying the full payment of paddy price of Rs 540 to farmers, complaints of defiance continue to pour in from several villages. Irate farmers, who had sold their paddy through the commission agents had charged them of pocketing the minimum support price of Rs 540 and paying them a lesser amount after selling their produce to state procurement agencies. In a complaint submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, these farmers had demanded that the agents be pressed to make the full payment. Subsequently, an inquiry was conducted into the procurement process by the Subdivisional Magistrate, Mr D.P.S. Kharbanda, and complaints of farmers from three villages — Jang, Khoke Tehal Singh Wala and Tara Singh Wala —were found true. Even as the commission agents were cautioned against legal action and directed to make the full payment, farmers continue to charge them of defiance. Led by the Shiromani Akali Dal leader, Mr Karnail Singh Bhawra, a delegation of farmers from Karhme, Sadar Deen Wala, Hussain Shah, Sheikhan, Tibbi, Waryam Wala, Tarewala, Jung, Sodhi Wala, Bhawra Ajam Shah and Taranwala had tried to approach the SDM with fresh complaints, but in vain. Mr Bhawra told TNS that the defiant commission agents were not relenting to the warnings of the administration and had threatened to launch an agitation if the crisis was not resolved immediately. While the SDM was not available for comment, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, assured that the stand off would be resolved soon. He disclosed that several commission agents had expressed their inability to make the full payment as they, too, were awaiting the procurement price from certain government agencies. He added that the administration could not overlook the difficulties of the commission agents and efforts were being made to speed up the pace of payment by government procurement agencies to resolve the stalemate. Meanwhile, farmers are now apprehending threat to their lives. Accusing certain rice millers and commission agents with political backing of threatening farmers, the Vishwa Kisan Kalyan Parishad has warned against any untoward happening. In a statement issued to the Press, the parishad president, Mr Didar Singh Sandhu, has charged the millers and agents with threatening to implicate farmers in false cases. |
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Lecturers’ future hangs in balance AMRITSAR, Nov 17 — The decision of the education department colleges, Punjab puts the future of lecturers working in government-aided private colleges in a jeopardy. The new notification renders the fellowship scheme under the Faculty Improvement Scheme invalid after March 31, 2002. Consequently, lecturers currently doing their Ph.D will not be paid salary. Since 1976, the scheme has been effective, facilitating lecturers who complete and follow the conditions of teaching for 24 periods and are marked present for 40 hours of teaching duty. A lecturer fulfilling these conditions is eligible to enrol under the Faculty Improvement Scheme, whereby the lecturer is given paid leave from the parent college. The University Grants Commission pays for this under the UGC teacher fellowship guidelines page I and annexure II. Thus, the Punjab Government is not burdened financially as only the substitute teachers draw regular payment. The scheme had given an impetus to progressive teaching and ushered in better teaching in Punjab colleges. Private college lecturers affiliated to the four universities Punjab — Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Punjabi University, Patiala, will be severely affected during the course of their Ph.D. Research work will be affected as lecturers will be unwilling to undertake research work without getting paid. Substitute teachers will be rendered jobless. Colleges will themselves have to reimburse the outstanding payments of lecturers. While legal complications due to the notification are not ruled out, there is fear among the faculty about Punjab being labelled as unprogressive. A GNDU professor said, “The state will create joblessness for teachers working in place of those currently under the scheme.” The notification has created disparity between government colleges and government-aided private colleges since the former will not be affected by the decision. Interestingly, lecturers who are on maternity leave or doing refresher courses do not need to fulfil the mandatory condition of 24 periods and 40 hours attendance. Meanwhile, the Punjab and Chandigarh Colleges Teachers Union will go on mass casual leave on November 20 and hold a protest rally outside the district courts at 10.30 a.m. to create public awareness, and highlight the “anti-teacher” stand of the government. Disclosing this here, Prof Gurnam Singh Kahlon, president, Prof D.K. Walia, and Prof J.S. Bal, state executive members of the PCCTU, urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to fulfil their demands. |
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Tourists pose threat to Harike LUDHIANA, Nov 17— Harike wetland, the largest natural bird haven for migratory birds in Punjab, is reportedly facing danger from several quarters. To maintain its healthy ecosystem, all-out efforts have to be made by the government and the scientists. According to Dr C.S. Malhi, an ornithologist working in the Department of Zoology of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Harike wetland needs to be carefully protected from all conceivable dangers. He said the over-exploitation of natural resources in the recent times had brought about rapid changes, which caused considerable damage to the natural habitat of the winged creatures. “The deterioration of the quality of environment has already led to the near-extinction of some of the once-common species of birds which helped in maintaining a healthy ecosystem,” he added. Dr Malhi said, the Punjab Government had mooted a proposal to develop the Harike wetland into a centre of tourist attraction. The idea, he opined, was good but it should be translated into action in such a way that there is no damage to the existing natural resources on the land. While finalising the proposal, Dr Malhi suggested, conservationists, wildlife experts and ornithologists should be consulted. Dr V.C. Kapoor, Research Coordinator at the College of Basic Sciences, PAU, said , “administrators and scientists should join hands whenever such developments take place. He further suggested that such projects should be developed slowly and scientists’ view must be taken in advance, so that the ecological part was preserved and the habitat of the migratory birds was not disturbed. He maintained that some scientists might be included in the team to be constituted by the government for developing the proposed tourist spot so that no problem arise at later stages. According to the scientists of PAU, the main threat to the wetland is from the spread of water hyacinth, weeds and over-exploitation of the fishery resources. They lauded the efforts of army personnel in removing tonnes of hyacinth and other weeds from the lake. Significantly, Harike is considered to be the most suitable habitat for the birds for breeding, roosting, pre-migratory requirements, migration and protection from predators, especially in the winter months. Nearly 50 per cent of the total species of birds can be observed here. Dr Malhi informed that of these, 9.4 per cent are fish-eating, 7.7 per cent feed on deep water vegetation, aquatic invertebrates and insects, while 12 per cent use the shallow water
invertebrates. He added that 8 per cent of these birds were birds of prey, including scavengers, while the rest were granivorous and insectivorous. Scientists of PAU and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have been carrying out bird ringing at Harike for the last two decades during the migratory season. During one such study, a total of 1507 aquatic birds of 24 species were ringed and released. In the following season, again a total of 1917 birds of 30 species were ringed. Thus the programme, in two consecutive seasons involved trapping and ringing of a total of 3424 birds of 36 species. Dr Malhi said coots were the most common birds inhabiting the Harike wetland, followed by common pochard, red-crested pochard and toughted duck. He said these three species of birds were predominantly diving species and they had a tendency to form mixed flocks at deeper waters. Among the non-divers, Wigeon is the most common bird of the area, followed by Gadwall and Shoveller, he said. Interestingly, a recapture profile in the consecutive year showed that some of the birds were revisiting the area. A grey heron ringed at Harike had migrated to the Balkhash lake, which is 1700 kms away, in a span of 3 days. A toughted duck, ringed and released from Harike, had flown a distance of nearly 5,000 kms in Russia. Likewise, a coot ringed at Harike was spotted 2,700 kms away from Harike at Omsk, after a gap of about three months. |
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High Court CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — The election of Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Akali MLA, from the Sunam Assembly constituency has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by way of an election petition filed by two electors of the constituency, namely Mr Rajinder Singh Deepa and his wife, Sonia, both close relatives of the defeated Congress candidate. The petitioners had sought the setting aside of the by-election of the respondent on the ground of having committed corrupt practices as defined under Section 123(7) of the Representation of the People Act. It was alleged by the petitioners that the father of the respondent, Mr S.S. Dhindsa accompanied by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, sought and obtained assistance from Mr Baldev Singh Mann, Member (Administrative) of the P.S.E.B. Mr S.S. Dhindsa, a central Minister and father of the respondent, was alleged to have accompanied the Chief Minister and Mr Baldev Singh Mann who addressed a number of public rallies in support of the returned candidate. They addressed meetings at Neelowal, Chhajla, and Gobindgarh Jaijia villages. It was submitted that Mr Baldev Singh Mann, a three-time legislator from an adjoining constituency, had a considerable following in Sangrur district. His support and help had boosted the election prospects of the returned candidate. To get the help of a government servant was a corrupt practice under Section 123(7) of the Act. Plea against Punwire
closure admitted Mr Justice J.S. Khehar of the High Court today admitted a petition for winding up of Punjab Wireless System Ltd. Mohali. The petition was filed by a local firm, H.S. Obroi and Associates, under Sections 433, 434, 439 of the Companies Act 1956. Pronouncing the order, Mr Justice Khehar said: “It is imperative to admit this petition. Despite the observations of this court while disposing of the company appeal against the order passed by this court, there has been no move on the part of the respondent company to seek rehabilitation under the Sick Industries/Companies (Special Provision Act), 1985. The official liquidator appointed by the court had submitted his report revealing that a large number of claims from various creditors had been received by him till October 10. There were about 239 claimants and Rs 283.01 crore was stated to be payable by the respondent company and many more creditors have been pouring in , the liquidator had told the court. |
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Jagat may be moved to
Centre CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Mr Gurbachan Jagat, Director-General of Police, Jammu & Kashmir, may soon be moved to the Union Capital to either head one of the central police organisations (CPO) or join the Union Home Ministry as Special Secretary. A major reshuffle is expected in the CPOs soon. Mr Jagat, an IPS officer of the 1966 batch, is perhaps the only one from the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to be empanelled for a top posting in one of the CPOs or the Home Ministry where several vacancies are likely to occur within the next five months following retirement on superannuation. Who will replace Mr Jagat is still to be decided. The chiefs of the Border Security Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Central Bureau of Investigation, RAW and even the Intelligence Bureau are scheduled to retire on superannuation between November 30 this year and April 30 next year. Only a few of the 36 Punjab police officers of the rank of Inspector-General and above are on the panel for posting in any CPO. Mr Jagat and Mr S.K. Verma are among the select few who are being considered for a stint in New Delhi or elsewhere in any CPO or the Ministry of Home Affairs. IPS officers of the rank of Deputy Inspector-General or above are considered for posting in any CPO or the Ministry of Home Affairs only if they are on the panel. For the past some years, not many Punjab police officers have been able to get on the panel for deputation to the Home Ministry or any of the CPOs under its direct control. Mr Jagat belongs to the Punjab police cadre. In the late 70s, three officers belonging to the Punjab cadre headed three important CPOs. They were Mr Ashwini Kumar (Border Security Force), Mr J.S. Bawa (CBI) and Mr Mathur (Intelligence Bureau). Since then, Punjab cadre officers have been occupying lower positions in the CPOs mainly because the state could not spare its senior officers in view of the fight against militancy. Now when militancy has been contained, hardly any Punjab officer of the rank of DIG or above has been approved for empanelment for a position in the Home Ministry. The state government, the sources point out, has been regularly recommending the names of 15 to 20 officers every year for empanelment but without much success. Though the ministry likes to take young IPS officers on deputation from Punjab, the state has been unable to spare them. Though the term of deputation of Mr Jagat from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir is about to end, his name is under consideration for appointment both as Director-General of the Border Security Force and Special Secretary, Home, that deals with Jammu and Kashmir. The present incumbents, Mr E.N. Rammohan, an IPS officer of the 1965 batch belonging to the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, and Mr T.R. Kakkar, an IPS officer of the 1964 batch belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories cadre, are due to retire on superannuation on November 30 and December 31 this year. The name of Mr Jagat, according to sources, is under consideration for both these positions. Also in the race for the position of Director-General of Police, Border Security Force, is Mr Ajai Raj Sharma, Commissioner of Delhi Police, who belongs to the 1966 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Mr Gautam Kaul, who belongs to the 1965 batch of the IPS and the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories cadre, is also scheduled to retire on superannuation on March 31 next year. Mr A. S. Daulat, an IPS officer of the 1965 batch of the Rajasthan cadre, is also retiring on superannuation on December 31. A month later, the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Mr R.K. Raghvan, an IPS officer of the 1963 batch belonging to the Tamil Nadu cadre, will also retire on attaining superannuation. A couple of senior Punjab police officers, including an Additional Director-General, may be empanelled, for consideration for a top appointment in one of the
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Maulana calls for
tolerance AHMADGARH, Nov 17 — It was a different gathering. No politicians, no banners and no slogan-shouting followers. The Idgah ground was full of people who had assembled to listen to Maulana Shamsuddin “Chaturvedi”, a scholar from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh who had come after 12 years. The occasion was the Sarv Sanjha jalsa organised by the local Idgah Committee on Wednesday night. The purpose, to promote communal harmony for “the welfare of the mankind”. People had also come from a number of nearby villages. In keeping with the Muslim traditions, special arrangements were made for the womenfolk in a nearby building where they could watch and listen to the Maulana on two TV sets. The predominantly Muslim gathering had a fair sprinkling of Hindus and Sikhs who listened to the Maulana with attention. The Maulana began with “aayats” from the holy Koran , then recited some “shlokas” from the Bhagavad Gita and “shabads” from Guru Granth Sahib to underline the fact that God is one though there are different manifestations. It was more important to be a human being having due respect for other religions than being either a devout Hindu or a Muslim. All mandir-masjid disputes were the outcome of ignorance on the part of both the communities which was not only about other religions but about their own religion as well, said the learned Maulana. All places of worship, be it a gurdwara, a mandir, a masjid or a church were basically places from where the message of love, harmony and universal brotherhood goes out. Then why do people fight over the construction of such places when in fact they should fight over the construction of places that are meant to serve as dens for gambling and prostitution.? Instead of wasting our energies in non-sensical communal conflicts, we must equip ourselves with knowledge about our own respective religions which will in turn make us more tolerant of other religions, said the Maulana. |
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Sycophancy prevalent
in Cong: Bitta JALANDHAR, Nov 17 — Speaking for the former Prime Minister, Mr Narasimha Rao, his loyalist and President of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, today said that the desertion of Mr Rao by the party was a sign of degeneration of values and croping in of sycophancy in the party set-up. Without naming the All-India Congress Committee chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Bitta said he still considered her as party leader, Mr Bitta had allegedly supported her rival, Mr Jitendra Prasada, during the recent AICC presidential elections. Mr Bitta said the party was being run by those who did not believe in dedication but “ji hajoori”. Mr Bitta, who was addressing a press conference along with Mr Davinder Malik, state president of the front, here today said the party had also forgotten a martyr like former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. “See the indifference? No partymen is pursuing the Beant Singh murder case. If the party leaders fall to do their duty, our front will fight the court case,” threatened Mr Bitta. When asked as to why he did not figure in the list of the 209 delegates of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and was not even among 65,000 active members, Mr Bitta turned red and said “I have no interest in
state politics.” Mr Bitta said the forest brigand Veerappan had links with LTTE chief Villupillai Prabhakaran and with his help he could slip out of the country to evade any action against him. He said a commission should be set up to probe the links of Veerappan with politicians. Mr Bitta wondered if security forces could enter the holy Hazratbal shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, why
similar action was not taken to flush Veerappan and accomplices out of the forest. He, however, refused to comment on his party’s alleged support to the LTTE during the Rajiv Gandhi regime and the subsequent sending of the IPKF to Sri Lanka. Mr Bitta also sought a ban on sending of Sikh jathas to Pakistan till the ISI-backed chief of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was removed. |
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Minister flays
IPS officer TARN TARAN, Nov 17 — The functioning of the local district police was criticised for the second time yesterday in less than a week by a VIP. Mr Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Cooperative Minister, while addressing a public function to celebrate the 47th Cooperative Week here yesterday had said that an IPS officer to appease his political boss had distorted the roznamcha. |
Problems galore for
potato growers BATHINDA, Nov 17 — Even as the production of
potatoes in Punjab has increased this year, the potato growers of the
state are a worried lot. Depression has gripped potato-growers as they
are facing multifarious marketing and storage problems. The potato growers of Punjab are not willing to listen to the suggestion of the agriculture scientists who have been making experiments to increase the yield of potatoes. Farmers are of the view that the potato crop is not beneficial economically in comparison to other crops. Mr Harnek Singh, vice-president of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) Ekta, Punjab, said the potato growers were happy with the production this year, but the inadequate marketing and storage facilities worried them. He pointed out that last year, the cold storage owners had to suffer losses as the farmers could not lift their produce from the stores due to the high expenses of storage. He added that last year, the price of a potato bag, weighing 80 kg, was Rs 120 and storage expenses were extra, which doubled the cost of production. He said at present, the market price of potatoes was very low and the growers and cold storage owners were not ready to sell the potatoes at such low prices. He added that the government also did not fix the minimum support price for the potato crop. Mr Jagroop Singh, a potato grower of Nathana, said farmers had to face heavy losses due to the non-implementation of the crop insurance scheme. He said the production cost of the crops had doubled, but the market prices remained the same. He added that the prices of diesel, fertilisers and pesticides were increasing and as a result, small farmers were thinking of changing their profession. The
declining interest of farmers in growing potatoes can be judged from
the fact that the land under potatoes cultivation has decreased in the
district, as compared to last year. |
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Una-Nanded train sought Ropar, Nov 17 — At least 50 sarpanches and municipal councillors of the district, in a memorandum sent to the Union Railway Minister, have demanded that a direct train be started between Una and Nanded, connecting all religious places, including Jawalaji, Chamunda Devi, Naina Devi, Anandpur Sahib, Kiratput, Parivar Vichhora and Fatehgarh Sahib with Hazoor Sahib. They have also suggested that if starting a new train was not feasible, then a few coaches of the Una-Ambala passenger train might be attached with the Nanded-bound Sachkhand Express at Ambala. They said if a few coaches of the Una-Ambala train were attached with the Sachkhand Express, it would not incur much cost on the department. |
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Mission for vision FEROZEPORE: A beautiful valley. Green velvety grass. Blossoming flowers of varied colours. Tender green leaves swaying in breeze. Birds fluttering coloured wings. These and many more sights fill us with joy. If we close our eyes for a few moments, darkness envelopes us. Thinking about those who pass their lives in darkness, shiver passes down the spine while many of us wish to help these persons, but there are a few persons like Lion Gur Raj Kanwar Singh who really do. Raj Kanwar, an electronics shop owner of Sirsa has helped 10 persons to regain sight. He bicycles from door to door to urge people to donate blood and eyes. For the past four years, he has been organising eye donation and care camps. He has been distributing pamphlets and delivering lectures. He has covered 19 districts of Haryana and five of Punjab spreading the message of eye donation. During his visit to Ferozepore, he delivered lectures in schools, colleges, government offices and areas near the border to exhort people to donate eyes. He has also started a newsletter Anmol Netra from Sirsa. He intends to cover the entire country in the next five years. A letter has been released through the Ministry of Health addressed to the various district blindness control societies soliciting help for Raj Kanwar. |
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Mukhija case: Cong leaders to meet Advani FEROZEPORE, Nov 17 — A high-powered delegation of the Punjab Congress will meet the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, to apprise him of the sensational Mukhija murder case. Stating this to TNS, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary, Mr Rana Gurmit Singh
Sodhi said, party leaders were camping in Delhi to apprise Mr Advani of the alleged threat to the lives of opposition leaders in Punjab. Mr Sodhi said both Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh and the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi would also bring to the knowledge of the Ministry of Home Affairs how party activists were being targeted by the ruling Akali Dal BJP combine through the police. |
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Two surrender in Mukhija case CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — Two of the main suspects in the Harmesh Kumar Mukhija murder case today surrendered in the court of the Moga CJM this
evening, sources in the police department said here. The sources maintained that five suspects involved in the crime had been identified. Since the police was in hot pursuit of the suspected killers, two of them — Jagmohan Singh, alias Happy and Surjit Singh — had surrendered. Both suspects belonged to Dharamkot area. The remaining suspects were likely to be apprehended, the police said. It may be recalled that Mr Harmesh Mukhija, a member of the executive committee of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, was shot dead in front of his shop at Dharamkot on November 13. |
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Lawyers
observe strike SANGRUR, Nov 17 — Lawyers here today observed strike
in protest an attack on Mr Varinder Kumar Jindal, a member of the
District Bar Association, at Chandigarh and registration of a criminal
case against him by the police. Mr Jindal was reportedly injured in
the attack. Mr Baljit Singh, secretary of the District Bar Association, said the lawyers, at a meeting of the
association, condemned the attack on Mr Jindal and also demanded withdrawal of the criminal case registered against him. |
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SDO gheraoed BATHINDA, Nov 17 — Activists of the Technical Services Union (TSU) yesterday gheraoed Mr Hardidar Singh Sidhu, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), cantonment sub-division of the Punjab State Electricity Board. The activists alleged that they had applied for casual leave on November 3 but the SDO did not accept their leave applications and marked them absent. They were demanding that their absence from duty should be changed to leave and that they should be paid for it as per rules. Mr Naib Singh, subdivisional president of the TSU, and Mr Sanjeev Kumar, joint secretary of the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), alleged that whereas those employees who took part in the rally were marked absent, the employees who were present at the rally organised on November 10 were shown as “present”. This showed favouritism of the SDO concerned. |
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‘Contract labour system to go’ MALERKOTLA, Nov 17 — Contract labour system involving FCI workers will be abolished in the country in the near future, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Chemical and Fertilisers said while addressing a rally organised by the All-India Food Corporation of India Workers Union and the All-India Food and Allied Workers Union here today. Mr Dhindsa said the demand for the abolition of contract labour system in the FCI was genuine so he would try to get it accepted at the earliest by holding talks with the authorities concerned. Addressing the rally, Mr Khushi Mohammed, General Secretary, FCI Workers Union, said about 10,000 workers involved in the loading and unloading of foodgrains in Punjab were working as contract labourers though the nature of their was a regular one. He demanded that their services should be regularised. |
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NRIs seek minority community status JALANDHAR, Nov 17 — The NRI Sabha Punjab has demanded that NRIs must be treated as a minority community as far as their rights in Punjab are concerned. Mrs Geetika Kalha, Chairperson of the sabha, and Commissioner of Jalandhar division, addressing a meeting of the sabha here today, said the state’s economy was being largely supported by the NRIs through direct or indirect investment and they should be given their due rights. She further said the sabha had taken up a project of data collection regarding the NRIs to take stock of the migration of people from the state to other countries and to assess the NRIs involvement in development projects. She said a team of data collectors had been set up. |
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JEs serve notice on Chief Engineer AMRITSAR, Nov 17 — The Council of Junior Engineers (JEs), PSEB Border Zone, has served a 15-day notice on the Chief Engineer of the zone demanding the reinstatement of suspended JEs, cancellation of mid-term transfers and out-of-zone transfer orders, failing which the council will launch an agitation. In a press note, Mr Balbir Singh Pandher, secretary of the council, condemned the attitude of the Chief Engineer towards the demands of the JEs. The council alleged that JEs and Additional Assistant Engineers were facing financial problems due to the policies that had been effective in the recent past. |
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Lala’s martyrdom day observed HOSHIARPUR: The martyrdom day of Lala Lajpat Rai was observed today at Lajpat Rai Senior Secondary School here. A function was organised by the Servants of the People Society, here, in which Mr
R.P. Mittal, SSP paid tributes to the freedom fighter. |
Plan to set up airport
near Anandgarh CHANDIGARH, Nov 17 — A move has been initiated by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for setting up an international airport near the proposed town of Anandgarh. Mr Badal said he had detailed discussions in this connection with the owner of Emirates Airlines in the UAE and he had shown interest in the project. India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Mr K.C. Singh, had been requested by Mr Badal to pursue the matter with the parties concerned in the UAE. Mr Badal said he would soon meet the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for collaboration to set up the airport. He said the setting up of the airport could throw up a lot of opportunities for this region. Already an international airport was coming up in Amritsar. The Economic Affairs Committee of the Union Government had cleared the Amritsar project. Mr Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, who was with Mr Badal during the trip to the UAE, said that he would soon send a formal invitation to the parties concerned for setting up the airport. He said there would be no problem in the allotment of land for the project. If the Haryana and Himachal Pradesh Governments agreed, then the site for the project would be decided.
Common economic zone for north
planned Patiala , Nov 17 — The Punjab government is taking the initiative to create a
"common economic zone" of northern states so that an integrated approach can be followed on economic planning , agricultural policy and infrastructure development . Stating this here today while talking to newspersons after attending a sports meet organised by Guru Teg Bahadur School at Tripuri, state Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh said a meeting of Finance and Planning Ministers of these states would be called by December-end to chalk out a common programme . He said modalities which would be worked out would include formation of an integrated approach on economic planning so that all states become self-supportive and inter- dependent. He said for the proper growth of the region, all states needed to stress on common infrastructure development . He said inter - State connectivity also needed to be strengthened by widening the scope of the communication system . The Finance Minister said the issue of common agricultural approach would also be discussed as the maximum amount of food surplus was in the North. He said an agriculture agenda would be finalised which would tackle this problem. Major industry representatives would be incorporated in the exercise from the initial stage itself so that the modalities of inter-state trade could also be discussed threadbare, he said. Answering questions on the food front, he said the procurement, storage and release of foodgrains should be streamlined. He said a major discrepancy in the system was that both producer and consumer was suffering even though the government had reduced the sale price of wheat by Rs 100 . This he said did not have any affect on the market prices of flour. |
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Road in bad shape, probe ordered ROPAR, Nov 17 — The Secretary, PWD (B and R), Punjab, has ordered an inquiry into the construction and repair of the old Ropar-Morinda road during the past three years. The step has been taken on the request of the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, Mr G.S. Grewal. Earlier, in a letter to the Secretary, the Deputy Commissioner alleged that the road was in bad shape despite the fact that the state government had spent over Rs 2 crore on laying and repairing the 23 km stretch of the road during the past three years. The 23 km-road was first repaired in 1998 at a cost of Rs 45.2 lakh. In 1999, due to the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations, two major bridges were built on the road at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore. In the same year, Rs 53.41lakh more were spent on the repair of the road. A budget of Rs 1.44 crore has been sanctioned this year for the road, of which about Rs 1 crore has already been spent. Sources in the department concerned, speaking on the condition of anonymity, justified the money spent on the construction and repair of the road. They said that during the tercentenary celebrations, Rs 53 lakh were spent on a 2.5 km stretch of the road. In the remaining 20 km stretch, the crust was only 4-5 inches thick, due to which the road was damaged. However, during the current repair, the crust thickness had been increased to about 9 inches and the road was in good shape to a great extent, they claimed. They alleged that sanctioned funds worth Rs 50 lakh were not being released by the government, due to which some patches of the road were still lying unrepaired. |
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Double-storeyed market
demolished AMRITSAR, Nov 17 — A double-storeyed market was demolished by the municipal corporation in the Kashmir Avenue area today. Nine shops were razed to the ground near Gopal Mandir Chowk. The shops were reportedly constructed illegally about six months ago. While all other shops remained unused, one fast food joint was being run in the market. The area of the construction falls in the ward of former Mayor Subhash Sharma who reportedly sanctioned the construction of the market. A letter was written on September 4 by Dr Renu Goel, a councillor of the adjoining ward, falling in the Kashmir Avenue area, to Minister of Local Bodies, and Secretary, Local Bodies, Chandigarh, saying that the building was constructed without permission and its plan was not sanctioned. She urged that the building be demolished as it fell in a purely residential area. Joint Commissioner Guruwaryam Singh admitted that the area was residential, hence the structure was non-compoundable and unauthorised. He said illegal structures near Gilwari Gate would be the next target. |
Gangs of robbers, killers busted AMRITSAR, Nov 17 — Two gangs of burglars and killers were busted by the police today. One of the gang was active in the Ajnala and Amritsar areas since the past four months. According to Mr Lok Nath Angra, SSP, Kuldip Kumar, alias Pappu, was arrested and a .315 bore countrymade pistol with cartridges were recovered from him. During interrogation, he confessed to various crimes. Gold worth Rs 6.50 lakh and a scooter were recovered along with some cash. A case under Section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered against them. Two robbers of another gang too had been arrested. Sukhtej Singh and Boota Singh, residents of Sialka, were apprehended and a scooter, two bicycles and some ornaments were recovered from them. A case under Sections 379 and 411, IPC had been registered against them at
Kathunangal. |
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Advocate ‘harassed’ by husband AMRITSAR, Nov 17 — Dr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader, in a press note has alleged that a local advocate, Ms Sushma, is being harassed by her husband and his brothers. The husband, Ravinder Pal Singh, and his brothers Tejinder Pal Singh, Inderjit Singh, Harjit Singh and Satinderpal Singh, allegedly having links with influential persons including the SSP, Ludhiana, had made out a “false” case against the advocate after she obtained a divorce on June 1 this year and was granted an alimony of Rs 5.50 lakh by the court. In her affidavit, Sushma alleged that after she received threatening letters, she lodged a complaint on July 27 which was marked to the SSP, on August 1 for an inquiry. However, she alleged, a false counter case was registered against her and her father under Sections 326/323/379/34 of the IPC. The
occurrence of the crime for which an FIR was lodged was shown on July 28 while the FIR registered was on August 4. The same day a raid was conducted on their house by the police. However, when the inquiry was marked to the SP (Headquarters), Amritsar, he gave the report of cancellation of the FIR. The outcome led to threats by her former husband. On November 11, three police personnel from Sarabha Nagar police station, Ludhiana, along with her former husband and his brother Tejinder came to her house. They pressurised her to compromise and upon her refusal, threatened to prosecute her under the false case. In his statement, Dr Dang requested Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to ensure justice to the victim. |
PTU students awaiting results JALANDHAR, Nov 17 — The fate of hundreds of students of institutes affiliated with Punjab Technical University (PTU) has been hanging in the balance as the university authorities have allegedly failed to declare the results of some professional courses running on the campus and 14 management and engineering colleges of the state. Though the problem of non-declaration of results is more or less the same in case of students of almost all courses including B.Tech, MBA, BBA and BCA, it has turned acute for those who had reappeared in examinations for clearance of one or two subjects in June. This has created a piquant situation for such students since on one hand they are still not aware about the outcome of their general or supplementary examinations, on other hand they are scheduled to face their biannual semester examinations from December 4. Talking to The Tribune, a cross-section of the students, said even after almost six months, the university authorities had not declared the results. “Should we prepare for the examination of the next semester in December?” questioned Rajesh Ahuja, a B.Tech student. Another student who had appeared in the MBA supplementary examination said in spite of a number of queries with the officials, he could not understand why the university had not prepared the results.” Everytime I go to some officials they come out with a new pretext to get rid of me. Sometimes, they say it is due to shortage of the staff and at times they don’t even bother to address to our queries,” he said. He said it was very difficult for any student to prepare for the next examination unless he knew about his fate in the previous ones. According to the norms established by the University Grants Commission, the results of an examination should be declared within six weeks. A senior official admitted that it was a lapse on the part of the university. Mr Mohinder Bir Singh, Registrar, said though the results of all main courses were out, but the university could not declare re-appear results of certain courses for a number of reasons. We are facing staff shortage and resource crunch, which has cast its shadow on the working,” he said assuring that he would look into the matter. |
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