 |
|
| Sunday, November 19, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Common economic zone for north
planned New Rs 500 note released
Bibi ready to fight ‘injustice’ Mann hails Pak’s corridor
plan Upkeep of monuments uphill
task Mukhija case suspects
remanded |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Recommendation to keep police under check
lauded Assault on youths: India yet to
react
Very few Sikhs in PU Senate: Tohra
‘Pak wants to disturb peace
in Punjab’ Deer Park to have panthers'
pair Plan to set up biogas
plant in Ludhiana Taking film-goers for a
ride Move to relocate flying club Village water supply
scheme stone laid Three highest IT payees honoured Kanwaljit: need to review WTO
pact Sahkari bhavans for
Punjab farmers Young lawyers’ body
decides to meet Law Minister
Sarpanch not held despite warrants Minister’s brother
“attacks” 2 persons SHO, ASI booked for taking bribe Main suspect held in rape case 2 blackmailers caught
Mass stir for Sanskrit from tomorrow Student appraisal scheme from Jan 1 HC allows admission to three
students
Nabha School wins science quiz Zonal youths fest begins
|
|
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. |
|
New Rs 500 note released LUDHIANA, Nov 18 — The RBI today released a new series of Rs 500 notes. In a press release it has informed the colour of new notes will be mild yellow, mauve and brown. This would help distinguish a Rs 500 note from a Rs100 note. In the new note, the numeral 500 is printed in colour- changing ink on the front side. When the note is held flat, 500 looks green and on holding the note at an angle, 500 looks blue. The RBI has asked the public to exchange the old design green notes having Ashok Pillar in the watermark window, which is clearly visible when the note is held against light, for the new design yellow note at any office of RBI. These old designed notes can also be exchanged for notes for any other denomination at any public sector bank branch or the RBI office. The RBI has clarified that all the series of Rs 500 notes, 1987,1997 as well as new notes issued now were legal tender and the banks were bound to accept them. However, the local branches of different nationalised banks when contacted, denied that these new notes were available in the city. The officials said these new notes will be available hopefully in a month. Mr S.S. Vassan, Deputy Manager, SBI Civil Lines, has clarified that these notes will be first available with the banks which have currency chests with them. SBI is one of them. Generally, the new series notes are available within a month after the announcement by the RBI for the printing takes that much time, he added. |
|
Bibi ready to fight ‘injustice’
NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (UNI) — The SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir
Kaur, charged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with murder of her daughter Harpreet
Kaur, today said she respected the law, but would fight a battle in courts against any “injustice”. “I have always respected the law and would continue to do so in the future as well. But I won’t silently accept injustice delivered to me at any point of time and will give a tough legal fight,” she told UNI here. However, the SGPC chief refused to disclose what transpired during the CBI interrogation on her daughter’s mysterious death. “I can offer no comments as the matter is now sub judice and therefore not worthy of any public discussion.” Asked if she would fight as an Akali presidential nominee in the November 30 SGPC election in the wake of the Harpreet murder scandal, she said the decision rested with the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) that will meet on November 21. “I would respect the decision of the PAC headed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal. I am myself a PAC member. The Harpreet death case is my personal matter.” The SGPC chief today attended the wedding of the daughter of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Avtar Singh Hit at Delhi’s Gurdwara Rakab
Ganj. |
|
Mann hails Pak’s corridor
plan FEROZEPORE, Nov 18 — Appreciating Pakistan’s proposal to connect the historical gurdwara of Kartarpur
with the Indian territory through a corridor, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) President, Mr Simranjeet Singh Mann, said today this would enable free access to the Sikh shrines, which had been separated by Partition. Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Mr Mann said despite being an Islamic nation, Pakistan had set an example through such a gesture to the Sikh community. Advocating for better Indo-Pak ties against the backdrop of this move, he demanded that a similar corridor should also be constructed to facilitate free access to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak in Pakistan. Brushing aside the allegation that Pakistan was trying to play the Sikh card to engineer subversive activities in Punjab, he said, “the loyalties of the Sikhs should not be questioned as the community was wise enough to judge what was wrong”. He criticised the extremists who had allegedly beaten up Baba Mangal Singh of the Sant Samaj in Pakistan, and added that Baba Mangal Singh was also at fault as he took along with him police officials in the guise of devotees. Criticising the Indian Government and the SGPC for boycotting the Pakistani arrangements to invite Sikh devotees, Mr Mann said the Indian establishment should give up its rigid stand and cement ties with its neighbours. He said friendly ties with Pakistan were in the interest of the Punjabis. Mr Mann, who was here to inaugurate the party office, said the SAD (A) would organise three rallies in the Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions. He also indicated his party’s decision not to participate in the forthcoming election of the SGPC President, saying that nobody in the race was capable enough to restore the lost dignity of the Sikh parliament. |
|
Upkeep of monuments uphill
task BATHINDA, Nov 18 — The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is finding it difficult to preserve the protected monuments in Punjab due to encroachment by some persons and government departments on the premises. Official sources said the premises of most of the monuments protected by the ASI had been encroached upon by some persons and various government departments and little efforts had been made so far to remove the encroachments by the authorities concerned. A majority of the protected monuments which had been encroached upon were in bad shape as repairs on them could not be carried out by the ASI and if immediate steps were not taken in this regard, some of them would not stand for posterity. The sources added that Sanghol (Uccha Pind) in Fatehgarh Sahib district, Mohammad Mumin and Haji Jamal tombs at Nakodar in Jalandhar district, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Deori in Company Bagh in Amritsar district and Takht Kalanaur in Gurdaspur district were well preserved and without any encroachment. The protected monuments which had been encroached upon included Sarai Nurmehal, Mud Fort in Abohar, Gobind Fort in Bathinda district, Sarai Amanat Khas in Amritsar district and Anarkali Baradari in Batala town. Besides, the ancient mounds at Nagar village and Katpalan in the Phillaur area had been encroached upon. A case was also going on between the ASI and the Nagar panchayat regarding the removal of the encroachments. Interestingly, a residential colony on one part of Sunet ancient mound in Ludhiana district had come up and the ASI was trying to get the area cleared of the encroachments. Some parts of the ancient mound at Ropar had also been encroached upon. The sources said the Punjab unit of the ASI had been receiving inadequate funds for the maintenance and upkeep of these monuments. Some of the monuments had started decaying for want of repairs. About 70 persons had been deployed by the ASI in Punjab to look after more than 25 monuments managed by it. The shortage of funds, coupled with the shortage of staff, had made the protected monuments “orphans”. A senior official of the ASI on condition of anonymity said the World Heritage Week in Punjab would be celebrated at Bathinda fort from November 19 to 25 and it was hoped that a public opinion would be built during this week to pressurise the authorities concerned for releasing more funds for the maintenance and upkeep of these monuments. |
|
Mukhija case suspects
remanded FEROZEPORE, Nov 18 — The Ilaqa Magistrate at Zira today granted seven-day police remand to the suspects in the murder case of senior Congress leader Harmesh Kumar Mukhija in Dharamkot on November 13. Two of the suspects — Surjit Singh and Happy — who had surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate here last evening were earlier sent to Ferozepore Central Jail. However, the two were presented before the Ilaqa Magistrate today afternoon and sent in police remand. Confirming this, the DIG, Mr Hardeep Singh Dhillon, said the Moga police had taken them into custody for interrogation and recoveries. MOGA: Meanwhile, the alleged involvement of its own party activist in the murder of Harmesh Kumar Mukhija has baffled Punjab Congress leaders. One of the suspects in the murder case — Gurbux Singh Kukku — is a Congress activist, who had worked hard during the last Lok Sabha elections in support of Mr Hans Raj Josan, a Congress candidate for the Ferozepore seat. Although the Congress describes Mukhija’s murder as a politically-motivated killing, engineered by the Dharamkot Akali Dal legislator, Mr Sheetal Singh, there is confusion within the party about Kukku’s role in the crime. Significantly, relatives of the deceased leader have accused Kukku of eliminating Mukhija at the behest of Mr Sheetal Singh. In a statement recorded by the police, Mr Des Raj, a brother of the deceased, categorically charged Kukku of gunning down Mukhija. Even as the Congress leaders are seeking a high-level probe into the killing, there is no word about any disciplinary action against Kukku, who is missing. One of the members of the Congress disciplinary action committee, Mr Lal Singh, has even expressed his ignorance about Kukku and his association with the party. “I do not know him and cannot say what action the party proposes to take against him”, he told TNS. However, the Punjab Congress Secretary, Major Harminder Singh Bhullar, described Kukku as a committed worker, who had supported Mr Josan during the last Lok Sabha elections. Expressing his shock at Kukku’s involvement, he said: “Perhaps Kukku may not be involved in the murder as the police investigation has yet to unravel the mystery”. Mr Des Raj maintains that political opportunism had brought both Mr Sheetal Singh and Kukku close. “The two had conspired to eliminate my brother, as both had an axe to grind”, he said. While Mr Sheetal Singh saw a potential threat to his political career in Mukhija’s popularity, Kukku had some grudges against him. Mr Sheetal Singh has also admitted that Kukku became his supporter during the last Dharamkot Municipal Council elections to outnumber Mukhija’s men. He even tried to defend Kukku, saying that he was out of station to attend a wedding and could not be involved in the murder. Kukku is among five persons booked for the murder. |
|
Recommendation to keep police under check
lauded AMRITSAR, Nov 18 — Mr Kirpal Singh Randhawa, Deputy Chairman and member World Sikh Council (WSC), in a letter to Chairman Law Panel has welcomed the panel’s recommendation suggesting that the powers of the police to arrest persons even in cognisable and non-bailable cases be taken away”. He said it was unfortunate that while “a rigorous judicial trial is undertaken to ensure that only the offenders are punished, there is no check to ensure the institution of false and frivolous criminal cases by the police or influential persons who get it done in connivance with the police”. “Once a person is arrested, his entire family suffers tension. There is no accountability of the police where innocent persons are implicated or where courts acquit the accused”. He also alleged that the police is controlled by politicians. Posting of SHOs, ASIs and Constables are done under political influences, he said. He stressed on the need to devise a system whereby the police is brought under adequate administrative check. |
|
|
Assault on youths: India yet to
react AMRITSAR, Nov 18 — The merciless beating up of two Indian youths in Pakistan has failed to elicit any response from India. The SGPC has also come under flak since the two youths beaten up by militant outfits were Sikhs who had gone on a pilgrimage. The
SGPC, regarded as a mini-parliament of Sikhs, has failed to lodge a complaint both with the Pakistan Government and the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
(PGPC), Sikh intellectuals have observed. The PGPC in its bid to sideline the SGPC had extended open invitations this time to various Sikh
jathas. The invitations were extended by Bhai Sham Singh, co-chairperson of the
PGPC. The Pakistan authorities were also liberal in granting visas to Sikh pilgrims. The SGPC had decided not to send jathas to Pakistan in April last year in protest against the formation of the
PGPC. Despite the incident of beating up of Surjit Singh and Anup Singh of the Sant
Samaj, no FIR was lodged by the Pakistan police. Instead, the police accused Surjit Singh of being a CBI agent. |
Very few Sikhs in PU Senate: Tohra JALANDHAR, Nov 18 — Mounting a direct attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party combine, the veteran Akali leader and former chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Mr G.S. Tohra, today said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was pursuing an “attack” on Sikhism with the active support of the Shiromani Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal. Mr Tohra said the recent example of the “anti-Sikh agenda” pursued by the RSS and the SAD-BJP combine was the nominations to the Panjab University Senate. A perusal of the list showed that of 31 nominated members, just three were Sikhs, and one of them was Mr Sukhbir Singh
Badal. ”It seems that no set-up can run without Sukhbir’s presence,” said Mr Tohra in a sarcastic tone in a talk with The Tribune. He said if the representation of Sikhs had shrunk to such a low level and if the Punjab Government had any concern about it, it should order de-affiliation of all of its colleges with the university. “If this not enough you can observe other developments and veiled attacks by the RSS against Sikhism: In the photo-Calendar released by the RSS during its “Jan Jagran” programme, the “Ek Omkar” symbol of Sikhism has been shown beneath Goddess Durga’s feet and Guru Gobind Singh has been equated with warriors like Shivaji and Maharana Pratap. Can we equate Guru Gobind Singh, who fought for human dignity and rights, with warriors who waged wars for the sake of the Raaj? questioned Mr Tohra. He said in spite of being aware of such developments, the Badal government had failed to do anything or even take up the matter with its coalition partner, the BJP. Mr Tohra alleged that the SAD, which was formed under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht, had lost its “Panthic” and “pro-minorities” agenda, for the lust of power of a few leaders. “We cannot equate the SAD with other regional parties like the Telugu-Desham and Assam Gana Parishad since on one hand the goal of the SAD was to protect the rights of the minorities, on the other, it was duty-bound to protect Sikhism,” he added. Mr Tohra observed that the degeneration of the SAD had started during the regime of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, as for the first time, he held two posts simultaneously — that of the SAD President and the Chief Minister. |
‘Pak wants to disturb peace
in Punjab’ ROPAR, Nov 18 — “Pakistan wants to disturb the hard-won peace in Punjab by encouraging terrorists, said Mr Madan Mohan
Mittal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Punjab, when asked to comment on the recent move to honour terrorists in various gurdwaras in Pakistan. He said Pakistan wanted to open another front in Punjab. However, the people of Punjab had become aware of the evil designs of Pakistan and they would not get swayed by the recent propaganda, he added. Mr Mittal was at Nangal to distribute grant to the mahila mandals of the area. He said meetings with the mahila mandals at Kulgarh, Dukli, and Adampur villages distributed 54 cheques for Rs 15 lakh as grant to these. He said the pace of the development had picked up in the state. He ruled out the possibility of early elections in the state. About the government’s plan to reduce the area under wheat and paddy in the state, he said long-term plans in this direction were being worked out keeping in view the interests of the farmers. He said the state government had decided to install tubewells in various villages in Punjab with the help of panchayats. The tubewells would be jointly financed by contributions from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and the
panchayats. After the installation, the tubewells would be handed over to the panchayats for maintenance and operations, he said. |
|
Deer Park to have panthers'
pair PATIALA All formalities have been completed for bringing the panthers to the park with Minister for Forests and Wild Life Conservation Surjit Kumar Jiyani inaugurating the enclosure recently. The two enclosures which used to house monkeys till now, will be used to house the panthers with minor modifications in the enclosures as well as the houses built in them. Park in charge Surinder Singh stated that the case had been sent for the final approval to the Centre and would be cleared soon. He said the panthers were expected to arrive at the park within a month. He said the Chief Warden, Zoo, Dr Venod Kumar Sharma, had inspected the facility and that the panthers would be shifted to Patiala from the Chhatbir zoo once the final approval was given from the centre. Meanwhile, the park in charge stated that Deer Park was also in the process of being upgraded to a mini zoo. He said according to stipulations there must be three carnivorous animals for a park to be converted into a zoo. He said the Deer Park already had a crocodile and that jackals and panthers would be introduced soon to pave the way for upgradation of the park. Mr Surinder Singh said once this happened the mini zoo could be expanded easily. He said there were already plans to introduce a few reptile species also. He said this could be done without much extra cost as a small enclosure was need for them. He said the zoo could also avail the central aid for further expansion. The Deer Park was established on the outskirts of the city in 1968. One reason why it is being expanded now is that the animals which will be brought from Chhatbir zoo will continue to be in the captivity of the Chief Zoo Warden there. Meanwhile, the government has decided to encourage forestry in 135 towns in the state. Under this programme the department would plant trees along the roads. It was also revealed that the government had taken a decision to plant trees along the links roads by taking the help of farmers whose land fell along it. Under the scheme, the government would plant the trees and the farmers could avail of the income from these trees if they were able to guard and nurse them. It was also decided to take the help of various deras and other religious places in the state in encouraging tree plantation. |
|
|
Plan to set up biogas
plant in Ludhiana SUNAM, Nov 18 — Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Science and Technology Minister, Punjab has said that the state government has planned to set up a unit in Ludhiana to generate bio-gas from waste material like cow dung, etc. Such units would be helpful in keeping the cities clean and would also solve the problem of shortage of cooking gas in the state, he said, adding that the cost of this gas would be cheaper than that of the LPG. Talking to mediapersons here last evening, he said the bio-gas unit would be installed at a cost of Rs 12 crore which would be shared equally by the Centre and the state government. He added that the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation would provide the land for the
purpose. Mr Garg said the state government would install power-generation projects in the state with a capacity of 250 KW using paddy husk. He added that farmers by burning paddy straw were creating pollution in the state. These units would not only help to end the power shortage in the state but would also help to control the
pollution. Mr Garg said the government was planning to make the villagers aware of the importance of solar equipment in daily life. The government would make it mandatory that a minimum of 15 per cent of the total grant released to villages should be utilised on the installation of solar equipment. He said Mr Parkash Singh
Badal, Chief Minister, would visit the Sunam Assembly constituency during the month-end to redress the grievances of the people. |
|
Taking film-goers for a
ride BATHINDA: Almost all cinema house managements here are arbitrarily fixing the rates of tickets and also not providing film-goers with proper facilities on the premises. Movie-goers who pay Rs 30 to Rs 50 for balcony tickets do not enjoy facilities like comfortable seats, proper drinking water arrangements, clean toilets and canteens which provide items at market rates. If the power supply is disrupted, it may sometimes mean a long wait for the show to begin again and a feeling of suffocation in the cinema hall. The cinema houses charge double and sometimes triple the amount printed on the tickets if the protagonist in the film happens to be Shahrukh or some other popular artiste. Mr Sudarshan Kaushal (name changed) alleged that on October 27 when he went to see ‘‘Mission Kashmir’’ at one of the cinema houses he had to sit in the hall section although he had bought the balcony ticket after paying thrice the amount mentioned on the ticket. He further alleged that he did not enjoy the movie as various facilities like a fully airconditioned hall were not available. He said several families seeing the film felt uncomfortable with some persons in the hall smoking with impunity. There was no person authorised by the cinema management to stop smoking. Mr Pawan Kumar, manager of Urang cinema, said the ticket rates were fixed by the management following a decision of the government to charge entertainment tax in lumpsum. He added that the rates were decided according to the cost of the film and the number of days for which it was shown. A survey conducted by these correspondents revealed that almost all cinema houses lacked proper facilities for
movie-goers, including the provision of adequate security at parking lots. Mr Kamal Kumar, General Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner, said that no one had made a complaint against any of the cinema managements regarding the arbitrary fixing of ticket rates. Besides, such cases had not been detected during raids by officials on cinema houses. However, he gave an assurance that if such a practice was prevalent, action would be taken against the guilty. |
|
|
Move to relocate flying club CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The Department of Civil Aviation, Punjab, is making an endeavour to bring back Jalandhar Flying Club to its original premises at Jalandhar. The Director of Defence Estates is being approached to get the Jalandhar airstrip on lease again. The club was shifted to Patiala after the Ministry of Defence turned down the Punjab Government’s request to extend its lease in 1994. The Punjab Civil Aviation Secretary, Mr D.S. Jaspal, said efforts were being made to get the Jalandhar airstrip back from the Directorate of Defence Estates on a fresh lease. “The Commissioner of Jalandhar Division, Mrs Geetika Kalha, has been requested to take up the matter with the Defence authorities concerned,” said Mr Jaspal. There was an increased demand from the youth of Jalandhar district and nearby areas for bringing the club to Jalandhar. Jalandhar Flying Club, Mr Jaspal said, had helped many persons to acquire the personal or commercial pilot licence. Many of its members hold senior positions in the aviation industry. Following the Ministry of Defence decision not to extend the lease beyond December 31, 1994, the club was shifted to Patiala. The Department of Civil Aviation also runs an Institute of Aviation Engineering there. For the youth of Jalandhar and nearby areas coming to Patiala every other day is not only tiring but also expensive. “We have received several representations from educational institutions, youth organisations and also from retired defence personnel requesting the state government to relocate the club at Jalandhar so that the youngsters of the area, interested in aviation, could pursue a career in flying,” Mr D.S. Jaspal said. At present, the airstrip vacated by the club is hardly put to any use. Though the State Civil Aviation Authority has been set up, but it needs to be activated. |
|
|
Village water supply
scheme stone laid BATHINDA, Nov 18 — Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, Punjab, today laid the foundation stone of a Water Supply Scheme at Chugho Khurd village, here today. The scheme would be completed at a cost of Rs 36 lakh. Mr Garg said that Bathinda and Moga districts have been selected under the Central Government scheme for improvement of potable water. Bathinda would get Rs 72 lakh in three instalments from the Centre. For the construction, repair and maintenance of projects under the scheme, committees at the village level would be formed. They would contribute at least 10 per cent of the total cost of the project and the rest would be given by the government, he added. Mr Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, said Bathinda would get Rs 7.5 crore as the first instalment under the central government ‘Sector Reform Scheme’. He added that the amount released in the second instalment would depend on the quality of work done by the people for the construction and repair of the schemes of the first phase. A central team would inspect the schemes undertaken, he added. |
|
|
Three highest IT payees honoured TARN TARAN, Nov 18 — Three highest income tax payees assessable within the jurisdiction of the local office of the Income Tax Department were honoured yesterday at a function organised here presided over by Mr S.J.S.Pall, Commissioner of Income Tax, representing the three different categories. Mr Kulwant Singh Ghai from the salaried category, Mr Swarjit Singh Soni from the business community and Dr Manmohanjit Kaur Bhullar from the profession category were the persons honoured on the occasion. More than 200 income tax payees attended the function which was addressed by Mr Jagtar Singh, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Mr .K. Mahajan of the Income Tax Department, Mr Kuljit Singh Talwar, ITO, Dr Gurinder Pal Singh Sahota, SDM, Dr Naresh Kumar Arora, SP (HQ), and others. |
|
|
Kanwaljit: need to review WTO
pact PHAGWARA, Nov 18 — The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, on Thursday underlined the need for remodelling economic policies and reviewing the WTO agreement for saving the country from financial hegemony of big countries. Addressing newspersons, he alleged that by signing the WTO agreement, the then Congress government had virtually signed the “death warrant of agriculture in particular and the industry in general”. He said there was a need to recast the policies of 1950 for saving agriculture from destabilisation. The international market would initially subsidise products but would later withdraw these subsidies and charge at will subjugating Indians to the cruel compulsions of the market economy, he warned. He objected to the import of sugar worth Rs 3,000 crore. He said though the godowns were overflowing with foodgrains yet the growers were in a pitiable condition. A new look food and agriculture policy would have to be framed and fundamental change in economic policies would have to be ushered in, he said, adding that fiscal powers would have to be developed to states for making the economic policy state-specific. |
|
Sahkari bhavans for
Punjab farmers MOGA, Nov 18 — The Punjab Government has decided to set up sehkari bhavans in all districts of the state to fulfil farmers’ demands for fertilizers, insecticides, loans and other needs and also save them from the clutches of traders who give loans at higher rate of interest. This was stated here yesterday by the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, while laying the foundation stone of one such bhavan here. The building will be completed at a cost of Rs 85 lakh. The bhavans will also be aimed at bringing all cooperative institutions under one roof in their respective districts, he added. The state government earlier had earmarked a heavy budget for the construction of a mini secretariat, stadium, modern hospital and bus stand for which a team headed by Chief Secretary Punjab R.S. Maan had visited Moga, he said. |
|
Young lawyers’ body
decides to meet Law Minister CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — The executive body of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Young Lawyers Association today after a marathon meeting decided to meet the Union Law Minister, Mr Arun Jaitley, to impress upon him to make appointment of new judges expeditiously as a large number of vacancies exist in the high court. Punjab and Haryana Young Lawyers’ Association Chairman Sukhjinder Singh today said in a press statement that association members also met the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Om Prakash Chautala, respectively, and urged them to set up special tribunals for family disputes, telecom and electricity cases for reducing the workload on the courts. The general secretary of the association, Mr Sanjiv Pandit, demanded early implementation of the proposal of appointing lawyers as visiting judges for speedy disposal of cases, the press note added. |
|
Philanthropist Setia dead MOGA, Nov 18 (PTI) — Dr Balraj Setia, a renowned medical specialist, social reformer and philanthropist died after a brief illness at Muktsar yesterday, family sources said. Dr Setia (75) was also the founder of various DAV educational institutions. He was the younger brother of veteran social reformer Sundar Dass Setia. A number of leaders from various political parties and social organisations were present at the cremation held today. |
|
Goods destroyed in cylinder blast SANGRUR, Nov 18 — Household articles worth Rs 50,000 were destroyed completely when a cooking gas cylinder exploded in the house of Mr Sat Pal, at Bhala Basti outside Patiala Gate here today. However, no one was injured. In a representation to the SDM, Mr Sat Pal has demanded a compensation. |
|
Traffic blocked BARNALA, Nov 18 — Traffic was paralysed on the Barnala-Raikot road at Sahore village about 20 km from here, today, following a blockade by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) activists led by Manjit Singh Dhaner. The traffic jam was continuing till the filing of this report, according to sources. The blockade started at around 11 a.m.
today. A Paddy growing farmers under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) were protesting against alleged failure of the procurement agencies to procure about 17 heaps of paddy lying at Moom village. |
Sarpanch not held despite warrants FAZILKA, Nov 18 — Angoori Devi, a Dalit and member, Karni Khera panchayat, has in an affidavit alleged that the Sarpanch of the village and two others hurled abuses on her family on caste basis and due to the harassment her son had allegedly committed suicide. She had filed a petition in a Fazilka court following which Ms Gurdarshan Kaur, Judicial Magistrate, issued non-bailable arrest warrants on March 24, 2000, against the suspects — Kewal Krishan, Sarpanch of Karni Khera, village and his two companions Puran Ram and Nand Ram. However, the police has not arrested them even after seven months. In her petition filed on February 24, Angoori Devi had alleged that Kewal Krishan and his companions had pressurised her family members to caste votes in favour of the party they were supporting for the Lok Sabha poll. However, when the family did not oblige, the Sarpanch got her son Hira Lal allegedly beaten up by the police. The petition said that on November 13, 1998, Hira Lal informed the DSP, Fazilka, regarding the harassment by the Sarpanch but no action was taken. In desperation, he reportedly committed suicide on December 4. However, after the suicide the police did not take any action. Subsequently, Angoori Devi filed a complaint in the court under Sections 306, 120-B, 504 and 506 of the IPC and Section 3 and 7 of the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (Provision of Atrocities Act, 1989). In her affidavit, Angoori Devi has stated that the bail applications of the suspects have been reportedly rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. She has alleged that Kewal Krishan, who has been allegedly evading arrest, organised mass marriage of five girls in the village on October 14 in which Mr Surjit Kaur Jyani, Forest Minister, and Mr Ajay Malooja, DSP, were invited besides other officers. |
|
Minister’s brother
“attacks” 2 persons PATIALA, Nov 18 — Two persons were today injured , one of them seriously , in a shooting at Bhedpura village around 15 km from here in Samana subdivision , when a group led by Mr Faujinder Singh , brother of Akali minister Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur , allegedly attacked them over a land dispute. The victims are former village sarpanch Balwant Singh , who has been seriously injured following a wound on the head , and Nahar Singh. In a statement recorded with the Samana Station House Officer at the Government Rajindra hospital here, the two claimed that they had been attacked by Faujinder Singh this morning in their fields . The statement alleged that a group of men led by Faujinder Singh came to their fields around 11 a.m. and started ploughing the field in which they had sown wheat . It said when Nahar Singh objected, he was fired upon in the leg, following which he collapsed . It said Balwant Singh received a bullet wound in the head during the shooting . It said the assailants fled the scene when villagers heard the bullet sounds and rushed to the site . The statement said when they reached Government Rajindra hospital here they saw that Faujinder Singh and others were positioned at the main entrance and did not allow them to enter it . The statement said the relatives and well wishers of the wounded presented themselves before Assistant Superintendent of Police Rajiv Ahir who intervened in the matter and got Nahar Singh admitted to the hospital. The statement said Samana SHO Lakhbir Singh brought Balwant Singh to the hospital around 7 p.m. as he was in a serious condition and was admitted to a private hospital immediately on arrival . Mr Lakhbir Singh said the statement of the victims was being recorded but did not disclose whether any case had been registered in the matter . District police chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu was not available for comment . Both Akali minister Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur and his brother Faujinder Singh were stated to be not at home by their relatives when contacted. The victims and Faujinder Singh are involved in a land dispute for more than one year . Faujinder had bought the disputed land from the first wife of Balwant Singh who has claimed that the land deal was illegal and has challenged it in court. |
|
SHO, ASI booked for taking bribe JALANDHAR Nov 18— A Station House Officer (SHO) and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), posted at Bhogpur police station, have been booked for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 for releasing a drug addict. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said Mr Kulbir Singh, a cab driver who was addicted to poppy husk, was allegedly picked up from his house on November 6, by a police party headed by ASI Amrik Singh and three kg of poppy husk was seized from him. The driver alleged that when some village elders, including his sister-in-law Baljit Kaur and a member of village panchayat Mr Vijay Kumar, went to the police station to secure his release, ASI Amrik Singh allegedly demanded Rs 40,000 and was later reduced to Rs 20,000 after a lot of bargaining. The amount was paid to Amrik Singh, and Wazir Singh, SHO. The complainant approached the SP (Operations), Mr Surinder Singh Sidhu, who ordered the registration of a case against the two officials. Mr Yadav said the ASI had been arrested and was being produced in the court, while raids were being conducted to arrest Wazir Singh. |
|
Main suspect held in rape case MALERKOTLA, Nov 18 — The third and main suspect, Jagtar Singh, allegedly involved in the Mithewal rape case was arrested by the police here today. The two other women suspects Jasveer Kaur and Kulwant Kaur involved in the case were arrested a few days ago while another suspect, a midwife of Manaal village, is still missing. It may be mentioned that Jagtar Singh of Mithewal village 17 km from here, allegedly raped a minor girl of the same village about three months ago. Later, he again raped her and threatened her not to tell the incident to her family. During this period the victim found herself pregnant and told Jagtar Singh about it. With the help of Jasveer Kaur and Kulwant Kaur he got the pregnancy terminated from the midwife. |
|
2 blackmailers caught LUDHIANA, Nov 18 — Two police personnel along with a woman involved allegedly in blackmailing car-borne travellers at the Tajpur road here were caught red-handed by residents of the area today late evening. The accused have been handed over to the police. Mr Harbans Singh, ASI, in charge of focal point police post confirmed the incident. According to information available, the woman used to take lift from car-drivers (mostly industrialists) on the road. The car was then followed by the two police personnel who would then extort money from the person travelling in the car. However, today when the woman board a car she was spotted by scooter riders who were already blackmailed. The scooterist followed the car and when the woman and the police personnel were in the process of blackmailing the car driver Surinder Singh they raised an alarm. A number of persons collected and the three accused were handed over to the police. Further investigations were on. |
Mass stir for Sanskrit from tomorrow AMRITSAR, Nov 18 — More than 40,000 students and teachers of private and aided schools of the holy city would launch an agitation from November 20 for implementation of Sanskrit in schools. Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, BJP MLA, has said teachers and students of about 50 schools would resort to traffic blockade in Hall Bazar in protest against the “stepmotherly” treatment being meted out to Sanskrit which was the mother of all Indian languages. She alleged that since Independence Sanskrit was being taught in schools and colleges and now the state government had issued a circular for “discouraging” the language at the school level. Despite the fact that students had to pay Rs 100 extra for opting for Sanskrit the state government had decided not to give any weightage to the language for aggregating the total marks. This would ultimately finish the language at the school level. Ms Chawla alleged this had been done under a deep-rooted conspiracy. Meanwhile, an impressive function was organised on the occasion of Sanskrit Day by the BBK DAV College for Women here. It was interesting to watch the young generation struggling to address the audience in Sanskrit. Some floundered. Even the guests of honour lapsed into English, Hindi and Punjabi by turns, failing to keep Sanskrit into focus. A quiz contest on meanings of shlokas in Sanskrit pictorial and descriptions in the language followed the inauguration. However, the most interesting monologue was by Prof Lekh Raj, former Head of the Sanskrit Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, who elaborated on the adulteration of Sanskrit names. For instance, he quoted, Kurukshetr is addressed as Kurukshetra, Ram as Rama, yog as yoga, Ved as Veda. Elaborating on this he drew a wave of laughter among the audience as he remarked, “don’t be surprised if tomorrow Punjab is pronounced and spelt as Punjaba or Chandigarh as Chandigarha. |
|
Student appraisal scheme from Jan 1 PATIALA Talking to TNS, Vice Chancellor Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia said the university was determined to start the student appraisal scheme as it had been passed by the university Syndicate and was a reformative and progressive step. The Vice-Chancellor said the
proforma, which would be given to students to fill at the end of the session, had been finalised and would also become a permanent part of the University Handbook of Information. Giving details of the
proforma, he said 5,000 copies were being printed for distribution this year. He said the proforma would include the following points on which students would grade their teachers-up to date knowledge of the subject of the teacher, communication capability, accessibility of the teacher before and after the class, general conduct of the teacher and the role model image of the teacher. He said there would be four grading of which base the students will make their choice clear. The Vice-Chancellor said students filling up the Student Appraisal proforma would not write their names and would only given their registration numbers in order to maintain confidentiality. He said once the forms were filled they would be put in steel boxes which would be set up in various departments whose keys would be with the Vice-Chancellor’s office and the university computer centre staff. He said the forms would be fed into the computer system which would help in establishing the performance of the teachers. He said the information so collected would be notified to the students and the faculty. Speaking on the fall out of the scheme, he said it was expected to function as a moral pressure on the teachers who will strive to ensure good grades and maintain their credibility in the teaching and student fraternity. Dr Ahluwalia said besides this the university would also bar teachers not securing good grades from attending seminars both in the country and abroad. He said such teachers would not be given any duty leave nor any funds for attending the seminars. He said the University would also motivate teachers faring poorly in student appraisal to join special refresher courses. He said if despite this some teachers did not come up to the mark, this aspect would be looked into by various Selection Committees when they appear for promotion before them. The university authorities have taken a hard stance on the issue and even announced the date of inauguration of the scheme even though the Punjabi University Teachers Association
(PUTA) has in a general body meeting recently urged the university Syndicate to withdraw the scheme or face an agitation on the issue. The PUTA general body has said that the scheme should be withdrawn as it can be used as a tool by the university authorities to victimise selected teachers. It has claimed that the scheme was presented before the Syndicate with some vague signatures of some student bodies which had afterwards dis associated from the scheme. It has also claimed that the students of the university had not demanded implementation of the scheme nor was it prevalent anywhere else in the country. |
|
|
HC allows admission to three
students CHANDIGARH, Nov 18 — Mr Justice R.L. Anand of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today allowed admission to three students in the LlB course at the Army Institute of Law, Patiala and dismissed one writ petition leaving it to the institute to “see whether any seat could be created for the benefit of the student/ students who is/are likely to be affected by this judgement. Mr Justice Anand dismissed the writ petition of Rahul Ram Pal but allowed the petitions of Aalok Jagga, Dharam Veer Singh Sayal and Sabina Garg observing that the admission to private respondents to the five-year course of BA, LlB-2000 is hereby quashed “as I am of the opinion that the three petitioners were more meritorious than private respondents. Directions are given to the institute to draw a fresh seniority list with regard to the category of Punjab residents and give admission to the eligible writ petitioners according to their merit and seniority.” “It was also informed to this court during the course of submissions that two seats were lying vacant in the institute and two out of the three writ petitioners can be adjusted and in order to accommodate the third writ petitioner the institute may be directed to create new seats”, observed Mr Justice Anand. Upsetting the admission of Mohit Garg, Mr Justice Anand said , “A Single Bench is a competent court of jurisdiction and, therefore, a Single Bench has the right to upset the admission of Mohit Garg if it is against the provisions and regulations.” The Army Institute of Law has been established since 1999 by the Indian Army under the Army Welfare Education Society to run five years integrated BA, LlB degree course affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala, and the Bar Council of India has given approval for affiliation with effect from the academic session 1999-2000. |
|
Nabha School wins science quiz PATIALA Government Model Senior Secondary School, Pheel Khana, and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines, were placed second and third, respectively. In the rural schools, section, Government High School, Agol, took the top spot and Government High School, Rajgarh and Government Senior Secondary School, Devigarh, were placed second and third, respectively. The contest was jointly sponsored by regional chapter of the Indian Science Congress Association and the Punjab Academy of Sciences. |
|
|
Zonal youths fest begins RAMPURAPHUL, Nov 18 — Hundreds of youth belonging to 18 colleges falling in Mansa, Bathinda and Faridkot districts will compete with one another in youth festival of Bathinda-Faridkot zone which started on a colourful note at TPD Malwa College here today. Dr Daljit Singh, Director, Youth Services, Punjabi University, Patiala, said the competitions would be held in music, folk dances, shabad recitation, group skit, paintings, poster-making, mimicry modeling during the three-day festival. He pointed out that Punjabi University had reserved seats in all courses for those youths who secured positions in such competitions. Punjab Power Minister, Sikandar Singh inaugurated the festival while Mrs Rakhi Gupta Bhandari, SDM, presided over the function |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
