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| Sunday, November 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Kamaljit moves HC to cancel Bibi’s bail SGPC post: Tohra not
to oppose Talwandi PSEB needs cash, not electricity
duty Smuggling of khair
continues Army, police (not) at loggerheads |
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Victim of attack by minister’s kin
dies Panel exonerates
gynaecologist Pension payment: touts worry Dang
Tarlochan Singh not
in race for RS seat
Naik lights Amar
Jyoti Endless wait for husband’s
return 2 hospital employees
suspended for graft
Seminar on dianetics Sarpanch festival at
Nabha Brick kiln owners’
strike may continue Jagjit Puri bereaved
Pond a health risk to students PCCTU to hold protest rallies Apeejay College lifts trophy 40 cr earmarked for
computer education Zonal youth fest concludes
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Kamaljit moves HC to cancel Bibi’s bail CHANDIGARH, Nov 25 — Alleging blatant “misuse of the concession of anticipatory bail” Kamaljit Singh, a young man of Begowal village in Kapurthala district of Punjab and who claims to be the husband of late Harpreet Kaur, daughter of SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the cancellation of the bail granted to SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur on November 15 by Mr Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar of the court. Bibi Jagir Kaur has been booked by the CBI under Sections 302, 304, 342, 313, 201 and 120-B of the IPC for the murder of her 19-year-old daughter Harpreet Kaur after aborting her child. Kamaljit Singh alleged that on November 22, Bibi Jagir Kaur came to Begowal and stayed there the whole day in the house of Mr Dalip Singh Tibbewala. “Later a number of persons were made get together at the dera and were incited by Bibi to take action against the petitioner and his family”, Kamaljit alleged in his petition. A TV team headed by Ms Bhawna Ahluwalia had come to record a TV footage to be shown on Doordarshan in a programme titled “Dar Asal”. She along with other members of the team came to his house at 5 p.m. on November 22. As the petitioner was not at home at that time she waited for him and the petitioner reached home around 5.30 p.m. “Immediately thereafter, a crowd of 200/300 persons consisting of men, women and children, most of them drunk came outside the house of petitioner. They started abusing and advancing threats to the petitioner and his family. From amongst the crowd, the petitioner could identify Dalip Singh Tibbewala, Asa Singh, Surinder Singh Rubi, Paramjit Kaur, Balbir Kaur, Manjit Kaur (teacher and daughter-in-law of a close relative of a very high judicial officer), Janak (cook of the dera) Balwinder Kaur, Narinder Kaur, Balbir Singh and his wife and Amrik Singh,” Kamaljit stated in his petition. Sensing serious threat to his life the members of his family, the petitioner rang up SHO Begowal on telephone who was not at the police station at that time but was accompanying Bibi Jagir Kaur at her dera. The police did not take any action and the petitioner met the SSP Kapurthala the next day and told him, about the persons in the mob he had identified. But the police wrote a simple FIR against some unknown persons but not against those who he (Kamaljit) mentioned in his complaint, alleged Kamaljit. The petition was filed in the registry today and is likely to be taken up on Monday. |
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SGPC post: Tohra not
to oppose Talwandi LUDHIANA, Nov 25 — While admitting that he did not have the numbers on his side for the forthcoming election to the post of President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal (AISAD) chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today said his party would not oppose the candidature of Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Mr Kripal Singh Badungar and Mr Mal Singh Ghuman for the post. Talking to mediapersons at the residence of his party MLA, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Mr Tohra said if one of them was fielded for the post, his party would neither oppose nor support them. But in case Mr Sucha Singh Langah or Bibi Jagir Kaur were fielded, the AISAD would field its own candidate. He said he was no longer interested in the job as he had “played a long innings”. Mr Tohra pointed out that Mr Badal himself, being the president of the SAD and at the same time Chief Minister was bound by the Constitution not to raise religious issues. The practice was that the SAD President and the Chief Minister were different persons, but Mr Badal had violated this tradition. Mr Tohra said Mr Badal was following the Congress culture in every manner. He was perpetuating family rule. All major decisions were taken within the family. He said the Badal government had played havoc with the state’s economy and it was at the brink of bankruptcy. Mr Tohra apprehended the misuse of government machinery during the Assembly elections. He said he had met members of the Election Commission and suggested that the government be made to resign before the elections and these be held under Governor’s rule. But the EC members had told him that they had made similar recommendations to the government which had been turned down. Mr Tohra announced that the AISAD would stage a demonstration in Chandigarh on December 2 in protest against the failures of the Badal government. He said leaders from Opposition parties including the CPM and the Samajwadi Party were expected to participate. Former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani and former CBI Director Joginder Singh would address the rally. |
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PSEB needs cash, not electricity
duty PATIALA, Nov 25 — The Punjab Government’s decision to compensate the Punjab State Electricity Board ( PSEB ) against the free power being given to the farming sector by asking it to retain the electricity duty has not cut ice with the board management, which says it needs liquid cash immediately to carry out expansion works. The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, had announced on November 23 that the government had decided to adjust Rs 250 crore payable to it as performing electricity duty in lieu of the free power being given to the agricultural sector . The main grouse of the board management seems to be that Mr Parkash Singh Badal had announced after the partial tariff hike in July this year following protests from the industrial lobby that the shortfall would be met by a Rs 200-crore grant. The board had subsequently written letters to the Chief Minister reminding him of the promise and even suggesting that it be given Rs 50 crore per month for the last four months of the financial year to tide off the financial crises being faced by it . The board was hoping to get the Rs 200-crore grant besides the adjustment being done in electricity duty but the announcement of the Finance Minister meant that no money would be forthcoming to the board against compensation for supplying free power to the agriculture sector . PSEB Chairman G.S. Sohal when contacted by TNS said the board had requested the government for Rs 50 crore per month for the last four months of the financial year, citing the fact that it did not have liquid cash. He said presently no money was available for carrying out expansion works, adding that the Board had to spend money on releasing as many as 45,000 temporary connections, besides purchasing power from central agencies as its hydroelectric output had been less . Mr Sohal said the consumption of electricity by the agriculture sector was not metered and could not be calculated. Giving details of the financial position of the board , Mr Sohal said the expenditure till now had been Rs 2,809, while the money accruing from the sale of power had been Rs 2,828 . He said while these figures gave the board a cushion , it had to pay loan and interest on Rs 3,700 crore, which had been taken from various financial institutions . He said this year itself the board had taken a working capital loan of Rs 500 crore . The PSEB Chairman however feels that too much attention is being given to the losses suffered by the board by giving free power to the agricultural sector . He added that there should also be a discussion on other subsidies like that being given to the domestic sector, which was being charged at the rate of Rs 1.50 paisa per unit while the production rate of a unit was around Rs 2.50 . He further said the board should also be allowed to be run on commercial lines, adding that if this was done than there was no need for any other measure like trifurcation, which had been tried in other electricity boards in the country . He said the delivered cost of power should be taken into consideration while structuring the tariff . |
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Smuggling of khair
continues ROPAR, Nov 25 — The Nangal police on Thursday seized a truck carrying about 15 quintals of khair (acacia catechu) wood, under Section 25 of the Police Act. According to the police, the truck was parked unclaimed near the local petrol station. The incident has once again came to the fore with the issue of illegal smuggling of the khair wood cut from the forests of Himachal Pradesh in the areas bordering the district. although there is ban on cutting the khair in Himachal Pradesh, there is no such ban in Punjab. The local smugglers take advantage of this lacunae in the law. They have the permits for trading in the khair wood in Punjab. The khair wood which is used for making “katha” and numerous other medicines are sold at hefty price in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other states where the “katha” making units are located. Once the khair wood cut from the forests of Himachal Pradesh crosses the state border and reaches Punjab, it is sold to the traders by the smugglers at the rates ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,500 per quintal. The illegally procured wood is quickly cut to pieces to remove all signs of its identity. The Punjab police has also expressed its helplessness in crubing the menance of khair smuggling. Police officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said neither the Punjab nor the Himachal forest officials come forward to claim the smuggled wood captured by them. The smugglers taking advantage of this fact approaches the permit holder traders of khair, who get the captured wood released by claiming it to be theirs. However, even this version of the police fails to explain certain facts. Most of the khair wood that is cut after the government permission bears the mark of the respective states. Moreover, the cutting of the khair wood is allowed only during the particular season. So, as in the case of the illegal wood captured on Thursday, it is a clear fact that it has been illegally cut from the
prohibited jungles. |
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Army, police (not) at loggerheads CHANDIGARH, Nov 25 — Apropos of the news item, “Army, police at loggerheads over case”, published in these columns on November 14 and “Police party returns empty-handed” in Ludhiana Tribune on November 16. It pertained to the case of a car, owned by Dr Parveen, a faculty member of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, which was allegedly forcibly taken away by her husband, Dr Vijay Kumar, with whom she has estranged relations. On her complaint, filed with the Station House Officer, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, a first information report was registered on November 12. An offence was made out IPC Section 382, of the IPC against her husband. She has said in her complaint that her husband forcibly took away even the original documents against her wishes. The next day a police party, headed by Assistant Sub-Inspector Narender Kumar, was sent to Bikaner to recover the vehicle, a Santro car, PB 10 AL 0891. The parents of Dr Vijay Kumar reside there. The police party returned empty-handed. Attention has been drawn by Dr Parveen to certain baseless allegations and several factual errors in the two news items. Dr Vijay Kumar is not a Major serving as a doctor in the Army and posted at Bikaner, as reported. He is an ex-Captain now doing MD in skin and venereal diseases at Government Medical College, Amritsar, having got admission under the PCMS quota. He has filled a five-year bond with the state. The car was purchased by Dr Parveen under her name after due permission from PAU and Rs 2 lakh bank loan from the State Bank of India, Ludhiana, in her own name. She was paying the instalments as well and not her husband, as reported in the news items. These had been paid till April, 2000. According to her, the husband, with whom she is fighting a case in the District and Sessions Court for the custody of her minor child, took away the car in March,2000. Dr Parveen received a letter from the bank on November 6 informing her that no instalment of the loan repayment had been paid after April and that the insurance of her car was valid till only November 21. She was asked to submit a photocopy of the renewed insurance. Having failed to get the car and papers back from her husband, Dr Parveen wrote to the SHO on November 12, seeking restoration of her personal vehicle. The police party which went to Bikaner was never detained by the Army authorities, as
reported. The Army authorities were not involved in the case at any stage nor was there any occasion for their involvement since the husband is no longer serving in the Army. ASI Narender Kumar returned empty-handed after he spoke to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Kuldip Singh, at Ludhiana. In his statement to the SSP, Narender Kumar reportedly stated that he saw the car parked at the residence of Dr Vijay Kumar’s parents but on false pretext and promise its delivery was delayed by the family which later fled away in the same car. Dr Parveen has taken strong exception to the “scandalisation” of the whole matter in the news items, particularly to the “wild allegation” that she had “ illicit relations” with her brother-in-law, who is a Superintendent of Police attached with the Punjab Chief Minister’s security. (The Tribune apologises for the news items and the hurt caused to the persons concerned.— Editor) |
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Victim of attack by minister’s kin
dies PATIALA, Nov 25 — Balwant Singh, a former sarpanch of Bhedpura village, who was allegedly shot at by Faujinder Singh, brother of Akali Minister Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, on November 18, succumbed to his injuries at Government Rajindera Hospital here today. Tension prevailed at Balwant Singh’s native village of Bhedpura, about 15 km from here in Samana Subdivision, during the cremation. On November 18, Faujinder Singh allegedly fired at Balwant Singh and Nahar Singh over a land dispute. In a statement recorded before the Samana station house officer (SHO) at Rajindera Hospital on the day of the incident, Balwant Singh had alleged that the minister’s brother Faujinder Singh, had came to their fields on November 18 and had begun ploughing the land on which they had already sown wheat. When Nahar Singh objected to this act , he was fired at in the leg, causing him to collapse. Balwant Singh had received a bullet wound in the head during the shooting. Balwant Singh had further alleged that when he and Nahar Singh reached Rajindera Hospital, they saw that Faujinder Singh and others had positioned themselves at the main entrance. They did not allow the victims to enter the hospital premises but the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Rajiv Ahir, intervened and got the gates cleared, following which Nahar Singh was
admitted to the hospital. Mr Mohan Singh, brother of Nahar Singh, alleged
police apathy in the matter and threatened that if the police did not act promptly, he would move the high court. Victim of attack by minister’s kin
dies Initially, a case under Section 307 IPC (attempt to murder) was registered against Faujinder Singh and others and it had now been converted to Section 302 (murder). Panel exonerates
gynaecologist PHAGWARA, Nov 25 — The fact-finding committee of medical experts constituted by Dr O.P.S. Kande, President, Indian Medical Association, Punjab, had given clean chit to Dr Pratibha Bansal, gynaecologist at Civil Hospital, Sangrur, and demanded withdrawal of case against her as well as action against the SHO for registering the case without verifying the facts. Dr Raman Aggarwal, Chairman, Medical Action Committee-cum-Legal Cell, IMA, Punjab, releasing the report of the panel here today, flayed the registration of case without setting up any expert committee for finding out any negligence on the part of the doctor. Exonerating Dr Bansal, the IMA panel found that the deceased Sukhwinder Kaur was suffering from anemia and hypertension which led to foetal death, disclosed Mr Aggarwal. The patient was given two units of blood and there was no negligence on the part of the doctor, asserted experts panel. Besides withdrawal of the FIR, the IMA also demanded that no case should be registered against any doctor without the report of an expert committee consisting of the Civil Surgeon of the area and an expert of that medical branch. |
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Pension payment: touts worry Dang AMRITSAR, Nov 25 — The Veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang has come down heavily on the Department of Pensions. In a strongly worded letter to the Deputy Director, Pensions, Mr
S.L. Kajil, he has expressed concern at pension being doled out to persons not eligible for the same. Citing hundreds of cases, Mr Dang has said it is a pity that the state government is least concerned about ensuing regular payment of pension to the elderly who had no other sources of income. Also, the payment had been delayed without citing any reason. The CPI leader pointed out that a list of 58 pensioners who had not been paid their arrears had been sent to the Chief Minister. It appeared there was no system to work out modalities for clearing the payments on a first-come-first basis. This ad hoc approach had
encouraged “touts” to step in. He urged the Deputy Director to personally
visit various district headquarters and look into the grievances of the pensioners. Referring to his letter sent to the Chief Minister, Mr Dang reminded the pension office of the case of Gurdial Singh whose pension was sanctioned in 1998 but who was yet to receive a single
paise. He said these were hundreds of such cases. The department apathy had brought these pensions to their knees. |
Tarlochan Singh not
in race for RS seat JALANDHAR, Nov 25 — Ruling out the possibility of his joining the race for the Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab in case it is vacated by the present incumbent, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, the vice-chairman of the Minorities Commission, Mr Tarlochan Singh, today said he was fully content with his present post. Talking to the TNS here today, Mr Tarlochan Singh, said he was not in the race since he thought he could serve the community by retaining his present position. “Working as a vice-chairman of the commission has given a lot of satisfaction to my inner-self and I want to continue in present position,” said Mr Tarlochan Singh. |
Naik lights Amar
Jyoti AMRITSAR, Nov 25 — The eternal flame — Amar Jyoti — was like a shining star in the otherwise darkness of the historic Jallianwala Bagh complex when Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Ram Naik lit the flame in the presence of his deputy E. Ponnuswamy and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today. The “jyoti”, mounted on a five-foot-high granite platform and on the same pattern as Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, New Delhi has been set up by the Indian Oil Corporation. This jyoti will burn like Amar Jawan Jyoti and symbolically provide light to those who perished on April 13, 1919, when Brig Gen. R.C.H. Dyre sprayed bullets on a peaceful gathering protesting against British rule. Mr Naik in his speech after inaugurating the “jyoti” said it “is dedicated to the struggle for Independence and sovereignty of India.” The minister also honoured Baba Shingara Singh and, Lala Harbans Lal Uppal, both of whom were young boys of this holy city when the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred. Earlier, during the inauguration of Amar Jyoti, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Punjab Minister for Health, was pushed by a group of policemen who were trying to control the sloganeering crowd. Dr Chawla fell on his back and his foot got stuck in a flower bed adjoining the pathway. A policeman fell over him crushing him further. Those present did not notice and hence did not come to the rescue of Dr Chawla. It was only when the policeman was helped up that Dr Chawla was rescued. Talking to this correspondent, he tried to make light of the situation. “It happens,” he said. Ms Neelam Arora, president of the Manav Kalyan Seva Samiti, too was pushed and later disallowed to join the entourage of Mr Ram Naik, Petroleum Union Minister . Among those who trekked up to the empressive flower-bedecked pandal were Mr Ponnu Swami, Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr :Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Raj Mohinder Singh, member of the Rajya Sabha, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Punjab Minister for Local Bodies, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur, MP, Mr R.L. Bhatia, MP, and Mr M.A. Pathan, Indian Oil Corporation Chairman. Earlier, Mr Ram Naik on his visit to Harmander Sahib announced the grant of 300 LPG cylinders for the langar free of cost. Addressing the gathering, Mr Badal announced the amount of Rs 300 crore released by the Centre to Hindustan Petroleum for the much-awaited Bathinda refinery project. The Rs 8000-crore project is to become operational with prospective foreign collaboration soon. Mr Naik announced that Punjab would continue to be a pioneer state in using LPG for cooking instead of kerosene. He said the 23 per cent subsidy on kerosene would continue while other subsidies would be done away with by 2002. He also assured grant of five lakh gas connections to Punjabis. |
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Endless wait for husband’s
return HOSHIARPUR, Nov 25 — Ms Ravinder Kaur, along with her father-in-law Teja Singh and mother-in-law Nasib Kaur, residents of Devi Dass village in this district is running from pillar to post to know the whereabouts of her husband Surinder Singh who left his family to meet a travel agent Swarna Ram of Sherpur Pucca village on September 25. Mr Sukhjinder Singh, brother, and Mr Tarsem Singh, father of Ms Ravinder Kaur, told mediapersons here today that one of the close relatives of Surinder Singh, who is serving in the CID, was called by a police officer a few days ago. He told him that Surinder Singh died in an accident in Russia. They contacted Swarna Ram, his mother-in-law Jeeto, residing at Gorewaha village and his brother-in-laws Baljinder Singh and Dharampal. Baljinder Singh and Dharampal were running an illegal travel agency in Moscow. They contacted the brothers in Moscow and Jeeto personally at Gorewaha village. They failed to provide information about Surinder Singh. They said during investigation they came to know that Gurinder Singh of Ladhran village and Baljit Singh of Kingre Choewala village were also accompanying Surinder Singh. They said Surinder Singh a graduate came in contact with Swarna Ram who assured that he would send him to Italy and for which he would charge Rs 4,50,000. Surinder Singh arranged the money by raising loans from his relatives and friends and gave it to Swarna Ram and his mother-in-law Jeeto. On September 25 Surinder Singh went to Swarna Ram to know about the nature of job. On reaching Delhi Surinder Singh informed his sister Balwinder Kaur on the telephone that he was going to Italy next day. Balwinder Kaur who was residing in Delhi informed Surinder Singh’s family about his departure. They said it was the last telephone call of Surinder Singh. |
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2 hospital employees
suspended for graft JALANDHAR, Nov 25 — Two civil hospital employees, including a doctor, were suspended today for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2000 during a surprise raid by two Punjab ministers in the hospital. While briefing mediapersons, the state Health Minister, Ms Mohinder Kaur Josh, said that she got a complaint over her mobile phone that Dr Nirmal Dass, who was on duty in the emergency ward, had allegedly been demanding a bribe of Rs 2000 from some injured persons to enter their injuries in the medico-legal report (MLR). “After receiving the complaint, I along with Mr Balbir Singh Maini, state Minister for Medical Education, immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital and money was recovered from the almirah of the doctor,” said Ms Josh. Nirmal Dass and ward servant Chhotte Lal were suspended immediately and the Principal Secretary, Health Department, would forward the case to the police authorities concerned for registration of a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, she added. Earlier in the morning, driver Gurdip Singh and conductor Sukhwinder Singh were severely injured by some youths of Kanpur Abadi near Doaba College Chowk and wee admitted to the local Civil Hospital. Taranjit Singh, owner of the transport company, alleged that Nirmal Dass and Chhotte Lal demanded a bribe of Rs 3000, which was later reduced to Rs 2000 for preparing the MLR. Interestingly, the Health Minister, when asked to identify the complainant, did not disclose his name. |
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Seminar on dianetics PATIALA “Dianetics is described as the science of life. It helps in getting rid of unwanted feelings, emotions, thoughts, ideas, conditions that might lead to physical ailments”, explained Mr Yogi Burger. He added that this science sets people free of tensions and worries and helps them to live a happier and healthier life. He said that all ailments have their roots in the past and we help them recall the happenings of the gone days to relieve them. Mr Yogi informed that dianetics was developed by Mr L. Ron Hubbard 50 years ago and these seminars were being held to mark the golden jubilee of the Scientiology, an organisation founded by him at the same time. Participants felt satisfied after the session. Mr Amandeep Singh wrote on the feedback copy that he was relieved of his knee pain. Ms Sandeep Sandhu felt better when her chronic neck pain left her after the session. |
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Sarpanch festival at
Nabha PATIALA Mr Singh advised the farmers to abide by the suggestions of agricultural specialists and government workers from time to time. He said that in the past when the farmers had to suffer due to the non-procurement of rice, the state government saved farmers from even greater loss by taking a loan of Rs 250 crore from the Central Government. He said the farmers must adopt high yielding varieties for better production. He further encouraged them to take up side jobs in addition to farming to enhance their income. He praised that the farmer of Punjab is very hard working and the produce of this state is compared to that of Japan. However, marriage and other occasions are celebrated here according to our own culture and the Punjabis are more extravagant, he added. These days the exchange of cars and huge amounts has become a common practice. He urged them to stop this ill practice and improve individual financial status. He inaugurated the Mehram Group, which would update the farmers about the latest agricultural techniques and new varieties of seeds. This will help farmers in improving the standard of their crops. The soveinier of the Mehram Group and a calendar of 2001 of Modern Agro was released on this occasion. He announced a grant of Rs 30,000 from discretionary fund. Mr B.S. Bir, chairman of the Mehram Group, said the group was already publishing three monthly magazines namely — Mehram, Kheti Duniya and Ghar Shingar. He said in order to bring about awareness among the farmers they have started these sarpanch festivals. The first festival in this series was held today at Nabha where 10,000 sarpanches and village heads were invited. Many competitions were organised during the festival. |
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Brick kiln owners’
strike may continue BATHINDA, Nov 25 — The strike of brick kiln owners will continue indefinitely if the demands of the union are not met. The brick kilns have not processed even a single brick in the state for the past six months and ancillary units of the kilns are also suffering. Those who derive their livelihood by the transportation and selling of bricks are facing hard times. Mr Surjit Singh, president, of the Brick Kiln Owners Association, said in a press conference here today that the government had put undue pressure on the brick kiln owners. “We had given our demands to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, three months ago but no solution has been found till date”, said Mr Surjit Singh. |
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Jagjit Puri bereaved CHANDIGARH, Nov 25 — Mrs Sheela Bhalla (68), President of the Mahila Mandal, Patiala and Chairperson Manav Sewa Kendra there, succumbed to her injuries at the PGI here. She met with an accident when the car in which she was travelling collided with another car on November 19. She was shifted to the PGI in a critical condition where she breathed her last today. She is survived by her husband, Mr G.K. Bhalla, an industrialist and former Chief Enforcement Commissioner, Punjab Excise Department, three sons and a daughter. Mr Jagjit Puri, an IAS officer of Punjab cadre and her son-in-law, said that Mrs Sheela Bhalla was cremated today at Patiala. |
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Pond a health risk to students BATHINDA: An educational institute is a place for the all-round development of a person, but the ones here are quite different. About 4,000 school and over 3,000 college students of the local DAV institutions face a constant risk of their health due to the stagnant pond behind their institutes which has no fencing around it. Interestingly the pond is as old as the college itself. The parents of the wards seem to be unaware of the problem or are just mute spectators. The ill-effects of the stagnant water into which sewer connections pour hundreds of litres of sullage daily are known to one and all. The pool, as it is known to students, is not so small that the town or the district administrations can gloss over. Stray animals, particularly pigs, have a good time at the pool, feeding on the household waste. “We had brought this to the civic body’s notice but no concrete action has been taken to solve the problem,” lamented Mr
S.Marriya, Principal of DAV College. The district administration is aware of the seriousness of the problem, but is not serious in solving it and the efforts of the two institutes had borne no fruit, he observed. “The college has embarked an ambitious project to develop the site, which is about six to seven acres, as a sports stadium, gymnasium and an auditorium but the pond has proved an obstacle and all plans remain on paper”, said the principal. The soil testing report was in favour of the project but the project was unable to take off, he regretted. The stagnant water is not only posing a danger to the health of the students but is a source of ground water pollution as well. This is not the only area affected by the problem of stagnant water, there are other areas also like the Sanguana
Basti, etc where one can encounter such pools. It seems that the authorities take these `pools’ for granted of have got more pressing work to deal with.
Mr S.K.Mittal, Executive Officer of the Bathinda Municipal Council, admitted that these ponds were a constant hazard. Plans to eradicate these water bodies were in full swing and with more funds these areas would get a face-lift, he added. He, however, denied that any sewerage connection drains out into the pond behind the DAV institutes. The topography of the area is such that rain water flows into the pond, he added.
Mr R.S.Gulati, Superintendent Engineer of the Sewerage Board, Bathinda, admitted that due to the lack of funds certain areas did not have underground sewers . A plan to lay sewers in the city had been held up due to lack of funds.
Mr Kulwant Singh, head of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, Bathinda, when asked about the ground water pollution by the ponds replied that the PPCB had taken samples of the ground water from different areas of Mansa and Muktsar districts and these had been sent for testing. He admitted that ground water pollution was mainly due to the stagnant water and industrial effluents. Samples from various places would be taken to check for any pollution of ground water by stagnant water or industrial effluents, he added. It is worthwhile to note here that the town’s ground water has a high content of fluoride and is unfit for human consumption. Coupled with this the stagnant water makes it more polluted and renders it unfit even for farming. |
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PCCTU to hold protest rallies PHAGWARA, Nov 25 —The 600-strong Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), which has been spearheading struggle against the government since August, will start a series of regional protest rallies and marches in the constituencies of Punjab Education Minister, Finance Minister and Chief Minister at Pathankot, Banur and Gidderbaha on November 27, December 19 and January 18 respectively. Prof Charanjit Chawla, general secretary, PCCTU, today said the union executive committee would meet at Chandigarh tomorrow for discussing and deciding maximum mobilisation of teachers for these rallies. Teachers from colleges in Batala, Dhaliwal, Dina Nagar, Qadian, Mukerian, Dasuya, Garhdiwala, Pathankot would join the protest on November 27 by resorting to mass casual leave, said Professor
Chawla. |
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Apeejay College lifts trophy AMRITSAR, Nov 25 — Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, was declared victorious in the Guru Nanak Dev University final youth festival which concluded here today. Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor, who presided over the valedictory function, presented the trophy to Ms Suchrita, Principal of Apeejay College, Jalandhar, and their students. DAV College, Jalandhar, and Hans Raj Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jalandhar, lifted the runners-up trophy while Khalsa College, Amritsar, finished third in the youth festival. The bhangra trophy went to Khalsa College, Amritsar. DAV College, Jalandhar, and Lyallpur Khalsa College stood
bracketed runners-up. Similarly, in gidha competition, SDSPM College for Women, Rayya, won the trophy while RR Bawa DAV College for Girls, Batala, and SHD KMV, Kala Sanghia, remained
bracketed runners-up and HMV, Jalandhar won the third position. In bhangra, Manohar Singh, Niti Raj and Malkeet Singh were adjudged the best dancers. In giddha, Manpreet, Pavneet Kaur and Lovneet Randhawa emerged as ‘best dancers’. |
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40 cr earmarked for
computer education BADAL (Bathinda), Nov 25 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, yesterday said that about Rs 208 crore would be spent to improve the educational standards during the current financial year. Mr Badal, who was here in connection with the annual prize distribution function of Dashmesh Girls Senior Secondary School, said that Rs 30 crore was being spent to provide better educational facilities in the girls’ school. He added that Rs 25 crore, being earned from the education cess imposed on liquor, would be spent on furniture, repair of the school building and to provide other necessary facilities. He pointed out that the government was making efforts to start computer education in 700 high schools and added that the government and private colleges of the state would be covered under the scheme. He added that the government had arranged Rs 40 crore for computer education in the school during the current financial year. He said that Rs 1 crore would be spent to construct the Hockey Astro-turf ground for the students of Dashmesh Girls College and Senior Secondary School. |
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Zonal youth fest concludes MALERKOTLA, Nov 25 — The three-day Punjabi University zonal youth festival of the Sangrur zone concluded at Shanti Tara College, Ahmedgarh, 17 km from here, yesterday. Mr Daljit Singh, Director, Youth Welfare Department, Punjabi University, Patiala, gave away the prizes at the concluding session. Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Principal of the college, said more than 500 students from 18 colleges participated in the 26 cultural items at the festival. |
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