 |
|
| Friday,
December 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Punjab ST realisation up by 47 per cent A memorable last journey Relatives file past Major Manwinder’s body.
Inset SGPC meeting on Dec
20 Home Guards take over postal
duty Fatehgarh shows way in
e-governance |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sanctuary tillers’ fate hangs in balance Youths from Sharif’s
village to help him
Reinstatement
of Bhai
Ranjit Singh sought
Sink differences, urges Kanwaljit NCP to field more than 60 candidates SAD supports NDA stand on
temple Capt Amarinder to take office
on Dec 16 Bachan tipped for Heritage post
No tubectomy in 3 centres Mahila panel to get judicial
powers Dosanjh urged to travel by
road Change in Bishnois’
outlook on wildlife Campaign to eradicate
TB No threat to folklore from IT:
Handoo Jagmeet Brar to
launch website Ceasefire dictated by USA: Buta
Singh Few birds migrate to
Chhamb Antelope battles
for life in hospital 300-cr Central aid
to boost tourism Police team to be trained in Mumbai
6 robbers held Greed compels
sons to kill father
Call for new system of education
|
|
Punjab ST realisation up by 47 per cent CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — Of the total revenue collected in Punjab, 67 per cent is contributed by the Department of Excise and Taxation. If the sales tax revenue realised till October 31 is any indication, Rs 2,800 crore is expected to be collected by the close of the current financial year. That will be 51 per cent higher than the collection of 1999-2000. This was stated by the Minister of Excise and Taxation, Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, in an interview to TNS here today. Already the sales tax returns are Rs 1,900 crore (till October 31 last), an increase of 47 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Mr Kairon attributed this success to close networking of the staff, monitoring and cooperation of the trade. “No tax was imposed on the trade. We held meetings and a consensus was achieved,” he added. In fact, what Punjab has achieved is much higher than the average range of sales tax realisation in other states. Mr Kairon drew comparison to take credit that against an average increase of 16 to 30 per cent in other states, Punjab’s achievement was 47 per cent. The Financial Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Mr Y.S. Ratra, supplemented the Minister, saying the national consensus on the “uniform” levy of sales tax on a wide range of items also contributed to the higher returns. Contrary to the erroneous impression that agriculture produce tax is a major contributor, the fact is that its share remained almost the same, 8.7 per cent, as last year. The tax returns from the non-agricultural sector was 47.95 per cent, added Mr Kairon. This shows that the minimum support price is not being adhered to and farmers are forced to resort to distress sale of their produce at a rate lower than the prescribed minimum support price. The paddy muddle in the just ended procurement season, when the average price plummeted, is a pointer to low returns from agriculture produce tax. Initially, the sales tax target was fixed at Rs 2,650 crore. Later the figure was rounded off to Rs 2,700 crore. The Department of Finance pegged it at Rs 3,000 crore. The Minister is hopeful of receipts amounting to Rs 2,800 crore by March 31 next. “This is no flash in the pan. This collection will be over the initial target of Rs 2,650 crore”, he added. Punjab had hoped that other states would stick to the national consensus on uniform sales tax on fertilisers, pesticides (4 per cent each) and diesel (12 per cent). While Punjab followed this in respect of fertilises and pesticides, it did not do so for diesel. Both Himachal Pradesh and J and K abolished sales tax altogether on fertilisers and pesticides but retained 8 per cent tax on diesel. Haryana, too, followed. Punjab was left with no option but to levy 2 per cent tax on pesticides, 8 per cent on diesel and exempt fertilisers totally. Some other salient features for higher collection include 32 information collection centres at state entry points which have helped in better tax administration. These centres were instructed not to harass the trader and transporter. Officials admitted some laxity had crept in. Mr Kairon also counted the “deemed assessment” scheme as an enabling factor in better and higher sales tax realisation. This scheme was introduced in July, 1999, with the aim to clear all pending cases till 1994-95. The scheme has been extended till March 31, 2001, in view of its popularity. The department settled 11,794 pending cases between July, 1999, and December, 1999, netting Rs 9 crore as additional fee. The mechanism, explained Mr Ratra, was simple. No questions are asked from the trader on the returns already filed by him. But a fee of Rs 100 is levied for each Rs 1 lakh turnover subject to a minimum fee of Rs 500. The scheme will cover pending cases up to 1999-98. Mr Kairon drew attention to a large number of cases before various courts, tribunals and Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioners. Despite a heavy backlog, there are only two Presiding Officers Sales Tax Tribunals. The department estimates close to Rs 80 crore is locked up in arbitration and courts. The Minister is keen that a third tribunal should be established to quicken the clearance of the pending cases. Experience shows that those IAS officers who are made Presiding Officers feel “cornered”. If the minister has his way, a retired judge may head the new tribunal. Another proposal is on the setting up of the Excise and Taxation Technical Services Agency (ETTSA) as a registered society under the Society Registration Act. If this is accepted, it will not entail any financial burden on the state exchequer or fresh staff recruitment and will enable the department to work more effectively. With the introduction of information technology, an atmosphere of better feasibility of linking data transfer and the creation of a Wide Area Network (WAN) will be possible to create a data bank and provide information to various functionaries at the cutting edge. This will ensure(1) evasion by tax payers is minimised (2) a better decision-support system for policy formulation is devised and (3) cross-linkage of data for verifying the same with other data generated by different agencies like the Central Excise and Customs, the electricity board, Department of Income Tax, financial institutions and banks, etc. The proposed agency will incorporate an integrated relational data-base management system. Both Mr Kairon and Mr Ratra said “time” was the essence of all detection operations because the evasion of taxes and clandestine trade had been further compounded by IT with the introduction of cell-phones, computers, etc. Therefore, the department, too, has to be equipped to match the traders and manufacturers, on the one hand, and link up its own field units and officers, on the other hand. For financial back-up of the proposal, a fee will be imposed on the entry and exit of all trucks. This will accrue Rs 4 crore annually for the operational cost of ETTSA. Once operational, the system could increase the revenue by 20 per cent. Besides VSAT, the department is in dialogue with the HFCL that uses optical fibre lines. This will give it an independent and committed line.
|
|
A memorable last journey PATIALA, Dec 14 — The mortal remains of Major Manwinder Singh, who laid down his life combatting insurgents in the Kashmir valley on December 12, were given an unprecedented honour by the people of this city who along with Army officials made the last journey of the local lad and the brave soldier a memorable one . From the large number of people accompanying the funeral cortege from the house of the proud father, Col Bakhtawar Singh, to school
children lining the road and showering flowers on the cortege, to the senior Army officials acting as pall-bearers in ceremonial attire, the blowing of the last post and reversal of arms before the pyre was finally lit, the entire ceremony was conducted in as smooth a manner despite the large number of people who had gathered on the occasion. The mourners included colleagues of Major Manwinder who had come from the valley, senior Army officials who had come to pay their last respects, ordinary jawans from his platoon, teachers from the British Coeducational School where the wife of the late Major works as a teacher, to eminent citizens who had come to pay their last respects after coming to know of the tragedy which had befallen a Patiala family . After putting the body of the Major on the funeral pyre , a wreath was laid on the body by Col S.K. Mehmi on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff. Others laying wreaths from different Army sections, including the Mechanised Infantry, were Maj Gen Aditya Singh, Brig C. S. Harika and Brig D. S. Sandhu. Others laying wreaths were retired army officials Lt Gen G. S. Brar and Maj Gen M. S. Chahal, Housing and Urban Development Minister Upinderjit Kaur, Punjab Pradesh Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir on behalf of the Punjab Chief Secretary and District Police Chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu . In a departure from the past practice other district-level officers were also present in force . A contingent of the 28 Rashtriya Rifles sounded the last post on the occasion . Following this an Army contingent reversed arms as a mark of respect to the slain soldier following which his four-year-old son Armaan lit the funeral pyre assisted by other relatives . Earlier, the Army personnel removed the scores of wreaths which had been laid on the body, besides removing the uniform and pugri of the soldier which had been placed on the body as well as the National Flag draped on him. The valiant soldier was finally cremated after a lone shawl was placed on him to cover his face. A proud father holding his head high in the face of grief, a shell-shocked wife unable to even blink her eyes standing next to the funeral pyre , an innocent son asking ‘’how will Papa go to Bhagwanji when the tins ( covering the funeral pit ) are in the way’’ , fellow colleagues conducting the entire ceremony with quiet dignity. These were some of the glimpses of the funeral ceremony of Major Manwinder Singh of the 28 Rashtriya Rifles, who was killed by insurgents who attacked his post in Shutalu area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir on December 12. Col ( retd ) Bakhtawar Singh bore the death of his son stoicly. He was seen urging the other relatives to be brave when many of them broke down when the body of the late Major was to be picked up for his last journey. He was heard speaking that he was proud that his son had died fighting for the motherland. Even afterwards at the cremation ground , the former Colonel retained his poise to the very end. He received the condolences of everybody with grace, saying it was the will of God that his son should die serving his country. He held on to his four year old grand son throughout the entire ceremony. For the wife of the late Major it was difficult to be so stoic. Relatives said Manwinder’s wife collapsed when the body of the officer was being taken out of the house and had to be administered injections by a Army Medical Core officer . A relative Jagdeep Singh Marok said she had been repeatedly falling unconscious since the first day when the family received news of the demise of Major
Manwinder. The relatives said Poonam had to be given injections to put her to sleep on the first day. On the second day she had a fit in which she started telling her father-in-law to look after her son in case she did not survive and it took a long time to persuade her to come back to her senses. She had withdrawn into a shell afterwards and was not even batting her eye lids for minutes together. Four-year-old Armaan Deep, the only son of the late Major , who was dressed in Army camouflage pants on the occasion, is too young to understand the tragedy which had befallen his family. Before the pyre was being lit he was heard asking his grandfather how his father would go to God in the sky when the tins covering the funeral pit were in the way. Seeing army officers saluting the mortal remains of his father after laying wreaths, he also started saluting his father, little understanding what was being done. For Army officers of the Rashtriya Sahara who accompanied the body , it was too painful to even talk about the incident. Bound by discipline they clung to the official briefing only. However, their emotions were perceptible to everyone. One of their men had died and they were determined to pay their utmost respects to his mortal remains. From senior officers acting as pall-bearers, to the firm but courteous dignity with which the entire exercise was conducted and the large presence of officers and men from all ranks who laid down countless wreaths on the body of the army officer, their hidden emotions were there for all to see.
|
|
|
SGPC meeting on Dec
20 AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — After reversing a number of decisions taken by Bibi Jagir Kaur, a former president of the executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, would again meet here on December 20. However, there is uncertainty over the meeting of five Sikh priests who were scheduled to meet at Akal Takht on December 20. After the controversial appointment of Giani Puran Singh as Head Granthi of the Golden Temple. Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu, personal assistant to Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, when contacted on telephone said notices of the meeting could not be sent to all Jathedars due to indefinite strike by the post and telegraph employees. However, sources said the high priests would discuss the next course of action due to the appointment of Giani Puran Singh before finalising the date for a meeting at Akal Takht. The Sikh experts who had already opposed the appointment of Giani Puran Singh have said the absence of Head Granthi of the Golden Temple from the meetings of Akal Takht would create rather than solve problems. The announcement of Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, SGPC chief, that Giani Puran Singh won’t attend the meeting of high priests has created an unsavoury situation in religious circles. It will be for the first time that the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple will be absenting himself from the meeting of high priests. Mr Sandhu said the Jathedar of Akal Takht who was out of the state will be returning to Amritsar tomorrow. On the other hand, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, who is abroad, would land at Indira Gandhi International Airport today. Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, would discuss the recent Panthic developments after the appointment of Giani Puran Singh in Delhi itself tomorrow with Prof Manjit Singh. The Panthic circles expressed surprise over the decision of Giani Puran Singh for not attending the forthcoming meetings of Sikh high priests for “compromising” on the issue of “maryada”. They say it is mandatory for a Head Granthi of the Golden Temple to attend the meeting of high priests as per tradition. On the other hand, the proposed meeting of the SGPC executive to be held on December 20 would endorse the appointment of Giani Puran Singh. The meeting would also confirm the proceedings of the meeting held yesterday in which a decision was taken to send jathas to Pakistan from Baisakhi next year. Another decision taken by the SGPC executive was recovery of about Rs 1 crore from students of MBBS who had taken admission in the SGPC-run Guru Ram Dass Medical College in the NRI quota. However, Guru Ram Dass Trust had exempted their fees. SGPC reverses Bibi’s orders on NRI quota AMRITSAR, Dec 14 (UNI) — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive has taken strong exception to the decision taken by its former President Bibi Jagir Kaur giving donation fee concession to a few selected students who had sought admission against the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota in Guru Ram Dass Institute for Medical Sciences and Research and Guru Ram Dass Dental College here. The executive, at its two-day meeting which ended here yesterday noted that on the directions of the Bibi to give fee concessions to eight students, who had sought admission in the MBBS and BDS courses in this academic session, had led to a huge loss of revenue to the two institutions. According to SGPC sources, this decision of the former president was aimed at pleasing a few VVIPs which included certain Akali ministers and SGPC members. The SGPC sources said that an Indian student seeking admission against a vacant NRI seat had to pay above Rs 20 lakh as donation fee but in these eight cases only Rs 1 lakh was deposited by each student. The executive through a resolution had directed the principals of these two institutions to get the outstanding amount deposited by all students who had been given concessions. |
|
Home Guards take over postal
duty AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — Nearly 50 Home Guards were pressed into emergency postal duties at the two postal head offices to tide over the crisis arising due to the indefinite strike of postal employees, even as striking employees sat on a dharna in front of the general post office and termed the move as an eyewash. The orders for deployment came from the District Magistrate after a request by Mr V.K. Mahendru, Senior Superintendent (post office), to mitigate complications arising out of the non-delivery of mail and inability to maintain subsequent essential services. Mr G.S. Bhullar, Additional Director-General of Police-cum-Commandant General, Home Guards, and Director, Civil Defence, Punjab, assigned the control of the head offices to Mr Ananjit S. Sandhu, District Commander (Home Guards). Meanwhile, some postal employees whose services do not exceed a year today extended cooperation to the Home Guards. Mr S.S. Chopra, senior postmaster, however, admitted that work at the post office with the help of the Home Guards at best be “skeletal”. On the question of the Government’s proposal to impose ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) to force the employees to join duty, Mr Chopra said the enforcement of ESMA could lead to the suspension of several employees. Mr Anantjit Singh expressed apprehensions over the law and order problems due to the striking employees and the administration’s move to deploy Home Guards on postal duties. He said branch postal offices were worse off as only 82 of them were operational while 305 were closed. Out of the total 1,744 postal employees in the district, only 313 were reporting for work. Class III employees, too, were striking duties with only 90 present on duty out of a total of 502. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Pradeep Verma and Mr Sanjeev Kumar, postal employees, who are reporting for duty despite the strike said: “Our service is just one year old and joining the strike means losing our jobs”. Meanwhile, Chairman of the coordination committee of central government employees. Darshan Dard said the move to the administration to
install Home Guards was only aimed to project the administration’s “resourcefulness”, adding that they would continue with there struggle. The National Union of Postal Employees, meanwhile reacted sharply to the move to invoke ESMA and condemned the deployment of Home Guards on postal duty. Speed post, other deliveries start JALANDHAR, Dec 14 (UNI) — The postal authorities today began local delivery of speed post articles they had received on the eve of the strike, which began on December 5, notwithstanding the continuing dharnas, demonstrations and processions by the striking employees on the 10th day of their shutdown in support of their demands. Limited transaction of national saving certificates (NSCs) also continued for the fourth day today, according to department sources. They said delivery of important legal documents like court notices, too, were being delivered in spite of constraints. Earlier, scores of employees, who had been staging dharna every day since December 5, today held a protest march in the city. They also staged a protest demonstration in front of the office of Deputy Director of Postal Accounts. SHIMLA: Postal services continued to remain disrupted in Himachal Pradesh as employees entered the 10th day of their indefinite strike on Thursday. The employees organised rallies and demonstrations outside the post offices and raised slogans against the government for not implementing the Justice Talwar committee recommendations. A rally was also organised at the General Post Office here where the employees raised slogans against Union Communication Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and burnt his effigy. The employees submitted memoranda to Himachal Pradesh Governor Suraj Bhan and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to prevail upon the Central Government to accept their demands and initiate a meaningful dialogue to end the strike. The memorandum was also given to opposition leader Virbhadra Singh. Meanwhile, the postal authorities claimed the department had made special arrangements for acceptance of greeting cards on the occasion of Christmas and New Year. They said arrangements had also been made to deliver local ordinary mail, particularly admit cards, interview cards, appointment letters, invitation cards and legal notices. |
|
|
Fatehgarh shows way in
e-governance FATEHGARH SAHIB: Fatehgarh Sahib was the first district in the state invited to participate in the India International Trade Fair — 2000, held recently at Delhi, to demonstrate its model of e-governance, computerisation of land records and registration of documents, etc. Appreciating the efforts of the district administration in information technology, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, during his visit to Punjab Pavilion at the ITTF, said the state was touching new horizons in this field. Many other dignitaries including Chief Secretary R.S. Mann, visited the pavilion and praised its model of e-governance. According to Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, the Union Ministry of Information Technology has sanctioned a pilot project on e-governance — Citizen-IT Interface project — worth Rs 80 lakh. This project was sanctioned on the recommendation of the high-powered team that visited the district headed by Mr S.P. Singh, MIT Director, who appreciated the good work done by the district administration in introducing information technology in various offices. The project is in full swing and would be completed by March 2001. It will cover all the branches of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the SDM’s office, tehsil offices, municipalities and block offices. The cabling work has already been done at the Mini Secretariat and a local area network established. With the implementation of this project, a new era will dawn on the district. It will provide speedier and efficient interface between the government and the public, besides ensuring transparency, efficiency, objectivity and accountability of the administration. It will help tackle most maladies prevalent in government and various offices by providing quick, transparent, cost-effective and efficient services to the people. On the one hand, it would improve the quality of work, while on the other, it will create an accountable and responsive system. It will fundamentally change the way the government operates and will bring in fresh responsibilities for the executive, legislature and citizens. Besides, the Union Government has also sanctioned an ambitious pilot project worth Rs 63 lakh for digitisation and field maps of the district. The work would include plotting of village maps, introduction of longitude and latitude using GPS, storage of scanned documents on CD-Roms, and developing a query-based geographical information system. After digitising the jamabandis’ data, which is near completion, would be linked with these maps. In this way a complete GIS system would be prepared and one can generate any type of information by clicking anywhere on the map. The district has already taken lead in computerisation in its various offices. All the projects initiated, such as computerisation of the Sub Registrar’s office, linkage of block headquarters with the district headquarters through e-mail and Internet, computerisation of jamabandis, computerisation of various branches of DC’s office etc. have already been implemented. |
|
Sanctuary tillers’ fate hangs in balance HARIKE (Ferozepore), Dec 14 — The fate of about 600 landless tillers, who plough the area within the Harike Bird Sanctuary here, continues to hang in the balance due to the absence of amnesty from the state government. The government, which is making large-scale efforts to promote Harike as a eco-tourism centre has apparently failed to recognise the plight of these poverty stricken tillers, who are considered as encroachers by Wildlife and Revenue Departments. Their demand for allotment of the sanctuary land at concessional rates continues to hang fire, as the wildlife norms have tied the hands of the administration, which cannot allow cultivation in the sanctuary for long. Since most of these tillers are outsiders and not the owners of these lands, their rights could not be settled during the notification of the sanctuary. These tillers have been cultivating that part of the sanctuary land that did not emerge at the time of construction of Harike barrage. With the wildlife authorities now stepping up their drive to prevent encroachers from trespassing into the sanctuary, the tillers foresee a dark future. Inquiries revealed that the tillers of at least five villages — Manno Maachi, Gatta Darel, Jamali Wala, Rukna Wala and Hardo Jand are awaiting amnesty. The Zira Subdivisional Magistrate, Mr Bakhtawar Singh, said that 600 persons have applied for the allotment of sanctuary or pond area at concessional rates and their case is pending at the highest administrative level. He added that the lands being a part of the sanctuary cannot be transferred in their names. He, however, assured that the authorities would never allow their eviction without proper redressal. He also revealed that while a
majority of these tillers were outsiders, a few of them could be those, whose lands were acquired by the government for the construction of the barrage. Even a World Wildlife Fund document has pointed out that the barrage was completed without proper rehabilitation schemes for the displaced villages. Besides, the local farmers were encouraged by the government itself to rid the area of wild growth during terrorism as part of its strategy. Since a part of the sanctuary was used as a hideout by the militants, the authorities themselves prompted the locals to bring these lands under cultivation during the 80s. The situation may turn sore, if the matter was allowed to linger. The Wildlife Department’s anti-encroachment drive has already evoked protest in Kirian village. This may also affect the much publicised social fencing scheme of the government to engage locals in protecting the sanctuary. On being contacted for comment, the Ferozepore Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, said that the government has already been asked to take a sympathetic view of the situation and disclosed that the policy to accommodate the tillers had yet to be chalked out. |
|
Youths from Sharif’s
village to help him JATTI UMRA (Amritsar), Dec 14 — Now it is for youths of the native village of deposed Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to reciprocate the gesture of Mr Sharif who has been exiled to Saudi Arabia. The youths of Jatti Umra (the native village of Mr Sharif) who were sent to Saudi Arabia by Mr Sharif for employment during his stint as Prime Minister are now well-settled there. The parents of these youths have received telephonic messages that they would help Mr Sharif during his exile there. “Mr Sharif will not feel home sick in Saudi Arabia as we are there”, they told their parents on telephone. It may be mentioned here that Mr Sharif had visited Jatti Umra in 1982. Mr Gian Singh and Mr Bur Singh, talking to TNS said about 60 youths from this village were personally sent by Mr Sharif to Saudi Arabia. However, villagers who expressed their happiness over his release from a Pakistan jail said Mr Sharif should have come to Jatti Umra to revive old relations. “We would have given him a lot of love and affection. After all, this is his native village” he said. |
||
Reinstatement of Bhai
Ranjit Singh sought AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — Hailing the decision of the SGPC to send jathas to Pakistan, Mr Harminder Singh Gill, the All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) has asked Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi to reinstall Bhai Ranjit Singh as Jathedar Akal Takht to resolve all Panthic issues. Mr Gill alleged that sacking of Bhai Ranjit Singh as Jathedar Akal Takht during the time of Bibi Jagir Kaur was ‘wrong’ and hence the federation would launch a movement for his reinstallation. Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, who had taken a jatha to Pakistan despite boycott by the SGPC has also welcomed the decision of the SGPC for withdrawing the boycott. Mr Sarna said Bibi Jagir Kaur had deprived the Sikhs from paying obeisance at shrines in Pakistan for one and half years. Meanwhile, the AISSF demanded a high-level probe into the alleged ‘embezzlement of the SGPC funds’ during the last one and half year. The federation has decided to stage a protest rally on December 21 at Jalandhar for getting Sikh youths released from various jails.
FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 14 — Giving a clear-cut indication regarding the elections to the state Assembly at the earliest, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Minister for Finance, urged the party workers to sink differences and work unitedly so that the Shiromani Akali Dal could sweep the elections which are round the corner. Capt Kanwaljit Singh had come here today to address a workers’ meeting which was convened to make arrangements for the political conference of the party to be held at the annual Shaheedi Jor Mela to be held from December 25 to 27. Interestingly, the meeting, which was attended by all the factions of party in the district, turned into a grievance-airing meeting. Allegations and counter-allegations were made against rival factions. Workers highlighted their grievances and criticised the working of the police and alleged corruption in the Police Department. Addressing the workers, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the policies and programmes of the party would be announced at Shaheedi Jor Mela. The workers would be given special guidelines. He said the Shiromani Akali Dal faced no threat from the Congress and the SHSAD. Lashing out at the Congress, he said the infighting and groupism in the Congress was at its peak. He said Capt Amarinder Singh had been made president of the PPCC two months ago but till today he had not been able to take charge. He said none of the rival factions had accepted him as president. He said he was not elected as president by the party workers. Rather, he was nominated at a meeting held in a five star hotel of Delhi. The minister said the Congress would be no more in the state and the country. He said the party had not won a single election under the leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Capt Amarinder Singh. He said the Congress was now a dead organisation. Its leaders were fighting for their own survival. They were never loyal, he alleged. On the other hand, the history of the Akali Dal was replete with sacrifices for the cause of the state. He said most of the problems of the state had been created by the Congress. Lashing out at the SHSAD, he said the party had no existence in the state. The people had understood their gameplan as they were working as agents of the Congress. He said the Shiromani Akali Dal would sweep the coming Assembly poll. He said the party has done a lot for the Dalits. He urged the workers to highlight the achievements of the government so that the policies and programmes could reach the grassroots level. He assured the workers that their problems would be solved on a priority basis. The district administration would be asked to be more responsive towards workers and solve their problems on priority basis. In his address, Jathedar Swarn Singh Chanarthal, district president of the Dal, said the party and organisation were supreme. He advocated the cause of the workers and said in his native village he was being humiliated by the rival faction. He said the party was losing due to infighting. He too criticised the working of the district police. Mr Balwant Singh Sahpur, MLA from Amloh, said the workers had suffered due to infighting in the party. He blamed the leaders for encouraging
groupism. Mr R.S. Cheema, former minister, read five resolutions which were passed by raising hands. |
|
NCP to field more than 60 candidates MANSA, Dec 14 — The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will field more than 60 candidates leaving other seats to any political party forming an alliance with it for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections”, Mr Sarwan Singh, president of the Punjab state unit of the party, said here today. Mr Sarwan Singh, who was here to attend the meeting of the district unit of the party, disclosed national leaders of the party were in touch with other political parties to plan the strategy for the Vidhan Sabha elections. He hoped the NCP would form a coalition government in Punjab with the support of like-minded parties. He added that the loyal Congress workers were not happy with the dictatorial attitude of the state leadership as a result of which they were being forced to leave the Congress party. Mr Surjan Singh Joga, former MLA, and Mr Balwinder Singh, general secretary of the Punjab Youth Congress, have joined the NCP because of this. He further hoped his party would be the strongest party of the state in the near future. He said in order to streamline the party activities Mr P.A. Sangma, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and national general secretary, Mr P.P. Patambran Master, national general secretary, and Mr Ramesh Gupta, national secretary, will tour Punjab on December 16-17. They will address the zonal convention to be held in Sangrur district on December 17. Mr Gora Lal Goyal, president of the district unit, who chaired the meeting, assured the state president that a large number of workers from Mansa would attend the zonal convention. |
|
SAD supports NDA stand on
temple ROPAR, Dec 14 — The SAD (Badal) supports the resolution passed at a recently held meeting of all NDA constituents that decision regarding the construction of the Ram Temple should be taken according to the Supreme Court verdict. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, stated this when asked to clarify the position of his party on the issue that had stalled the proceeding of Parliament since last one week. Mr Badal was here to attend a free eye camp organised by the local youth Aggarwal Sabha at DAV School here today. When asked to comment about the situation arising due to the rejection of the candidature of the Printing and Sationery Minister, Bibi Satwant Kaur Sandhu, by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Badal said the government was trying to find a solution to tackle the problem. He however, refused to elaborate on it as the matter was sub judice. Earlier, Mr Badal thanked the Central Government helping the state to come out of the paddy crises. He also told that the compensation to those farmers who sold their paddy in distress would also be released soon. Giving details of the various development works carried out by the SAD/BJP government, he said that the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa was the biggest achievement of his government. During these celebrations most of the bridges and roads in the Ropar district have been constructed. The work of the remaining projects and the bridges over the Sirsa and Swan rivers and the construction of the Ropar bypass would also be completed soon, he added. Mr Badal announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the Youth Aggarwal Sabha Ropar, Rs 1 lakh to the SD Kanya Mahavidyala, Rs 1 lakh to the DAV School and Rs 1 lakh to the local gaushala. On the request of Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Punjab, who was also present, he also issued instructions to the local council authorities, not to charge the enhanced water bills from the residents in its area. Mr Mittal said that SAD/BJP government had fulfilled all its election promises. The attempts of the Congress to mislead the farmers on the paddy issue had failed and now it was trying to create apprehensions regarding the wheat procurement. However, in order to counter this propaganda the Punjab Government had already worked out the plans for wheat procurement, he said. Bibi Satwant Kaur Sandhu said that the present SAD/BJP government was the only government that has helped the Dalits in the state. The ‘shagun’ and other schemes launched by the government had helped the downtrodden, she said. She also demanded from Mr Badal the bridge on the Ropar-Chamkaur Sahib road and the Ropar bypass should be constructed on a priority basis. The Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, Mr G.S. Grewal, Mr Pritam Singh Salomajra, district president of the SAD, Mr Bupinder Nath Dewan, district president of the BJP, Mr Ujjagar Singh Wadali and Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, SGPC member from Anandpur Sahib, were among those present. |
|
Capt Amarinder to take office
on Dec 16 CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — Capt Amarinder Singh will be formally installed President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on December 16. An official spokesman said Mr Moti Lal Vohra and Mrs Ambika Soni, both General Secretaries of the AICC, and Chaudhry Sultan Singh, Chairman of the State Election Authority, would be present on the occasion. Capt Amarinder Singh, who has been re-elected to the office of the PPCC President, will visit Amritsar on December 15, to pay obeisance at Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh and Shri Durgiana Mandir along with senior party leaders.
AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, SGPC Secretary and close confidant of outgoing SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, may be tipped for the post of Director of the Heritage Centre at Guru Nanak Dev University, which will be inaugurated by Mr Ujjal Dosanj, Prime Minister of British Columbia, next week. When contacted, he said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister and Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi had asked him to continue as SGPC Secretary. “I shall resign as secretary whenever I would be directed by Mr Talwandi and Mr Badal”, he said. Mr Rajinder Singh Mehta, a former president of Sikh Students Federation (Mehta-Chawla), is a hot contender for the same post. Mr Mehta said he would obey the directives of the SAD and undertake any assignment given to him. |
No tubectomy in 3 centres SANGRUR, Dec 14 — The three-member fact-finding committee, formed by the Sangrur Civil Surgeon to probe the cause of death of two women and lapses which had led to serious health problems to other nine women operated upon for tubectomy at the mini primary health centre at Khanauri on December 4, submitted its report to the Civil Surgeon late last evening. The committee was headed by Dr Suresh Goyal, District Family Planning Officer, Sangrur, while Dr V.P. Goyal, SMO, Malerkotla, and Dr Narpal Singh, gynaecologist, were the other two members of the committee. The committee was formed on December 8 and was ordered to submit its report in three days but it took six days to complete its proceedings in view of the three-day pulse polio campaign. The report of the committee was today sent to the Health Minister, Punjab, the Secretary, Health, Punjab and the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, by the Civil Surgeon. Confirming this to TNS here this afternoon, Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, said he had also sent his comments to the government along with the report of the fact-finding committee to take further necessary action on the report. He said it was now up to the government to take a decision in this case. He also assured that no erring person would be spared, if found guilty. However, despite repeated requests the Civil Surgeon declined to divulge the findings of the committee on the plea that he could not do the same at this stage as the final authority lay with the government. Meanwhile, the Civil Surgeon has taken some steps to prevent occurrences like Khanauri tubectomy cases in the district in the near future. As part of this exercise, he has ordered that no tubectomy operations will be done in some rural hospitals and mini primary health centres of this district. Admitting that he had made such verbal orders, Dr Bansal said for the time being it had been decided that no tubectomy operations would be conducted at Khanauri, Kup Kalan and Kuthala villages. Meanwhile, the committee formed by the PCMSA comprising Dr Darshan Pal and Dr Sanjiv Jindal accompanied by Dr Baldev Sahota and Dr Surinder Singla, state president and regional secretary of the PCMSA respectively, visited Khanauri and Banarsi villages yesterday. Dr Singla said the PCMSA committee took the statements of the staff members of the Khanauri health centre, Dr S.S. Joshi, SMO, Moonak, who conducted tubectomy operations, and Dr Parmpal Singh, Medical Officer of the Khanauri mini PHC. While the relatives of Sheela Devi of Shahpur Therri village who died after the tubectomy operation on December 6 met the PCMSA fact-finding committee at Khanauri. They demanded a high-level inquiry into this tragedy, punishment for the erring persons and compensation for the bereaved family. Dr Singla said the committee also visited Banarsi village where another woman Reshma, died on December 5 after the tubectomy operation. Besides expressing sympathy with the bereaved family the committee members also gathered some information from the family related to the tubectomy operation and its aftermath which led to the death of Reshma. Meanwhile, the Punjab Population Control Committee of the district at its meeting here today demanded from the government that arrangement should be made by the government to get insured every man and woman before vasectomy and tubectomy operation at its own expenses. The committee felt that this would lead to confidence among them in the future. |
|
Mahila panel to get judicial
powers BATHINDA, Dec 14 — The Punjab Mahila Commission would soon be come a statutory body and would be given judicial powers. This was stated by Mr Gobind Singh Kajla, Minister for Social Security, Women Welfare and Child Development, Punjab at a press conference here today. Mr Kanjla said that a resolution would be passed in the Punjab Assembly in this regard in the coming session. He added that the commission needed these powers to work properly and effectively, to curb crime and atrocities against women. Mr Kanjla further said that to protect the rights of children a Helipline would be established throughout the state. In the helpline the deputy commissioner (DC) and senior superintendents of Police (SSPs) would be available on telephone for those children against whom discrimination and crime would be committed. The incidents of crime would be dealt with on a priority basis. A separate telephone line would be made available for this purpose, he added. Earlier, Mr Kanjla, at a function distributed the social security pension certificates to eligible persons. He said that the process of giving these pensions had been decentralised. He said that subdivisional magistrates (SDMs) had been given the powers to dispense such pensions. Mr Kanjla said that the arrangement had been made that the person who had applied for the pension should come to know about his case in month’s time. Mr Kanjla said that Punjab was at the top position as for as the number of social security pensioners was concerned. He added that at present 6.75 lakh persons were getting such pensions in the state. During the past three years the government has given Rs 277 crore to these pensioners and during the current financial year there are plans to distribute Rs 166.77 crore to the social security pensioners. Mr Kanjla added that there was plan to given two lakh such pensions in the next financial year. In the function held today 1,068 persons were given the pension certificates. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, was also present. |
|
Dosanjh urged to travel by
road DOSANJH KALAN (Jalandhar), Dec 14 — Though they are proud that their “pind da munda” Ujjal Dosanjh has become the premier of British Columbia state of Canada the Punjab Government and the NRI Sabha have joined hands to honour him by organising a state-level function here on December 27 but, the anguished residents of this village of the Doaba region want Mr Dosanjh to come to his ancestral village by road in the hope that it might lead to the improvement of the 5 km stretch of the link road, dotted with hundreds of potholes that have been lying unattended for years. The objective of the valedictory function, to be presided over by the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, and a convention being organised by the government and the NRI Sabha is to facilitate Mr Dosanjh and 25 prominent NRIs who have contributed in the socio-economic development of the state. The village will be illuminated and fireworks will also take place. Mr Dosanjh, the chief guest, will be accompanied by the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. But the villagers, on the other hand, do not want such a pomp and ceremony. They just want that the approach road should be relaid. They want to utilise the opportunity and have already demanded that VVIPs should not come to the village in a chopper. “We have been told that the chopper carrying Mr Dosanjh and Mr Badal would land on the village school. But, our demand is that they should travel by road after landing at Phagwara, and see the condition of the road, said Mr Gurdial Singh, village sarpanch. He said he had already conveyed the feelings of villagers to the Deputy Commissioner. Our basic problem is the worst condition of the road linking the village to the Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway and it has not improved despite the best of our efforts,” said Mr Gurdial Singh. Mr Jaswinder Singh Goga, panchayat member, said the village school had ample space for landing of the VVIP helicopter, still villagers want them to travel through the road. “We think that the first hand experience of the VVIPs could lead to betterment of the road at least,” said Mr Goga. When this correspondent visited the village yesterday, the PWD men were doing a patch work on the approach road, the condition of which is so bad that it is almost impossible to drive a vehicle on it. “We are not relaying the road but we have been instructed to do the patch work in the wake of the VVIPs visit to the village,” said a PWD employee. |
|
Change in Bishnois’
outlook on wildlife ABOHAR, Dec 14 — A significant change in the outlook of animal loving Bishnoi community towards the wildlife has been observed in the open sanctuary here. Fragmentation of agricultural land and devastation of crops by the deer and blue bull
(Neelgai) population here has forced the Bishnois to drive out wild animals from their fields, a practice that was earlier considered as taboo. Both, the Bishnoi leaders and wildlife officials, admit the change and attributes it to the agrarian pressures on the community that largely rely on farming. A visit to the Bishnoi villages within the sanctuary revealed that the community does not mind others chasing away the wild animals with the help of potash explosions. A section of Bishnois are also frank in suggesting the sterilisation of blue bulls
(Neelgai) to keep a check on their population as a long-term measure to save the crops. This clearly indicates departure from the convention, as the 29 commandments of the community emphasise on mercy to the animals and bar sterilisation of the bulls. This change in the outlook of the community is also being attributed to the absence of leader like late Mr Sant Kumar. The farmers are particularly annoyed at the increasing population of blue bulls
(Neelgai) who stamp down their crops with hooves. Wheat and cotton crops are the most vulnerable from the deer population. They generally chew up the bulbs of the cotton flower. “Threat to our crops has forced us to drive out these animals”, said Inderjeet Beniwal of Rajpur village. He said, “While other communities were resorting to explosions, many of our compatriots are also using these methods”. He suggested that the wild animals, whose population had increased manifold either be sterilised or caged in one part of the sanctuary. Even the wildlife officials have observed the change and say that the community is confused, as to how to deal with the threat from wildlife. Expressing his concern over the change in the outlook of the community, the President of All-India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Mr Ram Singh, said the pressure on agricultural land had substantially changed the minds of the younger generation. He, however, sought to play down these incidents as “stray” assuring that no Bishnoi can ever think of killing the animal. |
|
Campaign to eradicate
TB FARIDKOT, Dec 14 — The Punjab Government will launch a campaign from January 18 to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the state. The first programme in this connection which will start in Amritsar will be inaugurated by Dr C.P. Thakur, Union Health Minister. This was stated by Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, while talking to mediapersons here today. He said three lakh persons had been affected with tuberculosis in the state. To mobilise the plan regarding its eradication, district-level committees had been formed with the help of different social organisations headed by Deputy Commissioners. The committees would collect the funds to provide medical aid to patients. In reply to a question, Dr Chawla said the state government would soon provide medical aid on a priority basis in rural areas. Expressing concern over the rise in the percentage of drug addicts, the minister said more drug inspectors would be appointed to check the sale of intoxicants in the state. He appealed to chemists not to give medicines without prescription. Dr Chawla said 53 per cent were addicted to some intoxicant or the other in the urban areas, according to a survey conducted by World Health Organisation. He said more than 36 lakh children up to the age of five had been administered polio drops between November 5 and December 10 in the state. The minister said 300 more doctors would be appointed in the rural areas of Faridkot, Ferozepore Bathinda, Mansa, Moga and Muktsar districts in the next two months to improve health services. A proposal was also under consideration to recruit more doctors in Kandi area. Later addressing a meeting of doctors and civil surgeons from Faridkot and Ferozepore divisions, Dr Chawla said the state government would start a special programmes to ensure a clean administration and check the sale of spurious drugs. Earlier, a deputation of BJP leaders of Faridkot district met the minister and expressed its concern over the indifferent attitude of various Faridkot district officers to resolve problems of party workers. The minister assured the BJP leaders that the problems would be solved soon. |
|
No threat to folklore from IT:
Handoo AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — “Folklore today has no threat from information technology. Rather the latter helps in preserving the folklore and also gives a chance to understand it”. This was stated by Dr Jawahar Lal Handoo, Chairman of Central Institute of Languages, Mysore, and President of Indian Folklore Congress, yesterday in an interview. Dr Handoo was here to attend the proceedings of the three-day 21st Indian Folklore Congress hosted by the School of Punjabi Studies of Guru Nanak Dev University. Dr Handoo said the traditional paradigm of history-writing and its weaknesses had not only misled generations, but also blurred the story of mankind and to a great extent perpetuated the power of politics, he added. He said the history-writing completely depends upon the written metaphor and as such adds to the idiosyncratic expressions of the writing system. He was of the view that history and literature have not only coexisted but remained in free variation and more often are not interchangeable. Dr Handoo said the “academic period” of folklore studies should not be misunderstood as a period of collection, classification, indexing and archiving of the era of folklore scholarships. That era he said was over now. He suggested that folklore and oral traditions be treated as discourse and as an alternative knowledge for a fresh interpretation of Indian society and its social behaviour. He said many western countries whose discourse have very strong roots in oral traditions have already begun the task and the findings of the research based on alternative knowledge are not only interesting but are becoming instrumental in shaping the destiny of these societies. He was of the view that oral discourse has a primary concern of discovering social categories and the behaviour of our society both of the past and the present. “Once we use oral discourse as the main alternative knowledge, we will certainly discover new patterns, new paradigm, that will help us to reinterpret Indian social behaviour. The results of this exercise, if pursued seriously will perhaps provide us with an opportunity to correct our systems despite the invasion of technology, globalisation, language and mischievous literary paradigms”, he added. He added that the folklore studies and the study of oral tradition in the country might need protection from fast emerging neo-missionaries and neo-colonialism. |
|
|
Jagmeet Brar to
launch website CHANDIGARH, Dec 14 — Training of Haryana legislators in information technology notwithstanding, now it is the turn of Indian Members of Parliament (MPs) to be cyber savvy. Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, MP from Faridkot, may perhaps become the first parliamentarian of the Indian subcontinent to have his own independent website. In most of the advanced and developed countries, MPs, have their own websites through which they keep their constituents posted of their work in Parliament and other forums. Though some of the major political parties, both national and regional, have their websites, which are generally updated during elections, no parliamentarian or legislator in the subcontinent has his own website. Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar says that his website — www.jagmeetsinghbrar.com is billed for formal inauguration sometime in the second week of January. Mr Brar has chosen a group of US Senators for the formal launch of his website. His site will provide the surfer a thorough inlook into his political career and activities. Mr Brar is the convener of the Punjab Congress Parliamentary Party and Whip in Parliament. www.jagmeetsinghbrar.com will carry parliamentary speeches till date delivered by Mr Brar on issues like Punjab problem, national integration, river water dispute, Ayodhaya crisis, Kargil operations, plight of the Punjab farmers and host of other important and burning issues concerning the nation in general and Punjab in particular. The multi-page site would include articles written by experts of the state with reference and impetus on the problems of Punjab, Sikh issues and plight of the common man. Another interesting feature of his website is with regards to religio-politico history Punjab. The concept of individual websites of MPs started some years ago in North America. Most of Members of House of Commons (MPs) have their independent websites where they keep posted their statements, speeches, stand on various issues and even their availability besides answering email from their voters, government departments and other agencies. Once the concept comes here, most of our MPs, too, would jump on the website band wagon as it is the easiest and cheapest way to reach, out to the people. |
|
|
Ceasefire dictated by USA: Buta
Singh PHAGWARA, Dec 14 — Former Union Home Minister and senior Congress MP, Mr Buta Singh, alleged that the unilateral ceasefire announced by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee during the ongoing holy month of Ramzan had been dictated by the USA. Talking to newspersons here yesterday, Mr Buta Singh said this step will not serve any purpose other than tying the hands of security forces and pandering to terrorists. He said it was good that the ousted Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif had accepted exile as he could return when situation became conducive. Mr Buta Singh further said the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee was not a friendly step by Pakistan. The Indo-Pak pact envisioned that Gurdwara related-issues would be settled by Pakistan in consultation with the SGPC, he said. The ISI-controlled PGPC was anti-India and anti-Sikh step, he quipped. Mr Buta Singh sought the intervention of the President to check communalism. He dismissed the observation of RSS Chief, Mr Sudarshan, that the then Prime Minister, Mr Narasimha Rao and his Cabinet had a hand in the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He took to task the government for its silence over the declaration of VHP Chief, Mr Ashok Singhal, about the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya at any cost. By giving clean chit to three ministers, Mr L.K. Advani, Mr M.M. Joshi and Ms Uma Bharati in the demolition of Babri Masjid, Mr Vajpayee, had caused contempt of judiciary, alleged Mr Buta Singh. He demanded that the Prime Minister be penalised for becoming the mouthpiece of the RSS. He denied that the third front would constitute any danger to the Congress. Under the leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi, the Congress had gained much though the media was not doing fairplay vis-a-vis these gains, said Mr Buta Singh. Regarding Punjab, he said the SAD-BJP Government had failed on all fronts and had disillusioned Punjabis. |
|
|
Few birds migrate to
Chhamb GURDASPUR, Dec 14 — Migratory birds from Siberia have arrived at Magarmodian Chhamb, 5 km from here, but their strength is comparatively less this time. Mr J.S. Dhillon, Vice-President of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to animals, talking to this correspondent said that insufficient rain had led to a fever number of birds migrating to the Chhamb. The other reasons were continuous encroachment into the Chhamb by panchayats, the creation of fish ponds in the area and leasing of Chhamb land to the farmers for supplimenting the income of the panchayats. According to official sources, the Chhamb has about 1000 acres of land. The villages whose lands falls in the Chhamb included Daala, Bhola, Maini and Keshopur. More than 450 acres land of Miani panchayat fell in the Chhamb. The birds, both migratory and local, which are found in the Chhamb are coots cranes, ducks, artridges, water fowl, and water hen. Mr Dhillon alleged that there were unscrupulous elements which killed the birds by poisoning them with chemicals. The matter had been repeatedly brought to the notice of the wildlife authorities, but in vain, he claimed. The department had only three offices in the district which were located at Gurdaspur, Dera Baba Nanak and Pathankot. The offices neither had any vehicle at their disposal nor telephone. Meanwhile, Mr B. Vikram, Deputy Commissioner, has recommended to the government to declare the Chhamb as a wetland and protected area. He visited the Chhamb on December 8 alongwith Mr Dhillon and president of the district unit of the NRI Sabha to explore possibilities to make the Chhamb a tourist spot for foreigners and bird lovers. Mr Vikram said that to make the Chhamb an attraction for tourists Mr Vinod Khanna, MP, has volunteered to help launch a project. For this, he has authorised the use of his website to seek funds from NRIs to start motels and other attractions at the site.
Antelope battles
for life in hospital HOSHIARPUR, Dec 14 — A young wild antelope being chased by hunter dogs from Nars-Dada forest area reached the city and entered the house of one Mr Pathras opposite DAV College on the Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh road this morning to get shelter. Inhabitants of the area were taken by surprise at this development even as excitement filled the air, especially among children of the locality. A huge crowd gathered in front of the house to have a glimpse of the wild beauty. On seeing the rush of people, the antelope, who was badly injured, began to shiver. Sources said that on getting information, Rajinder Singh and Balbir Singh, both Ranger Officers of Hoshiarpur and Haryana Forest Rangers, respectively, along with their staff reached the spot and took the antelope to the veterinary hospital for treatment. The antelope was given three bottles of glucose, but instead of showing any improvement its condition began to deteriorate, till reports last came in. Mohinder Pal and Harminder Singh, chowkidar and driver of the Hoshiarpur Forest Range, said no official from the Wildlife Department had turned up till late afternoon despite repeated reminders.
|
|
300-cr Central aid
to boost tourism
KAPURTHALA, Dec 14 (UNI) — The Punjab Government has received a grant of Rs 300 crore from the Centre for development of tourism in the state, State Tourism Minister Choudhary Swarna Ram said today. Addressing a function after inaugurating Gardenia Tourist Complex in Shalimar Gardens here, he said the state tourism department had decided to set up a Rs 85-lakh yatri niwas at SAS Nagar near Chandigarh. A Rs 1-crore reception centre for the convenience of non-resident Indians would be set up at Ludhiana, he added. The minister claimed that all tourist complexes run by the department were operating in profit. He said Rs 50 lakh each would be spent on tourist complexes at Ferozepore and Harike, while another Rs 20 lakh and Rs 32 lakh would be spent on similar complexes at Jalandhar and Ludhiana, respectively. He said a team headed by principal secretary of his department would soon visit Kanjli near here for an on-the-spot survey to further develop the picnic centre there. |
|
|
Police team to be trained in Mumbai HOSHIARPUR, Dec 14 — Mr A.A. Siddiqui, Additional Director General-cum-Director, Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, talking to mediapersons at the Police Recruit Training Centre in Jahan Khelan, 8 km from here, today said that the first batch of police NGOs and GOs was being sent to Mumbai for a month to be trained in traffic from the Maharashtra police. After it comes back, a traffic police training centre would be set up at the training centre here where training relating to four traffic courses would be imparted. Referring to the community policing service, he said a survey was being conducted to assess its results. A questionaire relating to the present police culture and its modification had been circulated among the public to get suggestions in this regard.
Earlier, Mr Siddiqui took salute from 260 trainees during a passing out parade. |
|
Trains’ speed reduced PHILLAUR, Dec 14 — The Northern Railway has reduced the speed of all mail, express and superfast trains, running on main New Delhi-Amritsar and New Delhi-Jammu Tawi rail sections from 110 km per hour to 80 km per hour from 2a.m. to 6 a.m. due to cold wave, which could develop cracks in the railway lines.
Railway sources said here today that cold weather patrolling trains would escort the trains to detect any cracks and to warn the drivers of the train.
The Punjab Health Systems Corporation has clarified the news item “Health Corpn pays lakhs for family labs appearing on page 6 yesterday. It says: The Health Systems Corporation was formed much later and the purchases referred to in the news item were made by the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare.”
JALANDHAR, Dec 14 (UNI) — Activists of the Shiv Sena today held a protest march and demonstration against the terrorist activities of Pakistan-sponsored outfits in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly of Lashkar-e-Toiba, in nearby Nakodar town as part of their continuing agitation in various towns of Punjab.
Led by their local president Ral Kumar, they assembled at sabzi mandi and marched through the town before reassembling at the fountain chowk where they burnt the effigy of the Lashkar-e-Toiba amid shouting of slogans against Pakistan. |
6 robbers held AMRITSAR, Dec 14 (UNI) — The police today claimed to have arrested a six member gang of robbers. The SP (Operations), Mr Amit Prasad, told newspersons here that articles like television and VCR sets and mobile phones other articles were recovered from their possession. Two pistols, one .12 bore gun and a toy pistol was also recovered from their possession, he added. Those arrested have been
identified as Harjinder Singh, Balram Singh, Sham Lal, Updesh Kumar, Mohammed Shamsher and Moti Rehman. Greed compels
sons to kill father JALANDHAR, Dec 14 — Overcome by greed for ancestral property, two sons of a canal department employee allegedly axed him to death in his government house in Adampur township. The body of Met Hera Lal was found by the police on December 5. His sons claimed that he had been killed by somebody and his room was found locked from outside. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said during investigations the police found out that the two sons of the deceased, Ramesh Kumar and Harjinder Kumar, were unemployed and that the latter was drunkard. Their father would threaten to divest them of their ancestral property. Ramesh Kumar and Harjinder Kumar confessed to having murdered their father, who had six acres of land in Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. He said the duo decided to do away with their father after which Ramesh could claim the job in place of his father while Harjinder could inherit the land. They killed their father using an axe and a knife. As per the plan, they kept quiet for three days and later told the police that they had found the body of their father in a pool of blood in his room.
The axe used by them has been recovered by the police. |
Call for new system of education TALWANDI SABO (Bathinda), Dec 14 — A seminar on educational atmosphere in the Sikh educational institutes was organised here today by the Takht Damdama Sahib. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, said the present educational system needs to be revamped. The present system could produce only clerks and lower-level workers for the new economy, he added. A new education system on the lines of ancient teachings should be framed and religion and moral values should be made a part of the educational syllabus, he said. The SGPC should frame a 25-year policy for the Sikh educational institutes and these institutes should not be made scapegoats for entering into politics. He demanded that teachers of leading institutes be sent on foreign trips to imbibe new ideas and experiment with the new system. Mr Avtar Singh Hit, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Damdama Sahib also spoke. |
 |
| 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 | |
