Moonak SDM submits report
Khanauri tubectomy deaths
From Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, Dec 19 — In his inquiry report submitted to the district administration regarding the Khanauri tubectomy case, the Moonak SDM, Mr Navtej Singh, has left some important questions unanswered, stating that these were of a technical nature which were being inquired into by a committee of medical experts constituted by the Sangrur Civil Surgeon.

These questions included whether there was any negligence on the part of the surgeon concerned, whether the equipment used in the operations was properly sterilised or whether all 11 women had suffered serious health problems after tubectomy due to infection.

In the absence of answers to these questions, the inquiry report seems to be incomplete and insufficient to fix responsibility on any officer and employee.

However, the SDM has recommended disciplinary action against the ANM, Ms Roseleen (Rani) of the Khanauri Primary Health Centre (PHC), for not visiting the houses of the women patients and appropriate action against her husband, Mr Dev Raj, for practising medicine though he is not registered under the Medical Council of India Act.

The women were operated upon for tubectomy on December 4 at Khanauri in Moonak subdivision of this district. Out of them, two, Reshma of Banarsi village and Sheela of Therri village, died within days of the operations, while nine — Sundran and Manjit from Therri village, Tejo of Banarsi village, Rajpati, Santosh, Kapoori, Daya, Dhanpati, all from Andana village, and Bimla from Tharua village, were admitted to the local Civil Hospital in serious condition on December 7 and December 8.

Seven of them were shifted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.

The SDM in his findings has mentioned that the practice/procedure being followed at the Khanauri mini PHC for family planning operations is full of discrepancies.

Giving details of the discrepancies, the SDM has mentioned that before tubectomy, no file of the patient is prepared in the mini PHC. Instead, a printed form is used for obtaining consent. Reports of the doctor and the laboratory technician are also not attached to this form.

The SDM has mentioned that there was no mention of the medicines given to the women before and after the operations on December 4.

The women operated upon are not given any discharge slip to show admission to the hospital, the case history and particulars of the medicines prescribed.

The SDM also recorded statements of relatives of the affected women at Therri, Banarsi and Andana villages. The statement of Dr S.S. Joshi, SMO, Moonak, who reportedly performed the operations, was recorded at Khanauri.

The SDM also recorded the statement of ANM Roseleen (Rani) and her husband.

The SDM submitted the report to the Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, who forwarded the same to top authorities, Health and Family Welfare, for disciplinary and legal action against the “erring” doctors and employees.

Mamta case exposes top brass of police
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — The merits of Mamta case notwithstanding, it has prima facie exposed the vulnerability of the top brass of police to easy traps ?

Mr B.P. Tiwari, an IPS officer of the 1967 batch holding the sensitive position of Additional Director-General of Police (Security), employed a 19-year-old girl as maid servant without even verifying the antecedents of the man who claimed himself to be her maternal uncle.

It is intriguing that the police in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar — where Mr Tewari lives — have been impressing upon residents to get their domestic helps, maid servants and servants registered with them before actually employing them, yet Mr Tewari neither got Mamta registered with the local police nor did he try to get her antecedents verified before formally inducting her.

He argued that the girl stayed at his house only for two days and as such he had no time to get her antecedents verified. This argument defies the norms meant to be observed by senior security personnel, especially when they were holding sensitive portfolios like security, both of VIPs and important installations.

Even the grant of security cover to Mr Jagjit Singh Sandhu, whose antecedents are still to be fully verified by the state police, raises questions about the credibility of the present system.

Another pertinent point raised by the current episode is that if the police can find out so much about Mr Sandhu within two hours of his holding a press conference along with Mamta Sharma, why the same could not be done with the same speed earlier, both before granting security cover to him and also before inducting the maid servant into the household of the ADGP (Security).

Mr Tiwari enjoys good credibility as an honest and intelligent police officer.

But does this credibility or honesty works if the basic security drills or professional norms are not followed. If Mr Tiwari has landed in troubled waters, it is all because of his own doings.

Meanwhile, Mr Parkash Singh Badal appears to have taken a serious view of the case and directed the Director-General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh, to depute a senior officer, senior to Mr Tiwari, to hold the preliminary enquiry into various allegations levelled by Mamta Sharma.

Subsequent to the Chief Ministers’ directions, the enquiry would now be conducted by the Additional Director-General of Police (Crime), Mr S.V. Singh. Initially the enquiry was to be conducted by the Superintendent of Police, SAS Nagar.

Mr S.V. Singh has been asked to submit his findings within 15 days from today.

Interestingly, no one turned up at SAS Nagar or at the Punjab police headquarters to lodge any formal complaint with the police. 

ADGP (Crime) to probe molestation charge
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 19 — On the directive of the Punjab Government, the state police today changed the officer who is to hold a probe into the molestation charge levelled against the Additional Director-General of Police (Security), Mr B.P. Tiwari, by a 19-year-old girl. The ADGP (Crime), Mr S.V. Singh, has been directed to inquire into the matter in place of a police officer of the rank of SP.

The Punjab DGP, Mr Sarbjit Singh, told mediapersons after inaugurating a hockey tournament here today the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had directed him to depute some senior person for inquiring into the matter. Earlier, taking a suo motu notice after receiving information about the girl’s complaint being released to the press and not the police, the DGP had ordered an inquiry by a Superintendent of Police, SAS Nagar.

The decision is being perceived as an amendment to a seemingly hasty decision taken by the state police yesterday in which it ordered a junior police officer of the rank of SP to hold an inquiry into an allegation levelled against a senior officer of the rank of Additional Director-General of Police.

He said even though the complainant had chosen to appear before the media first and announced her decision to move a court of law to demand a CBI inquiry the state government and the police has acted on its own to know the facts of the case.

He declined to comment on the veracity of the allegations but said he found it unusual that the complaint letter was in Punjabi whereas the woman had signed it in English. He said no immediate action would be taken against the police officer and he would prefer to wait till something concrete comes out of the case.

Talking about any terrorist threat in the state, the DGP informed that as per intelligence reports reaching him a number of ‘human bombs’ had penetrated into the state. He, however, assured that the police was maintaining vigil round the clock to avert any strike by terrorists. He confirmed media reports that the police had received information about the plans of certain Jammu and Kashmir-based terrorist organisations to blow up trains coming to and from the state. He said the police had already stepped up security in the trains and random checking was also being done.

In another important development, he said in the near future persons challaned by the traffic police would pay the fine at the spot. A decision in this regard had already been taken in principle and would be notified shortly.

The police has also decided to install speed radars and breath analysers at the important highways in the state to minimise the number of accidents, the DGP informed.

Woman scribe complains against Tiwari

CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 (PTI) — A woman TV journalist here today complained of alleged misbehaviour by Punjab police ADGP B.P. Tiwari, who was yesterday accused of molesting his maid servant.

The TV reporter said she was awaiting a written complaint till tomorrow and if that does not come by tomorrow she would lodge a written complaint to the DGP.

DC asks SSP to book 3 constables
From Our Correspondent

FARIDKOT, Dec 19— Mr A. Venu Prasad, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Faridkot, has recommended the registration of a criminal case against the three constables and 11 commandos who allegedly beat up at least 15 civilians at Kotkapura town, 12 km from here, on August 20.

However, he acquitted commandos Mohan Lal (No. 618) and Dilbagh Singh (No. 522) as their involvement in the incident could not be proved.

In a report sent to the district police chief, Mr Prasad demanded departmental action against the accused. A copy of the report has also been sent to the IG (Commandos), Bahadurgarh, for appropriate action.

Mr Prasad who had deputed Mr Mohan Lal Garg, SDO (Civil), a few months ago to make a detailed inquiry into the incident, submitted his findings last week to the Deputy Commissioner.

In his seven-page report, the inquiry officer, who recorded the statements of constables Bikkar Singh, Chamkaur Singh and Harvinder Singh, besides those of the affected residents of the town, said the three had admitted that they had, under the influence of liquor, quarrelled with the civilians on August 20.

The medical report also confirmed that all three had consumed liquor on that day. When contacted Dr Arun Kumar Araon, SSP, said he had not received the report so far. He said he had already suspended the constables immediately after the incident. Interestingly, the IG (Commandos) had acquitted the commandos last month for lack of evidence against them.

It is to be mentioned here that the three constables has a quarrel with political workers on August 20 in which the latter beat up the constables. However, a constable fled from the scene and returned with the commandos, following which the civilians were allegedly beaten up by them.

An association for democratic rights had conducted a separate inquiry regarding the incident in September and demanded the registration of criminal case against them.

Dhakki Sahib case: CBI probe suggested
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 19 — The investigation division headed by the ADGP, Mr A.P. Bhatnagar, of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has recommended to the commission to entrust investigation into the infamous Dhakki Sahib (Maksudra) incident that took place last year to the CBI besides recommending departmental inquiry against two police officers whose role in the case had come under cloud.

This was claimed here today Mr D.S. Gill, a human rights activist, who had represented followers of Sant Darshan Singh of Dhakki Sahib Gurdwara before Mr Bhatnagar. Mr Gill said Mr Bhatnagar observed that as political stakes were involved in this incident it should be inquired into by an investigating agency beyond the control of the state government.

According to Mr Gill, the report said, “A departmental inquiry may be ordered against them under PPR 16.38 and the inquiry may be held by a senior non-police officer. Meanwhile, both these officers, SP Hartej Singh Sekhon and DSP Balraj Singh Sidhu, may be posted to a place which is not considered to be important and where public dealing is minimal, and where from they are not able to influence the investigation in these cases,”

It has also recommended the suspension of criminal cases pending in courts against the sant and his followers during the time the CBI investigates into the matter.

About a year ago the Dhakki Sahib Gurdwara issue had hit the headlines in the media. The incident had also created a lot of tension in the area, leading to violence on certain occasions.

Mr Gill said the Single Bench of the commission, consisting of its member Mrs Maninder K. Mattewal, after receiving the report of the investigation division has asked Mr Justice V K Khanna, chairperson of the PSHRC, to place the petition before the Full Bench of the commission consisting of all five members as the matter involves political interest and the police would not act impartially in this case.

“This petition has been filed by the International Human Rights Organisation wherein it is stated that a land dispute between followers of Baba Darshan Singh on one hand and supporters of Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Punjab minister, on the other hand. The dispute flared up following certain political developments in Punjab,” Mr Gill said quoting Mrs Mattewal.

According to him, she also said, “In his report, Mr Bhatnagar has stated that there is political background to the dispute. The allegations of the police bias against the sant and his followers were found to be correct since they were corroborated by eyewitness accounts. The allegations of maltreatment, misbehaviour, torture, humiliation, use of third degree methods etc. against a large number of women and others by the police officials, including senior district-level officers, had also occurred.”

Two other petitions, clubbed with the Dhakki Sahib petition, pertaining to Bibi Inderjit Kaur of Bhutta (Mr Garcha’s village) whose Amritdhari husband Bhai Baldev Singh was allegedly framed in a false case by the Dehlon police at the behest of an Akali minister and his relatives of possessing poppy husk, and Bhai Jasbir Singh, who was burnt to death, because of their association with the sant were also recommended to be handed over to the CBI, according to the IHRO chairperson, Mr D S Gill.

POLITICS

Dhingra is Fazilka MC President
Tribune News Service

FAZILKA, Dec 19 — After a high political drama and boycott by a faction of the ruling BJP and the Opposition municipal councillor’s, Mr Mohinder Pratap Dhingra of the BJP was unanimously elected President of the local municipal council today at a meeting attended by the Surjit Kumar Jyani, Forest Minister, Punjab, at the Municipal Council office here.

In civic body house of 21 members, the BJP, with a two-third majority, had been split over the issue of election of president. Two meetings had been earlier postponed to ensure smooth election. In today’s meeting also six members of the BJP councillors faction led by Bajrang Lal Gupta, the outgoing president boycotted the meeting. Five members of the Congress municipal councillors also abstained from the meeting.

COMMUNITY

Rs 100 made all the difference
From Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

MANSOORAN (Ludhiana): One fine morning a frail old man in tattered clothes walked into a meeting of the local Girls School Welfare Committee. He took out a piece of torn cloth from his pocket and started unfolding it. All those at the meeting watched him with curiosity.

Out came a hundred rupee note from the layers of cloth. He folded his hands, and gave the note to Mr Harnek Singh, convener of the committee. “ Eh mere garib de sau rupai school de imarat vaste ne.” (This is my humble contribution for the school building.).

The man was Daya Ram, a poverty-stricken Dalit of the local village, who had been earning his livelihood on a daily-wage basis. Mr Harnek Singh stood up from his chair. He embraced Mr Daya Ram.“ Our eyes became moist and we turned a bit emotional on seeing the gesture of Mr Daya Ram,” said Mr Harnek Singh while narrating the story behind the imposing school building.

Mr Daya Ram had no stake in the school as his sons and daughters were grown up. In spite of being poor, he made his token contribution for the noble cause. His “humble” contribution made all the difference.

Spurred by the gesture of Mr Daya Ram, the committee at that very meeting decided to continue work on extending the school building with people’s contributions. “Before the start of the meeting we were not sure regarding clearance for the addition of rooms to the school building as adequate contributions were not coming for the purpose”. But Mr Daya Ram’s action created a new spirit.

Within a short time, enough money was collected from people for adding a new block having a science room, a library, seven toilets, two classrooms and a big hall. Not only that, seven old rooms in the school building were also widened to the extent of 8 ft. Two families—one of Mr Inder Singh and the other of Baba Sohan Singh — got two rooms constructed with their own money. They also provided 100 double desks in classrooms.

The boundary wall and the school main gate were also provided and the kutcha path up to the school office was paved.

The other tasks begun by the committee included the provision of a fountain, cleaning of an old holy tank in the school complex, provision of adequate drinking water by sinking a tubewell and the construction of a cycle shed and seven more rooms. Mr Karnail Singh and Mr Joga Singh, both members of the committee, said these tasks would also be accomplished in due course.

About Rs 20 lakh has already been spent by the committee. This money has come from residents of this area and NRIs settled in the USA, the UK, Canada and other countries. “Whenever our boys who have settled abroad come here to meet their families we request them to contribute for the school project and they do so willingly,” said one of the committee members. Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, when he was an MP, also made a contribution from the local area development fund of MPs.

Interestingly, the state government had contributed funds to construct only two rooms in the huge school building. It was a private school set up local elders in 1957. In 1988 , it was taken over by the government with the efforts of the late Basant Singh Khalsa, the then Education Minister. At a function held recently to launch online education in the state, Mr Tota Singh, Punjab Education Minister, announced that the institution would be upgraded to the plus two level. The school has earned a name in the fields of academics, sports and cultural activities. 

Former MLA freed in graft case
From Our Correspondent

ROPAR, Dec 19 — In a case marred with political rivalry, Mr Ramesh Dutt, former Congress MLA from Nurpur Bedi, has been acquitted of the charge of corruption in a case registered against him by the Ropar police in 1999. In the copy of the judgement which was released yesterday, the Special Judge, Mr Mohinder Pal, stated that the prosecution had failed to prove its case due to which Mr Ramesh Dutt was acquitted of the charge against him.

The judge stated in his order that complainant Kamaljit Singh had lodged a report with the police, alleging that Mr Dutt, who was an MLA in 1993, took Rs 10,000 from him for getting him recruited as a driver in the Rural Development Department. However, he was not selected, due to which he asked the MLA to return his money. The MLA instead of returning the money, threatened him with dire consequences, the complainant alleged.

The complainant had supported his allegation with the help of witnesses from whom he had reportedly taken the money on loan to pay the MLA and the person who accompanied him when he gave the money to Mr Dutt.

The judge said complainant had in his deposition before the court retracted his statement. He said he never went to Mr Dutt and never paid him any money. He alleged that Mr R.S. Khatra, the then SSP, had under pressure, got a blank affidavit signed from him and he had no knowledge about the contents.

Mr Dutt, when contacted on phone, said he was made a victim of political rivalry. He said now that he had been acquitted, he would file a defamation suit against the then SSP.

Principal ‘favoured’ brother for contract
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, Dec 19 — The publication of District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) newsletters from a printing press here owned by a brother of the Principal has sparked a controversy.

Sources in the DIET said that the Principal, Mr Ashok Kumar Sachdeva, had favoured city-based Amrit Electric Press run by his own brother for the publication of newsletters and pamphlets of the institute.

While a section of the DIET and vigilance officials said this amounted to violation of rules, the Principal, pleaded the printing work was awarded to the said firm as it had offered minimum rates for the job, when the DIET had invited quotations from the open market.

However, some resentful DIET officials, who do not wish to be quoted, said that the Principal may have favoured his brother when the quotations were invited for the job.

Though no complaint had been made, these officials demanded that an inquiry be held into the circumstances that prompted the DIET authorities to award the printing job to the firm. At least two newsletters with this reporter carry the printline of Amrit Electric Press that is run by Mr Vijay Kumar Sachdeva, brother of the Principal.

On being contacted for comment, the Principal, Mr Ashok Sachdeva denied having favoured his brother saying, the firm had offered minimum rates and the decision to award him the job followed invitation of quotations from the open market.

His brother, Mr Vijay Sachdeva also tried to play down the controversy saying these works were done during previous years and no fresh job had been awarded to their firm by the DIET.

A section of the vigilance officials said that a departmental inquiry was needed to establish the truth, as the chances of the rates quoted by other firms having been leaked out to the favourite firm by the DIET could not be ruled out. “Under no conditions, relatives can be favoured, by any department whatever the circumstances are”, a senior Vigilance Bureau official said.

Lawyers hold strike over assault on advocate
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 19 — Lawyers of district courts observed a strike and abstained from work in protest against the alleged beating of an advocate at Amloh town last night by some persons and the consequent partisan conduct of SHO, Amloh, in dealing with the case.

The District Bar Association in a meeting held here today condemned the incident and conduct of the SHO concerned.

A delegation of the Bar Association led by Mr Devinder Singh Chakal, president and Tejinder Singh Salana, former president, presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding immediate transfer of the SHO and ordering departmental inquiry against him. In the memorandum they alleged that Suraj Bhan, an advocate of Amloh, was mercilessly beaten last night at his residence. Though the police had filed an FIR and summoned the suspects, but after some time the suspects were allowed to go scotfree.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association, Amloh, has also given a call for strike tomorrow.

Remand extended for accused in Harpreet case

PATIALA, Dec 19 (PTI) — A local court here today extended the remand of six accused in the murder of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, to December 23.

Bibi, who has also been charged by the CBI in the murder case, is the lone accused not to have been arrested by the agency so far as she was granted anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court last month.

Special CBI Magistrate Jaspinder Singh Heyer extended the remand by four days of Punjab Police Sub-Inspector Nishan Singh, Dalwinder Kaur, Paramjit Singh, Harvinder Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar and Satya Devi.

Dalwinder Kaur, owner of Jasdil Mansion at Phagwara where Harpreet was allegedly confined prior to her death, was arrested in Delhi while Nishan Singh was arrested after his surrender to the CBI in Delhi.

The other four were arrested in Phagwara. 

Policemen fined for power theft
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Dec 19 — As many as six police officials were caught by PSEB officials for allegedly stealing power at their residences at Thana Sadar Colony Complex today.

A PSEB team raided the police residential quarters and found that police officials, including a DSP, did not have meters. Mr Nachhattar Singh, DSP (Commando), was allegedly using power with the help of a three-phase direct line and his residence was found to be without any power meter, highly-placed sources in the PSEB said. A fine of Rs 4,641 has been slapped on him.

Similarly, Inspector Nirmal Singh, posted at Kartarpur police station as an SHO had a direct line in his house and there was no meter. A fine of Rs 1,648 has been imposed on him.

Mr Darshan Singh, reader to the SSP, also did not have a meter. A fine of Rs 1,648 has been slapped on him.

ASI Mohinder Singh was using a separate wire connected with the main line for which he will have to pay a fine of Rs 4,199.

Construction on dera land stopped
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Patiala, Dec 19 — The fate of construction activity on Bir Kheri Gujran dera land situated next to the posh New Officers Colony in the city has been stopped with the district administration deciding that further construction activity will not be allowed there and that action will be initiated against those who had constructed houses on the dera land.

While seven similar houses have been constructed in a line on the premises of the 43-acre dera, a few others have come up separately and many plots have been cut and their boundary walls demarcated.

The dera mahant has leased out around 150 bighas of the total 234 bighas, with most of it being leased out against nominal price for 99 years. The market value of the land is reportedly in several crores.

Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir disclosed that the district administration had written to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) to initiate action, including demolition, of the houses which had been built on the dera land. He said PUDA had already registered an FIR in this regard under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act. He said it had also been decided that further construction would not be allowed on the dera land.

The Deputy Commissioner said it had come to the notice of the administration that a number of people, including retired Army offcials, had taken plots on lease on land belonging to the dera. He added that they would not be allowed to do any construction activity as the dera land could be used for agricultural purposes only. He also claimed that the lease deeds themselves did not hold as the mahant, while being appointed as head of the dera in 1985, had agreed to certain specific conditions, including the fact that it could not be exploited for commercial purposes and that it could not be alienated.

The mahant has been charged with alienating the dera land by giving out plots to private parties on long-term lease basis. It has been alleged that an attempt is being made to create an illegal colony on the dera land.

The mahant Sant Prakash denies that any attempt was being made to create an illegal colony. He said seven houses had been constructed by the dera for the stay of those associated with it as well for visiting religious personalities. He added that seven houses had been built in a line adjoining the main building of the dera for the purpose. He further said leasing of dera land had been allowed to him through a court order of the Financial Commissioner, Revenue, in 1998.

ITI instructors continue to suffer
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — Despite the verdict of the Supreme Court and a notification issued by the Punjab Government, ITI instructors in Punjab continue to suffer due to the policy of discrimination.

A civil writ petition in 1995 filed against the discriminatory policies of the ITIs in the Punjab and Haryana High Court had gone in favour of the employees.

The Supreme Court too upheld the verdict of the high court. Mr Navjot Singh Dhoot, state secretary, Industrial Training Employees Union, stated here yesterday.

In compliance of the Supreme Court’s orders, the Punjab Government through its notification dated May 13, 1997, awarded the grade of Rs 1800-3200 from 1998. Subsequently, while implementing the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission, it revised the grade to Rs 5800-9200 vide notification dated May, 1998, with effect from 1996 in respect of instructors getting the first grade.

“In a show of high-handedness”, Mr Dhoot said, “the department without assigning any valid reason is giving the basic scale of Rs 5480-8925 after a period of eight years while the actual should be Rs 6400-10640.”

The union expressing its anguish over the attitude of the department demanded to know the grounds on which the department provided a lower scale for instructors and said if the policy was not rectified , it would resort to an agitation.

Clay modelling workshop for mentally challenged 
Tribune News Service

Patiala, Dec 19 — They are as ready to learn new skills as normal children and need little encouragement to egg them on. ''I feel i am opening up a new world for them.''

This is the reaction of a clay modelling teacher who has come from Kurukshetra to teach the skill to more than 250 mentally challenged children who have gathered here from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh at a special workshop organised by the Navjivani School of Special Education in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC).

Ravinder Kumar, who is a teacher in a school near Kurukshetra, said though this was his first opportunity to teach mentally challenged children, he did not feel handicapped at teaching them the skills of clay modelling. He said most of the children were receptive and wanted to make sincere experts to learn the skill. "Look at their works and you will appreciate this,'' he said and added that most children would learn the basics of clay modelling during the three-day workshop.

Talking to other instructors one learnt the same. The instructors felt that the children picked up skills quickly when encouraged. Encouragement works like magic on them, opined the teachers who are teaching the children the basic skills of art and craft, clay modelling, music, dance, painting and theatre.

The Navjivani Society Secretary, Dr N.S. Sodhi, said the purpose of the workshop which was both learning and performing, was to provide the children with a platform through which they could get exposure. He said, besides this, the other aim was to sensitise the community to the needs of the children and create an atmosphere where the community could respond to their needs.

Dr Sodhi said it was because of this that the workshop was focusing on both learning and performing. He said while children learnt various skills during the workshops in the morning and afternoon, special performance sessions had been planned for all the three days of the workshop so that the progress made by the children could be gauged.

After the inauguration of the workshop by the Income Tax Commissioner, Mr B.M. Singh, and briefing on the subject by the society President, Mr Raj K. Sarin, the children were seen participating in various activities. Various local organisations, including the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Patiala Central, the Lions Club, the Patiala Citizen, the Patiala Majestic, the State Bank of Patiala, the Mukat group of industries and individuals, including Patiala MP Praneet Kaur and cricketer Navjot Sidhu, have contributed to the organisation of the workshop, its spokesman, Mr M.S. Chahal, said.

Construction work held up
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Dec 19 — Construction of new complexes all over the district has been held up due to increase in prices of bricks, iron bars and labour. According to a survey, the price of bricks which was between Rs 1200 to Rs 1400 per hundred last year has gone up to Rs 1700. The wages of masons and labourers have also increased. The state government has been urged to fix prices of bricks.

Agencies delaying payments: traders
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Dec 19 — Local foodgrain traders yesterday complained that they had not yet received their payments running into crores of rupees from procurement agencies for the purchases made by them in September and October.

They said despite their repeated reminders, the payments had not been made.

The Punjab Government had failed to meet their demands, they said.

They urged the government and its agencies to make payments and threatened protest in case payments were not made.

Postal services restored
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — All post offices in Punjab and Chandigarh came back to normal functioning with the staff reporting back for duty today. This was claimed by Mr A. Paul, Chief Postmaster-General, Punjab Circle, Chandigarh.

In a press note he claimed that the postal services had been normalised and efforts would be made to win back the confidence of the public. He said special arrangements for the clearance of greeting mails had been made at the General Post Office here.

Two die in mishaps
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 19 — Sab Dass (45) a resident of Santoshi Nagar, died after he fell in a well today. In another incident, Rinku Kumari (26), a resident of Bhargo camp, received 90 per cent burns when a stove burst in her kitchen.

According to the police, the injured was rushed to the local Civil Hospital, where she later succumbed to the injuries.

1 run over by train

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 19 (UNI) — Kuldeep Singh, alias Deepa, a member of the Punjab Paledar Union, was run over and killed by a train at Sirhind railway crossing here last night.

According to the Railway Police, Deepa was trapped while crossing the closed railway crossing and died on the spot. His body had been sent to the local Civil Hospital for postmortem.

Bharat Jyoti Award for Langah
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — The India International Friendship Society will confer Bharat Jyoti Award on Mr Sucha Singh Langah, PWD Minister, Punjab, at a conference on ‘Economic Growth and National Integration’ in New Delhi on December 21 for his services for the overall development of the state.

ADMINISTRATION

BBMB budget raised by 53 cr
From Lalit Mohan

ROPAR, Dec 19 — The budget allocation for the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has been increased by Rs 53 crore for the financial year 2001-02. An expenditure budget of Rs 400 crore for the BBMB in the next financial year over the current year’s budget of Rs 347 crore was approved by the board at a meeting held recently. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the partner states and the BBMB, including Mr Rajesh Chabra, Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Power, Punjab, Mr C. Raul, Special Secretary, Finance, Punjab, Mr Satish Loomba, Financial Adviser, BBMB, and Mr S.K. Duggal, Member, Irrigation, BBMB.

According to reliable sources, the increase has been effected due to the normal rise in establishment expenditure and the outlay for the purchase of the heavy machinery. In addition to it, funds were also required by the BBMB for the ongoing renovation schemes in the Ganguwal, Kotla and Pong power houses.

Confirming the rise in budget on phone, Mr Loomba said as a result of proper planning and control the BBMB had actually lowered the original budget estimate of Rs 361 crore for the current financial year to only Rs 347 crore.

On being asked if there could be a repeat situation when the BBMB was hard pressed to incur its salary expenditure, he said the liquidity position of the BBMB depended on how promptly the partner states sent their contributions. The BBMB collected only as much money as was required to run the organisation, whereas all benefits of power and water were distributed among the partner states. Through judicious use of funds and correct priorities in expenditure the project has yielded benefits even though some of the partner states were not paying their dues on time to the organisation. As a result, the Government of India had placed restrictions on overdrawing from the central fund, he said.

He further said the BBMB was also making efforts to mobilise funds under the Accelerated Power Development Programme (APDP of the Government of India on behalf of the partner states since the renovation, modernisation and the upgrading projects of the board were to receive priority under this scheme. On being asked to comment about the earnings from the consultancy services started by the BBMB and their success, Mr Loomba refused to give any figure. He, however, added that there was good scope in using the expertise and infrastructure of the BBMB for the augmentation of the receipts of the board which could in the long run reduce the expenditure burden of the partner states.

550 cr earmarked for link roads
From Our Correspondent

MOGA, Dec 19 — The Punjab Government has approved a sum of Rs 550 crore for construction of link roads in rural areas in the state and Rs 22 crore for the construction of new school buildings in these areas. These constructions would be started on war-footing. This was stated by the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, while laying the foundation of a link road which is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh in Lohara village in this district.

The Education Minister further said for the convenience of students, the government had already introduced computer system in almost all high schools in the state where students would be in a position to get computer training.

He said the Punjab Government had already upgraded as many as 2,392 schools in Punjab and there was no shortage of staff in schools in the state. He said he was happy that his government had totally eradicated copying in almost all the schools in Punjab and he had directed managements of all schools in the state that stern action be taken against those teachers found helping students for this purpose.

Later, the Education Minister also inaugurated another link road in Lohara village for which the government had already approved Rs 27 lakh. He further assured the farmers that the government had decided to cement all the flooring of grain markets in Punjab.

Fixed travelling allowance restored
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, Dec 19 — The Punjab Government has restored the fixed travelling allowance to the field staff of the state Health Department from this month for which necessary instructions would be issued to Civil Surgeons on December 21 in their meeting at Chandigarh. Earlier the state government had withdrawn this facility. The department had sent clarification to the state Finance Department against the letter through which the allowance was withdrawn.

This information was given by Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, while discussing the demands of the Para Medical and Health Employees, Punjab, in the meeting with members of its coordination committee at Chandigarh yesterday.

Mr Surinder Ghai, co-convener of the coordination committee, said the minister had agreed to adjust against the vacant posts, all those multi-purpose health workers (females) who had completed the general nursing course in the departmental institutions during their service. A committee would be constituted to reconsider the complaints of different wings relating to pay scales. 

Badal lays stone of complex
Tribune News Service

SANGRUR, Dec 19 — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today laid the foundation stone of a district administrative complex (phase-II) to be built at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore near the main bus stand here.

Addressing a gathering, he said the construction of the complex would be completed soon to bring the remaining offices of various departments under one roof. He said the judicial complex under construction would also be completed soon.

Mr Badal said the SAD had honoured Sangrur district by making Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa a Cabinet minister and Mr Surjit Singh Barnala Governor of Uttaranchal.

The Chief Minister said he would hold the “sangat darshan” in every Assembly constituency to redress the problems of people on the spot.

Mr Badal said in each Assembly constituency of Sangrur, two government high schools for girls would be upgraded to the level of senior secondary school while three schools each of primary, middle and high levels would be upgraded in each Assembly constituency in the state. He said Rs 10 lakh each would be given to schools which would be upgraded.

Mr Badal also handed over cheques worth Rs 10 lakh each to the presidents of the municipal councils of Bhawanigarh and Sangrur for development work.

Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, said administrative complexes were being constructed at Patiala, Moga, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Gurdaspur.

CRIME

Clues ‘evade’ cops in bomb blast case
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Dec 19 — Mr A.P. Panday, IG, Border Range, talking to newspersons here today said though two weeks had passed, the police had not been able to get any clue regarding the bomb blast that took place near the fields of Mullewal, on December 3. Before the bomb exploded the convoy of Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, had passed through the area.

Mr Panday said the laboratory tests had excluded the possibility of RDX being used. The tests could prove to be wrong also.

Mr Panday said the police had worked on various theories and interrogated more than 80 persons in connection with the blast but had failed to establish any lead so far. Till the persons involved in the blast were identified the police could not jump to any definite conclusion. The bomb blast occurred at a place where it could not cause much hard to life and property.

Mr Panday said in the fields close to the site of the blast, the police recovered an empty cigarette pack and a matchbox which had prints in Bengali language. He added the police was working on the theory that Bangladeshis might be behind the blast. But a lot of labourers from West Bengal are also working in the area. However, the involvement of Bangladeshis is certainly a factor which is being looked into by the police.

The IG said our neighbours across the border were aiding an abetting terrorism in India. The police was quite aware of their evil designs and was making every effort to prevent the occurrence of anti-national activities in the state.

Mr Panday said there was no cause for complacency. About six months ago some terrorists sneaked into our territory through Dera Baba Nanak but were apprehended by policemen of that area.

The IG said the police had to be active against bad and anti-social elements but the people also had to be aware of their rights and responsibilities to get justice. The police was part and parcel of society.

2 held, electronic items recovered
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — A gang operating in the city since the past six months has been busted with the arrest of two of its members. One of them is absconding. The police has recovered a cache of electronic items, including three computers screens, three UPG, two key boards, one printer, four speakers, and three television sets from their possession.

Those arrested are Kamal Kumar, alias Vicky, and Sham Lal. Raj Kumar, alias Raju, is at large. All of them belong to the Mausajabad area.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Amit Prasad, SP (Operations), said the gang had broken into five shops and the stolen articles were sold at less than 10 per cent of their value to some local persons. The police has arrested three persons who had bought electronic items from them.

A case has been registered.

Proclaimed offenders arrested after 22 years
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 19 — The police claims to have arrested two persons who had been declared proclaimed offenders (POs) 22 years ago in a case of cheating. One of them was reported to have died about 19 years ago.

Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today that a case of cheating had been registered at Shahkot police station in 1977 against Tarlok Singh of Thakkar Kaura village in Patti, and Surinder Singh and Bishna, both residents of Angarh village in Amritsar, along with three others.

Subsequently, all of them were arrested and chargesheeted. But during the course of trial, Tarlok Singh, Surinder Singh and Bishna were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.

After three years, Harbans Kaur, who used to live with Tarlok Singh, said in court that Tarlok Singh had died and criminal proceedings against him should be dropped.

However, information was received that Tarlok Singh was alive and accompanied by Surinder Singh would be leaving the city on an Amritsar-bound train.

Both were arrested from the local railway station. Tarlok Singh said he had stayed with his relatives in Shahjahanpur for three years. Later he returned to his native village and started living in a gurdwara in Harike village.

Interestingly, Tralok Singh had also fought the state legislative Assembly elections from Patti constituency in 1991 and 1992, the SSP said.

Man stabbed in land dispute
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Dec 19 — A man involved in a land dispute between two groups of Jagirpura village, near here, was stabbed today in the presence of a Block Development Officer BDO.

The victim, Tarsem Banga, had recently complained to the Deputy Commissioner of the high-handedness of certain influential villagers who had forcibly occupied a stretch of his land.

The Basti Jodhewal Police said it had received information about the incident but a case would be registered only after recording the statement. It said Tarsem had been admitted in civil hospital.

The Civil Hospital sources said Tarsem was stabbed on the left thigh. The police said the incident happened today when on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, a BDO had called both the parties at the disputed site.

However, some members of the opposite party allegedly stabbed the complainant in rage.

EDUCATION

More govt jobs for kin of education staff 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — The Punjab Government has decided to give yet another chance of employment to next of kin of employees of the Education Department, who died in harness.

Disclosing this here today, Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, said the department would organise a special camp at the Punjab School Education Board Guest House, SAS Nagar, on December 29, at 9 am to give appointment letters for Class-III jobs to next of kin of the employees who died in harness.

Another such camp would be organised on January 4 at the same venue to give appointment letters to Class IV job seekers.

PUTA flays varsity attitude
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 19 — The executive committee of the Punjabi University Teachers Association [PUTA] in a meeting held here today took serious note of the university authorities towards non-compliance of the genuine demands relating to the administrative matters.

In a press release, the members of the committee alleged that just a few interviews for the promotion of teachers had been held by the university authorities while in other universities of Punjab hundreds of teachers had already been promoted. The executive committee noted that the Career Advancement Scheme, meant for the promotion of teachers, had become a tool for ‘terrorising and humiliating teachers initially by denying teachers their legitimate right by rejecting them and then forcing them to write undertakings in support of the university authorities.’

The teachers’ association alleged that the instead of seriously taking the genuine grievances of the teaching community, the authorities were manufacturing arbitrary conditions to victimise the teaching community. For instance the authorities are going ahead with the evaluation of teachers by students’ despite the fact that the students’ organisations have themselves written to PUTA that they are against such an evaluation. Even then the authorities were pressurising students to become tools in their hands against the teachers.

Keeping in view the serious issues which have been agitating the minds of the teachers, the PUTA executive wants to discuss all these matters with the Vice-Chancellor so that the academic atmosphere of the university campus is not vitiated. However, the PUTA executive alleged that the Vice-Chancellor had no time to discuss such issues with PUTA. The executive committee felt that it had no other option except to lodge a protest against the authorities.

The press release said that the executive committee had unanimously decided to sit in dharna on December 20 in front of the office of the Vice-Chancellor to accelerate the process of promotions and placements under the Career Advancement Scheme to ensure promotions to all teachers eligible for promotions, to start the promotion process from Reader to Professor , to withdraw the scheme of evaluation of teachers by the students, which does not exist anywhere in the country, and to protect the dignity and self-respect of the teaching community.

College teachers observe strike
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 19 — Members of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, including colleges of Patiala, Samana, Rajpura, Fatehgarh Sahib and seven aided colleges of Chandigarh and other areas, observed a strike against the non-implementation of the Pension-cum-Gratuity Act, 1999, by the Finance Department here today.

Prof Charanjit Singh Chawla, General Secretary of the union, claimed that the ruling SAD-BJP alliance government was let down by the bureaucracy and that the political executive lacked the will to question the bureaucracy for the non-implementation of those demands which were cleared by the Chief Secretary on April 10, 1999.