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| Tuesday, December 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Punjab roundup - 2000 Vittal seeks ‘neutral body’
for recruitment Hold probe into Mukhija
murder case: Cong Police remand for Golden
Forest directors More felicitations for
Dosanjh ‘Implement’ report on poll
reforms |
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Home town welcomes
Barnala Pensioners wait for fair
deal
YAD men to highlight govt
achievements Fissures in Youth Akali
Dal
Mother awaits son’s “release” Christmas
celebrated Special plan to help women AISSF wants Ranjit
Singh reinstalled Ram temple will be built: VHP Terrorist-hit ‘denied jobs’ Alert gangman averts accident Hasham Shah trust chief
removed Gandhi’s statue defaced Rousing reception for Saini
MC puts park plan on
back-burner
Eve teasing leads
to firing 2 booked for killing
migratory birds
School sans teacher for a
year
HC upholds
provision against ST evasion
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Punjab roundup - 2000 CHANDIGARH: In less than two months Mr Parkash Singh Badal will complete four years in office as head of the ruling SAD-BJP combine in Punjab. He took the oath of office on February 12, 1997. Thus, the ruling combine will enter the last lap of its five-year run on that date next year. Taken together, there seemingly is no applause for the government in these four years. Just as 1997 began with promises, announcements and euphoria so would begin 2001, being the election year. The year 1998 was no better. It was a year of troubles: train accident killing 200 persons, turmoil over
religio-political issues, tears over price rise, elusive onions, intensive crop damage and trouble over administrative matters. The next year, 1999, saw the Tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa and was comparatively a “good” year for agriculture but “bad” administratively and financially. Thus, is there anything to write home about on governance? What stands out, however, is the Akalis hopefully completing their first-ever full five-year term despite inherent internal strife, conflicts, contradictions and divisive politics shadowed by emotions. The events that unfolded during 2000 are only a shade different (better) from what went into history during the past three years. The year under review is again one of unfulfilled promises, forgotten announcements, missed opportunities, shattered dreams, wilted smiles and lasting sighs. Religion and politics were as much in the forefront as were priests and politicians locked in a battle of wits. Clash of religious and political personalities, politics of opportunism, game of number (within the SGPC and the SAD) and populist and please-all policies also remained
Centre-stage. The concept of “haleemi raj” (emulating the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh where the emphasis was on honesty, transparency, secularism and social welfare) seemingly again lost all meaning and relevance. For continuing peace the credit again goes to the people. Barring some incidents, the “rule of law” prevailed. So did a round of kidnappings, custodial deaths, killing of small children for ransom, rape, cops acting as “human vultures”, attack on Christians, incidents of snatching and daylight robberies. All testimonials to what the Common Minimum Programme of the
SAD-BJP did not achieve. Among the key events remaining in focus during 2000 was the “murder” of Harpreet
Kaur, the teenaged daughter of Bibi Jagir Kaur, her questioning by the CBI and court cases. This issue dominated the Akalis’ agenda for most part of the year eventually leading to the exit of the first-ever woman President of the SGPC and the entry of Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi as the new President. During her short stay Bibi Jagir Kaur queered the religio-political pitch for her mentor, Mr Badal, by locking horns with the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Gaini Puran Singh. She fought till his unceremonial removal. That he is back, as Head Priest at the Golden Temple, is another story. Giani Puran Singh also created history of sorts by relentlessly issuing hukamnamas (religious edicts), hitting out at his colleagues, the Jathedars of Takhts and Head Priests, and “excommunicating” them along with Bibi Jagir
Kaur. The calculated defiance of hukamnamas, the role and functions of the Sikh clergy and their equation with political personalities once again were an issue of debate, much to the consternation of the Sikh
Panth. The new Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, has undone those
hukamnamas. The year also saw the World Trade Organisation regime cast a shadow on agriculture. Who can forget the manmade muddle over paddy procurement? Punjab supports an army of ministers despite the frail financial health, which is showing feeble signs of recovery. The recuperation is pretty slow. The state was finally told that all repayments of the special term loan (principal amount and the interest thereon) advanced to fight militancy between 1984-85 and 1994-95 stood waived. This process was initiated by Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1995, accelerated by Mr I.K. Gujral in 1997 and completed by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. During the year there were two byelections to the state Vidhan Sabha Nawanshahr and Sunam) that the ruling Akalis won. The submission of a memorandum by the Akalis to the Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution also exposed the wide chasm between the two ruling partners. Instead of the government submitting a memorandum, the Akalis were coerced into submitting one as a political outfit. One need not say much on the two ideologically different political partners yoked due either to political exigencies or connivance of circumstance. The outbursts of the state BJP president, Mr Brij Lal
Rinwa, should serve the purpose of comment on the government. To quote him: “One day a BJP man will be the Chief Minister”. And he openly talked of “corruption and non-performance” of the government. Has he revealed too much? While the SAD repeatedly acquiesced, the BJP never responded in a reciprocal manner. Yet it continued its ride on the Akalis’ back. The “silent” march of the Rashtriya Sikh
Sangat, an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, into villages also created ripples. Its manner of projecting the Sikh religion, history and traditions made many Akali faces turn red. But they kept quiet. First Akal Takht and then the SGPC took cognisance of RSS activities, warning it to desist from distorting Sikhism. The Akalis are emotional when it comes to dealing with men and matters, thus getting too much egg on their face in return. Remember the hype created over Udham Singh
Nagar? Later they were content with Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa remaining in the Union Cabinet, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala secure as Governor, and only a “strong protest” posted to the
BJP. In the same way, the Akalis have nursed several emotive issues without pursuing them to any logical; conclusion. These include making Punjab a “complete” state, sharing of river waters, implementation of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, a federal structure for the country, the All-India Gurdwara Act,
Centre-state relations, SYL, etc. The ruling outfit also vowed to fight corruption. Why is it silent on the Lok Pal? It conveniently forgot several other promises as well: a commission on police atrocities, exposing corruption during Congress rule, filing of property and income returns by MLAs, awards for honest officers and much more. The way Mr Badal emerged unscathed from every political or religious crisis during the year and earlier, it seems luck is on his side. Whatever his detractors may say about his handling of religious, political and administrative affairs, he has his own way of dealing with them. His style of functioning and stoic silence on issues often exasperates and frustrates his adversaries and admirers. When everyone else expects a quick response, he dithers, delays, dodges but remains unfazed, taking his own time. Courtesy, perseverance and patience are his strong points, much to the chagrin of his opponents. The state has a ruling combine that failed to deliver and an Opposition that remained in disarray. The Congress won only 14 seats in the Vidhan Sabha in 1997. If it failed to win any seat in Parliament in 1998, the Akalis were smitten in 1999. The Opposition as a class acted mute. Its MLAs feel let down because “all government time, energy and money are available only for the ruling MLAs or for ‘sangat darshan’,” says Mr Hardev Arshi and Mr Mahesh Inder Singh
Grewal, both MLAs. The Akalis split and unite time and again. The Congress does not do so openly. But it has too many leaders — self-styled and
self-righteious, trying to elbow out others to find a toehold at the top — while its cadre and organisational wing remain
disorganised. If the Akalis’ foundation made up of workers and
jathedars, is broad-based, its top leaders have also cleverly and successfully operated the leavers of power all these decades, not allowing any second-rung leadership to grow. The issue of the expulsion of a dozen-odd Akali
MLAs, including five ministers who quit in 1998 when Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra was shown the party door, continued to hang fire in the “court” of the Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh
Atwal, all through 2000. Despite the criticism on non-performance, Mr Badal lists his government’s achievements and steps taken in the past four years to accelerate all-round development and revive the economy. He lists “big” projects, industrial and educational. All have a long gestation period, which is why their immediate “impact” is less visible. But there is a lurking shadow of doubt in the public mind whether these projects will ever get completed. The signing of MoU is one thing and execution on the ground quite another. The equitable distribution of social justice, social security and networking at the cutting edge of the administration also remained weak and flawed. Neither infrastructure development showed signs of life nor did boards and corporations improve their functioning. The ambers of Anandgarh continued to glow. If Punjab cannot be viewed in isolation in the emerging politico-economic scenario, it can also not afford a government sans vision or an Opposition that is equally uninspiring. No political party or a combination of parties can survive by the silence of convenience or blaming the system. It is time to avert Punjab’s “economic death” through an unalloyed, transparent and corruption-free politico-bureaucratic administration. |
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Vittal seeks ‘neutral body’ for recruitment RAIPUR, Dec 25 (PTI) — Chief Vigilance Commissioner N. Vittal today called for setting up of a “neutral body” to decide on all important government posts to counter the alleged nexus between corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. “Neutral committees should be set up at the Centre and state levels for selection of names for all important posts, he said, addressing about 2,500 representatives of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad after inaugurating its 46th convention at Saheed Veer Narayan Singh Nagar here. Calling for stemming corruption from the grassroot level, Mr Vittal said “law breakers should not become law makers”. “Politicians say that the law should take its course, but the law takes its own long course, giving space to criminalisation of politics”, Mr Vittal said. He said in February, he had sent a proposal to the Law Commissioner, to enact a law through which the properties of corrupt officials could be traced and attached by vigilance commission. “No action has so far been taken in this regard though the Centre has declared that there would be zero tolerance for corruption”, Mr Vittal said. Since July 12 this year, the commission had received 368 complaints against corrupt officials, out of which 110 were anonymous and could not considered, 17 were true and in one case raid had already been successfully carried out, he said. |
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Hold probe into Mukhija
murder case: Cong MOGA, Dec 25 — The former state Minister for health and general secretary PPCC, Dr Malti Thaper, has urged the state government to hold an inquiry into the circumstances under which a senior Congress leader of Dharamkot town Harmesh Kumar Mukhija in this district was shot dead last month. Addressing a meeting of over 500 party workers here yesterday she said that her party would not accept anything less than an inquiry by the CBI as her party had no faith in the Badal government. She said that the clean chit given by the police to the persons named in the FIR in the Mukhija’s murder case even before the arrest of main culprit itself shows that the murder was politically motivated. The party had decided to continue the relay fast at Moga if their demand was not accepted, she added. The Congress leader condemned the Punjab as well as Central government’s policy towards farmers and said the policies adopted by the two governments had forced the farmers of Punjab in the distress sale of paddy. The farmers had suffered huge losses and the government had not compensated them. She urged the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab and the Chief Election Commissioner of India to hold an impartial inquiry in to the review of the poll rolls in Moga district where the Akali Dal had indulged in unfair means. |
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Police remand for Golden
Forest directors Patiala,
Dec 25 — Five of the eight directors of the Golden Forest group of companies. who were arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Department in a major crackdown yesterday, were remanded to police custody by the Duty Magistrate, Mr
R.K. Mittal, here today. Those who have been remanded are Ms Meena Syal, Mr H.K. Sinha, Mr Lehmbar Singh, Ms Promilla Syal and Ms Promila Sinha. The bureau had arrested eight out of the 14 directors of the company after reacting to reports by investors who alleged that the company had duped their money. Meanwhile, the main accused in the land scam, Mr R.K. Sayal, has been admitted to a private hospital in Sector 21, Panchkula. He is reportedly suffering from a lung infection and an arthopnadic problem. Talking to mediapersons at the hospital today, he said his family was unnecessarily being harassed though they had no role to play. More felicitations for
Dosanjh AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — The premier of British Columbia, Mr Ujjal Singh Dosanjh, addressing a large gathering of eminent people of the city felt that the boundaries separating nations were slowly disappearing with the universal acceptance of globalisation. He said that it was sheer hard work and dedication of Indians which had made them excel and prove their worth in various fields all over the world. He said India too was moving towards being among the top nations. Speaking at the felicitation function organised by the local Rotary Clubs, Mr Dosanjh said that he was overwhelmed by the tremendous love and affection that the people of Punjab had showered on him. He recollected his childhood in his village when he lost his mother at the age of seven and was brought up by his uncle. After completing his schooling, he migrated to the UK and later moved to Canada. He said that by sheer accident, he took up higher studies and later studied law in Vancouver to become an attorney. Mr Dosanjh said that as he grew up, many doors opened for him and he ended up being a minister and later was elected Prime Minister of British Columbia. He pointed out that the Canadians accepted him and he was proud to become their premier despite being from India. Talking about the memorandum of understanding signed with the Punjab Government last week, Mr Dosanjh said that his government could offer expertise in the field of environment protection, road building, health and education. He would help people of the province to set up joint ventures here for the promotion of trade and industry and in the IT sector. Later, addressing students and faculty of Khalsa College, he said that Indian women needed to be provided equal opportunities. He felt that women could help in the process of nations building. He exhorted the students to excel in the academics to meet the global challenge. Earlier, he visited Majitha, the village of his wife. He also laid wreaths at the martyrs’ memorial in Jallianwala Bagh and witnessed the Beating the Retreat ceremony at the Wagah checkpost. TARN TARAN (FOC): Mr Dosanjh attended the function of the recently formed Gaddre Babe Memorial Committee at Sursingh village on Monday along with his wife Raminder and son Umber. The Sursingh has the honour of sacrificing its 27 residents in the Gaddar movement of the country’s freedom movement. Addressing the gathering in Punjabi, he stressed on social values and advised them to be clean, have high thoughts and work honestly to make progress in life. The Gaddre Babe Memorial Committee Sursingh decided to build a museum in the memory of Gaddri Babas and a library in the village. |
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‘Implement’ report on poll
reforms PHAGWARA, Dec 25 — Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal President and MP Gurcharan Singh Tohra today demanded the implementation of the Inderjit Gupta panel report for electoral reforms. Talking to newsmen at the residence of Mr Rajwant Singh Jhika, District Youth Akali Dal (T) president, Mr Tohra favoured state funding of elections for curbing electoral malpractices. “Not more than four vehicles should be allowed for each segment in parliamentary polls, while in assembly elections the number of vehicles should be limited to five,” he said. On the Congress’ refrain on the likelihood of mid-term polls in Punjab, Mr Tohra ruled out the possibility. Since Mr Badal had got some breather following the end of the paddy muddle, there was now chance of mid-term elections. Mr Tohra flayed the top-heavy bureaucracy in Punjab which, he alleged, was draining the public exchequer. “The state has 14 ADGPs and as many as 26 IAS officers on deputation”, Mr Tohra said. There was only one IG in 1984, he claimed. “When three ADGPs retired, I had advised Mr Badal to downsize the top police and civil bureaucracy, but the Chief Minister did not pay any heed to my advice,” Mr Tohra said. Mr Tohra accused Mr Badal of putting on the back burner issues concerning Punjab. The demand of the transfer of Chandigarh, Punjabi-speaking areas and waters to Punjab had been put in cold storage by the Badal government, Mr Tohra alleged. Mr Tohra alleged that first an industrial unit was declared sick and then it was sold at a throw-away price to men of Mr Badal’s coterie and clan. The auction of a 14-acre land for a rest house in Rampura Phool had been manipulated in favour of a minister’s son while spinning and sugar mills were being virtually gifted to Mr Badal’s men, he alleged. A former SGPC supremo, Mr Tohra welcomed the probe ordered by the new SGPC President, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, into the misuse of gurdwara funds. However, it was not likely that anything would come out of the probe since within SGPC, it was Mr Badal who called the shots and not Jathedar Talwandi, he said. |
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Home town welcomes
Barnala BARNALA, Dec 25 — On the first visit to his home town after becoming the Governor of Uttaranchal, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala was given a warm welcome by the city here today. Some parts of the town were
decorated to receive the Governor. Welcome gates were erected at several places while his supporters were seen at different places standing in small groups to garland him. Mr Barnala returned the love and affection of the residents as he passed through the main bazars with folded hands in an open jeep. His son, Mr Gaganjit Singh, also accompanied him. He is now being considered as a “prospective candidate” for the Barnala Assembly seat. Mr Barnala was brought to the local from the fountain Chowk Rest House
PWD in a procession in which a large number of Akalis also participated. Some Akali leaders, who were considered to be in the anti-Barnala camp, were also seen in the procession. Mr Barnala visited Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Gita Bhavan and a mosque here to pay obeisance. Driving from Ludhiana, he was given welcomed at several places on the route, including Raikot, Dadahoor, Mehal Kalan, Sehjarra, Bhadalbad and Sangherra etc. Mr Barnala was given the guard of honour at the rest house here by the jawans of the Punjab police. Talking to mediapersons, he said Uttaranchal would have a new capital in place of Dehra Dun as it was a temporary arrangement. He said the state government had formed a committee to decide upon the new capital, Mr Barnala said the opinion of the people of the Uttaranchal would also be sought in the matter. Mr Barnala said the delimitation for the 70 Uttaranchal assembly seats also needed to be done. Mr M.S. Gill, Chief Election Commissioner, had already the Uttaranchal in this connection. Mr Barnala disclosed that no deputation of Punjabis had met him so far to get their problems, if any, redressed in the new state. The Governor also admitted that being a new state, Uttaranchal, had been facing financial problems. He hoped that these problems would soon end as the Union Government had agreed to a package for the state. Mr Barnala said that he was satisfied with the performance of his government in Uttaranchal. He praised the leadership of the state for handling the situation properly on all fronts. Mr Barnala also stated that he had been accepted as Governor not only by the Punjabis but by all residents of the state. He had been given receptions by all sections of the state in Uttaranchal, he added. His first priority was to serve the Uttaranchal as a whole. He said there was a need to start development works in different parts of the state. Incidentally, the three Punjab ministers belonging to this district were conspicuous by their absence on this occasion. No MLA was also seen." |
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Pensioners wait for fair
deal CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Government pensioners in Punjab are a discontented lot. Despite repeated assurances, held out to pensioners’ delegations by both the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, regarding the early implementation of the long-pending recommendations of the Punjab Pay Commission concerning pensioners, precious little seems to have been done so far by the Badal administration to the dismay of the pensioners. According to Mr Yash Pal Ghai, Additional General Secretary of the Punjab Government Pensioners’ Association, more than two and a half years have elapsed since the report containing 10 major recommendations concerning pensioners was submitted to the state government on February 20, 1998. However, the Badal administration has so far implemented only one recommendation — revision of pension. The other recommendations remain unimplemented. These include: old age allowance at the rate of 5 per cent and 10 per cent on attaining the age of 65 and 75 years, respectively, 97 per cent D.A. admissible on July 1, 1993 to be counted for gratuity, restoration of the commuted pension after eleven and a half years, reservation of plots and flats in PUDA colonies, at least 50 per cent pension to the retiree of the minimum of the revised grade of the post held at the time of retirement, increase in the expenses incurred on the dentures, spectacles and hearing aid. Pensioners complain a fixed medical allowance of Rs 250 per month being paid to them since January 1, 1998, is inadequate to meet the increasing cost of medicare these days. Since January, 1998, prices have registered a rise of 25 per cent as per consumer price index. Hence, it should be raised to Rs 300. Punjab pensioners are sore with the state government notification dated September 1, 2000, regarding reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by the pensioners on the treatment of chronic diseases. “It is a cruel joke upon them. The notification in itself suffers from a chronic disease — government’s negative attitude. The number of chronic diseases has been reduced. Secondly, there will be no reimbursement up to Rs 6000 i.e. expenses incurred in excess of Rs 6000 will only be reimbursed. “This is unjust and needs to be reviewed,” says Mr Ghai. Pensioners seek the restoration of travel concession to both husband and wife pensioners. It was withdrawn from one of the spouses from January, 1995. It was unjust. When all other concessions are allowed to both of them, then why is this concession denied to one of them? he asks. Pensioners further point out that as serving employees they were getting HRA, CCA and rural area allowance. However, after retirement they have been deprived of all these benefits. In all fairness, they should be granted house rent allowance at a flat rate of Rs 100 per month. They have another grouse. Punjab Government employees who retired between January 1, 1986, and September 30, 1986, are deeply perturbed over the faulty formula for determining their pensions. They are suffering a loss to the tune of Rs 200 to Rs 500 per month in their pensions for the past 15 years. The association wants recomputation of their pensions also as has recently been done by the Punjab Government in the case of those who retired between January 1 and September 30, 1996. Another important issue relates to the reimbursement of expenses incurred on treatment at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Mohan Dai Oswal Hospital, all in Ludhiana, and other approved leading private hospitals in Punjab and in other states. In case of serious accidents and ailments, treatment at these hospitals should not require the permission of the CMO or the district medical authorities. |
YAD men to highlight govt
achievements BATHINDA, Dec 25 — As the SAD-BJP combine government has entered into the last phase of its tenure, activists of the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) have started fanning out in nook and corner of state to highlight the achievements of the ruling alliance in the past about four years. Party sources said YAD workers had been given the task by party president and Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, as over the years the role of youth workers had become significant in Punjab. Party sources said that youth were specially encouraged in the state politics by the party high command so that they could be given ticket in the coming elections to ensure that the SAD came to power again on its own. Most of the ruling politicians who could not perform as per the expectations of the party and people were likely to replace with the young faces. Youth leaders, had been rallying around Mr Sukhbir Badal urging him to play a pivotal role in channelising the energy of the youth to bring SAD-BJP alliance back in power. Mr Gurpreet Singh Kangar, general secretary, Youth Akali Dal, said YAD’s army comprising thousands of workers had been touring the rural and urban areas to highlight the achievements of the Punjab Government and its people oriented policies. He added that people were being made aware of the fact that the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had been making all out efforts for the development of the state. He said rallies of youth workers would be organised in the state in the coming days which would be addressed by senior party leaders, including Mr Sukhbir Badal. He added that in every village youths had been urged to work after forming a committee. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Punjab Science and Technology Minister, who was in charge of the Nawanshahr and Sunam byelections said the SAD-BJP alliance would have the edge over Congress leaders as the Congress party was a divided house in Punjab. He pointed out that waiving Rs 8500 crore loan of Punjab, facility of free power and water, the shagun scheme, the home for homeless scheme, oil refinery and other projects were the achievements of SAD-BJP government in the past four years. |
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Fissures in Youth Akali
Dal ROPAR, Dec 25 — Fissures have appeared in the Youth Akali Dal, with rival groups appealing to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for each other’s removal. At a meeting held two-days ago at Anandpur Sahib, about 200 Youth Akali Dal activists, including Kiran Vir Kang, senior vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal, Ravi Karan Kahlon, general secretary, Nitharak Singh Brar and Jarnail Singh, passed a resolution, urging the SAD president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to remove the national president of the Youth Akali Dal, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal. The activists alleged at the meeting that Mr Aliwal was arbitrarily removing office-bearers of the Youth Akali Dal, which were harming the interests of the party. The rebels claimed to have the support of Mr Sukhbir Badal and Mr Parminder Dhindsa. The rift between the rebels and Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal started about a month ago when he removed, Mr Gurinder Singh Gogi from the post of the president of the Youth Akali Dal, Ropar. He nominated, Mr Jagtar Singh Bara Pind, as the new district president at a function held at Anandpur Sahib, that was also attended by the Finance Minister Punjab, Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Mr Gurinder Singh Gogi, who enjoys the confidence of Mr Sukhbir Badal, since his removal, has been maintaining that Mr Aliwal had no right to remove him from office. He got the press statements issued in his favour from the above said leaders. While Mr Gogi has been attending the political programmes of the Chief Minister as president of the Youth Akali Dal the other functions are attended by Mr Aliwal, Mr Jagtar Singh Bara Pind, was presented as the district president. Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, told newsmen at the Shaheedi Jor Mela at Chamkaur Sahib, that Mr Gogi had been removed due to non-performance. He claimed that he had the right to remove or appoint any office-bearer of the Youth Akali Dal. However, the leaders of the SAD seem to support this assertion of Mr Aliwal. Mr Bhunder, the secretary general of the SAD who was also present at Chamkaur Sahib said the removal of the Ropar district president of the Youth Akali Dal was justified only if Mr Aliwal had consulted Mr Badal before taking the decision. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, when contacted on the telephone said he supported the decision of Mr Badal on the issue. The sources said the infighting in the Youth Akali Dal was likely to intensify if Chief Minister does not intervene to resolve the matter. |
Mother awaits son’s “release” JALANDHAR, Dec 25 — Being a rickshaw-puller’s wife, she hardly manages to meet both ends, yet she has spent thousands of rupees going round offices of the high and mighty such as the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police, along with her husband and the village panchayat, but justice still eludes her. It is the sordid tale of Guddi Kaur, of Dauwal village in Gurdaspur district, whose nine-year-old son Ranjit has been “illegally” confined and used as a “bonded-labourer” by an influential Dera Baba Nanak couple, for the past about nine months. Driven by sheer hope that she will be able to see the face of her son one day, she has been begging justice from officials, politicians and money from near and dear ones, but her efforts have failed to yield results. Ranjit (9), according to Guddi Kaur, wife of Channa Singh, was hired by one of her acquaintances Charanjit Kaur of Dera Baba Nanak and her husband Ram Lal, as a domestic help for about one month. But the child has not been restored to Guddi till date by the couple inspite of a number of pleas by her, her husband and the village panchayat. “I met Mr Parkash Singh Badal along with the village panchayat on December 2 and he directed the SSP Gurdaspur, to do the needful. Mr Badal gave me Rs 100 from his pocket. Again we met a number of officials in the Prime Minister’s office, but nothing has happened,” rued Guddi. Narrating her tale of woe, Guddi said she came in contact with Charanjit Kaur, who according to her was working in Dera Baba Nanak office of the CID as a sweeper, about two years ago at a fair. “She started coming to my house and one day she said she needed my help. She wanted me to send my son with her as she had fallen sick. She promised that she will send back Ranjit after a month and will pay appropriate remuneration. But when we asked her to sent him back after a month, she refused and threatened us with dire consequences,” alleged Guddi. She said Charanjit and her husband and certain officials of the Dera Baba Nanak CID beat her and Channa up so much that her jaw got displaced. “Charanjit called us to take Ranjit back. But as we entered her house, she, her husband and two officials of the CID pounced upon kill us and threatened us that they will us if we disclosed about the incident to anybody. We were photographed and were made to sign some blank papers there,” alleged Guddi. After she met the Chief Minister, she was called by the SHO Purana Shala police station in Dera Baba Nanak to take custody of Ranjit last month. “Ranjit was handed over to us. But the moment we got out of the police station building we were surrounded by Charanjit and about a dozen people brought by her in two vehicles. They slapped me and forcibly snatched my son from me,” alleged Guddi, who said she was being pressurised for entering into a compromise with Charanjit by certain police officials. When contacted, SSP
Gurdaspur, Mr Varnider Kumar, said he had got the matter investigated and found that the child was given by Guddi to Charanjit for adoption. “Moreover the child does not want to go back to Guddi,” said Mr Varinder Kumar. Refuting his claim, Guddi maintained that neither she nor her husband could ever think of giving away their son to anybody for adoption. “Charanjit might have prepared some document with the help of blank papers which we were made to sign at her house,” she added. |
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Christmas
celebrated FEROZEPORE: A massive religious procession led by high priests of the churches, held on Sunday. The Deputy Director of the Frances Newton Mission hospital, Dr David
Masih, flagged off the procession, which was joined by thousands of people dressed in their colourful attire. MOGA: Gun shots were fired in the air and crackers burst on Sunday night at several places by Christians to celebrate Christmas. AMRITSAR: A candle light procession marked the Christmas celebrations in the city. The procession started at midnight from St Mary’s Church. The procession passed through various main bazars of the city before it was received at Christ Church cathedral by padri Yusuf
Jaganath. |
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Special plan to help women FARIDKOT, Dec 25 — Under the Indira Mahila Vikas Yojna Plan, the Punjab Government incollaboration with the government had launched a special campaign to provide better sources of income to women in the rural areas under different self-employment schemes in Faridkot and Muktsar districts. Loans would be advanced to them by the nationalised banks, NABARD and other government agencies to run the enterprises and to monitor the plan as many as 324 groups comprising 20 members each had been formed in this connection, this issue was stated by the Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, Mr A. Veenu Prashad, here today. The members of these groups would also help the district administration in eradicating, illiteracy check dropout rate in government schools besides ensuring the presence of employees in the government departments. The Deputy Commissioner said that under Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna plan, the Punjab Government would spend Rs 3 crore to give better nutrition to children up to three years age group in the current financial year. More than two lakh kids had been identified in this connection. |
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AISSF wants Ranjit
Singh reinstalled AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — The All India Sikh Students Federation in a memorandum to the SGPC chief Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, has supported the former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh as the only jathedar to have taken formidable decisions during his tenure after former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Phoola Singh and demanded that he should be reinstalled as Akal Takht Jathedar. Addressing a press conference federation chief Bhai Harminder Singh Gill talking about the memorandum said the injustice heaped on Giani Puran Singh was rectified by nominating him head granthi Darbar Sahib likewise the injustice should be undone to Bhai Ranjit Singh. Dwelling on the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat propaganda Mr Gill said the RSS was indulging in a dangerous game by its reported demands of a Hindu quota in the SGPC elections and the AISSF was opposed to it. The federation flayed the induction of Mr Satpal Saini of the BJP as a state minister, declaring that he had an RSS background Ram temple will be built: VHP HOSHIARPUR, Dec 25 — The Ram temple in Ayodhya on Ram janmabhoomi would be constructed at any cost. The dates for starting the construction work would be announced by the Sant Samaj on January 21, 2001 at the Maha Kumbh in Priyag Raj, Allahabad. This was stated by Mr Ramphal Singh, Secretary, international executive of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, (VHP) while talking to mediapersons here today. He said it was a question of faith of the Hindu samaj which cannot be ignored because it is the birthplace of Lord Rama. To run the NDA government was not the headache of the VHP, he said, adding that the NDA leaders had to manage the things. On the allegations of corruption among BJP leaders, he said the people should throw out such politicians from power. |
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Terrorist-hit ‘denied jobs’ AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — Accusing the district administration of looking for excuses to reject a number of job applications of terrorist affected families, Mr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader, has said the manner in which the government is handling the issue speaks of a ‘‘negative reaction’’ to the sufferings of others. Mr Dang stated that according to orders passed in August this year, a time probation of six months was given to those terrorist affected who had either delayed applying for jobs in the stipulated period or were refused jobs. Despite orders issued four months back, no decision has been taken yet on any application consequently submitted for
jobs. He urged the government to expedite the matter. |
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Alert gangman averts accident PHILLAUR, Dec 25 — An alert gangman of a cold weather patrol party saved, what could have been a major tragedy, Hundreds of passengers of the New Delhi-bound 4660 down Amritsar-New Delhi Superfast Express had a narrow escape at 8 a.m. today, when the gangman detected cracks in down line near Mauli Railway Station. Railway sources told this correspondent that the train was stopped immediately at Mauli Railway Station and allowed to proceed towards Delhi after temporary repair of the defected line. All down line trains could pass through this damaged line with restricted speed. Meanwhile a wagon of a goods train derailed in Phillaur yard but no traffic was disrupted owing to the derailment. |
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Hasham Shah trust chief
removed AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — The resignation of Mr Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal, chairman Hasham Shah Memorial Trust, Jagdev Kalan, largest trust to promote Punjabi cultural activities in Punjab, was accepted at a meeting today. The decision to accept the resignation was pending since November 28. The resignation was submitted by Mr Dhaliwal following the refusal of the trust members to let the chairman take a foreign trip using trust money and in return, the chairman promised to garner money for the yaadgaar trust. The trust members rejected the suggestion made on November 12 by the chairman. The meeting took objection to the behaviour of the chairman who declared that he would personally get receipt books printed to collect funds besides speaking on various stages to collect funds. In a signed statement six members of the trust, including its president, Capt Surinder Singh Gill, secretary, Mr Harjeet Singh Gill, announced that the Chairman had no authority to collect funds on behalf of the trust as his resignation had been accepted by members. Further the trust noted that the chairman had ridiculed the trust by saying that he would collect funds on his own. |
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Gandhi’s statue defaced HOSHIARPUR, Dec 25 — Some miscreants have defaced the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Mahatma Gandhi park, Bahadurpur, by applying bitumen on its face. On receiving the information, DCC office-bearers Ranjit Singh, Sarwan Singh, Narinder Singh, Madan Lal Gandhi and Jagrup Lal, president, rushed to the spot this morning. Meanwhile, Mr Jaswant Singh Station House Officer, along with policemen reached the spot. They removed the bitumen with kerosene, cleaned the face and re-painted the statue. The leaders condemned the act and criticised the municipal authorities who look after the park. They demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and action against the culprits. They along with their supporters staged a dharna before the statue to show their resentment. |
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Rousing reception for Saini PATHANKOT, Dec 25 — Mr Satya Pal
Saini, BJP MLA from Sujanpur, was given a rousing reception by the people here today on his arrival following his induction into the Badal government as a Minister of State. Talking to newsmen at Forest
Resthouse, he said he had formulated a comprehensive plan for the all-round development of the constituency. |
MC puts park plan on
back-burner JALANDHAR: The local Municipal Corporation has failed to develop a park at Bootan Mandi on the Nakodar Road ignoring a plan made one and a half years ago and instead has converted the place into a garbage dump, making life miserable for the residents of nearby localities. Acceding to the demands of the residents of Bootan Mandi to fill a 100-year-old water pond, spread over eight kanals and construct a park in its place, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, former Prime Minister, had even sanctioned Rs 10 lakh from his MP’s local area funds in April last year for it. Mr Gujral had laid the foundation stone of the park during an impressive function organised by the civic body on June 28. The civic body had planned to fill the pond and develop a model park with all facilities like walking track, concrete chairs, fountain, and swings for children. But the MC authorities had only filled the pond and constructed a boundary wall at one end in the name of development of the park and started using it as a garbage dump since then. Mr Resham Kumar, a resident of Bootan Mandi, alleged since the residents of nearby localities belonged to the weaker sections, the corporation had turned a blind eye to the park. “Though we have met the Commissioner several times in the past one and a half years demanding speedy development of the park, but the civic officials are least concerned about it,” he alleged. An anguished Joginder Kaur, a resident of Sidharath Nagar, said though the construction work in the park had been stopped long ago, the dumping of garbage in the open had played havoc with residents since a foul smell emanating from the dump had made life miserable for them. The dump, which contains heads and skins of chickens attracts stray dogs and crows, who spread it on to the streets. Mr Ramesh Kumar, a social worker, said no civic employee had ever visited the area to spray insecticides on the garbage, which has led to outbreak of diseases. “We are forced to launch an agitation to get the dump removed from this place and accelerate work on the park,” he added. |
Eve teasing leads
to firing AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — A case was registered against three persons at the GRP police station today. An incident of eve teasing led to a clash late last night at the railway station which resulted in serious bullet injuries. Those booked are Baldev Singh, Jasbir Singh and Joginder Singh all from the Sultanwind area. Baldev is the father of Jasbir Singh and Joginder Singh A .32 bore pistol had been recovered by the police but no arrests had been made according to initial reports. The injured who were admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital emergency included Rakesh Kumar and Deepak while Anu Taneja who sustained kirpan injuries was discharged after treatment today. The three accused had been booked under Sections 307, 34 IPC, Railways Act and 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act. According to Mr Surjit Singh, ASI, Railway police, Rakesh was shot in the leg Deepak in the thigh. The incident occurred when girl students of BBK DAV College and the university were boarding Frontier Mail for a trip to Bombay-Goa at about 9.30 last night. Some boys indulged in eve teasing and passed objectionable
remarks. |
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2 booked for killing
migratory birds TARN
TARAN, Dec 25 — Gurcharan Singh alias Kala, and Mukhtar Singh have been booked under Sections 9, 39, 44 of the Indian Wild Life Protection Act for killing migratory birds at bird sanctuary at
Harike. Sources told this correspondent here today that four killed migratory ducks had been recovered from the possession of the accused who were killing the birds with some poisonous powder. The accused were nabbed from Shahwala Nakki under Sultanpur Lodhi police station and were produced in the court of Mr Harjinder Pal Singh
SDJM, Sultanpur Lodhi. |
School sans teacher for a
year NANANSU (Patiala) Dec 25 — The primary school in this village has been without any regular teacher for more than one year. The village panchayat has done everything in its command to ensure that a teacher is posted, there but to no avail. The more than 100 children enrolled in this school mostly belong to the poor families of the village. The parents of these students are paying an under-matric girl of the village to take the classes. Those who can afford have shifted their children in a private school in the village. It has a strength of more than 150 now. No regular teacher has been posted there since October, 1999. The under-matric girl, Nirmala, who has been teaching the children since then said teachers have been deputed to the school from the neighbouring schools in Panjola and Balbehra and that they come in weekly rotations. Before that two teachers were posted in the school which has a sanctioned strength of three. The teacher who is required to come on rotation to teach the classes IV and V students, apparently does not come regularly. She was not present when this correspondent visited the village . Nirmala said the teacher had not come as she was ill. Village Sarpanch Balbir Kaur, however, said none of the teachers who were posted on deputation in weekly shifts came regularly to the school. “ If they come at all, they do so for not more than one hour ‘’, she informed. The Sarpanch and others, including Mr Jagga Singh, who has been in the forefront of taking the complaint to various quarters, said there was no coordination between the teachers who came rotation on what to teach. The syllabus of the senior students was incomplete even as the session was at the fag-end. The fact that students have suffered due to these circumstances could be gauged from their response to simple queries. Most do not know much about the English language except for reciting the alphabets. They are similarly ignorant about maths and have only learned some Hindi texts by rote through constant recitation. The Sarpanch said they had complained to the higher authorities, including the block primary officer, and the Additional Deputy Commissioner recently during a sangat darshan programme. District Primary Education Officer H S Bajaj when contacted said no teacher could be posted at the village due to shortage of staff. He said there were around 900 vacancies for primary teachers in the district and that they could not be filled due to a court stay whereby the state-wide recruitment of 7,200 teachers had been stopped. Mr Bajaj said he had ordered the Block Primary Education Officer, Bhunerheri, to make an assessment of teachers under his charge and take out a teacher from any one of the primary schools and post him/her to the village school. |
HC upholds
provision against ST evasion CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — In a significant judgement delivered in cases against Amrit Vanaspati, Rajpura and about 100 other’s a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Nirmal Singh upheld the vires of Section 14-B(6) (ii) of the Punjab General Sales Act, 1948. Under the said Section, if the person in charge of the goods had not submitted documents as required at the nearest information collection centre in Punjab, such goods would be detained and released only after the matter (whether there was tax evasion) was finally decided. The Bench, however, did not hold that provisions under Section 14(B)(7)(iii) were mandatory, which relate to penalty of 50 per cent. The basic ground on which the vires of Section 14-B(6)(ii) was challenged was that it offended Article 19(1)(g) and Article 304 of the Constitution, which required previous sanction of the President before the bill could be presented to the state legislature. Yet another ground for challenge was that as information collection centres were not established on a particular route, it would still be incumbent upon the vehicle driver in question to go to the nearest information collection centre. Even in the case of tax-free goods and goods covered under Central Sales Tax Act, it would still be necessary to give the relevant information at the centre concerned. The provision of Section 14-B(7)(iii) was also challenged on the basis that imposition of 50 pc penalty, even if there was no attempt to evade tax, would be violative of the right to do business of choice without any restrictions. Mr Rupinder Khosla, Punjab’s Deputy Advocate-General, submitted that entry 54 the List 2, Schedule 7 of the Constitution gave power to the state to levy and collect sales tax and purchase tax and the said Act had been framed under the said entry. It was also argued that Section 14-B(6)(ii) has been devised to trap and punish those tax evaders who avoid the nearest electronic information collection centre. It was argued that the only requirement was of tendering proper information at the information collection centre and there could be no objection to it. |
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