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| Wednesday, January 3, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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SHSAD campaign from today Head Granthi gets extension Media blamed for controversy Mann backs SGPC on Sikh identity issues Paddy to rice, a long wait Slow wheat movement deepens crisis |
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Senior Cong workers feel ignored
Aggrieved father not allowed to meet CM Trust to create 2,000 residential plots Leopard attacks villager on city outskirts Pomila remanded till Jan 5 Creating a model village Plots at Anandgarh in April: minister Stones of link roads laid Move to disenfranchise Sehajdharis flayed Crucial civic body meeting today Crucial corporation meeting today 2 PSEB staff get electric shock 65 mobile vans for medicare in villages Mamata urged to issue train passes Thermal plant sets record
Robbers’ gang busted Bank Manager held for graft Rs 70,000 stolen from office
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| SHSAD campaign from today SANGRUR, Jan 2 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) will launch a “Panthic chetna jagao, Punjab bachao” campaign from Muktsar tomorrow. Addressing a press conference here today, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary of SHSAD said as part of its campaign, the SHSAD would hold meetings and rallies throughout the state from January 3 to February 10. Later, district-level conferences would be held from February 11 to February 20 while a state-level political conference would be organised in Ludhiana on February 21 in which national-level leaders would take part. Prof Chandumajra said during the campaign efforts would be made to force the Union Government to accept the long-pending demands of the state. He said the “real face” of Mr Parkash Singh Badal would also be exposed. Also, solutions would be found to prevent the adverse affects of the WTO. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged scandle worth crores of rupees with regard to paddy procurement. He said arhtiyas had collected money from farmers for inspectors of procurement agencies. He said the farmers had not received even a single penny so far from the Rs 350-crore package which had been announced by the Union Government at the time of the procurement of paddy. He also urged the government to withdraw the hike in power tariff. |
| Head Granthi gets extension AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — In a significant development, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has given an extension to Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht, till “further orders”. The orders in this regard has been issued by Mr Balkar Singh, Manager, Darbar Sahib, on behalf of Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, President of the SGPC. Interestingly, Giani Bhagwan Singh was given farewell on his retirement on December 31 on his superannuation. |
| Media blamed for controversy JALANDHAR, Jan 2 — Feeling the heat generated by the criticism from various Panthic organisations over the alleged statement by the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat to hold “panths” of the Guru Granth Sahib in temples, the sangat has sought to clear its stance, saying that it has nothing to do with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and its so-called anti-Panthic agenda. Meanwhile, the sangat leadership has sought an explanation from its organising secretary Sudarshan Chauhan for having violated the organisation’s code of conduct by issuing “unwarranted and uncalled for” statements saying that the sangat was planning to hold “paths” and to install the Guru Granth Sahib in temples. Mr Sudarshan had, however, later claimed that the proposal had been shelved due to pressure mounted by various Panthic leaders. The sangat leadership has also admitted that the statements of Mr Chauhan have caused irreparable damage to the basic objective of the sangat — to strengthen the age-old bond between Hindus and Sikhs. Giving a new twist to the issue, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat President, Mr Sewa Singh Chawla, in an exclusive interview to TNS alleged that the controversy was the brainchild of a section of media, particularly, “a scribe who is a Communist ideologue and who has been trying to disturb the communal harmony between Hindus and Sikhs. He said it had been observed that the “entire issue was blown out of proportion and it had not happened for the first time. Earlier, too, efforts were made to do so, particularly during the recent Chandigarh convention with the objective to target the amity between the two communities.” Mr Chawla said Mr Sudarshan had never been authorised to make any statement by the executive of the organisation and it was the President alone who was authorised to issue any statement. “We have asked him to explain his position, after which action will be contemplated against him,” Mr Chawla said. Talking about the fallout of Mr Sudarshan’s statements, Mr Chawla said, “ The reaction by various Panthic organisations was natural if somebody tries to interfere in the affairs of a religion, be it Hinduism or Sikhism.” Mr Chawla clarified that the sangat had nothing to do with the Sangh Parivar. “It is a misconception that we are a part of the Parivar or the RSS. We don’t take any directions from the RSS. We have no ideological pact either. Our objective is to bring Hindus and Sikhs closer and to end the discord between the two communities which was an outcome of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots,” said Mr Chawla, even as Mr Sudarshan, who is a teacher and is learnt to have been bringing out his paper in a tabloid form, remained inaccessible for the second day today. Mr Chawla said according to information, the idea was originally mooted by some member of the sangat during one of its meetings at Jalandhar’s Geeta Temple. It was liked by Mr Sudarshan who only endorsed it. |
| Mann backs SGPC on Sikh identity issues LUDHIANA, Jan 2 — In a significant development that may have far reaching consequences on the Akali politics in the state, the hardline leader and Chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann), Mr Simranjeet Singh Mann, today met the SGPC President, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, at the latter’s residence. The two leaders had a closed door meeting for about half an hour. Great significance is being attached to the meeting here as this is attributed to the growing proximity of Mr Mann with the SGPC Chief. Mr Mann also announced his unconditional support to the SGPC Chief on all issues related to maintaining and strengthening the Sikh identity, culture and traditions. Mr Mann later said he met Mr Talwandi seeking special general house meeting of the SGPC to discuss the RSS threat to Sikh identity, which he said was not over as yet. He said the RSS threat was still looming large and there was a need to take it seriously and the SGPC was the best forum to discuss it. He disclosed that he had suggested Mr Talwandi to constitute a commission to probe all the past irregularities in the SGPC. However, Mr Talwandi disagreed with Mr Mann and refused to convene the meeting. He pointed out the RSS had already withdrawn its programme and if there would be any such need in future he would not take time in convening the same. He appreciated the concern for Sikh identity shown by Mr Mann. The SGPC Chief refused to get into any controversy over the Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti’s remarks. Mr Mann alleged that the RSS had not abandoned its programme but had only shelved it. He said Sikhs needed to maintain a guard against the RSS onslaught against Sikh identity. He said whatever goes against the Sikh maryada would not be tolerated at any cost. Mr Mann said the RSS leaders were welcome to visit gurdwaras provided they did not pursue their secret agenda there. He also appealed to Sikhs living in countryside not to allow the RSS to carry out its activities in the villages. He appealed the Akal Takht to issue a similar directive. Mr Mann also hailed the SGPC decision of sending Sikh jathas to Pakistan. |
| Paddy to rice, a long wait CHANDIGARH, Jan 2 — Even as Punjab is still working out modalities for disbursement of Rs 350 crore “relief” to farmers, the process of custom milling of procured paddy into rice is extremely slow. Against 110 lakh tonnes paddy procured by government agencies and rice millers three months ago, after discounting the paddy procured before the official commencement of procurement and common paddy, the expected turn-out of custom milled and levy rice is 67 lakh tonnes at a relaxed out-turn ratio of 64 per cent to most of the paddy. So far, a mere 12-lakh tonne has found its way to the godowns of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). In other words, a mere 13 per cent has been milled. There are reports the FCI is reluctant to accept rice from the shellers. The milled rice is being rejected on “flimsy” ground, rued a senior Punjab official. Space is a big constraint for the storage of rice. Ideally, custom milling should be completed by the end of February. Normally, the entire stock should be milled before the onset of monsoon when stocks stored in the open start rotting. Delay in milling, it now appears, is inevitable. At this pace, official sources said, it might take nearly two years to mill the purchased paddy. As of today, paddy, worth more than Rs 5,000 crore, is waiting to be converted into rice. The paddy glut will cause bigger problems when wheat procurement commences in the next season. The Punjab Chief Minister had managed to get the paddy procured, minimum support price restored and specifications relaxed and modified with the help of the Prime Minister. But the political infighting in Himachal Pradesh BJP continues to cast a dark shadow over Punjab. In the tussle for power between Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal and Mr Shanta Kumar, Punjab Food Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, sided with the former much to the consternation of the latter. This is having an inevitable fall-out over the milling of paddy as over procurement earlier. In this political fight, Punjab is getting the knocks. Little realising what Mr Mittal’s squabbles would mean to the state, Mr Parkash Singh Badal is making arrangements for increasing storage capacity. An ambitious programme for construction of godowns is in hand in view of wheat procurement in April. Punjab’s calculations can easily go haywire if mountains of paddy are not converted into rice in time and moved out of the state. Whatever may be the claims and counter claims, fact remains that FCI godowns are full to the brim. Can the FCI be expected to accept as many as 60 lakh tonnes of rice in the next five to six months? The out-go of rice is barely three lakh tonnes per month. Now Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has flexed his political muscles. Mr Shanta Kumar has obliged him by blocking the entry of Punjab rice to southern states allowing Andhra to sell its rice making the Punjab foodgrain situation murkier. While Punjab is heading for deep trouble on paddy-rice front, FCI Chairman Bhure Lal is least bothered. Earlier, he had rubbished 80 per cent of Punjab paddy threatening to quit if forced to purchase that. But Mr Badal had the last laugh. Now, when Punjab is worried over very slow custom milling of rice, Mr Bhure Lal is reaching Ludhiana tomorrow for a sports meet of the FCI. His is a typical case of “Nero fiddling while Rome was burning”. His high entourage is not expected to lend an ear to the Punjab problem, where conversion of paddy into rice is likely to snowball into a major disaster. FCI officials and union leaders, on condition of anonymity, admit a total loss of motivation in performing their duties. It is a reign of terror now that the FCI and the Union Ministry of Food is virtually victimising employees even for bona fide operational slippage. For employees it is safer not to do their duty rather than get the flak later. The blanket threat of dismissal stares them in the face. Is Mr Bhure Lal visiting Punjab to make the “dull FCI boys play” because “all work and no play” does not help? Is the FCI playing political food games, literally and proverbially, in Punjab? Welcome Mr Bhure Lal! |
| Slow wheat movement deepens crisis CHANDIGARH, Jan 2 — The crisis on the wheat front in Punjab is deepening. While godowns in the state are overflowing with wheat, its transportation is very slow to deficit states. According to Punjab Food and Supplies Department sources, about 90 lakh tonnes of wheat is lying in the godowns in the state. Most of it is in the possession of the state government agencies, which had procured it for the Central pool on behalf of the FCI. The Punjab Government has repeatedly urged the Centre to expedite the movement of wheat to other states but the situation has remained unchanged. A senior officer of the department said that the state government wanted that there should be the transportation of at least 15 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice every month from the state to other parts of the country. However, last month (till December 28) only 237 special trains were moved from various areas of the state to other parts of the country. Out of these, 135 were of wheat and 102 of rice. He said at the present pace of movement of wheat and rice, it would take years to transport wheat from the state. When contacted, Mr P. Ram, Secretary, Food and Supplies Department, Punjab, said that the state government had taken up the issue of the movement of wheat and rice at the appropriate level. He said there was need to quicken the process as a huge quantity of wheat was lying in the state. Meanwhile, informed sources said that states like Andhra Pradesh and Orissa were strongly opposing the movement of wheat and rice from Punjab to their respective areas. Sources said the arrival of foodgrains in Orissa from Punjab was hitting paddy and wheat growers in that state. Farmers’ lobbies in those states have urged the authorities to protect the interest of agriculturists there. The Chief Ministers of both Andhra Pradesh and Orissa have reportedly written to the Union Government in this connection. In three months’ time the new wheat crop will arrive in the grain markets in the state. Before that, adequate stocks of wheat would have to be moved out from Punjab. As the stocks are in the possession of the state government agencies, they will get payment in lieu of these from the FCI only after the stocks are moved out. Earlier, the Punjab Government had urged the Centre to take the possession of the entire wheat stocks lying in the state and make payment in lieu of these to the state government authorities. The state agencies are supposed to repay the loans taken from the consortium of banks for procuring wheat last year and earlier. |
Senior Cong workers feel ignored BATHINDA, Jan 2 — Even as the Punjab Congress leadership has decided to start rallies in each assembly segment from January 3 to gear up for the next elections, senior party workers are feeling humiliated over the treatment meted out to them in the past few months. A section of senior Congress workers of the Malwa region particularly belonging to Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga and Sangrur district, who have been serving the party for the past over three decades and have held various posts in the party organisational set up, have decided to sit out after they felt that they had been ignored by the state leadership. Talking to TNS these leaders alleged that they were not even being informed about the programme of various leaders in their respective areas by persons who are managing the affairs of party. Some of the senior party leaders got annoyed when the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC) election process was allegedly highjacked to Delhi and members of PPCC were nominated by throwing all norms to wind. They said those made members of the PPCC should not be made presidents of the district units. A senior party leader on the condition of anonymity said in the list of PPCC members released about two months ago, the names of many senior leaders were missing and new comers had been given representation. Moreover, the state leadership could not keep out leaders who had poor image party leaders observed that the PPCC chief, Capt Amarinder Singh, who was made president of the state unit by the high command with a view to denting the bastion of the ruling Akali leaders had failed to deliver goods. They pointed out that though under the leadership of Mr Amarinder Singh, the party had managed to win eight parliamentary seats out of the total 13, the party could not perform better in the subsequent Nawanshahar and Sunam Assembly byelections. They further pointed out that common party workers were feeling alienated and a section of those leaders who mattered most in the party high command had lost their grip over the masses. This was the reason that the party could not mobilise the masses in the Nawanshahar and Sunam byelections. They said the image of party leadership had also suffered as strong movement was launched after the murder of Congress worker in Ferozepore district and of a senior leader in Moga district. The state leadership had failed to launch effective movements when false criminal cases were registered against Congress workers at the instance of ruling politicians, when the bus fare was hiked and power tariff was raised. Three were streams of Congress workers in the party, one led by former party chief and Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, second led by Jagmeet Brar, MP, and the third led by party chief himself. Instead of launching a campaign against the alleged failure and misdeeds of the SAD-BJP alliance government these three streams of workers were battling it out with each other for personal interests. Senior party leaders said time had come when all party leaders should bury the hatchet and put up a united fight against the SAD-BJP combine government in the state as the elections were approaching near. |
Aggrieved father not allowed to meet CM LUDHIANA, Jan 2 — The Sangat Darshan programme of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal held at Koom Kalan village today does not seem to have been organised for the common man as a number of aggrieved persons were allegedly not allowed to meet him due to any lack of ‘recommendation’. One such hapless man was Swaran Singh of Sohri village in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh who had specially gone to the village to request the Chief Minister for his intervention to get his son released from the illegal custody of the city police. However, his hopes of meeting the Chief Minister could not be realised as the high security cordon around the Chief Minister prevented him from making his complaint. His son Amar Singh has been missing since December 25. According to Swaran Singh, the boy was picked up by a police party from the Division No 5 police station for questioning in a case of disappearance of an owner of a jeweller shop in the city. Since then no one knows the whereabouts of his son. Swaran Singh said he lives at his village in HP and his son, who works in the jewellery shop lives here. He said on learning about his disappearance he immediately rushed to the city after borrowing money from some friends. Eversince his arrival in the city, he had been making rounds of the police station but police officials had not given any news about his son, he added. Swaran Singh, who had prepared a signed statement to give to the Chief Minister said police officials only said that the boy was fine and he had no need to worry about his wellbeing. However, when he demanded to see his son, the police allegedly dilly-dallied and kept on calling him either in the evening or next morning. The hapless father then sent telegrams to several senior police officers but to no avail. He said he had thought that the Chief Minister would redress his grievance but he was not allowed to meet him. He claimed that there were several others who returned disappointed. When the SHO, Division No 5 Police Station, Mr Santokh Singh, was asked about the disappearance of the youth, he admitted that the youth was called for questioning but said he was let off after two days. He said the police was suspecting his hand in the disappearance of the owner of the jeweller shop. |
| Trust to create 2,000 residential plots BATHINDA, Jan 2 — The local Improvement Trust has prepared several schemes to carry out development work and create residential plots in the city in 2001. Mr Mohan Lal Garg, chairman of the trust, told TNS that a ring road connecting the Bathinda-Barnala road with the Bathinda-Mansa road would be built during the year. He said the trust would acquire about 18 acres of land to create residential plots for people belonging to economically weaker sections of society. In all 2000 such plots would be created, he said. Mr Garg said the trust authorities had also taken up the task of providing existing colonies with sewerage, water, streetlights, roads and other facilities. He said that under the Ram Mandir Scheme and the Ahata Pritam Singh Scheme, commercial space would be provided. A three-storeyed shopping complex in Vir Colony would be completed by the end of May, he said. As many as 20 shop-cum-flats, eight booths and a cafe on the Bathinda-Goniana road would be completed in four months’ time at a cost of Rs 1 crore. About Rs 20 crore would be spent on the projects, he added. |
| Leopard attacks villager on city outskirts PATIALA, Jan 2 — A leopard , trapped in the Kheri Gujran forest on the outskirts of the city after it attacked a man, could not be tranquilised till late in the evening. Reports of a leopard attacking Gurbachan Singh, who had gone in to the forest along with his two dogs, spread like wild fire in the surrounding villages this morning as a leopard has never been sighted in this part after the end of the princely days . Sadar thana SHO Sewa Singh disclosed that the leopard hurt Gurbachan Singh in the arm due to the presence of dogs with him. He said the leopard had apparently been hiding in a bush. He said following this the District Forest Officer, Wildlife Mr P. C. Ataliya, was informed of the attack as well as presence of the leopard . Mr Ataliya said a team led by him took to the task of spotting the leopard in the morning only and that it took some time to spot the animal due to dense forest cover. He said the leopard was spotted on top of a 60-foot-high eucalyptus tree in the afternoon following which information was given to the Chief Warden of Zoo, Dr Venod Sharma, who arrived along with a team of officials armed with a tranquiliser gun . Dr Sharma said four shots were fired at the leopard in the evening which had hit the target. He said, however, the tranquiliser medicine could not be apparently injected into the animal due to the 90° angle. He said the operation had to be called off following onset of dusk . Dr Sharma said it would be the endeavour of the wildlife staff to tranquilise the animal tomorrow morning if he does not escape from his hiding place. He said the presence of the leopard in the forest was a mystery, adding it could be from anywhere as the animals could travel long distances in short spells. Meanwhile, sources said the local police has been posted in a circle around the stretch of forest where the leopard has taken refuge. They said search lights had been installed at the site so that the movement of the animal could be tracked. They, however, said if the animal escaped there would not be any attempt to stop him. Traffic on the Maine-Sular road has been stopped since afternoon. Besides this, the police has made announcements in the adjoining villages that no child should be allowed to stir outside the house after dusk. The villagers have been cautioned to ensure their pets and specially goats if any were tethered at secured spots. |
| Pomila remanded till Jan 5 ROPAR, Jan 2 — The police remand of Ms Pomila Syal, sister of the Chairman of the Golden Forests Group and one of the directors of the company, has been extended by the CJM by three days. She would now be produced in the court of the CJM on January 5. She was earlier remanded in the police custody on December 30. The public prosecutor representing the Vigilance Department said that during the police remand of Ms Syal they have seized Rs 9 lakh from a locker. The amount was seized from a locker in the name of Madhulika Syal, daughter of Ms Syal, at the HDFC bank at Vasant Vihar in Delhi. Fixed Deposit Certificates and gold ornaments worth Rs 9 lakh were seized from the locker. The public prosecutor also contested that the daughter of Ms Syal was studying at London and the cost of her stay there was expected to be about Rs 4 lakh per annum. The defense councel of Ms Syal demanded she be released on bail. The judge rejected his plea. Meanwhile, the judicial remand of Mr R.K. Syal, Chairman, Golden Forests Group, also extended till January 12 yesterday. He is to be produced before the CJM tomorrow. Tribune News Service adds from Jalandhar: The vigilance bureau has approached the Income Tax Department to extend is cooperation in the investigation in the Golden Forest case. Meanwhile, the bureau authorities have recorded the statements of people who had sold their lands to the company which in turn had developed these vast tracts of land at Dera Bassi, Mukerian and Ropar. Bureau sources said the income tax authorities had been requested to provide details about fiscal irregularities, if any, committed by the company in the past. It was also keeping in touch with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to investigate any criminal or other fiscal offence that had been committed by the company in the past. Creating a model village MALERKOTLA: Jalwana, a village in Sangrur district, has a population of only 1,550. It came into prominence when a large number of families from here settled in Vancouver in 1890. Many members of these families remained active in the Ghadar movement in Canada and the USA. In 1911 the late Bir Singh Dhaliwal became the first resident to pass his matriculation examination in the first division from the university in Lahore. He later served as Magistrate in Patiala State. Predominantly inhabited by Jat Sikhs (Dhaliwals), this village has its roots in Dina Kangar village in Faridkot district, where Guru Gobind Singh spent about three months in 1701 on his way to Muktsar. The Guru had blessed the residents of the village. Residents of Jalwana have achieved success not only in Canada and the USA but also in India in various fields. With the help of NRI families settled in Canada and the USA, the residents were able to establish the Village Development Council in 1999 and declared the village a “millennium village.” At the very first general gathering of the village, the council fixed several targets, including the construction of a circular road, redesigning of drains and connecting these to the Tallewal drain, building of a modern old-age home, development of the cremation ground, installing of streetlights, providing financial support to brilliant students to pursue higher studies, taking of steps to end unemployment by 2005 and strengthening of brotherhood. In about a year, the council was successful in achieving the targets. While carrying out the development projects, residents not only contributed funds but also actively participated in the work. Interestingly, not a single criminal case has been registered during the past five years. The sarpanch of the village, an educated Dalit woman, was elected unanimously. The village, which has 82 per cent literacy, has decided to raise the figure to 100 per cent soon. The council has a literacy wing headed by Mr Lachhman Singh. It gets regular guidance from the Zila Sakharata Samiti, Sangrur. Regular classes for illterate residents in the age group 5-60 are run in the village. The village was the first one in the district to have streetlights in all streets. Families of NRIs are taking keen interest in the development activities. Many members of these families are on the development council. It was due to their efforts that the village could set up Modern Guru Harkishan Public School. Young farmers have formed a cooperative body, the Young Farmers Millennium Milk Producers Cooperative Society. They have also set up a “Green Brigade”, which has planted saplings on the periphery of the village. They have decided to contribute Rs 500 per acre per crop to the council. The council also plans to set up a bal bhavan. Residents say they plan to turn their village into a model village. |
| Plots at Anandgarh in April: minister PHAGWARA, Jan 2 — The Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, today disclosed that the allocation of plots in Anandgarh project would start in April-May. Talking to mediapersons at Gurdwara Akalian after addressing a congregation in connection with the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, she said after due notification and getting no-objections, the Anandgarh Development Authority was now going to capital market for fund-raising. She said NRIs had shown immense interest in the project that would have all modern facilities, including airport. She said six administration blocks would come up at Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Patiala. Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Jalalabad for providing various district offices under one roof. In PUDA’s upcoming colonies at Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda low-income groups were being taken care of, she said. Interest of people falling in the LIG category had been duly considered in five new sectors in Mohali, she added. Rs 32 crore would be spent for the development of Sultanpur Lodhi, she said. The project had been under taken with the help of the Central Government. The minister said work on new urban estate at Sultanpur Lodhi would start in March. |
| Stones of link roads laid NAWANSHAHR, Jan 2 — The Welfare Minister, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, laid the foundation stones of the Urapur-Mukandpur (9.75 km) link roads to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore and Rs 15 lakh, respectively, at Urapur village, about 15 km from here, on Tuesday. The minister also gave away cheques worth Rs 5 lakh to 85 beneficiaries under the shagun scheme, Rs 6 lakh to six gram panchayats for the construction of Dalit dharamshalas, Rs 4 lakh to eight gram panchayats for repairing Dalit dharamshalas, Rs 6 lakh for different gram panchayats for carrying out various developmental works. Besides, the minister also handed over pension-papers to as many as 250 beneficiaries. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, said the Badal government was observing year 2001 as “development year” and had chalked out a comprehensive plan of Rs 2,250 crore for constructing road and bridges in the state. The minister also participated in the religious function organised in connection with the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj at Urapur village. Move to disenfranchise Sehajdharis flayed PHAGWARA Jan 2 — The All- India Rangretta Dal, an apex body of Dalit Sikhs, today denounced as retrograde and sectarian move of the SGPC and the SAD for disenfranchising “Sehajdhari” Sikhs in the coming general elections to the SGPC. Mr Joginder Singh Mann, Dal’s national president and member All-India Congress Committee, alleged that the move was an attempt to distort the Sikh history and ethos. He reminded those at helms of the SGPC and the SAD that all Sikh Gurus had non Sikh names before the tradition of baptism was started by the tenth Guru. Mr Mann said to deny voting rights to Sehajdharis during the SGPC elections was a move to check the growth of Sikhism. It may be mentioned here that new SGPC president Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi has been pressing for redefining of the word “Sikh” for getting “Sehajdharis” disenfranchised and the move had drawn flak from several quarters. |
| Crucial civic body meeting today AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — The proposed meeting of the municipal corporation house slated for January 3 is likely to be stormy. Members of the Opposition are likely to press for the development projects in their own wards in view of many items proposed to be dropped or left pending for paucity of funds. The meeting of the Finance Contract Committee which studies and sanctions funds for various projects in the city has not been held since November. The proposed meeting enlists 25 items in addition to the 242 items presented at the last meeting. The agenda also includes in the creation of six posts of Sub Fire Officer. The dilly dallying on the pact of the corporation and the viability of various development projects had led to the postponement of the meeting of the Finance Contract Committee. However, a meeting of the FCC has been called for January 4, a day after the house meets to take up joint projects of the previous meeting. Crucial corporation meeting today AMRITSAR, Jan 2 — The crucial meeting of the municipal corporation is likely to be stormy as Opposition members, including those from the Congress, the Akali Dal have decided to take on the ruling BJP Mayor for discriminating against the projects sanctioned in their wards. The Mayor, Mr Brij Mohan Kapoor of the BJP, has huge agenda to carry forward the last meeting to be held on November 3. He passed some items in the din as the Congress councillors have raised objections to the election of the new Mayor. According to sources, the House is likely to take up the issue of providing 2,000 sq yards of plot for the construction of the Shaheed Udham Singh memorial on the outskirts of the city near Bhagtanwala gate, besides approving various projects worth several crores which include constructions and repair of roads, tubewells, central verges, besides improvement of civic amenities in the slum areas. Although, the BJP with 25 councellors and support of 8 Akalis enjoys the support of the Congress splinter group led by Mr Dharamvir Sareen. Presently the municipal corporation has been without a full time commissioner for the past six months. The last incumbent Mr S.S. Rajput was transferred at the behest of the then Mayor. The working of the corporation has been affected as Mr Narinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, have been asked to look after its affairs. 2 PSEB staff get electric shock BATHINDA, Jan 2 — Two employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) received electric shock while they were repairing the breakdown in the 11 kv line in the region last evening. Official sources said that one assistant line man who suffered minor electric shock, was dischraged from the hospital after the first aid. Mr Harbhajan Singh line man, who had suffered severe shock was undergoing treatment at the local civil hospital. Mr H.S. Khurmi, Executive Engineer (sub-urban), when contacted said a Sub-Divisional Engineer had been deputed to hold a probe into the incident. He added that the incident took place due to misunderstanding between employees who were working at two different sites. |
| 65 mobile vans for medicare in villages BHUCHO MANDI (Bathinda) — Jan 2 — Sixtyfive mobile vans would be provided at block level in the first phase to provide health care facilities in villages of the state, Ms Mohinder Kaur Josh, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, said. Ms Josh, who was here to lay the foundation stone of a hospital to be completed at a cost of Rs 1.13 crore, talking to mediapersons said strict action would be taken against the doctors found guilty of professional misconduct, which resulted in the death of some patients at a family planning operation in Sangrur. She said vacant posts of doctors in the state-run hospitals would be filled soon. Ms Josh said districts officers had been instructed to check that no spurious vaccines were being used in the health camps organised by non-government organisations. She said if any misconduct was found in the supply of medicines in the state-run hospitals, action would be taken against the guilty. The shortage of equipment and staff in the hospitals would be removed soon and many hospitals would be given advance equipments like the Tread Mill Test (TMT) machines also. Medical waste treatment plants would be set up in the district with the help of municipal council soon. Speaking about the population explosion she said only awareness among the masses would bring down the birth rate and help to reduce population. She added that the National Population Control Policy had been formed which was headed by the Prime Minister at the national-level and the Chief Minister at the state-level to formulate long-term policies for controlling population and family welfare. |
Mamata urged to issue train passes BATHINDA, Jan 2 — Members of the Bharatiya Sanatan Dharam Mahabir Dal today urged the Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, to issue concessional passes of trains to those people who would participate in the Kumbh mela at Allahabad for providing security. In a press note issued here, Mr Darbara Singh, Chief Organiser of the Dal, said earlier this facility was regularly extended to members of the Dal as they used to provide security during the mela but now the same had been withdrawn. Thermal plant sets record BATHINDA, Jan 2 — The local Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP), has set the record by generating 27, 907 lakh units of electricity during the year 2000. In a press note issued here today, Mr U.S. Lucky, Chief Engineer, GNDTP, said the authorities concerned had been making efforts to operate the plant economically maintaining the high level of performance. He said the ESPs installed at the plant were working at the optimum level and emanating smoke within the permissible limits. The pollution board authorities had declared the city as protected zone and lowered the permissible emission level, he added. Bail application PATIALA, Jan 2 — The counsel for the five accused in the Harpreet death case today moved the court here urging that they be granted bail as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had failed to present a challan against them within the stipulated 90-day period. |
| Transport Dept holds rally KAPURTHALA, Jan 2 — The district Transport Department organised a rally here on Monday in connection with the Road Safety week. Mr Raghbir Singh, Transport Minister, flagged off the rally. Freedom fighters, ex-servicemen, students, municipal councillors and workers of political parties and voluntary organisations were among those who participated in the rally. |
Robbers’ gang busted BARNALA, Jan 2 — A three-member gang involved in car robberies and extortion headed by Amarjit Singh, alias Kala, has been busted. A car with a fake number, a 12 bore gun and a dagger have been recovered. Senior Superintendent of Police Ajaib Singh Kaleka, said here today that gangsters identified as Amarjit Singh, Ranjit Singh, alias Jiwan, and Jasbir Singh alias Jassa, had been active in Barnala, Bathinda and Jagraon areas. The gang was busted as part of a special drive by the police. The SSP said the gang had snatched a Ambassador car from Kurar village on December 20. About six months ago, the gang had plundered cash and wrist watches from a truck driver and cleaner on Barnala-Bathinda highway, he added. |
| Bank Manager held for graft FEROZEPORE, Jan 2 — The Branch Manager of the State Bank of Patiala was arrested for accepting a gratification against clearing a loan by a team of the state Vigilance Bureau. Sources revealed that Sarvshrestha Gupta was held along with Mohinder Singh, alleged middleman who actually pocketed the bribe. The arrests were made on the complaint of Baljinder Singh of Hussainiwala village near here. Baljinder Singh had charged the two with seeking Rs 5,000 as gratification against sanctioning a loan of Rs 95,000 for the installation of a flour mill. The deal was settled through Mohinder Singh, who is a salesman with a tractor company. The bribe money was recovered from Mohinder Singh and the manager was later held. |
| Rs 70,000 stolen from office ROPAR, Jan 2 — Thieves struck at the office of the Block Education Officer, Anandpur Sahib and took away about Rs 70,000 that was lying in the office as the fee collected from various primary schools of the area. According to the DSP, Anandpur Sahib Mr Sant Singh Dhaliwal, the thieves broke into the office on Sunday night. They broke a safe in the office and took away the money lying in it. The theft was discovered yesterday morning when the employees of the office came to the office. The police has registered a case. In another incident, a country-made pistol was seized from Harbhajan Singh of Sirhind who was found roaming under suspicious circumstances at Kiratpur Sahib. The DSP, Anandpur Sahib, said during interrogation Harbhajan Singh admitted to his involvement in various thefts in different parts of the state. A case has been registered. |
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