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| Saturday, January 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Tandon’s outburst SGPC trust meeting today SHSAD plans protests on Republic Day Blast was not aimed at Kahlon |
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| Colleges may be reaffiliated CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 — In a round of major changes planned for the Punjab education scenario in the state, affiliation of colleges to their respective universities has come under serious study.
Rebels allege discrimination Badal watching realignments
Survivors await decision on fate Ways to better farmers’ lot Water shortage hits irrigation ‘Remove misconceptions about Sikh history’ Gay club in Ludhiana Link support price with index: CM Shatabdi stoppage sought at Phagwara BKU (Ekta) seeks action against erring traders Cong flays move on encroachments Medical Superintendent given bail Mother saves girl from being raped Municipal council staff stage dharna Dr R.S. Bawa is IEA chief Nirankari Rajmata distributes woollens
6 two-wheelers recovered, 5 held Golden Forest case: judicial remand for 3 Pomila remanded till Jan 19
Punjab matric exams from March 12
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| Tandon’s outburst CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 — Obviously feeling embarrassed following an open attack by senior BJP, minister, Balramji Dass Tandon on his Akali colleague, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today not only defended the latter but also praised functioning of the Finance Department under his leadership. By an official statement, Mr Badal has sent a clear signal to all concerned that he did not like the open attack of Mr Balramji Dass Tandon on Capt Kanwaljit Singh. As Mr Badal is very shrewd politically, he did not make mention of Capt-Tandon row in the statement issued to soothe the ruffled feelings of Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Though the Finance Minister did not react to Mr Tandon’s statement but he reportedly had conveyed his anguish to Mr Badal in strong words. Addressing a press conference on January 3, Mr Tandon stated that development work in the urban areas had come to a halt because the requisite money was not being released by the Department of Finance though the local bodies had a legitimate claim over that money. Defending his Finance Minister, Mr Badal in the statement said “the Finance Department under the leadership of Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, has done commendable work in restoring the financial health and huge funds were pumped for accelerating the pace of development in the last three, four years.” Undoubtedly, to cancel the impact of the statement of Mr Tandon, Mr Badal further said in the statement that “the fiscal health of Punjab is sound and there is no problem in respect of releasing of funds to different sectors of the development in the rural and urban areas. The SAD-BJP government inherited the shattered economy when it took over and the major task before the government was to meet the aspirations of the Punjabis by mobilising required resources”. It is perhaps first time that Mr Badal has taken open stand against the criticism made by his alliance partner the BJP in the State as well as at the Centre. Though earlier also BJP leaders had taken pot shots on the functioning of the Government led by Mr Badal but he (Chief Minister) had preferred to keep mum. This time he has come out openly to convey the message to his alliance partners that he would be a silent spectator, no more to what was happening between the two alliance partners since May last. On New Year day, Mr Badal said that his party would continue the political tie-up with the BJP and contest jointly the next Vidhan Sabha election scheduled to be held in February next year. However, the BJP has not made its mind known so far and neither has it issued any statement in this connection. Warmth in relations between the SAD and the BJP had long disappeared. First it was Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, who was holding the office of the President of the State unit of the BJP a year ago, had openly levelled charges of corruption in the Badal government. His statement had caused a flutter in political circles. Then Mr Brij Lal Rinwa, who took over as President from Mr Sodhi in May last, made several statements against the policies and programmes of the SAD-BJP government. He went to the extent of saying that there was lack of coordination among the two coalition partners — the SAD and the BJP — in the Punjab Government. He also talked of reversing the decision of free power to farmers and making next Chief Minister of the BJP in the state. However, some senior BJP ministers especially, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, intervened to pacify Mr Rinwa. Mr Mittal arranged a meeting between Mr Rinwa and Mr Badal over a cup of tea at the residence of the latter on July 13 last to remove irritants between the two coalition partners. Both Mr Badal and Mr Rinwa decided to set up joint committees of the SAD and the BJP activists at the district headquarters for better coordination at the grassroot level and also at the state headquarters level between the two parties. On July 28, a meeting of the state unit of the BJP was held here in which all top functionaries of the BJP including MLAs and ministers participated. After the meeting, Mr Rinwa told mediapersons that “to make a new beginning in its relations with the SAD, the BJP today adopted the line of “forgive and forget” about what happened in the past. At the same meeting, the BJP leadership decided not to press the government for reversing the decision of free power to farming sector. Instead it took a decision to ask for lowering the rates of power tariff for the domestic sector. Even unhappy over release of funds to the local bodies, Mr Tandon had directed his department authorities concerned to open department’s personal ledger account (PLA) for depositing the octroi collected from the sale of liquor in form of additional Excise Duty as the state government was not releasing funds collected as octroi from the liquor. He had a verbal duel with the Finance Minister and the Chief Minister at a meeting held in July on the non-release of adequate funds to the local bodies. |
| CHANDIGARH: Following rift between certain Ministers of the BJP and the SAD alliance, which surfaced at a recent joint meeting of MLAs the alliance, elections and other political issues are expected to dominate the meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on January 10. The meeting convened by the party President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will be held at Punjab Bhavan here, according to a statement issued today by Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, Secretary of the SAD. The BJP has already announced its state executive committee meeting at Moga on January 9. |
| SGPC trust meeting today AMRITSAR, Jan 5 — The crucial meeting of the SGPC Trust which runs various medical and dental institutes would be held here tomorrow at Guru Ram Dass Charitable Trust where the issue of fee exemption to MBBS students admitted under the NRI quota would be discussed at length. The SGPC executive meeting held under the presidentship of Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, had refused to give fee exemption to ‘influential’ students. The exemption to some students had cost the SGPC more than Rs 1 crore. A member of the trust, who pleaded anonymity, said if Mr Talwandi did a volte-face and give fee concession to the students, the trust would not be able to give salaries to the staff of the medical college. Mr Onkar Singh Sharifura, an executive member of the SGPC, said Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, who is life member of the trust, would raise the issue during the meeting. It may be mentioned here that there was a move to expel Mr Tohra from life membership of the trust on the pretext that he had failed to attend several meetings in the past. The members of the SHSAD had filed a writ in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the formation of the ‘new trust’, disbanding the old one. Hence, Mr Tohra is specially coming to attend the meeting tomorrow. It is pertinent to mention here that the then SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, had asked Guru Ram Dass Institute of Medical Sciences and Research to charge Rs 1.10 lakh each from the four students under the NRI quota, subject to approval of the trust. A member of the trust said while the students got ‘double benefit’ with admission under the NRI quota and then fee exemption, the SGPC, a charitable trust, suffered “double losses” in the process. The SGPC-run medical institutes needed latest medical equipment worth crores. A week before relinquishing charge as Director-Principal of the SGPC-run college, Dr S.S. Cheema had pointed out that the SGPC committee would incur a loss of more than Rs 1 crore by exempting fees of the MBBS students admitted under the NRI quota. The letter of Dr Cheema dated September 1 reads: “As many as eight students were admitted into the MBBS under the NRI quota during the current session. The net fees under the NRI quota is 75,000 US dollars (about Rs 34 lakh) in three instalments as per the prospectus of the college. However, only two students have deposited the first instalment of 40,000 US dollars.” |
| SHSAD plans protests on Republic Day SANGRUR, Jan 5 — The youth wing of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) today gave a call to the Khalsa Panth to observe a silent protest at Republic Day functions on January 26 this year by wearing black clothes and holding banners with slogans demanding the release of jailed Sikh youths, ban on the RSS and recognition of Sikh community as a separate “nation” in the Constitution. Announcing this programme, Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, president of the youth wing of the SHSAD, said this silent protest would be observed at all district headquarters on that day. He said, “The protesters will not disturb the functions as they will just stand near and venues of the Republic Day functions and will also not raise any slogan.” Mr Panjoli was addressing a protest dharna held in the complex which has then SDM’s office, near the main bus stand here. The dharna was organised by the youth wing of the SHSAD to demand the release of Sikh youths lodged in different jails in Punjab and other parts of the country. A memorandum was submitted to Mr G.K. Singh, ADC, Sangrur, to be forwarded to the Prime Minister for the release of Sikh youths languishing in jails for the past several years. Mr Panjoli further said the release of the Sikh youths was impossible till the entire Panth was awakened. He said the chain of dharnas would continue till all Sikh youths were released from jails. He said the next dharna in this connection would be staged at Mansa on February 5. He also challenged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, by saying “neither we will sleep nor we will allow Mr Badal to sleep till the release of all Sikh youths from jails.” Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary of the SHSAD, announced that all Sikh youths lodged in jails would be got released with the help of people’s power. He said Mr Badal prior to the Assembly elections had promised that all Sikh youths would be released within 48 hours after the formation of the SAD government but he had failed miserably in this direction even after four years. Professor Chandumajra also criticised Mr Badal for his alleged failure on different fronts. He said Mr Badal had adopted Congress culture due to which Punjab was heading towards destruction. He asked the gathering to tell the people in villages that Mr Badal was not an Akali now as he did not oppose the RSS programme with regard to performance of bhog of Akhand Paths of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in temples. Professor Chandumajra also predicted that Mr Badal would not recommend mid-term poll in the state on account of poor performance of his government. He also described the year 2000 as a year of destruction instead of development in Punjab. Among others who addressed the dharna included Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, MP, Jathedar Toga Singh, general secretary of the SHSAD, Mr Randhir Singh Rakhra, secretary general of the youth wing of the SHSAD, Jathedar Tek Singh, district president of the SHSAD, Mr Kale Khan, a Muslim leader of the SHSAD, Bibi Kuldip Kaur, president of the women’s wing of the SHSAD, Mr Sarbjit Singh, district president of the Dal Khalsa, Sangrur, and Mr Jatinder Singh Gill, a SHSAD leader. Earlier in the day, hundreds of workers of the youth wing and the SHSAD took out a protest march in the town carrying banners and demanding the immediate release of Sikh youths from jails. The march started from the local Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup and culminated at the SDM’s office. | |
| Blast was not aimed at Kahlon AMRITSAR, Jan 5 — The fact-finding report released by the Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in Punjab (CCDP) has blamed the Punjab Police and Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Rural Development Minister, for the ‘self-contradictory’ theories on the high-intensity blast that took place on December 3 last year at Malewala village in Batala police district. The five-paged fact-finding report was released to the press here today by Mr Ajit Singh Bains, chairman, Punjab Human Rights Organisation. Members on the committee were Mr Narain Singh, President, Akal Federation, Mr Mohinder Singh Randhawa, Mr Faqir Singh, Mr Amrik Singh and Mr Bachan Singh. Challenging the version of Mr A.P. Pandey, Inspector-General of Police (Border Range) that the ‘explosion’ was of low intensity, the report says ‘high explosives’ were used in the incident. It further states that the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, Mr Kahlon, was not the target of the explosion. The report says Mr Kahlon was at a function in Guru Nanak Public School, Dera Baba Nanak, at the time of the explosion. The report had been allegedly planted by Mr Ravikiran Singh, son of Mr Kahlon, in certain papers. This had been done for a variety of reasons. First, Mr Kahlon wanted cheap publicity. Second, he (Mr Kahlon) wanted to keep sufficient security with him even when out of power by projecting that he faced a threat to his life also, Mr Kahlon was in the “habit” of planting such news. The report claims that the blast occurred when the Gypsy carrying Mr Kanwarmandip Singh, son of Mr Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, was passing through the blast site. The report says the FIR lodged under Sections 427 and 436 in this regard is “incorrect and misleading”. Though first-hand information regarding the explosion was given by the son of the SSP, Batala, who was an eyewitness, yet the FIR was lodged on behalf of one Awinder Singh under a ‘conspiracy’. Justice Ajit Singh Bains alleged that more than 80 youths were kept in ‘illegal custody’ after the incident. While the police wanted to hush up the ‘high-intensity explosion’, Mr Kahlon had tried to derive ‘political mileage of the incident. The report says the incident could be the handiwork of police officials facing criminal cases for committing excesses on youths. Such officials wanted to prove that normalcy had not yet returned to Punjab and, hence, top heavy police was still relevant in Punjab. The report rules out the possibility of involvement of any militant outfit in the incident. Talking to mediapersons Justice Bains alleged that the Punjab Police had indulged in “anti-constitutional” activities and there was no rule of the law in the state. However, the report remains inconclusive about the aim of the explosion. It does not name anybody for the blast. |
| Colleges may be reaffiliated CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 — In a round of major changes planned for the Punjab education scenario in the state, affiliation of colleges to their respective universities has come under serious study. The issue under consideration is an administrative feeling that in several cases colleges affiliated to a particular university were too far away for the benefit of affiliation as compared to the same facility from a neighbouring university. Like in the case of Panjab University, affiliated colleges include those from as far away as Ferozepur, Muktsar etc. In the case of Panjab University, colleges from Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Ferozepore had affiliated colleges. This left out colleges in comparatively nearer areas in Ropar. Talking to The Tribune, highly placed sources confirmed that official round of discussions on the issue would he held tomorrow at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The panelists include Dr S. P. Dhawan, Deputy Director (Colleges), Dr Deepak Manmohan, Dean, College Development Council, Panjab University, Dr Janak Raj Gupta, Dean, Colleges, Punjabi University, Patiala and Dr S.P. Singh, Dean, College Development, Guru Nanak Dev University. The department has recommended that areas affiliated to Panjab University should include colleges at Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Moga. Recommended areas for affiliation of colleges to Punjabi University, Patiala have been identified as Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar and Mansa. The colleges of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur and Ferozepore have been identified to be better suited for affiliation to Guru Nanak Dev University. The meeting this time is scheduled to feature suggestions and expressions of the deans on behalf of their universities after expected talks with the Vice-Chancellors concerned. A meeting in this connection was held earlier in December 2000 as a part of the deliberations on “re-affiliation of colleges to universities and proposed changes for re-organisation”. A senior teacher said the re-organisation of universities was a subject that needed a deep study because it would involve changes in updating the records and maintaining old records. Earlier, demarcation of colleges had also raised eye-brows concerning universities of affiliation. Certain colleges had approached the court demanding affiliation to PU. The court turned down their requests. The SAS Nagar colleges have repeatedly been pointed out to be fit for affiliation to PU. | ||
Rebels allege discrimination FEROZEPORE, Jan 5 — The Akali Dal came under fire for allegedly stalling development works in the assembly segments represented by the dissidents for political considerations. Atleast two legislators associated with the breakaway Akali Dal faction, Mr Manjeet Singh Calcutta and Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, have categorically charged the authorities of discrimination in the allocation of the development funds to their constituencies. While Mr Calcutta represents Amritsar (South) Assembly constituency, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira is a legislator from Zira in Ferozepore. The two MLAs had revolted against the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and extended support to the expelled Akali leader, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. In an interview with TNS during a public meeting, the two MLAs alleged that the authorities were either doing little for the development of their constituencies, or diverting funds to the assembly segments represented by the favourites of the Chief Minister. Adding that this was being done to discredit the dissidents in the public eye, they alleged that the ruling Akali Dal had “marked” the constituencies represented by other opposition leaders as well. On being asked to specify the development projects, which had been stalled by the government in their respective constituencies, Mr Calcutta said all public health works were suffering, while the government was not reviving the sick industrial units of Amritsar despite being reminded of the problem. “The woollen and fan industry is particularly hit due to the apathy of the government”, he said. He alleged that even the District Planning and Development Board was overlooking the interests of his constituency. Mr Zira alleged that the construction of link roads in atleast four villages of his constituency were stalled, with funds being diverted elsewhere. Besides, the upgradation of hospitals at Zira and Makhu had also suffered on this count. He claimed that necessary funds originally earmarked for their constituencies were being diverted to the constituency of the Chief Minister in the name of anti-water logging works. Likewise, a women college in the Kharar Assembly segment of Ropar represented by another Tohra loyalist, Bibi Daljeet Kaur also awaited a 95 per cent government grant, despite being promised by the Chief Minister allegedly for similar reasons. Earlier, the Congress MLA from Lehra in Sangrur, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, had also accused the ruling Akali Dal of meddling in development works of her constituency. It is pertinent to mention that a battery of opposition legislators from Bathinda had threatened to move the High Court against the “injustice” meted out to their assembly segments. | ||
| Badal watching realignments LUDHIANA, Jan 5 — Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is reported to have adopted a meticulous approach over the gradual and progressive realignment of radical forces in Akali politics. For the time being the Chief Minister is said to be keeping a watch on the situation without commenting or committing anything. He is also reported to have taken note of the meeting between senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member, Lala Lajpat Rai and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. It may need all Machiavellian skills which Mr Badal is known for to tame the radical elements without yielding any ground. The radicals have refused to give up their campaign against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its offshoot Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, which appears to have stirred a hornet’s nest by announcing a programme that is considered to go against the Sikh maryada. Although the sangat has already announced cancellation of the programme, the radicals refuse to buy their arguments, more for cornering the Chief Minister than really meaning to counter the RSS “interference” into the Sikh religious affairs. Only yesterday Mr Simranjeet Singh Mann announced that the RSS had shelved the programme and not cancelled it. However, there is a consolatory note for Mr Badal, which came from the cancellation of the RSS programme and its approval by the SGPC chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi. Mr Talwandi along with Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and leaders like former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjeet Singh Mann had taken a lead in confronting the RSS this has for the time being given a breather to Mr Badal. It is significant to note that all radical elements are offering unconditional support to Mr Talwandi. Mr Badal’s bete noires like Mr Tohra and Mr Mann have sent conciliatory posers to the SGPC chief, which he has not discouraged. In fact, his warmth towards these two leaders may not go well with the Chief Minister, who is too well aware about Mr Talwandi’s vulnerabilities. By extending support to Mr Talwandi, Mr Tohra and Mr Mann are obviously trying to make him feel more strong and powerful, much to the chagrin of Mr Badal. The Chief Minister is worried over the proximity of these leaders with the SGPC chief and the latter’s unwillingness to discourage it. In case Mr Talwandi becomes more strong it may not be so simple for Mr Badal to tame him. The Chief Minister is said to have taken serious note of the meeting between Mr Tohra and Lala Lajpat Rai. The two had a closed-door meeting at the residence of a local MLA. Although the Chief Minister did not react but he is reported to have discussed the issue with some senior BJP leaders. On his part, Mr Tohra is also reported to be giving posers to the BJP that it can look beyond Mr Badal in Punjab. In fact, he has no other credible and viable alternative either. He cannot go with the Congress and the third front is beyond conception in Punjab. The only way out is either a reconciliation with Mr Badal or an alliance with the BJP. In fact, he may be trying to use good offices in the BJP like that of the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, for seeking a respectful rapprochement with Mr Badal, which the latter may not like to resist especially at a time when he has already started thinking in terms of the next election. |
Survivors await decision on fate JALANDHAR, Jan 5 — Even as the Punjab Police is busy ascertaining the antecedents of the 10 alleged illegal Indian immigrants who survived a harrowing shipwreck off the Turkish coast on Monday all of them are in good health and awaiting their fate like 40 Pakistani and at least 20 Bangladeshi survivors to be decided by the Turkish Government. More than 40 alleged illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Iranians, reportedly went missing when “Pati”, a 400-tonne Georgian cargo vessel in which more than 80 persons were stuffed, sank about 100 metres off the Mediterranean resort town of Kemer. There were 10 Indian survivors and most of them belonged to the Doaba region of Punjab. The efforts of the Punjab Police to verify their antecedent have failed to bear fruit. Warding off initial fears, highly placed sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, (MEA) revealed that all Indians aboard the cargo, ship were safe and none of them had gone missing in the incident. This has also been verified by officers of the Indian Embassy and the MEA, who had rushed to Antaliya province to inquire about the incident and the fate of the Indians, following a visit to the place by the Indian Ambassador to Turkey, Mr M.K. Bhadrakumar. “All Indians are totally safe and they are with the Turkish authorities who are yet to decide about their future. But one thing we are sure about is that all of them were illegal immigrants and most of them belong to the Doaba region of Punjab. There are 40 other survivors, most of whom are Pakistanis and Bangladeshis,” said a senior MEA officer, when contacted by The Tribune. “It is for the Turkish Government to decide about their future as to whether it wants their deportation to India or whether the survivors want to come back to India or proceed to their destination. If they want some money for coming back we will provide it”, said the MEA officer, admitting that the MEA had not been contacted by any of relatives of the Indian survivors. Though a report has identified the survivors as Joga Singh, Des Raj, Sarbjit Singh, Satnam Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Sagar Singh, Joga Singh, Satnam Singh and Harnam Singh, the Punjab Police, which has got no specific information about the survivors or the place to which they belong so far, is making efforts in this direction on its own. The Senior Superintendents of Police of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts have instructed their officials to trace down the relatives of survivors to chalk out a future course of action. “We have not received any communication from the MEA. Similarly, relatives of survivors have not approached us so far but we are inquiring about them on our own,” was the stock response of all senior police officers. It is not for the first time, that alleged illegal Indian immigrants, particularly those from the Doaba region of Punjab, have come face to face with such a problem. Earlier too, 280 persons, including at least 170 Indians, were feared drowned near Malta in Italy on the night of December 25, 1996. Of the 170 Indians, as many as 80 belonged to the Doaba region of Punjab. The CBI is still investigating the case. | ||
| Ways to better farmers’ lot CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 — Due to neglect of agriculture in country’s Five-Year Plans since Independence, economy of progressive states like Punjab has suffered. Unless existing policies were completely revamped, stagnation and declining production and productivity trends and growing frustration among farmers could lead to social upheavals resulting in a law and order problem. This warning was sounded by Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, while speaking at the two-day seminar-cum-workshop on “Future Problems and Prospects of Punjab Agriculture” that concluded at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development here today. He did not mince words to express anguish and dismay over the manner the Centre tended to treat agriculture and neglect the interests of farmers of Punjab in particular and country in general. Mr Badal said the participating economists and agricultural scientists should come up with practical suggestions and recommendations to enable the state to put pressure at the Centre where policy decisions were taken. Over the years, Centre’s policies have acted like “slow poison” to paralyse farming community, whose incomes have been declining and cost of cultivation increasing with each passing year. He made three specific suggestions for being incorporated in the recommendations. The three suggestions were, namely, ways to harness the rural children and young adults whose future was bleak, direction-less and aimless, how to go in for value addition and diversification that is possible and practical if minimum support price and marketing was assured. Dairying has to be highly subsidised as it was a good alternative to supplement incomes and generate employment. Food processing, appropriate research and application of technologies that make farming economical and cost effective should be worked out. The Chief Minister was harsh on the World Trade Organisation (WTO), though, it was now inevitable. But interests of small industry and small farmers must be protected and rural youth trained in tiny trades and skills to enable them get self-employed. He also found fault with the politico-administrative system in operation in the governments, both in New Delhi and states. The Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who addressed the concluding session stressed on specific issues: 1. Admitting that India was “deficit” in food grains and not “surplus” as was being projected given the stark reality that one-third people went to bed hungry every night because they had no buying capacity and 5,000 children died of malnutrition every day. 2.Providing direct subsidy to farmers. 3. Revising the credit policy with the Reserve Bank of India issuing specific guidelines for giving loans at a low rate of interest. 4. Re-defining the Public Distribution System meant to feed those living below the poverty-line. But the system was totally corrupt and inefficient that catered only to bureaucrats and business houses acting as pressure groups carrying brief-cases full of money. On the WTO he went on to point out the shortcomings and how adversely it would harm the interests of agriculture, farmers as well as industry. He was contended that the suggestions in respect of WTO, its impact and implications, had been incorporated. The idea was to prepare proper guidelines for the Centre to present India’s view point in a cogent and forceful manner at the next round of negotiations before the WTO prior to coming into effect its operations from April 1 next. The seminar turned out to be a “brain storming” session, as CRRID Director Rashpal Malhotra described it. It was attended by academician, social and agricultural scientists, members of the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Pricing, Vice-Chancellor and Director of Research of Punjab Agricultural University, Dr G.S. Kalkat, and Dr M.S. Bajwa, respectively, economists like Dr Sucha Singh Gill from Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Ahish Bose and Dr S.K. Ray, both visiting professors from New Delhi, Mr T.A.K. Nair , Dr Ramesh Chand and Dr M.S. Bhatia, Dr Karam Singh and many others besides several progressive farmers. The draft recommendations were presented to Capt Kanwaljit Singh. But it was pointed out by Dr S.S. Johl, Coordinator of the Seminar, that these will be fine tuned before being submitted to the government. He informed the Finance Minister that Mr Badal was very keen that ‘kisan’ pressure groups be created to make New Delhi lend ears to Punjab before any decisions on issues related to agriculture were taken. Salient recommendations show that major worry is paddy grown on a large scale in the state which had created problems and challenges. Paddy had caused major damage to soil health and depleted water table being a water-guzzling crop. Punjab must oppose any move to suddenly wind up FCI procurement operations and Pubic Distribution System. The Centre should help Punjab develop rural infrastructure because of the opportunity provided by “surplus” food stockpile. In all there are 36 recommendations. | ||
| Water shortage hits irrigation FAZILKA: Residents of Ghallu village, 20 km from here, are crying for drinking water and face hardship in irrigating about 4500 acres on which they have sown wheat. An on-the-spot survey of the situation reveals that due to acute shortage of water for irrigation, the villagers are shattered. They complain that their demand for more water made to political leaders and senior government officers have fallen on deaf ears. The water supply to Ghallu, Khippanwali, and Ramkot villages, falling at the tail-end of Ghallu minor, remains disrupted as a result of which the wheat crop is affected. The villagers allege that the major reason for meagre canal water supply is less water in the Arniwala distributory, from where the Ghallu minor originates, coupled with theft by influential persons of the area. During a visit to Ghallu village, this correspondent saw ponds of village were dry and children were playing cricket on their beds. Over 100 residents were protesting below the overhead water tank. They complain that rich farmers of half a dozen villages draw excess water in violation of the rules. They also allege that Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani, Forest Minister, whose village falls along the minor, has also reportedly made the water course lower for irrigating his fields. The farmers disclose that subsoil tubewell water in their area is brackish and unfit for irrigation and drinking. If the fields are irrigated with tubewell water constantly the land would turn barren. Mr Onkar Ram, a resident of Ghallu village who had taken nine acres land on lease, says owing to non-availability of canal water he has not been able to sow wheat so far. Mr Mohan Lal, a former sarpanch, says he set up six tubewells to irrigate his crop but his land has become kallar. Boota Ram, another marginal farmer of village who was perturbed, says he had sown wheat thrice in the hope that rains might rescue his crop. He laments that he had to spend so much on sowing and was facing a financial crunch. The village residents allege that the Punjab Government had not paid them compensation for 22.5 acres of land acquired for digging Aspal drain. They were promised compensation at rate of Rs 3 lakh per acre. On the other hand, Mr S.C. Garg, XEN (Canals) when asked about the disruption in water supply, stated that due to shortage of canal water from the Sirhind feeder, the Abohar branch got only 1700 cusecs of water instead of 4500 cusecs. Hence the problem had been aggravated. Many cases of water theft had been registered and a number of farmers booked for this offence. He said a project for enhancing the carrying capacity of the canal by 20 per cent had been approved. | ||
| ‘Remove misconceptions about Sikh history’ FEROZEPORE, Jan 5 — The Sikh clergy has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to make arrangements for allaying misconceptions regarding the Sikh history by a set of scholars in the new millennium. Disclosing this to TNS, the Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar, Prof Manjit Singh, said frequent distortion of the Sikh history by various writers had generated a need for this and hoped for an early solution to the problem. He lamented that despite being the most progressive religion, Sikhism had frequently been embroiled in controversies by a section of ignorant historians. Listing some popular misconceptions, he said there was a sharp dividing line between the history and folklores and the two had to be separated by the writers. These ranged from the origin of the first master of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak and the role of Guru Gobind Singh. “Conflicting schools of thought about their identity and contribution to Sikhism was responsible for this mess”, he added. The Jathedar said it was unfortunate on part of some writers, who portrayed Guru Nanak as Hindu and associated Guru Gobind Singh with the descendents of Lord Rama. Likewise, the authenticity of “Dasam Granth” had to be established as certain parts of the book did not match with the basic Sikh tenets. He pointed out that the controversy over Guru Gobind Singh sacrificing the goats at the time of administering nectar to “Panj Piaras” and his sending Sikhs to Ayodhya for freeing Ram temple were a fallout of the misconceptions. He also attributed the raking up of the controversy over the sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur to some of these misconceptions and hoped that the new millennium would see an end to these concerns. |
| Gay club in Ludhiana LUDHIANA, Jan 5 — Those who believe that gay clubs exist only in western countries are wrong. Reports of activities of one such club have come to light in this city after the arrest of two persons by the police this evening. Homosexuality is prohibited under the Indian law. The two persons were caught at the Old Jail here. They have been booked under Section 377 of the IPC which calls for action against persons dealing in such activity. According to police sources, the two were caught in the act inside the dilapidated Old Jail. The police had recently started a round-the-clock vigil of the jail after having received reports that a nine-year-old boy was sodomised by a four-member gang in the jail premises. The two youths told the police that 250 persons in the entire state had formed a secret club which organised ‘night orgies’. Two such parties had taken place a few months ago in a marriage palace near Mullanpur Dhakha. The two told the police that a man named ‘Timmy’ organised such parties. They did not allow any waiter or marriage palace owner to the party. An interesting feature was that the members did not know the real names or addresses of other members. They were known by their code names, which in most cases were coined after the names of film actresses. Mr Randhir Singh, SHO Division No. 2, confirmed the existence of such a club. | |
| Link support price with index: CM BATHINDA, Jan 5 (UNI) — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that support price of agricultural commodities like wheat and paddy should be fixed according to the price index by the Union Government. Addressing a gathering of mediapersons at Mandi Kalan, 30 km from here, Mr Badal said that he had brought this matter to the notice of the Centre for necessary action. He said for him the interest of the farming community was “supreme” and everything else came after that. “The Centre should frame such policies which were in the interest of farmers.’’ Replying to a question, he said that the alleged rift between the State Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh and the Local Bodies Minister, Mr Balramji Das Tandon was an internal matter. He, however, added that the two should not have taken the issue to the Press. Mr Badal was here to preside over the inaugural function of 47th Punjab Kabbadi Championship. |
| Shatabdi stoppage sought at Phagwara PHAGWARA, Jan 5 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, last night assured exporters he would take up their demand for stoppage here of the Shatabdi Express and the Sachkhand Express with the Union Railway Minister. During his visit to the residence of Mr Paramjit Singh Sethi, president of the Northern India Exporters Federation, who presented a memorandum to the CM here, Mr Badal also assured exporters to take up the issues of exemption of export goods from income tax and octroi, a press note by Mr Sethi today claimed. Mr Sethi, managing partner of the Indian Autos Industries, an export house, disclosed exporters also demanded uninterrupted power supply to their units. |
| BKU (Ekta) seeks action against erring traders BATHINDA, Jan 5 — The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) has demanded that a police case be registered against the traders and arthias of Rampura who had indulged in hooliganism and tried to malign the image of its leaders. Mr Jhanda Singh Jethuke, district president of the union in a press note, issued here yesterday said that the traders were harassing the farmers and charging a fee of Rs 2 to Rs 4 per bag of paddy for the paddy procured in the season. He alleged farmers were being harassed even by the government officials for releasing the payment of paddy. The union would stage a dharna in front of the Rampura thana, if no action was taken against the guilty traders, he said. |
Cong flays move on encroachments PATIALA, Jan 5 — Senior Congress leader and former MP Gurcharan Singh Dadhahoor condemning the decision of the Akali-BJP government to regularise encroachments on municipal land, said yesterday that it amounted to legalising and patronising illegal acts. In a statement here, Mr Dadhahoor said the Akali led government had already sold away land attached with various canal rest houses worth crores and the recent decision had further exposed the nepotism being practised by it. The former MP said it was an irony that the Akali-BJP government headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal which touted that it was giving a clean administration on the pattern of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was squandering away public property. He said the government had slept over important issues being faced by the state during the past four years of its tenure and had now undertaken a spree of schemes like regularising the services of work-charged and daily wage earners with an eye on the forthcoming assembly elections. | |
| Medical Superintendent given bail Patiala, Jan 5 — Government Rajindra Hospital Medical Superintendent A.S. Sekhon and three others were today bail granted in a case registered against them under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocity Act .Judicial Magistrate Rakesh Kumar granted bail to the accused upon their furnishing a bond of Rs 15,000 each. He also committed the case for hearing to the Special Judge from tomorrow. A case had been registered against the medical superintendent and three others by Rulda Singh of Baran under Section 3 of the Scheduled Caste and Tribe Atrocity Act. Except for the medical superintendent, all accused belong to Baran. The complainant in his report to the police alleged that after he was admitted to Rajindra Hospital after he was hit by Jaspal Singh, he was insulted on caste lines by the accused . |
| Mother saves girl from being raped HOSHIARPUR, Jan 5 — A mother reportedly saved her teenaged daughter from being raped at Tohlu village on Monday. According to police sources, an 11-year-old girl was saved by her mother Kamalesh Kaur from being raped by Chanderma, a young Dalit of the same village. However, before leaving Chanderma threatened Kamalesh Kaur and warned her not to report the incident to the police. | |
| Municipal council staff stage dharna HOSHIARPUR, Jan 5 — The entire office staff, including the Executive Officer, of the municipal council office here went on strike and staged a dharna in protest against the alleged threats by Mr Avtar Singh Kapur, Political Secretary of the Finance Minister of the state, and his associate Mr Varjinder Singh Bedi, a local draftsman to Mr Subhash Chander Bhatia, Assistant Municipal Engineer, at his office here today. The protesters were demanding registration of case against both the aforesaid persons and sought their arrest. In a representation to the Station House Officer of the city police station, Mr Birbal Nath, Executive Officer of the council, said Mr Avtar Singh and Mr Varjinder Singh came to the office of Mr Subhash Chander today to inquire about the sanctioning of the map of their shop. Mr Subhash told them that their map had to be sent to the SDM, Hoshiarpur, for approval. After getting approval, the sanction would be accorded. On his reply both started abusing him and threatened him. Mr Birbal Nath urged the Station House Officer to register a case against both the persons for their act. |
| Dr R.S. Bawa is IEA chief AMRITSAR, Jan 5 — Dr R. S Bawa, an economist and Registrar of Guru Nanak Dev University, has been elected President of the Indian Economic Association (IEA) for 2001 at the recently concluded annual conference of the association at Jammu. Dr Bawa is the first serving economist from Punjab to get this honour. The Indian Economic Association is the most prestigious, oldest and the largest professional body of the economists with an active membership of over 2000. Earlier, renowned economist like Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, Mr I. G. Patil and Mr C. Rangarajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, former Finance Minister of India had the honour of becoming the President of the association. |
| Nirankari Rajmata distributes woollens PATIALA, Jan 5 — Nirnakari Rajmata Kulwant Kaur today distributed sweets, books and woollens among the 155 orphan children at the SOS Nagar in Rajpura. Interacting with children on the occasion, the Rajmata urged the children to follow the righteous path and make themselves capable of distinguishing right from wrong. Sant Nirnakari Mandal Patiala official R K Handa said the Rajmata was in the city as part of a series of Manav Ekta Sammelans being held in the State. | ||
K. A. P Sinha placed in junior grade CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 — The Punjab Government has placed Mr Sarvjit Singh, Mrs Raji. P. Srivastava, Mr K. A .P. Sinha, Mr Jaspal Singh, Mr H. I. S. Grewal, Mr Raminder Singh, Mr Karam Singh, Mr Kirandeep Singh, all IAS officers of 1992 batch in the junior administrative grade of the Indian Administrative Services, according to a press note issued here today. Appointment letters CHANDIGARH, Jan 5 — The Punjab Government has given appointment letters to next of the kin of 40 employees of the Education Department who died in harness. They have been appointed as Class IV employees , according to Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister. |
6 two-wheelers recovered, 5 held JALANDHAR, Jan 5 — The district police has busted a five-member gang of vehicle thieves with the arrest of all five members and recovered six stolen vehicles and 2 kg of opium from them. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, stated here today that after receiving secret information, a raid was conducted on the cremation ground of Mansurpur Wadala village in Adampur and six persons were arrested with weapons and opium. Those arrested have been identified as Malkiat Singh and Surjit, of Khojkipur village, Manjit Singh of Pandori Nijjran village, Sukhwinder Singh of Nangal Salala village and Balbir of Nalan village. The police has recovered two pistols, five cartridges and opium from them. Six two-wheelers were recovered from their possession. |
| Golden Forest case: judicial remand for 3 Patiala , Jan 5 — Patiala Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjeev Berry today remanded three accused in the Golden Forest case in judicial custody till January 19. Neena Syal, H.K. Sinha and Lehmbar Singh were earlier in police custody. A case had been registered against them following raids in Jalandhar and Patiala on December 25. They were accused of cheating investors by inflating the value of the land held under their charge and not giving returns to the investors nor explaining how the money had been invested . The Chief Judicial Magistrate had yesterday remanded the managing director of the company in police custody till January 7. |
| Pomila remanded till Jan 19 ROPAR, Jan 5 — Pomila Syal, director of the Golden Forest Group, has been remanded in judicial custody till January 19 by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM). She was kept in police custody at Ropar since December 30. A team of the vigilance department from Patiala also moved a request before the court to take Pomila Syal to Patiala in a similar case. The CJM allowed it to keep the accused in its custody for producing her before the CJM, Patiala, in a similar case. Sources in the vigilance department said two more lockers in the name of A.L. Syal and Neena Syal at a bank in Panchkula were also searched. Fixed deposit certificates worth Rs 45 lakh and 2.8 kg of gold was recovered from the locker of A.L. Syal and fixed deposit certificates worth Rs 16 lakh from the locker of Neena Syal. |
Punjab matric exams from March 12 LUDHIANA, Jan 5 — The class X examinations to be conducted by the Punjab School Education Board will begin from March 12 and the practical examinations of all classes will precede the written tests this year. According to information available with the District Education Department, practical examinations for science and physical education of class X will be held from February 3 to 7. For class XII, practical examinations for medical and non-medical sections will be conducted between January 19 and 29. For vocational courses the practical examinations have been scheduled between January 29 and 31 and for the humanities group practicals will be held from January 30 to February 7.The secondary branch of the department has already sent the list of flying squads and supervisors for conducting various practicals to the board authorities. The department has also decided to keep the total number of examination centres for classes X and XII at 322, like the previous year. However, 12 new centres for class VIII have been introduced this year, making a total of 329. Of the 12 new centres for class VIII, five will be from the city. These will include Sawan Public High School, Anandpuri, Noorpur Road, Jyoti Model High School, Salem Tabri, Shishu Model High School, Basti Jodhewal, Jain Public Senior Secondary School, Benjamin Road, and Saarap Model High School. The total number of centres in the city has, thus, been raised to 107 as against 102 last year. The remaining seven new examination centres will include Government High School, Lohara, Government High School, Rasoolda, Government Senior Secondary School, Shahpur, Punjab Public High School, Rupalo, Shrimati Satish Gupta Saravhitkari Vidya Mandir High School, Jagraon, Government High School, Gorsain Kadabaksh, and S.G.G. Government Senior Secondary School, Goindwal, Raikot. The total number of centres for conducting class V examinations has not yet been fixed as the students are still filling their examination forms. |
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