The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Who should define the term “Sikh”?
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — Who is a Sikh? Is it the prerogative of the SGPC to decide and define the term or is the Minorities Commission of India to provide an answer, as indicated by Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, after a meeting of the Executive Committee in Ludhiana on Monday?

This question was never discussed at the executive meeting. Therefore, no reference will be made to the commission, said certain executive members, who requested anonymity, while talking to Tribune News Service here yesterday.

How come the SGPC President made such a categorical statement after the executive meeting?

The members shrugged. “You know him. Earlier he had rehabilitated Giani Puran Singh as head priest of the Golden Temple. Then he apologised. Later, he refused to change his decision leaving it to him to attend or not to attend meetings of Singh Sahibans, who were free to choose anyone instead of Giani Puran Singh. Even on this commission issue, Pradhanji will deny having made any statement”, they added.

The question of the definition of the term “Sikh” has not surfaced for the first time. This has been ranking in the minds of Sikhs as well as the SGPC ever since the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS) became active and started showing unusual interest in the Sikhs’ religious affairs. It has been suggesting joint celebrations of gurpurbs in temples and gurdwaras and even the joint management of the religious places.

Another ambiguity in the definition of “Sikh” is the term “Sahajdhari”. As per Clause 10-A of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, a “Sahajdhari” means a person 1. who performs ceremonies according to Sikh rites; 2 who does not use tobacco or kutha (halal meat) in any form; 3 who is not a “Patit”; and 4 who can recite “Mul Mantar”.

The word “Patit” as per the Act means a person who, being a Keshdhari Sikh, trims or shaves his beard or keshas or who, after taking amrit, commits any one or more of the four “kurahits”. These are: having sex with a person other than one’s spouse; eating kutha meat as per Muslim rites; trimming or shaving the beard or keshas; or using tobacco in any form.

What has irked Sikhs and the SGPC is the blatant misuse of the term “Sahajdhari”. All that one has to do to become a “voter” in the SGPC elections is to fill Form 1-A, declaring oneself a “Sahajdhari” by stating that “I perform ceremonies according to Sikh rites, do not use tobacco or kutha (halal meat) in any form, do not use alcoholic drinks, and I am not a ‘Patit’ and can recite ‘Mul Mantar’.”

This loosely worded declaration is the root cause why the general house of the SGPC adopted a resolution, unanimously, on November 30, 2000, asking the Government of India to make amendments to the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.

An amendment has been sought in the original definition of “Sikh” — a “Sikh means a person who professes the Sikh religion or, in the case of a deceased person, who professed the Sikh religion or was known to be a Sikh during his lifetime” as per Clause 9 of the Act.

The amendment now reads: “Sikh means a person who professes the Sikh religion, believes and follows the teachings of the Ten Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib only, keeps unshorn hair and does not use tobacco in any form”.

In fact, this definition is in the Delhi Gurdwaras Act, 1971. The SGPC has slightly modified it. The Delhi Act definition reads: “Sikh means a person who professes the Sikh religion, believes and follows the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Ten Gurus only and keeps unshorn hair”.

The SGPC has added “does not use tobacco in any form”.

The Jathedars, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, have raked up the issue as to why the two other “kurahits” have been left out of the definition of the term “Sikh”.

SGPC Resolution No. 9 has gone a step further. The SGPC has not only amended the definition of “Sikh” but has unanimously resolved that Clauses 10-A and 11 of Section 2 pertaining to the definition of “Sahajdhari Sikh” and “Patit”, respectively, be “deleted” and the use of the terms “Sahajdhari Sikh” and “Patit” anywhere in the Act be “deleted”.

Moreover, it has added a new proviso to Clause 10 of Section 2 relating to the definition of “Amritdhari” Sikh. That proviso is the same as the one that defines a “Patit”. The four provisions are described as “bajjar kurahits”.

Therefore, the Executive Committee members who spoke to Tribune News Service said it was preposterous on the part of anyone, including Mr Talwandi, to talk in terms of seeking the intervention of the Minorities Commission — an extension of the government — to enable the SGPC to define who is a Sikh.

“Can the SGPC ever give up its suzerainty? Even Mr Talwandi has asserted the SGPC’s authority on all religious matters. Therefore, his off-the-cuff remark, a faux pass presumably, has its origin in the meeting he had had with Mr Tarlochan Singh, vice-chairman of the commission prior to the executive meeting”, remarked a few of the members.

In fact, it was way back in November, 1995, that the then SGPC secretary, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, had written to the then Union Home Minister, Mr S. B. Chavan, as well as Chief Justice Harbans Singh (retd), Chief Commissioner of the Gurdwara Election Commission, seeking a fresh definition of the term “Sikh”.

Insofar as “Sahajdhari” Sikhs are concerned, the 1996 SGPC elections showed that in Punjab against 36,23,974 Sikh voters, who had filled Form-1, the number of “Sahajdhari” voters, who had filled Form 1-A, was 6,33,495.

Therefore, the sum and substance of all available definitions or amendments sought is this: at least in appearance one should neither have unshorn hair nor use tobacco in any form. And one should profess to be a believer in the Sikh religion and follow the teachings of the Ten Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib only. Thus a “Sahajdhari” cannot be a “voter” in SGPC elections because in appearance (form) he does not look like a Sikh.

For SGPC elections, a candidate must be an “Amritdhari” to whom all related conditions as defined in the Act will apply.

Where do matters stand as of today? Sources say that the resolution of November 30 was sent the same day to the Union Home Ministry and the Secretary, Elections, Punjab Government. It was also sent to the Gurdwara Election Commission with the request that suitable amendments be made to the Act.

Incidentally, besides amendments to the definitions, the resolution has sought the lowering of the age of the “elector” from 21 years to 18 years by amending the Act and also incorporating that the general election to the SGPC be held every five years.

The resolution has been referred by the Centre to the state government. Unless it is cleared by the government, amendments cannot be carried out to the Act. The file, sources say, was processed a fortnight ago and is pending clearance with the Chief Minister.

The next general election to the SGPC is due in October next. The last one was held in October, 1996. The present House was constituted and notified by the Centre on November 21. Therefore, if the elections are not held by the due date, the Act permits the same House to continue. In the past, the elections were not held for decades. That is why an amendment for holding these every five years, regularly.

The Gurdwara Election Commission issued a press note on December 29, 2000, inviting suggestions on the proposed amendments so that the process of preparing electoral rolls could be initiated in January for the poll scheduled in October. But in all probability these elections will not be held in October and are likely to be delayed by at least one year, say informed sources. Even amendments cannot be made right away. If that does not happen, then old definitions will stand, creating complications in respect of voters, who will also be “Sahajdhari Sikhs”.

The executive members were candid enough to admit that “it is only nimble political fingers that tie all issues into knots. The same holds true of the question, Who is a Sikh?”

As Mr Talwandi’s remarks have evoked a sharp reaction, he has denied making any statement to the effect that the Minorities Commission will define the term “Sikh”.

Sehajdhari issue a conspiracy: Tohra
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Jan 17 — All India Shiromani Akali Dal president Gurcharan Singh Tohra said giving voting rights to Sehajdharis for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections was a conspiracy to take control over the gurdwaras of Sikhs by the Rastriya Swyam Sewa (RSS) organisation.

Addressing a rally at Samana, around 25 kilometre from here , Mr Tohra said taking the issue to National Minorities Commission was a wrong step. He said the Commission could not be allowed to adjudicate on the issue.

Terming the taking of the issue to the National Minorities Commission as a direct interference in the religious affairs of the sikhs, Mr Tohra said his party would not tolerate it and would soon finalise its strategy on the issue.

He also criticised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the issue saying the latter had not criticised the RSS for interfering in the religious affairs of the Sikhs nor had it taken up the issue with the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership, whom it was supporting. It is surprising that the Chief Minister could remain indifferent to such an important issue, he added.

Speaking on the plight of the farmers of the state, he said while the Shiromani Akali Dal-led government had waived off power charges of the farming sector, farmers had had simultaneously, to pay Rs 5,000 per horse power if they wanted to take a tubewell connection. He said this amounted to looting farmers, as more than three lakh tubewell connections were pending with the State Electricity Board.

Speaking on the occasion, Party general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra, said the Badal-led government had failed to deliver any of its election promises.

He said the government had failed to develop the rural areas as envisaged by it in its manifesto or to bring about a ‘second’ revolution by going in for diversification in farming operations. He said the diversification programme had been a failure as the government had failed to create the necessary marketing facilities.

Groundwater table falling
Punjab agriculture faces new challenge
By Ruchika Mohindra Khanna
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The depleting groundwater resources in various parts of Punjab is the new challenge staring the agrarian economy of the state right in the face.

Over the past few years, the groundwater in the state, which is the most important natural resource and the principal factor responsible for the success of the green revolution, has been both depleted and polluted.

Even development in the fresh groundwater zone has resulted in over exploitation while water logged pockets have developed in southwest Punjab, where the native groundwater is saline in nature. Thus with the state presenting the unique problem of deficit and abundance, sustainability of agriculture even at the present level is a matter of concern for the scientists at large.

According to the figures available from the Department of Agriculture, Punjab, of the total area in the state, 95 per cent of it is cultivated. Of the total cultivated area, 98 per cent is irrigated — 60 per cent through minor irrigation (tubewells and wells) and only 40 per cent through major and medium irrigation i.e. canals and even in these areas, irrigation is supplemented from the groundwater.

The figures for the year 1999 show that the replenishable water resource of the state was about 1.82 million hectare metres and with 0.18 million hectare metres of groundwater being used in industry, domestically and for other uses, the available groundwater resource for irrigation in net terms was only 1.62 million hectare metres per year.

However, the depletion of groundwater persists and year after year the state is devoid of a good percentage of this natural resource. It is learnt that between June, 1999 and June, 2000, there was a further fall of 0.4 metres in the water table. It is only in the Bet area along the Sutlej and in the Muktsar block of district Muktsar that there has been a slight rise in the water table (0.35 metres in Bet area because of additional recharge from the river, and 0.6 metres in Muktsar block because of non use of saline water.)

In almost all other areas of the state there has been a fall in the water level with the maximum fall being in Patiala (1.62 metres), followed by Moga (1 metre) and Sangrur (0.91 metres). The districts of Mansa (0.9 metres), Faridkot (0.75 metres), Bathinda (0.73 metres) and the Malout, Lambi and Kot Bhai blocks of Muktsar (0.4 metres) have shown a substantial fall in water table.

Dr S.K. Mittal, geologist in the Department of Agriculture, Punjab, told TNS that with paddy fast emerging as the major crop after the Green Revolution, the cropping intensity increased from 126 percent in 1960-61 to 186 per cent in 1997-98 as paddy requires almost three times more water than wheat. “Paddy developed in the central zone where groundwater is easily accessible within 30 metres. Other than this, the introduction of high-yielding varieties coupled with use of chemical fertilisers led to the large scale exploitation of groundwater and the irrigation complex changed from protective to intensive,” he explained.

Dr Mittal pointed out that at present only 0.21 million hectare metres of groundwater is available for future development. However, most of the groundwater balance available is in south-west Punjab, where native groundwater is saline and lies in the lower reaches of the state. “Thus future extraction of groundwater in south-west Punjab has to be cautiously carried out in order to avoid the upcoming of the saline water,” he says.

It is also learnt that in fresh groundwater areas in Punjab (northeast part of the state), only 0.126 million hectare metres is available for future development.

Scientists are also deeply concerned about the high dose of chemical fertilizers used on various crops deteriorating the quality of groundwater, especially in the Kandi and central zone of the state. It is learnt that Punjab uses 157.8 kg per hectare of chemical fertilizers as against 73 kg per hectare of fertilizer being used on an all-India basis. Also, the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation has polluted the groundwater with arsenic, lead, cyanide, copper etc. to a large extent near the cities.

He continued smuggling in jail too
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Jan 17 — “Old habits die hard”. This was proved true in the case of Gurcharan Singh, who is undergoing 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) for smuggling of narcotics. He was caught smuggling redhanded by the police in the Central Jail, here, where he is lodged.

Gurcharan Singh was caught when he was taking some intoxicating tablets and capsules in his cell from his suppliers after a routine meeting with them in the meeting lounge.

Police sources said that on some suspicion, a search was carried out on the person of Gurcharan Singh and 1,975 tablets and 10 capsules seized from him. The intoxicants were supplied to him by Krishan Kumar on January 15.

Gurmeet Singh, another person, who came to jail today to meet an undertrial in a narcotics smuggling case Pritam Singh were also arrested by the police when he was trying to handover the consignment of narcotics to the undertrial. About 145 tablets and some capsules were seized from him.

Sources said the smugglers used to take consignments of intoxicants from persons who came to meet them in jail and sell it to other inmates in the jail.

Sources added that the jail authorities had been finding it difficult to keep a close watch on the activities of all inmates as the jail was overcrowded. More than 1,000 convicts and undertrials are lodged in the jail against its official capacity of 500. Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, said that police had identified the chemists’ shop from where these persons were purchasing the drugs. He added that criminal cases had been registered against Gurcharan Singh and his associate Krishan Kumar. Another criminal case had been registered against Gurmeet Singh.

No senior official of Central Jail was available for comments.

Potato slush cleared, govt criticised
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Jan 17 — Even as the municipal corporation (MC) had to press six fire tenders and scores of its officials into service to clear the potato slush on roads created by the dumping of hundreds of quintals of potatoes by agitated potato growers, the Punjab Congress has held the SAD-BJP combine responsible for the misery of the potato growers and other farmers during the past four years.

As the potato growers left the scene after emptying their trailers on the roads yesterday, it was the turn of the MC fire brigade staff to take over the job of clearing the roads. The administration virtually remained on its toes as the “slush” had rendered most offices and vital buildings inaccessible.

Meanwhile, a number of political and social organisations have criticised the SAD-BJP combine for forcing the farmers to take such a step. These organisations demanded that the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, should resign and seek fresh mandate from people.

The Congress Vice-President and leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, alleged that the farmers’ action reflected indifference and lack of vision of the SAD-BJP leadership towards their problems.

Mr Balbir Singh and Mr Amarjit Singh Samra, the local MP, and MLA, respectively, said it was for the third consecutive year that the Centre and the state government had failed to chalk out any programme to help the potato growers and the farmers who had suffered huge losses on account of delay in the purchase of paddy. “So much so, they did not do anything to fix the minimum support price of the crop or to make arrangements for the export of surplus crop to other countries,” Mr Balbir Singh said.

The Lok Morcha, Punjab, has described the action of the police, which has booked more than 100 farmers under various Sections of the IPC, as barbaric and has demanded that all such cases be withdrawn. The Punjab Kisan Sabha general secretary, Mr Lehmbar Singh Taggar, threatened that his organisation would launch an agitation if the cases were not withdrawn immediately.

POLITICS

Cong leaders complain against Brar, Bhattal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The Congress does not want to give any conflicting signals to the people of Punjab in general and party workers in particular. No dissidence will be tolerated as all party workers have to fall in line.

This was the message given by Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President, All-India Congress Committee, when a delegation of senior party leaders from Punjab called on her in New Delhi today.

The delegation reportedly complained to the party President about the activities of two of the senior leaders of the state unit — Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar — and maintained that instead of working for strengthening the party in the state for the ensuing Assembly elections, these leaders were allegedly working at the behest of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance to weaken the party and give the wrong signals to the people.

The delegation expressed its unhappiness over the manner in which Mr Brar allegedly used the name of Mrs Gandhi, maintaining that he was doing everything at the instance of the party high command.

Mrs Gandhi, however, made it clear that it was she who wanted Capt Amarinder Singh to continue as the president of the PPCC. She reportedly told the delegation that her total support was with Capt Amarinder Singh to put at rest all speculation on Mr Brar.

Mrs Gandhi also told the delegation that she wanted that people in Punjab in general and farmers in particular to be educated about the WTO after she was told that the Punjab Chief Minister had been missing no opportunity to criticise the Congress for signing the WTO agreement. Mrs Gandhi, sources said, made it clear to the delegation that the interests of the farmers of Punjab were very dear to the Congress and it would not hesitate to come out openly in their support in case they faced any difficulty with the implementation of the WTO regime.

She reportedly took a serious view of the activities of the two dissident leaders, who were staying away from party meetings and rallies on one pretext or the other. They had been maintaining that they were not invited to such meetings. This, the delegation said, gave the wrong signals to workers at the grassroots level. The delegation wanted the party high command to take strong measures to curb such dissidence, especially when the party would be facing the electorate of the state.

COMMUNITY

Vedanti, Puran Singh share stage
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

JHABAL (Amritsar), Jan 17 — They did not talk to each other. However, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, and Giani Puran Singh, Heal Granthi, Golden Temple, who are at loggerheads, today shared the stage in presence of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, SGPC chief, here to mark the Mai Bhago Jor Mela today.

Jathedar Vedanti and Giani Puran sing refused to sit together ever since the controversial appointment of the latter by Jathedar Talwandi on December 9. After the appointment of Giani Puran Singh, the Sikh clergy could not hold any formal meeting as the other four High Priests had announced that no meeting of Akal Takht could be held without the presence of the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple.

Close on the heels of the decision of the SGPC executive on January 15 in which Giani Puran Singh was allowed to attend the meeting of the Sikh clergy, both High Priests shared the stage today.

However, Giani Puran Singh parried a direct question about the sharing of stage with Jathedar Vedanti. He also refused to tell whether he would attend the meeting of the Sikh clergy if called by Jathedar Vedanti. “Please don’t ask such questions,” Giani Puran Singh said.

Baba Mangal Singh, acting president, Gurbani Gurmat Parcharak Sant Samaj, and close confidant of Giani Puran Singh, who was also on the stage, said he (Giani Puran Singh) would not attend any meeting called by Jathedar Vedanti. He said Giani Puran Singh could not share a dais with Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Keshgarh Sahib, and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Damdama Sahib, who were “excommunicated” from the Sikh Panth through a hukamnama.

Jathedar Talwandi also evaded any question on the sharing of stage by Giani Puran Singh and Jathedar Vedanti. However, replying to a question, he said the SGPC would constitute a committee of Sikh scholars to study the authenticity and authorship of “Dasam Granth” and Nanakshahi calendar as directed by Akal Takht.

Jathedar Vedanti, Giani Puran Singh and Baba Mangal Singh were among those who were honoured by the SGPC chief.

Earlier, addressing a religious function, Jathedar Vedanti expressed concern that most of employees in the Shiromani committee were kith and kin of SGPC office-bearers. He said he was known for admitting “bitter realities”. He said the SGPC members would approach him to give their relatives lucrative posts which was unacceptable. There was need to bring reform in the system, he added.

Without mentioning the “Dasam Granth” controversy, Giani Puran Singh asked the Sikh sangat to accept the Sikh history in its true form.

Interestingly, Jathedar Vedanti was not given time to address the function in the presence of Jathedar Talwandi.

Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, senior Akali leader and Cooperation Minister, also endorsed the allegations of the High Priests that the menace of drugs had risen. He urged Jathedar Talwandi to formulate comprehensive plans for the eradication of this menace.

Stolen petrol being sold in Abohar
From Raj Sadosh

ABOHAR, Jan 17 — The petrol stolen from the Kanda-Bathinda pipeline in Rajasthan was being sold to petrol station owners in this district also.

This was revealed during an interrogation of the persons nabbed in this connection, sources said. A case was registered at Beawar police station under Sections 379, 511 and 120-B of the Indian Panel Code and Section 3 of the PDPP Act, 1994.

A police party from Beawar led by ASI Ram Chand conducted a raid at Maujgarh village after taking the Khuyiansarwer police into confidence on Monday. The owner of a petrol station, reportedly wanted in this case, escaped, but his manager, Prithvi Raj, resident of Jandwala Hanwanta village, was nabbed. The owner is said to be a senior office-bearer of the BJP rural unit.

The sources said the Beawar police had earlier arrested Raghubir Singh, a resident of Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, in this case. He had reportedly been working in Abohar subdivision before migrating to Rajasthan. Prithvi Raj alias Prithvi Singh, had come in Raghubir Singh’s contact during the latter’s stay in this area. The police investigation suggested that Prithvi Raj had allegedly joined Raghubir Singh’s gang which used to steal petrol by using drills on the pipeline.

The Indian Oil Corporation reportedly learnt about the theft after facing heavy losses in transit. The matter was reported to the Rajasthan Police on January 6 at Beawar police station by the corporation. Circle Inspector Gul Mohammad was able to arrest Raghubir Singh, Ami Lal and Raj Kumar, all residents of Jhunjhunu district, Amar Chand of Churu and Raju of Sikar district. Two cars and an oil tanker had been impounded by the police. Reports available here said.

The Indian Oil Corporation might suffered heavy losses running into crores due to this scandal. The oil had reportedly been sold during past few months to petrol station owners in Rajasthan, Haryana and this area bordering both the states.

Police sources said that Prithvi Raj was allegedly identified as a member of the gang as well as a local agent. The police succeeded in nabbing him but the owner of the petrol station fled, perhaps taking advantage of his high contacts in the ruling coalition.

The Rajasthan Police, after interrogating the manager, might seek the help of senior Punjab Police officers to take the proprietor into custody also. A large number of vehicles from Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan had been visiting petrol stations in the area on state and national highways as petrol and diesel was comparatively cheaper in Punjab. Some vehicles had to cover just 4 km to 5 km to fetch petroleum products at cheaper rates, the sources said. The number of petrol and diesel stations had increased six times during the past three years here. The companies had also floated their own stations under the new scheme.

	Sikhs urged to destroy RSS literature Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — The SGPC General Secretary, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, has appealed to the Sikhs to destroy the RSS literature in which Sikhism was ‘distorted’. In a press note issued by the SGPC here today, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur said any Sikh possessing such literature in which separate identity of the Sikhs was questioned, must part with it. Welcoming the decision of the RSS for accepting the distinct identity of the Sikhs before the Minorities Commission, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur urged the National Commission to review working of the Constitution to incorporate the distinct identity of Sikhs as per their aspirations. She said the commission must amend Article 25 so that the issue of distinct identity of Sikhs was resolved for the times to come. Bibi Kiranjot Kaur said the recent statement of the RSS before the Minority Commission would further strengthen the age-old brotherhood of two major communities. She said considering any separate religion as integral part by any other faith was ‘blunder’. However, Mr Harbans Singh Manjpur, SGPC executive member, belonging to the SHSAD, said the Sikhs ‘did not require any certificate’ from the RSS that they had a separate identity. The resolutions of the SGPC and pronouncements of Sikh high priests from time to time had clearly mentioned that the Sikhs had a distinct identity. The ‘Sikh Maryada’ published by the SGPC had also mentioned the distinct identity of the Sikhs. Mr R.S. Bindra, president of the Sikh Lawyers Forum, in a separate statement has welcomed the statement of the RSS for accepting Sikhs as separate identity. The Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Kahlon) in a statement has said though belated but the RSS had accepted the truth that Sikhs enjoyed separate identity.
	Gurbani recording stalled at Golden Temple From Our Correspondent AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee today “sealed” the control room and stalled the ongoing recording of Gurbani midway at the Golden Temple. Dr Darshan Singh Harvinder, Director, North India Television Limited (NITL), alleged that the orders regarding the sealing were issued by the SGPC secretary, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan. Dr Bachan, however, said he knew nothing about the restrain orders for recording Gurbani as he had just returned from a tour. He admitted that he had received a legal notice through an advocate Mr C. M. Munjal for the NITL. The orders, to seal the control room, it is learnt, has been taken after the publication of news reports in newspapers of the alleged ongoing tussle between two television channels — NITL and ETC — over exclusive rights of the relay of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. While the NITL with a copy of agreement signed by a former SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur and the director, NITL, Dr Darshan, says it has the exclusive rights of the relay of Gurbani from the Golden Temple, the ETC was unavailable for comments.
	FORCED SUBSCRIPTION OF INHOUSE MAGAZINES Novel way of promoting Punjabi language From Jangveer Singh Tribune News Service PATIALA, Jan 17 — The Punjab Languages Department has strange ways for encouraging the Punjabi language. The department was forcing anyone keen to take the Punjabi prabodh examination to subscribe to two magazines brought out by it. The examination is mandatory for those who had not studied Punjabi but wanted to become eligible for state government jobs. The department is apparently not worried that the last time Jan Sahit, one of the magazines brought out by it, was published in June last and another magazine, Punjabi Duniya, was brought out in November. Another irony is that the department is looking forward to sell almost the entire copies of both the magazines brought out by it to candidates, who are still to learn the language and even may not become proficient enough to read the literary magazines after the completion of their three-month course. Sources said the department published around 1,000 copies of both the magazines and was likely to distribute all the copies to aspiring Punjabi learners as it received around 300 forms for each quarterly course of the prabodh examination . According to a new rule implemented since the beginning of this week, all candidates aspiring to clear the Punjabi prabodh examination have to fill in the annual subscription of both magazines, Jan Sahit and Punjabi Duniya. While the Director, Languages, could not be contacted, official sources in the department disclosed that a circular had been issued to the staff to collect the subscription of both magazines from all candidates wishing to appear for the prabodh examination. They said a receipt was being issued in this regard to all the candidates . Sources disclosed that while the Jan Sahit reflected popular taste and was devoted to highlighting novels and stories of the contemporary as well as fledgling writers in the state, the second publication, Punjabi Duniya, was more literary in nature. They said the second magazine would be totally superfluous for beginners. Resentment was also among the candidates who were being forced to subscribe to the magazines. They feel that the department could have adopted some other measure to collect revenue. Sources, however, said the candidates may not get their subscribed copies in time as the record of the department has been very poor in this regard. They said the publication of both the magazines was very erratic and last time when one of the two magazines was brought out was in November as the department celebrated Punjabi Week during the period . Had it not been for the official celebrations the magazine may not have been published even in November, sources said. Official sources disclosed informally that both the magazines could not be brought out regularly in the past due to laxity on the part of the Printing and Stationary Department. They said the department had requested on numerous occasions that it be allowed to print the magazines itself at its headquarters here, but it had not been forthcoming. They said the printing could be done in the basement of the headquarter building which was not being utilised presently . On the issue of the subscription, they said it had been implemented for all candidates wanting to appear in the Punjabi Prabodh Examination following a decision taken by the management and a circular had also been issued in this regard. They said the move was aimed at improving the Punjabi language skills of the candidates.
	SHSAD criticises APC recommendation Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal has criticised the recommendation of the Agricultural Prices Commission to reduce the minimum support price of wheat for the next crop by Rs 60 per quintal. In a statement issued to the press here today, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary of the (SHSAD), said that this was anti-farmer and would lead to a disaster in the agricultural sector and that the Centre should not accept it. Mr Chandumajra said that agriculture was the backbone of the economy and needed to be protected from the negative effects of the WTO by reducing the prices of inputs and introducing new technology for godowns to save transportation and storage costs. He criticised the Badal government for not speaking up against this recommendation of the commission. He also said that the SHSAD would launch a campaign, “Panthic chetna jagao, Punjab bachao”.
	Panic over ammonia gas leak From Our Correspondent AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — Panic prevails among residents of New Model Town, Chheharta, due to ammonia gas leakage from a factory of an Amritsar bottling company located at Chheharta. The leakage has been going on for the past three days, allege residents. The fire brigade and the SHO, Chheharta police station, was present at the site yesterday after complaints by the residents. Although the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, had deputed the SDM to look into the matter, yet precious little has been done to stop the leakage, alleges Mr Jasbir Singh Jas, assistant secretary of the Amritsar Vikas Manch. Residents allege that the factory has installed the exhaust fans emit smoke and other foul smelling gases towards the residential areas. Earlier too many instances of persons getting affected by gas have been reported. Mr Jas claims that the Deputy Commissioner had assured action to be taken against such complaints yesterday after he had contacted the production manager and subsequently the owner of the company. The owner was unavailable for comments.
	Lack of funds hits sewerage project From Our Correspondent GURDASPUR, Jan 17 — The work on the sewerage in the city has virtually stopped due to the failure of the local municipal committee to contribute its share. Official sources said if the main sewerage of the GT road towards Batala is not completed at the earliest the entire money spent on laying the sewerage lines was likely to go down the drain. The sources said it was in 1993 that the Punjab Government planned to lay the new sewerage lines. A Rs 2.88 crore scheme was made in this regard. At least 50 per cent of the money was to be contributed as loan by HUDCO, 30 per cent by the state government and 20 per cent by the local municipal committee. The sources said HUDCO sent the first instalment of Rs 1.12 crore and the state government contributed Rs 44 lakh as part of its share to implement the scheme. But the local municipality failed to contribute its share. The sources added that after the funds exhausted neither the Punjab Government nor the local municipal committee cared to contribute their shares. Besides, no instalment of the HUDCO loan has been paid by the local municipal committee so far. At present the instalments amount to Rs 67.29 lakh. The official sources further said due to the non-compliance of loan conditions HUDCO has refused to further finance the project. On the other hand the municipal committee on its own and under pressure from various municipal commissioners has been taking up similar schemes without any plan. These sources said the state government had created a board to execute sewerage scheme. But the local municipality in violation of the rules laid down for carrying on such projects in the towns is arbitrarily getting sewerage lines laid through contractors who allegedly supply material below standard and on escalated costs. Moreover, the board already has enough stocks for undertaking sewerage works in the municipal towns which are likely to be damaged due to their non-use by the municipalities.
	Haryana preferred for vehicle registration From Chander Parkash Tribune News Service BATHINDA, Jan 17 — After liquor and petrol, now it is the turn of registration numbers of motor vehicles to flow from Haryana to Punjab. The disparity in the rates of registration fee of the motor vehicles being charged by both the states has led to the situation wherein a large number of owners of vehicles have been getting them registered in Haryana. Official sources said in Punjab, the registration fee of a vehicle was being charge at the rate of 2 per cent of its value while in Haryana, the fee was charged as a lumpsum. Sources added that the lumpsum charged by Haryana was lesser than the fee charged by Punjab. The difference in the amount was very big in case of heavy vehicles. During the prohibition days in Haryana, the smuggling of liquor witnessed a reverse trend. Liquor which used to flow from Haryana to Punjab, started flowing to Haryana from Punjab and after prohibition was lifted, liquor again started flowing to Punjab from Haryana. A few months back, due to a significant difference in the rates of sales tax imposed by the Punjab and Haryana Governments, petrol started flowing to Punjab from Haryana as it was cheaper. As a result, petrol stations located in those areas of Punjab which had close proximity with Haryana suffered heavy losses on account of a considerable decline in their sales. Purchasers of new vehicle have adopted a unique method to save money by registering their vehicles from Haryana. They purchase vehicles from Punjab and take its invoice by showing them as being residents of Haryana. Then they get their vehicles easily registered from the transport authorities. In Bathinda district, only three oil tankers were registered with the transport authorities in 2000 against the nine tankers registered in 1999. Only seven mini buses were registered in 2000 against 36 in 1999. There was also a considerable decline in the number of smaller vehicles registered with the district transport authorities in 2000 as compared to the previous year. Only 581 cases were registered in 2000 against 886 in 1999, the number of mopeds came down from 786 to 688, scooters from 5174 to 4275 and tractors from 1144 to 1087. Sources added that the district transport authorities had been suffering a huge financial loss as most of the vehicles purchased by the residents of this district and plying on its roads had been registered in Haryana. The authorities concerned had brought this matter into the notice of state transport authorities.

Govt urged to improve PR Dept
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 17 — Though keeping in mind the elections to various institutions like Zila Parishad, block samitis and even of the state Assembly, the government has started giving grants for development works in rural as well as urban areas and the Chief Minister has intensified the “sangat darshan” programmes, but all this is of no use if the achievements of the government are not properly conveyed to the people. The Public Relations Department has to be streamlined for this purpose. These views were expressed by various ruling party leaders of the BJP and the Akali Dal while addressing a seminar organised here today. The seminar was organised to suggest how the government should work to win the coming elections.

Speakers like Mr H.S. Sidhu, district President of the BJP, Mr Swaran Singh Chanarthal, district President of the SAD (B), Mr Rajesh Paul Singh Lali, Mr Didar Singh Bhatti, senior Akali leaders, said the need of the hour was to strengthen the Public Relations Department. They said the Badal government had introduced various public oriented programmes and policies but due to the lack of proper advertisement and information the public could not benefit from these schemes. They said the Akali government introduced “shagun scheme” for the Scheduled Castes, housing scheme for the poor, old age pension scheme etc but they could not benefit due to lack of proper information. The leaders said though various multi-crore projects were sanctioned for the state, but the government could not benefit due to lack of publicity. They demanded that the Public Relations Department should be strengthened.

According to information available various district Public Relations offices are facing shortage of funds, staff and vehicles. Even the telephones and the fax are lying dead due to non-payment of the dues. Mediapersons are not getting the facilities like fax, vehicles, telephones. The officers find it difficult to use as the ceiling have been imposed by the government on bills. Most of the sub-centres opened on the sub-division level are facing closure due to lack of funds and the staff. Some of the departments in the districts are being run by the APRO’s as officiating DPRO’s. Funds have not been provided even for the purchase of newspapers. On the other hand due to the lack of proper management certain offices are being run by a chowkidar and the government is paying lakhs of rupees as rent for these sub-offices located at Khanna, Jagraon, Phagwara and many other places in the state. Similarly, the sub-centres at Amloh has been lying vacant from the past three-years.

This sub-centre was inaugurated by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, the then Public Relations Minister, but it was not officially sanctioned. Neither the staff nor the office or any other infrastructure was officially sanctioned. Only a skeleton staff was deputed from the DPRO office, Fatehgarh Sahib.

‘Suvidha’ project launched
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Jan 17 — “Suvidha”, a unique project aimed at the welfare of serving police personnel and their dependants by providing them latest medical treatment at concessional rates at different private hospitals, was formally launched at the Police Lines here yesterday.

The project conceived by Mr M.F. Farooqi, SP, Headquarters, and supported by 12 private hospitals of the city, will enable all 5,596 police officials, including SPOs, and their about 20,000 dependants to get costly treatment for all diseases at reasonable rates at these hospitals.

Addressing police officials after inaugurating the project, Mr J.P. Virdi, IG, said the project would go a long way in lessening the burden of treatment on serving cops, as earlier, most of them could not afford costly treatment in private hospitals. He said if the project, envisaged by the Jalandhar police, proved successful, it could be extended to other districts. He also urged police officials to get themselves covered under various insurance policies.

Appreciating the spirit with which the project has been launched, Mr Suresh Arora, DIG, Jalandhar Range, said it was good to know that a group of 12 doctors had come forward for the good cause aimed at the welfare of police officials. He appealed to the medical fraternity to involve themselves in such projects to serve the humanity.

Giving details of the project, Mr Farooqi said the city-based hospitals — City Hospital, Sud’s Children Hospital, BBC Heartcare Centre, Bath Hospital, ENT Hospital and Nursing Home, Model Town, Kidney Hospital, Children Medical Centre, Orthonova Hospital, Holy Family Nursing Home and Maternity Hospital, Amarjit Scanning Centre and Bharat Laboratories — had resolved to provide treatment and diagnostic services to police officials and their dependants at almost half the market rates.

Earlier, Mr Virdi presented mementoes to Dr H.S. Maan, Dr Anil Sud, Dr C.S. Pruthi, Dr Sumel Bath, Dr S.S. Anand, Dr R.S. Chahal, Dr Satwant Singh, Dr Sarvinder Singh, Dr Harpreet Singh, Dr Bharat Bhushan, Dr Surjit Kaur and Dr Amarjit Singh for having joined hands with the police authorities for the welfare of police officials.

Mr K. Shiva Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, also spoke.

My life under threat, claims Chief Engineer
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Jan 17 — The ongoing struggle between PSEB employees and the board authorities has taken a new turn, with the Chief Engineer, Bathinda circle, Mr N.S. Deol today stating that, “I perceive threat to my life from the agitating employees.”

Maintaining that the board administration tried hard to lessen the differences by way of talks, the employees were not serious to solve the problem, Mr Deol said at a press conference.

Talking about the incident, which took place on January 11, Mr Deol said the employees broke all rules. “The District Magistrate had imposed Section 144, IPC, and we had got stay orders to prevent any demonstration within a radius of 200 metres from our office premises, but the employees crossed all barriers,” he said.

Leaders of the employees, however, alleged that the police started to pelt stones and they just retaliated.

Mr Deol said the transfer orders of some of the employees were from the higher authorities and that he was helpless in the case. When asked about the action taken against the employees, he said he had lodged an FIR with the police and departmental action would be taken against the employees.

Speaking about the security provided to him by the district administration after the incident, he said an armed policeman had been provided to him.

He said some of the employees had joined duty, but some others were still “missing”.

	Gateman averts rail accident From Our Correspondent KHANNA, Jan 17 — A major rail accident was averted today by the gateman of the level crossing at the local Lalheri road. According to information, the 5651 Down mail train was coming from Delhi towards Khanna this evening when the gateman started to close the gate of the crossing. At that time, the road was blocked by some trollies and vehicles. As a result several vehicles were trapped on the track. One of the vehicles, a Tata Safari, was reported to be that of Punjabi singer Sardul Sikandar. The gateman, Ram Sukh, signalled the train to stop, thereby averting an accident.
	Gurdas Mann apologises JALANDHAR, Jan 17 (UNI) — Noted Punjabi folk singer Gurdas Mann today offered his apology to all those who felt that their sentiments had been hurt by the song sung by him during a stage performance held in Chandigarh recently. Hundreds of Hindu activists yesterday held out a protest march in the city and burnt an effigy of the popular singer in protest against his song “Jat risky risky after whisky” which, they alleged, denigerated Hindu dieties. The activists also demanded that the singer tender an apology by coming to the city. They also demanded an apology from the author of the song and Alpha Punjabi channel which telecast it. In a statement faxed to uni here from Mumbai where he is convalescing from injuries he suffered in a road accident recently during journey from Chandigarh to Nakodar after the stage show, Gurdas Mann said it was not his intention to hurt the feelings of any section of people, community or any individual. The Hindu activists had taken exception to the derogatory reference to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the song. In his statement, Mann said, “I am a follower and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, from whom I draw my inspiration and strength. I, in fact, invoke the Lord’s blessings before and after every performance”. Mann’s wife said her husband was recovering from the accident injuries and on the first available opportunity, he would come to the city and apologise.
	Christians seek 5 Assembly seats Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — Mr Munawar Masih, state President of the Punjab Christian Front and member, Punjab State Services Selection Board, today alleged that some activists of the Shiv Sena tried to install an idol at religious place belonging to Christians at Dhariwal (Gurdaspur). Strongly condemning the attempt which was foiled with the timely intervention of the police, Mr Masih has given a call to the Christians to get united on a common platform so that such incident should not be repeated. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Masih said he would urge the SAD (Badal) President and the Chief Minister to allot at least five assembly seats to the “Masih community” as population of the Christians had risen to 16 lakh during the forthcoming Assembly elections. He said the Christians had given an “unconditional” support to the SAD-BJP as Mr Badal was the first leader to accept many demands of the community. Mr Badal covered Christians under the “shagan scheme” under which daughters of the Scheduled Caste were given Rs 5,100 at the time of their marriages. However, Mr Masih said that Mr Badal must give “due political” share to the Christians as they were committed to support him during the forthcoming elections.
	Freedom fighter Phoolan Rani dead MOGA, Jan 17 (UNI) — Freedom fighter Phoolan Rani, widow of veteran freedom fighter Madan Lal Gupta (Mudki wale), died at Faridkot early this morning. She was 85. Phoolan Rani was the mother of Mr Surinder Kumar Gupta, president of the Faridkot District Congress Committee. Both Phoolan Rani and her late husband Madan Lal Gupta were close associates of late Giani Zail Singh. A large number of freedom fighters and leaders of various political parties, including Mr Avtar Singh Brar, former minister, and Communist leader Sukhinder Singh Dhaliwal attended her cremation. Phoolan Rani had donated her eyes to the eye bank at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital. Later, both eyes were corneographed to patients at the hospital.
	Badal announces holiday on Jan 29 From Our Correspondent MALERKOTLA, Jan 17 — Namdhari Sikhs, known as Kukas, are rightly called the “torch bearers of India’s freedom struggle”, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said this while addressing a gathering on Namdhari Kukas Martyrs Day celebration here today in the memory of 66 Kukas who were blown off with cannons in Malerkotla on January 17, 18, 1872, by the British Government. The Chief Minister said Satguru Ram Singh founder of the Namdhari sect, was the pioneer and first in the world history who used the Non-Cooperating Movement as a weapon to free his country from the of British rule. He announced a permanent holiday on January 29 on the birth day of Satguru Ram Singh. He said a national-level monument should be build to remember our martyrs and this monument should be build in Punjab.

	PUDA auctions freehold plots From Our Correspondent JALANDHAR, Jan 17 — An auction of 48 freehold residential plots, adjoining Sainik School Residences, was conducted at Civil Rest House in Kapurthala yesterday. Mr H.S. Nanda, Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA, said an amount of Rs 3.10 crore was collected for 35 residential plots. A maximum of Rs 6,350 per square yard was fetched for residential plots as against the reserve price of Rs 3,100, he said. He further said a video recording of the auction proceedings was also made on the spot.
	Reports on Barnala denied From Our Correspondent BARNALA, Jan 17 — Condemning and contradicting news stories published in English and Punjabi dailies on January 15 regarding the presence of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Uttaranchal, at a public function in Baba Gandha Singh Public School along with Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, on December 24 last year, Mr Gaganjit Singh, son of Mr Barnala, said the reports were ‘baseless’, ‘ridiculous’ and ‘childish’ because his father was in Jalandhar on December 24 at a function of the Hind Samachar group. Mr Gaganjit Singh alleged that some mischievous elements had got this story planted in the media to tarnish the image of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala.
	Revenue patwaris stage dharnas From Our Correspondent HOSHIARPUR, Jan 17 — On the call of the Revenue Patwar Union (Punjab) Revenue patwaris staged dharnas at all the tehsils headquarters in the district today to show their resentment against the callous attitude of the state government towards their long-pending demands. In a press note Mr Shiv Darshan Singh, spokesman of the union, said the state government had victimised the Revenue Patwaris to crush their agitation in June 1899. PHAGWARA: The district Revenue Patwar Union on Wednesday staged dharnas at the all blocks, including Phagwara, in support of their demands. Jaswinder Singh, district president of the union, said the patwaris were demanding technical status, revised pay-scale of Rs 5,480-8,925, time scale after every four, nine and 14 years and reinstatement of 32 dismissed revenue employees.
	Scribe’s death mourned From Our Correspondent AMRITSAR, Jan 17 — Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor, Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, and Mr R. P. Sobti, Director, Public Relations, and the staff of the Public Relations Department of Guru Nanak Dev University have expressed sorrow on the death of Jagdish Singh Bansal, Chief Sub-editor, Punjabi Tribune. In a press note issued here today, Dr Soch, Dr Bawa and Mr Sobti said the death of Jagdish Singh Bansal had created a void in the field of Punjabi journalism.
	Jitendra Prasada’s death mourned Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 — The president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh, and members of the Executive Committee of the PPCC, today mourned the death of Mr Jitendra Prasada. They said that in his death the country in general and the Congress in particular had lost a good statesman and an able Congressman.

CRIME

Four arrested in cheating case
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Jan 17 — A group of four persons, who cheated people by telling them that their money would multiply, were arrested recently.

The racket came to light when the district police arrested Rakesh Kumar and three of his accomplices, all residents of Sardulgarh in Mansa district.

The gang had collected about Rs 5 lakh from different persons.

Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, while giving the details of the modus operandi of the culprits said they used to tell people that they knew a baba who had divine powers with which he could increase the amount of money five times.

A case has been registered.

Meanwhile, the district police has arrested three women for allegedly indulging in immoral trafficking. A customer was also arrested.

Giving the details the SSP said their ring leader had taken a house on rent and used to operate from there.

A case under Section 4/5 of the Suppression of immoral trafficking in women and girls, 1956 has been registered.

Two Pak-trained militants held

BATALA, Jan 17(PTI) —The local police today claimed to have arrested two Pakistan trained militants, who were allegedly sent by Pakistan’s secret agency ISI to revive militancy in the border state of Punjab, district police chief Sukhdev Singh Brar said here.

Mr Brar said the two militants, Rashpal Singh of Kalanaur area and Mohinder Thakur, of Dhaharia in Saharasa district of Bihar, were arrested and a mauser, a pistol, a revolver and a large number of cartridges were recovered, he added.

He said the duo had been to Pakistan two years ago and they stayed with Babbar Khalsa militants, including its chief Wadhawa Singh and some agents of the ISI. The SSP said they had returned from the Jammu and Kashmir border with the assignment of gathering information about Army camps located in Dera Baba Nanak and Amritsar sectors along the Indo-Pakistan border.

They told the police that they had to convey the information to an agent of the ISI on telephone and were also scheduled to bring a consignment of RDX and other explosives to blow up these camps.

Nishan Singh to be examined

PATIALA, Jan 17 (PTI) — The CBI court here today directed the Central Jail, Patiala, authorities to get Nishan Singh, one of the accused in case of the death of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of Bibi Jagir Kaur, former chief of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), medically examined and also to submit the medical report in the court within three days.

Special CBI Magistrate Jaspinder Singh Hayer passed the orders on the request of Nishan Singh, who pleaded that he had been suffering from hepatitis-B and needed medication.

The court directed the Superintendent of the Central Jail, Patiala, where Nishan Singh is lodged under judicial custody, to get him medically examined and file the report in the court within three days.

Nishan Singh and five other accused in the case, who were granted bail by the same court on January 3, appeared in the court this morning, the court later adjourned the case till January 31.