The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, February 21, 2001,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

ABOHAR
RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among the teachers and the non-teaching staff of the government-aided recognised private primary schools in Ferozepore district over non-payment of salaries for the past five months. The grant to these schools has not been released since October last. Ferozepore happened to be the only district in the state which had not received the grant due to apathy of the DPI, Primary, sources said.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the subdivisional unit of the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association: president — Dr Surender Pal Singh Aulakh (Rukanpur), general secretary — Dr Devinder Singh Sidhu (Killianwali) and treasurer — Dr Sham Lal Bhalla (Khubban).

AMRITSAR
COACHING: Swami Vivekananda Study Circle here at its meeting held at Shahzada Nand College for Girls on Monday decided to impart coaching free of cost to the students appearing in the entrance tests for BIT, BCA and B.Ed courses. The principal of the college said the coaching would be given to poor students.

CAR PARKING: Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, performed the clod breaking ceremony for the construction of a car park on the university campus here. The parking will be constructed within four months at an estimated cost of Rs 4 lakh.

CELEBRATIONS CANCELLED: Various organisations which had planned to celebrate Shivaratri have decided to cancel the ‘shobha yatras’ this year and contribute the amount collected for the purpose to Gujarat Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The president of Shivala Bagh Bhaiyan, Dr Harbilas Rai said about Rs 5 lakh would be sent to Gujarat.

BATHINDA
AYURVEDIC CAMP: An Ayurvedic medical checkup camp was organised at Chandsar Basti on Sunday by the Bharat Vikas Parishad. It was sponsored by the State Bank of Patiala. More than 350 patients were examined by a team of five doctors headed by Dr M.R. Joshi, District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer.

RAIL BUDGET: Mr Radheshyam, president of the district unit of the Nationalist Congress Party, said here on Monday that the interests of the poor should be kept in mind in the coming rail budget. A train should have at least 50 per cent general category bogies instead of two, he said.

IMMUNISATION CAMP: A camp for immunisation against BGC, DPT and measles was organised on Monday at the dispensary of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant. The immunisation camp would be held every Friday at the dispensary, the Chief Engineer of the thermal plant said.

DERA BASSI
ELECTED: The following have been elected as office-bearers of the Dera Bassi Bar Association: president — Mr Satpal Saini; vice-president — Mr Manvinder Singh; general secretary — Mr Karam Singh Manjoli; joint secretary — Mr Rajiv Manero; and cashier — Mr Bikramjit Singh Passi.

FATEHGARH SAHIB
SEMINAR: Mr B.S. Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, addressed a seminar on ‘Challenges before the Press’ organised by Steel Town weekly at Gymkhana Club on Monday. He said the press should work without succumbing to any pressure for the cause of the common man and society.

HOSHIARPUR
1 KILLED: Parshotam Lal (38) died on the spot when a Tata Indica car hit his scooter near Banjar Bagh on the Hoshiarpur-Dharamsala road here on Sunday night. Pillion rider Sat Pal was injured seriously and admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The driver of the car fled away.

OPIUM SEIZED: The police arrested Dilbagh Singh of Digana Kalan village and seized 150 gm of opium from him on Sunday. Joginder Kumar of Hariana was also arrested and 40 gms of charas seized from his possession.

JAGRAON
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Various public schools of this town have started admissions, even before the declaration of final results, to boost the strength. Usual admissions start from April 1.

POWER CUTS: Repeated and frequent shut down of electricity has created nervousness among students whose exams are being conducted and even among students of high classes, who are preparing for exams.

STRAY CATTLE: Every month after the cattle mandi, a large number of stray cattle is added to the already existing number, which adds to problems of traffic and the resulting road accidents. The Krishna Gaushala here is not sufficient to hold the large number of stray cattle.

KAPURTHALA
ROAD MISHAP: Two persons of Kolinwala village died in a mishap on Sunday evening. Their jeep was hit by a tractor near Pajian village on the Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi road. The deceased, Nirmal Singh and Devinder Singh, along with their relatives were returning from Nihaluwal village. The police has registered a case.

TUBEWELLS: Mr V.K. Singh, Deputy Commissioner has said the Punjab State Electricity Board will provide tubewell connections to Dalit farmers on the day they submit their applications for connection.

KHAMANO
SANT SAMAGAM: The annual sant samagam, held in the memory of Baba Pir Bakhsh, will be held on February 23 at Bathan Kalan village near here under the supervision of Baba Darshan Singh, Nabhe-wale. After the bhog of Akhand Path, a kirtan will be held.

KHARAR
WELCOMED: About 16 old Akali lawyers of Ropar district in a meeting held on Tuesday appreciated Mr Manjit Singh Khaira, senior Advocate of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for contesting the Rajya Sabha seat against Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab. According to a signed statement the old Akali workers feel neglected and frustrated. Mr Badal did not seem concerned with the interests of the party and its workers. It is worth mentioning that polling for this seat is scheduled to be held on February 22. Mr Sukhvir Singh will face Mr Khaira in a straight contest.

INJURED: Mr Sukhdev Singh and Mr Bakhshis Singh, both residents of Chandigarh, were injured when their motorcycle was hit by a Maruti car (CH-OI-Z-9325) near Majat village on Monday evening. They were referred to the General Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh. The police has registered a case against the driver of the car under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the IPC.

LUDHIANA
AWARENESS MEET: A meeting of People for Animals (PFA), Ludhiana and traders of Saban Bazar, Bagh Khazanchian, Talab Bazar, Kesar Ganj Mandi was here on Tuesday. The PFA functionaries discussed the implementation of rules for draught and pack animals under the PCA Act, 1960, for the welfare of these creatures. The meeting was attended by Kamal Gupta, Mr Jagjit Singh, Mr Tejpal, Mr Rattanlal Kansal, Mr Manohal Lal, Mr Deepak Chawla and Mr Subhash Chander.

MOGA
INAUGURATED: The annual Sarv Dharam Sammelan for peace and prosperity organised by Maharaj Swami Vednatranand at the local Geeta Bhawan was inaugurated on Sunday by Additional Director General of Police, Punjab, Mr S.V. Singh. Large number of saints from all over the country addressed the sammelan.

PATIALA
ORGANISED: A free blood-sugar, blood-pressure and weight check-up camp was organised by the Dedicated Brothers Group on Tuesday. The camp was inaugurated by Dr Rakesh Vermi, founder president of the group. In all 97 patients were examined by doctors.

SAMRALA
SLIP OF A 'TEST SLIP': Another example of the irregularities of Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, was evident when a student of Class X, Sarbjeet Kaur, from Durga Mandir Road, Samrala, received her roll number. When she opened the envelop, she was surprised to see, instead the test slip of one Seema Devi d/o Devi Dass. Now Sarbjit Kaur will have to go to Mohali to take a new test slip and so will Seema Devi who belongs to Koom Kalan village.

STRIKE: Trainees of the local ITI again observed a full day strike here on Tuesday demanding observance of the old rules of the ITIs, in which Saturday and Sunday were holidays. In a letter written they warned the principal that they would not attend the institution if their demands were not accepted. The strike would also continue till then.

CAMP: In an eye check-up camp at Hedon village near here, 400 patients were examined, while 41 were operated upon successfully on Monday. The camp, arranged by Dashmesh Sports Club, was inaugurated by Mr Gurcharan Singh Hissowal, chairman of the market committee. Mr Sandeep Hans, SDM, Samrala was the chief guest.

RELIEF FUND: A draft for Rs 10,000 was handed over by Mr Jagir Singh, sarpanch of Ghulal village near Samrala to Sanjeev Garg for Gujarat Relief Fund, in a simple, but impressive function. Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, BKU leader, was also present on this occasion.

CHANDIGARH

TRAINING: Students of DAV Model Public School, Sector 15, have bagged three of the top five positions in the Nursery Teachers’ Training course being conducted by the Institute of Vocational Studies. According to the Principal of the school, Mrs Rakesh Sachdeva, the school has bagged the third, fourth and fifth positions in the order of merit. The examination had been conducted by the Chandigarh Administration.

VACCINATION CAMP: About 110 persons were vaccinated against Hepatitis-B at a camp organised at the WWICS in Chandigarh and the Canadian Institute of Computer Science and Technology in SAS Nagar on Tuesday. This is part of the awareness drive by the organisation initiated to make the masses aware about Hepatitis-B which is perceived to be as deadly as HIV and AIDS.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Punjab Students Welfare Union president — Mr Jagdeep Singh Jagga; senior vice-president — Mr Navtej Singh Grewal; vice-president — Mr Jaspreet Singh; general secretary — Mr Daljit Singh Baba; cashier — Mr Hardeep Singh Khilchi; joint secretary — Mr Bikram Singh Rana and press secretary — Mr Sukhjeet Singh Sokhi.

WORKSHOP: The Centre for Research and Industrial Development, Chandigarh, and the National Social Science Documentation Centre, New Delhi, will jointly organise a workshop-cum-symposium from February 22 to 24. A press note issued by Dr S.K. Mangal, senior adviser of the centre, said the workshop would deal with the use and application of the Internet , important websites and data bases in social science, including IT for libraries and masses. Prof Yashpal, Scientist Emeritus and former chairman UGC, will deliver the inaugural address, while Dr Gautam Soni, senior Adviser, Ministry of Information Technology of the Union Government will deliver the keynote address. Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Dr J.N. Zarabi, CMD, SCL will also participate in the symposium. Dr H.S. Guram, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University, will deliver valedictory address on February 24. The press note said the participants would be from Jammu University, Kurukshetra University, Panjab University, Punjabi University, H.P. University and other renowned institutions of the region.

MISHAP: Two persons were injured in two accidents on Tuesday evening. Mukesh, a resident of Sector 20, was injured when his scooter collided with another scooter in Sector 20. In another incident, Ram Singh was hit by a Kinetic Honda scooter on the dividing road of the police station and Sector 21. In both the cases, the injured have been admitted to the PGI.

HARYANA

AMBALA
QUAKE RELIEF: The Wholesale Cloth Market Association, Ambala City, gave Rs 6.30 lakh for the Gujarat earthquake victims to the local Deputy Commissioner here on Monday. The association urged the Deputy Commissioner to provide a parking place for the market. The DC assured them that a piece of land would be provided for the purpose near the Municipal Park.

MEETING HELD: A joint meeting of various associations of the scientific instruments industry was held on Tuesday “to discuss the situation arising out of the sudden hike in electricity tariff, effective from February 1.” The associations which took part in the meeting included the Ambala Scientific Instrument Manufacturers Association (ASIMA), the Scientific Apparatus Manufacturers Association (SAMA), the Scientific Instruments Manufacturers and Dealers Association (SIMDA) and the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation Association, Ambala (HSIDC). It was jointly resolved that the recent hike on the connected load was “uncalled for, unjustified and unwarranted.” ASIMA president M.S. Tandon said the hike was bound to cripple the industry. He said the decision of the state government to impose minimum consumption charges was not acceptable, as there was no regular supply and the units were facing acute power cuts during the day. “It is prayed that the state government reviews its anti-industry policy and waives the MCC,” he said.

BHIWANI
CONSUMER DISPUTE: The District Consumer Forum, has directed the owner of a pipe factory to give compensation and change the faulty pipes sold to the complainant, Mr Mahabir Singh, of Baliali village in Charkhi Dadri tehsil. He complained the Gurgaon based firm, Pioneer Polyfad Ltd, had supplied him 300 pipes which were found to be leaking. The firm has been directed to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation.

PCO PROBLEM: The facility of dialling local calls upto 200 km has created a problem for PCO holders. Even subscribers fail to get lines free for several hours. The PCOs remain without customers during day time. A PCO holder said they were not earning more than Rs 50 a day despite spending Rs 50,000 on a booth.

CLASH: Three persons were injured in a clash over a piece of land at Nandgaon village on Saturday. The injured have been admitted to the Civil Hospital here. Mr Ravinder Dutt, one of the injured, alleged Surender, son of Om Prakash, had attacked them with a lathi.

MARCH: The Jan Sangharsh Samiti, Bhiwani and the Janwadi Mahila Samiti held a march here on Saturday to protest against frequent hikes in electricity rates, inadequate supply of water and electricity, imposition of the trade tax, and the house tax and raids in the name of power thefts. The spokesman of the samiti, Mr Om Prakash, said the police had not yet arrested the owner of Hospitech factory who made one of his labourers Mukesh climb on an electric pole resulting in his death. He demanded immediate arrest of the owner of the factory and Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the kin of Mukesh.

FARIDABAD
EYE CAMP: Eightyseven persons were operated upon for removal of cataract at an eye camp organised by Mahavir International at Mohna village in the district on Sunday. According to a spokesman of the organisation, a team of 14 doctors led by Dr Ravinder Mathur conducted these operations at the camp organised at Bal Vidya Niketan.

KAITHAL
DERA LOOTED: Cash amounting to Rs 3.56 lakh was looted from Dera Lal Puri of Agondh village in the district. According to Mahant Shankar Puri, caretaker of the ‘dera’, six youths overpowered him and decamped with a suitcase containing the cash on Saturday night. They also disconnected the telephone. He had kept the money ready to purchase a car, he said. The police has registered a case.

5 KILLED: Five youths of Matour village in the district were killed as their jeep collided with a truck near Sherpur village in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday night. Those killed have been identified as Rajesh, Dhira, Romesh, Om and Lehri. The victims were going to Hardwar.

PANIPAT
SEWERAGE SYSTEM: Laying of sewerage in all authorised colonies of the town will be completed by the end of year 2003. The state government has earmarked Rs 7 crore for the project. This was stated by the Chief Engineer, Public Health, Mr V.K. Gupta, after a meeting with the district officers of the department at the local PWD rest house on Sunday.

ELECTRICITY BILL: The North Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam has set a target to recover outstanding electricity bills amounting to Rs 13 crore during the current month. The city division has already recovered more than Rs 6 crore. Defaulters had been voluntarily coming forward to deposit the amount after the implementation of the surcharge waiving scheme, nigam officials said. The division has planned to organise an ‘Open bijli darbar’ on February 23, 24 and 27 at the Power Rest House here to motivate the consumers.

REWARI
MEETING: Activists of the Rashtriya Navchetna at its meeting here on Sunday urged the state government to ensure employment of local youths in uprooted industrial units of Delhi which were being shifted to industrial estates of Rewari, Gurgaon and Mahendragarh. They also sought uninterrupted eight hours’ power supply daily for the farmers.

GANG BUSTED: With the arrest of four youths, Rajindera, Kailash, Jagjit and Sanjay, the district police has claimed to have busted a gang reportedly involved in looting and car thefts in various parts of Haryana and Delhi. The district police chief, Mr Manjit Singh Ahlawat, said the youths, who belonged to the Bahadurgarh and Jhajjar areas, confessed to having looted about Rs 60,000 from Vinod Kumar at Kosli Mandi on the night of February 6.

ROHTAK
LOOTED: Four armed robbers looted about Rs 35,000 at gunpoint from the attendants of a petrol station in the Meham subdivision on Sunday evening. According to police sources, four youths came in a Maruti car at Dev Petrol Station located on National Highway 10 here around 11 pm and asked the attendants to fill the fuel tank. Later, they overpowered the attendants and locked them up in a room.

1 KILLED: A scooterist was killed when he was hit by a speeding bus near Saiman village on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Sushil Kumar of Saiman village.

SIRSA
ASSAULT: A shopkeeper Mahavir of Ellenabad subdivision was seriously injured on Monday when a youth named Bittu attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon. It was learnt that Mahavir had asked Bittu to clear his previous debts before giving him the ration. When Mahavir was taken to the local hospital, the Medical Officer was found missing. The bazars remained closed against the assault and the indifferent attitude of the administration.

SONEPAT
LOOTED: Two passengers, including a woman, were lootted allegedly by five youths in a train between Ganaur and Rajlu Garhi Railway Stations, about 15 km from here, on Sunday. According to a report, the youths boarded the train at Ganaur Railway Station. One of them, who was armed with a knife, threatened the woman and extorted Rs 8,000 from her. His accomplices also snatched Rs 6,000 from a student. They got down at Rajlu Garhi Railway Station.

ATTACK: Two unidentified armed youths forced their way into a tent house near the police post on G.T. Road at Ganaur and demanded money from its owner. They assaulted the owner with ‘gandasas’ when he refunded to yield. They snatched Rs 10,000 from him before they fled.