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Badal seeks N-plant for Punjab New Delhi, March 3 A committee of Nuclear Power Corporation Ltd and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board had already visited the state, he said speaking at a meeting. Stating that the state required additional power to the tune of 400 to 500 mw each year, the Centre should consider granting the plant in the state and the funding of 2x250 MW GHTP Lehra Mohabbat stage II project and provision of liquid fuel like diesel at subsidised rates as well. Mr Badal said the Centre could also consider a joint venture between Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttaranchal, considering their hydro-potential for power generation. Urging the State Electricity Regulatory Commission to check pilferage, he said, “An action plan has been launched to have accurate energy metering at the transfer points between generating stations and transmission substations and between the latter and distribution network.” Mr Badal said the state would sign an MoU with the Centre for carrying out reforms in the power sector. Addressing the meeting, the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, said water resources should be nationalised for their optimum utilisation and generation of hydro-electricity. Urging the Centre to take positive steps to solve the various inter-state river waters and power related disputes expeditiously, Mr Chautala demanded that 50 per cent share in the power generated by Thein Dam. Due to the non-completion of Sutlej-Yamuna link canal, he said Haryana’s share of river water was going waste to Pakistan. Three projects had already been completed in Punjab and fourth Thein Dam was ready for commissioning. Since Haryana’s share was being used in this new project, at least 50 per cent of the power generated by this project should be allocated to Haryana. Mr Chautala urged the states to financially cope with the poor financial position of the state power utilities. |
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SAD constitution awaiting
review Chandigarh, March 3 The delegates had then passed 11 resolutions, including one calling for a ‘’review’’ of the 75-year-old ‘’policy programme’’ (Constitution) of the SAD on the argument that it was now ‘’obsolete’’ in the wake of global political and social change. To incorporate amendments in the Constitution, it was proposed to constitute a five-member review committee, to be nominated by Mr Badal, that was to submit its report within six months. One has not heard of any review committee having been formed till date. If it was formed there is no word if a report was submitted by it to the party chief. One thing, however, has been repeatedly heard from the Akalis of various hue and cry over a period of time. They have been parroting their old demands for “state autonomy’’ and ‘’federal structure’’ for 27 years now. These two demands have found an echo ever since their incorporation in the unresolved Anandpur Sahib Resolution, passed in 1973 and later ‘’rectified’’ ‘at the 18th All-India Conference held at Ludhiana on October 29, 1978, as reported in the ‘’proposals’’ submitted by the SAD to the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution in August last year. Looking at the Presidentship of Mr Badal, during the past one year, one finds his complete sway over the SAD apparatus, the SGPC and making and unmaking of the Sikh high priests included. One also finds, if party’s “policy programme” is “obsolete” its “leadership” is equally “archaic”. It is, seemingly, out of step with the tune of the present times, with no in-built system within the SAD organisational structure to “educate” the grassroots workers and jathedars in the party hierarchy. The only time one heard some commotion was when Mr Badal, on November 5 last, recast the working committee and reshuffled the office-bearers, enlarging the edifice at the top; a cosmetic touch. The recast formation has not met, so far. Even party’s “wings” seldom meet. There is neither direction nor guidance or training of party workers, jathedars, MPs and MLAs on matters affecting the state and how a political out-fit should react, respond at organisational or legislative level. Religious issues, appointment of favourable or removal of inconvenient Sikh clergy or the circumstances that engulfed the past SGPC President kept the SAD President-cum-Chief Minister busy. The trouble with the Akali leadership is simple: It has a leader who, though, accessible and affable, is too tall to reach. If one simply scans through the “proposals” the party submitted to the National Commission to review the working of the Constitution, the election manifestoes of yesteryear’s, the existing “policy programme”, the common minimum programme the party crafted in consultation with the alliance partner, the BJP, to run the government, the speeches the Governors delivered in the Vidhan Sabha, the talking points during the different elections, including byelections, etc, one finds Akalis repetitive and living in their own world. The Akalis hinge to the 15th century ‘’universally accepted philosophy”, expounded by Guru Nanak, that is relevant in 21st century, yet, refuse to learn any lessons or practice what they preach. Just as the Sikhism, a scientifically explained religion, has as many interpretations as there are followers of the faith, so are there as many distortions in Sikh politics as are in the perception of the Akali leadership. This is one reason why its age-old demands force the Akalis to resort to agitation. Its own policies on youth, education, agriculture, inculcating scientific temperament into socio-economic fabric fail to yield results. The Akalis are “sentimental”. They evoke religious emotions at every occasion. It is their doings, undoing, unending ego hassles, lack of perspective and conviction that create crises in religious and political matters relegating economic imperative. To be pro-farmers, being their vote bank, is one thing. But boldly leading the peasantry, preparing it for fusion with global marketing and economic storms and systems (WTO etc) is quite another. It is not the “panth” or “Punjab” that is in peril, as the Akalis make out. It is their personal survival that is projected to be on a precipice. Will SAD learn to be in-step with the changing world? |
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Budget disastrous for Punjab farmers: Cong New Delhi, March 3 The Punjab Congress chief, Capt Amarinder Singh, said that the Budget proposals had virtually passed the responsibility of procuring agricultural produce on the state governments which were under heavy debt. He said that under the proposals the Food Corporation of India (FCI) would procure only for “strategic core” and bulk of procurement would have been done by the state governments. Asking how state governments would be able to handle the procurement exercise without having the experience, financial resources and physical infrastructure to do it, Mr Amarinder Singh demanded that the status-quo on procurement be restored. In Punjab, he said, that the debt of state government had mounted to an extent where even debt servicing was becoming difficult. “Over 60 per cent of the state revenue goes in salaries of the staff,” he said questioning the ability of the government to pay farmers for their crops. “Money may have to be arranged from banks which will put a further strain on the government finances,” he added. Asserting that the state government did not have the wherewithal to either procure, store or market the agricultural produce, he said the question of fixing minimum support price (MSP) was mired in confusion. “Who will fix MSP and who will ensure its implementation,” the PCC chief asked. Predicting a bleak scenario for the farmers of the state if the new proposals were implemented, he said that 52 per cent of the farmers in Punjab did not have farmlands bigger than 4.2 acre. He said that income of farmers had drastically fallen and the fresh proposals would spell disaster. “Instead of appreciating the problems of farmers, Mr Badal had welcomed the Union Budget,” he alleged. Accusing the Centre of passing the buck to states, Mr Surinder Singla, former MP, said that the Central Government had failed to create adequate facilities for storage of agricultural produce. Against the stipulated 22 lakh tonne of buffer stock, the Centre now has about 42 lakh tonne of agricultural produce. Asking how the Punjab Government would take over the role of the FCI which had been procuring about 70 per cent of the produce in the state, Mr Singla said that the government had suddenly sought to reverse the standard policy on procurement which was in operation since 1968. Pointing out that procurement season was nearing, Punjab Congress leaders, including Mr Lal Singh and Mr Gurjit Singh Rana, said that the Centre should immediately restore the status quo to save farmers from distress. In his Budget speech Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha had said that he proposed to give an enlarged role to the state governments in both procurement and distribution of foodgrains for PDS in their respective states. Instead of providing subsidised foodgrains, financial assistance would be provided to the state governments to enable them to procure and distribute foodgrains for families below the poverty line at subsidised rates. Committee flays Union Budget Bathinda, March 3 In a press statement issued here on March 1, the committee leaders, Mr Sudeep Singh and Mr Sukhwinder Singh, alleged that the Budget would reduce employment opportunities and increase the cost of education. The leaders said the rate of growth of the employment opportunities in the organised sector had reduced to just 0.8 per cent in 2000. |
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Punjab to adopt VRS:
minister Chak Fathe Singh Wala (Bathinda), March 3 Stating this here today, Punjab Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the state government would oppose the Central Government’s decision to ask the state government to procure agriculture produce. He said this would adversely affect the interests of state government as it was already facing problems on account of surplus foodgrain production. Capt Kanwaljit Singh was mum when he was asked about the proposed tax structure and benefits for employees in the coming Budget. He said the Union Budget was not anti-farmer as described by some Opposition parties. He said the country was facing recession and Punjab was not an exception. The Finance Minister said the decrease in the rate of interest on savings would help generate more finances for investment in different projects. He said the Punjab State Electricity Board had been compensated for the free power supply it gave to the agriculture sector. The electricity duty that was charged by the PSEB from the consumers and was deposited with the state government had been given to the board. He said the amount thus collected was to the tune of Rs 175 crore. The government had also exempted the board from giving interest on the loan it had taken from the state government. Mr Kanwaljit said for the development of agriculture, farmers would be given loans on lower rates of interest. The development of the state was not possible without increase in production of agricultural and industrial products. He said the government was planning more investments in the field of agriculture. The minimum support price for wheat would be increased this year. All arrangements had been made for the procurement of wheat. About 1.10 crore tonne of wheat was expected in the mandis of the state this season. He said there was no financial crisis in the state. All development projects were running as per schedule and there was no delay for want of funds. The voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for government employees would also be adopted in Punjab, but declined to give any details. He said the P.H. Vaishnav committee, which was appointed to look into the matter of disinvestment in public sector undertaking, had given its report on the privatisation of such units, but again he declined to give details, saying as the session of the Assembly was in progress, he could not do so. Later, Mr Kanwaljit Singh inaugurated a milk chilling centre constructed by Milkfed, Punjab, at a cost of Rs 20 lakh in the village. The plant, which has chilling and storing capacity of about 10,000 litre of milk, will cater to the needs of at least 10 villages in the region. Mr Kanwaljit Singh, addressing a gathering of villagers, announced that all possible help would be given to the village for its development. |
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Bibi case adjourned till March
12 Patiala, March 3 The case could not be taken up for hearing today. Bibi Jagir Kaur and all other accused, except for her Personal Security Officer Nishan Singh, were present in the court. Meanwhile, the counsel for Mrs Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, who is a co accused along with the former SGPC President in the case, today filed an application requesting that she be allowed to travel to the UK for medical treatment. The court has issued notice to the CBI in this regard and that application will also be heard on March 12. The former SGPC President has filed an application in the court of the Special CBI Magistrate, calling for the recall of an earlier order passed by him in which he had asked Bibi Jagir Kaur to furnish a bail bond and allowed her time till February 24 to take regular bail from the trial court. The application has
maintained that Bibi Jagir Kaur continues to be on bail granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and that the bail would stand till the entire pendency of the trial. The CBI while opposing the application in the court of the Duty Magistrate on the last date on February 24, had refused to file a reply on the application, claiming it was illegal in the eyes of the law. The investigating agency had claimed that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had granted bail to the former SGPC chief for a limited period till the chargesheet in the case was not filed in court. The agency has now claimed that the chargesheet had been filed and the former SGPC chief no longer remained on bail. The Duty Magistrate had, upon request from the counsels of the accused, referred the matter back to the Special CBI Magistrate for arguments. |
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Buses ‘impounded’ for PM’s
function Bathinda, March 3 Private bus operators and members of the various truck unions of the region allege that their vehicles had been ‘impounded’by workers of political parties so that they could ‘arrange’ crowds at the venue to please their political masters. A transporter of the city said, that the diesel and daily wages of the driver would have to be paid for by the transporter. He added that the journey of approximately 700 km to and fro, and would cost them around Rs 7,000. He is not alone to complain of high-handedness by the authorities. Many transporters said that they had received verbal orders from the offices of the respective District Transport Officers (DTOs) to send at least two buses for “VIP duty”, with oil-tanks filled. “Earlier, we used to send our vehicles on ‘VIP duty’, but they used to pay for the diesel, but this time even that would have to come from our pockets,” lamented a transporter of Mansa. About 25 buses have been sent on VIP duty from Mansa district alone, he alleged. A meeting of the Akali workers was organised and they were given lists of the vehicles which would be on duty. Temporary nakas were put up at various points in the city and private buses impounded, allegedly by officers of the Transport Department. Inquiries by The Tribune revealed that the “workers” who go to attend the VIP meetings and rallies had little interest in VIPs, and they were more concerned with the promises made by the local jathedars to them. A resident of Nathana village said that at times the ‘patwaris’ or some other officials promise them that their old age pensions, widow pensions, handicap pensions, would be cleared only if they attended the political rallies and raised slogans in favour of the ruling party. At other times, they are forced to receive their cheques for various grants at public functions. A transporter alleged that no bus of any Akali worker had been sent on the “VIP duty”. He alleged that the Chief Minister was one of the biggest transporters of the state, but none of his buses had been sent to the VIP duty. Mr Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted said that he had no knowledge about the alleged ‘impounding’ of buses. He added that about 50 buses belonging to the PRTC had been sent to the function. Dr Jatinder Jain, a police official, said no vehicle has been impounded by the police authorities in connection with the PM’s function. |
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FCI bullying state
agencies? Jalandhar, March 3 Official figures point out that 1.10 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was purchased this year by all procurement agencies in the state, which was already facing a severe shortage of storage space. The expected figure was likely to touch 67 lakh metric tonnes. Of this, the state agencies and the FCI would get 55 lakh metric tonnes of paddy custom-milled for the Center, under an arrangement the private millers, besides doing paddy milling had also purchased rice and their share of delivery of rice was around 12 lakh metric tonnes. But what has caused loss to the state, was that instead of sticking to the established norm that the delivery and storage of custom-milled rice would be done strictly in accordance with the ratio of the purchase of paddy, these two nodal agencies violated these and “usurped” a major share of the available storage space and even “coerced” millers to do milling of their paddy and even delivery on a priority basis. The norms, specify that the FCI should purchase about 35 per cent of the paddy, while the purchase share of the state procurement agencies should be around 65 per cent, and the delivery and storage of the custom-milled rice would be done in the same ratio, but official figures show an entirely different scene. The official figures show that of the 67 lakh metric tonnes just 23 lakh tonnes has been delivered and stored so far, while the remaining about 44 lakh tonnes is still due towards the millers. The millers, according to official sources, have given priority to the milling of their own purchased paddy for which the milling of paddy of procurement agencies has virtually taken a back seat. If the millers have been able to do the milling of 74 per cent of their 12 lakh metric tonnes, the procurement agencies have been able to get milling and delivery of just 26 per cent of their due rice amounting to 43 lakh metric tonnes, which is 10 per cent less than the milling and delivery of paddy during the corresponding period, last year. Figures show that if the state procurement agencies were able to get the delivery of 12.10 lakh metric tonnes, last year, the figure has just touched 8. 26 lakh metric tonnes this year. The officials pointed out that since the delivery of paddy was 4 lakh metric tonnes less this year, the state government was not able to ensure realisation and reimbursement of Rs 400 crore from the Centre for a four months till
February 21, which in other words meant loss of interest of Rs 16 crore to the state government. On the other hand, the state procurement agencies like Markfed, Punjab Agro, state Warehousing Corporation and Punsup were feeling let down by the FCI and the state Food and Civil Supplies Department. Similarly, the district-wise figures of delivery and storage of paddy reveal the discrimination with the state procurement agencies with respect to delivery and arrangement of available godown space. |
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Tunnel detected near border
post Gurdaspur, March 3 It is suspected that the ISI with the help of Pak-rangers is exploring possibilities to cross over to Punjab and revive terrorism. Sources near the border said Mr Swaran Dass, resident of Chauntra, was grazing his cattle in this area yesterday. One of his cattle fell into the tunnel and on close scrutiny, he found some implements associated with digging. Mr Swaran Dass reported the matter to nearby BSF checkpost. The BSF authorities gave him Rs 500 as reward and asked him to keep it a secret. The BSF has been keeping constant watch on the tunnel but no attempt from across the border to dig the tunnel any further has been made. Similar attempt to dig a tunnel near Kamalpur was detected by the BSF about two years ago. The sources said crossing from across the border had become difficult after the erection of border fencing. In areas where border fencing is not possible, the BSF is constantly patrolling on boats. When BSF authorities were contacted for details of the incident, they declined to comment. However, length of the tunnel is less than 50 feet. |
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CM’s wife shielding
suspended Principal Jalandhar, March 3 Mr Bhatia was suspended by the committee about two years back following allegations of corruption, and had initiated a probe to look into the matter. The investigation committee, according to Mr Chaudhary, had found him guilty of “misconduct and misbehaviour and the matter was referred to the Secretary, Education, Punjab, and DPI (Colleges) for the removal of Dr Bhatia. But to the dismay of the committee no action was taken during the past two years. Mr Chaudhary alleged Dr Bhatia had recently conveyed to him that compromise was the best way since he would be shielded by Mrs Badal as he had paid a huge amount to her through a minister. “I have conveyed this to Mr Badal through Punjab minister, Mr Balbir Singh Miani, but still there was no response, which led me to believe what Dr Bhatia said”, he added. Dr Bhatia has told me that I or the management could do nothing against him and he will remain the principal till the tenure of the SAD-BJP government, Mr Chaudhary said. “Of the eight meetings held so far seven have been adjourned, while the DPI and the Secretary just gave assurances and nothing more” he said. The enquiry committee has been able to establish a fraud of Rs 5 lakh allegedly committed by the principal, who had not even paid the loan of Rs 2.86
lakh. |
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Hazoor Sahib Board poll by
March-end Amritsar, March 3 Two of the total 17 members will be elected with the voting of Sikh-members parliaments on March 20. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, SHSAD, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur, MP, and Mr Surinder Singh Ahluwalia, BJP MP, will contest the election. Apart from the two members elected by member parliaments, three nominees of the government (at least one must be from amongst the Sikhs of the cities of Hyderabad and Secundrabad), four nominees from the SGPC and four nominees of the Sackhand Hazur Khalsa Diwan, etc. Since the government of Maharashtra enjoys powers under the Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib Abchal Nagar Sahib Act, the previous board headed by Mr Sher Singh ‘Fauji’ was disbanded a few months ago, causing lot of resentment among the Sikhs. However, the contesting of the proposed elections by Mr Tohra had become a “stumbling block” in the way of Panthic unity. SAD had requested Mr Tohra to withdraw his nomination papers in favour of Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur and Mr Surinder Singh Ahluwalia, but in vain. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Akali MLA and a close confidant of Mr Tohra, said SAD should have withdrawn its candidate in favour of Mr Tohra. He said Mr Tohra had remained president of the Takht Hazur Sahib Board and he knew a lot about the “maryada”. |
Mayor’s removal illegal:
Tandon Jalandhar, March 3 After the four-hour long pandemonium in the House following the introduction of resolution by the 37 members belonging to the BSP, the Congress and SAD on January 31, senior officers, including the Commissioner, had sent a report to the Principal Secretary, Local Bodies, for “necessary” action. The report had stated that instead of a discussion on tributes to the Gujarat earthquake victims, the 37 members demanded that instead of paying tributes the no-confidence resolution should be discussed first, which was, however, ruled out by the Mayor, who later adjourned the House. Informed sources said the report prepared by the secretary and forwarded by the Commissioner, Mr Bidhi Chand Thakur, mentioned that on demand of the Opposition a head count was done, according to which 37 members of the House supported the no-confidence resolution, while 16 opposed it. But what had put a question mark on the functioning of the bureaucracy was the allegations by some of supporters that though the meeting had been “adjourned” by the Mayor at 6.30 p.m, but senior civic body officials, led by the Commissioner, remained in the House till 8.30 p.m. and had indirectly supported the opposition move to remove the Mayor. Mr Balramji Dass Tandon said all activities in the House after the adjournment of the meeting were “illegal” and though he was not aware yet he would get it verified whether officials were present in the House after it or not. Giving the clean chit to the Mayor, he said he would bring this to the notice of the Chief Minister, but added that it would have no impact on the SAD-BJP alliance. Referring to the allegations of corruption Additional Divisional Fire Officer, Mr Harmohinder Pal Singh Bhullar, against the Commissioner, Mr Tandon said he had taken a suomotu notice of the issue and had asked the Principal Secretary to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the matter. “If some facts are established, we will conduct a regular enquiry and the law will take its own course,” he said. Adopting a tough posture, Mr Tandon said no corrupt official would be spared by the SAD-BJP government and be dealt according to the law. Earlier, on a writ petition filed by the Punjab Human Rights Organisation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has already directed the police authorities to initiate a probe into various allegations of corruption against Mr Thakur. |
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Bhai Ranjit violated truce:
SAD Amritsar, March 3 Talking to the Press after the convocation of Guru Nanak Dev University here today, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Secretary-General, SAD and Union Cabinet Minister, alleged that despite mediation by Justice (retd) Kuldip Singh, the then President of the World Sikh Council, Bhai Ranjit Singh had summoned Prof Manjit Singh and Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, at Akal Takht. This is for the first time that the ruling party claimed that sincere efforts were made to maintain the “truce” till the tercentenary celebrations. It may be mentioned here that Bhai Ranjit Singh in a hukamnama issued on December 31, 1998, had directed all warring Akali factions to maintain status quo till the tercentenary celebrations. Instead, the SGPC General House had removed Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra from the presidentship of the SGPC and placed Bhai Ranjit Singh under suspension as Jathedar, Akal Takht. This was the reason that the SHSAD had laid the pre-condition that Mr Badal should appear before Akal Takht for ‘violating a hukamnama before the Panthic unity was forged. The SHSAD had also laid the pre-condition that Bhai Ranjit Singh should be reinstalled as Jathedar, Akal Takht, before the unity move. However, all these pre-conditions were not acceptable to the ruling party, which claimed that “maryada” was not violated by any of its leader. Mr Dhindsa said the ruling party could forge unity on principles only. “No indiscipline could be tolerated. However, Mr Dhindsa said the SHSAD leadership had not come forward openly to forge unity, and hence the ruling party was also not keen for the same. He said the unity move would not benefit SAD as much as the SHSAD and other rival Akali factions, who had already tasted a “humiliating” defeat in the previous byelections. Though the rival factions did not field their candidates during the Majitha byelection due to their own ‘weakness’ yet the ruling party had welcomed the step. He said workers and leaders of the SHSAD had openly supported Congress candidate in the byelection. Replying to a question, Mr Dhindsa said his party was ready to reach political alliance with any party minus Congress. He, however, said alliance with BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Morcha was a permanent one. Mr Dhindsa said Punjab assembly elections, which were due in February, next year, would be held as per schedule. Answering another question, he said the state would get the Rs 350-crore package implemented so that farmers could get their shares. |
Water shortage hits
city Bathinda, March 3 The water supply in the city is under the control of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewarage Board
(PWSSB) which supplies the water by collecting the same in storage tanks, which in turn are filled by the Sirhind canal waters. The underground water of the city contains high contents of flourides and has been declared unfit for consumption. The water supply has never been regular in certain areas of the city, including the Pujanwala
Mohalla, Mehna Mohalla, Naruana road and Jogi Nagar, as either these areas are situated at a very high altitude or are far away from the heart of the city. Another problem is the water level in high-altitude areas has decreased considerably in the past few years. The authorities maintained that the water supply is being ensured and only a cut of few hours has been imposed. Sources in the Irrigation Department said the canals of the region were being closed on a rotation basis. This had created the water shortage. Residents have arranged for underground water supply in their respective dwellings by installing hand pumps and electric pumps. “The municipal water is used for drinking and cooking purpose and the underground water for other purposes,” said a resident. The residents pointed out that in the localities where the water supply was continuing, as claimed by the authorities, they had to wake up late in the night and early in the morning to fill a few buckets of potable water. Although no outbreak of water-related diseases had been reported in the past few days, the possibility could not be ruled out, lamented Mr Neetu of Paras Ram
Nagar. Mr R.S. Gulati, SE, PWSSB, said they were trying their best to ensure potable water supply to the residents. He admitted that department was facing problems as the level of canal waters was low. “We mix the underground water of tubewells with the canal waters and ensure that the flouride level is within the permissible limits and then supply the water to the city. We have cut short the water supply by just two hours in the day so that our stock lasts some more days and the residents are supplied potable water uninterrupted,” Mr Gulati said. However, sources in the PWSSB said if the water tanks of the board were not filled immediately, the city may face an acute shortage of water in the coming days. |
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Poor telecom services irk
subscribers Mansa Residents of the town have complained that the Telecom Department has no check on the work done by its contractors. Direct temporary wiring to the subscribers was done with the underground cable causing hundreds of telephones to remain out of order. The consumers have to pay rent even for the period when their telephones are dead. The department also loses substantial revenue on account of bad services. Complaints lodged with the department are not attended to for a number of days and in some cases even weeks. The complaints go on multiplying as there is no prompt action to rectify defects. Few consumers are lucky to get relief after repeated requests. The field staff is selective and uncooperative. JEs and SDOs are generally not available to the public and the DET, Mr Kuldeep Singh Bajwa, who is in charge of the telecom district, is unable to control the subordinate staff. Recently some employees of the department, who were drunk, tried to beat him up in his office. Besides, there is unnecessary delay in the installation of new telephones and these are not provided on the basis of the seniority list but at the whims of the field staff. Another complaint is that they are not supplied details of bills, hence they have to make payment as demanded by the department. They demanded that the details of bills should be provided. Residents of Budhlada, Bareta and Sardulgarh of the district, also have to suffer on account of bad services. Budhlada residents cannot establish contact with the neighbouring towns. When contacted the DET said frequent faults in telephone lines was due to cold wave conditions coupled with fog and mist. He pointed out that sometimes there was a fault in underground lines and it took a lot of time in locating and rectifying the defect. He also due to shortage of regular staff her had to deploy temporary staff. The same is the fate of telegraphic services due to which occasions telegraphic services remain paralysed. The District Telegraph Office is running short of state. Resentment prevails among the residents as the district telegraph and telecom centre has been shifted three kilometres away from the town. People have demanded shifting of this office to the premises of the subpost office building, where the telegraph office had been shifted. Thus the tall claims of the Telecom Department to improve services remain on paper. |
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‘Quake-hit villages being ignored’ Nawanshahr, March 3 More than 500 followers of Sri Ram Sharnam here contributed Rs 51,000, 300 blankets, 200 sheets, 200 utensils, 2,000 sets of clothes for men, women and children, 20 tarpaulins, 10 tents and ration for the quake victims, said Dr Jatinder Dev Verma, in charge of the unit. Truckload of relief material was flagged off by Mr Dinesh Chopra, President, Municipal Council Rahon, at Sri Ram Sharnam Bhavan on February 22 and three devotees, Mr Bahadur Chand Arora, Mr Parshottam Lal and Mr Dhumman Singh, went with the material. Back from Gujarat, Mr Arora said here on Thursday that they with the help of Mr Babu Ram, who is an employee in Gujarat, went to Varsa Meeri, Pashurra, Bhiwenpur, Bhujpur and Vandh villages of Gujarat and distributed money and material among victims. Mr Arora said villagers had been complaining that the government agencies and NGOs were providing relief in urban areas only and villages were being ignored. |
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Of VIP pressure and gaps in road
dividers Ferozepore, March 3 City roads are already congested and the gaps are virtual death traps and traffic hazard. Commuters continue to use the gaps as shortcuts to reach the pumps. The sources feel that in view of increasing vehicular population, the administration should fill the gaps. Earlier, a move to cover the gap opposite the Janata fuel station was stalled due to political pressure. However, Deputy Commissioner Kulbir Singh Sidhu said the gap near the Janata fuel station was necessary as a bylane near it led to Sitla Temple. In view of public sentiments, the gap was not being touched, he said. Denying political pressure, he said it was for the city Municipal Council to check the gap opposite the fuel station, in which Mr Balmukand Sharma’s family had a share. |
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Lok Adalat settles 1,270 cases Patiala, March 3 The idea behind the Lok Adalat was to allow persons involved in criminal cases either as accused or complainants to enter into a compromise and get their cases finalised today. As many as 1,134 pending trial files for criminal cases of compoundable nature were also placed before 15 Lok Adalat benches which were presided over by Judicial Magistrates and assisted by social workers and senior advocates. As many as 585 cases of compoundable nature were also placed for consideration before six Lok Adalat benches. Eight courts of Judicial Magistrates were also held to take up 706 cases involving cancellation reports of non-compoundable nature in which either the party had compromised during investigation of the case or no evidence was found or the accused was not identified. Mr Justice H.S. Bedi of Punjab and Haryana High Court, who is also Executive Chairman of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, held a camp court here and quashed those non-compoundable offences in exercise of powers under Section 482 of the Cr PC and parties were permitted to compound the offences. District and Sessions Judge S.N. Aggarwal said the Lok Adalat today had ensured saving of lakhs of rupees besides saving the time of court and the police. He said it had also saved a lot of public money. He said the Lok Adalat had given a fillip to the panchayati raj system. He said the compromises effected by panchayats had acquired an important dimension with the system bordering on a ‘nyaya panchayat’. Each complainant was identified by a panchayat member and recorded his compromise in the presence of the Lok Adalat. As many as 10,000 persons appeared before the Lok Adalat benches. Summons had been issued to both the complainant and the accused. Even the Judicial Magistrates posted at Rajpura, Samana and Nabha held their courts in the district complex here today. Also present were Punjab Advocate-General H S Mattewal, Legal Remembrancer S.S. Grewal, Legal Services Authority Member, Secretary D.K. Monga and Additional Member Secretary H.P.S.
Mahal. US doc performs rare
surgery at workshop Chandigarh, March 3 Doctors from all over Punjab, including the PGI, participated in the workshop, which was also attended by 35 to 40 Vitreo-retina specialists. The highlight of the workshop was treatable macular disorders including diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Dr Harinderjit Singh presented a paper on photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascular membrane. Dr M.R. Dogra spoke on central serous retinopathy. Dr Pritam Singh from Amritsar presented a paper on treatment on epiretinal membrane. |
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TB eradication drive
launched Bhawanigarh (Sangrur), March 3 Addressing the gathering, Dr Chawla said the Punjab Government had drawn up a plan to eradicate TB from the state. Hence, each person should help save the life of at least one TB patient. Dr Chawla said there were three lakh TB patients in the state. Each patient could infect 12 persons in a year. He said 30 patients of TB died daily in Punjab, while one died per minute in the country. Dr Chawla said the Sangrur Health Department had detected 2,488 TB patients in this district. The government had so far provided TB medicine to 1200 patients in the district. The minister justified the closure of the Government TB Hospital Hermitage, at Ghabdan Kothi, about 10 km from here, on the Sangrur-Patiala road on the plea that there were now no patients. Besides, there was no longer any need to keep the TB patients in isolation. He assured that the staff of this hospital would be shifted to nearby hospitals. Dr Chawla said the Union Government had given Rs 2 crore to Punjab for mobile health dispensaries. He claimed under a world Bank project, all 154 government hospital buildings would be completed by December 2001. He said the government planned four ultra-modern hospitals with kidney and lever transplant facilities. The minister flagged off three mobile vans under the “Sanjeevani” project for the Bhawanigarh and Tapa blocks. Mr Ranjit Singh Balian, Minister of state for Housing and Urban Development, said PUDA had chalked out a scheme in joint venture with Gujarat Ambuja to build residential quarters for doctors and other staff of the Health Department. |
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Jaundice hits Kot Kapura Kot Kapura, March 3 Sources said private practitioners had been receiving one or two patients suffering from jaundice every day. The patients have been coming from all over the town. Civil hospital sources said the matter had been brought to the notice of the higher authorities. Water had been chlorinated about a week ago. However, residents have been falling prey to jaundice due to contaminated drinking water. The sources said in the past 15 days, about 10 cases of jaundice had been reported in the OPD. The situation was not alarming and was under control. Unconfirmed reports said in the past 15 days, the Civil Hospital had received 36 patients for the treatment of jaundice. Mr A. Venu Parsad, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, said there was no fresh case of jaundice in the town. He said about a week ago, he had come to know that certain persons had been suffering from jaundice and preventive measures had been taken to check its spread. He pointed out that there was no report of contamination of drinking water as there was no leakage of underground sewerage and water pipes. Mr Naresh Sehgal, President, Social and Welfare Society, Kot Kapura, said he had given three representations to the authorities concerned to make arrangements to prevent the spread of jaundice. He said that there was a constant fear among the residents of this town regarding water-borne diseases as it had become a common occurrence here due to the absence of proper arrangements for water supply and underground sewerage facilities. The Civil Surgeon, Faridkot, could not be contacted. |
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Patwari suspended for seeking
bribe Patiala Mr Dalip Singh, a resident of Bhalkha village falling under Bhunerheri block of this district, complained that he had complained against the same Patwari earlier, but without any results. He alleged that the said Patwari had demanded a bribe of Rs 1,000 for demarcating his land. This was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner who ordered the District Revenue Officer to immediately place the Patwari under suspension. Mr Fateh Singh of Tohra village had also filed a complaint against a Patwari, Mr. Karamjit Singh of the Tohra circle and the Naib Tehsildar, Bhadson for mutation of land. The Deputy Commissioner has asked the SDM, Nabha to look into the matter and submit the report as early as possible. Mr Dev Singh, resident of Siel village of Rajpura tehsil, alleged that the Naib Tehsiledar of Ghanaur block had illegally registered his land in the name of some other persons without his permission. The DC ordered the authorities concerned to look into the issue and come out with results. Mr Inderjit Singh, a resident of the Sandnoli village, Nabha tehsil, blamed a Khanna resident, Malkit Singh, Kuldeep Singh and some other persons of Khumano to have duped him of Rs 1 lakh by promising to send him to the USA. He added that an additional amount of Rs 7.50 lakh was to be delivered to the accused. The Deputy Commissioner asked the SP (headquarters) to look into the case filed by the complainant. Environment Day celebrated Patiala The work of the students comprised the present situation of environment in the city. Mr P.L. Kaler, ex-principal and Chief Conservator of Forests, Punjab was the chief guest of the function and appreciated the enthusiasm of students. Trees were also planted on the occasion for environment protection and for creating awareness among children as well as elders. In the guest lecture delivered by Mr P.L. Kaler, stress was laid on preserving the environment from pollution. He emphasised the importance of plants in our routine life and highlighted the role of the present generation in this field. Threat to install Ambedkar’s statue Patiala “We will install the statue of Baba Sahib at the spot on March 14 whether we get cooperation from the administration on the issue by then or not” said the Baba Saheb Paritma Sthapana Committee Chairman, Prof Harnek Singh, to newspersons here today. He said the committee had already commissioned a statue of the Dalit leader which had been sculpted by a Gujarat-based sculptor and was presently lying completed at a private residence in the city. Prof Harnek Singh said even though the state chief minister had asked the Patiala Municipal Commissioner to take action to install the statue in the city, the matter had been delayed. He said the committee had invited the chief minister to a state-level function being organised in the city on April 14 to mark the birth anniversary of the leader. He said the Commissioner had told them that a technical committee would be constituted to check the statue according to set norms adding the committee did not feel this was needed. Meanwhile, the site earmarked for the statue is presently serving as a parking lot for three-wheelers. Three wheeler-owners claim that around hundred households would lose their livelihood if they were ejected from there adding the nearby Nehru park was a much more suitable site for installation of Dr Ambedkar’ s statue. They also claim the statue would hinder the smooth flow of traffic. |
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Privatisation
may increase power tariffs Patiala This was disclosed by Dr. Karl A. Theis, a German engineer who was part of a delegation of VGB company, a non-profit making agency of Germany, which is visiting Punjab. The company has selected six engineers of Punjab State Electricity Board for one-year training in Thermal Plants at Germany. These engineers will be leaving India on March 5 and shall be provided free training during their stay in Germany. Dr
Theis warned India not to copy the privatisation and trifurcation
model of Europe and USA in the power sector, without intensive study.
He said a lot of difficulties were being faced in Europe and power
generation companies were at the mercy of Power Trading Corporations
in Europe. He talked about the latest blackout in 50 per cent of
California state in USA, due to blind privatisation and trifurcation,
which he nicknamed as “California Syndrome” which was a warning to
politicians and power professionals worldwide. Dr Theis added that the
price of power had increased manifold across the world after
trifurcation of the power sector into generation, transmission and
distribution companies. Various other members of the delegation, including Dr Rajinder Singh Dev, who is an Indian by birth, said that the German endeavour to train PSEB engineers aimed at generating power at a minimum cost and reducing fuel consumption. He also suggested that German coal benefication technology may be used by PSEB to reduce ash content, as this technology was much cheaper than the present methods prevalent in India. Earlier, while addressing the Heads of Department of PSEB, Dr Theis said that the process of providing free training for PSEB engineers had been launched last year, when seven engineers were selected for training in Germany. This process would continue and every year, six to seven PSEB engineers under 35 years of age and having 5 years of experience, would be trained in Thermal Plants at Germany. He said that the process of bilateral co-operation would be extended and in near future senior engineers in the ranks of Superintending Engineers and Chief Engineers of PSEB would also be exposed to short term training programmes in Germany. Mr Suresh Gupta, Member, Generation and Mr G.S. Sohal, Chairman, PSEB, while welcoming the German delegation, elaborated the various activities of PSEB and said that Indo-German co-operation would go a long way to improve the efficiency of thermal plants in Punjab. The
German delegation visited PSEB headquarters in the city, the Ropar
Thermal Plant, Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project and Bhakra Nangal Project.
They were accompanied by Chairman, PSEB, Chairman, BBMB, Member/
Generation, PSEB and Chief Engineer (HRD), PSEB to these places. Plea to hike
allocation Bathinda, March 3 Dr Romana said the total plan allocation to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had been stepped up from Rs 4,920 to Rs 5,780 crores while the Department of Indian Systems of Medicines got Rs 165 crore only. |
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SGPC plea to Sikh pilgrims Amritsar, March 3 |
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Sepoy cremated with honours Tarn Taran, March 3 Sepoy Manjit Singh came under snow while he was on duty. He died on the spot. The body was cremated with state honours. Dr Gurinderpal Singh Sahota, SDM, Mr Harinder Jit Sngh, DSP, and Mr Lakhbir Singh Hony, Captain, District Sainik Welfare Board, among others, attended the cremation. |
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Handloom project for women Bathinda, March 3 He said that under the project, handloom would be set up in 57 villages of the district where the women could earn upto Rs 2,000 per month. |
Good cotton yield
expected Mansa, March 3 The prices of cotton and ‘Narma’ are better this year as compared to last year. In the markets of Punjab, cotton is being sold at the rate of Rs 1,300 per quintal to Rs 1,500 per quintal, while Narma fetches Rs 2100 per quintal to Rs 2300 per quintal. Last year, Narma was sold at Rs 1850 per quintal to Rs 1900 per quintal and cotton between Rs 900 per quintal and Rs 1050 per quintal. Punjab, known to one of the biggest producers of cotton in Asia, had produced seven lakh bales of cotton last year. In the entire north region, the production of cotton and Narma this year is expected to be 32 lakh bales. Last year, Rajasthan alone had produced 10 lakh bales, but this year not even eight lakh bales are expected there. Haryana is also expected to record a downfall as for as the yield of cotton is concerned. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is reported to have purchased 50,000 bales of cotton and Markfed 40,000 bales of cotton in the markets of Punjab. As a result, the 400 cotton-processing factories that were closed during the previous cotton seasons following bad crops are expected to reopen this year. The 1992-93 year is stated to be the golden year in the history of cotton production in Punjab as during that year, nearly 23.50 lakh bales were produced from seven lakh hectares in the state — an yield of 5.70 quintals per hectares. The yield in the following years, came down to a mere 18 kg per hectare and a total of 5.95 lakh bales. The land under cultivation of cotton also gradually came down to a mere 5.62 lakh hectares. Importing cotton from Pakistan subsequently virtually crashed the rates of cotton. At one time, the prices reportedly went even below the rates fixed by the government for procurement. However, the trend has now changed. |
Identify encroached areas, directs DC Bathinda, March 3 In a press note issued here yesterday, the Deputy Commissioner said Mr Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Additional Deputy Commissioner, had been asked to collect the necessary information. |
Four hurt in attack in court
complex Barnala, March 3 Dalip Singh, who sustained serious head injuries and neck injuries, was referred to DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, while Beant Singh, Rajinderpal Singh and Gurnam Singh were under treatment in local Civil Hospital. The situation could have turned ugly but two policemen on duty came to the rescue of the victims. According to reports, the reason behind the clash between two groups is an eight-year-old rivalry due to a case under Section 307, IPC against victims
Dalip, Beant and Rajinderpal who are related to accused Harkanwal, Jagraj and Gurpreet allegedly involved in Kiranjit Kaur gangrape and a consequent assassination case in the state versus Jagraj Singh case in August, 1997 under police station Mehal Kalan under Sections 302, 366, 376, 148 and 201
IPC. Dalip, Beant and Rajinderpal had come to hear the case of their relatives in the court complex today. They were coming out of court room when they were attacked with swords. The case which was to come up for arguments today could not proceed further because the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed proceedings in this case following a petition by the Kiranjit Rape-Murder Action Committee in the High Court. The High Court will take up this petition on March 8 again. The injured Beant and Rajinder while talking to the Tribune alleged that attack was at the instance of Kiranjit Action Committee. According to sources, the Barnala police today registered a case against seven accused persons including Sukhwinder Singh, Labh Singh, Avtar Singh and Bakhtaur Singh under Sections 307, 120-B, 148, 149,
IPC, on Beant Singh’s statement. The accused included some Action Committee members. |
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Petrol station employee looted Amritsar, March 3 A case has been registered under Section 382 of the IPC and Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act. |
3,400 ETT teachers without
jobs Faridkot, March 3 According to reports the Central Government formulated a comprehensive plan to improve elementary education in Punjab. To make the scheme effective the Union Government had directed the state government to open District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in four district headquarters and assured that all expenses would be incurred by it (Union Government). Each institution was asked to impart training to 100 candidates. Later, the scheme was implemented in all 17 district headquarters in the state. The Central Government also made it mandatory for the state government to give priority to ETT teachers in the recruitment for government jobs. However, the state government had failed virtually in this. It is further learnt that in spite of all facts, the seats in all DIETs have been increased from 1,700 to 2,250 from the next academic session. The Union Government spends about Rs 5 crore on each institute every year.
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Minister gives away prizes Sangrur, March 3 Ms Nisha Sarad, Principal of the college, read the annual report highlighting the achievements of the college in different fields. Master Mohan Lal exhorted the students to devote time to studies. He also appealed to the teachers to widen their knowledge, not only in their specific subject but also in other fields. The minister also inaugurated a computer centre in the college. |
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Varsity caused college loss:
MD Mansa, March 3 Mr Harika also alleged that since the college could not admit the students to BDS, its image had been tarnished. Talking to this correspondent here, Mr Harika said that following the required permission from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, last year, the Dental Council of India (DCI) had written a letter in November 2000 to the Registrar of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, that the Nangal Kalan College be allowed to admit 60 students for the session 2000-2001. He stated that the Secretary of the DCI, Mr A.L. Miglani, had written to Baba Farid University in response to a letter of the university seeking clarification in the matter. |
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