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| Tuesday, March 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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Questions in assembly Chandigarh, March 5 Among the deposits, Rs 40 crore was given by Markfed. There were arguments on the interest payable. When Capt Kanwaljit Singh said that a committee under the Chief Secretary would decide, he was told by a member that it was the lender who decided the rate of interest and not the one who received it. The rate of interest demanded was 15 per cent and the state still owed Rs 3.94 crore. The Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, intervened to tell the Finance Minister to give a complete answer in the House to the satisfaction of the members. On the question of the Sunam-Budhlada road, raised by Mr Sukhwinder Singh and Mr Makhan Singh, the Minister said that the road was last repaired at a cost of Rs 33.88 lakh in 1995. The members drew attention to its bad condition and the Chief Minister had to intervene to say that a double road would be completed by June next. The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture has sanctioned Rs 70 crore for the proposed Pushpa Gujral Science City and only Rs 8 crore has been received so far. The state is not giving a matching amount but only providing developed 71 acres. This was stated by the Minister in reply to a question by Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Mr Inderjit Singh Zira. As many as 69 IAS officers have been abroad from April, 1997, till date. A detailed reply was laid on the table of the House indicating how many times an officer went where, for how long and why.The in formation was as per the records available or information given by the officers themselves. The question was put by Mrs Lakshmi Kanta Chawla of the BJP. On record there are 128 AIDS cases and 2,835 cumulative HIV sero-reactive cases in Punjab, said the Health Minister to a question by Mr Arshi. A total of 167 persons were electrocuted in the state from 1997 till date and compensation of Rs 35,93,973 had been paid in respect of 30 cases, according to the Minister in charge. The question was raised by Mr Arshi. |
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Uproar in Punjab
House Chandigarh, March 5 After an adjournment for 10 minutes and unable to convince the Opposition MLAs to leave the well of the House and return to their seats, the Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh, adjourned the House until Wednesday afternoon. Shouting slogans against the Punjab Government and protesting against the Speaker, all Congress MLAs supported by the four rebel Akali legislators — Mr Inderjit Singh
Zira, Mr Hira Singh Gabria, Mr Baldev Singh Khiala and Mr Jagtar Singh Rajla — walked into the well of the House and stalled further proceedings. They were joined by all other members of the Opposition, including the CPI and the BSP. Because of the uproar in the House, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, failed to initiate discussion on the Governor’s Address. Even the calling attention motions listed for the day were lost in the din raised by the Opposition. After the Speaker failed to pacify and convince them to return to their seats so that the Motion to Thanks to the Governor for his address could be taken up, he adjourned the House for 10 minutes. The protesting MLAs, however, continued to squat in the well and when the House reassembled, they started shouting slogans again. It all started when Mr Ramesh Chander Dogra (Congress) wanted that his adjournment motion on discrimination against Opposition legislators should be taken up. The Speaker ruled that the adjournment motion had already been turned down. The Congress legislators, however, did not allow the proceedings to continue, alleging that they were not only ignored for release of development funds but were also not included in the District Planning Boards. Joined by the leader of the Congress Legislative Party, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh , and Mr Avtar Singh Brar, the government came under severe attack from all other Opposition MLAs, including Mr Hardev Singh Arshi (CPI), Mr Ajaib Singh
Raunta, Mr Shanghara Ram Shangura and Mr Avtar Henry before Mr Inderjit Singh
Zira, Mr Baldev Singh Khiala and Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal joined the debate, making a scathing attack on the ruling alliance. They all had one grouse in common that even when development funds were being released for the constituencies of the Opposition MLAs, they were neither associated in the planning nor were called for the “sangat darshan” programmes of the Chief Minister. |
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Army men assault Sikh
couple Amritsar, March 5 The trouble started when the Army men reached the railway station to see off their colleagues after a farewell party. A Sikh couple and their 20-year-old son tried to occupy the seats already reserved for them. The Army men, who were reportedly under the influence of liquor, did not allow them to board the train. When an SGPC employee, Mr Kuldip Singh, who looks after the free bus service between the railway station and Darbar Sahib, tried to intervene, he too was roughed up. Mr Kuldip Singh, a ‘dharmi
fauji’ (the term used for Army deserters who left their barracks after Operation Bluestar) alleged that when the railway staff and other people gathered at the site of the incident, the Army men fled the scene. Another eyewitness, Mr Kuldipak Singh, alleged Army men often created a scene at the railway station whenever they went there to see off their colleagues or superiors. The Station Superintendent, Mr Daulat Ram, confirmed that the Army men had beat up the Sikh couple. He, however, said senior Army officials had tendered an ‘unconditional’ apology for the unsavoury incident and assured the railway authorities that such incidents would not recur. Mr Gurbachan Singh, Information Officer, SGPC said he would write to the Chief of the Army Staff and Commanding Officer of the regiment. The Sikh couple, who belongs to Majitha Road, Amritsar, could not file an FIR against the Army personnel as they had to board a flight from New Delhi the following day. |
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Row over space for Ambedkar’s
statue Patiala, March 5 Earlier, a Paritma Sthapana Committee had demanded that the statue be installed in an open space in front of the bus stand by March 14, threatening that if this was not done the Dalits would take the matter in their own hands. Today, the statue installation committee demanded that the statue of the later leader be installed in the Rose Garden by March 15, failing which the committee would launch an agitation. With divergent demands being raised by two Dalit organisations, the matter is likely to get further entangled. At heart is the issue as to where the statue should come up. The Paritma Sthapana Committee claims the Chief Minister is likely to attend a function on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar in the city on April 14. The committee has constructed a nine-feet statue of the late leader, which is presently being kept at a private residence. The committee has threatened to install the statue at the spot earmarked on March 14. The Paritma Sthapana Committee has rejected the proposal to install the statue at the Rose Garden, saying the space in front of the bus stand is most appropriate as thousands visit it. Meanwhile, the municipal corporation authorities have asked the Paritma Sthapana Committee to get the statue made by it passed by an official technical committee before it can be installed in the city. This has been reportedly done by the corporation to ensure that there are no objections to the physical characteristics depicted in the statue once it is installed.
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Former Improvement Trust chief
booked Ludhiana, March 5 According to the FIR lodged on the complaint of Mr M.M.Vyas, Chairman of the Improvement Trust, a comprehensive inquiry into the shady dealings was conducted in 1997 by Mr D.P.Reddy, the then Director of Local Government, Punjab, which prima facie established that the then Chairman, Mr Aggarwal, and Mr Garg, along with many others had connived with managements of half a dozen cooperative house building societies, who were allotted plots either out of land belonging to other cooperative societies or owned by the trust. The inquiry report of Mr Reddy, which forms part of the FIR, has concluded cooperative societies, namely Shahid Bhagat Singh Cooperative House Building Society, Mohan Cooperative House Building Society, Shakti Cooperative House Building Society, Oil Expellers Cooperative House Building Society and Central Bank Cooperative House Building Society owned land which was acquired in 1974 and 1977 by the trust for development of the scheme known as Model Town Extension in the city. Since the land owned by these societies formed part of the total land acquired for the new scheme, on a representation made by them the state government exempted the said land in 1981-82 on certain conditions that general layout will form part of the overall scheme, development charges will be paid by societies to the trust and the development work will be carried out by the trust and that the societies will leave the stipulated land for common facilities like roads and parks. During the intervening period from when the land was acquired by the government and exemption was granted a large part of the land belonging to these societies came under encroachment and the societies were putting pressure on the trust to allot alternative plots to them in lieu of the land under encroachment which was shown by these societies as reserved for ‘special purposes’ and community services like schools etc. While the demand of the societies for allotment of alternative plots was legally untenable and the trust was under no obligation to do so, the process of allotment of plots to these societies from land owned by the trust or that belonging to other societies suddenly gained momentum in 1990 when Mr Aggarwal took over as Chairman. Not only did the then officials allot plots to these cooperative house building societies in an illegal manner no sale value was recovered. Also, no agreements were executed and the allotment letters were issued only on token payment of 25 per cent of development charges and Rs 5 per square yard as transfer fee. The report further pointed out that out of the plots allotted to these societies by the then officials there were instances of allotments in the name or non-existing persons, which was a pointer to the possibility that the accused officials could themselves be the beneficiaries. That the then trust officials did not even once make attempts to get the layout of the scheme revised and further obliged the societies by showing land under encroachment as reserved for special or community purposes was a clear pointer that certain other officers in the Town Planning and Engineering Department of the trust were also a part of the conspiracy. It is worthwhile to mention that the state government had earlier initiated inquiries by the Vigilance Department against Mr Aggarwal and a large number of allotment of plots made during his tenure to local displaced persons in many schemes of the trust were subsequently cancelled. |
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No move to dismantle FCI:
Dhindsa Sunam (Sangrur), March 5 Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, said at the PWD Rest House here today that such a project was possible as the Chief Ministers of all three states had cordial relations and were part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He said many hydel power projects could be installed in Himachal Pradesh to meet the power shortage in these states. Mr Dhindsa in reply to a question, said the Prime Minister had assured the Punjab Chief Minister and other leaders that the Union Government would not hesitate in extending assistance if the three states Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh agreed to instal power project(s) jointly anywhere in these states. Mr Dhindsa clarified that the power from the Thein Dam to the neighbouring states would be given as per the agreement earlier. Mr Dhindsa made it clear that despite a call by the Centre to withdraw free power facility to the farmers, the facility would continue in Punjab. The Union Minister ruled out dismantling of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). However, he said the state agencies would now procure more foodgrain. Regarding the SAD-SHSAD unification, Mr Dhindsa, who is also Secretary-General of the SAD, said: “We will not run after Mr Tohra for unity, if Mr Tohra does not want it”. Mr Dhindsa also said that SAD leaders only wanted to honour the sentiments of the people who wanted Akali unity as the SAD did not need any help from the SHSAD for political survival. Mr Dhindsa claimed the demand of the SHSAD that Mr Badal should appear at Akal Takht for violating a ‘hukamnama’ was ridiculous as Mr Badal had done no wrong. When his attention was drawn to the closure of work at the local railway over-bridge, Mr Dhindsa said the work would soon be resumed with the availability of funds. A deputation of the local Shri Neelkantheshwar Ram Mandir Sitasar Committee led by Mr Prem Sharma, president of the committee, met the Union Minister, in connection with the commencement of ‘kar sava’ of the ancient Sitasar Sarovar. 5 FCI officials placed under
suspension Kapurthala, March 5 According to FCI officials, these officers have been placed under suspension following a report submitted by officials of the vigilance wing of the Corporation. A five-member team of vigilance wing of the Corporation from Delhi is camping here and probing the paddy scam. Those placed under suspension are the District Manager, Mr K.K.
Sardana, Mr Manjit Singh, Mr Sukhdev Singh, Mr Avtar Singh and Mr Om Parkash. The investigation was ordered by the Managing Director of the Corporation. The officials of Dhilwan godowns of the FCI allegedly sent poor quality of rice weighing 830 metric tonnes in connivance with millers in place of better quality of rice lying in the godowns in the consignment of 2,370 metric tonnes to New Coochbehar in West Bengal on January 26. The scam was unearthed following reports in press that 830 metric tonnes of rice was found lying in the godowns at
Dhilwan. The District Manager was reportedly placed under suspension for not taking prompt action.
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Wheat meets ‘international requirements’ Chandigarh, March 5 Questions have been raised in the recent past with regard to the quality of the wheat produced in this region. It has been stated that the wheat is of poor quality and not fit for export to Western countries and other parts of the world. Rejecting such “presumptions”, food technologists at Punjab Agricultural University told The Tribune that various varieties of wheat grown in Punjab “are much superior to soft wheat varieties of Canada and the USA and have a quality comparable to that of the hard red spring wheat produced in these countries”. Dr K.S. Sekhon, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, PAU, who is himself a food technologist of repute, said :”It is all due to the gross lack of scientific knowledge that vested interests are raising questions pertaining to the quality of Punjab wheat varieties” Removing the misconception in this regard, he said that “the wheat grown in Punjab does meet international requirements.” Dr Sekhon has worked in the Canadian Grain Commission for a substantial period and has extensive knowledge about the characteristics and properties of the wheat varieties produced in Canada and the USA. Punjab, with an output of 15 million tonnes of wheat, tops in the country in its average production of 4.1 tonnes per hectare, which is double the national average of 2.1 tonnes per hectare. The productivity level of districts like Ludhiana is as high as 4.6 tonnes per hectare, which is almost comparable to that of wheat-producing countries like China, Canada, Argentina, Malaysia and Vietnam. Varieties best suited for manufacturing bread have a high demand in the world market as 95 per cent of the wheat is consumed in the form of various types of bread. Dr Sekhon said the most suitable wheat varieties for “slab” bread were hard red ones grown in the spring season. These had a protein content of 12.5 to 13.5 per cent. The next best were hard red wheat varieties grown during the winter with an average protein content of 11.6 per cent . Both the spring and winter wheat varieties were grown in large quantities in Canada and the USA. Besides, there were wheat varieties known as soft white spring wheat, soft white winter wheat, extra strong red spring wheat, etc. The red and white refer to the colour of the outer layers of grain and both types were used to prepare different products. For classification purposes, wheat was graded on the basis of the weight of grain, protein, moisture and foreign matter. It was significant to mention that Americans preferred “slab” bread whereas people in the Middle East and other parts of the world liked “flat” bread. Wheat varieties grown in Punjab possessed the best basic colour. These had amber hard bold grains, produced medium strong flour, had medium protein content ranging from 11 to 12 per cent and a gluten content of ( 9-10 per cent). But as these ripened in a very high temperature (April), these had a relatively lower enzyme level. Enzyme activity was rendered inert by high temperature at the ripening stage of wheat grains, according to Mr Sekhon. Alcoholic acidity in Punjab wheat was very little due to low moisture content owing to hot and dry climactic conditions at the time of harvesting. Therefore, Punjab wheat varieties were of the general purpose type, best suited for the production of “flat” bread which was consumed in the Middle East, the erstwhile USSR states and African countries. Experiments conducted by food technologists had revealed that excellent Western-style “slab” bread could also be produced from these wheat varieties if the flour was supplemented with a little quantities of vital gluten and enzymes ( alpha amylase). Experts at PAU say that the real problem pertaining to the quality of Punjab wheat lies elsewhere. Its poor handling at the harvesting and marketing stages has led to a misconception with regard to its quality. At the marketing stage, only surface cleaning is done which is not sufficient to remove both organic and inorganic matter, weed seeds and other edible and non-edible foreign material. Procurement is made irrespective of the variety. As a result, all sorts of wheat get mixed. Dr Sekhon said by enforcing strict quality control right from harvesting to marketing, and by doing proper classification and grading in addition to the maintenance of varietal purity, Punjab wheat could be sold in any international market without any difficulty. |
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FMD resurfaces in Punjab? Ludhiana, March 5 This is a contagious disease which spreads among milch and other cattle. Informed sources said that though cases affected by this disease had been reported from some rural areas but officials concerned were keeping it a secret to avoid adverse publicity. A few years ago, this viral disease had spread in all parts of the state and the authorities concerned had faced a tough time in controlling it. Reports regarding the spread of this disease have also come from Pakistan especially Karachi. Live stock in England has been affected by this disease extensively in recent weeks creating a political crisis there. The authorities concerned there have banned the movement of all sorts of animals from one place to other. Even the entry of human beings at certain places has been restricted to prevent them from becoming couriers of these virus. Meanwhile, Professor and Head of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension College of Veterinary Sciences, Punjab Agricultural University, here said today that the vaccination of all animals to prevent the FMD should be ensured in Punjab. He advised all concerned to immediately get their animals vaccinated . He also urged for maintaining record of vaccination and get it repeated after a gap of six months. He also advised farmers and others not to feed sprouted, rotten and soiled potatoes to dairy animals. These could cause serious and fatal poisoning to the animals. Recently potato growers had abandoned their produce along the roadsides and most of the dairy farmers had lifted the stock to feed the milch cattle. Giving other tips he said that it was a best time to raise broiler chicks. Before putting the chicks in the poultry sheds, these should be cleansed and disinfected. He also urged not to store the compound feed for more than 15 days. He also advised for the regular de-worming of the calves. |
Badal, Manjit Singh ‘deserters’ Amritsar, March 5 Talking to the Press here today Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that all of them had ‘denigrated’ the institution of Akal Takht by not accepting the directives of the Jathedar. Bhai Ranjit Sigh alleged that Mr Hamdard had published excerpts of the book ‘Vanity Incarnation’ authored by Harinder Singh which used derogatory remarks against the family of Guru Gobind Singh. He said Prof Manjit Singh was summoned to Akal Takht for not submitting the accounts of the World Sikh Council and collecting money in the name of ‘Guru Asra Trust’.
Cong’s Hola Mohalla conference Chandigarh, March 5 All district units of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee have been instructed to mobilise maximum number of party workers for the Anandpur Sahib conference where Captain Amarinder Singh would preside and other senior leaders of the party would address. Meanwhile, the PPCC has suspended Mr Tara Singh Sandhu, a member of the Pradesh Congress Committee, from the primary membership of the party for his alleged anti-party activities. In a press note, Ms Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, general secretary of the PPCC, said that Mr Sandhu had been criticising the policies and programmes of the party and the PPCC President, Capt Amarinder Singh, in violation of the directives of the party high command. Mr Sandhu has been asked to explain reasons for his conduct by March 15 failing which he would be expelled from the party.
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Lok Bhalai
Party vows to fight for farmers Faridkot, March 5 It has promised to restore the glory of Punjabiat according to the teachings of Sikh Gurus, saints and pirs after coming to power in Punjab. The party also pledged to continue its struggle to fight for the cause of farmers, khet mazdoors and weaker sections to save them from the adverse economic effects of WTO and GATT treaties signed by the Central Government. Mr Gurtek Singh Sidhu, member of the central working body of the party told this reporter here today that the party would also work for the empowerment of women and removal of social evils. Emphasis would be laid on training students according to their job requirements, added Mr Sidhu. Their other plans include the setting up of more agro-based and small-scale industries, seeking the early completion of the Amritsar airport at international level, the inclusion of Chandigarh and the other Punjabi speaking areas in Punjab, settlement of the river water disputes, grant of second language status to Punjabi in neighbouring states and abolition of state’s population based quota for the recruitment in the Army. |
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Minister harassing panches:
MP Bathinda, March 5 Talking to the mediapersons here today, he said the minister had threatened sarpanches and panchayat members of some of villages to join his party failing which they would have to face dire consequences. He alleged that those resisting him were being targeted and harassed through the state machinery. He further alleged that villages whose panchayat members belonged to the Opposition parties were being neglected as far as development was concerned. No grants were being issued to these villages. He alleged that the minister had been issuing threats that members of panchayats who did not follow his dictates would be implicated in police cases. Mr Bhaura said the actions of the minister were undemocratic and should be condemned. He said an agitation would be launched against the alleged atrocities of the minister. Mr Bhaura said the MLAs and MPs belonging to the Opposition parties were not being allowed to distribute cheques for various development projects in their respective constituencies. He demanded that social security pension certificates should be given to eligible persons by the officials concerned at the residences of the latter. He alleged that cases of pensioners at times remained pending for months in the offices of the department concerned. He said such pensioners should be intimated immediately whenever their applications were selected for pension. Mr Bhaura condemned the Union Budget proposals, saying these were “anti-poor, anti-farmer and anti-people”. He said all benefits had been given to the rich and persons below the poverty line totally ignored. He said the employees, too, were dissatisfied with the Budget. Mr Bhaura criticised the policy of selling of public sector undertakings
(PSUs) by the Central Government. He said the move would render thousands of educated persons unemployed. He said his party would launch an agitation against the “anti-poor” policies of the government. Speaking about the Railway Budget, he said it had been prepared keeping in mind the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal. He said there was no proposal for any new train for the people of Punjab. The Central Government had been giving a “step-motherly” treatment to the people of this state. Mr Bhaura criticised the policy of the Punjab Government of establishing administrative complexes at the districts level. He said the government should first bring about changes in the working of offices. Bringing all offices under one roof would not serve any purpose until the officials were made to work according to rules. |
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CM accused of
double standards Bathinda, March 5 He pointed out that Mr Badal had never taken any senior leader of his party with him whenever he met Mr Vajpayee in Delhi. He demanded that the Punjab Government should give Rs 23 lakh per acre as compensation to farmers whose land it had acquired. He said the “double standards” adopted by Mr Badal had harmed the state. |
Drug addicts get AIDS Barnala, March 5 On that day, he took a small amount of morphine from a local quack who had been runing a clinic in the village. Now, after seven years, he is suffering from
AIDS. Harcharan Singh came to know that he had contracted the dreaded disease when he went to a de-addiction centre at Bathinda about two days ago. He was told by the doctors who attended on him that his blood test had confirmed that he had been suffering from AIDS. He had been referred to a big hospital of Punjab. Talking to TNS, Harcharan Singh, bread-winner in his family of five, while revealing some startling facts said he was not the only one who had been taking morphine injections. He said at least 200 youths of the village had been taking morphine injections daily. He disclosed that morphine injections which were being supplied to them at their doorstep by some unscrupulous traders of the area were being injected into their veins by villagers themselves with the help of a quack. He said at least three persons, who had been taking injections of morphine, had died in the past three years. Bagga Singh, who had also been initiated into the world of drugs, had died when he (Bagga Singh) was just
35. Harcharan Singh, who is just 32 but looks very old and frail, said he had never heard of the disease he was suffering from. He added that he used to take 20 injections per day and with the passage of time, he had become so weak that he was now not able to take more than two injections. He said at least 10 persons used to share same needle to inject morphine in their veins to get a kick. He added that even the quack, who used to inject morphine into their veins, had also been taking the same. He added he was unable to remember the names of the other two persons who had died. He said he was not able to tell whether the three persons who had died in his village so far due to addiction were suffering from AIDS or not. Dr Mehboob Singh
Sran, Project Director, De-addiction Centre, when contacted said it was for the first time that drug addict suffering from AIDS had been received from this area. He added that earlier the centre had received drug addicts suffering from AIDS from three border districts, namely Amritsar, Gurdaspur and
Ferozepor. Harcharan Singh pointed out the problem of addiction was not confined to his village alone. He added a section of residents of Bhaini village had also been taking injections of intoxicants. He added the problem of drug addiction in his village would not be solved till the authorities concerned contained the activities of those who had been supplying these injections at their doorstep and had been minting money by playing havoc with the lives of hundreds of people.
Excavation restarts at Chhat
Bir Chhat Bir (Patiala), March 5 The department had found some structures, including three chambers of structures of the Mughal period, one deep well, with channels leading to two rooms, a few pottery articles and some other structures after excavating in the premises of Banda Bahadur Singh Gurdwara of the village. Finding of these structures had already established the sleepy village’s relationship with ancient civilisation of the Mughal period. This time the department has started excavation the opposite direction of the gurdwara on a hillock and found pottery of the Mughal period at the preliminary stage. The department has put over 30 persons for digging earth to yield some historical monuments and the ancient artifacts to know about the period of civilisation.
‘Spiral’ CT scan centre
inaugurated Jalandhar, March 5 Addressing the gathering at a function, he said though, at present, they were meeting the expenses of medical aid provided to retired officers and jawans from the internal military funds, but the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister had assured him during a meeting last year that special medical facilities would be provided to the retired armymen by changing the present policy. “We have demanded that retired military officers and jawans should get medicare at par with retired civil officials. A detailed proposal had been sent to the Defence Ministry for approval as per the assurance of the Prime Minister,” said Lieut-Gen Surjit Singh. To provide better treatment to its soldiers, the Army had decided to modernise all its command, zonal and other hospitals throughout the country and the setting up of a “spiral” CT scan centre at a cost of Rs 3.8 crore here was part of the scheme. Lieut-Gen Surjit Singh declared that to cater to the needs of outdoor patients, a “polyclinic” having all the modern facilities would soon be built at the military hospital. Apart from providing treatment to the patients, the doctors should have a human approach towards them and to create awareness among the doctors the Army had decided to organise a seminar on “patient care and human approach of doctors” in April at Chandimandir, he added. Lieut-Gen Kamal Dawar informed that “spiral” CT scan was more important than the conventional MRI technology in the armed forces since many splinter injuries caused by bullets and shells were a contra-indication to magnetic resonance and could easily be detected with CT scan. SGPC executive to meet on March
7 Amritsar, March 5 The two priests who may be appointed Granthis of the Golden Temple include Giani Jaswinder Singh, Head Granthi, Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, and Giani Jaswant Singh, Head Granthi, Gurdwara Pipli Sahib, Amritsar. However, both the priests will have to appear for religious tests before their installation as Granthis of the Golden Temple. However, the executive may postpone its decision for initiating any action against Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, who were facing an inquiry, due to the untimely death of Balbir Singh
Pannu, senior vice-president of the SGPC, who was heading the three-member inquiry panel. A new member of the inquiry panel has not yet been nominated in place of
Pannu. Meanwhile, Mr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, SGPC Secretary, who is due to retire on March 18, today claimed he had got extension. He has also been appointed Director of the Heritage Centre of Guru Nanak Dev University with the rank of a Professor. He said though he had yet to receive the formal orders for his extension as SGPC, secretary but Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal, president, and the SGPC chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, had told him he was not being replaced. He, however, parried a question whether he was joining as Director, Heritage Centre, or continue as SGPC, secretary.
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‘Pinki’ carries premium Amritsar, March 5 The note “pinki”, as it is fondly referred to, in business and banking circles, is available at Rs 8 per note in the metros. In smaller cities of Punjab like Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala, it is, however, available at a premium of Rs 16. The legal tender of Rs 500 that hit the market a few years ago, had commanded a premium of Rs 5. According to Mr V.K. Sharma, Assistant-general Manager, State Bank of India, Amritsar, an indent had been placed to the Reserve Bank of India for the release of Rs 1,000 legal tenders. However, the premium has not deterred businessmen from procuring them. Mr Sharma revealed that the notes were being used to stock black money. Hence, the chances of the note finding circulation in market circles as transaction money had been
minimised. |
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‘Amanat’s’ Nigorha
hopes to become star Ferozepore, March 5 In an interview with this reporter, Gosain said becoming a star was his dream and he was aware of the challenges ahead. “I know that I am a good actor and I don’t need to prove it.Becoming a mega star is the real challenge,” he confessed.
Gosain, who is married to a city girl, was here on a personal visit recently. Referring to the rat race among the newcomers, including the children of super stars, he said, “I am aware of the challenges ahead.” He lamented that the luck and virtue of association with big names was making it extremely difficult for strugglers like him to make a place for themselves in the film industry. Referring to the popularity of
“Nigorha”, a domestic servant, he admitted his reservations prior to accepting the role. “Unaware of the potential of the serial, I was initially reluctant to act as a servant thinking it would be a sundry job. However, my perception changed completely after Nigorha became a household name.” On being asked to disclose the role he finds closer to his heart, he reminds us of his performance as a terrorist in Gulzar’s “Maachis” — a film based on the Punjab crisis. |
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Gaushalas may face
financial crisis Bathinda, March 5 In a letter to the Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister, the general secretary of Shree
Gaushala, Mr Sadhu Ram Kusla, said the amendment made by the Ministry of Finance had created confusion among gaushala managements as these were being considered religious bodies by the income tax authorities. He clarified these types of institutions were being run by animal lovers and most of these were registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. These institutions were not getting regular financial aid from the state and the Central governments and the funds were being collected from public. He said these types of institutions might face financial problems if the exemption in tax was not given to the donors. |
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22 hurt in road accident Garhshankar, March 5 According to the information received here, a Tata 407 (PB-13-F-8004) was on its way to Anandpur Sahib from Amritsar. When it reached near Saila Khurd, its rear tyre got burst and the vehicle went out of the control and overturned. Thus 18 persons were injured, seven of them seriously. Those injured are Dalbir (Mehkhanpur), Iqbal Singh, Ajit Singh, Bachan Kaur, and Jarnail Singh (Basarbdpur). They were shifted to Amritsar hospital whereas Kulwant Singh (Tanauli) and Mangal Singh (Lehli Khurd) were shifted to Hoshiarpur hospital. |
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BSF jawan found dead Ferozepore, March 5 |
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2,000 persons baptised Amritsar, March 5 |
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10 train berths sought for Mansa Mansa, March 5 |
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Labourer killed Jalandhar, March 5 |
3-yr RI for
Inspector Mansa, March 5 The two sentences will run concurrently. The facts of the case were that Bharpur Singh, a son of Puran Singh of Gurne Khurd village, made a complaint that in April 1993, when Budh Singh was posted at Bhikhi police station in Mansa district, he (Budh Singh) along with four cops came to his house in a jeep and told him that he was harbouring extremist Ram Singh. On denial the police officer started beating him up and demanded Rs 1 lakh and threatened that in case the money was not paid to him, he would liquidate him and his family members. The complainant who had sold his wheat crop, paid Rs 24,000 to Budh Singh and again paid Rs 12,000 and Rs 35,000 in the presence of witnesses. On a complaint of Bharpur Singh a case was registered against Budh Singh under Section 7, 13 (2) of the Prevention and Corruption Act, 1988, at Bhikhi police station. After an inquiry the prosecution obtained an approval from the DIG, Faridkot, for launching prosecution against the accused. |
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Body found Bathinda, March 5 |
College teachers stage protest Chandigarh March 5 The protest was against the non-implementation of the pension-cum-gratuity scheme by the Punjab Government despite the constitutional provision granted by the Vidhan Sabha that had passed a Bill, moved by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to his effect on March 30, 1999. The union leaders, led by the president, Mr K.B. S. Sodhi, and the general secretary, Mr Charanjit Chawla, criticised the Punjab Education Department for its failure to honour the commitments made time and again by the Minister of Higher Education, Master Mohan Lal, that the scheme would be implemented. Despite his having written to the Principal Secretary, Higher Education, as well as to the Chief Minister, that he had held out a promise to the union leaders on their ( the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister) behalf on December 29 last that the scheme would be implemented within one month, nothing tangible had materialised. The leaders who raised this issue said the Minister felt embarrassed. The common refrain of the speeches made at the rally was that the bureaucracy had paid scant attention to the political executive. The rally, through a resolution, appealed the Chief Secretary, Mr N. K. Arora, to intervene. The union vice-president, Mr J. S. Randhawa, and the finance secretary, Mr M. P. Manocha, made out that there was no coordination in the government. The teachers raised anti-government slogans. The union executive that met after the rally empowered the president and the general secretary to take decisions on behalf of the executive on the next course of action, probably a march to the Vidhan Sabha buring the current Budget session. |
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Varsity building work not
begun even after 3 years Faridkot, March 5 Official sources say the authorities concerned had failed to prepare the site plans of the building though more than 150 acres had been acquired for it and Rs 6 crore paid to its owners as compensation. The agency engaged from Chandigarh to prepare the site plan has allegedly failed to deliver the goods despite the fact that it has been paid lakhs of rupees in advance against bank guarantee. Dr J.S. Gujral, Vice-Chancellor, said site plans were being prepared and the construction would be started immediately after Rs 5 crore which had been allocated for the same reached them. He added that Rs 1.5 crore had already been given to the university authorities by Punjab government. The university at present is functioning from a tourism complex owned by the Punjab Government and paying it thousands of rupees as rent every month. Dr Gujral said that earlier, there was a provision to increase the rent by 10 per cent every year but he had managed to bring it down to 5 per cent. He added that total cost of the project was more than Rs 50 crore and the university authorities would get the amount as and when needed. He admitted that there was a little delay in the preparation of the plan. According to information gathered by this correspondent, Rs 1.5 crore given to the university authorities was not enough to construct a boundary wall encircling the acquired piece of land. The foundation stone laid on October 6, 1997, is the only structure visible on the site. Dr Gujral, while reacting to the story appeared in The Tribune on February 27 under the title “Baba Farid varsity Registrar quits” said that Dr T. Jesupadam was appointed as OSD on an ad hoc basis for a six-month period. Dr Jasupadam was given the temporary charge of registrarship of the university. He added that Dr Jesupadam was never under pressure for any work and the university management had nothing to do with his resignation. He claimed that Punjab State Medical Teachers Association had clarified in black and white to him that no member of the association had issued any statement to the press in connection with the affairs of the university. He added that Dr P.S. Sandhu had been appointed Registrar of university for three years by the Punjab Government and that the university was functioning smoothly. Bank revises
interest rates Patiala, March 5 The bank has also revised the rates of interest on single deposit above Rs 15 lakh. The rate of interest for Rs 15 lakh to less than Rs 1 crore stands revised for 15 days and up to 45 days 6 per cent; for 46 days and up to 90 days 7 per cent; for 91 days and up to 179 days 7.25 per cent, for 180 days and up to less than one year 7.75 per cent; for one year and up to less than 2 years 9 per cent; for two years and up to less than three years 9.50 per cent; and three years and above it stands revised to 10.50 per cent. Similarly,
the rates for 15 days up to 45 days for Rs 1 crore and over stand
revised to 6.25 per cent pa; for 46 days and up to 90 days 7.25
percent pa; for 91 days and up to 179 days 7.50 per cent pa; for 180
days up to less than one year 8 per cent pa; for one year up to less
than two years 9.25 per cent pa; for two years up to less than three
years 9.75 per cent pa; and for three years and above, it will be
10.80 per cent. |
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