R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
SUJAN SINGH AWARD: Prof Atarjit Suri will be awarded the Sujan Singh Award for 2001 on Sunday at a function to be presided over by Mr Kirpal Singh, president of the Chief Khalsa Diwan.

GUJARAT RELIEF: Dr Ajaib Singh Sandhu, the newly appointed Civil Surgeon, presented a cheque for Rs 4,45,000 towards the Gujarat Relief Fund on behalf of the Health Department to Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Health Minister.

SOHAN SINGH SITAL: A portrait of the late Giani Sohan Singh Sital, a historian and writer, will be inaugurated at the Sikh Heritage Museum on Saturday by the SGPC chief, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi.

BATHINDA
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the PWD Field and Workshop Workers Union (Sewerage Board branch): president — Mr Kishore Chand; senior vice-president — Mr Amar Singh; vice-presidents — Mr Tarsem Lal and Mr Nachhatar Singh; general secretary — Mr Bharat Bhushan Maur; joint secretaries — Mr Ganga Dutt Pandey and press Mr Sukhchain Singh; treasurer — Mr Ashok Kumar Pagotra; and press secretary — Mr Jaspal Singh.

ELECTED: Mr Kishan Singh has been elected member of the managing committee of the Bharat Pensioners Samaj, New Delhi. This was stated in a press note issued here on Tuesday by the Punjab Government Pensioners Association.

APPOINTED: Mr Prem Bhatia has been appointed member of the senate of Gurukula Kangri Vishvidyalaya, Hardwar (Uttar Pradesh). This was stated in a notification issued by the Registrar of the institution.

SCRIBES’ UNION: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Journalists’ Union, Abohar: patron — Mr Mathra Dass; president — Mr Kanti Bhardwaj; senior vice-president — Mr Om Parkash Kaushik; vice-president — Mr Rajesh Sachdeva; general secretary — Mr Narender Jagga; secretary — Mr K.P. Sony; and treasurer — Mr Chand Sony.

BAN ORDER: The District Magistrate, Mr Jaspal Singh, has imposed a ban on the carrying of firearms, explosives and other inflammable materials within the municipal limits of Bathinda on Wednesday. The ban will not be applicable to police and Army personnel. The step has been taken to prevent any untoward incident in the city on the day the auction for liquor vends is to be held.

VIKAS PARISHAD: The following has been elected office-bearers of the Bharat Vikas Parishad: patron — Prof Ashok Gupta; president — Mr Vinod Goyal; vice-presidents — Mr Rakesh Watts and Mr Lovekesh Sharma; secretary — Mr Lalit Sachdev; and joint secretaries — Mr Rakesh Garg and Mrs Aruna Arora.

HOSHIARPUR
POISONING: Harpreet Singh of Bajwa village died of poisoning at the local Civil Hospital, Dasuya, on Sunday. According to police sources, he was spraying insecticide in a field when he accidentally inhaled it.

LIQUOR SEIZED: The Mukerian police arrested Tarsem Lal of Bhatha colony, Mukerian, under Section 61/1/14 of the Excise Act on Sunday and seized 4.5 litres of illicit liquor from his possession. In a separate case, the Tanda police seized 6.18 litres of illicit liquor from Sukhdev Singh of Miani on Sunday. He was also arrested under the Excise Act.

JAGRAON
CASE REGISTERED: Gurvinder Singh of Abbupura village, attempted to sodomise 12-year-old Lakhminder Singh of the same village. A case under Sections 377, 511 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against the accused at Sidhwan police station. 

KHANNA
PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS: Khanna police claimed to have arrested two proclaimed offenders involved in cheating with the Punjab Financial Corporation here on Tuesday. According to the SSP Khanna Mr R.N. Dhoke, a complaint was filed by the Deputy General Manager, PFC, Chandigarh that Tara Singh and Baljit Singh had taken a loan of Rs 4,03,000. They mortgaged their machinery and a shop against this loan but these persons sold the said shop and machinery and the loan was not returned. A case was registered by the police against them and both were still at large. Both were arrested under Section 420 of the IPC. In another case the Khanna police has arrested one person recovered a .315 pistol from his possession. A case under the Arms Act has been registered against him. 

LUDHIANA
CONVENTION: The Bhartiya Kisan Union will start its two-day national convention at Alamgir near here on Wednesday to chalk out its next agitation plan to press the government for fixing minimum support prices for kharif and rabi crops in proportion to the general price index. Other demands about which the union is equally serious are deletion of anti-farmer clauses from the WTO agreement, writing off loans of farmers and disbursement of direct subsidies to farmers on the current pattern in America and other western countries. Mr Manjit Singh Kadian, Secretary General, Punjab unit of the union, said there on Tuesday that apart from the BKU national chief, Mr Mohinder Singh Tikait, a number of other leaders and economists would also address the farmers during the convention. The next agitation plan of the union would be announced on March 22.

MEDICAL CAMP: Over 286 patients were provided with medicines during the 23rd free medical camp organised by Atri Times Eye Research Foundation here on Monday. According to a press statement 38 patients suffering with various eye diseases would be operated soon with the help of research foundation. Ms Shobha Ahuja, chief guest, appreciated the efforts made by Mr Atri and the foundation for bringing awareness by organising such camps. The patients were examined by Dr Baljit Singh Hora, Dr Vikesh, Dr Harpreet Kaur and Dr Bhupinder Singh Gill. Over 43 persons pledged to donate their eyes during the camp. 

CASES: Three separate cases under various Sections of the IPC have been registered at the Sadar police station against three suspected members of the BTF ( Bhinderawale Tiger Force), who were arrested by a police party from Kheri village near here yesterday. The police registered a case under Sections 399 and 402 of the IPC against Jang Singh, Balwinder Singh alias Bunty, and Ranjit Singh alias Jhanda, for planning a dacoity in the city. The second case was registered vide FIR number 92 under Sections 25,54 and 59 of the Arms Act against Jang Singh for possessing a 306 bore spring field rifle alongwith two live 306 bore cartridges. The third case was also registered under the Arms Act against Ranjit Singh alias Jhanda for possessing a double barrel 12 bore rifle alongwith 12 live cartridges. 

REHABILITATION CENTRE: Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre has invited applications from the sponsored candidates for admission in the national bridge Training Course recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India. The Director, VRTC, Ludhiana, in a press statement said that applications were invited from the candidates already working in the governmental or non-governmental organisations as craftsmen, vocational instructor for admission in National Bridge training course for craft/vocational instructors. He said that applicants should be of 18 years with working experience in a disability area.

ANIMALS: The district unit of the Youth Congress (I) has decided to come out against cruelties to animals in the city. According to Mr Parminder Mehta, president, the party would be approaching the Deputy Commissioner very soon to press upon the administration the dire need to check excessive loading of mule and horse driven carts. He said the party would ensure that existing laws to prevent cruelty to animals are implemented in the city. He also appealed to the youth to come forward for the noble cause. Meanwhile, People for Animals (PFA) has also started a campaign against overloading of bulock carts. The maximum recommended weight by the animal welfare board of India is 750 kg. 

DE-ADDICTION CAMP: A drug de-addiction camp was held here on Tuesday under the guidance of Dr Rajinder Kaur, Civil Surgeon at Borstal Jail, on Tuesday. Talking on the occasion, Ms Santosh Bhatia said that different forms of drugs like liquor, opium, canibus, poppy husk, zarda and injections were detrimental for the physical, mental health of the people. Moreover, the use of such drugs caused financial crises for the people. She said that the drug addicts should go to drug rehabilitation centres for proper de-addiction. 

TELEPHONES: The telephone numbers falling under Mata Rani Exchange were once again out of order for more than two hours. Most of the telephones remained ‘dead’ while others gave engaged tones and the delayed dial tones. It may be mentioned here that the telephone lines under this exchange often get disrupted. The subscribers have regularly been complaining to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials regarding the disrupted telephone lines and fault in the Mata Rani Exchange but there was hardly any satisfactory reply from the officials. The residents, shopkeepers, traders and employees said that the disrupted telephones had affected their normal workings.

TURTLES RESCUED: Four turtles were rescued from a fish seller near the local Sabzi Mandi by members of the PFA here on Tuesday. On getting information that turtles were being sold at Rs 80 per kg in the fish market, one of the PFA members approached the sellers. But when the dealer managed to bring four turtles, he started demanding Rs 200 per kg as he thought the turtles were wanted for their medicinal value. The seller got suspicious and fled the scene leaving behind the turtles. One of the four turtles was found to be dead. The other three have been kept at the Jeev Daya Sadan from where they will be shifted to their natural habitat. The PFA members were aided by the Wild Life Inspector, Mr Varinder Pal Singh Chawla, in the rescue mission. It may be mentioned here that keeping or killing a turtle is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. 

TEHELKA: Mr Balwant Rai, district secretary, BJP, and Mr Lovely Pal Disawar, general secretary, Anusoochit Jati Morcha, termed the tehlka.com exposure a part of the Congress (I) ploy aimed at breaking the NDA government, here on Tuesday. In a joint press statement, both the leaders said Mr Bangaru Laxman was being dragged into the matter just because he is a Dalit. All political parties receive party funds. Mr Laxman’s action did not prove that he had mediated in any defence deal. The leaders further stated that when the NDA government wanted to hold a judicial probe into the alleged deals apart from holding an open debate in the Parliament. There was no logic in the Congress (I) demand of forming a new government immediately. The whole affair smacked of a conspiracy against the NDA government, added the leaders. 

MALERKOTLA
POPPY HUSK SEIZED: The local police has arrested Manjoor Khan of Dalelgarh village and seized 105 kg of poppy husk from his possession. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against him, according to the DSP, Mr Kulchinder Singh.

HOMOEOPATHIC CAMP: A free homoeopathic camp was organised by the local Brahman Sabha at Hanuman Mandir here on Monday. As many as 582 patients were examined at the camp. Medicines were distributed free of cost to the patients.

LOK ADALAT: As many as 403 bank loan cases were settled at a special lok adalat held here. This was stated by Mr R.M. Gupta, District and Sessions Judge, at the local courts complex on Tuesday.

MANDI GOBINDGARH
STEEL POLICY: The Union Government is formulating a steel policy for the next 10 years wherein efforts will be made to recover the ailing condition of Indian steel industry. The government, through joint plant committee, has prepared a detailed paper on the NSP which will be discussed at length during next meeting of the Draft Committee constituted by the Government of India on March 26 at New Delhi. This was stated by Mr Anil Suraj, a member of the committee.

MOGA
APPROVED: Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal on Monday approved Rs 3 lakh for the cementing of drains and the repair of the government school building at Channuwala village under the Baghapurana police station in the district. He was addressing a meeting in the village.

RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among unemployed youths of the region over the shifting of the office of the district Employment Exchange from the premises of the Moga tehsil to a place about 4 km from here. They have demanded that the office of the exchange be set up near the town so that they should not be inconvenienced.

HELD FOR GAMBLING: The Baghapurana police in the district has arrested six persons of the town under the Gambling Act and seized currency notes and articles used in the illegal practice from them. According to reports, a police party headed by the DSP, Mr Lashkar Singh, raided the premises of the suspects and took them into custody.

KILLED: Gurmeet Singh of Baghapurana town in the district died on Monday after he was hit by a vehicle while crossing a road near his village. The body has been sent for a post mortem examination.

SAHNEWAL
CHEQUES DISTRIBUTED: Eleven cheques, each worth Rs 5,100 were distributed by Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Senior Youth Akali Dal Leader and the Director of Markfed. The cheques, that fall under the Shagun scheme of the government, were given at Nandpur village, on the occasion of the Akhand Path organised for the general welfare. Mr Gurmail Singh Sangowal, member SGPC, Mr Jagdev Singh Tajpuri, former Minister, Mr Tejinder Singh Sahnewal, Mr Shamsher Singh Kaile, President Nagar Panchayat, and all the councillors were present on the occasion. 

EYE CAMP: A free eye camp is going to be organised by Gurdwara Swami Bhola Ram Lok Sewa Trust on Dehlon road in Sahnewal on March 22. Check-up would be undertaken by Dr J.M. Singh, in charge, Eye Mobile, Ludhiana, and his team of doctors.

SAMRALA
CHOWKIDARS' PROTEST: In a meeting of the village chaukidars held here on Tuesday in the local civil rest house under the presidentship of the tehsil president, Mr Gian Singh, it was decided to hold a protest rally in Samrala if their salaries were not paid within 15 days. Talking to mediapersons Mr Gian Singh said that the chaukidars were not being paid their salaries for the past four months and it is very difficult for them to meet both ends meet in these hard days. 

SANGRUR
BRICK-KILN OWNERS: Resent-ment prevails among owners of about 2,500 brick-kilns in Punjab over the non-issuance of a notification with regard to their demands already accepted in December at a meeting held between representatives of the Punjab Brick-kiln Owners Association and the Punjab Chief Minister, besides the Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister. Mr Kewal Krishan Longowalia, district president of the association, said that despite giving an assurance to implement the decisions from January 1 this year, the government had done nothing in this direction.

SUNAM
EYE CAMP: The Lion Club, Moonak, organised an eye camp at Moonak, 30 km from here. This was stated by Mr Vipan Garg, spokesman of the club, in a press note issued here on Tuesday. He said a team of doctors led by Dr Sukhdeep Singh Boparai from Patiala examined 601 patients.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following were elected office-bearers of the Punjab Ayurvedic Medical Services Association, Sangrur, here on Tuesday: president — Dr Sham Lal Garg; vice-president — Dr Rajinder Singh; secretary — Dr Suresh Garg; and treasurer — Dr Ravi Kant.

ELECTED: The following were elected office-bearers of the Lion Club, Sunam, on Monday: president — Mr Ashok Verma; vice-president — Mr Karanveer Soni; secretary — Mr R.R. Goyal; and treasurer — Mr Rakesh Kumar.

MEETING HELD: A meeting of Rotary assistant governors of the Rotary International (District 3090) concluded here on Monday. The meeting was presided over by Mr Vijay Gupta, district governor. Twelve assistant governors from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan participated. Dr Harbans Pathak, secretary-general of Rotary International (District 3090) was among those who addressed the gathering.

TARN TARAN
HONOURED: Mrs Devinder Kaur Sandhu, Mayor of Honslow (UK) was honoured on Monday at a function organised by the local committee of the Chief Khalsa Diwan. The function was presided over by Mr Jatinder Kumar Sood, president of the local municipal council.

BANGLADESHI HELD: Saraj Mian, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested under the Indian Passport Act by the Khem Karan police on Sunday when he was trying to cross over to Pakistan.

HARYANA

IT LIMIT: The Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded that the income tax exemption limit should be raised up to Rs 85,000. “The Chamber is also demanding that the income tax deductions should be fully restored in view of the WTO agreement under which 1,429 items are to be allowed under OGL from April 1. In view of this situation, the future of exporters will be affected,” according to a press note. 

FARIDABAD
FUNCTION HELD: The annual prize distribution function of the local DAV Centenary College was held here on Monday. The vice-president of the DAV College Managing Committee, Justice R.N. Mittal, was the chief guest of the function. The Principal of the college, Mr P.P. Nanda, and the chairman, Mr S.L. Gumbar, were present at the occasion.

ARRESTED: Braham Singh of Prabhu Nagar Mandi was arrested here on Monday by the police while he was moving around an examination centre in the local Shambhu Dayal Modern School. According to a report, the police also seized a Kamanidar knife from his possession. A case has been registered against him. According to another report, the police arrested Rajinder Singh of Rattan Garh village for possessing seven bottles of country-made liquor on Monday. A case under the Excise Act has been registered against him.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

SHIMLA
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Travel Agents Association: president — Mr Deepak Sood; vice-president — Mr G.M. Wani; general secretary — Mr Anil Bhardwaj; joint secretary — Mr Raj Chauhan; and finance secretary — Mr C.M. Vyas.