The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Monday, April 30, 2001,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

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

PUNJAB

AMLOH
CHEQUES DISTRIBUTED: A function was organised by Mr R.S.Jangu, sub Divisional Magistrate, Amloh, in Tehsil Complex here on Saturday. Mr Balwant Singh Shahpur, MLA, Amloh, who was the chief guest, distributed cheques worth Rs 10 lakh to 194 beneficiaries under the Shagan Scheme. While addressing the gathering Mr Shahpur counted the achievements of Akali-BJP combine in the state which included, old age pensions, shagan scheme, free electric supply to the farmers, and to raise the MSP of wheat contrary to the recommendations of the Commission of Agriculture and Costs (CACP).

ABOHAR
ARRESTED: The police has arrested Kala Singh of Dhaban on a charge of stealing motor cycles. An FIR was registered in this connection on October 13 last. The police said a motor cycle was recovered from Kala Singh.

BARNALA
COOLERS: Classrooms of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), Air Force Station, Barnala, with be provided with coolers during this summer. Group Capt Ranjan Bhattacharya, Station Commander and Chairman, KV Managing Committee, made this announcement while addressing faculty members, students and parents on the occasion of the annual prize distribution function of the school on Saturday. Group Captain Bhattacharya, who was the chief guest at this function, gave away the prizes.

FAZILKA
PHARMACISTS: A meeting of the Ferozepore district unit of the Punjab Pharmacists Association, presided over by Mr Harish Sachdeva, was held on Sunday. Representatives from all over the district participated in the meeting and expressed resentment over the alleged callous attitude of the Punjab Government towards their long-standing demands. Mr Ravinder Luthra, secretary of the district unit of the association, while addressing the meeting said pharmacists from all over the state would stage a protest rally in Amritsar on May 13 outside the residence of Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Health Minister, Punjab, in the first phase of their agitation.

GURDASPUR
PENSIONERS’ PLEA: The district unit of the Punjab Government Pensioners Association, in a fax message to the Chief Minister on Saturday, urged him to stop the recovery of the border area allowances from pensioners. They also sought the redressal of grievances of the pensioners by the Centre and the state government within a month.

HOSHIARPUR
ROAD MISHAP: Rajinder Pal of Khera village died on the spot when a Maruti car hit his scooter at Pathrala village on Friday. The car driver drove away from the spot. The Mahilpur police has registered a case.

REPAIR OF ROADS: The Punjab Government has chalked out a comprehensive programme for the repair of roads in the state. An amount of Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for the purpose of which Rs 10 crore has been given to Hoshiarpur district. This was disclosed by Mr Balbir Singh Miani, Minister of State for Higher Medical Education, Punjab, while addressing a gathering at Nangal Khunge after laying the foundation stone of a causeway on the Tanda Garhdiwala road on Friday.

GROUP CLASH: A clash between two rival groups took place at the district courts near the SSP office here on Saturday in which Surinder Pal, Paramvir Thakur, Sandip Sharma, Anu Bhardwaj and Hans Raj Hans were injured. Soda water bottles, knives and brickbats were used in the clash. The injured were admitted to the local civil hospital. A case has been registered against Hans Raj Hans, Anu Sharma, Vipan, alias Gabbar, and Hally under Sections 324 and 323 of the IPC. According to police sources, Surinder Pal was a witness against the aforesaid suspects in a case.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE: To exchange cultural activities through Nehru Yuva Kendras under a programme of the Union Home Ministry, a team of 31 students, including girls, from Arunachal Pradesh reached here on Saturday. A rousing welcome was accorded to the team at the outdoor stadium here. Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, said the team would stay here till May 5.

KHAMANO
SCHOOLS WITHOUT TEACHERS: As many as 92 posts out of 256 were lying vacant in primary schools falling in this block and nine schools were running without any teacher. This was disclosed by the BPEO, Mr Rameshwar Gautam, here on Sunday. He added that 10 school buildings has been repaired. Stipend and books were distributed among SC and BC children. The annual result of primary standard is 92.57 per cent he said.

LUDHIANA
MEETING HELD: A meeting of the Punjab Government Pensioners’ Association was held here on Sunday with Mr R.N. Sehgal in the chair. It expressed its deep gratitude to Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister, for announcing the benefit of old-age allowance to the pensioners at the age of 65 and 75 years instead of 70 and 80 years, respectively, at a state-level convention of the Punjab Government Pensioners held at Fatehgarh Sahib on April 25. It will benefit more than one lakh pensioners. The fourth Punjab Pay Commission had made this recommendation. In another resolution, the pensioners sought the release of DA installment due from January this year. The Central Government has already sanctioned this installment for its employees and pensioners.

JAGRAN: A Vishal Bhagwati Jagran was organised at Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple at B.R.S. Nagar on Saturday evening. In the morning, the idols of Lord Krishna and Gauri Shankar were adorned with silver crowns followed by a community langar. In the evening at a function arranged by the trust of the temple, members who had gone with a truck load of blankets and food to Gujarat in aid of earthquake victims were honoured by the chief guest, Mr Paramjit Singh Sandhu, DIG. The secretary of the trust revealed that a community hall for the benefit of the residents was under construction and will be functional within three months.

MACHHIWARA
WATER SUPPLY AFFECTED: Supply of drinking water to Usman Kalan, Bhaman Khurd, Rozool, Harian and Morewal village had been affected badly in the past many days. The reason of this is the leakage of underground supply pipes. The people have alleged that the leakage took place due to the poor quality of pipes. They have already complained to the DC, Ludhiana, in this regard and have sought a high-level probe into the matter.

DEMANDED: The residents of Tanda Kalia village have demanded from the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab, that the village pond, in which plenty of dirty water is accumulated and overflows into the streets, should be cleaned.

MANSA
WHEAT PROCUREMENT: Ms Raji P. Shrivastava, Deputy Commissioner, disclosed on Sunday that 2, 75, 796 tonnes of wheat had been procured by different procurement agencies in the district of which Markfed had procured 55, 177 tonnes, Punjab Warehouse 25,300 tonnes, Punsup 43,569 tonnes, Punjab Agro 29,335 tonnes, the Food and Civil Supplies Department 36,350 tonnes and the Food Corporation of India 86,126 tonnes. She said so far a payment of Rs 86.35 crore had been made to farmers against the wheat procurement.

MALERKOTLA
BLACK MARKET: Kerosene is being sold on the black market here. Kerosene meant for sale through the public distribution system is available in shops at varied prices. Residents, especially migrant laborers, are facing a great problem due to this, Mr Munish Jindal, president, Malerkotla Welfare Association, has demanded that steps be taken to check this practice.

HERITAGE SOCIETY: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Malerkotla Heritage Society: president — Mr Satnam Singh; vice-president — Mr Ghajanfar Ali Khan; general secretary — Prof Hyaat Khan; and press secretary — Mr Anwar Mehboob.

MOGA
MURDER: A BJP member of Bhai Rupa village under the Dyalpura Bhaika police station was murdered by some unidentified persons in the village, according to a report reaching here on Saturday. The police has registered a case.

CULTURAL PROGRAMME: A colourful programme — Punjab Cultural Extravaganza — was organised by the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council, Ludhiana, on the premises of Lala Lajpat Rai Institute of Engineering and Technology on Saturday night.

NAWANSHAHR
POPPY SEIZED: Mr Ishwar Singh, SSP, in a press note issued here on Saturday, said the police arrested Deshraj of Silkiana in Phillaur and Surinder Singh, alias Shinda of Mohalla Mufatpura, Banga, during nakas on the Garhshankar road, Banga, and Paddi Math Wali village, respectively, on Friday and seized 60 bags of poppy husk from them. A case has been registered.

BUFFALOES BURNT: Five buffaloes belonging to Sukhdev Singh of Mirzapur village, about 12 km from here, reportedly died of burns when the shed they were in caught fire allegedly due to sparking from overhead electric wires. An ox and three calves also received burn injuries. Mr Mohan Singh, sarpanch of the village, has demanded that the PSEB should pay compensation to the affected farmer.

2 ARRESTED: The Balachaur police has arrested Karnail Singh of Nanowal village and Harpal Singh of Bullewal village for allegedly cutting a tree and stealing wood from the Jogewal forest. The police had registered a case on a complaint of Mr Jaswant Rai, forest guard, Balachaur, Mr Ishwar Singh, SSP, said in a press note here on Saturday.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local Mair Rajput Karwal Gotra Jathere Mandir Commitee: president — Mr Baldev Krishan Karwal; senior vice-president — Dr Rajinder Karwal; vice-presidents — Mrs Asha Rani and Mr Ashok Kumar; general secretary — Mr Ashwani Karwal; and treasurer — Mr Pyare Singh Karwal.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Lions Club, Banga Mehak: president — Mr Hardeep Singh; secretary — Mr Rajesh Kumar; and treasurer — Mr Manoj Kumar.

PATHANKOT
INAUGURATED: Mr Sat Pal Saini, Minister for Information and Technology, Punjab, on Friday inaugurated a computerised office of the Market Committee, Pathankot. Mr Rakesh Sharma, chairman and Mr K.S. Gill, secretary of the committee, were present on the occasion.

ACQUITTED: Mr Naginderjit Singh, Additional Sessions Judge, Gurdaspur, on Friday acquitted Ajaz Mehmood of Quadian in Gurdaspur district in a case under Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act registered against him at the Quadian police station.

PATIALA
FOUNDATION DAY: Three per cent seats have been reserved to provide employment to blind and handicapped people by the Punjab Government even as nearly 250 persons have been employed by the government. This was stated by Mr Gobind Singh Kanjala, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, at the foundation day of the National Blind Struggle Committee here on Sunday. Mr Kanjala said the work of providing pensions to the aged and the widows had also been started and 8 lakh persons had been given pensions.

NEWS BULLETIN: Patients are now being cured by the homoeopathy treatment at very low rates. This will prove to be a boon for the poor people who cannot afford allopathy treatment. This was said by Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla, Social Security Women and Child Development Minister, at the 248th anniversary of the Homoeopathy Medical Association of India. A news bulletin ‘Homeo-ties’ and a directory of doctors of the Punjab branch was released. Mr Kanjla decided to give a grant Rs 5,000 to the association.

SAHNEWAL
TWO BOOKED: Sukhbir Kaur of Miani village has alleged that her brothers-in-law, Gian Singh and Nirmal Singh, are having a land dispute with her husband for quite sometime. One day when her husband, Avtar Singh, was away to his field to cut sugarcane, Gian Singh and Nirmal Singh came to their house and threatened her and used abusive language with her. A case has been registered on the statement of Sukhbir Kaur at the local police station under Sections 452 and 506 of the IPC.

TRUCK STOLEN: A truck has been stolen while it was parked outside the Vallabh Steet Factory at Nandpur, near Sahnewal, on Friday night. According to the FIR number 52, registered at the Sahnewal police station under Sections 379 of the IPC, Rohtash Kumar, a resident of Gill Road, Ludhiana, has alleged that Malkit Singh alias Bittu and Jora Singh, both of Mangarh village, have stolen his truck (PCS-9377) on the night of April 27. According to his statement, Rakesh Kumar of Magnoti village of Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) used to drive his truck and park it at night in front of Vallabh Steel Factory at Nandpur. Rohtash Kumar, after having failed to trace the truck anywhere, lodged a complaint against the alleged accused.

SAMRALA
PUBLIC PROBLEMS: On the instructions of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, the senior youth Akali leader, Mr Gupreet Singh Bhatti, have decided to listen the problems of the public of Samrala Area on every Friday. Talking to mediapersons in the local Civil Rest House, Mr Bhatti said he will give first preference to the sewerage problem of Samrala city. Mr Bhatti also said that the repairs of the link roads will be completed before June 30 positively. Mr Bhatti also disclosed that for the development schemes in Ludhiana district, including 40 km new roads in the district.

DEMAND: Once again the demand for setting up the courts of Additional Sessions Judge at all sub-divisional headquarters level in Punjab has arisen said Mr M.G. Prasher, Vice-President of the local Bar Association, here on Sunday. Talking to mediapersons in the local Civil Rest House, Mr Prasher said in this connection a meeting of all the bar associations of Punjab sub-divisional headquarters is being called on May 5 at Samrala in which all presidents or their representatives will participate.

CHANDIGARH

EYE CAMP: A free eye screening camp for students of Air Force School, 12 Wing, here, was organised by the Servants of the People Society on Friday with the help of the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. As many as 359 students and 50 family members of Air Force personnel were screened. During the camp, counsellors from the Drug Awareness and Counselling Centre of the SOPS conducted an awareness interaction session with students of Classes VI to X.

BLOOD DONATION: As many as 76 units of blood were collected at a blood donation camp organised by the Sector 22 branch of the State Bank of Patiala, Chandigarh zone, here on Saturday. The camp was organised in collaboration with the Malwa Cultural Society and the Lions Club Greater. Mr Salil Misra, Deputy General Manager of the bank, inaugurated the camp.

DHARNA: Members of the Coordination Committee of government and MCC employees and workers, UT, held a dharna at Matka Chowk, here, in protest against the reported attack on a sectional officer and workers of the Road Wing by a liquor contractor on Thursday. The employees were demanding the arrest of the contractor. The committee threatened to intensify the stir if the culprit is not booked by Monday. This was stated by Mr Ramesh Kant, convener of the committee, in a press note.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Parent Teachers Association of Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary Model School, Sector 27: president — Ms S. Savant; vice-presidents — Ms Divjot Kaur and Ms K. Ohri; secretary — Mr L.K. Khurana; joint secretary — Mr H.R. Chopra; auditors — Mr V.K. Tandori and Dr O. P. Sharma; and cashier — Ms Kuldeep Kaur.

FARMER’S PLEA TO PSEB: Mr Karamjit Singh, a resident of Himmatgarh (Chakula), near here, has urged the Punjab State Electricity Board authorities to give compensation to him as sparking from the high tension electricity wires burnt his two acre wheat crop. He said he had already reported the matter to the police who registered a report in its daily diary register. Mr Karamjit Singh said he along with the help of others tried hard to put off the fire but it proved a futile exercise. It may be mentioned that large cases of burning of crops because of sparking from electricity wires have been reported in the recent days. The PSEB authorities have given assurance to affected farmers that compensation would be given after ascertaining the cause of the fire. However, affected farmers want that the they should be given compensation immediately.

FUNCTION: A sum of Rs 2 lakh was announced by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, for Reeth Kheri village and also announced to lay a road from Kasiana to Phagan Majra in near future. This was stated during the annual prize distribution function of Akal Academy, Reeth Kheri, near here, on Sunday. Others who were present at the function were, Mr Kirpal Singh, Badungar, OSD to the Punjab Chief Minister, and Dr Khem Singh Gill, Chairman, Akal Academics.

HARYANA

AMBALA
COMPUTER CENTRE OPENED: Boston Education and Software Technologies Limited opened its centre of Nicholson Road, Ambala Cantonment, on Saturday. A company official said Boston’s career education division had courses not only for the undergraduates and graduates but also offers skill upgradation courses for software professionals, who need to learn the latest versions of popular software products. The centre will offer diploma as well as modular courses in these areas.

MEDITATION CENTRE: The foundation laying ceremony of a global meditation centre at the Brahma Kumari Ashram in Dayal Bagh, Ambala Cantonment, was held on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, the Ambala MP, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria, said compared to others, politicians were more in need of spiritual lessons. He said today the trio of corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and share brokers were affecting society and they need to be enlightened. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh in two equal instalments for the construction of the centre. Among others, Mr N.C. Jain, Dr M.M. Dutta, Mr Shish Pal Bhola, Mr Shubhadesh Mittal, Mr Gyan Chand Aggarwal, Dr S.L. Narula, Mr Subhash Bansal and Mr Avinash Sood were present.

HINDU MAHASABHA: The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has strongly condemned the brutal killing of BSF jawans by the Bangladesh Rifles. The national president of the mahasabha, Mr Dinesh Chandra Tyagi, and the state president, Mr Paramjeet, termed it as a barbaric act and demanded a public apology from the Bangladesh Government. Mr Tyagi said there was a lack of political will power in solving several contentious issues being faced by the country. “The Kashmiri Pandits are today living like refugees,” he said. He added that the ceasefire must come to an end in the valley.

FATEHABAD
BAR ASSOCIATION: Mr Devender Kaswan was on Saturday elected president of the District Bar Association. In a keenly contested election, Mr Kaswan defeated Mr Gulbahar Singh by a margin of eight votes. Mr Amit Wadera was elected secretary of the association. He defeated Mr Sanjay Taneja by a margin of 57 votes.

DOWRY DEATH: In an alleged case of dowry death, the police on Saturday booked the husband, brother-in-law, father-in-law and mother-in-law of the victim. According to a press note issued by the police, Mr Bansi Lal, a resident of Bhirdana village in the district had lodged a complaint in which he had stated that his daughter Neelam was married to Tarun, a resident of DSP Road, Fatehabad. The in-laws of the girl, according to the complaint, used to harass her for bringing insufficient dowry. Neelam set herself on fire and died in the local General Hospital on Saturday.

BOOKED: The police on Saturday booked two brothers, Bhajan Singh and Paul Singh, for allegedly stealing 56 quintals of wheat from the fields of a fellow villager, Hukam Singh.

SIRSA
MURDER CASE: The police has arrested Raju, son of a watchman, Mala Singh of Bhidana village in Fatehabad district and employed in a bee breeding farm, who was found murdered on the night of March 20. According to the police, Raju has confessed to having murdered his father because his father had slapped him for eve-teasing. Raju has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

MUSEUM OPENED: A Saraswati museum was inaugurated at the local Bal Bhavan by the Commissioner, Hisar, Mrs Umesh Nanda, on Friday. Mrs Nanda appreciated the effort of Mr Rajesh Purohit, curator, for making this museum a reality. Mr Purohit said the museum was the first of its kind in the district headquarters.

SONEPAT
ATTACKED: Two persons, including a girl, sustained serious injuries when they were attacked by a group of armed youths at Jajal village, about 15 km from here, on Saturday. According to a report, the assailants escaped when the injured raised the alarm. The culprits are reported to have entered the house to loot it.

DRIVER HURT: A truck driver and a helper sustained serious injuries when a truck rammed into a parked truck on the G.T. Road, near Rai village, about 12 km from here, on Saturday. Both injured, who belong to Jalandhar, were hospitalised.

‘DENTAL CHOWK’: Dr L.C. Jindal, Chief Dentist, of the local civil hospital, inaugurated a “dental chowk” near the railway crossing here on Saturday. The main aim of this chowk is to create awareness about dental diseases among the people of the city.