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| Wednesday,
June 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Cut in octroi, water rates on cards Chandigarh, June 6 Informed sources said that the government had already decided to go ahead and slash octroi and drinking water and sewerage rates in the urban areas and cut house tax in the case of commercial and industrial units. The government is expected to make its decisions in this connection public next month. The Local Bodies Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, today set up a three-member committee to give recommendations pertaining to the rationalisation of the octroi schedule besides revision of house tax in the commercial and industrial units and water supply and sewerage charges. The committee has been told to submit its report by June 30. Mr Arunesh Kumar Mukerian, a BJP MLA from Hoshiarpur district, has been made the chairman of the committee. Its other members are Mr Bhag Singh Malha, Akali MLA from Jagraon, Dr Ram Kumar, BJP MLA from Abohar, the Director Local Bodies, Punjab, the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana and the Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee, Moga. The Joint Secretary, Local Government, will be the convener of the Committee. In fact, the setting up of the committee is a mere formality. The Executive Committee of the state BJP had passed a resolution to reduce the rates of octroi, house tax on commercial and industrial units and water and sewerage charges about a month ago. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr Brij Lal Rinwa, president of the state unit of the BJP at the residence of Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister. Mr Jana Krishnamurthi, President of the BJP, and Mr O.P.Kohli, a senior leader of the party, were also present at that meeting. The BJP has been also pressing the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to cut the power tariff in the case of urban consumers and small- scale industry. This issue is expected to be in the forefront in the coming weeks. On the octroi issue, the SAD-BJP government has faced a lot of embarrassment as it failed to abolish octroi. At the time of the last Assembly elections, the SAD-BJP coalition had made a promise to abolish it. In fact, it was a major election plank of the SAD-BJP in the urban areas. But what added to the anguish of residents of the urban areas was the government’s decision to privatise the collection of octroi. Contractors used muscle power and other questionable means to collect octroi. This created bitterness among urbanites, especially shopkeepers and traders, against the government. The government has been trying to make amends by extending various benefits to urbanites. A beginning was made by starting “sangat darshan” in the main cities by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The proposed rationalisation of the tax structure by the Local Bodies Department is a second major step in this direction. |
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Smugglers’ wives continue ‘business’ Bathinda, June 5 Generally when the police arrest someone involved in the smuggling and the courts start trial against them, wives of these smugglers continue the family “business” with the help of the associates of their husband. The added benefit of the women taking to smuggling is that they generally did not fall into the police net. The police sources said that the trend could become very serious if not curbed in time. There are many women who help their husbands in smuggling narcotics. The husbands, sources say, take the help of their wives because it makes their task easier. The women who indulged in the smuggling have an edge on their male counterparts because they escape from the routine check up. The police also cite some cases where the husbands denied being involved in the smuggling and if any narcotics were found from their house. The said it belonged to their wives, sources said. They said that in such cases police become virtually helpless as the search of the women is to be conducted by a lady police personnel only. The police had arrested Krishan Gopal, a resident of the city in 1998 for allegedly smuggling narcotics and a case has been pending against him since then. The police had recovered 38 kg of poppy husk from him. When he was in jail his wife Asha Rani started smuggling opium and poppy husk in association with Surinder Singh and Rajinder Singh companions of Krishan Gopal. A case was registered against her at the kotwali police station in February2001 under Sections 15, 18, 61, 85 and of the NDPS for possessing 1 kg of opium and 35 kg of poppy husk. Tara Singh was arrested in January last year, for carrying 7 kg of poppy husk and a case was registered against him at Nathana police station. After some time Binder Kaur the wife of Tara Singh was also arrested while she was trying to smuggle opium. Another case was also registered against her for possessing 85 kg of poppy husk. A case was registered on February 26 last year at Mehal Kalan police station against Jora Singh of said village as he was caught while carrying 5 kg of poppy husk. While he was still in jail and was facing the trial his wife was also booked four months later for allegedly possessing 6 kg of poppy husk. Similarly, Gurcharan Singh of Lal Bhai was booked for smuggling narcotics on January this. About four months later his wife Jaswinder Kaur and one of his associates Gurlabh Singh were booked under sections 22, 61 and 85 for allegedly selling the banned medicines which were used by the youths for getting a kick. Girdas Singh of Bir Talab was arrested under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act and 120 kg of lahan was seized from him. In April 2001 his wife Mahinder Kaur was also arrested under the same act for
allegedly running the illegal distillery. The police has recovered 20 kg of lahan, four bottles of illicit liquor and an illegal distillery from the possession of the accused. Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, said the trend of getting the help of family members by the narcotics smugglers was going on for the last few years. He said earlier only the male members helped the smugglers in doing the illegal trade. But he said that the trend of the wives helping their husbands had been witnessed only some time ago. He added that it created some problems for the police in curbing the smugglings of narcotics. |
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Desilting begins on CM’s orders Drauli (Patiala), June 5 A drag line lying has started work on widening the river-bed again after more than a year. Stern orders by the Chief Minister have ensured restarting of the drag line which has only cleared half a kilometre of silt from the river-bed eversince it was brought here around two years back. Sources said even now it would be a race against time to cover 2 km of the river-bed till Tarain village further downstream to save both villages from the flood waters. The machine will run on government funds, said Drauli sarpanch Kuldeep Singh. He said attempts in the past one year by villagers, who volunteered to even pay for the fuel of the machine, had no affect on the district administration or the drainage department. “Then they had demanded that we paid also for the maintenance of the machine’’, he informed. Mr Kuldeep Singh said it was due to these reasons that the villagers thought it best to approach the Chief
Minister at the ‘sangat darshan’ programme. A resolution signed by eight panchayats of Langdhoi, Kheri Barna, Madomajra, Bhanran, Tulawal, Dabaa, Chabba and Drauli was handed over to the Chief Minister. The villagers brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that after the formation of his government seven drag lines had been put into service to broaden the river-bed of the Badi Nadi from Doodan village to Tarain village. They said while work was executed on schedule for around two years with a large portion of the river-bed comprising 20 km being broadened, it started petering off around one-and-a-half year ago when the number of drag lines on the job were reduced periodically. They said at present the work was at a standstill near Drauli village and the entire village would be adversely affected if the work was not done before the monsoons. The villagers, in fact, demanded that the entire 25 km stretch from Tarain village to Rattanheri village on the border with Haryana should be broadened to make the area safe from floods. They also alleged that while not completing planned tasks, the drainage department had made an embankment around the land of a farmer near Drauli who was related to a senior bureaucrat. Drainage department officials said the drag line was supposed to broaden a 5.33 km under the NABARD (phase four) scheme at a cost of Rs 30 lakh and that a 3 km stretch had been already completed. They said the drag line had started work again since the beginning of this month and would be able to cover the left-out stretch before the advent of the monsoons. On the demand of the villagers to broaden the entire 25 km stretch from Tarain to Rattanheri, the officials said this stretch was earmarked to be broadened under the NABARD (phase six) scheme for which funds were not available. On allegations that work was not being done according to regulations, they said the stretch of the river from Dakala to Tarain was broadened by 40 feet instead of 80 feet as had been done further upstream due to non-release of funds by NABARD. Asked about undue favour shown to a particular farmer near Drauli, they said a short stretch of the river adjoining his land had been broadened by 80 feet on orders from a very senior bureaucrat. They however, said the area beyond the farmer’s land would again be broadened by 40 feet only. |
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Border residents feel taxed Ropar, June 5 Mr Ashok Kumar, a resident of Una, who works in
NFL, Nangal, says he has stopped using his car for going to office. “If I use my car for going to office I will have to shell out Rs 520 per month as toll tax to the Himachal Government which would upset my monthly budget”, he alleged. Even for the scooter he now has to pay Rs 130 per month extra for attending office. Those employees who want to evade the tax now follow the kutcha treks through the villages to evade paying the daily tax to the government. Thousands of employees from Una and Nalagarh districts of Himachal come daily to work in various institutions in Ropar district. Similarly, many residents of the border areas of Ropar district have to enter Himachal daily for business or social purposes. Even the college students have not been spared from being taxed. Most of the students in Shri Vishnu Sanatan Dharam College at Bhatoli in Himachal Pradesh come from the border areas of Punjab. Many of these students who come on two-wheelers now have to pay the toll tax in addition to the fee for attending classes at the college. The students are now planning to launch an agitation against the new tax imposed on them. The BBMB employees going to Bhakra for duty on their vehicles are also victims of the newly imposed tax. The excise officials of the Himachal Government have erected a barrier in Golthai village, which is en route Bhakra. They now charge the toll tax from any vehicle that passes on the road irrespective of the fact that the said road is maintained by the BBMB. Even the BBMB employees have to pay tax for plying on their own road. The tax has also affected business in the border areas. A shopkeeper who runs a departmental store in Mehatpur, a border town of Himachal, alleges that earlier many of his customers used to come from Nangal and adjoining areas. However, after the imposition of the tax they now prefer to shop in their own area rather than paying extra for entering Himachal. Similarly, restaurant owners have reported the adverse effect of the tax on their business. Sources said many panchayats of the border villages of Himachal have urged their elected representatives to get tax exemption for the vehicles bearing the registration number of the state. However, the residents of the border areas of Punjab allege if such a move is initiated by the Himachal Government it would lead to the selective victimisation of Punjab residents. They have demanded all non-commercial vehicles should be exempted from the newly imposed tax. It was unjustifiable to charge extra tax from the private vehicle owners when they are already paying the road tax, they said. The Himachal Government had earlier imposed a tax of Rs 5 on any four-wheeler entering the state through the nagar
panchayats. However, the policy was withdrawn due to opposition from the public. Now since June 1 the Himachal Government has imposed increased tax from the vehicle owners crossing the state borders. |
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Prisoner’s death: probe indicts jail officials Kapurthala, June 5 Deputy Commissioner V.K. Singh, who had deputed SDM N.S. Bath to hold inquiry yesterday, told reporters that he had received the inquiry report and the same had been sent to secretary prisons for necessary action against the jail authorities and the doctor posted at jail hospital for their negligence resulting in the death of the undertrial. Gurnam Singh, an undertrial prisoner under the NDPS Act, died in the jail in the early hours on May 25 for want of medical treatment and the inmates had resorted to a three-day fast to press the demand for the suspension of jail superintendent and doctor of jail hospital responsible for the death of undertrial. The district authorities had to shift five striking undertrial prisoners to Ferozepore jail to curb the agitation by the inmates. Mr N.S. Bath in his report told the Deputy Commissioner that no medical treatment was given to Gurnam Singh for the past three days as the deceased was having a severe pain in chest. The report said the condition of the undertrial prisoner deteriorates at 3 am on May 25 and the inmates of barrack No. 3 knocked on the grills of the barrack and shouted for help but no jail attendant came there. The jail authorities opened the gate of the barrack at 6 am and found Gurnam Singh lying unconscious and took him to the local civil hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead. The SDM in his report recommended the immediate transfer of the doctor of the jail hospital as the inmates had levelled serious charges against him saying he allegedly demanded bribe for examining and referring the ailing inmates to the civil hospital for treatment.
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Release list of ‘corrupt’ leaders Bathinda, June 5 In a press note issued here today, Mr Toga Singh said the Lok Pal had sent a list of 16 politicians who were allegedly involved in corruption and had asked about its opinion on the action to be taken against them. But Mr Toga Singh alleged that the Punjab Government did not take any decision regarding those politicians. The SHSAD leader said a Cabinet minister of the state government had admitted in an interview to a local TV channel that the government had received the list. He said Mr Badal had forgotten the promise it had made in the election manifesto of giving clean administration to the people of Punjab. He further alleged that the Punjab Chief Minister feared that if they brought to the light the corrupt politicians most of whom belonged to the opposition party they would have to book those politicians who were of the ruling party. Mr Toga Singh alleged that most of the leaders of the ruling party were neck deep in corruption. He said Mr Badal was not doing anything to put a check on the ministers and leaders of his party who were amassing the wealth. He further said the ruling party had adopted the Congress culture as far as the earning money by unfair means was concerned. He alleged that the Akalis had been fighting against the misrule of the Congress for many years but now the ruling SAD-BJP alliance had started doing all those things for which it condemned the Congress. The SHSAD leader further said that the people of Punjab were fed up with the corrupt rule and they wanted change. He said the Akali government should have prevented the people from indulging in corruption but it had instead started going the same way. |
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Kewal Singh should quit,
says Chandumajra Bathinda, June 5 Mr Chandumajra while talking to the mediapersons here today said this was the first time that the Jathedar of any takht was booked in a criminal case. He said the action of the Jathedar should be condemned by all. He said he should resign on moral grounds. Resentment prevailed among the Sikhs over his alleged involvement in the suicide incident. Mr Chandumajra said the Jathedar should face the law as a common man. He should not remain the Jathdedar of the takht until the court case was decided. The SHSAD General Secretary said they would launch a campaign for the ouster of Giani Kewal Singh. Replying to a question regarding the formation of third front in Punjab, he said the Punjabi Front would be formed before August 15. He said in the front all parties except the Congress and the SAD (B) and the BJP would be included. He said there was no problem in the front regarding the leadership of the same. He said in the interest of the people of the state the parties had decided to forget their differences. He said the main motive of the front would be to oust Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and to prevent the Congress from coming to power. He said Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, General Secretary of SAD (B) was misleading the people by making statements that his party would launch a campaign in the state to curb the menance of narcotics. he said Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal had not done anything in this field in the last four years and now in order to woo voters he was making false promises. He alleged that members of the ruling party were involved in the smuggling of narcotics. He said if Mr Sukhbir Singh wanted to do anything for the state he should first of all ask his party members to stop the narcotics smuggling. He said according to the statistics 53 per cent of boys and 48 per cent of girl students were using one or the other narcotics substance. |
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Cong factions hold separate meetings Mansa, June 5 To show his strength Mr Dhaipi convened a “Chetna meeting” today at Gaushala Bhavan which was attended by more than 2000 workers, including Mr Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, MLA, Sardulgarh, Mr Kirpal Singh Makha and Mr Harbhajan Singh, both former ministers, Punjab, Mr Karnail Singh Aulakh, former president of the municipal council, Mr Radhey Sham Mussa, Mr Ashok Garg and Mr Gurdeep Singh Mansahia, all general secretaries of the DCC. Meanwhile, members of the other faction led by Mr Narotam Singh Chahal marched to the venue of meeting and Mr Chahal made an attempt to come on the stage where he was pushed and thereafter it was free for all and with both the groups raising pro and anti-Dhaipi slogans. Later Congressmen led by Mr Chahal organised a separate meeting near the venue. After the meeting the Congress workers including Mr Chahal, Mr Dalbir Singh Kaleke, member, and organising secretary PPCC, Mr Harbans Singh Khipal, former president, DCC and Mr Bhagirath Lal Danewalla, president of the block Congress committee took out a march raising slogans against Mr Dhaipi in the main bazar of the city. The group led by Mr Dhaipi passed a resolution expelling Mr Narotam Singh Chahal and Mr Manjeet Singh Jhalbutti member, Working Committee of the PPCC for six years for the Congress for “anti-party activities”. The meeting described the resolution passed by the other faction demanding the removal of Mr Dhaipi as “unconstitutional”. Mr Dalbir Singh Kaleke while asked to comment said, the district Congress chief had no authority to expel Mr Chahal and Mr Jhalbutti from the party and the resolution passed by him carried no value. |
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15 pc Assembly seats for
Youth Cong Bathinda, June 2 Mr Bhupinder Gora, vice-president, Punjab Youth Congress, said the decision would boost the morale of party workers. A long-standing demand of the workers had been met, he added. |
Environment Day observed Bathinda, June 5 Mr G.S. Mouji, chairman of the association, said in a press note issued here today that Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president of the municipal council, was the chief guest on the occasion. While addressing the gathering, Mr Bhullar said the assistance of the local people was a must for keeping the city clean and green. Mr Mouji said if the people did not make judicious use of water, the city might turn into a desert in the next 15-20 years. Volunteers of Arpan, a sister concern of Sahara Jan Sewa, an NGO, observed World Environment Day here today. Arpan was established by Sahara Jan Sewa to take care of the plantations in the city and create awareness about the protection of environment. Activists of Arpan took out a cycle rally through the streets of the city and residential areas. Mr Vijay Goyal, president of Arpan, said the rally intended to promote the idea that the use of cycles could reduce burden on the roads and decrease environmental pollution. The Activists were carrying handouts, banners and sign-boards asking residents to stop the use of polythene bags and protect the greenery in the city. |
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HIGH COURT Chandigarh, June 5 Pronouncing the orders on a petition filed by Jalandhar-based Nav Sahitya Parkashan against the state of Punjab and 10 other respondents, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice N.K. Sud, also directed the department to submit its report to the court before September 3. In their detailed order, the Bench directed the department to “look into the purchase of books, maps etc to find out if the rates as charged were exorbitant or whether these were in conformity with the prescribed norms”. The Bench further asked the department to inquire into the “petitioners allegation that old books have been supplied to the schools by merely changing the covers”. The Judges observed: “On behalf of the respondents, it has been averred that an amount of Rs 22,29,282 was spent on the purchase of the books. It was also stated that a complaint similar to the one made in this petition was submitted to the State Vigilance Department. The allegations were inquired into. The case was not proved”. The Judges added: “We asked for the inquiry file of the Vigilance Department. The Deputy Advocate-General stated that only the comments of the administrative department — the Directorate of Education — were obtained. In view of the comments, the case was closed. In fact no inquiry was held”. They concluded: “After hearing counsel for the parties, we find that the allegations as made in the complaint need to be looked into by an impartial agency. For the present, we consider it appropriate to direct that the State Vigilance Department should conduct a thorough probe into the allegations as contained in the petition”. In their petition, Nav Sahitya Parkashan had earlier sought probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the “scandle in the purchase of the library books for the government schools in Punjab at considerably higher rates and not associating the approved source of purchase — the book branch of the office of the DPI (Schools)”. They had alleged that books were supplied after changing the cover even though they were not required. They had added that the state exchequer had suffered substantial loss as the books had been supplied at exorbitant rates. |
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Shiv Sena relents, puts off function Amritsar, June 5 He said the function, earlier scheduled for tomorrow, had been postponed till June 19 when the families would be honoured at Phagwara on the death anniversary of the then Shiv Sena president Ramakant Jalota, who was gunned down by militants on June 19, 1988. The Ramayana Path will be held at Piara Mal Bagichi near Lohgarh Gate at Sri Krishan Mandir, Mr Dogra said. Earlier, efforts were on to dissuade the Shiv Sena from holding a function tomorrow to honour families of victims of terrorism as well as police personnel who died during the militancy period in Punjab. Top police officials had said that the Shiv Sena’s decision to hold a parallel function on “ghallughara divas” to be observed by Sikhs at Akal Takht, could invite trouble. The matter had reportedly been taken up with Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The Durgiana Committee general secretary, Mr Nand Lal Nagpal, said the Shiv Sena had not approached the committee to participate and denied that the function was going to be held tomorrow at the Durgiana complex. |
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Encroachments eating up Baradari Gardens Patiala, June 5 Illegal constructions are coming up near old one-room government houses in front of the garden complex branch of the State Bank of Patiala here. Residents of these houses have encroached upon the entire open space till the street. Some of them have also built rooms in front of the government quarters on the other side of the street. The absence of objections encouraged more persons to follow suit. Now, space for some quarters is being encroached upon. Even the presence of electricity poles on this land is not deterring the builders. In some of the quarters, these poles have been made a part of the newly constructed rooms. Some of the dwellers have even managed to get power connections for the added portions. The Patiala Colonies Welfare Federation chief, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, said it was surprising that no action was being taken against those who had encroached upon the land. He said the constructions not only illegal, but also a safety hazard with electricity poles being made part of new constructions. He said the situation had been allowed to deteriorate, though when the encroachments had begun a year ago, the matter had been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned. Sources said the face of Baradari was also being changed in the name of religion. They alleged that a former government employee and his associated had been allowed to build a temple outside the gardens near Rajbaha Road. Now, a shop has also been opened near the temple, which is in violation of rules, according to residents. The sources said the shrines of various ‘pirs’ were also coming up in the garden, which was another way to encroach upon the government land. They said, once a shrine was established, the area near it was used for ‘bhandaras’. The Patiala Colonies Welfare Association has demanded a probe into all encroachments that are coming up here. It wants the unauthorised structures to be removed to restore the beauty of the garden. |
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Shifting of Amarnath base camp resented Ludhiana, June 5 The issue was raised before Jammu and Kashmir acting Chief Minister Ghulam Mohiudin Shah at a meeting held in Srinagar NGO representatives pointed out, there was hardly any space available in Naunwan village, to accommodate the huge rush of pilgrims and the NGOs providing langar facilities. Mr Sharma said Mr Shah had assured that the issue would be reconsidered as it concerned the religious sentiments of thousands of people. He pointed out, that for centuries together, Pahalgam had remained the base camp for the pilgrimage. There was no reason to shift it now. The board also opposed the system of issuing different coloured cards to the pilgrims. This year the government will issue cards in four colours, pink, yellow, green and white. For first seven days the pilgrims will be issued pink cards, followed by yellow cards for the next eight days, then green cards for seven days, and finally white cards for the last eight days. Mr Sharma pointed out, if a pilgrim wanted to change his schedule he would not be allowed to perform the yatra as by that time the colour of card to be used would have changed. This, he said, cause harassment to the pilgrims. The board demanded that the registration period for the yatra be extended from 15 days to, at least, 25 days. |
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Lawyers to hold rally
tomorrow Sangrur, June 5 Stating this here today, Mr Balraj Singh Sohi, president of the Sangrur District Bar Association, said the rally was being organised in protest against the lathi charge on the local lawyers on May 18, when they were going to lay the foundation stone for the construction of chambers in the newly-built Judicial Complex here. The lawyers would also force the government to suspend the local SDM and the DSP, allegedly responsible for the lathi charge, besides demanding the withdrawal of cases registered against the lawyers, Mr Sohi said. Mr Sohi said the next course of action would be chalked-out at the rally if the government “failed” to accept their demands till then. |
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Kabir devotees hold procession Jalandhar, June 5 The procession, which began at Satguru Kabir Mandir at Bhargo Nagar, moved through Ambedkar Chowk, Balmiki Chowk, Adda Bastian, Jhandia Wala Pir, Basti Nau, Basti Sheikh, Model House and Ravidas Chowk before concluding at Budha Mal Grounds in Bhargo Nagar. Students of Government High School, Bhargo Nagar, National Model School, S.S.M. Public School and St Soldier Divine Public School enacted scenes from the life of Sant Kabir. Managements of Satguru Kabir Mandir, Santpura, the Young Brothers Association, the S.G.L. Charitable Trust and the Ravidas Temple Committees from Gandhi Camp, Tej Mohan Nagar, Ram Nagar, Arya Nagar, Nakodar and Adampur organised “langar” at different places in the city. Women and children, on tractor-trailers, autos and cars raised slogans and recited Gurbani. Earlier, during a special function at Satguru Kabir Mandir, “siropas” were presented to former minister Mohinder Singh Kaypee and Mr Chunni Lal Bhagat, MLA, for their contribution towards the welfare of the Dalit community. |
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End row over Sant’s death, says Vedanti Amritsar, June 5 In a directive to Mr Talwandi, Jathedar Vedanti said the issue of Sant Bhindranwale had created an “unsavoury” situation which needed to be resolved so that “opportunist” forces should not take advantage out of it. Jathedar Vedanti said the Sikh organisations which had now approached Akal Takht to end the controversy had remained silent over this sensitive issue for the past 17 years. However, these organisations had become active, leading to a fresh controversy. Hence, the Sikh clergy felt that the SGPC chief should constitute a committee which should approach all concerned to resolve the controversy, he said. |
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Ex-Army man caught in red tape Bathinda, June 5 Mr Gurpal Singh, who belongs to Mari village was referred to Faridkot Civil Hospital for his medical certificate, which was necessary for the commuted payment of his pension. Mr Gurpal Singh alleged that the clerk concerned demanded a bribe for issuing him the certificate but he refused to pay it. Even the Assistant Civil Surgeon refused to help him he alleged. He said officers of the Vigilance Department also did not help him and asked him to do as directed by the clerk. “My case was later referred to the Amritsar hospital, but I have not been issued a medical certificate as yet,” he lamented. Mr Ved Parkash Gupta, member, National Council, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said in a written statement that a high-level inquiry should be conducted into the matter and the corrupt officers should be penalised. Dr Balwinder Mohi, who holds the additional charge of Civil Surgeon, Faridkot, when contacted over phone, said the clerk concerned has been transferred. An inquiry into the matter had been ordered and the guilty would be punished, he said. |
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Rail commuters seek better booking windows Bathinda, June 5 A delegation of the RPA which included Mr Pawan Tayal, president (north zone), Mr A.K. Garg, coordinator, Ferozepore Division, Mr R.K. Goyal, general secretary, RPA and member, Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, Ambala, met Mr M.G. Arora, Chief Trains Passengers Manager, (CTPM) Northern Railway, New Delhi here on Sunday and told him about the problems faced by the rail passengers of the region. The main problem which was faced by the passengers was that of booking windows which could be redressed with the installation of SPTMs, the delegation told Mr Arora. The delegation members stressed upon Mr Arora the need for a direct train between Bathinda and southern parts of country. They said that at least one express train should run between the Malwa belt and cities like Bangalore and Chennai. They demanded that two ordinary coaches each from Sriganganagar and Ferozepore should be attached to the Jodhpur-Kalka Express. To facilitate passengers of Abohar, Malout, Gidderbaha etc the timing of Amritsar-Jaipur Express should be changed to coincide with the timings of the Abha, Toofan trains. They also urged that the said train, which at present runs twice a week, should be made daily. The representatives of the RPA also demanded that computerised reservation should be provided at Malout, Mansa and Kotkapura railway station. The delegation also demanded more passenger trains for the Sriganganagar and Ambala routes from Bathinda. Mr Arora assured the delegation that the SPTMs would be provided soon at the local railway station. |
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VRS hits banks’ functioning Bathinda, June 5 In a press note issued here on Monday, Mr Goyal pointed out that this issue was discussed in detail at the zonal conferences of State Bank of India Staff Association held in this city recently. He said the participants highlighted the functioning of bank branches after the implementation of the VRS at the
conferences. Mr D.N. Bindru, general secretary of the association also addressed the conference. |
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Two die while digging well Malerkotla, June 5 Labourers of the subdivision have urged the government to give compensation to the families of the deceased. |
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Mystery shrouds disappearance
of Vijay Patiala, June 5 The Inspector General of Police, Mr R.S. Gill, has directed the Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Mr H.S. Sidhu, to provide an update to him after every fortnight on the efforts being made by the Patiala police in this regard. Mr Gill has also asked the SSP to circulate Mr Vijay Kumar’s photograph in the Press. The Executive Magistrate has also issued instructions that the photo be telecast on Doordarshan. Mr Munni Lal said he informed the SSP, Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, about the alleged `disappearance’ of his son and on the instructions of the SSP, two FIRs were registered on March 9 and April 27, respectively. |
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N.S. Chawla retires Chandigarh, June 5 Mr Chawla, according to a press note, joined the Punjab Irrigation Department in July, 1964. He had contributed to the fabrication of hydraulic structures at the Bhakra Dam and later at the Ranjit Sagar Dam Project where, in addition, he had the challenging job of repairing penstock tunnels P1 and P2. These were repaired six months ahead of schedule. |
Nigerian held with heroin Wagah (Amritsar), June 5 The Commissioner said the officers at the border post found something suspicious about this woman who had crossed into India from Pakistan on foot. On frisking, two packets of heroin concealed in plastic bags were found in her possession. The Customs officers, after interrogating the woman, revealed that she belonged to a poor family and wanted to make some money to return to her homeland. |
Faridkot, Bathinda boys top in plus-2 exam SAS Nagar, June 5 In the science stream, Ajai Pal Singh (Roll No 044363) of Government Barjindra College, Faridkot, topped by securing 405\450 marks while in the commerce stream, Deepak Chhabra ( Roll No 079191) of Government Rajindra College, Bathinda, secured 391 marks to become a topper. Disclosing this, Mrs Harcharanjit Kaur Brar, Controller ( examinations) said in the science stream, Rubina Khullar (Roll No 044363) of DAV College, Katra Sher Singh, Amritsar, secured 402 marks to be at number two while Rohini Single (Roll No 044306) of Government Barjindra College, Faridkot, remained third by securing 401 marks. Similarly, in the commerce stream, Ritu Bansal (Roll No 079189) of Government Rajindra College, Bathinda was second with 389 marks while Nitin Sharma ( Roll No 084985) of S D Model Senior Secondary School, Moga, secured 374 marks and got the third position. Mrs Brar said, in all 27548 candidates appeared in full subjects through schools and colleges as regular students who while the number of private candidates appeared in full subjects was 1078. This was besides those who appeared to clear additional subject, compartment and for improvement of their division. The general pass percentage of the board was 65.89 she said. The Controller said, among the districts, Kapurthala topped with 77 per cent, Patiala was second with 74 per cent and Ludhiana third with its pass per centage resting at 72. With regard to the RL (result later) cases, Mrs Brar said, the number was negligible as on average, there were only two RL cases after every 1000 candidates. And this was due to the on-going process, she claimed. About overhauling the examination system completely as visualised by Mr Tota Singh, Minister for School Education, she said the efficiency in compiling the results had gone up. She said the computerised result cards would be despatched to the private candidates by registered mail while regular students would receive them through their respective schools and colleges. Mrs Brar said, the formal notification of the result would be issued on June 7, and the gazettes would be available on the morning of June 8 at the Board headquarters, as well as depots set up by the board at district headquarters. She said results of other examinations would also be declared well in time lest the students intending to appear in various competitive examinations suffer due to delayed declaration of results by the board.  |
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Kapil tops in PEC entrance test Bathinda, June 5 Kapil Kansal, a resident of this city, has stood first in the architecture entrance test (PEC, Chandigarh), 11th in the architecture entrance test of the IIT, Roorkee, 70th in the engineering entrance test of the Punjab Engineering College, 16th of the IIT, Roorkee, 403 in Delhi College of Engineering. Kansal had done his plus two examination from Kota, in Rajasthan and secured 85 per cent. He did all preparations and attended coaching classes at Kota, simultaneously, while he was studying for his undergraduate examination there. His sister, Deepali Kansal has also appeared in her final smester of B.Tech examinations at the GZS college of the city this year and has cleared the Graduate Aptitude Test of Engineering (GATE) and would proceed with her M.Tech studies, he said. “Single minded determination, dedication, self study, are the key to success in any competition. Coaching classes and mock tests do help by giving direction to the efforts but one has to do it by oneself”, Kansal said. |
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World Environment Day
celebrated Patiala, June 5 Ms Manju, Principal of the school, said that there is need to educate the children with religious and moral values rather than concentrating only on the bookis. Mr K.R. Verma, District Training Supervisor of the District Red Cross, said everybody was aware of the different diseases caused by the pollution but no efforts were made by the man to cure them. Speaking on the occasion, the teachers of the school and the authorities present at the function decided that every person should saplings at least five plants while each school and college should take the responsibility of planting at least 1000 saplings from July 15 to September 15. They said that this would immensely help in changing the city’s environment and make the surroundings clean and green. The students made creative things in the art and crafts workshop. Other workshops included English speaking course, computer and Internet, personality development, dance and orchestra. |
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BA, BSc III exam results today Amritsar, June 5 Disclosing this, Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, said today the copies of the result gazettes would be supplied to registered book sellers after 5 p.m. the same day. |
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