The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, June 14, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

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

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
WORKSHOP HELD: The Regional Institute of Public Health, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Punjab Government held a two-day workshop under the empowerment of women programme at Bhikiwind block office here on Tuesday. Dr Satnam Singh, director of the institute, coordinated the workshop. Girls from nine villages were assigned a task to motivate girl dropouts to complete their elementary education.

ELECTED: The joint forum of the Ranjit Avenue Welfare Associations has elected the following office-bearers: president — Mr Sukhwinder Singh; senior vice-president — Mr Jaswinder Singh Samra; vice-president — Mr Shivkaranjit Singh Randhawa; and organising secretary — Mr Mandeep Singh.

FOUR HELD: The Amritsar police arrested four persons here on Wednesday for allegedly issuing fake arms licences. Three of the arrested have been identified as Harkawaljeet Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Jaswinder Singh, all residing in areas along the Shivala Road. The police also arrested Davinder Anand of Phagwara from whose possession fake arms licence of a .12 bore gun was found.

BATHINDA
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Rotract Club, Old Town, Kotkapura, for 2001-2002: president - Mr Jaipal Sharma; secretary — Mr Tirth Prinja; and treasurer — Mr Narinder Kumar.

ELECTIONS: The state-level elections of the Sub-officers Clerical Association of the Health Department, Punjab, will be held at the local Imperial Palace on Saturday at 10 am.

MEDICAL CAMP: A free medical check-up camp was organised on Sunday by the Goodwill Society, Bathinda. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, Punjab, was the chief guest and Mr Makhan Singh, MLA was the guest of honour. Twenty-five doctors examined the patients.

HOSHIARPUR
“THIKRI PEHRA”: Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, has ordered under Section 3 of the Punjab Village and Small Town Patrolling Act, 1918, to all able-bodied persons in the district to perform “thikri pehras” in their respective villages during night. These orders will remain in force up to August 7, 2001.

BOOKED: On the complaint of Ms Amarjit Kaur of the local Central Town, the police has registered a case of cheating against Raghbir Singh and his wife Sarabjit Kaur of Jagatpura mohalla here, on Monday. The complainant alleged that she was cheated of Rs 71,500.

BRIDGE: The construction work of the Rs 2.8 crore bridge on Jamanwala choe on the Hoshiarpur-Una road was started on Tuesday in the presence of Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner. Mr Sidhu said the construction would be completed before December 31, 2001.

CASE REGISTERED: On the complaint of Balbir Singh of Balowal, the Dasuya police on Monday registered a case against Rawal Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Arjan Singh and Ajit Singh of the same village. The complainant alleged that the four persons assaulted him and snatched Rs 5,000 cash, a gold bangle and an earring from him.

KHAMANO
OFFICE-BEARERS: A meeting of Shree Dharamshala Pracheen Shiv Mandir, Purana Bazar, Khamano was held on the mandir premises in which the office-bearers were elected unanimously. Mr Kuldip Madan — president; Mr Shiv Kumar Sharma — patron; Mr Amar Nath Nanda and Pushpinder Kumar Sharma — vice-presidents; Mr Pardeep Kumar Nanda — general secretary; and Mr Tarsem Lal and Sunil Kalra — cashiers. Apart from this an 18-member working committee was also constituted.

KHANNA
WEB ADDRESS: Dr Umesh Chander Pandey, Regional Director of Indira Gandhi National Open University, has informed that the website address of IGNOU has changed from www.ignou.org to www.ignou.ac.in. The prescribed application forms for most of the academic programmes of IGNOU were available on the website.

FIVE ARRESTED: The Khanna police has arrested five persons, Surinder Kumar of Rajewal, Rubi, of Khanna, and Jaswinder Singh, Sandeep Kumar, and Ram Singh, of Samrala. The police have recovered Rs 3,110 from them, and registered a case under Sections 13, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act.

MEETING: A meeting of the workers of Republican Party of India was held at Kishangarh village, 8 km from here. It was presided over by its district president, Karam Singh Libra. Dr Gopal Singh, vice-president of the RPI, Punjab, addressed the meeting. The policies of Punjab Government, particularly the change in office timings, were criticised at the meeting.

NEW EO: Mr Amarjeet Singh Sekhon has taken charge as the Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Khanna. He said that his top-most priority would be to pay attention towards the cleanliness of the city.

LUDHIANA
OFFICE-BEARERS: The district president of Nationalist Congress Party, Mr Rashpal Singh Gill, has nominated the following office-bearers of district unit and ward level committees: Mr Manohar Lal, Mr Jarmal Singh — vice-presidents; Mr Mohan Singh — secretary; Mr Balbir Singh — president, Ward No 12; Mr Kuljit Singh — president, Ward No 29; Mr Iqbal Singh Sheikhupuria — president, Trade Cell; and Mr Sikander Singh Dhillon — member executive committee.

MEETING: Ms Sheila Masih Sahota, state convener, All-India Safai Mazdoor Congress Mahila Wing, has said that the SAD, which claimed to provide a governance like that of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, stood exposed before the masses. Addressing party workers at a meeting in Sanjay Gandhi Colony here, she said the indiscriminate distribution of funds by the Chief Minister to woo back the electorate was ample proof of the erosion in the vote bank of the ruling alliance. Ms Sahota announced the nomination of Ms Manjit Kaur as the propaganda secretary and Ms Jaswant Kaur as active member of the district unit (rural) of the party.

MANDI GOBINDGARH
PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTED: Mr Balwant Singh Shahpur, MLA of Amloh, who is also the president of the Bharti Ghat Ginti Dalit Front, Punjab, held meetings at Rattan Pallon and Kalal Majra villages, near here, on Monday to listen to the problems of the villagers. Mr Ranjit Singh and Mr Darshan Singh, sarpanch of Rattan Pallon and Kalal Majra villages, respectively, complained that the development works in their villages, including disposal of sullage water, repair of primary school buildings and dharamshalas, and construction of boundary walls around the village ponds, had come to a standstill. Mr Shahpur assured that the development works would be started in the month of June itself.

PATIALA
AUCTIONS: Property worth Rs 2.40 crore has been auctioned by the Improvement Trust under various schemes. Issuing a press note, Mr Manmohan Singh, Chairman, Improvement Trust, said the property under Saheed Sewa Singh Thirkiwala Nagar, Chooti Baradari Scheme, Sai Market Scheme, Dukhniwaran Sahib Scheme and City Centre Scheme has auctioned at good rates.

DEMAND: The Punjab Home Guards Welfare Association has urged its members to attend the June 20 meeting and demanded increase in their allowances. The meeting will be held at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar.

PROGRAMME: A cultural programme will be organised by the Rangla Punjab Cultural and Sports Club at Anaj Mandi, Sanaur, near here, on June 17. Various items including skit, mono-acting, bhangra and gidda will be performed by different artistes.

PHAGWARA
NEW TRUSTEES: Mr Rakesh Duggal and Mr Chandresh Kaul have been nominated members of the local Improvement Trust. The new trustees take the place of Mr Arun Khosla and Mr Mahesh Maria whose two-year term has ended.

CREMATED: Iqwinder Singh (39), a local exporter who died in a road accident near Karnal on Monday, was cremated here on Tuesday.

SHAGUN SCHEME: The Punjab Government has simplified the procedure of the shagun scheme extending its benefits to those whose daughters got married between April 1, 1997, and March 31, 2001. They can now apply for it till June 30, Mr Amarjit Paul, SDM, said here on Wednesday. The government had also extended time for applying for the scheme, from a week after the marriage to a month after the marriage.

POWER CUT: Residents are reeling under four to five hour phased power cut. The power cut also affects the water supply adversely. The local Citizen Rights Forum on Wednesday demanded regular supply of power.

INACTION CONDEMNED: Mr Rajinder Singh Fauji, Senior District Vice-President, SAD (A), on Wednesday condemned the kidnapping of seven-year-old Sawan Kumar from Jyoti Model School here on June 8 and the failure of the authorities to trace him even after six days.

SAMRALA
MEETING: A meeting of the Raj Mistri Mazdoor Union, Samrala, held here on Wednesday in the local Civil Rest House under the presidentship of Mr Avtar Singh. At the meeting, two minutes silence was observed in the memory of two labourers, Mohinder Singh (50) and Charan Singh (45), who died while digging a well at Doolo Kalan village. The union demanded compensation as per rules to the tractor-thrasher victims by the Punjab Government.

ONE KILLED: In a road accident near Rampur village on Monday evening, a scooterist, Gurinder Singh of Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana, was killed on the spot while another scooterist, Mr Karam Singh of Neelon village, near here, was seriously injured. He was taken to Ludhiana in critical condition, where his life is still not out of danger.

TARN TARAN
“REMOVE POSSESSION”: The local unit of the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Gill) has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandak Committee (SGPC) to remove the illegal possession of the historic “Khuh Bibi Bhani” made by Guru Arjan Dev in memory of his mother. The well had been taken into possession by some persons who were using it for their personal motives, the federation alleged.

MEDICAL CAMP: As many as 300 patients were examined and were given medicines free of cost at a camp organised by the Health Department at Subsidiary Health Centre, Pakhoke. Dr Ajaib Singh Sandhu, Civil Surgeon, Amritsar, presided over the camp.

ATTACK CONDEMNED: The PCMS Eye Surgeons Association, Punjab, has condemned the attack by some persons on Dr Gurdial Singh, Senior Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre, Chachowal (Hoshiarpur). It threatened that in case the police failed to arrest the culprits, the association would launch an agitation.

HARYANA

AMBALA
BJP MEETING: A meeting of the Ambala Cantt unit of the BJP was held under the presidentship of Mr Shish Pal Bhola. It was decided that a sammelan would be organised at the Brahmin Sabha hall on June 18 at 6 p.m.. The sammelan will be addressed by the Ambala MP and Haryana unit BJP President, Mr Ratan Lal Kataria. Among others, Mr Gyan Chand Aggarwal, Mr Shubhadesh Mittal, Mr Ravindra Dhawan, Mr Madan Lal, Mr Ranjit Singh and Dr Singla were present. Mr Bhola, while addressing the activists, said that the issues raised by the activists would be looked into. He said through the MP Local Area Development Fund of Mr R.L. Kataria, a number of development projects are going to be undertaken.

DEAD: Assistant Education Officer, Ambala, Bhagat Singh, has expired. Bhagat Singh met with an accident on Tuesday. He was a known sportsperson. He was cremated in Ambala city. District officials have expressed grief on his death.

ELDERS' FORUM: Members of the Elders Forum, expressing concern over the fast deteriorating civil conditions, has decided to intervene and submit a time-bound action plan to the state government. The members are hopeful that the authorities would initiate immediate action on the civic projects on list containing 10 major local issues. “In the event of the failure on the part of the authorities to take action for solving civic problems, the members of the forum will hold dharnas followed by chain fast to press for their demands,” according to a press note. The forum, supported by the Citizens Council, Ambala Cantt, will watch and review the response after one month to decide the future course of action.

BSP MEETING: A meeting of the local unit of the BSP was held at its office here on Wednesday. Among others, Mr A.D. Laharsa, Mr A.C. Bharedi, Mr Gurmail Singh, Mr Ramesh and Mr Balbir Singh were present at the meeting. Mr Balbir Singh, district vice-president, said since the time the Chautala government had come to power, the interest of the downtrodden were not being looked after. He said the BSP activists would hold a demonstration on June 20 if the main culprit of the Segta case is not nabbed.

KAITHAL
FOOD POISONING: Five persons were taken ill on Tuesday after having dal at Dhand Mandi, 18 km from here. However, alertness of a seven-year-old boy saved their lives. According to information, Pardeep, his wife Sarita, mother Bimla and sisters Minu and Sunita had dal in their meals. After some time Ankur asked his mother for food. When she went to the kitchen to serve him dinner he noticed a lizard in the dal and immediately raised alarm.

SIRSA
SARPANCH SUSPENDED: Gauri Shankar, Sarpanch of Dholpalia village in the district, has been suspended by the Deputy Commissioner following complaints of irregularities committed by him.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

BILASPUR
18 JOIN HVC: Eighteen leaders of Ghumarwin assembly constituency with their supporters, near here, have deserted their respective parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and declared to join the Himachal Vikas Congress. Mr Gian Chand Rattan, HVC state executive member from Ghumarwin, said this here on Tuesday.

RALLY HELD: As many as 200 members of joint Kol Dam action committee held a rally in front of district collectorate here on Monday and presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr J.S. Rana. They demanded steps be taken for their rehabilitation. Mr Shashi Sharma, chairman of the committee, led the rally.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been appointed office-bearers of the Ghumarwin unit of the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) with the approval of HVC president Sukh Ram; senior vice-president — Mr Bakashiram Sharma; vice-presidents — Mr Laskariram Pathania, Mr Rattanlal Dharmani, Mr Nikkaram Kaushal, Mr Baldev Thakur, Ms Rita Sharma and Mr Laskariram; general secretaries — Mr Sanjay Sharma, Mr Ishwardass Sharma, Mr Dinanath Sharma, Dr Amichand, Mr Vinod Kumar and Mr Daleep Singh; secretaries — Mr Thakur Dass, Mr Munshiram, Mr Rajender Singh, Mr Shanti Swaroop, Mr Ashwini KUmar Sharma and Ms Kaushlya Devi; and treasurer — Mr Jeet Ram Matyaal.

MANDI
SHOP ALLOTMENT: The Mandi District Chemists and Druggists Association on Wednesday urged the government to modify the procedure of allotment of chemist shops by the Civil Supplies Department. Earlier, the following were elected office-bearers of the association: president — Mr Parmodh Kaushal; general secretary — Mr Satish Gupta; vice-president — Mr Santosh Khanna; and treasurer — Mr M.L. Sharma.

NAHAN
REVIEWED: While reviewing essential commodities in Sirmaur district, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rakesh Kaushal, asked the District Food Controller to inspect quality of petrol being sold in the district. He said 2140 ration cards had been prepared for beneficiaries of the Antyodaya food scheme.

DROUGHT RELIEF: The Deputy Director Agriculture, Sirmaur, Mr Om Pal Singh, said an additional amount of Rs 10 lakh had been released under the drought relief programme in the district to increase irrigation network. He said 630 quintals of hybrid maize, 60 quintals of blackgram, 40 quintals of rice and 30 quintals of soyabeen seeds were also being given to farmers at subsidised rates.

PAZHOTA SHOOT-OUT: Forest Minister, Roop Singh Thakur remembered freedom fighters and heroes of Pazhota shoot-out and paid tributes to them on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the incident today. He also unveiled the statue of martyr Bhim Singh at Habban. Earlier in the day, he inaugurated a Forest Rest House at Habban built at a cost of Rs 16 lakh.

SHIMLA
TIBETAN BODY’S PLEA: The Regional Tibetan Women’s Association has urged the International Olympic Committee to vote against Beijing’s bid for hosting the 2008 Olympics in view of the continuous violation of the human rights in Tibet. By denying China the opportunity to host the Olympics, the international community would help highlight the “reign of repression” let loose by the Chinese authorities in China and Tibet, the association said in a press note here on Tuesday.