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| Monday,
July 2, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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CM refutes SAD-Chohan
connection Ferozepore, July 1 Mr Badal alleged that his party had no connection with Chohan and Zaffarwal as they were Congress agents but his government was committed to maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state. He pointed out that his party was for more rights to the state. Mr Badal, who was attending a sangat darshan programme at Ghal Khurd village in the district, today said violence had no place in civilised society and his government would not allow the same to take place. He alleged that it was the previous Congress governments which kept on giving step-motherly treatment to Punjab and harmed its economical and social interests. To a question, he said SAD could think of entering a poll alliance with only that party, which endorsed the policies of SAD and was anti-Congress. He stated that his party had been fighting against the dynastic rule. He claimed that people in the state were happy with the policies of the SAD-BJP government. He alleged that Congress leaders were raising objection against the sangat darshan programmes being held by him and his colleagues as they did not want that the grievances of the people should be redressed immediately and development be carried out at the grassroots level. Mr Badal laid the foundation stone of a girls’ college at Guru Sar Zodha village in Muktsar district yesterday. He announced Rs 10 lakh grant for the construction of the college, which was being built by Baba Kartar Singh at a cost of Rs 3 crore. |
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Terrorists’ return ‘engineered’
by CM Gurdaspur, July 30 Mr Bajwa alleged that the criticism of Wassan Singh Zaffarwal and Dr Chohan at a press conference here on Friday was just an attempt by Mr Badal to retain the support of urban minorities and weaker sections of society. Mr Bajwa said the outburst by Mr Badal was his political compulsion. He claimed that the BJP’s vote bank had distanced itself from the party in view of the pro-terrorist leanings of the SAD-BJP government. Mr Bajwa said that earlier Mr Barnala had released a large number of terrorists on the recommendations of the Justice Ajit Singh Bains Commission to give them an opportunity to join the mainstream. However, these terrorists had become active again and were eliminated in encounters with the police and paramilitary forces, Mr Bajwa said. Mr Bajwa said the PPCC had launched a campaign to make people aware of the “evil” designs of Mr Badal. Mr Bajwa demanded the immediate arrest of Dr Chohan to dispel doubts that these persons had been allowed entry into Punjab as part of a conspiracy. |
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Cong ‘politicising’ Chohan issue Phillaur, July 1 Mr Mittal alleged that Dr Chohan remained Finance Minister in the Gill ministry, which was supported by the Congress and moreover several Congressmen used to hold meetings with Khalistani protagonists abroad. Mr Mittal further alleged that the lunch bill of a meeting of Khalistani presidium held in Chandigarh was paid by a senior Congress leader during militancy in the state. BJP leader, however, claimed that the BJP had adopted its old stand to maintain peace and harmony at all costs in Punjab. Mr Mittal claimed that BJP leaders like Atal Behari Vajpayee, Lal Krishan Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi frequently visited Punjab to boost morale of Punjabis while Congress men avoided entering the state. He said Batala bandh opened with the initiative of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee during terrorism. When asked about some objectionable statements of Dr Chohan, Mr Mittal said law machinery of the state would not be silent if Dr Chohan tried to disturb the peace of the state. He claimed that the SAD-BJP alliance would not allow disturbance of peace in the state. Mr Mittal denied consent of the government to the entry of Dr Chohan in Punjab and said that his entry was allowed by court orders. |
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Radical leaders’ entry ‘matter of shame’ Amritsar, July 1 In a exclusive interview with TNS, here today, Mr Ashwani Kumar said there was likelihood of a major political shake-up at the Centre resulting in consolidation of secular forces with far-reaching consequences for national polity and hence the Congress would take the lead in this process. Coming down heavily on the entry of radical leaders in Punjab, Mr Ashwani Kumar said it was indeed a matter of shame both for the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab that the Khalistani ideologue, Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan, and Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, self-styled chief of the Khalistan Commando Force, were allowed smooth entry into the country. He said radicals who wounded the sensitivity of the peace loving people of India could not be allowed to threaten communal harmony and social solidarity in Punjab. Mr Ashwani Kumar said the SAD-BJP combine owed an explanation to the people of the country about the activities of these people. Instead of addressing the issues of inter-state river waters, the transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas into Punjab in the past four and a half years of its governance, the Badal government had remained captive to the petty vision of Akali politics and completely compromised the interests of the state on all fronts. This was the reason why the state which enjoyed a good status on the prosperity front was now on the brink of bankruptcy, essentially due to the absence of a clear economic agenda for Punjab. Mr Ashwani Kumar said corruption had surpassed all previous records. Maladministration would be highlighted during the election campaign. He said if voted to power the Congress government would ensure health and transparency. The Congress leader welcomed the invitation extended to Gen Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan President, to visit India. He described it as a step in the right direction which would help in establishing peace in the subcontinent. |
Speaker orders medical
treatment for Balu Amritsar, July 1 The Speaker added that on his intervention the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha got the assurance from the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Mr P. Shanker, that all possible medical help had been provided to the Union Minister. When asked about the highhandedness of the police in arresting Mr M. Karunanidhi and two union ministers, Murasoli Maran and T. Balu, the Speaker evaded a direct reply, but added that he was not in a position to comment on the incident till he had personally seen the factual report. Commenting on the menace of defections among legislators, Mr Balayogi stated that he had personally constituted a high-powered panel in this regard. Talking about the frequent disruption of legislation the Speaker felt the need to bring about discipline among the members. He sought the cooperation of the leaders of all political parties to restore decorum and sanctity of the Houses. He said the conference had proposed to take stringent action against members who obstruct the address of the President and the governors in Parliament and in the state assemblies respectively. |
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IMA, Barnala sets up legal cell Barnala, July 1 The decision to constitute a legal cell was taken at an emergency meeting of the IMA, Barnala, held here on Thursday night under the chairmanship of Dr S.S. Toor, Chief Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Barnala, and patron of the IMA, Barnala, in the wake of a hue and cry generated by two medical examination reports of a nine-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by a mahant. Mahant Sewa Dass Muni who was booked in a rape case under Section 376 of the IPC on the basis of the medical examination report of Dr Asha Gupta, Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Barnala, was consequently arrested by the police in DMC Hospital, Ludhiana. However, after the registration of a case and the consequent arrest of the mahant, an action committee misled the parents of the victim that the medical examination of the girl conducted at the Barnala hospital was not up to the mark. The parents of the girl expressing dissatisfaction over the medical report represented their plea to the SDM, Barnala. Following a directive from the Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, a panel of three doctors of the Civil Hospital, Sangrur, conducted another medical examination of the girl after about 25 days. Though both the reports pertaining to the medical examination of the girl confirmed the act of rape yet an action committee allegedly to blackmail and harass the Medical Officer deemed it fit to find fault with the report of the Barnala hospital. Perturbed over levelling of fabricated allegations against the Medical Officer, doctors of the Civil Hospital, Barnala, on June 28 made a written representation to the SSP, Barnala police district, to initiate stern action against anti-social elements making false charges against doctors. The doctors said they would not take up medico-legal cases in future if no action was taken against the notorious elements. This reporter contacted Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, who was promoted as Joint Director, Punjab Health Department, recently, seeking his comments about the controversy about two medical examination reports of the victim on June 29. Dr Bansal said, “Both the reports have been sent to the court and it is for the courts to decide. I have no comment to offer in this regard.” |
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Punjab to promote four more IGs Chandigarh, July 1 At present, the state has three Directors-General, and 16 Additional Directors-General of Police. It has 20 Inspectors-General in an authorised cadre strength of 144. Interestingly, the number of officers against the 31 senior posts under the Central deputation quota is hardly in double figures. Mr Gurbachan Jagat (Director-General, Border Security Force), Mr A.A. Siddique (Director-General of Police, Manipur) , Mr V.N. Mathur, Mr R.K. Gupta, Mr Jyoti Trehan, Mr Harsh Gupta and Mr Abraham Mathai Noorani are among the officers on Central deputation working outside the state. Other senior officers are either not empanelled for Central deputation quota or are not willing to leave, thus making the police administration in the state “top heavy”. The Departmental Promotion Committee has, in the meanwhile, recommended that Mr S.S. Virk (on deputation from Maharashtra and belonging to the 1970 batch), along with Mr K.K. Attri (1971 batch), Mr N.P.S. Aulakh and Mr R.S. Chalia (1972 batch) be promoted as Additional Directors-General of Police. Mr Virk is Inspector-General (Security) while Mr K.K. Attri is Inspector-General , Crime. Mr N.P.S. Aulakh is Inspector-General (Headquarters) and Mr R.S. Chalia is on deputation with the Department of Prisons as Inspector-General, Prisons. After the retirement of Mr J.P. Aswal, there are now two vacancies of Additional Director-General, the other on account of Mr A.A. Siddique recently being appointed Director-General of Police, Manipur. Sources reveal that since Mr Virk has been working with the Punjab Police for a long time and his batchmates have already been promoted Additional Director-General, he should not be denied his rightful due. As such, both Mr Virk and Mr K.K. Attri would be promoted simultaneously. It may be pertinent to mention here that Mr Attri had made a representation that Mr Virk, being an outsider, should not be promoted by denying him his due. While promoting both Mr Bhullar and Mr Chahal, the government has also upgraded the posts held by them. Under the rules against a cadre post of DGP, the State can appoint another seniormost officer as DGP against an ex-cadre post. Previously, the Vigilance Bureau and the Home Guards were headed by ex-cadre Directors-General of Police. The sources argue that in case the government follows the convention, a few more ADGPs can be promoted as DGPs and appointed against ex-cadre posts. The present thinking in the department has been that the post of Inspector-General of Prisons be upgraded to the level of Additional Director-General of Police and Mr R.S. Chalia may be adjusted there. |
Punjab CPM to
contest 20 seats Ropar, July 1 The candidates for the Nangal and Garhshankar seats have been finalised. The party will field Mr Mohinder Pal Gautam from Nangal and Mr Darshan Singh Mattu from Garhshankar. Mr Raghunath Singh, the state secretariat member of the CPM, stated this while talking to newsmen here on Friday. Besides this, the party would strike an alliance with other parties like the CPI, the Lok Bhalai Party and the Republican Party to form the Lok Morcha in the state. The main objective of the morcha would be to defeat the ruling SAD-BJP alliance. For this purpose, the CPM would either enter into a poll alliance with some secular parties or support the suitable candidates to defeat the SAD-BJP candidates, Mr Raghunath said. When asked if the Left parties would enter into some poll alliance with the Congress, he said till date the Congress had not approached them for any such alliance. If the Congress decided to support the candidates of the Lok Morcha, the move would be reciprocated, he said. About the alliance with the proposed third front in the state, including the SHSAD, SAD (Mann) and the BSP, he said no alliance was possible with the Tohra and the Mann groups. The BSP had also proved to be an opportunist party and so the CPM did not want to enter into any alliance with them. The state president of the DYFI, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, who was also present, criticised the SAD-BJP government for reviving separatist forces in the state. The return of Jagjit Singh Chohan and his reiteration to continue his struggle for the creation of Khalistan had created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the state. The SAD was trying to put at stake the hard won peace in the state, for playing a political gamble. The SAD was trying to secure the release of terrorists who had killed innocent people in the state, whereas no such courtesy was being shown to the police officials accused in the terrorist related cases, he added.  |
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Punjab ‘ought to have’ 40 Aggarwal MLAs Sangrur, July 1 Mr Garg was addressing a gathering of Aggarwals while presiding over the Aggarwal abhinandan samaroh organised by the local Aggarwal Sabha in Shakti Bhavan of Maha Kali Devi Temple here. Mr Garg also called on the Aggarwals to work for uniting and strengthening the community to have “several Chiranji Lal Gargs” in the Punjab Assembly. He said their unity might help the community in fetching several top posts in the municipal committees, market committees and other such institutions. Besides, the community could also send several MLAs in the Punjab Assembly, he added. Mr Garg also asked the community to maintain dignity and honour. He also said unity was the only tool which could solve all problems of the Aggarwal community. He also announced Rs 30,000 for the Sangrur Aggarwal Sabha from his discretionary fund. Mr Banarasi Dass Gupta, former Haryana Chief Minister, who was guest of honour at the function, urged the community to unite itself because unity provided strength and proved helpful in getting power and ticket from the political parties in the elections. He also asked the Aggarwals to respect those Aggarwals who were serving society and the nation to boost their morale. Mr Gupta also appealed to the Sangrur Aggarwal Sabha to install a statue of late Hans Raj Rehbar, an Aggarwal from Sangrur and a freedom fighter, in the town. Mr Pradeep Mittal, president of the All-India Aggarwal Sammelan, gave a call to the Aggarwals of Punjab to constitute units of the Aggarwal Sabha in every village of the state for strengthening the Aggarwal community politically and socially. He also alleged that political parties did not want unity among the Aggarwals as they knew unity in the community would be harmful for them. He also called on the Aggarwals to work in every field and every part of Punjab. Mr Rameshwar Dass, president of the Punjab Aggarwal Sabha, asked the Aggarwals to help needy persons of the community. He also asked Mr Chiranji Lal Garg to make arrangements for the allotment of two assembly tickets, in each district for Aggarwals. He assured the minister that Aggarwals would ensure the victory of their candidates. Among others who addressed the gathering included Mr Parkash Chand Garg, Chairman of the Punjab Land Development and Reclamation Corporation, Mr Prem Kumar Garg, general secretary of the Punjab Aggarwal Sabha, Mrs Raj Rani, president of the women’s wing of the Punjab Aggarwal Sabha, Mr Ved Parkash, general secretary of the Punjab Aggarwal Pritinidhi Sabha, and Mrs Kamini Goyal, president of the Sangrur unit of the Aggarwal Sabha. |
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Punjab Christian Movement to
contest 40 seats Jalandhar, July 1 Mr Hamid Masih, president of the PCM, in a press note here yesterday said the Akali and Congress governments in the state had failed to uplift the Christian community in the past 53 years. Keeping in view the indifferent attitude of the two main parties towards the long-pending demands of the Christian community, they had decided to field their own candidates in 40 constituencies, Mr Masih added. |
Badal orders SHO’s suspension Ghal Khurd (Ferozepore), July 1 Mr Badal, who was here to attend a sangat darshan programme, called Mr Riar before him after listening to the complaint of Mr Ajit Singh and his wife Kuldeep Kaur in connection with the “irresponsible” role of the police following the murder of their son in Chak Zanisingh village. Mrs Kuldeep Kaur, who was carrying the photo of her young son and met the Chief Minister along with her husband, alleged the police had not arrested the accused so far despite the fact that her son was murdered on June 9. She further alleged that police officials were deliberately protecting the accused as they were hand in glove with him. She added that no police official came to their residence after her son was done to death. Information gathered by TNS revealed that certain police officials tried to stop the aggrieved parents from meeting Mr Badal. The police officials also assured them that the accused would be arrested shortly. However, Mr Ajit Singh and his wife, who came to India from Canada on June 12 after receiving the news of the murder of their son, insisted that they would meet Mr Badal and would apprise him of the role which the police had been playing. Mr Badal also asked a senior police official to make an inquiry into the incident and submit a detail report in that connection. Informations further revealed the police had traced out the culprit and it had come to its notice that the man who had committed the crime was known to the deceased. The accused also wielded considerable influence in the corridors of power. No senior police official could be contacted for his comments. |
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AISHYAD call to oust Badal Amritsar, July 1 Mr Panjoli alleged that there was need to awaken the Sikh masses so that Badal government, which had failed to come up to the expectations of the masses, be ousted during the forthcoming general election. Despite tall promises, the Badal government could not get the long-pending demands of Punjab and Punjabis conceded. The issues of sharing of inter-state river waters and transfer of Chandigarh stood unresolved. On the other hand, the clergy had failed to address the Panthic issues properly. Mr Jasbir Singh Ghumman, general secretary, SHSAD, said Bhai Ranjit Singh was still the ‘real Jathedar’ of Akal Takht and his party would re-install him at an appropriate time. The youth leaders said there was lot of resentment among the youths due to growing unemployment. Many youths were still languishing in various jails of the country without any trial. |
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Pak gesture to belittle SGPC? Amritsar, July 1 Some officials are of the view that the Pakistan Government wanted to give discredit to the SGPC as its officials, who had visited along with the jathas on Baisakhi and death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev, did not ‘help’ the Indian youths to enable them to get back to India. These youths became victim of “bogus travel agents” in Turkey and Iran, and ultimately succeeded in reaching Pakistan. Another reason for Pakistan’s goodwill gesture seems to be to give discredit to the Indian Government in which it (Pakistan) miserably failed. Pakistan thought that the Indian Government would book the youths under the Indian Passport Act as they were not carrying any valid visa. However, the Government of India took a lenient view on humanitarian grounds and ordered their release within 24 hours after a thorough probe. Since the SGPC has not yet given recognition to the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee so far, the Government of Pakistan is trying to promote some comparatively little known Sikh leaders to belittle the SGPC. |
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Clash over memorial issue Barnala, July 1 According to reports, about 3 acres initially owned by the two freedom fighters at Dhanaula, about 10 km from here, is the bone of contention between the two groups. Nachhattar Singh Brar, the gradson-in-law of Baba Pratap Singh, told this reporter here today that following the death of the baba in 1991 he was cremated on the land. Later the land was transferred in the name of grand daughters of the freedom fighters Amarjit Kaur and Gurdial Kaur. Mr Brar gave a written consent to the CPM to raise a memorial on the land. The party did not raise a memorial for want of funds for about nine years. Last year the family got a boundary wall raised and built a room and verandah and left an area for the memorial. On June 26, a local court restrained the CPM activists from interfering in the case. The next day the CPM activists trespassed the premises. One Najam Singh was attacked. A case under Sections 308, 379, 506, 148, 149, of the IPC has been registered against Chand Singh Chopra, former MLA, Gurdev Singh Dardi, Naranjan Singh, Bant Singh, Balwant Singh, Raghvir Singh, Gurbux Singh and Bhupinder Singh on a complaint of Najam Singh. Meanwhile, the CPM activists have complained to the police that Nachhattar Singh Brar with his supporters had attacked them with rods and sticks injuring Malkit Singh, Gurbux Singh, Jaswant Singh and Bhupinder Singh. On a complaint of Malkit Singh Dhanaula the police is reported to have registered a case against Nachhattar Singh Brar and his supporters under Sections 452, 477, 379, 328, 148 and 149 of the IPC. Mr Brar has alleged that CPM activists were not at all keen on raising a memorial, but were demanding Rs 2 lakh for dropping their claim on the land. |
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Welfare programme for women Bathinda, July 1 CARE (Counselling, Arbitration, Rehabilitation and Enquiry) settles cases of marital disputes and dowry-related problems at the pre-litigation stage. The cases are then looked into from the legal point of view. Cases are registered and pursued till their conclusion. The cases are then re-checked up to some time after conclusion to verify the implementation of the judgement. CARE has been equipped with a counselling room, wireless room, telephone connection and vehicles. A consultative committee of nine social workers and a woman DSP manage the working of CARE. Mr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, told this correspondent that the response of the public had been encouraging and women from all walks of life had been coming to CARE for getting their problems solved. Mr Jain said in the past six months, as many as 172 applications were received by CARE. Out of these, 63 cases concluded in compromise and 17 cases were referred to the court. Six cases ended in divorce at the panchayat level and 9 cases were registered, 33 cases filed and in about 15 cases, the police stations concerned issued instructions for further investigations. He further said in the past six months, 63 cases of family or marital disputes had been solved. Some cases worth mentioning include the cases of Karmo (name changed) and Manu (name changed), he said. The husband of Karmo, mother of five girls, was a drug addict. When
Karmo contacted CARE people, they solved her problem after a number of sittings with her husband and admitted him to a drug de-addiction centre, following which her husband and her family had been living a normal life. In another case Manu was living with her parents after her marriage due to a family dispute. CARE brought both parties to a compromise. After counselling, Manu started living with her in-laws, Mr Jain said. CARE motivate couples to lead a happy married life by understanding each other. The value of marriage is told to them through counselling. Under arbitration, the husband and wife are told to adapt themselves to the nature of each other and change or quit some of their habits due to which the other person was feeling insulted or harassed. Rehabilitation aims at bringing close the couples who had been living separately due to some minor dispute. The cases that could not be solved by peaceful means are referred to police stations or courts for the required action, Mr Jain said. |
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Population award for Dr Sahay Mansa Dr Sahay is a Professor of Biomechanics at the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. He has already received six national and international awards. Among the awards won by him is the coveted Global Media Award from the Population Institute (USA) for being the best columnist in 1996. Dr Sahay, a founder general secretary of the India Society of Biomechanics, has also edited a book on biomechanics and published more than 50 technical papers. Besides, more than 200 articles of his have appeared in English journals and newspapers, including The Tribune, on the issue of population. He was invited recently by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission to submit a paper on population control to assist in the drawing up of a national population policy. He highlighted several basic flaws in India’s population control programmes and proposed new ways to effectively control the rapid increase in population before it got too late. Dr Sahay believes that India has long passed the eco-demographic stage when it could control its population growth through the process of development (e.g. education, healthcare, etc) alone. He has delivered several lectures in universities and at other fora on the country’s population problem and also participated in several TV programmes on the issue. The ARA was started here on September 16, 1983. Its Check Population Award is given to a person who has done outstanding work in this field. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation. The ARA has so far given the award to Dr Puran Singh Jassi, the then Director of Family Welfare, Punjab, and Dr Ashish Bose, a prominent demographer of the country. The ARA sends through registered post the “Fitte-Lahnt Parman Patra” to prominent persons who have an unreasonable number of children. It has sent the certificate to more than 150 persons so far, including Mr Laxmi Narain Singh, Jail Minister, Uttar Pradesh, whose 11th child was born recently. |
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Audit raps PSEB for spending more on transformers Patiala, July 1 According to audit reports, the board went in for purchase of 600 transformers by placing purchase orders at the fifth lowest bid, resulting in an extra expenditure of Rs 25.75 lakh. Similarly, the board ignored the recommendations of its own Central Purchase Committee to decide to procure 200 transformers on different specifications, out of which order for 80 transformers was issued, resulting in an extra expenditure of another Rs 26.86 lakh. According to the report, sealed tenders had been invited for the purchase of 800 transformers of 220 KVA, which were opened in February, 2000, with Amson, Mohali, securing the lowest bid of Rs 82,062 per transformer in group I with imported core specifications and Sapa Electronics, Varanasi, securing the lowest bid of Rs 1.15 lakh in group III with prime imported core. It said the CPC decided that as the transformers in group III, which matched the specifications of the Kalra Committee, were not viable, the board should buy 800 conventional transformers. While ignoring the rates of the first four bidders, the CPC recommended the rates of Sapa Industries at Rs 86,355 per transformer and advised that the board should negotiate the rates due to downward trends. The board while considering the recommendations in July, 2000, decided that negotiations with the firms were not required and decided to acquire 400 transformers at the lowest bidders on merit (L-1) rates due to early supply needed to tide over the shortage, and purchase the remaining 400 transformers according to the Kalra Committee specifications. Meanwhile, the Chief Engineer, Material Management, in his order in the same month regularised certain modifications with regard to allowing the rate of Sapa Electronics and the board authorised the Whole Time Board (WTM) to take a decision on the remaining 400 transformers. While an order was placed for the purchase of 400 transformers in August at the rate of Rs 86,355 per transformer to the firms, the WTM at its meeting in October, 2000, decided to procure additional 200 conventional transformers from the same nine firms and decided to purchase only 200 transformers according to the Kalra Committee specifications at the rate of Rs 1,15,655 per transformer. Finally order for only 80 such transformers placed as three of the chosen firms did not agree to the conditions, including the delivery schedule. According to the report, the board pleaded that L-1 rate of the technically suitable firm was given with the
concurrence of the Member, Operation, and that the matter was placed before the board which was considered in August, 2000. The report said this reply was not tenable as the board had decided to purchase the transformers at L-1 rates and again confirmed this decision at its August meeting. As regard to purchase of transformers as per the Kalra Committee report, the board stated that it had placed the order on experimental basis and that if the transformers proved successful it would purchase all future transformers, according to the Kalra panel specifications. The audit officials felt that the reply was not tenable as the board had been purchasing similar transformers since 1996 and no comparative study or cost benefit analysis in this regard had been made till now. Board Chairman G. S. Sohal said the transformer orders had been placed on merit and that only those firms had been given orders which fulfilled the technical requisites. He gave an example of how one of the firms which had bid lower than the order price literally functioned from a “cattleshed” without any proper machinery. He said such firms could not be considered for board orders simply because they placed low bids. He said, moreover, the process had the concurrence of the wholetime members who were experts in various fields, adding that the orders were very
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Infighting stalls MC work Mansa, July 1 Meanwhile, residents of the Laluana road met the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Raji P. Shirivastava, on Thursday and apprised her of the lack of basic amenities in the new basti area of the town. They updated the Deputy Commissioner regarding various problems faced by the residents of the area. They claimed that the roads were in bad shape and full of pot holes. They alleged that due to the tussle between the president and the municipal councillor of the area, Mr Prem Sagar Bhola, the repair work of the Laluana road had been stopped. Drawing attention to the poor dewatering facilities, they said even light showers caused water-logging in the area. They alleged the streets were not cleaned on a daily basis and electric wires passed very close to the houses. The absence of street lights was also pointed out to the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner assured the residents that she would look into the matter. |
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Residents lock in PSEB employees Bathinda, July 1 Led by Municipal Councillors Vijay Sharma, they disrupted traffic for three hours and locked some PSEB employees for about one hour in their office. The employees were “rescued” by Mr Rupinder Singh Bhullar, SP (D). Residents said the office had been in their area for about 12 years and more than 10,000 residents file their electricity bills in the office. The building was on rent and is now to be shifted to about 6 km away. The residents blocked traffic and the vehicles of the PSEB which were called in for shifting of the office furniture were not let off by them. Then they locked eight PSEB employees, two of them Junior Engineer in the office. The police allegedly reached very late on the spot. Later Mr A.S. Bhatti, ADC (C) assured residents that the office would not be shifted without their consent. |
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Rail passengers seek more facilities Bathinda, July 1 Mr Goyal said the Jodhpur-Kalka Express had been connected with Hardwar thereby facilitating the people to travel at night. But the passengers from Abohar, Sriganganagar, Malout and Gidderbaha on one route and Faridkot, Ferozepore and Jaito on the other could be benefited if two bogies each from the above routes were attached. The southern parts of the country were not connected with the Malwa belt directly and there was an urgent need to connect these by starting at least one Rajdhani or express train, Mr Goyal said. The change in timings and schedules of the trains should be made public in an elaborate manner, he added. The association had requested the Railway authorities to change the arrival timing of the Amritsar-Jaipur (9771-9772) trains at Bathinda so that it matched the arrival timings of the Abha-Toofan Express. This would benefit the people of Abohar and Sriganganagar areas, Mr Goyal said. |
Parties seek arrest
of accused Kharar, July 1 Mr Balwant Singh, Secretary of the Punjab unit of the Communist Party (M); Ms Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, Secretary of the Punjab unit of the Congress; Mr Maan Singh Manheda, Secretary of the state unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party; Mr Harneik Singh Gharuan, a former Punjab minister; Mr Tirlochan Singh Rana, Secretary of the CPM’s Ropar unit; Dr G.S. Jammu, Secretary of the CPM’s Kharar unit; Mr Gurdial Singh and Mr Natrajan Kaushal, municipal commissioners; Mr Balbir Singh Sidhu, a senior Congress leader, Mr Rajbir Singh Patiala, Vice-President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal; and Mr Nanak Singh, Secretary of the CPI’s Kharar unit, were among those who addressed the gathering. Mr Rajbir Singh demanded a compensation for the family of the Bangala youths. All parties will finalise the further course of action at a meeting in Ropar on July 2. |
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Youth dies in mishap Bathinda, July 1 The bullet pierced the chest and he died on the spot. Kuldeep was the eldest of the three children in the family. He along with his father was running a transport business. |
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Summer festival-2001 Patiala, July 1 |
Punjab to seek Rs 50 hike in paddy MSP Ropar, July 1 He further said the arrangements for the procurement of paddy were being made beforehand by the state government. The payments for the purchase of the gunny bags had already been made to the agencies. There were 1,632 purchase centers in the state and if the situation demanded more would be created. Mr Mittal criticised the arrest of Mr M. Karunanidhi, his son and the two Union Ministers by the Jayalalitha government. |
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BKU urges govt to write off loans Bathinda, July 1 Mr Bhupinder Singh said loans amounting to Rs 7,000 crore were payable by farmers. The farmers of the cotton belt were being pressurised by banks and arhtiyas to repay the loans, which they were unable to do because of crop failures. |
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Cheques
distributed among 900 farmers Samrala,
July 1 |
PSEB revises
timings Patiala, July 1 According to official press note issued here the consumers falling under Operation Zones South, North, Border and West will be required to observe evening peak load hours restrictions from 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. instead of 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm. It was further stated that for consumers under Operation Central Zone, the timings would be from 8.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. instead of 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. The evening peak load hours restrictions for Operation Central Zone will be staggered with a gap of 30 minutes after the other zones.
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Contract killer arrested Jalandhar, July 1 Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, stated here today that Harpal Singh Shantu of the local Gurdas Nagar locality was arrested from Maqsoodan bus stop yesterday and two revolvers and nine rounds were recovered from his possession. According to police sources, Harpal was allegedly a partner of Mr Pritam Singh and Mr Gurcharan Singh Narula, both senior Akali leaders, in liquor business in the cantonment area. According to sources, Harpal Singh had helped Amarpreet of Amritsar escape from the custody of the Uttar Pradesh police, while the latter was on way to Tees Hazari Courts on the Gaziabad-Delhi road on June 27. Three unidentified armed persons fired indiscriminately on the police party, killing constable Mehat Singh on the spot and injuring another constable Ashwini Tyagi. |
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Two killed in shootout Chandigarh, July 1 According to the police, some girls who are related to Mohinder Singh and his kin relatives in Kotkapura had gone to see a movie where certain youngsters allegedly teased and harassed them. On their return the girls told their parents about what happened to them at the cinema hall. Mohinder Singh and his friends identified the group responsible for teasing the girls and decided to teach them a lesson. Mohinder Singh, who was carrying his licensed revolver with him, had heated exchange with the miscreants. He opened fire, killing Lakhbir Singh (son of Gurcharan Singh) and Lovely (son of Lachman Dass), both passersby. One of the injured was identified as a son of Mr Geja Singh and was accompanying Mohinder Singh. After the shootout, Mohinder Singh and his accomplices fled. Mr Meena said a case of murder had been registered against the assailants but no arrests had been made. |
Sack PTU VC, says Youth Cong Jalandhar, July 1 The PYC has threatened to organise a dharna in front of the university and block traffic on the Jalandhar- Amritsar highway if the VC was not dismissed and a case registered against him by the Punjab Government by July 17. Controversies and allegations have been rocking the university since its inception in 1997. Earlier, a group of women employees had alleged misbehaviour with them by Dr Gurm, followed by question paper leakage scandal and sale of question papers by a section of the PTU employees. More recently, the PTU Registrar had been sacked by the university authorities. However, Dr Gurm had justified it saying that if a VC could appoint a Registrar, he could also remove him in the interest of the university and students. Attacking the Punjab Government for its indifferent attitude towards the developments in the PTU, the PYC chief, Mr Davinder Singh Babbu, alleged yesterday that Punjab Technical Education Minister Jagdish Singh Garcha was shielding the VC even though the latter was facing serious charges, including the one of misbehaviour with the women staff of university. “What has surprised everybody is that Dr Gurm is the VC at the age of 67 even as the UGC has fixed the retirement age of a VC at 65,” said Mr Babbu, who alleged that the minister was shielding the VC as the latter had appointed a number of near and dear ones of Mr Garcha and his supporters from his Quilla Raipur consituency to various positions in the PTU even as some of them even did not meet the minimum educational qualification. The PYC leaders threatened that a stir would be followed by dharna and road block on July 17 if the state government and the Punjab Chief Minister failed to intervene in the affairs of the university. |
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ADPI (Colleges)
Punjab Chandigarh, July 1 Earlier, she was the Head of Department, Punjabi, Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh. Manjit Indira, an eminent poet, has many collections to her credit and is an important attraction in poetic symposia. |
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Class X results by July 6 Chandigarh, July 1 |
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