R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

VIVEKANAND CENTRE: The Vivekanand Studies Centre at Guru Nanak Dev University will be inaugurated on August 6. Mr Chander Shekhar Talwar, PCS, from Ludhiana will be the main speaker on the occasion. This was informed by Mr R.P. Sobti, Director, Public Relations of the university. The centre had been established under the UGC ninth plan scheme, he added.

BATHINDA
EYE CAMP HELD: The Divine Eye Research Foundation (DERF) on Wednesday organised a free eye check-up camp at Government Primary School here. Mr H.L. Arodhia, Branch Manager of the State Bank of Patiala, inaugurated the camp and Mr Rajan Garg, advocate, was the chief guest. In a press note issued here, Mr Rakesh Narula, president, DERF, said Dr A.K. Bansal examined about 157 patients during the camp.

MARTYRDOM DAY: The Sahara Jan Seva, an NGO, on Tuesday celebrated the 61st martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh. In a press note issued here on Wednesday, Mr Vijay Goel, president of the NGO, motivated the youth to follow the path of great martyrs like Shaheed Udham Singh. As many as 100 saplings were planted at various places on the occasion.

MEDICAL CAMP HELD: Seva Bharati, a social organisation, celebrated its annual day on Tuesday and organised a free medical check-up camp at Mata Bhagvan Devi Hospital. In a press note issued here on Wednesday, Mr Y.R. Handa, president of the organisation, said the camp was inaugurated by Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Science and Technology Minister, Punjab. He added that during the camp, Dr Shiv Dutt Gupta, child specialist, Dr N.K.Bharti, heart specialist, Dr Sunil Chauhan, bone and joint specialist and Dr Ajay Garg, ENT specialist, attended to the patients. The patients were provided medicines free of cost.

MARTYR REMEMBERED: Mr Chiranji Lal, Minister for Science and Technology, speaking at a function organised in connection with the second death anniversary of Shaheed Sandip Singh, who laid down his life during the Kargil war, said here on Thursday that the entire nation was proud of the martyrs. The minister said the state government would raise a memorial in the name of Shaheed Sandip Singh in the city.

YOGA CAMP: Mr Rakesh Narula, president of the Divine Eye Research Foundation, said in a press note issued here on Thursday that the foundation had organised a yoga camp at Government Middle School at Phoos Mandi village. The participants were told about the benefits of the yoga practices and motivated to donate eyes.

DHARNA HELD: Members of the Palledar Union of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Punjab Food Agency of Maur Mandi on Thursday held a dharna in front of the office of the Assistant Manager, FCI, in protest against the decision of the Central Government to privatise the corporation. Mr Gurdeep Singh, secretary of the union, said they would participate in a national-level rally in New Delhi.

APPOINTED: Mr Tek Singh has been appointed president of the district unit of the SAD (Schedule Caste and Backward Class wing). This was stated by Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, in a press note issued here on Thursday.

DORAHA
TEEJ CELEBRATED: The festival of Teej was celebrated at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha. Girls dressed in Punjabi suits and “lehangas”, applied “mehandi” on their hands, took swings and ate “Kheer Puras,” Mrs Raj Rani, Municipal Councillor, Doraha, was the special guest on this occasion. Stalls were also put up in the college. ‘Antakshari’ was organised and songs were rendered. The main attraction of the show was ‘Giddha.’

FARIDKOT
WATER SUPPLY PLAN: The district administration has formulated a Rs 3.5 crore plan for the augmentation of the drinking water supply system in 95 villages. Under the scheme all old pipelines will be replaced, more tubewells and waterworks will be constructed to make the programme effective. This was stated by Mr A. Venu Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, here on Thursday.

SE ASSUMES CHARGE: Mr Satwant Singh Sangha took over as the Superintending Engineer of the Punjab State Electricity Board, Faridkot circle, in place of Mr V.K. Verma on Wednesday. Mr Verma retired on July 31.

MEDICAL CAMP: More than 800 persons were vaccinated against hepatitis-B in a medical camp organised by the local Lions Club here on Wednesday. Dr J.S. Dalal, head of the Forensic Department, Government Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, inaugurated the camp. According to Mr Gurindermohan Singh, chairman of the club, another camp would be held here on August 26.

GURDASPUR
SANGAT DARSHAN: Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while addressing a sangat darshan here on Wednesday said all economically backward families in rural areas would be given 5 marla plots free of cost from the panchayat land. So far, 270 panchayats had given their resolutions and had been cleared for the allotment of plots by the government, he said.

JALANDHAR
CHARGE REFUTED: Dr Daljeet Singh, a member of the District Departmental Selection Committee formed by the Punjab Government to select JBT teachers, on Thursday refuted the allegations levelled in a news report published on July 31, that he had harassed candidates, particularly those belonging to the backward class, during the recently concluded interviews for Nawanshahr district.

LUDHIANA
CAMP: A two-day camp for grant of widow and old-age pension was organised in New Shiv Puri (Ward No 66) in which eligible persons, filled their forms and submitted to the officials of the Welfare Department. The area councillor, Mr Sat Pal Puri, assured the residents that such activities, aimed at delivering the welfare benefits at the doorstep of the people, would continue. A large number of eligible persons from adjoining localities participated in the camp and were assisted in submission of their pension application forms. Prominent among those who participated in the camp were Mr Karan Kapoor, president, Mr Deepak Puri, vice-president, Mr Amit Aggarwal, organiser, Youth Welfare Club, Mr Ashudeep Malhotra, Mr Sushil Aggarwal, Mr Sunil Jindal, Mr Balraj Bhalla, president, Ludhiana Labour Cell, and Mr Raman Khosla.

MEETING: A general body meeting of the Bhai Ghanayya Sewa Sanstha, Haibowal Khurd, would be held at the PAU Library Park on Saturday. According to the convener of the body, Mr Kartar Singh Garib, several important decisions to streamline the working of the sanstha would be taken at the meeting.

PENSIONERS’ STIR: Government pensioners, all over the state, would resort to agitation from September 9 onwards to highlight their plight and the indifferent attitude of the government towards them. A meeting of the Punjab State Pensioners’ Confederation held here on Wednesday evening, with Mr B.R. Kaushal in the chair, lambasted the Punjab Government for its failure to implement the commitments made after the receipt of the fourth Punjab Pay Commission Report way back in February 1998. According to Mr Kaushal, the pensioners would organise dharnas and rallies at Amritsar on September 9, at Gurdaspur on September 25, at Ludhiana on October 1, at Sangrur on October 9, at Patiala on October 17, at Nawanshahr on October 28, at Mansa on November 5, at Hoshiarpur on November 9 and at Jalandhar on November 20.

SEMINAR: A seminar on ‘Year of women empowerment — 2001’ will be organised at SCD Government College on Saturday, Mr A.S. Turna, Principal, said Mr Pam Rajput, Director, Centre for Women Studies, Panjab University, would will deliver key note address. Besides, Dr Prithipal Singh Sohi, Prof Rajdeep Gill and students from various colleges would take part in the seminar. Master Mohan Lal, Minister of Higher Education, Punjab, will preside over the function and Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, will be the chief guest.

RALLIES: The Government Primary Teachers’ Association has decided to hold rallies to protest against the decision of the Punjab government to replace the primary directorate with elementary directorate. Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, President, said the first rally would be held at Town Hall, Phagwara, on August 19, to be followed by the second on September 8 at Amritsar and then at Fatehgarh Sahib on September 22. They urged the Chief Minister to hear their problems before August 15 otherwise members of the association would hold dharnas at “sangat darshan” programmes to be presided over him at different places.

FOOD FESTIVAL: The Hotel Maharaja Regency, in association with Euro Food Express, will organise a European food festival on August 4 and 5. Italian foods, Swiss deserts, mango delicacies, non-vegetarian barbecue dishes and French bread would be the main attractions of the festival, said Mr Vikas Srivastava, general manager of the hotel, at a press conference. Besides, he said European music, gifts and games would be other delights of the festival.

CONFERENCE: The Dermatology Department of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital will organise the North Zone Conference on Occupational and Contact Dermatitis on August 6 at the Dumra Auditorium. The conference is the first of its kind in Punjab in which 150 delegates not only from the North but other parts of India will come under one roof to discuss the latest development in the field of occupational and contact dermatitis.

MANSA
KILLED: Janta Singh of Jawaharke village, has allegedly been killed by his cousin Naibi Singh with the handle of a hand pump. The deceased was reportedly sleeping when he was attacked.

CAMPAIGN: Mr Dilbag Singh Gill, SSP, said in a press conference here on Thursday that a de-addiction campaign would be launched to wean away youths from intoxicants. Steps would also be taken to attract them towards sports. A sports club would also be formed in the district, he added.

YOUTH CONGRESS: The Youth Congress commenced its membership drive here in the district on Wednesday . Mr Jasbir Singh Jassal, general secretary, Punjab Youth Congress, who inaugurated the drive said the membership would be open for persons between the age group 18 to 33.

PATIALA
REFRESHER COURSE: The Forensic Science Department of Punjabi University, has been awarded a refresher course sponsored by the UGC to be conducted during the session under the guidance of Vice Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia. Stating this, Dr R.K.Garg, Head of the Department of Forensic Science, said the course would be organised for college and university lecturers in the month of December here. He added that it was the third refresher course to be conducted by the department.

COMPETITION: The District language Officer has decided to hold a Punjabi-Hindi literature and a poetry recital competition on August 21 and 22. Letters had been sent to the Principals of various schools inviting the competitors. Entries must reach the office by Friday.

INACTION CRITICISED: Residents of Baghaur village, 5 km from here, have criticised the authorities concerned in the Irrigation Department over their failure to desilt the water distributary passing through their village. Mr Baljeet Singh Raghauria, a social worker, and Mr Jasbir Singh, sarpanch, alleged that the delay in desilting the distributory had resulted in a three-foot-wide breach, causing a damage to the crops and the Khanna-Manki road.

CHANDIGARH

PANCHKULA
40 STUDENTS CHALLANED: Around 40 schoolchildren were challaned outside schools during a special drive launched by the police to check driving by minors and non-possession of licence and other mandatory documents for driving on Tuesday. Sources stated that children were challaned outside premises of the schools. However, principals intervened and sought a week’s time for the same. In most of the cases the date of birth on the licences did not match with the date of birth in the school records. The principal had been asked to verify the revelation.

HARYANA

AMBALA
TWO STUDENTS DROWNED: Two students of Dukheri village drowned in a pond on Wednesday. They were taken to the local Civil Hospital, where they were declared brought dead. According to information, the two, Shivam and Gappu, students of IX Class in the same school. They had entered to take bath in the pond but got stuck in the mud. Some villagers, who were present there, managed to fish them out. The villagers brought them to civil hospital where they were declared dead.

CONCERN: The Saraswati Dramatic Club on Thursday expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the Ramlila ground in Prem Nagar area. The president of the club, Mr Dharmpal Sharma, in a statement urged the district administration to take necessary steps to ensure proper maintenance of the ground. He said people residing around the ground were having tough time due to water-logging.

VANAMAHOTSAVA: Vanamahotsava was observed at the local Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1 by planting saplings. Addressing Scouts Guides and students, Principal, Dr O.D. Sharma, said it was an appropriate time to plant bougainvillea saplings along the newly constructed boundary wall of the school. Dr Sharma led the students planting over 200 saplings. Among others, Mr Subhash Chander, Mr Pradeep Kaura, Mr Maliram, Mr K. Prasad, Mr Madan Lal Kapoor and Mr D.D. Sharma were also present.

RESENTMENT: Trading community of the Nicholson Road and main Sadar bazar on Thursday expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law and order condition, with specific reference to Wednesday’s daylight armed robbery on the busy road. The chairman of the Ambala Cantt Traders Federation, Dr N.C. Jain, and secretary, Mr R.P. Gupta, said the incident had shocked the trading community. They pointed out that the road needed special attention by the police since there were a number of business establishments, banks, nursing homes and hotels located along the road. The federation demanded deployment of policemen on the road to prevent such incidents in future. They also demanded the removal of lottery stalls and asked for strict vigil in the area.

BHIWANI
FAMILY TURNED OUT: The Sarvjatiya Panchayat of Bapora village, 7 km from here, has pronounced the eviction of a low caste family from the village. The panchayat held at the Gugameri chaupal of the village, however, provided 48 hours to the family to move out. Charges like abduction of a girl, firing in the village and thrashing of a cow were levelled against the family. The head of the family, Bhundu Ram, confessed all charges , apologised and accepted the verdict of the panchayat.

PUMP OWNER KILLED: According to reports, Suresh, owner of the Charkhi petrol pump, was found dead and his uncle Pawan was wounded. on Tuesday night. The injured was later referred to Medical College, Rohtak, where his condition is stated to be serious. The SP, Dr Suman Manjri, and the DSP Charkhi Dadri, Mr Surender Pal, reached the spot and sealed the pump.

FATEHABAD
DC’S CLAIM: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr O.P.Indora, has claimed that Water Services Division (WSD) of the Irrigation Department had provided water to the tail ends of all 29 canals in the district. Talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Mr Indora said the WSD had completed the work of cleaning 108 km-long canals on June 30. He said the department was maintaining a constant vigil on the canals so that there was no theft.

SIRSA
KILLED: One person was killed allegedly by his brothers and nephews with sharp-edged weapons at Dadu village in the district on Thursday. According to information, Dev Raj was assaulted in the early hours by his elder brothers and nephews. His body has been sent for a post-mortem to Sirsa Civil Hospital. A domestic feud is said to be the reason behind the killing.

SONEPAT
20 CHALLANED: The police has launched a campaign against the overspeeding of vehicles in the city in a bid to check road accidents. According to official sources, the police challaned 20 drivers. A speed control device has been fixed on the Sonepat-Gohana road, outside the Police Lines.

COMPUTER TRAINING: The Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam has sanctioned a Rs 77,500 scheme for providing computer training to educated girls and women in the district. According to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.N. Roy, the classes will be held in the office of the Nari Chetna Sangthan in Sector 14 here.

DEMONSTRATION: Workers of the Lok Janshakti Party held a demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here on Wednesday to press their demands. They shouted slogans against the government for the replacement of electricity meters by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam. A 10-point charter of demands was also submitted to the Deputy Commissioner.

CBI PROBE URGED: Workers of the Samajwadi Party staged dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday to press for a CBI probe into the killing of Phoolan Devi, a Samajwadi Party MP. They also submitted a memorandum to the DC in this regard.

ONE ARRESTED: The Kharkhauda police arrested Sanjay of Rohna village and seized 400 liquor pouches from his possession on Wednesday. According to a report, a case under the Excise Act has been registered against him.

MONEY TRANSFER: The first-ever international money transfer scheme, launched by the US-based Western Union Company, has been introduced in the Head Post Office here to facilitate the receipt of foreign currency sent by the NRIs and others to their relatives and business counterparts. Mr G.L. Mehta, Postmaster of the HPO, told mediapersons here on Thursday that the company has its presence in 186 countries and the money sent from any these countries would be received and distributed among the person concerned.

NEW PRINCIPAL: The Haryana Government has appointed Prof Baljeet Singh Kapoor as the new Director-cum-Principal of the C.R. State College of Engineering, at Murthal. According to official sources, the post has been lying vacant for the past two years. Professor Kapoor, who was teaching at PEC , Chandigarh, before his appointment here, has taken the charge of his new office.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

FORGERY CASE: A suspected case of forgery for getting a payment of about Rs 1 lakh released from the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department has come to light here. Bogus bills against the repair work of the IPH machinery have been allegedly manipulated to cheat the government exchequer. According to information, the Executive Engineer, IPH, had submitted a charge sheet against the erring staff to the Superintending Engineer, IPH circle, Nurpur, for suspending them.