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| Tuesday,
August 7, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Letter may rock SGPC meeting Amritsar, August 6 Mr Onkar Singh Arora, an executive member belonging to the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, said his faction would seek an explanation from the office-bearers on the issue apart from demanding a high-level probe into the matter. He said the allegations were of a serious nature. These needed to be probed at the highest level. The letter received by the members says that many senior officials of the SGPC, including assistant and additional secretaries and personal assistant to the president, against whom the allegations were levelled include Mr Dilmegh Singh, Additional Secretary, Mr Ragbir Singh, Additional Secretary, Mr Mohinder Singh, in charge, flying squad, Mr Waryam Singh, Assistant Secretary, Dharm Parchar Committee, Mr Dyal Singh, personal assistant to the SGPC chief, Mr Malkiat Singh, in charge of langar and others. It was alleged that one of the senior officials had grabbed the land donated by one old woman which she wanted to donate to the Golden Temple. Allegations of embezzlement were also levelled against various officials. The SHSAD would also raise the issue of the embezzlement committed by officials of the gurdwara management, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, while purchasing ration etc. It was alleged the management had bought huge quantity of ration from bogus shops/firms. However, the report of the sub-committee has not yet been made public so far. However, one of the agenda items of the meeting relates to publication of the book "Saachi Saakhi" authored by a professor of Sikhism, Sirdar Kapur Singh. Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, general secretary, had demanded a ban on the publication of the controversial book which allegedly contained objectionable remarks against her maternal grandfather. In all, 170 items have been enlisted in the agenda to be taken up in the meeting tomorrow. The SHSAD members would also demand revoking the demotions of SGPC members during the presidentship of Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Talwandi. Mr Arora said he would stress reversion of such "arbitrary" orders immediately. The issue of the controversial appointment of Giani Puran Singh as Head Granthi, Golden Temple, was raised by Bibi Jagir Kaur yesterday. Meanwhile, the show of strength by Bibi Jagir Kaur may give sleepless nights to Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, SGPC president. Sources say if Mr Badal fails to take immediate steps such a move may embarrass the Chief Minister during the ensuing assembly elections as the annual elections of the SGPC president would be held before November 30. Sources say the newly floated Panthic Morcha might exploit the situation if the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal failed to take corrective measures. A section of the SGPC, however, said Mr Badal himself could be behind the move of the show of strength by the former SGPC chief as the former was reportedly not happy with the performance of Mr Talwandi. |
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Talwandi seeks action against
Bibi Ludhiana, August 6 At the same time, he defended the appointment of Giani Puran Singh as the Head Granthi of Golden Temple, saying that no maryada had been violated. Addressing a hurriedly press conference at his residence here, Mr Talwandi said although he attached no importance to Bibi's statements, yet he felt that she had violated party discipline and "talked the language of the opposition" for which she should to be taken to task. Bibi Jagir Kaur had yesterday criticised the appointment of Giani Puran Singh as the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple, appointed by Mr Talwandi after taking over as the SGPC chief. Mr Talwandi disclosed that during the budget session of the SGPC, she had planned with her supporters to disrupt his lecture, which he (Mr Talwandi) pre-empted as he did not speak. He also accused Bibi of misusing the SGPC funds, alleging that she had sanctioned grants to various gurdwaras without taking prior permission of the committee. He clarified, there is a limit to which the SGPC chief can sanction funds, which the Bibi had violated. Referring to his presence at the Path Bodh ceremony in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, which had also come for criticism from the Bibi, the SGPC chief asserted no maryada was violated. "Rather maryada was established as it was attended by the Head Granthi of Golden Temple, Giani Puran Singh, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, and Panj Pyaras", he asserted. |
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Badal wants more sects in SC category New Delhi, August 6 He said the state government had recommended the inclusion of Ramdasia Sikh, Ravidasia Sikh and Mazhabi Sikhs as equivalent to sub-castes of Ramdasia, Ravidasia and Mazhabi as now listed in the Presidential Order of 1950, Registrar General of India, National SC/ST Commission. Mr Badal was accompanied by the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers. |
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Paddy procurement with poll in
mind Ludhiana, August 6 The Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal has been organising divisional-level meetings with the farmers, arhtiyas, officials of the procurement agencies and transporters to know their problems. He has already held meeting of Patiala and Jalandhar Divisions in this regard and will be holding the meetings of Ferozepore and Faridkot Divisions during this week. Enquiries show that the officials involved in the procurement of paddy now are busy giving final touches to arrangements regarding lifting, milling and storage of the grains. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has reportedly told the field officers to make their own arrangements for the storage of procured paddy. The normal practice in the past has been that the rice millers store procured paddy stocks as the same is to be milled by them. The Government apprehends that the rice millers may create problem in the storage of the procured stocks under one pretext or the other. The procurement agencies have been preferring the storage of paddy with the rice millers as this saved them from double movement of the same. Double transportation will take place as the stocks once procured and moved to the owned storage of the agency will have to be moved to the premises of the rice millers for milling. The government has made it ‘personal responsibility’ of the officials to make alternative arrangements for the storage of paddy. They have been asked to identify the sites. The State Government has set up five teams of the senior officers of the State Food and Supplies Department, to inspect these sites and report to the Government. These alternative arrangements have to be completed by August 10. The arrangements for storage will be reviewed at a meeting of the officials of the procurement agencies in Chandigarh next week. Economic implications of the paddy storage at alternative sites will be quite high as first the procured stocks would be moved to one site and then to the rice mill for milling. This will entail double lifting, resulting in double transportation charges. The double transportation will result in 10 to 20 per cent hike in per quintal movement of the stocks. The total burden under this head is known as transportation charges alone. The Punjab farmers who participated in these meetings have impressed upon the State Government to advance the date of procurement to September 1, whereas the Central Government has fixed October 1 as the date for the procurement of paddy officially. Last year, the Chief Minister had to make personal request to the Prime Minister to advance the date of procurement which was fixed as September 21. This year, the Prime Minister may not oblige as the godowns are full of foodgrains and the Central Government is facing the problem of plenty. The farmers also want that the government should take the samples of quality and moisture issues while the crop is standing in the field to avoid harassment to them and embarrassment to Government agencies. The Punjab Government has decided to have the quality tests done at the fields and samples will be taken from the same. The Government has constituted teams for this purpose, it is learnt. The paddy crop is now at maturity stage and it would start arriving in mandis in the last week of August in districts of Amritsar and Ferozepore and by first week of September in other parts of the state. Will the State Government be able to withstand the pressure of the farmers and wait till October 1 to start procurement of paddy? This does not seem to be possible and the Government will have to start the operations early. The transporters have their own complaints. They allege that the trucks loaded with paddy or other foodgrains are not unloaded for days together and as a result of it suffer heavy losses. They have impressed on the government to give them halting charges. The officials of the procurement agencies complain that the lifting of paddy is the biggest problems for them. They explain that the FCI has regular labour and they work from 10 am to 5 pm in their godowns. Moreover, trade unionism among the FCI workers is also very strong. The arhtiyas on the other hand have suggested to the Government that the lifting of the procured stocks from the markets should be entrusted to them and they will be in a better position to move the stocks out of the mandis and create space for arrivals in the market yards. However, the politicians are a big hindrance in making the arhtiyas responsible for the lifting of the stocks from the mandis as they have their own interests to watch. A number of politicians have taken the contracts for the lifting of stocks from the mandis and move the same to the stores. Very heavy stakes are involved in the same. They are earning good money out of, these contracts and are not ready to give up the ‘profession’. This is despite the fact that they do not have the requisite number of trucks and other infrastructure to handle the stupendous task. They have given subcontracts to the smalltime truck operators. The Chief Minister will not be able to break this nexus of politicians who control the transportation of paddy. |
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Lifetime award for Hansraj Hans Patiala, August 6 The university will award the fellowship to Hans at a function coordinated with the opening of the ‘millennium academic session’ tomorrow at the Guru Tegh Bahadur auditorium. One of the musicians ignored by the university is Ustad Baqaur Husain, the only descendent of Patiala Gharana in the country. The Ustad, who is based in Malerkotla, has been assigned by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) to coach youngsters at its Kalagram centre in Chandigarh about a month ago. He has missed nomination for the fellowship twice. Sources said the Ustad’s name had been considered twice but twice nothing came of it. Ustad Husain is the only musician of the gharana who had not migrated to Pakistan after the partition. Most of the prominent classical singers of the state had been taught by him, adding that even Puran Shahkoti, Hansraj Hans’s guru was his disciple. Sources said Singh Bandhus, classical vocalists of international fame, had also been left out. Other musicians of repute ignored by university are Ustad Yashpal of Agra Gharana, Dr Baldev Narang of Jalandhar, a product of Patiala Gharana and Ustad Lachman Singh Seen, renowned tabla player of Punjab Gharana. People at university said ‘they were not against the nomination of Hansraj Hans but felt there were many who deserved the award. They said though Hans was an excellent folk singer, he had recently shifted to pop music to the detriment of folk and Sufiana Kalam which he said he represented. |
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Demands of ‘parallel’
PUTA accepted Patiala, August 6 The parallel PUTA, said its executive committee led by Dr Manjit Singh called upon the Vice-Chancellor to discuss the demands and most of the demands were conceded. Dr Manjit Singh said it was agreed that all eligible teachers under the CAS would be promoted by the end of September as was being done in other universities. It was also agreed that the CAS would be effective respectively on the Punjab Government pattern and all teachers promoted under it would be treated as promoted from July 27, 1998 instead of March 12, 1999. Besides, the Vice-Chancellor gave an assurance that the salary arrears for 18 months would be paid by the end of November. It was also decided that all houses on the campus would be allotted within a few days and after that house allotment applications would be invited throughout the year. The parallel PUTA claimed that a committee was also being constituted to examine the demand for grant of house building loan and car loan on the Punjab Government pattern. It said a new inter-disciplinary faculty development programme was also being introduced under which 50 teachers of the university would be given to and fro fair plus pocket allowance to visit foreign countries to update their knowledge in their fields. Meanwhile, the elected PUTA organisation today said talks could not be held with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia. The elected body, which was called for a meeting in the evening, said it insisted that Dr Ahluwalia expressed regrets for allegations levelled against its leadership, but the Vice-Chancellor did not accept their demand and the meeting broke up immediately. |
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Warrant issued against Chohan Patiala, August 6 |
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Panthic Morcha policy on Aug
16 Ludhiana, August 6 Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi, convener of the Panthic Morcha, said today all leaders of the morcha would assemble at Akal Takht on August 16 and seek the blessings of the Guru and launch their programme for the welfare of Punjab and the Sikh Panth. Baba Bedi said the Panthic Morcha would consult the Sikh intellectuals and other intellegentia on the burning issues of the state and the Sikhs before August 16 and form a concrete programme on the same. He said Punjab was faced with unemployment and rampant corruption in all fields. “The Sikhs in particular and the people of Punjab in general would know very soon the difference between the real Akali Dal and the Shiromani Akali Dal. We are committed to restoring the lost glory of the Sikhs and Punjab. It is because of this reason that I have accepted the convenership of the Panthic Morcha. Otherwise, I am basically a religions person and I will continue to discharge my duties as religious head of the dera. I have accepted the convenership of the morcha on the call of the Panth and the Punjabis,” he said. The convener said the present SAD government in Punjab had failed to resolve the outstanding issues of Punjab. Instead it had complicated the issues and the people were being denied justice. Baba Bedi said he would revert to the religious preachings after the formation of the real Akali Dal and restoration of the lost glory of Punjabis by March 2002. |
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Morcha ‘political gimmick’ Chandigarh, August 6 The SAD’s three senior leaders — Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal and Mr Balwinder Singh — in a statement said here today that the formation of the morcha by leaders of splinter Akali groups was a predictable political gimmick having no significance. Using strong language, the three Akali leaders said the morcha was a “theatrical interlude of comic relief for those who suffered repeated rejections at the hands of the people of Punjab by tasting defeat in three byelections — Majitha, Nawanshahr and Sunam”. It was a clear
reference to the parties of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and others. The Akali leaders further said that the constituents of the morcha had no followers to lead and also no panthic agenda to carry forward. Their only objective was to extend covert support to anti-panthic forces like the Congress. There would be nothing but frustration in store for the leaders who had become a part of the morcha. Mounting a counter-attack on the SAD, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, general secretary of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), a unit of the morcha, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal had reduced the SAD to his family organisation. Akali leaders who had made sacrifices for the Panth and the party had been thrown out of the party by Mr Badal to promote the political career of his own son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, he said. Justifying the setting up of the morcha, Mr Chandumajra said it would provide an opportunity to those who were fed up with the Badal government and had started tilting towards the Congress to stay in the panthic fold. |
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Front leaders lash out at
CM Fatehgarh Sahib, August 6 He was addressing the first political conference of the Panthic Morcha after its formation at Diwan Todar Mal hall in gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib today. He draw a cheers from the public when he announced that as soon as the Panthic Morcha government, if formed, would put Mr Badal and his ministers behind the bars as Jayalalithaa did with Mr Karunanidhi. On August 16, Mr Saravjot Singh Bedi, convener of the front, would announce an 11-member working committee from Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs. The committee would select only those candidates for the Assembly seats who are true Sikhs. Addressing the conference, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, prospective candidate for the post of CM of the Panthic Morcha government, said that Mr Badal’s only aim was to make his son the next CM. Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, said the long-standing desire of the public that all ‘real’ Panthic leaders should unite and form a morcha had been fulfilled. |
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SAD (A): No motion on Ravi Inder as CM Amritsar, August 6 In a written press statement issued here yesterday, Mr Bhikiwind said the All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) had nothing to do with the joint conference held at Baba Bakala on Saturday as it was solely organised by the SHSAD and SAD (A). Meanwhile, Mr Jasbir Singh Ghumman, general secretary, SHSAD, and Mr Harminder Singh Gill, president, AISSF, have welcomed the formation of the “Panthic Morcha”. They said the morcha would work for the formation of a government in Punjab by replacing Mr Parkash Singh Badal. |
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Shiv Sena to contest 30 seats in
Punjab Sunam, August 6 This was stated today by Mr Pawan Gupta, president of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray), Punjab unit, while presiding over a meeting of the city presidents, executive members and office-bearers of the Shiv Sena units of Sangrur district, at Grain Market here. Mr Gupta said the main aim of the meeting was to decide the constituencies from where the party wanted to contest and to finalise the names of the candidates. The programmes to make the party more effective in the state had also been discussed at the meeting, he added. Mr Gupta urged the Central Government to impose President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir as the state government had failed to protect the life and properties of the minority communities in the state. Mr Gupta criticised the attack on the innocent Amarnath pilgrims. He urged the Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Central Government to announce a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. He also urged both the governments to hand over the charge of the Amarnath yatra to the army as the newly constituted board had failed to save the life of pilgrims. Mr Gupta also criticised the Punjab Government for asking the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to prepare a list of the families of militants to provide them suitable help. Mr Gupta said on one hand the Punjab Government had no funds for development of the state and to provide pensions and jobs to the next of kin of the terrorist victims and on the other the government was planning to help the militants’ families. Mr Gupta threatened to gherao the Punjab Assembly if the government failed to withdraw the proposed plan to help the families of the terrorists. |
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Roads belie Badal’s
promise Bathinda, August 6 Although the authorities concerned are trying their best to improve the condition of the roads in the city keeping in mind the visit of the Chief Minister on the first-ever sangat darshan here on August 9, they may find it difficult to complete the task in these few days. Eighty per cent of the city roads, lanes and bylanes are in a dilapidated condition. The narrow, congested and potholed roads and streets have led to traffic bottlenecks at various places. Minor accidents, which often go unreported, have become common in the city due to the bad condition of the roads. Due to the development of the city as an industrial hub of the region, the number of vehicles, particularly heavy motor vehicles, is on the rise. But the city roads are not keeping pace with these development works. The roads are not in a condition to bear the increased burden of traffic. The Goniana road, which connects the city to Jaitu, Faridkot, Muktsar, Malout, Mansa and Ferozepore and is the busiest road in the city is in bad shape. It is damaged at some places while a 5-km stretch of the road, which is part of the Fazilka-Zirakpur National Highway-64, is dotted with potholes, resulting in wear and tear of vehicles. There are a number of manholes on the road which are higher than the level of the road, causing inconvenience to drivers and endangering their lives. Sand covers almost half of the city roads, creating a problem in the smooth flow of traffic. Many a time two-wheelers have skidded on the roads due to the sand. Many streetlights in the city are not in a working order. The condition of roads in the inner parts of the city is no better than that of those in the outskirts. Most of these are narrow and damaged. The lanes and bylanes in Hira Chowk, Ajit Road, Bibiwala Road, Talianwala Mohalla, Shiv Colony, Bhati Road, Partap Nagar and Jogi Nagar are also in bad shape. Keeping in mind the Chief Minister’s visit the authorities have started repairing roads and streetlights. Some residents sarcastically remarked that the Chief Minister should visit the city once a month so that the roads are kept in proper shape. |
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Residents suffer power
cuts Bathinda, August 6 Generator set and invertor manufacturing and leasing units have been cashing in on the power cuts. Besides the power cuts, the frequent increase in power tariff by the board has adding insult to injury. Industrialists, who have to pay a minimum of Rs 500 per kw, have been doubly hit due to increase in the power tariff and slump in the industrial sector. Mr Vijay Raj Jindal, Chartered Accountant, said in some cases the industrialists were paying as much as Rs 50,000 per month as average bills. He said if the bills were made on consumption basis, these would turn out to be much less. Some small-scale industries had been making losses due to these faulty policies of the government, he said. Interestingly, Bathinda is reportedly the only district in the country having two thermal plants, but still not a power cut free city. The Power Minister of Punjab also belongs to the district. Mr Dharamveer Walia, president, Public Grievances Association, said the association had given a notice of 60 days to the PSEB authorities to stop the unannounced power cuts in the city or else it would file a writ petition in the high court. Though a few months ago the PSEB authorities had blamed the power cuts on low generation due to lower water levels in dams, yet even now after an above average monsoon the situation has not improved. Mr U.S. Lucky, General Manager, Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant, Bathinda, said the plant had surpassed the records made in electricity generation time and again. The plant produced 9,548 lakh units of electricity from April to July this year, working at a plant load factor (PLF) of 74.11 per cent. During July this year, the electricity consumption for the equipment stood at 9.77 per cent only, which was the lowest for this month in the entire history of the plant. The PSEB had made a plan of Rs 230 crore for the renovation of the plant, he said. Mr Subhash Bansal, General Manager, Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat (Bathinda), claimed that the plant had been performing well. During July this year, the plant worked at a PLF of 99.07 per cent, which was a new record. |
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Docs for weapons-free
world Sangrur, August 6 The convention, organised on the eve of “Hiroshima Day”, also paid homage to the victims of atomic bombs, dropped by the USA on Japan on August 6,1945. Delivering his key-note address on “Peace and Development —South Asia Perspective”, Dr Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Professor, International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, said the South Asian countries especially India and Pakistan were the biggest buyers of arms in the world. He said purchase of arms was wastage of money which could be diverted for the welfare of millions of people in both countries. Dr L.S. Chawla, National President of the IDPD, who was the chief-guest at the convention, said any future nuclear war would be the final epidemic in which medical fraternity would not be in a position to offer any medical aid. Dr Surinder Singla, organising secretary of the convention, appealed to the medical fraternity to come forward and mobilise doctors against nuclear war and fight for peace, development and health for all in a time-bound programme. Dr M.K. Mahajan , Professor, Radiotherapy Department, CMC, Ludhiana, explained how atomic or nuclear bombs acted. He also gave a detailed account of bio-medical consequences of nuclear war and said if timely measures were not taken to eliminate the nuclear weapons, life might perish from the earth. Dr Arun Mitra, National General Secretary of he IDPD, expressing grief over 37 per cent and 40 per cent expenditures of budgets on defence by the India and Pakistan respectively said both countries spent only three to four per cent of the budget on education and health. Dr O.P.S. Kande, president of the Punjab unit of the IMA, appealed to all doctors to support the movement of the IDPD for a nuclear weapon-free universe. Dr D.N. Bhardwaj, President of the Punjab unit of the IDPD, stressed on the need to organise the doctors to prevent a possible biggest ever health hazard by the use of nuclear weapons. A panel discussion was also held on the topic in which among others Dr J.R. Sachdeva, Dr C.P. Bansal, Dr B.L. Jindal, Dr P.S. Brar, Dr Sanjiv Uppal, Dr Tej Ram Garg, Dr Bharti Uppal and Dr Nirpal Singh participated. The convention also passed six resolutions including total elimination of nuclear weapons, effective ban on female foeticide, health for all, and effective population policy. |
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Northern grid data being
computerised Ropar, August 6 After the completion of the programme, all the said substations in the Northern Power Grid would have access to the online data regarding power demand and supply position in all areas falling under them. This would help in better regulation of generation and supply of power and also in averting the situations which lead to grid failure. Under this programme, four major substations of the BBMB, namely Ganguwal, Ludhiana, Panipat and Dadri are also being equipped with the ultra modern communication facilities. The Chief Engineer, Power, BBMB, Mr Garang, while talking to this correspondent said the computerisation of the 220 KV Ganguwal substation had already been completed and the work in other substations was in various stages of completion. After the completion of work, the office of the Power Controller, BBMB, would be shifted to Chandigarh. The Power Controller would be able to direct the power cuts and increase or decrease in power generation from Chandigarh with the help of latest online data that would be provided by the new system, he said. Mr Garang further informed that earlier the Power Controller was informed about the demand and supply of the power by their counterparts by wireless or telephone. Abrupt increase or decrease in power supply let to grid failures in the old system. However, with the commissioning of the new system the entire data about the position of the demand and supply of power would be available with the power controller at the click of a button, thereby minimising the risk of grid failures. In the new system, the main control of power regulation would be at the Northern Region Loard Despatch Centre (NRLDC) at Delhi. This centre would process the demand and supply from various states in the Northern Grid and further issue directions to the generation and regulation centres. The technical staff at the substations was also being trained to handle the new equipment by the Central Power Grid authorities. At the 220 KV or 400 KV substations, the Senior Substation Engineers would control the new system under the directions of the Power Controller. Mr Garang said as the microwave towers and the optical fibre cables would be used to link the various power substations under the SLDC programme the communication network could also prove to be a source of revenue for the electricity boards in the future. These lines can be given on lease or rent to the telecom sector for alternative use, he added. Meanwhile, the Chief Engineer (Thermal), Mr
V.K. Mohindroo, in a press note issued here today, informed that there had been a record production in Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant, Ropar, in July. The six units in the GGSSTP generated 872 million units of electricity at 93.09 plant load factor. This was the highest since the establishment of the plant. |
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Driver’s kin await
relief Ropar On July 11, he sustained burns due to a fire in the chemical he was carrying in his tanker (HIU-4661). After struggling with his burn injuries, estimated at 51 per cent on his body, for about five days at the Government Medical College Hospital, Chandigarh, Jaswant died after a sudden respiratory and cardiac arrest. Soma Devi, his widow, while talking to this correspondent said her husband used to transport chemicals from Nalagarh (HP) to industries at Banur (Patiala district). The owner of the tanker informed them about the accident on July 12. As per the information provided to this reporter, Jaswant Singh was moving the chemicals from Nalagarh to a plant, Surya Chemicals, in Banur. While unloading, the chemical caught fire and Jaswant Singh sustained burns. He was shifted by factory workers to the GMCH. The truck owner, who was informed by factory authorities about the accident, visited the driver in hospital. After getting the tanker truck released from police custody, the owner and the factory management did not bother about the driver in hospital, where he died after five days. Jaswant Singh is survived by an illiterate wife and three children. His eldest daughter is just 12 while the two sons are 10 and 8 years respectively. With almost no land in their name, Soma Devi now faces the gigantic problem of feeding the family. Neither the truck owner nor the factory for which he transporting chemical paid compensation to the family. This case in not the only one in which employees undertaking hazardous work die or sustain injuries. Hazardous chemicals as sulphuric acid, nitric acid, HCL and caustic are produced at Nangal-based chemical plants such as NFL and PACL. These are transported from these plants in tankers. Drivers and their helpers involved in loading, unloading and transportation of these chemicals do not have any special clothing while doing such risky operations. They sometimes sustain injuries or are even killed while transporting chemicals. However, no compensation is paid either by the employers or the factories to the truck drivers or their helpers. Since the transportation business falls in the unorganised sector, there is no union of truck drivers or other workers associated with such work. Owing to the lack of the collective body to represent these workers’ rights, they are generally exploited by the employers. Even the NGOs take up the cause of the drivers, at times but just limit themselves to better working conditions for them rather than the safety aspect. Experts say that as per Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, every one has the right to work, to free choice of employment under just and favourable conditions. As per the declaration, all states have been asked to make provisions for just and humane conditions of work. However, unfortunately in Punjab there is no such legislation to protect the interest of workers employed in hazardous occupations, particularly in the unorganised sector. They want the state to draw up strict legal provisions to ensure the safety of workers employed in hazardous occupations and lay down norms for compensation. |
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Dalit boy’s abduction: stir on Aug 9 Sangrur, August 6 Stating this here today, Mr Pali Ram Bansal, convener of the action committee, said a decision to organise dharna and relay fast had been taken at a meeting of the committee here last night. Mr Bansal said the meeting also passed a resolution condemning the efforts of the alleged ‘touts” of the administration with regard to forcing the action committee not to take up the issue in a big way as the actions of the committee were maligning the image of the police and the administration. Mr Bansal added the action committee members had received telephone calls from unknown persons who had warned them to abandon the issue or be ready to face the consequences. He said despite threats from various quarters, the action committee had pledged not to succumb the such pressures and would continue the agitation to its logical end. Mr Bansal said Mr Parkash Chand Garg, Chairman of the Punjab State Land Development and Reclamation Corporation, also condemned the district authorities for not visiting the aggrieved family to express sympathy or console the family so far. Mr Garg had assured full support to the action committee, he added. Among others, who attended the meeting, included Comrade Chand Singh Chopra, a former MLA, Mr Avinash Sharma, an employees’ leader from the PSEB, Comrade Kaur Sain (CPI) and Mr Harinderpal Singh, president of the local unit of the SAD (A). |
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Jail inmate dies
in hospital Bathinda, August 6 Jeet Singh, who was undergoing life imprisonment after being convicted in a murder case, was admitted to Civil Hospital here on August 3 after he complained of chest pain and other problems. Hospital sources said that Jeet Singh (55), a diabetic, was suffering from tuberculosis. He was responding well to treatment. But today afternoon, his condition deteriorated abruptly and he died of cardiac arrest. Central Jail sources said Jeet Singh was undergoing life imprisonment for the past eight years and had been getting treatment from the local Civil Hospital. On August 2, he got himself examined by doctors in hospital and took medicines. He was a resident of Ballarh Mehma village. Mr Mann, Deputy Superintendent Jail, said the report of the cause of his death was awaited from the hospital. Sources said the body of Jeet Singh was lying in the mortuary of the hospital and the post-mortem would be conducted tomorrow. No attendant or any relative of the deceased could be contacted for comments. |
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Poor drainage civic body’s
nightmare Bathinda, August 6 The city roads become
unmotorable after a mild shower and if it rains heavily they virtually become lakes. Rainwater remains standing there weeks after the downpour. The condition of the national highway, other main roads and bylanes’ is the same. The residents are not expecting much from the sangat darshan programmes as far as the drainage system is concerned. They said the Chief Minister could make promise of finding some remedy to the problem but nothing concrete would happen. The doubts of the residents are based on facts as they had got similar assurances as the time of the assembly elections in the state about four years ago. The politicians had demanded votes on the plea that the residents would not face any difficulty with regard to rainwater if they came to power. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Science and Technology Minister, Punjab, who had assured the residents that if he was voted to power he would make arrangements for the draining out rainwater. |
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Man killed while learning to
drive Bathinda, August 6 Eyewitnesses said that the deceased, K.V. Varkey (40), was learning how to drive a car from Amandeep Singh (20), in the locality. The learner, while about to enter the main road of Model Town, saw a truck coming towards them and lost control of the car. The driver of the truck tried to save the accident put failed to do so and the truck dashed into the Maruti car. The truck driver reportedly fled from the spot. The victim was admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The police has registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, the body of a young boy was found near water works on the Bhagu road in the city today. The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained. Mr Vijay Goel, president of the Sahra Jan Sewa said that the volunteers of the organisation took the body to the Civil Hospital. He said no external injuries could be seen on the body. The police has registered a case. |
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Memorial
unveiled Faridkot, August 6 Addressing a gathering on this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said the state government had already given an ex gratia grant of Rs 4.50 lakh besides other benefits to the bereaved family of the martyr. His wife, Ms Suvaranjit Kaur had also been given a government job. The Deputy Commissioner also assured to give a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the further development of the school building. Martyr Parminder Singh was born on December 28, 1964, at Tehna village and after studying till middle standard at a village school, he joined 4 Sikh Regiment in the Army in 1982. One of his brothers, Havildar Sukhdev Singh, is serving the Armed Forces and another brother, Mr Bahadur Singh, besides his father, Mr Baghel Singh, have retired after serving the Army for a long period. The martyr left behind him a daughter and a son. |
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Extending hope
to special kids Patiala, August 6 She said the idea behind this effort was to make the children independent and realise their self esteem so that they could be assimilated in the mainstream. The school aims to fulfill a social obligation towards the less service personnel as also the nation. The school has specially trained and dedicated staff which will provide physical, emotional, psychological, social and medical care to these special children of the armed forces personnel. The school being run under the aegis of the Black Elephant AWWA is located in a specially renovated building, which is located in a quiet and green area, ideal for the development of special children. Guests at the function interacted with the special children on the occasion.
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Doctors to oppose abolition of quota Ferozepore, August 6 According to Dr Hardeep Singh, state president, and Dr Surinder Singla, general secretary, of the association, 60 per cent quota of seats in post graduate courses in various medical colleges in the state were for PCMS doctors with three years mandatory rural service. Dr Singla said this encouraged doctors to opt for rural service and it gave rural people access to specialised medical services. Dr Hardeep Singh said the recent high court judgement about reservation in the post graduate courses is apprehended to be mistaken so as to deny quota to the PCMS doctors. He said the doctors who opted to join PCMS after refusing admission to the PG courses would feel ditched if any such move was undertaken. The association appealed to the Chief Minister, to immediately look into the matter. |
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RSS observes “Homage Day” Amritsar, August 6 Condemning the brutal killing of RSS preachers Krishan Arora, joint general secretary of RSS Punjab unit that conversions in the name of religion were a key irritant in national life. He said that while the RSS believed that religious freedom should be assured to every citizen of India no one should be allowed to disturb the national fabric conversions through pressure tactics, allurement of fear. |
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Protest against non-utilisation of grants Barnala, August 6 Mr Ujaggar Singh Bihla, secretary, CPI, Barnala, informed this correspondent that the activists of the CPI, Akali Dal (Amritsar), BSP and the Lok Bhalai Party took out a protest march from the local Sandhu Patti to the Municipal Council office.
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Bar Association for transfer of Sessions Judge Amritsar, August 6 Addressing a joint press conference, here today, Mr H.S. Dhot, Mr B.S. Boparai, and Mr Navjeewan Sharma, president, vice- president and secretary respectively of the Bar Association said that if the authorities concerned failed to accept the demands, the association would be forced to launch indefinite strike. However, the Session Judge has already described the allegation of the bar as baseless and misleading. The office-bearers of the Bar Association alleged that the case of fraud was registered against Mr Talwinder Singh, senior advocate at the behest of the District and Sessions Judge as he had raised certain issues in the presence of Mr Justice V.K. Bali, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court. The association claimed that Mr Talwinder Singh had not committed any crime as alleged in the FIR. The bar association has also demanded quashing of the FIR. |
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Hiroshima Day observed Amritsar, August 6 |
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Cyclist crushed to death Dhuri, August 6 |
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Govt to spend 40 cr
on development Patiala, August 6 This was stated by Mr Balramji Das Tandon, Local Government, Labour and Employment Minister, Punjab, while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the school building and dharamshala in Sarai Banjara village, in Rajpura block here today. He announced the introduction of a rural water supply scheme project in the village at a cost of Rs 36 lakh. Copies of old age pension were also distributed among about 40 pension holders. Mr Tandon also announced Rs 50,000 for the cremation ground in the village and Rs 50,000 each for two dharamshalas. |
Markfed
GM held
for graft Jalandhar, August 6 Mr Varinder Kumar, SP (Jalandhar Zone), said here today that Pawan Kumar of Thoprian village in Nawanshahr had complained he had supplied 536 wooden crates worth Rs 1.69 lakh to Punjab Markfed. But payment had been delayed by the department on one pretext or the other. Subsequently, he contacted Mr Parmal Singh, General Manager, who demanded Rs 20,000 for releasing the payment. He
further said a trap was laid to caught the accused red-handed and a special vigilance party headed by Mr Sarup Singh, DSP, was deputed in this regard. Subsequently, Mr Parmal Singh was caught red-handed while accepting a sum of Rs 20,000 as bribe for releasing payment of the wooden crates in the presence of shadow witnesses. Tainted currency notes were recovered from the official almirah of the accused. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered. |
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Corruption case against
cop Faridkot, August 6 In this context Harmeet Singh not only visited the office of the assistant but also his residence time and again to meet the demand. The branch assistant brought the entire matter to the notice of Mr Hussan Lal, ADC, Faridkot. Today when Harmeet Singh again came to the office of the arms licence branch and impressed on the assistant for fulfilling his demand, Mr Puran Chand brought the matter to the notice of the ADC who asked him to bring the impersonator in his office. The ADC detained him (Harmeet Singh) and immediately contacted the SP, Vigilance, Ferozepore, for the proper identification of Harmeet Singh. The SP immediately deployed Mr Baljit Singh, DSP, Vigilance, Ferozepore, for the verification who later identified Harmeet Singh as a constable working in the Vigilance Department at Muktsar. Mr Prasad has recommended to the local police registration of a case of impersonation and corruption against the accused. While talking to mediapersons at the office of the ADC, Harmeet Singh said he was first posted in the Indian Reserve Battalion seven years back and later joined the Vigilance Department. |
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6 members of two gangs
held Bathinda, August 6 The gang led by Lakhbir Singh, alias
Lakhi, had made a plan to loot the bank located in Malkana village in this district before they were arrested. Lakhi was dismissed as a Punjab Home Guard. He served the organisation for five to six years. Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, in a press note issued here today said Lakhbir Singh and other members, namely Gurtej Singh, Sarbjit Singh and Lakhbir Singh were arrested at a naka on secret information. Three pistols and 500 gram of opium was also seized from the accused. Two criminal cases had already been registered against Lakhbir Singh, a dismissed employee of Punjab Home Guard, under various Acts in the Talwandi Sabo police station. Lakhbir Singh had absconded and his arrest
warrants had also been issued. Gurtej Singh, another member of this gang, was also booked under the NDPS Act earlier in the Nahianwala police station as 1 kg opium was seized from him. Dr Jain said Lakhi and Gurtej Singh came into contact with each other in the jail and both decided to indulge in criminal activities, including looting and smuggling of narcotics. The accused had confessed that they had looted money from a liquor shop near Goniana about two months ago. Lakhi had taken a house in Manakheri village in Rajasthan where he used to stay after committing the crime. Dr Jain said two other accused, who were members of another gang, had been arrested for their involvement in about dozen crimes. The accused had been identified as Sukhbir Singh, alias
Dhatu, and Mithu Singh. One pistol and two cartridges were seized from them. |
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3-yr-old raped Tarn Taran, August 6 |
Jobless teachers threaten stir Nawanshahr, August 6 Giving details of the meeting Mr Bhupiner Pal Singh, general secretary of the front, said in a press note that the statement of the Chief Minister was in clear
violation of the high court's directions. He warned the state government that the unemployed B.Ed. teachers would launch a stir if they did not get justice as per the directions of the high court. |
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Punjab to recruit 7,230 teachers Moga, August 6 Lashing out at the previous Congress government, the Education Minister said it did not spend enough money on education. He said nearly 40 lakh children were getting education in 18,000 schools in Punjab and if required, more schools in the state would be opened and upgraded. |
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Varsity takes more, gives less to students Patiala, August 6 We want new facilities to be added to the departments along with the increase in fee so that we know we are getting some value addition, a majority of students of the university said while talking to this correspondent during a survey of the fee structure. A look at the fee structures of various departments of the university revealed that there has been a gradual increase in fee without any additional facilities being provided by the departments. Sources reveal that this increase has been on the rise especially during the past three years. In Botany Department, the fee for second year students was Rs 4375, for first six months in 2000-2001 while it rose to Rs 8,160 for the year 2001-2002. In the Department of Human Biology, while the fee for first year students in session 1999-2000 was Rs 7,570, it rose to Rs 13,240 the following year. Similarly, for second year students, the annual fee was Rs 6,235 in year 2000-2001 and presently, it is Rs 8,860 just for first six months. The alarming hike in fees has become a source of concern specially among parents who feel university education would soon become out of reach of the middle class if the present trend continues. “Rates increase on one pretext or the other without solid reason and there is neither any control on the same”; said a university Professor who does not wish to be named. Citing few more examples, in Political Science Department, while the second year rates for first six months was Rs 3210 last year, and this year it is 5,160 this year. Similar hike was observed for the English and sociology departments where, the students say, least amount of practical work is carried out and that the teachers come, give theoretical knowledge and go. Even the science and computer science students while condemning the increase in fees complained that though they were being charged more, their laboratories had not been modernised. Mr Parminder Singh (name changed) said, “There are no computers for the use of students, less number of teachers,
unavailability of books related to their subjects, dirty toilets and ill-maintained class rooms are some of the major problems they suffer despite the fact that they are paying huge amounts to get a mere university degree certificate.” Most of the students have demanded the use of computers, more practical work wherever required, regular visits to industrial sectors and firms for management students and extra guidance on career opportunities so that the students especially those going in for computers and management like
subjects face no problem in getting placements.
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