PCCTU postpones rallies
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 18
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU) has decided to postpone two rallies scheduled for February 19 and 26 to be held at Punjabi University and Punjab University, respectively, in order to pave the way for a negotiated settlement.

A meeting of the Union members was held here today. Prof Kanwaljit Singh, Secretary PCCTU, in a press statement said even the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, was convinced that the two poll promises i.e. 95 per cent grant and pension gratuity scheme for college staff should be honoured. He said the union members postponed the two scheduled rallies as they hoped to resolve the issue amicably. They said the meeting of Cabinet sub-committee to be chaired by the Chief Minister should be held urgently to fulfil the assurances given by the Education Minister.

The meeting appealed to the members of the cabinet sub-committee, Mr Lal Singh, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Ch. Jagjit Singh and Mr Surinder Singla, Chairman Advisory Committee on fiscal reforms to impress upon the Chief Minister to clear the poll promises. The union also urged Mr Khushal Behl, Punjab Education Minister, to call on the Chief Minister to chair meeting and finalise the two issues.

The union welcomed the release of grants for the third quarter but demanded that the grant for fourth quarter should also be disbursed so that there was no unused amount of the allocated budget, said Prof Kanwaljit Singh. The members demanded that the Punjab Government should take final decision on the demands by the end of February. In case it was not done, the union would be compelled to hold a massive rally in Patiala on March 5.

The union strongly flayed the arms-twisting tactics adopted by the USA,UK alliance to launch war against Iraq. Since the legitimate government of Iraq had fulfilled all the promises of Resolution No 1441 of the UNO and UN Arms Inspectors had endorsed it. Iraq had shown full respect to the UN. The PCCTU called on all units to hold meetings and protests as war resolved no issue.

Magic show for children
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 18
The Love Dale Club organised a magic show and dance competition for children of their school. All children were given small prizes. The magic show was performed by Mr Bhupender Saggu. He enthralled the tiny tots and even tried to teach them small tricks. He showed magic with water and tumbler. He also took out eggs from a transparent plastic bag. The show went on for more than an hour. 

SPORTS

Easy win for Pepsi Blue-XI
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 18
An exhibition match, organised by Excelsior Advertising and PR in association with City Walk, Gypsy Advertising, Vampire and Lkouds on Fire, between Pepsi Blue XI and Hindustan Times-XI was played here at the Satish Dhawan Government College for Boys ground here in which the former recorded an easy 8-wicket victory.

Hindustan Times-XI won the toss and decided to bat first. They made 83 runs in their quota of 20 overs. Rajesh Dani was the top scorer who contributed 15 runs. For Pepsi Blue-XI, D.P. Singh, Vishal and Ravinder Singh shared the spoils, claiming two wickets each.