Punjab to seek control of PU
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The Punjab Government will seek the control of Panjab University, Chandigarh, as it belongs to Punjab.

Stating this here today, Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Minister for Higher Education, said the government would write to the Centre to handover the control of the university to Punjab. Mr Johar during his previous term as Education Minister in the Beant government had also taken up this issue. But after his transfer from the Education Department, the matter was not pursued by his successor. Even during the tenure of the SAD-BJP government, the issue was not raised at all.

Answering a question, the minister said the cut in the grant-in-aid to government-aided colleges would be restored when the financial position of the state improved. The SAD-BJP government had left the coffers empty as Mr Parkash Singh Badal had disbursed the money in the sangat darshan programmes without any benefit to the people at large. That was a political stunt of the Akali government, he said.

He said the pension scheme for the private college teachers would also be implemented soon. Mr Johar said the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, was busy in improving the financial health of the state as he had met officials of the Reserve Bank of India and the World Bank, besides he had invited industrialists from other states to Punjab to invest on industrial projects.

Mr Johar stated that the government would organise exhibitions of foreign universities in major cities to educate the youth about career prospects.

Two-hour strike by PSEB employees
Tribune Reporters

Patiala, April 7
Responding to the call for a statewide protest by the All-India Power Engineers Federation and the National Coordination Committee, PSEB engineers and employees observed a protest day today by wearing black badges, striking work for two hours and holding rallies against the re-introduction of the electricity reforms Bill, 2001 in Parliament.

The general secretary of the PSEB Engineers Association, Mr H.S. Bedi, said the association had represented to the Central Government that imposing structural changes on the country’s power sector was an infringement of the state autonomy.

The unions backing the protest include the PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC), the PSEB Employees Struggle Committee, the Employees Federation, the Bijli Mulazim Front, the Workers Federation, INTUC and the Council of Junior Engineers.

JALANDHAR: Hundreds of employees of the PSEB from the region observed a two-hour strike against the power reforms Bill, 2001 on Monday. PSEB employees held dharnas and rallies at Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Phillaur, Phagwara and Adampur against presentation of the Bill in Parliament. While addressing a rally here, the general secretary of the Technical Services Union of the PSEB, Mr Ranjit Singh, said the Bill would only benefit private multinational companies.

BATHINDA: Members of the PSEB Employees Federation on Monday held a rally to register their protest against the the Union Government’s move to form corporations in place of the state electricity boards.

The National Coordination Committee of Electricity Board Employees had given a call for the nationwide rallies. The employees alleged that the power reforms Bill, 2001 would pave the way for privatisation of the state electricity boards.

NAWANSHAHR: PSEB employees here observed a “black day” here on Monday and organised gate rallies in front of the PSEB offices here to protest against the move of the NDA government to introduce the power reforms Bill in Parliament. Mr Harpal Singh, mandal president of the PSEB Employees Federation, addressed the rally.

ROPAR: The workers and engineers associations of the PSEB on Monday protested against the introduction of the power reforms Bill, 2001 in Parliament. The workers’ union struck work for two hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and held a rally to protest against the introduction of the Bill. The engineers’ association held a protest meeting against the Bill.

PHAGWARA: PSEB employees here observed a two-hour strike from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday in protest against the move to privatise the power board and the Haldea Committee recommendations. The protesters, led by Mr Tarsem Lohia, president, Technical Services Union, PSEB, Jalandhar circle, also held a rally in this regard.

Where PSEB is above law
Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Mansa, April 7
Even after getting two judgements passed in his favour, one by the District Consumer Forum, Mansa, and the second by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mr Sukhdev Singh Chahal, of Narinderpura village in the district has failed to get any relief with regard to power supply to his tubewell from the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB).

After getting fed up with the indifferent attitude of a section of officials of the PSEB in connection with the correction of electric voltage for supplying adequate power to his tubewell, Mr Chahal had approached the forum about three years ago. The forum after hearing both parties had held the PSEB authorities at fault and awarded Rs 17,000 as compensation to Mr Chahal for the loss he had to suffer on account of inadequate and erratic power supply to his tubewell, which affected irrigation of his fields.

Instead of providing relief the PSEB officials approached the consumer commission against the judgement of the forum. The commission, while holding that the judgement was correct, enhanced the amount of compensation to Rs 40,000.

Apart from it, the commission also directed the forum to reconsider the application of Mr Chahal, which he had moved during the proceedings of the case in connection with the wrong information furnished by PSEB officials.

With two judgements in his favour Mr Chahal is still running from pillar to post to get the voltage on the transmission lines supplying power to his tubewell corrected.

Narrating his tale of woes Mr Chahal said after he dragged the PSEB into the forum the PSEB claimed that an estimate for the installation of a new transformer had been prepared and was under consideration. He said even an undertaking was submitted by the PSEB that after the said estimate was passed the new transformer would be installed without delay.

Meanwhile, no senior official of the PSEB could be contacted for comments.

Ex-cop steals truck, mows down 2
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 7
Two persons were mowed down while one was injured when a former CRPF constable pushed the driver out and took his truck at an automobile showroom on Taylor road near Aanaam cinema here today. He hit two cars and a Kinetic Honda before being caught.

Jaspal, a resident of a village near Sonepat of Haryana and a former constable, first banged the truck into the gate of a cinema hall and then speeded towards Queens Road. At the Crystal restaurant traffic lights he hit two cars and then hit a two-wheeler. The occupants of these vehicles, however, escaped unhurt. Then speeding towards the busy Bhandari bridge he ran the truck over a group of telephone linesmen, one of whom died on the spot while another succumbed to his injuries at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here. Another person was seriously injured.

The dead are Mohammed Azim of Poonch, Rajouri district, and Mohammed Akbar.

The police from the picket on the Bhandari bridge finally caught the accused as he banged into an iron railings of the bridge.

A case under various sections, IPC, has been registered.

Wadala for unity, opposes Badal
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 7
Welcoming moves on Akali-unity, president of the SAD (Democratic) Kuldeep Singh Wadala today opposed Mr Parkash Singh Badal heading the proposed united Akali Dal.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Wadala said that his party was in favour of unity among Akali factions but “I am against installing Mr Badal as president of the proposed party, as he is hand in glove with the BJP.”

He said that the Congress and the BJP had always opposed Punjab’s demands, including the transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi-speaking areas and settlement of river water disputes with Haryana.

He announced that his party would hold a rally at Sangh Desian Gurdwara at Goraya on Baisakhi and former SGPC chief Jagdev Singh Talwandi would preside over proceedings of the rally. “Former UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and general secretary of the Samajwadi Party Amar Singh will address the rally,” he said.

Charges framed against Harika in fraud case
Our Correspondent

Mansa, April 7
Mr Harsh Mehta, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Mansa, today framed charges under Section 420 of the IPC against Mr Naginder Singh Harika, Managing Director, Khalsa Rural Dental College and Hospital for Women, Nangal Kalan, in a case registered against him on November 4, 1999 by the Sadar police.

The CJM, while framing charges, said Mr Harika, as the Managing Director of the dental college, dishonestly induced students and their parents to pay heavy amounts for admission to the BDS course despite the fact that there was no permission regarding the admission of students in the college.

Mr Harika thereby defrauded students and their parents of Rs 25 crore. The students could not appear in the examination and hence failed to get BDS degrees as the college was not approved by the Dental Council of India.

Mr Harika had also defrauded Mr Suresh Kumar Sharma, a retired IAS officer of Delhi cadre, of Rs 1.36 lakh in 1998 by issuing him a receipt for Rs 86,000.

Earlier, the state had filed a revision petition against the order of the then CJM, Mansa, Mr Mohinder Singh, who dropped charges under Sections 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. The revision petition was dismissed by Mr Dharam Singh, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mansa, following which charge under Section 420 of the IPC was framed today by the court of CJM, Mansa.

Mr Harika was arrested on May 1, 2001 and since then he is in judicial custody.

Staff seek probe into PSIDC investments
P. P. S. Gill
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 7
When employees of an organisation themselves demand a high-level probe into the investments made by their own company, surely something must have gone wrong somewhere. The Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC) Karamchari Union has done exactly that showing concern over the doling out of undue benefits under the ‘’one-time settlement’’ (OTS) scheme to favour ‘’wilful’’ defaulters with right political/bureaucratic connections.

In an eight-page submission to the Punjab Governor, the PSIDC Karamchari Union has explained how the recovery of loans and equity has been sacrificed in the case of those who pulled the right strings. It has focused on how the PSIDC had failed to extract any financial benefits from the prime lending agencies — the state government, IDBI, SIDBI etc. — who gave money at a high rate of interest and how the PSIDC continued to pay even a penal interest for delayed repayments. On the other hand, under the OTS scheme, the PSIDC has reduced the rate(s) of interest to be charged from the defaulters under the new OTS scheme, operative April 1. Under various OTS schemes, the PSIDC has sacrificed huge amounts without ever either seeking or getting any compensation from the state, SIDBI, IDBI etc.

The union general secretary, Mr Jarnail Singh, says, ‘’In the past 26 years neither have IDBI/SIDBI6/bond-holders ever permitted any re-scheduling of principal and or interest to the PSIDC nor these lending institutions allowed any concessions in the rate(s) of interest. These have always charged a further penal interest of 2 per cent for delayed repayments. The PSIDC has had to pay an aggregate sum of Rs 134 crore to the IDBI (Rs 64 crore), SIDBI (Rs 2 crore) and bond-holders (Rs 68 crore) with no relaxation in terms of deferment, rate(s) of interest or levying of penal interest, between April 1, 2002, till date. In this past one year, the PSIDC paid over Rs 1.50 crore as a penal interest to the IDBI’’.

The submission of the union has, incidentally, coincided with the commercial report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) for the year ended March 31, 2002. As per the CAG report, it took the PSIDC six years to implement the powers it had obtained in 1988 to take over a unit in the case of default in repayment and realise its dues by sale of such assets. Consequently, the amount of default in the case of 133 units rose from Rs 95.42 crore (1996-97) to Rs 379.89 crore (200-01) in respect of 255 units. The PSIDC also failed to keep tab/record of personal properties of promoters/guarantors and inaction to invoke personal guarantees that resulted in non-recovery of Rs 10.44 crore from just seven units.

Demanding a high-level probe the union has given facts, figures and specific instances by naming individuals, who are themselves politicians or have the right political/bureaucratic connections. It is pointed out that under the OTS scheme, the PSIDC sacrificed Rs 8 crore against the realthe isabel interest amount of Rs 8.50 crore in 25 loan cases (April, 02, and March, 03) as against Rs 8.38 crore in 21 loan cases (1995-96 to 2001-02).

It has stated that the PSIDC has been endorsing by silence the non-recovery of dues from influential defaulters since 1998-99. At present 30 top equity defaulters owed the PSIDC Rs 395 crore out of a total realisable sum of over Rs 700 crore. And 30 top loan defaulters owed Rs 288 crore, out of a total recoverable sum of Rs 675 crore. The union grouse is that the PSIDC is refusing to distinguish between ‘’wilful’’ and ‘’helpless’’ defaulters. Its apprehension is that with the introduction of a new OTS scheme, applicable across the board at reduced rate(s) of interest, will further push the PSIDC into deep losses.

The union has questioned the rationale behind the lowering of rate(s) of interest under the new OTS scheme. It fears that even those who have been regularly repaying loan/equity would also learn the tricks to dodge the PSIDC and become ‘’intentional’’ defaulters. Its calculation is that the new OTS scheme would dent the PSIDC by not less than Rs 100 crore because at present the defaulting loan amount, principal and interest, is over Rs 700 crore out of which interest is Rs 450 crore approximately,. Similarly, the equity portfolio, including direct subscription, might also result in a loss of over Rs 200 crore because the interest component on investment of around Rs 175 crore is around Rs 500 crore.

The union says the faulty management had led to the PSIDC burning its fingers even in public sector investments of intrinsic or face value of Rs 175 crore. Delayed decision-making and disinvestment in Punwire, Punjab National Ferilisers Corporation, ESPL(Punjab State Electronic Development and Production Corporation), Punjab Tractors Ltd and Punjab Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd has also caused immense financial damage to the PSIDC. 

Cash prizes for CET toppers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 7
Good news for those preparing to the common entrance test ( CET) to be conducted by Punjab Technical University (PTU) on May 23 for admission to the engineering colleges affiliated to Punjab Technical University, Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjabi University and Panjab Agricultural University.

There will be a Chief Minister’s prize of Rs 1,00,000 for the student topping the test, followed by a Technical Education Minister’s prize of Rs 75,000 and the Secretary, Technical Education’s, prize of Rs 51,000 for those placed second and third respectively. For topping in the girls category, there will be a prize of Rs 50,000 followed by the second prize of Rs 30,000. For those standing first and second among SC students, the prize money will be Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively.

In the case a girl student or an SC student gets a prize in the open category, the next girl student or the SC student, as the case may be, will get special prizes. The prize will be shared equally in the case of a tie. Prize money will be distributed even if those qualifying for the prize money take admission in other part of the country or abroad.

As many as 20,000 students appear in Punjab for admission against about 8,000 seats for various engineering courses. It will be for the first time that the admission to the engineering colleges affiliated to Punjabi University, the PAU, the GNDU will also be made on the basis of the CET.

Besides the examination centres at various places in Punjab, such centres will also be set up in all metropolitan cities — New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Calcutta — and in Bangalore and Bhopal.

There will be no cut-off marks in the CET but only those who take the test will be eligible for admission. Besides several other eligibility conditions for admission against the 85 per cent quota of seats meant for students from the state, the proof of residency will also serve the purpose.

All paid seats in the government and private colleges have been abolished as a sequel to judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of the T.M.A. Pai Foundation and others versus state of Karnataka and others.

Mr K.B.S. Sidhu, Secretary, Technical Education, said today that there would upward revision of fees in the four government engineering colleges in the state. A decision in this connection has been taken to bring the fee structure in government colleges on a par with that in the private colleges. The admission fee in all engineering colleges has been brought down to Rs 45,000 from Rs 66,000. Even this fee structure is very high. 

POLITICS

Minister’s son elected Zila Parishad chief
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 7
Mr Surinder Singh, son of Punjab Local Bodies Minister Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, was elected chairman of the Zila Parishad here today.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Chief H.S. Hanspal and Mr Parminder Singh, General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress-cum-in charge of the Congress affairs for Jalandhar district held several meetings with senior leaders of the two factions headed by the Punjab Local Bodies Minister on one hand and the Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Mr Avtar Henry and Punjab Technicial Education Minister Mr Mohinder Singh Kaypee on the other, before the two factions reached consensus on the civic posts.

The Chaudhary faction wanted Mr Surinder Singh to be the chairman but the other group insisted that the top post should go to general category candidate. Both groups had reportedly approached Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Mr Henry, Mr Kaypee and Punjab Minister Gurbinder Singh Atwal were for the candidature of Mr Sandeep Sharma and Mr Sukhwinder Sukha.

Mr Parminder Singh persuaded members to reach consensus. Mr Nirvair Singh of the Congress (Patara Zone), proposed the name of Mr Surinder Singh, and Mr Bhupinder Singh, also of the Congress (Behram-Chaurishta zone) seconded it in the presence of 27 of the 29 members having voting rights. Supporters of Mr Surinder Singh celebrated his victory.

SGPC poll likely by year-end
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 7
The general election to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), which was due in October 2000 is likely to be held by the year end or beginning of the next year. Sikh voters could enlist their names by May 30, the Election Commission would display the voter lists shortly, according to the sources close to the SGPC.

Meanwhile, Justice J.S. Sekhon, Chief Gurdwara Election Commissioner held a meeting with SGPC chief, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar at information office here today. Though the details of their meeting could not be divulged but it is learnt that they discussed the forthcoming general elections of the SGPC.

Channi demands Nanda’s expulsion
Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, April 7
Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, Congress MP from Hoshiarpur Parliamentary Constituency, in a press note here today, demanded the expulsion of Mr Kuldip Nanda, President, District Congress Committee, Hoshiarpur, who he alleged was responsible for Congress defeat in the recent elections for Presidents in Municipal Council’s of Hoshiarpur and Hariana. He said the defeat of the party had disappointed Congress worker. He demanded action against the rebel Councillors who defeated official nominees in these elections.

Mr Channi alleged that Mr Nanda during his tenure as president sidelined Congress leaders, sincere and honest party workers, and promoted opportunists. He alleged that Mr Nanda had been collected lakhs in the name of Congress rallies but he had not submitted account at the DCC meetings.

He said that the Congress could not install its President in Hariana Municipal Council despite having eights 8 Councillors in the House of 11.

COMMUNITY

WORLD HEALTH DAY CELEBRATIONS
110 panchayats resolve to spread AIDS awareness

Tarn Taran, April 7
As many as 110 gram panchayats passed resolutions to fight drug addiction deciding that they would not allow the marriages to be organised unless boys and girls undergo tests for HIV. These resolutions were presented to the civil authorities today on the ‘World Health Day’ organised here.

Dr Suresh Goyal, District Family Welfar Officer, spoke on “Healthy Environment for Children. 

25 donate blood on World Health Day
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, April 7
As many as 25 persons donated blood on the occasion of the World Health Day today at a health awareness camp and an eye check-up camp organised by the United Welfare Society at Jeeda village near here.

Mr Vijay Bhatt, president of the society, in a statement issued here today said the people were made aware of the benefits of donating blood, eyes and various other organs of the body after the death of a person.

Mr Ajmer Singh Mann, district secretary, Red Cross, also highlighted the fact that residents of the rural areas in case of accidents look for donors instead of donating the blood. Similarly, Dr Jasjit Singh, District Family Welfare Officer, urged the people to adopt family planning measures and to respect girl child. Dr M.P. Singh, eye specialist, Civil Hospital, examined the patients for various eye ailments.

Ms Kaushalia Devi was felicitated by the society for donating the body of her son for scientific use.

Four-point programme for cancer patients
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, April 7
Cancer attacks more than 90 lakh people every year the world over. Of the 10 lakh people in India get cancer and fatality rate is 78 per cent. President of the Global Cancer Concern of India, Major General R.S. Pannu stated this at addressing a press conference after visiting the SGPC-run Sri Guru Ram Das Rotary Cancer Hospital. Gen Pannu said that deaths of cancer patients in India were due to ignorance and lack of timely detection. He added that with alarming rise of cervical and oral cancer cases in India the Global Cancer Concern of India (GCCI) has prepared four point programme to reduce the number of cancer patients to 50 per cent within next eight years.

Gen. Pannu said that the GCCI aimed at creating awareness, prevention, early detection and recognising palliative care so that cancer patients could live with dignity. He added that awareness campaign through school children have been started as they could influence parents against the use of cigarette, tobacco and pan masala — the main causes of cancer in India.

He advocated regular medical check-up for all adults in India especially women as timely detection could cure 30-40 per cent of the patients. The president of the GCCI said that palliative care could improve the quality of life of the patients. He said that the GCCI had started a training programme for doctors and nurses looking after terminal patients.

Gen Pannu said that they offer Rs 1,000/- per month to destitute families who lost their bread winners. They also provide education to the orphans.

The president said they worked jointly with the World Health Organisation and had 16 offices in the country.

New transplantation policy to ‘safeguard’ donors’ interests
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 7
Keeping in view the alleged exploitation of the donors in Rs 100-crore kidney racket busted by the police in the recent time, the state government was preparing a comprehensive draft of a new organ transplantation policy, wherein, specific references will be incorporated to safeguard the interests of the kidney donors.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister, Choudhary Santokh Singh, said the utmost priority of the government was to safeguard the interests of the donors in the new policy.

The comprehensive draft of the policy was being prepared in consultation with medical experts and senior bureaucrats and the same would soon be tabled before the state’s Cabinet for approval.

“We have also decided, in principle, to allow only government medical colleges of the state to conduct kidney transplantations whereas, the private hospitals will be debarred from doing the practice. Besides, it is our primary duty to take care of the health of the donors,” he added.

Regarding completion of the construction of Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences here, the minister said the work would be completed by April, 2004. “We will commence first academic session with 100 seats for MBBS course from April, 2004. Besides, 500 bedded hospital will soon be completed in the complex,” he added.

Stress laid on Army-media ties
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, April 7
A seminar was conducted at the cantonment here today to increase interaction between the media and the Army.

The aim of the seminar was to familiarise mediapersons with defence organisation of the Army of media relationship in peace and conflict situations.

Objectivity in reporting on defence issues and the role of media in developing security consciousness were highlighted during the seminar. The speakers said that while reporting about defence forces during peace and wartime, the correspondents should take different aspects into considerations. Stress was laid on the efforts made by the Army to educate troops to respect human rights in the backdrop of secular composition of the armed forces.

The seminar was followed by an impressive display.

Prominent among the Army officials present on the occasion were Brig J.S.Mankikar, Col T.S. Anand, Col K.K. Vadam and Col S.S. Yadav.

Rs 97 cr for welfare of SCs, STs
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, April 7
Under the Rs 819 -crore special component plan, projects would be undertaken for the uplift and amelioration of the deprived and downtrodden sections of society, according to Punjab Social Welfare Minister Joginder Singh Mann.

An official press note issued here today said the Minister had declared that Rs 97 crore had been earmarked for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and backward classes this year. He made a special mention of the new Kenya Jagriti scheme for the welfare of the Dalit girls. Under it, an FD of Rs 5,000 would be made at the birth of a daughter in a Dalit family. This amount would become handsome by the time the girl is of a marriageable age.

Mr Mann also distributed prises to the winners of the football tournament organised by Guru Nanak Club at Harbanspura village. He also addressed a cultural programme organised by the Sarb Naujawan Sabha and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Society.

Lok adalat held
Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, April 7
More than 45 cases were disposed of at a lok adalat organised under the presidentship of Mr Rajinder Aggarwal, Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (senior division), here today. Sources said 82 cases came up for hearing for which compensation amounting to Rs 7 lakh was given to the parties concerned.

Mr Rakesh Kumar, Sub-Judge, presided over another lok adalat here. Mr Jatinder Kumar Sood, president of the local Municipal Council, Ms Kuljit Kaur, Principal of Mata Ganga Girls College, and Mr Hakam Singh Sandhu, president of the local Bar Association attended the lok adalat .

Pensioners to stage dharna on April 16
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, April 7
Ms Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, a BJP leader, said if the state government did not issue pension to old persons by April 15 then they would hold a demonstration on April 16 in front of Hall Gate.

Stating this to mediapersons here today she said hundreds of old pensioners had been waiting for the past one year or more for the release of their pensions, but in vain.

FCI staff union to launch countrywide stir
Tribune News Service

Mansa, April 7
Members of the FCI Executive Staff Union (affiliated with BMS) have decided to launch a countrywide agitation against the indifferent attitude of the management of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) towards their demands.

In the first phase the members of the union will stage a dharna in front of regional offices and zonal offices of the FCI throughout the country. In the second phase they will observe relay fast and takeout a march for the residence of the Prime Minister. Apart from it, they will also organise a big rally in New Delhi.

Mr Megh Raj, state unit secretary of the union, added that a notice with regard to the agitation had been given to the FCI management.

‘Chapatti’ maker installed at Kali temple
Our Correspondent

Patiala, April 7
After the installation of a ‘chapatti’-making machine at Golden Temple, the historic Kali Mata Mandir located on Mall Road has followed suit by procuring a similar machine for its “langar” hall here.

The machine, which has been installed by the Shiv Shakti Seva Dal Langar Committee at a cost of Rs 1.35 lakh, was formally inaugurated by the Mayor Municipal Corporation, Mr Vishnu Sharma, here today. The president of the committee, Mr Rajan Sharma, said the machine could make 1,000 ‘chapattis’ in one hour. He added that the installation of the machine would not only make cooking faster but also more hygienic.

G.S. Dhillon remembered
Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, April 7
Dr Gurdial Singh Dhillon, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was paid rich tributes at his native Panjwar village at a gathering organised by the District Congress Committee (Rural) Amritsar on his 11th death anniversary yesterday.

Mr H.S. Hanspal president of the PPCC, lauded the role of the late leader in the development of the country.

Ms Ranbir Kaur Dhillon, wife of Dr Dhillon, presented the demands of the village to the Mr Hanspal. He said he would put the demands before the Chief Minister and appeal him to bring the village under model gram scheme.

Nagar panchayat chief takes charge
Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, April 7
Mr Narinder Sharma, took over as the first-ever president of the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat, here today. Accompanied by his supporters and fellow councillors, Mr Narinder Sharma reached the office of the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat at about 11.15 a.m. The Shiromani Akali Dal General Secretary, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, who is also the MLA from the Banur Assembly constituency, was present there.

While addressing the gathering, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh claimed that Zirakpur would be developed on a pattern on par with Chandigarh.

Mr Narinder Sharma said that projects relating to water supply, sewerage and street lights would be taken up on a priority basis.

A meeting of engineers of the Punjab Sewerage and Water Supply Board was also called by the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat president in his office today.

HIGH COURT 
Kidney case

Chandigarh, April 7
In just over two months after the great kidney conspiracy was unearthed, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday fixed April 9 as the date of hearing on a petition filed by Dr Jagdish Gargi — head of the Forensic Medicine Department at Amritsar Government Medical College.

He was apprehending arrest in a first information reports registered by the police. Claiming to have been implicated in the case, Dr Gargi, in his petition, had earlier contended that he was member of the authorisation committee for Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur districts.

It may be recalled that as per the newspaper reports, two well-known doctors were in the docks, while several donor-labourers were in jail. Reports had added that the estimated value of the kidney racket was Rs 100 crore. As many as 1,922 transplants had taken place in Amritsar, while 650 had taken place in Delhi, since 2000. About 300 labourers had lost their kidneys, approximately 25 their lives.

Notice issued

In a petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the directors of a cooperative bank on Monday stated that the Congress government was determined to oust the supporters of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) from different posts for accommodating their own men.

Taking up the petition filed by Gopal Singh and five others against the state of Punjab, Excise and Taxation Minister Sardool Singh and other respondents, a Division Bench of the High Court issued notice of motion. The case will now come up for further hearing on April 28.

Seeking the quashing of an order vide which they had been removed from the post of directors, the petitioners had earlier contended that the allegations were totally vague.

Directions for quashing a previous notice, requiring them to show cause why they should not cease to remain as elected directors, were also sought. 

Statement of Jagman recorded

Ropar, April 7
Jagman, a one-time close accomplice of former PPSC chief Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu, today recorded his statement as public approver in the case of disproportionate assets case against Sidhu. In the statement recorded at the court of Special Judge, Ropar, Jagman said the charges framed by the Vigilance Bureau against Sidhu were true. The next date for cross-examination has been fixed on April 29. OC

AGRICULTURE

Cold store owners ‘bullying’ farmers
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, April 7
The SAD has expressed concern over the falling prices of potato produce and alleged bullying of farmers by a section of cold store owners.

Dr Om Parkash Sharma, district press secretary, SAD, in a press note issued here today said due to distress selling of the potato crop and “loot” of farmers by the cold store owners, the debts-ridden farmers had been pushed to a corner. He alleged that while the Congress government was wasting a huge amount of money on issuing advertisements, boasting the success of contract farming and diversification of farming, the reality was the opposite. He said every time the farmers had experimented with non-traditional crop, the policies of the present government had betrayed them.

PAU to host rice group meeting
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The Directorate of Rice Research of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Hyderabad, in association with Punjab Agricultural University, will organise three-day 38th annual rice group meeting at Pal Auditorium from tomorrow.

Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Panchayats and Development of Women and Children, Punjab, will be the chief guest. Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, will preside over the inaugural session. In the three-day programme, scientists from allied fields will present papers on topics such as hybrid rice, rice in different eco-systems, seed production and salinity/hill rices.

Besides, there will be special sessions during which the scientists will dwell on topics such as ‘Use of transgenic and market technology in rice breeding’, ‘Quality rice for export’, crop production and crop protection. Various demonstrations, discussions and reports of field trials will also be presented on the second and third day. Dr S.N. Shukla, Additional Director-General, ICAR, and Dr G. Kalloo, Deputy Director-General, ICAR, will present their remarks during the inaugural session. 

DC bans burning of wheat straw
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, April 7
District Magistrate, Anurag Verma here today banned the burning of wheat straw.

Mr Verma, in his orders, said that farmers had been burning wheat straw after harvesting the crop, leading to the pollution of environment. He said that it was also led to a fire incidents and crops in nearby fields were exposed to pollution. It was feared that the uncontrolled fire could spread to other areas, including godowns, foodgrain stocks and even army ammunition depot. He said that keeping in view the aforesaid reason burning of wheat straw needed to be banned.

Mr Verma said that the orders would be in force in the entire district, and special check would be maintained around 1200 squarer yards area of the ammunition depot here. He said that the district public relations officer, in village chowkidars, newspapers and radio stations would be used to make people know of the orders. Copies of the orders would also be pasted at prominent places including the SDM’s officers, BDPOs’ offices, police stations and Market Committee offices. BDPOs offices.

While the orders have been issued following concern about the environment and 100 copies have been sent to various offices all over the state, the local or the state office of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) did not figure in the list of offices getting the official copy of the orders.

ADMINISTRATION

When contacted, Mr Dhindsa, Returning Officer-cum-SDM, said the elections for the posts of the president and the vice-president were conducted on the directions of the Punjab Government.

CRIME

The police claims to have deployed more than 300 cops in the area and sealed all exit and entry points to the area. But despite heavy deployment for the past about one week, incidents of robbery and theft have increased considerably, causing much panic among local residents. OC

Petrol station owner looted
Our Correspondent

Pathankot, April 7
Robbers have again struck and looted Rs 80,000 from a petrol station owner here yesterday at 9.30 p.m.

The gang comprising four to five robbers attacked Mr Raghunath Aggarwal and looted the cash near his house when he was returning home. The robbers had been waiting in a Maruti car near his house. They also fired two shots in the air before committing the crime.

Mr Manminder Singh, Superintendent of Police (City) said here that police patrolling during night had been intensified and more police forces had been deployed at the sensitive entry points.

Gang of fake degree sellers busted
Our Correspondent

Gurdaspur, April 7
The police has busted a gang of cheats allegedly engaged in preparing and selling fake educational certificates. Mr R.P.S. Brar, SSP said today that Gurmukh Singh, retired JBT teacher and a resident of Sheikh Kabir village, in this district has been arrested while his accomplice, Harjinder Singh, alias Bhola, hardware merchant at Dhariwal and a resident of Dadwan village, is still at large.

Two middle class fake certificates, one Matriculation certificates, one fake rubber stamp of the Principal, Senior Secondary School, Jagowal Bet, 18 school leaving certificates and three blank certificates of middle class were recovered from them. During preliminary interrogation the accused confessed having sold certificates ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5000 per certificate.

Mr Brar said a matriculate who had no chance of getting any government job used to sell their certificates to the accused. The accused used to erase the candidates’s original name, father’s name and date of birth mentioned in such certificates and fill the name, parentage and date of birth of the needy persons.

Cong candidate booked for poll violence
Our Correspondent

Khanna, April 7
A Congress candidate and the father of an Independent candidate, along with 10 others, have been booked for indulging in poll violence.

At the time of counting of votes in Ward No 17 here yesterday. 271 ballot papers were allegedly torn by a Congress candidate, Mr Ashok Tewari, according to an Independent candidate, Mr Dinkar Kalia.

6 held, 16 gold chains recovered
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 7
The police has arrested six persons for smuggling drugs and chain snatching. SSP Varinder Kumar in a press note here said today, that four persons identified as Tota Ram of Dhogri village, Pargat Singh of Begampur village, Jaswinder Singh of Shekhupura village and Boota Singh of Darapur village were arrested for possessing smack and poppy husk.

The police also claims to have arrested two persons from whom 16 gold chains worth Rs 1.25 lakh were recovered. They were identified as Kuljit Singh and Neeraj Arora. 

165 fake CDs seized, 1 held
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, April 7
The city police has apprehended one shopkeeper, Sukhpal Singh, alias Bunty of Kangra colony, and recovered 165 fake CDs from his possession.

Meanwhile, he said, in a separate incident two thieves were arrested while one of their accomplices managed to escape. The two accused had been identified as Dawinder Singh and Harjit Singh, both from Judge Nagar. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC had been registered against him.

Jobless youth commits suicide

Jalandhar, April 7
An unemployed youth allegedly committed suicide by consuming Celphos tablets at Sofi Pind village under Sadar police station last evening.

According to sources, the deceased, identified as Amrik Singh, was upset as he was unemployed. He was admitted to the local Civil Hospital in a serious condition where he died.

The police has registered a case under Section 174 of the IPC and handed over the body to the parents after conducting a post-mortem. UNI

2 held for selling adulterated diesel
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 7
The Raman Mandi police has arrested two persons, including one government fair price shopkeeper of the area, for selling adulterated diesel to unsuspecting rural folks at their door steps.

Police sources said the accused, who had been identified as Satbir Singh and Manoj Kumar, had been selling the adulterated diesel to the people living in village of this area by mixing the kerosene.

The sources added that on a tip-off, a police party raided the premises of the fair price shop and found that accused had been mixing kerosene into the diesel stored in a number of containers placed in a four-wheeler in front of the shop.

A case under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 7 of the EC Act had been registered against them. The Judicial Magistrate at Talwandi Sabo had remanded the accused in police custody. Further investigations were going.

EDUCATION

1.5 lakh kids made aware of laws
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 7
In a novel exercise aimed at creating awareness among youths and to make them work for the eradication of the crime from the society, more than 1.5 lakh students of 600 schools, falling in four districts of the Doaba region, have been educated by local police authorities under their seven-month long people-oriented policing programme.

Apart from educating students to be good and responsible citizens, the programme, which began on July 1, 2002, has yielded good results as far as crime detection and solving was concerned. During this period 25 different criminal gangs were busted, 122 persons arrested and stolen and other property worth Rs 2.93 crore was recovered in four districts with Nawanshahr topping the list. The property worth Rs 4 crore of nine notorious smugglers were also confiscated.

“The results of the programme were encouraging as 64 youth clubs were formed apart from opening 10 women cells at subdivisional level. The students of 600 schools were made members of these clubs and educated about traffic rules, drug and common laws by special police teams which toured these schools on a regular basis,” Mr Rohit Chaudhary, DIG (Jalandhar range) said while talking to TNS.

He said the special focus was laid on motivating students against drug abuse.

Mr Chaudhary said good policing inter-subdivision competition, based on 105 points including crime detection, action against drug peddlers, smugglers, de-addiction programmes, improvement in the traffic situation, disposal of property cases, channelisation of voluntary help and on the spot disposal of complaints, was also a part of the programme and the winning sub-divisions would be awarded trophies by the Punjab Chief Minister during a ceremony at Punjab Police Academy at Phillaur tomorrow.

‘Corporate houses must help institutions’
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, April 7
The Chairman of the All India Council of Technical Education, Dr R. Natarajan, said today that a visionary plan had been prepared for increasing the present share of students opting for higher and professional education in the country in next 10 years from 6 per cent to 8 per cent.

Talking exclusively to the Tribune reporter, Dr Natarajan said at present there were four lakhs seats available in the engineering management and computer courses in the country. In 2002, however, due to the recession in the USA and in our country some seats in professional college had remained vacant but he hoped that in coming years the demand would once again go up.

Dr Natarajan made a strong appeal to the corporate business houses to become partners with the quality institutions of higher education and professional colleges. He said they must invest for producing quality and skilled human resource, which was the basic requirement for the progress of the country. He said the country must expand its manufacturing base to become an industrial superpower.

Citing the example of Information Technology professional Dr Natarajan said as per the study conducted by NASSCOM the world requirement would be around 2.2 million but the recent global recession in the IT segment had resulted in the lack of enthusiasm among the students going for IT courses. The chairman pointed out that as per the industrial indicators, which regulates the recruitment of professionals more and more students were opting for electronics and electrical engineering.

The Chairman of the AICTE felt that with the major expansion plan underway for the express national highways and the rural road schemes, the country would need more civil engineers in the coming years.

The present emphasis of the AICTE was to give accreditation to quality institutes. He said under the initiative 800 programmes had already been approved in various engineering, management and computer institutes in the country. He felt that the continuous upgradation was needed under the National Quality Index for providing quality education to these professional colleges.

Union: restore grant-in-aid scheme
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 7
The Non-Government Colleges Managements Federation, Punjab and Chandigarh, has demanded that the state government should immediately restore the 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme to save the future of teachers who had not been given salaries for the past six months.

Mr Subash Kumar, general secretary of the federation, in a press note issued here today said Capt Amarinder Singh had promised to continue with the scheme during the last Assembly poll. He said the members of the federation from across the state would join the protest rally in Chandigarh on April 16 against the policies of the state government.

3 youth hostels coming up
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 7
The state government has decided to set up three youth hostels in the state, for which the funds will be provided by the Central Government.

Addressing a press conference here today, Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Jagmohan Singh Kang said they were going to set up three youth hostels at Jalandhar, Anandpur Sahib and Muktsar in the first phase, while the rest of the districts would be covered later on. He said the work on the construction of the hostels at Jalandhar and Anandpur Sahib had already started, for which the Central Government had given Rs 2 crore.

The minister further said special training courses were being run by the department to educate youth about various career opportunities. “Besides an awareness drive has been launched, particularly in the rural areas,” he said.

120 students get prizes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
The annual prize distribution function of the Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Civil Lines, Ludhiana was organised in the college hall today. Ms Ravinder Kaur, Principal of the college, presented the annual college report. She highlighted various activities organised during the current session.

Dr. S.S. Grewal, vice-president, Khalsa Dewan, Ludhiana, and medical director, Gurdev Hospital, Ludhiana, was the chief guest. He gave away prizes to 120 students for participating and winning various competitions at college, inter-college and inter-zonal levels.