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| Tuesday,
May 6, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Identity of murdered
youth established Ludhiana, May 5 Highly placed police sources said the youth had been identified as Balraj alias Goldy, son of Late Ram Sarup. He worked as a travel agent. He was said to be functioning from Paharganj in Delhi before his death. The police is, however, yet to know the address of the youth. The police suspects that he belonged to Uttar Pradesh but this is yet to be confirmed. The youth’s parents had died long ago. No one had approached the Khanna police to identify or claim his body even though his photographs had been circulated all over the country. The information was provided to the police by a resident of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal. A businessman, Paramjit Singh of Sahurja town in Uttaranchal, who had come to Khanna to attend a marriage, saw the youth’s photograph in some old newspaper and informed a police official. Paramjit said the youth had worked with him for sometime several years ago and later became a travel agent. Sources said Paramjit would be further questioned as the information was inadequate. The police would either call Paramjit here or send a team to Uttaranchal. They said it was important to know the village of the youth or his place of residence. The case had hogged limelight because of the nature of crime. The body of the youth was found hanging from a goalpost of a football ground near Kot Mandiala Kalan village. There were multiple stab wounds on his body. He was hanged with a dupatta. The police later found some bridal dresses in nearby fields. It was being suspected that some love affair was behind the murder. The post-mortem examination on his body also remained inconclusive on whether or not the youth was tortured before the murder. Khanna police sources said the doctors of the local Civil Hospital had sent the viscera for chemical examination and the report was awaited. Several persons who were trying to trace some missing relative — similar to the one matching the description of the deceased youth — had visited Khanna Sadar police station in April but none could identify the body. Two such families, one from Jammu and Kashmir and the other from Issru village near here, visited the police station today also in search of a missing relative but the youth was not their missing relative. |
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VCD EXPOSE Ludhiana, May 5 The state unit president, who was in town for a closer study of the VCD expose, interacted with his partymen and released the photographs while interacting with mediapersons here today. The duo are shown interacting with former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, MLA Surinder Dawar, Jails Minister Malkiat Singh Birmi, Stationery Minister Rakesh Pandey besides certain councillors. He clarified that there was absolutely no doubt that this episode had blatantly exposed the vicious nexus between the corrupt elements in police force and the anti-social elements in the Congress party. “It is ironical that Capt Amarinder Singh, who projects himself as the champion of corruption-free governance, had not spoken a single word to decry it. Instead his lieutenants, local Congress leaders are openly supporting the corrupt police officers, exposed in the VCD. Whether or not VCDs are admissible evidence in the court proceedings for the conviction purposes is a different matter altogether. What concerns the BJP is the growing corruption and patronage being provided to it by the ruling party,” he added. All these exposures were intriguing and need to be examined and not simply ignored. Nor are these solitary in nature since the policemen from different police stations are involved. Time and again such nefarious activities of the police come to light what have been ignored due to the political interference of the ruling party. It is just a specimen of the Congress government and probably the reason why Capt Amarinder is keeping mum over the whole episode. Prof Rinwa said, “If the state government thinks what BJP says is incorrect, let it order a CBI probe in the whole episode and come out clean.” Prof Rinwa said the misuse of the police force by the Congress and consequent protection and patronage to it were inter -related. This has been a part of Congress culture and modus operandi of successive Congress regimes in Punjab. In the recent municipal elections held in Punjab, the Congress rigged the election with the help of police force and got its nominees elected as president/vice-presidents with the help of administration at many places where they were not in majority. Prof Rinwa exhorted people to extend full support to the BJP in exposing the nexus between Congress leaders, criminals and corrupt police personnel so that the administration is fair and transparent and general masses can be saved from the police high handedness. He declared that a state-level movement would be launched to expose the anti-people and suppressive acts of the Congress government so that Punjab could be saved from the clutches of the corrupt, anti-social and criminal elements.
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Village
politics turns school into cattle shed Bassian (Ludhiana), May 5 The school, constructed at a cost of Rs 5.5 lakh in March last year, has its design approved by the Department of Education. Neatly planned classrooms, lobby and playgrounds have been transformed into a huge cattle shed. Instead of blackboards, books and classroom charts, heaps of cow dung and stocks of wheat chaff make a mockery of the school. When a TNS team visited the village today, it found school engulfed in stench from cow dung and urine and more than 15 cattle heads tied there. The classrooms were being used for storing fodder for the cattle. With a population of 12,000, this village, biggest in the Raikot subdivision, has a big senior secondary school, but it badly requires a primary school. In view of this, the primary school was constructed here with five rooms and a big hall opening into a verandah, so that, it could accommodate as many children as possible. “Seeing the requirement of the village, I had got the money sanctioned from the department and got the work done at a fast pace. Children were, earlier, studying in a school built on a gurdwara land, so, I wanted them to have a separate place for their school. However, some parents with vested interests led by my predecessor occupied the place and converted it into a cattle shed. They wanted to sabotage my development plans,’’ said Mr Ravinder Kumar Rawal, Sarpanch of the village, who is, presently, under suspension. He alleged that he had been placed under suspension because of the “political vendetta”, as he was affiliated to the Shiromani Akali Dal and had won the panchayat elections with a huge margin. Mr Rawal also said a former sarpanch of the village, who had the backing of some Congress leaders, was responsible for the conversion of the school into a cattle shed. He said the cattle in the school belonged to this former sarpanch. “When I complained against him to the department concerned, I received a suspension letter based on an allegation that I had misappropriated funds. I only wanted to make this village a model village. I have given a piece of my land to the telecom centre of the village. How can they say that I have misappropriated funds? I am being made a scapegoat for being a sarpanch belonging to an opposition party,” said Mr
Rawal. |
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Teachers
not paid for four months Ludhiana, May 5 The teachers said a month or two of delay in the disbursement of salaries had been common, but, this time, it had become so prolonged that they were finding it difficult to make both ends meet. They were, earlier, assured that they would be paid their salaries before March 31 The situation of couples working in these schools has become
pitiable. Mr Mulakh Raj Arora, science master, and Ms Ram Dulari Arora, social studies teacher, are one such couple, both working on aided posts in Arya Senior Secondary School of Old Sabzi Mandi. They said that life had become very difficult for them under such circumstances. They were, now, being assured that the government would release the grant by May 31. Nearly 20 teachers of Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School of Millerganj have also not received their salaries since January. They had urged their school management to pay them for at least two months of work, so that, they could manage their home and hearth. The teachers said that it was surprising that the government expected them to work consistently without being paid. However, some school managements have been kind enough to arrange salaries for the teachers through loans. Mr Ramesh Kalia, Principal of SDP Senior Secondary School on Hazuri Road, said after looking into the problems of the teachers, the managing committee of the school had arranged loans for disbursing a part of the salaries to 47 teachers on aided posts. When contacted, Mr Teja Singh, state president of the Government Aided School Union, said the delay in the disbursement of salaries was a major problem in nearly 500 schools of Punjab. |
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Move on
octroi faces rough weather Ludhiana, May 5 The previous SAD-BJP government had abolished octroi at the end of its five-year term in a bid to woo the urban population of traders, business community and industrialists. However, in the wake of the decision being struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Congress Government, which followed, reimposed octroi. The major factor, standing in the way of replacing octroi with the LADT, opine the legal experts, is that the appeal, preferred by the Punjab Government against the decision of the high court, is yet to be finally disposed of. After the last hearing in April, the apex court had granted four-week time to the government for filing its reply. Since the court would observe summer break from May 15, the case would come up for hearing in July. While the issue is debateable, there seems to be some ambiguity on the constitutional right of the state government to impose a tax which can have a direct bearing on inter-state trade and commerce. Such tax is described in the First Schedule of the Article 246 of the Constitution which comes under the purview of the Union Government, maintain legal and constitutional experts. As the government appears to be indecisive about the abolition of octroi the trade unions and other bodies of municipal employees all over the state are ready to launch an agitation if the government do so in July, if the mood of senior functionaries of the Punjab Nagar Palika Karamchari Mahasangh is any indication. An office-bearer of the body trashed the general impression being created that the abolition of octroi would provide relief to the trade and industry as well as the general public. “On the contrary, the people will have to bear additional burden of tax, in many cases many times more than the prevailing rate of octroi because the LADT will be charged at 2 per cent flat on the invoice whereas the rates of octroi on certain items are quarter and half per cent while on many other items it is charged by weight.” |
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Inspector’s
bail plea dismissed Ludhiana, May 5 He had been earlier booked by the local Vigilance Bureau for assaulting a DSP (Vigilance) on duty and interfering with his work while he was heading a raid on the house of a government doctor at Ghumar Mandi on April 18. Thereafter he was transferred to the Police Lines. According to officials of the Vigilance Bureau, during the raid the accused tried to run away with a file containing some documents relating to his personal property and investments. The file was kept in an almirah of the doctor. Later, the Inspector was booked under Sections 13(1)(d)(e), read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Apprehending arrest, he applied for pre-arrest bail. His counsel argued that he had been falsely implicated. He said his close relatives had given him cash gifts on different occasions and he had purchased NSCs worth Rs 4 lakh. The accused had pleaded in his bail application that the allegation of purchasing a Gypsy was false, as it was in the name of Ajit Singh. The officials of the Vigilance Bureau produced documents collected by them during investigation to
substantiate their claim. They said custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary. Convinced with their submissions, the judge dismissed his bail application. |
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Investigation
points to murder Ludhiana, May 5 The police sent the body for a post-mortem examination, which revealed that death had been caused by insecticide poisoning coupled with multiple injuries. The police later found that following a dispute between the deceased and Gurmail Singh, alias Geli, son of Mr Pal Singh of Rajoana Kalan over some monetary transaction, Gurmail Singh gave liquor laced with poison to Sukhdev Singh.
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Hanspal’s way of
functioning flayed Ludhiana, May 5 Even after over six months of taking over as the PPCC president, Mr Hanspal has not been able to bring any effective changes in the state unit of the party. So far only the state-level office-bearers, including the general secretaries and the vice-presidents, have been appointed. Mr Hanspal did not have much say in those appointments also as most of these were made by the Congress high command. It is learnt that Mr Hanspal has been trying hard to affect changes in the party set up at the district and block level by bringing in his own people even if it means antagonising the Chief Minister, as most of the incumbent office-bearers, including the district presidents, have been appointed by him only. And these office-bearers are also banking on his support only to ensure that they continue with their posts. The PPCC president is reportedly exhibiting too much interest in Ludhiana. He is learnt to have already shortlisted four candidates for the post of the district president. The candidates have reportedly been shortlisted by him of his own without taking the Chief Minister into confidence. The list has already been submitted to the Congress general secretary and in charge of Punjab, Ms Mohsina Kidwai, for the final appointment. |
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Rs 100 crore for civic amenities Ludhiana, May 5 He was addressing a function after inaugurating traffic lights at Kaddon Chowk and two signboards on the G.T. Road at Doraha, 22 km from here, today. The minister said the government would take up projects regarding sewerage, water supply, repair of roads and street-lights in the state. Later, addressing the first meeting of the newly elected Municipal Council, Doraha, the minister asked the councillors to extend their full cooperation for the overall development of the town, rising above party politics. Earlier, the minister distributed cheques of TDS amounting to Rs 3 to around 36 members of the Doraha Truck Union at a function. Addressing truck operators, Mr Tej Parkash Singh said the truck operators were serving the nation by transporting goods from one part of the country to others. Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA, urged the minister to solve truck operators’ problems. Mrs Raj Rani, the newly elected President of the Municipal Council, assured that the council would work for the development of the town and she would always take into confidence the councillors of the opposition parties. She informed that sewerage was being laid at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. Others who attended the function included Mr Gurkirat Singh, general secretary, PPCC, Mr Sukhwant Singh Kotli, a former chairman, Zila Parishad, Mr Bant Singh Doburji, a former MD, Sugar Mill, Budhewal and Mr Amrik Singh Bittu, president, Doraha Truck Operators Union. |
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Disposal
of stubble: farmers favour paper mill Ludhiana, May 5 The farmers, sick of the stubble, the disposal of which leads to environment pollution and loss of soil nutrients, cannot handle it in an environment-friendly manner as it costs them more money and have asked the government to come to their help. Backed by Shaheed Bhagat Singh Welfare Society, the farmers have decided to find a solution. They said they wanted a lasting solution as they were aware that the burning of stubble affected soil minerals Mr Charanjit Singh, panch of the village, said the disposal of the stubble without burning meant employing more labour and the irrigation of fields at least twice. He said paddy stubble, unlike that of wheat was unmanageable as it was harder. Rooting it out manually required more time, leaving less time for the preparation of fields for the next crop. The president of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Welfare Society, Dr Devinder Ashok, said if a paper and card board mill was set up in the village, it would be a relief for farmers of 50 villages that were linked to Pakhowal. He said all farmers were ready to sell the stubble to the mills. Mr Pavittar Singh, another villager, said the villagers were ready to provide a piece of land for the purpose. Another panch, Mr Shanti Swaroop, said the farmers were also ready to work towards the setting up of a cooperative mill which could provide the youth with jobs. |
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Sat Pal Parashar remembered Ludhiana, May 5 A large number of party workers and functionaries of the Congress Seva Dal offered tributes at the statue of the leader at a function at Samrala Chowk. Party legislator Surinder Dawar and Seva Dal coordinator Sushil Parashar spoke on the occasion. Mr Sanjay Talwar and Mr Rakesh Parashar, both councillors, Mr Ashok Parashar Pappi and Mr Parminder Mehta were present on the occasion. At another function held at Congress Bhavan, party workers paid homage to the leader and vowed to defend the unity and integrity of the country. The DCC (Urban) president, Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, observed that the late Sat Pal Parashar, along with other party leaders like Joginder Pal Pandey and Beant Singh, had laid down his life in the fight against terrorism for restoring peace and normalcy in Punjab. He demanded that the families and dependants of such martyrs should be treated on a par with freedom fighters. Prominent among those present at the function were Mr Sushil Parashar, Mr Ashok Makkar, Dr Parshottam Lal, Mr Komal Khanna, Mohammed Naseem Ansari, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Kuldip Singh, Mr Rachpal Singh Gill, Ms Manjit Kaur, Ms Pinki Arora, Mr Brij Singh Dhillon and Mr Ram Kishan Gupta. |
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Survey of mentally challenged ordered Ludhiana, May 5 The survey would be conducted by the Health Department, Panchayats and Rural Development Department and municipal bodies to detect such cases. The survey would be completed within 10 days and after that, a comprehensive strategy would be worked out to handle such cases. Mr Anurag
Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner, said the administration had already rescued three such persons and they were admitted to the Government Hospital. He informed that in one case, an FIR had also been registered against the relatives of the patient on charge of illegal confinement.
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Literary genius called Prof Mohan Singh Mohan Singh is a fairly common name. When proper nouns become common, epithets are added for clarity. Two contemporary Pothohari college professors rose to be writers and poets. The elder assumed ‘Diwana’ as his pen name while the younger added ‘Mahir’ to his name for distinction. The former got the Ph.D degree and added D.Litt (Cal) to his name. The latter published his legendary collection of poems, ‘Savey Pattar’ (green leaves). Soon, Mohan Singh proved his poetic genius and literary expertise, so, he no longer needed Mahir for recognition. Preet Lari was a literary force in the 1930s and 1940s under its Editor, Gurbakhsh Singh ‘Preet Lari’. Mohan Singh made his debut as Editor with ‘Punj Darya’, which became a rage with all sections, especially the youth. Mohan Singh came to be known as Mohan Singh ‘Panj Darya’ also. Mohan Singh’s popularity took him to the zenith. After the legendary, Waris Shah, Mohan Singh earned willing audience, wide readership and popularity for Punjabi poetry. If sword is mighty, pen is mightier. The sword, soaked in blood, rusts off in history and rarely ever finds a place in a museum, that too, if it had killed a tyrant to save an innocent. However, poets like Mohan Singh Mahir and A.H. Sahir tower above the conquerors. Sahir and Mahir were contemporaries, yet poles apart. Sahir was born in Ludhiana (1921) and Mohan Singh died here (1978). Amrita Pritam fell in love with Sahir and wrote him a long message in poetry. The book ‘Sunehurhey’ won her the Sahitya Adademi award, but left Sahir unmoved, or perhaps, high and dry. Mohan Singh published his last collection of poems, ‘Boohey’ (doors), with Amrita Pritam in mind. He knocked at the gates of Delhi and found these shut, which he poetically referred to as: “Bleeds thus my forehead, struck against the high chambers of Delhi.” Mohan Singh was a path-breaker, a trend-setter. Born at Dhamial (Pothohar) and educated at Lahore and Amritsar, he taught at Patiala and lived through his last decade at Ludhiana. As per his will, his ashes were spread over the waters of the Chennab at (Akhnoor) as he had glorified it as a river of love and romance. His 25th death anniversary passed unnoticed.
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Powermen’s strike
from today Khanna, May 5 Mr Madan Lall, Mr Ratan Singh Bajwa, Mr Tarsem Lall, Mr Karm Chand and Mr Inderjit Singh, all PSEB employees of the circle, said powermen would not accept the offer for talk given by the SE till the transfers were cancelled. They said, during this strike, all complaint offices and cash-collection centres of the PSEB would remain closed. |
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Two injured in accidents Khanna, May 5 He was
subsequently referred to a Ludhiana hospital.
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71 kg poppy husk seized Ludhiana, May 5 In another incident, the Jodhan police arrested Gurdev Singh ‘Devi’ of the same village from Taipi and seized 30 kg of poppy husk from him. A case under NDPS Act has been registered against him. Post-mortem examination:
The youth has been missing since April 30 and
his clothes and scooter had been found near the canal bridge at Dalla. The police has registered a case against Chakaur Singh and Rana Singh
of this village in the regard. Khanna When he refused, he was beaten up with wooden sticks. They also took away some money from his pocket. The guard has been admitted to Civil Hospital. |
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‘New excise duty to support textile industry’ Ludhiana, May 5 In a communication received by the Ludhiana Spinners Association (LSA) from the Tariff Regulatory Unit (TRU) of the Union Ministry of Finance, it has been clarified that the general impression that goods like yarn and fabrics can not be sold unless the buyers are also holding central excise registration, is absolutely wrong. There is no such requirement in the central excise law. A seller of yarn and fabrics (or any other products) can freely sell his merchandise to any person without the buyer being registered with the Central Excise Department, it says. The TRU communique also said that, in normal case, manufacturers of excisable goods like yarn, fabrics and readymade garments were required to obtain the Central Excise Department registration before commencing their manufacturing activities. However, considering the large number of units requiring such registration and the administrative limitations in quickly granting it, the government had decided to allow the manufacturing activity without insisting on registration as a pre-condition. As a matter of facilitation, manufacturers in the textile sector were allowed to pay the Central excise duty without, first, obtaining the registration. Thus, it was not necessary to have been registration at the point of clearance of goods. However, clearance documents, including the numbered invoice with date, would be accepted as valid document to claim credit. The TRU said the dealers of yarn and fabrics, who passed the criteria of duty paid on the goods sold by them, should obtain the Central excise registration before issuing invoices and transferring the credit. “As a special case, the pre-condition has been relaxed for those trading in yarn and fabrics, so, such persons should have no difficulty in carrying out their business”. The government has taken these special measures to ensure that the trade practices of the textile industry continued and the new excise duty on textile products was adopted in a smooth manner. |
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