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Congress has betrayed Dalits, says Badal
Ludhiana, May 22 Addressing a function organised here by the Adhi Dharam Samaj to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Mr Badal criticised the government for cancelling the holiday on the birthday of Dr Ambedkar. He alleged the Chief Minister had hurt the feelings and sentiments of thousands of people in general and the dalits in particular by cancelling the holiday. Mr Badal used the forum best to condemn his arch rival, Capt Amarinder Singh. He pointed out that the Amarinder-led Congress government had also withdrawn the “saggan” scheme for the Dalit girls. Similarly, he was thinking of privatising the education and health sector. Dalits and downtrodden would be hit by these moves of the government. He warned the government against any such moves that would harm the interests of the Dalits and the downtrodden. The SAD president promised that once his party came to power in the state, he would ensure that the Dalits and the weaker sections were taken care of. He said he would ensure equality and provide all the facilities to everyone so that they were at a par with others. He regretted that the Congress had betrayed the Dalits and the weaker sections of the society. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Health Minister, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla congratulated the Adhi Dharam Samaj for organising a good show to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. He pointed out that Dr Ambedkar was the founding father of the Constitution of the country and he was being forgotten in Punjab. He said Dr Ambedkar and dedicated his entire life to the cause of the weaker sections of the society. Prominent among those also present on the occasion included the Ludhiana MP, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, the general secretary of the Punjab BJP, Mr O.P. Sharma, former minister, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha and others. Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Organiser of the Adhi Dharam Samaj, Mr Darshan Rattan Ravan thanked Mr Badal and others for their participation in the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Ambedkar. He appealed the Punjab government to restore the benefits to the Dalits and also declare April 14 as the gazetted holiday.
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Khalsa Panchayat asks Takht Jathedar to quit
Ludhiana, May 22 Addressing a news conference here today, Mr Charanjit Singh Khalsa, Mr Gurdev Singh Batalwi, Mr Apandeep Singh Dugri, Mr Bhupinder Singh Nimana and Mr Balwant Singh Meenia, all panches of Khalsa Panchayat, alleged that the Akal Takht Jathedar and his PA were guilty of turning a blind eye to a film which contained obscenity and blasphemy and had a religious title. This act of sacrilege on the part of the film-maker and criminal act of collusion with such elements by the Akal Takht head priest had humiliated the entire Sikh community. “Not only were the Sikh sentiments hurt by releasing the film all over Punjab with the ‘blessings’ of Akal Takht Jathedar, the protesting members of Sikh community were mercilessly beaten up by the police at several places, criminal cases were registered against them while the religious leadership of the community remained a mute spectator to these unfortunate and undesirable happenings.” The panches of the body further narrated several acts of omission and commission on the part of Giani Vedanti to drive home the point that he had failed to safeguard the interests of the Sikh community and provide right kind of direction and leadership. They said the Jathedar had bowed down to political pressure on the issue of Akali Dal leaders like Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal and Mr Kewal Singh Badal maintaining relations with self-styled Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarewala, failure to set up a probe committee for more than two-and-a-half years against Noormahalia sect and an about turn on the blasphemous activities of another persons Shamsher Singh Jagera. The panchayat, at the same time, expressed its gratitude to Mr Ponty Chadha, distributor of the film, who had suspended the screening of the film in Punjab to respect the sentiments of Sikh community.
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Transfers: officers heave a sigh of relief
Ludhiana, May 22 Most of the senior officers in Ludhiana, whether having completed the three years here or not, were quite uncertain about their stay. The sense of unease prevailed as rumours started doing rounds about the transfer of one officer or the other. During the last week when the government issued the transfer orders of the police officers and the bureaucrats on two separate days, the rumour mongers had a field day. Many officers in the city were apprehensive about their transfers. Everybody believed that before leaving for his foreign tour, the Chief Minister might issue the “pending” transfer orders of various officers. But that was not to be as no transfer orders were issued providing relief to the officers. Quite a few senior officers in Ludhiana have had a long stay in the district. However, it is believed that the Chief Minister reportedly decided to evaluate the performance of the officers rather than going by the period of their stay here. Besides, some of them reportedly managed the good offices of the people close to the powers. It is widely believed that there may not be many transfers in Ludhiana. Since the Chief Minister would be away for about two weeks, it is unlikely that he will get the transfer orders issued immediately after his return. Even if he wants to, he may take some time more, thus giving a fresh lease of life to those “fearing” transfer out of the city. While the officers preferred silence, but some of them admitted in private that they were not sure till late in the night whether they had managed their stay here or not. “Nobody is sure and who knows the orders might be issued late in the night as has been the practice,” apprehended a senior officer. Most of the officers were learnt to be busy making inquiries as to whether any transfer orders were going to be issued.
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PUDA landscaping policy hailed
Ludhiana, May 22 Under the revised policy, only reputed institutions, corporate houses, commercial establishments and registered resident welfare associations, having necessary expertise and qualifications, would be permitted to do landscaping of main and secondary roads in the urban estates, defined in V1, V2 and V3 categories. According to PUDA officials, landscping on berms in front of or on the sides of their respective premises on internal roads falling in V4, V5 and V6 categories, would be allowed to be carried out by individual and institutional plot holders subject to the conditions laid down in the policy. Such landscaping would include planting of grass, ornamental shrubs, cacti, seasonal flowers and ornamental plants only. In addition, the fencing to protect the plants would have a height of 2 feet 3 inches and conform to standard design and colours. The policy further provided that residents would be allowed to undertake landscaping on incidental open spaces, not exceeding 30 feet in width, adjoining corner plots within the framework of the said policy till such time these spaces were required for meeting the public parking and other needs, with the condition that individuals would not claim any charges. The PUDA officials stated that the notified revised policy on landscaping would also be deemed to be a notice for removal of violations and encroachments after a period of three months. The Urban Estate Welfare Association Phase I and II here has hailed the revised policy for landscaping of PUDA colonies all over the state. According to Mr B.R. Kaushal, president of phase II and Mr H.S. Lamba, general secretary of phase II of the association, the residents of Dugri Urban Estate had already initiated steps for landscaping and beautification of berms on main and internal roads in accordance with uniform standard design and colours as provided in the policy. The association made a fervent appeal to the residents to scrupulously follow the revised policy and comply with the provisions, in their own interests. This would save them from embarrassment and penal provisions sought to be invoked by the PUDA authorities after three months of the notification of the revised policy.
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Rape accused a maniac: police
Jagraon, May 22 This was revealed by the accused, Sada Rang, during interrogation. Outraged at the heinous crime, the villagers have sought stringent punishment for the accused. Police investigations based on the statement of the accused, his relatives and villagers revealed that he had earlier raped a couple of his close women relatives besides attempting to rape some others. He even tried to molest his mother in the past, claims the police. It said that the man's wife deserted him 10 years ago, since then he was indulged in prostitution.
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Pensioners seek release of DA instalment
Ludhiana, May 22 Punjab Finance Minister, Surinder Singla had announced the DA instalment during the Vidhan Sabha session, which adjourned sine die on April 19. The DA notification concerning Punjab employees was issued by the Punjab Finance Department on April 20. However, the DR notification pertaining to pensioners is nowhere in sight. The Punjab Government Pensioners Association urged the government to release the dearness relief notification without any further delay.
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Police ‘robs’ man of gold chain
Jagraon, May 22 The police also picked another person from near Dalip Filling Station. On the way, the policemen took the gold items from Dilip and abandoned him near the house of former Municipal Councillor Darshan Singh. Som Nath, who is employed at Garg Hospital, Tehsil Road, also alleged that the policemen misbehaved with his wife and daughter-in-law.
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Explanation sought over fake votes
Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 22 The officer claimed that the list had been reviewed and the rectified list would by ready for inspection next week after required amendments had been made. Referring to a complaint made by the president of the Nagar Panchayat and some other councillors, Mr Dhaliwal said he had directed the CDPO Doraha to physically verify the electorate of the ward. “I have been told that there were discrepancies in the electoral list and we have sought explanation from the staff concerned,” said Mr Dhaliwal. He claimed that the final list would be ready for inspection within next week. President of the nearby Malaudh Nagar panchayat Sanjiv Puri along with some other councillors of his faction had accused some councillors of the town of registering fake votes in their respective wards with the connivance of staff deputed for the preparation of the electoral list. The complainants had alleged that more than 150 fake votes were added in the list of ward No. 7 by the councillor of the beat. Expressing satisfaction at the steps taken by the administration, Mr Puri said the inquiry had been made with due transparency. “We hope that the final list would not contain any fake votes and pubic would be given another chance to make their claims if any,” said Mr Puri. Meanwhile, SAD MLA Jadish Singh Garcia appreciated move to check and rectify the list.
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Applications for communal harmony awards invited
Ludhiana, May 22 The awards consist of a citation and cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for individual and Rs 5 lakh in the organisation category. Deputy Commissioner Anurag Verma, said these awards have been instituted to promote communal harmony by recognising activities relating to discouraging communal ill-will and regional animosities, active and energetic propagation of the principles of tolerance and harmony, mobilising constructive forces of society in the cause of national unity and solidarity, devising suitable community activities and programmes for fostering fellow feeling emphasising the secular character of the country, propagating and working for national integration and harmony between different communities, irrespective of religious, linguistic or ethnic differences and asserting the common values and cultural ties which bind or act as unifying factor among people living in this country. Referring to the eligibility criteria, Mr. Verma elaborated that an individual was considered eligible for award on the basis of working in the area of national integration and communal harmony for a minimum period of 10 years, does not hold any elective office in Parliament, state legislature or local body constituted under an Act of Parliament or the state legislature, is not a member of a political party recognised by the Election Commission of India and is above 35 years of age and is alive on the date of nomination. As regards the conditions for eligibility for organisations, Mr. Verma said organisations applying for the award should be registered under an appropriate Act of Parliament or state legislature, has been working at the all-India level or at least state-level and should have been functioning for a minimum of five years in the filed of promotion of national integration and communal harmony. He said a jury headed by the Vice-President of India selects an individual and an organisation for granting these awards within a week.
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Bank robbers benefit from lax security: SSP
Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 22 To embolden residents of the area, the police undertook a flag march and assured people that their life and property would be protected at all costs. Besides passing through streets of the local town, the march covered most of the villages situated in this subdivision. Mr Harjinder Singh Chahal, SSP Sangrur, stated that robbers had taken advantage of lax security arrangements and looted cash and guns from bank employees. Commenting on the security arrangements at PNB Kanganwal, Mr Chahal said, “At the time of robbery, one guard was preparing tea for the staff and the other, who was deputed on the main gate, was unable to walk.” He further said most banks in the rural areas and at the local town either had no guard or they frequently deputed them for non-security works. Mr Chahal said flag march was undertaken to assure people that the force would do its best to protect their life and property. He said the managements at the burglary-prone branches had ignored the suggestions of the police. The boundary wall of the branch of the Oriental Bank of Commerce at Mohi village was so designed that if a theft took place then it could not be noticed from outside. Similarly, the branch of the district cooperative bank at Maherna Kalan village was also situated in an area where burglars could do their job without any hindrance. The police had earlier found a gas cylinder at the branch of the Union Bank of India at Latala village. Probably, thieves had brought along a cutter to loot the bank.
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Uncovered gutters pose risk to life and limb
Doraha, May 22 Four to five such gutters are existing on the Service Road, the most
frequented one, and one on the Arraichan Road. A pedestrian or a
two-wheeler driver, can easily fail into the 5-feet deep gutter or
sustain serious injuries by the protruded iron rods left by the workmen
on the road. This highlights the negligent and callous attitude of the
authorities concerned. Last week, Mr Barjinder Jandu, a reporter of a
Punjabi daily, was travelling on the road with one of his friends on his
motorbike when he accidentally fell into the gutter and sustained
injuries. Not only this, one of the protruded iron rods damaged the seat
of the motorbike. Had it been otherwise, the rod may have disabled
him. A resident said, “What if a child falls into these gutters or
receives injuries by getting hurt by the protruded rods. At night, these
literally turn into a death-knell. It seems the authorities are only
waiting for some serious tragedy to take place.” Mr Surjit Singh, EO,
Municipal Council, Doraha, when contacted said, “The sewerage pipe has
been laid on demand of the residents who regularly complained of water
getting collected in front of their houses. The MC has already deposited
an amount of Rs 9.58 lakh with the sewerage board for the completion of
the project. It is now upto the board to complete it without any further
delay.” Interestingly, a junior engineer of the Punjab Water Supply
and Sewerage Board, said the converse for the same had arrived and the
work of completion has been initiated ‘today’ itself.
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6 injured in house fire
Ludhiana, May 22 The injured admitted in Oswal Hospital were Ram Niwas, his daughter Pinki, her sons Raju (4), Rahul (2) and daughter Sapna (8-months-old). All these were tenants of the house owner Shiv Shankar who was also injured in the fire incident. According to police sources, the incident took place early in the morning when gas leaked from an LPG cylinder and it
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Bairagi convention on June 9
Ludhiana, May 22 Addressing the district chiefs and other office-bearers of Bairagi Maha Mandal, Mr Bawa said delegates would be participating from Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi and other states. Several dignitaries are also expected to reach Delhi for the programme. A high-powered committee, including Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Bairagi, Bawa Ravinder Nandy, Ahmedgarh, Prof Jeewan Das Bawa, Chairman Market Committee, Mansa, Mr Hari Das Bawa and Mr K K Bawa has been entrusted to select an outstanding personality for conferring Baba Banda Bahadur Award this year.
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Friend kills man
Ludhiana, May 22
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Expert predicts strong future for India Inc
Ludhiana, May 22 Giving a macro view of the financial scenario, Mr Parikh said the working and volatility of the Indian financial markets vis-a-vis the business scenario was governed by saving and investment rate of the economy, monetary policy of the government, inflow of foreign capital and stock exchanges. Asking the Indian corporates to save more, he said 43 per cent of the total savings were lying with banks, making them most important players in financial markets. Contrary to popular and common opinion, mutual funds and stock markets control a very small share of the financial sector, he said. He pointed out that India had emerged as one of the premier destinations for foreign institutional investors and foreign direct investment, which had provided high
maneuverability to Indian financial markets. The USA and Europe are contributing 80 per cent of the foreign capital inflow, which is a measure of their confidence in the future of the Indian economy, he said. He predicted a strong future for India Inc and asked the entrepreneurs to invest more in the markets and also save more.
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Homoeo chemists told about VAT
Ludhiana, May 22 Addressing a general body meeting of Northern India Homoeopathic Chemists Association here today, Dr S.C. Jain, president of the association, exhorted the member chemists to adopt fair trade practices which would not only promote the homoeopathic medicines in the state but the homoeopathic system as well. More than 120 members of the association from the northern region attended the meeting. Dr Jain discussed in detail the modalities for the ‘Homoeopathic Seminar 2005’ proposed to be held at Jalandhar in November this year. Dr Kanwaljit Singh, general secretary of the association, said that the body had mooted an idea to organise a national seminar on homoeopathy with other state and regional associations and a final decision would be taken soon, depending on their response in this regard. Dr Jinesh Kumar Jain, Dr Ashok Kumar Jain, Dr Gurpreet Singh, Mr Abhinandan Jain, Dr Sunil Kumar, Dr Balwinder Singh, Dr Kamaldeep Singh Thind and Mr Devi Dass Devgan, also spoke.
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