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Sikh clergy refuse to toe SGPC line
Amritsar, August 18 It is learnt that Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC President, personally spoke to Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht for constituting a committee for a code of conduct for women who wish to perform kirtan and clean the sanctum sanctorum. Mr Waryam Singh, secretary dharm parchar, Mr Harbir Singh Bhanwar, media adviser, and Mr Harjit Singh, personal assistant to the SGPC chief, took the typed paper to Jathedar Vedanti but he refused to sign the paper. However, after the initial hiccups, the Sikh clergy today gave clear indications that gender discrimination had no place in Sikhism and hence the case regarding allowing baptised Sikh women to perform kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandar Sahib would again be taken up at the next meeting, being convened shortly. In a written release, issued late in the evening, Jathedar Vedanti said the issue needed a marathon discussion. However, he said except for kirtan and cleaning of the sanctum sanctorum, women had been performing religious ‘seva’. Earlier, after the meeting of the Sikh clergy, Jathedar Vedanti told mediapersons that no decision could be taken up regarding allowing women to perform kirtan. Interestingly, in the evening senior officials of the SGPC rang up journalists stating that the Sikh high priests had ‘agreed in principle’ to allow Sikh women to perform kirtan. However, Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu , non-official personal assistant to the Jathedar, Akal Takht, claimed that no such decision was taken. It is reliably learnt that the Sikh high priests are divided over taking a ‘hasty’ decision on this important matter concerning the entire community. While a section of the Damdami Taksal and the Sant Samaj (headed by Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi) had openly opposed the move, the SGPC chief is eager to ensure a final nod by the Sikh clergy on the plea that gender discrimination could not be allowed as per Sikh tenets. The Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC has already given its approval to allow baptised women to perform kirtan in the sanctum sanctorum. However, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Head Granthi, Darbar Sahib, had stated that only the high priests were authorised to take a final decision on such matters. Interestingly, the Religious Advisory Committee of the SGPC had passed a resolution on March 9, 1940, to allow baptised Sikh women to perform Kirtan, which could not be implemented for various reasons. Later, five Sikh high priests had directed the SGPC to allow baptised Sikh women to perform ‘seva’ in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandar Sahib on February 9, 1996, which was also opposed by a section of the Sikh Panth.
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Defaulters made members of SGPC-run Trust
Amritsar, August 18 Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal, has been taken as one of the 11 trustees. While Bibi Jagir Kaur is ex-officio president of the Trust, Mr Badal might be elevated as Chairman at the next meeting after amending the Act. By doing so the Trust would be taken out of the purview of the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission which had taken a tough stand against the SGPC chief for having failed to recover the huge amount from the defaulters including from the Trust members and senior Akali leaders. The names of the defaulters who have been inducted in the re-constituted Trust include Mr Rattan Singh Ajnala, an Akali Member of Parliament, Mr Sucha Singh Langah, a former Akali leader and Dr G.S. Grewal. The other members of the Trust are Dr Balwant Singh Tung of Radha Soami-run hospital, Beas, Mr H.S.Matewal, a former Advocate General during the Badal government, Mr Rajinder Singh Mehta, an SGPC member, Dr Davinder Singh Sandhu, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Dr K.S.Chugh. The SGPC secretary who used to be ex-officio member would no more be its member secretary. However, Bibi Jagir Kaur told The Tribune that all defaulting students had been given final chance to deposit their fees (to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore) by August 20. The issue of outstanding amount against the students of the MBBS who got admission under NRI quota had become an election issue during the previous general election of the SGPC. The Panthic Morcha had given a call to defeat the SAD (Badal) candidates for having failed to recover the outstanding amount from the wards of senior Akali leaders even as the funds are collected from offerings in SGPC-run gurdwaras.
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SAD activist shot
Amritsar, August 18 The accused had an old enmity since the Vidhan Sabha elections at Ajnala. Bhupinder Singh was Congress supporter and Angrej Singh was SAD supporter. During the election they had an altercation in which Bhupinder Singh was injured. The case was in the court. A case has been registered. However, no arrest could be made so far. The police authorities said that the raids were being conducted to nab the culprits. — OC
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Probe against docs of SGPC-run hospital
Amritsar, August 18 A complaint in this regard was received against Dr Sartaj and Dr Sherry Kahlon by Amrik Singh, Jarnail Singh and others. Dr Sartaj, however, refuted the claims and said they had not recommended any outside source. Dr S.K. Oberoi, Deputy Medical Superintendent, today stated that the complaint would be passed to the Medical Superintendent for an inquiry into the allegations and a copy of the complaint was also sent to the SGPC. According to the complainants, the doctors recommended an injection that was being sold for Rs 2,300 at the outlet specified by them while the same was being sold at Rs 1,400 at a chemist shop inside the hospital premises. Meanwhile, Mr Dilmegh Singh, SGPC secretary, said he would bring the matter to the notice of the SGPC president and an investigation would be conducted.
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Badal replies to Amarinder
Chandigarh, August 18 Talking to The Tribune, Mr Badal described as “ridiculous”, the arguments given by the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, that since the Nanavati Commission was to probe events that took place outside Punjab and that since its report has been debated upon at length in both Houses of Parliament, there was no logic in discussing it in the state legislature. “It is an important and much bigger issue which should be debated upon at every level. It cannot be treated as closed after a debate in Parliament and an apology by the Prime Minister. The Congress party in general and its Punjab unit in particular has to clarify their position about those found guilty by the commission. “Their continuation in public offices, role of other Congressmen in the anti-Sikh riots elsewhere and punishing the guilty 21 years after the genocide are other important issues, which remain to be discussed and settled. “Further, there is no bar that once an issue has been discussed and debated upon in Parliament, it cannot be taken up by a state legislature. The Nanavati
Commission report is significant for all Punjabis in general and the Sikhs in particular. We want to discuss it at length”, asserts Mr Badal saying that he and his party are ready for any debate on the turbulence in Punjab with any senior leader of the Congress. “I am not going to join a debate with Captain Amarinder Singh, who was sent by the Congress party to spy on the Shiromani Akali Dal. It was a blunder on our part to induct him in the Dal in 1985. Everyone knows his role in Sikh politics. “But I am ready for an open debate on the Sikh problem at any forum, including any TV channel, any time with any senior Central Congress leader, though this so-called secular party has always been anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab”, adds Mr Badal. “It is not the Akali Dal but the Congress which has been backtracking on each and every issue. Tell me what forced the Congress government at the Centre to stall the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab at the last minute. What prevented the Congress from implementing the Rajiv-Longowal accord? The only one-point agenda of the Congress party has been to weaken Punjab, both politically and economically. Besides, it has been meddling in the religious affairs of the Sikhs so as to weaken the Akali Dal”. Mr Badal reiterated: “No Commission, less than one headed by a Supreme Court judge, would be acceptable to us. The state can appoint any one to head a commission with a promise that a favourable report would be rewarded with a key public office or some other allurement. “In the first place, we did not demand setting up of any commission. If the government is keen to reach the truth, we welcome it, provided it is free and fair. Neutrality of the commission can only be ensured if a sitting judge of the apex court heads it. “See what has happened to the Justice Nehra commission. We do not want a repeat of that. No useful purpose would be served by any commission, which is not headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. Any commission appointed by the state government headed by a retired judge would just be an extension of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. We would not accept any such commission. “Now when the Congressmen are themselves admitting that because of the importance of the Nanavati Commission, the Prime Minister has shown grace and offered a public apology. Then why not set up a commission to unravel the truth behind the Punjab problem. Why cannot the state government ask its own Central leadership and the Union Government to appoint a sitting Supreme Court judge so that no one can doubt its sincerity of reaching the truth. Now why are they running away from the Commission headed by a Supreme Court judge”, adds Mr Badal. “To me it looks ridiculous that first they start talking about setting up a commission and then they go back on it. The issue for setting up a commission headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge was also raised during our term in office. But at that time, it was decided that peace should be given a chance rather than reviving the wounds of the militancy”. Describing as “baseless” charges levelled by Captain Amarinder Singh that SAD has never been serious about solving the Punjab problem, Mr Badal alleged: “It is the Congress which has been playing with fire in Punjab. What is it that prevents it from transferring Chandigarh and other Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab now?” Coming to his role during the period of turbulence, Mr Badal asked how he or any other Akali leader could backtrack if any of the major demands of the state were to be conceded by the Centre. “On the one hand, the Captain has been praising Sant Harchand Singh Longowal as a messiah of peace and communal harmony while on the other he has been accusing the Dal leadership of resorting to a policy of drift and indecisiveness. It was Sant Harchand Singh Longowal who was the dictator of the dharma yudh morcha. It does not gel well with the Captain’s accusations. “What did Sant Harchand Singh Longowal gain from signing that accord? He was badly let down by the Central government headed by Mr Rajiv Gandhi .The only time I walked out of a meeting was when radical agenda was being pushed through. I opposed it and insisted on our agenda for peace and harmony in Punjab. Mr Badal said while Punjab was burning, the Captain frequently travelled overseas, skipped meetings, including those he had convened himself, and had no time to attend the state legislature. Mr Badal said that his son, Sukhbir, remained in Punjab throughout the turbulence period. He was out of Punjab only for two years when had gone abroad for studies. “I remained either in jails or in Punjab throughout the dharma yudh morcha”, Mr Badal added.
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Singla moots Rs 10,000 cr fund for retrenched staff
Chandigarh, August 18 Addressing a seminar on “Impact of globalisation on the trade union movement in India”, organised by The Tribune Employees Union as part of its silver jubilee celebrations here, he said the fund would help the retrenched staff to “cope with the new changes due to globalisation in the transition phase”. Saying that India was set to emerge as a global economic super power in the wake of the economic policies initiated by the then Union Finance Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, in 1991, Mr Singla claimed that the Indian economy was worth $ 700 billions and the Indian companies were even taking over the foreign companies. On the privatisation of the power sector in Punjab, Mr Singla clarified that he had only advocated the introduction of a second power player in the state along with the Punjab State Electricity Board(PSEB). Besides high transmission losses, currently the arrears of the power bills of the PSEB staff were pegged Rs 1,750 crore.The power tariff will come down with the introduction of the second power player, Mr Singla claimed. Denying World Bank pressure on the Punjab Government on providing free power to the small and the marginal farmers, Mr Singla said the government would provide free power at all costs. Mr Singla claimed that it was only on account of the liberalisation policy that the telecom sector alone had attracted an investment of Rs 90,000 crore. However, the secretary of the All-India Trade Union Congress(AITUC), Ms Amarjit Kaur, while criticising the ill-effects of the globalisation on the working class, feared that livelihood of millions of workers was at stake in the wake of the liberalised regime. Scoffing at Mr Singla’s idea of having a fund for the retrenched staff, she alleged that already 10 lakh public sector employees had been retrenched and 6 lakh small industrial units had gone out of business rendering 1 crore persons unemployed. The AITUC leader claimed that the trade unions were not against globalisation and only wanted a “re-look” at the existing economic policies to give it a “human face” so that millions of masses get employment opportunities. Expressing concern at the dwindling number of membership of the unions, Mr Madan Talwar, treasurer of the All-India Newspaper Employees Federation, came down heavily on the contract system introduced by the capitalists in the newspaper industry. The voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) was another weapon to weaken the trade union movement. The union president, Mr Jagtar Singh Sidhu, said the union had been at the forefront of safeguarding the interests of the workers and the newspaper.The ill-effects of the globalisation could only be kept at bay by strengthening the trade union movement, he added. The general secretary, Mr Anil Gupta, highlighted the achievements of the union during its 25 year of existence. Mr Balbir Singh Jandu and Mr Haresh Vashishth, both senior members of the union, strongly opposed the policy of globalisation terming it as “deterimental” to workers interests.
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No clear-cut policy on admission
Chandigarh, August 18 On July 22, Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who also holds the portfolio of Health and Medical Education, had asserted that nursing institutes without proper infrastructure and facilities would not be allowed to admit students for 2005-06. Following this, on July 19, raids were conducted on about 95 nursing institutes across the states. Nobody knows what came out of these raids. Also, a public notice issued by the President, Punjab Nurses Registration Council (PNRC), Mohali, Dr J.S. Dalal, said that in view of orders issued by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Secretary, Medical Education and Research had informed that no institutes would be granted conditional approval. Also, all recognition letters and conditional approvals granted so far were kept in abeyance. But, at a meeting held on August 3, the PNRC lifted the ban on fresh admissions for 2005-06. The Indian Nurses Council and PNRC guidelines also clearly state that all infrastructure should be in place before an institute is allowed to start and make admissions. But, the PNRC and the government have been giving a go-by to the rules. Incidentally, a PIL seeking regulation of private nursing institutes in Punjab is still pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The petitioner, Mr Jaskaran Singh Brar, has stated that a large number of nursing institutes in Punjab are functioning illegally and irregularly and most of them also lack adequate infrastructure. Following the PIL, the High Court had ordered that students admitted in various nursing institutes after September 30, 2004, would not be eligible to sit for the annual exam till they complete the general course of study for the requisite period.
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Centre’s nod to MoU between PAU, Pak varsity
Chandigarh, August 18 The Union Government has given approval to the proposed memorandum of understanding( MoU) that is to be signed between Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has written a letter informing the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh of the Centre’s approval to the MoU. He has told the Chief Minister that the Union Department of Agriculture, Research and Education, in consultation with the Union Home Ministry and the Union External Affairs Ministry, has approved the MoU. The Prime Minister hoped that with the signing of this MoU between these two universities, there would be an exchange of information on issues relating to agricultural development. It would be in the interest of Punjab. Obviously, the Prime Minister, who is to meet President Perveiz Musharraf shortly, wanted to convey another message of goodwill to Pakistan before that meeting. The grant of permission for the proposed MoU will pave the way for signing such MoUs in several other fields. Already, a number of experts from Pakistan have visited PAU and also interacted with various progressive farmers in the state. Capt Amarinder Singh is expected to visit Pakistan Punjab in December at the time of the Indo-Pak Punjab Games. It appears that the MoU will be signed during his visit.
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MCPI attacks Nanavati report
Patiala, August 18 MCPI Politburo member Mr Prem Singh and state secretary, Kuldip Singh, said action taken report presented by the Congress government was biased and an attempt to save its leaders mentioned in commission’s report and said it deserved to be rejected. They said the accused should be punished for this heinous crime against the humanity. The MCPI leaders said the victims of Delhi riots had not got justice even after 21 years, which had shattered their confidence in the system. They urged all political parties and citizens to mount pressure on the government to punish the guilty.
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No dues certificate after 30 years
Ropar, August 18 When the department concerned failed to redress his grievances and directed him to pay the loan amount again, he had to get the consumer court directions to get his work done. He finally received a no dues certificate this week. Pritam took a loan of Rs 4,000 in 1969 for setting up a flour mill and he re-paid the principal amount along with interest in six years by 1975. As he is illiterate, he was told by the officials concerned that there was no need to issue a no dues certificate to him, said Pritam Singh. Despite my repeated requests the certificate was not issued to me, he added. Problems began in 2003, when the Department of Industry and Commerce directed him to deposit Rs 4,122 so that his case could be closed. Pritam again deposited Rs 4,125 in favour of the District Industrial Centre, Mohali, in the bank,
he said. Even then, instead of getting the no dues certificate he received another letter asking him to deposit Rs 3,380. Then he approached the Consumer Court to seek the refund of Rs 4,125 with 18 per cent interest and Rs 30,000 in compensation in April 2004. The department concerned raised objection in the court that Pritam Singh invested the loan amount in another flour mill of Ram Singh, who was also to pay loan. Therefore, the complainant had violated the terms and conditions of the loan and the he did not clear interest due on it in time. The consumer court observed that the department concerned had wrongly calculated interest amount of Rs 3,380 due from Pritam Singh. But the complainant did violate the terms and conditions of the loan agreement and as such he was liable to pay simple interest of 7.5 per cent. The computation of interest on this basis showed that the complainant had already paid an excess amount of Rs 2,812 to the department. In the order pronounced on April 15, 2004, the Consumer Court directed the Department of Industry and Commerce, Punjab, to issue a no due certificate to the complainant and also refund him Rs 2,812 recovered in excess towards interest with an interest of 7.5 per cent. The cost of complainant was quantified at Rs 1,500 and would be paid by the department concerned, the court said. Thereafter, on August 12 this year Pritam Singh received the no dues
certificate.
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Officer accused of demanding money
Amritsar, August 18 In a written complaint to the Civil Surgeon, Dr SPS Sohal, here today, Mr Rajesh Sharma alleged that Dr Saroa demanded Rs 5,000 from them for forwarding his case to the Civil Surgeon for extension. He said they were appointed on annual contract. They were appointed through the entrance test conducted by Punjab in 2003 at Patiala. These contracts were to be extended every year by the district health authorities and this time the contract was to be renewed on August 23. In the complaint, the copies of which were posted to the Chief Minister, the Secretary, Health, and Health Minister, the complainants claimed that they had recorded talks that took place between Dr Saroa and them in which he clearly demanded the money in the name of the Civil Surgeon. Dr Sohal confirmed that they had received the complaint. He said an inquiry had been marked to the Deputy Medical Commissioner, Dr A Gabba, and asked him to submit the report soon. Refuting the allegations, Dr Saroa said someone in a government hospital, against whom he had complained, was instigating them to defame him. He said he had nothing to do with their extension. He said he had already forwarded their cases to the Civil Surgeon that would be further forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner.
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High drama leads to cop’s arrest for ‘graft’
Moga, August 18 On the other hand, when reporters reached the spot the same person tried to cover things up instead of allowing Vigilance DSP Paramjit Singh Khehra to talk. Later, the DSP stated, “I will let everything know to my officials in Chandigarh.” As soon as local residents got wind of the incident they converged outside a PCO in Civil Lines, where the Vigilance team reportedly had ‘locked’ Mr Mohan Lal. As per the information, the Vigilance team had “laid siege” to the office of the Economic Offences wing since today morning. The matter flared up when a person entered the office and “forcibly” tried to bribe him. Sources said the sub inspector scolded the person and showed him the door, but as soon as the cop left the office for some personal work in Civil Lines area he was caught on the charge of accepting a bribe. Eyewitnesses said a person caught the Sub-Inspector on a street and during the scuffle their turbans fell off, after which he took the cop to a nearby PCO. The Vigilance team also reached the PCO. Sources in Vigilance told that the Sub-Inspector was arrested reportedly for accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 following a complaint from Naresh Kumar, a government employee. On the contrary, the government witness, Dr Vinod Goyal, said he saw the amount paid as bribe lying on the floor of the PCO. The district police officials on the directions of SP (H), Surjit Singh, DSP (City) Swaranjeet Singh reached the spot and interacted with people present on the spot. Taking strict notice of the seizure of official record from the EO wing by the Vigilance team without any consent from higher officials, the DSP also sought reply from the wing in charge Mr Ratan Singh on the matter.
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Request to end indefinite fast turned down
Abohar, August 18 Col Chopra questioned the propriety of a letter written by the Sub Divisional Magistrate seeking advice from the Deputy Commissioner on implementing stay orders issued by the Additional Sessions Judge, Ferozepore, against orders of the SDM regarding quashing appointment of a Naib Tehsildar as Receiver of the disputed property shared by the Colonel at Chanakhera village. Colonel Chopra demanded that responsibility be fixed for delaying implementation of the stay granted by the Additional Sessions Judge by more than two months. He also sought high level probe in to conduct of local civil and police officials who had allegedly been giving shelter to the land mafia. He said he would prefer to sacrifice his life to safeguard interests of affected families than to end the fast until and unless his genuine demands are accepted. He had already written to the Prime Minister and stated at a national seminar held at New Delhi recently that there were more than 64 thousand identified cases of land grabbing in connivance of revenue and police officials and Malwa region topped in this menace. Some SAD workers also met Colonel Chopra at the SDM office complex but could not convince him to end the fast. Meanwhile, Mr Gurdas Singh Badal, former MP and a brother of SAD president Parkash Singh Badal, denied that Badal family was patronising the land mafia leader here. Responding to questions from newsmen after addressing party workers at Gurdwara Nanaksar Tobha here, Mr Badal said that Dal had nothing to do with such elements.
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Panel members not told of meeting
Ropar, August 18 The members said the absence of the MLAs of the district at the meeting showed that nobody took the meeting seriously. Besides some members, the meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr H.I.S Garewal, the SSP, Ropar, Mr Surinder Pal Singh, and some senior officials of the administration. To pacify the members, Mr Johar held a separate meeting with them. He advised the members to raise the problems of the people without any fear from the officials. Mr Johar also issued instructions to the district administration that if any official did not submit a report about a specific problem, strict action would take against him. A member of committee, Mr Vijay Puri, told The Tribune that the committee had failed to hear the grievances of the common people. The administration did not inform him about the meeting nor was he sent the agenda copy. Another member, Mr Jagjit Jagga, said he had given three complaints regarding poor roads in Mahlotra Colony, the problems villagers were facing due to a hike in the price of bricks and other problems. But none of the problems were included in todays meeting. Mr Charanjit Singh Ghai, a member of the committee, said the committee was losing its importance day by day. It happened many times that even after repeating complaints of people again and again, the officials of the administration failed to take note of them. Taking up a case of land dispute, Mr Johal directed the administration to take action against the Namberdar who had allegedly illegally prepared the affidavit for the sale of shamlat land of villages, including Pukhrali, Balaka and Kharar.
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PNB organises rice millers’ meeting
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 18 Mr Rohtash Kumar, Senior Regional Manager, Chandigarh B Region, presided over the meeting. Mr Inderjit Singh Sandhu, president of the District Rice Millers Association welcomed the chief guest. Mr Rohtash Kumar highlighted the strengths of the bank in the area of network of branches, totalling 4,500, having business of Rs 1,63,580 crore, comprising deposits of Rs 1,03,167 crore and advances of Rs 60,413 crore. He assured the rice millers that the bank would extend all sort of help to them. He said all their cases would be dealt on priority and speedy sanction would be ensured. In his address, Mr Inderjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the role of the rice sheller industry in the Indian economy and to uplift the agriculture sector. Mr B.K. Sharma, Senior Manager, Sirhind Branch, Mr J.K. Bansal, Senior Manager, Mr Chander, Senior Manager, Bassi Pathana, Mr C.S. Jassal, District Co-coordinator, and Mr V.K. Jethi, union leader, also spoke.
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War widows honoured
Jalandhar, August 18 Ms Sneh Prabha, president of the association, held an interaction with the widows who had lost their husbands in the Indo-Pak war 1948, Indo-China war 1962, and Operation Vijay. She said no one could compensate the sacrifice made by the brave soldiers, but the organisation would provide all possible help to their families.
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Power board reintroduces VDS
Chandigarh, August 18 The Chairman of the PSEB, Mr Y.S. Ratra said the service connection charges had been reduced by 5 per cent. No penalty would be levied by way of load surcharge. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Power Minister, Punjab, Mr Lal Singh, said that after the upgradation of the Bhakra Dam, Punjab would have an additional installed generation capacity of 63.6 MW.
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Order to deduct doctor’s salary
Chandigarh, August 18 This interim direction was given by a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sud and Mr Justice Virender Singh during resumed hearing of the petition filed by Mr Sarabjit Singh and his wife, Ms Amarjit Kaur, seeking directions for registration of a criminal case against Dr Hundal and his family members. Dr Hundal and his family had kept a peacock captive in their house at Verka and some months back, the peacock had attacked the two-and-half-year-old daughter of the petitioners, leading to the loss of an eye. The petitioners have also prayed for grant of Rs 20 lakh as compensation.
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Bail plea rejected in MMS case
Hoshiarpur, August 18 According to the FIR, Mr Talwar and others allegedly circulated an MMS containing obscene movie of a young girl of the town. He is absconding since the registration of the case.
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SDO suspended for irregularity in water, sewerage work
Bathinda, August 18 The DC today visited the village following complaints about the work being carried out on waterworks from the village panchayat, which had stated that the water pipes got burst as soon as the water was released in them leading to water leakage. To verify the complaint water was released in the pipeline and a few moments later water spread on many roadsdue to leakage. The DC has asked ADC (Development), Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, to probe the matter and find out whether the material used was of poor quality or it was a case of poor workmanship. The villagers also told the DC that they were receiving just half an hour water supply from waterworks, whereas the Xen of Public Health Department, in his report to the DC, stated that the village was getting four-hour water supply daily. Acting on the matter, the DC ordered the SE, Public Health, to change the entire staff associated with the project. The DC also asked the ADC (D) to get the leakage in the pipeline plugged with the help of technical experts. Mr Bhandari expressed surprise on the fact that despite having Rs 1.5 crore funds the Public Health Department was yet to start the work on the sewerage treatment plant. He asked the Xen of the department to start the work. The DC was informed that the manholes of sewers were also blocked. He ordered the installation of screening chambers on manholes for the disposal of rainwater. The DC also visited the government schools of Mehraj village. The DC queried the high school authorities as to why two-three classes were being held in the school ground with students sitting on ground. The school principal resorted to the excuse of shortage of rooms. When the DC inspected the school building he found two-three rooms vacant and these also had electrical fittings.
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7 bureaucrats transferred
Chandigarh, August 18 Mr R.K. Ganta has been appointed Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bathinda. Dr Roshan Sunkaria, Commissioner, Faridkot Division, has been given additional charge of Director, Disaster Management, Punjab, in Chandigarh. Mr Sarvjit Singh, Director, Rural Development, has been given additional charge of Joint Development Commissioner, IRD. Mr Manjit Singh has been posted as Additional Secretary, Social Security, Women and Children Development. Mr Gurmel Singh has been transferred to the Department of Welfare for appointment as Executive Director, BACKFINCO. Mr Puneet Goyal has been sent to Ferozepore for posting as Deputy Director, Local Bodies. Mrs Madvi Kataria, on return from deputation, has been posted as Chief Manager (Personnel), Markfed.
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Campaign increases MC income
Patiala, August 18 According to a press note of the corporation, the income from house tax sources has increased to Rs 80 lakh in July this year from Rs 24 lakh in July 2004. Similarly, the income from the building section has increased to Rs 24 lakh in July 2005 from Rs 9 lakh in July 2004.
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2 Punjabi youths dupe Chinese firm, held
Batala, August 18 Batala SSP Jatinder Jain, talking to The Tribune, said they got information about their movements who were trying to sell the stolen material in the area. On the information, two persons, Joga Singh of Kajala village and Dilbagh of Dubli village, were arrested. On interrogation they revealed that they got fake driving licences of heavy vehicles. On the basis of the driving licences they secured job with transporters. In the recent past, they got job in a transport company in Jamnagar, Gujarat. They were given the task of transporting 1,040 polypropylene grains from Reliance company to the Kandla port. En route to the port, they sold the entire material loaded in their truck to two persons who identified themselves as Sethi and Giani. The material was unloaded at the Coral crossing in Ahmedabad. After selling the material, they filled the bags with soil and delivered them at the Kandla port. No authorities at the port checked the contents of the bags. The bags containing soil instead of polypropylene grains were exported to China. It was only when Chinese company officials opened the bags that they discovered their contents. They lodged a complaint with Indian exporters who lodged a complaint at police station in Jamnagar. Meanwhile, the accused left their job and came back to their villages at Batala. The SSP further said the information provided by the accused would be forwarded to the Gujarat police. This would help them trace the persons to whom the material was stolen. Further investigation into the case is going on.
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10 members of Kale Kachhe wale gang held
Ropar, August 18 Acting on information, a team of the CIA staff and the Morinda police headed by the Inspector, CIA staff, Mr Gurdeep Singh, arrested the members of the gang from Dulchi Majra. One member Gudu, was also involved in four cases of robbery in Delhi. Giving details, the SSP, Ropar, Mr Surinder Pal Singh, said the gang members, on the pretext of garbage collection and begging, visited houses and thereafter
committed crime. The members of the gang arrested in the case belong to Uttar Pardesh, but they have no permanent place of stay. The members keep shifting place to place after committing crime. The other nine members of the gang include Biru, Jatinder, Phul, Verma, Kailash Babu, Sadpur Parshad, Raju, Muna, Dadu.
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School bus stoned; two children, driver injured
Jalandhar, August 18 The two youths went berserk as their clothes were allegedly spoiled by a splash of muddy water when the bus passed through water on the road. First, the youngsters stopped the bus and then allegedly stoned it with the help of other youngsters, who, had collected near the place by then. While two children who, were students and a woman employee of the school Manjit Kaur, who, was travelling in the bus along with students, received some injuries, caused by breaking of panes of the bus. Baldev Singh, driver was allegedly thrashed by youngsters due to stoning of the vehicle by youngsters-turned-goons. Though, a police party reached and intervened in the matter, a local leader of the area allegedly tried to make a bid to save the youngsters by allegedly entering into a verbal dual with police officials. Mr Pawan Rai, SP (City), said the youths, who, attacked the bus, could not be identified even, as the police was trying to establish their identity.
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BJP leader, sons booked for assault
Barnala, August 18 A resident of Barnala, Mr Ramesh Kumar alleged that the accused had assaulted them and had damaged their car after his niece’s engagement ceremony at a local restaurant.
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