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Centre’s nod to product-specific economic zone
Amritsar, September 10 The fear among industrialists is that the project may still be shelved in case the government fails to provide land at a reasonable price on the periphery of the city in spite of the repeated assurances by the Punjab Government. The Director-General of SEZ units, Government of India, Mr Lalit B. Singhal made these observations while addressing a group of businessmen at an interactive session, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries. Mr Singhal said keeping in view the scarcity and high cost of land around Amritsar, the board of the SEZ had decided to give approval for setting up the SEZ in 1,000 acres instead of 2,500 acres for a multi-product SEZ. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Singhal said according to the norms, the SEZ could only be set up on 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and in the present case the government had agreed to give approval product specific so that its implementation could be easily completed within a couple of months. Addressing the interactive session, Mr Arun Goel, Managing Director of the Punjab State Industrial and Export Corporation, the nodal agency for the implementation of the SEZ said the delay in the project was singly due to the reason that the cost of the land was very high. He assured the business community regarding setting up the project in the vicinity of the city and urged entrepreneurs to share the cost of land and the infrastructure. Mr Goel said the PSIEC had already received three bids from renowned developers. He said after receipt of the project file, the government would shortlist the bidders. He hoped that the project would finally take off by January 2006. The Chairman of the CII, Mr Gunbir Singh, said the Centre and the Punjab Government were sincere in their efforts to implement the SEZ and hoped that the state government would fulfil its commitment by providing the necessary land for the purpose.
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Capt guns for Capt’s scalp
Patiala, September 10 Addressing a press conference here, the former Finance Minister said Capt Amarinder Singh had failed on all fronts. He said police raj prevailed in the state and corruption was at an all-time high. He said the government had failed to come up to the expectations of the people. No major development project had been undertaken and wide-scale unemployment was leading to frustration among the youth. He said the people wanted to remove the Congress government. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the people were convinced that the government had done nothing for the common man. With VAT and other taxes, it had put a burden of Rs 10,000 crore on the people. Electricity rates and bus fares had increased manifold while liquor traders had been given tax benefits to the tune of several crores. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the government had failed to provide relief to farmers as the prices of diesel and petrol had increased. The agricultural economy was on the verge of collapse in Punjab. He said the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh had projected a growth rate of 8 per cent in the country, but ultimately it would be around 4 per cent at the national level and a mere 2 per cent in Punjab. He said the SAD would launch an “insaaf movement” to get justice for the affected families of the1984 anti-Sikh riots from September 12. He demanded registration of cases against those indicted by the Nanavati Commission. He said the affected families should be rehabilitated in Punjab and elsewhere.
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Elevated road project gets CM’s nod
Amritsar, September 10 The draft proposal was approved in principle at a high-level meeting on Thursday in Chandigarh. A feasibility report for a portion of the project has been assigned to the Punjab Infrastructural Development Board (PIDB). The municipal corporation had drawn up three ultra modern plans in the segment of Rs 100 crore, Rs 134 crore and Rs 450 crore, covering various areas with elevated roads, to arrest the growing traffic congestion, said MC Commissioner KS Kang. The elevated road project from the Maboolpura crossing towards the Bhandari bridge in addition to the elevated road towards Golden Temple would have access to vehicles coming from Wagah border or New Delhi/Chandigarh to Golden Temple/Jallainwala Bagh. Multi approaches on the dual carriageway would help ease traffic snarls and bottlenecks in the highly congested area. The meeting was attended among others by Mr Lal Singh, Minister for Power and Irrigation, Minister for Local Bodies Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, representatives of the PWD, PUDA, PIDB and district MLAs. It was agreed that approximately 30 per cent of the cost would be borne jointly by the MC, PUDA and Improvement Trust, while the rest would be contributed by the Centre.
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Research project on Sikh philanthropy
Chandigarh, September 10 Besides, they have also collected money to buy household goods such as bedding for the crisis-ridden people there. It is not the first time that Sikhs are doing so. During tsunami and earlier during the earthquake in Gujarat, Sikhs had organised community kitchens for weeks to provide food to the displaced. And now Sikhs, who have become prosperous abroad, have started development projects in their native villages in Punjab. They have sent huge sums for hospitals, schools, and colleges in their villages. Is this part of the religious order of the Sikhs? To find out the answer to this question, Mr A Verne Dusenbery, Professor of Anthropology, Hamline University, USA, in collaboration with Mr Darshan Singh Tatla, Honorary Research Associate, University of Birmingham, UK, has started a research project. Prof Dusenbery, who is a Fulbright Research Scholar, will stay in India till May 2006 to complete his work along with Mr Tatla, who is also Director of the Punjab Centre for Migration Studies, Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar. Mr Dusenbery, who has done extensive work on the Sikh community in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada and US, is also serving on the international advisory board of The International Journal of Punjab Studies and Sikh Formation. He is the co-author of ‘’The Sikh Diaspora: Migration and the Experiences Beyond Punjab’’ and other works on Sikhs. Mr Tatla is a goldmedalist in Economics from Punjabi University, Patiala. He did his postgraduation studies, including Ph.D, from the University of Warwick, UK. He has taught in several important educational institutions of the UK. His specialisation is study of the Sikh Diaspora. He has authored books on Sikhs in Britain, Sikhs in North America, immigrants, minorities and race relations. Asked why he had picked this particular aspect of philanthropy, Prof Dusenbery says he has been fascinated by the Sikh way of life for long. “ I have been a keen student of Sikhism”, he adds. Though the concept of philanthropy is found elsewhere too, is more marked among the Sikhs.
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Record missing in fraud case
Amritsar, September 10 It would likely to hamper the investigations in the case as it was a major evidence at the hands of the police in proving the charges against the former officer. The case was registered on the basis of an inquiry conducted by Mr Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, former Superintendent of Police (City-I). Dr Devgan was accused of drawing two salaries and tampering with the record with a view to eliminate evidence of two simultaneous government jobs. Besides working as a medical officer in Gurdaspur, he had also been discharging house job at the family ward of a district hospital here in 1978. An enquiry has already been ordered, which is being conducted by Dr Deepak Bhatia, Deputy Director, Malaria. While talking to The Tribune, Dr Bhatia said he had the enquiry was in initial stage and it would be too early to accuse anybody. Interestingly, Mr S.N. Raulia, the then dealing assistant (now superintendent), whose name figured in the investigation, urged the director to change the enquiry officer levelling serious allegations that he (Dr Bhatia) was trying to save the skin of Dr Kanwaljit Singh, the then officiating civil surgeon and Dr Devgan. When contacted, Mr Raulia refused to comment. However, Dr Kanwaljit Singh alleged that Mr Raulia was levelling baseless charges as the service book was under his custody when it went misplaced. Meanwhile, Mr Ravinder Kumar Sultanwind, president All India Youth Association, urged the police to probe into the case.
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Police ‘encroaches’ on PUDA land
Bathinda, September 10 According to sources, the police has dumped a couple of defunct vehicles on the plot and erected a tent on it. Three Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a constable have also been deployed on duty here. The police has also drawn a fencing around the plot. The sources said the Additional Chief Administrator, PUDA, Mr Ajaib Singh Bhatti, had already visited the place, but no action had been taken so far. The plot falls under Urban Estate, Phase I, and it measures about 1,200 sq yds. SPO Raman Kumar, who is deployed at the plot, said they had been on duty at the same place for the past many months for looking after the defunct vehicles. The sources further said the district police had sold many vehicles during an auction on August 7. As per the trends, the two vehicles parked on the plot do not cost more than Rs 50,000. Surprisingly, the police has been shelling out thousands of rupees per month for guarding vehicles worth only Rs 50,000. Both vehicles do not have tyres, but Line Officer Harcharan Singh says the fencing has been drawn so as to prevent the theft of vehicles. He said both vehicles were parked outside, as cleaning work was in progress at the Police Line. The MTO of the police’s transport wing, Mr Avtar Singh, refused to comment and asked to talk to higher officials. The ACA, PUDA, could not be contacted for comments. When contacted, IG Rajinder Singh said it was a matter of the district police and he was not aware about it. SSP Kapil Dev said outsiders enter into Police Public School and its ground and cops were deployed to check their entry. He said it was not an encroachment and it was meant for the safety of the school.
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CPI, CPM join hands for MC byelections
Amritsar, September 10 Mr Dalbaj Singh Baja and Mr Mahinder Singh Walia, both of the CPM, will contest from ward numbers 60 and 34, respectively, while Ms Balwinder Kaur of the CPI will contest from ward number 56. Mr Vijay Mishra, member, state secretariat, CPM, while addressing mediapersons here today, said they would make development an issue in the elections. He said slum areas of the city fell in these three wards. Kicking off the election campaign, Mr Amarjit Singh Assal, district secretary, CPM, lambasted local Congress leaders for ignoring development works in slum areas. He disputed the claim of the Mayor, Mr Sunil Dutti, that the council had spent Rs 90 crore on the development of the city. Meanwhile, Ms Usha Rani and Ms Geeta (ward No. 56), Mr Harpal Singh and Mr Bachan Das (ward No. 60) and Mr Parminder Singh Sandhu (ward No. 34) today withdrew their nomination papers.
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High-tension wires pose threat to residents
Pathankot, September 10 Recently, a 14-year-old youth died on the spot after coming in touch with loosely-hanging wires. Mr Bakhtawar Singh Gill, an NRI residing in the area, said the PSEB had not bothered to replace the wires despite the fact that the wires had became very old and hanging at a distance of about 8 ft from the ground level. Another resident, Mr Veenu Behal, said the matter was brought into the notice of the officials, but the authorities failed to lay the wires in a planned manner, posing serious threat to the residents. Heavy vehicles, including trucks, have to pass from the rout with great caution. Even the main switch board is easily assessable and it is difficult to pass through the area. Board officials maintain that they have already chalked out a plan to move the electricity poles.
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Probe ordered into student’s death
Abohar, September 10 Executive Magistrate M.L. Puri has been asked to submit a report within four days. SDM Jaskiran Singh visited the aggrieved family and released a financial aid of Rs 10,000 on behalf of the Red Cross Society. Earlier, he held a meeting with DSP Narinderpal Singh who had rushed to the locality to console father of the victim, Mr Shri Narayan, and calm down agitated residents. Police official said a case had been registered against the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). Leakage of current from main transmission line pole of the PSEB yesterday afternoon in rainwater that accumulated in street 12 led to the tragedy. Three cows died immediately. Residents said telephone calls made to the complaint office of subdivision number 2 of the board remained unattended. Meanwhile, Dheeraj Kumar and other students of the school tried to cross the street. Others stopped when an alarm raised by the residents but Dheeraj could not hear and tried to cross the water. He was electrocuted. Later, employees of the PSEB arrived after disconnecting supply. They had to rush back as irate mob chased them. They regretted that mobile phone of the Subdivisional Engineer was also found “switched off” after the incident. Hundreds of residents of Nai Abadi later in the evening moved to office of the subdivision number 2 carrying the body of Dheeraj. They forced entry into the complaint office, torn complaint book and smashed telephone and glasses. The mob dispersed after police officers assured that the negligent employees would be brought to book. A meeting of trade organisations was held late at night. Those present condemned the PSEB authorities. The meeting deeply mourned the death of Dheeraj who was only male child among five children of the poor family.
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Two anganwadi workers reinstated
Bathinda, September 10 The fault of these workers was that they had denied terming rotten eatables as “alright”. They were accused of bringing the matter to media’s notice and government officials also probed it. Sources said the orders of reinstatement of anganwadi centre in charge of Mehma Sawai village Sarbjeet Kaur and Nehiawala centre in charge Darshana Kaur had been issued. The Child Welfare Council had withdrawn work from both on July 18. They were also issued notices. Sources said though they were suspended on some other pretext, during the inquiry officials investigated as to how the matter reached media. The reinstatement orders issued now state that both workers have admitted their mistake and keeping in view the demand of giving them another chance, they are being handed over their charge. On the other hand, block union president Harbans Kaur said none of these workers had admitted any mistake in writing. They had committed no error and hence the question of admitting it didn’t arise, she said. Meanwhile, the reinstated workers have thanked their union for supporting them. It may be mentioned here that The Tribune had exposed the supply of rotten eatables to anganwadis. The district administration had ordered a probe that also found foodstuff rotten at anganwadi centres. Later, when eatables were again found rotten, officials got irked and these anganwadi workers were made scapegoats.
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Ration to depot holders stopped
Pathankot, September 10 Sources revealed that the department had been allotted 10 depots about two months ago. The depot holders were supplied essential items under public distribution system (PDS) for further supplying to the consumers. Last month, when the department threatened to disturb the regular ration supply to the depot holders, some of the effected depot holders moved the court. On August 22, Mr Surinder Mohan, D.F.S.O, Gurdaspur, made the statement in the local court not to change the “ status” quo. This month, the department allegedly withheld the supply of the depot holders without assigning any reasons. On contempt petition filed by the effected depot holders, the local court has issued notice against D.F.S.O for September 16. When contacted, the officials of the department alleged due to the orders of the superiors the supply was withheld. According to rules, it is only D.F.S.C, who can grant and cancel the depots and withhold the supply.
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Blood donation camp
Patiala, September 10 The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Tejveer Singh, presided over the function. In his address to the gathering he spoke on the life and works of Bir Dasondhi Ram, also known as Bir ji. He also appreciated the efforts of the organisers, the S.D Kumar Sabha and Atma Ram Kumar Sabha School, in holding the camp. On the occasion, two prominent personalities of the city, Dr Girish Sahni and Mr Shakti Dhar Garg were honoured by Mr Tejveer Singh. The Principal of the Atma Ram Kumar Sabha School, Mr Umesh Verma, thanked the dignitaries while Mr Tejveer Singh announced a grant of Rs 5000 to the organisers.
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Thermal unit shut
Ropar, September 10 All the five units which were shut down due to lightning became operational late last night. But Unit-3 developed a problem in its boiler so it was shut down. It would require two days for the maintenance of Unit-3, sources said. Senior functionary of the thermal plant told The Tribune that non–functioning of the Unit-3 would not much affect the power supply in the state. As the power demand in the state has declined after yesterday’s rainfall. The five functional units have been supplying 250 lakh units to the state.
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Guru’s marriage anniversary
Batala, September 10 The town has tastefully decorated for the occasion. Langar was also served. A religious procession in the shape of an aesthetically decorated palanquin (Palki Sahib) led by Panj Piaras was taken out from Gurdwara Dera Sahib to Gurdwara Kandh Sahib.
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BJP protest against poor power supply
Hoshiarpur, September 10 Mr Khanna strongly condemned the Capt Amarinder Singh government for its failure on all fronts.
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PCMS body chief
Patiala, September 10 The other office-bearers are: senior vice-president — Dr Jaswinder Singh; vice-presidents — Dr Y.S Banga and Dr Sarabarinder Kaur; general secretary — Dr Naresh Sharma; joint secretaries — Dr Jatinder Kansal and Dr Gurpreet Kaur; treasurer— Dr S.P Singh and press secretaries — Dr Girish Sawney and Dr Deepinder.
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5 get life term for murder
Sangrur, September 10 The accused have also been ordered to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 each. In default of payment of the fine, the accused shall further to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months. The accused included Ranjit Kaur mother-in-law, Tripatinder Pal Singh brother-in-law, Gurmail Kaur sister-in-law, Ranjit Singh and Jatinder Singh. Gurmeet Kaur was in kitchen of the house when her mother-in-law entered the kitchen and poured kerosene on her. Her sister-in-law threw a burning matchstick on her. On this she ran from the kitchen, but her brother-in-law, who was standing at the entrance, pushed her inside. Jatinder Singh, a relative of her sister-in-law, also accompanied them. A land dispute was stated to be the reason.
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Doctor ordered to pay compensation
Hoshiarpur, September 10 According to sources in the District Consumer Forum, Ms Rekha, a local resident, went to Dr Shashi Bala at her nursing home and scan centre on February 27, 2004 for the purpose of her check-up. She was declared pregnant. Later on, the same doctor on May 1, 2004 again declared that the child in her womb had died and, therefore, the abortion was needed. A suspicion arose in the mind of the complainant Rekha regarding the conduct of Dr Shashi. She got the scan done from another local scan centre and it was opined that the complainant was never pregnant. Because of the wrong treatment given by Dr Shashi Bala, Rekha filed a complaint for damages of Rs 3 lakh against her in the District Consumer Forum. It was held that Dr Gurdial Singh, husband of Dr Shashi Bala, gave a cheque for Rs. 10,000 to the complainant after settling the dispute at Rs 1 lakh, but later on the opposite party denied this fact.
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Lok Adalats organised
Pathankot, September 10 As many as 75 cases were taken up out of which 38 cases were decided with mutual consent. A compensation of Rs 19,84,304 was awarded to the litigants. Mr Tajinder Singh Bal, Assistant District Attorney, said a centre would be set up at Pathankot to settle the disputes with mutual consent. He disclosed that the decisions of the Lok Adalats were final.
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Rs 5 lakh stolen from parked car
Jalandhar, September 10 The robbers rendered the police confounded as they did the job so meticulously that no clue was left behind by them. Mr Jatinder Chandha, a local industrialist and resident of Adarsh Nagar, had parked his Lancer car in the market and had gone to a nearby shop alongwith his wife. On their return they observed that the one of panes of their vehicle had been left smashed and the bag containing Rs 5 lakh had been missing. Mr Chandha said he had withdrawn the amount from a bank branch, situated near Skylark Hotel, and had put it beneath the driver's seat. DSP Harkanwalpreet Singh Khakh and the area SHO reached the spot and initiated investigations. Mr Chadha told the
police that he suspected that two persons were keeping a watch on his activities in front of the bank.
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9 killed in road mishap
Abohar, September 10 According to information, more than 14 persons were going on pilgrimage to Bhabhutaji Dham, located near
Kolayat, from village Chak 13 SPD in the neighbouring Sriganganagar region. Sanjay Raghubir (21), driver of Tata
Spacio, Anna Ram Meghwal (23) and Balwant Rai Verma (35) died on the spot. Gugan Ram Meghwal (37), Het Ram Meghwal (32), Mahabir Kumhar (23), Devi Lal Baori (26) and his son Satpal (6), Kalu Ram (25) died on their way to hospital. Om Parkash (22), Nand Ram (20), Sanjeev (20) and Manoj Kumar Jat (18) received injuries. Lakhwinder Singh of Patiala, driver of the Army truck, was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries.
— OC
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Delhi Police raids biscuit factory
Patiala, September 10 A team of the Delhi Police, led by an official of the rank of inspector and which was accompanied by a woman lawyer, raided the Ceylon Biscuit Factory India Ltd, formerly known Bakeman Biscuit Factory. Sources reveal that the manufacturers were using wrappers bearing logos of Bakeman biscuits. The factory used to manufacture biscuits under the brand name of glucose gold.
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Amritsar, September 10
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Students demand refund
Bathinda, September 10 Rinku Bansal, president, DAV college unit of the union, said the college management had not been abiding by the rules given in the prospectus regarding the fee structure of various courses. He pointed out that as per the college prospectus, the students of BA classes were to pay fee amounting to Rs 3927, while they were being charged Rs 5600. He said neither the extra charged fee was being returned nor the students were being given the reasons for charging extra fee from them.
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Khalsa College students rounded up
Amritsar, September 10 The students included those who had been denied admission in further sessions. Earlier, the students went on strike, boycotting classes and raising slogans against college Principal. Soon after the students were rounded up with the help of security guards. The students alleged that the college and management authorities were spoiling their future. They said the agitation would continue till they were granted admission. Meanwhile, the Principal, Dr Daljit Singh, said the students were rounded up as they were bent upon spoiling the academic atmosphere of the institution.
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Rs 1 lakh donation for engg college
Patiala, September 10 He has further pledged to donate Rs 8 lakh more. Baba Ajit Singh had earlier donated Rs 12 lakh for rural and poor students of the college.
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