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Octroi to be abolished by March 31: CM
Jalandhar, November 7 He said barring five, all commitments, including the abolition of octroi, made by the party in its election manifesto in the last assembly polls, had been implemented and the remaining five would also be implemented by March 31 next year. Denying Punjab’s links with the alleged oil-for-food scam, Captain Amarinder Singh categorically stated that the state government had not provided security cover to those named in the Volcker Committee report. Addressing a press conference here, he said neither Andaleep Sehgal nor Jagat Singh had been provided security by the Punjab Government. “However, being my sister, Jagat Singh’s mother had been provided security as per the state government’s established norms in this regards”, the Chief Minister added. Captain Amarinder Singh said this was true that Sehgal was his cousin’s son-in-law but this did not make any difference so far as his position was concerned. The Chief Minister said that the next session of the state assembly would be convened by the second week of next month. He said the next session of the state Assembly was due by February next year. However, in view of the demand raised by the Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for a debate on the issue of development, he had decided to convene the session by the end of this month or early next month. The Chief Minister claimed that although after raking up the demand for a debate Mr Badal himself was “shying away” but he was ready to discuss any issue pertaining to the performance of his government in the state. Besides the debate, legislative business would also be taken up during the session, he added. Dismissing all objections and reservations, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh vehemently defended grant of university status to Jalandhar-based Lovely Group of Institutes. The Chief Minister also set-aside criticism of grant of university status to Lovely Group of Institutes by senior Congress leader Bir Devinder Singh. “Bir Devinder Singh can say or do whatever he wishes. But the university status has been accorded by the Punjab Legislative Assembly so how anybody can say anything or object to it?” questioned Captain Amarinder Singh.
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Traders protest against octroi contractors
Barnala, November 7 Addressing the rally Mr Madan Lal Kapoor, state president, Beopar Mandal, Punjab said that the congress party had promised to abolish octroi . but now inspite of abolishing the octroi, businessman was ill-treated by octroi contractors. Mulajim Sangarh Committee convener Shukhdev Singh Bari mentioned the case of mis- behaviour with Standard Combine Managing Director Nachhatar Singh in the presence of Municipal Committee authorities. Mr Bari demanded a high-level probe into the episode. After the rally the protesters held a march through main bazars of the city which concluded at the SDM office. The agitators also blocked traffic at Court Chowk. The protesters were wearing the black aprons and shouting anti- government slogans. The protesters also presented a memorandum to the Governor through SDM Jora Singh. In the memorandum agitators demanded suspension of Municipal Committee executive officer and the president and legal action against the octroi contractors.
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Vacant posts to be filled soon
Nangal, November 7 Capt Amarinder Singh said Badal had approached the Supreme Court to stall the trial proceedings in the corruption case against him. The rally was organised by local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Industry and Commerce, Mr Rana K.P.S. The Chief Minister said all posts lying vacant in various departments in the state would be filled on a contractual basis soon. Commenting on the statewide agitation of the ETT teachers, the Chief Minister said the state government was not in a financially viable position to recruit teachers on a regular basis. He, however, clarified that as and when the state becomes financial sound, it would fill vacancies on a regular basis. He ruled out the possibility of increasing the retirement age of government employees. The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 1.82 crore for the provision of drinking water and sewerage facilities and to set up a government hospital for the local residents. Earlier, Capt Amarinder Singh inaugurated a bus-stand here built a cost of Rs 3.12 crore.
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SAD dares Amarinder to dissolve Assembly
Jalandhar, November 7 Talking to reporters here today, he said that his party would not hesitate in participating in the debate on the issue of development in the Assembly. “Rather than debates, the issues should be left for the people to decide and for this the house should be dissolved and a fresh verdict should be sought,” Mr Kanwaljit Singh added. He said during the debate on the issue of terrorism in the Assembly he had made suggestion to the Chief Minister that he should bring a motion for the dissolution of the House and the opposition SAD would support the motion. Terming the present Amarinder Singh government and ruling Congress directionless and non-performing government, the SAD leader alleged that neither the government nor the ruling Congress had any programme or policy for the welfare of the state or its people. He said the government had been highlighting its success in the paddy procurement campaign but the reality spoke otherwise. He said the farmers had to resort to distress sale to dispose of their crop at the price as low and Rs 425 to 450 per quintal. He also charged the UPA government at the Centre with attempts to cover up the “oil for food scam” and demanded judicial probe into the Volcker Committee report controversy by a commission headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge. He said the report had made references against the ruling Congress and External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and the government was trying to cover the issue. He said that the inquiry commission headed by a retired judge, as announced by the government, was not enough and it did not satisfy his party’s demand. He said the name of the judge for the commission should also be decided by the Chief Justice of India.
— UNI
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Chaos, brawls at Heritage Foundation
Bathinda, November 7 While the police resorted to cane charge on more than one occasion to control the large crowd, members of the Mann’s troupe had to scale a wall to gain entry into the stadium. The Malwa Heritage Foundation, which organised the event, didn’t expect such a huge turnout. All its arrangements and also the strength of the police force proved inadequate to cope with the rush. Miscreants uprooted the VIP gate as well as the barricades put up to segregate the VIP area from the rest of the premises. Overzealous music lovers faced not only the police’s wrath but also got involved in brawls among themselves many a time. During manhandling and cane charge by the police, turbans of some people fell off. Even one of the police officials, dressed in civvies, narrowly escaped cane charge. Sources said some people who were to be felicitated during the programme also had to return after being denied entry. One such personality was Mr Jagdish Fariyadi, while Mr Lal Singh managed to reach the dais for his felicitation. All entry routes were blocked due to the unexpected high turnout, following which youths started scaling walls to gain entry only to face the police’s ire. Those having VIP and VVIP passes also found it difficult to secure a seat, as all seats were occupied prior to the start of programme. The VIP gates were closed for most of the time owing to the rush inside and whenever it was opened, crowd would barge into the area. Some political leaders and officials holding VIP passes were reportedly humiliated and were denied entry into the jampacked VIP area. A large number of people returned disappointed after making all efforts to get inside the stadium for a couple of hours. Interestingly, incidents of cops having an altercation among themselves over the entry of their family members were also witnessed. Meanwhile, Gurdas Mann enthralled his fans with a string of his popular numbers like Chhalla, Ishq da Gidha and Manke. Singer Balkar Sidhu and comedy artiste Gurpreet Ghuggi also entertained the crowd. When contacted, Deputy Commissioner, Rahul Bhandari, who is also the chairman of the foundation, said the crowd was beyond their expectations and admitted that Mr Fariyadi could not get in due to the heavy rush.
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Farmers stage protest
Bathinda, November 7 Addressing the protesters, the union president, Mr Joginder Singh
Ugraha, said the dilly-dallying attitude of the government agencies in procuring cotton had taken a toll on the sowing of wheat in the region. He said the farmers, who were still awaiting the purchase of their cotton, could not procure wheat seeds for the next season. He sought swift procurement of cotton by the government agencies. Coming down heavily on the state government, he said the farmers had been suffering despite the assurance that the government agencies would procure cotton at the MSP. He accused the government agencies of working under pressure from the World Bank. He alleged that the CCI and Markfed were unwilling to purchase cotton at the MSP to allow the market forces adjust the prices of the produce. He said the farmers were yet to sell their produce and receive money so as to purchase agricultural inputs for the next season. He said fund crunch and the artificial shortage of DAP had added to the woes of the farmers. The union leaders flayed the state government for offering a MSP of Rs 1835, which was lesser as compared to other states. The senior vice-president of the union, Mr Jhanda Singh
Jethuke, said the farmers were already in a debt trap and if the government continued with its present attitude they would not be able to repay their loans. The leaders rued lack of amenities in the villages and staff crunch in schools. They sought regularisation of ETT teachers, stating that education could prove to be of great help to the farming community. Mr Puran Singh Doda, state secretary, Mr Shingara Singh Mann, district unit president, Bathinda, Mr Gurmail Singh, district unit general secretary,
Ferozepore were also present.
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Fall in paddy output imminent
Chandigarh, November 7 The initial estimate of the state government was that paddy production would be around 150 lakh tonnes. However, later this figure was brought down to 140 lakh tonnes as the paddy crop had suffered damage because of heavy rain in parts of the state and certain diseases in some areas. Last year, the paddy production was 145 lakh tonnes. Various government and private agencies had procured 127 lakh tonnes of paddy till last evening. Paddy arrivals are expected till November 15. Already, the daily arrival has come down to about 1.25 lakh tonnes from an average of 4 lakh tonnes during the peak season. At present, the maximum arrival is in the Sangrur belt. In other areas such as Ferozepore and Jalandhar it has come down to a few hundred tonnes. A senior officer of the state government said that last year the area under the crop was over 26 lakh hectares. This year, the figure is a little over 25 lakh hectares, it is learnt. The heavy rain in August and September proved harmful to the paddy crop in almost the entire state. It led to a fall in the overall production of paddy, though the per acre yield in certain areas was higher as compared to that recorded last year. Again this year, Sangrur and Ludhiana districts have proved the leading producers of paddy in the state. In Sangrur district, the production would be over 20 lakh tonnes and in Ludhiana over 16 lakh
tonnes. The other districts which have done well in this sphere are Moga, Ferozepore, and Patiala. Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, general secretary of the BKU, said that farmers should be compensated for the fall in the production of paddy.
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Intruder shot in Dera Baba Nanak area
Gurdaspur, November 7 The DIG BSF Gurdaspur Mr Sharma told The Tribune that a diary has been recovered from the deceased intruder. It contains the names of many contacts from Bihar and Orissa as well as places such as Khemkaran, Chawal, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur. The directions for reaching destinations at the said places have also been recorded in the diary. Besides, a small consignment of narcotics has also been recovered. A nylon rope and fence cutting equipment with which the intruder had damaged the lower fencing in the area from where he was trying to sneak. From the circumstantial evidence it seems that the intruder was either an ISI agent or working for narcotic smugglers based in Pakistan. He was equipped with the material for crossing the border fencing. The BSF would now try to identify the contacts and places mentioned in the diary recovered from the intruder. Associate intelligence agencies have also been contacted for the purpose. The way address of many places in Punjab have been recorded in the diary the possible link of the intruder with the smugglers or Punjab terrorists cannot be ruled out. High alert has also been sounded along the border. Intelligence inputs indicate that the infiltration attempts from the Punjab border might increase in the coming winter months. The intruder generally try to take advantage of the foggy nights in winters to sneak across the border. The patrolling and vigil during these months would be increased, the DIG said. The security forces in the border area today held a high level meeting here to review the situation in light of the intrusion attempt.
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Atwal for long sessions of assemblies
Phagwara/Phillaur, November 7 This was stated this afternoon by Mr Atwal while talking to The Tribune team after his visit to 18 different villages of Phagwara and Phillaur Lok Sabha constituencies. Mr Atwal asked the elected members of different state assemblies, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to maintain
discipline and behave like well-mannered elected or nominated members to project positive image of the MPs and MLAs in public. When asked about noisy scenes in the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament and state assemblies, Mr Atwal expressed his concern and said it gave a bad impression about the elected members. He said an effective legislation should be brought in Parliament to make “long sessions” of state assemblies to discuss important issues in detail. He expressed his concern on brief Assembly sessions summoned in several states only to complete formality.
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6 head of cattle dead; disease unknown
Kharar, November 7 Though the cause of death of cattle in the village is yet to be ascertained, a team of veterinary doctors, which visited the village today, said the problem would be known by tomorrow when the post-mortem report of the dead cattle would be available. The doctors, led by Dr Ram Singh, Deputy Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, visited the house of Swaran Singh, to see the condition of other animals, ill with the same disease. The doctors have collected excreta and blood samples from the ailing cattle in the village. Earlier, on October 29 and October 30 two head of cattle belonging to Harbans Singh Dhanoa had died with similar symptoms. The villagers informed the team that Najar Singh of the village had also recently lost two head of cattle to the disease. Dr K.K. Sharma, SVO, Kharar, who accompanied Dr Ram Singh, said the villagers had been careless in getting treatment for their cattle. Instead of approaching the government dispensaries for assistance they had been trying to treat animals with desi medicines.
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16 hurt in mishap
Barnala, November 7 Mr G. Nageshwara Rao, SSP Barnala Police District, Mr Surinderpal Singh Parmar, SP (Headquarters) Barnala and Mr Zora Singh Thind, SDM Barnala rushed to the spot of accident to ensure medical aid and relief
to the injured accident victims. According to reports the wrong signal given by the four-wheeler driver resulted in the accident. The school bus was going to Harigarh
carrying students and teachers. Reliable sources said that those injured in the accident included Mr Kaka Singh, Mr Dilbagh Singh, Ms Ramanpreet Kaur, Mr Gurjinder Singh, Ms Mandeep Kaur, Ms Gagandeep Kaur, Mr Pardeep Singh, Mr Harvinder Singh, Ms Inderjit Kaur, Ms Sandeep Kaur, Ms Amritpal Kaur, Ms Rupinderjit Kaur, Mr Arshdeep Singh and Mr Jit Singh. The accident took place between 2 and 3 pm.
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15 hurt as two buses collide
Sangrur, November 7 Dr Prabhat Kumar, Emergency Medical Officer at the local Civil Hospital, said that the driver of one of the buses, Deep Masih, and two other seriously injured patients, Ms Ishro and Hardayal Singh, both referred by the Dhuri Civil Hospital, were still under treatment at the Civil Hospital here, while the patients with minor injuries had been discharged after treatment. The names of the injured persons who were treated at the local Civil Hospital are Jaspal Singh, Taranjit Singh, Amarjit Kaur, Usha Rani, Des Raj, Jagdev Singh, Shinder Kaur, Deepali and Safian.
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Protest by CPI activists
Amritsar, November 7 Raising slogans the activists demanded his transfer and continued protest for nearly three hours starting from 11 in the morning. Dr Joginder Dyal, member, Central Executive, Committee the CPI, led the protest and sought an inquiry against Mr. Chopra. The activists alleged that kerosene and LPG were being sold on the black market but these were available at shops. They claimed that an LPG cylinder was being sold at Rs 400. They said they were not getting wheat under the Antodaya scheme, under which it was given at Rs 2 kg, for the past one month. Mr Amarjit Singh Assal, a CPI leader here said that they were called in by Mr Chopra and heard their complaints. He said Mr Chopra had called a meeting with them on November 11.
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Tributes paid to Ashok Chakra winner
Faridkot, November 7 Speaking on the occasion, he disclosed that Centre or the state government could not pay any compensation or any other requisite benefits to the martyr
family. Hav. Bachhittar Singh was an orphan who joined the Army in 1934 sacrificed his life while fighting with the enemy forces during the action against Hyderabad state in 1948. Keeping in view his heroic act, the Central Government awarded him Ashok Chakra on the eve of the first Republic Day of the country at New Delhi on January 26, 1952. The award was received by one of his relative.
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Patiala, November 7 The play was directed by Mr and Mrs Sabharwal. Mr A.P. Dubey, Manager, SBoP, dedicated the programme to Amrita Pritam. TNS
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Highway helpline to start today
Chandigarh, November 7
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Malta boat tragedy case hearing on Dec 7
Phagwara, November 7 According to a message received by Mr Balwant Singh Khera, Chairman, Malta Boat Tragedy Probe Mission, the hearing date of Italy vs Hallal Youssef case in the Rome Supreme Court is now December 7. The fax message, a copy of which was made available to press here yesterday, had been sent by Khera’s counsel Ezechia Paolo Reale. The hearing of the second case, Italy vs Turab Ahmed Sheik in the high court of Assise of Siracusa had also been rescheduled to December 19. Mr Khera has been asked to bring all information collected by the mission and by the CBI for presenting in the court.
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59-year-old widow kidnapped
Tanda, November 7 According to Mr Harish Kumar, SP (Detective), Hoshiarpur, Sudha visited the dargah at 6.30 am. When she did not return home, her son Nikhlesh Jasra started her search. At around 10 am, Nikhlesh received a phone call from Jalandhar. The caller demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh. The kidnapper(s) even told Nikhlesh that his mother was safe, but warned him not to inform the police. The kidnapper(s) reportedly bundled her into a Tata Sumo and sped away. Nikhlesh is running a car driving school in the village and his two brothers are settled in Italy. Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that a newspaper hawker and a sewadar of the dargah were witnessed to the incident. A pair of chappals of Sudha was also found from the scene. Mr Harish Kumar said an alert was sounded in the district. He, however, said the motive behind the kidnapping could not be ascertained at this stage. A case under Sections 364-A and 34 of the IPC was registered.
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Rs 70,000 stolen
Phagwara, November 7 Owners found locks of the safe broken and the cash in it gone this morning. The burglars lastnight broke opened locks of the doors of the upper storey for entering into the ground portion having the safe. They entered the upper storey after climbing a neighbouring building. The police had registered a
case. — PTI
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Computer sketch of murder accused released
Ferozepore, November 7
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Agitating jobless ETT teachers give slip to cops, enter craft mela pandal
Faridkot, November 7 Before leaving the site Mr Jagtar Singh Mann, Secretary of the state body of the un-employed ETT Teachers Union charged security men with manhandling and humiliating demonstrators who were holding a peaceful demonstration to protest against pathetic attitude of the government towards them. He criticised Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for failing to give jobs to un-employed ETT teachers inspite of a promise made by him to a delegation of teachers who met him here on September 22. They also accused Finance Minister Surinder Singla for not fulfilling commitment announced at Faridkot on August 15 on Independence Day function to recruit more than 8,000 un-employed teachers in a month. Mr Bhupinder Kaur, a member of the district body of the union, said that the agitators were not dacoits who were being treated by the police in such a way. Inaugurating the 10-day craft mela Mr Randhawa said that it would generate more marketing avenues for handicrafts products and give better chances to artisans of different states to boost talent. Mr Alok Shekhar Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Sabhayacharak Society which organised the mela disclosed that more than 70 artisans from six regions like central southern, western, eastern, northern
(Guwahati) and New Delhi were participating in the mela. They have brought with them items of pottery, bedsheets, footwear, jewellery, sarees, leather goods, bamboo craft and ceramic goods and items of terracotta in their respective areas to display in the mela. As many as 100 stalls have been set up for an exhibition and sale. Artisans have also brought tools to demonstrate manufacturing of the items.
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Manch opposes shifting of biotech institute
Amritsar, November 7 The manch, in a missive to the Prime Minister, has urged him to restrain the Punjab Government from shifting the institute. Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, had discussed the proposal of setting up the institute with Dr Manmohan Singh during the celebrations of 400th anniversary of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib. Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, president of the manch, said the holy city was facing neglect at the hands of successive governments.
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