Bathinda, November 9
With the cotton prices hovering around Rs 1,900 for the last about one week, smiles are back on the faces of cotton growers in the region. Cotton purchase in Mansa also resumed today, as the Cotton Factories Association ended its protest after the district administration agreed to form a committee to look into the matter of ginning outturn.

Talking to The Tribune, the chairman of exports cell of North India Cotton Association, Mr Ashok Kapur, attributed the demand of Punjab cotton to its superior quality as compared to that of neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan. He said markets in the north zone were witnessing a daily arrival of 35,000-40,000 bales daily, of which Punjab alone was contributing over 20,000 bales.

He said right now the major demand was from the local millers, while exporters and southern mills were out of the market. He said the state’s cotton markets were attracting a large number of buyers, as they were witnessing consistent arrival and could meet their demand. He said the region had a sizable number of mills and now underutilised ginning mills were getting required quantity of material. He said the farmers had nothing to worry at present, as the prices were improving. “If the local demand registers a decline, exporters would stage a comeback to arrest a likely decrease in cotton prices,” he said.

Mr Kapoor said the current cotton prices were not competitive for exporters and southern mills. He said the latter had now moved to states like Gujarat and MP following the increase in cotton prices, as it wasn’t economically viable for them anymore to procure cotton from Punjab in wake of high rates of transportation.

A CCI official said the cotton prices had been above MSP for the last few days. The cotton prices were little less in Abohar due to comparatively poor quality of produce. He said cotton was sold at a price of as high as Rs 1,969 in Budhlada a couple of days ago, while it touched Rs 1,944 yesterday.

Meanwhile, the farmers heaved a sigh of relief in Mansa today, as the protesting millers resumed cotton purchase after two days following a compromise. Sources said 15,000 quintals of cotton was purchased in the market at an average price of Rs 1,920. 

Chandigarh, November 9
Utilising the few minutes he got to interact with the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, projected the pressing needs of the state to him here today. These included the settling of the controversy regarding the output of rice from paddy and certain approvals to set up an international airport near Ludhiana and the national institute of defence at Kapurthala.

While travelling back to the local airport in the Prime Minister’s car, Capt Amarinder Singh got an opportunity to talk to Dr Manmohan Singh. The Prime Minister immediately flew back to Delhi after delivering the lecture at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID).

The Prime Minister, official sources said, told the Chief Minister that he would visit Punjab in about 4 weeks from now to lay the foundation stone of the Punjab biotechnology park at Dera Bassi. In fact, the foundation stone was to be laid today, but the function was cancelled at the last moment.

The sources said that Dr Manmohan Singh also told Capt Amarinder Singh that the Union Government had approved a national institute of nanotechnology for Punjab. It would be funded entirely by the Union Government and the estimated cost would be Rs 100 crore. In fact, the Union Government had asked the state government to submit a proposal in this regard at the earliest. The setting up of such an institute would give a big boost to research in applied sciences and engineering in this region.

The sources said that the Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to get clearance from the Union Defence Ministry and the Environment Ministry for setting up an international airport at Ladowal, near Ludhiana. The state government had engaged a consultancy firm to conduct a survey of the area to set up the airport. The firm is expected to give its report by December.

The setting up of the national institute of defence at Kapurthala was also discussed. The state government has offered to give the campus, spread over 100 acres, to Sainik School at Kapurthala to set up the institute. The sources said that the Prime Minister had assured the Chief Minister that the Union Government would soon respond to the state government in this regard.

The Prime Minister has been requested to direct the Union Agriculture Ministry to settle the issue of output of rice from paddy. The state government wants that the output of rice from 100 kg of paddy should be further brought down to 64 kg. At present, it is 66 Kg. Besides, it has urged the Prime Minister to increase the percentage of broken rice to 4 from the existing 3.

A request has also been made to the Prime Minister to direct the Cotton Corporation of India and Nafed to buy the maximum cotton from various markets in the state to stabilise the price of cotton. The cotton markets have seen many ups and downs in the past days. Farmers have been adversely affected.

Capt Amarinder Singh told the Prime Minister that this year paddy was damaged because of inclement weather at the maturing and ripening stage. Owing to this, the output of rice would not be the level fixed by the Union Government. Moreover, the percentage of broken rice would also be more this year as compared to the earlier years because of the damage caused to paddy. The state government has already refused to bear the financial burden in the case of any relaxation or exemption given for the procurement of paddy and the preparation of rice for the central pool. The Prime Minister has promised to get these issues settled, it is learnt. 

Chandigarh, November 9
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, said today that the appointment of the new Lok Pal would be made soon.

In a chat with newspersons after the inauguration of the Haksar Memorial Conference at CRRID here, he said that the process of appointing the new Lok Pal had been set in motion.

The Lok Pal Act, he said, required the Governor, the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Speaker to be consulted. There was no provision to consult or obtain the consent of the Leader of the Opposition.

Capt Amarinder Singh said that since the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had not been prorogued, a special session would be held probably in the first half of December to discuss the issues of development and law and order.

“We are ready to discuss anything. Since the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, wants to discuss development and law and order, we can discuss corruption also,” he said.

The Chief Minister ruled out any fallout of the Volcker Committee report on Punjab. “It is only the Badals who see any fallout,’’ he quipped.

Rubbishing media reports about security cover being provided to Mr Jagat Singh, the Chief Minister said that he and other members of his family, including mother, wife and children, had been provided with Z security as per the Blue Book. “There is no question of giving any security cover to anyone not covered under the rules,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that an inquiry against the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sumedh Singh Saini, was on. “We also want to hold an inquiry into benami land transactions on the periphery of Chandigarh. But as far as the Nayagaon rape case is concerned, a special inquiry is already in progress,” he added.

He said that his revised programme to visit Pakistan on November 27 was now confirmed. “But we have postponed the Indo-Pak Punjab Games till February,” he said.

Drug abuse in institutes exaggerated: survey
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 9
Contrary to the notion of rising drug abuse among school and college students, a survey conducted by the Ferozepore police reveals that very few students consume alcohol or other psychotropic substances.

The Ferozepore SSP, Mr S.S. Shrivastava, presented his survey report at a seminar on “Prevention of drug abuse” held here today.

He said it was a simple survey to get an idea of the usage pattern of drugs among youth. The survey was conducted in 28 schools and five colleges from all five sub-divisions of the district. A very less number of students confessed to having consumed drugs despite being assured of anonymity. The survey among 450 schoolgirls drew a nil report, while among 950 schoolboys, 3.36 per cent confessed to having consumed alcohol and 1.89 per cent other drugs. Similarly, out of 100 college girls being surveyed, only 2 per cent admitted to having consumed alcohol and 17 per cent psychotropic substances. Among 200 college boys, 8 per cent said they consumed alcohol, while 3.5 per cent admitted to having consumed psychotropic substances. Mr Shrivastava said it was just stratified random sampling and it would be too premature to reach any conclusion on its basis, but they would follow it up with another survey. One of the major reasons that came out behind 17 per cent college girls confessing to have consumed psychotropic substance was to relieve exam stress. Other reasons behind the initiation of drugs among youths were — just for experience, spurned in a love affair and peer pressure. According to the survey, these youths believe that 51 per cent of the population in their area was addicted to drugs.

Meanwhile, school teachers and principals from Moga, Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Faridkot and Ferozepore participated in the seminar. Ms Tejinder Kaur, Principal Secretary, School Education, insisted upon necessary discipline in educational institutions and due cooperation for community policing programmes for the prevention of drug abuse. Mr M.P. Singh, Secretary, Higher Education and Languages, urged the heads of educational institutions to take initiative and extend maximum support in the prevention of drug abuse, both in institutions and outside.

Chandigarh, November 9
The Punjab Government ordered the transfer of one IAS officer and 26 PCS officials here tonight. Mr Ranjit Singh will be Special Secretary, Revenue. Mr Jaipal Singh will be Assistant Commissioner ( Grievances), Ferozepore, against a vacant post. Mr Pritam Singh Johal will be the new Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Ferozepore, relieving Mr Desh Deepak, PCS, of this additional charge.

Mr Gurwaryam Singh, SDM, Amritsar-II, will also look after the work of Estate Officer, PUDA, Amritsar. Mrs Kanwal Preet Brar is the new Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana vice Mr Pritam Singh Johal.

Mr Pardeep Kumar will be SDM, Ajnala, vice Mr Vimal Kumar Setia, who is on leave. Mr Jasdeep Singh Aulakh, will be the Assistant Commissioner (General) Patiala. Mr Neeraj Kumar will be SDM Mansa. Mr Subash Chander will be AC (Grievances), Amritsar, while Mr Moneesh Kumar, will be AC (General), Amritsar. Mr Dalwinderjit Singh has been posted as DTO Mansa.

Mr Kuljit Pal Singh Mahi has been posted as SDM, Rampura Phul. Mr Gurjit Singh has been posted as AC (General), Mansa. Mr S.K. Jain is the new Executive Magistrate, Ludhiana. Mr Mohinder Pal Singh, who was under training, has been retained as Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister, Punjab.

Mr Karanbir Singh Mann will be the Executive Magistrate, Fatehgarh Sahib. Mr Tejinder Pal Singh has been posted as AC (General), Faridkot.

Mr Sukhmander Singh is the new AC (General), Bathinda. Mr Ravinder Pal Singh has been posted as Executive Magistrate, Patiala. Mr Jagdish Chander Bhatia will be Executive Magistrate at Ropar. Mr Kuldip Singy Chandi is the new AC (Grievances) Bathinda.

Mr Manmohan Singh Kang has been posted as AC (Grievances) Gurdaspur. Mr Lakhmir Singh is the new AC (Grievances), Ropar, against a vacant post. Mr Balbir Singh, is the new AC (General), Ferozepore. Mr Sukhdev Singh has been posted as AC (Grievances), Faridkot. Mr Paramjit Singh Padda has been posted as AC (Grievances), Moga, and Mr Nachhattar Singh Brar is the new AC (Grievances), Nawanshahr.

Close circuit camera in disuse at rly station
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Pathankot November 9
The close circuit camera system at the Pathankot railway station is lying unused. The system was installed here about three year ago. The rationale for installing the system was need for 24 hour surveillance due to the sensitive nature of the railway station.

However, despite spending lakhs on installing the system, the authorities have not used the system even for a single day. The sources available here told that 11 close circuit cameras were installed. Out of these four cameras have not functioned since installation.

Despite non-functioning of the cameras, the authorities made the entire payment to the company that installed the system. Now the railway police authorities have been writing for the repair of the system. However, nobody was coming for the repairs. After about two years of communication the company took away the non-functioning camera about two months ago since then the cameras have not been returned.

The shortage of staff was another factor due to which the system has not been put to use as yet. No person has been deputed for keeping the surveillance. The room where the close circuit cameras have been installed remains locked. The railway police authorities here, when contacted, admitted that they have not deputed any staff for 24 hour surveillance at the railway station through close circuit cameras. The camera automatically record the activities at the railway station in a cassette that is changed every day, they said.

However, the sources here said that a cassette can record just three-hour activity at the railway station. The purpose of the 24-hour surveillance is defeated if the person is not deputed to keep watch over the activities.

The Pathankot railway station is considered as sensitive due to its proximity to Jammu and Kashmir. Three bomb blasts have took place at the station in 90s due to which many passengers lost their life. In recent pass also four live grenades were recovered from the railway station. The Army had to be called to defuse the grenades.

Despite that the authorities have not woken to the need for putting into use the close circuit camera system here.

Patiala, November 9
Life has been tough for ailing Paramjeet Kaur. Persons entrusted with the protection of people are simply making it worse for her. It may be the Chief Minister’s home town and his constituency, but the police has a field day here, says Paramjeet. On top of that when she complained, the SSP said he had no time, she alleges. Now she has moved the Punjab State Human Rights Commission to redress her grievances.

Paramjeet can barely talk and walk. She has already undergone three surgeries, is a case of septic meningitis, suffers from brain tumour and two arteries of her heart are also blocked.

“I don’t know how long can I survive, not more than a few weeks,” she says visibly overcome with emotions. Paramjeet and her husband run a taxi business and own an Indica and a Qualis. Paramjeet rues the day she complained to the Patiala police against Gurbachan Singh of Anand Nagar, Patiala, who had forcibly taken her taxi along with the driver from the taxi stand. Fearing the use of the taxi for unlawful activities, they complained to the police. Gurbachan Singh was apprehended three days later and the taxi restored to the rightful owners. The number plate was broken besides other damages.

During this time Satnam Singh, impersonating as Sub-Inspector, CIA, along with Harvinder Singh, ASI, CIA, came to her house a few times. Satnam, with false identity, earned their trust and hired the two taxis for two months and a half for use of CIA staff. The amount agreed upon was Rs 35,000. A cheque was given by Satnam for the said amount but later on he tore it before it could be honoured.

Paramjeet has not got any money for the period that the cars were used by the police. She had to spend an additional Rs 10,000 on repairs. According to Paramjeet, Satnam also stole a signed cheque from their house to implicate her husband, against whom an FIR was lodged at Shambhu as the cheque bounced.

Satnam Singh, on the pretext of settling the case, took money from Paramjeet, who was almost bed-ridden. For that she had to borrow money from her daughter’s school principal. She says Satnam Singh and advocate Surjeet Singh Walia cheated her for Rs 75,000. Regarding the whole matter she sent a complaint to the SSP, Patiala, on which no action has been taken to date.

Paramjeet has also alleged that Satnam came to their home and pushed her. She lost consciousness and Satnam made away with two high-powered mobile phone sets. When her daughter Garry Sidhu, who is a student of class V at St Mary’s school, came back she saw her mother in a dishevelled state and called the police. The sadar police did not register a complaint. No action has been taken on Paramjeet’s complaint to the SSP. Satnam, who is also a resident of Urban Estate, still threatens them, said Paramjeet.

In her complaint, Paramjeet appealed to the SSP to take action against the accused and get her justice. Her plea has fallen on deaf ears as she fears for her family’s life. Satnam still roams free whole Paramjeet desperately tries to seek justice.

Moga, November 9
A youth from Moga on Monday claimed to have broken a world record by inserting 8,800 threads in a needle in one hour, surpassing the previous record of 7,040 threads created eight years ago by another Indian.

Talking about his incredible feat, Mr Gurpreet Singh Komal said a couple of years ago when he was threading a needle he observed that scores of threads could be put in the needle. He took keen interest in it and his few weeks’ endeavour saw him inserting 2,400 threads in a needle.

Aiming to make it to record books like the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of World Records, he surfed the latter’s website and discovered that one such record was in the name of Mr Om Prakash, a resident of Allahabad, who had inserted 7,040 threads in two hours. He had used needle no. 13 for the record. As the needle was not easily available in the market, he approached its manufacturer who readily obliged and gave him 10 such needles free of cost.

Following hours of regular practice for months, he finally succeeded in not only surpassing Om Prakash’s record but also surpassed him by a massive margin of about 1,800 threads. Sounding confident on making it to record books, Gurpreet is now completing all formalities to stake his claim on the record to them.

Gurpreet has had an artistic bent of mind since his school days. Currently he runs Komal Art Gallery at the Nanak Nagri locality of the town. His paintings have also found places in various museums of the state.

Hoshiarpur, November 9
The Hoshiarpur police achieved a major success last night when it rescued Ms Sudha Rani, wife of Mr Puran Parkash of Ahiyapur, from her kidnappers. She was kidnapped on Monday morning when she was returning from a dargah of the village.

She was recovered from a sugarcane field at Dalla village under Bhogpur police station in a joint operation with Intelligence Wing. All four accused have been arrested.

Mr Paramjit Singh Gill, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jalandhar Range, disclosed in a press conference here today that the police remained on high alert after it received information about the incident. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh to release her. A case under Sections 364-A and 34 of the IPC was registered at Tanda police station.

He said a team led by Mr Harish Kumar, SP (Detective), Hoshiarpur, was deputed to investigate the case. The kidnappers were calling from different places for ransom. The police got a breakthrough when the team apprehended Sunil Kumar, alias Kala, of Urmur Tanda, on a tip-off that he was seen near the place from where she was kidnapped.

On interrogation, Sunil confessed that he had master minded the kidnapping to fleece money from her sons who were residing in Italy. He had master minded the kidnapping with Paramjit Singh, alias Soni, Jatinder Singh, and Balbir Singh, alias Bittu, all residents of Dalla village in Jalandhar. The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered.

Amritsar, November 9
The week-long international conference on “Reconciliation: creating partnerships for building peace” concluded here on Monday in which delegates from 25 countries pledged to work for regional reconciliation in the world to foster peace and harmony.

The delegates said the nations were living in unsettling times — times in which economic, political and cultural factors were aggregating in new ways. This called for new ways of thinking and above all recognising spiritual values. They also affirmed their commitment to promote peace.

They further resolved that inter-faith cooperation must be enhanced through a comprehensive education strategy that could down barriers.

They urged the governments all over the world to become sensitive to human freedoms and to ensure that in these times borders do not become impediments to reconciliation and sustainable peace.

The conference was organised by the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sevak Jatha (UK) and the Goldin Institute for International Partnership and Peace, Chicago (USA) in collaboration with Guru Nanak Dev University.

Representatives of different religions also resolved to achieve the millennium development goals set at the United Nations millennium summit.

These include eradication of poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development.

Abohar, November 9
The Infantry and the Air Force celebrated silver jubilee of their coordinated efforts in environment beautification of Suratgarh cantonment and surrounding areas. The weeklong celebrations concluded on Monday with exchange of mementos by the Station Commander Brig. Naveen Modi and Group Captain P N R Govind of the Air Force.

Both the wings of the Indian Army had started a comprehensive plan to convert the deserts of Suratgarh and the surrounding areas to a rich green belt besides providing infrastructure for overall development to the otherwise backward localities.

This not only brought awareness among the people about internal security, but changed their lifestyle.

The localities around Suratgarh cantonment had been facing high velocity duststorms for decades that made roads unfit for movement of vehicles. Even the rail track used to be blocked with heaps of sand for few days during the summer, an aged resident said.

The Army not only deployed their own people but also motivated the state and Central government agencies also to plan multi-dimensional development of the area.

Now one finds a lot of greenery on both sides of the well-carpeted wide roads. Even the ground water was not as salty as it used to be. The forestry attracted rains also. Air Force Golf match at the Oasis Environment Park was one of the events organised during last week.

The social function held as a part of the celebrations served a rich feast of cultural bonanza. An Air Force mela attracted people in large number.

Another significant development at the cantonment was celebration of first anniversary of the SMS TV channel at Ashoka Auditorium.

Ms Sohinder Sodhi, chairperson, Sand Whiper AWWA, inaugurated the function. Brig. Naveen Modi, Brig. B D Upadhyay, Mrs. Upadhyay and other senior officers were present.

The channel exclusively run by the Army not only give fresh news about the activities of the military station but also imparts useful tips to the children and women on personality development.

Phillaur, November 9
Shiromani Akali Dal activists today, protested here against police failure to arrest sarpanch Kulwant Rai of nearby Haripur Khalsa village in Phillaur subdivison, and action against Phillaur SHO Jaskaran Singh allegedly for helping the Sarpanch evade arrest as three criminal cases are said to be registered against the Sarpanch.

Nearly six hundreds SAD activists, headed by Former Akali Ministers Sarwan Singh Phillaur,Ajit Singh Koharr, ex-MLA Mohan Lal, Gurdip Singh Bhullar, Akali leaders Gurmit Singh Dauwal, Gurcharan Singh Channi, raised slogans against the police and the Congress government and sat in dharna before Phillaur police station, for more than five hours. The dharna was lifted at 3.30PM only on assurance of DSP(D) Kulwinder Singh, who disclosed the matter, was being probed.

The protesters wanted the arrest of sarpanch and action against SHO Jaskaran Singh by Saturday.

Akali leaders alleged that the sarpanch had been booked for erecting a wall on the land of villager Gurcharan Singh, and his name figured in another FIR for forcible possession of the land belonging to widow Gurmit Kaur, while the sarpanch was booked in another case of attempt to murder, but his arrest was being evaded with the help of SHO Jaskaran Singh. Akali leaders criticised policies of the Congress, and alleged that while land mafia gangs were being patronised by the ruling party.

Amritsar, November 9
The decision of the traffic police not to allow entry to four-wheelers inside Gandhi Gate with a view to easing traffic on the road leading to Golden Temple did not find favour with Baba Amrik Singh and SGPC employees.

The decision was enforced on November 7. Baba Amrik Singh said that he was going to Harmander Sahib in his vehicle but the police did not allow his vehicle to enter the gate.

It ensued an altercation between men of baba and police personnel deployed there. Subsequently, the vehicle of baba was allowed to pass at the intervention of senior police officials.

Besides, the closure of road for four-wheelers had not found favour with the shopkeepers inside Gandhi Gate, famous as Hall Gate. They said it was affecting their business.

Mr Brij Bedi, a social activist, said the traffic police required training to handle the increasing traffic.

Mr Bachan Singh Randhawa, SP, said he did not know about any altercation between Baba and SGPC officials. He said the rule was made for the convenience of public. 

COURTS

High Court
Punjab ordered to take back Panchayat Officers
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, November 9
In a major setback to the Punjab Government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has set aside the controversial order by which it had terminated the services of three Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) appointed by the previous Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government.

Allowing the petitions filed by the three BDPOs, all handicapped, the Division Bench of Mr Justice J.S. Narang and Mr Justice Baldev Singh directed the government to take the officers back into service with all consequential benefits.

Mr Gajjan Singh, Mr Gurpreet Singh and Mr Hardev Singh Sodhi had been cleared by a departmental promotion committee (DPC) for the post of BDPO following advertisement notice dated September 16, 2000. They had later been put on probation for two years till May 31, 2003.

However, after assuming office, the Capt Amarinder Singh government issued an order on August 2, 2002, terminating the services of the petitioners. Of the three selected candidates, two don’t have their right hand.

During hearing of their pleas against termination, the petitioners’ counsel, including senior advocate Ashwani Kumar Chopra and advocate Gurminder Singh, told the court that there was neither any complaint against the petitioners nor had they been charge-sheeted for any offence. The counsel also alleged that the termination was irregular and arbitrary.

The court had also summoned senior officers of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats as also the record pertaining to the case.

The government, while questioning the validity of the writs, had stated that rules had been ignored while making the appointments. It had also pointed out that the then Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats had exempted the candidates for the posts from written test. This, it had asserted, was not allowed under rules.

But, the High Court had expressed the opinion that the stand taken by the government in the case was not only factually incorrect, it was also contrary to the government record.

Fatehgarh Sahib, November 9
A seminar was organised by the District Legal Services Authority at District Bar Room today to celebrate Free Legal Services Day as “National Legal Literacy Day”.

Ms Sabina, District and Sessions Judge-cum-chairperson, District Free Legal Services Authority, presided over the seminar, while Mrs Jaspreet Talwar, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Varinder Kumar SSP, Judicial Officers, members of the Bar, litigants and the prominent citizens attended.

Addressing the seminar Ms Sabina, District and Sessions Judge said that Free Legal Services Day designated as “National Legal Literacy Day” will be from November 9 to November 13.

She said underprivileged, illiterate and rural people, who are not aware of their right to protect legal rights would be educated about the free legal services being provided by the government so that opportunities to seek justice are not denied to any citizen due to lack of knowledge and ignorance. She said that people belonging to the SC/ST, child, women, mentally and physically handicapped, industrial workers, victims of natural disasters, victims of trafficking in human, under custody and any persons having annual income less than Rs 50,000/- annually is entitled to get free legal aid in courts, which includes counselling fee, processing fee and other miscellaneous expenses. She also highlighted the importance and benefits of Lok Adalts, which are proving very effective and successful in providing easy, speedy and cheap justice by way of settlement of cases by mutual understanding.

Addressing the seminar Mrs Jaspreet Talwar appreciated the efforts of the District Free Legal Services Authority and said that at present minimum people were getting the benefit from this service.

Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, in his address said the police would extend all help in taking this message to the grassroots level. He said the police would organise seminars in this regard at the police station level.

Addressing the seminar Mr R.N. Goyal senior advocate and other speakers said it was a noble cause. They said that it was not charity rather a legal right.

Dharowali (Gurdaspur), November 9
Rainwater harvesting will be made compulsory in news houses throughout the state. The Department of Soil Conservation has made a draft in this regard. The draft has been enacted in consultation with PUDA, municipal councils and corporations. It will be passed by the Cabinet.

Mr Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, gave this information while talking to The Tribune on Sunday. He was here to inaugurate a state-level camp organised to make farmers aware about soil conservation methods.

The ground water has been over overexploited in 100 of the 141 blocks in the state. The worst-affected districts are Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur, Patiala, Faridkot and Moga. The average rate of water depletion is about 25 cm to 100 cm per annum in these districts.

In the early, 60s, in central Punjab the water table was about 15 feet. Now it has gone down to more than 50 feet. If the situation continues, there will be a severe shortage of water in the state after 15 to 20 years.

The major cause of the depletion of the ground water is intensive agriculture. The net sown area has increased from 38.80 lakh hectares to 42.70 lakh hectares. The area under paddy has been increased by more than six times since 1970.

Mr Randhawa also inaugurated a rainwater harvesting scheme set up in Government Senior Secondary School, Dharowali. The Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, Mr Vivek Pratap Singh, and the Chief Conservator of Soil, Mr Sukhwant Singh Saini, were present, among others.

Ludhiana, November 9
Farmers across the country can call a toll free Kisan Call Centre number of the BSNL to ask agricultural experts about their problems, said Dr G.K. Chaudhary, Director, Wheat Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture,

He was in the city to attend a one-day training workshop for the officials of the call centres here today.

Dr Chaudhry said the centres were working at three stages. At the first stage, farmers can dial telephone number 1551 and ask about his problem. The official responding to the call will immediately answer the queries.

At the second stage, the official can contact experts of agricultural university or officials of horticulture, agriculture, animal science department if he is not able to give a satisfactory reply to the farmer.

At the third stage, the farmers can also contact the policy makers at the same number.

Dr S.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, inaugurated the meet.

Abohar, November 9
Mr Veer Chand, SHO, city police station, has been shifted to the District Police Lines.

It is said clippings shown by a TV channel in its main news bulletin prompted shifting of the police officer. The channel showed the police torturing a boy inside the city police station on Monday. Mr Rajan Chaudhary, a local resident, mailed the clippings to the channel. A Home Guard jawan allegedly threatened Mr Chaudhary when he noticed the latter recording something in his mobile phone yesterday.

Mr Chaudhary reported that the munshi of the police station abused him asked to mind his business when he interrupted. The police reportedly took a minor scrap gatherer in custody in connection a complaint by some residents of Dhaani Karnail Singh here on October 19 regarding loss of some items. The arrest was not recorded, sources added. The boy was crying for help as constables continued to torture him using third degree methods. The SHO reportedly claimed that none was ever tortured in the police station.

The police have been facing complaints of violation of human rights and senior officers have been frequenting Chandigarh to appear before the PSHRC.

Over a 100 thefts besides murders, kidnappings etc have discredited the 
police here.

Gurdaspur, November 9
The Punjab Vigilance bureau has arrested four policemen, including Sub-Inspector (SI) on the charge of corruption. DSP Viglance, Gurdaspur, Bakshish Singh told The Tribune told that they had been receiving complaints from pilgrims going to Mata Vashino Devi on corruption by the cops deputed at nakas. Pilgrims and transporters bringing apple from Jammu and Kashmir had been alleging extortion by the policemen posted at Kathlore naka on the state borders. Today a team of the Vigilance officials feigned as pilgrims. They tried to cross the Kathlore naka in a private vehicle. The policemen posted at the naka demanded Rs 20 from them.

They were handed over the amount and arrested red-handed while accepting bribe. Those arrested from the naka include Santokh Singh, head constable, Daljit Singh constable and Baljit Singh home guard.

In another operation a team led by DSP Vigilance Kashmir Singh travelled in a private truck. The truck was stopped by a highway patrolling party of the Punjab Police led by SI Karnail Singh. The SI demanded Rs 200 from the Vigilance officials feigning as truck drivers.

The amount was handed to him. The SI was later arrested for accepting bribe.

A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act had been registered against all accused policemen.

The Vigilance officials said that they had increased surveillance over the nakas on the borders of the state following complaints coming the commuters.

The cops and officials deputed at the nakas harass the commuters. The octroi contractors of the areas near the border also charge extra amount from trucks and private vehicles. The octroi contractors generally charge Rs 100 per heavy vehicle that passes through their area where as the government fee was just Rs 50.

Amritsar, November 9
The income tax sleuths, who raided M/s Gopi Krishan Processors and its sister concerns yesterday, prepared a detailed report of the seizures, which included FDRs, KVPs, property deeds and 'stock differences' and sealed as many as 19 lockers opened in different banks in the name of family members today.

Highly placed sources in the IT Department claimed that the raiding party seized documents pertaining to property deed from the house of father-in-law of the owner of processing unit and other documents which showed that payment of about Rs 90 lakh was made to purchase the property.

The IT officials also recovered photocopies of the refund from LIC, worth about Rs 10 lakh which were 'entered in the account books'. The 'stock difference' worth Rs 75 lakh has also come to the fore during the raids. As many as 18 KVPs were also recovered during the raids. This is in addition to the accounts of about Rs 10 crore which were not mentioned in any account book .

The senior IT officials, on condition of anonymity, said the sealed lockers (all in Amritsar) would be opened one by one in the coming days.

The departmental officials said the income tax cases and IT returns of the past 6 years pertaining to M/s Gopi Krishan Processors and its sister concerns might be scrutinised. All cases of tax evasion would also be re-opened by the department. After centralising the cases, in-depth investigation would be done by the department. The IT department may initiate process for prosecution of the alleged accused for tax evasion.

Barnala, November 9
The Mehal Kalan police in Barnala police district booked four persons in a case of cheating.

Disclosing this here today, Mr G.Nageshwara Rao, SSP, Barnala, revealed that Virpal Kaur, a resident of village Gangohar, Manjit Singh of Mehal Khurd, Kulwant Kaur and Nirmal Singh of Dulwan village were booked under Sections 420/467/468/471 and 120-B of the IPC on a complaint lodged by Mr Gurmukh Singh of Sahbazpur that Virpal Kaur had got her passport made for the second time by submitting a fake certificate.

He further disclosed that during surprise raids the Kotwali police seized 7 bottles of illicit liquor from the possession of Deepo, while the Shehna police recovered 8 bottles from Hari Singh and booked them under Sections 61/1/14 of the Excise Act in two different cases.

Bathinda, November 9
A principal and a clerk of a government senior secondary school have been arrested for adopting unfair means to help out some students in Class X exam. A government school teacher has also been booked in the matter.

According to sources, the accused, Mr RL Dahia, principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Sardulgarh, Mr Gurinder Singh, its clerk, and Mr Jagdev Singh, teacher, Government Senior Secondary School, Khehra, were on exam duty during the Class X compartment exams in September 2003. On September 13, the paper of English subject was held and answer copies were submitted to the school board’s office in Mansa. However, the copies of roll numbers 652501, 652502 and 652503 were missing and two copies of roll numbers 809501, 809502 and 809502 were submitted. Investigation revealed that the accused, in a bid to help out the students having roll numbers 809501, 809502 and 809502 got their papers solved and kept their fresh copies in the bundle of papers, but mistakenly took out wrong copies to replace them.

The Vigilance Department has booked the accused under Sections 409, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Tarn Taran, November 9
The Goindwal police has booked five persons, including three women members of a family for demanding dowry.

A case has been registered on the complaint of Balraj Kaur, daughter of Mr Kartar Singh of Goindwal, who was married to Gurmit Singh of Ghumanpur near Chhehtra six years back.

Balraj in complained to the police that after her marriage her husband Gurmit Singh, mother-in-law Deep Kaur, Baljit Kaur sister-in-law, Kamalmanjit Singh (Baljit’s husband) and Kirandeep Kaur another sister-in-law started harassing her for dowry. The accused used to torture her physically and mentally for dowry, she alleged.

A case under Section 498A of the IPC has been registered against the accused.

Amritsar, November 9
With the arrest of four persons, including a government employee of the Education Department, the district police today claimed to have busted a gang of cheats, which used to finance the vehicles by furnishing fake documents and then selling them at lower rates in other districts.

Besides the involvement of two government employees of the Education Department, role of certain employees of private banks and insurance companies came under a cloud and more names were likely to come out in this regard.

Those arrested were identified as Gurmit Singh, Sawinder Singh, Tasveer Singh and Manjinder Singh. Those who were absconding are Amit Kumar, Billa and Narinder Singh.

The district police chief, Mr RPS Brar, said they had recovered an Accent car with temporary number PBO8-C-2979, one Scorpio jeep PB29-E-9512 and a motor cycle with fake registration numbers. He revealed that during the interrogation, the accused confessed that they used to get huge loans against bogus properties by furnishing fake documents with their forged identities. 

Kharar, November 9
The Kharar police today applied for the discharge of two persons arrested in the Chajjumajra triple murder case. The two — Ravinder, a resident of Khooni Majra village near here, and Chajju — were arrested following the incident on August 7. The two were reportedly giving threatening calls to the family of the deceased for a month before the incident.

According to the police, the Kalandar gang arrested by the police had committed the crime and these two had no role to play in the crime.

Three persons were killed and eight injured by a group of assailants, which had attacked their house in Chajjumajra village on August 7. The police had arrested nine members of the Kalandar tribe responsible for the attack. The family of the victims had also identified the killers.

Faridkot, November 9
Unemployed ETT teachers from Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda and Muktsar districts and members of various teachers organisations took out a march through the main streets of the town here today against the arrest of 40 jobless ETT teachers here on November 7. They also resented the inability of the Punjab government. to absorb nearly 10,000 un-employed teachers in government jobs on a regular basis despite making promises to them in this regard for the past three years. The march ended at mini-secretariat, where a five-member delegation of the protesters submitted a memorandum to Mr Darshan Singh Grewal ADC Faridkot.

Earlier addressing a rally at the park, Mr Jagseer Singh Sahota, senior vice-president of the state body of the jobless ETT Teachers Union said that if the Chief Minister failed to initiate any concrete steps to resolve the issue by November 13, the teachers were likely to gherao him during a conference of the congress party to be held at Lambi in Muktsar district on November 14.