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PEDA to produce power from agriculture waste
Patiala, November 14 Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that the six projects, which would be set up in Sangrur and Patiala districts, would get a subsidy of 20 per cent from the Central Government and would start producing electricity within two years if all went well. The power produced by these projects would be purchased by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) under its power purchase agreement (PPA). Not only this, the PEDA has also decided to set up 10 projects on its own to produce 120 MW of electricity to enable the PSEB to overcome the shortage of power. For this, the PEDA has taken up its case with the World Bank demanding Rs 700 crore for funding the projects. Mr Vijay Inder Singla, Chairman, PEDA, when contacted, said the Government of India had identified 35 sites for setting up projects to produce electricity from biomass in Punjab. He added that while some projects would be taken up by the PSEB, the PEDA would be taking care of about 22 projects. Mr Singla added that six projects had been allocated to private companies a couple of days ago while the work on other 16 projects was going on. He added the PEDA had decided to set up these projects after it came to know that the PSEB was running its biomass project at Jal Kheri, near Dhuri, in Sangrur district for the past many years. He pointed out that biomass electricity projects were being set up in those pockets of the state where the availability of agriculture waste like rice husk was significant. Mr Singla said the energy produced by such projects would be sold to the PSEB at the rate of Rs 3.48 per unit despite the fact that during peak demand season, the board had been buying power at the rate of Rs 9 per unit. He said though the quantum of energy produced by biomass projects would not be enough to overcome the power shortage, these would be helpful in bringing down the demand-supply gap to a considerable extent.
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Hotel management institutes to train employees of roadside dhabas
Gurdaspur, November 14 Employees of dhabas will be given Rs 100 per day for receiving training in the Institutes. Principal of the Institute of Hotel Management, Gurdaspur, C. M. Bhan said basic contents of the programme run for staff of dhabas is training in hygiene and sanitation at food outlets. They are also being trained in dealing with customers, especially tourists. Under the programme 1,750 persons from various roadside dhabas in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur have been given free of cost training at the Institute of Hotel Management, Gurdaspur, and Rs 6 lakh spent on the training. Besides staff of dhabas taxi drivers and policemen have also been trained in dealing with tourists. The ministry has declared taxi drivers as incredible Indian ambassadors. They are the first persons with whom foreign tourists coming to India interact for the first time. So, emphasis is being laid on training them in dealing with tourists. The institute here has also trained Punjab Police personnel in dealing with tourists. Till date 50 policemen each from Gurdaspur and Ropar and 90 from other districts have been trained at Gurdaspur. The Punjab Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is also sending its 15 middle-level managers for training under the programme. A programme for skill development was also being launched by the ministry. Under it the institutes of hotel management will free three and six-month programme to augment skills of workers of the unorganised sector of tourism and those interested in opening food or other related outlets. In the six-month programme the participants were given four months training in the institute and a two-month practical training in hotels in different parts of the state.
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Phariwalas mar Galliara project
Amritsar, November 14 The brainchild of the Central Government, the Golden Temple Beautification Plan, also known as the Galliara Scheme, was announced amidst much fanfare in June 1988. Its objective was to remove all narrow lanes and bazaars, which proved to be a hindrance for the security forces during the infamous Operation Bluestar. The ambitious project is in the doldrums even as no senior officer, supervising the Galliara Project these days is either from PWD and CPWD or the Improvement Trust. While Mr Satpal Angrala and Mr Rashpal Singh, Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer, respectively, are from the Sewerage Board, Mr Jasbir Singh, an SDO, is on deputation from the Irrigation Department. One Mr S.K. Sareen, a Junior Engineer from the municipal corporation, has been officiating as SDO for the past more than one decade. So much so Mr Sarbjit Singh, who is an accountant, is also from the Sewerage Board. However, a clerk on contract basis attends most of the queries with regard to the Galliara Yojna. They will be responsible for using Rs 70 crore to complete the final phase of the Galliara, while an installment of about Rs 13 crore had already been released. However, when contacted, Mr Angrala claimed that he had required expertise in the construction of buildings gained during his long tenure in the Sewerage Department. The glory of the Galliara, which was started amid fanfare in 1988, started fading away due to indifference shown by all concerned. Patches of dry grass can be seen at different phases of the Galliara. The dry grassy area has become an eyesore for devotees and residents of the surrounding areas. Garbage can be seen littered all around. Sometime the migrant labourers, beggars and anti-social elements misuse the area. Earlier in the 1960s, many historical buildings, including Ghanta Ghar and its adjoining market, were demolished by the Improvement Trust. What is worse, the Town Hall School building — the first educational institute established by the British in the holy city, may be demolished for creating multi-storey parking space. As per the official record, the project report for development and beautification of 30m belt around the Golden Temple complex was sent to the Union Home Secretary by the Punjab Chief Secretary on June 15, 1988. This project was approved in the meeting held at the Prime Ministerial level in April 1988. The original cost of the project was Rs 119 crore. However, the cost was reduced to Rs 82.75 crore. The Central Government sanctioned Rs 74.75 crore for the project, out of which Rs 70 crore were released. Though Brahm Buta Akhara was acquired by the government for the completion of the scheme and a compensation of Rs 72 lakh was also paid, but till today the possession has not been taken.
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Cotton growers boycott market, hold rally
Abohar, November 14 Mr Lakhowal alleged the nexus between officers and politicians and traders had led to the fleecing of farmers in cotton business. There had been evasion of market fee and subsequently Income Tax as the authorities had given a free hand to underhand deals in cotton. It was unfortunate that the government agencies offered Rs 1980 to the cotton growers in Maharashtra and Gujarat whereas the farmers in Punjab were denied even MSP of rupees 1835. The BKU rejected the plea that cotton staple in Punjab was poor. Farmers had been sowing J34 and 414 varieties, as recommended by the PAU, for past four decades. The same was considered best, how the staple had now lost its strength, they questioned. Chaos prevailed for some time as Mr Lakhowal left the rally for an interview with a TV channel which arrived from Jalalabad West. This prompted local newspersons to boycott rest of the proceedings but the situation was brought under control soon. The BKU had given a call for bandh today but had to defer it due to Nagar Kirtan organised by Sikh organisations on the eve of Gurpurb, sources said.
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Meeting on 85th Amendment on Nov 17
Chandigarh, November 14 Because of this reason, the meeting was postponed. The sources said at the proposed meeting of the council, there would be detailed political discussion on the implementation of the 85th Amendment, which had become a political tug-of-war between particular sections of ministers of state. There was a strong Dalit lobby of ministers which wanted that the Amendment be implemented, obviously for securing political gains from it in the next Assembly elections. They said Dalits’ vote bank would matter a lot to decide the fate of the ruling party in the elections. The President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, was also strongly backing its implementation. However an equally strong lobby of ministers belonging to general categories was opposing its implementation, arguing that its implementation could prove a dynamite for the ruling party in Assembly elections. They said it would be wise to await the final judgement of the apex court on this issue. The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, had assured Dalit leaders thrice that he would implement the Amendment soon. Immediately after the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Capt Amarinder Singh would hold a meeting of senior officers to decide about unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). After a prolonged internal discussion, the state government had reached on the conclusion that it should not unbundle the PSEB as such and set up only one company — Genco (Generation Company) — to invite private investment to set up thermal plants in the state. The earlier move to divide the PSEB in to six companies had been dropped. “It was totally unviable and unwise proposal”, said a senior officer. The other view in the government was that Transco (Transmission Company) should be set up to carry power from generating stations to distribution centres. However, a final decision would be taken on November 17. The deadline fixed by the Union Government for Punjab to carrying out reforms in the PSEB was December 9. The state government would have to do something on this front before that date because this date was fixed by the Union Government while granting extension in carrying out reforms. The state government was keen to do something by the due date to show to the Centre that it had implemented its directive. However, there were only five states which had implemented the reforms under the Electricity Act, 2003. Sources said the Chief Minister would stay in Chandigarh on November 17 as he would host a dinner the next day to Pakistan Rangers and Punjab BSF officers, who would be in the city for two days to take part in a meeting regarding coordination on the Indo-Pak border. The Haryana Government would host a dinner at Pinjore on November 17 for them.
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Federation warns Punjab ministers
Chandigarh, November 14 The federation also condemned the Punjab Pradesh Congress President, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, for building pressure on the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, to implement the amendment. Mr Harbans Singh Sidhu, president of the federation, who addressed a press conference here today, said Mr Dullo was only pleading the case of Dalits and trying to harm the interests of other sections of society. He should avoid it as by doing so, he was creating divisions in society. Mr Sidhu said the federation was not against Dalits. “But it is strongly opposed to giving the benefit of reservation to the creamy layer of Dalits. While all benefits of reservations are being grabbed by the creamy layer, no benefit has been reaching poor Dalits living in slums in urban areas and villages,” he said. “How can the son of a senior Dalit bureaucrat, a Dalit
gazetted officer, a Dalit minister or a Dalit contractor be called a disadvantaged poor or underprivileged citizen of the country,” he asked. “The government should come out with a definition of Dalits. Dalit families having income below a certain level should only be given the benefit of reservation in jobs,” he said. “Reservation in jobs should be class-based and not caste-based, which has become a national evil. Caste-based reservations have failed to eliminate poverty. Weaker sections, among all communities should not be discriminated against on the basis of caste, religion, sex and race. The federation has sought the repeal of the Atrocities Act, which was widely being misused,” he added. Mr Sidhu said there were certain ministers who were lobbying for the implementation of the Amendment. The case with regard the judicial review of the Amendment was pending the Supreme Court for final adjudication. The Punjab Government should wait for the final judgement,” he added. Mr Sidhu, who was accompanied by Mr Prabhjit Singh and Mr Shyam Lal Sharma, senior leaders of the federation, said there was reservation in recruitment and promotion for Scheduled Castes in Punjab. He said there was 14 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes in promotion in Class I and Class II officers. Under the 85th Amendment, those promoted on the basis of reservation were supposed to be also brought up in the seniority list. The federation said the seniority of the employee promoted should be considered from the date of his or her recruitment at the first step and not
from the day he or she was promoted from Class II category to Class I category.
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Show-cause notice issued
to Bir Devinder Chandigarh, November 14 Mr Dullo
said the MLA had violated the party discipline by making statements
against the Minister through media. He should have discussed the
matter in the party. Mr Bir Devinder Singh had been given seven days
to reply the notice. Meanwhile, Mr Dullo said the party rally which
was to be held at Lambi, the home constituency of SAD leader Parkash
Singh Badal, had been postponed till the first week of December. Fresh
date for the rally to be announced soon. Though Mr Dullo did not give
any reason for postponing the rally, but sources said most of the
party leaders and Ministers would busy in the marriages of either
their wards or close relations and friends. The marriage of Mr Rahul
Sidhu, son of Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, is to be solemnised later this
month. The marriage of Mr Bikramjit Inder Singh Chahal, son of Mr
Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, Advisor to the CM, is to be held in the
first week of December.
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Withdraw passports of Jagat, Raninder: Sukhbir
Chandigarh, November 14 “There was strong evidence to suggest that these suspects could flee the country in the wake of investigations into the infamous scandal, especially as the elections in Punjab were approaching and there was an air of desperation in the ruling family about the day of reckoning,” said Sukhbir Badal in a press note here today. Mr Sukhbir Badal said the activities of Capt Amarinder Singh, who had made a habit of going on ‘undisclosed’ and ‘undercover’ overseas trips, should also be put under a scanner to pre-empt a repetition of his ‘hush-hush’ Dubai trip and his ‘disappearance’ in Scotland during his formal visit to the UK. “The Chief Minister’s activities must be closely watched because he has shown an abnormal tendency towards sneaking away. Regrettably, even while holding the most prestigious and sensitive office of the head of a government, Amarinder takes pride in breaking sensitive laws and conventions concerning foreign visits by VVIPs and turning a blind eye to foreign exchange regulations to promote his questionable multi-billion business deals,” said Mr Badal. The former Union minister was reacting to report in a section of the press in the national capital, which had quoted highly placed sources in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to suggest that the Union Government was not ruling out the possibility of some of the accused trying secretly to flee from the country to escape the long arm of law. The Chief Minister, he said, had openly come to the defence of lawless elements, issuing clean chits to those whose names figured in serious cases, including those of murder, extortion and havala transactions.
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Juvenile jail inmates unaware of Children’s Day
Faridkot, November 14 Leave alone the day's significance, none of them knew about Children's Day. Makhan Singh, an inmate, said, "We don't know that today is Children's Day nor anybody told us. Even if we were aware of it we could not celebrate the day behind bars." His friend Munish echoes his views asking as to how they could be aware of the day, as they were in jail. "These days do not hold any meaning in the four walls of our jail, as we are away from our home and family," he averred. Out of the six Pakistani inmates, some had been in the jail for years and sounding resentful of the fact Imran Masih, one of them, warned that if they were not released soon, they would kick off a hunger strike. Another kid from Pakistan, Nawaz, was wailing as he was feeling homesick. Though cases against two of them had already been withdrawn paving the way for their release, others too wish that they would be set free soon and could celebrate Children's Day next year. When contacted, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Alok Shekhar, said they held a small programme at the jail and distributed fruits among its inmates. He said the inmates would also be served a special dinner in the evening. He said the process of repatriation of two Pakistani inmates was on, while the cases of other four had also been forwarded to the government.
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Protest against dispute redressal forum chief
Amritsar, November 14 In a press release here today, Mr V.K. Dhand, secretary, ABA, said that members of the ABA protested against the unbecoming behaviour of Mr B.S. Mangat, President, DCDRF. He said the ABA had boycotted the court of Mr Mangat and demanded strict action against him and also his transfer from the holy city. Mr Dhand said the ABA had held a meeting on the Bar premises under the presidentship of Mr Randhir Singh Sandhu on Saturday and had resolved to boycott the court of Mr Mangat till he was transferred from Amritsar. The ABA secretary alleged that Mr Mangat used intemperate, derogatory and insulting language and would always tried to show down the members on flimsy grounds. When contacted, Mr Mangat refuted the allegations him and said that members of the Bar Association led by Mr Sandhu and Mr Dhand, indulged in hooliganism and raised slogans against him in the court complex. He said he had called the police but it had failed to control them.
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Journalist threatened for ‘exposing gang of swindlers’
Phillaur, November 14 The police has booked five persons under various sections and arrested them. The journalist, Satinder Sharma, had this morning captured some pictures of the alleged gang members and interviewed some of the victims. He was shocked when a man identified as Daniel Masih led a group of alleged anti-social elements to his house and threatened to kill the journalist and his family if he went ahead with the news item. Later, the group went to the police station seeking action against the journalist on cooked-up charges. The police, however, refused to buckle under any kind of pressure of the mob and booked five persons. The Ludhiana Press Association has condemned the attack on Mr Sharma’s house and called upon the police and the administration to ensure safety of his life and property. The association has also demanded thorough investigation into the alleged activities of the swindlers. They said the police and the administration should live up to the expectations of ensuring the freedom of the Press.
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Water harvesting project dedicated to villagers
Hoshiarpur, November 14 On the occasion the Department of Soil and Water Conservation organised a training camp to educate farmers regarding various techniques for conservation of irrigation water. An exhibition was also organised. While addressing farmers, Mr Randhawa emphasised the need to save the ground water in view of the alarming situation of ground water depletion in the state, Mr Sukhwant Singh Saini, Chief Conservator of Soils, Punjab, said the fast rate of lowering of ground water has occurred because of significant change in the land use and increase in the cropping intensity. Mr Ved Prakash Kirpal, Conservator of Soils, stressed the need for rain water harvesting, which has a vast potential in the Kandi area of the state. Mr Sukhwinder Singh Kahlon, Divisional Soil Conservation Officer, Hoshiarpur, also spoke.
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Oil-for-food scam: Mann wants Natwar booked
Sangrur, November 14 When asked about the role of his party in the election of the President of the SGPC on November 23, Mr Mann said what could his party do on November 23 when it had not sufficient number of members with it. He said if Bibi Jagir Kaur was not made President of the SGPC again, then it would be a victory of his party which was opposing her continuation as SGPC chief. In case, she was made President again, his party would adopt the path of agitation to get her removed. Mr Mann demanded registration of cases against Mr Natwar Singh and all others, including leaders from Punjab, allegedly involved in the oil-for-food scam. He said if cases could be registered without an inquiry against him and his party leaders for making statements during rallies and demonstrations in June this year, then why cases could not be registered against all those without an inquiry whose names allegedly figured in the oil-for-food scam.
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Sidhu invites CM for debate on development
Amritsar, November 14 Addressing mediapersons, Mr Sidhu said that the government was willfully ignoring the demands of the people of the city who had been waiting for the last half a century for comprehensive development and industrialisation. He blamed the successive governments for ignoring the claim to restore its pristine glory. Mr Sidhu made an appeal to all industrial and trading associations to come on one platform and join the united rally on November 21 to plead for the cause of the holy city.
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Students recite shabads on Gurpurb eve
Kharar, November 14 Students of different classes recited shabad and other devotional songs highlighting the life and teachings of the Guru. Later, students marched to Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar, to participate in the nagar kirtan procession being taken out from that institution.
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Gurpurb greetings
Chandigarh, November 14 In a message on the eve of Gurpurb, Amarinder Singh said Guru Nanak Dev was a great spiritual ambassador who showed us the path of salvation by spreading the cult of devotion to God and fraternity for fellow feelings and communal harmony.
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Provide corridor to Kartarpur Sahib
gurdwara: MP Chandigarh, November 14 He said the gurdwara, associated with the first
Sikh, Guru Nanak Dev, who lived at Kartarpur for about 18 years, was
across the border at a short distance from Dera Baba Nanak. He said
he had the information that the Pakistan Government had offered to
provide corridor to facilitate the visit of Sikh pilgrims to the holy
place but no one in Delhi and Chandigarh had bothered to take
initiative in this connection. Mr Gill has urged the Prime Minister to
take up this issue afresh with the Pakistan Government.
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High Court Families seek death certificates High Court Correspondent
Chandigarh, November 14 Over 300 persons, including 141 from Punjab, had drowned in the sea on December 25, 1996, when the boat they were travelling on capsized near Sicily (Italy). The Indians who died were mostly those who were being taken, illegally, to Italy by unscrupulous travel agents for better-paying jobs. After the tragedy, the Punjab Government had announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of each deceased. However, now, the petitioner, the Malta Boat Tragedy Probe Mission, has claimed that only 15-16 people have actually been given the cash compensation. Saying that even though the Punjab Government as well as the Union Government has time and again claimed that the ex-gratia has been paid out in all the cases, no such thing has happened. The petitioner has stated that the issue was even raised in the Parliament, following which the government claimed that compensation had been paid. In a letter dated December 2, 2004, addressed to the petitioner, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr E. Ahmed, said that ex-gratia had been paid to families of 79 deceased. However, when the petitioner sought details of such cases, no list was provided to it. It has stated that the issue of grant of compensation was hanging fire in most cases as death certificate was not being issued by the authorities. If a body of a deceased is not found, then the authorities wait for seven years to pass before the death certificate is issued. It has also prayed that directions be issued to the government to pay the promised compensation to the next of kin of the deceased at the earliest. Today, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mr Justice D.K. Jain and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta issued notice of motion for January 11. Medical college students
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the management of the SGPC-backed Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Education and Research, Amritsar, to allow the students of second professional in the MBBS course run by the college to sit in the exam scheduled for November 22. Taking up a petition filed by Ms Navdeep Kaur Gill and 16 other students of the institute, seeking setting aside of the notice put up by the institute asking them to pay the remainder of the fee fixed by the institute, the Bench headed by Mr Justice J.S. Khehar also issued notice of motion to the respondents for December 13.
Notice issued to CS
The High Court on Monday issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Punjab, and two others asking them to show cause why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for flouting High Court orders. Taking up the petition filed by Resurgence India, which alleged that despite High Court orders of August 9, 2004, which clearly restrained the Punjab Government from posting non-cadre (PPS) officers on cadre posts meant for IPS officers, the government has recently posted three PPS officers on cadre posts, the Bench of Mr Justice MM Kumar issued notice for November 22. The PIL field by Resurgence India for reforms in the Punjab Department is also pending in the High Court. It was during hearing of the PIL that a Division Bench comprising the then Chief Justice, Mr Justice B.K. Roy, and Mr Justice Surya Kant had ordered that only IPS officers should man cadre posts. Following the order, the government had transferred all PPS officers from cadre posts. However, now, the petition claims that recently PPS officers were appointed as SP, City-I, Ludhiana, SP, City-I, Amritsar and Commandant, 2nd Batallion, IRB. Notices have also been issued to the Home Secretary, Punjab, and DGP, Punjab. Hearing will resume on November 22.
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Attempt to commit bank robbery
Amritsar, November 14 According to information, the thieves broke open the grill of an air cooler last night. The bank guard today found the office ransacked and the almirahs open. He informed the bank staff. However, the thieves could not break open the safe having important documents, valuables and some cash. A bank, official said the iron grill was cut with a blade and almirahs were opened with the keys, which the thieves might have found in table drawers. He said senior police officials visited the bank and dog squads were also called. He said the Forensic Departments took away the fingerprints of the thieves. He said the office work could not be resumed for about three hours. Mr Bachan Singh Randhawa, S.P., City-I, said the daily diary report had
been written but no case registered.
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Husband, wife die in mishap
Sangrur, November 14 They were coming from Patiala on a motor cycle to meet Gurmeet Singh’s sister at Bhattiwal Kalan village, near Bhawanigarh, when an oil tanker allegedly hit their motor cycle. Both died on the spot. The driver of the tanker absconded from the scene, while the police took the oil tanker in its custody.
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Student leader slams VC
Patiala, November 14 In a press statement issued here, Mr Rajinder Singh, a leader of PUSC, said Mr Mann had made a statement recently that Mr Boparai had been cleaning the garbage from the university. The honour and dignity of girl students was secure due to Khalistani leaning of Mr Boparai. He added that this statement had established the fact that there was strong link between Mr Boparai and Khalistani ideology. He said Mr Mann had also stated that dignity and honour was not secure when Mr Jasvir Singh Alhuwalia was Vice-Chancellor of the Punjabi University. The PUSC wanted to make it clear that various student organisations launched a struggle when the alleged harassment of its student Saru Rana took place in the university. Mr Rajinder Singh said Mr Mann should also know that girl students had to spent three days and night under open sky in the university when they launched a struggle against the fee hike made by Mr Boparai few months ago. He disclosed that PUSC had been preparing its state-level traffic jam strike on November 29 to be organised to pressurise the authorities concerned to accept the genuine demands of the students.
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