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Sahara pilots’ stir continues
Kalam undertakes sortie under sea
Pranab defends govt on Bihar issue
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PM invites Yasin Malik for talks on Feb 17
Iran vote not to affect relations: Aiyar
SC for ex-Naval experts’ panel to examine Clemenceau
CEC stresses on self code for parties
Drop security clearance for bus to Pak: Amarinder
Dalai Lama leads world peace prayers
New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi to be fastest in sub-continent
Frame laws to curb conversions: RSS, VHP
Sena splits over Valentine’s Day
Diagnostic kit developed for kala-azar
UP to produce export-quality potato soon
Gursharan Kaur stresses on women’s education
Punjabi Academy still a distant dream
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Sahara pilots’ stir continues
New Delhi, February 13 At least 10 Air Sahara flights in Mumbai and Delhi were cancelled today as 30 pilots again stayed away from work extending their mass leave to protest against the acquisition of Sahara by Jet Airways. The pilots contend that the change in management has put a question mark on their future, in terms of seniority and status under the new management. For passengers it was the same old story at the airports. In Delhi, they ran into further inconvenience as the Sahara staff at the airport office refused to answer calls of passengers. At the Chhatrapati Shivaji domestic terminal in Mumbai passengers arrived only to that find their flights had been cancelled. There were similar chaotic scenes at other busy airports. The fact that no alternative arrangements had been made added to the ire of passengers who were just recovering from the trauma of the airport employees’ strike earlier this month. The Air Sahara management described the situation as unprecedented and said the airline was trying its best to mitigate the inconvenience to passengers. The management also issued warnings around noon to the agitating staff to resume work to avoid any disciplinary action. But the pilots seem to be in no mood to relent and this stir could go one for some time, sources close to the pilots said. The Sahara pilots have been unhappy since talks for the acquisition began. It got further aggravated after the deal came through January 19. Jet bought out Sahara for $ 500 million dollar in the largest ever acquisition in the Indian aviation industry. While the deal has made Jet Airways India’s largest airline, with a fleet of 90 aircraft, Air Sahara pilots lament that nothing has been spelt out about their status after the change in the ownership of the airline. Passengers travelling by Sahara were inconvenienced yesterday when at least 12 Air Sahara flights were cancelled from Delhi. In Mumbai, over 1,000 Air Sahara passengers were affected as at least 20 pilots of the airline took mass sick leave, causing at least four flights to be cancelled. Air Sahara’s staff strength is about 1,700, including 91 pilots and 105-flightcrew. |
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Kalam undertakes sortie under sea
Visakhapatnam, February 13 “Navy is a three-dimensional force. It is for the first time that I am seeing the silent force with tremendous capability. It can give a tough combat to our enemies”, was the impromptu response from Kalam, as he emerged from the Russian- origin submarine, after the memorable journey undersea for three and a half hours. When asked to respond as a scientist about the underwater submarine, he said, “we need systems with a long range and endurance”. The submarine went 20 nautical miles in the Bay of Bengal at a depth of 40 metres for the missile man Kalam to witness the various functions of the silent killer in the sea. The submarine, which usually accommodates 60 crew members, carried eight additional passengers, including Kalam and members of his entourage. Eastern Naval Command Commanding-in-Chief Vice-Admiral Suresh Mehta accompanied the President on the trip. He took great interest in knowing the technicalities of the machines and various functions done by different crewmembers. The submarine, with 50 crew and 10 officers, showed the Supreme Commander of the armed forces various decks and explained various functions. The Russian, capable of being armed with precision-guided missiles and deadly torpedoes, fired a “water-shot” as a demo for the President after the "enemy" target was detected and locked with sonar. The submarine was to be accompanied by a destroyer ship, which tracked by the submarine for a simulated torpedo attack. Instead of a real torpedo, the submarine let fly a dummy water shot at the ship to demonstrate the attacking capabilities of the craft. Navy divers showed the President how they went out of the submarine in high seas and performed the checks and maintenance operation. He also had a lunch with crewmembers on the submarine, which boosted the morale of the men in blue, who work under very arduous conditions. Kalam had previously visited a submarine in the harbour when he was scientific adviser to the Defence Ministry. The undersea sortie was included in the schedule at the request of the President as part of the Ninth Fleet Review, which for the first time took place in the eastern coast of the country. Incidentally, former Defence Minister George Fernandes had spent a night underwater in the INS Sindhuveer submarine during his visit to the Eastern Naval Command centre in May, 2003. In 1988, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had also visited nuclear submarine INS Chakra at Visakhapatnam. Earlier in the day, Kalam presented the President’s colour to the Eastern Fleet at an impressive ceremony. Addressing the officers and men on the occasion, the President highlighted the important task cut out for the Eastern Fleet, as the country embarks on a look-east policy.
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Pranab defends govt on Bihar issue
New Delhi, February 13 In an interview with the TV channel CNN-IBN, the Defence Minister, who is also heading the GOM on the airport modernisation, also rejected charges of scam in the bidding process. He said the empowered Group of Ministers “re-evaluated” the markings of the technical bids for increasing number of bidders. On the Bihar issue Mr Mukherjee said the Constitution did not provide for verification of the Governor’s report by the Council of Ministers. There was no precedent for verifying the Governor’s reports before acting on them, and in the past the authenticity of such reports was never questioned, as the Constitution does not put forward this condition under Article 356 of the Constitution. Asked whether he was questioning the Supreme Court judgement, the Defence Minister said, “As a member of the Executive, I am not to comment on the Supreme Court judgement.” When pointed out that eminent jurist and Rajya Sabha Member Fali S. Nariman also opined that the Council of Ministers should have examined the Governor’s report and accept responsibility for acting on it, he said the apex court did not make any such observation. |
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PM invites Yasin Malik for talks on Feb 17
New Delhi, February 13 The invitation, which is a part of the Centre’s endeavour to involve various shades of opinion in the dialogue process, follows a similar exercise last month when the Prime Minister held a meeting with People’s Conference leader Sajjad Lone. The Prime Minister had met the All Party Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in September last year. Dr Singh had indicated recently that he was ready to meet leaders of all shades who had remained outside the electoral process but were willing to give up violence. Jammu and Kashmir government has also favoured broadening the peace process by involving more groups in the talks. State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad met the Prime Minister today and apprised him of the political and security situation in the state. The Centre is likely to involve other groups including Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, headed by Shabir Shah, in the dialogue process. Talking to The Tribune on the telephone, Mr Yasin Malik said after receiving invitation from the PMO for talks he had called a meeting of JKLF units from both sides of LOC and UK on February 15. He said a meeting of the working committee and advisory council would be held on February 15 to discuss the invitation from the PMO. The invitation to Mr Malik is being seen as another indication of the yearning for peace in the valley and the allround emphasis on dialogue. The JKLF, which has been taking a pro-independence stand on Jammu and Kashmir, has presence in PoK. Mr Malik had some time back gone on a signature campaign to demand inclusion of people of Jammu and Kashmir in any meaningful dialogue between India and Paksitan on the Kashmir issue. The invitation for talks to Mr Malik has caused some resentment among the Kashmiri Pandit community which was keen to be invited to the talks ahead of the separatist leader. |
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Iran vote not to affect relations: Aiyar
Patna, February 13 Mr Aiyar came here today in the capacity of Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs to inaugurate the 11th National Youth Festival held for the first time in Patna. Mr Aiyar said he could have been more comfortable to talk on petroleum related issues. “I am not much conversant yet with youth affairs and sports and know as much as you from the press release issued to you,” he said, hinting at his apparent dejection after losing out the petroleum ministry to Murli Deora during the recent Cabinet reshuffle. The formal press conference on youth affairs and sports as well Panchayat related issues was followed by an informal chat with the media on issues pertaining to petroleum and natural gas. Mr Aiyar also defended his last visit to China during which five inter-company MoUs were signed for joint exploration in the hydrocarbon sectors. “It is up to Murli Deora now to decide on the MoUs sighed with China,” he remarked. Mr Aiyar, however, denied the allegation that he was removed under pressure from the developed countries because of his reported drive to explore other sources of energy. “When the cabinet was formed in 2004 I was told that the Petroleum ministry was given to me for a short span. But finally I had continued in the same for 20 months. I do not have any regrets”, he said. As Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Mr Aiyar favoured to minimise the role of politicians in the area of sports in future. Mr Aiyar also regretted the less percentage of women participants in National Youth Festival in Patna this year. Later during the day, Mr Aiyar inaugurated the 11th National Youth Festival at Moinul Hoq stadium here in presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other delegates. The theme of this year’s festival is “Youth for creativity, Harmony and National integration.” Over 3,00 amateur young artists are participating in the festival, which will continue here till February 17. |
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SC for ex-Naval experts’ panel to examine Clemenceau
New Delhi, February 13 Expressing concern over the publication of the report of the Court appointed Monitoring Committee (MC) in media even before it was placed on record, other “one sided” articles on the issue and demonstrations being held when the matter was sub-judice, a Bench of Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice S H Kapadia directed Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam to submit the names of four to five former navy experts by February 17 for the panel. The court said if the ministry thought it proper that an expert from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be better equipped to examine the ship, he could be included in the committee, in which the Naval experts could preferably be from Mazgaon Dock and Kochi Shipyard having experience in ship building and breaking. The suggestion for setting up the panel came after the court had perused the report of 10-member MC, which according to media reports, had given split opinion whether the ship should be allowed to enter Alang for breaking. The ship is waiting entry into India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) pending decision by the apex court, which did not give any indication today as to what was its opinion on the MC report. In a veiled warning of contempt action for publication of “wild reports” on the issue, the Bench said, “We are shocked to find notwithstanding the case being heard by this court, demonstrations are organised and articles are written. If any person found to be prima facie involved, there will be appropriate action for contempt of court.” Coming down heavily on the monitoring committee for providing copies of its reports to media even before submitting it to the court, the Bench made it clear that it would not allow any “third umpire” in the matter as long as it was pending before it. Subramaniam assured the court that he would soon discuss the matter with Defence Secretary so that the controversy could be sorted out as early as possible. The court also asked the Department of Customs to place before it its views whether the ship should be allowed to enter in the India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in the process it could take the help of Central Pollution Control Board. The court further clarified that the direction issued by it would be without “prejudice” to the rights of the owners of the ship. |
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CEC stresses on self code for parties
Patna, February 13 Mr Tandon, who could not attend the two-day third national conference on electoral reforms which concluded here yesterday evening organised jointly by the Association for Democratic Reforms and Lok
Samvad, sent his valedictory speech to state Chief Electoral Officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh. In his speech read out by Mr Rakesh, Mr Tandon expressed concern over the fact that there were 115 Lok Sabha members with criminal background who won the 2004 polls. According to Mr Tandon, the EC already recommended to the Union Government that candidates against whom courts found prima facie evidence and were chargesheeted should be barred from contesting elections. The CEC is in favour of registering cases against candidates allegedly having criminal antecedents more than six months prior to the elections to prevent misue of this clause. The measures for electoral reforms for free and fair polls include a ban on making public the results of exit and opinion polls before the final round of voting, recovery of cost of conducting poll in at least one constituency from persons winning elections from two seats, deletion of bogus voters , making public affidavits of contestants a regular drill and the likes. Besides, Mr Tandon also suggested the introduction of negative voting option. |
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Drop security clearance for bus to Pak: Amarinder
New Delhi, February 13 The Punjab Chief Minister, who called on Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil here, also urged the Centre to sanction additional funds under Border Area Development Programme
(BADP) to meet the challenges with the opening of Indo-Pak border at Wagah. During his 30-minute meeting, the Punjab Chief Minister requested Mr Patil to release funds of Rs 23.60 crore, in the first phase, for construction of 24 Community Policing Research Centres
(CPRCs) at district headquarters, 72 at subdivisional levels besides necessary infrastructure. Stating that the financial constraints faced by the state government as one of the impediments in the way of the construction of
CPRCs, Amarinder urged Mr Patil to ensure release of Rs 63.20 crore in the second phase for 316 CPRCs at police station level. He also requested Mr Patil to review the decision of Ministry of Home Affairs by which an AGMUT (Arunachal,
Gao, Mizoram, Union Territory) cadre IPS officer was to be posted as SSP Chandigarh with effect from April 1, 2006. He argued that the present practice of posting of a Punjab Cadre IPS officer on inter-cadre deputation basis would have an adverse effect on the interests of Punjab in the UT on Chandigarh as it upsets the balance of post between Punjab, Haryana and AGMUT cadre officer. However, he said that the posts in the Chandigarh Administration were earmarked for Punjab and Haryana cadre IAS/IPS officers in the ratio of 60:40 as per the settlement under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Home Minister agreed in principle to reverse its decision thereby allowing the Punjab cadre IPS officer as SSP Chandigarh, a press note from Punjab Information Department said here. As for the proposal put forth by the Punjab Government for opening of a visa centre at Amritsar for passengers travelling by Amritsar-Lahore and Amritsar-Nankana Sahib buses, Mr Patil assured that he would take up this issue with the Ministry of External Affairs. Responding to the demands raised by Capt Amarinder Singh for the sanction of additional funds under the BADP to meet the challenges with the opening of Indo-Pak border at Wagah, Mr Patil asked the state government to put a detailed proposal for the consideration of the Home Ministry. Capt Amarinder Singh projected the requirement of financial assistance as one time investment of Rs 14.03 crore with an annual recurring expenditure of Rs 7.70 crore for mounting required level of surveillance, collecting discreet intelligence about inflow of terrorists/smugglers and checking against infiltration bids in the garb of normal bus, car train passengers. |
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Dalai Lama leads world peace prayers
Patna, February 13 The peace prayer was organised by the Mahabodhi society as part of the week-long lord Buddha 2550th anniversary celebrations which began at Bodh Gaya. Earlier yesterday, Dalai Lama had inaugurated a three-day international conference on the “cultural tradition of Nalanda “ near the excavated site of ancient Nalanda University in Nalanda, which had emerged as the world seat of learning between 550 and 650 A.D. Over 300 delegates from 25 countries, including eminent scholars from the fields of history, archaeology, art, philosophy and religion, would discuss seven themes relating to the heritage of Nalanda in next two days at Nalanda. This international seminar was also part of the 2550th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. At the inaugural session Dalai Lama blessed Nitish Kumar and hoped he would emerge as the best chief minister if he kept his promises to build up a New Bihar. Addressing a gathering from 25 countries Mr Kumar dwelt at length both on the glorious past and the present sufferings of the state and was optimistic to a bright happening future for the people of the state. Mr Kumar also released a book written by Dalai Lama on “Bihar- an energetic experience”. A Delhi-based Buddhist organisation, Ashoka Mission, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara has organised the conference in Nalanda. A national committee has also been set-up for the year-long celebrations of 2550 birth anniversary of Lord Buddha under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. |
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New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi to be fastest in sub-continent
New Delhi, February 13
The upgradation of the speed from the existing 130 km/ph to 150 km/ph on the 150 km stretch between Junction Cabin ahead of Tughlakabad and Agra Cantt will earn the New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express the distinction of being the fastest train in the Indian subcontinent. Sources in Northern Railway claim that the increased speed of the train will reduce travelling time between Delhi and Agra in both directions by half an hour. The train that starts from New Delhi Railway station at 6 am will now reach Agra Cantt at 8 am instead of 8.15 am. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will flag off the train on a special run on February 15 at the New Delhi railway station here. The high speed train with a 10 per cent additional passenger carrying capacity will run six days a week except Friday. The normal New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express will run on Friday. The Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi, Northern Railway, Mr Pradeep Kumar, told TNS here that there were no instructions as yet to revise the fare of the train in view of the upgraded speed. The ICS type (Integral Coach Factory, Chennai) coaches have been replaced with 11 German Linke Hoffman Bosh coaches manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurathala as part of technology transfer. He said that all precautions had been taken to ensure the non-stop and smooth run of the train on the 200 km stretch between Delhi and Agra Cantt. “We are confident of safe running of the train. On the recommendations of the former Commissioner of Railway Safety, Mr G.P. Garg, the Railways have provided a six-feet high concrete fencing on a 7 km stretch between Junction Cabin and Palwal and 15 km stretch between Palwal and Agra,” Mr Kumar said. He said that since fencing on the entire 200 km stretch would be long-drawn process, it was decided to identify vulnerable sections on the stretch and provide fencing. He said that the fencing had been done to eliminate chances of cattle straying on the tracks. He said that fencing costs about Rs 30 to 40 lakh per km. “Work for speed upgradation on this stretch began about two and a half years back. We had to carry out infrastructural improvement as strengthening of the tracks. This includes laying rails that had higher strength rails in the stretch where they were not available. Besides, we had to strengthen points and crossings on the entire track where the train has to travel at a speed of 150 km/ph from Junction Cabin to Agra Cantt,” the DRM explained. Mr Kumar said that the upgradation of the speed and the augmentation of the passenger carrying capacity were expected to generate additional revenue of 10 per cent on each journey in one direction. He said that a Confirmatory Oscillography Car Run, a full run of the train between Delhi and Agra and the other direction was done on January 13 and 19. Sources in NR said that the annual average occupancy of the train varies between 75 to 80 per cent. |
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Frame laws to curb conversions: RSS, VHP
Dangs (Gujarat), February 13 A resolution passed on the second day in the presence of RSS chief K. Sudarshan and Pravin Togadia of the VHP, besides Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also urged state governments to formulate laws to contain conversions in the absence of a Central legislation.” The Arunachal and Gujarat Governments should immediately notify the rules so that the main purpose of enacting such a legislation is fulfilled”, it said. The resolution said many countries like Israel, Korea, China, Sri Lanka and some nations of Latin America already had such laws in place and India should take a lesson from these countries and also do the needful. Commissions which had gone into the issue had also recommended similar steps”, it observed. The resolution said the Census of 2001 had proved an eye-opener as it brought out that the Muslim population had gone up by 29.3 per cent and the Christian population by 22.1 per cent.” The inordinate increase in population of Christians in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and muslims in the border states of Sikkim, Assam, Manipur and Tripura was a matter of concern. In another resolution passed at the congregation, the need for a general consolidation to deal with the onslaught from foreign religious forces out to convert tribals was underlined.” It is time for all Hindu forces to forget all differences of caste and creed and work together. The resolution urged saints and seers to educate the people against conversion activities being carried out at the behest of foreign forces. Dr Pravin Togadia offered an alliance of sorts to the Christian faith which was facing a threat from Islam. It is only Hinduism which had experience of dealing with Islamic expansationism that could help them but for this their conversion activity in India must stop forthwith”, he added. |
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Sena splits over Valentine’s Day
Mumbai, February 13 While Raj Thackeray has asked his followers not to harass young couples, the mainstream Shiv Sena has decided to attack young couples and greeting card shops and restaurants observing the occasion. Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in a write-up in the party mouthpiece, “Saamna”, warned youngsters about the party’s intent. “You express love round the year anyway everywhere in Mumbai, so why celebrate a special day for this,” Thackeray was quoted by the newspaper as saying. The party’s cadres have already responded by vandalising greeting card shops across Maharashtra. Many greeting card shops have decided to play it safe this year by removing all cards bearing the legend “Valentine’s Day”. However, love cards and red decorations are dotting shops across Mumbai in a big way. Meanwhile, the police patrolling outside colleges have been stepped up. Principals of some colleges warned students that rival groups of Shiv Sainiks may use the occasion to settle scores within the premises of educational institutions. |
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Diagnostic kit developed for kala-azar
New Delhi, February 13 The diagnostic system ‘Signal-ka’ will cost less than Rs 70. The process and product have been patented internationally in 2003 and the technology was transferred to Span Diagnostic Ltd. The company has developed an immuno-filtration rapid test using the patented product and process, reducing the test result time to ten minutes. The test can be used in the remotest areas of the country. It has prolonged self life and the test results can be read with naked eyes. About 50 lakh people develop kala-azar and more than 60,000 of them die every year. Approximately 90 per cent of the kala-azar cases are reported in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sudan, most of whom are from poor families. The conventional method of diagnosing kala-azar is through bone marrow which is extremely painful and dangerous. In India, kala azar is endemic in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP and Assam. The test system is being considered a landmark in the direction of achieving target of eliminating kala-azar from India and Nepal by 2012. The test system, unveiled by Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal on Friday, will also be exported to developing countries where the disease prevails. Kala-azar is transmitted to man by the bite of infected female phlebotomus sandfly. The incubation period is generally two to six months. The protozoan parasite gets multiplied in the bone marrow, spleen and liver. It attacks lymph nodes or the body defence system, criplling the production of anti-bodies. Kala-azar also causes pneumonia, diarrhoea, loss of weight and apetite, discomfort in the abdomen and aften nasal and gum bleeding that may lead to death. Kala-azar has been a serious public health problem in Bihar and West Bengal. After its resurgence in some parts of Bihar in the early seventies, the disease spread to 36 districts of Bihar and 10 districts of West Bengal. There were 17,806 cases with 72 deaths till 1986, which rose to 77,102 cases with 1,419 deaths in 1992 in Bihar and West Bengal. Nearly 17,429 people were attacked and 255 of them died of the disease in 1997. |
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UP to produce export-quality potato soon
Lucknow, February 13 A six-member Pakistani delegation led by Sargoda Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Abdul Sami Sawhney has just returned home after visiting the India Food Expo offering a variety of food processing technologies. They returned with assurances by the host of the expo, the Indian Industries Association
(IIA), to soon grow potato that can be exported. According to IIA Executive Director D.S. Verma, the Pakistani team had come prepared and knew exactly what they wanted. Unfazed by this, the IIA has decided to get in touch with the Meerut-based chapter of the Central Potato Research Institute to get their technical inputs. “We need to get experts from there to help our farmers select varieties that have potential for the food processing industry both here and abroad.” So if the plans of the IIA succeed, UP potato would soon be used to make wafers and other snacks in Pakistan. In his valedictory address at the expo, chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Development Council and Samajwadi Party national general secretary Amar Singh mentioned the fate of the potato farmers in the state. He pointed out the hardship faced by farmers in the state, as millions of tonnes of potato were rotting in the potato-growing district of
Farukhabad. He had demanded the IIA to set up potato-based units in the region so that the huge output of farmers did not go waste. With the research inputs, IIA hopes to utilise the surplus crop both at the local as well as export market. |
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Gursharan Kaur stresses on women’s education
New Delhi, February 13 In her address at the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust
(KGNMT) here, Mrs Gursharan Kaur said that focussing on women’s education and making them self-reliant was essential to bring about their empowerment which was important for the progress of the nation. Describing the late Kasturba Gandhi as a symbol of women’s empowerment for the modern generation, she said “Ba was the silent force behind the Mahatma’s strength and spirituality. The fact that she managed to hold her own before a towering personality like Mahatma Gandhi, asserting her views and having a say on various issues, is a lesson in empowerment for the modern women.” Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of National Commission for Women Girija Vyas said there was a rise in cases of atrocities against women. “There is a rape case every minute and a dowry death every three minutes. In every three minutes, an eve-teasing case takes place,” she said. Among those who spoke on the occasion were grand daughter of Kasturba and Mahatma Gandhi Sukanya
Bharatram, the vice chairperson of the KGNMT Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, Mr Karl Fischer of the Draupadi Trust and chairperson of the KGNMT Dhirubhai Mehta. On this occasion, Ms Gursharan Kaur distributed Samman Patras to 29 workers, or “pratinidhis” of the
KGNMT. |
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Punjabi Academy still a distant dream
Jaipur, February 13 The announcement made in the budgetary speech of Raje, who also holds the Finance Portfolio, to establish a Punjabi Academy still remains a distant reality even at this juncture when brisk exercises are on to prepare the next year’s budget to be presented in the Assembly session. Besides, the appointments of teachers in Punjabi, Urdu and Sindhi languages in schools as promised have also not been made. The total provision of Rs 60 lakh for forming the Punjabi Academy and development of the existing Urdu and Sindhi academies still lingers on the files, lament literary enthusiasts. |
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