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NRI-sponsored medical seats to be scrapped
Chandigarh, March 2 These are popularly called “NRI-sponsored seats”. However, candidates residing in India can also get admission on this quota by paying a hefty fee and without any sponsorship from an NRI. The state government is now going to move a Bill in the ongoing Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha to define an NRI. Under the proposed changes, only genuine NRIs, or their children who live abroad may be eligible for admission under the NRI quota. The system of having NRI-sponsored seats in government-run and private medical colleges is to be scrapped. The new rule is to be introduced in the
academic session 2006-07. Sources in the government said the Income Tax Act, 1961, defines an NRI. The Punjab Government will apply the same yardstick in this case and also fix the eligibility criteria. Also, if the Bill is passed it will apply to all professional colleges in the state offering NRI-sponsored seats. The sources said the present rules allow “back-door entry” to a candidate. It is like “purchasing” a seat in these colleges. At present, an NRI seat can be sponsored by an NRI, or a candidate can get admission by paying the equivalent of the foreign currency in rupees. It takes $75,000 (about Rs 33 lakh) for an MBBS seat, $30,000 ( about Rs 14 lakh) for a seat in the BDS course and $15,000 (about Rs 7 lakh) for a seat in the BAMS course. This is like having a system of reservation for the rich while excluding meritorious students, said a senior functionary. The practice of “buying seats” under the NRI quota has been frowned upon by educationists. The Advocate-General, Punjab, Mr Rajinder Singh Cheema, reportedly advised the government against the concept of an NRI sponsoring the child or ward of a resident Indian, saying this may not stand legal seruting. The matter was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, who decided that only NRIs should be given these seats. The Bill in the Vidhan Sabha will be part of the effort to regulate the fee structure and admission process to colleges offering medical education.
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Surat Singh Puranji is new Akhand Kirtani Jatha head
Amritsar, March 2 While an 11-member committee announced Giani Surat Singh Puranji the new Jathedar soon after the cremation of Bhai Ram Singh, Giani Baldev Singh claimed that he was the “real Jathedar” of the jatha. The jatha shot into limelight after the Sikh-Nirankari clash on April 13, 1978, in which 13 of its members had died on the spot. Bhai Ram Singh had ‘love-hate relations’ with Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Before joining the jatha, Bhai Dhillon, had served in the Royal Indian Air Force and fought against Japanese in the World War II. He had retired as Squadron leader and then served as Factory Manager, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Kanpur. Dr Sant Parkash Singh Dhillon, son of the jatha chief refused to comment on the ‘war of succession’ in the jatha. However, he said that nobody would be allowed to make any speech at Bhai Ram Singh’s bhog to be held here on March 11 as per his last wish. Talking to The Tribune, Bhai Baldev Singh said that he did not give recognition to Bhai Puranji as AKJ Jathedar .He alleged that the announcement to install Giani Puranji as AKJ chief in the cremation ground was in ‘gross violation’ of the ‘Rehat Maryada’ . He said such Jathedar could not be acceptable since the announcement was made without the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. However, Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar Akal Takht who presented a ‘Siropa’ (robe of honour) while justifying the announcement of the successor said that formal religious rites would take place at the time of bhog ceremony of the AKJ Jathedar. Bhai Ranjit Singh praised the services of Bhai Ram Singh to Sikhism. Bhai Ram Singh had serious differences with Sant Bhindranwale on the subject of ‘Raagmala’ . The AKJ sunk differences with the Damdami Taksal after the death of Sant Bhindranwale. However, the development was not accepted by a section of the AKJ and hence a parallel jatha ,named ‘Prabandhki Panchayan’ was constituted . Earlier, Bhai Baldev Singh, then deputy jathedar of the AKJ had announced that Bhai Ram Singh had blessed him with Jathedari on January 26 last year . However, he (Bhai Baldev Singh ) was not acceptable to the 11-member committee . This Committee had claimed that Bhai Ram Singh was not taken into confidence when Bhai Baldev Singh had ‘installed himself’ Jathedar.
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Sarpanch held for abusing Tehsildar
Fazilka, March 2 A case under Section 3 of the SC/ST Act 1989, 353, 186, 506 has been registered against Jhinja was produced in a court here today which remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days. The police nabbed the sarpanch at midnight from Kikarwala Rupa village where he had gone to attend a marriage. Fazilka BJP has alleged that ruling party leaders were behind the registration of the case. Mr Jhinja visited the office of the Tehsildar on Wednesday in connection with title deed of Ram Kumar of Beganwali village. The tehsildar refused to execute the deed on plea that it was not verified by the nambardar of the village. Following this argument ensued between the tehsildar and the sarpanch the matter was resolved by some persons present there. However, the police on complaint of the tehsildar registered a case against Mr Jhinja yesterday evening. BJP activists led by Mr Rajesh Dhuria, president, BJP mandal, Fazilka, reached the tehsil office today morning and raised slogans before the city police station. They described the case against sarpanch as politically motivated. They also raised slogans against the tehsildar, Fazilka, and Dr Mohinder Kumar Rinwa, MLA. The activists also broke pitchers in the tehsil complex. Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani, president, BJP Kisan Morcha, Punjab unit, and former MLA, Fazilka, criticised the registration of the case against the sarpanch. He said the issue had been resolved but the case was registered due to political pressure. Mr Jyani also alleged that bureaucrats had been directed by ruling party leaders not to entertain members of the opposition party and they were being harassed.
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Psychotropic drugs being sold in buses
Gurdaspur, March 2 Hawkers name brands of psychotropic drugs and display these in their hands for addicts interested in buying these. Due to rampant increase in addiction of psychotropic drugs hawkers easily find customers in buses. A hawker on the condition of anonymity said the business of selling psychotropic drugs in buses was brisk. They collect the stock for sale from chemists or wholesale drug traders. Margin in drugs ensures good profit for them as finding customers was easy. For addicts also it is easy to buy drugs in buses as many chemists have become wary of selling these without prescription. Moreover health officials hardly checks sale of drugs in buses. Drugs are sold in buses despite the fact that now even registered chemists have been forbidden to sell these without prescription of doctors. A registered chemist selling psychotropic drugs have to maintain the record of prescriptions against which the drug is sold to a patient. Besides, no
psychotropic drug can be stocked without proper bills. Recently the police booked many chemists for selling and stocking illegally psychotropic drugs. The drug de-addiction centre run by the District Red Cross Society at Gurdaspur has been receiving many addicts for treatment. Most of the addicts who come to the centre
are looked on psycho-tropic drugs. The authorities of the centre have reported to the police regarding the sale of the psychotropic drugs at dhabas outside educational institutions in the district. They have alleged students of educational institutions were being provided drugs by dhabas and the police should maintain surveillance on them to prevent students from taking drugs. Sale of drugs in buses was a new novel way through which the drugs have been reaching addicts. Experts on the matter said most of the addicts were shifting to psychotropic drugs due to their easy availability and low price vis-a-vis traditional drugs as like opium or poppy husk. If the government wants to check illegal sale of psychotropic drugs it will have to keep a tab on wholesalers who transfer it to unauthorised retail sellers.
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JD(U) flays govt for N-deal
Hoshiarpur, March 2 “The proposed nuclear deal is not in the favour of the country,” he said while talking to mediapersons here. He said the party would contest the forthcoming Assembly elections by making alliance with the SAD-BJP or other like-minded parties. A four-member committee, comprising Mr Anoop Singh Badru, Mr B.S. Gill, Mr Om Parkash Khanka and Mr Amar Bir Singh Gulati, had been constituted to identify segments in Punjab for fielding candidates.
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CLP to meet on March 6
Chandigarh, March 2 The meeting is scheduled at 8 pm at Punjab Bhavan here.
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NGOs, students protest against female foeticide
Nawanshahr, March 2 Besides rallies, seminars and street plays to bring a change in the mindset of people, the NGOs here have also started organising ‘Shok Sabhas’ to mourn the death of an unborn girl, in front of the houses of errant couples and clinics to create fear of social alienation among them. Mourning the death of an unborn girl by NGOs in front of the houses of the errant couples and clinics going for abortion of female embryo, to create fear of social boycott, submitting memorandums to the doctors running ultrasound scan centres with an appeal — ‘Save us’ by girl students etc., though unconventional protest against female foeticide, but it could set a trend to educate society against the heinous crime. More than 100 students and social workers under the aegis of Upkar, wearing aprons holding banners and raising slogans, marched in the nearby Balachaur town and held dharna in front of a private nursing home, said to be involved in terminating a female embryo, on Wednesday. Mr Yashpal Singh Hafizabadi, Mr Jaspal Gidda, Mr Surjit Singh Saini, Dr Pavittar Singh, Ms Jatinder Kaur Pathlawa, Mr Tirath Ram Bhatia, social workers associated with Upkar, among others, condemned gender discrimination and female foeticide. It was disgusting that nexus between rich people and the medical fraternity had been misusing scientific inventions in medical science to destroy the gender balance. Bringing a change in the mindset of the society especially women was must otherwise these evils would mean serious repercussions for society, they lamented. College students Ikwinder Kaur and Gurvinder recited poems on female foeticide on the occasion. Earlier, Upkar organised such demonstrations in front of the houses of the couples going for sex determination tests and abortion of female embryo, at nearby Naura and Hakimpur villages. The district administration has been mobilising the NGOs and students against the evil. Under Meet-the-Students programme, Mr Krishan Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, has been motivating girl students to raise voice against gender discrimination. Besides, a pregnancy survey has also been conducted. Data of pregnant women and births is being computerised and monitored.
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Ropar sheds tears at Mohali move
Ropar, March 2 The samiti also decided to send a representation to the Chairman of the Delimitation Commission, Justice (retd) Kuldeep Singh, claiming that the state government took a decision to make Mohali a district without completing legal formalities as the Commission had not filed its report so far. The Zila Bachao Sangharsh Samiti was formed today by the members of the Congress, the BJP, the Akalis, the BSP, the Lok Bhalai party, the Beopar Mandal, the Truck Operators Union, the Rotary and the Lions Club among others. The newly elected chairman of the samiti, Dr R.S. Parmar, while addressing members, said the samiti will take all MLA's of the district, including Mr K.P.S Rana, Dr Ramesh Dutt Sharma, Dr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Dr Satwant Kaur and also leaders of other political parties into confidence in this agitation against the state government. "Firstly, we would observed bandh on March 6 and thereafter we will meet the Governor, Punjab, the CM, Captain Amarinder Singh, then to the President of the Akali Dal and former Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in this
regard," said Dr Parmar. He said if nothing came out, then they would move a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the state government's decision. The members of the political parties said their representative MLAs were not taken into confidence by the CM before taking the decision about Mohali. Those who spoke on this occasion included senior Congress leader Budhiraja, BSP president Charnjit Singh Ghai, president of the Ropar truck operators union Maghar Singh, president of District Bar
Association, Ropar, R.N. Moudgil, and the president of the Hindustan Shiv Sena Sanjiv Kumar. Meanwhile, advocates of the district court also abstained from the work protesting against the state government's decision to make Mohali a separate district. The District Bar Association has decided to stay away from work tomorrow also, said Mr Moudgil.
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Balmik sabha seeks action against jail staff
Hoshiarpur, March 2 Raising slogans against the jail officials of Nabha for their violation of human rights, they demanded strict legal action against the Jail Superintendent and other employees of Nabha jail, judicial inquiry into the incident, plastic surgery on the back of Narinder Singh to erase the word "choora", strict instructions to the police for not repeating such type of incidents in future and effective implementation of SC and ST Act. Later, they went in a procession to the Tehsildar, Hoshiarpur, and presented him a memorandum addressed to Governor Punjab in this connection.
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Protest against nursing home authorities
Nawanshahr, March 2 Among others, Mr Yashpal Singh Hafizabadi, Mr Jaspal Gidda, Mr Surjit Singh Saini, Dr Pavittar Singh, Ms Jatinder Kaur Pathlawa and Mr Tirath Ram Bhatia, all social workers, addressed the gathering and condemned the practice of female foeticide. Ikwinder Kaur and Gurvinder, both college students, recited poems on female foeticide. Earlier, demonstrations were organised in front of houses of the couples who opting for sex determination tests and abortions. The demonstrations were organised in Naura and Hakimpur villages.
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Body recovered
Kharar, March 2 According to information available, the body was found near a link road. It was seen by a passerby who informed the police. The police made efforts from nearby areas to inquire about the body which could not be identified. It was sent to the Civil Hospital for a post mortem examination.
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SC lawyer gets 3-yr jail in forgery case
Sangrur, March 2 Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh were booked in a case of poppy husk by the Barnala police in 1992. They were convicted and sentenced by the Special Judge, Barnala, to10 years’ imprisonment with fine of Rs 1 lakh each. They were serving the term in the jail at Barnala when their relatives/friends Sukhdev Singh and Babu Singh of Lad Banjara village met Mr Arun Madan, advocate, at Delhi, who demanded Rs 42,000 for getting the accused released on bail from the Supreme Court. Later per his information the Supreme Court had passed the bail order which was sent to the court at Barnala. Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh were freed on bail on January 24, 2001. In the confiscation proceedings of the vehicle, involved in the case, when papers came to the knowledge of additional sessions judge, Barnala, in October 2001, he doubted the bail order and sought clarification from the Supreme Court which clarified that the bail order was fake. The additional sessions judge got a case registered at Barnala. During investigation the police found both beneficiaries Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh along with two sureties Avtar Singh and Baldev Singh and advocate Arun Madan having conspired in forgery and cheating.
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National-level moot court contest at Ropar
Chandigarh, March 2 According to Mr Pankaj Chandgothia, President of the CCCBA, this will be the first of a series of competitions to be organised annually. The winners of the competition will be awarded the “Piara Lal Rukmani Devi” running trophy and cash prize of Rs 10,000. The runners-up team will get a trophy plus Rs 8,000 as cash prize. The team placed third would be awarded a special citation with Rs 5,000 cash prize, while the best memorial (paper-book) submitted by any individual contestant would win Rs 3,500. The President of the Punjab State Consumer Commission, Justice R.S. Mongia, Chief Justice (retd), will inaugurate the competition at 10 a.m. on March 4. The President of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Permanent Lok Adalat, Justice A.L. Bahri (retd), will preside. The President of the Chandigarh State Consumer Commission, Justice K.C. Gupta (retd), will release a booklet, “Consumer Law Guide”, in the afternoon session. According to Prof P.S. Jaswal, Director-Principal of the host college, 32 teams from reputed law schools all over the country have confirmed their participation in the competitive section. These include the Law School of Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi; Banaras Hindu University (BHU); Amity Law School, Delhi; University Institute of Legal Education, Jammu; J.C. College of Law, Mumbai; University School of law, Kurukshetra; Army Institute of Law, Mohali; and Law Department, Panjab
University (PU), Chandigarh. A former President of the Punjab State Consumer Commission, Justice H.S. Brar (retd), will preside over the valedictory function. Prof Veer Singh, Dean, University Instructions, PU, will deliver the valedictory address, while Justice S.K. Jain (retd), Senator and Syndic, PU, will be the guest of honour.
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Tenant held for burglary in goldsmith’s house
Amritsar, March 2 Giving details of the case the police claimed that the accused had burgled the house of a goldsmith, Sanjeev Kumar, and had taken away gold worth Rs 4 lakh and 6.5 kilograms of silver on the intervening night of February 18-19. Mr R.P.S Brar, district police chief, said the police had suspected Sundar Lal, who was living as a tenant on the top floor of Sanjeev Kumar’s house for the past seven-eight years, as he had gone to his village at the time of the theft. He said a police party was dispatched to UP after the address of Sunderlal was traced from his brother. Sunder Lal was found at his in-laws’ village by the police. The SSP said Sundar Lal had planned the theft in connivance with his friend Guru Prasad, who was absconding since the day of the crime. As part of the plan Sundar Lal had told everyone that his mother had expired and he needed to go back to his native place. His friend made calls in this regard to a shopowner and a neighbour. In a well planned move Sunder Lal took his friend to his house and went to the railway station leaving him behind. Guru Prasad, thereafter, broke open the lock of the house where the gold and silver ornaments were kept and stole them. Sunder Lal was produced before JMIC today who remanded him to police custody for six days.
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13 kg heroin seized
Tarn Taran, March 2 One person was arrested while four of his associates managed to escape under the cover of darkness. One 9 mm Pakistan-made pistol was also recovered from his possession. The heroin is said to be estimated at Rs 13 crore in the international market. Mr Paramjit Singh Grewal, SSP, told newsmen on Tuesday that on a special tip-off the joint party put up a barrier along the border. The party saw something being thrown from the other side of the border and some movement was also noticed. The patrol party saw two motor cycles in Indian territory. The patrol party reached the spot and recovered 13 packets of heroin weighing 1 kg each . Baljinder Singh of Wan Tara Singh was arrested on the spot. On information provided by Baljinder, the identity of the other accused was established. They were Nachhatar Singh and his brother, Swarn Singh, Balwinder Singh and Gurjant Singh, all residents of the same village. A case under various Sections of the NDPS Act and the Arms Act has been registered.
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Minor raped
Amritsar, March 2 Mr Harmanbir Singh Gill, SP, however, said only one person was involved in the kidnapping and raping of the girl. A case has thus been registered against one person here today. Sources said the family members lodged a complaint with the police after the girl did not return from school on February 28. The victim was later recovered from Noordi village.
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Bhupinder wins folk-song contest at youth fest
Bathinda, March 2 The Principal of the college, Mr Balkar Singh Sandhu, welcomed the guests on the occasion. Mr Harpal Singh, Principal of Giani Zail Singh Engineering College and Mr Baljit Singh were among those present on the occasion. Different teams presented took part in folk song and skits contests today. Monoacting and fancy dress contests would be held tomorrow. Bhangra competition would be the highlight of the concluding day of the festival on March 4. Singers Kuldeep Manak, Hakam Sufi and film producer Inderjeet Hasanpuri were the judges for the folk-song contest while actors Gurdev Dhillon, Suman Satti and lyricist Manpreet Tiwana adjudged the skit competition. Bhupinder Singh, a student of Government Polytechnic, Hoshiarpur, won the folk-song contest, while Jagpreet Singh from Amritsar and Harsimranjit Singh from Ferozepore won the second and third prizes, respectively in this contest. Mr J.B Goel, Secretary, Technical Education and Industrial Training, would be the chief guest of the concluding ceremony of the festival on March 4.
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College honours talent
Patiala, March 2 Dr
G.K. Jaggi, college Principal, welcomed the chief guest and presented the college report for the current session highlighting its achievements in academics, cultural activities, sports, NCC, NSS and the Red Cross. According to Dr Jaggi, the college has shown excellent academic performance this year with 15 classes of the total 19 showing 100 per cent results. The college has been a winner in zonal festivals for the past seven years. Similarly, the college has achieved excellence in sports, NCC, NSS and the Red Cross. At the prize distribution, about 260 students received prizes for different activities, 43 students got the roll of honour, 34 got the college colour while 100 students got merit certificates. Arshpreeet Kaur of BA III was awarded the all-round roll of honour. On the occasion, the college students presented shabad, Ganesh vandana, folk instrument and Rajasthani folk dance. Mr Boparai congratulated the winners and encouraged them to do better in life. He said the objective of education should be to prepare youngsters emotionally, spiritually and professionally to face the world. He added that as the girls had additional responsibility on them of being home makers, it was essential for them to be physically fit. He also congratulated the Principal and staff for the achievements of the college.
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Irregularities in research degree panel alleged
Amritsar, March 2 The president has also taken up the matter with the Vice-Chancellor and demanded a probe in
this regard. The president cited the cases of Rajdeep Kaur, Gurpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Kaur and alleged that rules were flouted in giving them permission to pursue PhDs. Meanwhile, the Research Degree Board has called a meeting tomorrow to look into the matter.
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364 conferred degrees
Batala, March 2 The degrees were awarded to 307 graduates and 57 postgraduates by Dr Gurnam Singh, Dean, Academic Affairs, Guru Nanak Dev University, who was the chief guest on the occasion, along with Prof (Dr) Hepesh Shepherd, Principal of the college, and Mr P.K. Samantaroy, Chairman, Baring Union Christian College Association. While delivering the convocation address, Dr Gurnam Singh appreciated the college Principal and the management for their commitment to the cause of education and described the college as one of the most disciplined college affiliated with GND University. Mr Samantaroy in his message to the students asked to discover and rediscover the world of knowledge to broaden their horizons.
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