Jalandhar, May 7
In yet another controversial statement, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann suggested to the Punjab Government to set up a beef industry in the public sector and also allow private parties to establish the same in the state.

Talking to media persons here today, he said the setting up of a beef industry in Punjab would be beneficial for the agricultural economy of the state.

On being asked about hurting the sentiments of the Hindus who worship the cow, Mann said that their sentiments should be hurt with the sacred river Ganga being polluted by human waste and industrial effluents and not by his statement of setting up a beef industry in Punjab as it was connected with boosting of the agricultural economy.

Giving arguments in favour of his statement, Mann said the farmers of Punjab had to sell his unproductive cattle to butchers in Saharanpur and Kolkata at throwaway prices.

If a beef industry was set up in Punjab, they would get reasonable prices for their unproductive cattle and it would become their another source of income, he added.

Meanwhile, when contacted to know his reaction, Hindu Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) state spokesperson Jagdish Kataria sharply critisised Mann for issuing a statement to set up a beef industry in Punjab as it strongly hurt the sentiments of 
Hindus.

Kataria said that Mann had lost his political base and he was issuing such type of bizarre statements just to remain in the news.

“It also seems from his statement that he is playing the role of a Muslim in Punjab and the state government should rein him immediately,” the spokesperson added.

Jalandhar, May 7
Taking strong note of the the non-fulfilment of their demands pertaining to taking action against the government officials who framed false cases against journalists, the electronic media of the district and a section of print media has decided to boycott the coverage of government functions. The decision was taken during a meeting held here on 
Monday.

Meanwhile, the standoff between the mediamen and doctors resolved as the representatives of both the parties agreed in a meeting held at DC’s residence on late Sunday evening to withdraw the complaints made by them against each other, an official spokesman said.

Eight journalists led by the president of the Jalandhar Press Club, RN Singh, participated in the meeting. Separate FIRs had been lodged on Friday against some mediamen and several doctors as their representatives submitted complaints against each other. While mediamen alleged that they were made hostages by several doctors and attempts were made to kill them by hitting a Qualis when they had gone to a charitable Sewak Ram hospital to cover a news report, the doctors alleged that they had been beaten up by some mediamen.

An official spokesperson claimed that SAD acting chief Sukhbir Badal, Public Relations minister Bikramjeet Singh Majithia and media adviser to CM Harcharan Bains took special interest in resolving the issue.

Jalandhar, May 7
Recent notices issued by Jalandhar Improvement Trust to the residents of Master Tara Singh Nagar have come as a bolt from the blue to the former. In the notices, the residents who were allotted plots in 1981 by the trust have been asked to make payment of enhanced price with interest.

Since the interest has been evaluated for 26 years, the amount to be paid as interest is double the principal amount of enhancement of plot. While in most cases the actual cost of enhancement is Rs 15,000, the interest payable is above Rs 30,000.

The plots were allotted to people with low income group who have said that they had already paid the price asked at that time in installments.

The allottees have said that they had become very old and retired from government jobs. With no major source of income now, they said that it was very difficult for them to pay the interest being charged by the JIT. They have said that their interest be waived off and they be allowed to simply pay the principal amount of enhancement of plot so that the matter be settled amicably.

The members of Master Tara Singh Nagar Welfare Society led by general secretary Naresh Thatai met the Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia today and put forth their demand in this regard.

The residents showed the copies of the notices issued by executive officer of JIT, Avtar Singh Azad, dated May 2 which mentioned that in case they did not make a payment in 15 days, they be ready to face action under section 92 of Punjab Town Improvement Act 1922.

The Act allows the district collector to take the due amount as land revenue by recovery of plot. The executive officer could not be contacteded despite repeated attempts.

Jalandhar, May 7
Nearly 15,000 troops, 150 tanks, specialist vehicles, attack helicopters and aircraft will create a complete picture of envisaged battlefield during an exercise “Shatrunash” to be conducted by Vajra Corps from May 11 to 14.

Defence PRO Naresh Vig in an official press release said today that the exercise would be conducted in areas of Nakodar and Jagraon involving troops of Vajra Corps, the Indian Air Force and elements of special forces. Like the previous exercise “Sanghe Shakti”, this one too aims at achieving synergy between the Army and the Air Force, it read.

“Shatrunash” has also been designed to use the computer-enabled support system to reduce decision-making time of the commanders. The exercise will use modern real-time surveillance devices such as UAVs, long-range observation systems (LORROS), modern radars and air space management systems.

The exercise is also aimed at transforming Vajra Corps from defensive formation to pivot corps using tactical and strategic orientation. The exercise will be conducted under the directions of Lieut-Gen Daljeet Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command.

Phillaur, May 7
Going against its own order, the SAD-BJP government, which earlier had declared to transfer officers only after a minimum period of two years, has transfered nine civil surgeons within six months of their posting.

Dr Avtar Singh, CMO of Kapurthla, who was transfered to Mansa, was posted only five months back at Kapurthla. Dr Dalip Kumar posted at Faridkot, Dr Rajinder Singh at Amritsar, Dr Karamjit Singh at Tarn Taran, Dr Amrit Kaur at Muktsar, Dr Rakesh Gupta at Patiala, Dr S.P. Sharma at Ropar, Dr Arjun Singh Gill at Mohali, Dr B.S. Mohi and Dr P.K. Mittal at Mansa, were posted only five to six months back, but were transfered after the change of government. — OC