Amritsar, October 31
Even as the Congress party organised a Sankalp Diwas function to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, the head priest of the Golden Temple, Giani Dharam Singh, paid rich tributes to her assassins here today.

Addressing a large gathering at the bhog of Beant Singh, one of the killers of the former Prime Minister, in the Golden Temple complex, the head priest said history was a witness that those who had dared to attack the Golden Temple would meet a similar fate. He said Sikhs were always ready to make supreme sacrifices to save the honour of the Panth. He said the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) had organised the ceremony to recall the sacrifices made by them.

Besides priests Granthi Mal Singh and Giani Jagtar Singh, SGPC secretaries Harbeant Singh and Ranvir Singh, additional secretaries Major Singh and Gurdarshan Singh, deputy secretary Tarlochan Singh, Angrez Singh, Dilbagh Singh and Harbhajan Singh Manawa, chief gurdwara inspector Sukhdev Singh Bhura Kohna, in charge and assistant in charge of the Publicity Department Ram Singh and Iqbal Singh Mukhi, accountant Harinderpal Singh, members of the Dharam Prachar Committee, staff of the SGPC and hundreds of devotees were among those present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Congress workers, led by Baljinder Singh Thande, working president, District Congress Committee (Rural), paid floral tributes to late Indira Gandhi at its office.

Addressing the workers, he said Indiraji had made the supreme sacrifice for the security and integrity of the country. Hundreds of Congressmen, including office-bearers of DCC (Urban and Rural), were also present.

Gurdaspur: To mark the martyrdom late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Congressmen observed it as Sankalp Diwas by organising a function at the office of the District Congress Committee (DCC) here on Friday.

Raman Bahl, secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), along with other leaders, administered the oath of solidarity, non-violence and tolerance.

Speaking on the occasion, Khushhal Bahl, former education minister, Punjab, called upon people to work for the welfare of mankind and eliminate violence with full force.

Ludhiana, October 31
Finally, the human resource development ministry is understood to have recommended the establishment of an autonomous national institute for studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Amritsar as announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to that city in 2004 to participate in the celebrations of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib. The matter has been hanging fire for a long time.

A meeting was held in the ministry with R.P. Aggarwal, secretary, Education, in the chair last week to review the latest position with regard to the establishment of the proposed institute. It was also attended by the chairman, UGC, vice-chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr Jai Rup Singh, and Anjali Bhawra, secretary, Higher Education, Punjab.

Dr Jai Rup Singh is understood to have told the meeting that the proposal for the establishment of a centre of excellence in Guru Granth Studies was meaningless in view of the fact that the university was already running a full-fledged department of Guru Nanak Studies, which had been recognised as a department of special assistance. Such a step was likely to negate the very purpose of the announcement made by the Prime Minister.

All expert committees set up by the ministry and the UGC had recommended the establishment of an autonomous national institute for studies in Guru Granth Sahib to honour the commitment of the Prime Minister. The latest committee was headed by Prof G.K. Chadha, former vice-chancellor, JNU.

The Guru Nanak Dev University authorities made it clear that the university had given 10 acres of prime land for the institute. They appealed to the ministry not to drag its feet on the issue.

Dr Jai Rup Singh said here yesterday that he had written a letter to the Prime Minister giving the details of the deliberations held so far and the steps taken by the university for the establishment of the institute.

Anjali Bhwra, secretary, higher education, also confirmed that the stand of the state government was made clear at the meeting that nothing short of a national institute for studies in Guru Granth Sahib would be acceptable.

Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, former pro vice-chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, said the proposed institute would study the “bani” of the Gurus and bhaktas so as to highlight the interfaith harmonious relationship among various communities.

Amritsar, October 31
The Punjabi-dominated city of Bakersfield in California has offered to actively participate in development activities of the holy city. Residents of Bakersfield have proposed to donate two modern sweeping machines for the high-tech cleaning process for the city. Main architect of the city-sister concept Nazar Singh, NRI settled in the USA, said during the visit of Amritsar mayor Shwet Malik, the large Indian community had offered to contribute liberally for improving the infrastructure and cleanliness drive to make the city of the Golden Temple beautiful and clean.

Malik said it was indeed a noble gesture on the part of the rich Indian diaspora living abroad to raise funds for the place of their birth. He said this concept of partnership would establish and strengthen strong bonds between people.

Earlier, mayor of Bakersfield Harvey L. Hall, along with his delegation, said they were very keen to cement the relationship between the two cities and he had submitted a proposal to crystallise the sister-city status with Amritsar. He hoped that during the next visit of Malik to Bakersfield, they would be able to sign a memorandum of understanding on this issue.

Addressing a gathering during a public reception at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, in the historic Ram Bagh Garden, he said it was the cherished desire of people of Bakersfield to set up this process for mutual benefits. He said after the MoU was properly signed they would be able to exchange visits of children, professionals and cultural troupes to cement the relationship. He said they would consider various proposals being put up by his counterpart in Amritsar to establish a joint mechanism in various fields to mutually beneficial to both cities.

Later, both mayors, along with counsellors and members of the American delegation, jointly took part in sweeping the Rambagh Garden. Malik said he, along with his staff, would undertake a proper cleaning process to make city one of the most beautiful in the country.

Chandigarh, October 31
Litigation involving the Punjab government is on the rise, apparently because of the bureaucrats shying away from using their “elbow room discretion” and “passing the buck” instead of taking decisions. As the office of the advocate-general finds itself overwhelmed with more cases than it can handle, the advocate-general has finally hit out at the bureaucracy, accusing it of having an “indifferent and callous attitude”, leading to minor issues ending in court.

According to a letter received by the Chief Minister’s Office and also sent to the chief secretary, DGP, administrative secretaries and heads of departments, the office of the advocate-general has pointed out the chief secretary, DGP and administrative secretaries are shying away from taking appropriate decisions and when the matter ends in court, the officials still don’t file replies expeditiously making it difficult to “defend the interest of the state”.

Mattewal has told Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that when cases are not pursued properly (due to lack of support from the departments concerned) the courts are left with no choice but to summon senior officers of the departments. This, he says, is particularly true of departments like Education, Irrigation, Local Government, Panchayats, Police and Bridges and Roads (B&R). The office of the advocate-general feels that bureaucrats are referring minor issues to the AG Office and not resolving minor issues at their own level, thereby burdening the AG Office with unwarranted extra work.

“Matters that could have been resolved at the department level have been sent to the AG Office on the recommendation of subordinate officer so as to avoid taking responsibility for decisions”. The AG Office feels that it should only be involved after head of the department records an opinion with observations as to why the decision cannot be taken at the administrative level.

In a hard-hitting observation the office has told the Chief Minister that a number of PILs are filed wherein the only prayer is to ask the officer concerned to discharge his duty. While at the same time there are a number of cases filed in courts where the prayer is only to ask the officer concerned to decide the representation pending with that authority. All this, Mattewal says, is “avoidable litigation”.

Under the given circumstances, the AG Office finds itself overburdened with work and at the same time understaffed. While seeking more staff, the AG has also asked the CM to call a meeting of senior state functionaries to seek their cooperation in streamlining the functioning of the legal work for protection of the “state’s interest in courts”.

Hazur Sahib, October 31
Two-day Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa Sports Festival, being held here to commemorate the tercentenary of Gurta Gaddi Diwas of Guru Granth Sahib, featured Maharashtra’s traditional game malkhamb and Sikh martial art today. Malkhamb is like acrobatic exercises, once displayed by bazigars in Punjab.

Local residents thronged the festival site to witness a spectacular show of Punjab’s martial art and kabaddi and wrestling of East and West Punjab (Pakistan).

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal declared the festival open by unfurling the flag and the entire stadium, named after Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh, thundered with the slogans of “Bole so nihal”.

Addressing the gathering, Badal said the sports played an important role in the development of one’s personality. He averred that the great Sikh Gurus emphasised upon the significance of games along with other aspects of life.

On the occasion, a colourful march past by the players and traditionally dressed Nihang Singhs was a sight to watch. Students of Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, presented a show of folk orchestra based on Punjabi folk instruments and tunes.

President of the SGPC Avtar Singh said the committee, along with the management of gurdwaras and its educational institutions, had resolved to promote sports and set up needed infrastructure. He said every possible effort would be made to popularise the traditional martial arts of gatka, nejabazi and horse riding among the Sikh youth.

President of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal declared that a kabbadi league would be started in Punjab and the first world kabaddi tournament would be held. The team standing first, second and third would be awarded a cash prize of Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh respectively.

Sikh players of international repute, Bishan Singh Bedi (cricket), Onkar Singh (hockey) and G.S. Sandhu (boxing coach), were honoured with a cash award of Rs 51,000, a citation and memento each. Kanwarjit Singh Sandhu, a leading industrialist and owner of Sandhu Group of Companies, was presented token of appreciation for his contribution to the event.

Indian Punjab kabaddi team defeated the Pakistani team in the opening match by a thin margin of 5 points.

Jalandhar, October 31
Secretary-general of the SAD Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said today that the administration of the union territory of Chandigarh had no right to make any major changes in the character and the landscape of City Beautiful because it was a disputed territory and Punjab had a claim over it.

Dhindsa said the administration was just a custodian of the city. It had not been mandated to plan big projects such as medical city and mega townships in Chandigarh, he added. Dhindsa said he would write to the Prime Minister urging him to stop the administration from making any change in the character of the city till a decision was taken to transfer it to Punjab.

The SAD leader said both Punjab and Haryana had staked claim to this city that was built as capital of Punjab. “Without taking Punjab and Haryana governments into confidence, the UT administration should not plan even small projects for the city till the issue of its transfer to Punjab is resolved,” said Dhindsa. It should be left to Punjab to decide that how the city was to be developed because sooner or later it would be transferred to the state, he said.

Moreover, the administration should follow the Punjab land acquisition policy because earlier it was following almost all Punjab laws relating to the Cooperative Department, Revenue and other matters.

He said farmers, whose land was to be acquired, should be given market price plus 30 per cent displacement allowance. A committee of elected representatives of people, including the MP of Chandigarh and the mayor, should be key members of the committee that should be set up to acquire the land for even smallest of the projects.

He said the farmers, whose land was to be acquired, should be made stakeholders in all projects. 

Sangrur, October 31
A deputation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), led by state general secretary of the party Jeet Singh Alloarkh, on Wednesday submitted a memorandum, regarding alleged over-weighing of paddy at the time of procurement in grain markets, to additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Indu Malhotra. The deputation demanded action against the “erring” arhtiyas.

Alloarkh said a team of the SAD (A), including district president of the party Harjit Singh Sajuma and district president of the kisan wing of the party Avtar Singh Kular, toured some grain markets during the past few days to know the problems of farmers and check “fleecing” of paddy growers in grain markets.

Chandigarh, October 31
The director-general of police (DGP), Punjab, today ordered constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged registration of a false case of extortion by the Kapurthala police against Ashwani Malhotra, a private news channel reporter.

The DGP ordered constitution of a special investigation team under the supervision of the inspector-general of police, zonal Jalandhar, Sanjiv Kalra, after Malhotra’s wife and other family members met him at his office in Punjab Police Headquarters in Sector 9, here, this afternoon. A delegation of mediapersons also accompanied the family.

Earlier, during the day, Malhotra’s wife Madhu Malhotra, while addressing mediapersons at the Chandigarh Press Club, alleged that her husband was made a victim at the behest of a private educational institute.

Ashwani was covering a gang rape case committed in the institute and the management of the institute wanted to hush up the matter with the connivance of the local police. Initially, they tried to bribe him, failing which they implicated him in a case of extortion and blackmailing, she said.

She further alleged that the police completely ignored existing rules and laws and arrested her husband without informing them. He was picked up from outside his residence, when he came back home at 11 pm on October 27. The entire night the family was unaware about his whereabouts and came to know only in the morning.

Meanwhile, a local human rights activist lodged a complaint with the Punjab Human Rights Commission, Chandigarh, alleging that Malhotra was arrested illegally with any compliance of Section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The commission has given November 5 as date for issuing order on the complaint.

The victim’s family had also sent a fax message to Union home minister Shivraj Patil to apprise him about the issue.

The family would also move the court for contempt of court proceeding against the accused.

Chandigarh, October 31
The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) today asked the director, Health Services and Family Welfare, Punjab and Chandigarh, to submit a report regarding a news item that appeared in a Hindi daily.

It is mentioned in the news item that although the government proclaimed that every medical facility was being provided to the patients, yet the doctors posted in dispensaries being run in the villages under the control of zila parishads were often found absent. That was why this facility seemed to have remained unsuccessful.

The commission took suo motu cognizance of the matter and called for the report from the director, Health Services and Family Welfare, Punjab, Chandigarh, by December 16.

Meanwhile, the PSHRC has also asked the deputy commissioner (DC), Bathinda, and DPI Schools, Punjab, to submit a report after cognizance of a news article wherein it was stated that classrooms had been converted in to toilets in a school in Bathinda.

The news report stated that the ground of the Govt. Girls School, Bathinda, was reserved for the cracker sellers on the eve of Diwali and necessary permission was granted by the local administration. Before leaving, they caused damage to the furniture of the school.

Not only that, the classrooms were turned into toilets, which were stinking. When after the Diwali holidays, the girl students entered the classrooms, they returned to their homes, as it was not possible for them to sit and study there.

Due to this very reason, the prayer in the school could not be held.

The case is adjourned to December 17.

Chandigarh, October 31
Ferozepur senior superintendent of police (SSP) will now look into allegations of official record tampering levelled against Punjab irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon and others in a land matter.

Taking up a petition filed by Ferozepur district resident Chanan Singh, Justice Sham Sunder of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the SSP to dispose of a representation filed in the matter by the petitioner.

Justice Sunder observed the petitioner had sought directions to the SSP for initiating legal action against Sekhon and others for tampering with the official record in connivance with each other.

Justice Sunder added the petitioner had asserted a representation dated October 13 was pending before the SSP and directions be issued to him to dispose it of by passing a speaking order.

“In view of the matter, Ferozepur SSP is directed to dispose of the representation by passing a well reasoned speaking order in accordance with the provisions of law within a period of two months from the date of receipt of the order’s certified copy”.

Describing himself as a Congress supporter, Chanan Singh had claimed he had earned the minister’s wrath as he had opposed him during the elections. In order to take revenge from him, the minister hired the services of two supporters.

An attempt was made to take forcible possession of 144 kanals belonging to the petitioner. A suit was also filed. When they failed on the front of civil litigation, an application was filed for correction of “khasra girdwari” of the land in the petitioner’s possession. For the purpose, the minister used his influence, the counsel for the petitioner alleged.

Initially, the application was turned down and “rejected” was written on it, but under the minister’s pressure, the same was later accepted, the counsel said, adding that the petitioner subsequently forwarded the representation for legal action against Sekhon and others. 

COURTS

High Court
Relief for Barjinder
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 31
The CBI today undertook not to arrest Punjab’s former minister Tota Singh’s son Barjinder Singh in the Moga sex scam till November 4.

Taking a note of the undertaking given in the open court by CBI counsel Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Justice M.M.S. Bedi fixed November 4 as the next date of hearing. Barjinder Singh was present during the proceedings.

The arguments remained inconclusive due to paucity of time. As the case came up, the counsel contended the petitioner had filed application for regular bail before the appropriate court in pursuance to Supreme Court directions on October 13 and October 24.

Explosives’ destruction

Dissatisfied over the delay in destroying explosives lying at the container freight station of the central customs at Ludhiana, Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Jasbir Singh directed Union of India and Army authorities to take immediate steps for its destruction to prevent mishap.

Norms violation

High Court directed Central Pollution Control Board to constitute a committee to find out and report if Punjab Meats Limited (PML) in Dera Bassi was violating pollution control norms.

Dr A.S. Bindra, chairman and managing director of the unit, was present in the court.