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SGPC performs ardas for ‘84 riot victims
CM announces setting up of memorial
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PSEB extends term of adviser despite dissent
Raising of stock limits helps improve BJP-SAD ties
Infighting surfaces within Congress
India needs global standards of pharmacy skills: Expert
Improvement in fiscal health of urban local bodies sought
Singla for institute to tackle cancer in Malwa
Programme for cancer-detection tests demanded
Students demand elections in Pbi varsity
Governing body of YPS alumni assn reconstituted
‘Declare 2010 as heritage preservation year’
Plea for abolition of death penalty
Vulgar Punjabi Songs
VB continues drive to nab corrupt officials
Award for DIG’s book
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SGPC performs ardas for ‘84 riot victims
Amritsar, November 8 Interestingly, though, the SGPC had not participated in the November 3 Punjab bandh, organised by an array of panthic organisations like the Dal Khalsa, the SAD (Amritsar) and various factions of the AISSF, the Dal Khalsa general secretary Bhai Kanwarpal Singh turned up to take part in the SGPC-organised ardas at Gurdwara Jhanda-Bunga. Office-bearers and workers of other organisations like the Sant Samaj, Damdami Taksal, Singh Sabhas and Nihang outfits also prayed for the success of the struggle going on for the past more than 25 years. While the SGPC had started akhand path in various gurdwaras across the region on November 6, the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had exhorted people of the country and all right-minded people of the world to assemble at their nearest religious places on November 8 to pray and seek speedy delivery of justice to 1984 riot victims. He had also given a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission in this regard. The ardas at Gurdwara Jhande-Bunge was performed after bhog of the akhand path at around 8 am while the jatha of the Hazoori Raagi Bhai Gagandeep Singh rendered kirtan. The SGPC chief Avtar Singh thanked various Sikh organisations for extending their support for the cause of the victims and their families. He announced that the ongoing peaceful struggle for the cause of the victims would continue till justice was accorded to them and their families. Ardas was also held in a number of other gurdwaras across the region. Umesh Dewan adds from Patiala: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has announced that a state-level committee would be constituted for 1984 riots victims under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal. Sukhbir, who was in the city for a collective prayer at Gurdwara Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib, said: “The SAD would provide best possible legal aid to the members of the families of the victims to take the criminal cases to their logical end and ensure justice for all.” The Deputy CM lambasted the Congress for not regretting the involvement of its party members in inciting the mob to kill thousands of Sikhs. Sukhbir said: “It is callousness that even after 25 years, no one has been brought to justice.” He added that even after the Nanawati Commission’s recommendations, the present government is not granting sanctions for trials in the cases registered against Congress leaders. Launching scathing attacks on the CBI, junior Badal said under pressure of its political master, nation’s premier investigation agency was also bent upon to scuttle the legal procedure. He pointed out that even most of the police and civil officials, who were charged with dereliction of duty and offering protection to the attackers, were not only exonerated but also given out of turn promotions. Badal demanded that in order to ensure justice, the UPA government should re-open all cases. Earlier, after the Akhand Path, Shabad Kirtan was organised. The head Granthi of the Gurdwara performed Ardas for early justice to the families of the victims of 1984’s Sikh carnage and peace to the departed souls.
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CM announces setting up of memorial
New Delhi, November 8 Separately, he announced the setting up of a world-class heritage memorial in the national capital as a tribute to the riot victims. Participating in an ardas to mark the 25th anniversary of the riots at a gurdwara in Greater Kaliash Part-II, Badal sought personal intervention of President Pratibha Patil and the Prime Minister to set up special courts to provide speedier justice to the victims of 1984 genocide of the Sikhs. “It is a slur on the fair name of the world’s largest democracy and a mockery of the human rights as the victims of the carnage have been denied justice even after 25 years,’’ Badal said as he urged the National Human Rights Commission to intervene. He alleged, “We have no faith in the Congress government” and went on to question Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying “why he was silent on non-filing of chargesheet against the guilty?” The Punjab Chief Minister said “perpetrators of the worst-ever pre-meditated crime against the Sikhs were still moving scot-free and this had demoralised the entire Sikh community in general and the affected victims of the 1984 massacre in
particular”. Badal described the riots as the “third ghallughara” in Sikh history. ‘Ghallughara’ is a term used for a holocaust. In Sikh history, two such references are made for separate events in the 18th century. The SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal had jointly given a call for observing Ardas Divas in the memory of the victims of the 1984 carnage. The Ardas Divas, observed worldwide, marks the 25th anniversary of the 1984 tragedy.
Badal had specially flew into the Capital last night to join the Sikh community in prayers as it was in New Delhi that the major part of the tragedy had taken place. Later talking to the newsmen, Chief Minister’s Media Adviser Harcharan Bains said the Punjab government was also likely to consider building a memorial in the state.
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PSEB extends term of adviser despite dissent
Chandigarh, November 8 According to sources, Jolly’s extension was initiated by the secretariat one day before a scheduled meeting of whole time members (WTMs) recently. Even though one member refused to sign the circular listing the proposed extension, the case was put up in a subsequent meeting of the WTMs without listing it on the agenda. With the dissenting member not being present, the issue was discussed and later recorded as approved. The PSEB Engineers Association has protested against what it calls the “violation” of the board rules. The association, in a letter to the board, said under the board regulations, if one or more members refused to sign a proposal put up in circulation to the WTMs, the same could be discussed at a meeting of the full board in which government nominees were also present. It said the decision taken by WTMs was also against the March 2009 decision of the full board not to appoint or extend the tenure of reemployed officers. The association has claimed that the latest extension was done without bringing the matter before the full board despite the fact that four full board meetings were held in the past one and a half months. It said this happened despite the board knowing the officer’s term was ending on October 31. The association also claimed that all cases having additional financial liability on the board or involving legal issues were required to be examined by the legal/finance wings before the same were put up to the board along with their views. However, it said the extension of Jolly was decided without getting views of any of these wings. The association claimed that Jolly was appointed in October 2007 on a plea that the incumbent Chief Engineer needed some time to get familiar with job. However, it said after completion of a one-year term, the officer was given one more year extension. It said during this time, the board “conveniently” posted chief engineers, who were on the verge of retirement, to the post. Seven Chief Engineers have headed this department in the past two years. The System Operation Organisation is one of the most important and sensitive departments of the board because it is handling not only power procurement of over Rs 6,000 crore annually, but is also responsible for an optimum utilisation of available power to reduce power cuts as well as power purchase bill. Even a saving of single paise per unit on power procurement means a saving of Rs 15 crore per year. Board Chairman HS Brar said the decision for extending Jolly’s services was within the competency of the WTMs. He said no rules had been bent to accommodate Jolly, but refused to comment further on the issue.
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Raising of stock limits helps improve BJP-SAD ties
Chandigarh, November 8 Though the Centre has asked the states to fix limits to check spiralling prices of essential commodities, including edible oils, rice and pulses, the “comfortable” limits notified by the state government has actually helped the BJP cajole the ruffled feathers of its political mass base, comprising mainly traders. Punjab did not have any prescribed limits on stocks till now, but the new limits have been fixed under the Punjab Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention Order, 1977. The fixation of stock had become essential to keep black-marketing under check. According to a notification of the state government for fixing of stock limits for rice, pulses and edible oils, the dealers will now been able to keep an inventory of 5,000 quintals, while the retailers will be allowed to stock 500 quintals. For all types of pulses, the government has allowed the wholesalers and distributors to stock up to 10,000 quintals. The limit for retailers has been fixed at 500 quintals. In case of edible oils and hydrogenated vegetable oils the wholesalers will now be permitted to stock 1,000 quintals and retailer 40 quintals. Director, Food and Supply, DS Grewal said Punjab had initially adopted the Haryana pattern, but then to keep the limits realistic, the quantity was increased. About a year ago, the price of essential commodities like sugar being sold to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at Rs 13.50 per kilo was very close to the price of Rs 14 per kilo in the open market. Once the prices of sugar started to see an upward trend, Punjab and other states conducted raids on big traders across the state and in one such raid, the department of food and supply seized 97,000 bags of sugar. The raids had led to strain between the SAD and the BJP, but with stock limits at the notified levels, BJP is happy. The Secretary, Food, Government of India, will hold a meeting through video conferencing with the secretaries of different states. Consequently, the move of fixing stock limits, at the instance of the Centre was aimed at checking prices, but it has helped improve the strained relations between the SAD and the BJP.
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Infighting surfaces within Congress
Sangrur, November 8 At a press conference held to appoint three new office-bearers, Bhattal alleged that a membership drive being carried out by loyalist of the Captain and his relative Arvind Khanna and appointment of new office-bearers was null and void as Khanna was incompetent to do so. Bhattal said it was the district Congress president, Surinder Pal Singh Sibia, who could appoint office-bearers. “Sibia, being the district party president, is authorised to appoint office-bearers,” Bhattal told mediapersons while appointing two district general secretaries and district president of the Congress Committee (Trade and Industries Cell). However, refuting the allegations, Khanna said, “It is the state president of the Punjab Youth Congress who is appointing office-bearers in Sangrur.” Raising questions over today’s appointment of office-bearers, another loyalist of the Captain’s group assailed the Bhattal group and asked, “How can they announce new office-bearers when the membership drive is still on?” However, responding to a question, Sibia said, “It is an old process.”
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Banasar Bagh set to regain its lost glory
Sangrur, November 8 It had, in fact, converted into a bushy forest area where no one dared to tread even in the daytime, but due to this initiative, this heritage site is regaining its glory. According to the Right to Information (RTI), even as the government spent Rs 46 lakh for the renovation of the garden a few years ago, it failed to give an uplift to the garden. However, the initiative by the NGOs, which had launched an “apna bagh aap savaro” campaign to restore the lost glory of this heritage site a few days ago, has successfully managed to give it a facelift. To ensure transparency in spending money on the renovation work, the NGOs have pasted cashbook details of the expenditure on one of the walls. What is more startling is the fact that even as the government had spent Rs 46.84 lakh on the renovation and beautification of this garden, cash details of the NGOs reveal that they have done 75 per cent of the cleaning work for about Rs 13,000 with the whole work costing about Rs 15,000. “We don’t get funds for the renovation work from any government agency, but we are stimulating residents to adopt various parts of the garden for long-term maintenance,” said Fateh Prabhakar, President of the Banasar Bagh Welfare
association. “We are focusing on the sustained cleaning of the garden and allotting different areas of the garden to the people for maintenance,” he added. Many local residents have come forward to donate money while some have adopted various parts of the garden for maintenance.“We are pasting cashbook details of the money spent to ensure transparency in the process”, said Kamal Anand, member of the PFT. “This initiative has started bearing results with the garden regaining its past glory”, said Kapil Mittal, a resident of Patiala gate. Meanwhile, the former MLA and Chairman of the Umeed Foundation, an NGO, Arvind Khanna, has also adopted a part of the garden for renovation and repair.
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India needs global standards of pharmacy skills: Expert
Moga, November 8 These views were expressed by field experts and scientists at a two-day conference of the Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association (IPGA) that concluded here today. It focused on the overview of formulation technologies in the drug industry, future of innovation in drug formulations, issues faced in aligning drug formulation, exploring integrated business-network of the industries and determining viability of current research into emerging areas of formulation technology in relation to nano technology. B. Suresh, president of the Pharmacy Council of India and Vice-Chancellor of JSS University, Mysore, said renowned multinational companies were willing to establish their industries in India provided they got good scientists. “Although pharmacy skills are present in the country, but carrier opportunities are less and the council is facing the challenge to meet global standards,” he said, adding that the council had also introduced Doctorate Degree in Pharmacy on specialised topics that was a step forward to improve research and educational standards in pharmacy. “The main objective is to develop better carrier opportunities for pharmacists in the country.” Dr SP Vyas, professor from HS Gaur Viswavidyalaya, Sagar; Dr N Ganesh research scientist of JN Cancer Hospital, Bhopal; Dr DB Sridhar of Ranbaxy Laboratories, Mohali; and Dr OP Katare, professor in UIPS, Panjab University, Chandigarh; presented their papers on “Design of novel therapeutics formulations for targeted delivery of drugs, proteins and genetic materials”. UD Gupta, director of JALMA, Agra; Prof M Ramesh of JSS University, Mysore; Dr Shivaprasad, MD of Synchron Research Services Private Limited, Ahmadabad; and Prof Pramil Tiwari of NIPER, Mohali; also presented their papers on “Individualisation of therapeutics and clinical pharmacy”. Technical Education Minister Chaudhary Swarna Ram inaugurated the conference and released a book “Nobel drug delivery system” written by Professor RSR Murthy. Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University Rajneesh Arora was also present on the occasion. A cultural extravaganza was also organised.
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Improvement in fiscal health of urban local bodies sought
Patiala, November 8 Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that on October 21, 2009, chairman of the Fourth Finance Commission RS Mann has shot of letters in this regard, wherein the chairman has sought detailed suggestions, pertaining to the above-mentioned matter, within a period of one month. The commission has also drafted a seven-page questionnaire in this regard and all those from whom suggestions had been sought, have been instructed to fill the questionnaire. “Send your suggestions, so that necessary steps can be initiated to increase the income of the ULB/PRI and to make them self dependent. Based on your suggestions, Commission will make its recommendations”, reads the letter, a copy of which is with The Tribune. The letter further mentioned that response to related questions should be specific and concise, duly supported by facts and figures. “For the government departments and Public Sector Undertaking, it is expected of them to answer all questions pertaining to them,” the questionnaire mentioned. Taxation Powers, Octroi, House Tax (Property Tax), water supply and sewerage, devolution of state resources, accounting and audits are some of the core areas, regarding which the commission has sought suggestion. From total of three dozen questions, some of the questions asked by the commission include, “Are ULB and PRIs making satisfactory collection and achieving desired levels of recovery of all taxes, duties, fees, and cess etc at present levied? Should house tax continue to be levied on the basis of annual rental value? Should full cost of operation and maintenance of water supply and sewerage be recovered from all the consumers. Do you think privatisation of construction of civil infrastructure like roads, bridges and flyovers, streets, water supply and sewerage etc. will lead to lower costs, reduce construction period and improve quality of work?”
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Singla for institute to tackle cancer in Malwa
Chandigarh, November 8 Singla, in a representation to the Prime Minister yesterday, said the Malwa region lacked proper health and educational facilities and that Sangrur, which was in the Malwa heartland, was ideal for the setting up of a premier healthcare institution. Singla said a pilot project for starting the “Rural MBBS” scheme in India could also be opened alongside the institute so that the aim of ensuring that doctors served in the rural areas after their MBBS degree was also realised. The Sangrur MP said on the education front there was a need to sanction a rural university which would specialise in programmes in rural economics. He said since the focus of the university would be on rural development, the students of the university would be able to contribute to the development of the area after graduating. Singla also said that central public sector undertakings (PSUs) could be urged to establish manufacturing facilities in the constituency to create much-needed job opportunities. He also said the Centre should come forward to fund railway overbridges in the constituency. The memorandum brought to the notice of the Prime Minister the depleting water table in the constituency. It said urgent steps needed to be taken to ensure sustainable development of the area and that the government needed to support farmers with research on viable options, including the establishment of food-processing parks, to make use of the huge quantities of vegetables produced in the area.
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Programme for cancer-detection tests demanded
Patiala, November 8 While confirming that the CCI has taken up the issue with the Union Government, secretary-general of the CCI Karam Vir Karam told The Tribune, “We have already sent a letter to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in this regard.” Karam Vir further said that there were more deaths every hour due to cancers that are preventable as compared to all deaths put together due to H1N1, dengue, malaria etc. The letter sent by the CCI to Health Minister further mentions, “The law banning tobacco smoking and spitting of tobacco phlegm/saliva should be made more stringent and its implementation in true spirit should be ensured. Vaccine for cervical cancer should be made available to masses at affordable cost.” Besides, the CCI has also suggested that for comprehensive cancer-detection tests, done annually for males and females, the Union Health Ministry should design a programme. “The government should make all-out efforts to equip all government hospitals with cancer detection and treatment apparatus. All waiting lists for cancer treatment at all major hospitals should be pruned,” reads the letter, in which the CCI has expressed its concern over the increasing deaths due to cancer. Meanwhile, the CCI has also announced that they have launched another project to undertake a cancer-specific Public Health Survey on November 7.
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Students demand elections in Pbi varsity
Patiala, November 8 On one hand the universities are trying really hard to turn these students into responsible citizens and on the other they are denied the basic right of being in power and fighting for injustices against them. Recent incident of illegal detention of a research scholar Sewak Singh for almost a week and now, the manhandling of the students by the Punjab police cops on the day when the Punjab bandh was declared to protest alleged inaction against the 1984 riots have shaken the students. Sandeep Singh, a student of the university, said: “It is really strange that the university-level students are being treated like this. Absence of elections is the main reason behind this. The universities that conduct student polls are thousand times better because every student has a say there. But in our university, we have to rely on our authorities for everything
and sometimes important issues are left unaddressed.” “I think elections are very important for every university. I have friends in Punjab University, Chandigarh, and they often tell me how their university president is always there to help them. The recent incident of manhandling few students of the university, despite the fact that they were protesting peacefully is shameful. I am sure that if we had our council, no one would have dared to touch them,” said another girl from MBA. Not only this, there main concern was that the students do not even unite together for a genuine cause. There are various student organisations in the university, but none of them is strong because they are
not the elected representatives, added Navdeep Singh. Party president of Student Organisation of Punjab University, Chandigarh, Barider Dhillon too, expressed grief over the incidents in Punjabi University. He said, “The Lyngodh Committee recommendations adopted by Supreme Court clearly indicate that elections are an integral part of the university for a democratic set up. They are trying to implement it in all universities, but the students, too, must take some initiative. Elections not only provide a proper channel for representation, but also smoothens the communication between authorities and students. Students do not even realise their strength until they are united.”
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Governing body of YPS alumni assn reconstituted
Patiala, November 8 As per the letter signed by him, the new body would be presided by Union Minister and Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, whereas IPS officer Dinkar Gupta has been named as the vice-president for two-year term. The other office bearers of AYOSA include Rupinder Garg (secretary), Reetinder Sidhu (joint secretary) and Gurvir Singh Jaijee (treasurer). Apart from them, Amarjit Sagar, Jagjiwan Gill, Tejpreet S Sandhu, Amardeep S Natt and Preetinder Sidhu have been nominated as executive members.
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‘Declare 2010 as heritage preservation year’
Chandigarh, November 8 This was the consensus following deliberations after hosting the Sikh heritage memorial lecture by Prof Gurbachan Singh Bachan, former Professor of Guru Nanak Dev University and Secretary-General of the SGPC here yesterday. The scholar further explained that heritage consists of the spiritual, intellectual, economic and political achievements of the people in the past, which helped in evolution to higher stages of excellence. Prof Gurbax Singh Shergill, president of the foundation, in his inaugural welcome address stated that any community or people who forget or neglect their heritage are bound to be lost under the layers of history. Dr SS Bhatti, former Principal, College of Architecture, Chandigarh, explained the need for celebrating the year 2010 as Heritage Awareness Year, and explained the need of linking heritage with the welfare of the people. Eminent Sikh historians Dr Kirpal Singh and Dr Darshan Singh besides former bureaucrat K S Sidhu and former chief conservator P L Kaler also spoke.
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Plea for abolition of death penalty
Patiala, November 8 Speaking at a function organised by the Punjab Sikh Council here to mobilise public opinion for the abolition of the death
sentence. Justice Bains maintained that since 1985, over 50 countries had abolished death penalty. He said according to an estimate of the Amnesty International, in 2005, at least 2,148 prisoners were executed in 22 countries and 5,186 were sentenced to death in 53 countries. The second optional protocol to the international covenant on civil and political rights provides for the total abolition of the death penalty. Advocate Barjinder Singh Sodhi said the world coalition against the death penalty was signed on October 10, 2003, and this function had been organised to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the signing of the coalition. Sodhi said in India, there were 40 cases of death penalty pending as their mercy petitions were still to be decided. ASR Gilani from Delhi University, Amar Singh Chahal and other members of the council were also present on
the occasion.
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Vulgar Punjabi Songs
Jalandhar, November 8 “We are holding a convention of the working women forum at Ludhiana on November 13. An action programme would be announced there if the government failed to take any step against those dishing out vulgarity, promoting violence and drinking through Punjabi folk songs,” said Gurcharan Kaur Kochhar, president of the Ludhiana unit of the sabha. Meanwhile, Jagdev Singh Jassowal, promoter of the Punjabi folk culture, said: “Some folk singers and lyrists are caught in the trap laid by so-called entertainment commercial companies with the objective of ruining the Punjabi culture,” Jassowal alleged, adding that with collective efforts by writers, cultural activists and others, such a trend could be curbed. Sarbjit Singh Virdi, president of the Moga unit of Punjabi Folk Singers’ Sabha, said his organisation condemned those folk songs in which women were shown in bad light. He added that there was an immediate need to take strong steps to check the pollution of Punjabi
culture.
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VB continues drive to nab corrupt officials
Chandigarh, November 8 Disclosing this here today, Rajinder Singh, SP-cum-Joint Director (Administration), said last month, the bureau caught several officials red- handed while accepting bribes. He said these included revenue officials and two gazetted officers namely Inderpal Singh, Registrar, Beant Engineering and Technology College, Gurdaspur, and Prem Chand Gupta, DEO, Nawan Shahr. Giving further details, he added that special courts had sentenced 15 accused, including one gazetted officer and 12 non-gazetted officers, and two private persons after finding them guilty for one year to two years imprisonment with fines in 13 different vigilance cases.
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Award for DIG’s book
Bathinda, November 8 He has also been actively engaged in de-addiction among the youth in the Malwa belt. He has also produced short films on the problem of drug abuse.
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