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Badal upholds Kalia’s objection
Bid to revive terrorism
Cong: CM should quit over running corrupt regime
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’84 riots: SAD to raise issue in Parliament
Make central schemes more flexible, Manpreet urges Montek
Chhat Bir Zoo
District planning panels sans work
Disappointed farmers stock PUSA 1121
PCCTU help sought on financial problems
Phone facility for prisoners soon
Use of Punjabi
Tribune staffer bereaved
Ajnala Case
Non-release of dues
Slaughterhouses
Rs 25 crore brown sugar seized
Jail inmate attempts suicide
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Funds being ‘sent by Pak-based militant’
Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service
Moga/Jagraon, November 11 According to sources, in some instances, money has been delivered to Maan Kaur, sister-in-law of Neeta, residing in Jammu. As per details available with the police, the woman was paid Rs 50,000 on August 15 outside Golden Temple by Dr Lakhvir Singh Bhakhna, another terrorist, who was arrested by the police a couple of months ago and was presently in jail. Satnam Singh, DSP (D) of the Jagraon police district, revealed to The Tribune that a special team, headed by him, had raided Maan Kaur’s house in Jammu twice early this week, but she was not available at her residence. “We have launched a hunt for her and will soon nab her,” he said. The DSP further said that money brought here through hawala was also being used for funding lawyers who were fighting cases of the terrorists. Meanwhile, yesterday’s haul of 735 gm of brown sugar by the Jagraon police has set alarm bells ringing in senior ranks of the state police and intelligence agencies.
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Cong: CM should quit over running corrupt regime
Jalandhar, November 11 Referring to the statements of BJP ministers in the media, saying that the regime was corrupt and all departments should be “raided” by the Vigilance Bureau unmindful of the fact that they were with the BJP or the Akalis, says Varinder Sharma, secretary, PCC. He said, “it is a fit case for President’s rule in Punjab since members of the cabinet had openly admitted that the regime was corrupt and there was need to cast the vigilance net far and wide”. Two senior cabinet members - Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia and Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal - and senior BJP member Balramji Dass Tandon had accepted that corruption was a way of life and nothing moved in the state without paying through the nose, he added. Not only the Akalis, but it is also a telling comment on the BJP that they were continuing in the cabinet given the stench of all pervading corruption. The people have given the alliance the mandate to provide a clean and transparent government and in keeping with this popular sentiment BJP ministers should end the alliance or resign in larger public interest, he pointed out. Incidentally, Kalia had expressed his displeasure yesterday in the media in the manner industries director V K Janjua was picked from his office without informing the former. He had also claimed that even the CM concurred with him over yesterday’s incident. Congress leaders said if this was the ground reality one could imagine the hardship faced by the masses. If ministers are candid enough of the sorry state of affairs, where is the hope for the public. The alliance is under great strain already and this incident is bound to create more problems for the alliance in the days to come, they added.
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’84 riots: SAD to raise issue in Parliament
Fazilka, November 11 He was addressing mediapersons in Lamochar Kalan village, 20 km from here, while attending a sangat darshan programme on the second day of his three-day tour of his constituency. Sukhbir alleged that it was a matter of shame that thousands of Sikh families were demanding justice and the Congress was out to foil any attempt of fair justice to them. He alleged the most shocking part was that the government and the CBI were “hand in glove” and delay by the CBI in filing chargesheets against Sajjan Kumar in four cases, which were registered in 2005, were part of a conspiracy to save the accused. The SAD chief said his party would provide legal support to the families of the victims and ensure that culprits get exemplary punishment. Sukhbir said they would ask Parliament to issue directions to the CBI to file a chargesheet against Sajjan Kumar. He said the SAD was committed to take this trial to its logical end. He said they had also sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission in this regard. On the issue of the lower price of PUSA 1121, he said the government would urge the Centre to allow a liberal export of the variety so that farmers could avail good prices for their produce. Addressing panches and sarpanches of over 35 panchayats during the programme, Sukhbir informed them about various development projects initiated by the government. He also disbursed funds for the development of villages.
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Make central schemes more flexible, Manpreet urges Montek
Jalandhar, November 11 Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, who held a lengthy meeting withthe Vice-Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia this morning, told The Tribune on the phone from Delhi that the centrally sponsored schemes were micro-managed in such a manner that the state like Punjab was left with no elbow room to implement these in its own way to attain better results. Talking about the Krishi Vikas Yojana, Manpreet said the development of agriculture had already achieved optimum level and what was required now was the post-harvest management and value-addition at the farm level in the foodgrains in the state. However, there was no provision for post-harvest management of foodgrains and value-addition through processing and upgradation of the marketing system in the Vikas Yojana. “I am happy that Ahluwalia had conceded my point with regard to the Vikas Yojana. He has agreed to make the setting up of cold chains, processing of foodgrains etc a part of the Yojana,” said Manpreet. He said the ambit and scope of the National Rural Health Mission was also required to be expanded to enable the state for better implementation of the scheme. “I urged that the states should be allowed to utilise some of the money available under the mission to provide health insurance cover to deserving and needy people. That would provide people opportunity to get themselves treated at the hospitals of their choice. The Public Private Participation (PPP) should also be allowed in the mission programmes,” said Manpreet. Ahluwalia had assured to give a free hand in the utilisation of 10 per cent of the funds to the state provided under the Mission scheme. Manpreet Singh said the funds under the mission should be provided to engage the NGO such as Roko, which was prepared to provide a bus equipped with all modern gadgets to conduct screening to identify people suffering from cancer. The NGO had sought Rs 30 lakh per bus per annum to do so. The NGO was ready to give an undertaking that it would do at least 30 mammographies and also conduct other tests. The Finance Minister has invited the Planning Commission to evaluate the telemedicine scheme launched in the Gidderbaha area of Punjab. As a pilot project, the scheme had been inaugurated recently in three villages. It is to be expanded to cover more villages.
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Chhat Bir Zoo Gurdeep Singh Mann Tribune News Service
Chhat Bir, November 11 The machines - a water purifying system and an incinerator - were installed at the zoo under a special programme by the government in all zoos of the country. However, none of the machines had been put to use since their arrival. While the water purifying machine was installed near the enclosure for hippopotamus, the incinerator was installed near the entrance to the deer safari to dispose of carcasses. The water purifier was meant to clean water in the hippopotamus pond besides other adjoining ponds. “We haven’t seen it work even once, as fresh water is filled in the pond and dirty water is drained out through the sewerage,” said an employee of the zoo on the condition of anonymity. The employees said the machine would be of no use even if it was put to use as it took hours to clean water. Also, it required a lot of money to clean water. The incinerator, too, was of no use as it needed both diesel and electricity to run on. “Apart from electricity, it consumes around 60 litre diesel to warm one of the plates of the machine. The carcasses, too, need to be cut into pieces before being put on the hot plates for disposal,” said employees of the zoo. The machines had occupied a lot of space and needed extra care if put to use. Officials from Delhi had once visited the zoo for demonstration but the zoo authorities never heard from them after that. The employees added that four new electric vehicles had been introduced in the zoo to ferry visitors. The vehicles created no noise or pollution. They said it was too early for them to gauge the response of visitors to the open vehicles. Zoo’s newly appointed director Tushar Kanti Bahera said the machines would soon be put to use.
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Pvt varsities to be brought under accreditation rules, says association
Amritsar, November 11 Talking to The Tribune, Dr Tiwari, who was here to participate in the 84th annual meeting of the AIU commencing from tomorrow at Guru Nanak Dev University here, said private universities and institutes were allowed by government with a view to provide higher education to students because there were inadequate government-run institutions. “It was observed that these private institutes, after obtaining recognition from the government, had started business tactics there by defeating the basic cause of providing education to students, that is why the accreditation policy was conceptualised”, opined Dr Tiwari. Meanwhile, he said around 180 delegates, including vice-chancellors, heads and representatives of educational statutory bodies, along with international delegates, have given their consent to participate in the meeting. Dr Tiwari said the meeting would discuss significant issues relating to higher education and problems being faced by different universities. He said the theme of the conference is “Evaluation Systems”. He added that important resolutions emanating from the zonal meetings of vice-chancellors already held earlier on the themes of Expansion of Higher Education: Challenges of Maintaining Quality (East Zone), Environmental Education: Issues and Challenges before Higher Education (North Zone), Globalisation and Impact on Higher Education (South Zone) and Quality Assessment and Accreditation in Higher Education (West Zone) would be presented for consideration for further action in the annual general body meeting of the AIU.
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Signature drive for Bhullar’s clemency kicked off
Patiala, November 11 “There are two petitions regarding which a signature campaign is being conducted. One is for Prof Bhullar and other is a joint petition for Dharmpal, Piara Singh, Sarabjeet Singh Satnam Singh and Gurdev Singh” said Parmjeet Singh Gazi, president of the SSF. The certain prima facie defects in the judgment, confirming his death sentence, form the basis for seeking clemency for Prof Bhullar are “Justice M.B. Shah, heading the three-judge bench in the Supreme Court of India, has acquitted Devinder Pal Singh, while other two judges have confirmed the death sentence,” says the petition, while building up a logic that the death sentence should not be granted in case of a split decision. Bhullar was convicted on the basis of an alleged confessional statement that was given while he was in the police custody and was not produced before magistrate for verification as was required under TADA. Moreover, Justice Shah had labelled it a “tailor-made confession” and he rejected it. Around 133 prosecution witnesses failed to corroborate with the alleged confession and even to identify Bhullar. There are other such logics too in the petition. The basis for seeking clemency for other persons are their delayed execution, prolonged confinement, physical, mental and social conditions of the convicts and their family. “This signature campaign is being conducted the world-over and the petition for signatures is also available online at Gopetition.com. We are getting good response from students and the SSF will conduct this campaign in other institutions of higher education too and all signatures be sent to the office of the President of India,” said Baljeet Singh, secretary of the SSF. The campaign in Punjabi University is being conducted by Jarman Singh, Kamaljeet Singh, Avi Goel, Jagrup Singh and others under the supervision of SSF unit president Dalbir Singh.
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District planning panels sans work
Bathinda, November 11 These views were expressed by two chairpersons of the DPCs while talking to The Tribune on the functioning and achievements of the DPCs today. Such a discontentment among chairpersons of the DPCs is a matter of concern as it shows that though the state government has provided them honour and respect by appointing them chairpersons, it “failed” in providing them powers and work. One of the main reasons behind this discontentment seems to be that no funds are being made available directly to the DPCs. Instead, the funds are being released to the departments concerned while a DPC gives only its approval to spend the same on development works and social welfare schemes. Besides, there are no directions to the DPCs with regard to the planning of development projects. Despite the constitution of the DPCs, no permanent staff has been recruited due to which the chairpersons are running their offices with employees, shifted to the DPCs, on deputation from other offices. Chairman of the Bathinda DPC Sikander Singh Maluka said today that the DPCs were not only powerless, but also without work. He urged the state government to make available development funds to the DPCs and provide permanent staff.
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Disappointed farmers stock PUSA 1121
Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 11 Investigations by the Tribune revealed that a large number of disappointed farmers, expecting revival of demand for 1121 after few months, had started stocking their produce at home. Owing to proximity to the PAU, the research institutes recommending cultivation of 1121 paddy, more farmers of this area falling under Sangrur and Ludhiana districts had sown the variety.
— OC
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PCCTU help sought on financial problems
Doraha, November 11 The federation has also requested the union to chalk out a joint strategy on the education policy of the Punjab Government at Jalandhar on November 15. The Non-government Colleges Management Federation of Punjab and Chandigarh said teacher leaders had not taken into account the genuine difficulties of the managements as far as the implementation of the revised pay scales were concerned. SC Sanwalka, president of the management federation, said the revised pay scales had been recommended by the UGC and the central government. The Punjab government had also notified the new pay scales for affiliated colleges and UGC teachers. Till date the Punjab government had not sanctioned a single penny for the payment of revised pay scales. None of the three universities of Punjab were in a position to pay the salaries in revised pay scales,” said.
— OC
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Phone facility for prisoners soon
Chandigarh, November 11 Presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of jails in the state, Jails Minister Punjab Hira Singh Gabria said this facility would be provided through PCO systems to check the illegal practice of using mobile phones by jail inmates. He said video conferencing would also be implemented in a phased manner for quick dispensation of justice. He directed jail superintendents to send details of prisoners well in time to the State Home Department so that the cases of their release could be settled within a time frame. He further said adequate medical and para-medical staff would also be recruited for hospitals of jails soon for better medical and health facilities.
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Govt flayed for making ‘false’ claims
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 11 In a statement here, they said the issue of the implementation of Punjabi in state government offices was raised by them in the state Assembly during a Call Attention Motion. They said in view of the seriousness of the matter, Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon asked Minister of Language Upinderjit Kaur to bring a resolution in the Assembly on the issue. They said the minister moved the resolution, which was seconded by Makhan Singh and unanimously adopted by the House. The Congress leaders said this made it clear that this was a unanimous decision of the House. They alleged the CM on the other hand was making hollow claims. They urged the government to honour Punjabi writer Surjit Singh Dhillon, who is publishing a magazine “Niranter Soch”.
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Tribune staffer bereaved
Ludhiana, November 11 His last rites were performed at the cremation ground of Model Town Extension, Ludhiana, and was attended by a large number of people. Kumar Lakshan Dewan, who was a noted Congress leader in his youth is known for his activities that benefitted the party in the region. He is survived by wife and two sons Umesh Dewan and Yogesh Dewan. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for Information and Public Relations expressed grief over the death.
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Ajnala Case Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 11 In its revision petition placed before Justice Mahesh Grover, the state had challenged Amritsar additional sessions judge’s order dated March 10. The judge had concluded that a prima facie case for offence punishable under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act was made out against Ajnala for framing a charge. Ajnala is facing proceedings before the trial court in a case registered on January 19, 2003, at the Amritsar Vigilance Bureau police station. It was alleged he had assets beyond known sources of income. The bureau carried out the investigation, the challan was presented and the case was entrusted to the trial court by the Amritsar sessions judge. After hearing arguments, Justice Grover asserted: “The court notices with dismay earlier orders were conveniently withheld while filing the instant revision petition, and it is only subsequently on its persistence that such orders were placed on record. “A perusal revealed on May 1, when the coordinate Bench was not having the advantage of the earlier proceedings in, it passed an order staying the framing of charge against respondent Ajnala, whereas the Division Bench had directed the trial Court on May 31, 2006, to proceed with the trial in accordance with law, but not to pronounce the final order until the decision on Parkash Singh Badal’s case is taken by the Supreme Court. “This has resulted in two contradictory orders having been passed simply because the petitioner had concealed the factum of the writ petition having been filed to which it was a party and was represented by its law officer when the order dated May 31, 2006, was passed. “It was the duty of the petitioner to have brought this order to the notice of this Bench and failure to do so is also viewed seriously and I am also of the opinion that the petitioner does not deserve any indulgence on account of concealment of facts as well. There is no ground to interfere in the impugned order and the revision petition is dismissed being devoid of any merit.”
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Non-release of dues
Chandigarh, November 11 The petitioner had retired in 2003 after serving the college for 30 years, but the college management did not release his dues arguing it had not received the grant from the state government. SSP to appear before HC
Justice Rajesh Bindal today directed Moga SSP to personally appear before the high court on November 19 to explain with what authority the DSP, conducting enquiry in a cheating case, had not arrested an accused in the case. Her anticipatory bail had been declined by the high court on September 9. The directions in this regard were issued during the hearing of a petition for anticipatory bail of Raghbir Kaur, another accused in the case.
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Slaughterhouses
Chandigarh, November 11 The Bench also asked the Punjab Pollution Control Board to initiate necessary action in case of non-compliance of the provisions for setting up of the slaughter houses.
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Rs 25 crore brown sugar seized
Jagraon, November 11 Jasbir Singh, alias Jassi, of Dhaknasu village near Rajpura of Patiala district was arrested with the help of an informer who gave a tip-off to CIA (Jagraon) in charge Tehal Singh. The CIA today interrogated the accused, who confessed to have procured the brown sugar from two residents of Jammu, identified as Safi and Gulam Rasul. The accused has revealed that he was not selling the contraband substance in retail and he was just a delivery boy to deliver the material for hefty service charges. He said he was to deliver this consignment to two persons, Vijay Kumar and Ajay Kumar. He knew their names only and nothing regarding their identities was revealed to him by the suppliers. He has also revealed that both receivers were to meet him at the bus stand and took the delivery after establishing their identities through code words. SSP, Ludhiana(Rural), Harinder Singh Chahal, however, said both suppliers, Safi and Gulam Rasul, were from Anantnag and had contacts with terrorist outfits in J&K. He said there was more probability that both were a part of the terrorist outfit and the smuggled brown sugar had entered Punjab after it was smuggled in India from Afghanistan through the passage of Pakistan and J&K. A police team has already been dispatched to J&K to nab both accused, as he suspects a major recovery of arms and counterfeit currency from both of them. Meanwhile, the police has obtained the police remand of Jasbir Singh from the Jagraon court till November 13 and the accused is being transferred to the Punjab Police Interrogation Centre, Amritsar, for further questioning.
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Jail inmate attempts suicide
Gurdaspur, November 11 Another inmate, Lakhwinder Singh, who was facing murder trial in the district courts, allegedly committed suicide here by hanging himself from the rod of a ventilator in a bathroom on the night of October 8. Information revealed that Balwinder Singh (30), minutes after consuming the poisonous substance, started complaining of pain in his stomach and after that, fell unconscious. He was taken to the local Civil Hospital for treatment. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to a hospital at Amritsar. Balkar Singh Bhullar, Deputy Superintendent Jail, said the condition of Balwinder Singh was stable and he could be discharged from the hospital anytime. He added that though a proper inquiry would be initiated into the incident, preliminary investigations revealed that Balwinder had consumed phenyl solution, used in bathrooms and cleaning floors.
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