 |
|
|
BJP claims it may take revolt to ‘logical conclusion’
Uranium in Hair Samples
Stop meddling in Sikh affairs: Badal to Cong
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
G-20 Summit
Rs 5.65-crore plan for greening Mandi Gobindgarh mooted
528 vacant posts of teacher at PAU
Chair in Master Tara Singh’s name sought
(From left) Information and Public Relations Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur and Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabria at a function to mark the birth anniversary of Master Tara Singh in Ludhiana on Thursday. Photo: Inderjeet Verma
‘Harsh Treatment’ of Landowners in Muktsar
Power cuts: Unlike urban, rural areas get respite
Impure Water At CM’s Residence
Dargah devotees throng mela
Trader booked for Rs 137-crore fraud
Hit-and-run case: Mansa cop kills one
|
|
BJP claims it may take revolt to ‘logical conclusion’
Chandigarh, June 24 According to a top BJP functionary, senior party leaders are expected to meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal tonight. The party leader, however, said this might not be enough and that “we might meet Badal sahib in the near future again”. When asked whether the next meeting might see the BJP ministers handing in their resignations, he said “everything will unfold very soon”. According to sources the state BJP has decided to take a hard stance on the “deliberate undermining” of the saffron party. Party legislators have told the state unit that they had virtually no hope of re-election in one and a half years if the present state of affairs continued. The party lost in most of its pockets in the parliamentary poll held last year. The PIDB will undertake water supply and sewerage schemes worth Rs 396 crore in Bathinda, Gidderbaha, Mansa and Ropar districts besides Dera Baba Nanak, Chamkaur Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi and Tarn Taran under the religious town category. Of this as much as Rs 216 crore will be spent in Bathinda and Mansa districts represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal in Parliament and Rs 32 crore in the Gidderbaha Assembly constituency represented by Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. The saffron party feels “cheated” by this development as it was looking for the release of funds after a mobilisation exercise conducted by the Sukhbir-Kalia committee. The committee had imposed a 10 per cent surcharge on VAT, which the BJP maintains was to be spent on development in urban local bodies. Around Rs 450 crore on account of VAT surcharge has been accumulated so far. According to the BJP despite reminders to the Finance Department by Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia, the funds on account of surcharge were still not released. Finance Minister Manpreet Badal ,when contacted, said nowhere was it written in the Sukhbir-Kalia report that surcharge on VAT would go to the Local Bodies Department. “I showed a copy of the committee report to Kalia”, he said, adding a “misunderstanding” seems to have occurred on the issue.
|
|
Centre for special children gets notice
Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service
Faridkot, June 24 The committee has been constituted under the leadership of district epidemiologist Dr Manjit Krishan Bhalla with TB officer Dr Chander Shekhar, psychiatrist Dr Gurmeet Kaur, district school health officer Dr Amritpal Singh and executive magistrate Ramesh Chander Jain as members. The team visited the centre to look into its functioning last week, but there was neither a child at that time nor any staff member or records were available. “It was lunchtime when the team visited therefore no one was available,” claimed the authorities of the centre. Due to this, Dr Bhalla issued a notice to the centre to provide within one week all records of their findings, along with details of the medical case histories of the children, audit reports of the centre, ways and methods adopted to detoxify the children from the presence of uranium with details of addresses/phone numbers of treated children, registration and certificate by the government to run this centre. Interestingly, the disclosure of uranium has not only shocked the family members of the special children, but also stunned the Central and the state government, particularly the Health Department. Earlier, the chemical tests on the hair samples of the children were conducted on the suggestion of Dr Carin Smit, a South African metal toxicologist associated with the UK-based non-governmental organisation, ‘defeat autism now’. The samples were tested at Trace Mineral, a laboratory in Germany. Head of the centre Prithpal Singh had claimed that around 80 per cent of the samples, including those from children with cerebral palsy, revealed the presence of uranium. He was of the view that there was a well-established correlation between exposure to uranium and birth defects, renal damage and several forms of cancer.
|
|
Stop meddling in Sikh affairs: Badal to Cong
Samana (Patiala), June 24 “It is not surprising, but ironical that the Congress that claims to be a secular party, is deliberately encroaching upon the jurisdiction of the Sikh religious matters by indirectly lending support to Sarna and company in the forthcoming SGPC elections,” said Badal, while addressing a public rally at Samana grain market, after laying the foundation stones of several development projects worth Rs 12 crores, here today. Badal further said the then Congress government at the Centre betrayed Punjabis by backtracking on the Rajiv-Longowal accord duly passed in the Parliament. He added that role of the Congress government in Haryana on the issue of having a separate Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the state at the behest of the Centre is highly condemnable. “The Congress should refrain from such nefarious designs, with a sole ulterior motive to sow the seeds of hatred and communal tension amongst the peace loving people of Punjab and its neighbouring state,” he said. Badal categorically said the Congress could not befool the people of Punjab, especially the Sikhs, for its dubious role in delivering justice to them on various issues, be it agriculture and industrial growth, settlement of contentious political issues, including river waters dispute, transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab. The CM stated that the Congress never bothered to make a substantial hike in MSP in view of ever-increasing costs of agricultural inputs, including diesel, fertilisers and pesticides. Later, speaking to mediapersons, Badal said issue pertaining to rationalisation of VAT on petrol and diesel would automatically be taken care of with the implementation of the General Sales Tax Act from April 1, 2011. Referring to the matter of illegal possession of shamlat land in the state, Badal said the government would soon announce a policy to rationalise the disposal of shamlat land to the best of use. Referring to the comprehensive plan to check river-water pollution in the Sirhind Canal, Beas and Satluj flowing in the state, he said an ambitious programme of Rs 2,891 crore has been finalised for cleaning of these rivers.
|
|
PM should listen to Sikh leaders, says Dhindsa
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 24 Dhindsa was in the city to attend a state- level function organised to commemorate the 126th birth anniversary of the SGPC founder-secretary, Master Tara Singh. Speaking in the context of the statements issued by the leaders of the Sikh organisations in Canada wherein they had decided to boycott and protest against Dr Manmohan Singh's visit, Dhindsa said the PM should not ‘black list’ the leaders; instead he should listen to their demands. At the same time, Dhindsa called upon the Sikh leaders in Canada to follow a disciplined way to deal with the problem. Speaking further on the issue of a “discriminatory” approach of the Centre towards Punjab and its politicians, Dhindsa said, "It is a fact the Sikh leaders who achieved eminence due to their credentials were maligned on one pretext or the other." Referring to Master Tara Singh's political career, Dhindsa said this great leader was also targeted as he was persuaded to sit on "maran vrat" (fast unto death) and then asked to call it off which marred his public image. When asked about the Punjab "river water issue", the MP said an all-party meeting had been called on June 26. "The invitation stands for the leaders of the opposition party also as the matter concerns the state at large and is above party politics," Dhindsa went on to add. Chandigarh: Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene and get names of NRI Sikhs dropped from the ‘black list’ by the central intelligence agencies. The government must facilitate the return of Sikh NRIs having no criminal background, he said on behalf of the SAD government. Sekhwan said that during the period of terrorism, a number of Punjabis took political asylum in different countries and most of them had no criminal background and they never indulged in any anti-national activity in those countries either. Despite that the Union Government had ‘black listed’ a number of such Punjabis, but the most unfortunate aspect was that there was no list of ‘black listed’ Punjabi on any official website, he added.
|
|
Rs 5.65-crore plan for greening Mandi Gobindgarh mooted
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 24 The department, under the supervision of the district administration, would also rope in NGOs, businessmen and volunteers to grow maximum trees in the next five years. The officials of the Forest Department told that a detailed report in this regard had been submitted and the final approval was awaited from senior government officials. A committee would be formed under the supervision of Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner so that the plantation drive continues for the next five years, wherein saplings, including ornamental and aromatic plants, would be planted. “Involvement of volunteers will be the topmost priority to make this scheme a success,” District Forest Officer Balvir Singh said. Besides planting saplings on the GT Road and adjoining busy intersections, 35-acre rural area and link roads would also be included, he added. For the rural areas, funds would be made available under the MG NREGA Scheme. While the government would provide the saplings to those who would nurture the trees, MC officials would also be involved in the project to water plants, especially during summers. Total 50,000 saplings of neem, amla, amaltas, silver oak, guava, siris, alstonia, medicinal shrubs, herbs and climbers will be distributed free of cost. The educational institutes have been told to spread awareness among students. They have been told to set p herbal gardens in their respective institutes. The already existing parks and gardens in the city would be upgraded and more saplings would be planted in those parks.
|
|
528 vacant posts of teacher at PAU
Ludhiana, June 24 The information has been sent to the Chief Minister, Punjab, who has asked the university authorities about the vacant posts lying in the university. The Department of Plant Breeding, which is the most important research department, has 55 vacant posts against the sanctioned strength of 95 teachers. Similarly, the Agronomy Department has 22 vacant posts, the Department of Economics has 29 posts vacant, the Department of Soils 26 and the Department of Plant Pathology 20 vacant posts. The Department of Farm Power and Machinery has 26 vacant posts. A number of posts of teacher are lying vacant at the regional research stations of the university at different places in the state. Owing to the large number of vacancies, the research work of the university has been suffering. Dr Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, told The Tribune, “Basically the problem is of finance and technology comes from research. If there is no research, there will be no technology.” Dr Kang pointed out that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while addressing a function at Pantnagar Agricultural University, said the food security was in danger and there was need to double the foodgrain production to meet the rising demand in the country. “We need to have personnel to repeat the Green Revolution and the kind of strength which we had at that time. The population has doubled and the strength of the faculty has gone down by half.” The Chief Minister has also sought information regarding the financial needs of the university. Accordingly, the authorities have informed the Chief Minister that the university needs Rs 167.50 crore under the state-funded schemes during 2010-2011. The Punjab government has sanctioned Rs 105 crore under the state plan as annual grant and Rs 15 crore as non-plan.
|
|
|
Chair in Master Tara Singh’s name sought
Ludhiana, June 24 Kiranjot was in the city to attend the state-level function on 126th birth anniversary of Master Tara Singh organised by the state government at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan, Ludhiana. Referring to the misconceptions that veil the personality of late Master Tara Singh, Kiranjot said he was a true nationalist who did the best for the Sikh community and Punjab. "A chair should be established in his name in one of the universities of the state wherein research should be done on the actual ideologies of Master Tara Singh," added the SGPC member. Referring to Master Tara Singh as "Panth Rattan", Punjab cabinet minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan said he was a legendary personality who having born into a Hindu family went on to become a true "Gursikh", thereby fighting for the rights of the community till his last breath. He said he would urge Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to establish a chair in the name of Master Tara Singh. Rajya Sabha member BS Bhunder recalled the lines of Master Tara Singh "Mein Maran Te Panth Jeeve" (Long live Panth after I die).
|
|
‘Harsh Treatment’ of Landowners in Muktsar Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 24 Coming down heavily on the state and other functionaries on a petition filed by Hardeep Kaur and others, the Division Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice Jitendra Chauhan asserted: “Having heard the counsel for the parties, we are of the considered view that the petitioners have been treated harshly by the respondents - the state of Punjab and another.” “First, they were deprived of their land and then no compensation was paid for their land for the past about 10 years. Notifications issued on November 26 and November 27, 1998, under Sections 4 and 6 read with Section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act have been permitted to lapse….”, the Bench observed. Earlier, the petitioners had earlier the issuance of “directions” to the respondents to pass the award and make the payment of compensation, along with interest in accordance with law, for the land belonging to them. The Bench observed: “It is conceded position that a notification under Section 4 read with Section 17 of the Act was issued on November 26, 1998 by the respondent state proposing to acquire land for a public purpose in tehsil and Muktsar district. On November 27, 1998, a declaration under Section 6 read with Section 17 of the Act was made. The land belonging to the petitioners was also acquired in the acquisition. It is conceded position that the notifications have lapsed because award in respect of the acquired land has not been passed….” In its detailed orders, the Bench added: “On an earlier occasion, a similar petition titled as Gurdeep Singh and others versus the state of Punjab and others decided on May 17 came up for our consideration and we directed - `In these circumstances, we accept the prayer made by the counsel for the petitioner and deem it just and appropriate to direct two of the respondents to assess the damages in respect of the land of the petitioners….” The Bench concluded: “We direct the respondents to assess the damages in respect of the land of the petitioners utilised by them at the rate of Rs 20,000 per acre per annum from the date of taking possession till May 31 and pay them the amount so calculated along with 9 per cent interest. The needful shall be done within two months…. Damages beyond May 31 shall be calculated and paid till the date of the issuance of notification under Section 4 of the Act….”
|
|
Power cuts: Unlike urban, rural areas get respite
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 24 The overall situation has improved as compared to the last year. Kuldip Singh, a resident of Hargana village, said they were getting uninterrupted power supply for the last two months. “A 66-KVA grid was installed at our village recently, however, adjoining villages are still reeling under three-hour power cuts,” Kuldip added. Sewak Singh of Mehmudpur village said the situation in the domestic sector had improved, and now, it gets power for about five hours for irrigation. Contrary to the claims of eight-hour-long continuous supply, we are getting five to six hour, Sewak rued. Arun Pathak, a trader who sells inverters, said the situation in the urban areas was miserable as compared to the rural areas. Though the duration of the cuts had come down, the areas still face about four-hour cuts, he added. Meanwhile, a press release issued by Sirhind MLA Didar Singh Bhatti said the situation had improved in both urban and rural areas of Fatehgarh Sahib as the Punjab Government had purchased electricity during the paddy season. XEN Powercom, AS Gill said 27 new feeders would be set up in Fatehgarh Sahib and capacity of 700 transformers had also been increased for uninterrupted power supply. Efforts are on to fill the vacant posts in the electricity departments of the district, he added.
|
|
Impure Water At CM’s Residence SP Sharma/Tribune News Service
Bathinda, June 24 In an apparent panic reaction, the Civil Surgeon claimed that the water samples were collected from elsewhere in Badal village and not from the Chief Minister’s residence. The Civil Surgeon’s clarification came in response to The Tribune report “Water at CM’s Muktsar residence not potable”. However, a copy of the water analysis report of the Chandigarh-based state public health laboratory has confirmed that the two samples from the Chief Minister’s residence “contain high excess of fluoride and therefore not potable”. In his letter No. 2010/204 dated 23-6-2010 (a copy of which is with this correspondent), the bacteriologist of the government laboratory has clearly indicated that the sample number 1631 (tube well No.1) and sample number 1632 (tube well No.2) from the Chief Minister’s residence were unfit for consumption. These samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis by the Civil Surgeon under letter no. 2929 dated 21-6-2010. This controversy has come amid the recent report of a German laboratory that had warned that Punjab was turning into a hot spot of environmental toxicity. The laboratory confirmed the presence of highly toxic chemicals in the waters of Punjab.
|
|
Rare bison gives birth
Chhat (Banur), June 24 The officials added that the new-born calf was healthy and fit. They further said various doctors had been alerted and zookeepers were constantly monitoring the new-born and its mother. Bisons belong to the bovine family and are powerful and sturdy. They are large, dark-coated species from South Asia and Southeast Asia. The Bisons are rare species and come under the vulnerable animals category. Chhatbir zoo got a pair of this species two years ago from Mysore Zoo. The zoo officials said another birth was expected in the near future, adding that they offer high exchange value to zoos.
|
|
Dargah devotees throng mela
Malerkotla, June 24 Drinking water and sanitation facilities were made available by the administration with the help of the local police, with camps set up near the dargah in large numbers. DSP Sukhdev Singh Virk said security persons were deployed in large numbers to ensure that no untoward incident occurred. People beseech with deep humility at the dargah and after that stay at different dharmashalas for 'chownkies'. — OC
|
|
Trader booked for Rs 137-crore fraud
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 24 A case was registered against Vinay Kumar Malik of Hitanshu Sales Corporation on the complaint of Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner Rishipal Singh. Rishipal said the trader had been preparing fake bills to show transactions worth about Rs 137.85 crore during the last three years. The business transactions were done outside Punjab for which the trader had claimed reimbursement of about Rs 5.51 crore (2 per cent VAT) that is still pending with the Excise Department. It was found that the trader had prepared fake bills to claim the reimbursements. A case under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC had been registered against the trader.
|
|
Hit-and-run case: Mansa cop kills one
Patiala, June 24 Ashudeep Singh died on his way to the hospital while Rampal Singh has been admitted at Amar Hospital. His condition is still critical. According to eyewitnesses, Gurmeet Singh came out of his car when the incident took place. But when people asked him to take the injured to hospital, he allegedly threatened
the crowd.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur, who is also the granddaughter of SGPC founder secretary late Master Tara Singh, said the election commission should not have made changes in the SGPC forms pertaining to prohibition of tobacco as the ban was not just restricted to smoking but it was an embargo on consumption of tobacco in every form.
