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Development will be main poll plank: BJP leaders
Sikh high priests divided on calendar issue |
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At 99, Fauja Singh runs to spread message against drug addiction
Fauja Singh runs the marathon along with other elderly persons in Bir Raoke village in Moga district and (right) youths take part in the event. Tribune photographs
Sarabjit Case
Thousands attend funeral of Surinder Jakhar
Committee on NRIs to be functional by June
IAS, IPS officers transferred
Kids work as waiters at sammelan
Admn takes action against 6 patwaris
Leopard died due to spinal injuries, says report
PCMSA hails decision on common entrance test
55 panchayats up in arms against alcoholism
Appointment of sarpanch challenged
Demands met, rice millers end strike
Dr Kansal is IMA chief of Patiala chapter
State power corpn forms grievance cells
Furnace units in Punjab to face 12-hour power cut daily
Use Punjabi in official work or face action, govt departments told
Panel to promote banana cultivation in Punjab
Chairman of Punjab State Farmers Commission GS Kalkat inspects the banana crop near Dera Bassi. A Tribune photograph
Tea stall set afire
Court lifts ban on carrying kirpan at US gurdwara
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Development will be main poll plank: BJP leaders
Chandigarh, January 18 Held in a cordial atmosphere, the state BJP leadership felt that urban areas in the state would decide the formation of the next government. It was felt that the cities in Punjab had seen a lot of development during the last four years, which gave the BJP the edge over others. Though some MLAs reportedly told the party leadership not to take the Manpreet factor lightly, those in ministerial berths dismissed Manpreet’s “third front” as “insignificant”. Discussing various issues, Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia is reported to have told the party MLAs that the SAD-BJP coalition had already spent over Rs 500 crore in nagar council towns and municipal corporation cities on civic amenities and another Rs 1,100 core would be distributed by his department soon. This, he felt, would pay the party rich dividends in the next elections. “People are very happy with development work in the cities and they will keep this in mind while casting their vote”, he was quoted as having said. Ashwani Sharma and his party colleagues also discussed the issue of the SAD-BJP coalition. It was largely felt that the BJP had not got its due in power sharing, but they said that the coalition was strong. The BJP had fulfilled its coalition “dharma” despite being ignored at many places, it was said. But at the same time the leadership made it clear that the next elections, too, would be fought in coalition with the SAD. After the sitting MLAs of the party, including the ministers, made some pre-poll analysis, the BJP leaders said there was need to hold more training camps for party cadres to create awareness among the people about the works undertaken by the BJP in Punjab. The BJP has already held six such camps. “Just focus on the positive aspects and ignore factors like the presence of Manpreet Badal. It took the BJP 40 years to put Atal Behari Vajpayee in the Prime Minister’s chair. Don’t expect much from Manpreet”, a senior party leader told his colleagues. While some of the MLAs referred to the crowds Manpreet Badal was attracting, Ashwani Sharma supported Kalia in saying that “crowds don’t turn into votes”. All Punjab MLAs and MPs of the BJP will meet again at the BJP three-day national convention on February 8, 9 and 10 at Nagpur, where they will also take up Punjab-specific issues keeping in mind the next elections.
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Sikh high priests divided on calendar issue
Amritsar, January 18 Though Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh and the Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, hold contrasting views on the calendar and have been airing these in the media as well, the Akal Takht Jathedar stepped in to douse the flames of controversy only after Jathedar Vedanti, in an apparent act of defiance, released the “original” Nanakshahi Calendar for the New Year near the Golden Temple yesterday. Giani Gurbachan Singh today claimed that the basic character of the calendar had not been tampered with at all and no amendments had been made to it. “However, in view of some issues emerging from it, a few corrections have been made for the unity of the community. These corrections, too, have been made with the consensus of various committees formed on the issue as well as the Sant Samaj,” he said. According to him, Jathedar Vedanti’s utterances “don’t have any importance”, but added that such statements did create a dilemma in the community. However, like Jathedar Vedanti, Jathedar Nandgarh is also supporting the “original” Nanakshahi Calendar of 2003. Talking to The Tribune, Jathedar Nandgarh said,”I had warned them not to make amendments to the original calendar in haste. I had asked them to call Pal Singh Purewal, architect of the Nanakshahi Calendar, and other experts and discuss with them the changes they wanted to make, but nobody paid heed to me. I would have no problem with the amendments had they called Purewal and convinced him with their arguments.” The Nanakshahi Calendar was a symbol of the separate Sikh identity which came into being after a thorough discussion in the community and consent from all quarters, he added. On the contrary, the Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, said the “amended” Nanakshahi Calendar had been adopted with the consent of the Jathedars of all five Takhts and those opposing it were “playing into the hands of anti-Panthic forces”. Meanwhile, politics over the issue is also hotting up. DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and former Akali minister Manjeet Singh Calcutta have, in a joint statement, advocated the need for maintaining the “original” form of the calendar and implementing it with the consensus of the entire community. Similarly, the Dal Khalsa, a radical organisation, has praised Jathedar Vedanti and Jathedar Nandgarh for taking a stand in support of the “original” calendar.
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At 99, Fauja Singh runs to spread message against drug addiction
Moga, January 18 He chose this village to launch the campaign as it has the highest ratio of women in the state and his coach Harmander Singh belongs to this village. Fauja Singh said he wanted the youth to become responsible citizens and not waste life because of drugs. “In the 21st Century, this is the time to do something innovative to go ahead in life,” he said. Singh started practicing running at the age of 81, after he lost his wife and a son in short interval. Presently, he lives with his other son in UK, from where he came here to launch the drive against drugs creating awareness through the marathon. Fauja who could not communicate in English met his coach Harmander Singh by chance. His coach Harmander himself has taken part in the Great North Run and the London Marathon for 26 years and narrowly missed representing UK in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. At the age of 89, he first took part in a national event in UK. Since then, he has not stopped and won many medals at the international level, which acclaimed him to become a brand ambassador for the Adidas sportswear. He was picked up by Adidas in 2010 replacing famous footballer David Bakham. He said if he could run at the age of 100 why can’t the youth of Punjab, his home state. “I am sorry to say that the youth are losing stamina to drugs,” he said. Fauja Singh ran two-and-half km along with 40 people above the age of 40 years and another 5 km with other age groups. He said he was still strong and will continue to run.
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Sarabjit Case
Jalandhar, January 18 Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the NRI Sammelan, Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur and his elder daughter Swapandeep Kaur said they met UK MP Virendra Sharma to request him to take up the matter with the Pakistan authorities. Dalbir and Swapandeep said they had already talked on phone with Canadian MP Sukh Dhaliwal and would try to meet another MP from Canada Ruby Dhalla soon. The two have urged prominent NRIs to put pressure on Pakistan and other international forums like the UNO view of the arrest of the “real” accused Manjit Singh Rattu by the Haryana police in another case. They said they have also emailed their request to prominent NRIs. Meanwhile, UK MP Virendra Sharma said he had already written to Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari requesting him to ensure Sarabjit’s release as he had reportedly been prosecuted and convicted owing to wrong identification. He said Sarabjit had suffered a great deal and his death sentence should be pardoned giving him a benefit of doubt, he added. Sharma said was in touch with leading Pakistani human rights campaigner Ansar Brunei and would meet him again whenever he visits England. Stating that he is against hanging, he said he would contact other leading NRIs settled in various countries to build pressure internationally.
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Thousands attend funeral of Surinder Jakhar
Panj Kosi (Ferozepur), January 18 The chairman of Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, Surinder Jakhar died yesterday after a bullet hit him in the head when his pistol, which he was cleaning at his farmhouse, went off accidentally. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also visited the bereaved family in the morning and expressed grief over his death. Various ministers, former ministers, MLAs and former MLAs of the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi and senior civil and police officials of these states also attended the funeral. Sajjan Kumar Jakhar (former minister), Sunil Jakhar, MLA (Abohar), both brothers of Surinder, Sandeep Jakhar (son), president of the District Youth Congress (Ferozepur), along with political bigwigs, led the funeral procession that started from their house in the afternoon. A contingent of the police fired five rounds in the air as a mark of respect for the departed soul before his son Sandeep Jakhar lit the pyre. People from all walks of life had come to have a glimpse of their beloved leader, who brought latest agricultural technologies to this region. Shopkeepers, petrol station owners, vegetable vendors and even those who runs kiosks in Abohar town kept their establishments closed today. A pall of gloom descended on Mauj Garh, Punj Kosi and surrounding villages after Surinder Jakhar’s death. A large number of people also visited Jakhar’s Haweli, located in the middle of this village, to offer condolence to the bereaved family. People were lined up and some of them went on rooftops when the funeral procession was taken out from lanes of this village. A large number of women were seen making requests to policemen, who were deployed in a large number in and around the Haweli for security reasons, to allow them to go inside so that they could pay their respect to the departed soul. However, only close kin, political leaders and other dignitaries were allowed to enter the anterior portion of the Haweli, where the dead body was kept before the cremation. Mediapersons were not allowed to go inside that portion. TNS adds from Chandigarh: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni has condoled the death of Surinder Jakhar. In her message to the bereaved family issued to the media here, Soni said: “I am deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely demise of Surinder Jakhar. His death has left a void in the agricultural cooperative movement. His thorough understanding of agricultural problems enabled him to outline innovations for effective outreach through the cooperative mechanism.”
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Committee on NRIs to be functional by June
Jalandhar, January 18 Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal disclosed this while interacting with mediapersons at the Punjabi NRI Sammelan-2011 here today. The committee would visit all countries with a large population of NRIs and get their problems, both in their adopted country and back home, redressed with the help of the Indian embassies, he added. Similarly, in view of the rise in matrimonial and property disputes involving NRIs, a special police cell headed by IG Gurpreet Deo has been formed to look into such issues. Besides providing legal aid to the affected women, the cell would also pursue criminal cases in the country where the NRI bridegroom had fled.The committee and the cell would work in close coordination for better results, he said. On the implementation of the Human Trafficking Act, he said the draft was pending with the President of India for her assent. “Once we receive it, unscrupulous agents will be booked under stringent provisions to curb the menace”, he said. About giving Cabinet status to the president of the state NRI Sabha, Sukhbir Badal said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would take a final call on this matter. Upbeat about the economy, he said it was growing at 15.8 per cent, double than that under the previous Congress regime, and was even higher than that of Gujarat. Even some developed nations were not showing this growth rate, he said. Sukhbir Badal also announced the setting up of an NRI Suvidha Kendra in Jalandhar to provide a single-window service relating to government affairs under one roof. The Deputy CM urged the NRIs to become an equal partner in the state’s progress since Punjab had now emerged as a land of opportunities. Assuring cooperation from the state government, he said it was the duty of NRIs to nurture the state. Those present included Surjit Singh Rakhra, president, SAD NRI wing, Varinder Sharma, UK MP, Cabinet ministers Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Ajit Singh Kohar, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Hira Singh Gabria, MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder and senior officers of the administration.
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Chandigarh, January 18 Punjab being a border state and keeping in view the law and order situation in the state, five more ex-cadre posts in the rank of IG Police under the sub Rule (I) and (2) Rule 4 of IPS (cadre) Rules 1954 has been accordingly sanctioned. Officers on the newly created posts of the IG would be for Sanjeev Kumar, Director SSG; Parampal Singh, Police Commissioner, Amritsar, Harpreet Singh, IGP, Operation; Gaurav Yadav IPS, Police Commissioner, Jalandhar and Kuldeep Singh IPS, IGP/EOW, Vigilance Bureau. Manjit Singh Brar has been made ACA (H.Q. and Policy), PUDA, Mohali, and has also been given the charge of additional secretary, Governance Reforms Cell, Punjab. He also holds the additional charge of ACA, PUDA, Mohali; Harbir Singh is the new Estate Officer, PUDA, Jalandhar; Sandeep Risi who holds the charge of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Amritsar-1 in addition to Assistant Commissioner (grievances), Amritsar, will now hold the additional charge of ACA, PUDA, Amritsar, and Ravinder Singh-II will work as ACA, Amritsar Development Authority, Amritsar, in addition to Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar. — TNS
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Kids work as waiters at sammelan
Jalandhar, January 18 One of the children said his name was Dharamraj and he was a student of Class V at Government School, Phagwara. He said he skipped school today to work as a waiter. Similarly Susheel Kumar said he and two of his friends who lived near JCT Mill, Phagwara, decided to work here as waiters to earn Rs 125 each. Speaking to mediapersons, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal said, “Let me examine.” He directed DC Priyank Bharti to submit a report in this regard. Local residents outnumbered NRI delegates. UK MP Virendra Sharma said many could not attend as the Sammelan had been organised on a very short notice. He appreciated the blueprint presented during the Sammelan for welfare of the NRIs. He rued the implementation of the programmes related to the NRIs was very slow.
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Admn takes action against 6 patwaris
Sangrur, January 18 Sources say the patwaris are resisting computerisation of the land records as online mutation and across the counter fard would render them without work. Deputy Commissioner Sangrur, Harkesh Singh Sidhu, said action has been taken against six patwaris for indulging in malpractices and other irregularities. Patwari Roop Singh of Baliyaal village has been dismissed for recording a false fard because of which the land was sold twice, Joraan Singh of Kup village has been dismissed for recording a fard of the land despite a stay order granted by the court, retirement orders have been issued in case of two others, Mithu Singh of Balrran Bi village has been retired because negative Annual Confidential Report (ACR) and there were complaints of malpractices against him, Hardyal Singh of Sakrodi village too has been retired as there were several complaints of malpractices pending against him. The two patrwaris who have been suspended include Paramjeet Singh of Bhai Kepishore village who had five criminal cases against him and Gurmeet Singh of Rohira Ahmedgarh has been suspended for not carrying out the mutation of the land for Ghallu Ghara in Ahmedgarh and also remaining absent from a computer course. President Patwari union Sangrur, Harbans Singh Guru alleged the patwaris are being victimised for launching an agitation against the administration.
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Leopard died due to spinal injuries, says report
Hoshiarpur, January 18 State Chief Wildlife Warden Gurbaz Singh said according to the report, the steel wire had partially damaged the leopard’s vertebrae and the main nerves. He further made it clear that the tranquiliser administered to the injured animal was within limits and the leopard died due to trauma. He said Conservator of Forest, Shivalik Circle (Wildlife), DV
Rattana, who was sent to the spot to take stock of the situation, reported that the animal was trapped in fencing wire erected by certain farmer to protect their crops from wild animals. The animal struggled so much to get itself free.
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PCMSA hails decision on common entrance test
Jalandhar, January 18 Dr Hardeep Singh, state president of the association, said the proposed common medical entrance test for all 271 medical colleges was the only way out to produce top quality medical graduates. “As the Centre and the state governments hardly hold sway over the managements of private medical colleges, hundreds of ineligible students manage to get admission in medical colleges,” he added.
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55 panchayats up in arms against alcoholism
Patiala, January 18 The movement to discourage alcohol consumption has been undertaken after some NGOs informed the villagers about Section 40 of the Act. The act empowers the panchayat to introduce prohibition, following which intoxicating liquor cannot be sold at any licensed shop within the gram panchayat area. “It is a positive development that more panchayats have come forward to pass the Section 40 of the Act,” said Kamal, a social activist. He said NGOs like People for Transparency and Scientific Awareness and Social Welfare Forum Sangrur (SASWF) had made efforts to educate and create an awareness among the panchayats. Speaking to The Tribune, several sarpanches said they did not want the youth to spoil their lives by alcohol addiction. They said some NGOs had created an awareness about the Act. It was after this that they decided to put forward the resolution that disallowed the opening of liquor shops in villages. “The women representatives in panchayats must have proper knowledge about this provision, so they can at least think of exercising this right,” he said. He said it was the duty of the state government to educate panchayats about the provisions of the Act, 1994. Section 40 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 The Act specifies that it empowers the village panchayat with the power to introduce prohibition, following which intoxicating liquor cannot be sold at any licensed shop within the gram panchayat area. The Section also mentions that if within two years, preceding the date of the passing of such a resolution, illicit distillation or smuggling of alcohol has not been carried in the particular village, the resolution would be binding upon the Excise and Taxation Commissioner of the state.
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Appointment of sarpanch challenged
Ropar, January 18 “In 2010, two village women panch, Jasbir Kaur and Malkit Kaur, were removed from their posts as they had illegal occupied shymalat village land,” said Surinder Kumar, a villager. Surinder said sarpanch Surinder Singh’s father, Bhagat Singh, had moved an application before the ADC of Ropar stating that he be given the ownership of 2 canal and 16 marla land that was in his possession. “After Bhagat Singh passed away Surinder Singh and his family became legal claimants of the land. Till date, the district administration has not given ownership rights to Surinder Singh, which shows that Surinder is holding land illegally,” Kumar added. Challenging the office of sarpanch Surinder Singh, complainant Kumar has written to the higher authorities demanding that Singh’s election, as sarpanch should also be disqualified. — TNS
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Demands met, rice millers end strike
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 18 Earlier, the Central Government had allowed four per cent damage on milled rice but had also imposed a financial loss of one per cent on millers, which was around Rs 5,500 per consignment. Protesting this, the millers in Punjab went on strike and demanded that the Central Government bear the one per cent damage. Press secretary of the Rice Millers Association, Nakesh Jindal, said their demands were accepted by the Union Government. The rice millers appreciated Minister for Food and Civil Supplies of Punjab Adesh Pratap Kairon and Union Minister Sharad Pawar for the relaxation. Now, millers would not be required to pay Rs 5,500 for every consignment of custom milled rice, meant for central pool, he said. “We have received fresh orders today wherein it is stated that three per cent damage or slightly damage of milled rice is allowed besides one per cent pin damage”, he said. The orders have been received for kharif marketing season for 2011. Now, rice millers will begin the milling process in Punjab from tomorrow. He said nearly 120 lakh MT paddy, worth around 17,000 crore, of central agencies is yet to be milled in Punjab and will be sent for the central pool.
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Dr Kansal is IMA chief of Patiala chapter
Patiala, January 18 The elections for the said post were held last year and Dr Kansal took the charge during the general house meeting of the IMA held recently. Dr Kansal stressed upon strengthening of doctor-patient relationship. He exhorted the doctor’s community to organise medical camps. “With united efforts of the IMA and other NGOs, we can certainly play a crucial role in making Patiala a clean, green and pollution free city,” he added. Meanwhile, during the general body meeting, Dr DS Bhullar was nominated as the Media and Medico-Legal Advisor of the IMA, Patiala, for 2011.
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State power corpn forms grievance cells
Patiala, January 18 Making an announcement in this regard, the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of PSPCL, KD Chaudhri, said all distribution officers should listen to consumer grievances and ensure prompt resolution in areas that fall within their jurisdiction. “The corporation already has a system of checking such complaints through enforcement, technical audit and vigilance organisations. Through the cell, we will provide prompt services and end red tapism. Cells are headed by different officers, constituted at all five zones north, south, central, west and border zone,” he said. Chaudhri said consumers could contact the officers for the registration of complaints, particularly those that have not been addressed by other offices of the corporation. He said the officers had been instructed to resolve the grievances by contacting the offices concerned and seek intervention of higher officers, wherever required. “Similarly, a cell for NRI consumers has also been constituted in the office of the Chief Engineer/commercial, PSPCL. senior executive engineer/sales-IV, KD Bhalla, has been directed to look after grievances of the NRI consumers and resolve them,” he said.
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Furnace units in Punjab to face 12-hour power cut daily
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 18 Industrialists purchase low-cost power from private players (between Rs 1 to Rs 4 per unit), during the lean hours at night and get power from Powercom at a cost of Rs 5.28, during peak hours at daytime. Since Powercom could not bear the burden of providing extra power to industries, during daytime, it has imposed power cuts on furnace industry. The industrialists said they were told to purchase power from private players even during the day. President of the Punjab Furnace Association, Mahinder Gupta, said industrialists purchasing private power were facing a power cut of 12 hours from 8 am to 8 pm. “This has led to financial losses as the production has reduced up to 60 per cent. The industry is getting electricity for only 10 hours out of 24 hours and the cuts have also increased the input costs,” he said. He said since Powercom was unable to meet the demands of industry it had directed industrialists to purchase power from private players. “We are being told not to burden the exhausted power scenario of state,” he said. Sixty furnace units out of 100 in Punjab are purchasing electricity from private producers and are facing the cut. Industrialists said they got power through open access between 9 am to 12 noon and it was being distributed among industrialists till 3 pm after the bidding. “Private electricity is an economical option as it cost Rs 1 to Rs 2 cheaper than that of Powercom,” said industrialist Naresh Kumar. However, due to 12 hours of power cuts, price of private power has escalated. Chief Engineer of Powercom, NS Matharu said industrialists, for their benefit, purchased private electricity during night hours when even Powercom had excess power and demanded electricity only during day time due to which power cuts are imposed. “We have advised industrialists that if they wish to purchase power from private producers then they must not discontinue it, even if its prices increase. We are not against industrialists purchasing power from private producers but they should not make a quick switchover which disturbs power production and distribution in Punjab,” he said. The electricity of Powercom costs Rs 4.58 per unit and its transmission cost to every industry is Rs 5.28, after adding state excise duty and octroi. However, private players sell electricity through their brokers sitting in metropolitan cities across the country using the infrastructure of Powercom.
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Use Punjabi in official work or face action, govt departments told
Patiala, January 18 While addressing a meeting in this regard at the mini-secretariat, here yesterday, Khurana, who is also the head of a 13-member committee constituted to inspect and ensure proper implementation of Punjabi in all offices of state government and educational institutions in Patiala, said, “Even though the mother tongue plays an important role in the progress of nation, it is unfortunate that we are still not concerned about the Punjabi language.” Khurana directed the representative from the State Languages Department, Blinder Kaur Joshi, to constitute teams comprising of government and non-government institutions. “These teams will conduct surprise checks in various government departments and government and private educational institutions to ensure the government directions are complied with. Subsequently, a detailed report will be submitted in the next meeting,” he announced. Khurana also directed the authorities of the Languages Department to check whether the name plate, put up outside the offices of the government officials, educational institutions, corporations and boards etc was in Punjabi language or not. He said name plates in the district courts, affidavits and recording of the statements should be all done in Punjabi. Meanwhile, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dipinder Singh, who was also present in the meeting, instructed the officials to check that special emphasis be laid while inspecting the schools to ensure that Punjabi teachers were competent and equipped to teach Punjabi.
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Panel to promote banana cultivation in Punjab
Dera Bassi, January 18 He said banana cultivation could provide increased income for farmers so the commission had launched a move to encourage the cultivation of this crop. With the efforts of commission, over 400 acres were covered for this crop in Punjab till now and 50 per cent subsidy was being provided to farmers for cultivation. Nearly 1,200 saplings were planted in one acre area and Rs 30,000-40,000 cost comes out of one acre during the first year. The income increases to Rs 1.50 lakh during the first year. The crop becomes ready for providing fruits in one year. On this occasion Surinder Singh Virdi, a banana cultivator said he had planted 200 banana saplings in February 2010 and now crop was ready to fruits. Along with banana, the commission also launched a move for vegetable crops and dairy farming to improve the economic condition of small farmers. Subsidies are also being provided for these purposes. As vegetables are perishable, Dr Kalkat stressed upon their marketing. For this purpose, private markets can prove beneficial. On this occasion, Dr SS Bains from Agriculture Department, Dr PS Rangi from Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana and Amrit Pal Singh former president of the Municipal Council of Dera Bassi were also present.
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Tea stall set afire
Malerkotla, January 18 Owner of the tea stall Mohd Imran alleged that some unidentified persons set his tea stall ablaze. He came to know about the fire from a phone call early in the morning. The police called in the fire brigade. Imran said he suffered loss worth Rs 1
lakh. — OC
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Court lifts ban on carrying kirpan at US gurdwara
Amritsar, January 18 Talking to The Tribune on phone from the USA, Bhupinder Singh Boparai of Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, US, and Mukhtiar Singh Ghuman said a committee is managing the affairs of the gurdwara, which is spread over 8 acres of land, for the past 35 years. The committee comprises some Sehajdhari Sikhs. “However, two local residents began creating trouble in June last year, contending that no Sehajdhari Sikh should be at the helm of affairs and they should be given the charge of the gurdwara. They also abused the committee members in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, videos of which were also presented before the court.” Apprehending that the duo may spell some trouble in the gurdwara, the committee had approached a local court, seeking a ban on carrying the kirpan, measuring three feet and more, inside the gurdwara. However, the court imposed the ban on the kirpan of all sizes, they added. Boparai said the court has now lifted the ban on six-inch kirpan while allowing bigger kirpans on special occasions like weddings. However, the court has banned the families of those two “trouble makers” from visiting the gurdwara. The Akal Takht had formed a panel to sort out the issue. Boparai and Ghuman were the members of this panel. Apart from them, Harbans Singh Dhillon, Balwinder Singh Cheema, Daljeet Singh Dhillon and Baldev Singh Grewal also made efforts in getting the ban lifted.
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Panj Kosi (Ferozepur), January 18
In open defiance of the Prevention of Child Labour Act, many children were seen working as waiters during the state-level NRI Sammelan today. Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Sukhbir
Badal, DGP PS Gill and other civil and police officials were also present. Some of the children were Class V students of a government school at Phagwara hired to serve at the Bath Castle venue on the National Highway number one.
Dera Bassi, January 18
