The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Manpreet vows radical changes in governance
Dhudike (Moga), November 6
Attacking the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress, the People’s Party of Punjab-led Sanjha Morcha today appealed to the people to end the rotation of power between these two parties.

Swiss accounts: Gadkari dares UPA Govt to release names
Ludhiana, November 6
The BJP president, Nitin Gadkari, today attributed the rising prices of essential items, “massive corruption” and the sad state of the national economy to the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre and its allies. Addressing mediapersons here, Gadkari alleged that the allies of the UPA Government who were holding protests in Kolkata and Mumbai (Trinamool Congress and the NCP) against food inflation and the latest hike in petrol prices were equally responsible for the economic mess created by the wrong policies of the government.

Badal hints at reducing VAT on petrol
Subhanpur, November 6
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal hinted at reducing the VAT on petrol during his visit to Subhanpur in Kapurthala district where inaugurated a charitable hospital here today.

COMMUNITY

New SGPC House’s first meet nowhere in sight
Amritsar, November 6
It’s been over a month since the results of the SGPC elections were declared but so far there has been no forward movement towards holding the first meeting of the newly elected House. The Centre is keeping a mum on the issue.

Liquor scam: Woman officer suspended
Moga, November 6
A scam in issuing permits of additional quota of country-made liquor without the excise duty being deposited in the government exchequer has come to light in Moga district. A woman office executive has been placed under suspension by the Department of Excise and Taxation.

Gang canal sees lesser water flow
Abohar, November 6
Even when the experts in the World Bank and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) estimated the loss of water due to seepage in the muddy canals up to 25 per cent, the Gang (Bikaner) canal suffers 35 losses even after remodelling at a cost of Rs 467 crore.

Yet another Punjabi youth dies in Malaysia
Jagraon, November 6
The search for greener pastures in foreign lands proved fatal for 26-year-old Hansraj Singh of Jhorran village near Raikot who died in Malaysia after being tormented by a travel agent for months. His family was informed about his demise by members of the Punjabi community in Malaysia.

PM failed to provide justice to ’84 victims: Ramdev
Kapurthala, November 6
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today blamed the Congress for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and even accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of having "failed" to provide justice to the victims. Addressing a gathering during a function held at local Shalamar Bagh under the aegis of Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Ramdev said it's been 28 years since the riots took place but still the victims were "awaiting justice".

We will focus on border areas, vows Amarinder
Tarn Taran, November 6
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Amarinder Singh, has promised that if voted to power, the Congress government will focus on developing the border belt by bringing in industry to generate jobs.

Notices to 17 Jalandhar leaders
Chandigarh, November 6
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh’s decision to wield the stick against party leaders who failed to gather crowds at the Jalandhar leg of the Punjab Bachao rally, had its effect in Amritsar and Tarn Taran today with both rallies witnessing a huge turnout.

Protesting teachers threaten to disrupt kabaddi matches
Patiala, November 6
A kabaddi match in progress in Patiala on Sunday. The Sikhiya Karmi Adhiyapak Union, which has been protesting against the government for non-acceptance of their demands for the past one month, has threatened to disrupt World Kabaddi Cup matches to be played here on November 8 if the government refuses to accept its demands.

A kabaddi match in progress in Patiala on Sunday. A Tribune photo

Seminar discusses threadbare issues concerning women
Chandigarh, November 6
Issues concerning women in general and those of Sikh women in particular were discussed threadbare at a seminar organised by the Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) at its headquarters Gurdwara Kanthala Sahib here today.

Indo-US ties on firmer ground, says US official
Patiala, November 6
Senior Strategic Adviser (South Asia), State Department, US, Anish Goel said today that India had full cooperation of the US on the crucial issue of elimination of terrorism. In an interview with The Tribune at his uncle’s residence in Patiala, Anish said despite the tall claims by Pakistan of having taken decisive steps to curb terrorism, there were reports of training camps for terrorists on its soil.

Now, register vehicles online in Fatehgarh Sahib
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 6
Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner Yashveer Mahajan on Saturday inaugurated online registration of vehicles at Supreme Motors, Mandi Gobindgarh. With this, people would not be required to visit the DTO offices for registering their vehicles.

Eminent Patiala women honoured
Patiala, November 6
The women along with their prizes in Patiala on Sunday. Thousands of women today gathered to attend a special play organised by the Patiala Welfare Society (PWS) at a private marriage palace at Bhadson Road here. Six eminent women who have established their names in their respective fields were also honoured at the occasion.

The women along with their prizes in Patiala on Sunday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

A woman labourer uses a sieve to separate rice husk from the grain in Amritsar on Sunday. — AFP

Govt cautious in making appointments
Chandigarh, November 6
The SAD-BJP government is finding itself cornered in what is a normal end of the term appointment spree through which some of the favourite superannuating bureaucrats are rewarded with plum postings.

State denied textile park
Chandigarh, November 6
The Union Government has announced the setting up of 21 textile parks in various parts of the country. Announcement in this regard was made immediately after adoption of the new manufacturing policy.

Cash in lieu of land for gallantary awardees
Chandigarh, November 6
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has announced constitution of a committee to decide the cash allowance to be given to gallantry award winners of the state in lieu of land allotment.

	Grabbing prime land via improvement trusts Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 6 The SAD-BJP alliance has been using improvement trusts across the state for grabbing prime land in various cities at throwaway rates to set up party offices. The government has formulated a new policy under which recognised parties which do not have land in a city or town can be allotted land by local bodies at one-fourth of the reserve price. Prime sites have been allotted to the ruling alliance at Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Pathankot. The Bathinda Improvement Trust has also finalised a deal in this connection. Apart from the sites earmarked for institutions, commercial sites, that could have fetched the government crores of rupees if put on an auction, are being given away at one-fourth of the reserve price of residential sites. Sites earmarked for old-age homes are also being allotted to the SAD and the BJP. Two 4-kanal sites have been allotted to the BJP and the SAD in Jalandhar. While the BJP has got land at Surya Enclave for Rs 56 lakh (Rs 70,000 a marla), the SAD (Urban) has been allotted land at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar for just Rs 25,000 a marla. The 4-kanal site allotted to the BJP was meant for 11 booths. The site allotted to the SAD had been earmarked for affordable housing with a reserve price as low at Rs 1 lakh a marla. In Hoshiarpur, two plots near the secretariat, each measuring 32 marlas, have been allotted to the SAD and the BJP. While the reserve price is stated to be Rs 1.3 lakh a marla, the land has been given at a 75 per cent discount. Chairman of the Hoshiarpur Improvement Trust Harjinder Singh Dhami, when asked if he had favoured the ruling parties, was on the defensive. “Even Congress leaders have applied for sites and we plan to allot them land near the Sabzi Mandi”. The Pathankot Improvement Trust has allotted 16 marlas to the BJP. Here too the land was allotted well below the reserve price of Rs 1.3 lakh a marla. Anil Vasudev, chairman of the trust said: “If any other recognised party, be it the Congress or the SAD, approaches us with a demand, we will offer them land too.” The Bathinda Improvement Trust has also decided to offer land at a discount to the SAD and the BJP. This was confirmed by Gora Lal, executive officer, Bathinda Improvement Trust. While the BJP is likely to be allotted 600 sq yards at Green Avenue , the SAD is likely to get land near Transport Nagar on the Guniana road. Local Bodies Minister Tikshan Sud said the policy had been formulated before he took charge of the department. Former Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia said “there was nothing wrong with it”. about the policy n The govt has formulated a policy under which recognised parties that do not have land in a city/town can be allotted the same by local bodies at one-fourth of the reserve price n Prime sites have been allotted to the ruling alliance at Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Pathankot n Two 4-kanal sites have been allotted to the BJP and the SAD in Jalandhar n In Hoshiarpur, two plots, each measuring 32 marlas, have been allotted to the SAD, BJP n The Pathankot Improvement Trust has allotted 16 marlas to the BJP n The Bathinda Improvement Trust has decided to offer land at a discount to the SAD, BJP
	Capt: Badal misusing SGPC funds GS Paul/TNS Amritsar, November 6 Putting up a unity show at an impressive Punjab Bachao “rally here today, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh continued his tirade against the Badals. He alleged that owing to the SAD-BJP governmemnt’s “lack of vision and planning”, core issues like unemployment, poverty and trade and industry had been ignored. He accused Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of misusing SGPC funds. “It is for the first time in Sikh history that Darbar Sahib accounts are running in a deficit of Rs 24 crore. This is because the Badals have been misusing gurdwara funds,” he alleged. He said for the past five years the Badals had looted Punjab. “Whether the sand, liquor, transport or cable trade, they have not spared anything.” He pointed out that the government’s pension and shagun schemes had failed with funds diverted for the CM’s Sangat Darshan programme. He was unsparing in his criticism of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and his brother-in-law Bikram S Majithia. Accusing the CM of being corrupt, the former Chief Minister said his father had left him with 80 acres of land, but the latter now had five-star luxury hotels in Gurgaon worth Rs 2000 crore. Party affairs incharge GS Charak claimed that at the end of the Punjab Bachao rallies, “the entire Punjab would have pronounced its verdict in favour of the Congress”. Congress Legislative Party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal accused the Badals of having betrayed the Panth. Among others who addressed the rally were OP Soni, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Prof Darbari Lal, Jasbir Singh Dimpa, Harjit Singh Thekedar, Sardul Singh, Lali Majithia and Sukh Sarkaria.
	Manpreet vows radical changes in governance Kulwinder Sandhu/TNS Dhudike (Moga), November 6 Attacking the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress, the People’s Party of Punjab-led Sanjha Morcha today appealed to the people to end the rotation of power between these two parties. At an unprecedented gathering at Dhudike in Moga, PPP chief Manpreet Badal said it was time that the people “revolted against the misrule” by the two parties if the “honour of Punjab” was to be salvaged. He expressed concern at the increasing role of muscle and money power in politics, saying that the common man was being harassed at police stations and public money wasted by elected representatives and bureaucrats for petty interests. “We need to preserve the dignity of the poor,” he said. Lashing out at both Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, Manpreet said they were indulging in mud-slinging against each other, ignoring the real issues concerning the masses. “We have released a common minimum programme for the welfare of the people and the people should trust us that we will bring radical changes in governance and policies for socio-economic upliftment of the people”. Slogans of “Inqlaab Zindabad,”, “Sanjha Morcha Zindabad” and “Manpreet Badal Zindabad” rant the air each time he waved at the crowd. The huge pandal set up in the fields along the national highway was decorated with red flags of the Left and yellow of the PPP. CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat claimed that the Sanjha Morcha would root out both the SAD-BJP coalition and the Congress from the state and the shift in power would revive the golden days of Punjab. CPI leader AB Bardhan attacked the UPA for the rising inflation. “The days of the UPA are numbered. As Punjab awaits change, so does the country. All eyes are on Punjab from where this change will begin”, he said. Former CM Surjit S Barnala and his wife said the third front offered a chance for a bright future and the people should not fritter away this opportunity. Others who addressed the gathering were CPI leader Joginder Dayal, CPI (M) leaders Nirotpal Basu, Charanjit Singh Virdi, former MLAs Jagbir Brar, Kushaldeep Dhillon, Baldev Singh Mann, Bhagwant Mann and Kuldip Singh Dhose.
	Swiss accounts: Gadkari dares UPA Govt to release names Kuldip Bhatia Ludhiana, November 6 The BJP president, Nitin Gadkari, today attributed the rising prices of essential items, “massive corruption” and the sad state of the national economy to the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre and its allies. Addressing mediapersons here, Gadkari alleged that the allies of the UPA Government who were holding protests in Kolkata and Mumbai (Trinamool Congress and the NCP) against food inflation and the latest hike in petrol prices were equally responsible for the economic mess created by the wrong policies of the government. "If the allies of the UPA Government are dissatisfied with its policies, they ought to dissociate themselves from the ruling coalition rather than pursuing dual policies," he said. The BJP president alleged that the Centre could not defend itself by citing global inflation as the rate of inflation in several countries was much below than that prevailing in India. "The country has witnessed a hike in the price of petrol 24 times during the seven-year rule of the UPA Government. The interest rates have been hiked 13 times since March 2010," he said. Gadkari dared the UPA to disclose the names of 700 individuals who had stashed massive amount of black money in Swiss banks. Claiming that the list carried the names of at least three MPs, one of them from Punjab, Gadkari said: "We shall raise this issue in the winter session of Parliament and if the government does not make the names public, the BJP will do so," he said. Punjab link to black money? Gadkari claimed that the list of individuals having accounts in Swiss banks contained names of three MPs, and one of them was from Punjab. “The money stashed in Swiss banks has a Punjab connection, and it must be made public,” he said. Mum on transport scam Gadkari sought to wriggle out of a question on the Badal family facing allegations of taking over the transport, cable network and sand mining businesses, maintaining that he would not comment on such “unsubstantiated” charges.
	Badal hints at reducing VAT on petrol Tribune News Service Subhanpur, November 6 Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal hinted at reducing the VAT on petrol during his visit to Subhanpur in Kapurthala district where inaugurated a charitable hospital here today. Accompanied by former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, the Chief Minister said a meeting would be convened in a few days to discuss the issue.

	New SGPC House’s first meet nowhere in sight Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 6 It’s been over a month since the results of the SGPC elections were declared but so far there has been no forward movement towards holding the first meeting of the newly elected House. The Centre is keeping a mum on the issue. Talking to The Tribune, Chief Gurdwara Election Commissioner Justice HS Brar (retd) said, “It is for the Union Government to decide when to call the first meeting of the newly elected members of the SGPC.” He clarified that the ball was in the Centre’s court. On the other hand, SAD secretary Daljeet Singh Cheema accused the Congress-led UPA Government of adopting dilly-dallying tactics towards the SGPC affairs. “Earlier, they didn’t hold the SGPC elections on time and delayed it by a couple of years and now when the elections have been held, there is no word on the first meeting of the SGPC House,” he said, adding they were pursuing the matter with the Centre. Meanwhile, various names like former SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar, Raghujeet Singh Virk, Karnail Singh Panjoli and Gurinder Singh Bawa were doing the rounds for nominations to the SGPC.
	Liquor scam: Woman officer suspended Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service Moga, November 6 A scam in issuing permits of additional quota of country-made liquor without the excise duty being deposited in the government exchequer has come to light in Moga district. A woman office executive has been placed under suspension by the Department of Excise and Taxation. A Venu Prasad, Excise Commissioner, Punjab, said he had ordered a random checking in all the districts keeping in view the modus operandi adopted at Moga in this scam. Hardeep Bhamra, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Moga, claimed an office executive posted here issued five liquor permits of L-13 pertaining to additional quota on the name of H and H Wines, Bathinda, a firm also running liquor shops in Moga, without getting deposited the excise duty. Instead of handing over these permits to H and H Wines, they were allegedly handed over to a liquor contractor who is a local leader of the Congress for lifting the issued quota of liquor illegally from the distilleries. Asked about the role of excise and taxation officer who signed these permits, Bhamra claimed the office executive used the login and password of the ETO and the inspector concerned, which was given to her in good faith for routine work. She also managed to get the signatures of the ETO in good faith, Bhamra claimed. Defending himself, ETO Jagtar Singh claimed he even raised written objections on the application of H and H Wines demanding additional quota of liquor, “which is on record”. “In the rush of work, the office executive managed to get my signatures in good faith on the permits,” he said. Interestingly, these permits were issued on October 24 but the contractors did not purchase the issued liquor quota till October 29 raising doubts on whether they were sold to other contractors who exceeded their limits in manipulation with the department officials.
	Gang canal sees lesser water flow Raj Sadosh Abohar, November 6 Even when the experts in the World Bank and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) estimated the loss of water due to seepage in the muddy canals up to 25 per cent, the Gang (Bikaner) canal suffers 35 losses even after remodelling at a cost of Rs 467 crore. This has prompted the Rajasthan Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and officials also to blame the state Irrigation Department that has the control of Hari Ke and Ferozepur headworks. Officials had not favoured the proposal that the Skoda system should be installed at the Khakha headworks to measure the flow of water from Punjab. Officials of Rajasthan had asserted last year that Skoda would help in checking evasion of water. Gang Canal is one of the oldest irrigation systems in Rajasthan, completed in the year 1928, to serve the north-western part of the Sriganganagar district. The canal starts from Sutlej river near Harike, downstream of the confluence of River Beas, in Punjab, and enters Rajasthan area from the Abohar subdivision. The cost of the project had been borne by the government of Rajasthan. The water was released in July 2003, after the first phase of remodelling but desilting was done only once in 2007. Now, the Rajasthan government has arranged for Rs 620 crore to continue the pending remodelling work in the Sriganganagar region. Subhash Sehgal, the Rajasthan Kisan Sangharsh Samiti spokesman, said the flow of water at the Khakha headworks ranged from 1600-1700 cusecs even when the discharge at Ferozepur headworks was recorded as 2200-2400 cusecs. The Rajasthan govt paid Rs 87 lakh to the Punjab Irrigation Department for repair work that included replacing pressure release valves that had been damaged by farmers in Ferozepur and Fazilka areas to draw water through tube wells illegally installed on both sides of the canal.
	Yet another Punjabi youth dies in Malaysia Jaswant Shetra Jagraon, November 6 The search for greener pastures in foreign lands proved fatal for 26-year-old Hansraj Singh of Jhorran village near Raikot who died in Malaysia after being tormented by a travel agent for months. His family was informed about his demise by members of the Punjabi community in Malaysia. Swaran Singh, sarpanch of Jhorran village, said Hansraj went to Malaysia in December 2010 through a travel agent after paying a sum of 1.5 lakh. “On reaching Malaysia, he met another travel agent there who took away his passport on the plea that he would help him find employment. But he began exploiting Hansraj, making him do excessive work for a pittance,” he alleged. On the complaint of Hansraj’s family, a case has been registered against the travel agent, who hails from the same village, but he has absconded. The inconsolable family members of the victim said they had approached leaders of the ruling party to help them bring Hansraj back but to no avail. It is learnt that apart from Hansraj, the travel agent, identified as Daljit Singh, has sent 12 more youths of the area to Malaysia, who too are living there in inhuman conditions. The families of these youths have appealed to the Punjab Government for help.
	PM failed to provide justice to ’84 victims: Ramdev Dharmendra Joshi Tribune News Service Kapurthala, November 6 Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today blamed the Congress for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and even accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of having "failed" to provide justice to the victims. Addressing a gathering during a function held at local Shalamar Bagh under the aegis of Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Ramdev said it's been 28 years since the riots took place but still the victims were "awaiting justice". On education policy, he said education should be provided in the languages of our own country, as was being done in several other countries of the world, including in China, France and Japan. Terming it as unfortunate that in our country preference was given to English, he said, "Giving preference to a foreign language is a sign of slavery and a policy should be drafted for providing education in our own languages for national pride among the new generation." Blaming the Congress for having "failed" to check rampant "corruption", spiraling high prices of essential commodities and unemployment, Baba Ramdev appealed the gathering to wipe out Congress in the coming assembly elections scheduled for February. Dubbing the United Progressive Alliance as a "sinking ship", the yoga guru claimed that several of its alliance partners would leave it due to unchecked spiralling prices of essential commodities, including petroleum products. Ramdev said he was mobilising public opinion for bringing back black money stashed in foreign banks. Subsequently, he would write a letter to the PM in this regard, he added.
	We will focus on border areas, vows Amarinder Gurpaxpuri Tarn Taran, November 6 The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Amarinder Singh, has promised that if voted to power, the Congress government will focus on developing the border belt by bringing in industry to generate jobs. He said he had already spoken to the Prime Minister on the matter. Addressing a massive rally as part of the Punjab Bachao Yatra here, he criticised the Akali-BJP regime for ignoring the border areas. He appealed to the people to throw out the SAD-BJP government. Welcoming the MFN status granted to India by Pakistan, he said it would certainly be beneficial for Punjab, particularly the border areas. “Increased trade is bound to improve Party affairs incharge Gulchain Singh Charak said the yatra would create an upsurge against the ruling alliance and ensure the defeat of the government in the ensuing elections.
	Alarming Signs Notices to 17 Jalandhar leaders Result: Impressive shows at Amritsar, Tarn Taran Jangveer Singh/TNS Chandigarh, November 6 Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh’s decision to wield the stick against party leaders who failed to gather crowds at the Jalandhar leg of the Punjab Bachao rally, had its effect in Amritsar and Tarn Taran today with both rallies witnessing a huge turnout. The PPC president has issued show-cause notices to 17 Jalandhar leaders, including former minister Avtar Henry, district Congress (urban) president Arun Walia, former MLAs Gurkanwal Kaur and Kanwaljit Lalli, former mayor Surinder Mahey and hotelier Gautam Kapoor. They have been asked to explain the poor attendance at the Jalandhar rally on November 3. District congress president Walia has borne the brunt of the attack, being called a “failed leader.” Avtar Henry has been told that he had gathered a crowd unbecoming of his stature as a former minister. Others, including ticket aspirants, have been asked as to why they should be considered for the party ticket when they had failed to gather people for the party rally. Jalandhar rally incharge and party vice-president Ashwani Sekhri said Capt Amarinder had asked him to explain the party’s poor showing and he would submit a report soon. DCC president Walia said he had done his best and it was the duty of ticket aspirants to ensure a good turnout at the rallies. Asked about the comment on his “failed” leadership, he said the “boss is always right but the people should be asked about his leadership qualities.” Sources say the show-cause notices have had their effect with a heavy turnout at the Amritsar and Tarn Taran rallies today. At both places prospective candidates, in a show of upmanship, entered the ‘pandal’ separately, raising slogans. Even more dangerous for the party was the fact that prospective candidates and their supporters were aligned against each other. In Tarn Taran former minister Gurchet Singh Bhullar faced a stiff challenge from another ticket hopeful Jasbir Singh Sursingh. Patti leader Harminder Singh Gill faced a tough competition from Maninder Singh Patti. In Amritsar, the show of strength saw an exasperated Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal asking party men to pipe down, saying she knew who was who. A senior Congress leader observed that factionalism on display at the rallies was harming the party. At both Amritsar and Tarn Taran, prospective candidates entered the ‘pandal’ separately, raising slogans. In Tarn Taran former minister Gurchet Singh Bhullar faced a stiff challenge from another ticket hopeful Jasbir Singh Sursingh. Patti leader Harminder Singh Gill faced a tough competition from Maninder Singh Patti. An exasperated Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had to ask the party leaders to pipe down
	Protesting teachers threaten to disrupt kabaddi matches Gagan K Teja Tribune News Service Patiala, November 6 The Sikhiya Karmi Adhiyapak Union, which has been protesting against the government for non-acceptance of their demands for the past one month, has threatened to disrupt World Kabaddi Cup matches to be played here on November 8 if the government refuses to accept its demands. State president of the union Ajmer Singh Aulakh, who is on a fast since September 25 and is admitted to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said they had decided to disrupt the matches if their demands, including regular services and higher salaries at a par with SSA teachers, were not met during their meeting with the Chief Minister tomorrow. "While hundreds of sikhiya karmis are struggling to make both ends meet, the Punjab Government is busy organising kabaddi matches. This is sheer callousness." He said tomorrow’s meeting with the authorities would be the third and in case no consensus is reached, they would be forced to intensify the agitation. “We will block traffic in Patiala on November 7 if our demands are not met and not allow the government to organise kabaddi matches the following day come what may," Aulakh warned.
	Seminar discusses threadbare issues concerning women Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 6 Issues concerning women in general and those of Sikh women in particular were discussed threadbare at a seminar organised by the Institute of Sikh Studies (IOSS) at its headquarters Gurdwara Kanthala Sahib here today. In her keynote address, Prof Shashi Bala of Guru Nana Dev University explained how early history of Sikhs placed men and women at par. However, unwritten rules that followed attempted to debar women from official religious matters on false notions of "impurity". She also expressed concern over the growing incidence of crime against women. Gurdev Singh, patron of the IOSS, provided a brief background of the organisation and various activities being undertaken by it. Baljit Kaur, acting president of the IOSS, said that the Sikh gurus not only provided an ideological base through their hymns for socio-religious rehabilitation of women but also undertook several practical steps in this direction. The Vice-Chancellor of Guru Granth Sahib University appreciated the dedicated work undertaken for propagation of Sikh religion and literature by the IOSS and its founder members. He lamented that the Sikhs were forgetting what the gurus taught them. Dr Kirpal Singh traced the status of women in Sikh scriptures. Dr Rajinder Jit Kaur Dhindsa, director, Institute of Advanced Studies in Sikhism, discussed issues like dowry and female foeticide. Dr Jaspal Kaur Kang explained how Guru Nanak was a social reformer par excellence and how his thoughts were revolutionary not only in light of his contemporary society but even today. Amandeep Singh in his paper discussed how gender relations within Sikhism have been interpreted in Western paradigm. Singh compared and contrasted the writings of Doris R Jakobsh and Nikki-Guninder Kaur Singh, as both have done a comprehensive analysis on feminism in Sikh history and philosophy. SGPC member Harjinder Kaur appreciated clear interpretation by scholars of the difference in thoughts held by Western authors on the empowerment of the women vis-à-vis Sikh authors. Dr Rajni Bala talked about the evil of female foeticide saying that "womb of the mother becomes tomb of the girl child". She explained how ultrasound testing was being misused in India for sex determination tests leading to illegitimate abortions.
	Indo-US ties on firmer ground, says US official Umesh Dewan Tribune News Service Patiala, November 6 Senior Strategic Adviser (South Asia), State Department, US, Anish Goel said today that India had full cooperation of the US on the crucial issue of elimination of terrorism. In an interview with The Tribune at his uncle’s residence in Patiala, Anish said despite the tall claims by Pakistan of having taken decisive steps to curb terrorism, there were reports of training camps for terrorists on its soil. On the diplomatic ties with the US, he said these had strengthened since Barack Obama taking over as President in 2009. Anish, who was part of the negotiating team on the Indo-US nuclear deal, said India and the US were working jointly in several other sectors, including science and technology and education. Anish (35), son of Dr Vijay Goel, a renowned bio-medical engineer, is settled in the US. Born in Sydney (Australia), Anish has done Ph.D in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, US. He took part in a NASA-sponsored research project and experiments in zero gravity.
	Now, register vehicles online in Fatehgarh Sahib Our Correspondent Fatehgarh Sahib, November 6 Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner Yashveer Mahajan on Saturday inaugurated online registration of vehicles at Supreme Motors, Mandi Gobindgarh. With this, people would not be required to visit the DTO offices for registering their vehicles. Elaborating on the scheme, the Deputy Commissioner said it would help in providing registration certificates to the vehicle owners on the spot by the dealers. He said now road tax and other fees could also be paid online.
	Eminent Patiala women honoured Tribune News Service Patiala, November 6 Thousands of women today gathered to attend a special play organised by the Patiala Welfare Society (PWS) at a private marriage palace at Bhadson Road here. Six eminent women who have established their names in their respective fields were also honoured at the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, PWS chairman Satbir Singh Khatra said women form an integral part of the entire system and their role in the development of the society could not be ruled out. "Ensuring that women from villages also lead from the front and get equal opportunity is something we all should try to achieve," he said. Earlier, a play named 'Sukki Kukh' on social evils and depicting the role of women in the society and their responsibilities was also held which talked about various issues, including female foeticide and drug menace. The play rightfully showcased the role of women and the hardships they face at various stages of their life. Thousands of women from 54 villages from Patiala gathered at the function. Those honoured included Gurmeet Kaur Bawa (folk singer), Roopa Saini (Indian hockey player), Amritpal Kaur (professor of religion and literature), Dr Harshinder Kaur (medical research and education) and Sunita Sabharwal (theatre activist).
	inside babudom Govt cautious in making appointments Prabhjot Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 6 The SAD-BJP government is finding itself cornered in what is a normal end of the term appointment spree through which some of the favourite superannuating bureaucrats are rewarded with plum postings. After the Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the appointment of Harish Rai Dhanda as the chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission, the government appears to be cautious in using its discretionary powers in making the appointments. Though a lot has been said and written about the Right to Service Act, the government is still not able to name a regular chairman of the Right to Service Commission. Of late, it has started following the procedure of inviting applications to key positions, including those of information commissioners. Not many appointments, however, have come through. Three of Punjab’s senior civil servants, Sundram Krishna (1977 batch), A. Didar Singh (1976 batch), and Mukul Joshi (1975), have retired as Secretary to the Union Government. Two of them, Mukul Joshi and A. Didar Singh, superannuated on October 31. As of now, though some Punjab cadre bureaucrats - Dilsher Singh Kalha, Sudhir Mittal and Rakesh Singh - stand empanelled for appointment as Secretary to the government, they are waiting in the wings for the want of vacancies. On November 1, when some appointments of secretaries were made by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, Sutanu Behuria (Himachal Pradesh, 1976 batch) and PK Chaudhary (Haryana, 1977) got through. Behuria becomes Secretary, Natural Disaster Management Authority while Chaudhary becomes Secretary, Industrial Policy and Promotions in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Besides the chairman of the Right to Service Commission, the Punjab government also has to fill the coveted post of the state election commissioner after the incumbent, AK Dubey, put in his papers even before the completion of his term. Since elections to the state Assembly are due in February, the model conduct of conduct can be enforced by the Election Commission any time. As such, the state government is desperate that in case some formalities, including advertising posts to be filled by re-employing superannuating bureaucrats, should be completed well before the code of conduct comes into play. Among frontrunners for key post-retirement positions are Chief Secretary Subodh Aggarwal and Financial Commissioner, Taxation, Shivinder Singh Brar. A few others may well be hoping for change of the government in the coming elections with the fond hope of bagging coveted postings in the new regime. Income Tax Dept promotions Eight deputy commissioners or deputy directors in the North West Region of the Income Tax Department could not have asked for a better Diwali gift than a promotion to the new rank of joint commissioner. Those to benefit include RS Mehta (Chandigarh), Dharam Chand (Ludhiana), Chetan PS Rao (Panchkula), JS Kahlon (Chandigarh), Inoshi Sharma (Chandigarh), Arvinder Singh (Ludhiana), Rajinder Kaur (Patiala) and Ekta Jain (Patiala). Their promotions and fresh postings have been ordered by the Central Board of Direct Taxation. Some of them, including RS Mehta, have already assumed charge of their higher position.