Friday, August 13, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, August 13, 1999 |
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Punjab
urges Centre to clear dues Sikhs abroad ‘unhappy’
with Akali ranks |
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Punjab
Cong to adopt ‘offensive posture’ 1,102 polling stations declared
sensitive Raising structures with impunity
Kenyan held for beating doctor EC ruling on speeches Case against ex-minister's son Contempt notice to Chief Secy, DGP Murder case takes new turn Resentment among PCMS doctors Umranangal stipend instituted
Man seeks arrest of son's killers Engineers criticise victimisation
of SDO Revenue officers go on strike |
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Punjab urges Centre to clear
dues CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — While urging the Central Government to clear the dues to the tune of Rs 550 crore from the wheat and rice delivered to the Central pool, the Punjab Government has expressed its unhappiness over the slow movement of wheat from Punjab to other states. Official sources told TNS that nearly Rs 710 crore was due against the Central Government of various state government procurement agencies and of this payment of Rs 150 crore had been received. The balance amount had not been cleared. On the other hand state procurement agencies are pressing hard for early clearance of the dues as the agencies are supposed to prepare for the procurement of paddy which will start arriving in various state mandis by the end of next month. Informed sources said the Food Corporation of India, which is supposed to clear the dues, had not received money from the Union Education department which provides wheat to educational institutions under the mid-day meal scheme. Taking up the issue of movement of wheat from Punjab to other states, the state government has demanded lifting of at least 12 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice from Punjab to other states. Nearly 80 lakh tonnes of wheat procured by state government agencies for the Central pool is yet to be moved out of Punjab. Likewise nearly 20 lakh tonnes of wheat belonging to the FCI was lying stacked in Punjab. Nearly 40 lakh tonnes of rice is to be moved out of Punjab. In fact Punjab was facing a problem of plenty and one could see huge stacks of wheat stored at various places. Informed sources said more than 130 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat were procured for the Central pool in Punjab. But not more than 80 lakh tonnes were moved out. With a carryover of 50 lakh tonnes each year, especially during the past three years, Punjab remained overburdened with a huge stock of foodgrain. Sources said from January to July nearly 54 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat had been taken out of Punjab to other states. The average of shifting foodgrain to other states was below 8 lakh tonnes a month which was highly inadequate keeping in view the stock of foodgrain lying in Punjab. The state government has urged the Central Government to instruct the FCI to allot adequate number of special trains for wheat movement. It is alleged that the
FCI is keen on moving its own wheat and rice stock out
from the state by hijacking the specials allocated to
state government agencies. |
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Sikhs abroad
‘unhappy’ with Akali ranks CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — Prof Sukhmander Singh, President of the North America Akali Dal, told a press conference here today that by and large, Sikhs abroad were totally disillusioned with Punjab’s Akali leaders. He said the situation had reached a stage that Sikhs abroad did not show any inclination to listen to Akali leaders who visit the USA, the UK and Canada from Punjab. Division in Akali ranks here had disappointed Sikhs abroad, he added. "We want to contribute for the development of Punjab but Akali leaders who visit us abroad show little interest in meeting experts who could play a vital role in the development of Punjab and the country". Mr Sukhmander Singh said Punjabis abroad were world class engineers, computer experts and academicians who were prepared to render their services for the development of their mother land — Punjab. Urging all Akali leaders visiting abroad to first declare the purpose of their visit, Mr Sukhmander Singh said when leaders, especially from the South visit the USA, the UK, etc, they go there with a specific agenda and return with a "fruitful visit". Pressing for unity in Akali ranks between Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra the NRI Akali leader said he was striving hard to pave the way for a dialogue between the two leaders. So far there was no success on this account but he was hopeful that the ground could be prepared for unity. Quizzed which was real the Shiromani Akali Dal, he said he was trying to make out which Akali Dal was the main stream party. Supporting the implementation of hukamnamas issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh as regards community kitchen in gurdwaras abroad, Mr Sukhmander Singh said as the implementation process was not handled properly this created problems in gurdwaras in the USA and Canada. He said that abroad Sikh youths were with Bhai Ranjit Singh. Bhai Ranjit Singh, who
is claimed to be the Jathedar of Akal Takht by the party
headed by Mr G S Tohra, should not campaign in the Lok
Sabha elections and must be above party politics. No
Jathedar of Akal Takht had taken part in electioneering,
he added. |
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Patiala seat PATIALA, Aug 12 — A battle royale for supremacy is on the cards in this parliamentary constituency between erstwhile royal family scion and pradesh Congress President, Amarinder Singh, Akali titan and former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra and "king in the making" — Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh. While Capt Amarinder will campaign for his wife and Congress nominee Praneet Kaur, Mr Tohra is the guiding force behind the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra and Capt Kanwaljit is over all in charge of the Akali Dal (Badal) candidate Surjit Singh Rakhra’s campaign. Till now, both Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts were the bastion of Mr Tohra whose writ was law in the region. With Mr Tohra’s iron grip over the area having loosened after his breakaway from the Akali Dal, it is to be seen which leader among the three emerges as all-powerful. Though Capt Amarinder was defeated by the campaign led by the former SGPC chief in favour of his protege Mr Chandumajra in the last Lok Sabha elections, he faces a divided Akali Dal this time with Mr Chandumajra having been considerably weakened after breaking away from the Badal Dal. The PPCC President will, however, be handicapped by a very late start as he is still to come here due to the allotment of the Ferozepore and Jalandhar seats. While both Mr Tohra and Capt Kanwaljit Singh have been campaigning for their proteges since nearly a month, Capt Amarinder is yet to start campaigning for his wife. However, the fact that the Congress is strongest on paper due to the likely division in votes with two Akali candidates being in the fray, may help him. The Congress candidate’s campaign has been plagued by infighting, besides a virtual boycott by senior leaders. Mrs Praneet Kaur is facing problems in gathering crowds to her campaign and is also being constantly embarrassed by the infighting which has apparent at a few meetings addressed by her. She is a poor speaker and does not have the comfort of senior leaders speaking at her functions. The senior leaders include ticket aspirants Surinder Singla and Sant Ram Singla, both former MPs, former minister Prem Gupta and party General Secretary Birdevinder Singh, besides Brahm Mohindra and Raj Khurana. On the other hand, the campaign of both Akali Dal and Tohra faction is in an advanced state. Even though Mr Chandumajra has to fight against the ruling Akali Dal, he is putting up a spirited show. The Tohra faction is getting a good response from a section of the vote bank though it has no support base among the Hindu community. Mr Tohra, who is fighting with his back to the wall, sees the elections as not one which will re-establish his hegemony over the region, but one which will prove the supremacy of Akal Takht. The former SGPC chief is also portraying himself and his group as champions of the people who were victimised for having spoken the truth. He also stresses on lack of development having taken place due to ulterior designs of the Chief Minister and his coterie, represented by Capt Kanwaljit who comes in for special scorn at all public meetings. Capt Kanwaljit is, however, credited with having put in a lot of labour in this constituency and on whose shoulders the campaign of Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra rests. The Finance Minister has been camping in this constituency for over a month and has been successful to some extent in creating dissensions in the Tohra camp, many of whose supporters have joined the Badal bandwagon. Having started from scratch, the Finance Minister has built up the tempo of the Badal Dal candidate who himself is a new comer in politics. Mr Rakhra hardly speaks at public rallies leaving it to Capt Kanwaljit to speak in detail about his candidature and necessity to vote for him to ensure the formation of a government led by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. After wooing the Akali vote bank, the Badal Dal wants to woo traders who are generally disillusioned with the party to vote for it in the name of Mr Vajpayee. The Finance Minister
admits his reputation is at stake as he is overall in
charge of the Akali Dal campaign. He says he considers
himself as a state leader and not that of any district.
People do not like to believe that Mr Tohra is finished
in this region as he has been supreme for so long.
"However, we will prove this myth wrong", he
says. |
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Punjab Cong to adopt
‘offensive posture’ CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The full house of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) met here today and decided to opt for an "offensive posture" in the Lok Sabha election campaign. A formal beginning is to be made from Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran on August 16. This was announced today by the PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, at a press conference after deliberations with party leaders and members, including several candidates. Though the Congress will contest 11 of the 13 seats, it has decided to leave two seats, Bathinda (Reserved) and Sangrur, for the two Communist parties for which, given a choice, the Congress would prefer joint campaigning as well. Capt Amarinder Singh admitted that there were "dissensions" (healthy competition was the expression substituted by him) over the distribution of the ticket (there being 273 aspirants for 13 seats). He was however, confident, that as the campaign picked up the party machinery would operate smoothly. The major issues the party will take up as talking points during campaigning will include both the national ones, namely, the Kargil crisis, Bofors gun deal, intelligence failure, AICC President, Sonia Gandhi's nationality and origin, and also the local issues: non-performance of the SAD-BJP Government led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal will be the main plank. Capt Amarinder Singh reiterated that because of wrong policies Punjab had been put on a "disaster path" where finance, economy, debt burden, unemployment, and other ills afflicted the socio-economic fabric. Singing the usual election-time tune, the PPCC president alleged that reports of "harassment and arm-twisting" by the ruling SAD-BJP combine to intimidate Congress leaders and voters had been received from all over the state, primarily from Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Faridkot Lok Sabha constituencies. The election commission was being kept informed. Capt Amarinder Singh would also meet with the Director-General of Police along with "victims of highhandedness" of the government, which was blatantly misusing its machinery. So much so that despite the given threat perception, security cover had been withdrawn in respect of several Congressmen and officials so transferred and posted as to influence the voters by means fair and foul. Capt Amarinder Singh devoted substantial time on the briefing to Kargil, intelligence failure, government apathy and its attempts to "politicise" the Kargil victory. Is the euphoria over the coffins of jawans? Mrs Sonia Gandhi, he disclosed, had desired to spend at least three days campaigning in Punjab. The candidates too had given their preference for the AICC leaders to campaign for them during electioneering. On the issue of show-cause notices to certain Congressmen and dissensions within the party cadre, including in his home district, the PPCC chief dismissed these with a wave of his hand and remarked "all will be well". In his opinion the main battle will be between the Congress and the ruling SAD while in some pockets where the ex-SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, has influence the Congress would have to reckon with the group as well; Patiala, Ropar, Ludhiana and Tarn Taran fall in this category. Even the presence of former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh in the campaign of the Tohra front and also of the widow of Mr Jaswant Singh Khalra (she is a candidate of Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal formed front) in Tarn Taran cannot be ignored. The PPCC felt that
witch-hunting of the Congress by the government was a
sign of"desperation and frustration" because
the anti-establishment sentiment was strong. He was
confident of winning a handsome number of seats. |
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1,102 polling stations
declared sensitive AMRITSAR, Aug 12 — As many as 1,103 polling stations in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Majitha police districts have been identified as "sensitive or very sensitive". Giving details, the press note issued on behalf of Mr Narinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, who is also the District Electoral Officer-cum-Returning Officer of Tarn Taran and Amritsar parliamentary constituencies, said 256 and 245 polling stations had been identified as sensitive and very sensitive, respectively, here. As many as 341 polling stations had been identified as sensitive in Tarn Taran whereas 229 and 32 polling stations, respectively, had been identified as sensitive or very sensitive in Majitha district. Appropriate security arrangements would be made to ensure smooth and peaceful polling, it added. Nearly 1,700 electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be put to use for 11,01,496 voters for the first time in the Tarn Taran parliamentary constituency, scheduled to go to the polls on September 5. Mr Narinderjit Singh further said that training was being imparted to the polling staff, candidates, their agents and even voters about the use of the EVMs. He disclosed that 200 EVMs had already reached here. Amritsar has two parliamentary constituencies — Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Two assembly segments, namely Batala and Qadian, which falls in Gurdaspur district, are also part of the Amritsar parliamentary constituency. Giving details about the pre-poll arrangements in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, the Deputy Commissioner said that there were 1396 polling stations in Amritsar and 1279 in Tarn Taran where spot-checking of polling stations had been done by the assistant returning officer concerned. As a result, some buildings were found unsuitable and some were found demolished. A proposal for the change of buildings polling stations had already been sent to the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, for being sent to the Election Commission for its approval. Mr Narinderjit Singh said that a total of 12,44,316 voters in Amritsar and 11,01,496 in Tarn Taran would have the right to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming elections. As many as 11,936
officials would be put on poll duty and would be
responsible for the conduct of a free and fair poll. |
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Raising structures with impunity BATHINDA, Aug 12 — The non-implementation of various town planning schemes and lack of will on the part of the Municipal Council authorities have resulted in haphazard and unplanned development of the city. Official sources said more than 6,000 permanent structures, including residential premises and business establishments, had been constructed in the city unauthorised without getting the site plan sanctioned from the civic body. The sources added that a few months ago the Punjab Government had dropped 12 sanctioned town planning schemes, which had accentuated the problem. In the remaining 18 schemes, people were openly violating norms as the authorities concerned had failed to stop them. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhuller, President of the Municipal Council, told TNS that the council had issued notices to 700 persons who had undertaken unauthorised constructions. These people would now have to get their site plan approved by paying normal charges with penalty. While admitting the violation of town planning schemes, he said it had encouraged land-grabbing elements in the city. He added that the council authorities were facing large-scale litigation regarding unauthorised constructions. Mr N.K. Garg, an advocate who has been fighting against these violations, alleged that the council authorities, in connivance with the district town planning authorities, were allowing people to violate the norms of these schemes. He added that a number of parks in the sanctioned schemes had been encroached upon. Mr Bhullar denied any connivance between the council authorities and the town planning authorities. He pointed out that the schemes were not being implemented as the revenue authorities were finding it difficult to demarcate the plots of different owners. The delay in the implementation of sanctioned schemes also led to their violation, he added. Mr Gulzar Singh,
District Town Planner, said the town planning
authorities' job was over once a scheme was sanctioned by
the Punjab Government. Checking violation of any such
scheme was the responsibility of council authorities. |
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Subedar Balbir Singh cremated LALRU, Aug 12 — The mortal remains of Subedar Balbir Singh of 153 Medium Regiment who laid down his life in the Batalik subsector on August 9 were today consigned to the flames with full military honours at his native village, Dappar, near here. The martyr had sustained injuries on his head and chest from a shell fired from across the Line of Control and later died at the Base Hospital in Srinagar. His colleague, Subedar Basti Ram from Rajasthan, had died on the spot and seven other jawans also sustained injuries. Besides a large number of Army jawans and officials, hundreds of people, including students of the local Government High School, lined the road leading to the house of the martyr and raised slogans. In spite of the heavy rain, residents of the nearby areas and villages stood along the road and in their courtyards to pay homage to the village hero. They gathered in large numbers to pay their respects before the buglers sounded the last post. An army contingent reversed arms and fired volley shots. Heart-rendering scenes were witnessed when four Army jawans brought the coffin to his residence. Women of the family cried loudly. Mr Charan Singh and Havildar Jagtar Singh, brothers of the martyr, lit the pyre. Satwinder Singh (10) and Dilraj Singh (4), his sons, were also present. The cremation ground was packed to capacity and even the passersby stopped to pay their homage to the martyr. Wreaths were laid by Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh and Additional Deputy Commissioner R.S. Randhawa on behalf of the Chief Minister of Punjab. Major M.S. Sharma laid a wreath on behalf of the Chief of the Army Staff. Wreaths were also laid by Brig N.S. Sapry, Col P.K. Ramchandran, Major S. Grover, Capt Vivek Malik, Mr H.S. Sidhu, SSP, Patiala, Mr S.S. Sidhu, SDM and Mr H.S. Bhullar, DSP, Dera Bassi. Members of the Youth
Muslim League, Dera Bassi, also paid their homage to the
martyr. |
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Kenyan held for beating doctor AMRITSAR, Aug 12 — The high-level inquiry, ordered on the request of the Kenyan Government to probe the charges of "negligence" of doctors which led to the death of a newborn female baby of a Kenyan couple last year, was today postponed indefinitely following the arrest of the complainant, Ms Grace Chelagat Maiyo, for reportedly beating and seriously injuring Dr Ruchi Sharma. Ms Maiyo had started beating Dr Sharma with her sandal in the office of Dr O P Mahajan, Principal, Government Medical College, and chairman of the inquiry committee, while the inquiry was in progress. Dr B L Goel and Dr M S Khanna, senior professors of the medical college and the other members of the three-member committee were also present there when the incident occurred. The inquiry into the death of the baby of the couple who are students of Guru Nanak Dev University due to the "negligence" of the doctors was ordered by the Health Secretary. Ms Maiyo stood up from her chair and started beating Dr Sharma, mercilessly causing her serious head injuries. Mr A. Philip Maiyo husband of the accused, was also present. Dr Mahajan told TNS that Mr K K Bhatnagar, Secretary, Health, and Director, Research and Medical Education, had asked him to postpone the inquiry as the complainant had been arrested. Ms Maiyo has been arrested under Sections 323 and 353 of the IPC. Meanwhile, on the call of the Junior Doctors Association, the working of the medical college and its related hospitals were paralysed in protest against the incident. Dr Neeraj Gill, President of the association, claimed that the strike was complete as all OPDs and operation theatres of the medical college and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital were closed. He also sought the resignation of Dr Mahajan as he remained a "mute spectator" while Dr Sharma was being beaten. However, the strike was
later called off following the arrest of Ms Maiyo. Though
Dr Sharma was out of danger, she was in the intensive
care unit. |
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EC ruling on speeches CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The Election Commission sounded the Chief Ministers and Ministers of the various states against making party themes the peg for their Independence Day addresses. Appealing to the Chief Ministers and Ministers to stick to national issues during their Independence Day speeches — which will coincide with the enforcement of the model code of conduct — the EC authorities said August 15 was a "a day to speak for India and not for party politics". Dr Brajendra Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab said the EC had no objection to Central ministers/ Chief Ministers/ministers speaking at such functions but they should confine themselves to extolling the achievements to the martyrs in securing freedom for the country, glorification of the Indian state and so on. Under no circumstances they should turn the I-Day platform for political campaign. The commission has also decided that no Central minister/minister or any other political functionary in the state ex-MP shall do preside over at any Independence Day functions at any location within their home district or constituency or from where he or she is a contesting candidate or intends to contest. The Prime Minister and
the Chief Ministers may, however, do so from the national
Capital and state headquarters as per long-standing
conventions. The EC also has no objection to a broadcast
or telecast by chief ministers in their state on August
15, which is part of the regular established practice in
the past but they should not violate the code of conduct. |
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Case against ex-minister's
son PATIALA, Aug 12 — The district police has registered a case under Section 307 of the IPC against Rajinder Singh, a son of former Punjab Minister Lal Singh, in connection with an attempt on the life of Amritpal Singh, alias Bittu, a brother of Mahila Congress Vice-President Rana Shergill. According to a case registered at the Sanaur police station today, Amritpal Singh has alleged that he was chased by persons in a Contessa car when he along with his sister Rana Shergill and his maternal cousin Harminder Singh were going in his Maruti Zen car from Dakala to Sanaur. He said the occupants of the Contessa driven by the former minister's son forced them off the road near Sanaur. Amritpal said following this the other occupants of the car, including Balwinder Singh Safdipur, a wine contractor, and his brother-in-law, attacked them. He alleged Safdipur fired at him. He said he was also hit on his head by a rod, adding that the alleged assailants managed to escape when a crowd gathered at the spot. He claimed the cause of
the attack was political differences between his sister,
who is also a member of the executive of the Punjab
Congress, and Mr Lal Singh, who is also Vice-President of
the Pradesh Congress. |
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Contempt notice to Chief Secy,
DGP CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — Mr Justice V S Aggarwal today issued notice of motion to Mr R S Mann, Punjab Chief Secretary, and Mr A S Bhatotia, Haryana’s Director-General of Police, in two separate contempt petitions filed against them. The contempt petition against Mr Mann had been filed by Mr J C Sikka, former manager, Punjab Films and News Corporation, a state government undertaking. The services of Mr Sikka were terminated on February 17, 1988. But on a civil suit filed by him, he was ordered to be reinstated in service within two months and paid consequential benefits. The petitioner claimed that this order of the Sub Judge, Chandigarh, was affirmed by the Additional District Judge on September 3, 1996. However, the order has not been complied with by the respondent which amounted to contempt. Mr A R Lakhanpal, Finance Secretary, has also been issued notice in the case. In another case, Mr Romesh Kumar, a police constable of Jind now under suspension, alleged that despite High Court orders passed in his case on January 19,1999, neither was his notional pay fixed by the respondent nor was he paid any suspension allowance. It was the
petitioner’s case that the respondents, Mr Bhatotia
and Mr Ranjit Singh Ahlawat, who has also been issued
notice had committed contempt of the High Court by
intentionally not complying with the order. |
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Murder case takes new turn PATIALA, Aug 12 — The sensational murder case of Kirat Kaur, a resident of Hem Bagh Colony in October, 1997, has taken a new turn with the city police arresting her husband and another relative on charges of forging a will to lay claim to the house registered in the name of the deceased. The police has arrested Kirat Kaur's husband Randhir Singh and his nephew Jaspal Singh for forging a will in November, 1997, a month after the murder of Kirat Kaur, whereby the house was willed to Randhir Singh. Both Randhir and Jaspal have been arrested following an FIR filed by one Gurbhai Singh of Hem Bagh Colony who has given an account of the false will made by the accused on November 24, 1997. Besides this the complainant has given forensic reports of experts to prove that Kirat Kaur's signatures were forged. The complainant has also alleged that he was falsely implicated in the case by Randhir Singh and his friend S.S. Thind as he had come to know of the will. He said following this he approached the authorities as Randhir Singh, who is a civil contractor, was able to scuttle investigation through his "influence". Mr Gurbhai Singh said following the murder, Randhir Singh started settling scores by naming several people as suspects, creating a fear psychosis in the colony. He said several persons were interrogated by the police but nothing came of it. Kirat Kaur's murder is still a mystery as her killers removed all prints in the house. Meanwhile, Randhir Singh
and Jaspal Singh have been remanded in custody till
August 23 by Chief Judicial Magistrate Satish Aggarwal. |
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Resentment among PCMS doctors AMRITSAR, Aug 12 — There is resentment among more than 5000 PCMS doctors against the alleged dilatory tactics adopted by the Punjab Government in implementing the recommendations of the Fourth Punjab Pay Commission. The recommendations were accepted by the state government two years ago, but have not been implemented so far. Dr Dinesh Kumar, state coordinator, Punjab Services Doctors Organisation, said the recommendation granting time-bound scales to PCMS doctors after four, nine and 14 years' service respectively, on the pattern of its central government was first implemented and then suddenly rolled back on flimsy grounds. This had resulted in a strange situation with a few doctors drawing new scales and a majority of others less with equal length of service and qualifications drawing much less in the master scale. While withholding the implementation of the new scales the government had stated that fresh instructions would be issued soon. However, although more than a year had passed no action had been taken in this regard. Dr Dinesh Kumar further alleged that the non-implementation of the new time-bound scales had added to the agony of the PCMS doctors who were already stagnating in their cadre. The much-assured promotion after 18 years' regular service (as proposed by the Sandhawalia Committee and accepted by the government was never granted and more than 600 doctors who had already put in more than 18 years' service felt "cheated and let down". Dr Dinesh Kumar also said academic allowances provided to doctors to help then keep abreast of latest developments in the medical field by subscribing to various journals had remained static between Rs 100 and Rs 250 for the past 10 years whereas the prices of medical journals and books had skyrocketed. Even the inadequate
raise recommended by the commission was awaiting
administrative approval. Similarly, conveyance allowance
which in 1989, was fixed at Rs 150 for scooters and Rs
450 for cars had not been revised. |
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Doctors' organisation irked CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The Punjab Service Doctors' Organisation is up in arms against the indifferent attitude of the state government towards the service conditions of some 5,000-odd PCMS doctors. The executive of the organisation, which met recently in Amritsar, has demanded that the least government could do was to implement the promised provisions of the pay commission. Despite two years' time gap nothing tangible has been done in respect of several recommendations of the commission accepted in principle by the government. The state coordinator of the organisation, Dr Dinesh Kumar, in a written statement has said that by not implementing and introducing time-bound scale after particular number of years in service has resulted in stagnation of doctors. The first promotion is not given even after 20 years, he added. Initially the time-bound scale was implemented only to be rolled back later. As a result certain doctors benefited while a majority were not. Second even a cadre review is called for. Dr Dinesh also referred to "meagre" allowance for books and journals as well as for transport, which hampered efficiency. Even the promised higher education allowance has been denied. The PCMS doctors had
silently lent support to enhancing hospital charges in
the hope the money will help improve medicare which has
not happened. The quality of service stood affected. For
a "quality assurance mechanism" the
organisation has recommended constitution of a
state-level commission, which should set "minimum
standards for each service provided by public health
institutions. "Even recycling of the revenue earned
through increased hospital charges should be
transparent," he added. |
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Umranangal stipend instituted AMRITSAR, Aug 12 — Mr Ajit Singh Bal, son-in-law of late Akali leader Jeewan Singh Umranangal has donated Rs 12,000 under the donors’ stipend scheme of the Punjab Istri Sabha Relief Trust. Under the scheme, a stipend will be given to one student and it will be known as Jathedar Jeewan Singh Umranangal stipend. Similarly, Dr Ania Loomba, daughter of late CPI leader Sateesh Loomba has donated Rs 10,000 to the trust to institute another stipend. Already 13 stipends are
being given by the trust. |
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Fauji association to oppose
Sukhbir BATHINDA, Aug 12 — Mr Amrik Singh, chairman, Sikh Dharmi Fauji Association, today said that activists of the association would campaign against Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, in the Faridkot parliamentary constituency in protest against, Mr Badal’s anti-Panthic activities. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Amrik Singh said the association comprised Armymen who deserted their barracks on an appeal of Mr Badal after Operation Bluestar. The members of the association has not been rehabilitated as promised by Mr Badal. He alleged that Mr Badal who burnt copies of the Constitution had become the Chief Minister. However, the Sikh Armymen who deserted their barracks on his appeal were yet to be rehabilitated. Meanwhile, Mr Madan Lal Kapoor, president, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, Punjab, said that the mandal had decided to oppose SAD-BJP candidates in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. In a press note issued
here, he said a decision to this effect had been taken at
a meeting of the executive here today. |
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Man seeks arrest of son's
killers TARN TARAN, Aug 12 — Mr Paramjit Singh, a resident of Bhojian village has criticised the inaction of the police in arresting the killers of his son Milkha Singh who was murdered about two months back. In an attested affidavit delivered to reporters, yesterday, he said his son was murdered on June 19 while returning from Emma Mallhia village on his scooter. The post-mortem of the body was also performed. He said the killers had been identified and the knife with which Milkha Singh was murdered was recovered from the killers. Mr Paramjit Singh
alleged that a gazetted officer was trying to save the
alleged culprits. He also alleged that he was being
pressurised not to seek investigation into the case. He
demanded that the killers should be booked under Section
320, IPC, without delay and the reason behind delaying
the case should be inquired into. |
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Engineers criticise victimisation
of SDO PATIALA, Aug 12 — The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Engineers Association has lodged a protest with the board Chairman over the victimisation and harassment of the Subdivisional Officer (Operations), Patron, Mr Kulwant Singh, for detecting unauthorised running of tubewells. In a statement here, the association president Padamjit Singh and general secretary H.S.Bedi said on July 30, the SDO, acting on standing instructions of the board to curb theft of power, had detected five tubewell running unauthorised. Following this, the five tubewell motors were removed and notices issued for recovery of penalty of Rs 32,500. The association leaders said the Chief Engineer, Operations, Patiala, visited the area on August 2 where consumers gave a written complaint stating that a junior engineer of the area had taken money and allowed them to run the motors, unauthorisedly. They said while no action was taken against the junior engineer, the SDO was ordered to proceed on long leave on August 3. They said on August 5
the tubewell motors were returned to the consumers
without realising the penalty. |
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Revenue officers go on strike AMRITSAR, Aug 12 — District revenue officers held a "protest day" today against the alleged "torture" of their colleague, Mr Balbir Singh, a naib tehsildar of Kapurthala, in police custody. The local Punjab Revenue Officers Association has threatened to intensify the agitation if Mr Balbir Singh was not released immediately. It will also hold a rally tomorrow to demand action against erring police official. HOSHIARPUR: On the call of the Punjab Revenue Officers Association revenue officers of this district observed complete strike on Thursday in protest against the "illegal" registration of cases against Mr Balbir Singh. The association
presented a memorandum to the Punjab Government through
the Deputy Commissioner, demanding action against those
who registered the cases. |
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Residents refuse to pay MC charges PATIALA, Aug 12 — Residents of a number of outer colonies of the city have refused to pay development charges to the municipal corporation or to share 50 per cent cost of development as offered by the corporation. A meeting of the Patiala Colonies Welfare Federation held here today resolved not to pay the charges levied by the municipality for providing basic amenities as the tax rate was very high and beyond the reach of the residents. Mr Avtar Singh Brar, President of the federation, said while the municipality had introduced charges for the outer colonies, no such tax was levied on the colonies in the old walled city. He added that the residents had also decided to urge the Punjab Government to take steps to provide basic amenities to these colonies as the municipality had failed to do so. He said the outer
colonies residents were being harassed by the
municipality as the architecture plan of the houses was
not passed for months altogether. |
||
PUDA nets Rs 1.75 cr in SCF
auction CHANDIGARH, Aug 12 — The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) has auctioned 13 prime sites of shop-cum-flats at Phagwara for Rs 1.75 crore, a press note issued by PUDA said. The highest bids far
various sites varied from Rs 12.89 lakh to Rs 16 lakh
depending upon the location of site against the reserve
price for each site at Rs 8.77 lakh. |
||
Thekedar flays Jagir Kaur's
action LUDHIANA, Aug 12 — The acting President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, has alleged that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, has been using the machinery and resources of the SGPC for campaigning for the SAD. In a statement issued to
the Press here yesterday, Mr Thekedar said Bibi Jagir
Kaur had been using three cars of the SGPC. He said being
an MLA of the SAD, the SGPC chief should not be using the
machinery of the SGPC. |
||
Historian’s reaction criticised JALANDHAR, Aug 12 — Veteran Akali leader and Senior Vice-President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, has criticised the reaction of historian disapproving the renaming of Kurukshetra University to Guru Gobind Singh University. Mr Sukhjinder Singh told TNS that Mr Dutta’s arguments in connection with the changing the university’s name showed communal approach and was in bad taste. The senior Sikh leader,
however, hailed the decision of Mr Chautala for taking
the right decision, arguing that Guru Gobind Singh had no
parallel in Indian history. |
||
Inquiry sought into RTP water
leak ROPAR, Aug 12 — The Ropar thermal plant (RTP) unit of PSEB Engineers Association has demanded an inquiry into the leakage of water from the three-stage concrete covering the emergency gate inside tunnel no.1 of the Ranjit Sagar Dam. In a press note issued here today, Mr S.C. Chabba, spokesman of the association, also demanded that the inquiry should be conducted by engineers preferably from the Central Water Commission or Central Electricity Authority. He said the association demanded that those responsible for the loss running into crores of rupees should be punished. He further said the association also demanded an inquiry into the facts and circumstances of subletting the work by Triveni Structures Limited to the sub-contractors. Mr Chabba said the
association had urged the Punjab Chief Minister to take
personal interest to avoid recurrence of such snags. |
||
Election
Commission observers HOSHIARPUR, Aug 12
— The Election Commission of India has appointed Mr
N.S. Palaniappan, Director, Social Welfare, Tamil Nadu,
as General Observer and Mr Karan Singh, Income Tax
Commissioner, Mumbai, as Expenditure Observer for
Hoshiarpur parliamentary constituency, according to Mr
Iqbal Singh Sidhu, District Returning Officer-cum-Deputy
Commissioner, here today. |
||
DGP's
assurance
on fair poll BATALA, Aug 12 — The Director-General of Police, Punjab, Mr Sarabjit Singh, has said that adequate security would be deployed in the state for the forthcoming Lol Sabha elections to ensure a free and fair poll. Talking to mediapersons here yesterday, he said the Central Government was reconsidering the demand of the state police for the deployment of 60 companies in the state. He said the state police
would be deployed as per the requirements of the Election
Commission, adding that at present the Punjab police was
ready to provide the services of 48,000 personnel. |
||
Shiv Sena to hold protest
rallies ROPAR, Aug 12 — The Punjab unit of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) will hold protest rallies in the state from August 18 to 31 against the disenfranchisement of Mr Bal Thackeray. Announcing this at a press conference here today, Mr Pawan Kumar Gupta, state president of the unit, said the first rally would be held at Patiala on August 18 and the last one at Kapurthala on August 31. A rally would also be held at Ropar on August 25. Describing the disenfranchisement of Mr Thackeray as a "conspiracy" against those who raised their voice for the cause of Hinduism, Mr Gupta questioned as to why the Sikh and Muslim leaders had not been awarded such punishment for tearing the national flag on several occasions in the past. He alleged the "conspiracy" had been hatched to debar Mr Thackeray from participating in the Lok Sabha elections. Mr Gupta said his party was not contesting the Lok Sabha elections in the state as it was a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, he criticised
the policies of the SAD-BJP government in the state
adding that the alliance had thrown the state into a
financial crisis. The law and order situation was also
bad, he said. |
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