Thursday, December 16, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Thursday, December 16, 1999 |
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Punjab
move to banish graft |
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Police dists to be remodelled No
bar on SAD holding meeting: court Conference
on drug de-addiction SAD
to contest Assembly poll in Haryana
Dr Tung may head Baba Farid
varsity Jor
Mela from Dec 26 Attempt-to-murder
case against two |
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Punjab move to banish graft CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — The Punjab Government today revamped the vigilance procedures to eradicate corruption. Giving the details, the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, stated that the crusade against corruption would unfailingly reach all public servants as defined under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Only exception will be employees of judicial courts under the administrative control of the high court, staff of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, etc, Local bodies, improvement trusts and corporations. It will now be possible to take cognisance of complaints of corruption in Punjab Public Service Commission as per the law of the land, according to a press note. The Punjab Government has also decided that the quality of investigation and prosecution will be improved substantially by a thorough analysis of the complaints of corruption received by the Vigilance department through an apex vigilance committee consisting of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Punjab, the Administrative Secretary concerned, Secretary, Vigilance and Legal Remembrancer in case of gazetted officers and Secretary Vigilance , the Administrative Secretary concerned, the Director-General Vigilance and the Legal Remembrancer in case of non-gazetted officers. These committees will take a decision within 30 days as to which complaint should be investigated by the Administrative department and which should be investigated by the Vigilance department. The guiding principle will henceforth be not to allow harassment of the innocent but to ensure that no corrupt element escapes the noose. The Vigilance department will have to complete the enquiries in three months and any extension in deadline will be provided only with full justification by the aforesaid apex committee. All year-old pending enquiries will now be reviewed or monitored by these committees. There will be only one vigilance enquiry to be completed within a period of three months from its assignment. Similarly, investigation of criminal cases will now onwards have to be completed within three months from the date of registration of cases. Once the apex vigilance committee assigns a particular matter to the Vigilance department, no administrative department will hold a parallel or a field enquiry in the matter. The Punjab Government has noted of the fact that avoidable delays are caused in the process of decision making regarding grant of prosecution sanction. Henceforth the competent authority will have to decide within two months from the date of a reference made to them by the Vigilance department. The competent authority will have to pass a quasi-judicial order relying upon the material documents made available by the investigating officer and will not hold a parallel or a field enquiry at that stage. In case the sanction of prosecution has been delayed or refused without any cogent reasons, the matter will be placed before the relevant apex vigilance committee. One officer in each
department will henceforth be designated as the Chief
Vigilance Officer, who will also represent the Secretary,
Vigilance, in pursuing matters in the department
concerned. He will work under the direct control of the
Secretary Vigilance who will make a suitable entry into
the ACR of the Chief Vigilance Officer with regard to his
performance. |
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Nightmarish end to dream project PREET NAGAR (Amritsar), Dec 15 — Preet Nagar, a village or say colony which was developed by famous Punjabi writer Gurbax Singh Preetlari way back in 1939 and was a symbol of “universal love”, as he favoured community living instead of individual living. Here houses had no boundary walls and a common kitchen was set up where everyone had food together to develop faith, understanding and love. But the dream project was destroyed by the Partition in 1947 and ruined buildings in the village narrate the tragic end of Preet Nagar. It is situated at a distance of about 30 km from Amritsar. This place has a historical background as it was used by Mughal Emperor Jahangir while going to Kashmir from Lahore. The baradari, which still stands, was his place where Emperor Jahangir stayed during the journey with Noorjahan. About 175 acres of land was purchased by Gurbax Singh Preetlari to develop the colony. Famous Punjabi poet Dhani Ram Chatrik had suggested this place to him and he himself stayed in this colony. Preet Nagar, which was called a village of intellectuals was inaugurated on June 7, 1939. The concept of it was conceived when Gurbax Singh Preetlari came back from the USA in 1922 after getting an engineering degree. After taking to writing he developed the thinking that only “community living” could solve problems. He conceived designs of the houses. Preet Nagar had a school where 1200 children studied and their uniforms were stitched here. A weaving centre and a consumer store were also set up. Interestingly in Preet Nagar there was no gurdwara, temple, mosque or church. All festivals were celebrated together by everyone in the colony. The houses were made without boundary walls and grills to indicate that everyone was welcome without any hesitation. Efforts were made to make it clean and gardens were set up. This place was also known as “garden village” and people from far off places used to visit it. Mr Hirdeypal Singh, son of late Gurbax Singh Preetlari, who still stays here in the same house, remembering old days said it seemed like a dream now. Everything was wonderful and the main motive was to encourage love and common living. Film actor Balraj Sahni too had a house here. Famous personalities like painter Sobha Singh, poet Balawant Gargi, singer Surinder Kaur, poet Sahil Ludhianvi and writer Mulak Raj Anand stayed here. But the Partition destroyed the dream project. Though efforts were made again to develop it again but no help came from the government. “My father died with great pain as he could not bear that his dream was destroyed”, said Hirdeypal Singh. Uma, daughter of Gurbax Singh Preetlari, with tears in her eyes, said it is difficult to forget old days. She said this place had everything of its own like soap factory, art school and highly qualified teachers.
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Ravi Inder seeks Sikh clergy’s intervention AMRITSAR, Dec 15 (UNI) — Former Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior dissident Shiromani Akali Dal leader Ravi Inder Singh, after failing in his attempt to dislodge Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from the seat of power today, sought the intervention of the Sikh clergy to “punish Mr Badal for what he termed as the Chief Minister’s anti-Panthic activities which had weakened the Panth”. In a three-page letter addressed to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Puran Singh, copies of which were released to the press here, Mr Ravi Inder Singh accused Mr Badal of being hand-in-glove with anti-Panthic forces and sidelining principles on which SAD was founded. The letter also accused the Badal government and the ruling Akali Dal of ignoring the sentiments of Punjabis. The jathedar while refusing to comment on the contents of the letter said it would be discussed in detail by five Sikh head priests before arriving at any decision. The letter in ‘Gurmukhi’ charged Mr Badal with nepotism and favouritism in appointments to high posts. Holding Mr Badal responsible for the recent crisis which had engulfed the Panth, the letter claimed that for the vested interests of his family the Chief Minister had “ditched” senior Akali leaders like Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala and Mr Prem Singh Lalpura. All those who dared
question the functioning of Mr Badal were expelled from
SAD in an undemocratic manner. |
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Police dists to be remodelled From Our Correspondent He said although the government was thinking to restructure the police districts in view of the new districts which had come into being during the past three years but the earlier ones would continue until the process of revamping was complete. The DGP felt that there was some overlapping between the areas of newly created districts and the old ones. Thus planning was required to avoid administrative confusion. The government and the police had been interacting to take a final decision on the total revamping for effective district-level policing. Mr Sarabjit Singh said although the file regarding the dismantling of the districts which came into being during the militancy days had been pending with the Home Department for over a year, but a comprehensive study had yet to being for their complete restructuring. From the Majha regions, which bore the brunt of militancy in the 80s, three additional police districts were carved out — two out of Amritsar and one from Gurdaspur. were established in the Malwa belt while Nawanshahr was created in the Doaba region. Answering questions about the high allocation of budget to the police force, Mr Sarabjit Singh said out of Rs 700 to 800 crore given to it, 85 per cent would go to pay salaries and the remaining was barely enough for the transportation and the upkeep of the force. He said the police had also earned about Rs 35 crore for deploying its men for election duty, adding that, a large number of companies were on poll duty for the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, West Bengal and other states. The India Reserve battalion had been raised for the purpose whenever required by the union government. The police had been constantly reviewing the security cover to a VIPs and there number had come down from 11,000 to 4,000. The threat perception to the protected persons was constantly monitored and also reviewed periodically. Commenting on the summary transfer of the SSP, Bhatinda, Mr Harnek Singh Saran, yesterday, the DSP said Mr Saran had definitely exceeded his brief and pointed out that under the service rules, IPS officers were not supposed to write to the Chief Minister directly against any minister but should have brought his grievances to (his the DGP’s) notice. The police had regularly been inducting SPOs into the force as per vacancies. Some of them had been placed for employment with the Food Corporation of India, he added. PATIALA (FOC): The transfer orders of the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP, Bathinda, have come in for criticism from political parties, including the SHSAD and the Congress. Mr G.S. Tohra, President, SHSAD, speaking at a function in Alluna village, near Rajpura, today said the Chief Minister had compromised by taking action against government officers who had dared to expose corruption. Mr Bir Devinder Singh,
General Secretary, PPCC said the transfers were a case of
“impaired judgement” of “eclipsed
political wisdom”. He said even if an ordinary
person made a complaint to the Chief Minister he was
supposed to take cognisance of it but in this case the
complainants had been punished. |
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No
bar
on SAD holding meeting: court KHARAR, Dec 15 — Mrs Seema Dhillon, Civil Judge (Junior Division), Kharar, while delivering the order on an application filed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal, for vacating ex-parte ad-interim injunction issued by this court, whereby the defendants were restrained from holding any meeting of the SAD except in accordance with law and as per the terms of the constitution of the SAD, has ordered that December 14 order itself did not restrain the holding of any meeting held in accordance with law and as per the terms of the constitution of the SAD. The court has ordered that in view of the undertaking given by the defendants counsel, in the event of any meeting being held in terms of order dated December 14 no action should be taken against the plaintiff Mr Jasmer Singh Bala. Earlier, Mr Badal through his counsel had given an application that the opposite party had obtained an ex-parte and ad-interim injunction from the court yesterday after mis-representing the facts. He had pleaded that it was wrong that the meeting had been called by a person who was not competent to do so as the meeting had been called by the SAD president Mr Parkash Singh Badal vide his letter dated December 7. They had written that Mr Badal was allowed to continue as President of the SAD till the next election of the office-bearers of the SAD party as per the general Ijlas held on June 15, 1999, at Amritsar. Hence Mr Badal and the working committee was competent to act as such till the next election of the SAD. They had written that all proceedings were communicated to the Election Commissions of India and the commission had desired that the organisational elections of the SAD should be completed by December 31, 1999. They had written that Mr Jasmer Singh Bala who had filed this case had no locus-standi to file it as he himself had become office-bearer of the SHSAD headed by Mr Tohra. They said in the
proposed meeting nothing would be discussed about him as
he was no more a member of the SAD. |
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Conference on drug de-addiction ANANDPUR SAHIB, Dec 15 — More than 300 delegates, including doctors, scientists, psychiatrists, social workers and religious leaders will take part in a three-day conference on drug-deaddiction being held under the aegis of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib from December 17 to 19 in the auditorium of local Government Girls Senior Secondary School. Addressing a press conference at his residence here today, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, said besides the delegates a large number of persons belonging to different fields would also participate. Among prominent personalities who would participate in the conference were Swami Agnivesh, Dr L.M. Singhvi, Dr Jamil Ahemad, Pro vice-chancellor Hamdard University, Delhi, Dr Ashhar Qadir and Dr Asim Ali from Hamdard University; Giani Puran Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, respectively; Dr Jaswant Singh Neki and Prof S.S. Johl, a former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, he added. Prof Manjit Singh said a five-day drug-deaddiction camp was being organised here from December 16 to 20 in which about 500 students from schools managed by the SGPC would participate. He said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, would inaugurate a drug-deaddiction centre on December 19 at the Gurmat Sagar Trust building here. The Jathedar said on December 17 and December 18, seminars on the deaddiction would be held while on December 19 a pledge would be administered to students, youth and participants for setting up a drug-free society. He said a play against drug-addiction would be staged by Pran Sabharwal and his group on December 18. Prof Manjit Singh said the members of 16 drug-deaddiction centres of the State, besides representatives from colleges, schools, social orgnisations and religious organisations, would also participate. He said the deaddiction centres of Amritsar and Patiala would organise exhibitions here against drug-addiction. He said discussions would be held on causes, symptoms, remedies and the present state of drug addiction. The Jathedar also disclosed that during the conference a drug-deaddiction coordination committee consisting of representatives of de-addiction centres, religious, social and educational organisations would be constituted to launch a mass movement for a drug-free society. The jathedar said he had made arrangement to bring video cassettes and literature relating to drug-deaddiction from the USA, Canada and other countries. He said on the basis of these cassettes and literature, activities would be started to create awareness among the youth against drugs. He said he was of the
view that during the year of Khalsa tercentenary
celebrations, such deaddication conferences should be
held at Sri Akal Takht and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib at
Talwandi Sabo. |
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SAD to contest Assembly poll
in Haryana CHANDIGARH Dec 15 — The Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal will contest the Assembly elections in Haryana. This was disclosed here today by Mr Sukhdev Singh Gobindgarh, president of the Haryana unit of the SAD. Mr Sukhdev Singh told TNS that the SAD would contest 15 seats in various parts of Haryana. He claimed that he had already discussed the matter with Mr Badal and requested him to open talks with the BJP and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) for contesting the elections by forming a united front. Mr Sukhdev Singh said in the last Lok Sabha elections, the SAD had supported the candidates put up by the BJP and the INLD. Then the SAD had pleaded its case for contesting the Lok Sabha elections in Haryana but keeping in view the prevailing circumstances the SAD had extended its support to the INLD and BJP candidates. He said he met the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, recently and told him that the SAD would contest the Assembly poll. Mr Chautala had promised to allocate due share of seats to the SAD as a poll ally. There are a good number of Punjabis, especially Sikhs in Yamunanagar, Ambala, Karnal, Kaithal, Fatehabad, Hisar, and in Sirsa areas and they can tilt the scales in any party's favour in an election, Mr Sukhdev Singh said and added that he had fully reorganised the party in Haryana. Elections to the Haryana
Assembly is expected to be held in March. Already,
politicians of various hues have become active in the
state to prepare themselves for the poll. |
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The bridge people built DAROLI (Jalandhar) Dec 15 — What the Punjab Government could not do for more than 30 years, has been accomplished successfully by the collective effort of people of nearly 35 adjoining villages, now. For residents of these villages around Adampur Doaba township, the completion of a bridge across the Nasrala seasonal rivulet, meandering in the area, is indeed a dream come true after a long wait. The bridge project was envisaged during the regime of the late Punjab Chief Minister, Partap Singh Kairon, hailed as builder of modern Punjab, but none of the governments since midsixties bothered to execute it, leading to harrowing time for people, particularly, during monsoon. To go to villages across choe during these days, villagers had to adopt an alternative route after covering a distance of about 10-12 km. And residents’ miseries continued till they sat together last year and decided to do something to improve their lot and after Sant Malkit Singh of Dera Santpura and also an NRI, hailing from the area, came forward to lend a helping hand in the project, which is nearing completion and consequently, the bridge is scheduled to be opened for general public on January 4, 2000. During a visit to the area, it was learnt that only one 65-foot span of the bridge remains to be completed and it was expected to be done within this month. “ It is a record of sorts that we have constructed the 1008 feet long bridge on this Kartarpur-Phagwara road within a short period of just one year as the project took off on November 22 last year,” maintained Mr Surjit Singh, a sevadar of the dera, situated in nearby Manko village. According to him, the most unique thing was that it has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore even as the authorities concerned had estimated that a minimum amount of Rs 7 crore was required to accomplish the project, in which the participation of the Punjab government was in the shape of just Rs five lakh, he added. “As the authorities were dilly-dallying the construction issue for years, Baba Ji, decided to take it up in his hands and made announcements in adjoining villages appealing people to come forward and contribute for the project in any form. And the response was overwhelming, people offered huge donations in addition to participating in the round the clock “kar sewa” at the place, said another “kar sewak” at the place. During a visit to the bridge, this correspondent saw that nearly 150 persons were busy in different construction activities and interestingly 90 per cent of them were “kar sewaks” or volunteers, who had come to offer their share in the project from nearby villages as well as distant places like Dasuya, Mukerian, Tanda, and Nawanshahr. While talking to the
Tribune Mr Sadhu Singh, a carpenter, said he had
volunteered for the cause since past two months.
“What has driven me to do so is the fact that it is
a people’s cause, which was long over due, “he
added. |
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Highway ambulance scheme from LUDHIANA, Dec 15 — The district Red Cross Society will launch the “highway ambulance scheme” on December 19 for providing timely medical aid to road accident victims. A number of deaths have occurred on highways due to lack of timely aid in road accidents. To counter it the district Red Cross Society has planned to launch 14 ambulances from various strategic locations along the 100 km national highway, 55 km of state highway, 120 km of other major roads and 430 km of planned roads. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Goel, said “the ambulances will be placed at Samrala, Doraha, Bija Chowk, Khanna, Samrala Chowk, Kohara, Sahnewal, Ladowal, Ferozepore octroi post, Mirado Chowk, Jagraon, Mullanpur, Raikot and Dehlon.” Each ambulance would cover a radious of around 15-20 km around its location.” Mr Goel said the ambulances would be earmarked specifically for the job and would not be used for any VIP duty. The ambulances would be placed on a 24-hour basis and upon receiving information, would be able to reach the accident site within 15-20 minutes, he added. Another feature of this scheme is that it will be manned by police personnel who have been imparted some practical training in first-aid at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. The ambulances have been fitted with wireless sets and arrangements have been made by the Telecom Department to adjust a toll-free telephone number 102 at various places as per the positioning of the ambulance. The district administration had also fixed the rates to be charged from accident victims for awaiting this service. For patients admitted in the nearest local hospital Rs 100 would be charged as fee, whereas a fee of Rs 250 would be charged if the victim is brought to Ludhiana from outside. But what propelled the administration to take up this scheme was the success of four such highway ambulances two being run by the Khanna police in association with the Bhai Ghunaiya Lal Welfare Society and another two being operated by the district Red Cross Society at Mullanpur and Ludhiana. While seven of these
ambulances are being donated by the district Red Cross
Society at the cost of Rs 2.17 lakh each. Various other
organisations like Nanaksar and Rara Sahib gurdwaras
ahrtiya associations from Jagraon, Raikot and Mullanpur,
sabzi mandi associations of Samrala and Machhiwara,
District Truck Operators Union, Lodhi Club, Satluj Club
and Punjab and Sind Bank are donating an ambulance each.
“We are also trying to enhance the number of these
highway ambulances to make this scheme more
effective,” says the Deputy Commissioner. |
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Dr
Tung
may head Baba Farid varsity CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — The search committee, constituted by the Punjab Government, has recommended the name of Dr Balwant Singh Tung for appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, it is learnt. He will succeed Dr L.S. Chawla, who resigned some time ago, citing personal reasons. He did not complete the three-year tenure. Dr Tung, sources said, is a renowned surgeon. At present he is Medical Superintendent at the Radhasoami Hospital at Beas in Amritsar district. He had been the Principal of the medical college at Amritsar and also Director, Research and Medical Education, Punjab. The search committee has eminent persons on it. When Dr Chawla was selected the members were Dr B.K. Sharma, Dr J.S. Bajaj, Dr Sneh Lata Deshmukh, Vice-Chancellor Bombay University, Dr Hari Gautam, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Chairman Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr N.K. Ganguly, etc. This time too the high-powered committee has selected Dr Tung, who had figured at number 1 even earlier, when Dr Chawla was appointed. The government is yet to find a suitable person for appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Technical University, Jalandhar. For the PSEB, where
chairman, Mr S.K. Tuteja, has quit to move on deputation
to the Government of India as Development Commissioner,
Small-Scale Industries, the government is trying to
appoint some technical professional to head the
electricity board. The search is on. |
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Jor Mela from Dec 26 FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 15 — The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the annual Shaheedi Jor Mela scheduled to be held here from December 26 to 28 to mark the martyrdom of two Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh. Mr V.K. Janjua, Deputy Commissioner and Mr Paramraj Singh Umranangal, SSP, addressing a press conference here today said the sale, consumption and storage of liquor in Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi Pathana and Sirhind had been banned during the mela. The SSP said the 15 observation posts had been created and about 5000 police officers put on duty. Traffic during the mela would be directed via rural roads. Only the tractor-trollies carrying langar items would be allowed to enter the mela. Meanwhile, political parties, have geared up for holding their respective conferences held on the second day of the mela. Mr Parkash Singh Badal and other SAD(B) leaders will address the Akali conference. Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the PPCC, is taking keen interest in the Congress conference. In the history of the mela it would be for the first time that Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra will hold his separate conference. Earlier he had been dominating the SAD(B) conference. His party is making allout efforts for making the political conference a success as Fatehgarh Sahib is his home district. Interestingly, the
SAD(A) which had an alliance with the Tohra faction in
the recent parliamentary elections will also hold
separate political conference. |
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Attempt-to-murder case against
two LUDHIANA, Dec 15 — The police has registered a case of attempt to murder against those involved in an armed attack on a scooterist at the Bharat Nagar chowk here last afternoon. According to a press note, a case under Sections 307, 324 and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the two suspects — Devinder Singh and Jasbir Singh — for allegedly attacking Neeraj Kumar with a sharp-edged weapon when he refused to give way to their jeep. While Devinder Singh was nabbed by the people on the spot, Jasbir Singh is missing. Police parties have been dispatched to different places to trace him. Meanwhile, the police
has registered a case of cheating and fraud against Veena
Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Rani Devi and Brij Ball, partners of
M/s Ludhiana Industrial Corporation, for allegedly
removing 50 electric motors from the factory which had
been hypothecated. |
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Pak frees three Indians WAGAH, Dec 15 (UNI) — He was just 18 when on February 5, 1995, he accidentally strayed into the Pakistan territory in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, and since then he remained confined in jails across the border where he was repeatedly tortured and accused of being an Indian spy . This was the story of Naveen Sharma who returned to India along with two other Indian prisoners through this joint check post (JCP) today. Besides Naveen, the other two, who were handed over to the Indian authorities at the JCP were Bharat Bhushan of Kathua near Jammu and Sukhwant Singh of Pahra village near Gurdaspur. Due to the inhuman conditions in Pakistan jails and their harsh approach towards Indian prisoners, one of Naveen’s kidneys got damaged while Bharat Bhushan, who had been apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers after he had strayed into their territory in the Samba sector (Jammu) in February, 1993, was suffering from tuberculosis and could barely walk. As soon as the three released prisoners crossed over into the Indian territory, emotional scenes were witnessed as they were hugged by their relatives who had given up all hope of their return. Naveen’s mother, Mrs Chanchal Sharma, a cancer patient took her son in her arms as tears rolled down her cheeks. Talking to mediapersons
at the JCP, the three prisoners alleged that they were
repeatedly beaten up. |
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Baba’s bail plea accepted ROPAR, Dec 15 — The Sessions Judge, Mr Maghar Khan, here today stated that in the event of arrest of Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala, head of Dharam Kala Asthan in Dhamana village, he (baba) be released on interim bail till December 23. He has also issued notice to the state in this regard. The Nurpur Bedi police had registered a case against the baba under Sections 342, 365, 506, 323, 148 and 149, IPC, on a complaint filed by Mr Kamaljit Singh, a medical practitioner of Bains village on Ropar-Nurpur Bedi road for allegedly being beaten by the baba, his security men and his driver on Saturday at the bus stop of Bains village. The Sessions Judge has
stated that the baba be released on interim bail on his
furnishing bonds of Rs 10,000 with one surety in the like
amount to his satisfaction. |
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Transfer of DC, SSP
‘unjustified’ BATHINDA, Dec 15 — Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, President, Lok Bhalai Party, Mr Joginder Dyal, state Secretary, CPI, and Mr Hardev Arshi, leader of the CPI group in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, today alleged that corruption was being promoted in the state under the much-publicised anti-corruption drive of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Talking to TNS on the telephone, they alleged that Mr Badal had punished officials who had unearthed the Rs 2.5-crore irrigation scam but had failed to take action against politicians who were also involved in it. Mr Ramoowalia said people of Punjab should come forward to support honest officers who exposed the scam. He pointed out that by transferring the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Bathinda district on flimsy grounds, Mr Badal had exposed himself and proved the fact that corruption was being patronised under the hollow anti-corruption drive. Mr Dyal and Mr Arshi while demanding the immediate expulsion of state Irrigation Minister, Mr Sikander Singh Malooka, from the Council of Ministers also urged Mr Badal to get the CBI to investigate the matter. Mr Jagmeet Brar, MP, alleged that scams and scandals had become a part and parcel of the Punjab Government. He said it was surprising that no irrigation official involved in the scam had been suspended and no contractor arrested so far. Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, General Secretary, DCC, alleged that it was for the first time in the history of Punjab that the district administration had passed a resolution against a minister regarding his attempts to hush up a scam but Mr Badal had not taken any action in this regard. Mr Jaswant Rai Bhallo, President, Aggarwal Sabha, Rampuraphul, said the transfer of the DC and the SSP was unfortunate. HOSHIARPUR, Dec 15 (FOC) — In a press note here today Mr Om Parkash Saini, General Secretary, District Congress Committee, said the decision of the Government to transfer Mr S.R. Ladhar, DC, and Mr Harnak Singh Saran, SSP, was unfortunate and unjustified. He said instead of
taking any action against Mr Sikander Singh Malooka State
Minister for Irrigation, Mr Badal had transferred the DC
and the SSP without any reason. |
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7 killed inroad mishap JALANDHAR, Dec 15 (UNI) — Seven persons, including four women, were killed and 23 wounded in a collision between a four-wheeler and a truck near Munak Kalan village on the Jalandhar-Pathankot national highway last night, the police sources said today. Of the wounded, 10 were admitted to Tanda Civil Hospital, two to Hoshairpur Civil Hospital, while the remaining were discharged after first aid. Those killed were identified as Mrs Santosh Kumari and her son Balam of Jalandhar’s Sangatpura locality, Raj Rani and her son Dalip Kumar of Ludhiana’s Railway Colony, Bholi and Kalmi, also of Sangatpur, and Lal Chand of Alwalpur town. The mishap occurred when a Tata-407 four-wheeler carrying 30 persons, including 22 women,was returning from Talwara after attending “kirya’’ of a deceased, according to wounded Sham Lal, under treatment at Tanda hospital. The driver of the truck
had fled abandoning his vehicle which was seized by the
police. A case under Section 304-A, 279, 337 and 427 of
the IPC had been registered. |
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PGET-2000 test roll numbers
sent AMRITSAR, Dec 15 — Roll numbers of all eligible candidates appearing in PGET-2000 conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University for admission to PG medical and diploma courses at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital Ludhiana to be held on December 19 have been despatched, as per the university press release issued here yesterday. According to the coordinator of the examinations Dr Satinder Singh, in case any candidate does not receive his roll number by December 16. He should contact PGET administrative block personally along with relevant document with one passport size photograph duly attested by competent authority on December 17 upto 4.30 p.m.
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Two PSEB staff unions merge PATIALA, Dec. 15 — Two different Technical Workers Union of the Punjab State Electricity Board have decided to merge and form the Technical Workers Trade Union to fight for the employees' rights. A press release of the
newly formed union said it will take up issues with the
PSEB management. Listing the demands, Mr Jagdish Gautam,
general secretary of the union, said the employee wanted
cash payment of DA from January 99, payment of arrears of
bonus, risk allowance, implementation of wage formulation
committees report and renovation of the complaint centres
of the PSEB. |
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MLA threatens agitation AMRITSAR, Dec 14 — Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla (MLA) today threatened an agitation if the demands of terrorist-victim families were not met. Alleging a partisan and callous attitude of the state government in promising jobs and pensions for the kin of the affected family. She cited the cases of hundreds of such families who had lost their relatives as far back as 15 years and not been given pensions or the promised employment. Many of such families got pension after a gap of four to eight months and many had still not got any jobs due to delays in sending the requisite application forms, she added. Ms Chawla said employment should be given at local stations according to the capability and qualification of the applicant. She alleged that many of the graduates were being given PCS and PPS jobs whereas postgraduates were being offered jobs of peons and clerks. She demanded an impartial probe into the alleged irregularities in giving jobs and pension benefits.
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5
cr
UNESCO aid to conserve monuments GURDASPUR, Dec 15 — Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, briefing newsmen here yesterday said UNESCO has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for untegratted development of three villages — Srihargobindpur, Kishankot and Masanian — all in the jurisdiction of Batala subdivision in this district. Special emphasis would be laid to conserve historical monuments such as Guru ki Massad in Srihargobindpur, Krishna Temple in Kishankot and dargah of Baba Shah Badr Diwan at Masanian. The programme is being sponsored by the Archaeological Survey of India and the UNDP with involvement of the district administration as the co-sponsor. The programme has
already commenced in Kishankot where a team of seven
United Nations sponsored by United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) is working. |
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Punjab govt to scrap subsidies PATIALA, Dec 15 — The state government will stop the subsidy facility extended to different sectors from the next financial year and instead offer over-all development schemes. This was stated by Raja Narinder Singh, Public Health Minister, Punjab, at a sports function in Gharriwal village in Nabha-sub division here on Monday, according a press release of the function issued by the District Public Relations office. The release did not give
further details about the government's plan to end
subsidies. It said that the minister also announced a
grant of Rs 60.000 for the construction of a village
drain, the minister also gave away prizes to winners at a
rural kabaddi tournament organised by the Shaheed Udham
Singh Youth Club of Gharriwal village. |
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Hospitals sans power supply AMRITSAR, Dec 15 — Power supply to a number of houses, government hospitals, essential services and commercial establishments had been erratic during the past few days. According to senior officials of the Punjab State Electricity Board there was, however, no power cut but they admitted a disruption in the supply to some areas due to reasons beyond their control. The 500-bed government hospital and medical college and adjoining areas on the Majitha road remained without electricity and water for over six hours yesterday which resulted in complete dislocation of emergency services in the hospital. The Chief Engineer of
the board, Mr A.S. Randhawa told The Tribune that power
supply to the Majitha road area was disrupted since
morning as the Municipal Corporation had dug up the road
thereby damaging the power lines to the area. He added
that a team headed by a senior officer had been deputed
to repair cables on a war footing. |
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Five suspended for
misappropriation of funds CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, today-ordered the suspension of five officers of the Irrigation department allegedly involved in the misappropriation of public funds. Giving details, a government spokesman said Mr G.S. Sidhu, Executive Engineer, Canal division, Bathinda; Mr G.S. Bains, Subdivisional Officer; and Mr Hakum Singh Bhatal, Mr Daljit Singh Tangra and Mr Kakar Singh Chahal, all Junior Engineers of the Teona Canal subdivision, Gidderbaha, were placed under suspension with immediate effect. It may by recalled that the scam was brought to the notice of Mr Badal recently and he immediately ordered an enquiry. The suspensions were a
sequel to an enquiry ordered earlier by the Chief
Minister. |
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House of Shree brothers robbed JALANDHAR, Dec 15 — An eight-member gang of robbers committed looted the houses of three brothers at Billi Charan village under Shahkut police station late last night. According to information available here, the robbers armed with lathis and iron rods entered the house of Hardev Singh and looted cash and valuables before striking at the houses of two of his brothers Gurdev Singh and Baldev Singh, resident of the same locality. The robbers decamped
with seven tolas of jewellery and cash worth Rs 14,500
and three wrist watches, the police said. |
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