 |
|
| Sunday,
October 21, 2001, Chandigarh, India
|
|
||||
|
Kidney racket: arrests in Patiala, shocks in city Ludhiana, October 20 The arrest of the two persons has, however, has further hurt the family of Sham Sunder, a 40-year-old resident of Patiala, who received a kidney from Sagar Bahadur in 1999 after paying about Rs 4 lakh, including Rs 1.25 lakh paid to the alleged agent Amritpal. Sham Sunder lived for only two months after the transplant. The family was yet to overcome the grief when it found itself in the police net. The police sources said the statements of those who had been arrested yesterday proved the allegations, that Amritpal had given fake identities to donors in connivance with politicians, policemen and municipal officials, to be true. This charge was levelled by complainant donors. A senior police official said the arrested men are Ashok, a relative of Sham Sunder who allegedly received a kidney from a complainant, Sagar Bahadur, and Darshan Rana, a close friend of the recipient. Cases under Section 420 of the IPC have been registered against them for preparing fake documents. The police, however, could not find and arrest a municipal councillor and two other witnesses, including a Nambardar, who had given affidavits in favour of the kidney donor. The arrested persons have been accused of giving false affidavits about the identity and address of the donor, Sagar Bahadur. They had also told the screening committee of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital that the donor had been living with the family for the past several years and donating kidney out of love for the patient. They had also said that no money had changed hands in the donation. The donor, Sagar Bahadur, however, had revealed last week that the affidavits were false. This is the first time in this case that any suspect has mentioned the names of doctors or members of the committee in his statement. The names of policemen, politicians and municipal officials of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala had come up in the police investigations. The latest development belies the claims of the management committees of some prestigious medical institutions of the city. Ashok and Darshan Rana have told the police that they were desperate in 1999 when Sham Sunder urgently needed a kidney transplant. They came to the DMCH and offered kidneys of several relatives, but none was accepted. They say that the screening committee spent hours questioning their relatives, after which, all were rejected. However, when they brought Sagar Bahaudar, whom they had contacted through Amritpal, he was cleared after just a few minutes of interview. The accused, in signed statement to the police, said, after none of their relatives had been selected, a man called Amritpal had contacted them and promised them that he would arrange for a donor. They said Amritpal had taken Rs 1.25 lakh from them, saying that Rs 70,000 would be given to the donor and the rest to some other persons who had helped in the case. A number of relatives of these two men were here today to arrange for their bail. Mr Sushil Rana, relative of Darshan Rana, told ‘Ludhiana Tribune’ on telephone that these men had indeed been arrested and made such a statement. However, he gave no other detail. |
|
Fate of dental course
hangs in balance Ludhiana, October 20 Sources told Ludhiana Tribune that following objections raised by the DCI, the CDC had, in a reply, claimed to have fulfilled the requirement of staff as demanded by the council. However, the council pointed out that the CDC was yet to fill the posts of professor in surgery and oral pathology. Sources said the CDC would have to wait for more than a month, as the DCI would once again examine the required completion report before finally approving the opening of the PG courses in the college. Confirming the development, Mr A.L. Miglani, Secretary, DCI, told this correspondent over phone from Delhi, that the DCI had discussed the issue of approving a PG course in the Dental College of CDC in meetings held on October 11 and 12. He said it was observed that the CDC had fulfilled a majority of requirements like filling vacant posts and infrastructure but two key posts were still vacant. He said the CDC authorities had said they had advertised the posts and would fill these shortly. He said thus they had given them a month’s time to fill the two posts and then inform the DCI. The CMC had recently applied to the DCI for approving a first-ever postgraduate course of MDS. However, an inspection team of the DCI that visited the institution subsequently, raised a number of objections which were allegedly grave in nature and put the recognition of the under-graduate course in jeopardy. The main objection of the DCI regarding the starting of the postgraduate course was shortage of staff in the dental college. Sources said the staff on paper was allegedly shown as complete but, in fact, most of the doctors shown were part-time ones or were actually owning private clinics. These doctors allegedly received handsome payment from the CMC also but their services were required only when the inspection team of the DCI visited the place. According to information available, at least 14 teachers were required for the said course whereas the CMC has only five teachers. Interestingly on paper, the number shown is adequate but actually the teachers shown were private doctors who were paid by the CMC only to be present when such inspection by the DCI was made. |
|
MC computer men not paid for months Ludhiana, October 20 The MC had employed two computer programmers and 10 computer operators on contract, who have been working for over two years now. Often, they are not paid for months together. According to the information, employees of the computer section have not received their salaries for four months now. The functioning of the departments where the operations were computerised, also left much to be desired due to a lack of coordination. Bulk of the data processing job is given to outside agencies because the MC does not have an adequate number of trained personnel. The lack of trained staff results in wrong or incomplete entries, increasing the number of public complaints. The MC Additional Commissioner, Mr Raminder Singh, said that the payment of salaries of the computer-section staff might have been delayed due to administrative reasons. He also said the clearance for the payment was sought from the government on quarterly basis. The MC had already taken up the matter with the Directorate of Local Government to expedite the sanction and the salaries would be disbursed soon, he said. He also said, in addition to 12 posts in the computer section, the MC had been following up the matter with the state government for creating regular posts of one judicial magistrate, one superintendent of police, one public relations officer, one naib tehsildar and one patwari. The civic body has approached the government to seek its approval for more posts of safai workers and creation of 169 posts to facilitate the reemployment of as many safai workers. These 169 workers had been daily wagers for years together. He said safai workers had to be sacked to accommodate those employees whose services had been terminated during the strike of 1988. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had recently ordered that they be reinstated. The safai workers unions want that at least 2,000 additional posts of safai workers be created. |
|
Chance for rural voters to get I-cards Ludhiana, October 20 Giving this information, Deputy Commissioner S.K. Sandhu said that this would be the last opportunity for the voters to get their ID cards. The cards would be prepared and distributed among voters within a week. Besides being necessary for identification during the elections, the photo ID voter cards, he said, were an important document for identification purposes. On October 21, the photography session would be held for voters of polling station nos. 1 to 4 at Government Primary School, Bhattian Dogran, for polling station nos 5 to 7 at Government Primary School, Bahadarke, for polling station nos. 8 and 9 at Government Primary School, Kakowal, for polling station nos 10 to 12 at B.T. Model High School, New Vasant Vihar Colony, Kakowal, for polling station nos 13 to 17 at Government Primary School, Sirha and for polling station nos 18 and 19 at Government Primary School, Gadapur. The programme for photography of the electorate will continue on October 22 for polling station nos 20 to 22 at Government Primary School, Mangat, for polling station nos 23 and 24 at Government Primary School, Dhaula, for polling station nos 25 to 27 at Government Primary School, Meharban, for polling station nos 28 and 29 at Government According to the Deputy Commissioner, those voters who could not get themselves photographed on earlier occasions could present themselves for being photographed at room no 123 in DC office at the Mini-Secretariat. The programme for photography session of remaining polling stations would be announced at a later date. |
|
Record alteration to be probed Ludhiana, October 20 The Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu, has asked the Subdivisional Magistrate (West), Mr Parampal Singh, to take up the inquiry. The SDM said he had recorded the statement of the complainant yesterday and asked a Tehsildar and a Patwari to give explanations. The inquiry was ordered after Jatinder Singh, a resident of Jhande village, told some reporters that revenue officials tampered with the records to favour some persons. The land belonged to Amrik Singh of Jhande village, but records show a substantial portion of it to be in the possession of Amar Kaur, his sister. However, Amar Kaur had died much before a revenue official visited the village to update the land records. Jatinder Singh is the son of Amrik Singh. He alleged that the official had altered the record to favour the complainant in 1999, but he had showed a dead persons to be possessing the land. The farmer, in his complaint sent to the DC and revenue officials, had alleged that the revenue official had done it deliberately to favour some relatives of Amar Kaur. |
|
Wrong parking of buses continues Ludhiana, October 20 The roads become a perfect parking place for buses at night which occupy a major part of the space meant for the flow of traffic, causing inconvenience to residents. Sometimes accidents take place due to the congestion on roads by illegally parked buses. The city has a number of flyovers to ensure smooth flow of traffic. But one can witness a large number of buses parked on these flyovers and important roads. A common practice by private bus operators is to open offices at busy and
overcrowded places where they can do good business. They open a small shop or room on rent as booking offices and start using the road adjacent to the shop for parking buses. These bus operators park buses wherever they find place at night. Not even main roads and flyovers which witness a heavy flow of traffic even at night, have been spared. A large number of buses can be seen parked on the flyover that connects bus stand and Preet Palace cinema. A part of the flyover, which is used by commuters coming from Abdulapur Basti and public transport buses, is usually occupied by these buses. These buses block the view of approaching vehicles which could result in accidents. Around 40 buses cover the road in front of the cinema, narrowing the road at night. Moreover, in the morning these vehicles running on diesel cause a lot of air and noise pollution. The road is usually used by a large number of school children, who have to commute under low visibility due to heavy smoke emissions from these vehicles. |
Prof Mohan Singh Mela begins Ludhiana, October 20 Eminent Punjabi poet Surjit Patar paid rich tributes to Prof Mohan Singh. He said,”I could not walk with him in the morning and afternoon of his life. But in the evening of his life I had a chance to work together. I found him very sad as his readers were not very happy with his writings. But out of his gloom were born some of his loveliest creations”. Dr Sotinder Singh Noor, a Punjabi scholar from Delhi, also paid him rich tributes. A gazal darbar was organised and was presided over by president of the Sahitya Akademy Amrik Singh Punni. In the Inter-college poetry competition, Prof Mohan Singh ‘s poems were recited. About 15 participants from colleges all over Punjab participated. The first prize was bagged by Prabhjeet Kaur of G.G.N. Khalsa College. In the late afternoon selected ‘dhadi darbar’ was organised. Mr T.S. Sandhu presented a slide show, “safar di pehda”, and “camera di aakh boldi”. Mr Sandhu had captured interesting images of the mela over the years. Tomorrow the venue of the mela will be Palam Vihar. The mela will start with an instrument playing competition. Malwai giddha, mutiyar a da giddha, jhumar, ambi da bula and bhangra will also be presented. Distinguished Punjabis from all walks of life will be honoured in the afternoon.  |
|
Greeting cards in Hindi go popular Ludhiana, October 20 Almost every card shop has greetings in Hindi for all occasions including Divali, birthdays and wedding anniversaries. These cards have been addressed in the names of all relatives including didi, jijaji, bhaiya, bhabhi, mamiji, bhuaji, dadiji and naniji. Most of the shopkeepers have displayed these cards very prominently so that they attract the eyes of every passerby. While most of these cards are being brought from Delhi and other places, some cards are being produced locally. While explaining the reasons of producing cards in Hindi, Mr Ramesh Jindal, a printer and wholesale dealer of greeting cards at Chaura Bazaar, said, “The greeting cards have been designed in Hindi so as to impart personal touch to them. Moreover, the wishes for Indian festivals can best be extended in Hindi language.” Nidhi Malhotra, another buyer, said she had never seen cards addressed to mamiji and bhuaji. “Every time I had to send any greetings to them, I had to look for cards addressed in the name of aunt which seemed very formal. Besides, cards in Hindi seem to go well with pictures from scenes from Indian festivals. They seem much more personal and readable,” she said. Neeraj Gulati, a buyer of Hindi cards, said he was pleased to see such cards in market. He said he was buying birthday card for his nani (maternal grandmother) who could read Hindi but not English. He said that the card would be a nice surprise for his nani who has never read any greeting card. However, several youngsters have said the cards in Hindi were not appealing. They said these needed much improvement in presentation as well quotations written on them. Ashish Garg, a college student, said these cards have been priced at the same rate as those in English. He suggested that their initial rates should have been lower so as to draw attention of the buyers. Ratna Mahendru, another collegiate, said designers of these cards need to be much more innovative. She said most of the cards are bearing pictures of flowers in case of greetings for birthdays and anniversaries and those for Divali have picture of diyas and Goddess Lakshmi. These cards should have been launched with more variety to choose from, she said. |
|
Congress rally today Ludhiana, October 20 According to Mr Surinder Dawar, President, DCC (Urban), the programme for the rally had been finalised under the guidance of the PPCC Election Campaign Committee. Apart from the PPCC President, Captain Amarinder Singh, and other senior party leaders, office-bearers of the various PPCC cells and front organisations would take part in the rally. Meanwhile, Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, President, Punjab Youth Congress, and Mr Pawan Diwan, Chairman, Urban Development Cell of the Indian Youth Congress, have said in a joint statement that YC workers would hold a demonstration in Sector 17 in Chandigarh on October 22 to protest against reinstatement of Mr George Fernandes in the Union Cabinet. |
|
Chicago address
remembered Ludhiana, October 20 The function began with the recital of Vande Mataram, followed by the replay of audio tape of the Chicago address. Through various patriotic songs, students of Shefali Public School, Sundernagar, presented a choreography on the birth, life and achievements of Swami Vivekananda. Besides, www.swamivivekanand.org, a
website on the life and teachings of swamiji, was launched with the efforts of Dr Anchal Jain. During the programme, Prof Yogesh Sharma, a disciple of Pandit Ravi Sharma, presented a flute recital. Ms Nimita Sharma, Head of the Department of Vocal Music in the college, sang a bhajan, ‘Piya se milan kaise jaoongi’. In his eighth Swami Vivekananda Memorial Lecture, Lieut-Gen J.L. Malhotra narrated several anecdotes and quotations of swamiji. Mr M.M. Vyas, chairman, Improvement Trust, said many people were hanging pictures of swamiji in their homes and offices, but there were very few who were following his teachings. |
|
Unable to get pension despite disability Ludhiana, October 20 Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Baljinder said that he got afflicted with polio at a very early age. “I am not able to do any manual work due to my disability. I am the only son of my parents. My father, who is above 80, has only half an acre of agricultural land and gets a little pension as he got retired from the army”, said Baljinder. Baljinder possesses as a certificate that proves his 70 per cent disability. There is no other earning family member in the family. He had applied for pension on medical disability grounds and handed over complete documents to the pension office at Dehlon as per diary number 36-25601, dated June 18, 2001. A team comprising three members from the Community Development and Panchayat Office Dehlon under supervisor Kailash Rani was convinced and recommended the case for the grant of pension. Baljinder Singh alleged that after a few days, the Head Clerk in the office of the Block Development Panchayat Office, Dehlon, visited him and said that his case would be forwarded only if he approached through her. “My case was already recommended and due to limited resources, I could not grease her palm and she made entry in the Pension Register, saying the applicant was “fit for work” with the result that my application for grant of pension was rejected”. Baljinder further said that his father had gone to the CDPO Dehlon to enquire as to when he could expect the pension.” He was curtly told that the applicant was not entitled to pension because he was fit to work”, said Baljinder. It may be mentioned that the applicant had also approached the Deputy Commissioner to seek justice. |
|
CITY SCAN LET us compare the lives of Abdul Hayee ‘Sahir Ludhianvi’ and Punjabi poet Prof Mohan Singh ‘Mahir’. Both were poets of eminence, contemporaries and one-time residents of Lahore. Both have addressed poems to Amrita Pritam and edited literary magazines. Both were moody, witty, sensitive and imaginative, besides excellent hosts who made good friends and suffered many setbacks. Both were ambitious, but self-respecting. After Lahore, Ludhiana was their other place of residence. Sahir was born here on March 8, 1921, and Mohan Singh died here on May 3, 1978. Sahir lived here for the first 20 years of his life and Mohan Singh stayed here for his last 20 years. For most of his time here, Sahir was a student, while Mohan Singh was Prof Emeritus of Punjab Agricultural University. Mohan Singh studied here as a schoolboy a few years before the birth of Sahir. Mohan Singh was born on October 20, 1905 and Abdul Hayee ‘Sahir’ died on October 25, 1980, in Mumbai. The PAU was the brainchild of Partap Singh Kairon and Mr P.N. Thapar, ICS, was its founder Vice-Chancellor. Dr M.S. Randhswa, ICS, added culture to the study of agriculture by creating the post of Prof Emeritus (culture, language, literature) with Prof Mohan Singh in his mind. The arrival of Mohan Singh in Ludhiana delighted his old associates who, then, became more active in literary pursuits. Kulwant Singh Virk as a postgraduate student in Lahore was a shy and introvert young scholar. He dropped his first short story in the post box of ‘Panj Darya’ that was edited by Mohan Singh and the two met once again here. Noted writer and teacher of English, Prof S.S. Narula, during his days of struggle, landed in Lahore and assisted Mohan Singh in his editorial work on ‘Panj Darya’. The magazine was a rival of Preet Lari in the pre-Partition days. At the get-together, Prof Narula recalled the days of Amritsar, Rawalpindi and Lahore etc. Prof Pritam Singh, an intimate friend of Mohan Singh, was posted here as Principal of Government College. He was a promoter of academic and literary traditions. Prof Pritam Singh had earlier taught in the SN College of Lahore and, later, in Ludhiana. Much has been written about this event, but no account mentions this: Mohan Singh, Sahir and Amrita Pritam lived in Lahore at the same time, but had never been seen together anywhere before their visit to Preet Nagar where they shared the stage as poets. This was the only such instance, in November 1970, where the compere was Kanwar Mohinder Singh Bedi. Shiv Kumar, Jan Nissar Akhtar, Kirpal Singh Bedar were also there and highly appreciated, but Sahir was the star of night. Mohan Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Amrita, too, received a rich applause. Mohan Singh lost his wife and became a poet. Sahir lost many women, but left no wife to mourn his loss. Both, as persons, were enigmas. While Amrita wrote a long epistle to Sahir, ‘Sunehe’ (Messages) and won the Sahitya Akademi Award, Mohan Singh composed ‘Boohe’ (Doors), his lost collection of poems, mostly written in Ludhiana. It was noticed by critics, but the lady never mentioned it. Intellectual Gopal Singh Khalsa, poet Kartar Singh Shamsher and admirer Jagdev Singh Jassowal sustained him through their company. Mohan Singh had a rare ego and only a few were aware of it. Sahir and Mahir — both were rare individuals, poets and Ludhianvis. |
|
Badal
confident of win Ludhiana, October 20 Mr Badal further said the SAD-B and BJP combine was in a position to take onto the Congress on one side and the Panthic Morcha and other splinter groups on the other. “Division of votes between different opposition parties will benefit the ruling combine and we shall form the next government, which would once again last its full term,” he asserted with a note of optimism. The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s stand on judicial inquiry into incidents of ‘bir’ burning and said that the government was awaiting the response from the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and there was no question of backing out. On asked about the probe panel set up by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, he remarked that the matter would be sorted out after a sitting Judge of the High Court was named for this purpose. Without naming the Congress, Mr Badal raised an accusing finger towards ‘certain political parties and other forces’ who were out to disturb peace and communal brotherhood for their narrow political interests. Commenting on increasing instances of encroachments in the city and elsewhere, particularly by religious institutions, he said clear directions were given to district and civic officials to settle such matters with restraint and discussions rather than taking any hasty step, which could hurt the religious feelings of any particular community. Mr Badal, however, added in the same breath that encroachments on government land would not be tolerated and explicit instructions were given to the government officials to deal firmly with offenders. The Chief Minister informed that he had covered almost 80 per cent of the Assembly constituencies, both in rural and urban areas under ‘sangat darshan’ programme, with each constituency being given development grants of over Rs 3 crore. He refuted the allegation that the cheques, presented at the sangat darshan programmes, were not being encashed by the Treasury Department. “The funds thus disbursed need no clearance from the Treasury since they were drawn out of the Urban Development Fund or the Rural Development Fund, which were directly managed by the district officials.” In reply to another question, Mr Badal maintained that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had neither stayed nor intervened in the ongoing ‘sangat darshan’ programme. He also denied that the Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr K.R. Lakhanpal was shifted due to some adverse note submitted by him on diversion of funds for sangat darshan from other departments. “It was a routine posting and around eight other senior officials were transferred along with Mr Lakhanpal.” |
|
Symposium from Oct 22 Ludhiana, October 20 He will give away an amount of Rs 25,000 for the girls as dowry. Akhand Path and hawan will be performed. There will be Cultural Mela on October 22 . On this occasion, 200 sewing machines and 10 tricycles will be given to the physically challenged. Langar will also be served to the
sangat. |
3 hurt in attack Sahnewal, October 20 Kulwant Singh of Gari Fazil has complained that he was going with Amrik Singh and Joginder Singh when they were attacked by men carrying sharp-edged weapons. The attackers were identified as Pardhan Singh, Gurdev Singh, Mangat Singh, Gial Singh, Bharpoor Singh, Lehembar Singh, Bachan Singh, Resham Singh, Ajit Singh, Ajaib Singh and Pal Singh. They attacked the three with sharp-edged weapons and injured them. They were admitted to a hospital at Ludhiana. Meanwhile, a case has been registered. A property dispute was stated to be the cause of dispute between the two parties. |
|
Case registered Doraha, October 20 |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
