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| Monday,
December 17, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Terrorism: SAD backs Vajpayee Chandigarh, December 16 The meeting, with the party President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in the chair, resolved that it was “one with the nation’’ for launching an onslaught against terrorists to safeguard the country’s dignity, unity and integrity. This was the time to strengthen the hands of Mr Vajpayee. The members paid homage to the brave security personnel who thwarted the attack on Parliament House. The meeting was attended, among others, by the SGPC President, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, the Union Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhundar, MP, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Mr Tota Singh, and Bibi Jagir Kaur. It is learnt that the PAC deliberated on the coming Assembly elections. The feedback from independent random surveys and inputs given by the state intelligence agencies were also examined. It was decided, informed sources said, to start districtwise election rallies as a run-up to the actual poll once the current phase of the party President’s interface with district units and the SGPC members was completed. There is now a growing realisation among the PAC members and other senior Akali leaders of the responsibility that they will have to shoulder in the absence of Mr Badal from active campaigning due to his fracture. In the rank and file, though the mood is upbeat, apprehension does persist in this regard. The sources said it was only now that the import of what Mr Badal had been telling his colleagues, including BJP MLAs, is beginning to sink in. For quite some time he had been telling them to return to their roots — constituencies — to interact with the voters and solve their problems, the way he was doing through “sangat darshan’’. It was now that the MLAs were realising their alienation from their constituents. Nevertheless, it is being pointed out that Mr Badal will soon be able to undertake tours of the constituencies. A special vehicle is being prepared for his campaign. |
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Fight terrorism unitedly: Bangaru Jalandhar, December 16 Mr
Laxman, here to attend the executive committee meeting of the party’s Scheduled Class and Scheduled Tribes cell. “We as a nation should eliminate terrorism
unitedly. We can do this, particularly, when we have example of Punjab, “wiping it out. I feel that POTO should be passed in Parliament as we need it, said Mr Laxman adding that the attack on Parliament was nothing but a “National tragedy”. Mr
Laxman, who was accompanied by senior BJP leaders like Mr Ram Nath
Kovind, Punjab BJP chief Brij Lal Rinwa, Gursharan Kaur, Mr Sanjay Paswan and Mr Vijay
Sampla, tried to justify the rejoining of the cabinet by Mr George
Fernandes, saying that the opposition had failed to table any document as proof before the inquiry commission. Referring on seat sharing in Punjab between the BJP and the SAD, Mr Rinwa said his party was likely to demand more seats, particularly in eight districts not represented by any of the party
MLAs, “Last time we contested 23 seats, but now we are planning to contest eight more seats. At the same time I would like to say that seat-sharing cannot affect the strong ties between two parties”. Mr Sampla said 130 delegates were likely to participate in the two-day meeting, aimed at hammering out a strategy in view of the coming Assembly polls. |
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Treat killed cops as martyrs: PLF Bathinda, December 16 Addressing a meeting of the PLF here yesterday, Mr C.S. Brar, president of the forum, said that families of security personnel who died fighting militants be provided facility by the Union Government. The Bharatiya Dalit and Sohshit Samaj Sangh has demanded that those died during attack by terrorists on Parliament be given the status of Martyrs. Mr Gurmail Singh, president of the Sangh presiding over a meeting of the sangh held yesterday here said that it was surprising that the Prime Minister had not announced any help for the bereaved families, as yet. He demanded the bereaved families status of martyr for those who laid their life for fighting terrorists. |
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Sink differences, CM tells party men Chandigarh, December 16 This public confession from the party’s legislative and organisational wings and SGPC representatives came during an interface Mr Badal had with the district unit of the party at his residence here today. A string of speakers, including Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, SAD secretary-general and Union Minister, Mr Baldev Singh Mann, Administrative Member, Punjab State Electricity Board, Mr Malkiat Singh Kitu, MLA (Barnala), and Mr Gagandeep Singh, son of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, assured Mr Badal of putting up a united fight against the Congress to ensure the victory for the SAD-BJP coalition for yet another five-year term. During the meeting, enthusiastic workers often interrupted the speakers with “Bole so nihal’’ and for once one heard “Allah-o-Akbar’’ from a section of the audience with scores of Muslims from Malerkotla having turned up for the meeting as had BJP workers. Mr Dhindsa made a pointed reference to the groupism that persisted in the Sangrur unit in February, 1997. He asked Mr Badal to check “dharebazi’’ within the party, in any district, with an iron hand. While appreciating Mr Badal’s qualities of head and heart, he described him as a “soft’’ leader. Turning to the Chief Minister, Mr Dhindsa said: “When it comes to discipline, neither leniency should be shown nor compromises made’’. Responding to the sentiments expressed by the speakers, Mr Badal asked the workers to return to their constituencies and recount to the people the achievements of the government and expose the “step-motherly” treatment meted out by the Congress to Punjab since Independence. “The Akali Dal has always stood steadfast, strong and bold to blunt the Congress policies of ‘zulum, zabar and be-insafi”. The people have to be reminded how over the past 45 years the Congress had discriminated against Punjab, harming its “religious, economic and political interests’’. He went on to list the “misdeeds” of the Congress and how even the Panthic Morcha was enabling the Congress to grow roots. He chided the morcha leadership, saying: “It has no political objective or aim except to abuse me and the party. How can the electors be expected to waste their vote on such people’’? His one-line directive to the SAD-BJP workers was straight and simple: “Vote for ‘Kamal’ and ‘Takri’ and not the candidate. Now onwards, there is one objective, one aim: winning the elections. Sink all differences to defeat the Congress. On Centre-state relations, Mr Badal built the hypothesis how cordial equation between the two was essential and beneficial for the socio-economic development of a state. What he did not say was that a political mis-match after the next Assembly elections could go against the interests of the state. He also made an oblique reference to the vexed inter-state issues. Mr Badal made particular mention of the those government schemes that pertained to the social sector — pension, shagun and scholarship for girls. He told the workers to go and tell the people that no beneficiary of either scheme would be left to wait for receiving payment. “A sum of Rs 107 crore has been given to all districts to clear all cases of old-age pension and other financial assistance schemes. All payments will be made within a fortnight. For lapses, if any, the deputy commissioners will held accountable. At present 8,92,599 persons are getting pension benefits’’. On the “shagun’’ scheme, Mr Badal said Rs 86.22 crore had been disbursed. A girl belonging to a Scheduled Castes or Christian family was entitled to “shagun” of Rs 5,100 at the time of her marriage. Likewise, work on giving 5 marla plots to poor persons in the rural areas was in progress. About 18,000 needy persons had already been given plots and the government had to shell out Rs 10 crore for the purpose. Similarly, under the scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes girls studying in primary classes, a sum of Rs 20 crore had been earmarked for four lakh girl students. The scholarship amount was Rs 50 per month for 10 months. There is “langar’’ at the residence for visiting party workers. |
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Morcha for poll under President’s rule Ludhiana, December 16 Talking to reporters after a meeting of the senior leaders, including the convener Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur,Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr Jasbir Singh Rode, Capt Harcharan Singh Rode, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, Mr Dhyan Singh Mand and others, claimed that even the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Mr J.M. Lyngdoh, had pointed out irregularities in the deletion and addition of names in the voters’ list. They said a resolution was passed to this effect at today’s meeting. The morcha opposed the promulgation of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), alleging that it would be misused for “victimisation and harassment of political opponents”. To a specific question whether the morcha favoured bombing and smashing of the terrorist training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Mr Tohra pointed out, “Who are we to oppose it? Moreover, they are not going to ask us before they do it”. He disclosed that he had asked for smashing of terrorist training camps in Pakistan during the Punjab militancy also. He said, “In case it happens, it will lead to war and Punjab will be the worst sufferer”. All
district presidents of the party attended the meeting. Over 500 applications have been received from candidates for the 117 Assembly segments. The morcha leaders made it clear that they would not project anyone as the chief ministerial candidate. “The Chief Minister would be chosen by the elected legislators after the elections”, Baba Bedi announced, while pointing out, “Issues are important to us, not individuals”. The morcha will be organising rallies on December 21 at Chamkaur Sahib, on December 26 at Fatehgarh Sahib, on December 30 at Alamgir Sahib and on January 13 at Muktsar. Besides, small party rallies would be organised in all 117 Assembly segment. |
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Martyrs
remembered on Vijay Divas Bathinda, December 16 During the celebrations, wreaths were laid on the statue of Nand Singh in honour of soldiers who
sacrificed their lives during the war by Lt-Gen B.S.
Thakar, General Officer Commanding, 10 Corps, Brig A.K. Sakhuja, Station Commander, Bathinda Military Station, and other senior Army
officials. GURDASPUR: The Retired Officers Association on Sunday celebrated Vijay Divas at Shahidi Chowk here and paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Lt-Gen Kamaljit Singh
(retd) was the chief guest. Brig G.S. Randhawa (retd), Brig Gurpal Singh, Station Commander,
Tibri, and Brig Garewal, Commandant, 86 Brigade, Tibri, also
participated. ROPAR: The District Sainik Welfare Department has provided a financial assistance of Rs 1.84 crore to ex-servicemen and their dependents under various schemes during the past year. This was stated by Additional Deputy Commissioner Krishan Kumar while addressing a function at the local Sainik Rest House organised by the department to commemorate Vijay Divas. The ADC also distributed cheques amounting to Rs 65,000 among nine ex-servicemen for the marriage of their daughters and 11 sewing machines among war
widows. PATHANKOT: Major-Gen R.K. Mehta, Brig Mahavir Singh, Brig
A.B.S. Kundra, Brig J.P.S. Ahluwalia, Brig M.M. Choudhary and Brig Panhani paid floral tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the tank battle over Basantar nullah in December 1971. According to reports received here, Vijay Divas was celebrated at Salaria Park. Col
K.P.S. Rana, Officiating Commander, 21 Sub-Area, also paid tributes to the
martyrs. SANGRUR: The Sind Horse Regiment on Sunday celebrated “Vijay Divas” in the military area here to mark the victory of India in the 1971 war. The function was presided over by Colonel Vikram Taneja of the regiment. It was attended by ex-servicemen, jawans and officers of the Army. The function was addressed, among others, by Colonel
Taneja, Major A.K. Pandey and Major S.S. Mann, Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare Board, Sangrur. |
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Advani cancels Amritsar visit Qadian, December 16 A poster published by the block Communist Party of India and pasted in various parts of the township alleged that Ram Parkash Prabhakar could not be described as “shaheed” as he was killed due to rivalry of terrorists. Published in the names of Mr Gurmej Singh and Mr Vijay Kumar Lahoria, secretary and assistant block secretary of the block CPI, it further alleged that Ram Parkash Prabhakar had links with the Khalistan Liberation Organisation and was kidnapped by a group of terrorists belonging to the Bhinderawanwale Tiger Force. However, senior BJP leader and Health Minister Baldev Raj Chawla said that Prabhakar was an upright person and he had made the supreme sacrifice while fighting against the cult of terrorism. He said Prabhakar’s contribution to the party, state and country was invaluable and his statue had been installed as a mark of respect to the ‘great leader’. Meanwhile, the general public was put to an inconvenience as the township was converted into a police cantonment since morning in the wake of the visit of Mr Advani. The announcement about the cancellation of his visit was made after 2 p.m. and after that normal traffic was restored. Earlier, national RSS leader Madan Dass who presided over the ‘shaheed sanman samaroh’ called upon the people of the country to be prepared for a decisive fight against terrorism after the attack on the parliament building. He said India was known for its tolerance all over the world, but Pakistan must understand that it could give a befitting reply to the enemy in the battlefield also. Mr Brij Lal Rinwa, state BJP president, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister Local Bodies, Mr Natha Singh Dalam, Minister, Public Relations, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister, Food and Supplies, and Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, Minister Health, urged the people of state to vote for the ruling alliance during the forthcoming Assembly elections. The Gallantry Award winners and their family members were also honoured on this occasion. |
Factionalism crops up in SAD Ludhiana, December 16 Mr Bhatia was addressing a party rally organised by the Gurnam Singh Ghungrana Memorial Trust to press for of the party nomination for Mr Jagjit Singh Ghungrana, the Chairman, Punjab Agro Industries Development Corporation. Mr Ghungrana was also present at the rally. Mr Bhatia, who represents the anti-Garcha group in the ruling Akali Dal, comprising among others a former MP, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, and the Payal MLA, Mr Sadhu Singh, observed it was quite disappointing for the loyal workers of the party that Mr Garcha had been nominated from here. He alleged Mr Garcha and his family had “extorted over Rs 500 crore” after assuming power. He said, in case he is again allotted ticket from here, it would set a wrong precedent and disappoint thousands of party workers that might ultimately lead to loss of this seat. He supported Mr Ghungrana, claiming he had done a lot for the constituency and had worked honestly and sincerely. Kila Raipur, which is believed to be one of the safest seats for the Akali Dal was vacated by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, as he had also been elected from Lambi constituency in his home district. He had defeated Mr Tarsem Jodha, who was contesting as an independent candidate with the support of all opposition parties including the Congress. Mr Garcha won the byelections, again by defeating Mr Jodha. These remarks of Mr Bhatia have brought open the factionalism in the Shromani Akali Dal, which was so far restricted to feud between him and the acting district president of the party, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar. One of the main grudges of Mr Bhatia against Mr Garcha is that the latter is supporting Mr Makkar. Another prominent leader, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, has also been siding with the Makkar group in the intra party-feud. Other senior Akali leader and Panthic Morcha probable, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, is quite jubilant over these developments. Mr Grewal, who represents Ludhiana West, is likely to contest from Kila Raipur this time. He has been active in the constituency for the past two years and has distributed relief cheques for development works worth lakhs from the MPs local area development fund of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Reacting to these developments, Mr Grewal claimed this was bound to happed to SAD as it had been “corrupted by power”. He pointed out, “The revolt against Mr Garcha by the party workers is reflective of the disillusionment prevailing among the workers, which we have been saying for a long time...and our stand is vindicated”. He assured that the Akali workers would get a better alternative in the form of Panthic Morcha. |
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Tohra rules out unity with Badal Ludhiana, December 16 Reacting to an appeal by Mr Harbhajan Yogi, America-based religious leader, Mr Tohra asserted that unity was not possible. Mr Yogi had earlier appealed to all Akali leaders in different parties to join hands together to defeat the Congress. He warned that if the Akalis did not unite, it would spell disaster for the state. Disagreeing with Mr Yogi, Mr Tohra claimed that the Badal government had betrayed the Panthic principles. “The excesses of other governments, whether Akali or Congress pale into insignificance when compared to the misdeeds of this government”, he said, while adding, “I may be prepared for the unity, but how shall I explain to the people who had pay heavy bribes for getting jobs of peons, teachers, patwaris which are being sold in lakhs”. Mr Tohra shared the dais with Mr Yogi at a function organised by Gurdwara Gyan Prakash, Jawaddi, near here, to honour some eminent people. Mr Yogi asked the people to raise their hands in support of the unity move. Mr Tohra was the only one who did not raise his hands to support the unity appeal. |
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No compromise with Pasla: Surjeet Nawanshahr, December 16 Mr Surjeet was here to address the concluding session of a delegates’ conference. Categorically denying the allegations of deserting the party line of 1964 being levelled by the Pasla faction, Mr Surjeet said when the new party programme was passed in 2000 in
Trivandrum, no one, including Mr Mangat, had voted against it or raised any objection. Answering a question regarding the allegation of raising huge funds from industrial houses levelled by the Pasla faction, he said he had raised funds from some of his industrialist friends for setting up a memorial to freedom fighters in Chandigarh. He said the CPM would contest the elections without entering into any alliance. The CPM state executive would meet on December 27 to decide about the number of seats and the names of candidates. Reacting to the terrorist attack on Parliament, he said it was due to a security lapse. The government should mobilise international public opinion to tackle terrorism, he said. Provocative policies should not be followed and the UN’s involvement was must, he added. |
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Set up regiment for
SCs: BJP Jalandhar, December 16 The meeting unanimously passed the resolution giving full support to the NDA government over the passage of the controversial POTO Bill in Parliament. About 70 delegates from 18 states participated. The delegates lauded the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, for his
strategic policies to attract international attention against terrorism. The morcha demanded the setting up of Scheduled Caste regiment in defence forces by the Central Government. Later briefing mediapersons, the National President of the morcha and MP, Mr Ram Nath Kovind, said the BJP-led government had got three constitutional amendments passed which included reservation in promotions and filling of vacancies in government departments. |
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Cong poll panel to meet Chandigarh, December 16 According to Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, general secretary, PPCC, the meeting will be presided over by Capt Amarinder Singh. The election committee will also meet on December 19 and 20 to interview all aspirants for party ticket. |
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CPI rally today Sangrur, December 16 |
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Yodha Sangharsh panel Amritsar, December 16 |
2 sex determination clinics sealed Amritsar, December 16 These clinics were sealed after the health authorities found unqualified part-time staff running them. However, paramedics and doctors “scoff” at these registrations which they claim are merely to carry out sex-determination tests with authority after giving bribe to the authorities concerned. As many as 84 clinics in the district have sought registration recently. But there is little to prevent these pre-natal diagnostic centres from carrying out the illegal sex determination tests leading to a high incidence of acts of female foeticide in the state. “The public mindset needs to be changed drastically to bring about for denial of these tests,” said Dr Ajaib Singh Sandhu, Civil Surgeon, while talking to The Tribune here. The Civil Surgeon revealed that 15 senior medical officers (SMOs) attached with 15 blocks in the district, in addition to five in the subdivisions of Patti, Tarn Taran, Ajnala, Baba Bakala and Amritsar are involved in monitoring the illegal practice. They are being assisted by two health workers for every 5000 persons as well as NGOs, social workers and elected representatives of various political parties that are members in the advisory committee formed to check the menace. He, however, said that the task of monitoring is Herculean as the same gadgets and machines are used for different tests and graphics. To counter the trend of bribes being offered to those who are in the task of checking, he said intelligence reports are being gathered in the matter. In addition, cultural programmes with social themes are being encouraged. They highlight the merits of the girl child and shunning the practice of female foeticide. Recently a kavi darbar was organised in which 23 poets of the state talked on the singular theme of female uplift. |
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Octroi
panel term may be further extended: Tandon
Gurdaspur, December 16 Regarding the absorption of municipal employees, Mr Tandon said the list of the employees who would be rendered surplus after absorbing them in the municipal committees where they were working, were being prepared and would be finalised by the end of this month. These employees would be absorbed against vacant posts in various departments. Regarding the payment salaries to municipal employees Mr Tandon said the respective Deputy Commissioners had been given cheques as per the monthly income of the respective municipalities to meet the salary bill and carry on development activities. Earlier, addressing a rally of SAD-BJP workers to pay tribute to Ram Parkash Prabhakar who was killed by terrorists in 1991, organised by the Ram Parkash Prabhakar Memorial Samiti at Qadian, Mr Tandon said both Central and state governments were determined to end terrorism. He said Pakistan left no opportunity to raise the Kashmir issue at international fora. He claimed that Pakistani militant outfits like the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad were behind the attack on Parliament. Defending POTO, he said the ordinance was necessary to deal with terrorists firmly. He appealed to the Opposition not to oppose its implementation. The meeting organised by the samiti was to be addressed by Mr L.K. Advani, Home Minister, but he did not turn up as his plane could not take off due to intense fog in Delhi. Later, a statue of Ram Prabhakar was unveiled and a park in his name was inaugurated. |
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Post-retirement fight for promotion continues
Amritsar, December 16 Eleven years after his retirement in 1990, he still pleads the implementation of the decision in which the high court decided that his case be “considered and decided according to laws and rules by a speaking order within three months”. This order was passed in 1994 to Headmaster Pritam Singh of Government High School, Diwan Khera, Ferozepore district, who was allegedly denied promotion even as his junior was raised to the prominent post. In his plea, Mr Pritam Singh has requested that he be promoted in the PEC (class-II) Department of State Education from the date that his juniors were promoted as principal and be given all consequential benefits that he is entitled to. Since the case was identical to another case, the court gave a three-month period to consider and decide the case by a “speaking order” and asked to decide by passing a reasoned order by the state of Punjab. However, Pritam Singh claims that instead of considering his case (Serial No. 427), it was deleted from the seniority list allegedly without affording him any opportunity to be heard and that too with “retrospective effect”. It is alleged by the former Headmaster in a letter to the Punjab Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, and several others, including state secretaries, over the years, that in a similar case, one Baldev Raj Prinja was promoted by the high court in 1996 and confirmed by the apex court in a special leave petition in 1997. His case awaits implementation of the court decision despite several representations to the authorities concerned. Mr Pritam Singh was appointed as Master in the Department of Education. He was promoted as lecturer in 1968 and as Headmaster of the school in 1980. He eventually retired from the school 10 years later in 1990 and now survives on a meagre pension. The implementation of the court’s decision would undo the wrong and make him eligible for pension of a Principal with retrospective effect, which he asserts, “befits” him and his long arduous stint as an educationist. |
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Unusual
increase in ‘new’ voters Maur Mandi (Bathinda), December 16 They alleged that about 800 names had been deleted and most of them were supporters of the Congress. Mr Karnail Singh said about seven persons in six wards out of the total 13 wards had filed objections against 1,740 voters in this town. He said though the municipal council authorities issued notices to all concerned before the deletion of their names, there was no time to serve the same on the affected persons. He said the names of those persons had been deleted who had shifted their residence from one locality to another or those who were now staying in farm-houses. He added that the Congress workers managed to “save” about 300 votes yesterday by raising objections on the spot when officials were verifying the claims. He said the SDM and Tehsildar of Talwandi Sabo and the Naib Tehsildar of Maur Mandi had been making inquiries regarding the objections. The Congress workers would approach the Election Commission if a genuine voter was denied right to franchise. Mr Ratnam said an inquiry had been ordered in the Talwandi Sabo Assembly segment as it had registered an increase of 7 per cent in the population of voters. The Election Commission had instructed that there was only 2 per cent increase in population and hence an increase in the population of voters was allowed up to 4 per cent. He said the commission had also said if there was an increase of more than 4 per cent, the Deputy Commissioner concerned was to hold an inquiry. He said an inquiry was being conducted and only after it was completed, would the lists be published. |
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Freedom
fighter’s long wait for reimbursement Rampura, December 16 Mr
Tiyagi, who lives in a small dilapidated house with his wife, is suffering from various ailments and survives on costly medicines. Mr Tiyagi participated in the Riyasti Parja Mandal movement in 1936 and Quit India Movement. He also went to Borstal jail in Lahore and at that time one of the youngest freedom fighters to go to jail. He holds the Tamar
Patar, awarded by the Punjab Government to him in recognition of his services as freedom fighter. Mr Tiyagi has remained under treatment at the
PGI, Chandigarh and underwent a surgery in 1999. On this, he spent about Rs 15,500. He has submitted the original bills pertaining to the expenses incurred by him on his treatment to the authorities concerned. But he has managed to get only Rs. 7,471 after about six months and a lot of running around. For the remaining amount, the local Red Cross Society was directed to make payment by the Punjab Government through one of its agencies. Talking to
TNS, he said that over the years, the system of the country had become so deteriorated that no politician or bureaucrat was bothered about the plight of those who had made sacrifices for securing independence of the country. He added that he was disappointed over the maltreatment meted to the freedom fighters in the government departments despite the fact that successive governments had been launching many welfare schemes for them. He has written a number of letters to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh
Badal, the Governor, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the President of India, Mr
K.R. Naryanan, for redress of his grievances. Mr R. Vankat Ratnam, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted, said he would make arrangements for payment of the balance amount to Mr Tiyagi on December 18. Mr Ajmer Singh Mann, secretary, Red Cross Society, could not be contacted for his comments. |
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‘ADA
result fiddled with to favour kin’ Bathinda, December 16 Mr Aggarwal alleged that some of those who had been declared passed in the result published in various dailies today were kin of influential persons. He threatened to move court in the matter . He pointed out that a few days ago, a news item in an English daily mentioned that the candidate bearing the roll number was a close kin of one of those associated with the selection. He added that the candidate having the same roll number had been declared passed in the result of the examination conducted on August 5 this year. Mr Aggarwal further alleged that since the Assembly elections were drawing close the ruling politicians had been getting their supporters and kin recruited in government jobs by flouting rules laid down by the courts. He said the Congress would move the court to expose those behind these
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Tourism
potential of earthen dams under-utilised Perch (Ropar), December 16 A historic place for the Sikhs, Anandpur Sahib, is located in the same region. The Punjab Government has initiated a number of projects to attract national and international tourists to this region. The efforts of the government do not seen to have integrated this Kandi area with the tourist flow to Anandpur Sahib. Dams at Perch, Jyanti and Siswan fall in the periphery of Chandigarh. These hill-lock dams have the potential to attract a large number of tourists, especially from Chandigarh and its surrounding townships, say KAD sources. “If farmhouses and marriage palaces located in villages can be the choice of the rich people, then why can these dams with magnificent scenario not attract tourists”, asks a KAD official. The KAD officials themselves concede that these dams are serving all objectives, but for the tourism aspects. “Developing tourism is not our job. It is to be done by the Department of Tourism’’, says Mr R.P.S. Yaduvanshi, Chief Engineer, KAD. He adds that some dams are potentially very good tourist spots. Mr Sanjay Kumar, Managing Director, PTDC, says the government cannot develop small sites. He adds, ‘‘We will welcome private investors if they want to develop any of the dam sites’’. Sources in the PTDC agree that some of the dams have the potential of attracting tourism, but the infrastructure is not sufficient. An official alleges that approach roads to most of the dams are not in good shape. They agree that a restaurant or a fast-food joint at the dams can be a good beginning. The reservoirs of the dams can be used as a lake and boating facilities can attract a large number of tourists, they opine. The PTDC had once approached the KAD to identify its dams, which could be developed into tourist spots. The latter had identified the Perch Dam, situated seven kilometers from Chandigarh. ‘‘Owing to its proximity to Chandigarh and the scenic beauty, it has a huge tourism potential’’, claims a senior KAD official. ‘‘The idea was not approved’’, says an official of the PTDC. Beside Perch and Siswan dams, the KAD official claims that the Chohal dam on the Hoshiarpur-Dharampur road, along with Dholbaha and Saleran in Hoshiarpur district, have tourism potential. ‘‘The scenic beauty at our upcoming dam at Patairi in Hoshiarpur district is very beautiful and the Tourism Department can exploit it’’, says the official. |
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Where cobwebs compete with books Amritsar Before partition, readers from far-flung areas, such as Lahore and Karachi, would visit this prestigious library to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments. Most college students at that time never bought any book as almost all books were available in the library and students used to refer to various books to make their notes. A dusty portrait of Pandit Moti Lal Nehru, pasted on the front wall, raises the question of its cleanliness. A thick layer of dust is visible on the books, stacked in broken racks. One can easily find perforations in most books, whose pages are moth eaten. A regular visitor to the library says one has to think twice before touching a book. Asthmatic patients have to take a great risk in studying in such an environment. Even a casual visitor can feel the indifferent attitude of employees by having a glance at dust-covered racks, in which thousands of valuable books have been piled up haphazardly. Sources say due to lack of proper checking, theft of books cannot be ruled out. Readers complain that there is no one to guide them to find the right books. Even the catalogue is unplanned and hence it is difficult to find a book of one’s choice. Some of the tubelights are found dangling due to poor wiring and could fall any time. The library also lacks proper lighting. Despite a plethora of missing papers, monthly files have been compiled. The library staff claims that there were keeping records in the past four years. One of the restorers says due to lack of space they had sold newspapers to
“raddhiwalas”. Ms Aanchal Sharma, Librarian, was tight-lipped when asked about the deplorable condition of the library. Mayor Brij Mohan Kapoor also feigned ignorance about its pathetic condition. |
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Focus on Panjkosi Abohar The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and his younger brother were married at Panjkosi. At present Mr Aad Lal Jakhar, state president of the Indian National Lok Dal, lives here. On his invitation, Mr Chautala and the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, visited the village in August this year. Mr Badal has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for remodelling of the sub-canal to increase its capacity, Rs 4.5 lakh for the construction of another overhead tank at the waterworks — higher than the existing one; Rs 5.25 lakh for the renovation of a stadium; Rs 3 lakh for streets and drains; Rs 2 lakh for a Dalit dharamshala and Rs 50,000 for the construction of a shed at the cremation ground. The dharamshala was completed within three months. Panjkosi has three dharamshalas for Dalits, one in each colony. The work on remodelling the sub-canal is nearing completion. Mr Jakhar suggested that the pond should be filled up and the area connected to the grain market. If the village panchayat agrees to the proposal, Mr Jakhar promises to get more grant sanctioned for the project. |
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4 killed in mishaps Malerkotla, December 16 The deceased have been identified as Kulwant Singh, and Taranjit Kaur, all resident of Ludhiana. Dehlon SHO Sikender Singh said all the victims were on their way to Ludhiana, while three occupants were killed on the spot. Harjit Kaur was rushed to a hospital in Ludhiana where her condition is said to be out of danger. The driver of the truck has been identified as Tejinder Singh who was, however, absconding. In another incident, Ranjit Singh was killed when his scooter was hit by an unidentified vehicle. He died on the spot. |
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1
killed, 3 hurt
in accidents Bathinda, December 16 The deceased was said to be a resident of Dhadhrath (Haryana) village. His body was handed over to his relatives after a post-mortem examination. Another old man was seriously injured near Bibiwala Chowk when a scooterist hit him. The injured has been identified as Mangloo. In another accident, a sadhu was seriously injured when he fell from a moving train near the local canal. He was admitted to a hospital by the volunteers of an NGO. In yet another incident, a person sustained head injuries when he fell from a moving train. The accident took place near Gurusar Sonakalan village. He has been hospitalised and his condition is reported to be serious. |
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Goods train derailed Fatehgarh Sahib, December 16 While no loss of life was reported, the derailment has caused damage to the track and the bogies. The traffic on the Sirhind-Nangal route was also suspended. The relief train and cranes to lift the derailed bogies and repair the track have rushed to the spot. Mr Ashok Sharma, Divisional Mechanical Engineer, hoped that the traffic would be restored by tomorrow morning. |
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Cong rights wing to approach NHRC Ropar, December 16 The Congress had organised a rally at the Ambedkar Bhavan, here in protest against the arrest of the Congress municipal councillor from Nangal, Ms Anita Sharma, in a murder case. The police had arrested her on December 10 for allegedly conniving with the prime suspect for destroying evidence. She has been remanded in judicial custody till December 22 by the Civil Judge, Anandpur Sahib. |
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PSEB to start information service Patiala, December 16 The scheme will initially be introduced in Patiala, Ludhiana and SAS
Nagar. In a press note, Mr Suresh Gupta, member (generation) of the
PSEB, said the board was in the process of making the necessary tie-up with a computer centre in Chandigarh and SAS Nagar for the purpose. With the introduction of this service, the Board would be able to provide better facilities to its customers for the fast processing of applications for new connections regarding the payment accounts of the customers. The scheme would also help in computerising complaints and prompt disposal of the same. |
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8 artists conferred
state awards Amritsar, December 16 The award winners are Mr Mohinderjit Singh (architect, sculptor), Dr Baldev Gambhir, Rupinder and Mr Gurpreet Singh, all artists, Mr Shivdev Singh (sculptor), all from Amritsar, Mr Harmesh Singh, artist from Ropar, Mr Preeti Singh, Ferozepore and Mr Jaspal Singh from Hoshiarpur. As many as 166 persons participated in the week-long exhibition that will remain here till December 23. |
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Id-ul-Fitr to be celebrated today Phillaur, December 16 This was stated by Sayeed Nazir Ahmed here today. |
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BBMB cuts down on establishment budget Ropar, December 16 The budget committee meeting was attended by senior functionaries of the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, including the Special Secretary Power, Punjab, and Directors of state Power Utilities. It was chaired by Mr S.K. Duggal, member, Irrigation, BBMB, and the budget proposals were presented by the Financial Adviser, BBMB, Mr Satish Loomba. Reliable sources said while the committee expressed satisfaction that the expenditure budgeted on establishment had dropped by Rs 10 crore, it also urged the BBMB to further prune it by adopting economy measures. The establishment expenditure of BBMB amounts to about 80 per cent of the total budget. The partner states, especially Punjab have been pressing the BBMB to adopt economy measures to reduce the establishment expenditure. It has been objecting to the payment of higher pay scales to its employees serving in the BBMB, though the share of its employees in the organisation has decreased to a great extent. The establishment budget of the BBMB has dropped during the current financial year largely because of withdrawal of leave encashment facility of the employees. The expenditure on works has also come down substantially particularly in the power wing, owing to the postponement of upgradation and renovation schemes for the Ganguwal and the Kotla power houses. The committee also approved the budget estimate of Rs 408 crore for adoption by the board in 2002-2003. It includes establishment expenditure of Rs 281 crore and works expenditure of Rs 127 crore. Mr Satish Loomba, when asked to comment on the growing establishment expenditure of the BBMB, said the perception that this expenditure was high was not entirely correct. Of the Rs 281 crore kept for establishment expenditure during the next financial year, Rs 258 crore had to be spent on salaries alone, he said. He also stated that the overall liability of the state government and the electricity boards in the total budget was quite low. Only Rs 96 crore would be collected from the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan for the Irrigation wing of the BBMB and Rs 182 crore from the four state Power Utilities for running the power wing. Considering the benefits to the partner states from the BBMB, the amount was very low, he added. |
Milkfed’s clean milk drive Chandigarh, December 16 It has launched a “clean milk” campaign at a cost of Rs 19 crore covering every stage of milk production beginning with milking of milch cattle, storage of milk, transportation, establishment of a cold chain, milk processing, packaging and finally, delivery to the customer. A drive has also been launched to educate the farmers about the cleanliness aspect of the milk production, including sterilisation of udders of the animal, before milking and storage of milk in stainless steel containers only. Milk producers are also being offered an extra Rs 5 to Rs 8 per litre for good quality and clean milk. “We are aiming at achieving world standards as regards the purity, fat content, taste and other aspects of quality of milk is concerned,” said Dr B.M.Mahajan, Managing Director of Milkfed in an interview with TNS here today. “This has become a pre-requisite if we want to survive in the post-WTO world”. Till recently, the quality of milk in Punjab, as also elsewhere in the country, was being judged largely on the basis of its fat contents and solids. No serious attention had been paid by the processors to improve microbiological quality of milk, with the result that the raw milk available carries bacterial count ranging between a few thousand to millions per
milliliter of milk. Today, India is No.1 in milk production in the world i.e. more than 80 million tonnes per annum. Milk is considered to be a complete balanced diet for the human beings. But it is also an ideal medium for the growth of micro-organisms. According to experts, the milk when secreted in the healthy udder is almost sterile. It is only during subsequent milking and post milking operations that the milk get contaminations from the surroundings. These micro-organisms may range from a few hundred to millions per ml. of milk. The predominating bacterial species are generally micro-cocci followed by streptococci, bacilli, coliforms etc. Both the number and types of micro-organisms entering raw milk depend on the extent and nature of unhygienic conditions prevailing at the milking place. Milk utensils, equipment and environment also contribute to multiplication of micro-organism in raw
milk. (to be continued) |
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