Sonia to kick off campaign on Jan 5
Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Rajpura, December 17
Congress President Sonia Gandhi will kick off the party’s poll campaign in Punjab on January 5 after the culmination of the Congress rallies being held in all Assembly constituencies of the state on January 4.

This was stated by the Punjab Pradesh Congress President, Capt Amarinder Singh, while talking to newsmen after addressing a party rally here today. Capt Amarinder Singh said Ms Gandhi had agreed to address a rally in the state on January 5. He said a rural place would be chosen for the rally as most of the important cities had been covered by the party President earlier.

Meanwhile, chaos prevailed at the party rally here, mainly because a former minister, Mr Raj Khurana, had been sidelined by the organisers. The former minister entered the rally site at the head of a group of supporters who insisted on coming up to the stage. Organisers of the function were not able to start it for nearly half an hour due to slogan- shouting by Mr Khurana’s supporters and later by those of party ticket aspirant Jagmohan Singh Saini, who also reached the venue leading a group.

The stage was managed by the District Congress (rural) President, Mr Hardyal Singh Kamboj, an aspirant for the party ticket from this seat. He accused the supporters of Mr Khurana of trying to sabotage the rally. A little while later, Mr Khurana, who was sitting among his supporters in front of the stage, got up to garland the PPCC chief and was asked to sit on the dais.

Speaking on the occasion, the PPCC chief launched a virulent attack against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by claiming that the latter owned properties worth Rs 3500 crore, including a hotel worth Rs 550 crore in Gurgaon. Capt Amarinder Singh said the Chief Minister had tried to sidestep the issue when he made these allegations earlier, adding that he was still ready for a judicial probe into the properties owned both by him and Mr Badal.

He said his party, after assuming power in the state, would appoint a commission to investigate charges of corruption against the Chief Minister and his family. He said the role of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) would also be investigated.

Speaking about seat adjustment with the Left parties, he said while a committee had been appointed to hold talks with the CPI, he had himself talked with the CPM. He said talks were still on, adding that an arrangement could be worked out only on the basis of the ‘’winnability’’ of the parties concerned. He said the Congress would like to follow this formula only while deciding on the seat adjustment with the Left parties. Others present on the occasion were former ministers Lal Singh, Bal Mukand Sharma and Harminder Singh Jassi, besides senior leader Jasbir Singh.

Pvt colleges may hike fee
Geetanjali gayatri
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the teachers, principals and managements and non-teaching staff of non-government aided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh has estimated a three-fold hike in private college fee from next session.

The estimates were prepared by the JAC after the colleges received directions from the Punjab Government to generate their own funds to meet the expenses. The hike has been worked out to pay for the pending salary grants since 1999 and the Rs 21-crore UGC pay-scale arrears.

In addition, the JAC decided to go public with their demands and seek answers from the public and students community at a convention to be held in Chandigarh shortly.

“The government proposes to bring down the grant to 50 per cent of what they are giving. Under the circumstances, the expenses of arts courses will shoot up from Rs 5000 to Rs 15000, commerce from 6000 to Rs 18000 and science from Rs 6500 to Rs 20000, making education a privilege of the elite only,’’ said Principal P.S. Sangha, General Secretary of the Principals Federation of the colleges.

Also, at a meeting held in Ludhiana, it was decided that the teachers ‘would forgo the December break to accommodate the postponed examinations to make up for time lost if the arrested teachers’ were released by December 18. Following this a token protest in the form of a chain hunger strike at matka chowk in Chandigarh would be held from December 20 to 31.

“In case they are not released, we will be forced to extend the call to ceasework in all aided and unaided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh and the examinations will have to be postponed even further,’’ Prof Charanjit Chawla, spokesperson for the JAC, said.

The General Secretary of the PCCTU, Mr Jaspal Singh Randhawa, added that a state-level joint rally of all federations would be held in the constituency of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, in the second week of January.

“The cut in grants is a very serious issue since the government has allocated Rs 72 crore to government colleges of the state while the same sum is being given to us for the 170 aided and unaided colleges. Also, they have stated in clear terms that the funds would be further reduced to 50 per cent of the total gradually,’’ he stated.

The meeting at Ludhiana was attended by Dr Ishar Singh and Principal Subhash Kumar (management federation), Principal Tarsem Bahia, Principal A.C. Vaid and Principal P.S. Sangha (Principals’ Federation), Prof J.S. Randhawa, Prof G.S. Kahlon, Prof Prakash Singh (teachers) and Mr R.K. Singla (non-teaching staff) and Principal B.D. Budhiraja (representing, unaided colleges).

Cold war between MLA, minister
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 17
A cold war has started between the SAD MLA from the Amloh constituency and the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh after the recently concluded sangat darshan programme, presided over by the Finance Minister in the absence of the Chief Minister as the grants to panchayats and municipal councils were not distributed with the consent of the local MLA.

The MLA wanted more grants for certain panchayats with eye on the ensuing assembly elections to strengthen his votebank, but the minister obliged his favourites, who were alleged to be opposing the candidature of the MLA.

The other issue, which has aggravated the cold war is related to the post of President of Municipal Council, Amloh as the Welfare Department of the state government after conducting an enquiry has recommended the removal of Mr Baldev Singh, president, on the ground that the certificate of the BC category produced by him to get the post reserved for a BC candidate was found to be bogus. It is worth mentioning that he was elected president of the council with the blessings of the Capt whereas the MLA had opposed his candidature at that time also. The MLA had lodged a complaint about the highhandedness of the minister at that time and on that basis enquiry was ordered. Now, the report has come. It is learnt that the minister is making allout efforts for the continuation of the present president whereas the MLA’s group wanted his removal and installation of his favourite, Mr Baldev Singh Aulakh, the only elected BC candidate for the post. The council had been given a grant of worth Rs 70 lakh even more than demanded during the sangat darshan programme by the minister as the president is his favourite. Now, both groups wanted to utilise this grant and to get the credit for the development of the town.

When contacted, Mr Balwant Singh Sahpur, SAD MLA from Amloh, said ultimately “truth” had prevailed. He said at the time of election to the post of president, he had objected to his candidature as he had obtained a bogus certificate from the naib tehsildar, Amloh, but under the pressure of the Finance Minister, the presiding officer, SDM, Amloh conducted the election ignoring his objections and declared him as the council president. He said there was only one elected BC candidate Baldev Singh Aulakh and he deserved the presidentship. He said he would make earnest efforts to install him as the president as the presiding officer had mentioned in the proceedings at that time that if the certificate was found bogus, action would be taken as per law.

Sub Registrars had it coming
There were several complaints against them
Our Correspondent

Mansa, December 17
It was inaction on the part of the district administration that led to the beating up of Tehsildar Jatinder Singh Saggu and Naib Tehsildar Jai Chand Parinda on Thursday.

It was in the knowledge of the Deputy Commissioner and other officers that all was not well between the two long but the district administration did not take any action to set the things right.

A deputation of advocates had met Ms, Raji P. Srivastva, Deputy Commissioner, Mansa, and complained against the Tehsildar, but the complaint was put in the cold storage. Several complaints were received regarding the corruption rampant in the tehsil office. In this regard an inquiry was conducted, but no action taken by the authorities.

It is pertinent to mention here that Mr Saggu, Tehsildar, had misbehaved with Mr Suraj Parkash Goyal, former chairman of the local DAV Centenary Public School, when he appeared before him in connection with registration of a sale deed. In this regard, a complaint was submitted to the higher authorities of the Revenue Department and a regular inquiry conducted by Ms Indu Malbotra, SDM, Mansa.

Thereafter, the Tehsildar misbehaved with Mr Vijay Kumar Singla, an advocate, when he appeared before him in connection with registration of a document. A deputation of lawyers met the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a complaint who issued directions to Ms Malhotra to withdraw registration powers from the Tehsildar, but no action was taken.

The Deputy Commissioner is the competent authority to withdraw registration powers of a tehsildar in his/her capacity as Registrar.

Mr Parinda, Naib Tehsildar, too had misbehaved with Mr Harcharan Singh, Advocate. A complaint is pending against Mr Parinda in the court of Mr Mohinder Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate. He has been summoned by the court as an accused.

Mr Parinda is alleged to have made derogatory remarks against the advocate when he went to deliver him an order passed by the Commissioner, Faridkot Division.

The incident that took place on Thursday is the result of inaction on the part of the Deputy Commissioner in the matter. Their being beaten up in the district court complex shows that the situation in the district has gone from bad to worse.

The corruption being indulged in by the tehsil office came to the fore when the Punjab Government granted remission of 100 units of electricity to Dalits.

There is a caucus engaged in “looting” the people in the execution of sale deeds and evasion of stamp duty. The constituents of the caucus distribute the “looted” amount among themselves.

POLITICS

Cong workers upbeat at rally
Our Correspondent

Gurdaspur, December 17
More than 10,000 persons from the Fatehgarh Curian Assembly constituency participated in a rally organised by Mr Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, PPCC, general secretary at Dera Baba Nanak today. The rally was part of the PPCC plan to cover all 117 constituencies in Punjab by January 5.

Prominent leaders who attended the rally included Mr R.L. Bhatia, chairman of the campaign committee and MP, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, former PPCC, president and senior Congress leader Khushhal Behl.

The mood among Congress workers was upbeat. Mr Bhatia said the present SAD-BJP government had “harmed” agricultural and small-scale industry.

He said 36,00 small-scale units had to be closed down due to the anti-industry policy of the government.

Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa alleged that corruption was rampant and new postings and appointments were being made on the payment of huge sums of money.

He said the distribution of ticket would be finalised this month and screening of candidates would be completed by December 20.

500 Cong workers join SAD
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 17
Expressing their satisfaction over the development and other works in their village, more than 500 Congress workers of Jarot village today met Capt Kanwaljit Singh, general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Finance Minister of Punjab, at his residence here and joined the SAD.

Under the leadership of Mr Augur Singh, the workers expressed their solidarity with the minister and promised full support to the party.

The minister welcomed the ‘‘new comers’’ with siropas and said that the remaining development works in the area would be completed soon.

He said that scores of members of the Rajput community of the area also joined the SAD and had expressed their solidarity in a function organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap in Samgoli village, near Lalru, on December 15.

Capt Vikram Singh, chairman of the Punjab Rajput Mahasabha, Thakur Satvir Singh, a former president of the Mahansabha, Mr Shashi Rana and Mr Manvinder Rana, chairman and president of the Raghuvanshi Rajput Sabha, respectively, on behalf of the Rajput Community, had already expressed their satisfaction over the development works in the Banur assembly constituency.

BSP workers lathi-charged
Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, December 17
The police today lathi-charged Bahujan Samaj Party (Ambedkar) workers and took into custody 18 of them on the last day of the 15-day dharna being staged by the workers in front of the office of the local SDM demanding action against the SHO, Sarhali, allegedly for maltreating a woman leader of the party. In the morning, when the workers tried to move towards the SSP office, the police tried to persuade them to put off their programme and cancel their agitation. But the workers ignored the requests forcing the police to resort to lathi charge. The local SHO (city) said no action had been taken against the detained BSP workers.

COMMUNITY

Id-ul-Fitr celebrated with fervour

Malerkotla
More than 1 lakh Muslims performed namaz and greeted each other on the occasion of Id here on Monday. Maulana Hashim Shah Shabib, Shahi Imam of the local Jama Masjid, led the namaz at the Idgah.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, addressing a huge gathering at the local Idgah, extended greetings and good wishes to the people on the occasion. He was here to felicitate Muslim brethren on behalf of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Mr Dhindsa presented a cheque for Rs 16 lakh for the purchase of land for the Idgah. He also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the development of the Idgah.

Mr Sarbjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, MLA, Mr Gurpreet Singh Toor, SP (D), and Mr Kulshinder Singh, local DSP, were also present on the occasion.

Id-ul-Fitr prayers were also offered by Muslims in various mosques of the town and adjoining villages like Binjoki Kalan, Dalergarh, Matoi, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh.

MOGA: Id-ul-Fitr was celebrated by Muslims with traditional fervour at Moga, where thousands of Muslims offered prayers. A large number of Sikhs and Hindus greeted their Muslim brethren on the occasion.

PHAGWARA: Id-ul Fitr was celebrated here on Monday by thousands of Muslims , who were greeted by their non-Muslim brethern.

FARIDKOT: A large number of Muslims celebrated Id at the local mosque adjoining Gurdwara Tilla Baba Sheikh Farid here on Monday. They performed namaz and greeted each other. Mr Avtar Singh Brar, local Congress MLA, Mr Kushal Deep Dhillon, former general secretary, state unit of the SAD, and Mr Gurtej Singh Gill, senior Akali leader, were among those who attended the function.

AMRITSAR: Gaiety and fervour marked the Id celebrations at the city’s mosque here on Monday. The SGPC chief, Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, extended greetings to all Muslims on the occasion.

JALANDHAR: Breaking barriers of caste and religion, over 50,000 Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians converged on the local Gulab Devi road Idgah to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr, on Monday.

Mr Sayeed Yaqub Hussain Naqvi, president of the Id Management Committee and chairman of the Muslim National Front, was among those who addressed the gathering on the occasion.

BATHINDA: Id celebrations were marked by religious fervour and gaiety here on Monday. The Idgaah of Baba Haazi Rattan wore a festive look and more than 5,000 persons paid obeisance at the place. Qazi Ramzan Khan conducted the traditional namaz. The function was organised by the Muslim Human Welfare Society.

The significance of Id-ul-Fitr
Vikrant Jindal

Malerkotla
Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan — a month of fasting in obeisance to Allah, who is most merciful and beneficial.

During this month it is obligatory for every Muslim to fast from dawn to dusk. Id is celebrated after seeing the rising moon at the earliest on the first day of the following month of the Islamic calender.

As Islam is considered a scientific and realistic religion based on equality, it is mandatory for every Muslim to donate 2.5 per cent of his moveable and immovable property, if he owns 52.5 tolas of silver and 7.5 tolas of gold or the equivalent in cash. It is called “zakat” and is compulsory for every Muslim. It should be done in such a way that the donor and receiver should never be under any obligation and this relationship should never be known to a third party.

While giving “zakat”, the first priority goes to the neighbour and then the poor relatives. In addition to it “Sadka-e-Fitr” is also given. This comprises 1 kg and 630 gm of wheat or barley flour for every able-bodied member of the family. A lower amount is also donated after counting the head of cattle kept by the family.

On Id, every male goes to the mosque, decorated for the occasion, or Idgah, for a special namaz.

Id is celebrated to thank the Almighty for having revealed the Quran in the month of Ramzan for the guidance of mankind.

Muslims after reading Namaze-Id hug their brethren three times and gifts are given to children. Women keep at home and read their namaz.

Being a city of composite culture, Id is celebrated at Malerkotla with the participation of all communities. They congratulate their brothers, embrace each other and exchange wishes and sweets.

On this occasion, VIPs visit Malerkotla and contribute in lakhs for the development of the Idgah. Every year about 1 lakh congregate at Idgah, pay their obeisance and read namaz led by the Mufti.

Ayurvedic dispensaries cry for attention
Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 17
If one goes by the condition of ayurvedic dispensaries in the city and nearby areas, the promotion of ancient Indian system of medicine seems to be last on the Punjab Government’s mind.

Ayurvedic dispensaries in the city as well as in most parts of the district are suffering for want of medicines, lack of infrastructure and in proper utilisation of staff. The state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had expressed its commitment to the system before the last Assembly elections in the state.

Most glaring is the example of the ayurvedic dispensary in Quila Chowk in the interior of the city. The two-room dispensary does not even have a name plate on it. It is surrounded by filthy conditions, with an open drain passing in front of it. Though it is staffed adequately, with two doctors and two dispensers, besides Class IV staff, very few people visit it.

When the Chandigarh Tribune team visited the dispensary, both doctors deputed there were not present. The dispensers on duty said they faced some problems due to paucity of medicines. They also said around 25 to 30 patients visited the dispensary everyday.

This fact is disputed by people of the area, who say hardly anyone comes to the dispensary for treatment as it does not even have basic ayurvedic medicines in stock. The situation on the patient front is no better in the dispensary in the Punjab State Education Board headquarters and the dispensary in the factory area, though the staff say patients come to the dispensary.

The position on the medicine front is bad all over. Dr Harmanjit Singh, in charge of the education board dispensary, said the dispensary had got a double stock of Rs 1620 this year. Most other dispensaries are not so fortunate, getting medicines worth around Rs 400 to Rs 500 per year. Doctors of some of dispensaries said this had caused problems for them as most of the patients felt doctors were duty bound to give them medicines for their ailments.

Dr Shivraj Singh, posted at Sanaur, said 26 items had been supplied to his dispensary in small quantities this year. He said he had prepared an equal amount of medicines through his own initiative, which he was doling out to patients. He said there was not only a need to increase the supply of medicines to the dispensaries drastically, but each area should be provided medicines for diseases peculiar to it. In Sanaur area skin diseases and anaemia were most rampant, for which he had to make his own medicines.

Doctors and staff also complain that there is complete ad hocism in the department, with nearly one-third of the staff being posted on deputation at favoured dispensaries in the city. This is counter-productive as many primary health centres of the department, including that of Nabha, are suffering for want of staff.

Residents of the city seem to have given up on ayurvedic dispensaries. Ms Amarjit Kaur, a resident of the old city, said she had stopped going to the Quila Chowk dispensary as medicines needed were not available there. She said as doctors of the dispensary also prescribed medicines, she had resorted to taking standard ayurvedic medicines for general ailments and resorted to allopathic medicines for serious problems.

Sarovar opened for public
Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 17
The newly restored Mata Kali Devi Mandir sarowar was today formally thrown open to the public after Ms Surinder Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, performed the “‘jal parvah” ceremony.

A large number of devotees attended the function to mark the occasion at which Anuradha Paudwal sung ‘shabads’ and ‘bhajans’. A number of ‘havans’ were also organised on the premises of the historic temple to mark the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Badal said the present government was the only one of its kind which had worked for the improvement of religious places. She commended the administration for the speedy restoration work conducted by it as well as the beautification of the entire complex.

The temple Nav Nirman Committee honoured Ms Badal on the occasion. Others who were present on the occasion were Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, minister, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Chairman Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu, Punjab Women Commission Chairperson Surinder Kaur Grewal and SGPC members Joginder Singh Panjrath, Kamlesh Kaur and Tejinder Kaur Setia.

BSF man alleges harassment
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, December 17
Mr Mohan Lal, Head Constable in the border security force (BSF), has allegedly been dismissed twice from services for going to court against his seniors since February 2, 2001, when he rejoined duty following a high court verdict.

Mr Mohan Lal, a resident of Moga district, had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against the authorities concerned when he was not allowed to rejoin duty in the BSF after he had cancelled his own decision of voluntary retirement in 1992. He alleged that his seniors had said that after opting for voluntary retirement, no BSF personnel could rejoin duty.

The Delhi High Court decided in his favour and asked the authorities to reinstate him. Following the instruction of the court, he was called to join duty o February 18, 2001. He joined on February 24. But he alleged that his seniors started harassing him without any reasons as they were angry with him that they had to reinstate him.

Mr Mohan Lal said that he was dismissed from service on June 6, 2001, after levelling false allegations against him without serving any show-cause notice in that connection. He filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the matter and on the directions of the court, the Commandant of the battalion asked him to join duty.

Before joining the duty, he requested that his battalion be changed because the atmosphere was “not favourable” for him in that unit. But his request was not accepted.

Mr Mohan Lal further said that one month later he was against dismissed on the same “flimsy” ground which were ‘used’ against him earlier.

He alleged that he was made a victim due to his stand for truth and straightforwardness. He alleged that his service record was misplaced by the authorities.

He has also written to the National Human Rights Commission, National Legal Services Authority, DIG, BSF, Gurdaspur, IG, BSF, Punjab Frontier Jalandhar, DG, BSF, New Delhi, for justice.

A senior official of the battalion at present posted near Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, in which Mr Mohan Lal was serving, when contacted on phone said that the allegations made by Mr Mohan Lal were false. He said that the authorities had refused to cancel his application for voluntary retirement in 1992 as he had asked for the same when his battalion was shifted to Kashmir valley but wanted to cancel it when the battalion returned from there. Also, after rejoining his duty as per instructions of court, he started taking liquor on duty which was prohibited.

Plea to shift electoral revision officer
Our Correspondent

Kapurthala, December 17
Mr Sukhpal Singh Khaira, PPCC secretary, has sent representations to the Chief Election Commissioner against the electoral revision officer-cum-returning officer of Bholath subdivision of this district for allegedly misusing authority to help the sitting Akali MLA Jagir Kaur. Mr Khaira is a Congress contender from Bholath.

Talking to newspersons today, he said he had complained to the Chief Election Commissioner that there were 128 polling stations in the Bholath constituency and 4,600 applications had been submitted for fresh enrolment of voters in 122 polling stations which indicated an increase of 3.5 per cent voters in the constituency.

In six polling stations in Bagowal village, the native village of Mrs Jagir Kaur, 2,000 new applications had been submitted for enrolment of fresh voters which indicated an increase of 30 per cent. He said prior to this, there were 7,200 voters at Bagowal.

Mr Khaira demanded the transfer of Mr Harcharan Singh, SDM, Bholath, who was the electoral registration officer and happened to be a close relative of Ms Jagir Kaur.

Mr Khaira said he met Ms Usha R. Sharma, Additional Chief Election Commissioner, Punjab, in Chandigarh in this regard. He urged that the Assembly elections in Punjab should be held under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Unprocessed milk a health hazard
A.S.Prashar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17
While India is no doubt No.1 in milk production in the world, the quantity of milk being processed in the organised sector is hardly 10% of the total production.

The rest of the milk is either retained by milk producers or is sold through middle men. In villages and big cities, a large volume of milk is being supplied by middlemen and vendors for human consumption. This raw milk has a high bacterial count, as brought out in a recent study conducted at Chandigarh.

High bacterial count of raw milk is a health hazard for the consumers. Some of the effects of high bacterial count in raw milk are as under :-

• Bacterial inhibitors naturally available in raw milk such as immunoglobalins and lactoperoxidase systems are inactivated and consequently, the growth of harmful bacteria is stimulated.
• Denaturation of whey proteins takes place which reduces the available oxygen potential in milk thereby promoting lactic acid bacterial growth which contributes towards the spoilage of milk.
• Protein decomposition products, such as peptides and amino acids are formed which promote bacterial growth.
• Generally, a majority of the consumers have the impression that once the milk is boiled, the milk becomes safe for consumption. But this presumption is not correct: during heating of milk, the bacteria are only killed but are not removed from the milk. The dead bacteria remain in the milk as scum. The more the bacterial count in raw milk, the more the scum in the products.
• Some bacteria such as Bacillus species and clostridium species form their spores. Most of these survive pasteurization temperature. Higher the initial count in raw milk, the more will be the spores in milk. These spores subsequently germinate, grow and spoil milk and pose health risk too.
• Some bacteria produce toxins. More toxins will be produced if milk has large bacterial count. Some bacteria also produce enzymes namely proteases and lipases. The proteases attack proteins and lipases attach fat, thus causing putrid and rancid off-flavours in the milk.

(Concluded)

Technicians to court arrest on Dec 23
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, December 17
Members of the Punjab Laboratory Technicians Association at an emergency meeting held today under the chairmanship of Mr Sikandar Singh have decided to hold a state-level demonstration in front of the residence of the Punjab Health Minister, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, at Amritsar on December 23.

They have also planned to burn his effigy and court arrest on that day.

The association spokesman, Mr Jhirmal Singh Bhindar, told newspersons that a relay fast in front of Dr Chawla’s residence had entered the 30th day.

The members are demanding implementation of higher pay scales, grant of risk allowance and free accommodation.

Hepatitis-B camp organised
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 17
Rotary Club, Sirhind organised a hepatitis-B vaccination camp today at the Vishwakarama Mandir Sirhind where 375 people were vaccinated.

This is the eighth consecutive camp organised by the club. The president Prof Harshvinder Singh and the secretary Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha said the club had been organising hepatitis-B vaccination camps for the past eight months and people were given the vaccination at highly subsidised rates. They further said the public was made aware about this serious and incurable disease through pamphlets and loudspeaker announcements.

Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha, secretary of the club, said that the club had also distributed sweaters to poor students of the area a day before yesterday. He also told the Press that Rotary Club, Sirhind, was hosting a conference. “Conference of Mankind” to be held at Punjabi University, Patiala on January 12 and 13.

Goyal allays fears on octroi abolition
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 17
Mr J.B. Goyal, Director, Punjab Local Bodies Department, today made it clear that no civic body official would be sacked on account of the abolition of octroi in the state.

Mr Goyal, while addressing a meeting of presidents of municipal committees and nagar panchayats, executive officers and councillors said it was a misconception that civic body employees would not get their salaries or they would be sacked for the abolition of octroi. He said the employees would be adjusted to alternative positions available with the civic bodies itself.

Mr K. Shiva Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, distributed Rs 55 lakh among the chiefs of 10 civic bodies of the district. Mr Goyal presented a book, “A Golden Era in the History of Urban Local Bodies,” to the Deputy Commissioner.

3 killed in road accident
Our Correspondent

Pathankot, December 17
Three persons were killed in an head-on collision between a truck and a scooter near Jakolahri, village about 15 km from here today.

According to the police, the persons were going from Sujanpur to Gurdaspur by the scooter when the truck coming from the opposite side hit the scooter killing them on the spot.

The deceased have been identified as Sat Pal, Manohar Lal and Kamlesh Kumari, all residents of Sujanpur of this subdivision. A case has been registered and the truck impounded. The truck driver has absconded from the scene.

Pensioners give memorandum to DC
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, December 17
The local unit of the Punjab Government Pensioners Association celebrated Pensioners’ Day here today. Mr Hira Lal Bansal, president of the association, presided over the function.

Members discussed the problems of pensioners and later handed over a memorandum containing their demands to the Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Kishan Singh, general secretary of the association in a press note here said today their demands included improving the pension scale of those who retired before 1996, relief in accordance with the standing orders of the government for the pensioners who were in the 65-75 age group.

The members further said the government should pay special attention to the problems of the pensioners.

Book Kanjhla, demand sarpanches
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, December 17
The resignation of 50 sarpanches of the Sherpur Assembly constituency were presented to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, by Akali leaders at Chandigarh yesterday, protesting against the “beating up” of Mr Charanjit Singh, sarpanch of Gurbuxpura village (near Sherpur), allegedly by Mr Gobind Singh Kanjhla, Punjab Social Security Minister, a few days ago.

Mr Gurmeet Singh, Mahmadpur, Jathedar of Sherpur circle of the SAD, said the sarpanches had given an ultimatum to Mr Badal in a letter containing their signatures that they would present their resignations if action against Mr Kanjhla was not taken by him till December 21.

Mr Mahmadpur said the sarpanches demanded the dismissal of Mr Kanjhla from the Cabinet, registration of a case against Mr Kanjhla for allegedly “beating up” the sarpanch and refusal of party ticket to Mr Kanjhla from the Sherpur Assembly constituency.

Cable operators’ strike today
Our Correspondent

Rampura Phul, December 17
To express their resentment against owners of satellite channels for increasing rates of paid channels, cable operators of the state will observe a strike on December 18 and hold a rally at Chandigarh, during which cable networks will remain closed between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mr Chamkaur Singh, state joint secretary and district president of the Cable Operators Union, said at a meeting of the district unit of union held here today that with the passage of time most of the satellite channels had become paid channels increasing expenditure of the cable operators heavily. If the paid channel owners did not pay any attention towards their demands they could stop transmitting the channels by their networks, he added.

BJYM executive to meet on Dec 18, 19
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
The national executive of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, youth wing of the BJP, will meet in Delhi on December 18 and 19. The meeting, to be presided over by the national president of the party, Mr Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan will chalk out a detailed programme for the proposed protest rally against terrorism at the Wagah Border in January, besides discussing the prevailing political situation in the country. This was stated by Mr Sukhminder Pal Singh Grewal, state president of the BJYM, in a press note here today.

ADMINISTRATION

Punjab releases grants for MCs
Our Correspondent

Meanwhile, traders of Ferozepore and Jalandhar areas are up in arms as the octroi has not been abolished in the cantonments. It has been seen that trucks plying on the routes passing through cantonment areas pass the octroi barriers assuming that the octroi stands abolished but they have to dole out penalty along with the octroi. The local traders union and businessmen have send several resolutions to the Defence Ministry and the state government to abolish octroi in these areas also but in vain.

Civil Hospital inaugurated
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, December 17
A 150-bed Civil Hospital, completed at a cost of Rs 12 crore, was inaugurated by the Health Minister, Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, here yesterday.

Named Jallianwala Bagh Shaheedi Yaadgari Civil Hospital, it is equipped with all major facilities in medical treatment in addition to de-addiction centres. The hospital has been built by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) with the assistance of the World Bank. The PHSC has spent Rs 422 crore to build 154 state-of-the-art hospitals throughout the state, of which 130 are almost complete, said Dr Chawla.

Dr Chawla said it was proposed that all civil hospitals in the state would have the three modes of treatment, namely ayurveda, homoeopathy and allopathy.

Dr D.S. Virk, Joint Director, PHSC, speaking on the occasion, said four civil hospitals and nine community health centres had been built at a cost of Rs 13 crore.

Garg lays stone for water works
Our Correspondent

Bathinda, December 17
Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, had said that work on the project of water-supply and sewerage has begun. Water-works worth Rs 2 crore would be built under the same at Kamla Nehru Colony in the city.

He was addressing a gathering here today after laying the foundation stone for the waterworks. He said this project would solve the problem of scarcity of potable water at Power House Road, Ajit Road, Zujhar Singh Nagar and Dhobiana Road.

He said the project would be completed within two years. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president municipal council, said the council would provide every possible help for timely completion of this project.

Mr Garg also inaugurated a 24-hour supply scheme at Gillpatti village of this district.

CRIME

Lure of foreign land: 3 duped
Our Correspondent

In yet another case, Gurdial Chand of Ghumna alleged that Sardara Singh and his son Kirpal Singh of Thaksowal village took Rs 1,20,000 for sending him abroad.

Flesh trade racket busted, 3 held
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, December 17
The city police busted a flesh trade racket here today. Three persons, including a woman, have been arrested.

Raj Kumar, a resident of Prem Nagar, his wife Rekha Rani and sons allegedly used to bring girls from different areas, including other states. On a tip-off, the DSP (Headquarters), Mr Charanjit Singh, conducted a raid in which three persons were arrested.

A case has been registered under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Immoral Trafficking Act. The police has seized three cellular phones from those arrested.

Meanwhile, Davinder Singh of Hussainpura and Tarlochan Singh of Sharifpura were arrested by the police for allegedly possessing 31,500 ml and 6,000 ml of illicit liquor, respectively. The police has registered a case.

Car stolen
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 17
Mr Darshan Lal Goyal, a resident of Sector 44-D, Chandigarh, lodged a complaint with the Amloh police aon December 16 that his car was forcibly taken away from his driver near Salana village in Fatehgarh Sahib district by some miscreants at gunpoint.

EDUCATION

Free education for poor students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17
The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today announced that the SAD-BJP government had taken an important decision of providing free education up to the university level to brilliant students from poor sections.

Addressing a meeting of SAD-BJP workers of Mansa and Bathinda districts at his residence here today, Mr Badal said that another scheme related to extending insurance cover to more than 40 lakh students in government schools.

He criticised the Congress for poverty, unemployment and the economic backwardness of Punjab.

Mr Badal said the SAD-BJP did not believe in personal enmity with any individual leader of the Congress or the Panthic Morcha. But it was a political fight against the “excesses and injustices” of the Congress towards Punjab and Punjabis.

Mr Balwinder Singh Bhundar, MP, said the Congress maintained double standards which amply showed its insincerity towards the country and the state.

Among the speakers were Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, Mr Chiranji Lal Garg (both Ministers), MLAs and members of the SGPC.

Pvt college staff to go on chain fast
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, December 17
Maintaining that the focus of the next phase of the agitation of the Joint Action Committee comprising managements, principals, teachers and non-teaching staff of 172 private colleges will be on mobilising public opinion against the Punjab Government’s ‘‘offensive’’ against higher education, Principal Tarsem Bahia, spokesman for the committee, said here today that the committee would begin a chain fast at Matka Chowk, Chandigarh, from December 20 to 31.

Besides, a state-level ‘‘save-higher-education conference’’ would be held in Chandigarh on January 10 next and rallies would be held in ‘‘sensitive’’ constituencies, including that of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, in mid-January.

However, the December 4 to 18 ‘‘ceasework’’ by about 10,000 college staff would be lifted tomorrow and the agitating staff would forego their winter break to compensate for the loss of studies of students, Mr Bahai said.

However, Prof Gurnam Singh Kahlon, acting president, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, (PCCTU), said teachers would be forced to continue the strike in case PCCTU executive members lodged in the Burail jail were not released tomorrow.

These leaders, including the PCCTU chief, Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, were arrested in Chandigarh on December 4 and remanded in judicial custody till December 18.

Varsity appointments cancelled
Our Correspondent

Amritsar, December 17
The Registrar of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr R.S. Bawa, in a letter to Mr Satya Pal Dang has informed that some of the appointments made in the university have been cancelled. These appointments were made at a syndicate meeting on July 20 at Chandigarh. Mr Dang had then written to the Governor, Mr J.F.R. Jacob, who is also Chancellor of the university, regarding these hurriedly made appointments. Mr Dang sought details of the cancelled appointments in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor here today.