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Power Tariff Hike Our Correspondent
Ferozepur, November 3 Badal said the entire case regarding new power tariffs had been misrepresented and the issue was being unnecessarily hyped by the media. He said the new electricity rates were proposed by the PSEB’s Regulatory Commission and not by the government’s or the Akali Dal. However, a final decision on the same had yet to be taken, he added. Answering to a query about the grant of bail to former DGP, S.S. Virk, he said the matter was sub judice and law would take its own course. Referring to PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s statement, Badal said the Congress was crying hoarse alleging that the politics of vendetta was pursued by the SAD, whereas the ground reality showed that not even a single case had been filed out of vindictiveness.
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Lays substation stone
Nawanshahr, November 3 The Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP government had made comprehensive plans to generate additional power during the coming five years. He said the Bhaddi substation would be completed during the current financial year. Chaudhary Nand Lal, chief parliamentary secretary, J.S. Sekhon, member, PSEB, deputy commissioner Gurpal Singh Bhatti were also present.
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Blames Cong govt for ’84 riots
Ludhiana, November 3 Stating that the then police commissioner, Delhi, Ved Marwah, had revealed to a TV channel yesterday that he was asked to maintain silence over the police action during those three days when hundreds of innocent people were ruthlessly killed. ‘‘Marwah was asked not to give his report on the happenings during those three days. All this is an indicator of the fact that the Congress government was at the helm of affairs when the riots took place,’’ he said. ‘‘You do not have to worry. The law will take its own course, ’’ he said while assuring the Danga Peerat Welfare Society that they would provide them free legal aid through the SGPC to fight their cases in the Supreme Court. Later while referring to the demands of the society, the Chief Minister said that they would meet all demands, including preparing of red cards, widow pensions, construction of a bridge and a senior citizen home at Dugri.
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10 of family die as car falls into drain
Bhuchar Kalan (Tarn Taran), November 3 The deceased were returning to Bhuchar Khurd village after attending a family function at Cheena Bidhi Chand village. Devinder Singh was driving the car. The mishap occurred when he failed to notice the drain. The deceased have been identified as Devinder Singh (28), his wife Karanbir Kaur (25), their two daughters Manpreet Kaur (4) and Jasanpreet Kaur (3), Karanbir Singh (13), Balraj Singh (9) Kanwalpreet Kaur (30), Shamsher Singh (12), Simran Singh (13) and Navpreet Kaur (14). Devinder’s younger brother Dilbag Singh spotted the car and raised an alarm. Soon residents rushed to the spot. Eight bodies were recovered during night while two bodies were found in the morning. The family of the deceased brought the bodies home without conducing a post-mortem and cremated them today. SSP Pawan Kumar Rai and other officials reached the village and started investigations.
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Bhakra’s left bank house to generate more power
Chandigarh, November 3 This upgradation of generation units will be undertaken by a consortium comprising the Sumitomo Corporation (Japan), Hitachi (Japan) and VA Tech Hydro, Australia. The BBMB signed a memorandum of understanding with the consortium here today. The left bank has five hydroelectric generating units, each originally designed for 90 MW each. In 1983-85, the generation capacity of these units was up rated to 108 MW, each by replacing the insulation of its stator from Class B to Class F. Only last year, the BBMB had invited global tenders for upgradation of the left bank hydro-generation units. Besides increasing the power generation capacity of power house from 540 MW (5x108MW) to 630 MW (5x126MW), it will mitigate day-to-day operational and maintenance problems while giving fresh lease of life to generating machines which have been in operation for the past more than 45 years against a normal life of 25 to 35 years. Increased power generation capacity will further enhance BBMB’s contribution towards peaking power supply and yield indirect benefit through trading of CERs (Carbon Emission Reductions). U.C. Misra, Chairman, BBMB, lauded the contribution of BBMB engineers and assured full co-operation to the consortium in the upgradation work.
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A lesson in giving back to the country
Kamalpura (Ludhiana), November 3 When he became successful, his mother Pritam Kaur Hansra
goaded him to work at making education available to girls in his native
Kamalpura village. “My brother and my mother always had a dream to do
something for our village. We knew that finances were the first
requirement for implementing any project, which we could afford having
settled down decently. Sincerity in intention coupled with the drive to
see the dream become reality led to the coming up of Guru Gobind Singh
Khalsa College for Women, Kamalpura,” says Amarjeet Singh Hansra,
brother of Baljinder. He also helps his brother with the family
business and is here currently overlooking the running of the college.
Baljinder visits the college at least thrice a year, besides, a phone
call daily to update himself with the progress on the college
campus. The campus with its green environs and computer labs offers
fine facilities to the students. The college also houses a separate
wing in the building for students of B.Ed classes and the campus, at the
moment, also holds classes for classes IX, X, XI and Girls’ Senior
Secondary School. Another highlight of the non-aided colleges is the
special bus service for the students. The buses picks students from at
least 40 adjoining villages. The campus has special hostel facilities
for girls. A generator set looks after the electricity supply during
power tripping. A girl student says, “It was difficult for us to
travel to the nearest town, Gurusar Sudhar, for our education after
schools. Many girls in the nearby villages dropped out after their
matriculation. Our college is a big asset to girl education.” The
foundation stone of the college was laid down on March 22, 1998, and the
classes here began in 2000. The college is affiliated with Panjab
University. Amarjeet Singh is also associated with the rural games in
the village, which take place annually from January 28 to 31. The event
features volleyball, hockey, football and kabaddi. "Both of us
brothers feel contented when our mother says it is good that we are able
to do something for our village,” Amarjeet said.
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ITI funds: Centre shows concern over slow utilisation
Chandigarh, November 3 In a letter addressed to the Punjab chief secretary, Ramesh Inder Singh, Secretary of Union Labour Ministry Sudha Pillai has urged him to direct the authorities concerned to expedite the utilisation of such funds to enable it to release another instalment of funds. Under the scheme, the Union Government was to release Rs 960 lakh for improving the institutes’ infrastructure at Patiala, Ludhiana, Mohali(women), Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Bassi Pathana, Rajpura and Gurdaspur as central share. The Union Government has already released Rs 286.8 lakh to the state government since the implementation of the scheme whereas proposals worth Rs 643.6 lakh pertaining to civil works, equipment and other recurring expenditure are still being awaited from the state government. Besides, Pillai said she had got the information that proposals worth Rs 30 lakh were being processed at the ministry level and the approved amount would be released soon. However, drawing the attention of Ramesh Inder Singh she had mentioned that the utilisation of funds released during the past two years under the scheme was only 30 per cent. She has urged the chief secretary not only to give priority to utilise funds but also send proposals for getting the remaining funds released. Sources said Ramesh Inder Singh had directed the authorities concerned in the technical education department to take necessary action of the letter written by Pillai and to put up a draft for reply to her.
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Residents block traffic
Nangal, November 3 About 50 persons sat on the state highway at about 1 pm, affecting the traffic. They raised slogans against the money lender and the local administration. Despite the high court directive on road blockades, the local administration remained a mute spectator to the problems of commuters, passengers and tourists going to Dharamshala and other tourists spots, who remained stranded for quite a while. None of the district administration officials, including the SDM or DSP, reached the spot to persuade the protesters for lifting the blockade. Only the local SHO reached the spot. The blockade was lifted at about 3 pm after they reportedly got tired of sitting on the road. The local police has registered a case under Section 306 of the IPC and SC/ST Act against the accused Suresh Kumar. The protesters, however, were not pacified at the registration of the case. They demanded the arrest of the money lender. They also did not allow the authorities to perform post-mortem of Roop Lal till the money lender was arrested. It was only late in the evening that it could be performed. Some local police officials on the condition of anonymity said they had collected information regarding the case. It was being believed are that the money lender misbehaved with the female members of the family of Roop Lal. Feeling helpless, he committed suicide.
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Fiscal position needs to be improved, says Kanwaljit Singh
Bassi Pathana, November 3 Asked if Chief Minister Badal and finance
minister Manpreet Badal had conflicting views on the affairs of the state economy, he said the situation was not so bad as had been projected by certain sections of the media but, “We have to be careful and must increase our sources of income and the decision in this regard will be that of the finance minister.” On the demand of BJP ministers regarding subsidising power, he said, “The matter is under consideration.” He made it clear that all issues between the BJP and SAD (B) will be sorted out amicably and there is no threat to the alliance. Regarding shortage of DAP fertiliser in the state he said some technical mistake had occurred as the agriculture department had assessed a requirement of 3.5 lakh metric tonne, for which, the state government had made arrangements. But later fresh assessment was made and 1500 MT more was required. He assured that payment for it had been made and the consignment had started reaching, so there would be no shortage and there was nothing to panic about. Giving an account of his Europe visit, he said he participated in the World Food Festival in German, where food traders from all over the world participated. He interacted with the traders and they showed keen interest in pre-cooked food prepared by Markfed and they were setting up a canary at the cost of Rs 20 crore at Ludhiana and the entire product would be exported. He said similarly, traders from Holland showed interest in the purchase of potato from India. He said he is going to set up a separate department in Markfed which would look after the chances of export of the farmer’s produce, identify new markets abroad, get clearance for all official formalities, inform the farmers about new produces and facilitate trade. Later, Capt Kanwaljit Singh also interacted with SAD (B) workers and sorted out their problems. Lt Gen (retd) Ravi Singh Mann, Kulbhushan Malhotra, husband of council president, councillor Amarjit Singh Kohli and other prominent leaders were also present.
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Aulakh terms Virk’s allegations as ‘bundle of lies’
Chandigarh, November 3 “It is a mere bundle of lies for Virk to suggest that he ever arranged my meeting with the then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh or got me any good posting,” says MPS Aulakh revealing that he “never begged for a posting during the previous Congress regime.” Interestingly, while MPS Aulakh headed the intelligence wing during the last Akali regime, Virk had succeeded AP Bhatnagar as intelligence chief during the previous Congress regime before his elevation as the DGP. Incidentally, MPS Aulakh was originally from Gujarat and was allowed change of cadre while Virk belongs to Maharashtra cadre. Both Aulakh and Virk had long innings in the Punjab Police. “I never had any intention of meeting Capt Amarinder Singh after he termed me as Badalite and said publicly that he does not want to see my face. I always maintained a distance from him. In five years of his rule, I met him only twice - once when he visited Police Headquarters and the second time was the farewell party of AA Siddique,” reveals Aulakh challenging Virk to prove if he arranged any meeting with the Captain.
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Enhance capacity utilisation of Bist Doab canal, says Cong MLA
Chandigarh, November 3 Due to certain limitations its irrigation intensity has not exceeded 22 per cent though the command area to be irrigated by it has cropping intensity of 300 per cent. This has led to greater dependence on groundwater which has resulted in severe groundwater depletion. In a letter to the chief minister, Khaira says there is a growing demand for taking up recharge measures urgently in the Doab area. This can be done by ensuring the optimal utilisation of the Bist Doab canal waters. Canal’s irrigation intensity should be increased to nearly 100 per cent by undertaking water resource management in the command area.
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‘Sensitise public on green issues’
Ropar, November 3 Chief Justice Justice Vijender Jain, while speaking on the occasion, said: “The sustainable development of society is possible only if minimum required forest cover remains intact.” Justice Rajiv Bhalla delivered the keynote address. Justice Surya Kant presided over the function. The seminar began with planting of saplings. A book on the theme of seminar was also released. Justice Surya Kant informed about the role being played by the Asia Pacific Jurists Association in the protection of environment. R.K. Kohli of Panjab University and Prof A.D. Ahluwalia spoke on issues like indoor pollution and global warming. Gurvinder Singh Bahra, vice-chairman, Rayat and Bahra Group, presented mementos to the guests. Other speakers on the occasion included Jatinder Sharma, chief conservator forests, and D. Raj Shekar, district forest officer.
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Implement career enhancement scheme: Engineers
Ropar November 3 Many cases pertaining to career progression of AMIE engineers were recommended from the field offices and sent to chief engineer (drainage). However, till date, the scheme has not being implemented for them. The office of the chief engineer (drainage) had forwarded their cases to the secretary (irrigation), who in turn, had demanded five-year annual confidential reports of the AMIE engineers, as it was mandatory for the implementation of the scheme. However, despite repeated reminders, the office of chief engineer (irrigation) was not forwarding their ACR’s to the secretary’s office, thus, delaying the implementation of their scheme. They demanded that action be taken against the officials who were sitting on their ACR’s for more than a year.
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Deceased scribe’s family may get compensation
Patiala, November 3 This was revealed by Punjab public relations minister Bikram Singh Majithia who visited the bereaved family along with Tejbir Singh, director, public relations and deputy commissioner D.S. Grewal. “I am not sure about the compensation amount but it could be around Rs 2 lakh. It is for the first time that such a big amount is being considered for such a cause. A recommendation has been made in this regard and the case is being considered by the office of the Chief Minister,” said Majithia. Tejbir Singh said efforts would be made so that a job could be arranged for the widow of Rakesh Rishi in the private sector. — TNS
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Sarna seeks Makkar’s resignation
Chandigarh, November 3 The 722-page Hindi book is full of glaring
discrepancies, distortion of facts and blasphemous references to the Sikh Gurus, DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna said here today.
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Khalsa panel for code of conduct
Amritsar, November 3 The committee yesterday urged the Jathedar to hold a seminar of Sikh intellectuals and representatives of Panthic bodies for evolving a code of conduct in this regard. — TNS
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Medical service providers get new name
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 3 The government took the decision after representatives of the Rural Medical Service Association held meetings at the secretary level. State president of the association Aslam Parvez said said the rural development department had also agreed to grant maternity leave to the doctors.
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Clarification
Ropar, November 3 In the news item where he was granted permission for a foreign visit, mistakingly mentioned that he was facing a vigilance case.
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HC ends quota for wards of bureaucrats
Chandigarh, November 3 The categories, ordered to be deleted from the policy, were of “children of Punjab Government officers with 20 years in service, out of which at least five years have been spent on dangerous or arduous duties” and children of widows working as Punjab Government employees. The judgement, based on a representation made by students seeking admission to engineering colleges in 2003, is expected to benefit almost all the aspirants. The students had, in their representation, earlier alleged that “just to accommodate the ward of a highly powerful bureaucrat of the Vigilance Bureau, the whole bureaucracy bended its knees”. Coming down heavily on the state in its seven-page order, a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Mahesh Grover, ruled that the “two categories do not merge with the criteria of necessity and suggest that the seats are being used as largesse to be distributed at the whims and fancies of the powers that be”. In the detailed order, the Bench ruled: “We notice with some anguish that the decision-making process suffers from the vice of arbitrariness, as a result of which scope for admission of needy children has been expanded simply to accommodate certain officials of the state of Punjab.” The Bench added that the two “offensive” categories should stand deleted from Punjab nomination policy dated August 27, 2003. The Bench observed that these categories had no connection with the avowed objective of providing relief to the needy and the victims of terrorist violence. The decision will, however, not affect those students belonging to the two categories, who have already taken admission in various courses, as this might “disrupt” their careers, stated the Bench.
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Rape of minor: New affidavit ordered
Chandigarh, November 3 A Bench comprising, Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Mahesh Grover, observed that the affidavit of SSP P. K. Rai did not inspire confidence and seems to be of half-truth. The Judges in the open court also expressed surprise as how an officer of the rank of SSP was taking such a serious matter in a cursory manner. It may be recalled that on October 16, while taking a serious note of the allegations regarding inaction of the police in registering a case in connection with the alleged rape and sexual abuse of a minor, the High Court had directed the DC and the SSP to file a status report. The court had issued the directions on a petition by members of the Gram Panchayat of Malka Colony village of Tarn Taran district. The petition had alleged that the minor girl, whose parentage was not known, had been sexually exploited by one nurse Gurmeet Kaur, who had forced her to have sex with several men, and had also performed her three abortions. Fearing death, the girl had escaped from her clutches and was found by villagers of Malka colony. Later, when the members went to the the SHO, he refused to lodge an FIR. Later, the police registered a case.
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Saini is new chief architect
Chandigarh, November 3 Balwinder Saini, an alumnus of the Chandigarh College of Architecture, has worked on various prestigious projects during her tenure with the Chandigarh Administration. Incidentally, the Chandigarh Administration also has a woman Chief Architect in Sunita Monga who is on deputation from Haryana.
— TNS
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Dowry seeker NRI released on bail
Patiala, November 3 The prospective groom Gurpreet Singh, a USA based NRI, and his parents, Bhajan Singh and Harjit Kaur, were released on bail after they furnished the requisite sureties as demanded by the court. Dr Gurpreet Singh was settled in Philadelphia. He contacted Dr Amitoz Kaur, a local resident, through the internet and the marriage was to be solemnised on October 26.
OC
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GND varsity Row Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 3 As Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Governor of Punjab, who is also Chancellor of the university, will return to Chandigarh on November 8, Cheema yesterday called up secretary to the Chancellor N.S. Kang to seek a personal audience with the Governor. Bhattal said she would take up the issue with the Governor on his return. It was Cheema and other senior professors of the university who had opposed the move of the government to nominate three syndics. Instead, they have demanded for an election. The syndicate comprises 19 members, with the vice-chancellor, secretary (education), DPI , dean (academic affairs), three deans from the senate, two heads of department, three principals of colleges, registrar in ex-officio capacity and three directly nominated by the chancellor on advise of the state government and three members elected from the senate.
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Controversy mars conclusion of intra-zonal youth fest
Kharar, November 3 Some students raised slogans against the chief guest of the concluding day, cabinet minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh, soon after the results of giddha were declared. A group of students did not agree with the judgment of the giddha event and alleged that the host college had been wrongly placed first. More than 500 students and 25 colleges of engineering, management, pharmacy and architecture participated in bhangra, giddha, classical vocal solo, classical dance (Indian) (solo) malwai giddha, mime, group song (western and Indian), mimicry, skit, one act play, elocution, debate, quiz, cartooning rangoli competition, clay modelling, collage making, painting and poster making etc. In painting contest, first and second position were bagged by Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Mohali, Sri Sukhmani Insitute of Engineering and Technology, Derabassi, respectively. In cartooning, SSIET, Derabassi and IITT, Pojewal, stood second and third while in clay modelling, Shivalik College of Pharmacy, Nangal, and SUSCET, Tangori, secured first and second positions. Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology, Derabassi, and IITT, Pojewal, were declared winners in classical vocal (solo). In Malwai giddha, Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology, Derabassi, and SASIMT, Mohali, secured first and second places. In mime, Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology, Derabassi, and Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Mohali, were declared winners.
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Fine, uniform not fine with Tangori students
Banur, November 3 Around 500 students protested against the college’s new policy of imposing fines and asking students to come in uniform. Under the rules, students are being made to pay Rs 100 as fine for missing a period, Rs 200 for skipping a practical and Rs 800 for not attending college for a day. The rules were implemented in college vide a notification issued on October 29. The students have also been asked to come dressed in uniform. Protesting against the notification, the students boycotted first house examination today and staged a dharna outside the college gate from 9 am to 1.30 pm. Another group of students blocked traffic from 9.30 am to 10.30 am on the Kharar-Banur road. The jam resulted in a 7-km-long queue of vehicles till Landran. It took three hours for the police to ease out the clogged traffic. Cabinet minister and area MLA Capt Kanwaljit Singh was to visit a nearby village to attend a PTU intra-zonal youth
Meanwhile, college spokesperson Harpreet Pal said the fine had been imposed to check frequent bunking by students. He added that some students had been missing classes without obvious reasons and this move of imposing fine was intended to curtail absenteeism. On the issue of uniform, he said students were supposed to wear uniform every Wednesday, as many companies visited the campus for placement.
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Govt considering autonomous status for colleges: Badal
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 3 The demand for autonomous status was raised by the management of Mata Gujri College during the chief minister’s visit here today who had come to inaugurate the 5th Khalsai Games on the college campus. The CM said the government would look into the possibilities of granting such status to the colleges and if it was feasible under the rules, it would be announced soon. The Mata Gujri College is the first college of the country to have sought autonomous status as given to educational institutions in the western countries. Principal of the college Dr Gurmohan Walia stated that a case had already been moved by the college authorities before the University Grants Commission (UGC) and if the state government gave an NOC, the college could become the first in the country to have autonomous status. He said this would enable the management to give a fillip to educational activities on the college campus. Meanwhile, inaugurating the 5th Khalsai Games, the Chief Minister called upon the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to make available the infrastructure and provide logistic support required to produce international sportspersons from Punjab. He said there was a need to tap the sports talent available in the state and organisations like the SGPC had an important role to play in promotion of sports. He was accompanied by SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar.
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