Friday, July 10, 1998
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Friday, July 10, 1998 |
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Punjab
Ministers, MLAs to get more CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today passed a Bill enhancing salaries, allowances and other facilities of the legislature officers, Ministers and members... Udham Singh Nagar issue raised CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The echo of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar was today heard in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during zero hour. Though "outside the purview of the House", as the Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, repeatedly remarked, the members continued to raise the issue on the floor of the House... Canadian Sikhs to defy hukamnama CHANDIGARH, July 9 — Twenty-nine gurdwara management societies of British Columbia, representing 95 per cent Sikhs, have asked six Sikh leaders not to present themselves before the Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh... |
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 Advani's remarks 'erroneous' CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Advocate-General of Punjab, Mr G.S. Grewal, today described as erroneous the assertions of the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Madan Lal Khurana, that Udham Singh Nagar could not be excluded from the proposed Uttaranchal state... Badal advocates projects' scan CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Punjab Government will fund projects undertaken by students for developmental works in the rural areas, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad here today... |
| Disappointing
session of Vidhan Sabha
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha adjourned sine die on Thursday. It is difficult to identify the outstanding features of part two of the Budget session despite having watched the proceedings since June 22... Residents migrate to cleaner areas BATHINDA, July 9 — Owing to severe insanitary conditions, residents of the old localities of the city have started migrating to comparatively clean areas... 16 MCs at loggerheads with chief FEROZEPORE, July 9 — Local Municipal Councillor (MC), Kulbir Singh Mangoo here today claimed that 16 out of total 25 MCs were against the style of working of council's president, Mr Dharam Singh Aulakh who, he claimed, had lost majority in the council... Suspension row: PSEB staff defer strike LEHRA MOHABBAT, July 9 — The PSEB Engineers Association has deferred its mass casual leave agitation which was to be started from today in protest against the suspension of Chief Engineer V. Sharma on the ground of poor performance in running unit one of the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant... Cash credit limit for farmers raised ALIWAL (Ludhiana), July 9 — It was the Punjab Bhalai Manch, the Akali Dal (Mann) and the Congress holding stage against the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) at the historic annual mela in memory of Pir Ahmed Shah Jalani at Aliwal village, 20 km from here. Speaking on the occasion, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, announced that the cash credit limit had been increased to Rs 1 lakh to farmers having land up to 5 acres... Steps for paddy procurement PHILLAUR, July 9 — The Punjab Government has set up district-level committees in all districts to make arrangements for the procurement of paddy during the current paddy season... 5 lakh to get old-age pension NAWANSHAHR, July 9 — The state government has planned to extend the old-age pension facility to five lakh eligible persons in the current financial year... Bhalai Sabha chief dead MANSA, July 9 — Mr Gurkirat Singh Rangeela (58), state president of the Punjab Bhalai Sabha died of paralysis today... Kerosene "being sold on black market" JALANDHAR, July 9 — The Pendu Mazdoor Union in a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner has alleged large-scale black marketing in kerosene, wheat and other control-rate essential goods in the rural areas in depots... Action against fake universities urged LUDHIANA, July 9 — The Anti-Corruption Council of India has appealed to the Union Minister of Human Resources Development, Dr M.M. Joshi, who is also the chairman of the UGC, to initiate legal action against the fake universities which are cheating the student community... SFI criticises move to hike fees AMRITSAR, July 9 — The state unit of the Students Federation of India (SFI) has criticised the report of the Soch Committee recommending 15 per cent hike in the tuition and other fees in colleges... Dal seeks Mann's arrest AMRITSAR, July 9 — The Bajrang Dal, Punjab, has demanded the arrest of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief... MLA: hospital shop fleecing patients AMRITSAR, July 9 — Mrs Luxmi Kanta Chawla, BJP MLA, has alleged that poor patients are being fleeced at a chemist shop being run with the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital complex... Amarinder to assume office on July 12 CHANDIGARH, July 9 — Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, in a statement issued here today said that Capt Amarinder Singh would formally assume charge as president of the PPCC at Punjab Congress Bhavan here on July 12... Dr Inder Pal Singh  |
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Punjab
Ministers, MLAs to get more Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today passed a Bill enhancing salaries, allowances and other facilities of the legislature officers, Ministers and members. For the first time, the state has decided to give facilities and perks to a person who has been the Chief Minister of the state. The increase will benefit all ex-MLAs also, as per their entitlement. The previous revision of MLA's perks etc was in 1995. While exact expenditure to be borne by the state exchequer as a consequence of today's enhancement was not mentioned in the financial memorandum of the Bill, it was, however, stated that as a result of the facilities to be provided to all ex-Chief Ministers an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 20 lakh would be involved. One estimate is that the total liability will be about Rs 2 crore, annually. The facilities listed out for ex-Chief Ministers are — one car and a driver, 250 litres of petrol per month; all medical facilities as permissible to a Minister; rent free furnished accommodation; furnishing expenditure fixed at Rs 35,000 per annum; telephone with free calls up to the value of Rs 48,000 per annum; free electricity to the extent of Rs 1,500 per month; and personal staff: one assistant, one special assistant and two peons. The increase has been effected in compensatory allowance, constituency, secretarial and postal facilities allowance, ceiling on advance for building or purchase of house, ceiling on advance purchase of a motor car etc, ceiling on reimbursement of local, trunk telephone calls in performing duty, halting allowance, perquisites and facilities at the enhanced rates applicable to legislators, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister, Minister and Deputy Ministers. The salaries of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been enhanced from the present Rs 30,000 to Rs 48,000 per annum. The House took up heavy legislative business on the last day of its sitting. The business included Bills — three new ones and nine on which ordinances were issued earlier incorporating certain amendments. The Bills are Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences Bill, the Punjab Education Development Bill and the Punjab Roads and Bridges Development Board Bill. Amendments incorporated through ordinances were in respect of the following Bills — the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Bill, the Punjab State Election Commission Bill, the Panchayati Raj Bill, the Punjab Excise Bill, the Indian Stamp Bill, the East Punjab War Awards Bill and the Punjab State Legislature Officers, Ministers and Members Salaries Facilities Laws Bill. The Ministers concerned moved these Bills. There was not much discussion on these. The CPI member, Mr Hardev Arshi, however, objected to the manner in which the legislature business and Bills were being rushed through, transgressing the laid down procedures of the House. He lamented that members were not given enough time to study the proposed Bills. He wondered how the present government was different from the one which ruled for five years, since that government also would often do the same rush work. Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr M.M. Mittal remarked that if what Mr Arshi said was true how come he had studied and spoken on several Bills. Mr Arshi also pointed out that having presented the annual Budget and the House having approved that, it was not comprehended why the "backdoor" was now being used to further tax the people, who already had been yoked under Rs 150 crore taxes proposed in the Budget. He spoke vehemently against some of the Bills. |
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Udham
Singh Nagar issue raised * * * In a written reply to a question by Mr Jagtar Singh Rajla, the House was told that at least 27 police officers, both IPS and PPS and other ranks, were facing vigilance inquiries. Among senior officers the following names appear: Mr Baljit Singh Sandhu, IPS (retd); Mr Sham Lal Ghakhar, IPS; Mr S.K. Sharma, DIG; Mr S.S. Bhullar, ADGP; Mr B.K. Uppal, IPS; Mr Paramjit Singh Sandhu, DIG; and several DSPs and others. Most of the inquiries are still being conducted. * * * The number of farmers and farm workers, who committed "suicide" in the state between 1996 till date is eight. The reasons include family dispute, crop damage and indebtedness. While one each committed suicide in Tarn Taran and Sangrur (1996), Jalandhar and Bathinda (1998); another two each died in Bathinda (1997) and Sangrur (1998). In addition, a total of 369 suicides were committed by other people in the state. * * * The Minister of Higher
Education, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, said a scheme for
grant of pension to non-government (affiliated) college
staff was under process. It is expected to be finalised
shortly, he replied to a question by Mr Satya Pal Saini. |
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| Canadian Sikhs to defy hukamnama Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 9 — Twenty-nine gurdwara management societies of British Columbia, representing 95 per cent Sikhs, have asked six Sikh leaders not to present themselves before the Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh. These Sikh leaders were declared tankhaiya by the Akal Takht chief last month for not accepting the edict that langar should be served to the people sitting on the floor in a queue. Many of the gurdwaras in the West have a long tradition of serving langar to the sangat while sitting on chairs. Those summoned include Mr Harkirat Singh of Vancouver, Mr Balwant Singh President Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sahib, Surrey, Tara Singh Hare, Editor Indo Canadian Times, Mr Jarnail Singh, Senior Vice-President of the Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver , Mr Rattan Singh, President of the Akali Singh Sikh Society, Vancouver and Mr Kashmir Singh Record Secretary of Khalsa Society Vancouver. They had been asked to present themselves at Akal Takht on July 25. This is the first time that such a large number of Sikh religious societies have openly revolted against the Akal Takht's edict. Clearly, the Sikhs living in Canada feel differently about the issue of langar being served on tables. The Akal Takht Jathedar had directed them to appear in person on July 25 and explain their conduct. They were also directed to serve langar as is the tradition in India. These 29 organisations in a fax message to The Tribune signed by Mr Balwant Singh Gill
said that keeping in view that gurdwaras were covered
under British Columbia Societies Act and the funds
collected were exempted from taxes by the Federal
Government of Canada, these gurdwaras were not covered
under the Gurdwara Act of 1925. Under this Act, the SGPC
has been constituted and it has appointed the Jathedar of
Akal Takht. Since he is a paid employee of the SGPC,
Gurdwaras in British Columbia do not come under his
jurisdiction. So the hukamnama of April 20 could not be
implemented. "For the past 90 years langar is being
served without any discrimination to the sangat sitting
on chairs", the message said.On May 24 this year a general gathering of the Sikhs in these gurdwaras passed a resolution saying that the SGPC was an elected body of the Sikhs of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and controlled the historic gurdwaras. The SGPC had no jurisdiction on gurdwaras outside its area. As such the Akal Takht chief had no authority to declare any Sikh a tankhaiya or to summon him at Akal Takht or to excommunicate him. These 29 organisations regretted that their demand to remove the Akal Takht chief as he was dividing the Sikhs and was creating bitterness, had been rejected by the SGPC. Instead, six Sikh leaders had been declared tankhaiya and asked to present themselves at Akal Takht on July 25. These organisations said that they accepted the supreme authority of Akal Takht and wished to remain associated with it, but the SGPC did not represent the Sikhs of British Columbia and neither the Jathedar represented them. The Sikh sangat of British Columbia believe in all the glorious tradition of this great religion and of the gurus and always abides by these principles. But since the SGPC and its appointed Jathedar had no jurisdiction, the hukamnama could not be accepted. "Children born here and now growing up, live in a multi-cultural Canadian society. They have their own problems and a person who is unaware of these problems cannot help them. We do not want any outside interference to find solutions to our problems and we know how to keep our children attached to Sikh religion and Akal Takht. Outsiders do not know the social dynamics of this area", these organisations argued. It had been decided that these organisations would continue to serve langar in their own traditions. The Sikh sangat also directed those Sikhs who had been summoned not to appear before Akal Takht. The Sikh sangat also urged the Akal Takht chief to reconsider his hukamnama of June 25 and withdraw it. He would only earning the goodwill and praise from the gurus. These organisations have also decided to boycott 21 Sikhs who were opposed to them and termed their actions as mischievous. These include Harkirat Singh Kolar, Editor, Chardhikalan and Punjabi Guardian, Joginder Singh Sidhu, Editor, Punjabi Tribune, Surrey, Santokh Singh Gill of Radio Hasada Punjab, and Swaran Singh Malli of Chardhi Kalan. Some of these 29 organisations include Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver, Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Society, Delta, Khalsa Diwan Society, Port Alberny, Nanak Gurusikh Gurdwara, West Minister Highway. Richmond, Sikh Cultural Society, Kunal, Guru Nanak Nivas, No 5 Road, Richamond. Guru Ravi Das, Community Centre, Burnaby, Sukhmish Sikh Society, Khalsa Diwan Society, Abtasford, Siri Guru Hargobind Society, Surrey, Sikh Culture Society, Khalsa Diwan Society, Victoria, Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Temple, Prince George and several other societies located in British Columbia. |
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| Badal advocates projects' scan Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 9 — The Punjab Government will fund projects undertaken by students for developmental works in the rural areas, said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad here today. Mr Badal was the chief guest on the occasion. Mr Govindacharya, all-India general secretary of the BJP, was the main speaker. Justice J.V. Gupta, a former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, presided. Mr Badal stressed the need for wiping out corruption. He underlined the need for committees at rural and urban levels which should monitor the implementation of various developmental projects sanctioned for the area concerned. Mr Badal said that countrymen lacked in national spirit. "People have become selfish. Governments and bureaucracy have also contributed in this direction. It is noteworthy that even the per capita income of countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan is more as compared to India". He called upon the youth to strive for strengthening the country. Mr Govindacharya said that no change in society could be brought about without public information and public participation. Students would have to understand the problems of the masses and work for their uplift. |
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| Disappointing session of Vidhan Sabha By P.P.S. Gill Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha adjourned sine die on Thursday. It is difficult to identify the outstanding features of part two of the Budget session despite having watched the proceedings since June 22. Even rummaging through reams of paper laid on the table of the House proved to be of little help. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General was, however, revealing. The part one of the budget session was in March last, when a vote on account was passed. The outstanding features that stand out are disappointing. The session was marked (marred ?) by a two-day boycott, walkouts and physical eviction of the lone BSP member, Mr Shangara Ram Sahungara; he had a grievance: he alleged attack on his house by Akalis. His "suspension" for a day by the Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, sparked vociferous protests by the Opposition. For the first time discussion on the "motion of thanks" to the Governor took place after a gap of three months. For the first time, the Budget speech of Capt Kanwaljit Singh was telecast "live" by Jalandhar Doordarshan. If the participation of the Opposition in the session was uninspiring, the performance of the Treasury Benches was directionless and without spark. The Opposition also failed to pin-down the government on any of the issues it had made noise about outside the House. A case in point is panchayat elections, which had concluded only a day before the House met. Lot of heat and din was raised by the Opposition on the controversial conduct of these elections, alleging bungling and irregularities. Inside the House, it fumbled, fumed and fretted. But it remained off the target, thus, saving the Treasury
Benches possible embarrassment. The Treasury Benches remained the Opposition (read Congress) that the present Panchayati Raj Act was framed by the Congress. Even the Election Commissioner was appointed by it. On occasions the session lacked seriousness. The Speaker had to tell the Ministers to come prepared with information and answers. At times question hour would be over much before the assigned one hour. Even during zero hour the members did not raise cognisable issues. Absence of seriousness is also evident from the manner all 12-odd Bills were crammed into the "list of business" on the last day of the session. The legislative business was completed within a short time much to the chagrin of the Opposition, which regretted that neither enough time was given to study and discuss the bills nor procedures were followed. The crisis within the Congress due to its "poor" performance in two byelections and Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's offer to quit as PPCC President also cast a shadow inside the House. The Congress MLAs often stayed away from the House. To them New Delhi was more important than Chandigarh. There were only three major speeches in the House; all political, full of punches, delivered by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mrs Bhattal and Capt Kanwaljit Singh. All three delved into the past, scratched old wounds, rubbed salt into them and engaged in charges and allegations. The aim, ostensibly, was to score a political goal. No one seemed concerned about the state and its people. In the name of the two, these leaders indulged in political mudslinging. Yet they pleaded for maintaining decorum and upholding traditions and conventions of the "pavittar sadan"! Perhaps, fed up with the political slanging match between the Akalis and the Congress as to who was responsible for terrorism in the state, the CPI member, Mr Hardev Arshi, thought it prudent to move an "amendment" in the Governor's address. The issue Mr Arshi raised in the amendment was the one which the Akalis themselves had woven earlier and later tried to unsew — institution of a "judicial commission" to go into (1) causes of rise of terrorism and consequent bloodshed, (2) to pinpoint the political party (s) which nurtured and nursed terrorism. The amendment was obviously unacceptable to the Treasury Benches. It was rejected by a voice vote. The ruling coalition has a strong contingent in the House but no shouting brigade. The Opposition is weak, numerically. It is meek in putting across its point of view in a forceful, logical manner. There was no floor coordination in the Opposition. The only exception on the Opposition benches being Mr Arshi, who did his homework well. He talks to the point, understands the role of MLA and is serious about the business in the House. The same cannot be said of many others. Mrs Luxmi Kanta Chawla (BJP) though on the Treasury Benches hits the government hard by raising embarrassing issues. Another discernible feature pertains to the papers laid on the table of the House. Not many take the trouble to read those, including the budget or the bills. Most members seldom participate in discussions. They are contented having been elected. Some more must speak on every topic. All this makes the coverage of the Vidhan Sabha excruciating painful. Take, for instance "non-official business" days when "resolutions" submitted by members are taken up. Barely one resolution finds mention. By the end of the day, the same is usually "talked out", irrespective of the importance of the issue (s) involved. All resolutions in all sessions meet the same fate. |
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| Residents migrate to cleaner areas From Chander Parkash Tribune News Service BATHINDA, July 9 — Owing to severe insanitary conditions, residents of the old localities of the city have started migrating to comparatively clean areas. Though this trend started about a year ago, it has picked up in the past two months as a number of families have shifted to "posh areas" when the authorities concerned have failed to keep their areas clean. In the past two months, about 10 families from Poojanwala Mohalla, Aggarwal Colony, Heeranwala Chowk and Deep Nagar have shifted to other residential areas in the city after deserting their permanent dwellings in these localities. "We were living in virtual hellish conditions. Heaps of garbage and sullage was the permanent feature of the lanes and bylanes of our locality. Our children were prone to various diseases due to unclean conditions. There was virtually no drinking water supply", says Mr Parshotam Gargi, who has recently migrated to Veer Colony from Poojanwala Mohalla after taking accommodation on rent. He has sold off his old house in Poojanwala Mohalla. Mr Jagdish Bansal, a resident of Deep Nagar, says three families of his locality had shifted to "posh" localities of the city in the recent past. He says they were living is slum-like conditions due to insanitary conditions. Repeated pleas to the authorities concerned did not bear any fruit, he added. Mr Vasudev Kalra, a press reporter, says two residents of Heeranwala locality have recently shifted to Veer Colony and Shakti Nagar after selling off their old houses in this locality. He says he himself had bought a plot in Shakti Nagar and would shortly construct a house for living in a better environment. The residents of these localities say they have been meeting their respective municipal councillors for getting their locality cleaned and for proper supply of drinking water but failed to get any positive response. Mr Ashwani Kumar, a bank employee, says he had left his house in Aggarwal Colony due to insanitary living conditions. He says he had constructed his house in anticipation the conditions would get better here but they only deteriorated with the passage of time. He says he has taken a house in the Model Town on rent while his own house in Aggarwal Colony is vacant. Mr Varinder Jain of Poojanwala Mohalla says the rent of residential accommodation has come down considerably in their locality. Mr Suman Garg, a businessman of the same locality, says residents had hanged "for sale" boards in front of their houses and were finding it difficult to find any buyer. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted said rains had played havoc with the 15 days cleanliness drive that was launched in the city last month. He said the authorities concerned would be strictly directed to clean the entire city on a war-footing. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president of the municipal council, when contacted said the MC would engage 50 daily wage workers for cleaning the city and a comprehensive cleanliness drive would be launched in the city within a day or so. He said some localities of the city were unclean due to acute shortage of sweepers. He admitted the cleanliness drive launched in the city had not been a success. He said for the past many years no new sweepers were recruited in the municipal council while the city continued to expand in all directions. Mr Har Awtar Singh, Executive Engineer, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, when contacted claimed theire was no shortage of drinking water in any locality of the town. He said desilting of sewage was going on continuously and no choking of sewage had taken place anywhere this season. Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, general secretary, DCC, said on the one hand the SAD-BJP government of Punjab had backstepped from its promise to abolish octroi while on the other hand it had also failed to provide civic amenities to the urban people. He demanded the state government should make arrangements to provide hygienic environment to the residents immediately. |
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| 16 MCs at loggerheads with chief From Our Correspondent FEROZEPORE, July 9 — Local Municipal Councillor (MC), Kulbir Singh Mangoo here today claimed that 16 out of total 25 MCs were against the style of working of council's president, Mr Dharam Singh Aulakh who, he claimed, had lost majority in the council. Meanwhile, 16 MCs reportedly held a meeting yesterday at the residence of Mr Harnek Singh Kulgarhi, a former District President of the Youth Akali Dal and condemned the working of Mr Aulakh. A report of the meeting was released today. The MCs condemned the alleged frequent interference by the president in the day-to-day working of the council. They accused that all development work had come to a standstill due to the president's interference and indifferent attitude. They said, that due to this condition of streets, roads, sanitation and streelight had deteriorated and the town turning into a "hell". The MCs alleged that the president had started implementing three resolutions No. 57, 58 and 59, which they claimed were suspended by the Regional Deputy Director, Local Government, Ferozepore. These resolutions were placed at the council's meeting held on May 15 without the consent of all MCs, they further accused. They also alleged that Rs 40 lakh which was released by the District Planning Board for carrying development works in slum areas was being misutilised. As a result, resentment was prevailing among many areas including Gobind Nagari, Sekhanwali Basti and Baghwali Basti. Residents of these areas demanded appointment of an observer who could check the misutilisation of funds of Rs 40 lakh. They further accused that the president was misusing a sum of Rs 10 lakh taken as a loan for making payment of dues to the Municipal Council's employees. The "annoyed" MCs demanded from the high-ups to stop the president from appointing two drivers in the council. The drivers were being appointed on July 10, they added. The report about meeting's proceedings has been signed by the MCs — Mr Anil Sharma, Ms Balbir Kaur, Ms Kulwant Kaur, Ms Veena Kakar, Ms Rekha Grover, Mr Ashok Gupta, Ms Satpal Chowdhary, Mr Chander Mohan Handa, Dr K.C. Sharma, Mr Chintranjan Sharma, Ms Meedan, Mr Balihar Singh, Ms Prabhjot Kaur, Ms Bhagwant Kaur and Mr Kulbir Singh — on contact, the president, Mr Dharam Singh Aulakh refuted all allegations levelled against him by his "opponent MCs". Regarding their demand to resign from presidentship, he said, "Does some one resigns like this". Mr Aulakh added that if some MCs had lost faith in his presidentship, they should pass no-confidence motion against him. However, he claimed that he had majority of MCs with him. He told that the three resolutions were placed with the consent of 15 MCs. Meanwhile, Regional Deputy Director, Local Government, Ferozepore, was not available in his office for comments. However, his office's Senior Assistant, Mr Rachpal Singh told that no resolution had been suspended. |
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| Suspension row: PSEB staff defer strike Tribune News Service LEHRA MOHABBAT, July 9 — The PSEB Engineers Association has deferred its mass casual leave agitation which was to be started from today in protest against the suspension of Chief Engineer V. Sharma on the ground of poor performance in running unit one of the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant. According to a spokesman of the association, the general house of the association which met here last evening decided to defer the agitation for one week following an assurance from the Punjab State Electricity Board management that Mr Sharma would be reinstated shortly. The spokesman said that the board's management had assured the central and local bodies of the association that Mr Sharma would be reinstated after a meeting of Whole Time Members (WTM) of the PSEB next week. The management had also appreciated the efforts of the engineers who had successfully commissioned unit one of the plant with the 40 per cent staff. Mr T.L. Paika, Chief Engineer, said that deferring of mass casual strike by the engineers would be beneficial for the smooth running of the first unit. He said the plant was running well at the load of 180 MW. He claimed that yesterday the unit one achieved its full load of 210 MW and produced about 37.5. lakh units. All parameters of the unit which were according to the specifications. He said that the construction, operation and maintenance wings had been clubbed and engineers of the construction wing were looking after the job of operation and maintenance. He said that problem of shortage of operation and maintenance staff was under review. Mr Paika said that steam blowout of the second unit had been started and it would continue for 35 days its boiler had been lighted up and it would be commissioned for commercial generation shortly |
| Cash credit limit for farmers raised From Our Correspondent ALIWAL (Ludhiana), July 9 — It was the Punjab Bhalai Manch, the Akali Dal (Mann) and the Congress holding stage against the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) at the historic annual mela in memory of Pir Ahmed Shah Jalani at Aliwal village, 20 km from here. Speaking on the occasion, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, announced that the cash credit limit had been increased to Rs 1 lakh to farmers having land up to 5 acres and Rs 2 lakh to farmers having land holdings above 5 acres. Shagun scheme, free housing scheme and other welfare programmes were launched for the Scheduled Castes. The Chief Minister also said that the Punjab Government had undertaken a project for eradication of unemployment among the rural youth. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister announced the launching of the matching grant scheme for development of villages under which 50 per cent share would be contributed each by the government and village panchayat. Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, who spoke from the second stage jointly set up by the Punjab Bhalai Manch, Akali Dal (Amritsar) and the Congress, said the leaders of the SAD had bowed before the BJP leaders on the issue of Udham Singh Nagar and had never taken this issue seriously. |
| Steps for paddy procurement From Our Correspondent PHILLAUR, July 9 — The Punjab Government has set up district-level committees in all districts to make arrangements for the procurement of paddy during the current paddy season. This was stated by Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Madan Mohan Mittal while talking to mediapersons here today. Mr Mittal said the Deputy Commissioners concerned would be chairpersons of these committees. All District Food Controllers would act as secretaries and district managers of government agencies concerned would be ex-officio members. Mr Mittal said the Punjab Government had requested the Union Government to instruct the FCI to take adequate steps for the movement of wheat so that milling for paddy could be done smoothly. |
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| 5
lakh to get
old-age pension From Our Correspondent NAWANSHAHR, July 9 — The state government has planned to extend the old-age pension facility to five lakh eligible persons in the current financial year and has earmarked Rs 120 crore for the purpose, said the Director, Social Security and Department of Welfare of Women and Children, Mr. R.L. Kalsia. Addressing a meeting of district officials here today, he said Rs 30 crore had already been sanctioned to pay the pensions to the beneficiaries up to June 30. As many as 3.44 lakh persons were given old-age pensions in the previous year. Mr B.R. Banga, DC, said the district had received Rs 5 crore to pay pensions. As many as 10,706 old-age pension cases had been sanctioned in the district so far and 5200 bank accounts of the beneficiaries had been opened. Bhalai Sabha chief dead From Our Correspondent MANSA, July 9 — Mr Gurkirat Singh Rangeela (58), state president of the Punjab Bhalai Sabha died of paralysis today. The district unit of the sabha condoled the death at a meeting held after his cremation. |
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| Kerosene "being sold on black market" Tribune News Service JALANDHAR, July 9 — The Pendu Mazdoor Union in a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner has alleged large-scale black marketing in kerosene, wheat and other control-rate essential goods in the rural areas in depots. Talking to Mr Tarsem Peter, general secretary of the union said here today that the kerosene was being sold on the black market at a rate of Rs 10 to Rs 15 per bottle by the depot holders, whereas it should be sold at Rs 2.92. While the poor have to purchase wheat flour at Rs 8 per kg, controlled rate of wheat is Rs 2.98. He said that sugar had not been distributed by the depot holders since months. Repeated complaints to the Food Supply Department by the union has fallen on deaf ears, he alleged. The union has demanded that the civil authorities should raid the depots and assure delivery of essential goods to the weaker section on controlled rates and action should be taken against erring depot holders. |
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| Action against fake universities urged From Our Correspondent LUDHIANA, July 9 — The Anti-Corruption Council of India has appealed to the Union Minister of Human Resources Development, Dr M.M. Joshi, who is also the chairman of the UGC, to initiate legal action against the fake universities which are cheating the student community. Dr S.K. Gupta, the honorary secretary-general of the council, said that a memorandum signed by him and the chairman of the council, Mr Dev Dutt Sharma, had been submitted to the chairman of the Press Council of India. It had been urged that all newspapers should be directed to first verify the legal status of such institutions and universities and then publish advertisements for various courses offered by them. SFI criticises move to hike fees Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 9 — The state unit of the Students Federation of India (SFI) has criticised the report of the Soch Committee recommending 15 per cent hike in the tuition and other fees in colleges. The state secretary, Mr Hardev Singh, said that the students had already been burdened with the hike in the examination fee. If the tuition fee was enhanced, the federation would become beyond the reach of the common people. He also criticised the recent hike in the bus fare. Dal seeks Mann's arrest Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 9 — The Bajrang Dal, Punjab, has demanded the arrest of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief, for allegedly spreading communal hatred in the state. The convener, Mr Arun Khanna, said here yesterday that the organisation would hold demonstrations to seek the arrest of Mr Mann for criticising the Bajrang Dal and its activities, including a recent camp at Rajpura. |
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| MLA: hospital shop fleecing patients Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 9 — Mrs Luxmi Kanta Chawla, BJP MLA, has alleged that poor patients are being fleeced at a chemist shop being run with the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital complex. The hospital is attached to Government Medical College. In a statement here today, she said the shop displayed a signboard declaring it a "Red Cross shop". The hospital administration had got this shop at a monthly rent of Rs 680 in "violation" of rules and regulations. The shop had been sublet at a rate of Rs 6,000 per month. The medicines sold here were priced exorbitantly. She demanded an inquiry into the matter. Amarinder to assume office on July 12 Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH, July 9 — Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, in a statement issued here today said that Capt Amarinder Singh would formally assume charge as president of the PPCC at Punjab Congress Bhavan here on July 12. Mrs Meira Kumar, General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) and other senior leaders of the party from Delhi would be present during the ceremony. Mr Kang has appealed to all party leaders and activists to come to the Congress Bhavan on July 12. Dr Inder Pal Singh Tribune News Service AMRITSAR, July 9 — Dr Inder Pal Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, has been invited to present a paper on "University education in India for what purpose: a perspective from the developing country," at an international conference of world council of curriculum instructions at Bangkok. |
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