Protest against custodial death
NAWANSHAHR, Sept 11 — Mr Harjinder Jakhu, president of the Bahujan Republican Party, and Mr Ram Singh Nurpuri, a member of the CPM, have condemned the death of Mohinder Kaur of Amargarh village in police custody on September 9.

Channel V road show today
LUDHIANA: Television music channel wars, which have so far remained contained to the idiot box, have spilled on to the streets. Some of the top VJs and pop singers have been going round the city and in Jalandhar for the past couple of days, visiting college and university campuses and bazaars in a bid to attract youngsters to the road show to be organised by Channel V here on September 12.

NSUI activists stage dharna
PATIALA, Sept 11 — A dharna-cum-rally was staged by activists of the Punjab unit of the National Students Union of India in front of Government Mohindra College here today.

Lynched constable's son recruited
MOGA, Sept 11 — Punjab police chief P.C. Dogra today amended certain rules and recruited 16-year-old Ranjit Singh, as a constable with immediate effect.

3 jail officials suspended
CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — Three Jail officials posted at Sangrur have been placed under suspension with immediate effect following investigations into large-scale alleged embezzlement of funds.

NRIs' representative
CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — In order to protect the lands of Punjabis residing in foreign countries from the unauthorised occupation by imposters, the Punjab Government would appoint a representative of NRIs as Lambardar.

Patiala paddy purchase centres

Oil dealers hold rally

Police evicts students

Two jathedars not invited to meeting
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 11 — The chances of Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh jathedars of Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib respectively, attending the proposed meeting on September 14 at Akal Takht receded further as Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh had despatched invitation letter to Giani Charan Singh and Giani Gurbachan Singh, priests of the Golden Temple in their place. The other two high priests invited for the proposed crucial meeting are Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh head priests of Golden Temple and Akal Takht respectively.

Efforts were afoot to include Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh in the proposed meeting as Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC chief, had already claimed that the differences among the jathedars had been resolved.

Cases of Mr Avtar Singh Hit, former president of SAD, Delhi unit and close associate of Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Atma Singh Lubana, a former executive member of Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, who were excommunicated from the Panth for defying a hukamnama would be taken up on September 14 meeting.

Bhai Ranjit Singh had said that he would not allow Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh to attend the Takht meeting till they clarify their position on certain points of the sangat and submission of World Sikh Council accounts. Prof Manjit Singh on the other hand categorically stated that he would not attend the meetings till Bhai Ranjit Singh mended his ways.

Mittal assails Tohra
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — The Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, today described as "criminal injustice" the statement of the SGPC President, Mr G.S. Tohra, that there was no difference between Mr A.B. Vajpayee and Mrs Indira Gandhi.

Taking strong cognisance of the statement and the studied silence of the BJP state president, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi and others, Mr Mittal today said it was unfortunate that a person of Mr Tohra's stature should have made such a comment despite the fact that he commands lot of respect in the BJP national leadership.

By no yardstick could the two be described alike. If Mrs Gandhi was responsible for "Operation Bluestar" in June, 1984, Mr Vajpayee took the issue to Parliament. When anti-Sikh riots broke out in New Delhi, it was Mr Vajpayee who raised his voice.

Nothing could be more unfortunate than such remarks against Mr Vajpayee, coming as it does from Mr Tohra, who must refrain from such statements, which did not serve anyone's cause.

The BJP and the Akalis are "natural allies", Mr Mittal reminded Mr Tohra. Was it not Mr Vajpayee who had ensured that in the first coalition government formed by the two parties Justice Gurnam Singh was made the Chief Minister in 1967.

The need is for harmonious relationship rather than harping on each other at this crucial political juncture, he added.

Over 100 medical teachers resign
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 11 — Strike was observed by teachers and students of Government Medical College and Punjab Government Dental College and Hospital here in protest against the suspension and transfer of teachers of Government Medical College.

The PCMS association has already extended its support to the strike.

As many as 102 medical and dental teachers signed their resignation letters and asked the government to "suspend" them.

A massive rally was held in front of the OPD of the Government Medical College. Members of the PCMS Association, the BAMS Students Association and other associations from all over Punjab participated.

They condemned the attitude of Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Health Minister.

They also condemned the suspension of four students by the Principal of the local Medical College.

HOSHIARPUR: The PCMS Association at its meeting held here on Friday described as "deplorable" the move to suspend and transfer the professors.

In a press statement issued here, Dr Ajay Bagga, press secretary of the association, said that PCMS doctors would extend full support to the striking medical teachers.

He urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to withdraw the suspension and transfer orders of these doctors.

Cong men stage dharna
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Sept 11 — A large number of persons participated in a dharna staged in Nehru Park here today in protest against the hike in power tariff and bus fares.

Mr Amarinder Singh, president, PPCC, Ms Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Mr H.S. Hanspal, Mr R.S. Puri and Mr Khushal Bahl , Mr Chander Pal Singh, president of the DCC were among the participants.

Mr Amarinder Singh said the SAD-BJP government would not last long because it had lost the confidence of the people. The growing crowd in Congress meetings was a pointer to this.

The PPCC chief alleged that the Badal family had amassed huge wealth through various appointments, postings and transfers. Mr Gurmit Singh Brar, vice-president, PPCC, was collecting facts in this connection and the issue would be referred to the Lokpal.

He also accused SGPC chief, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, for misappropriating funds of gurdwaras. He demanded an inquiry by an independent agency.

Mr Tohra, he said, was not using funds to improve education in colleges run by the SGPC.

Mrs Bhinder said crime against Dalit women was rising. Welfare schemes had failed to take off. Old age pension and shagan scheme had failed to cover a majority of deserving persons. No Christian has benefited under the shagan scheme so far, she said.

The protesters later marched to district courts and presented a memorandum to the authorities.

Discrepancies in revised CET results
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 11 — Even though the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, has revised the CET-98 results, yet the woes of engineering degree aspirants seem to be far from over.

Two such aspirants told this correspondent here today that there were discrepancies in the revised result cards which do not tally with the rank of the candidate given in the result gazette issued by the university.

A candidate bearing roll number 112196 has been given the rank 5335 in the result card while her rank in the gazette is 5334. Another such candidate is also confused over his actual rank. While the result card places him at number 1764, the gazette ranks him at 1767. The peeved candidates said that they do not know which was correct.

They also pointed out that the mistake seem to had crept while in preparing the result card and was not a printing error.

Citing instance they said according to the gazette 5335 rank was given to roll no 33293 while the result card gave the same rank to roll no 112196. Similarly rank 1764 according to the gazette is given to roll no 33796 but result card gives it to roll no 112040.

Protest against custodial death
From Our Correspondent

NAWANSHAHR, Sept 11 — Mr Harjinder Jakhu, president of the Bahujan Republican Party, and Mr Ram Singh Nurpuri, a member of the CPM, have condemned the death of Mohinder Kaur of Amargarh village in police custody on September 9.

Disciples of Dera Sachcha Sauda, Sirsa, termed the police action as "discriminatory" and staged a dharna in front of the local police station yesterday to demand a high-level inquiry into the matter.

The victim was a disciple of the dera and hundreds of disciples from all over the state thronged the police station and refused to take the body till their high-powered 10-member committee reached here from Sirsa. After an assurance from the police, the committee agreed to take the body.

Mohinder Kaur, along with Mukesh Kumar, a sadhu, was brought to the police station as a case under Sections 363 and 120-B, IPC, had been registered against them following a complaint lodged by Major Singh, a namberdar of the same village, alleging that they had kidnapped his five-year-old grandson.

A case under Sections 306 and 120-B, IPC, has been registered against five persons following the protest.

Channel V road show today
From A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA: Television music channel wars, which have so far remained contained to the idiot box, have spilled on to the streets.

Some of the top VJs and pop singers have been going round the city and in Jalandhar for the past couple of days, visiting college and university campuses and bazaars in a bid to attract youngsters to the road show to be organised by Channel V here on September 12.

The VJs include Sophiya, Suchitra, Marc Robinson, Udham Singh and Ranvir while the singers are Hans Raj Hans, Bally Sagoo, Bhupi, Jagtar Jagga and Richa Sharma. They have been getting a good response wherever they go.

The main purpose of the road show is to interact and establish a rapport with the target audience and get an instant feedback which is not possible on television says Mr Jules Fuller, General Manager, Channel V. "It also helps the audience to see their favourite VJs and pop stars live," he adds.

This is the first road show organised by Channel V in this part of the country after the one held in Chandigarh last year. "We chose Ludhiana because it is the biggest city of Punjab, lies in the centre of the state and is also its commercial and cultural capital", says Ms Parul K. Gosain, Publicity Executive for Channel V.

The main challenge to Channel V comes from MTV which , even Mr Fuller admits, has been giving them a run for their money.

MTV reportedly enjoys higher viewership ratings during the day time while Channel V has better ratings between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. "Our main audience comprises youngsters who are away to their schools and colleges during the daytime", says Ms Gosain. "They are at home in the evenings when we dominate. So higher MTV ratings during the day-time do not matter.

When Star TV first went on the air, it broadcast MTV, across the 53-country footprint as one service. Attempts at localisation were carried out by running Mandarin-language content at prime-time in Taiwan, and Hindi sound tracks during Indian peak viewing hours. The experiment was, however, not entirely successful.

When MTV parted ways with Star TV in May, 1994, Channel V was conceptualised and put on the air within 20 days. It was different from MTV as it had a large local content by way of Hindi film music. It was an instant hit and has not looked ever since.

MTV came back in January, 1996. "Initially, its stand was that it will never go Hindi," says Ms Gosain. "But before long, it fell in line with us. It has localised its programme with a vengeance."

She alleges that MTV is "copying" programmes aired on Channel V. "If we have 'BPL Oye', they have '123 Countdown', if we have 'Liberty First Day, First Show', they have 'House Full,' if we have 'Artiste of the Month', they have 'Apna Artiste of the Month'.....Even our promos and packaging of the programmes are being copied", she says.

Channel V is a profit-making venture. "We are doing everything possible to stay ahead. Innovative programmes, infusion of fresh talent, and the upgradation of beaming technology are all designed to achieve that goal," says Mr Fuller.

NSUI activists stage dharna
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 11 — A dharna-cum-rally was staged by activists of the Punjab unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) in front of Government Mohindra College here today.

Students were opposing the steep hike in their fees, in bus fares and against the abolition of sports wing in the colleges.

Mr Sumerjit Singh "Sami" president of the state union in a press statement said they would hold a dharna in front of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's residence.

He said students were facing hardships as many universities have effected a 100 per cent hike in the fee structure, which is out of the reach of a majority of students. He said students who could not afford hostel fee relied on bus passes.

Mr Sami said sports wings had produced many players of national and international repute but with their abolition students talented in sports were a discouraged lot.

The students were also demanding the holding of elections in all educational institutions in the state. Mr Devinder Singh Rehal, president of the local unit said that students' elections could be held in Panjab University why it could not be organised for institutions of the state.

Lynched constable's son recruited

MOGA, Sept 11 (PTI) — Punjab police chief P.C. Dogra today amended certain rules and recruited 16-year-old Ranjit Singh, as a constable with immediate effect.

This was disclosed by DIG Police (Ferozepore Range) on the occasion of bhog and antam ardas of head constable Tarsem Singh, who was beaten to death by a mob on September 3 at his native village Sandhuan.

Ranjit Singh who is the son of the deceased, would be allowed to continue with his studies and be treated as a constable.

He would start getting salary at the age of 17 and pensionary benefit at 18, he said.

The DIG also said the other two minor sons of the deceased would get a stipend of Rs 200 per month.

3 jail officials suspended
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — Three Jail officials posted at Sangrur have been placed under suspension with immediate effect following investigations into large-scale alleged embezzlement of funds.

The government has asked the SSP, Sangrur, to register cases against them under criminal procedure code and prosecute them forthwith.

Sometime back, it was brought to the notice of the government that the salaries of warder-guards in District Sangrur jail were being drawn from the treasury against fictitious names. Senior officials of the department conducted an investigation into the complaint.

Inquiries disclosed that between August, 1996, and May, '98, a total of Rs. 20,62,564 - was drawn from government treasury against fictitious names of warder guard.

Those alleged to be involved in this bungling are Mr Nagpal, Superintendent, District jail, Sangrur, Mr Darshan Singh Grewal, a former Superintendent, District jail, Sangrur, now posted at Nabha jail, and Mr Rajinder Singh, a junior assistant of Sangrur jail.

NRIs' representative
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 11 — In order to protect the lands of Punjabis residing in foreign countries from the unauthorised occupation by imposters, the Punjab Government would appoint a representative of NRIs as Lambardar.

Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister of State for Revenue and Public Relations, said that for this purpose a village which has a minimum of 20 families of NRIs will be treated as "NRI village" and their representative appointed as the lambardar.

The minister further said that steps were also being taken to ensure that the girdawaris of lands of NRIs were not changed without consulting their representative lambardar.

Procurement agencies form committee
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Sept 11 — All foodgrain procurement agencies of Punjab have formed a coordination committee to safeguard the interests of their employees.

The coordination committee was formed following a meeting of representatives of the Markfed Field Employees Union, the PUNSUP Employees Union, the State Warehouse Employees Union and the Food Supply Inspectorate Union held yesterday.

Releasing the proceedings of the meeting to the press here, general secretary of the Markfed Field Employees Union Ashwani Kumar said the participants took a serious note of the victimisation of employees belonging to state foodgrain procurement agencies. Mr Kumar said the coordination committee would devise measures to stop the harassment of employees at the hands of management and trade.

Mr Kumar said keeping in view the ensuing paddy procurement season, paddy would be procured strictly according to the specifications and the employees would resist all kinds of pressure tactics.

52 grain markets to have power connections
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 11 — Nearly 52 grain markets in this district would be shortly given power connections, Mr Bal Krishan Singla, president of the Federation of Ahrtia Associations of Punjab, said here yesterday.

In a press statement Mr Singla said that the decision to give power connections was taken at a meeting of ahrtias with Mr P. Ram, Secretary, Food Supplies, Punjab, here.

However, the contentious issue of marking gunny bags by ahrtias could not be resolved. Mr Singla said this was rejected by the ahrtias on the plea that if they marked their stencils, the produce in gunny bags can be adulterated at any stage and the ahrtias blamed for it.

101 paddy purchase centres in Patiala
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Sept 11 — As much as 13 lakh tonnes of paddy is expected to reach the mandis of the district during this procurement season as compared to 10.72 lakh tonnes last year.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Viswajit Khanna, said here today that the FCI would procure the lion's share of 40 per cent followed by 18 per cent each by Punsup and Markfed.

Mr Khanna said 101 purchase centres had been set up in the district and mandis had been allocated to the procurement agencies. The procurement agencies had been also directed to ensure the timely lifting of paddy from the mandis.

Punjab Mandi Board officials had also been asked to provide drinking water, power and other facilities to the farmers bringing their produce. He asked the farmers to get ripe paddy after drying it so that they could get profitable rates for their produce.

Police evicts students
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Sept 11 — The police was called at the local Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology today to get the campus and hostel vacated by striking students of the third semester.

The Principal had issued a notice yesterday warning the students to call off strike, but the students did not agree.

The college authorities then decided to ask the strikers to vacate the campus and hostel by 8 a.m. and later sought police assistance to evict them.

The students have been observing a strike for the past five days in protest against the system of the cumulative percentage average marks and the credit system.

Oil dealers hold rally
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Sept 11 — A large number of mustard oil dealers, manufacturers and brokers held a rally in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today. Leading the delegation of the traders, Mrs Laxmi Kanta Chawla, BJP MLA, criticised the ban on the sale and storage of mustard oil.

She said mustard oil was the main medium of cooking used by the poor and its ban had made other edible oils more expensive.

A spokesperson for oil dealers said not a single case of dropsy had been reported in Punjab and hence the ban was not justified.

The members demanded the lifting of the ban and the release of the sample reports. A memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner.