Tuesday, April 6, 1999
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Tuesday, April 6, 1999 |
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Punjab Plan fixed at Rs
2680 cr NEW DELHI, April 5 — The Planning Commission today approved Rs 2680 crore for the Annual Plan of Punjab (1999-2000), an increase of 7.20 per cent over the previous year’s outlay of Rs 2500 crore. Bhai Ranjit asks for show of strength ALAMGIR (Ludhiana) April 5 — The suspended Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, challenged the Shiromani Akali Dal president and Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president, Bibi Jagir Kaur to a show of strength at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of Baisakhi. |
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  ANANDPUR SAHIB: The preparation for the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is on. The huge pandal being erected on 4.5 acres at a cost of Rs 1 crore for the main functions from April 8 to 13. — PTI |
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Govt
turning a blind eye: pvt colleges SGPC
to publish Sikh literature Principal’s
arrest stayed till April 8 Bhattal
denies receiving letter
Punishment
for copying reduced US
scientists to visit PAU Ramoowalia's
third front Land
compensation approved Application
of accused rejected in Beant case |
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Punjab Plan fixed at Rs 2680 cr NEW DELHI, April 5 — The Planning Commission today approved Rs 2680 crore for the Annual Plan of Punjab (1999-2000), an increase of 7.20 per cent over the previous year’s outlay of Rs 2500 crore. The Annual Plan was finalised at a meeting here between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr K.C.Pant, and the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh and other senior officials were present. The Punjab Chief Minister urged the Planning Commission to sanction Rs 200 crore which is due for the Ranjit Sagar dam and said the funds be released soon so that irrigation projects could be taken up. He also stressed on release of more funds for the international airport at Amritsar and Marshal Academy of Sports at Anandpur Sahib. The commission agreed to release the funds for irrigation projects and assured help for other projects. The Chief Minister said there was a need to set up an agriculture commission to look into the problems of farmers in Punjab and make suitable suggestions for alternative ventures since agriculture was no more a profitable venture. He said Punjab needed special attention for tackling the water logging problem which had done great harm to the cotton belt of the state. Mr Pant in his opening remarks said Punjab should join other states in drawing a perspective plan till the year 2020. He said the Planning Commission was also engaged in a similar exercise. The State was told to address problems related to Y2K. Mr Pant pointed out that Punjab should spend more on education as its expenditure on the sector at present was only 3 per cent of the state domestic product. Mr Badal said elections to
the panchayat samitis and zila parishads would be held in
the next two to three months. He said a document
vision-2000 had already been prepared by the state
government. |
Tercentenary functions ALAMGIR (Ludhiana) April 5 — Suspended Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh challenged the Shiromani Akali Dal president and Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president, Bibi Jagir Kaur to a show of strength at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of Baisakhi, at which Sikhs are expected to participate in large numbers. Talking to the mediapersons here at the gurdwara Manji Sahib, Bhai Ranjit Singh called upon the Badal faction to seek the mandate of the Sikhs on whom they considered as Jathedar of Akal Takht. He said both he and Giani Puran Singh be allowed to stand on a common platform and the entire sangat be asked to choose its leader. If the sangat chooses Giani Puran Singh then I will give my resignation, he said. He said that even if the Badal faction used the state machinery to bring the sangat to the venue they would not be influenced by this and would vote for him. Asked if he had even been invited for the function by SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, to participate in the celebrations, he denied having received an invitation. He said the Akali leadership, was afraid that it wouldn't be able to draw crowds on its own, was pleading with him and Mr Tohra to have common celebrations. There is nothing different in what they are now saying from the hukumnana that I had issued regarding unity amongst the Akalis till the celebrations were over on April 15, he said. Asked to comment on Mr Badal's statement that action against him would be taken after April 15, he retorted that Mr Badal should wait to see what happens after the tercentenary celebrations. He said that he would begin visiting villages in the state after the celebrations and instigate the masses against Mr Badal's failure to meet his promises. The Akali leadership had given an assurance about solving long-pending demands on river waters, transfer of Chandigarh etc, he said nothing had been done so far. He called upon the Sikhs
to fight for safeguarding the Sikh heritage and religion
saying if they did not Mr Badal would 'acquire' the whole
Sikh community. |
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Puran Singh may lead march AMRITSAR: Giani Puran Singh, acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, who had suffered a severe heart attack on the day of his installation (February 15) addressed the congregation at Akal Takht on Sunday. This sets at rest all speculations about his participation in the proposed Khalsa march to be taken out from Kiratpur Sahib to Anandpur Sahib on April 15. The personal assistant to the acting Jathedar said the acting Jathedar would lead the Khalsa march as all tests that he had undergone at the All-India Medical Institute of Medical Sciences showed that his health had improved. Giani Puran Singh who received the Khalsa march at Akal Takht also presented "siropas" to the participants. He also performed 'ardas' in accordance with Sikh rituals. This march had started from Anandpur Sahib on April 2 as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth. He appealed to Sikhs all
over the world to participate in the tercentenary
celebrations to make the event memorable. He also made a
fervent appeal to the Sikhs to partake "amrit"
on the occasion. |
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Shekhar to flag off marches JALANDHAR, April 5 — Former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar will flag off three Khalsa marches from Morinda to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth which would reach there on April 12. The Akali Dal Panthic President, Mr Jasbir Singh Rode and the Damdami Taksal spokesman, Mr Mohkam Singh, said at a press conference here today that Mr Kanshi Ram, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Shanker Singh Veghela would also participate in these marches. These would start on April 11 from Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib and Gurdwara Rakabganj, New Delhi and reach Morinda on April 12, after halting at Ludhiana, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib. These would be led by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Mr Rode and Prof Darshan Singh. Mr Chandra Shekhar has confirmed his participation in the celebrations during their meeting with him at his Bhondsi Ashram near Gurgaon on April 3, Mr Rode said. The Sikh hardliners said their selection of Mr Chander Shekhar to receive and flag off the marches was because he was the only leader in the country who had condemned Operation Bluestar. They added that their exception to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee inaugurating the Badal government-sponsored tercentenary was because of his (Vajpayee) endorsement of the Army action in the Golden Temple complex in June, 1984. The radical Sikh leaders
said Mr Kanshi Ram, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Mr Laloo
Prasad Yadav and Mr Shanker Sinh Veghela too had
confirmed their participation. But Mr Barnala said he
neither had the invitation nor approved for such
activities. |
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Status quo on land for Khalsa
complex CHANDIGARH, April 5 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice J.L. Gupta, and Mr Justice N.K. Aggarwal today issued notice of motion on a writ petition challenging the acquisition of land for the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex at Anandpur Sahib and ordered the maintenance of the status quo till July 29 the next date of hearing. The Land Acquisition notifications dated January 28, 1999, under Section 4 and March 10, 1999 under Section 6 and also the order of the Punjab Conservator of Forests, for diversion of the land in question for non-forest purposes had been challenged by land owners Mr Bhupinder Singh and Mr Ravinder Singh, residents of Anandpur Sahib. The petitioners submitted that the purpose of acquisition of their land for establishment of a Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex at government cost was neither public nor would it serve any public purpose. It was further averred that before acquiring the land, no survey was conducted which was mandatory and although petitioners were called in the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner for hearing their objections but only their presence was marked and their objections war not heard. It was contended that without even passing any order on the objections against the notification under Section 6, the acquisition has been made which was illegal. It was further contended that the purpose specified in the notification was non-forest as Khalsa Heritage Complex could not be said to be in any manner concerned with activity pertaining to conservation. The petitioners said the land in question had been declared a forest and they had grown thousands of fruit trees and that 4.54 hectares of forest land has been diverted illegally without the knowledge of the petitioner. Besides they had not been given any opportunity. It is learnt that the land
in question was sought to be used by the faction led by
Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra former SGPC Chief, for
celebration of tercentenary of the Khalsa founding. |
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Govt turning a blind eye: pvt
colleges CHANDIGARH, April 5 — Managements, teaching and non-teaching staff of 162 affiliated colleges in the state are up in arms against the Punjab Government due to latter's "indifferent" attitude towards these educational institutions. Having more than 10,000 teaching and non-teaching staff and about 1.50 lakh students on their rolls, many of these colleges are facing a financial crunch due to "unofficial cut and non-release of grants" to 139 aided colleges out of 162 affiliated colleges. Talking about the plight of such institutions, Dr Ishwar Singh, President of the Non-Government affiliated colleges Managements Federation, Punjab and Chandigarh and Mr Tarsem Bahia, General Secretary of Principals Association (Punjab University zone) said here today these institutions were dying a slow death due to negative attitude of the government. Last year the Government had not cleared bills of these colleges amounting to Rs 10 crore and again this year the Government had not passed bills to the tune of Rs 12.56 crore. They said by not passing bills, the Government had imposed unofficial cut on the grant-in-aid given to these institutions. They said they were expecting that the Badal Government would adopt a liberal approach towards these institutions as in 1977-78 it was Mr Parkash Singh Badal who had released 95 per cent grant-in-aid to these institutions. But now the Badal Government was giving shabby treatment to these institutions. They said that they would "resist" the Government's policy to phase out grant-in-aid to these institutions. They said that the Government had already started the phasing out grant-in-aid to take it to the zero level in due course. "We are adamant on boycotting the annual examinations by the universities in Punjab scheduled to start around April 15. "We have taken this decision keeping in view the interest of students who were expected to suffer in the long run if grant-in-aid was phased out". Every student in these institutions pays Rs 2000 to 3000 a year at the degree level. If the grant-in-aid was withdrawn than each students would have to pay up to Rs 15000 a year. Could students belonging to the working class, employees and lower middle class afford such an expenditure? both leaders asked. If the Government phased out grant-in-aid, all doors for getting higher education would be closed for students belonging to the lower strata of society and only students belonging to elite would be able to go to colleges. There are only 44 Government colleges in the state. Both leaders said the bureaucracy was misleading the Badal Government as far as aided educational institutions were concerned. The bureaucracy was saying that the managements of affiliated colleges were not making any contribution in keeping these institutions going. It was absolutely false, Dr Ishwar Singh said the managements had spent Rs 4000 crore on raising the infrastructure of these colleges. The Government was paying the 95 per cent grant-in-aid to these institutions only for salaries to staff. Libraries, laboratories and maintenance of buildings was looked after by the management by collecting donations from people, he added. No grant-in-aid was released after December last year and teaching and non-teaching staff of aided colleges had not got their salaries since then, both the leaders added. Arrears of DA instalments, interim relief and medical allowance for the past two years were to be paid they alleged. The Government should ensure at least 18 per cent increase in the grant-in-aid amount every year as managements had to pay two DA instalments in a year apart from one increment to each staff member. They said that the managements were also bearing the expenditure with regard to staff recruited after November 1981. The Government had frozen the staff strength in 1981 in case of aided colleges and grant-in-aid was approved taking in view the staff strength of November 1981. Both leaders said their
organisations were open to dialogue but the Government
was not listening to them. |
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SGPC to publish Sikh literature ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 5 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) would publish literature on Sikh ideology and principles in different languages to make it available in the country and abroad. Announcing this at a seminar of Sikh scholars here today, Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC, said that this had been decided to propagate the ideology and principles of Sikhism in various parts of the world. The seminar was organised in connection with the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. She also exhorted the scholars to author literature on the Sikh principles to disseminate tenets of the Sikhism at a grand scale throughout the world. She also declared that the SGPC would make arrangements to hold seminars on Sikh principles this year in schools, colleges, universities and at other places. Addressing the gathering, Dr Darshan Singh, former Chairman of Guru Nanak Chair, Panjab University, stressed upon the need of economic prosperity among the Sikhs by installing industry. He said, this would lead to more employment opportunities and remove backwardness. Giani Bachittar Singh Advocate and a Sikh scholar, stated that it was the only Sikh Panth which had showed broadness and gender equality by installing a woman as the President of a top religious body. Among others, who also participated in the seminar, included Dr Sukhbir Singh Nagra, President of Sikh Intellectual Council, Dr Savinder Kaur Johl, Prof Nirmal Singh, Mr Tarlok Singh, Prof H.S. Bolina, Dr Gurbachan Singh, Dr Paramjit Kaur and Prof Bikramjit Singh Virk. Meanwhile, Bibi Jagir Kaur
also received a Khalsa March today at the Takht Sri
Kesgarh Sahib, which was taken out by Dera Baba Karam
Singh Hoti Mardanwale, Maksoodpur in Kapurthala district.
Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of
Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, respectively were also
present on the occasion. |
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Principal’s arrest stayed till April 8 BATHINDA, April 5 — Mr Inderjit Sharma, Additional District and Sessions Judge, today stayed till April 8 the arrest of Mr Surinder Singh Gill, Principal, Dashmesh Public Senior Secondary School, Talwandi Sabo, who has been booked for alleged large-scale embezzlement of school funds. Mr Sharma passed this order on a bail application moved by Mr Gill, who was booked by the Talwandi Sabo police under Sections 406, 409, 420, 468 and 471 of the IPC. In an inquiry conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Mr Alok Shekhar, on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chairman of the school management board, Mr S.R. Ladhar, the Principal was found guilty of embezzling about Rs 19 lakh of the school funds. The inquiry report revealed that Mr Gill had allegedly used Rs 2 lakh of school funds for making frequent foreign trips. He had made cash payments of Rs 11 lakh to contractors without any bill or voucher from the parties concerned. The Deputy Commissioner, said 64 charges had been levelled against Mr Gill. The school is being run by the Punjab State Defence Security and Relief Fund Educational Society, Chandigarh. Official sources said Mr Gill was also found 'guilty' of purchasing a car and later changing its engine to a diesel one. Mr Gill, when contacted at
his official residence at Talwandi Sabo, was not
available for comment. |
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Boycott controversy PATIALA, April 5 — Former Punjab Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, while claiming she had done nothing wrong by giving a statement on the state budget denied receiving any letter from the All-India Congress Committee asking her to explain her call to boycott proceedings of the state assembly. Talking to TNS last night over the phone, Mrs Bhattal said there was no question of Mr Mukherjee issuing any letter to her as she had met him at a meeting of the minority cell three days earlier at Delhi. She said Mr Mukherjee AICC, Gen Secretary In charge of Punjab Affairs, did not touch upon the affair then, nor did he talk of it during a public meeting held at Ludhiana yesterday. Mrs Bhattal maintained that she had done nothing wrong in criticising the Punjab Budget but refrained from commenting about the call for boycott of the assembly. She said her stand on the Budget was vindicated by pradesh Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh yesterday at Ludhiana when he too criticised the state budget on the grounds espoused by her earlier. She said she was actively involved in party affairs and the pradesh Congress President had deputed her for the state-level function being held on April 6 to commemorate the tercentenary of the Khalsa at Delhi. She would also participate in other functions being held in this regard in Punjab. Earlier last month Capt Amarinder Singh claimed that he had handed over newspaper clippings to party President Mrs Sonia Gandhi carrying statements of Mrs Bhattal which allegedly violated party discipline. He said it would be very difficult to manage the party if senior leaders continued to make statements violating party norms. Following this he had claimed that the high command assured him that it would take strict action against those violating party discipline. Meanwhile Mrs Bhattal left
for Delhi today morning in what sources close to her
called an attempt to give her version of events. |
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Flood cover for 10 villages FEROZEPORE: Lives and properties, specially standing crops in 10 villages, along the Indo-Pak border here, have been provided flood cover with the Golewala Drainage Division here, constructing a 14.3 km-long bandh starting from BOP, Mohamadiwala to BOP, Kasoke. The bandh was inaugurated by Minister for Cooperation and Sainik Welfare, Janmeja Singh Sekhon on February 19. A sum of about Rs 1.10 crore has been spent on its construction, which was completed in a very short period of 35 days. According to the Superintending Engineer of the Golewala Drainage Division, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, proposals were made many a time to construct the bandh during the past nearly 30 years. But these could not materialise due to one or another reason. Due to lack of a bandh, 10 villages — Masteke, Kamalewala, Allewala, Akuwala, Theth, Lakha Badhshah, Pallamegha, Bhana Singh Wala, Langeana, Dulchike — were always under threat of floods. Villagers say the floods caused by the Satluj had resulted in heavy loss during the past two decades. The maximum damage was caused during the devastating floods in 1988. Talking to The Tribune, the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mr D.P.S. Kharbanda, sold the newly set-up bandh would protect standing crops in an area of 7,500 acres. It is learnt that the
farmers whose lands were acquired for construction of the
bandh have not yet been compensated by the government. In
this connection, the SE, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, says the
farmers concerned would be given compensation soon. |
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Punishment for copying reduced AMRITSAR, April 5 — Guru Nanak Dev University has decided to reduce the punishment of those candidates who were penalised for using unfair means in the 1998-99 examinations as a goodwill measure to mark the Khalsa tercentenary. This reduction in punishment will only be for a year. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Syndicate of the university which met here last evening. Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, said those candidates who had been punished for two years would not be ineligible for appearing in any examination for a year and those who had been punished for five years, their punishment has been reduced to two years. This decision would be applicable only for the 1998-99 examinations. The Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafar annual award has also been instituted on the request of his son, Mr Mandev Singh of USA. The Syndicate has also accorded its concurrence for this award. Dr Soch said this award, in the form of a gold medal, will be awarded to the female topper in the MA Punjabi course on the occasion of the university convocation. The Syndicate has also
extended the term of Dr Satinder Singh, Dean of Academic
Affairs, Dr B.S. Ghuman, Dean of Students Welfare, Dr
Swaran Singh, Dean of Students Welfare at Jalandhar and
warden of the boys hostel. |
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US scientists to visit PAU LUDHIANA, April 5 — A high-powered Punjab Agricultural University delegation which visited Ohio State University, Columbus, USA, from March 16 to 22, has returned here after a useful interaction that will help in charting out future exchange programmes between scientists of both universities. According to the collaborative programme jointly signed by Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, and Dr Bobby D. Moser, Vice-President, Agricultural Administration, Ohio State University, it has been decided to provide training to PAU scientists at Ohio State University in the fields of plant biotechnology, meat science, post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables, food processing, animal disease prevention and control, crop diversification and sustainable management of soil and water resources. Ohio State University will
not charge out of state tuition fee and also provide
financial assistance to meritorious scientists. Punjab
Agricultural University will shortly identify faculty
members to sponsor them for short and long-term visits,
ranging from six months to three years, to Ohio State
University. |
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Ramoowalia's third front BATHINDA, April 5 — The president of the Lok Bhalai Party, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia said his party would provide a third alternative to the people of Punjab fed up with the feudal politics of the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). Addressing a press conference here late last evening, he claimed that the policies of Lok Bhalai Party (LBP), launched recently, were getting a huge response throughout Punjab and the party had become a force to reckon with. He said the Lok Bhalai Party would contest all 117 assembly seats whenever elections were held in Punjab but only persons with credibility would be fielded. He claimed that leaders of other parties were joining his party in a big way signalling the beginning of the end of 'feudal rule' of Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. When asked whether Lok Bhalai Party would make an alliance with any left party in Punjab, he said that at present the people of Punjab saw a ray of hope only in his party. Mr Ramoowalia, a Rajya Sabha Member, is touring the state to mobilise public opinion in favour of his party. He said he would take the wrongdoing of Mr Badal's government to the people's court. He alleged that Akali and Congress leaders were hand-in-glove' and both sides indulged in looting the people on various pretexts including religious. He said the Akalis had harmed the Sikh community in big way and when it threw out 'Sindhis', Udasis', 'Nirmale', Sewapanthis, 'Namdharis' and 'Sehajdharis' from the community for narrow political interests. He alleged that Mr Badal had brought 'money' and 'Nasha-do-vote-lo' culture to politics. Mr Badal treated the SAD (B) as the private company of his family members and gave party tickets for elections to shady characters. Regarding celebration of the tercentenary of birth of the Khalsa by the Punjab Government, Mr Ramoowalia said that Mr Badal should have made arrangements to generate employment for around 10000 youth of Punjab by utilising its funds in a more meaningful manner. He should have set up a manpower export corporation for saving Punjabis from unscrupulous travel agents, he said. Mr Badal should have made arrangements to provide a dignified life to the elderly, the poor, the widows and orphans. To a question, Mr
Ramoowalia said that Lok Bhalai Party would hold its
political conference at Talwandi Sabo on the occasion of
Baisakhi on April 13 instead of celebrating it at
Anandpur Sahib. |
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Land compensation approved BATHINDA, April 5 — The Punjab Government has approved the amount to be given as compensation for land acquired for setting up an oil refinery at Phulokhari village given in the land compensation award of the Land Acquisition Collector, today. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said that farmers of four villages, 1992.57 acres of whose land had been acquired for the oil refinery project, had already been given 80 per cent of the amount due as compensations. The remaining twenty per cent would be given now by the Land Acquisition Collector, Industrial Department, Chandigarh. He said that the Punjab Government at the demand of farmers whose land had been acquired for the project, had also decided to given compensation for trees and structures on the land. He added that compensation under this category would be given shortly. He added that total
compensation for the land acquired was worked out at Rs
81.92 crore of which Rs 65.6 crore was distributed among
the owners immediately after acquisition of their land. |
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Application of accused rejected in Beant case CHANDIGARH, April 5 (PTI) — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi, today rejected an application of six of the nine accused in the Beant Singh assassination case seeking permission to be baptised as per Sikh traditions. The six — Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jagtar Singh Tara, Shamsher Singh, Nasib Singh, Navjot Singh and Paramjit Singh — had moved an application seeking permission to be baptised in the jail premises, their counsel said. As soon as the court in the high-security Burail jail commenced, the accused reportedly raised pro-Khalistan slogans. Jail sources later said two of the accused, Jagtar Singh Tara and Paramjit Singh, had started a fast in the jail. The accused are charged
with the assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister
Beant Singh outside the Punjab and Haryana Civil
Secretariat on August 31, 1995. |
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Lok Adalat set up at Moga MOGA, April 5 — Mr Justice H.S. Brar, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Punjab Legal Services Authority, yesterday appreciated the work being done by the Deputy Commissioner, Moga, Mr Kulbir Singh, in connection with the Lok Adalat in this district. He was addressing lawyers, newsmen, panches and sarpanches after the setting up of a Lok Adalat here last evening. Mr Justice Brar further
said that according to the provisions of the Legal
Services Authority Act, every person in custody was
entitled to free legal services from the state. Such
services were ordinarily provided after the challan was
put in the courts, he added. |
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'Save Education Day' observed PHAGWARA, April 5 — In a rare show of solidarity private college managements, teaching and non-teaching staff today observed "Save Education Day" by going on a strike in protest against the Punjab Government's decision to down size 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme. They later left for Chandigarh to assemble at Matka chowk for holding a rally and later on present a memorandum to the Punjab Chief Minister. Mr Jagat Singh Palahi, Mr Harjit Singh Parmar, Presidents, Governing Councils, Guru Nanak College, Phagwara, and Guru Nanak Navbhart College, Narur Panchat, in separate statements told mediapersons here today that managements had locked their educational institutions to protest against the Punjab Government's anti-higher education policy. They said in case the
grant was downsized then most of the colleges in the
state, particularly those in rural and semi-rural areas,
would face closure. |
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Mandi board to spend 570 cr on
roads FARIDKOT, April 5 — The Punjab Mandi Board will spend Rs 570 crore to construct and repair link roads in the state during the current financial year. This was stated by Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal after inaugurating a bridge, built at a cost of Rs 8 lakh at Aulakh village, 18 km from here, today. He said instructions had been issued to the officials concerned to start work on the project immediately. He also announced a grant
of Rs 2.75 lakh for various development schemes in the
village. |
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Jewellers observe strike GURDASPUR, April 5 — Jewellers of Dinanager, Gurdaspur, Khanuwan, Kalanaur, Dhariwal and Qadian observed a strike today in pursuance of a directive by the Punjab unit of the jewellers in protest against the rise of tax imposed on gold ornaments from 2 per cent to 4.4. per cent. Mr Tarsem Kumar, spokesman of the jewellers, here sought the withdrawal of the tax hike. Kharar: Local jewellers observed a complete bandh here today to protest against the recent hike in the rates of sales tax on gold ornaments. They have urged the state
government to immediately withdraw the hike. |
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Teachers to hold classes during
harvest break CHANDIGARH, April 5 — As many as 10,000 teachers and other employees of 484 government-aided private schools will work during the coming harvest break in schools from April 8 to April 24, according to Mr Manohar Lal Chopra, General Secretary of the Punjab State Aided School Teachers and other Employees Union. Mr Chopra said here today that a deputation of teachers of these schools led by Union's President, Mr Teja Singh, met Mrs Surjit Kaur Sandhu to convey the decision to open schools during the harvest break. The decision has been taken to compensate loss of studies suffered by students when teaching and other employees of these schools remained on strike in February and March last. The Union has also decided
to participate in tercentenary celebrations and to open
reception centres for pilgrims in the schools located
near roads leading to Anandpur Sahib. In such schools
boarding and lodging arrangements for pilgrims would also
be made, Mr Chopra said. |
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Director makes surprise visit KHARAR, April 5 — Mr Vijay Kumar Janjua, Director, Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab, today paid a surprise visit to the local Block Development and Panchayat Office and found three employees absent. When contacted on the telephone this afternoon , Mr Janjua said three employees — Mr Sushil Kumar and Mr Baljinder Kumar, both Junior Engineers, and Mr Prem Singh, Accountant — were found absent. Legal action would be taken against all the three. Meanwhile, Mr Baljinder
Kumar, JE told this correspondent that he in fact had
gone to the office of the Director Rural Development and
Panchayats Chandigarh to deliver some official papers. |
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Copying cases detected MOGA, April 5 — A flying squad is reported to have detected a number of cases of copying in the annual matric exams in the district during the past 24 hours. According to reports four
such cases were detected in Moga and about six in other
towns of this district. The squad reportedly seized books
from students at certain examination centres during
raids. In certain cases, the staff at the examination
centres was also found involved in helping students to
copy, a spokesman for the squad said here today. |
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In-laws
booked KHARAR, April 5 — The local police has registered a case under Section 306, 34 A IPC, against the husband, brother-in-law, father-in-law, and mother-in-law of Mrs Manju Rani on the charge of forcing her to commit suicide. Mr Rajinder Singh Sohal, SHO, said here yesterday that they harassed her to bring more money from her parents. She consumed some poisonous substance and died at the PGI on Saturday. The police has registered
a case against Rajinder Kumar (husband) Devinder Kumar
(brother-in-law) Rameshwer Dass (father-in-law) and
Raksha Devi (mother-in-law), residents of nearby Malikpur
village. |
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