Wheat piles up in mandis
PATIALA, April 12 — With an early start to wheat arrivals the main mandis of the district are witnessing heavy arrivals resulting in huge stock piles at mandis.

NFL capacity being expanded, says Barnala
NANGAL, April 13 — Efforts are being made to make the country self-sufficient in fertilisers. For attaining this target the capacity of existing units like NFL unit here is being expanded by investing Rs 125 crore.

Special aid for disabled
LUDHIANA, April 13 — In a unique celebration of the spirit of the Khalsa, the disabled in the district will be provided with artificial limbs by the end of this year by a charitable organisation in collaboration with the District Red Cross Society.

Musical show ends with lathi charge
AMRITSAR, April 13 — Pepsi, the official sponsors of World Cup Cricket, failed in its bid to popularise both its brand and cricket as its musical show abruptly ended with a lathi charge today.

Auction of park land opposed
PATIALA, April 13— A municipal corporation decision to auction a piece of park land opposite the main shopping complex in the Model Town area has invited the wrath of residents and shopkeepers of the main market who have decided to oppose the move.

Probe into murder case hampered
BATHINDA, April 13 — Investigation into the murder of Pinky, alias Sneh, a house wife, being conducted by a team of the crime wing of the Punjab police has been hampered as Subhash Goyal, her husband and prime accused, in the case has absconded.

• ST on vehicles put on hold
• Fraudster held
• GND varsity exams postponed
• Five Arrested

• Citizens for controls on issue of licences
• Punjabi varsity exams from Apr 17
• Pensioners seek AG's intervention

Devotees throng Talwandi Sabo
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

TALWANDI SABO, April 13 — Even as a large number of devotees have started thronging here for taking a dip in the holy sarovar of Takht Damdama Sahib on the occasion of Baisakhi the district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the public.

Though there is no apprehension of any clash between two warring groups of Nihangs, the police has been deployed in large numbers at the mela site to prevent any untoward incident.

At least six persons were injured after the Baisakhi mela in 1997 here when certain Nihangs belonging to the Budha Dal group led by Santa Singh had attacked SGPC employees.

The holy town has been divided into six sectors and one gazetted police officer and one gazetted civil official have been made in charge of each sector. The District Magistrate, Mr S.R. Ladhar, had banned carrying of firearms during the mela days.

Mr Ladhar, who came here this morning to oversee the arrangements, said five temporary bus stands had been made for the smooth flow of traffic. Arrangements for drinking water, toilet and electricity for the pilgrims had been made in required quantity. Temporary medical posts had been set up. Divers had been deployed on the banks of the holy sarovars in various gurdwaras. Plainclothesmen had also been deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

On the other hand, Baisakhi here will not be active politically this year as all major parties are holding their conferences at Anandpur Sahib tomorrow where the tercentenary occasion of the birth of the Khalsa was being celebrated.

So far only three parties has pitched their pandals here which included the Shiromani Akali Dal, the CPI and the Lok Bhalai Party.

The conference of the Lok Bhalai Party will be addressed by its national president, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, who will announce the programme of his party. The CPI conference will be addressed by Mr Joginder Dyal and Mr Hardev Arshi while the SAD conference will be addressed by Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, general secretary of the party.

Blue, kesari balloons all over
From P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 13 — One of the attractions here have been the blue and kesari balloons which soar high into the sky just like the spirit of the Khalsa tercentenary celebration, which has infused the people.

A group of 45 persons belonging to the 'sansi' tribe were specially commissioned for the 1.25 lakh balloons for the tercentenary. They have come all the way from Habibganj, Ludhiana, where for generations their main occupation and vocation is inflating balloons of different shapes and sizes to eke out a living.

For the occasion they are putting up in Agampur store dump of the department of PWD, B and R. This is so because they have been invited by the PWD officers.

Kala Ram, speaking on behalf of the group, told TNS that the balloons have been provided by the sponsors (who are paying nearly Rs 1.40 lakh) while the equipment, including the gases — hydrogen, helium etc — have been brought along by them. Besides their daily business of selling balloons in Ludhiana, these 'sansis' are invited to put up their goods on melas and festivals all over. Marriages attract them.

For generations, these families are into this ballooning business and their children, like all of them, are totally illiterate. They have never been to school. Without a trace of hesitation or shyness one of the women, Sadagri said "humn sab ke sab agutha chhap hain" (all of us can only put our thumb impression) meaning totally uneducated.

A family earns an income of upto Rs 2,000 per month, depending on the sale and availability of work. The family size is, on an average, between 5 and 8 members. Their 'Kabila' has not done any other work for generations. Since partition they are settled in Habib Ganj, Old Jail Road. Their leader here is Lal Chand. Some of them have relations in Uttar Pradesh from where some people are here to lend a helping hand in filling the balloons.

These balloons were released during the procession — Khalsa fateh march — on Monday. These filled the sky with blue and kesari bubbles and soon disappeared being carried away by the hot draughts of air.

Riding piggyback on religion
From Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 13 — The "religious card" long used by political parties, is now providing a piggyback for manufacturers of consumer items, including multinationals, who have set up huge banners and flying balloons with advertising messages along all roads leading to this city.

Economic equations have changed since Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth 300 years ago. The manufacturers have realised this and calculated the costs vis-a-vis visibility where several lakh devotees are coming.

Three centuries ago, the congregation where the Guru baptised the "Panj Piaras", the devotees probably came on foot or on horse backs. Today, the devotees, one of the most affluent communities in India, are arriving in cars, trucks, trains, buses, tractors and jeeps.

All along the roads leading up to the historic gurdwara, companies manufacturing anything from cement to electronics, from jeans to tractors, paints to engine oils, mobile phones to mineral water, have set up huge banners. Not to miss, various language and Delhi-based newspapers have jumped onto this advertising bandwagon.

The message is simple. Probably a welcome to the devotees or best wishes on the celebrations. At times it is written in English or in Punjabi. When so many companies are here the cola manufacturing companies cannot be left behind. Total sales of soft drinks have reportedly crossed one lakh crates in the past six days.

The fact that devotees have to walk a few kilometre, as parking is allowed at distant places, is not missed by the companies. One has to just look around and realise that the holy city has been swamped with banners. If a mobile phone company offers something in view of the celebrations, a tractor manufacturing company has sent its models on display. A country fair, where leading companies have set up stalls is an attraction in itself for the visitors.

The sheer volume of the visitors is so much that devotees come from one side, pay respects and go back. The number of people staying here for the night, the visitors from overseas are the major buyers, said a person managing a stall of mineral water. A favourite site for advertisers to display their wares is various community kitchens (langars).

As one enters the city from Chandigarh huge white, yellow and blue flying balloons set up by a bank, an oil company and a tractor manufacturing company within a radius of one kilometre from the historic gurdwara indicate how festive are the celebrations.

Interestingly there is not a single stall selling packed food, or fast food items, in the city. The devotees prefer either the langars or the stalls selling 'paranthas' and other Indian food.

Second language status to Punjabi
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, April 13 — The Delhi Chief Minister, Mrs Sheila Dixit, said here today that Punjabi would be given the second language status in Delhi in view of the tercentenary celebrations of the Sikh Panth.

Talking to mediapersons at Jallianwala Bagh, she said such a status to Punjabi could not be given so far due to "complications" with certain sections demanding the same for Urdu.

"But the second language status to Punjabi will be accorded before the end of the celebrations in 2000", she assured.

She said the Delhi Government was eager to celebrate the occasion by setting up Guru Gobind Singh University, publishing works on the life of the Guru in four languages — English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu — and setting up a park after the name of the Tenth Guru either in the open space in Nizamuddin or Tilak Bridge. A film on the life of the Guru was in progress.

Mrs Dixit said there was a move to apprise the people about the life of Guru Gobind Singh who had fought against oppression. He set an example by fighting tyranny even at the cost of the lives of his sons and father. There was no such example in the world. "We want to enter the 21st century with his message as there is need to promote the teachings of the Guru."

In reply to a question, Mrs Dixit said the bitterness among two communities after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots had gone with regrets expressed by the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, on the unfortunate incidents during Operation Bluestar and the anti-Sikh riots.

"This is evident from the fact that 70 per cent Sikhs in Delhi voted for the Congress in the last Vidhan Sabha elections."

She was not sure whether the Congress would opt to form government at the Centre in case of fall of the BJP government. "The ball is in the court of Ms Jayalalitha," she said.

In reply to another question, she said she was running her government in coordination with the BJP government at the Centre. "I don't believe in confrontation but coordination alone".

Mrs Dixit, later, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir.

Yogi to present embellished sword
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 13 — The head of Sikh Dharma Western Hemisphere Mission Yogi Harbhajan Singh will tomorrow present a sword at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

It has been specially designed by Jot Singh, an American Sikh, who is an expert in making knives and daggers. It took Jot Singh and others almost one year to design the sword. It weighs 14.5 pounds and is almost one meter long.

Talking to TNS, Mr Jot Singh and another Lebanese Sikh Gurbachan Singh (both use Sufi Khalsa with their names) said the sword was made of special Damascus steel gilded with solid white gold and 18 carat yellow gold. The handle is made of carved jade in the shape of a falcon's head. The Sword is embellished with vignette of Sikh history especially those connected with Guru Gobind Singh.

These depict the birth of the tenth master, baptism by him, bricking alive of his two younger sons, a scene where the two elder are being prepared for a battle with the Mughals, etc.

The blade has "Jaap Sahib" engraved on both sides.

The sword material cost the makers $ 70,000 (Rs 55 lakh). It bears the name of Guru Gobind Singh describing him as "father" and that of Mata Sahib Kaur as "mother". Near the handle is the portrait of the Guru and on the other side is another picture showing him on the horse back.

The sword also bears three words: sovereign, Khalsa nation and spiritual. The names of Guru's four sons and the 'Panj Piare' is also written.

The scabbard and the sword is studded with diamonds, pearls emeralds, and garnet.

'Cola war' reaches Anandpur Sahib

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 13 (PTI) — The only too well-known rivalry of cola companies has not left the ongoing Khalsa tercentenary celebrations here untouched with both Coke and Pepsi splashing the sprawling grounds with banners hailing the spirit of Khalsa.

"I had only expected rival shows between the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and his bete noire ousted SGPC president G.S. Tohra but the Coke-Pepsi wars at religious ceremonies seem a bit amusing," said one of the organisers.

With the summer catching on and the temperature soaring, sales of cold drinks here have zoomed. Even hordes of villagers from remote villages who have been attracted to this place, thanks to the unprecedented media hype, also seem to have developed a taste for the beverage which is giving the famed Punjabi "lassi" a run for its money.

With the festivities at Baisakhi witnessing the vernacular Punjabi newspapers selling like hot cakes, the media groups have also put up a number of banners at the celebrations' site.

The Chandigarh-Anandpur road is dotted by banners put up by the mass-circulation Punjabi daily, 'Ajit' while "Punjabi Tribune', a Chandigarh-based daily, and largest Hindi circulation newspaper, 'Punjab Kesri' have also utilised the religious event to advertise their product.

Train traffic jumps to 17,000 daily
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 13 — Passenger traffic on the Sirhind-Anandpur Sahib railway section jumped from the daily average of 1200-1300 passengers to a whopping 17,000 passengers yesterday.

Railway sources said the jump in terms of numbers was much more in case of the passenger traffic at the newly built railway station here. The station located opposite the historic Takht Kesgarh Sahib Gurdwara here and handled 6,900 passengers yesterday against a daily average of just 250 passengers.

The story is almost the same at Ropar and Sirhind railway stations. One reason for the rush on the trains was the low fare structure. A second class ticket between Sirhind and Anandpur Sahib costs only Rs 15 while the bus fare is around Rs 35. Another reason for the rush is the fact that the station is just opposite the place of pilgrimage. It thus eliminates the long walk that one had to undergo if coming here by road.

Keeping in mind the rush, the railways has increased the frequency of its special passenger trains between Sirhind and Anandpur Sahib from twice daily to thrice daily. A special train between Mumbai and this holy city arrived last evening. The train will leave for Amritsar tomorrow night before it departs on its return journey on April 16.

Besides this, the number of coaches on the passenger trains that were running on the section before has been increased.

BSP conference damp squib
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 13 — The BSP conference organised on the occasion of the tercentenary of the Khalsa here today was a damp squib.

The low attendance was pointed out by the BSP leader Ms Mayawati who herself provided an answer for the low turnout saying that Dalits wanted to come in large numbers but refrained fearing trouble due to running feud between the two factions of the Akali leadership.

The BSP supremo Mr Kanshi Ram who also addressed the conference said that despite 300 years of the Khalsa Panth coming into existence the cult of casteism was still prevalent in society. He felt that unless the Dalits found their voice they would not be allowed to make their presence felt.

The two leaders were apparently at loggerheads as well.

A comic situation developed when Ms Mayawati said she had declined the offer of Mrs Surinder Kaur Badal to attend the istri conference. When Mr Kanshi Ram said that she would be attending the conference of Sant Samaj, Ms Mayawati said "no" she would prefer to stay away from that as well.

Even the Punjab BSP unit leader Col C.D. Singh Kambojh tried to justify the low turnout and decried caste system.

The conference came at the conclusion of the "garib Sikhan da march" aimed at focusing attention on the plight of the Mazhbi Sikh.

Wheat piles up in mandis
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, April 12 — With an early start to wheat arrivals the main mandis of the district are witnessing heavy arrivals resulting in huge stock piles at mandis.

The problem has been compounded at the Patiala grain market and the mandis of Patran and Samana by accumulated stocks of paddy from last autumn not having been lifted due to lack of gunny bags and storage space.

While a lot of wheat has poured in at the main mandis and purchase centres agency procurement has not started. Most purchase centres started procuring wheat only yesterday.

When contacted at the main mandi here, Mr Harjit Singh Sheru, who is also president of the Punjab Arhatiya Association, said while the Punjab Agro Industry Corporation and Markfed had not been lifting wheat for the past two days, the District Food and Supply Agency will also face problems in future as the storage space nears saturation point.

Mr Sheru said at present arhatiyas were not getting payment from government agencies since the start of procurement despite assurances that payment would be made within 72 hours. He said the agencies had also not paid market fee and were telling the arhatiyas to pay the fee instead.

Mr Madan Lal Goel, another arhatiya, showed TNS new gunny bags of 50 kg capacity which, he said, lore at the seams while loading. He said as the plinths at most mandis were made with bags of 100 kg capacity in mind. There would be a problem of storing produce this year.

Other sources from Patran, where there is a similar problem of lifting of the stock said there was no space to keep the wheat being procured as the godowns were filled with paddy. They said the problem had been compounded by millers starting milling of paddy recently due to which rice would compete for storage with wheat.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir today pulled up officers of procurement agencies at a meeting here this afternoon saying action would be taken against slack staff. He directed subdivisional magistrates to undertake regular check of mandis and ensure payment to arhatiyas.

The Deputy Commissioner also ordered the district heads of procurement agencies to make immediate arrangements for lifting of the accumulated wheat.

Mr Bir said 1.22 lakh tonnes of wheat had arrived in mandis of the district till now compared to only 555 tonnes last year. He said of this Food and Supplies Department had procured 14,527 tonnes, Markfed 32,501 tonnes, Punjab Warehouse Corporation 25,108 tonnes, Punjab Agro 18,031 tonnes, FCI 4,732 tonnes and private traders 1,724 tonnes.

Bathinda: There is resentment among wheat growers over the government's decision to close all temporary purchase centres set up during the previous paddy season.

The Punjab Government, according to a Cabinet decision, has opened only those centres in the current wheat procurement season which operated in the previous wheat procurement season.

Farmers say that in the previous paddy season, they suffered heavy losses as their crop sold for less than the minimum support price (MSP) fixed by the central government due to connivance of officials of procurement agencies and commission agents. The reduction in procurement centres for wheat in the current season could force them to distress sales of wheat as well.

They pointed out that the expected bumper crop could lead to a glut in the mandis where upon they would find it difficult to get the support price of Rs 550 per quintal.

Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister, when contacted said that state agencies would procure about 70 lakh tonnes of wheat this season and farmers would be ensured the MSP for their produce.

He said temporary paddy centres were closed as wheat production is lower than paddy production.

Mr Hardev Arshi leader of the CPI in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha talking to TNS cautioned that state government had not made arrangements for storage of wheat. This would reduce purchases by state agencies and force farmers to sell wheat to private traders at a rate below the MSP. He said purchase centres should be increased.

NFL capacity being expanded, says Barnala
From Our Correspondent

NANGAL, April 13 — Efforts are being made to make the country self-sufficient in fertilisers. For attaining this target the capacity of existing units like NFL unit here is being expanded by investing Rs 125 crore.

This was said by Mr Surjeet Singh Barnala, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, while talking newsmen here yesterday. Moreover, some new grassroots level units like Kribco project in Gorakpur and Iffco project in Andhra Pradesh were being developed.

Regarding installation of new fertiliser units in Punjab, he said a naphtha -based plant with a capacity to produce 7.5 lakh tonnes per annum was being planned at Sangrur. Another pesticide producing plant was planned for Bathinda by the Government of India.

There was no likelihood of reduction of subsidies on fertilisers in the near future. On the increase in the prices of fertiliser, he said it was done due to increase in prices of raw materials used for manufacturing fertilisers like coal and naphtha. He, however, added that the increase in the prices of fertilisers had been compensated by increase in support prices.

Mr Barnala, however, declined to comment on Jathedar Ranjit Singh’s suspension. He refused to say whether he would participate in the parallel celebrations being organised by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra.

Responding to a question if the Vajpayee government would survive, he said, "it seems it will. The reason for that was, there was no likely alternative to this government and the people did not want early elections".

Special aid for disabled
From A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, April 13 — In a unique celebration of the spirit of the Khalsa, the disabled in the district will be provided with artificial limbs by the end of this year by a charitable organisation in collaboration with the District Red Cross Society.

"This is our way of celebrating the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa', says Mr Yashpal Gupta, joint national convener of the Viklang Sahayata Kendra of the Bahrat Vikas Parishad Charitable Trust Punjab. "Khalsa symbolises 'sarbat da bhala' and what better means of celebrating the tercentenary than by providing artificial limbs to those who need it....?"

A survey carried out by the Bharat Vikas Parishad shows that there are 4,000 disabled persons in Ludhiana district. "We plan to provide them with artificial limbs and callipers by December 31, 1999", says Mr Gupta.

The kendra was established in November, 1996. It was formally inaugurated by Mr Jagmohan, now Union Minister for Telecommunications. So far, the kendra has equipped 6000 persons with artificial limbs.

The expenditure on artificial limbs is met by the kendra through donations. "All members of the Bharat Vikas Parishad make personal donations. Donations are also sought from others. However, all donations are in the shape of artificial limbs...." says Mr Gupta.

The kendra has its own unit for the manufacture of artificial limbs which supplies limbs on a no-profit no-loss basis. The Bharat Vikas Parishad has a total of 12 kendras in India. Of these Ludhiana is the biggest.

Some time ago, the Punjab Government, in recognition of the unique services being rendered by the kendra, allotted 3200 square yards of land at Rishi Balmiki Nagar to the parishad at a concessional rate for constructing its complex.

At a special function held here last night under the auspices of the Ludhiana zonal office of the State Bank of India, six persons were provided with free artificial limbs while another five were given cycle-rickshaws.

Mr O.P. Bhardwaj, Deputy General Manager of the bank, said in commemoration of the birth of the Khalsa, the bank would sponsor artificial limbs to more persons during the year.

Musical show ends with lathi charge
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, April 13 — Pepsi, the official sponsors of World Cup Cricket, failed in its bid to popularise both its brand and cricket as its musical show abruptly ended with a lathi charge today.

A large number of invitees were injured due to manhandling. The organisers of the show, DNA and Pepsi, which had arranged the Anaida and Jassi Night at the local Amritsar Club in the Ram Bagh Gardens, issued passes far in excess of the sitting capacity of the club.

However, the local manager of Pepsi, Mr Samarjit Singh Shergill, claimed that only 450 passes were issued but many managed to gate-crash. He blamed the police for its inability to control the large crowd which had gathered outside the club premises.

Senior police officers manning the venue said Pepsi had issued passes far in excess of the sitting capacity of the club which led to the fiasco. He attributed the chaos to total mismanagement by soft drink bottlers.

The organisers, sensing trouble, abruptly stopped the show within an hour which further added to the confusion.

A large number of invitees, including club members, blamed Pepsi for giving passes to "all sorts of people" who thronged the venue and caused the confusion.

The management of the club, too, blamed Pepsi and the organisers (DNA) for inappropriate arrangements.

Still Jassi and Anaida regaled the crowd with a few good numbers.

Auction of park land opposed
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, April 13— A municipal corporation decision to auction a piece of park land opposite the main shopping complex in the Model Town area has invited the wrath of residents and shopkeepers of the main market who have decided to oppose the move.

The corporation has decided to auction the park land, which is at present used mainly as a dumping ground and has a water tank, to raise money for the development of the Model Town area. The auction, which is expected to raise Rs 1.50 crore, is to start from April 15 in phases.

However, the Model Town Residents Association has taken umbrage to the sale of the park land and said it would not allow it to happen. It has decided to hold a dharna on April 15 to protest against the auction besides deciding to file a suit in court to prevent the corporation from going ahead with the auction without taking the residents of the area into confidence.

Association president Gulzar Singh Khaira told TNS the residents and the association had made their resentment known to the corporation authorities but they were still bent upon going ahead with the auction. He said following this representations had been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner besides deciding to hold a dharna in front of the Commissioner's office in case the auction was not put off before April 15.

Mr Khaira said the association was basically against auctioning off green spaces to fulfil the development needs of the area. He said the Model Town area was known for its open spaces and if the corporation started auctioning off open spaces to build markets it would be to the detriment of the residents.

Corporation Commissioner Harkesh Singh Sidhu when contacted said a committee formed by former Deputy Commissioner Viswajit Khanna had decided to auction the park land. He said it had been decided to do so to develop the area adjoining the park land which had "bad" sewerage due to which there was a crisis every monsoon season. He said moreover the establishment of a new market would end the use of residential places in the area for business ends.

Mr Sidhu said a clause had been incorporated that the money earned from auction of the park land would be spent on the development of Model Town only. He said a separate account had been opened in the bank for the same.

The Deputy Commissioner said the corporation had gone ahead with its decision after consulting residents of the colony on the issue. He said most residents wanted a water channel in Model Town for which at present funds were not available. He said a section of the Model Town Residents Association was needlessly taking on a confrontationist attitude.

Meanwhile, the Shopkeepers Association of Model Town has also decided to protest against auctioning of the park land. The shopkeepers are agitated that the prices of their shops would go down with the construction of a new market opposite them.

Probe into murder case hampered
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, April 13 — Investigation into the murder of Pinky, alias Sneh, a house wife, being conducted by a team of the crime wing of the Punjab police has been hampered as Subhash Goyal, her husband and prime accused, in the case has absconded.

Police sources said persons booked in the case were not cooperating with the investigating team resulting in the delay.

Pinky died under mysterious circumstances on November 5,1998, near Kotfatha village. Her husband Subhash Goyal and other relatives allegedly tried to hush up the case by describing it as an accident.

Finding no cooperation from the local police, Pinky's father Mr S.L. Gupta, approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court which directed the local police to register a case of murder against all those who had been named in the application of Mr Gupta.

The high court entrusted the inquiry to Mr Paramjit Singh Gill, AIG (Crime) under the direct supervision of ADGP (Crime), Punjab.

Sources said Pinky died while going to Chandigarh with her husband and driver Binder in a van which met with an accident near Kotfatha village on the Bathinda-Mansa road. However Subhash Goyal and the driver Binder remained unhurt in the accident. The dead body of Pinky was cremated by Subhash Goyal without informing the parents of deceased.

The police sources said that Subhash Goyal and his relatives fled from city after Mr Gill started the probe. Binder, who was arrested, has been sent to jail.

The sources said the arrest warrant of Subhash Goyal had been issued by the Judicial Magistrate, Talwandi Sabo.

ST on vehicles put on hold
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 13 — The Punjab Government today announced that "the revised rates of sales tax on motor vehicles and two wheelers announced in the Budget for 1999-2000 have been kept in abeyance till further orders".

Also, the decision regarding change in stage of taxation in respect of rubber goods, auto parts and ball bearings has also been kept in abeyance till further orders, Financial Commissioner, Taxation, Mr C. L. Bains said.

Soon after these proposals were submitted by the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, in his Budget speech, the influential industries lobby was at work. In fact, the industry protested. But the minister did not relent. But now the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has agreed to postpone this new rate of taxation.

In the same way, when Mr Badal hiked power rates by 33 per cent, pressure from several quarters, including the BJP forced him to scale it down to just 15 per cent. Later the worse happened in case of one per cent new tax called infrastructure cess. It was announced, implemented and later held in abeyance.

Fraudster held
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, April 13 — The Bhogpur police has arrested a fraudster, Bhag Singh, son of Puran Singh and resident of Rajpur village, who had escaped from police custody in January this year.

Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today a police party headed by Mr Dharam Pal, SHO at the Bhogpur police station arrested Bhag Singh from Bholath T-point on April 10 and recovered Rs 40,000 from him. He had duped several persons of large sums of money by promising them delivery of gold much below market rates. He had concocted the story that a person in Lucknow had come across an old treasure containing numerous gold coins and that this person was selling gold at a very cheap rate.

He said Bhag Singh was arrested by the Bhogpur police on January 14 this year and was lodged in the police lock-up. He managed to escape from police custody on January 15. In this connection, the then SHO of the Bhogpur police station, Sub-Inspector Sarabjit Singh, the then munshi and sentry were suspended and sent to the Police Lines for their negligence and dereliction of duty.

The SSP said pressure was mounted to arrest Bhag Singh and police parties were sent to various cities in Punjab and also to Delhi. An associate of Bhag Singh, Avinash Chander Sharma, resident of Hamayun Enclave, New Delhi, was arrested by the Jalandhar police on February 5 this year. He gave several clues regarding the whereabouts of Bhag Singh in Delhi but he had managed to escape before the police could round him up. The police was on his trail since his escape and raided a number of places. Bhag Singh was arrested on April 10 and Rs 40,000 recovered from him. Further investigations were on, the SSP said.

GND varsity exams postponed
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, April 13 — Guru Nanak Dev University has postponed all undergraduate and postgraduate exams till April 26 due to the ongoing boycott of examinations by college teachers and principals.

Stating this, the Registrar, Dr R.S. Bawa, said the datesheets for regular candidates would be sent to the college principals and in case of private candidates to the centre superintendents by April 19.

Five Arrested
From Our Correspondent

KAPURTHALA, April 13 — During a special campaign launched by the district police, five proclaimed offenders were arrested.

Mr Iqbal Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, today identified the arrested as Hari Singh, Darshan Singh, Vijay Kumar, Madan Lal and Gurdial Singh.

They were wanted in various criminal cases.

Citizens for controls on issue of licences
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, April 12 — Citizens for social action urged the district transport authority for proper examination of driving abilities of an individual before issuance of a driving licence.

In a press statement here today Major (retd) Surjit Singh Bedi president of the forum said after the construction of dividers on various roads to regulate traffic, the transport authority should conduct programmes for educating the masses, especially the younger generation about traffic rules.

Punjabi varsity exams from Apr 17
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, April 12 — Undergraduate and Postgraduate examinations of Punjabi University will commence on April 17.

Giving this information an official release said roll numbers had been dispatched. Those candidates who did not get their roll numbers upto April 14 could collect their roll numbers on production of original receipts of form and fee along with two attested photographs on April 15, 16 and 17 from the university office. It said the examinations branch of the university would remain open on April 17.

Pensioners seek AG's intervention
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, April 12 — All-India Central Government Pensioners Association, North India Region, has sought the personal intervention of Punjab Accountant General Mrs M. Mukerji to insure expeditious finalisation of more than 3200 cases of pre-1996 pensioners including IAS/IPS retired officers of Punjab for notional fixation/revision of their pension and payment of arrears with effect from January 1996.

These pension cases were forwarded to AG Punjab, Chandigarh, nearly 2/3 months ago.

In a memorandum sent to the AG Punjab, the pre-1986, pensioners, who are above 75, said they deserved a better deal in 1999, declared the international year of the elderly.