Friday, December 10, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, December 10, 1999 |
weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
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Punjab to
follow AP's example Govt to review vacant land scheme |
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BJP wants
Finance, Industries, Excise Officers not involved in scam:
Lauhka Ex-Minister’s accomplice
arrested Ex-Minister’s arrest due to
‘political reasons’ Punjab told to pay salary of
teachers Badal pushing state to chaos:
Bhinder Have clear rules on jobs to
ultras’ victims: CPI Rs 80 lakh fraud unearthed Two convicted for cheating,
forgery Gang of thieves busted PPCC to organise dharna on Dec 10 Derailment forces diversion of
trains Dr Goel joins as Principal of
Medical College Vocational education to start from
class IX PSEB to have new chairman Mushaira on Sufism held Property dealers stage dharna |
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Punjab to follow AP's example CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — While as many as 25 patwaris have been suspended for various reasons, including tampering with revenue records, the Punjab Government has decided to follow Andhra Pradesh’s example in streamlining the revenue administration in the state. The Punjab Government has decided to send five Deputy Commissioners to Andhra Pradesh for studying the changes made by the Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandra Babu Naidu, in revenue administration by computerising revenue records — a big task. Before the decision to send the Deputy Commissioners to Andhra Pradesh, a discussion was held at a high-level meeting for initiating major reforms in the revenue administration. The names of the five Deputy Commissioners are being short-listed by the authorities concerned in the Revenue Department. Meanwhile, the last date of this month has been given as a cut-off date to all the revenue officials posted in the field to complete revenue records in all respects. Action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the instructions. During the checking of revenue records, several kinds of irregularities were detected by the authorities in all districts. Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for Revenue, when contacted, confirmed that as many as 25 patwaris had been suspended for their alleged involvement in committing serious irregularities in the revenue records. He said 12 patwaris had been suspended in Ropar district alone. Investigations were on in several cases with regard to registration of mutations. Mr Sekhwan said in Amritsar and Ropar districts, certain patwaris had got the mutations done themselves by signing these in place of the Circle Revenue Officers (CROs), who are known as Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars. Mr Sekhwan said as many as 200 patwaris, who had gone on strike a few months ago had also been placed under suspension and they had not been re-instated so far. Action had been initiated against certain CROs. A PCS officer was suspended but he had been re-instated. All collectors in the state had been directed to fix the floor price of land in urban and rural areas and told that no deed should be registered below the fixed price. Mr Sekhwan said the mention of lower land prices in deeds was a major source of corruption on which certain revenue officers thrived, especially in big cities. Patwaris had been told to maintain a movement register and stay in their patwar circles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. They had been told to keep the movement register in the custody of the seniormost nambardar of their circle so that people could contact him to know the whereabouts of the patwari concerned to get their job done. Senior officers would be held responsible in case of failure of the patwaris to maintain the movement register. Mega cities — Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar — had been divided in to two sub-divisions by posting additional Sub-Divisional Magistrates about four years ago. However, the division of revenue work had not been implemented due to various reasons. Mr Sekhwan said the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Mrs Shyama Mann, had bifurcated the revenue work in these mega cities. In each city four revenue officers in the rank of Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar had been appointed to register deeds and for mutations. In each sub-division in these cities two revenue officer would sit on alternate days to perform the task assigned to them. All MLAs had been requested to check whether the process of completing the revenue records had been initiated by the patwaris. Mr Sekhwan said he had written to all MLAs in this connection. There was also a
proposal to link district and tehsil headquarters through
a computer network with the state headquarter to bring
about more efficiency in revenue administration. |
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Govt to review vacant land
scheme CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — A review of the vacant government land scheme is on the anvil to ensure its optimum utilisation. The scheme was conceived in 1997 when the present SAD-BJP government came to power. That was a time when Punjab faced an unprecedented financial crisis. Then the first priority was to generate additional resources for meeting development needs. The scheme formed part of the Budget speech delivered in the Vidhan Sabha on June 11, 1997. The idea was to commercially exploit government and nazul land lying vacant in the state by adopting an aggressive marketing plan. The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) was made the nodal agency for management, marketing and planning and given propriety rights. As a "pilot project" a beginning was to be made with Ludhiana and Jalandhar. The task of hunting the targeted land, preparing techno-economic feasibility reports and appointing of consultants was entrusted to PUDA. Accordingly, PUDA has drawn up a site plan covering Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar and Ropar (Anandpur Sahib). In all there are 22 sites which stand identified, so far. These have either been transferred to PUDA or are still to be transferred. In fact, out of the 22 sites only 10 stand transferred. This is exactly where the problem lies, say sources. These sites are not free from encroachments and other problems, including legal. This is to be discussed when the Chief Minister reviews the scheme on December 13, sources in the government told TNS today. As suggested by consultants in respect of sites in the pilot project, so far auction has taken place in respect of one site in Jalandhar, which fetched PUDA Rs 6.85 crore against the floor price of Rs 4.86 crore. Another site in Ludhiana is slated for auction later this month for which the rate per square yard fixed by PUDA is Rs 10,000. PUDA gets paid 0.5 per cent of the price received through open auction as "commission" plus reimbursement of money spent by it in terms of administrative and, development charges and professional fee. As such PUDA has sent Rs 22 crore, already. On the other hand, it has approached HUDCO for a Rs 225 crore loan for development of land acquired. If hurdles in the way of actual possession of land were removed the auction and development process would be hastened, say PUDA sources. The idea of the scheme, apart from generating revenue for the state, was to resuscitate urban areas by converting unproductive assets into commercial assets. A detailed statement prepared by PUDA shows that the present net value of the sites identified runs into several hundred crores despite the fact that of the 22 sites identified in respect of nearly half the properties evaluation is yet to done. The departments concerned are apparently reluctant and to move out of these sites. It is learnt that not many districts have been cooperating even in respect of sites available. However, Ludhiana is an exception, whose Deputy Commissioner has submitted site plans in respect of at least 30 properties owned by different government agencies. These have been divided into two categories; "underutilised pockets" and those "ready for immediate" auction. It is now for PUDA to examine these sites and assess the commercial viability of these sites. A perusal of the sites shows that the estimated value of the identified properties or sites runs into several hundred crores; a rough estimate is Rs 450 crore. These sites include 71 acres of PAU experimental farm on the Ferozepore-Ludhiana road, which is ringed by posh localities like Agar Nagar and Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar. Its value is estimated at Rs 177 crore. This is suited for both commercial and residential purposes the money realised would be given to cash-strapped PAU to set up a corpus fund for research. Likewise, the sites include the residence campus of police officers, the Forest Department and Canal Rest Houses. Other chunks are just stores of the Public Works Department or debilitated rest house or residence structures. A majority of these sites are well entrenched in large cities and cover courts, old bus stands, jails, kotwalis, tehsils and residence and office complexes of the police, civil and judicial officials. For monitoring the
scheme on a regular basis, there a committee headed by
the Chief Secretary has been set up. PUDA only hopes the
money to be realised from the scheme will be ploughed
back for the intended purpose rather than diverting the
same to pay salaries to employees in view of the tight
financial situation, several measures initiated in recent
weeks notwithstanding. |
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BJP wants Finance,
Industries, Excise CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — The Punjab unit of the BJP is pressing hard not only for at least three more berths in any ministry expansion, but is also keen to have the portfolios of finance, industries and excise and taxation. "We can certainly manage these better and bail out the government from the present fiscal crisis," BJP ministers who met the BJP national General Secretary, Mr Narinder Modi, said. Mr Modi promised to take up the case with national leaders, including the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. Informed sources here said Mr Modi discussed in detail, during his visit here two days back, the reasons for the poor performance of the Akali-BJP coalition candidates during the Lok Sabha elections. The two parties should have done well and Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were quoted as instances. The BJP ministers, the local Bodies Minister, Mr Balramji Das Tandon and the Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal at their meetings stated that the Akalis had created a wedge between the rural and urban people by offering sops like free power to farmers and taxing city men. Also, the performance of the government was not up to the mark. Concentration of power in a few hands, division among Akalis and tax burden on people were some of the factors cited. The BJP leaders have now given a report on the reasons for to defeat the central leaders. Sources pointed out that the state unit president, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, did not mince words while blaming rampant corruption, poor fiscal position, lack of development and infighting among Akali leaders as the reasons for the poll debacle. He emphasised that BJP should not give up its due share in power. Mr Modi is believed to have observed that the alliance should be strengthened and the government must improve its performance. He also laid stress on not only strengthening the BJP base, but widening it as was being done in Haryana. "The BJP must speak from the position of strength as it is the ruling party at the Centre," he told most who met him. Official sources pointed out that when the Chief Minister and Akali Dal president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, met the Prime Minister, along with former Union Minister, Surjit Singh Barnala, in Delhi yesterday, he broadly discussed the issue of ministry expansion. But the sources said nothing was discussed in detail and emphasis was more on seeking help from the Centre to see the projects in hand were completed and some more money was lent. Mr Badal is said to have expressed the opinion that some "accommodation" was possible, but this did not mean that the BJP should have "proportionate share" in any expansion. It could not be
ascertained to what extent Mr Vajpayee agreed with Mr
Badal. He, however, offered to look into all issues
raised by the Chief Minister. |
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Officers not involved in scam:
Lauhka CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — The Punjab State Transport Officers Association in a statement issued here today said no officer was involved in what has been described as a multi-crore bus ticket scandal in the Pathankot depot. Mr Amarjit Singh Lauhka, joint secretary of the association said a lot of unionism and politics was involved in the case and everything was on record and in the knowledge of senior officers of the Punjab Government. He said two conductors might be involved in the scandal but there was no hand of senior officers of the state Transport Department. He told TNS that rivalry among top political guns of the area had a major role to play in this case. Giving details with regard to the activities in the Pathankot depot, Mr Lauhka, who remained posted as General Manager there till recently, said he had made surprise checks of the "route income and norm register" of the depot on September 19 and had ordered the change of routes of 10 conductors, including the two caught by the Vigilance Department in November. The following day on further inspection, three conductors were suspended for a default in route income for September 20. Following this action, certain union leaders started an agitation and staged dharnas and went on strike from September 22 to 25, stating that route income should not questioned by the management. During the strike on September 22, Mr Lauhka was manhandled and an FIR lodged. As the police did not take any action against those involved in the assault, he filed a petition in court. A case under then ESMA was moved against 11 union leaders on September 30. He said though he had removed the two conductors arrested by the Vigilance Department from the route on September 19, they again had been put on the same route without his "approval". He said tickets recovered from the conductors were not issued by the office. There was no increase in the income of the depot after the scandal was exposed. For instance, he said, the income on December 7 in the Pathankot depot was Rs 4,29,543 while it was Rs 4,44,166 on the same date last month. He said some union
leaders and political personalities were
"misleading" the Vigilance Department and the
government into believing it was a multi-crore scandal.
He asserted that it was a fraud committed only at the
conductor level and other lower functionaries may also be
involved. |
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Ex-Minister’s
accomplice arrested PATIALA, Dec 9 — Following the arrest of former Congress Minister Brij Bhupinder Singh for illegally getting money released for the construction of a road to his sister’s farm house. the Patiala Vigilance Bureau today arrested the former planning officer who had signed the particular cheque. Disclosing this here today. Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) B K Uppal said former Planning Officer Mastu Khan was arrested from his house in Baltana village near Chandigarh today morning. He said Mastu Khan had been brought to Patiala where he had been produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate S K Aggarwal who remanded him in police custody for one day Mr Uppal said the former planning officer was not authorised to sign the cheque which he did. He said Mastu Khan had signed the cheque on behalf of both the Secretary and Director of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department. The SP (Vigilance) said
the former planning officer was already under suspension
for allegedly committing illegal acts in collusion with
former Minister Brjit Bhupinder Singh. He said
investigations had revealed that Mastu Khan had signed
the cheque to appease the former minister. |
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Ex-Minister’s arrest
due to FEROZEPORE, Dec 9 — General secretary of the PPCC Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi has alleged that former Congress Panchayat and Home Minister Brij Bhupinder Singh had been arrested by the Patiala Vigilance Bureau due to "political vendetta". Talking to The Tribune here today he further alleged that the Badal government had always tried to harass Congress leaders and workers. The arrest of Mr Brij Bhupinder Singh was too a part of a series of harassment of Congress men by the Badal government to achieve its political motives, alleged Mr Sodhi. Regarding Nawanshehar
Assembly byelection, Mr Sodhi said, "Punjab Congress
hopes to win the election". But, he alleged that the
SAD-BJP combine would try its level best to win that
election by unfair means and added, "otherwise,
voters of the Nawanshehar Assembly segment have complete
faith in the Congress. |
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Punjab told to pay salary of
teachers CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.S. Gill today directed the State of Punjab to give salaries within seven days to all teachers appointed in pursuance of Special Recruitment of Teachers Ordinance of June 8, 1999, which has now become an Act of legislature. The ordinance was earlier challenged by Ms Sandeep Kumari and others through a writ petition. The court vide an interim order had allowed the State to recruit teachers covered through this ordinance and others similarly situated persons, subject to certain conditions imposed by the court. Today, Mr H.S. Mattewal, Advocate General, Punjab, told the court that all persons except seven, including those who had filed applications in the High Court, had been appointed. Those who had not been given appointment letters were those whose certificates etc. were not found in order. The Advocate-General also assured the court that all the teachers would be paid salary by the seventh of every month in future. He also said that the salaries had been released. The case has now been
adjourned to February 9, 2000, for further proceedings. |
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Struggle for an overbridge BATHINDA: Residents of trans-railway colonies of this town have been fighting for many years to press the authorities for constructing an overbridge over the only railway level crossing with the town. This railway level crossing (245-A) has earned the name of ‘killer’ rail crossing due to repeated accidents which take place here. A number of residents have lost their life while crossing the rail lines. Though the activists of the Khooni Railway Phatak Hatao Sangharsh Committee, representing more than 80,000 people residing in Paras Ram Nagar, Partap Nagar, Jogi Nagar, Sahibjada Ajit Nagar, Gopal Nagar, Janta Nagar, Hans Nagar, Gurukul Basti and Alam Basti (all trans-railway colonies) have been staging dharnas of rail lines, stopping railway traffic and holding rallies to press the central as well state government to construct a bridge over the level crossing, the authorities are giving only assurances. The level crossing has virtually become a death-trap. As the population of trans-railway colonies increases so do the number of accidents. Frequent accidents have not only rendered a number of people handicapped, but have proved fatal as well. Mr Vijay Kumar president of the Sagharsh Committee, pointed out that due to closure of the level crossing for hours together, the trans-railway colonies get isolated from the town. The school children and employees residing in these colonies face many difficulties in reaching their respective destinations in time. He alleged that keeping in view the genuine problem of the residents, the district administration intervened and arranged number of a joint meetings between the Railway authorities, Sangharsh Committee and local administration, but decisions taken at these meetings were never implemented. He pointed out that according to the decisions taken at the meetings, the closure of gates at a level crossing should not be more than 15 minutes at a stretch, shunting should be avoided in the morning time, one gate was to be opened on the pedestrian bridge and policemen should be deployed at the railway crossing to control traffic. Not a single decision had been implemented so far. The Railway authorities, on the other hand, have made a proposal for constructing a flyover. A number of teams of high ranking railway officials have visited this area to select a site for the flyover. Politicians have made announcements that all the formalities for constructing an overbridge over railway level crossing had been completed. However, the residents alleged that false promises did not solve their problem. They said only the construction of bridge would solve their problem. They alleged that during medical emergencies, they could not reach the hospital within proper time and in certain cases lives had been lost due to delay in providing medical care to patients. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg,
Punjab’s Minister of Food and Supply, when contacted
said the Railway authorities had sent an estimate for an
over bridge to the Railway Board for incorporating the
proposed expenses in to the Budget. The Punjab Government
had given top priority for constructing the overbridge
and would fulfil its commitment. |
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Badal pushing state to chaos:
Bhinder GURDASPUR, Dec 9 — Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader talking to reporters here last night said that the SAD-BJP government headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal was pushing the state to a messy situation. She warned Mr Badal either to perform or quit otherwise people would be so agitated that it would be left with no choice but to support anti-Badal forces to ensure fall of his government. Mrs Bhinder said that the Congress was not interested in engineering the fall of any elected government. She said that Mr Badal himself should do an introspection and resign in view of no-win situation created by him in Punjab. Moreover, in Adampur Assembly byelection and recently held Lok Sabha elections, Punjabis have given their mandate against Mr Badal and his government and in the best democratic traditions, Mr Badal should quit on moral grounds. Mrs Bhinder said that during the regime of Mr Badal important institutions of the state, including the Punjab Marketing Board, the Punjab Agro and Marked and other corporations which had been earning huge profits were likely to go in the red in view of huge loans borrowed by the Badal government to run Punjab administration. If the Badal government continues to borrow from these institutions the position was likely to worsen. Mrs Bhinder said that behind the scene activity within the SAD faction headed by Mr Badal and other Akali Dals in the state was intense. Former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Mr Ravinder Singh, former Speaker might be able to consolidate voice of dissension against the Badal paving the way for the fall of his government. Moreover, signals from his BJP allies were also not very encouraging in view of press statements issued by Mr Dyal Singh Sodhi and Mr Kaura, president and general secretary, respectively, of the Punjab BJP expressing differences with the working of Mr Badal are also a pointer to this direction. Mrs Bhinder said that situation on the economic front was also becoming alarming. Mr Badal instead of taking measures to generate resources was busy keeping his supporters in tact to prolong his rule. Mrs Bhinder said that Mr Badal was a weak man and had failed to get any economic package from the Centre, of which he was an ally, to bring Punjab economy on rails. She reminded Mr Badal that he lost an opportunity to get benefits from the previous Vajpayee-led central government in which Badal was an ally with impressive representation in the then Lok Sabha. Strength of the SAD-led by Mr Badal has dwindled to an extent where there is no scope for bargaining. Mrs Bhinder warned Mr Badal that to prove his credibility and good rapport with the Centre, he should ensure immediate inclusion of Chandigarh in Punjab. She added that the BJP-led coalition at the Centre was working on proposal to declare Chandigarh as an independent state like Delhi, little caring that Chandigarh was built to be the capital of Punjab. Mrs Bhinder accused the SAD-BJP government for inaction to control crime against women. Crime against women was on the rise in the state and the government has failed to take steps to restrain its leaders to be master players in this game. Mrs Bhinder said that Mr
Badal’s strategy to check corruption was outdated
and shortlived. If Mr Badal was serious to eradicate
corruption he should check activities of his family,
ministers and MLAs on a priority. She was sceptic if Mr
Badal would act in this direction. |
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Have clear rules on jobs to
ultras’ AMRITSAR, Dec 9 — The veteran CPI leader, Mr Satya Pal Dang, has demanded clear-cut instructions from the state government with regard to providing jobs on a priority and pension to the families of victims of militancy. Mr Dang, in a letter to the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, copies of which were released to the Press here today, raised queries which had resulted out of anomalies in the instructions released by the Punjab Government. He pointed out that the government had taken shield behind the Supreme Court judgement which had clarified that jobs should be offered to dependents of militants’ victims on compassionate grounds and not on a priority basis. However, the government must draw out a comprehensive package for the families who had lost their sole breadwinner during militancy. The package should include both a job to one member of the affected family and pension to the widow. The CPI leader pointed out that a young son of a government employee, who was killed by militants, had applied for a job after completing his plus two. He had been running from pillar to post to get the job, which the government had offered now after the matter was relentlessly pursued at the highest level. Mr Dang felt that though the government had fixed a six-month period within which the eligible person had to apply for a job, sometimes this period was too short. He sought an amendment to this rule so that the period to apply for a job could be extended. The Chief Minister had
also assured that a subcommittee chaired by the Chief
Secretary with the Finance and Resettlement Secretaries
as members would be constituted to look into the problems
of the jobs for such dependents of militants’
victims. However, the government had yet to notify, he
added. |
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Rs 80 lakh fraud unearthed LUDHIANA, Dec 9 — A fraud of Rs 80 lakh by four persons had come to light allegedly by amassing the amount in the name of kitty parties and then discontinuing the same and without refunding the money to the members. According to an FIR registered in the police station division No 5 the complainants Dr Rakesh Parihar has alleged that Mr Satpal, his wife and sons-in-law Mr Rajesh, Mr Harsh and Mr Sanjeev prevailed upon him and his associates — Mr Bachan Lal and Mr Sukhdev Singh Bahia to become members of a kitty being run by them. The three became members of their "committee" with effect from July and December 1998. Dr Parihar has further stated that they were charged Rs 40000 per month on bids and till date had collectively paid Rs 4,20,000. However, with the death of Mr Satpal in November this year, the other four accused discontinued the committee. The complainant has alleged that inspite of his prevailing upon the accused to either resume the kitty or refund their money, his requests were not heeded and the others even started to misappropriate the money collected from kitty members by managing a ‘benami’ transfer of this bungalow and selling off his car. He has further alleged
that the accused were withholding papers pertaining to
kitty transactions. A case under Section 406 and 420 of
the IPC has been registered. Meanwhile, sources reveal
that the accused were running more than 12 committees and
the amount involved could be well over Rs 80 lakh. |
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Two convicted for cheating,
forgery ROPAR, Dec 9 — The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate here , Mr Dharam Singh, has awarded rigorous imprisonment for two years, three years and two years under Sections 420, 467 and 468 of the IPC, respectively, each to two accused namely Karnail Singh of Shantpur village in Ropar tehsil and Jagjit Singh, Lambardar of Morinda. These sentences shall run concurrently. Both accused have also been ordered to pay fine of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 (total Rs 2,000) besides undergoing rigorous imprisonment awarded separately under different sections. As per the complaint filed against Karnail Singh and Jagjit Singh by Amrik Chand (deceased) son of Dila Ram of Ghruan village, a piece of land measuring two kanals and 11 marlas situated in the area of Shantpur village belonged to Kirpa Ram who died more than 45 years ago at Ghruan village. After the death of Kirpa Ram this land vested in his legal heirs including Dila Ram. But in 1986 the land was acquired by the Punjab State Land Acquisition Collector, SYL Canal Project, Patiala, and then Karnail Singh the accused, got compensation of Rs 32,006 from the Land Acquisition Collector on the basis of a power of attorney dated June 30,1986 alleged to be executed by Kirpa Ram in his favour. The attorney was forged by him in connivance with the accused Jagjit Singh with the intention to receive compensation. The court has held that both accused persons with an intent to cheat, by way of forgery, the complainant and other legal heirs of the deceased Kirpa Ram in connivance with each other forged a power of attorney dated June 30,1986 and Karnail Singh produced the same before the Land Acquisition Collector on July 8,1986 and obtained Rs 32,006. On the basis of
foregoing reasons and discussions the court convicted
both the accused under Sections 420, 467 and 468 read
with Section 34 of the IPC. |
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Gang of thieves busted JALANDHAR, Dec 9 — The police here has busted a four-member gang of thieves notorious for committing burglaries in religious places. According to Mr Gaurav Yadav, Senior Superintendent of Police, the arrest of one Sandeep Kumar alias Nikku a resident of Bhogpur village near here during a naka at Drain bridge near Haripur on December 6 led the police to achieve a breakthrough into the case. During the investigation, Sandeep from whom a country-made pistol was also recovered by the Adampur police admitted that he and three of his accomplices specialised in making gurdwaras, temples and darghas their target and used to lay their hands on cash at these places. Acting on the basis of information supplied by Sandeep a police party arrested three of his accomplices identified as Tilak Raj alias Rinku a resident of Sagran Mohalla Adampur Ashok Kumar, and Vijay Kumar also residents of the same locality in Adampur and recovered Rs 7000 half a kg of silver and one country-made pistol from their possession. Mr Yadav said the gang stole cash and jewellery from a number of religious places including a Gurdwara at Khurdpur village, Dargah at Jandu Singha a temple in Gardhiwala in Hoshiarpur district, besides including in burglaries in Bhogpur and Kahlwan village where they got away with a number of wrist watches. Some gold and silver ornaments and Rs 7000 each from two houses. UNI: The police also busted another gang specialising in car lifting and recovered five of the six stolen cars besides cash, silver and a country-made pistol. Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav said here that the car thieves gang allegedly headed by a son of a retired Indian Air Force’s personnel adopted a novel method selling stolen vehicles. He said that accused would buy condemned or damaged vehicles from insurance companies for paltry sums of about Rs 15,000, punch engines chassis number of insurance vehicles on stolen cars by the ones purchased by them from insurance companies and dispose of stolen vehicles to unsuspecting customers for Rs 80,000 on ward and thus earned a huge profit in the bargain. The SSP said that Balwinder Singh alias Bunty. The son of retired warrant officer of IAF based at Adampur near IAF airbase, and his accomplice Gurwinder Singh alias Bunty, also resident of Adampur town, were intercepted in car near Khurdpur canal bridge last evening and were remanded in police custody today for further investigation. The police officer said
that Balwinder Singh, confessed that he along with his
accomplice took to stealing cars to make a fast buck in
August this year and had stolen six cars so far. |
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PPCC to organise dharna on
Dec 10 FAZILKA, Dec 9 — Dr Mohinder Kumar Rinwa, Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, and former MLA Fazilka, at a press conference here today disclosed that the Punjab Congress would stage dharna in Ferozepore on December 10, to protest against the registration of false police cases against Congress workers during Lok Sabha polls and anti-farmer policies of the Badal government. PPCC secretary revealed that Captain Amarinder Singh, President, PPCC, all eight MPs from Punjab, office-bearers of the party and thousands of workers from rural and urban areas of the Ferozepore district would sit in dharna before the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore and SSP, Ferozepore. Dr Rinwa said, that during Lok Sabha polls and immediately after it 300 false police cases were registered against party workers and prominent leaders in Ferozepore district including five brothers of Congress candidate Hans Raj Josan, Vijay Nagpal, joint secretary, PPCC, Ravinder Singh Sandhu (Babbal), former MLA, Ferozepore Cantonment, Prithvi Raj Doomra president, Block Congress Committee, Jalalabad (W) town. He claimed that the number of fabricated cases in Ferozepore district was the highest in Punjab and of these maximum number of party workers had been implicated under Section 307 (attempt to murder), and Arms Act. Dr Rinwa added that the Badal government which claimed to be champion of cause of farmers was contrary to it acting against farmers. He alleged that sugar cane cultivators were not been offered remunerative price. They are compelled to sell their cane at the rate of Rs 95 per quintal whereas the rate of sugarcane in neighbouring state of Haryana was Rs 110 per quintal. Besides this they had to carry their cane to distant sugar mills as the co-operative sugar mill at Fazilka was not purchasing the entire sugarcane produced by them. The cane growers have not bear Rs 30 to Rs 35 per quintal as freight charges for carrying the cane to other sugar mills at Zira and Jagraon etc. Thus they are not able to realise input cost. Dr Rinwa added that
similarly the price of cotton this year was quite low at
around Rs 1700 per quintal and none of the government
agency had made the expected purchase. Hence about 7000
quintals of cotton was lying unsold in Fazilka market
only. Moreover 50 per cent of the farmers in Punjab, who
had picked their cotton from fields had withheld it from
bringing to market due to low price. He said the main
reason for low price was wrong cotton import policy of
the Centre which had imported large quantity of cotton
from Pakistan at cheaper rates. The Congress leader
further alleged that due to government and trader nexus
Basmati paddy producer farmers were being exploited by
the traders who were offering them a low price of Rs 900
per quintal as compared to earlier price of Rs 1700 per
quintal. |
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Derailment forces diversion of trains PHAGWARA, Dec 9 (UNI) —All rail traffic bound for Delhi and farther and for Amritsar had been diverted from the Amritsar-Delhi trunk line via Dhuri-Jakhal from Ludhiana Railway junction following derailment of a Jammu-bound goods train between Sadhugarh and Sarai Banjara near Rajpura Railway station on the Rajpura-Ambala section of Northern Railway early today. Railway sources said here derailment of 10 bogies of the goods train at around 5 a.m. resulted in blockade of both up and down trains. Forcing the authorities to divert the traffic via Dhuri-Jakhal from Ludhiana Railway station. They said that Pune-bound 1078 down Jhelum Express and Delhi-bound 8682 down Superfast Express, which had already left for onward journey to Delhi, were brought back from Rajpura Railway station to Ludhiana and from there both the trains were sent for their onwards journey via Dhuri-Jakhal after four-hour delay. The sources said that Ambala-bound 4034 down Passenger train coming from Amritsar was cancelled at Ludhiana and sent back to Amritsar as 4033 up. They said Delhi-bound Shatabdi Express, Barauni-bound Barauni Express, Mumbai-bound Dadar Express and Delhi-bound Superfast and Shane-e-Punjab were plying via Dhuri-Jakhal and hence were running behind schedule. Similarly, Amritsar-bound Sealdah, Howarh Mail and Express, Frontier Jammu-bound Jehlum Express and Pathankot-bound Muri Express were also coming via Dhuri-Jakhal. The sources said that about 100 personnel were working with equipments at the derailed site to clear the tracks but it was not made known as to how long it would take to accomplish the job. The cause of derailment
could not be ascertained here so far. |
||
Dr Goel joins as Principal
of AMRITSAR, Dec 9 — Complying with the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court the state government appointed Dr Brij Lal Goel, Prof and Head Psychiatry Department as Principal Medical College, Amritsar. Earlier the court had vacated the stay of Dr O.P. Mahajan, officiating Principal of the College. The state government has posted Dr Tarsem Lal Parmar as Principal Medical College Faridkot in place of Dr Ravinder Sing who has joined as Principal Government Medical College Patiala against a vacant post with immediate effect. Dr Goel, the new Principal of the medical college has numerous publications to his credit. As many as eight research articles of Dr Goel were published in international journals. Talking to The Tribune,
Dr Goel said that he would give top priority to reduce
the number of casualties in the hospitals connected with
medical college. He said non government organisations
would be involved to streamline the functioning of the
hospitals/medical college. |
||
Vocational education to start from BATHINDA, Dec 9 — The Punjab Government has been considering to change the existing vocational educational policy from the next academic year in the April 2000. Addressing a press conference here this evening, Punjab Education Minister, Tota Singh said that under the existing policy, the vocational education started from the class XI and under the proposed policy it would be started from class IX. He pointed out that under the existing vocational educational policy, students were given 25 per cent of value of finished products which would be enhanced to 50 per cent. He added that number of vocational schools from existing 200 would also be increased. He said that only two to three schools were running in profit and government would pay special attention to bring the schools in profit. He disclosed that the Punjab government had started evening shifts in school for those children who belonged to weaker sections of society and hence could not afford education in day time due to their other occupation. He added that science subjects would be introduced in the ninth and tenth classes where the lecturers were posted for imparting education to students of 11th and 12th classes but no such students were there. The minister said that 450 teachers who got their transfers from rural areas to urban areas with post were being sent back to their original place of posting and government was serious about the others such teachers. He said that the Punjab government was worried about those persons who were roaming jobless after doing ETT course. The government was also worried about 60,000 B.Ed educated persons who had no job at their hands now. He said that the Punjab
government had urged the central government to give
uniform to the school children in lieu of wheat given
under the mid-day scheme. He said that he would take up
this matter during the meeting of Education Ministers
being held at Delhi on December 15. |
||
PSEB to have new chairman CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — The Punjab Government has initiated its search for a new chairman for the Punjab State Electricity Board as its present Chairman, Mr S.K. Tuteja’s name has been approved for a deputation with the Centre. Mr Tuteja is a senior IAS Officer. Informed sources said that the appointment of new chairman was expected to be made soon. While Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association had sought the appointment of a technocrat as Chairman, the Government has not made its mind known in this connection. But there are reports that the names of two senior IAS officers have figured in official circles. Informed sources said
two senior members of PSEB are also in the running. There
are also reports that the Government is considering to
appoint ‘political’ chairmen to certain
government organisations. |
||
Akali workers call on Ravi
Inder CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — A larger number of Akali workers today called on the party MLA, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, at his residence here. Most were from the Assembly constituency of the former Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker. Informed sources said it
was a "private" meeting where party activists
shared their views with their elected representative,
assuring him of all support in "nursing" the
constituency. |
||
Punjab YC Vice-President CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — The All-India Youth Congress President, Mr Munish Tewari, has appointed Capt Bikramjit Singh Pahuwindia as Vice-President of the Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress. The appointment letter was today issued by the Indian Youth Congress Secretary, Mr Jagdish Chander. Capt Bikramjit Singh was
awarded Shaurya Chakra for displaying bravery beyond the
call of duty in the Kashmir sector. A grandson of the
late Gurwaryam Singh Pahuwindia, an independent MLA and
SGPC member, he is a national as well as a services
shooter. |
||
Deputation calls on Chief Secy CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — A delegation of the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association today met the Punjab Chief Secretary and discussed the issue of release of new pay scales promised by the Chief Minister almost a year ago. The association general
secretary, Dr B.S. Dhillon, said the Chief Secretary
assured the delegation that the new scales would be
implemented in three or four weeks. The Principal
Secretary, Mr Surjit Singh, was also present. |
||
Mushaira on Sufism held HOSHIARPUR, Dec 9 — Mr A.A. Siddiqui, Additional Director-General of Punjab Police cum Director Punjab Police Academy Phillaur inaugurated the All-India mushaira at Police Recruits Training Centre Jahan Khelan 8 km from here last night. The peculiar feature of this mushaira was that, despite ill health Mr Kaifi Azmi, a renowned Urdu Poet of the country specially came here from Bombay and recited his Urdu compositions. The other noted Urdu poets from all over the country including Shahryaar, Balraj Komal, Bashir Badr, Zabair Rizwi, Prem Kumar Nazar, Aziz Parihar, Pritpal Singh Betab, Mauj Rampuri, Malik Dada Manzoor, Nida Fazli, Farhat Ahsas, Zahid Abrol, Nazar Barabankavi and Noorjahan Sarwat participated in this mushaira and recited their poems and ghazals. This mushaira was a part
of the seminar on Sufi studies organised by the Punjab
Police to promote Sufism. |
||
One arrested for duping
traders AMRITSAR, Dec 9 — The police today arrested Murad Alam, a resident of West Bengal, who was allegedly involved in duping traders by buying goods on forged bank drafts. The SSP, Mr Parampal Singh Sidhu, in a press note issued here today said the police was investigating a number of complaints from various traders and industrialists. He said a bank draft for Rs 3.7 lakh was recovered from his possession. The SSP said other miscreants involved in the crime were identified. The police has
registered a case under Sections 380, 411, 467, 468 471
and 420, IPC. |
||
Railway gateman killed by
vehicle JALANDHAR, Dec 9 — A railway gateman was hit and killed by a vehicle on the national highway late last night and vehicle continued to ply hitting it for the whole of night and till it was removed for a post-mortem at around 10 a.m. Ramjit, a railway
gateman posted at Dhannowali railway crossing, was
returning to the city after finishing his duty at about
11 p.m. when he was hit and killed by some unidentified
vehicle near the crossing on the Jalandhar-Phagwara road.
Amazingly, nobody turned up to remove the body from the
spot and it continued to be mutilated for the next 11
hours. The body of Ramjit, a migrant from Uttar Pradesh
and a resident of Gazi Gulla Mohalla, was however shifted
to the Civil Hospital thereafter for a post-mortem,
police and hospital sources said. |
||
Property dealers stage dharna JALANDHAR, Dec 9 — To lodge their protest against the enhancement of registration fee on sale of residential and commercial property in the city by the district administration, members of the local Property Dealers Association held a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today. Dubbing the hike as an ‘injudicious step’, Mr Gurinder Singh, the Chairman of the association, said the action of the administration had adversely affected the people in general and the property dealers in particular. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, the President of the organisation, demanded that the administration should adopt a people-friendly approach and withdraw the hike immediately. Meanwhile, the district
unit of the BJP has condemned the enhancement of
registration fee. In a memorandum to the Chief Minister,
the unit said the hike was nothing but a burden on the
common people, who would not be able to purchase land for
construction of houses. The party demanded immediate
rollback of the hike. |
||
Punjabi University results today PATIALA, Dec 9 — The results of M.Sc. Botany (Part I), Geography (Part I), Food and Nutrition (Part I and II), Physics (Part I) and M. Com. (Part I) conducted by Punjabi University in October 1999 will be declared on December 10. The results of B.Com.
(Part II), B.Sc. (Part I and II), Home Science (Part I,
II and III) and B.Sc. Agriculture (Part I, II and III)
will be declared on December 11, according to a varsity
press note on Thursday. |
||
Plea to implement revised
scales BATHINDA, Dec 9 — The Punjab State Engineering College Teachers Federation (PSECTF) has urged the Punjab Government to implement the revised pay scales of the teachers. In a press note issued here today, Mr Raja Singh Khela, President, PSECTF, threatened to intensify an agitation in case their demand was not accepted. Earlier, a delegation
met the Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Mr N.S.
Rattan, and apprised him of their demand. He assured that
the scales would be implemented soon. |
||
Release arrears, demand
contractors ABOHAR, Dec 9 — About 12 contractors entered Municipal Town Hall where Municipal Council members were discussing plans to improve sanitation and poor condition of roads and stalled their proceedings yesterday. They were demanding that
arrears amounting Rs 7.5 lakh be cleared. Mr Babu Ram
Arya, chairman of the council, said the council was not
responsible for work done during past two elections. |
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