Saturday, December 18, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, December 18, 1999 |
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SGPC to
make de-addiction mass drive |
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Jacob visits Sanghol museum US delegation calls on Badal PHRC orders inquiry Badal takes part in Xmas function
Notice to Punjab on PCS
officer’s plea Kartarpur land-grab case:
ADC’s report under cloud BDPO harassing allottees: Dang India’s food security
artificial : expert
SHSAD workers told to leave
meeting site Billa: probe misuse of pension
funds Gurmat Sangeet Academy opens College celebrates golden jubilee Punjab Govt opposes move on
lottery CM urged to field SAD candidates
in Haryana |
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SGPC to make de-addiction
mass drive ANANDPUR SAHIB, Dec 17 — Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC, today announced that the committee would make drug de-addiction a mass movement by organising special camps throughout the state. Presiding over the inaugural session of a drug de-addiction conference organised under the auspices of Takht Kesgarh Sahib here today. Bibi Jagir Kaur said the SGPC would take steps to fight this social evil. She also called upon the youth to contribute to make the society drug-free. The SGPC would publish pamphlets and books to disseminate messages against drugs. Bibi Jagir Kaur also appealed to Punjabis to adopt a lifestyle free from drugs. She also asked the Sikhs to give up intoxicants as these pushed them away from ‘gurmat’. She expressed displeasure against those who used liquor during the SGPC elections to lure voters. She also opposed the use of liquor at marriages. Referring to Baba Piara Singh Bhaniara Wala, head of Dharam Kala Asthan in Dhamana village, about 10 km from here, Bibi Jagir Kaur stated that the Baba had been excommunicated by Akal Takht and if people were visiting his dera every Sunday it was their ‘fault’. In his keynote address, Dr Jaswant Singh Neki, a renowned psychiatrist and former Director of the PGI, said the governments always promoted liquor and other intoxicants throughout the world to fill their coffers. Besides the governments, the manufacturers of intoxicants also did not support a ban on liquor or intoxicants. Dr Neki also said that as the talk of drug de-addiction had now started from the Takht, it would get massive response from the public. He said motivation for the implementation of drug de-addiction was must. Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, said due to the use of drugs the youths were now passing through a suicidal situation. It was the need of the hour to motivate the youths not to use drugs. The Jathedar said religious leaders of the world were worried over the fast spread of drugs among the youths. Two exhibitions on drug de-addiction have been organised at the conference venue by Amritsar Neurosciences Charitable Hospital, Amritsar, and Red Cross Nasha Mukti Kendra Saket Hospital, Patiala, separately. Doctors, psychiatrists,
religious leaders, students and teachers, etc, are
participating in the conference. |
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Shops, building demolished PATIALA Dec 17 — The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) today demolished shops and a residential building belonging partly to the brother of a local newspaper editor to take over the possession of prime commercial land worth Rs 5 crore on the Patiala-Rajpura road. The demolition drive was conducted today afternoon under tight security arrangements. A bulldozer which was used for the purpose first razed around 10 to 15 shops constructed adjacent to the main road and then a residential building owned by Mr P.S. Chaudhary and Mrs Baljit Kaur. The demolition squad, however, did not touch a gurdwara which had also been constructed on the encroached land. The PUDA Estate Administrator, Mr Arunjeev Miglani, stated that the gurdwara would be shifted with the cooperation of the local residents who felt it had been constructed only to encroach open land. About 15 kanals were restored to the authority. Mr Miglani said the entire development in the commercial belt was being held up due to the encroachment. He said there had also been a complaint that Mr Chaudhary had sold a shop in the area and it was being verified if there were any other such cases. Mr Bagh Singh, who used to run a carpentry shop in the area, claimed that he had given Rs 2 lakh for a letter of sale of the shop. Mr Miglani said the land had been under illegal occupation for several past years and the illegal occupants had constructed shops and a small gurdwara. The rest of the land was under cultivation by the illegal occupants. He said the property has been acquired by the Housing and Urban Development Department in 1971. Thereafter, plans for the development of the area were made and this land was kept reserved for commercial purposes. However, before the plans could be executed this land was encroached upon by Mrs Baljit Kaur and Mr P.S. Chaudhary. Thereafter, legal proceedings were started to evict the illegal occupants in due course of law but the occupants got stay orders from a local court in 1996. He further said PUDA filed an appeal against the order in the court of Additional District Judge, who held that the property stood acquired and the possession of illegal occupants was unauthorised as the possession had come after acquisition. He said though Mrs Baljit Kaur went to the high court by way of civil revision. Initially the high court stayed the order of the Additional District Judge but the same was vacated by the honourable court on October 26. He added that the state
officer, Mrs Jaswinder Kaur, had passed eviction orders
against Mr P.S. Chaudhary on November 29. |
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News analysis CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — It is now becoming clear that suspension of Mr Ravi Inder Singh, an old time Akali leader, from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal will neither check the growing dissidence nor make the all powerful SAD president and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, popular any more. In fact he has pushed one more leader to the ranks of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Sukhjinder Singh. "Earlier I was saying what I felt like with in the four walls of the Akali Dal. Now Mr Badal has freed me and in a way urged me to say all that from the public platforms. I shall not disappoint him", Mr Ravi Inder Singh summed up his reaction. He wished to know what he had done to invite the displeasure of Mr Badal except that he wanted the party to learn from the defeat, and the government to perform". In any case, it should be clear to Mr Badal that his methods to control the party and run his way are really not helping. Also, Mr Ravi Inder Singh’s suspension too is not going to help either Mr Badal or the ruling Akali Dal. In the working committee meeting, which Mr Badal was obliged to call to consider the cases of indiscipline, including that of Mr Ravi Inder Singh once part of Mr Badal’s inner circle, voices of protest were raised. Several members supported a former Chief Minister and that mild mannered leader, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala that the leaders should work for assimilation and not exclusion. The proposal to expel Mr Ravi Inder Singh, a former Speaker of the assembly and the MLA from Morinda was watered down to suspension. As Mr Ravi Inder Singh said he was not bothered by the technicalities and was more concerned with the substance — the well-being of the Akali Dal — yet it means that Mr Badal could not have his total say. There is also a question mark on the democratic functioning of the SAD. Its tradition of participatory politics is now under serious threat. The Shiromani Akali Dal under Mr Badal had emerged stronger and captured 74 assembly seats and its ally, the BJP another 18. Later they captured all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. But why did it lose so badly? This question has been nagging the minds of several Akali leaders including Mr Ravi Inder Singh. Some criticism is bound to be there. Luckily for Mr Badal, this was muted and within the four walls of the party. But apparently, some people in command did not like it. Hence the intolerance. It looks that Mr Badal too felt threatened by the growing dissidence. Here Mr Ravi Inder Singh was emerging as a focal point. A number of MLAs were flocking to his house. The demand to call a meeting of the Akali legislature party was growing but Mr Badal so far has not been able to face the MLAs. He did summon those who support him and the number too was quite big. But why not a formal meeting? Mr Badal has also set some kind of a record of calling short duration sessions of the Assembly. Also, the committee system of the Assembly has not worked the way it should have. This shows a particular mindset where self-survival and fear dominates. But Mr Badal is a very tall leader, and has weathered many a storm. Why should he be scared of any revolt. Observers have noted the delay in the expansion of the Cabinet which Mr Badal has been mooting for months. Is he worried about those who might revolt if they were left out and surely, many would be left out. Also, as Mr Ravi Inder Singh put it, "why should any one be talking about the expansion when the fiscal crisis is growing by the day. Soon there would be no money for salaries and pensions. Already there is no money for development. Ministers and officers are paying for petrol and travelling from their town pockets." Why this harsh action against Mr Ravi Inder Singh, who as Mr Badal put it, is a small fry in Akali politics. Is it because Mr Badal is intolerant of any dissidence? Perhaps he put the fear of God in the minds of other MLAs. Some say that Mr Badal is firmly rooted in the art of self survival and mows down any rebellion. Cases of Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, Mr Sukhjinder Singh and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, perhaps senior to Mr Badal himself and earlier of the Mr Mohan Singh turn and Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi are cited to prove the point. But Mr Badal surely is a mild and a moderate leader, believing in consensus is the view of an equally powerful group of his supporters. But one reason why Mr Badal is resorting to such methods is to check criticism on the poor performance of his government on the development front. There is nothing in the government’s kitty to push forward any development work worth the name. In fact, the government has exhausted funds of organisations like the Rural Development Fund, Markfed and the Mandi Board in clearing its salary bills. The populist politics has just boomeranged. Despite repeated pleas, the Vajpayee Government is not doing anything to bail the Punjab Government out. If Mr Badal has pushed
forward his development agenda despite the defeat, he
would have surely crushed any revolt within his party.
Today, his dependence on the BJP has increased, and he is
no longer a free agent to make his kind of political
moves. Even his own ministerial colleagues have started
voicing criticism, despite sharing power and enjoying
plush seats. |
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Asiad gold winner in penury BATHINDA: Mr Parduman Singh was showered with all honours and taken in procession through the streets of Patiala, when he returned to India after winning the gold medal in the discus throw event for the country at the Tokyo Asian Games in 1958. Thirty years later, Mr Parduman Singh is disappointed at having lived in extreme poverty at Bhagta Bhai Ka village in this district. Bed-ridden since 1977 due to paralysis, the ace discus thrower, who earned fame for the country by winning three gold and two silver medals at the Asian Games, is a victim of bureaucratic neglect. The gold and silver medals won by him for the country have failed to fetch him even the minimum basic necessities. Though he has been finding it extremely difficult to make both ends meet with his meagre income, the veteran sportsman, would not beg favours from the government. Living with the four-member family of his son, Mr Parduman Singh has lost all hope. He felt embarrassed when the Punjab Sports Department announced a pension of Rs 600 per month for him recently. With four acres of land and few thousands per month in shape of pension from the Army and Sports Department, he finds it difficult to get proper medical treatment for paralysis. In the past few months, the few thousand rupees came to him in shape of aid from the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, through the Bathinda district administration, from the Deputy Commissioners of Moga and Ropar and other non-governmental organisations but that was end of the story. The Punjab Government has so far not made any provision for free medical treatment. The Punjab Government has failed to fulfil the promise made about two years ago to construct a stadium in his name at his native village. Mr Parduman Singh (74) contributed a lot to the development of village when he was elected sarpanch in 1977. "You can see my plight. Can you claim that this is a country that produced medal winners after having a look at me? he asked. "I am not a begger. The Sports Department has humiliated me by granting a pension of Rs 600 per month in lieu of my achievements and that too after so many years", he added. Mr Parduman Singh, who remained in sports arena for about two decades, does not want his grandson to enter the sports arena to bring laurels for the country. The "bad evening" of his life seems to have put a question mark on the future of his grandson. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy
Commissioner, said Mr Parduman Singh would be given Rs
10,000 more for his medical treatment. |
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Jacob visits Sanghol museum CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen. J.F.R. Jacob (retd), today visited the museum located at village Uccha Pind, Sanghol, to have a look at the sculptures pottery, coins and seals belonging to the Harrappan, Kushan and Gupta periods excavated from the village some years ago. The Governor was impressed by the fine collection of sculptures displayed at Sanghol museum. He said it was, perhaps, the finest collection of Harrappan, Kushan and Gupta period sculptures. Mr G.S. Cheema, Principal Secretary, Cultural Affairs, who welcomed the Governor at museum, said that 117 sculptures excavated from the Sanghol site had been displayed at the museum. The excavation of Sanghol village was organised by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Punjab Government jointly. Only 25 per cent of excavation could be carried out till date. The Governor said Punjab was proud to have a rich heritage dating back several thousand years and it was necessary for all of us to appreciate and preserve our heritage. He said the museum could become an international tourist destination if it was properly published. He suggested that if 10 to 12 sculptures of Sanghol museum should be displayed as a show window at Government Museum, Sector 10, Chandigarh, with a map indicating the location of Sanghol museum. This would motivate visitors to Chandigarh. Later the Governor went
to the excavation site and saw stupas unearthed during
excavation. Later in the day, the Governor also visited
Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib to pay his obeisance. |
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US delegation calls on
Badal CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — A nine-member delegation from the Ohio State University (USA) led by Dr Bobby D. Moser, Vice-President, of Agricultural Administration, called on the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and held discussions to develop programmes between the Punjab Agricultural University and the Ohio State University to effect Improvement in agriculture production in the state. The meeting was the culmination of a visit by the OSU delegation to Punjab, including PAU Ludhiana, which began on December 13. It was agreed to develop collaborative partnership for promotion of fisheries, post-harvest technology, soybean production, biotechnology and soil and water management and system improvement. Mr Moser stressed the need for partnership programmes which are responsive to the needs and challenges of the next millennium. Dr G.S. Kalkat,
Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said increasing productivity of
cereals, restoring the productivity of cotton, developing
fish farming in water-logged north-western areas of the
state were the new challenges for the PAU scientists. The
PAU had already signed a memorandum of understanding with
the Ohio university for exchange of scientists. |
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Harassment of Dal Khalsa man AMRITSAR, Dec 17 — The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has ordered that the inquiry into to the illegal arrest and harassment of the chief spokesperson of the Dal Khalsa, Mr Kanwarpal Singh Bittu, by the district police in June this year should be conducted by the Additional Director General of Police, (ADGP). The Commission has directed the ADGP to complete the probe by January 27, and submit its report. Talking to the TNS here today, Mr Bittu alleged that he was picked by the local police on June 5 while he was planning to organise the anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’ on the Khalsa College campus and was later implicated in three cases of bomb blast in the city. He added that after keeping him in police remand for a week he was sent to jail and was later released on bail after a month. The spokesperson for the Dal Khalsa in his complaint to the Human Rights Commission had alleged that he was mentally harassed and kept in captivity in a false case. Interestingly, the police chief in his report to the commission had pointed out that Bittu was taken into custody under suspicious circumstances but nothing was found during interrogation. The SSP had said that
the Dal Khalsa activist was later discharged by the court
of Judge, Mr K.C. Gupta, on September 7 but Mr Bittu
denied that he was discharged on that date. He pointed
out that after attending three more hearings during
September, October and November, he was finally
discharged only on December 11 by Mr K.C. Gupta. He
charged the SSP with fabricating him in the case and by
filing a report to mislead the commission. |
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Badal takes part in Xmas
function GURDASPUR, Dec 17 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while addressing a state-level Christmas function organised by the Christian Front, Punjab, here today, indirectly accused the Congress for having ignored minorities in the country when it was in power. He alleged that the Christians, who were the traditional vote bank of the Congress, were ignored and thus the community had joined hands with the Akali Dal in Punjab. Mr Badal claimed that the SAD-BJP government was the first in the state to celebrate Christmas. The religious functions of all communities, if celebrated unitedly, would promote brotherhood of mankind, he said. He accused the Congress of dividing the country on religious and cast considerations in the past to prolong its rule. He lauded Christian missionaries for spreading education and health care in the rural areas. The perception that Christian missionaries had started institutions in the rural areas for promoting conversions was ‘baseless’ and ‘ill-founded’. He announced that ministers, MLAs and senior officers of this district would be issued instructions to advance liberal grants for the cremation grounds of Christians in this district. He promised that hurdles in completing the Gurdaspur bypass and ETT school at Pathankot would be removed soon. He earlier inaugurated a multi-purpose gymnasium hall, built at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore. He announced a grant of Rs 25,000 from his discretionary fund for the gymnasts of this district and their coach. He also laid the foundation stone of a Masih Bhavan here, which will be built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh, already released by the government. The Christmas function
was also addressed by Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Minister
for Rural Development and Panchayats. Mr Sewa Singh
Sekhwan, State Minister for Public Relations, Mr Sucha
Singh Langah, State Minister for Industries, and Mr
Munawar Masih, President of the Christian Front, Punjab. |
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Notice to Punjab on PCS
officer’s plea CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — Mr Amrita Atwal, Additional Secretary Food and Supplies, Punjab, a PCS (EB) officer of the 1984 batch, has filed an application in the Central Administrative, Tribunal for issuing directions to the state government, the UPSC and the centre for holding a meeting of the select committee for the promotion of PCS officers to the IAS in the calendar year 1999 as per the mandatory provisions of IAS (appointments by promotion) Regulation, 1955. The Select Committee did not meet in 1998 for one vacancy and now when three more vacancies have become available in 1999, the state government is not inclined to holding a meeting despite persistent communications sent by the UPSC and the Centre with the intention of postponing the meeting to the year 2000 in order to enlarge the consid eration zone to make supersessions by junior officers. CAT has issued notice to
the state government for December 12. |
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Badal, Chautala mourn
Sharma’s death CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal; the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh; The Public Relations Minister, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan; and Choudhary Swarna Ram have expressed their grief over the sudden demise of Mr Krishan Lal Sharma, Senior Vice-President of the BJP. Describing Mr Sharma as a "seasoned politician, intellectual and a true follower of Indian ethos," Mr Badal said Mr Sharma was a true patriot and a clean politician. Meanwhile, the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra has expressed its profound grief over the death of Mr Sharma. The general secretary of the Dal, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, said Mr Sharma was a true Punjabi and a strong votary of Punjabi ekta. He always had the interest of Punjab at heart. The country has lost a principled politician, he added. The Haryana Chief
Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, also expressed shock
and grief over the sudden demise of BJP leader Krishan
Lal Sharma. |
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Jail — where money moves things AMRITSAR, Dec 17 (PTI) — Close on the heels of prison riots in Chennai, the local central jail finds itself in the grip of a controversy, with prisoners and wardens accusing the officials of "autocratic attitude" and favouritism to those who can pay for it. While the wardens are complaining of corrupt officials and poor facilities, the Superintendent has in turn blamed them for corruption and any indiscipline. A prisoner, Baj Singh, had written to the state Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, complaining about malpractice and denial of facilities due to detainees. He has alleged in the letter that they were not given proper and enough food or medicines and if they complained, they were brutally beaten and put in solitary confinement. Claiming a number of irregularities being committed inside the jail like free availability of smack and whisky for the asking, he had accused the jail Superintendent of the same and has called for a "surprise raid by the high court" to check the malpractice. But Mr Jagjit Singh Shinh, Superintendent, denied all allegations and claims that everything is normal in the jail, he remarked. "If at all there is connivance, it is at the level of wardens as they check the entry of goods inside the jail," he rewarded. But Mr Jaspal Singh Bal, president of the local unit of Punjab Jail Guards Association, supporting Baj Singh’s allegations, says that drugs were made available in the jail with the connivance of the officers. "The wardens are not allowed to check those cartons which contain drugs," he said alleging that for a packet of smack was available for Rs 100. "The drugs are taken inside the jail in connivance with the officers and from the money collected from the sale of drugs, a percentage is passed onto the officers," charged Mr Bal. Furthermore, he alleged that those who bribed the officers were allowed to meet their relatives in the rooms of the Superintendent and the Deputy Superintendent. Mr Jasbit Singh, general secretary of the association, said the inmates did not fear the wardens as they had have direct access with the higher ups and get their work done through them. Citing an instance, he remarked that convicted prisoner manhandled a warden some days ago, but when this was reported to the officer concerned, he, instead of taking action against the prisoner, changed the duty of the warden to the other gate. Another inmate complained that besides liquor and smack which could be had by paying for the same, those having the money had also been provided with LPG cylinders to cook their food and allowed to keep TV sets in their cells. While Baj Singh showed the half-cooked food, warden Bal corroborated the charge. Although full ration was shown to be disbursed on record, the inmates got much less. While green vegetables were showed to be purchased everyday, the inmates alleged that they had not been served vegetables for a long time. Neither had they been given soap or oil for the past four months, charged Baj Singh. He said he was also denied medicines by the jail doctor because he had refused to bribe the doctor. The Superintendent, however, said that disbursement of soap and oil to detainees had been started last year only and had been stopped for the time being. But Mr Bal also complained that working conditions of the wardens were not good: "Wardens have not been given summer and winter uniforms for the past four years. When we raise our voices for the demands, we are accused of indulging in indiscipline," he complained. He claimed that in "register No 17, fictitious entries of goods are made and the record is manipulated." "There is no medical facility for the wardens and no resting place for them in the premises," said Mr Mukhtiar Singh, vice-president of the association. "Some of the head
wardens had been promoted as assistant Superintendents,
and though they had worked for five years in this
capacity, they have been demoted now," he said. |
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Kartarpur land-grab case:
ADC’s JALANDHAR, Dec 17 — The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Parveen Kumar’s inquiry into the Rs 2.5 crore Kartarpur land scam has come under cloud with the Divisional Commissioner, Mr B.K. Srivastava’s inquiry report like that of the police report terming the land deal as "fraudulent." Interestingly, the ADC has not been indicted by the Commissioner for his findings to the case,which had generated a lot of dust and in which the police had in August, arrested Balbir Singh, Naib Tehsildar, Kartarpur, along with Dr Gurvinder Singh Samra, who is on bail these days, on a complaint of Mr Varinder Dhiman of Kartarpur who claimed that he was the rightful owner of the land. The Commissioner, who was directed by the Chief Minister to hold a fresh inquiry into the case after the ADC’s report and the police report contradicted with the former concluding that the power of attorney on the basis of which the land deal was made was "genuine" and the latter describing it as "forged", suspected that the allegation of forgery was correct. The case took an interesting turn when Dilbagh Singh, the lone surviving witness, on Wednesday alleged that he was beaten up in the camp office of the Commissioner by the gunman of SDM Krishan Kumar in the presence of the latter and Praveen Kumar after he refused to sign some blank papers. Dilbagh Singh in his deposition before the Commissioner revealed that he was never called by the ADC during the course of inquiry. The Commissioner’s inquiry found that there "was some difference" in the signatures put by Dilbagh Singh before him and the one he was said to have put before the ADC." I feel some one else appeared before the ADC and not Dilbagh Singh" observed the Commissioner in his 13-page report. Noting that Dilbagh Singh seemed to be the most crucial evidence in the case, the Commissioner said an inquiry should be made by the police to establish whether it was a case of impersonation or not. He observed that what lend credence to Dilbagh Singh’s version was the statement of Varinder Dhiman that though four persons, who appeared before the ADC were cross-examined by him but not Dilbagh Singh, who according to report had exposed himself to a danger by deposing against Dr Samra. The Commissioner, in his report submitted to the Punjab Government said mutations in regard of sale of land should be reviewed, for which the evidence with the police could be used. He said the allegation
of rape against Baldev Singh, from whom land was got
vacated by Dr Samra should be inquired into as Baldev
Singh was allegedly threatened by Dr Samra that he would
be framed in the rape case if he failed to vacate the
land of Varinder Dhiman. The report also recommended that
the allegation that Dr Samra was being helped by a
Gurdaspur-based DSP should also be looked into. |
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BDPO harassing allottees:
Dang AMRITSAR, Dec 17 — The CPI leader, Mr Satya Pal Dang, today voiced concern over the treatment meted to over 100 Scheduled Caste families who had been denied the allotment of 100 sq yard plots since 1974. In a letter to the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, copies of which were released to the Press, he stated after the prolonged legal battle and bureaucratic wrangling which lasted over 24 years, it was only in 1998 that a few persons were given the allotment letters. He alleged that the BDPO concerned had been harassing them. Mr Dang along with Mr Hardev Singh Arshi, CPI MLA, had brought the issue to the notice of the Secretary, Urban Development and Housing, Mr I.S. Bindra, for getting through the scheme for the allotment of plots to poor Scheduled Caste families at Ghausabad village. Mr Dang said the BDPO concerned had collected the allotment letters from the allottees, saying that these were required for processing housing loan cases but all these documents were lost. The allottees had to get new documents made for getting the possession of land based on the letter but the BDPO once again impressed upon them for handing over the papers at function to be presided over by a VIP of the area. Later, the case was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, alleging that the BDPO was playing foul and was harassing the allottees. However, the errant officer continued to defy the instructions of his seniors, he said. Mr Dang also alleged
that the piece of land measuring over 3 acres meant for
the purpose had been illegally cultivated by some
influential persons, including Army officers, and added
that his repeated requests to the Deputy Commissioner to
get the land vacated had borne no fruit. |
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India’s food security artificial
: expert LUDHIANA, Dec 16 — One of India’s foremost agronomist, Dr Gurdev S. Khush, has warned that India’s present food security is artificial and the country can face a serious problem if efforts all not made immediately to step up agricultural output. Dr Khush, who at present is working as Principal Plant Breeder and Head, Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry division at International Rice Research Institute, Manila, says although India seems self-sufficient in food at present, it must not be forgotten that there are about 200 million person who go to bed hungry every night in the country because they cannot afford food. "They can’t buy food because there is unemployment, they are poor and they don’t have the money. But if they had the purchasing power, the food we have won’t be sufficient to feed them..." As India develops in the next century and people acquire purchasing power together with growth in population, the country will have to increase its food output by about 50 per cent. Food production must increase from the present level of 200 million tonnes to 300 million tonnes in the next 20 years if we have to feed all these people ", said Dr Khush in an interview with TNS here today. Dr Khush who was in town to attend the annual meeting of the old alumni of the College of Agriculture Punjab Agricultural University, emphasises that a "second Green Revolution" was not possible. "The type of big jumps in food output which occurred in the 70’s would be difficult to duplicate now because the productivity then was very low. Now the increases would be incremental. For instance, paddy output in Punjab now averaged five tonnes per hectare. But in many countries at the same level of development, the yield varied between six and seven tonnes. Even in Punjab, there were farmers who were producing eight tonnes per hectare. It showed that paddy yield could be raised by better farming techniques. In this connection, he mentioned the research work done at IRRI at Manila to develop hybrid rice and "super rice". "Hybrid rice has not yet succeeded but we are sure that it will be a hit eventually. Similarly, we have been working on super rice for nearly nine years now. It will be another two years before we start sending material to other countries. It will take up to five years to reach farmers..." He stoutly defended the
use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to increase
food output. "It is not the scientific community but
the people at large who are opposed to it because certain
activists and NGOs think it is bad. These activists and
NGOs are in turn influenced by groups in Europe where
there is no shortage of food. But in countries like India
and the Philippines, food is a problem and there is no
way of increasing yields except through GMOs. Even in
Europe where the scientific community is very large, the
scientists are not opposed to the GMOs." |
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SHSAD workers told to leave
meeting site FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 17 — The deployment of police today at the site allotted to the SHSAD for political conference has created tension. The situation further aggravated when police personnel stopped party workers and directed them to leave the site immediately. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, President, state Youth Akali Dal, said he had informed the Chief Minister yesterday about the "nefarious" designs of the SGPC and he had assured him that he would ask the SGPC not to shift the site. He said the action of the police was provocative. It may be recalled that yesterday the manager of gurdwara had denied that the site of SHSAD had been shifted. The party workers said
they would make sacrifices but not leave the site. |
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College celebrates golden
jubilee LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — Agriculture of the next millennium will have to ensure better production efficiency, economic viability, social responsibility and environment compatibility. This was stated by Dr Bobby D. Moser, leader of Ohio State University Delegation visiting Punjab Agricultural University. He was participating in a panel discussion on "agricultural education in the next millennium" organised on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations and annual alumni meet of the College of Agriculture today. Dr S.S. Johl, eminent economist and former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, said the next millennium would be technology-ridden and the Internet connectivity would take the place of classrooms and laboratories. The successful teachers would be the ones with best websites, he observed. Dr David Hensen of Ohio State University (OSU) suggested the possibility of instituting degrees where students can study partly at PAU and partly at OSU. Similarly offering of joint courses by the teachers of the two universities through Internet could also be explored, he said. Dr Gurdev Singh Khush,
an agricultural scientist, suggested that the PAU should
take help from OSU in the use of bio-technology tools for
crop improvements. |
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Oil tankers not to ply from
Dec 20 AMRITSAR, Dec 17 — The breaking down of negotiations between the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and the Tankers Federation has led to the latter resorting to oil tankers’ strike from December 20. The talks came to a deadlock regarding the new tenders. Mr J.P. Khanna, Vice-President of the federation of All-India Petroleum Traders, said the fresh tenders carry stringent terms and conditions. The major points of the debate were the stipulations that envisage that vehicles carrying fuel should not be less than 12-year-old. The leaders have to deposit Rs 25,000 with the corporation and private contractors Rs 50,000 as security money. This was another issue for debate. The third point of debate is the strict implementation of the Motor Vehicle Act that allows only 9 tonnes of fuel carriage. The federation argues that grounding vehicles manufactured before 1988 could be disastrous as tankers cannot be used to transport any other goods. The stipulation was biased as no other vehicles, that is trucks and other commercial carriers till now had been ordered to be grounded in Punjab. The proposed hike of
deposit fees for the dealer (Rs 15,000) and private
contractor (Rs 40,000) was unfair, they complained. |
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Lawyers observe strike FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 17 — The District Bar Association today observed a strike in protest against the lodging of a false FIR against Mr J.P.S. Chadha, an advocate. According to Mr Tejinder Singh Salana, President of the association, the high-handedness of the police will be brought to the notice of high officials and the matter will be discussed at the state body meeting to be held tomorrow. When contacted Mr Paramraj Singh Umranangal, SSP, said the advocate was rashly driving his car having a red light atop, a hooter and black films which was against the high court directives. He said when he was signalled to stop the car for checking at a police naka, he sped away the car and tried to crush SHO Badali Ala Singh. He said the police followed the car and recovered it from Sector 42, Chandigarh in the presence of the police and residents, the advocate absconded. He said a case under
Sections 307 and 188, IPC, has been registered. |
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Punjab Govt opposes move on
lottery CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has appealed to the union government to review its decision to ban state-run lotteries as it will create social and economic problems for various sections of society. According to a press note, Mr Badal has written a letter to the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, in this connection, emphasising that the move on the proposed ban has attracted a lot of criticism. As thousands of persons are engaged in lottery trade, the move will contribute to joblessness. Mr Badal has stated in his letter that the National Lottery of the UK is providing funds for many noble causes, including social welfare and preservation of heritage. All progressive countries in Europe and the USA run official lotteries which enjoy the confidence and credibility of the people. Mr Badal has also
conveyed the sentiments of the Northern India Lottery
Association a delegation of which met him the other day
and protested against the lottery ban Bill, and urged Mr
Advani not to present the Bill in Parliament. |
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Recovery of bonded labourers: 1 held JALANDHAR, Dec 17 (UNI) — Satinder Mohan Singh, owner of the cold storage at Rupwala village from where 84 bonded labourers were rescued by the Labour Department with the assistance of the Punjab Pendu Mazdoor Union in the past two days, was arrested today. Confirming the arrest, SSP Gaurav Yadav told UNI today that Pappu, driver of the cold storage owner, was, however, still missing. A labour inspector from the city accompanied by a leader of the union freed 78 bonded labourers on December 15, while six more were freed yesterday. Satinder Mohan Singh,
who is also sarpanch of Parjian village, has been made a
co-accused on the testimony of the aggrieved recorded
under section 161 of the Cr PC, according to police
sources. |
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Thekedar clarifies LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — Taking a strong exception to various statements published in a section of the press that Jathedar Surjan Singh Thekedar was being suspended from the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Senior Vice-President of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal has said that the had resigned from the party in the wake of anti-Panthic stand of the Akali Dal leadership. Jathedar Surjan Singh said that the removal of Bhai Ranjit Singh from the post of Jathedar of Akal Takht and the subsequent ouster of Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra from the party had forced him to resign from the party. He said Mr Badal had
been a member of the party for lesser duration than him.
"I have seen the SAD rising from strength to
strength during its seven decades of existence. I
resigned from the party because of its rapid decline
under Mr Badal’s leadership", he said. |
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Training programme inaugurated PHILLAUR, Dec 17 — Mr Justice J.S. Sekhon, member, Punjab State Human Rights Commission, inaugurated a five-day training programme of the Indo-British project on child rights and child protection at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, today. Giving details about the programme, Mr A.A. Siddiqui, Director of Punjab Police Academy, said the project was being jointly organised by the commission the Punjab police and the British Council. This project would cover 12 districts of Punjab of which six would be rural districts. The project aimed at creating grassroots-level awareness on the issues of child rights and protection. These districts teams comprised members from agencies such as education, health, local bodies and the police, etc. The district trainers
will be imparted five-day training by three lead
trainers. Subsequently, the district teams with the help
of the lead trainers will conduct public education
programme in their respective districts. In the first
phase of the project, 36 public education programmers
will be conducted in January and February, 2000. |
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Khaira supports Advani
statement CHANDIGARH, Dec 17
— The secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress
Committee, Mr Sukhpal Singh Khaira, supporting the
statement of Home Minister L.K. Advani on the 1984 riots
said that it was important that people involved in the
riots should be identified and punished irrespective of
their party affiliations. He alleged that although
getting the culprits of the riots booked was on the top
of the agenda of the Shiromani Akali Dal while in the
opposition, Punjab Chief Minister Badal had never taken
up the issue seriously after coming to power. |
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Badal calls district party
chiefs meeting CHANDIGARH, Dec 17
— The Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr
Kirpal Singh Badungar, in a statement here today said
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had called a
meeting of the district presidents of the party on
December 28 at his official residence to discuss the
political situation obtaining in the state. |
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Bhupinder Singh PPYC secy CHANDIGARH, Dec 17
— Mr Manish Tewari, President of the All-India Youth
Congress, has appointed Mr Bhupinder Singh as secretary
of the Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress. |
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CM urged to field SAD
candidates CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — The All-India Sikh Students' Federation headed by Dr Manjit Singh Bhoma has urged the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to contest the Haryana Assembly poll by fielding Shiromani Akali Dal candidates. Mr Amarjit Singh Pathankot, secretary-general of the federation, in a statement here said that Mr Badal should take up this issue with the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and make him concede at least 17 seats to Shiromani Akali Dal for contesting the Assembly elections. He added that there were 34 per cent Punjabis in Haryana and a sizeable population of Sikhs was in Karnal, Ambala, Sirsa, Hisar and in other districts. The federation,
supporting Mr Badal's decision to transfer the Deputy
Commissioner and the SSP of Bathinda, said there was need
to control the bureaucracy in the state. |
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Gurmat Sangeet Academy opens ANANDPUR SAHIB, Dec 17 — Gurmat Sangeet Academy here started its functioning today with the inauguration of its first session by Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC, in the presence of Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo). Among others who were present on the occasion included Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, Mr Jaswinder Singh (Amritsar), Mr Satnam Singh, all members of the SGPC, Mr Wariam Singh, Secretary of the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC, and Giani Tarlochan Singh, Head Granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Prof Kartar Singh has been made the Director of this academy. He took the charge today. Besides him, three teachers were also appointed for teaching music. Earlier Prof Manjit Singh performed "ardas" at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib for inaugurating the session. Prof Kartar Singh, teachers and students were presented with a "Siropa" (robe of honour). In the first session 24 students have been given admission while six seats are still vacant. This academy, which will provide a three-year job-oriented course, will later become a wing of the proposed World Sikh University. Later, Bibi Jagir Kaur
said there was no need to announce any grant for this
academy as the coffers of the SGPC were open for this
noble cause. She said money would not come in the way of
the smooth functioning of the academy. |
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Role of women in education
stressed AMRITSAR, Dec 17 —The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, while delivering the convocation address at the local Khalsa College for Women yesterday said that educated persons can play a significant role in changing the environment. He lauded the role of women’s education in nation building. He appealed to the rich educational societies to open more schools and colleges in the remote areas. The principal of the
college Mrs G.K. Kahlon read out the annual report and
gave away degrees to 225 students. |
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Billa: probe misuse of pension
funds AMRITSAR, Dec 17 — Mr Surinder Kumar Billa, President of the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena, yesterday demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged misuse of pension funds. In a press note, he alleged that more than 50 per cent of the pension recipients were bogus, while the deserving persons, like the aged and widows, were being ignored. He accused the officials of the Social Welfare Department of connivance and favouritism. "Even in the disbursement of pensions bribes are given for early turns", he said. He suggested abolition
of the ‘agent system’ and an honest appraisal
of the scheme to benefit the needy and old deserving
persons. |
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Beggars run over by truck AMRITSAR, Dec 17 — Three beggars were run over and five others were seriously injured by a speeding truck outside Hall Gate late last night. The truck driver, Kulwinder Singh, was later arrested and his truck impounded. According to the police, the truck while coming from the Bhandari bridge side ran over the beggars sleeping on the pavement. The dead include Baba
Ram Singh of Jammu, Jaswant Singh and an unidentified
person. The five injured have been admitted to hospital. |
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