Monday, December 20, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, December 20, 1999 |
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Pressure
on CM to expel Ravi Inder |
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Swadeshi
Manch for caution on liberalisation Punjab tops in ‘female
foeticide’ Pledge against use of intoxicants
Cell replaces flying squad Tohra’s warning on meeting
site Artificial limb centre to be set
up
Mann: nominee by month-end 3 killed, 8 hurt in bus mishap |
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Pressure on CM to expel Ravi
Inder LUDHIANA, Dec 19 — Pressure is mounting on the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to take immediate action against the party rebel, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, who has already been suspended from the SAD for alleged anti-party activities in connivance with Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra’s SHSAD and the Congress. Informed sources in the party said here today that it was important that the SAD supremo should not be seen to be hesitating on the crucial question of maintaining discipline in the party. With the Nawanshahr byelection to the state assembly not far away, Mr Badal cannot afford any weakness on this score. In this connection, it is being pointed out that Mr Badal was decisive in having a show-cause notice served on Mr Ravi Inder Singh after the latter sought to mount a challenge to the leadership of the Chief Minister on the question of the party’s debacle in the recent parliamentary poll. This was quickly followed up by his formal suspension from the party. An on-the-spot expulsion was prevented only on the advice of the former Chief Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, who wanted the party to be on legally sound footing on the issue of expulsion in view of the fact Mr Ravi Inder Singh had already gone to court. Any infirmity could result in a legal embarrassment later. The sources recall that the first challenge to Mr Badal and the government came from Mr Tohra. So long as Mr Badal dithered on the issue of taking action against Mr Tohra, the challenge seemed ominous. Once he acted against Mr Tohra, the challenge vanished. Similarly, when the five Akali ministers belonging to the Tohra faction put in their resignations, Mr Badal lost no time in recommending their acceptance to the Governor. Had Mr Badal dithered on the issue and allowed them to continue in the ministry, they would have become a serious headache for him now. Mr Badal has already been authorised by the party to take whatever action deemed necessary against Mr Ravi Inder Singh. Party sources argue that it is much easier to take action against Mr Ravi Inder Singh than it was against Mr Tohra because the former’s influence is limited to Ropar district. He is not cast in the traditional Akali leader’s mould who might have taken part in morchas or gone to the jail for any cause of the party. "At best, he can only be described as a part-time politician because he has to devote a lot of time and attention to his business empire as well", the sources say. Although Mr Tohra and a
few others have spoken up for Mr Ravi Inder Singh, the
sources claim that Mr Ravi Inder Singh stands totally
isolated in the party. Nevertheless, Mr Badal is
beginning a series of meeting with district jathedars of
the party from tomorrow to discuss, among other things,
proposed action against Mr Ravi Inder Singh. |
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Lathi charge to be probed ANANDPUR SAHIB, Dec 19 — The Punjab Government will hold an inquiry into the incident of lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells by the police at Ropar yesterday on students of various District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and unemployed ETT students who had gathered from all over Punjab to hold a rally against the appointments of ‘sikhiya karmis’ (tutors) in government primary schools and to solicit appointments for nearly 1700 unemployed ETT students. Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, said the inquiry would be held either by a magistrate or a DIG. Mr Badal said that he had not been informed by any police officer or the administration about the lathi charge and bursting of tear gas shells on the students during the time when he had been attending a religious congregation to mark Shaheedi Jor Mela at Ropar in Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib. He claimed that when he left the venue, he had no knowledge of the incident. Mr Badal described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and expressed regret about it. The students had alleged yesterday that without provocation the police lathicharged them when they started a ‘peaceful’ march to meet the Chief Minister at Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib to present their demands. Regarding drug de-addiction in the state, Mr Badal said the government had no plan to implement prohibition. He said though the SAD government favoured a drug-free and intoxicant-free society, yet it could only motivate the public. On the request of village panchayats to shift liquor shops out of their respective villages, he said the matter would be discussed at an administrative level. Regarding the meeting of Presidents of district units of the SAD at Chandigarh on December 28, Mr Badal said that this meeting had been convened to discuss various issues, including the present political situation. Mr Badal, however, said the meeting would also discuss the strategy for the Nawanshahr election. It would also chalk out a plan to strengthen the party in the state. When asked whether the matter relating to Mr Ravi Inder Singh would be discussed at the meeting, Mr Badal evaded a reply. CHANDIGARH: The Punjab State Council of the CPI today condemned the lathi charge, teargassing and firing by the police on students at Ropar. The CPI State Council, while condemning the "barbarian and feudal attitude of the government and the police," lends full support to the demand of students to give jobs after training and not to devalue the work, and the status of teachers by employing the so called "Sikhya karmis" in place of regular teachers, says a press note. AMRITSAR: The lathi chage on students at Ropar has been condemned by the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation. In a press note issued here on Sunday, the federation criticised the police action on E.T.T. students. It urged the government
immediately to review its decision and appoint ETT
students to various vacant posts. |
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Dark secrets or work of art? PATIALA: A number of exquisite around 70-year-old sculptures, symbols of the heritage of this erstwhile princely state are locked in a dingy room and face possible destruction as the district administration is undecided about what to do with them. The ‘indecision’ stems from the controversial (erotic) nature of the statues which has divided the sentiments of two different Hindu sects and art lovers. Five months ago the district administration, in consultation with the Dharmarth office of the Kali Devi Temple had decided on a ‘Jal-Parwah’ (water-immersion) of the sculptures. But following opposition from a group within the Kali temple itself, the decision was put on hold. The administration is now awaiting constitution of an advisory committee to decide their fate. It will consist of representatives of the government as well as members of the temple. The term of the previous advisory committee ended early this year. But the longer the decision is delayed the more the damage to the exquisite marble sculptures. A chance visit by this correspondent revealed the rich treasure lying in a dark dingy room of the historic temple. The room which itself housed frescos of tantric art on its walls, is now under the Department of Archaeology and Conservation. But despite this little has been done to protect either the frescos on the walls, most of which have been crudely painted over or the sculptures lying on the floor. The erstwhile rulers of Patiala were fascinated by the tantric ‘frescos’ and had similar themes painted at their Sheesh Mahal and Quila Mubarak residences. However little has been done to safeguard the frescos at the places either. Instead most of them, have been painted or plastered over as well. The condition of the erotic sculptures is only marginally better. Many of the figurines have been torn apart and thick layers of dust has accumulated over them. That the sculptures were built in marble is hardly evident in their present condition. The sculptures many of couples, in erotic poses, have similarities with Khajuraho sculptures. They were bought during the reign of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, according to the files of the Dharmarth office in the 1930’s. According to a controversial book "Maharaja’ authored by Deewan Jermanni Dass, the Maharaja, known for his romantic escapades, bought these sculptures because of his fascination with tantric practices. Mr Amolak Raj, supervisor Dharmarth branch felt the statues cannot be displayed in public due to their erotic content. He said while these may have symbolic value in a tantric practice they are taboo to Sanatani Hindus. After the death of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh an attempt had been made to display the sculptures in public, but they were defaced and damaged by conservatives. Now, the ‘khandit’ (desecrated) statues can neither be displayed nor worshipped. Which is why they are kept locked. However, the theory of the statues’ religious background is debunked by art lovers. According to Dr Saroj Chaman, Head, Department of Fine Arts, Punjabi University, "The sculptures show signs of Italian influences, not Indian." She said a female statue claimed to be of a goddess is of Venus while that of a male is of Apollo. She opposes any move to destroy the sculptures, saying condemning the sculptures because of their erotic content betrays, a misplaced sense of morality. Our culture has a rich tradition of erotica, and this should be preserved, she said. If the government cannot keep the sculptures they should be handed over to some museum. She said the museum and art gallery at Punjabi University would have no hesitation in accepting the rare sculptures. Deputy Commissioner
Jasbir Singh Bir said the fate of the statues was a very
sensitive issue and he would take the final decision only
after the report of the Advisory Committee of the Kali
Temple. |
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Swadeshi Manch for caution on
liberalisation AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — The Swadeshi Jagran Manch favours a "cautious approach" to the opening of the Indian economy to multinational corporation as mooted by certain captains of industries whom the manch views as "mouthpieces" of these multinational corporations. Mr P. Murlidhar, General Secretary of the manch, said while talking to mediapersons here yesterday that as predicted by them, the failure of the Seattle round of WTO talks was imminent. Quoting extensively from the UNDP’s Human Development Report on the collapse of the south-eastern economies, Mr Rao said the report pointed out that the growing wedge between the rich and the poor nations was alarming. The report, he said, also indicated that more than 80 per cent wealth of the world was concentrated in the hands of only 20 per cent of the people. These economic indicators had upset the planners and the economists. The manch decried the attempt of the economically powerful to dictate policies to the underdeveloped and the poverty-stricken nations. Mr Rao added that the United Nations trade reports too were critical of the WTO projections that with the implementation of the WTO doctrine the poor nations will benefit immensely through the opening up of the trade and tariff barriers. The UN report pointed out that the poor nations would, in fact, get exploited bringing misery to their masses. The manch spokesman felt that the threat posed by the globalisation process to indigenisation as outlined by the World Bank President was a cause for concern. Quoting from the report, he added that the indigenous industry would suffer at the hands of MNCs as these tried to capture the local market. The spokesman suggested that there was a need to adopt different models suitable to the local requirements of the countries rather than have a similar proposition for all. The world leaders would have to adjust according to the mood and the aspirations of the local people before embarking upon new trade and tariff policies. Mr Rao was critical of the government for pushing through the Insurance Regulatory Bill offering 26 per cent equity to foreign companies. He said the LIC and the GIC could expand and did not require any foreign participation. He expressed the apprehension that with their money power, the foreign insurance companies would dominate our infrastructure sector. The manch felt that the policies of the government were retarding the growth of the small-scale sector, which had been the backbone of the economy and was able to provide employment avenues to a large number of people. The manch has planned a
three-day national convention here from December 26 to 28
where leading economists from India and SAARC nations
will participate. |
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Punjab tops in ‘female
foeticide’ CHANDIGARH Dec 19 — Mr V.K. Khanna, Chairman of the Punjab Human Rights Commission, today regretted that more than 52 per cent of the total population of the country continued to he deprived of primary education even 50 years after the Independence. Inaugurating a seminar on "human rights" organised by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Advocates’ Committee on Judicial Accountability, Mr Justice Khanna said democracy had no meaning without education. He called upon lawyers of the high court to take up case of human rights. Mr Justice Khanna said the condition of jails was pathetic. Lakh of people languishing in different jails were deprived of medical facilities. Justice Kuldip Singh, a former judge of the Supreme Court, said human rights were bestowed on us by nature. Mr Justice Kuldip Singh lamented that of female foeticide in Punjab was the highest in the country. "Is it not a violation of human rights? he asked. Mr G.S. Grewal, former Advocate-General of Punjab, said religion had become just a ritual. It had failed to promote social and moral values. He said religion should be used to unify and not to divide the people. Mr Vijay Jindal an high court advocate said prisoners were the worst sufferers. There was no uniformity about the duration they had to spend in jail. While certain convicts are released in less than 10 years, there are others who have been languishing for 23 years or more. Mr Jindal suggested that there should be a compulsory subject on human rights at the university level to create awareness of human rights. Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, local MP said no country can have vibrant democracy. Mr Justice D.V. Sehgal, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said religion was the bane of society. He recalled that during the partition of the country more than one million people were killed and 10 million people were uprooted simply because they belonged to different religion. Mr H.S. Gill, President of the Committee on Judicial Accountability, said protection of human rights was the fundamental duty of the government. The Constitution would be rendered meaningless if the judiciary failed to protect human rights. Among others who spoke
were Mr Justice Ajit Singh Bains and Mr M.S. Gill. |
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Pledge against use of
intoxicants ANANDPUR, SAHIB, Dec 19 — The Punjab Chief Minister and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today urged the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh, to issue a decree to ban the use of liquor in marriages. He also suggested religious punishment for the violators of the proposed decree. Mr Badal also exhorted the Babas of Kar Sewa Wale to construct buildings for hospitals and schools along with the gurdwaras in the state to contribute to the welfare of the public. Mr Badal was addressing a gathering held at Takht Kesgarh Sahib here as part of the ‘pledge day’ function of the three-day drug de-addiction conference, which concluded here today. Giani Puran Singh administered a pledge to the gathering that they would never use intoxicants in future. Bibi Jagir Kaur, President of the SGPC, said the members of the SGPC would work whole-heartedly for making the society free of drugs. Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, said the use of drugs was escalating day by day. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister, also spoke. Among those present were Mr Jaswinder Singh, Mr Satnam Singh and Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, all members of the SGPC. Mr Tara Singh Ladhal, MLA, Anandpur Sahib, and Jathedar Pritam Singh Sallomajra, President of the SAD district unit. Earlier, Mr Badal along with Capt Kanwaljit Singh, paid obeisance at the Takht. Mr Badal also
inaugurated Baba Bhag Singh Memorial Nasha Mukti Prerana
Te Ilaj Kendra at the Gurmat Sagar Trust complex here. He
also released an issue of Punjab Today, a magazine on
drug de-addiction. |
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Tohra’s warning on meeting site FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 19 — Workers of the SHSAD, SAD(B) and the district administration are on a collision course following the involvement of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, SHSAD, in the issue of shifting of the site for his party’s political conference. The issue may cast its shadow on the annual Shaeedi Jor Mela starting from December 26. Mr Tohra, while talking to The Tribune today at the site allotted earlier to his party by the Mela Committee which has now been cordoned off by the police, threatened that if his party was not allowed to hold the political conference at the initial site, he and his party workers would not allow the Chief Minister to address his political conference. They would occupy Mr Badal’s stage. Mr Tohra has called the meeting of working committee of SHSAD at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali, tomorrow to chalk out the future course of action. Meanwhile, a mela sub-committee allotted sites for political conferences to different parties today after a long meeting. A spokesman for the committee said that the SHSAD, BSP (K), BSM, Lok Bhalai Party and Dalit Front had been allotted sites at Jyoti Sar Gurdwara road. Interestingly the SAD (B), SAD (A) and the Congress have been allotted traditional sites near the gurdwara. In a related development, Mr Iqbal Singh Tiwana, spokesman for the SAD (A), has clarified that his party had nothing to do with the SHSAD. He has said his party will organise a separate political conference during the Jor Mela, which will be addressed by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and other leaders. Jathedar Swarn Singh
Chanarthal, district President of the SAD (B), in a
separate press note, has warned that if the SHSAD workers
try to disrupt their political conference, his party
workers will not remain silent. |
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Cell replaces flying squad CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — The Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board has created a vigilance cell, keeping in view the "administrative interests" comprising three members namely, Mr D.S. Aulakh, Mr Shakti Prasad and Mr Gurbaksh Singh. Orders to this effect were passed by the board president, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, on December 3, which, inter alia, stated that the vigilance cell will function in place of the flying squad. On the directives of the board president and secretary, the cell will conduct surprise raids to check evasion of market fee, and report. On the face of it, there is nothing wrong with such a step. But insiders have a different story to tell. One of the members of the newly constituted vigilance cell, Mr Aulakh, is the one who was caught red-handed on August 27, 1997, by the flying squad of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau allegedly taking a bribe from a rice sheller owner. The amount is believed to be Rs 30,000. He was remanded in police custody and the board subsequently placed him under suspension on August 27, 1997, the date of his arrest. The office orders on his suspension were passed on August 29 by the then Secretary, Mr P.S. Aujla, who had stated in the orders that Mr Aulakh's headquarters would remain Chandigarh during his period of suspension. At that time Mr Aulakh was General Manager, Marketing. On September 3, another order was passed reverting him to the post of Deputy General Manager. Though promoted on December 15, 1995, he was on probation for two years, the order said his conduct during probation was "not satisfactory". He was also placed under suspension hence his reversion. Insiders told TNS that Mr Aulakh was caught when a trap was laid in the board office by Punjab vigilance headed by flying squad chief, Mr Parag Jain, who is now Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh. Later under political pressure the suspension was revoked by the then president. But he was not given charge of the board's enforcement wing. That board is under a
cloud for quite some time. Recently, contrary to the
board's own decision of July 13, 1998, (resolution no 17)
the president allegedly violated the policy and ordered
the transfer of as many as 92 mandi supervisers, 20
accountas, 50 secretaries and 22 mandi officers: 185 in
all, in a fortnight. The board policy stipulates that
transfers will be effected in June-July, the tenure
posting is to for a period of three years. |
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Artificial limb centre to be set up LUDHIANA, Dec 19 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has announced that a modernised centre to prepare artificial limbs for the handicapped would be set up here for which the state government had already released a grant of Rs 7.5 lakh. Mr Badal was addressing the concluding function of a campaign to provide artificial limbs to all handicapped persons in the district — after inaugurating a new "highway ambulances" scheme based on 14 ambulances at Rishi Nagar here today. The Chief Minister said the campaign to provide artificial limbs would be introduced in all districts. He said the state government with the cooperation of the Bharat Vikas Parishad would introduce the latest technology to provide lighter and durable artificial limbs. Mr Badal appreciated the District Administration for introducing the "highway ambulances" scheme for victims of road accidents and declared that this scheme would be followed as a model in all districts. Mr Badal also inaugurated the new building of Viklang Sahaiyta Kender. Addressing the function, Mrs Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said Punjab was the only state where a big project to help the handicapped in a district had been taken up. She urged the Chief Minister to make efforts to reserve 3 per cent government jobs for the handicapped. She expressed concern over the attitude of previous governments towards the handicapped and asserted that she would mobilise all institutions concerned in government departments to provide better facilities to the disabled. Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, said during the past one and half years, more than 3,000 handicapped persons were provided with the artificial limbs at a cost of Rs 52 lakh. Dr Lajpat Rai, President, Viklang Sahaiyta Kender, said a new centre for the handicapped, costing Rs 4 crore, was being set up at Ludhiana in which a training centre for mechanics of artificial limbs would be set up. Mr Badal announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the Viklang Sahaiyta Kender and Rs 10 lakh for the animal centre to be constructed at Ludhiana. Among others who were
present on the occasion were Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, Mr
Jagdev Singh Talwandi, senior Akali leader, Mr Bhagh
Singh Malha, Mr Sadhu Singh Ghudani, Mr Bachhan Singh
Cheema and Mr Sat Pal Gosain. |
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77 remanded in judicial
custody ROPAR, Dec 19 — As many as 77 students of various District Institutes of Education and Training of the state and unemployed ETT teachers were remanded in judicial custody till January 3 this evening. They were produced in the court of duty magistrate, Mr Dharam Singh, by the police. These students and unemployed teachers were arrested by the police yesterday following the incident of police lathi charge and alleged stone-throwing by the students here. Trouble began when these students started marching towards Bhatha Sahib gurdwara after the rally to meet Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal there. The police has
registered a case against them under sections 307, 332,
353, 436, 511, 427, 341, 186, 148 and 149 of the IPC. |
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Gita ‘biggest unifying
force’ JALANDHAR, Dec 19 — A one-day seminar on "Bhagavadgita for Modern Age" was organised today by the Sarv Dharam Sadbhawana Committee at Manavata Mandir in Hoshiarpur town. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the seminar, Sant Vijay Dyal said the message enshrined in the holy book was as relevant and useful today as it had been 5,100 years ago. He said it was the moral duty of every human being to work for the welfare of all sections of society irrespective of caste, colour and creed and without allowing self-interest to creep in. "The entire philosophy of the Bhagavadgita is action and service oriented", he added. Delivering the keynote address, Principal S.N. Bhardwaj said the Bhagavadgita encompassed all religions and even civilisations. He said the teaching in it were the only solution to the spiritual and the social crises being faced by the modern generation. Prof B.B. Chaubey was of
the view that the holybook contained the substance of all
Vedas, Upanishads and other spiritual schools of thought
and hence was the biggest unifying factor available to
all human beings. Among others who spoke on the occasion
were Principal P.P. Sharma, Prof Tejwinder Singh, Prof
P.C. Sharma, Dr Krishana Murari and Dr Rajesh Sharma. |
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Mann: nominee by month-end PHAGWARA, Dec 19 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) will contest the ensuing byelection for the Nawanshahr Assembly seat on its own symbol of cart (Gadda), according to the party President, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann. Talking to newspersons here today, Mr Mann said the names of aspirants for the party ticket were being shortlisted and the candidate would be announced after his tour of the constituency later this month. He described Mr Ravi Inder Singh’s suspension from the SAD as an act of Mr Badal’s frustration. He criticised the transfer of the DC and the SSP of Bathinda stating that these officers had dared to expose corruption. On Udham Singh Nagar, Mr
Mann said if it was merged in Uttranchal, then the Akali
representative in the Union Cabinet, Mr Sukhdev Singh
Dhindsa, should resign. |
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Good response to polio drive JALANDHAR, Dec 19 — The third phase of the pulse polio campaign was launched here today by Health Minister Manoranjan Kalia in a slum area near the milk plant. More than 1,500 camps had been set up in the district and 6,500 health and police employees and various voluntary organisations took part in immunising children. Policemen were seen flagging down vehicles and requesting parents to get their children immunised. Dr D.P.S. Sandhu, Civil Surgeon, and the SSP, Jalandhar, Mr Gaurav Yadav, also administered polio drops to children in these camps. AMRITSAR: The pulse polio campaign on Sunday got off to an enthusiastic start throughout the district. Senior professors of the local medical college organised many camps and administered polio drops to children. A former MP, Mr Surinder Singh Kairon, inaugurated the immunisation campaign, organised by the Department of Community Health and Medicine of the medical college, at the Urban Health Centre here. Various social organisations, including the Rotary Clubs, had set up a number of camps in the urban and rural areas. Students of various schools and colleges motivated people to bring their children to the camps for immunisation. FAZILKA: About 48,000 children up to the age of five were given the third dose of polio drops in intensified polio eradication programme in rural and urban areas of this subdivision on Sunday. According to Dr Parshotam Mohan Kakkar, Senior Medical Officer, in charge of primary health centres in Dabwala Kalan and Jandwala Bhimeshah villages, 208 polio booths were set up in 190 villages of both the blocks and 37,000 children were given polio drops. Sources in the Civil Hospital here said about 11,000 children were administered polio drops by 30 teams. HOSHIARPUR: A spokesman for the Health Department claimed that all children up to the age of five in the town were covered in the third phase of the pulse polio drive on Sunday. GURDASPUR: Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister of State for Public Relations, on Sunday inaugurated the pulse polio camp at his native village of Sekhwan in this district. According to Dr S.S. Sohal, Civil Surgeon, five lucky winners who reported for administration of polio drops before 11 a.m. will be included for a lucky draw in each camp and given prizes. SANGRUR: Over 8,000 children up to the age of five were administered polio drops on Sunday in this town and the surrounding slum areas. Thirtyseven pulse polio camps were set up, according to Dr Anup Kad, Senior Medical Officer, local Civil Hospital. According to official sources, as many as 1094 pulse polio camps were organised in the rural and urban areas of the district. ABOHAR: Last year, members of the Lions Club Abohar Greater and Abohar Shakti and Health Department workers had to struggle hard to persuade families of daily-wage earners in the backward "kali basti" near Jammu basti to give polio drops. However, on Sunday, these residents themselves turned up to get polio drops for their children, Mr Naveen Bajaj and Mrs Sushma Gera, presidents of the respective clubs, said. The Senior Medical Officers, Dr J.C. Garg (Abohar) and Dr Dalip Kumar (Khuikhera), said that mobile teams were pressed into service to provide polio drops. Door-to-door campaign would be launched in the next three days to cover those kids who could not get polio drops on Sunday. BARNALA:
During the third phase of the pulse polio drive organised
here on Sunday, about 12,500 children up to the age of
five were administered polio drops at about 30 medical
camps. A special feature of the drive this time was that
traffic policemen here played a laudable role in
motivating people to bring their children for getting
polio drops at various camps organised near prominent
chowks. |
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3 killed, 8 hurt in bus
mishap PATIALA, Dec 19 — Two policemen were killed and eight others injured when a bus on its way to Sunam had a head on collision with a truck near Bhiwanigarh in the district today. The deceased, included the driver of the bus, Head Constable Sukhwinder Singh and band master Pyara Singh. The bus was carrying a band party which was to perform during the first visit of Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to his hometown, Sunam, after becoming a Union Minister. The truck was loaded with marble. The driver of the truck was also injured. While four of the wounded were brought to the Rajindra Hospital here, the others were taken to the Bhiwanigarh Civil Hospital. Mr Dhindsa visited the
injured at the Rajindra Hospital and announced that the
medical expenses of the injured would be paid from his
discretionary fund. |
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Family alleges rape, murder of
daughter ABOHAR, Dec 19 — Mr
Mano-harlal Taneja and members of his family yesterday
said their daughter Kanchan was raped and killed in
bridal costume. They found her body from the Malookpura
canal near Qabarwala village on Thursday. Earlier it was
given out that Kanchan had gone to Malout to meet her
sister married there. Reportedly Gulshan, a resident of
Malout and a frequent visitor to her house, was
accompanying her. It was believed that the two jumped
into the canal as the family was opposed to their
marriage. Gulshan’s whereabouts are also not known. |
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6 robbers arrested AMRITSAR, Dec 19 —
The local police last night arrested six members of a
gang of robbers from the city. The SSP, Mr Parampal Singh
Sidhu, in a press note issued here today claimed that
during a special campaign to curb anti-social elements
from indulging in the thefts and dacoities the police had
managed to arrest them and seized two country-made
pistols and recovered looted property, including one
tractor, gold ornaments and some cash. |
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Subsidies to stay PATIALA, Dec 19 —The state government would provide more subsidies from the next financial year for the overall development of the state. According to a press
note issued by the government here today, there is no
proposal to end subsidies. It said being a welfare state
the government was committed to give financial aid to the
needy. |
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