Wednesday, December 22, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, December 22, 1999 |
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Farmers
flee homes |
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Harassment
at ICCs alleged CPI, SHSAD for probe by HC judge Punjab moots pay clinics Take ‘tough stand’
against Ravi Inder Addict sells son for buying drugs CM bemoans lack of work culture DIET students hold dharna Call for protecting
children’s rights Two doctors die in mishap
No harassment to IT assessees,
assures DG Mann: temple on BJP’s agenda SHSAD allotted earlier site Use of non-fossil energy stressed AISSF calls for strike tomorrow Scribes held for blackmail |
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Farmers flee homes PATIALA, Dec 21 — A number of farmers in this district owing loans to co-operative agriculture banks or other agencies have fled their homes following raids by recovery teams. The incidence is the highest in the Patran-Samana belt. A few cases have also been reported from the Dera Bassi area. Raiding teams accompanied by police personnel swoop on villages in the early hours or late in the evening when the ‘defaulting’ farmer can be cornered. However, many farmers most of whom have been categorised as ‘chronic defaulters’ manage to outwit the raiding teams by fleeing their homes. According to sources, the farmers have devised various methods to elude the raiding teams. At present most have gone to Haryana or Rajasthan to meet their relatives, knowing well they can’t be nabbed in another state. Enquiries from several villages in the Patran belt revealed every morning the farmers leave their homes and hide themselves in the village outskirts. The sight of an approaching Ambassador car or a jeep spreads panic among the defaulters who run helter-skelter looking for refuge. According to the district figures, the number of defaulters was 575. Now 150 have cleared their dues. As many as 477 arrest warrants have been issued. These figures are those of the Agriculture Development Bank while of others like cooperative banks are not available. Officials at the Agriculture Development Bank, unwilling to be quoted, said the money had to be recovered to recycle it to other needy farmers. They said in spite of financial necessities, the recovery teams had tried to "adjust" most defaulters. Only the chronic ones had to be dealt with harshly. The officials, acknowledging the problems faced by farmers said the farming community was in a debttrap. Especially small farmers were in the muddle because of financial mismanagement and misutilisation of loans. The farmers, however, blame the government for their plight. Ranjit Singh, a farmer, said the tillers had suffered huge losses due to the floods caused by the Ghaggar every year. While the cost of agriculture imputs had increased manifold, the support price decided by the government had not increased in the same proportion. He said the absence of a proper crop pattern insurance and ineffective marketing had all contributed to the farmers’ distress. Tejbir Singh Sandhu of Budhmore village said if one season a produce provided rich dividends, all farmers begin to grow it. As a result, there is a glut in the following season, leading to losses. For instance, he said, last year the price of basmati per quintal was more than Rs 2,000 while this year it was selling at around Rs 1000. "Compare it with the rise in the prices of urea, diesel and equipment and see for yourself the farmers’ losses" he argued. Mr Joginder Singh Lal, Bharti Kisan Union, Lakhowal Patran block, said the price of agriculture produce should be according to the price index. He said the action by banks would only push the farmers deeper into the debttrap. As example he said a few
farmers who were caught by the raiding teams were
released only after their family members took more loan
from ahritiyas on higher interest to repay the bank loan.
Now the circle would continue. |
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Five suspended in roadways
ticket scam CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — The Punjab Government today placed under suspension five senior officers of the Transport department found, prima facie, responsible for the infamous Batala Punjab Roadways ticket scandal. They are Mr Amarjit Singh Lokha, a former General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Pathankot; Mr Joginder Pal Singh, General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Jagraon; Mr Kartar Singh, a former General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Batala; Mr Bahadur Singh, a former Traffic Manager, Punjab Roadways, Pathankot; and Mr Ajmeri Lal Kaler, a former Assistant Divisional Manger, Punjab Roadways, Jalandhar, according to a press note. The names of these officers also find a mention, among others, in FIR, no 61/62 dated November 26, police station , Vigilance Bureau, Jalandhar. It has further been ordered that the headquarters of these officials during the period of suspension will be in the office of Divisional Manager, Transport, in Chandigarh. Meanwhile, a government
statement said as in the case of the Central Vigilance
Commission acting as a ‘watch dog’ over the CBI
in Government of India, the newly high-powered apex
committee under the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, will
now monitor the performance of the vigilance
functionaries almost on a day-to-day basis to instil the
required accountability in the systems. The vigilance
machinery will now have no choice but to concentrate on
the task of catching the ‘‘big
fish’’. |
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Harassment at ICCs alleged SAS NAGAR, Dec 21 — The information collection centres (ICC) established by the State Excise and Taxation Department at its borders with other states with effect from December 6 are turning out to be a source of harassment for traders, industrialists and truck operators carrying freight to different destinations to and from Punjab. Long queues of truck drivers and representatives of entrepreneurs waiting for their turn to get the documents checked is a usual scene at the Information Collection Centres at Balogni on the SAS Nagar-Khahar road and at Sohana on the SAS Naga-Sirhind road. While the persons wait for their turn, their vehicles parked on the busy highways become a major traffic hazard. There are several instances of road accidents due to narrowing of the width of the roads due to the haphazard parking of trucks. Adding to the woes of the persons queuing in front of the ICC, the computers installed to download the information provided by the industrialists seldom work. A visit at an ICC reveal that in wake of unoperational computers the staff had to manually write down the entire information wasting a lot of time. Enquires reveal that the work of operating the computers had been given to private persons. Highlighting the problem of harassment to industrialists, the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) has represented to the Financial Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Punjab. The President of the association, Mr S.S.Sandhu, has urged the government to issue directives to the ICC not to stop vehicles ferrying freight within the state. Though it was mandatory under the Section 14-B of the Punjab Sales Tax Act, 1948, to carry forms ST 24-A and 25 for transporting goods to and from the state, the vehicles carrying goods within the state were detained and asked to produce the above said forms, claimed the MIA. The officials at the ICC, however, maintain that the procedure was being followed to check pilferage of sales tax. Besides, shifting of the
ICC's functioning from Balongi and Sohana to a suitable
place on the SAS Nagar- Chandigarh border had also been
demanded by the industrialists. The step would also help
in checking pilferage of sales tax at the SAS
Nagar-Chandigarh border, the MIA said. |
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CPI, SHSAD for probe by HC
judge ROPAR, Dec 21 — The Punjab unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) yesterday demanded an inquiry by a sitting high court Judge into the December 18 incident in which the police resorted to a lathi charge and burst tear gas shells on the students of various District Institutes of Education and Training of the state here. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the state secretary of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dayal, described the announcement of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, to hold an inquiry into this incident by a DIG, as merely an eye-wash. He said it was a matter of shame for all Punjabis that girl students had been beaten up by the policemen. Dr Dayal alleged that Mr Badal had been telling a ‘white lie’ that he (Mr Badal) was unaware of the lathi charge during his stay at Ropar because neither the police nor the administration informed him. He said if Mr Badal’s version was true then he (Mr Badal) should accept that there was still police ‘raj’ in the state. Dr Dayal demanded that cases registered against 78 students should immediately be withdrawn and the arrested students be released. He also demanded that officers on duty at the time of this incident should immediately be suspended. He said if the state government thought that it could repress people with power, it was on a wrong track. He said the Left parties would not tolerate such incidents in the state. Dr Dayal also urged the Governor, Punjab, to intervene in this matter immediately to handle the situation, which emerged due to this incident in the state. He said the Left parties had also asked their students wing to handle the situation in this regard in their respective educational institutions. The state secretary also justified the demand of ETT students that posts of teacher should not be filled through the Sikhiya Karmi scheme and they should be appointed on these posts. He also said with the recruitment of plus two candidates as Sikhiya Karmis in the schools, no body could stop deterioration in the education in rural areas. He also warned the state government that if it did not change its attitude towards employees, farmers, students and other categories then a broad-based movement would be launched by the Left parties in the state. Dr Dayal said the Left parties would be united at one platform to give a fight to the anti-people government. BRAHAMAN MAJRA (Ropar): Supporting the agitation of students of District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET) in the state, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee to look into the alleged police excesses on the Students of DIET on December 18 at Ropar and other aspects of the incident. Disclosing this to the mediapersons here on Monday, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the SHSAD, said Col Jasmer Singh Bala (retd), a member of the SHSAD working committee, had been made the convener of the committee while Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, a former MP; Jathedar Ujjagar Singh Wadali, district president of the SHSAD; Mr Amrinder Singh and Mr Hardeep Singh, both members of the SGPC, had been made members of the committee. Mr Tohra said the committee had already started its work. He alleged that when Colonel Bala (retd), as convener of the committee, tried to meet the students, who were arrested by the police, the previous day, the police and the administration did not allow him to meet them. Mr Tohra also alleged that he had been informed that around 12 students were still in police custody, on whom, the police had been committing excesses. He alleged the police was not in a position to produce them in the court as the students were not in a good health due to alleged torture on them. He said that as per the information of other students, these students were still "missing". Mr Tohra also said that
his party would not organise a conference on December 22
on the occasion of Shaheedi Jor Mela at Chamkaur Sahib.
He said he had been invited by Mr Ravi Inder Singh, MLA,
Morinda, to attend a function on December 22 in a school
at Chamkaur Sahib. He confirmed that he would go to there
on the day. |
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Punjab moots pay clinics CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — Bedevilled by the problem of staff shortage in the government medical colleges, the Directorate of Research and Medical Education, Punjab has forwarded a proposal to the state government to start pay clinics in the hospitals attached to medical colleges. The income from pay clinics will be shared by the doctors concerned, para medical staff on duty and the Punjab Government. While 50 per cent share of the income will go to doctors concerned, 10 per cent will go to paramedical staff and 40 per cent to the state government. Members of teaching faculty act as doctors in hospitals attached with medical colleges. Virtually starved of the teaching staff, government medical colleges in the state are facing a serious problem on the education front. As many as 42 members of the teaching faculty of Government Medical College, Patiala and at Amritsar left these colleges either to join private institutions or start private practice. If the same trend continues, the authorities concerned apprehend, there is every possibility that the Medical Council of India (MCI) may disaffiliate these colleges for want of teaching staff. Informed sources said the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, himself taking note of shortage of staff in government medical colleges, has spoken to the authorities concerned for submitting a proposal to retain the existing teaching staff. When contacted for comments, Mr S.S. Sidhu, Director, Research and Medical Education, told TNS that he was called by Mr Badal in this connection and told to formulate the proposal. He said in the light of discussions with Mr Badal he had forwarded a proposal as regards starting pay clinics along with other recommendations to the authorities concerned for action. He said he had recommended to provide modern equipment to the teaching faculty and improve their service conditions. As private institutions were offering a better pay packet and other facilities and allowing private practice, more and more teachers were joining these institutions. With the starting of pay clinics in government medical colleges, members of teaching faculty will be able to supplement their income and such a measure will go a long way to retain them in government colleges. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has cleared the proposal for buying a "tube" to run the city scan, which was lying shut for the past 10 months in Patiala. The government has approved Rs 18 lakh for the purpose. Informed sources said due to financial crisis in state government was unable to provide adequate funds to government medical and dental colleges from the Budget sanctioned for these institutions. The government was paying only the salary bill of the institutions and also meeting certain other minor expenditure. The medical colleges had
earned Rs 2 crore from the seats "sold" to
non-resident Indian (NRI) students. These funds were
supposed to be used for the development of medical
colleges. But informed sources said because to the
financial problem, part of the funds was diverted by the
government. |
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Take ‘tough stand’
against Ravi Inder CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — Nearly a dozen Ministers and MLAs belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal met Mr Parkash Singh Badal here yesterday evening and urged him to act strongly against Mr Ravi Inder Singh to ensure discipline in the party. In a statement after the meeting released through the SAD secretary, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar here today, the legislators and ministers said while they fully appreciated the patience and tolerance displayed by Mr Badal in meeting the challenges faced by the party. It had become imperative for him to take concrete and immediate steps to ensure that indiscipline and naked self-interest displayed by certain elements was not allowed to flourish. The "Congress-sponsored" conspiracies woven by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and his supporters left the SAD with no option but to take strong and decisive disciplinary action now that Mr Ravi Inder Singh had started a campaign to pose a challenge to the SAD. Mr Ravi Inder Singh has no Akali heritage to speak of. Instead of taking part in any of struggles launched by the SAD for the people of Punjab in the past, he had always chosen to flee the scene to look after his business concerns. He had not realised that the tradition of the Akali Dal was rooted in mass action and not in moneypower. The moment of truth has arrived and action against Mr Ravi Inder Singh can no longer be deferred, they said. "The expulsion of Mr Ravi Inder Singh along with others who are indulging in ‘petty politicking and indiscipline’ at the behest of the Congress is the only course open to the party. We urge the party president Mr Badal, to act in this direction without any further delay," the legislators concluded. The signatories to the
statement included Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, Mr Sarwan Singh
Phillaur, Mrs Upinderjit Kaur, Mr Raghbir Singh all
ministers; the SGPC President, Mrs Jagir Kaur; Mr Gurdeep
Singh Bhullar, Mr Balbir Singh, Mr Mohan Lal, Mr Sohan
Singh, Mr Nand Lal, Mrs Mohinder Kaur, all MLAs. |
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Ravi Inder’s appeal
admitted CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — Admitting Punjab Legislative Assembly Member Ravi Inder Singh’s appeal against the dismissal of an application seeking stay on his expulsion from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the UT district and Sessions Judges, Mr B.S. Bedi, today issued notice for January 4, 2000. In his appeal, Mr Ravi Inder Singh had earlier sought directives for restraining the defendants - the SAD and its President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal — from "talking steps" against him "on account of the impugned order passed on December 15". Claiming to have a good case in his favour, Mr Ravi Inder Singh had stated that "in case the respondent was not restrained there was a possibility regarding the respondents expelling the appellant". The expulsion, his counsel stated, "would cause irreparabe loss and injury which could not be compensated in terms of money but would also lead to the multiplilcity of litigation". Earlier dismissing the application for ad-interim injunciton against his expulsion the UT Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mr Mahender Singh, on December 15 had fixed January 21 as the next date of hearing. Pronouncing the orders,
the Civil Judge had observed: "The applicant has no
prima facie case in his favour nor he would suffer any
irreparable loss in case the injunction is denied to him,
rather the balance of convenience lies in favour of the
defendant". Challenging the order, the counsel had
stated that the contention regarding the plaintiff not
having a prima facie case was not properly founded. The
working committee, the counsel had stated, vested with
the power of suspension and expulsion of any member, had
overlived its tenure. |
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Addict sells son for buying
drugs BATHINDA, Dec 21 — After selling three acres of agriculture land in his native village, Manakpur near Ratia in Hisar district of Haryana, Atma Singh also sold off his three and half year son, Ravi, for just Rs 500 for buying a dose of ‘nasha’. Atma Singh, who had already sold off all his assets due to his addiction sold off Ravi at Bir Talab village last week. He had already sent his elder son to his brother-in-law residing in Salemgarh village near Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan after the death of his wife. Mr Vijay Goyal, president, Sahara Welfare Club, who, along with other volunteers, rescued the child from the buyer, told TNS that at first Atma Singh came to Manwala village near Raman and tried to sold off Ravi. Villagers there resisted his efforts to sell his son so he then moved to Bir Talab village after staying for few days in religious places. He added that Ravi was rescued few days back and handed over to Atma Singh. The club volunteers then got Atma Singh admitted to the local Civil Hospital. In the hospital, it was discovered that Atma Singh was also suffering from tuberculosis and he was treated for the same. The club volunteers also
counselled Atma Singh for not taking drugs again and he
and his son Ravi were sent back to Manakpur village. |
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CM bemoans lack of work
culture JALANDHAR, Dec 21 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has expressed uncertainty over the success of the proposed Milpitas-Jalandhar project as envisaged by the Jalandhar-Milpitas Friendship Society headed by Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, a Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) MLA and a nephew of the Chief Minister. The proposed twin city project involving Jalandhar and Milpitas city in California, USA, has the active involvement of US-based multimillionaire non-resident Indian businessman Jessie Singh who heads the Milpitas Sister Cities Commission. The project is aimed at establishing cultural, economic and educational ties between the two cities. Dr S.S. Bhatti, a local veterinary doctor and the general secretary of the society, has been appointed citizen coordinator by the commission. Mr Badal, addressing a gathering said: "There would be no need for such an arrangement if the Punjabis, who worked hard abroad, also worked hard in their homeland. Actually, we have failed to develop a work culture which is the main reason for our lagging behind in different fields. In other nations, particularly Japan, people don’t shun work on trivial issues. Rather they work more if they want to express their resentment. We don’t have similar dedication among us". On the project, Mr Badal said he had reviewed a number of such projects, but most of these had failed to move beyond the initial stage or had been confined to inaugural functions. He said a practical approach should be adopted to make such projects a success. Addressing the gathering, Mr Jessie Singh, who narrated his tale of success and journey from a petrol station attendant to a computer software bigwig, said to ensure development of Gurdaspur, his home district, a Gurdaspur association had been formed by him and the NRI Sabha, Punjab. Mr Manpreet Badal and Mr
B.K. Srivastava, Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, also
spoke. |
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DIET students hold dharna ROPAR, Dec 21 — Despite closure of local district Institute of Education and Training (DIET) by the district administration for three days, students of DIET today gathered in large number in front of the DIET building here and held a rally and dharna for several hours in support of their demands. They were demanding unconditional release of all 78 students of various DIET who were arrested by the police following a lathi charge and burst of tear gas shells on December 18 here. They also demanded a public apology from the Chief Minister, Punjab, besides withdrawal of cases registered against the arrested students. Their other demands included suspension of police and administrative officials who were on duty at the time of lathi charge on the students, and scrapping of the sikhia karmi scheme. Mr Hardev Singh Arshi, a CPI MLA Mr Bant Singh Brar, state general secretary of the AITUC; Mr Surjit Singh, a representative of the Nav Niyukat Adhiyapak Union; Mr Jagjit Singh Jagga, general secretary of Ropar district unit of the Congress, Mr Avneet Chadha, state general secretary of Unemployed ETT Teachers Union and Mr Jasbir Singh Kajoli, president of Ropar District Unemployed ETT Teachers Union, addressed the rally. All speakers condemned
the police action and supported the demands of the DIET
students. |
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Vulture’s death due to gout: PAU LUDHIANA: The death of an endangered white-backed vulture in Harike Pattan on December 10 was caused by gout. This has been revealed in the post-mortem examination report of the bird given by the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University. The report states that there has been a large-scale deposition of uric acid crystals in the heart, kidneys intestines and lungs of the bird, which ultimately led to its death. According to Dr A.P.S. Brar, Assistant Professor in the department who conducted the post-mortem examination, gout being the cause of the death has also been confirmed through the haematoxylin and eosin staining. However, the de glantha staining of the dead bird's tissues, still to be done, will fully confirm the cause of death. However, it could be an isolated case of death due to gout, he feels. There has been an increased consumption of protein diet by scavengers in the form of meat, he points out. Out of a group of eight white-backed vultures sighted in Punjab during this year, two have been found dead by a team of wildlife officials, comprising Director Wildlife Gurmit Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden B.C. Bala and Chief Conservator of Forests, during a trip to Harike Pattan. The carcasses were found almost 10 hours after the birds' death. These were later brought to Punjab Agricultural University for a bacteriology and toxicology and post-mortem examination on December 11, almost 48 hours after the death. The once-common white-backed vulture is facing extinction and alarmed by its rapidly declining numbers throughout the country, the Government of India had authorised the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Sciences, Coimbatore, to study the causes of decline in the population of these vultures in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at Izzatnagar. The wildlife departments in various states have been put on alert and asked to send samples of parts of these dead birds' bodies to the Salim Ali Centre or the IVRI. Informed sources say that scientists and wildlife officials till now have been working on the theory that the decline in the population of this species could be a result of some viral disease or the pesticides used by farmers. However, veterinarians at Punjab Agricultural University brush aside the possibility of a viral infection leading to the declining population of these vultures. Dr Brar says, since the phenomenon of decline in the vultures' number is so widespread, spread of viral infection over such a large area is a distant possibility". Scientists feel that
genetic mutations in the reproductive systems of these
white-backed vulture causing a lower reproduction rate is
a possibility which cannot be ruled out. |
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Call for protecting
children’s rights PHILLAUR, Dec 21 — The three-day Indo-British course on children's rights and child protection training of trainers concluded today at the Punjab Police Academy. The valedictory address was delivered by Justice V.K. Khanna, Chairperson, Punjab State Human Rights Commission. Justice Khanna highlighted the importance of protecting children's rights and ensuring their well-being. The future of any society depended upon its children and the elders should ensure a healthy and supportive environment for their proper growth and development. Mr Adam Noble, First Secretary of the British High Commission in India, distributed participation certificates. The cause of child protection is a universal phenomenon and the people of all countries should make joint efforts to ensure proper parental and societal support for the all-round development of children. The British Government was developing partnership in India and elsewhere to help promote and protect child rights. This project was an excellent example of what could be achieved through joint efforts. Twelve districts of Punjab had been selected for this programme in the first phase. In each district, there would be a team of three persons selected from the Departments of Education, Health and Police along with representatives of social welfare agencies. The district teams had been trained by three lead trainers — Mrs Anita Punj, IPS, Mr Parveen Sinha, IPS and Dr D.J. Singh. In every district three public education programmes would be conducted by a district team with the help of the district administration. The unique thing about the public education programmes was that these would be conducted with the help of participative methods and group games. Mr A.P. Bhatnagar, ADGP, Punjab State Human Rights Commission, who is coordinating the Indo-British project, delivered a vote of thanks. Among those who spoke on the occasion were Mr Chander Shekhar, IGP, Punjab Police Academy, and Mrs Kamal Singh of the British Council. Meanwhile, a two-day course on human rights of refugees started today at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur. The course is being sponsored by the United Nations Commission for Refugees (UNCR) and is meant for gazetted police and civil officials of the state. Delivering the inaugural address, Mr A.P. Bhatnager, said every agency dealing with refugee issues should be aware about the basic human rights of refugees and ensure their proper rehabilitation in the light of prevailing law of the land. Mr Chander Shekhar, IGP
of the academy, said that gazetted police and civil
officers were taking part in the course, which is being
conducted by two experts of the UNCR — Mrs Sumbul
Rizvi and Ms Pandey. |
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Two doctors die in mishap BATHINDA, Dec 21 — Two doctors were killed and another seriously injured in an accident on the Bathinda-Barnala road yesterday. Official sources said Dr Balraj Singh, posted as Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre, Mehal Kalan, and Dr Ajmer Singh, Medical Officer, Chananwal in Sangrur district, along with Dr Jagdeep Singh were going to Sangrur yesterday when a truck hit their vehicle near Rampura Phul. Dr Balraj Singh died on the spot while Dr Ajmer Singh, who was referred to DMC, Ludhiana, died in the way. Dr Jagdeep Singh was under going treatment at DMC. All three were going to
Sangrur after completing their two weeks’ training
at the local Civil Hospital. |
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No harassment to IT
assessees, LUDHIANA, Dec 21 — Calling for a more tax-payer friendly approach on part of the Income Tax Department, the Director-General (Investigation), Mr S.C. Parija, said that no harassment would be meted out to the assessees during survey and seizure and the assets, cash and jewellery already declared by the assessee to the Income Tax Department would not be seized during search operations. Mr Parija was addressing a meeting of the District Taxation Bar Association (direct taxes) here today. He also said that the Income Tax Department would not force any assessee to surrender any amount during search. At a seminar on the occasion, Mr Ashok Juneja, president of the District Taxation Bar Association, demanded that amendments should be made to allow the legal adviser/advocate of the assessee to be present during search operations so as to ensure less harassment to assessees. Among others present on
the occasion were Mr K.K. Kapila, Mr G. Saran Mr D.S.
Sidhu, Mrs Sudha Sharma (all Commissioners of Income Tax)
and Mrs Hardeep Kaur, Director of Inspection. |
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SHSAD allotted earlier site FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 21 — Succumbing to pressure mounted by the SHSAD and due to the timely intervention by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, the Jor Mela Sub-Committee has now allowed the SHSAD to organise its political conference at the earlier allotted site. According to information Mr Badal directed the SGPC not to create any unnecessary controversy and to settle the matter amicably. Sources revealed that Mr Bachan Singh, secretary, SGPC, had written to the district administration to shift the venue of certain political parties. Today, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr Rajinder Singh Tohra and Mr Kirpal Singh Libra, had a meeting with the DC and the SSP. After the meeting Mr Chandumajra praised the Chief Minister for his intervention, which had saved the situation. Earlier, Mr G.S. Tohra
also talked with district administration officials over
the telephone on this issue. |
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Use of non-fossil energy
stressed AMRITSAR, Dec 21 — Fossil energy should be increasingly produced with environment-friendly technologies and non-fossil energy sources like hydroelectricity and nuclear power must claim their legitimate share worldwide. These remarks were made by Prof P.K. Kaw, Director of the Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar, while delivering his keynote address at the inaugural function of the 14th national symposium on plasma science and technology, organised by the Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, here today. Dr Satinder Singh, Dean of Academic Affairs, presided over the inaugural session. Prof Kaw said that the per capita energy consumption in the South was low and it must be increased substantially. He emphasised that reliance on fossil fuels would impose a severe burden on the environment. There was need to use new energy technologies if economic stagnation in the South was to be avoided. A new target 3 KW per person should be universally accepted. Earlier, Dr Satinder Singh said the four-day deliberations of distinguished scientists gathered here would provide a lead to the younger scientists working in the field of physical science. Guru Nanak Dev University was holding this symposium for the first time in the northern region. Dr Tarsem Singh Gill, coordinator, said there would be seven technical sessions on different aspects of plasma. More than 200 plasma physicists and engineers from all parts of India and abroad were participating in this scientific meet, he added. Dr R.S. Bawa, Registrar, presenting his vote of thanks, urged scientists to come forward to solve the problems of mankind. Dr H. Ramachandran, Prof
R. Ganesh from the Institute of Plasma Research,
Gandhinagar, Prof A.K. Singh of Pune University, Prof
Chenchal Oberoi and Prof Vinod Krishan of the Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Prof G.S. Lakhana
and Prof B.P. Pandey from the Indian Institute of
Geomagnetism, Mumbai, and Prof Anugram Shyam from the
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre presented their research
papers on the opening day. |
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AISSF calls for strike
tomorrow AMRITSAR, Dec 21 — The All-India Sikh Students Federation today called for a complete strike in all colleges, schools and universities in the state on December 23 to protest against the lathi charge on the DIET students at Ropar on December 18. The AISSF president, Mr Harminder Singhj Gill, in a press note issued here today condemned the Chief Minister for his silence over the police atrocities on students. Mr Gill urged the entire
student community to join the strike on December 23 to
express their resentment over the police action against
the peaceful agitating students. |
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Scribes held for blackmail PATIALA, Dec 21 — Two journalists have been arrested by the city police here today on charges of extorting money from a government official. The SSP, Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu, said Ashok Verma, Chief Editor, Newsline Express, a Punjabi weekly, and journalist Shiv Changra of a Hindi daily had been held and remanded to police custody on charges of harassing, threatening and blackmailing Mr Swaran Singh, Inspector, Weight and Measures Department. He said the police had received several complaints against the accused. According to an FIR, the
two have been booked under sections 452, 385, 354, 506,
120 B, and 34, IPC. The accused demanded money from Mr
Swaran Singh and threatened to publish a news report
against him if he did not oblige. |
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Bathinda city getting facelift BATHINDA: Known for insanitation and sewerage problems, the city has started getting funds for its much-needed facelift and various development works have been started by the district administration and Municipal Council. The municipal authorities have started repairing the Mall Road, which was in a bad shape a few months ago. The Mall Road is being made of concrete to save it from damage by stagnant water during the rainy season. More than Rs 80 lakh have been spent to set up lift schemes in the low-lying areas of the Power House Road, trans-railway colonies and the Guru Nanak Pura area for draining out sewer water during the rains. These areas are prone to floods during the rainy season. The municipal authorities have planned to spend Rs 2.80 crore in the current financial year to lay sewer and water pipes in the uncovered areas. About Rs 2.50 crore is being spent on constructing drains and footpaths and laying pre-mix on the roads. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhuller, President of the Municipal Council, has said that if the Punjab Government provides adequate funds, the council will provide sewerage and drinking water facilities in the entire town. The city — known as heartland of the Malwa region — has been growing with the setting up of new industrial units. More than three units are coming up in the industrial growth centre, which was lying unused for the past many years. A cement plant is also being set up by a private business house in the city. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, has said that to reduce traffic congestion, parking lots have been set up. Traffic lights had been put up at the bus stand chowk. A proposal to construct 200-feet-wide road connecting the Barnala-Mansa road has been floated and work on it will be started shortly. A transport nagar is also being set up in the city. For improving the environment in the city, green spaces are also being created in the vacant patches. One green space has been created in the shape of B.R. Ambedkar park near the district courts complex. However, the residents
feel that to ensure cleanliness in the city, more
attention is required than is being given at present.
They say that sand lying along roadsides should be
cleared and efficient garbage clearing system introduced
in the city. |
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Millers resent less storage
space PATIALA, Dec 21 — The Patiala Rice Millers Association yesterday said milling was getting late in the district due to the non-availability of storage space. In a statement here the association President, Mr Gian Chand Bhardwaj, said so far only 16 per cent of the stocks had been milled. He said this year, nearly 12 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in the district of which the maximum had been purchased by agencies. The rest was lying stored in mill stores. He said of the total paddy purchased nearly 6 lakh tonnes were lying stored at Patiala subdivision. He said additional space should be provided so that milling could be completed by December 31, 2000. He said if milling was
not completed by the end of next year there was every
possibility of the deterioration of stocks for which
millers would not be responsible. |
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Mann: temple on BJP’s
agenda LUDHIANA, Dec 21 — Lashing out at the BJP led NDA government in the wake of the recent utterances of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr R.P. Gupta, regarding the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, MP, has said the BJP still has the construction of the temple and demolition of mosques at Mathura and Varanasi on top of its agenda. In a press note issued here yesterday, Mr Mann said history would not even forgive the BJP’s alliance partners for aiding a "communal party". Mr Mann said the alliance partners would by guilty of ignoring the interests of various minorities and for sacrificing their integrity and character for petty personal gains. He said the least the
BJP could do now was to give a written assurance in
Parliament that the mandir and other contentious issues
would not form part of its agenda even if it came to
power on its own, or else it should state that these
issues have only been shelved for the time being. |
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CPI to celebrate foundation
day CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — The Punjab State Council of the Communist Party of India, which held here its three-day session to discuss the political situation in the country, alleged today that the BJP-led government in Centre was pursuing anti-people policies. Hike in diesel prices and fares, cut in subsidies move to privatise banks, disinvestment in public sector undertakings showed its anti-people decisions, Dr Joginder Dayal, Secretary of the council, said. He said the defeat of the SAD-BJP combine in the Lok Sabha poll in Punjab had heightened the infighting in SAD ranks. The Chief Minister, whose authority had been challenged by his partymen was luring the legislators by offering berths in his Cabinet. He said the CPI would
celebrate its foundation day on December 26 by organising
public functions. It would extend full support to the
agitation being launched by five kisan bodies from
December 24. |
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Dr Tung declines offer CHANDIGARH, Dec 21 — Dr Balwant Singh Tung has declined the offer of the Punjab Government to be the Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. Talking to the TNS on the telephone from Beas, where he is posted as Medical Superintendent at Radhasoami Hospital, Dr Tung said he was unable to accept the offer due to unavoidable personal reasons. However, he said he was thankful to the government for making such an offer. The search committee
constituted by the Punjab Government had recommended the
name of Dr Tung as Vice-Chancellor to succeed Dr
L.S.Chawla, who resigned some time ago. |
||
‘Women’s commission should be
vigilant’ AMRITSAR, Dec 21 — The BJP MLA, Mrs Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, yesterday expressed concern about the working of the state Women’s Commission, especially established to investigate cases of harassment and atrocities on women. Mrs Chawla in a press note issued here yesterday pointed out that the commission had not provided any relief in a number of cases of rape, abduction and other crimes. Quoting from the report
of the commission, Mrs Chawla added that during the past
two years, the commission had solved only 44 cases out of
275 complaints received by it during this period. She
felt that the commission should remain vigilant over
cases of women suppression so that it could provide
succour to the needy. |
||
Punjab plan on pensions KHARAR Dec 21 — The Punjab government has prepared a plan to send the amount of old-age and widow pensions and assistance being given to handicapped persons on a monthly basis in the coming year. This was announced by Mr R.L. Kalsia, Director, Development of Women and Children, while addressing a gathering here this afternoon. Mr Kalsia said that at present there were 7.44 lakh such beneficiaries in the state, and there had been some delay in the disbursement of pensions among them. Mr Kalsia flagged off two trucks of relief material being collected by members of Govind Social Club, Kharar, for the benefit of Orissa cyclone affected persons. Mr Kalsia
said that the 100 per cent verifications of such
beneficiaries was going on in the state and it was found
that about 20 to 25 per cent of them were not eligible
for getting these pensions and assistance. He said the
pensions in these cases would be stopped soon. Till now
the government had collected the data and found that
there were 2.47 lakh handicapped persons in the state. He
said that the Punjab government had prepared many schemes
for the welfare of these persons including free books for
students up to the age of 18. |
||
Theatre artistes honoured ANANDPUR SAHIB, Dec 21 — Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Anandpur Sahib has honoured Pran Sabharwal and Sunita Sabharwal for their Punjabi musical production "Odak Sach Rahi", based on the life and teachings of 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji at a drug de-addiction conference that concluded here. The Jathedar of Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Prof Manjit Singh presented Siropa to Mr Sabharwal, in the presence of Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, SGPC. The play that emphasises
on the need for emotional integration and drug-free
society was earlier presented by 50-member team of
National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), Patiala, at the
conference. Prof Manjit Singh presided over the function
and presented mementoes to the artistes. |
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