Friday, February 19, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, February 19, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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PSEB unable
to meet demand State
Budget to be innovative |
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Seminar to
favour scholar ? Renovation
work delay hits shopkeepers Closure
of liquor shops ordered Badal
govt has failed: Tohra Badal's
stern warning to forces of disruption |
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Motor connections to farmers MUKTSAR, Feb 18 — The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities have sanctioned only 900 power connections for tubewell motors to farmers belonging to 78 villages declared water logged in Muktsar and Ferozepore districts so far against the target of 5000 by June 30, 1998. Official sources said farmers of 78 villages declared water logged, who were issued demand notices by the PSEB, Distribution Circle, Muktsar, in April last year were running from pillar to post to get connecions for their motors. To help farmers switch over to paddy from cotton in water logged areas in 77 villages of this district and one village in Ferozepore, the PSEB authorities had decided to release 5,000 connecions for tubewell motors under a self-finance scheme on a priority basis. All power connections were scheduled to be sanctioned before June 30, 1998. Each farmer was required to pay Rs 3000 in one go initially, but the payment was converted into instalments later by the Punjab Government. Mr S.S. Gill, Superintending Engineer, PSEB, talking to TNS, said apart from material shortage, the department was facing labour shortage. He said he had written a number of times to the higher authorities for making arrangements for adequate meterial so that all applicants could be covered in the shortest possible time. The material purchased by the PSEB was being distributed in all PSEB circles without any special quota for the water logged areas. He said out of 78 villages declared as water logged, by the Punjab Government, 37 fell in the Muktsar segment, 27 in Malout, 13 in Gidderbaha and one in Abohar subdivision of Ferozepore district. He, however, claimed that no time period had been fixed by the government for releasing the 5000 power connections to the water logged areas under the self-finance scheme. A large number of farmers
who have applied for connections under the priority quota
alleged government indifference and say due to water
logging in the area, not a single blade of grass has
grown in the area for the past many years. |
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State Budget to be innovative PHAGWARA, Feb 18 — Punjab Finance Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh today claimed that Budget of the state would be innovative, give a new direction to Punjab and have three-pronged thrust on drinking water, primary education and roads. Talking to reporters at the residence of his relative Jagjit Singh Chahal here, Captain Kanwaljit Singh added that the Planning Commission had approved Rs 2655 crore plan for Punjab at an informal meeting and it would be finalised at the next meeting with the commission to be held shortly. Denying any financial crisis or Congress allegations about undeclared financial emergency, the Finance Minister quipped that the government was meeting its all commiments. Before the commencement of the Budget session on March 9, I am holding open discussions with various representatives including those of industries for taking up measures to rationalise Sales Tax harassment to people and improve tax realisation, disclosed the Finance Minister. I have called a sepcial meeting for devising ways and means to revive steel re-rolling industry gripped with recession at present. He hoped that definite steps would be taken to remove this recession in February 27 Union Budget. Pleading for 50 per cent share to states from central taxes, Mr Kanwaljit Singh hoped at least recommendation of the 10th Finance Commission for granting 29 per cent share should be implemented and Bill about it tabled in the coming Budget session of Parliament. We have already made a representation to the centre for 50-50 share in central taxes recovered from states disclosed the Finance Minister. Denying Congress charges that the state was not attracting investments, Captain Kanwaljit Singh claimed the Badal government had attracted Rs 17000 crore's investments in two years while just Rs 16000 crore investments had come to Punjab in last 45 years. On the current politico-religious on "goings in Punjab, Captain Kanwaljit Singh maintained it was right time now to give religious-orientation to the over-politicised SGPC. Calling for limiting the role of politics in the SGPC. The Captain pleaded the SGPC should confine itself to religious activities, propagation of Sikhism and management of gurdwaras as stipulated in the 1925 Sikh Gurdwara Act. He accused "otherside" of creating unfortunate confusion in situation and sought clarification as to whether the 'other-side' admitted existence and jurisdiction of the SGPC. If they do. Then why do they raise objections to majority decisions of the SGPC executive or its general House seeking the removal of those at the helm of the SGPC, asked the Captain. Powers of general house were vested in and delegated to the SGPC executive committee which had full locus standi to remove Singh Sahibans or its chief. Claimed Captain. After all the SGPC was a democratic institution and 135 members have demanded the ouster of its chief, continued the Captain. Besides, there had been precedents too, he claimed. To a question if Akali
tussle will revive terrorism, he replied neither the
Punjab government nor people of Punjab would ever allow
the return of terrorism. The Captain had come here to
attend a social function at the house of the Jagjit Singh
Chahal. |
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Doctors'
board
to monitor Jathedar's health AMRITSAR, Feb 18 — Though still on the critically ill cardiac patients list, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Puran Singh, is making a "slow and steady" progress. his condition is described as "stable". Giani Puran Singh, who was admitted to Guru Ram Das Hospital on February 1, was later shifted to the intensive care unit of Guru Nanak Hospital under the care of Dr Adarsh Kumar, Head, Cardiology Department. The Jathedar had 'intrinsic valve infarction". The principal of Government Medical College, Dr O.P. Mahajan, has constituted a board of doctors to examine and monitor the health of the Jathedar. The board members, besides Dr Adarsh Kumar, are Dr C.S. Shergill (Medicine), Dr Manmohan Singh Khanna (Anaesthesia) and Dr H.S. Gill (Medical Superintendent). The course of treatment for Giani Puran Singh was discussed with Dr Jagmohan Verma, cardiologist at the PGI, Chandigarh, who examined the patient yesterday. The Director, PGI Dr B.K. Sharma, was also consulted. As per the medical bulletin, Giani Puran Singh's respiration is 22 per minute, while he has a pulse rate of 94 per minute. His blood pressure is registered at 96/60. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, visited him yesterday. Informed sources told TNS
that Giani Puran Singh felt "better" and had
conveyed so to the doctors attending on him. |
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Seminar to favour scholar ? PATIALA, Feb 18 — Mr Lalith Dhir, a research scholar registered with Punjabi University, working in a biotech firm in San Deigo in the USA, was allowed to present his pre-thesis submission at a seminar, despite objections by the faculty of the Biotechnology Department on January 29. The seminar enables Mr Dhir to submit his Ph.D thesis anytime within the next three months, according to university rules. However, the university authorities say the seminar was held at the research scholar's risk and that it is yet to receive a formal application from him pleading for a time waiver for grant of degree by taking into consideration the time spent abroad on research which now forms part of his thesis. Four faculty members — Mr Munish Puri, Mr Ram Swarup Singh, Mrs Neelam Verma and Ms Parveen Balgir — dissociated themselves from the seminar. The seminar, which was slated for January 27, was held two days later, despite the faculty members conveying their objections to the head of the department. Talking to TNS, the faculty members said they boycotted the seminar as the research scholar had not conducted any experiment in the department. Moreover, it took a minimum of three years to identify the gene on DNA cloning. A simple experiment like isolating the electro-chromsomal beta caseine and cloning it in a vector to form a recumbent product itself took three months. They said they had no objections if the research scholar had conducted experiments abroad but were against him "bulldozing" his way to a Ph.D thesis in violation of norms. The Head of the Biotechnology Department, Dr S.S. Gill, said he was not sure whether the research scholar had worked for 45 days in the department but said even the 45 days criterion could be waived by the Vice-Chancellor. The research scholar applied for registration in the university in October, 1998, and had had no formal interaction with the department earlier, Dr Gill, who is his supervisor, said. Dr Gill said the research scholar had worked under the supervision of a scientist working in a company in San Deigo. He said the scholar had claimed in his application that he had been working with the scientist since October, 1996. When asked to rate his work, he said the work was significant with much commercial value. Vice-Chancellor Joginder Singh Puar, when contacted, said nothing irregular had been done by the university in letting the research scholar present his pre-thesis submission at the seminar. He said this had been done at the scholar's own risk. The university would take a decision on whether to grant him a Ph.D degree or not when he applied for a time-waiver. Dr Puar claimed "vested interests" were playing up the case. However, Punjabi
University Teachers Association (PUTA) president S.S.
Khaira said it was intriguing that known supporters of
the Vice-Chancellor were invited to the seminar. He said
Prof B.S. Nanda of the Punjabi Department, Dr H.S. Bhatti
of Sociology, Dr B.S. Mangat of Mathematics, Dr B.S.
Bhatia of Business Management and Dr I.J.S. Bansal, a
retired professor, completed the quorum at the seminar. |
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Renovation work delay hits
shopkeepers FEROZEPORE: Shopkeepers at the general bus stand of Ferozepore Cantonment on the G T Road, have been suffering losses as their business had come down due to work on renovation of the surface turning sluggish. The work of converting the brick surface into hard surface had commenced last September. The day when work started five out of the six shopkeepers put up their shutters. Since then, five shops and office of the Punjab Roadways is closed and all of them have been doing their business in tents pitched by them there. A public call office (PCO) holder is the lone tenant doing business, the reason being that it is not possible for him to shift the PCO! In a joint letter addressed to the Cantonment Executive Officer here on September 30, the shopkeepers said work on renovation of the bus stand has severely hit their business and they were unable to meet their day-to-day expenses, what to speak of rent. They, therefore, asked the CEO to exempt them from rent payment for the renovation period. Talking to The Tribune, a bookseller-cum-general store merchant, Mr Ravi Kumar said 50 per cent of his business had been hit . Another loss to him was that he was paying monthly rent of Rs 1,500 for the tent put up in the open. Mr Umesh Kumar, a pan-bidi seller, has the same tale to tell. A sales girl at the PCO says that only one-third of the business was being done. Shopkeepers pointed out that when work began, they were told by Cantonment Board officials that it would be completed within a fortnight. They feel that considering the present pace of work, completion would take at least another six months. When contacted, the CEO, Mr S S Chahal, said the demand of exempting rent for the renovation period was under consideration, but no final decision had been taken so far. The renovation, being done according to specifications of the Punjab Roadways, would be completed by the month-end. The Cantonment Board was spending Rs 12 lakh on making a hard surface, which will be of concrete with iron dividers. The earlier brick surface had been in a deplorable condition. There is also a proposal
to provide drains as well as a rest room for Punjab
Roadways drivers and other staff members. The proposals
would be sent soon to the Director of Defence Estates for
approval. |
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Closure of liquor shops ordered ROPAR, Feb 18 — The District Magistrate here has ordered the closure of all liquor shops from February 25 to March 3 next in the Anandpur Sahib subdivision and the Bharatgarh area in view of the annual Hola Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib. The District Magistrate has also imposed certain restrictions to check any untoward incident at Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib from February 25 to March 4 next. No private security guard equipped with arms will be allowed in the mela area. No person will also be allowed to bring arms and ammunition except on duty employees. A complete ban on the use of crackers and fireworks in the mela area has also been imposed. No person will also be allowed to have bottles and brick pieces on roofs or vacant sites. Parking of vehicles on roads and within five feet from road in the municipal limits. On Ropar-Nangal highway and Anandpur Sahib sub-division has also been banned. The DM has also imposed a complete ban on the use of 'Gulal' during the mela. The use of 'Gulal' by Nihangs for religious purposes has been exempted from the ban. The use of "Bhang" (intoxicating hemp) and other intoxicants have also been banned in the mela. The DM in a order has also
mentioned that whosoever violated the restrictions can be
fined up to Rs 1000 or six months imprisionment or both
under Secion 188 of the IPC. |
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Badal govt has failed: Tohra TOHRA (Patiala), Feb 18 — Beleagured SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra today hit hard at the Parkash Singh Badal-led government, alleging that the government had failed to deliver the goods. Talking to mediapersons at his residence in Tohra village, 30 km from here, the SGPC president welcomed the decision of Mr Om Parkash Chautala, leader of the Indian National Lok Dal, to withdraw support to the Vajpayee government in protest against the price hike of essential commodities. He said Mr Badal, who claimed to be farmer-friendly, had not pressed the Union government for a rollback of the urea price hike. Instead he had stated there was enough stock to sell urea at old rates. Mr Tohra pointed out that such measures were only a stop-gap arrangement and wondered what the government would do once the stock was exhausted. Making a dig at Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Mr Tohra said "wrong" policies had led to a financial crisis in the state. It was not enough to say that the SAD-BJP government had inherited an empty treasury from the Congress and plead not guilty. Instead, measures should have been initiated to revive the state's economy. Mr Tohra criticised the Badal government for "failing" to honour its poll promises barring free power facility to farmers, none of the promises had been kept. He specifically mentioned the promise to abolish octroi, saying that instead of honouring its commitment to the people, the Badal government had hiked octroi rates of four municipal corporations. When asked about the allegation by Mr Badal that Mr Tohra was hand in glove with the Congress, the SGPC president retorted that there could be no answer to such lies. "I have never thought of aligning with the Congress after Operation Bluestar and will never share dais with Congress leaders. Mr Tohra said it seemed Mr
Badal was in league with the Congress and had reached an
understanding of "ruling the state by turns". |
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Badal's stern warning to forces of
disruption DASUYA (Hoshiarpur), Feb 18 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal warned disruptive and secessionist forces in Punjab, adding that he would not allow them to bring bad days in Punjab back even if he had to sacrifice his life for the noble mission of peace in the state. Addressing an impressive function in DAV college ground here today, Mr Badal said that Punjab had already suffered a lot due to the follies of some people in the past years who harmed the interest of the country and its people for their vested interests. These elements, through provocative speeches incited people and pushed them into troubled waters. He cautioned people against their fundamentalist designs and asserted that life and property of every citizen would be protected. The Chief Minister appealed them to strengthen his hands to combat enemies of peace and harmony. Expressing concern over diminishing national spirit Mr Badal said that the country could only march forward if we keep national cause uppermost in mind. He said that his prime concern was to raise standard of living of people and improve their living conditions. With this view, the present government had provided more outlay for agriculture, social services and education without any new tax. He urged the people to pay taxes honestly so that more funds could be made available for development and welfare. Underlining priorities of his government Mr Badal said that power and infrastructure development were the major sectors necessary for total development. He said that 'Thein Dam' had been completed and Rs 500 crore have been spent in the past two years. The Prime Minister will inaugurate this giant project which will add 600 MW of more power to the state's grid. He said that Lehra Mohabbat power plant had been completed and an other thermal power project was being set up at Goindwal. He said that all link and plan roads in the state would be repaired in the next few months and Rs 570 crore had been arranged for it. Pleading for making education job-oriente Mr Badal said that this was the only way to tackle unemployment and enabling our youth to compete with the rest of the world. He said that we must dodify our education system suiting to changing global scenario. He urged voluntary organisations and philanthropists to contribute in improving the educational infrastructure. He said that it was the previous Akali government under his chief ministership which gave 95 per cent grant facility to private colleges. Had it not been there, half of the institutions would have been closed by now, he said. The Chief Minister criticised the successive Congress governments for demolishing economy of the state. He appealed the people to strengthen the SAD-BJP government to activate the socio economic development process in the state. The Chief Minister also gave awards to outstanding students of DAV college who execelled in sports, academic and other extra activities. Prominent among others who
were present and spoke on the occasion were Mr Bhagwant
Singh, Mr Balbir Singh (both SGPC members) Mr Balbir
Singh Miani, Mr Arunesh Shakar, Mr Tikshan Sud, Ms
Mohinder Kaur (all MLAs). |
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Pilgrims return from Pak AMRITSAR, Feb 18 — A batch of 74 pilgrims who visited Sri Kattas Raj in Pakistan to celebrate Mahashivratri and Basant returned home today. The jatha, led by president of the Kendriya Sanatan Dharam Sabha (Northern India), Mr Shiv Partap Bajaj, was given a warm reception at the Attari railway station. Mr Bajaj said that this time the facilities provided to the pilgrims were much better as compared to November last. He was appreciative of the Pakistani hospitality. Though a small section in Pakistan is opposed to Indian Prime Minister's visit to Lahore on February 20. By and large, the people were enthusiastic to improve Indo-Pak relations. Mr Bajaj, who is also state president of the Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the industry had pinned high hopes on the Prime Minister's visit and this could be beginning of a new chapter in bilateral trade relations between the two countries. In Pakistan, the pilgrims were joined by a team of MPs, led by Mr Balram Jakhar. The visiting jatha met the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and presented him a memorandum. The memorandum lists
suggestions on making future visits of pilgrims more
successful. The delegation stressed fixed dates for the
jatha's visit and at least two visits a year allowing
greater number of pilgrims in each batch. |
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I was not kidnapped, says Mohan Singh AMRITSAR, Feb 18 (UNI) — The mystery shrouding the sudden disappearance of the Golden Temple Head Granthi, Giani Mohan Singh, on the eve of the installation ceremony of Giani Puran Singh as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht on Monday last, has been solved with the Head Granthi declaring that he had not been "abducted" but was pre-occupied due to certain domestic engagements. Giani Mohan Singh, a relative of the Akali Dal (Badal) Disciplinary Action Committee Chairman, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, returned here today. After his sudden disappearance on Sunday last, he told local police officials that he had left the city as he had to attend to a number of family functions. Giani Mohan Singh denied that he had been abducted by anyone, as was alleged by the Badal group Secretary-General, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, that the Head Granthi had been "kidnapped" by the Tohra faction in order to prevent him from taking part in the installation ceremony, following suspended Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh’s pre-condition that he would quit his post if the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple presented a "siropa" (robe of honour) to the acting Jathedar during the installation ceremony. Giani Mohan Singh visited
Guru Nanak Hospital and met Giani Puran Singh, acting
Jathedar to enquire about his health. |
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ITI for women to be set up at
Chaklan ROPAR, Feb 18 — Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Minister for Technical Education Punjab, today, inaugurated and dedicated a focal point to the villagers at Chaklan village near Morinda. This is one of the nine focal points in the district completed during the past two years. As many as 13 new focal points were allotted to the district by the SAD-BJP government under its scheme of providing facilities to the rural folk at urban pattern. The completed nine focal points are Sukhemajra, Mianpur Changer, Gaggo, Chaklan, Surewal, Bassi Gujjran, Jhanjerri, Rurki Pukhta and Rasoolpur, while four focal points at Mahain, Kalwan, Bhago Majra and Nangalian villages are near completion, according to official sources. Addressing the gathering, Dr Upinderjit Kaur announced the setting up of an ITI for women at Chaklan village following an offer made by village panchayat to make available land for the ITI, free of cost. She also disclosed that Rs 40 lakh had also been released for the under Construction Polytechnic at Anandpur Sahib. The minister claimed that SAD-BJP government had succeeded in creating an industrial atmosphere in the state. She also claimed that Punjab would become a leading state in the country in the field of Industrialisation in three years. She said that SAD-BJP government had made arrangements for setting up of industrial units to the tune of Rs 22000 crore in the state while an investment of only 14,000 crore had been made since independence before the formation of SAD-BJP government in the state. Among others who also addressed the function included Deputy Commissioner K.S. Sidhu; MLA Chamkaur Sahib, Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu. Jathedar Pritam Singh Sallomajra and Mr Surinder Kumar Sood, presidents of district units of SAD and BJP respectively; Principal Joginder Singh and Mr Harbans Singh Kandhola etc. Dr Upinderjit Kaur also distributed cheques of Shagun Scheme to the beneficiaries, and development grants. NAWANSHAHR: The SAD-BJP government during two years of its governance in the state had launched revolutionary development and welfare schemes, which no other government had ever started, said the Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the focal point at village Jadla, 10 km from here today. The function was organised to celebrate the second anniversary of the SAD government in Punjab. She said that the Badal
government was determined to bring in industrial
revolution in the state and had spent Rs 22000 crore on
setting up industrial units in the state during the past
two years while during the past 48 years the govts had
just spent Rs 14000 crore on setting up industrial
projects, she added. |
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Rallies, marches by college
teachers JALANDHAR, Feb 18 — More than 300 college teachers from all over the district organised protest rally and march, on a call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU) against the "negative" attitude of the Punjab Government towards their demands here today. Prof Jaspal Singh Randhawa, district president and Dr R.B. Singh district secretary of the PCCTU, said here today that the teachers marched to the Deputy Commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Punjab. Dr V.K. Tewari, general secretary of PCCTU, while addressing the rally said that the Punjab Government had compelled teachers to give a call for boycott of university examinations. He feared that the non-participation of teachers would bring down the credibility of examinations. FEROZEPORE: On the directive of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union college teachers of the district took out a march on Thursday. Later they held a rally outside the DC office. Leaders including the district president, Prof S.S. Sandhu, said they would intensify the struggle if their demands were not met. LUDHIANA: In response to a call given by the PCCTU teachers of non-govt affiliated colleges of the district held a protest rally outside Deputy Commissioner's office here. Addressing the rally Prof K.B.S. Sodhi and Prof Kanwaljit Singh Secretary PCCTU, and district President of the Ludhiana Council, Respectively, lambasted the government for their anti-teacher and anti-employee policies. AMRITSAR: Teachers of all private-aided colleges in this district skipped four periods and held a protest demonstration in the district courts. Teachers leader Surinder Sharma gave a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding the implementation of the Fourth Pay Commission's recommendations. A batch of 21 teachers
went on the fast on the first day. |
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Relay fasts by school teachers NAWANSHAHR, Feb 18 — A 15-member jatha comprising teachers and non-teaching employees of the government aided schools of the district, today, started a "relay fast" in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here, as a part of their statewide agitation in protest against the callous attitude of the state government towards their demands. Mr Gurmit Singh and Mr H.R. Sharma executive members of the state body of the Punjab State Aided School Teachers and other employees union, said the Badal government had been backing out from written agreements with the union and had been denying the employees of the aided schools the revised pay scales. The relay fast would continue for four days. MOGA: A large number of teachers belonging to government-aided private schools started relay fast here and held demonstrations in different parts of Punjab to protest against the non-implementation of their demands which had been accepted by the state government. A delegation of these teachers met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday and he reportedly assured them of justice. GURDASPUR: Teachers of government aided private schools started relay fast in front of the office of the District Education Officer on Thursday which will continue till their demands are conceded, said Mr Sampuran Singh Khehra, press secretary. Earlier the teachers blocked main roads of the traffic at Hanuman and post office crossings. They also demaonstrated in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner where they burnt the effigy of the Punjab Government. FEROZEPORE: A 21 member first batch of the District unit of the the Punjab State Recognised School Teachers and other employees union, sat on 24-hours relay fast on Thursday in protest against the state government's alleged "indifferent" attitude towards their demands. Mr Mohan Lal Bhasker and Mr S.P. Sharma said, the relay fast would continue till their demands were not met by the government. HOSHIARPUR: As many as 61 female teaohers of government aided schools of Hoshiarpur district led by Mr Sudarshan Kaur started chain hunger strike in support of their demand in front of the district courts here today. Mr Som Dutt Sharma, General Secretary of the recognised school teachers and other employees union pressed for the acceptance of their demands. KHANNA: Traffic on the busy G.T. Road was blocked for about half an hour by angry aided school teachers at Samrala Chowk here today in protest against the alledged manhandling of female teachers by the police. The police however, denies the charges. The trouble arose when teachers of aided schools led by Sham Sunder, K.K. Sharma, Balihar Singh, Jagdev Singh, Darshana Devi and Jaspal Kaur tried to burn on effigy of Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh. The police seized the effigy. a Teachers alledged that the police manhandled female teachers and assaulted them. In the melee that followed teachers snatched away the effigy and burnt it there, aftarwards they proceeded to the SDMs office. ROPAR: Mr Manohar Lal Chopra, General Secretary of the Union claimed that the stay-in-Strike was cent per cent in all 484 aided schools. He said that the teachers will continue the strike till the demands were accepted. He appealed to the Punjab
Chief Minister to satisfy the employees and pensioners of
aided schools. On its part the Union was ready to
negotiat. |
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Police refuses to arrest CPI men BATHINDA, Feb 18 — The administration and police authorities here today again refused to take nearly 1000 workers of the CPI into custody even though they forced their entry into SSP's office and gheraoed it. The CPI workers, who marched in the Deputy Commissioner's office raised slogans and offered court arrest under the nationwide "jail bharo andolan" launched by party on February 15. However, no action was taken against them. Mr Jagjit Singh Joga, member, State Council of the CPI said workers were refused entry into the police station. Mr Joga claimed that the Punjab Government had bowed before the agitation launched by the party and added that it could not arrest the party workers because of the fact that it was passing through a crisis. Mr H.S. Sran, SSP said that there was no grounds to arrest the CPI workers had the party workers done anything against the law, they would have been arrested, he added. KAPURTHALA: Nearly 50 workers of the CPI, including its district secretary Niranjan Singh Ucha, courted arrest in the district courts on Thursday. Before courting arrest, workers held a rally in the district courts and criticised the government for steep hike in the prices of essential commodities. PATIALA: Nearly 70 activists of the district unit of the Communist Party of India courted arrest on Thursday as a part of the statewide "jail bharo" call against inflation and onslaught on minorities in the country. Veteran CPI leader Gurbax
Mehta and Harpal Singh Ghagga, leader, Kisan Sabha, in a
statement said these persons were let off in the evening.
Earlier, a demonstration was held in the city and a
three-hour dharna was staged in front of the Deputy
Commissioner's office. |
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Shivalinga "changes"
colour, PATIALA, Feb 18 — In an incident reminiscent of the mind-boggling phenomenon of the drinking of milk by idols of Lord Ganesha four years ago, the temples in this city were flocked by devotees today after reports that Shivalinga was changing colour and taking various shapes like "Om" and the moon. Curious citizens made a beeline for Shiv temples in the city. Pandit Maya Ram of Shiv Temple, Sheranwala Gate, told this correspondent that he cited a change in the colour of Shivalinga while performing puja in the morning. Devotees too noticed the change. "We had no explanation. It is a divine message," he said. A report from a Shiv Mandir in Dasmesh Nagar said red lines had appeared on the black Shivalinga and were taking the shape of Om. Another report from the historic Shiv Temple near Punjabi University said a crescent moon was forming on the Shivalinga. Similar reports were received from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib. The local unit of the Tarksheel Society of India in a press note dismissed the reports as "illusion". Mr Harchand Bhinder,
district convener of the society, said a team of the
society visited the temples and talked to devotees and
found it to be "an optical illusion due to formation
of images in the minds of the devotees even before
actually seeing the image of the God, Shiva". |
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Team submits report on Gujarat
visit SAMRALA, Feb 18 — Punjab Minister Sucha Singh Lengah and Mr Munavir Masih, President of the Christian Front Punjab have submitted the report of their 15-member team's visit to Dangs district of Gujarat to the state Chief Minister today. Mr J. William and Mr Munavir Masih said here today that the Hindu Jagran Manch of the Bajrang Dal attacked Churches and missionary schools in a planned and calculated way and Gujarat has failed to protect the interest of minorities there. Mr Munavir said the state government did not forbade the holding of a rally by the Hindu Jagran Manch on December 15. Mr Munavir Masih appealed
to the Chief Minister to approach the Prime Minister to
safeguard the rights of Christians. He said the Shiromani
Akali Dal supported the Christian and the community also
back SAD. |
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Rail reservation function
cancelled ABOHAR, Feb 18 — A message was received last evening that the function regarding the inauguration of the computerised national rail reservation network at the local Railway station, stood cancelled. A word had been passed from the office of the Chairman of the Railway Board, sources said. Local authorities removed the granite foundation stone which had golden engraving giving the names of Mr Jakhar and Mr Maan and filled the gap with cement plastering. However, the reservation has been started, sources said a former Congress MP accompanied by some SAD leaders had reportedly met Mr Ram Nayak, Minister of State for Railways, to emphasise that the function should be cancelled. The Railway officials were reluctant as they had extended invitation to the VIPs. Pressure through Senior Akali leaders was mounted up. This led to the cancellation of function and starting of reservation without any ceremony. Mr Jakhar's arrival was not cancelled. Mr Jakhar arrived at 1.30 p.m. by road and was received by hundreds of Congress workers led by Mr Balwant Rai and Mr Ajit Kumar, presidents, respectively, of rural block Congress and youth Congress committees at Balluana on the Abohar-Malout road. Large number of citizens
and senior office-bearers of the party including women
and youth gave him warm reception before his departure to
address a public meeting in the heart of the town. |
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N-tests 'raised' India's prestige GARHSHANKAR, Feb 18 — Mr Piara Singh Khabra, a British MP, has said that there is resentment against India in the UK for having conducted nuclear tests. But he felt that it had raised India's prestige abroad. He said the UK had become strict and selective in giving political asylum and advised the Punjabi youth not to risk entry into the UK on this pretext. Mr Khabra is in India
these days with a deputation of the Select Committee for
International Development of House of Commons to meet CMs
of Bengal, Orissa etc. |
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Father, daughter die in accident BATALA, Feb 18 — Hardev Singh (38) and his eight-year-old daughter were killed last evening on the Batala-Jalandhar road. They were going to their
residence in the urban estate on a scooter. When they
reached near TVS agency on the Jalandhar road, a Tata
Sumo hit their scooter and they fell down. A bus coming
from the opposite direction ran over them. |
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