Sunday, February 21, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, February 21, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Fee
structure streamlined Badal
to take up Sikh issues with Pak |
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Jaitu
residents awaits Nehru memorial Tohra
denies summoning of meeting Few
takers for second-hand cars Rice
millers’ protest on Feb 22 Shiv
Sena activists "rounded up" Backward
classes not given 'their due' |
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Allotment of vehicle numbers CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — The Punjab Government has doubled the fee for much-sought after number 0001 of each series of registration of motor vehicles in the state. Those seeking this number will now have to pay Rs 50,000 instead of Rs 25,000 as notified in January last year. The demand for 0001 number can be judged from the fact that the first number of the only new series launched after this hike — PB02T — has already been allotted on a payment of Rs 50,000, says Mr Kulbir Singh, State Transport Commissioner, Punjab. Besides increasing the fee for the first number of each series, says Mr Kulbir Singh, the state government has also rationalised the fee structure for other 268 select numbers. This rationalisation follows a survey of demand of these specified numbers for vehicles which since January last year could be allotted only on the payment of the specified fee. It was on January 7 last year that the Punjab Government by exercising its power under rule 42A of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules decided to levy a fee for the allotment of specified numbers for registration of motor vehicles in the state. Under the scheme, the fee fixed for number 0001 was Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000 was fixed for the remaining single digit numbers. Also in the Rs 15,000 bracket were some double digit numbers, including 10, 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88 and 99. The remaining double digit numbers and select three digit and four digit numbers were clubbed in category III where the fee was fixed at Rs 10,000 for each number. The fourth category comprised certain other specified numbers which could be allotted on the payment of Rs 5,000 each. Besides, the Punjab Government had fixed a fee of Rs 5,000 for allotment of any specific number other than those in this list. A survey reveals that the Punjab Government has earned a revenue of Rs 26.05 lakh so far from the allotment of specified numbers. Ludhiana heads the list with a turnover of Rs 11.80 lakh followed by Jalandhar (Rs 10.02 lakh). Patiala is third with a revenue generation of Rs 6.70 lakh. Amritsar has contributed Rs 2.70 lakh. The demand of number 0001 notwithstanding, otherwise only 15 to 20 of the specified 269 numbers have been allotted so far from each series. Keeping in view the lukewarm or cold response to rest of the numbers, the Punjab Government has rationalised the fee. Under the revised rates, the category II registration numbers could now be had for Rs 10,000 each instead of Rs 15,000 earlier. Similarly, the fee for category III numbers has been reduced to Rs 5,000 from Rs 10,000 while the category IV numbers have been made the cheapest. Any of the numbers in this category can be had for Rs 2,000 against the previous fee of Rs 5,000. With the rationalisation
of fee structure, says Mr Kulbir Singh, the State
Government hopes to generate a revenue of Rs 1 crore in
the next financial year. "It is not the revenue
alone but minimisation of discretion and pressure on
senior functionaries of the state government as a whole
and the Transport department in particular in allotting
spefic numbers that is making us continue with the fee
system." |
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Badal to take up Sikh issues
with Pak LUDHIANA, Feb 20 — Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal said today that he along with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, would take up with Pakistan, during their trip to that country, the issue of handing over the administration of Sikh shrines there to the SGPC so that these could be maintained properly as per Sikh traditions. Addressing a religious congregation before the start of "Khalsa Chetna March" dedicated to the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa organised by the district Akali Jatha (urban) and different Singh-Sabhas of the city from Ludhiana to Fatehgarh Sahib at Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Model Town Extension here. Mr Badal said that the Pakistan government would also be requested to allow every group of 10 Sikh pilgrims to visit Sikh shrines in Pakistan at any time. The Chief Minister hoped that with the present visit of the Prime Minister to Pakistan, a new era of friendly relations would be ushered in and more avenues of trade opened. He claimed that with the improvement of mutual relationship between the two countries both Punjabs would be the major beneficiaries as they had deep cultural and emotional bonds, Mr Badal said that with the increase of trade between the two countries. Punjab could purchase surplus power and cooking gas from Pakistan. Mr Badal added that with the help of the Prime Miniser, he would make efforts to bring relics relating to Maharaja Ranjit Singh being kept in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum in Lahore for display during tercentenary celebrations at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Referring to the tercentenary celebrations arrangement, Mr Badal said that detailed programme would be finalised during the coming few days in which the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister of India would also participate besides eminent religious personalities of different religions from all over the world. He said that both state and central governments were making maximum contributions towards the celebrations and the Prime Minister had already formed a committee under the chairmanship of Mr Murali Manohar Joshi, Union Human Resource Development Minister and sanctioned Rs 100 crore for this purpose. He said that Anandpur city would be painted in white before Baisakhi. The expenditure would be borne by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Management committee. To impart training in a martial arts, a martial art sports academy was being set up at a cost of Rs 113 crore at Anandpur Sahib. Mr Badal said to seek cooperation of all sections of people for celebrations, he had called a meeting of the representatives of all political parties on February 22 and was convening another meeting of heads of all religions shortly. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal,
Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, MP,
Mr Amarjit Singh Bhatia, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, Mr
Jagdish Singh Garcha, Mr Sadhu Singh Ghudani, (both
MLAs), Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and 12 SGPC members
also attended the function. Later a long Khalsa 'Chetna
march' started from Ludhiana in which several buses and
trucks carrying people reciting Gurbani joined. |
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Homoeo council members seek
chief's removal LUDHIANA, Feb 20 — Five of the eight members of the Punjab Homoeopathic Council, have demanded the removal of the Council Chairman, Dr Baljit Singh. In a joint letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, released to the press here today, they said the appointment of Dr Baljit Singh was patently wrong abinitio. Dr Baljit Singh, who was Director, Medical Education and Research, was appointed as the council chief last year by the then Minister for Medical Education and Research, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal. Dr Baljit Singh had since retired from government service and demitted office as Director, Medical Education and Research. But it was strange that he was continuing as the Chairman of the Council, they said, adding that his continuing as such was a "mockery of homoeopathy." They said under the Homoeopathic Act of 1973, no allopathic doctor could be appointed as chairman of the Homoeopathic Council. His appointment was also in violation of the directions issued by the Central Council of Homoeopathy. They demanded that Dr Baljit Singh be removed as the council chief immediately. The signatories included
Dr Tejinder Pal Singh, Dr O.P. Vig, Dr S.K. Puri, Dr K.C,
Batish and Dr Rachhpal Singh Deol. |
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Jaitu residents awaits Nehru
memorial JAITU, Feb 20 — Even as the Punjab Government is celebrating the platinum jubilee of Akali Morcha here tomorrow, the residents of this historical town are still waiting for the memorial which was to be raised in the memory of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, who was arrested here on September 21, 1923, by the Council of Regency of Nabha state and later sent to the Nabha Jail when he came here to witness the morcha. Neglected by successive state governments, the town came in the limelight during an Akali Morcha which was launched from here on September 14, 1923, in protest against the disruption of an akhand path by the Nabha state police. The akhand path was organised by the residents to mark their protest against the dethronement of Raja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha state by the British rulers. Mr Mansa Ram, President, Punjab State Freedom Fighters Committee, said he was happy over the fact that the Punjab Government was celebrating the 75th anniversary of Akali Morcha by organising a state-level function, but many freedom fighters had not been invited. He alleged that an ITI was also established by the Mata Parmeshri Gangsar Shaheedi Educational Board about four years ago in the memory of martyrs of Akali Morcha. He added that an agreement was reached with the Punjab Government that it would be converted into a full-fledged ITI. But, some of the trades had been shifted to other ITIs of the state. It was running with skeleton staff. He pointed out that no meeting of the ITI advisory committee had been held so far. He said to mark the
platinum jubilee, the Punjab Government should set up a
development board for this town. He said that a massive
facelift should be given to the town. The town should be
made a sub-division. An engineering or polytechnic,
freedom fighters bhavan and a research centre of history
should also be set up in the town. |
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Tohra denies summoning of
meeting FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 20 — Jathedar G.S. Tohra talking to this correspondent here today said that he has decided to take legal action against UNI and PTI for issuing a totally baseless news item regarding the meeting of his loyalists tomorrow at Fatehgarh Sahib. He said he had not convened the meeting. Earlier Mr Tohra presided over a meeting of the Dharam Parchar Committee at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, which was attended by all the members. Later, Mr Tohra was
closeted with his legal adviser Gurdarshan Singh Grewal. |
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Few takers for second-hand
cars LUDHIANA: The biggest car bazar north of Delhi appears to have fallen on bad days. Business is already down by nearly 50 per cent and nobody knows when things will improve, if ever they do. Buyers are few; sellers fewer. Ludhiana has been a virtual "car mandi" for the entire region for years, attracting buyers and sellers from all over Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and even neighbouring areas of Rajasthan, looking for good bargains in used cars. "People had faith in deals here and they knew that they could get a good vehicle at a good price", says a used car dealer. "And any car Indian as well as foreign could be bought or sold here." Things were good till 1992-93. But the situation began to take a turn for the worse after that. With the arrival of more and more cars, easily funded by the finance companies and banks, the market for second-hand cars began to shrink. "People began to go for a brand new car financed by a company instead of spending their own money for buying a used car", says the dealer. Now when there are so many cars being marketed by different Indian and foreign companies, the market for used cars has shrunk even further. "It is a buyers' paradise. Why should a customer go in for a used car when he can buy a brand new one off-the-shelf, with funds from finance companies", says the dealer. The number of sellers of used cars has also gone down. When a person wants to dispose of his sparingly used, well-maintained car within a few months of a purchase, he finds that it has depreciated greatly. There is no way he can get what he considers a good price for it. Therefore, he prefers to retain his car for some more time. The car bazar has, therefore, shrunk because of the dwindling number of buyers, on the one hand, and a limited number of used car sellers, on the other. A few cases of sale of stolen vehicles reported from the car bazar has also scared away buyers. "But there were just one or two unscrupulous elements indulging in this practice. They have now been weeded out", the dealers hastens to assure. A 1996 Zen is now available for Rs 2 lakh, a 1997 one for Rs 2.30 lakh and that of 1998 for Rs 2.55 lakh, depending on its condition. A 1996 Esteem is available for Rs 2 lakh, a 1997 one for Rs 2.40 and 1998 for Rs 3 lakh. Cielo of 1996 is available for Rs 2 lakh, 1997 for Rs 2.75 lakh and 1998 for up to Rs 3.25 lakh. Opel Astra of 1996 is available for up to Rs 4.25 lakh and 1997 for up to Rs 6 lakh. A local Ford dealer organised a car exchange mela recently under which an old Ford car could be exchanged for a new one, with the customer paying the difference. Many customers were surprised to find that a 1997 model Ford did not fetch more than Rs 5 lakh, while a new one was available for Rs 8 lakh approximately. No transactions could take place. Maruti-800, however,
continues to be the best buy and dominates the used car
market. A 1996 model is available for Rs 1.25 lakh, a
1997 one for Rs 1.35 lakh while a 1998 model can cost up
to Rs 1.65 lakh. |
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Rice millers’ protest on
Feb 22 CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — Up in arms against the Punjab and the Central governments, rice millers in Punjab will organise protest marches and rallies and submit memorandum to disrict authorities on February 22. Mr Gurdeep Singh Cheema, a spokesman of the Punjab Rice Millers’ Association, headed by Mr Tarsem Saini, in a statement here today said that the state and Central governments had not bothered to resolve the long-pending demands of the rice millers. He said wrong policies of the Punjab and the Central governments had ruined the rice industry in the state. Instead of taking up the issue of relaxation in the specifications of rice, the Punjab Government preferred to arrest a large number of rice millers who had come here to hand over keys of their shellers to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He said that the milling industry was on the verge of collapse. A total strike would be observed in the state as a call for this had been given by Mr Saini. Mr Cheema said a deputation of millers had met the Union Food Minister on December 26 to bring to his notice the problems faced by the rice industry in the state. But even Mr Barnala had done nothing to resolve their problems. A team of the Central Government had come to Punjab to assess the damage caused to paddy by rain in September and October last year. The team had already submitted its report to the union government but so far no decision had been taken in the light of the report, Mr Cheema added. He said paddy bring a perishable commodity should be milled before the coming monsoon season. If not done the Central Government would face the problem of saving paddy from rains. The key demands of the
rice millers include relaxation in specifications for the
delivery of custom and levy rice on the pattern of Uttar
Pradesh constitution of a committee of experts for
fixation of yield of rice on actual basis, withdrawal of
arbitration cases initiated against the rice millers by
state agencies due to sale of paddy crop in 1994-95 as
per the policy of the Central Government, finalisation of
recovery of rate of gunny bags left with millers during
1996-97, driage allowance for parboiled units as in the
case of raw rice. |
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Shiv Sena activists
"rounded up" PATIALA, Feb 20 — The Punjab Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) today claimed that its president Pawan Kumar Gupta and 150 activists had been arrested by the police from various parts of the state in connection with the inaugural bus journey to Pakistan. In a statement here Sena vice-president Sanjiv Sharma said the organisation's state president Pawan Kumar Gupta was picked up by the police from his Alipur residence last night. He said similarly the police rounded up Sena cadre in various other districts. Mr Sharma, while condemning the move, said the party would hold dharnas in the city to protest against the repression let loose on its cadre. However, district police chief Parampal Singh Sidhu when contacted said Mr Pawan Kumar Gupta had only been called by the local police in connection with rioting done by some Sena men in a cinema hall screening the movie Fire some time back. He said the Sena president had left for home after being questioned in connection with the case. Meanwhile in a separate release, Mr Gupta said the Sena had with drawn the bandh call given by it on February 22 in the interest of the state. He said a meeting of the Sena executive committee while agreeing that the Akali-BJP government had failed on fronts, felt that certain powers were trying to spread terrorism in the state which should not be encouraged. Mr Gupta said though the
Sena would continue to agitate against the discriminatory
policies of the state government, it would support the
latter as well as other political parties fighting
against militancy. |
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Backward classes not given 'their
due' CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — Mr Lakhwinder Singh, Chairman of the Backward Classes Cell of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said here today that the backward classes in the state had not been given due representation in democratic institutions as well as in government services. He said although 40 per cent people in the state represented backward classes, yet the number of these in the government services was nearly 7.79 per cent as per the available government data. These classes should be given due representation in all spheres of life as per their numerical strength in the state. Mr Lakhwinder Singh had sent a representation to Mrs Sonia Gandhi through Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the PPCC, for taking up the issue with the authorities concerned. He said there were 68 castes in Punjab enlisted as backward classes. He has in his representation raised the issue of giving proper representation to the backward classes in the Congress party. He said at the Pachmarhi session of the Congress it was decided to reserve 20 per cent positions for the backward classes. But in the past the backward classes had not been given proper representation while distributing the party ticket for the Lok Sabha, Vidhan sabhas and the Rajya Sabha. He has expressed the hope that in future the party would keep the Pachmarhi decision in mind. Mr Lakhwinder Singh has
also sought 33 per cent reservation for women belonging
to the backward classes while giving jobs to women in the
party and also 20 per cent office-bearers in the PPCC and
district Congress committees from the backward classes. |
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1 die in mishaps PHAGWARA, Feb 20 — Kulwinder Singh, an octroi employee, was killed after a truck ran into a jeep parked on road side near Bhullara village, on the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road last night. Deceased belonged to Noormahal and was on checking duty. Meanwhile, Charanjit
Singh, said to be a Police Department employee, was found
dead near the local bus stand yesterday. Hailing from
nearby Bhanoki village, 30-year old deceased was to go to
Ludhiana. The post-mortem examination of his body was
done by a board of doctors to ascertain whether there was
any foul play. |
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Chetna march FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 20 — A Khalsa Chetna March, led by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, from Ludhiana to Fatehgarh Sahib was received here today evening by Randhir Singh Cheema. Hundreds of vehicles carrying thousands of devotees paid their obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib was placed in a well decorated Palki Sahib. Panj Piaras were at the head of the march. The Panj Piaras and Jathedars were presented siropas by the head Granthi of the gurdwara. Addressing the gathering the speakers called upon the sangat to get baptised during the tercentenary celebrations. They appealed to the sangat to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa with great enthusiasm. The local Sukhmani Sahib
Sewa Society had organised community kitchen for the
Chetna march. |
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Rally by farmers; farm
technocrats LUDHIANA, Feb 20 —
Hundreds of farmers and farm technocrats from Departments
of Horticulture Animal Husbandry and Soil Conservation of
Punjab at Ludhiana held a rally at the minisecretariat
here today. The rally was held under the chairmanship of
Dr Balbir Singh, convener, Agriculture Technocrats Action
Committee to press the government for the acceptance of
their demands like restoration of professional pay parity
with other technocrats, grant of conveyance and academic
allowances, additional increments for higher
professionally qualified personnel etc. |
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Capt Kanwaljit denies fiscal
crisis in state ROPAR, Feb 20 — Notwithstanding the fact there is a financial crisis in the state and a political crisis in the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, today claimed the SAD was not facing a crisis "at any level". On the economic front, there was "no crisis at all". He also said all bills were being cleared by the treasury. When told that even TA bills of employees of meagre amounts had not been cleared for the past 10 days, he said such exercises was part of the government's policy to "regularise payments". The Minister was talking to mediapersons here today after attending the annual prize distribution function of the local Shivalik Public School. He gave away prizes to outstanding students. He also announced a sum of Rs 1 lakh for the development of the school. Capt Kanwaljit Sihgh said no top SAD leader had resigned from the party. If there was any such report, it was "untrue". Regarding the security
cover to 10 pro-Badal SGPC executive members, the
minister said it was the duty of the police to determine
who required security and no decision had been taken in
this regard at the political level. |
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Polybag issue: plea contesting ban
dismissed CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday dismissed a petition filed by Amrit Industries and nine other industrialists of Faridabad contesting the notification issued by the Haryana Government banning the use of coloured polythene carry-bags manufactured from recycled plastic. Mr Justice R.M. Mongia and
Mr Justice Amar Datt, who passed this order, held:
"After hearing counsel for the parties, we do not
find any infirmity in the impugned notification dated
January 27, 1999. It is in the larger interest of the
citizens of the country if recycling of plastic polythene
bags is stopped. The bags produced in recycling, apart
from being a health hazard, are also not congenial to
many other environment factors." |
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MDU Reader's plea dismissed CHANDIGARH, Feb 20 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday dismissed a petition filed by Dr Amar Singh, Reader in the Department of History, Maharishi Dayanand University, and five other persons seeking the quashing of the government circular dated August 12, 1998, banning filling of teaching and non-teaching posts in universities. This order was handed down by Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice Amar Datt. The plea of the
petitioners was that there were 12 posts of Professor, 24
of Reader and 45 of lecturer in various universities.
Some frustrated prospective candidates, who did not want
the post to be filled by open competition and want to
occupy the same through backdoor entries under political
influence, had got the notification issued because of
their political connections. |
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Do away with subsidy: BKU FAZILKA, Feb 20 — Subsidy on all articles should be abolished immediately and announce renumerative prices of crops Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, President, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Punjab, said at a press conference here today. He pleaded for Rs 912 as the minimum support price of wheat during the next season, by abolishing subsidy Rs 1,50,000 crore would be saved annually. If this amount was invested in agro-based industries, the unemployed youth would get employment. Mr Lakhowal said the BKU had a one-point programme that prices of crops should be determined by on the basis of the wholesale price index of 1966-67. He said the government had declared the minimum support price of crops in 1966-67 for the first time. Taking it as the basic index, salaries of employees had been enhanced by 30 times and the income of traders had increased by 80 times. He said while the wholesale price index had jumped 12 times, the prices of crops had been raised by only eight times. As a result, the farmers had incurred heavy debts. Mr Lakhowal accused the Agricultural Costs and Price Commission of India of giving a raw deal to farmers. On the issue of crop insurance the BKU President said it was not practical for every farmer to get his standing crop insured. Therefore, the Punjab government should insure crops of Punjab farmers. He cautioned the state government that if any farmer was arrested during the process of loan recovery or his valuables confiscated, then the BKU would launch an agitation. Expressing regrets for voting the Akali Dal to power, he lamented that the SAD-BJP government, had not come up to their expectations. Exhorting farmers to realise the value of their votes, he said, in future, the union would contest elections. To create awareness among
farmers of their rights, he said a kisan mahapanchayat
would be organised at Chandigarh on March 19. Later Mr
Lakhowal, Mr Baldev Singh, vice-president, Bhupinder
Singh Maheshwari, General Secretary addressed a farmer's
gathering at the local Grain Market. |
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Bundh inaugurated FEROZEPORE, Feb 20 — The Minister of State for Sainik Welfare and Cooperation, Punjab, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, yesterday, inaugurated an "advance" bandh at BOP Mohammediwala, along Indo-Pak border, near Ferozepore. Mr Sekhon said the bundh would protect lives and properties of residents of nearly 10 border villages from floods. The minister inaugurated Rs 61 lakh Dr B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan on the Malwal Road at Ferozepore and distributed loans worth Rs 24.02 lakh among 138 persons to start their own avocations. These loans were given at a subsidy of Rs 8.05 lakh. Two persons were given cheques worth Rs 5,100 each under Shagun Scheme and cheques worth Rs 1.97 lakh were handed over to 10 thrasher victims. Ten homeless persons of Luthar villages were given key of houses. He also inaugurated a
bridge on Fidda Drain near here. |
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Tohra’s plea to PM on gurdwaras AMRITSAR, Feb 20 — The SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, yesterday urged the Centre to take up the issue of the repair and rebuilding of historical Sikh shrines in Pakistan with the Pakistan Government. In a communication to the
Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, he said nearly
150 historical gurdwaras associated with the Sikh Gurus
and their families were in Pakistan and almost all
gurdwaras needed attention and he should take up the
issue with the Pakistan Government. Engineers and
architects be allowed to undertake ‘kar seva’
and necessary repair or rebuilding of some gurdwaras. |
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Teachers to boycott varsity exams JALANDHAR, Feb 20 — The executive committee of the Private College Non-Teaching Employees Union unanimously declared that they would boycott the university examinations. At an emergency meeting
held at Doaba College here today, it was decided that in
protest against the "indifferent attitude" of
the state government towards their demands. |
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Ramoowalia pleads rice millers’
case PHAGWARA, Feb 20 — Former Union Minister, President, Punjabi Bhalai Manch and Member Parliament Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, today sought early intervention of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for resolving problems of 2500 rice millers of Punjab on indefinite strike these days. Addressing a press conference here after meeting a deputation of the Punjab Rice Millers Association Mr Ramoowalia threatened that the Punjabi Bhalai Manch would launch an agitation in support of rice millers in case issues of rice yield, specification relaxation milling charges etc were not resolved by the Union and Punjab government by March 14. In a letter written to Mr Vajpayee, Mr Ramoowalia criticised steps of the Punjab government crushing millers and condemned lathi charge on them at Kharar on February 15. Later, copies of which were released to the press, alleged that about 10 to 20 rice millers, who were whisked away, were still missing. Alleging that 5000 crore worth paddy was rotting unmilled, Mr Ramoowalia called upon all political parties and paddy growers to come to the rescue of this agro-based industry for saving 5000 miller families, one lakh workers, allied small scale industries from slipping into ruination. Mr Ramoowalia accused the
government of Punjab of backtracking on promises made to
millers in October last year and even withdrawing
concessions granted by the United Front government. Mr
J.P. Vij led the deputation. |
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Sant Samaj asks Jathedar to
quit LUDHIANA, Feb 20 — The Gurmati Sidhant Paracharak Sant Samaj has asked Giani Puran Singh to resign as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht in support of Bhai Ranjit Singh and in keeping with the traditions of the Panth, at a meeting of the Sant Samaj held at Gurudwara Damdama Sahib Mansooran, yesterday under the leadership of Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi, Giani Mohan Singh’s decision to reject the post of the Jathedar of Akal Takht was widely appreciated. It was endorsed that Giani Mohan Singh had thus safeguarded the values laid down by Baba Buddha Ji, first Head Granthi of Sri Harmander Sahib. The Sant Samaj criticised
some Akali leaders who were raising doubts about the
revival of terrorism in the state and reiterated its
commitment to maintain peace in the state. |
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Concern over decline in sex ratio JALANDHAR, Feb 20 — A seminar on Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique Act, was organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department at Civil Hospital, here yesterday. Addressing delegates at the seminar Director Health Services, Dr P.S. Jassi, said the pre-natal diagnostic technique was not meant to determine the sex of the foetus, and to curtail its misuse by some. The Centre had enacted the Act. Under the Act, he reminded the delegates that the sex of a child could not be disclosed to pregnant women or their relatives. While, the sex ratio in the state had dropped to an alarming 882 women per 1000 men, he cautioned that if this continued, it would create chaos and social upheaval. An appeal to NGOs and other social organisations to fight against this social menace and create awareness, was also made, by the delegates. Later, 80 operations were
conducted at a welfare camp at Jalandhar cantonment,
under the supervision of Dr C.P. Bansal, Civil Surgeon. |
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